Best Band Saws Under $500 [2024 Review]

Band saws can get pricy if you aren’t careful. However, you will be happy to know that there are some more affordable options out there and they can work really well. If you’re looking for a good band saw under $500, you will find that there are plenty of choices. This is a great way to get a simple bandsaw or something for a beginner who is just trying to build up their workshop.

We’ve taken some time to search the market for you and narrow down the top choices. I’ve rounded out the 3 best band saws under $500. Take a look at these.

Reviews of Band Saws Under $500

Whether you’re looking for a compact bandsaw or something that comes on its own stand, you have plenty of options to choose from. You just need to be sure you’re getting reliable quality for your money.

We think finding something reliable and easy to use is a must. I made every effort to find different types of options to meet different needs as well.

Wen BA3962 10″ Bandsaw with Stand

If you want one of the most popular budget-friendly, the Wen BA3962 is a great choice. This is a popular option because it has a lot of great features, it’s very affordable, and it works well.

Wen is popular for their budget-friendly tools and most of them work great for basic use. That’s where this bandsaw falls.

The 3.5-amp motor is really powerful. 3.5 amps equates to roughly 3/1 horsepower, which is the standard power you’ll find in this price range.

With a cutting depth of 6″ and a max cutting width of 9 ¾”, this is what separates this bandsaw from its competitors. The Rikon can only cut material up to 4 ½”, for example.

This 10-inch bandsaw is well-built with steel, a small amount of plastic, and a cast aluminum table with plenty of space to work. It also has that handy miter gauge, a very nice rip fence, and even a work light. All of these features are nice for getting work done and improving accuracy.

This is a variable speed saw, which is really great for a sub-$500 bandsaw. It actually has two different speed options so you can choose the low speed of 1520 or the higher speed of 2620 FPM.

Highlights:

• Motor: 3.5 amps (roughly 1/3 HP)
• Speed: 1520/2620 FPM
• Cut Depth: 6″
• Table Size: 14 1/8″ x 12 ½”
• Bandsaw size: 10 inches
• Model: Stand model (stand removable)

Not all bandsaws have dust ports but this one does. It’s a 3-in-1 dust port that is designed to help make sure all of the dust gets moved out of your way. You can connect a hose or vacuum to help keep the dust at bay as well.

This has a table that will tilt and adjust for you. Setting it up to do the things you need is overall pretty simple. I love that this is an affordable saw that still handles the work.

This model even comes on a stand. The nice thing about the stand is it can be removed. If you prefer a benchtop model or want the ability to switch between stand and benchtop, you totally can.

Finally, the WEN can make bevel cuts up to 45 degrees.

Why I Like It:

• Comes with a stand that can be removed
• Powerful enough motor for basic needs
• Budget-friendly model
• Two speeds to choose from
• Has several great additional features

What I Don’t Like:

• Not as sturdy as some models and may vibrate a bit

Rikon 10-305 Bandsaw with Fence

If you want strong and sturdy that’s bound to be reliable, check out this Rikon Bandsaw. It’s a 10-inch bandsaw that sits on top of a worktop. However, if you like this model and you want a stand, you can upgrade to the package with a stand.

If cut depth is important to you, opt for the Wen bandsaw. The Rikon can cut depths of only 4 ½”, compared to the Wen at 6″.

This bandsaw is made with solid steel so it’s going to hold steady. It has a steel plate in the frame to be strong and sturdy. In addition to those steel plates, you also have a cast iron table that gives you additional sturdiness as well.

This is a slightly small bandsaw but it’s pretty capable for its size. It has 1/3 HP on the motor, which is sufficient for smaller projects size. You’ll find the Wen bandsaw that I review is a lot more powerful.

This bandsaw has a great rip fence on it to help you with accuracy and any type of guiding or control that you might need while you work.

It’s strong and sturdy but it’s also basic and reliable. Those things together give you a bandsaw that is easy to use but still delivers when you need it.

Highlights

• Motor: 1/3 HP
• Frame: Steel
• Cut Depth: 4 ½”
• Table Size: 13 ¾” x 12 ½”
• Bandsaw size: 10 inches
• Model: Benchtop (stand optional)

The best part about the Rikon bandsaw is how small of a footprint it has. If you have a small shop or not much room for this saw, this might be the one to consider.

