If you find yourself in a position where you need to cut concrete, marble, granite, stones, or other materials along those lines, you must get a masonry saw. In doing so, you will quickly cut through something that would have otherwise been impossible.
I remember when I first saw a masonry saw in action. The sheer speed and power of the saw and the way it cut through a piece of marble was impressive. Now, I do admit I don’t use one that often, but if you are involved in demo projects, in particular, owning a masonry saw is essential.
But as with any power tool, you will quickly run into a problem thanks to the array of options available on the market. However, I will help you and hopefully make life just that little bit easier.
What I have below are five of the best masonry saws available for you to buy right now. I’ve looked at the various available options on the market and used my experience with power tools to ultimately find the five that stand out from the crowd.
But don’t worry. I’m also going to provide you with a few tips at the end on the key components to look out for when it comes to choosing your brand-new masonry saw.
How I Made My List
If you are wondering how I made my list, then this is what happened.
I spent a vast amount of time going through the different masonry saws, and each one had to pass through different criteria to ultimately make it onto my list.
The first thing I looked at was the power and speed of the saw. You are left with your masonry saw simply taking too long without the correct power or speed, and nobody wants that.
But I also wanted to only include masonry saws that were robust and reliable. There’s nothing delicate about cutting through these materials, so you need a saw capable of standing up to that, and I know each of the five I’ve included can do just that.
I also looked at what other people were saying about their experiences with the saws. I wanted to be 100% certain that the saw in question could withstand a lot of punishment and use.
Ultimately, I was left with these five, which are all excellent in their own right.
Before we dive into in-depth reviews of the five saws in the list, here are my top three picks:
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So now, let’s do a deep dive into all the saws on the list.
Best for Countertops – Makita 4100NHX1 4 ⅜” Masonry Saw
- Blade Size: 4 ⅜”
- Power: 12 Amp
- Speed: 15,000 RPM
- Cutting Capacity: 1 ⅜”
- Weight: 6.5 lbs
I’m starting with the masonry saw that I feel is best if you plan to cut through materials to make countertops. This model by Makita comes with a 4 ⅜” blade with a cutting capacity of 1 ⅜”, and even though that cutting capacity is relatively small, it’s still enough for those slabs of granite or marble.
It has a 12 Amp motor, so it has enough power to push its blade through the material with relative ease. It also has a diamond blade, so it will undoubtedly be robust enough to just slice through that masonry without too many problems. That 15,000 RPM speed also makes a massive difference to the ease with which it can cut through a whole host of tough materials.
But aside from the power, this saw does have another couple of features that I love.
First, the rear of the saw is flat, which helps when it comes to changing blades as it makes the entire process much more manageable. Also, Makita has looked at ways to ensure the blade stays in contact with the material at all times. This leads to smoother cuts, and I feel you get far superior results.
By keeping the weight down to only 6.5 lbs, I also find it means fatigue is not an issue with this brand, which also makes it easy to use. Add in a pretty effective dust management system, and I feel that this masonry saw is indeed one of the best on the market.
Pros
- It has more than enough power for cutting through masonry slabs
- It maintains contact with the material at all times
- It’s lightweight and doesn’t cause fatigue
- The dust management system is pretty good
- It has a diamond blade
Cons
- The cutting depth is not as good as it could be
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Best for Power – Husqvarna 967181002 K760 Gas Cut-Off Saw
- Blade Size: 13”
- Power: 5 HP
- Weight: 21 lbs
- Cutting Depth: 4 ¾”
If it’s the power you are after, then this model by Husqvarna is the one that I suggest you check out. It comes with a 5 HP motor powered by a 2-stroke engine, and don’t worry about this guzzling gas as it’s pretty light in that department.
It does come with a large blade, which does help to increase the cutting depth to almost 5”, and I find that to be quite impressive.
You should know that this model is quite heavy at 21 lbs, but it’s not a crazy weight that should put you off this model. Also, it does produce little in the way of vibration, so overall, fatigue is not something you should be stressing about.
But it comes with several other features that appeal to me.
