There are so many things to consider when looking at tile cutting saws such as the type of blades, size, and power. Without proper knowledge on how to pick the right one, your tile saw won’t be precise nor effective with its cuts.
To ensure you can make plunge cuts, straight cuts, and more with accuracy, our expert contractors tested the top tile saw models today.
Reviews of the Top Tile Saws in the Market
1. DeWalt D36000S
The D36000S is a DeWalt wet tile saw that comes with a stand for more stability. It also features multiple trays you can adapt to your workspace by using a minimal setup or a full-tray setup. To help users get an even more accurate cut, the DeWalt tile saw has a cutline indicator to minimize errors with the help of stainless steel rollers as well.
As for the cutting capacity, it is really what sold our experts on the DeWalt D36000S. You can get a 37-inch rip cut without a plunge and an 18-inch cutting clearance. The 15-amp motor can power the 10-inch wet tile saw through heavy-duty materials and tasks.
What We Like
- Has a cutline indicator
- Wet saw
- Rigid frame
- Powerful 15-amp motor
- Comes with a tray system
- Comes with a porcelain blade
- Has extensions
- Angle and rip guide
- Submersible pump included
What We Don't Like
- A bit heavy
- No laser guide
2. SKIL 3540-02
Good things can come in affordable packages, and the SKIL 3540-02 tile saw is a great example of that. The 3540-02 is a 7-inch wet tile saw that has a durable and stainless steel top that can cut large tiles 12×12 inches. There are two features onboard that make this tile cutter an even more accurate unit: the miter gauge and adjustable rip fence.
There is also a blade cooling reservoir that keeps the blade cool, helping to decrease dust and debris that accumulates on the job. The SKIL tile saw blade has a no load speed of 3600 RPM powered by a 4.2 amp motor.
What We Like
- Durable stainless steel top
- 7-inch wet tile saw
- Adjustable rip fence and miter gauge
- Up to 45-degree bevel cuts
- Blade cooling reservoir
- Small, compact, and portable
- Creates accurate cuts
- 3600 no load RPM
- 4.2-amp motor
- Budget price
What We Don't Like
- Larger projects take time to complete
- The fence may be tough to adjust
3. Ryobi 4 in. Tile Saw
There are handheld saws on the market that our team recommends for simple, small and quick jobs. The Ryobi 4-inch tile saw is the best choice for portability. Weighing just under 10 pounds, the small saw can still cut tile without tiring out your arm. The small saw can handle both dry or wet tile with a 12-amp motor powering the blade.
You may wonder about the accuracy of long and continuous cuts, but the compact handheld tile saw has a lock-on trigger, which helps you exert less effort when you’re trying to hold the saw still.
What We Like
- Lock-on trigger
- Handheld tile saw
- Lighter than a tabletop tile saw
- For use with dry and wet tile
- 12-amp motor
- Compact
- Good price point
What We Don't Like
- Not a professional tile cutter for big jobs
- Not as heavy-duty as some other models
4. Delta 96-107
If you’re looking for a professional-grade tile saw for demanding jobs, then the Delta 96-107 will not disappoint. Our team was impressed by its efficiency compared to other saws, and it comes in 7 or 10-inch options to suit your needs.
The 7-inch option sees a 13-amp motor while you get to work with a 15-amp motor on the 10-inch model. You have a diamond cutting wheel on the 7-inch that can handle stone up to 2-⅜ inches thick. Our experts feel the Delta tile saw has one of the largest rip capacities in its class at 24 inches.
What We Like
- Rail system for straight line cuts
- Large rip capacity
- Diamond cutting wheel
- Powerful motor
- 2 sizes
- Heavy-duty rip fence
- Large steel frame
- Comes with a diamond blade
What We Don't Like
- Stand not included
- Heavy
5. DeWalt D24000S
For professionals like those on our team, the Dewalt D24000S wet tile saw is a must-have. It’s easy to manage and maintain even for one person and cuts tiles incredibly and efficiently. The tile saw frame and the rail system are combined together for more precise cuts.
The stand it comes with makes it easy to transport this tile saw and it folds down easily to a more compact size for storage. The wet saw sees dual water nozzles that you can adjust to minimize sprays. The water attachments can be put directly on the saw to contain runoff, which greatly decreases the mess.
