Last Updated on November 5, 2022 by Barry Gray
I think if I was going to select a material that was horrendous to cut, then I’d opt for tile. I feel the problem with tile is how we expect it to crack or shatter at the merest of touches, which would ruin your entire project.
Of course, if you have ever indulged in some tiling project, then you will know that you will encounter times when there’s a need to cut them. So, what do you do?
Well, I have the answer, and that answer is a tile saw. Yet I know this opens up another problem since several tile saws exist on the market. So, which one do you choose?
That’s where I intend to help. I’ve created a list of five of the best tile saws on the market, but I’m not going to end there. After you check out the different tile saws, I will have a series of tips on what to look for when it comes to selecting a tile saw.
- Best Overall Tile Saw – DeWalt Wet Tile Saw D24000S
- Best Tile Saw for Portability – Porter-Cable PCE980 Wet Tile Cutter
- Best Bargain Tile Saw – Leegol Electric 7” Wet Tile Saw
- Best Tile Saw for Smaller Projects – SKIL 7” Wet Tile Saw 3540-02
- Best Lightweight Tile Saw – QEP 22400Q Tile Saw
I think this will be important for any individual who has never used a tile saw before. I get it can be pretty confusing when you are new to a tool and suddenly have all these options sitting in front of you. So, I want to counteract that.
How I Made My List
But why do I think you should pay attention to what I have to say about this topic? Well, I have extensive experience using power tools, and I believe in sharing my own personal experience with others interested in learning more about tools and DIY.
But that’s not the only thing I’ve used to create my list. I’ve also spent a considerable amount of time looking at tile saws on the market and what you should expect from them. That formed the basis for my criteria that each tile saw had to pass to make it onto the list.
That means each tile saw you see below is easy to use, makes clean cuts, and also includes different features that make it less likely you will even damage the tile.
Also, I spent time checking out what other owners had to say about each tile saw. After all, those individuals have bought it, used it, and have the perfect experience of what it’s like to own it for a period of time. That allows me to give you better insight into what your own experience may be like should you go ahead and purchase that particular tile saw.
Best Overall Tile Saw – DeWalt Wet Tile Saw D24000S
- Blade Length: 10”
- Max Cut Size: 24”
- Weight: 53.6lbs
- Power: 1 ½ HP
For me, the best tile saw on the market is this model by DeWalt, and I’ve chosen it for several reasons.
First, this tile saw is aimed at both the home DIY’er and the professional, which I appreciate. Also, it does come with 1 ½ HP, so it has ample power for cutting through even the thickest of tiles. That means one thing: increased versatility, which is always a good thing.
From the blade perspective, it has a 10” long diamond blade and comes with a maximum cutting size of 24”. To give you an indication of what that means, you still have the ability to cut an 18” tile at an angle of 45 degrees.
But it’s not just the cutting ability that impresses me with this model. It’s also the accuracy it offers you.
This is where the sliding bed comes into play. It provides you with an accuracy of up to 1/32” over a total distance of 18”, and I find that to be more than adequate. Also, the sliding bed comes with a bevel option of either 22.5 degrees or 45 degrees, and I feel you will use those angles more than you expect.
But that’s still not everything that appeals to me with this tile saw. It also comes with two water nozzles, and if you have never experienced this on a tile saw before, then believe me when I say it will transform everything.
The water nozzles will help control dust, and this model comes with nozzles you can adjust. This is cool, as so many have fixed nozzles, so this additional level of control is another bonus.
Overall, this is just an excellent tile saw.
Pros
- The ability to control the direction of the nozzle really helps
- The sliding bed opens up more opportunities for working with larger tiles
- The power makes quick work of cutting moldings of just over 3” thick
- The blade will last for a crazy number of cuts
- It’s portable
Cons
- People utterly new to tile saws may be overawed by the power
Best Tile Saw for Portability – Porter-Cable PCE980 Wet Tile Cutter
- Blade Length: 7”
- Max Cut Size: 17”
- Weight: 32lbs
I always feel that portability is a significant issue with different power tools, and if you also see it as an important thing, then the best tile saw is this model by Porter-Cable. It only weighs 32lbs, so you will have no issues with carrying it around. Also, it is quick to set it up, so you can be back to cutting those tiles in next to no time.
