Best Portable Table Saws Under $300 (Updated for 2026)

Short answer: the Ryobi RTS12 is the most reliably-under-$300 pick right now, typically running around $229 at Home Depot with a 15-amp motor and a folding stand included. The Craftsman CMXETAX69434502 is close behind, often found in the $199–$250 range. If you’re willing to watch for sales, the Hercules 10″ Compact Jobsite Table Saw from Harbor Freight and the Metabo HPT C10RJ both regularly drop under $300 with coupons or promotions, even though their list prices sit higher.

One thing worth being upfront about: a few saws that used to anchor “under $300” lists — the DeWalt DWE7491RS especially — now typically sell for $550 and up, and the DW745 frequently creeps above $300 too. If a roundup like this recommends either one without a clear price caveat, treat it as outdated. Here’s what’s actually available in this budget right now, based on current listings rather than older reviews still floating around online.

Best portable table saws actually under $300

Saw	Typical Price	Rip Capacity	Fence	Notes
Ryobi RTS12	~$229	Compact, folding-stand model	Standard rip fence	Most consistently available under $300
Craftsman CMXETAX69434502	~$199–$250	10″ blade, folding stand	Standard rip fence	Frequently the cheapest of the group
SKIL TS6307-00	~$286–$329	25-1/2″	Rack-and-pinion	Right at the line — catch it on sale to stay under $300
Hercules 10″ Compact Jobsite (Harbor Freight)	List ~$299–$379, sales ~$240–$279	Up to 24-1/2″	Rack-and-pinion	Regularly discounted, worth watching for coupons
Metabo HPT C10RJ(S)	List ~$379–$489, sales as low as ~$215–$330	Up to 35″ (best in class when on sale)	Standard	Biggest rip capacity of the group, but price varies a lot by retailer

Prices shift often on tools like these — treat this table as a snapshot, and double-check current pricing before buying, especially on the Harbor Freight and Metabo options where sales pricing does a lot of the work.

Ryobi RTS12 — the safest under-$300 pick

At around $229 from Home Depot, this is the one saw on this list that consistently stays under budget without needing a sale to get there. It’s a 15-amp motor rated at 5,000 RPM, comes with a folding stand, and includes the usual accessories — miter gauge, rip fence, push stick, and blade guard — in the box.

It’s not going to compete with a rack-and-pinion fence saw on long-term fence accuracy, and a few owners note the plastic components (like the blade guard) aren’t as durable as an all-metal build. For light DIY use, trim work, and general home projects, it does the job reliably at a price that doesn’t require catching a sale.

Craftsman CMXETAX69434502 — the budget leader

This 15-amp, 10-inch saw with a folding stand regularly shows up priced even lower than the Ryobi, sometimes down around $199–$250 depending on retailer. It’s a straightforward jobsite-style saw without premium features like a rack-and-pinion fence, but for occasional ripping and general shop use, it covers the basics without stretching the budget at all.

If you’re outfitting a first shop or need a second saw for occasional use, this is worth checking first, simply because it tends to leave the most room in a $300 budget for accessories like a decent push stick or push block.

SKIL TS6307-00 — best fence for the money, if you catch it right

This is the one saw here with a genuine rack-and-pinion fence, which matters more for long-term accuracy than almost any other single spec. The problem is price consistency — it regularly lists between $286 and $329, which puts it right on the edge of this budget depending on the week.

Watch for sales specifically on this one. When it dips to the high $200s, it’s a real standout in this list for fence quality and rip capacity (25-1/2 inches). At full list price near $329, it’s better compared against saws in a slightly higher budget bracket instead.

Hercules 10″ Compact Jobsite Table Saw — the sale-dependent value pick

Harbor Freight’s Hercules line built this saw specifically to compete with rack-and-pinion saws like the SKIL and DeWalt options, and it largely succeeds — with the catch that its list price sits above $300 most of the time. Coupons and promotions bring it down into the $240–$279 range regularly enough that it’s worth checking Harbor Freight’s current offers before ruling it out.

We’ve spent real time with this saw and put together a full breakdown of where it holds up and where the budget build shows — worth a look before deciding if it’s worth waiting for a sale. Our Hercules Table Saw review covers fence accuracy, table flatness, and how it actually performs against the pricier saws it’s positioned against.

Metabo HPT C10RJ(S) — biggest capacity, most price variance

This saw has the largest rip capacity on this list by a wide margin — up to 35 inches on some listings — which matters if you’re regularly breaking down sheet goods. The catch is that its list price runs well above $300 (often $379 to $489), and getting it under budget means catching a sale or a marketplace deal, which does happen but isn’t guaranteed.

If your priority is maximum rip capacity and you’re patient enough to watch for a price drop, this is worth tracking. If you need something reliably in budget today, it’s a riskier bet than the Ryobi or Craftsman.

A note on saws that used to be “under $300” but aren’t anymore

The DeWalt DWE7491RS shows up constantly in older buying guides as the top pick under $300, and it was, for years. Current pricing puts it in the $550–$700+ range, which is a different budget tier entirely — a genuinely excellent saw, but not one that belongs on this list anymore. Similarly, the DW745 has crept above $300 on a lot of listings, though it occasionally dips back under during sales. If either shows up as a top recommendation in a “under $300” article without a price caveat attached, that’s a sign the content hasn’t been checked against current listings.

What to check before buying at this price point

Fence type. Rack-and-pinion fences (SKIL, Hercules) hold their setting more reliably over time than the standard clamp-style fences on the Ryobi and Craftsman. It’s the single biggest accuracy factor in this price range.

Rip capacity. If you regularly break down plywood, the Metabo HPT’s larger capacity matters. For general trim and DIY work with narrower boards, the more compact options are fine.

Sale timing. Several of the best options here (Hercules, Metabo, and sometimes SKIL) only fit a $300 budget when discounted. If you’re not in a rush, watching for a sale can get you meaningfully more saw for the same money.

Included accessories. All of these come with a miter gauge, rip fence, and push stick, but quality varies. Plan on upgrading the push stick regardless of which saw you buy, since stock ones tend to be the most basic part of any budget saw’s package.

Accessories worth adding on a budget saw

A saw at this price benefits more from a few cheap accessories than an expensive saw does, since the stock components are usually the weakest link. A proper push stick or push block matters from day one on these smaller tables, where there’s less room between the blade and the table edge. If you’re doing repeat crosscuts, a shop-built crosscut sled sized to the saw’s table gives noticeably better accuracy than the stock miter gauge included with any of these.

FAQ

Is the DeWalt DWE7491RS still under $300? No, not currently — it typically sells for $550 to $700+. If you see it recommended in an “under $300” list, that’s outdated pricing.

Which saw on this list is most reliably under $300? The Ryobi RTS12, at around $229, and the Craftsman CMXETAX69434502, often $199–$250, are the two that consistently stay under budget without needing a sale.

Are the Harbor Freight Hercules and Metabo HPT worth waiting for a sale on? Yes, if you’re not in a rush. Both regularly drop into or near the $300 range through coupons or promotions, and both offer features (rack-and-pinion fence, larger rip capacity) that outperform the saws that stay consistently cheap.

Can a budget table saw under $300 handle hardwood? Yes, the 15-amp motors on all the saws listed here handle oak, maple, and similar hardwoods reasonably well with a sharp blade matched to the material.

Do I need a rack-and-pinion fence at this price point? It’s a real upgrade in long-term accuracy, but not a dealbreaker. The Ryobi and Craftsman work fine for general DIY use with a standard fence — a rack-and-pinion fence like the SKIL’s or Hercules’ matters more if you’re doing frequent, precise rip cuts.