What We Like
- Easy for one-person setup and use
- Portable
- Adjustable water nozzles
- 1.5HP
- Comes with extensions and water trays
- Cutline indicator
- Integrated rail system
- Aluminum framing
What We Don't Like
- Can be a bit heavy
- No laser guide
6. RIKON 7in. Wet Tile Saw
The Rikon 7-inch wet tile saw is quite a small and compact tabletop unit that can manage what larger models can do. It has everything onboard to create straight, angled, and bevel cuts. The 1HP [1], 6.5-amp motor powers the saw blade at 3450 RPM, to cut through man-made and stone tiles.
The clean up is easy with the Rikon wet tile saw as the water reservoir has a drain plug to make emptying it out a simple task. The carrying handles make this a portable model and there is even onboard storage available.
What We Like
- Makes a variety of cuts
- Onboard storage
- Safety paddle switch
- Drain plug in water reservoir
- 6.5-amp motor
- Adjustable bevel
- Large cut capacity
- 2-year manufacturer warranty
- Comes with a diamond blade
What We Don't Like
- Not the best for professional contractor jobs
- Batteries not included
7. Grizzly Industrial T28360
The Grizzly Industrial T28360 is an overhead wet saw that is powered by a very quiet 1HP motor and dual sliding rails. The table is adjustable, giving users much more room to work with and there is a material back-stop clamping plate to keep things secure.
The unit can create bevel cuts up to 45 degrees and cut tiles up to 1-¼-inch thick and 18 inches wide. There is no stand at the moment for this particular wet saw, but it only weighs around 45 pounds, which is lighter than most tile saw models of its size.
What We Like
- Can cut larger tiles
- Not very heavy for the size
- 45-degree bevel
- 1HP induction motor
- Dual sliding rails
- Battery-powered design
- 3450 RPM
- Overhead saw design
What We Don't Like
- No available stand for purchase
- The slide bearing is pretty stiff
8. MK Diamond 169612
The price is a bit up there, but the MK Diamond 169612 is the best tile saw engineered for multiple purposes. Other than tile, you can also get through marble and porcelain as well. The wet tile saw distributes water to both sides of the blade, which keeps it efficient and cool.
One of the best features of the 169612 is the powerful thermal-protected motor. The motor is fan-cooled and produces high torque, making it perfect for DIY or contractor jobs. What makes this unit particularly versatile is the adjustable cutting height that can accommodate larger or smaller tiles.
What We Like
- Multipurpose cutting tool
- Can cut small tiles and bigger tiles
- Wet tile saw
- Multi-position motor
- Powerful high-torque motor
- Adjustable cutting head
- Fan-cooled motor
- Cast aluminum guards
What We Don't Like
- May require some adjusting
- Factory blade may not be the best
Tile Saws Buyer’s Guide
Picking out the best tile saw is more than just looking at the power, size, and durability. It’s also about the blade, and the capacity it can handle. Below are the most important features to look for to make sure your tile saw is up to the task.
Size and Portability
The size of the tile saws will impact its mobility, convenience, cut capacity, which our experts will outline in more detail below. Do you need a portable model? Portable tile saws can be handheld or just lightweight. Some of them come with stands while others are tabletop models.
Our team says there really is no “best size”, just one that fits your needs the best. For our contractors, they often take projects at different worksites, which means they prefer more mobile options and many like units with stands. If this sounds like you, then you may need the same type.
If you’re a homeowner looking to purchase a saw for a home reno, then you probably won’t need a large heavy-duty 10-inch tile saw. If this is the case, our professionals suggest a simple handheld tile saw or a benchtop model.
Tile Saw Type
As with many power tools, there are various types of tile saws available on the market, with the most popular being wet saws. However, don’t just go for the most popular one, you need to make sure you understand how each of them works to be able to find the right one for you.
Wet Tile Saw
The best wet tile saw is meant for precision and speed. Most of these tile saws are equipped with diamond blades and they resemble table saws in the sense that they both have circular blades but a wet tile saw will feature a water reservoir, which is not present on a table saw. You can also make use of miter saws to cut tiles when the miter saws are fitted with diamond blades.
The water in the reservoir aims to lubricate and cool down the blade while it’s in action, which will help to decrease dust and debris accumulation. Many of the best tile saws our experts chose fall under this category. Many options on the market also come with a sliding table that makes more accurate and clean cuts.
You may also have noticed that wet saws can cut bevels and angles as well as straight lines. It just takes some adjustments on the cutting head and deck to achieve. Bigger beds and rip fences on these saws will help accommodate larger tiles, which is why our team recommends wet saws for big projects.