I also appreciate that it comes with a 1HP motor. That’s more than enough to power that 7” blade through tiles without running into too many issues.
Another thing I love is the precision you can achieve with cuts on this model. It has a maximum cutting size of 17”, and even on a diagonal, you are looking at cutting up to 12”. That should be more than enough for most tiling jobs you may be looking at doing.
With this model, you get a miter square included, allowing you to cut at 45 degrees. This increases the versatility of the table saw, which is always a good thing.
It also comes with a water reservoir to help keep the dust down, and there’s also a splash guard, which stops you from getting wet.
Overall, this simple tile saw is all about being relatively light yet offering more than enough power to get your desired end result.
Pros
- It lets you cut down to a depth of 1/16”
- The water reservoir does an excellent job of keeping the dust down
- It has a carry handle, which is great for portability
- It has more than enough power
- It has a sliding base to allow you to work on those larger tiles
Cons
- The blade may wobble slightly, and that could chip the occasional tile
Best Bargain Tile Saw – Leegol Electric 7” Wet Tile Saw
- Blade Size: 7”
- Max Cut Size: 12”
- Weight: 26.8lbs
I know some individuals will want to stay at the budget end of the market, and if that’s something you plan on doing, then this Leegol tile saw is a great tool. It may come at a budget price, but that doesn’t equate to a poorer tile saw.
Actually, I love that Leegol has decided to keep things nice and simple. It clearly has a 7” blade and a maximum cutting size of 12”, so while it does restrict you with the larger tiles, it should prove suitable for a number of projects.
The bed of this tile saw does tilt to give you a bevel angle, and it still comes with a water reservoir for keeping that dust down. The only other thing is the rip fence which then guides you to make straight cuts. Aside from that, this tile saw does not have any other features.
But for the price, I feel it still represents real value for money. After all, it cuts tiles, keeps the dust to a minimum, and it offers you bevel cuts as well. Aside from that, you shouldn’t expect anything else from this machine, but you don’t need too much.
Overall, if you want a plain tile saw that doesn’t complicate life, or cost you too much money, then this model by Leegol is one you need to consider.
Pros
- It has a water reservoir for dust control
- You can make bevel cuts since the bed tilts
- It keeps things nice and easy
- It’s very easy to maintain
- It’s perfect for people on a budget
Cons
- It has a chrome base which can end up damaged over time
Best Tile Saw for Smaller Projects – SKIL 7” Wet Tile Saw 3540-02
- Blade Size: 7”
- Max Cutting Size: 12”
- Weight: 15.81lbs
If you only ever plan to carry out the smallest of tile projects, then I suggest checking out this model by SKIL. It’s designed for this very purpose, and I have no doubt it will over-deliver when it comes to its capabilities.
This model comes with a 7” blade, which is pretty standard, but thanks to its compact size, it does mean the maximum cutting size is reduced to 12”. However, I do still see that as adequate for most tiling jobs, even though cutting those larger tiles is out of the equation.
Also, that 12” size applies to cross-cuts, while you can create bevel cuts up to 45 degrees, which is something I appreciate. The fence on this model will also prove to be easy to adjust, and then there’s the fact it comes with a stainless steel table. That makes the tabletop sturdy, and it’s certainly significantly better than so many other models out there.
This tile saw also comes with the usual water reservoir, and it certainly does an adequate job of everything. Overall, this compact tile saw will help you complete your project and do so with absolute ease.
Pros
- It’s compact enough for the home DIY’er
- It offers you the chance to make bevel cuts
- It has a water reservoir to help with the dust
- It has a stainless steel table
- It’s very lightweight and works well for repeated cuts
Cons
- The edge of the table has a bevel, so water does run off
Best Lightweight Tile Saw – QEP 22400Q Tile Saw
- Blade Length: 4”
- Max Cut Size: 17”
- Weight: 8lbs
If you want something lightweight, then this tile saw by QEP is the one I would recommend. It weighs a mere 8lbs, and it’s crazy they have been able to produce a tile saw that weighs so little.
