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Best Tile Saws

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Pros
Cons
Best of the Best
DEWALT Wet Tile Saw with Stand (10 inch)
DEWALT
Wet Tile Saw with Stand (10 inch)
Best for Experts

Great choice if you can bring the tile work to the saw (not the saw to the work).

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Best for Experts
Bottom Line

Great choice if you can bring the tile work to the saw (not the saw to the work).

Pros

Powerful motor and strong blades make short work of most tile cutting jobs. Good water collection-return system. Plunge cut option is very useful for special cuts. Rubberized table keeps tiles stable.

Cons

Large units can be bulky and hard for precise cuts.

Best Bang for the Buck
SKIL Wet Tile Saw (7 inch)
SKIL
Wet Tile Saw (7 inch)
Best for Beginners

Homeowners who need to do occasional tile work will love this entry-level wet tile saw.

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Best for Beginners
Bottom Line

Homeowners who need to do occasional tile work will love this entry-level wet tile saw.

Pros

Has many of the same guides and guards as higher-end models. Can handle hard marble tiles. Easy to assemble and carry to the worksite. Makes accurate cuts with an actual wet tile saw.

Cons

Many recommend upgrading to a diamond blade.

Makita Lithium-Ion Cordless Tile/Glass Saw Kit (3 3/8 inch)
Makita
Lithium-Ion Cordless Tile/Glass Saw Kit (3 3/8 inch)
Small Yet Sturdy

Ideal for small tile or glass cutting assignments that don't require extreme accuracy.

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Small Yet Sturdy
Bottom Line

Ideal for small tile or glass cutting assignments that don't require extreme accuracy.

Pros

Cordless design means it can be taken directly to the project. Cuts both tile and glass. Only weighs 4 pounds, including rechargeable battery. Handy cordless tool to have around the shop for modifying pavers and tiles on the fly.

Cons

Motor speed is on the slower side. Cutting jobs may take longer than expected.

Delta 96-107 7" Cruzer Wet Tile Saw
Delta
96-107 7" Cruzer Wet Tile Saw
Simple Yet Solid

A powerful saw that cuts through natural tiles and man-made ones with safety and precision.

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Simple Yet Solid
Bottom Line

A powerful saw that cuts through natural tiles and man-made ones with safety and precision.

Pros

An impressive saw from a trusted brand available in 2 sizes. The diamond cutting wheel is sturdy - even against hard-to-cut materials. Rip fence has 0, 22. 5, and 45 degrees positive stops. Rail system keeps things straight and smooth.

Cons

Some report bent bolts and screws out of the box - inspect before you start.

DEWALT 4-3/8-in. Wet Tile Saw
DEWALT
4-3/8-in. Wet Tile Saw
Portable Convenience

A powerful compact hybrid tile saw with a touch diamond blade for stone, ceramics, and most other tile materials.

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Portable Convenience
Bottom Line

A powerful compact hybrid tile saw with a touch diamond blade for stone, ceramics, and most other tile materials.

Pros

A powerful 10.8 amp motor keeps it running through the toughest stone and granite. Works wet or dry, with a 13-foot water line for the former. Bevels up to 45 degrees for precise angles. Great for home shops.

Cons

Some find the water valve to be cheap compared to the sturdy unit.

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BestReviews spends thousands of hours researching, analyzing, and testing products to recommend the best picks for most consumers. We only make money if you purchase a product through our links, and all opinions about the products are our own. About BestReviews  
BestReviews spends thousands of hours researching, analyzing, and testing products to recommend the best picks for most consumers. We only make money if you purchase a product through our links, and all opinions about the products are our own. About BestReviews  
BestReviews spends thousands of hours researching, analyzing, and testing products to recommend the best picks for most consumers. We buy all products with our own funds, and we never accept free products from manufacturers.About BestReviews 
HOW WE TESTED

We recommend these products based on an intensive research process that's designed to cut through the noise and find the top products in this space. Guided by experts, we spend hours looking into the factors that matter, to bring you these selections.

First Reviewed
November 05, 2021
33
Models
considered
16
Hours
researched
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Buying guide for best tile saws

Bob Beacham
Written by Bob Beacham

Updated May 2022

When it comes to laying tile on walls or floors, there's no better tool than a good tile saw. Fast, accurate, and easy to master, a tile saw is an excellent solution for the DIY or professional user.

Choosing the right one, however, can be a challenge. There are enormous variations in size, portability, power, and, of course, price. Unless you know what you're doing, you could end up with a poorly made, ineffective tile saw or an expensive tool you never use.