Rikon is famous for creating tools that are built to work hard and not distracted with a bunch of extra features that not only cost extra money but may not really do much for you. You can see this displayed in all of the details on this saw.

Pros

• 1/3 Horsepower
• Small footprint
• Can be purchased with a stand
• The rip fence is easy to move and adjust
• The guidepost is micro adjustable
• Made with solid steel and a cast iron table

Cons

• There is no miter gauge, which might be an important feature to some

Grizzly Industrial G0803Z Benchtop Bandsaw with Laser

Finally, check out this strong and reliable option that even gives you a laser guide. The Grizzly Industrial model is a great bandsaw made by a very reliable and popular brand. It’s got pretty much all of the little details that you need to get the most out of your bandsaw.

This saw is very similar to most in this price range. It has a 1/3 HP motor, a solid steel frame, a cast iron table, and great power. But this saw actually gives you just a little something more than some of the competitors.

This bandsaw has a laser guide on it. This can potentially help with your accuracy. It has a work light as well, which can come in handy. It has all of the features like a dust port, a miter gauge, a tilting table, and more. It has a deep cutting throat size, which can be helpful as well.

This particular bandsaw was rated in Wood Magazine as a top value saw, which says a little something.

Highlights:

• Motor: 1/3 HP
• Speed: 2460 FPM
• Table Size: 12 x 12 
• Bandsaw size: 9 inches
• Model: Benchtop

The Grizzly bandsaw can be helpful for a lot of different needs. What you can certainly rely on is that the heavy-duty nature of this bandsaw can adequately cover the majority of your needs. It’s a quality machine and it’s built to last you while still accommodating your projects.

Why I Like It:

• Solid, sturdy build
• Includes a laser for precision
• Speed is 2460 FPM
• A “top value” winner in Wood Magazine

What I Don’t Like:

• The fence is hard to adjust

Factors to Consider While Shopping for a Bandsaw Under $500

The band saw really has a lot of versatility to it when you get to know how to use it. Not all bandsaws are created equally. Before you make a decision, be sure to know your needs and how you want to use it.

Before you make your final decision, it might be wise to think about a few specific factors for your choice. Take a look at these simple factors to help you make a great decision.

Power

One of the things that you need to consider is how much power that you need. What you might find is that you will pay more for more power.

The majority of machines in this price range fall close to 1/3 HP, which is the equivalent of 3.5 amps. You need to pay attention to this detail.

However, 1/3 HP is reliable for most basic needs, but won’t allow you to cut through thick stock like tree trunks or solid metal.

Power is one of the biggest differentiators between lower priced bandsaws and the higher priced options.

Variable Speed

Finally, you should take the time to consider how you will plan to use your bandsaw. Depending on the material you want to cut, you might need a cheaper bandsaw that has variable speed settings.

The thicker the material, the slower the speed you want to cut it at.

Lowering the speed is actually a nice trick to cutting thick wood with a less powerful motor.

Since bandsaws in these range typically come with a smaller motor (1/3 horsepower), having the ability to lower your cutting speed can be a big plus.

Throat Capacity

Virtually all bandsaws fit into three sizes: 10 inches, 12 inches, and 14 inches. Yes, you can find larger 18″ models, but these are much less common.

At this price range, your options will be limited to a 10″ bandsaw, which will allow you to make most basic cuts.

More expensive bandsaws come with larger throat capacities, allowing you to resaw larger pieces of stock. You can also make more complicated curved cuts with this size.

Durability

A bandsaw is a pricy investment. You want to know that your investment is going to be built to last.

Check out what the machine is made of. The top band saws are primarily made of steel and cast iron.

Cast iron is the gold standard, and the highest quality bandsaws have been made from this for decades.

Steel has become more popular in recent years, and gives more flexibility in how the frame is developed.

Avoid aluminum frames, as they are cheaper and not as durable. They also have more vibration when cutting, which effects your accuracy.

If you see any bandsaws made from plastic, skip this all together.

Wrap Up

Choosing a bandsaw under $500 really needs to heavily focus on the quality of the saw. You certainly don’t want to spend your money on a cheaply made saw that isn’t going to hold up. These options here are all well-made and have a lot to offer.

Whether you want something that is sturdy and simple, or you really want to have all of the special features, we’ve got you covered.