Handheld Tile Saw
Next are the compact handheld models that make great portable tools. This type is understandably smaller than the others and can be as small as 4 inches. Due to the size, handheld tile cutting saws are not the best for large projects. However, they are the most ideal tile saws for quick and intricate cuts.
You will be surprised to know that the best tile size for handheld units is actually the larger ones. You may notice that the handheld tile saws look like circular saws, which is why they work in a similar way. There are also dry and wet versions and ones that can do both when cutting tiles.
Like the most common wet models, the handheld tile saws also come with diamond blades. Since diamonds are currently the hardest material on earth, the blade life and blade quality are excellent.
To sum up, handheld models are great for a small cutting surface that needs more intricate cuts and right angles. However, since you’re controlling the unit manually, it can be more difficult to achieve perfect and accurate cuts. If you need a quick cut or two, our construction team suggests a handheld tile saw.
Grinding Wheel
A grinding wheel is not so much a tile saw in itself, but it’s a grinder that is outfitted with a diamond cutting wheel. Grinders are very powerful, which makes it a great choice for a heavy-duty tile project, but they aren’t the best for balance. A grinder can kick up a ton of dust and debris, which can make it a headache to work with if you don’t have a reliable shop vac.
Would our experts recommend tile cutting with a grinding wheel? Yes, but only if you already own one, because it would make more sense to invest in a dedicated tile saw than to convert your grinder, or if you need to cut through tough materials such as granite.
Tile Cutter
We then have tile cutters. A manual tile cutter resembles a paper cutter where you simply cut the tile length and width to the desired measurements. It’s simple and straightforward to use, but they aren’t as versatile as many tile saws we see on the market.
For starters, these cutters can only cut straight, and they do not require a power source. What our experts really like about these cutters is the minimal mess they create. You may get some dust, but nothing a quick wipe with a wet rag can’t take care of. If you’re okay with not being able to make curved cuts and have perfectly smooth edges, the tile cutter is an excellent and affordable type that is available at your local hardware store.
Motor Power
Definitely go with a tile saw that has significant power – or at least enough to cut through what you need. You need enough power and a decent blade to get through ceramic tile and other materials that rank on the MOH Hardness Scale and even softer materials. Our team suggests 10 to 15 amps depending on your project.
A higher motor power has the ability to spin the blade faster and deliver a higher RPM, which is why a blade guard, splash guard, will contain the mess and keep your fingers safe.
Cutting Capacity and Accuracy
Tiles are used to enhance the aesthetics of a particular space, so you can imagine the negative impact an unevenly cut tile will do. With accuracy being a key factor in appearance, you want your cutting tile saw to perform as expected. There are certain things portable and stationary tile saws can have that will aid in your quest for precision.
For starters, a saw may have a fence to keep the material in place or even a guide that creates a cutline for your blade to follow. Bevel adjustments make cutting tile corners an easier job. The type of tile saw you pick will also impact the features it provides. A sliding table will give you more versatile cuts on the job.
The blade also has a huge impact on the cut capacity and accuracy of your saw. You want your blade to have sharp edges as dull and low-quality options can damage your tiles. You can choose to opt for the diamond-embedded blades that usually come with a tile saw, but don’t hesitate to upgrade the blade if necessary. Our contractors stress that a poor-quality blade can ruin your entire project.
Feeding Mechanism
What is the water feed method on the saw? The purpose of having water fed to your blade while you cut is to decrease the mess. There are a lot of models that have the blade continuously dip into a water containment system below the cutting surface, while others rely on a water pump that delivers the water directly to the blade.
Water pumps are better because they are more efficient. However, our team reminds readers that it will cost extra to get this type of feeding mechanism, but it is well worth the extra cost. We understand the hesitancy to use a cutting tile saw with water since water and electricity traditionally do not mix.
However, our team says there is nothing to worry about as the motors are all sealed and protected. It’s also important to go for high-quality models for better motor integrity and components, preferably ones with a roll cage for the saw’s protection.
FAQ
Which is better, a tile saw or a cutting saw?
A tile saw is better if you want motor-powered blades with the ability to create diverse cuts. A cutting saw is excellent if you only need simple straight cuts and don’t require a powered blade. They are also more affordable but are not the best for industrial jobs or complex cuts.
Our Top Pick For a Tile Saw:
DeWalt D36000S
The best tile saw in the market today is the Dewalt D36000S wet saw with a stand. The sand acts as a support and can fold down to a smaller footprint for easy storage. The saw has an impressive cut capacity and works on a variety of materials. There is also a cutline indicator that will make your straight cuts accurate, even for continuous and repeating jobs.
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