BestReviews is here to help you avoid the pitfalls and choose precisely the right tile saw for your needs. We do it by reviewing and testing products, consulting experts, and evaluating customer feedback. We never accept free products from manufacturers. The result is an unbiased guide to tile saws.

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Whatever kind of tile saw you use, cutting slows the blade. Always make sure the blade is running at full speed before you start the cut. Let the blade cut at its own rate; never force it.

Types of tile saws

There are several types of tile saws available, each suited to different ways of working. There are three basic categories:

  • Handheld tile saws

  • Table tile saws

  • Rail tile saws

Handheld tile saws

Handheld tile saws come in two configurations. Many of the manufacturers of these tile saws will be recognized by woodworkers and do-it-yourselfers.

Tile/masonry saws: The first type of handheld tile saw has a cutting disk on the end of a powerful, horizontally mounted electric motor, a molded handle above, and a guide plate below. It looks much like a circular saw.

  • Dry- and wet-cutting models (reservoir or hose attachment)
  • Four- or five-inch blade
  • Cutting table with some models (extra cost)
  • Can usually cut bevels up to 45°, as well as 90°
  • Harder to make precision cuts
     

Tile/glass saws: The second type of handheld tile saw is smaller and looks a little like a cross between a circular saw and an angle grinder.

  • Dry- and wet-cutting models (small water bottle)
  • Three-inch blade
  • Can usually cut bevels up to 45°, as well as 90°
  • Some cordless models
"Two hands give you better control of a handheld tile saw, so it’s recommended that you use clamps with soft jaws to hold the tile on the bench."
STAFF
BestReviews

Pros

  • Very portable (particularly cordless models)

  • Relatively light

  • Considerable power (motors range from 4 to 12 amps)

  • Good for detail work and repairing small areas


Cons

  • Battery life criticized

  • Table, bench, and/or clamps needed to support tile

  • Expensive (some cost as much as budget table tile saws)

  • Impractical for tiling large areas

"Wet tile cutting can be messy. Water mixes with the tile powder to create a slurry, which the spinning blade can spray around. It’s a good idea to wear an apron and to work outside when practical."
STAFF
BestReviews

Table tile saws

These tile saws look like a woodworker's table saw, and several well-known manufacturers make both. With a handheld tile cutter, you take the blade to the tile. With a table tile saw, you make the cuts by pushing the tile into the blade. Table tile saws have the following features.

  • A water bath cools the blade while it’s running.

  • These saws include a seven- or ten-inch blade.

  • The guard above the blade is a safety device, but it also keeps the saw from spraying dirty water everywhere.

  • Fences allow you to make clear and easy measurements.

  • Miter guides make it easier to cut diagonals.

  • These saws offer variable bevel cutting (some with presets at 22.5° and 45°).
     

Entry-level table tile saws are bench-top models, usually with a seven-inch blade. You can use them on the floor, but that can get uncomfortable if you’re working for long periods.

Pricier models usually come with a folding stand and a ten-inch blade. They are comfortable to work at and convenient to move. Several also have the ability to plunge cut, enabling you to cut square or rectangular holes within the tile area, where you might otherwise have to first cut a tile in two.

"When using a table tile saw, keep a cloth handy to wipe away the slurry. If it builds up, it obscures the measuring guides and can cause tiles to slip when you’re cutting."
STAFF
BestReviews

Pros

  • Large, stable working platform

  • Greater accuracy

  • Good for big tiling projects

  • Good value for the money (even some budget models)
     

Cons

  • Heavy (20 to 90 pounds)

  • Too small to cut pavers (less-expensive models)

  • Expensive (professional quality)

"Your hands can get cold using a wet tile saw, and wearing gloves isn’t practical. If you can't feel your fingers properly, accidents will happen, so it’s a good idea to stop periodically and warm up. "
STAFF
BestReviews

Rail tile saws

A rail tile saw is like a circular saw on rails. Two parallel beams support a powerful motor and ten-inch blade, which run backward and forward over a large table. These are designed for commercial use.

Pros

  • Extremely powerful motor

  • Large work area (excellent for large tiles)

  • Comfortable work height

  • Robust and durable

  • Table removable for transport

  • Plunge cutting

  • Cuts bevels

  • Cuts stone (some models)
     

Cons

  • Heavy; not easy to transport

  • May require separate water pump

  • Not for detailed work

  • Table doesn’t fold

  • Expensive

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For your safety
Never use a wet tile saw without water running over the blade. It will overheat rapidly, and it could shatter in extreme cases.
STAFF
BestReviews

What to look for in a tile saw

  • Wet or dry blades: For occasional detailed work or small repairs, dry is fine. For everything else, wet produces a cleaner cut with no danger of the tile saw overheating. Dry blades can be used wet, but wet blades should never be used dry.