For example, it has a reversible cutting arm, and I find this model very easy to use as a result. In addition, you should have no problem adjusting the blade guard, and it also comes with an impressive active air filtration.
All of that adds up to an impressive masonry saw that can cut through some pretty thick concrete and do so with absolute ease.
Pros
- It has a tremendous amount of power
- It has an impressive cutting depth
- It comes with a large blade
- It does a decent job of dealing with the dust aspect
- It has a poly-v belt which means less re-tensioning
Cons
- It is aimed more at heavy-duty use
Best Compact Size – DeWalt DWC860W Compact Masonry Saw
- Blade Size: 4 ¼”
- Power: 10.8 Amp
- Speed: 13,000 RPM
- Weight: 9lbs
If you prefer to use more of a compact machine, then this model by DeWalt could be the perfect solution. It may have a smaller motor than you will get elsewhere and a smaller blade at 4 ¼”, but it still packs enough power to cut through most materials. However, you must be aware that it can only deal with thinner materials, so keep that in mind.
I love how the 10.8 Amp motor can still throw out speeds of up to 13,000 RPM. That makes a difference, but the slight dip in power still sometimes comes into play.
Thanks to it coming with a diamond blade, it can tackle not only concrete but also stone, marble, granite, and pretty much anything else you care to throw at it. I do find the blade to be pretty robust, and it does perform better than you would perhaps have initially expected.
I do also feel that this saw is very easy to control. Also, at just under 9lbs in weight, you won’t feel as if you are getting tired of using it, and that also helps out with the control aspect.
Overall, I love this saw because it may be compact in size, but it packs a lot into its capabilities. I also feel it’s a good starter masonry saw as it keeps everything nice and straightforward while still performing in the way you hope it will.
Pros
- It still packs a punch in both power and speed
- It can cut through a wide range of materials
- It’s very easy to maintain control
- It doesn’t induce fatigue
- It has a water line which makes life so much easier for you
Cons
- It clearly has limitations due to the size of the blade
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Best Gas Powered Masonry Saw – Makita EK7651H 14” Masonry Saw
- Blade Size: 14”
- Power: 4.1 HP
- Cutting Depth: 4 13/16”
- Speed: 9,100 RPM
- Weight: 32 lbs
I’ve selected this model by Makita as the best gas-powered masonry saw because of the technology contained within the engine.
This model is actually a 4-stroke engine, which is different from the usual 2-stroke engine you get in most power tools. Makita states that this 4-stroke engine does lead to greater efficiency both in power as well as fuel consumption.
It does this via the engine with a different carburetor and a vented choke plate, leading to superior fuel delivery. It has also reduced the energy required to start the motor by 40%, so you save fuel in that respect.
But that’s not the only reason why I love this masonry saw.
I also love how it contains technology designed to effectively clean the air passing through the tool. It puts air through five different stages, and this does help preserve the lifespan of the engine as it doesn’t end up blocked by dust.
Overall, this is an excellent saw. It has an above average cutting depth and a vast amount of power, meaning it can cut through any form of masonry and do so with relative ease.
Pros
- It has an impressive 4-stroke engine
- It uses less fuel than you would expect
- It prevents the engine from being blocked due to dust
- You can easily change the blade arm position for better cuts
- It’s surprisingly quiet
Cons
- It’s not the fastest at starting up
Best Budget Masonry Saw – Evolution DISCCUT1 Concrete Cutting Saw
- Blade Size: 12”
- Power: 15 Amp motor
- Cutting Depth: 4”
I know that people often look at a masonry saw and feel put off by the price, so I thought it was best to offer a budget masonry saw still capable of performing exceptionally well.
This model by Evolution is fantastic. It has a 15 Amp motor and a 12” diamond blade, so it packs a real punch in both power and cutting ability. Furthermore, it offers a 4” cutting depth, which should be enough to get you through most projects or tasks.
