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The 6 Best Portable Band Saws in 2023: A Quick Guide to Choosing the Right Machine
Looking for the best portable band saw for your needs? Our guide highlights the best portable band saws on the market for 2023. Portaband.com is your go-to destination for superior band saw blades. Check out our inventory here.
Our Top 6 Picks for the Best Portable Band Saw in 2023:
1. Bosch BSH180B 18V Compact Band Saw
This portable bandsaw is built for cutting in confined areas and corners. The Bosch BSH180 18V band Saw is lightweight and straightforward to use. The machine cuts up to 2-1/2 in. on a single pass, has a surface-footage rate of 530 feet per minute and handles most common-sized materials.
Another unique feature of this tool is a soft-grip handle for comfort and an inbuilt LED work light to highlight the cut line in dark situations. Also, it is designed to replace its portable band saw blades fast and conveniently. And to provide an equal distribution of weight, the battery pack is placed above the handle. It is constructed with an aluminum foundation to resist the rigors of a jobsite environment. This portable bandsaw is an affordable option that will help you get the job done quickly and efficiently.
It cuts a wide range of metal materials with pinpoint accuracy – such as copper wires, uni-strut, conduit, and threaded rod. The Bosch BSH180 18V portable band saw produces clean cuts in a pipe (without sparks) by reducing the requirement for sanding and scraping the cut metal.
2. Milwaukee Portable Band Saws
The Milwaukee Band Saws are more advanced but also a little more expensive but they’re worth the investment. We recommend two models; the Milwaukee M18 FUEL™ Deep Cut Band Saw and the Milwaukee M12 FUEL™ Compact Band Saw.
They both have several features that make them an excellent contender for the best portable band saw. With Jobsite Armor Technology on the M18X model, the tool is adequately insulated from spills and debris thanks to a patented composite material and crush zone boundaries that buffer impacts. Their battery technology gives up to 2.5X longer run-time than any rival lithium-ion battery on the market due to a better pack structure and electronics leading to more work per charge during the battery’s lifetime. It is also equipped with a tool-free locking retractable shoe that can be adjusted from an enlarged shoe to no shoe in seconds.
On the other hand the M12X model enhanced performance, lightweight design, one-handed use, and expanded capacity maximizes your productivity while decreasing fatigue. Like the previous model, it also features a Jobsite Armor Technology and an LED work light. We also love the variable speed trigger which gives you a lot of control.
Finally, both are designed to easily swap their portable band saw blades quickly and conveniently and are constructed from high-quality materials so that you can trust their performance.
3. Dewalt DCS371B Portable Band Saw
Dewalt is a well-known brand in the portable bandsaw market. They have a variety of portable band saws that are perfect for the average small business. Dewalt provides both corded and cordless versions of their products, depending on your requirements.
The Dewalt DCS371B cordless band saw operates on their 20V battery system, so if you already have another Dewalt product, you might be able to simply buy the saw and reuse your battery. Dewalt developed this tool with an integrated hang hook, which allows you to hang it up while not using it. Furthermore, by hanging the device, you avoid damaging the handles or the tool’s base.
Changing its portable band saw blade is a straightforward process. There is a tool-free lever that you can operate to adjust and change the blade, making it easy to get back to work if a bandsaw blade is broken or damaged.
The handles have a soft grip design, making it easy to grasp while cutting. The saw can cut up to 2-1/2′′ pipe and has a generously sized faceplate that helps to hold your work piece tightly against the saw. The built-in, automated LED performs a good job of illuminating your work and allowing you to see precisely where you are making cuts.
4. Makita Portable Bandsaws
The Makita XBP02Z 18V LXT® Lithium‑Ion Cordless Portable Band Saw brings powerful metal cutting capabilities to the job site. It is designed for a wide range of cutting tasks in various metals.
The XBP02Z is equipped with a Makita-built high starting torque engine and a compact design that is lighter in weight. It is designed so that replacing its portable band saw blades is fast and convenient.
Another favorite from Makita is the XBP03Z 18V LXT® Lithium‑Ion Cordless Compact Band Saw model. The XBP03Z has a higher blade speed and a 2-1/2″ cutting capacity. It is perfect for cutting conduit, thread, channel, corrugated, pipe, sheet metal, square tubing, and other materials with its portable band saw blades. The adjustable foot protects the material and provides firm support for more accurate cutting.
We also recommend the Makita XBP05ZB 18V LXT® Lithium‑Ion Sub‑Compact Brushless Cordless Band Saw which provides powerful cordless metal cutting performance in a small package. It is a sub-compact cutting device designed for one-handed use in confined locations and overhead cutting tasks. Once again, replacing its portable band saw blades is quick and easy. During difficult jobs, constant speed control automatically delivers additional power to the motor to maintain speed under load.
Overall, the Makita portable band saws are an excellent choice for anyone looking for a high-quality band Saw that is easy and perfect for electrical, HVAC, installation, metal building, metal fabrication, plumbing, and any pro contractor who requires a best-in-class engineered cordless portable band saw.
5. Masterforce Portable Band Saws
The Masterforce portable band saws are some of the most popular and well-respected models on the market. They offer a wide range of models, from the budget-friendly Masterforce Flexpower 241-0440 A5, to the top-of-the-line Masterforce Flexpower 241-0441, known as C3. The A5 is the most affordable model, and it’s perfect for small businesses. The A5 has a cutting blade size of 0.25 inches and a motor power of 350 watts. It’s also lightweight and easy to use. The C3 is the top-of-the-line model from Masterforce. It has a cutting blade size of 0.8 inches and a motor power of up to 1,500 watts.
6. RYOBI Portable Band Saws
Even though the device comes with two bundled 32-7/8 inch 18 TPI Blades that will make your cutting job a breeze, it is also compatible with the vast majority of other 32-7/8 inch blades. The RYOBI P590 is a Portable Band Saw developed with ease in mind, allowing you to use it almost anywhere you choose. It has an incorporated pommel handle, providing additional comfort and enhanced visibility, mainly because the pommel grip enables you to relax and move the saw around much more quickly. Also included is a hang-hook, which allows you to store the gadget in an easy-to-reach overhead storage area. With a lightweight design and solid construction, this portable band saw is meant to last for years to come. And because of its uniform weight distribution, it is effortless to handle, allowing you to make smooth, precisely straight cuts with its portable band saw blades.