  • Motor power: This varies considerably, from four amps on small handheld tile saws to two horsepower on some rail tile saws. Manufacturers do a good job of providing adequate motors, whichever model you choose. Occasionally, a tile saw motor will stall, but that's more likely to be a question of material or technique and not a weakness in the motor.

  • Cut depth: This is important, and it varies a great deal from one tile saw to another. If you're cutting floor tiles, which can be much thicker than wall tiles, make sure that the depth of cut exceeds the tile thickness by at least 1/16 of an inch, or you can get break-out at the end of the cut, ruining the tile.

  • Cutting capacity: Cutting capacity (maximum tile size) varies enormously with table tile saws. Cheap tile saws might offer around seven inches of cross cutting and a similar length of diagonal cutting. Note that a standard six-inch wall tile is more than eight inches on the diagonal. Large table tile saws can handle 18- or 24-inch tiles.

  • Table material: For table tile saws, water runs across the machine continuously, so you want a table that won't corrode or rust. Zinc and stainless steel are popular options.

  • Guides: To make cut-line alignment easier, look for a high-end table tile saw with LED or laser guides.

  • Drain plug: Table tile saws with drain plugs are much easier to empty when you're finished. Without a plug, you have to tip the saw to drain off the dirty water.

  • Blades: All tile saw blades are diamond powder-coated blades, but not all blades are the same. Many complaints about poor performance concern using the wrong blade for the tile material.
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Expert Tip
When cutting tile diagonally, damage occurs most often at the end of the cut, when small pieces can split off. Slowing down the feed rate helps prevent this.
STAFF
BestReviews

Tile saw prices

Tile saws come in a vast range of prices. That's good news if you're looking to buy one because there are plenty of choices for every budget.

  • $100 to $150: You'll pay about this much for a small tabletop tile saw with a seven-inch blade or a portable tile saw with a three- or four-inch blade. A handheld cordless model will be about this price, too, but note that the price doesn't include the battery.
  • $250 to $2,000: Ten-inch tile saws, either tabletop or stand-mounted, fall in this price range. The extra cost pays for better quality and extra features. It's important to check the specifications carefully. There is no point in paying for capabilities you don't need and won’t use.
  • $2,000+: Rail tile saws can easily exceed $2,000.
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Expert Tip
When cutting small pieces on a tile saw table, use a spare piece of tile or scrap wood as a “push-stick” to keep your fingers out of harm's way.
STAFF
BestReviews

Tips

  • Small, handheld tile saws are particularly useful for detail work like cutting notches to go around doorways or other moldings.

  • When dry cutting, do so for short periods, such as ten seconds at a time, to prevent the blade from overheating. Running the blade at full speed away from the tile helps it cool down.

  • The ability to plunge cut adds great versatility to your tile cutting, allowing you to make holes for vents, sockets, or drains. Square holes are often sufficient for things that are actually round, such as a toilet drain. The toilet base is far bigger than the drain hole required, so it will easily cover the hole.

  • If you're going to be cutting both floor and wall tile, think carefully about the depth of cuts you'll need to make. Remember that if you need to cut bevels, you'll need greater depth than if you are only cutting at 90°.

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Always wear eye protection when using a tile saw. Keep your hands as far away from the blade as possible.

FAQ

Q. What size tile saw should I buy?
A.
It depends on the kind of jobs you do. Portable tile saws are easy to transport and great for small jobs and modest repair work. Tabletop and stand-mounted saws give you a convenient, stable platform and a larger blade. If you're doing whole rooms or a lot of floor work, they are the recommended option. Check that they have the depth of cut you need and can accommodate your maximum tile size.

Q. Do I need to worry about which tile saw blade to use?
A.
Most tile saws come with a general-purpose diamond blade. They're usually very effective at cutting standard ceramic tile. Glass, marble, masonry, and mixed material tiles can be difficult to cut, and they can chip or crack in the process. A specialist blade is recommended for these materials, and there are many choices available. Manufacturer and good do-it-yourself websites are valuable sources of information.

Q. There are plenty of cheap manual tile cutters around. Do I really need an electric tile saw?
A.
If you have the skill and patience, it's possible to produce similar results with a manual tile cutter on ordinary ceramic tiles. However, manual devices don't actually cut. They score the surface of a tile, which you then break. It takes practice, and it can cause surface damage and uneven edges. If you have masonry, glass, or marble tiles, or any material with inclusions, the manual “score and snap” method may not work at all.

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