But one feature that I found to be fantastic was the instant start option. So many masonry saws can prove challenging to start up, yet this budget model has no such issues. In addition, they have made sure that it’s exceptionally easy to change the blade in this model, and it’s a pet hate of mine when a tool makes something as elementary as this so difficult to do.
I also love how easy it is to adjust the blade guard, and I feel that this version is also very comfortable to hold, thanks to its ergonomic grip. Add in the fact that it’s lightweight, which means you should never experience this saw leaving you feeling fatigued.
Overall, it’s a budget masonry saw, but it packs so much into a budget model that it feels and acts the same way as more expensive models.
Pros
- It has an impressive motor that’s undoubtedly strong enough to cut through different materials
- It’s straightforward to both adjust and change blades
- The ergonomic handle makes it easy to grip
- It’s lightweight, so you won’t feel tired using it
- It has an impressive cutting depth
Cons
- This is more for a beginner rather than heavy-duty use
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How to Pick the Right Masonry Saw
The five masonry saws I’ve included above are fantastic at what they offer, but you also need to know what to look out for when buying a new masonry saw. So, I have a few tips on what to look out for to make your life that bit easier.
Power
You undoubtedly need the power to push the blade through a material as tough as concrete or granite. So, I would also go for as much power as my budget would allow. It simply means your saw will cut through the materials in a shorter period.
If you are looking at a gas-powered saw, the larger varieties should have at least 4 HP of power behind them. You could manage to get by on 3 HP, but over 4 HP will mean you hit a real sweet spot.
For electric versions, try to get up to that 15 Amp mark. The only exception will be more compact models. They come with smaller motors, but I would never go below the 10 Amp mark.
Speed
The speed of the blade is another thing you need to consider. The slower the speed, the longer the saw will take to cut through the material.
I would generally look at speeds of anywhere from 9,000 RPM up to 15,000 RPM. It’s obviously best if it’s closer to the top end of those speeds if you want to make short work of things.
If you drop below that 9,000 RPM figure, even for smaller saws, then there’s a good chance you will start to struggle with the task in front of you.
Adjustment and Blade Changes
I always prefer it when a tool makes it easy to change the blade, so I suggest you opt for a saw that offers quick changes and doesn’t make life difficult.
My other suggestion is to look at how easily you can adjust things such as the safety guard or the blade arm. Changing the position according to what you are cutting, whether vertical or horizontal, just makes life so much easier.
Dust Systems
Cutting through these materials will always result in a significant amount of dust being thrown up, which can prove to be a problem. So, I would always ensure the saw in question has a more than adequate dust collection system.
The key here is that it removes as much dust as possible to allow you to continue to see your cutting line. Failure to do that will only increase your chances of making a mess of things and ruining your cut.
Water
Water is used on a masonry saw to keep the diamond blade nice and cool, and I would always want to own a masonry saw that keeps on pumping water to the blade. It leads to better cuts and increases the lifespan of the blade and motor.
Cutting Depth
The cutting depth is always linked to the size of the blade. The bigger the blade, the bigger the maximum cutting depth.
However, the actual depths will depend on what you plan on cutting. If you are purchasing a saw with at least a 12” blade, then I would be looking at cutting depths of more than 3 ½”, but that does change with smaller saws.
With more compact versions, especially in those with a blade of around 4”, you would struggle to get a cutting depth of over 1 ½”, and even though it is possible, you do see the limitations this brings on what you can do with the saw.
Those are the key things I would look out for when contemplating buying a masonry saw. You don’t have too many aspects to pay attention to, but each one is undoubtedly important.
Overall Conclusion
Those are my 5 top masonry saws that you can go ahead and buy right now. I’ve no doubt about their capability of cutting through any form of masonry, and I would feel confident you have a positive experience with each one.
But I always stress that you should go back and read my tips before making your purchase. You need to understand what you are personally looking for in a masonry saw before you make your purchase, and I feel that those tips can help you to do just that.
Once you are happy, you can look forward to your masonry saw making quick work of cutting through that stone, concrete, or whatever it is you need to cut. I promise you will be amazed at how well they work, and you can then feel you are progressing with your task.