But here is another amazing thing. Even though it’s light, this tile saw still has the ability to pack a significant punch. It comes with a ⅗ HP motor, so it should cope well with cutting through tiles without really struggling.
The table comes with two extending arms, which does then mean you can cut tiles measuring some 12” in size. While this does stop you from working on larger tiles, I think it’s enough for most people carrying out small projects.
The only downside is that this tile saw struggles on tiles not made from either porcelain or ceramic. It can cut them, but it will take some time and may not result in a clean cut.
Finally, it offers you the chance to do a bevel cut, so this model by QEP can help you out with even mitered corners.
Pros
- It’s very lightweight at only 8lbs
- It has ample power for regular tiles
- It won’t rust or corrode
- It can do bevel cuts
- It has extending arms for larger tiles
Cons
- It can struggle a bit with tiles that are generally thicker
How to Choose the Right Tile Saw
I love each of the five models listed above, but it’s tough to understand how to choose the right tile saw. So, I’m going to help you by offering a few tips that I feel will make a difference.
Power
Power is important. The lower the power, the more the tile saw will struggle when cutting through thicker tiles. You need to have as close to 1HP as possible to eliminate this problem, and if you can do that, then I think you will be okay with cutting almost any type of tile.
Accuracy
You clearly need accuracy with your tile saw, or else how will you manage to make the precise cuts you need? The easiest method is to choose a tile saw that also comes with a fence. A fence acts as your guide, and it does make life significantly easier when making straight cuts.
But that’s not the only option.
Some tile saws also come with sliding beds, and those sliding beds hold the tile in place while you cut it. Once again, this lets you line up things perfectly and know the tile is going nowhere.
If you struggle with accuracy, then one thing I would strongly suggest is to move away from the idea of using a handheld tile saw. With those, the accuracy comes down entirely on your shoulders.
The Blade
The quality of the blade is something I feel you need to pay close attention to. A poor-quality blade will mean your tiles are harder to cut, and you will probably need to replace the blade regularly. Also, a poorer blade increases the chances of chipping the tile.
I would always check that the blade on your tile saw is a diamond-grit blade. This is perfect for making fast cuts, and I also feel the blade is less likely to move around and wobble when compared to low-quality blades.
A Water Feed
A water feed makes a huge difference when dealing with dust, and it also leads to better cuts that are far more accurate. But here, you have two options.
One type of tile saw will pump water from the reservoir onto the blade. This is viewed as the most efficient approach, but it does often come with models that cost more money.
The other option doesn’t involve the water being fed onto the blade; instead the blade is dipped into the water to keep it moist. This option still works, even though it’s to a lesser extent than the feed option, but this is the one you will find on the more inexpensive models.
Cutting Size
The final thing I would look at is the cutting size, and how that relates to the tiles you can work on. I’d also pay attention to how it cuts on the angle because that can also influence the tile size.
But be aware that some models come with extendable arms. This does mean you can work with larger tiles than you think.
Also, look at the cutting depth. Once again, this influences the thickness of tiles, but then that’s where the power aspect also comes into play.
Overall, I think those are the main things to look at when selecting a tile saw. Think carefully about your projects, and I know at least one of the tile saws on my list will work perfectly for you.
Overall Conclusion
That’s my list of the five best tile saws that I believe will transform how you complete your latest tiling project. I find a tile saw to be the easiest way to get your intended end results, and the fact this tool is relatively easy to use is simply another bonus.
A tile saw allows you to accurately cut tiles in seconds. With added technology built into the tool, I think you will be amazed at how you can have perfectly cut tiles sitting there, ready to use, without you having to stress about it all.
But if you still feel unsure which tile saw you should purchase, simply run over the tips I included after my reviews. I think those tips should make the process of selecting a tile saw just that bit easier.
