Tiles are a premium option when it comes to floor materials for commercial and residential premises. Their advantages are many; from being good looking to being easy to maintain and clean.
It is no secret that with proper maintenance and care, tiles can withstand years of heavy traffic while still maintaining their beauty. While tiles are a durable floor option that can be used in just about any room, they are mainly used in kitchens, bathrooms and common areas such as lounges. One demerit of tiles, however, is that they are expensive to install.
Not only are they expensive but the specialized labor required for installation doesn't come cheap. Further costs can also be accrued due to tile wastage due to improper cutting. This is the reason why most people have chosen to do the installation themselves without involving technicians. To achieve this, the best tile saw is needed for good results.
In this article, we shall discuss everything you need and ought to know about the tile saw. From a general overview on the tool, tile saw reviews, an exhaustive buying guide, and finally where you can shop for one.
Image | Name | Features | Price |
|---|---|---|---|
  | HP: 1.5 Blade: 10" Rip Cut: 28" Miter: 22.5ᵒ, 45ᵒ Rating: 9/10 | ||
  | HP: 1 Blade: 7" Rip Cut: 17" Miter: 45ᵒ Rating: 8/10 | ||
  | HP: 2/3 Blade: 7" Miter: 0-45ᵒ Rating: 7.5/10 |
A Brief Overview on Tile Saw
A tile saw is not like your every day saw but is a piece of special equipment used to cut tiles.
Most tiles are crafted using delicate and expensive materials such as clay, marble, porcelain, and ceramic.
Attempting to cut them using a traditional saw, is sure to cause minute cracks that in turn lead to the tile breaking apart. This is not only wasteful but also expensive.
Tile saws are usually designed to provide a clean uniform or circular cut so that the tile fits perfectly in place without any chance of damage.
While a tile saw can look similar to other types of saws, their blades and modes of operation differ including the use of water to help cut through any type of tile.
There are numerous types of tiles saw including:
- Fast Cutter.
- Wet tile saw.
- Table tile saw.
- Hand tile cutter.
Our 10 Best Tile Saw For Homeowners Reviews
In this section, we shall review different tile saws that we feel are the best in the market. Categories for our tile saw reviews include, best pick, best value for money, Cheapest option, and others.
1. DEWALT D24000S Wet Tile Saw with Stand, 10-inch Blade
DEWALT D24000S is the best tile saw money can buy right now. It is highly feature-rich, convenient to use, portable to move from one place to another, and have all the safety facilities that are needed to have a safe tile cutting experience.
This little beast can rip cut up to 28 inches and can cut 18x18 inches tile diagonally. Its adjustable miter cut feature is a thing that everyone should know! You can have 22.5 or 45 degrees miter cuts with its adjustable cutting head.
This wet tile saw comes with dual water nozzle and a high-quality water pump that allows you to cut the tile smoothly without scratching the tile edges. Two built-in water attachments are included to catch the additional water sprayed to minimize the water wastage and keep the deck clean from the mess.
One unique feature of the best commercial tile saw is that it can perform plunge cut which is mostly ignored in the cheap tile saws.
The adjustable rollers help the operator to align the saw properly for an accurate cut and the cut line indicator makes the task easier.
Although it comes with a lot of features, it is a very well-designed tile saw that has a removable cutting cart. The removable cutting cart makes it easy to clean after each usage.
The 69 pounds saw comes with a foldable stand for better ergonomics and guess what? A person can move the saw from one place to another!
The build quality of this 1.5 horsepower tile saw is another important aspect you should know before buying. It is manufactured to withstand rough tough abuses in the job site which made it one of the best tile saw for professionals.
Key Features
2. PORTER-CABLE PCE980 Wet Tile Saw Review:
A compact and sturdy tile saw that is both affordable and high-quality. This Porter-Cable model is our pick for the value for money category for its overall satisfying features.
This tile saw can rip cut up to 17 inch long tiles and 12 x 12-inch tiles diagonally. Although the saw is fixed in the structure, it comes with a miter square attachment that allows you to perform miter cuts without moving the saw.
It is a wet saw but does not have any water pump in it. There is a water reservoir under the saw that makes the blade wet to cut the tile smoothly without making it too hot.
The drain plug along with a splash guard allows you to work on it without bothering much about splashes from the saw that is coming from the water reservoir to the workbench through the rotating blade.
The stainless steel deck maintains a balanced surface and gives you a sturdy feeling when working with this. It has a metal sliding tray and an adjustable rear fence to make things easier for you.
When it comes to mobility, this machine performs way better than most of the tile saws available in the market. You can safely move this from one job site to another. Thanks to the roll cage and carrying handle that comes inbuilt with this wet saw.
This tile saw can easily cut through ceramic, porcelain and stone tiles with its 2850 RPM capable blades and 1 horsepower motor.
The saw is easy to clean and can drain out water from the tabletop very fast.
Key Features
3. SKIL 3540-02 7-Inch Wet Tile Saw Review:
Cheapest tile saw that can do almost all DIY tile cutting projects. This SKIL 3540 machine is the most affordable option to buy from the market today without compromising much.
This tile saw is made for small DIY projects and can cut 12x12 tiles straight. You can have miter cuts and diagonal cuts with this little machine for 7.5-inch tiles. Its adjustable rip fence and miter gauge allow you to perform miter cuts with ease.
This 17.69-pound lightweight saw is very easy to carry. So, you can move this anywhere you want to have your works done.
Its 7-inch diamond blade can cut through almost all types of tiles that we ordinarily use in our home. Although it is a modifiable machine, you can’t use other types of saw blade except diamond blade.
Another drawback is that the 7-inch blade that comes with the machine does not last long. So, if you are planning to do a lot of work with it, make sure you get a replacement blade.
You can bevel cut your tiles from 0 to 45 degrees angle! Thanks to its adjustable stainless steel top. Although it comes with a stainless steel top, its base is made of plastic. A big compromise in build quality.
This cheap tile saw comes with a water reservoir underneath to cool down the blade and make the cut smooth. But the water reservoir is not big enough to give you uninterrupted working time. This will keep running out of water after a few moments when you are doing a lot of work with it.
After all these reports, you would have already guessed! This is not a saw that a professional would like to have. It can’t perform heavy-duty tile cutting jobs and can give you a hard time if you want to do so. If you are planning to buy a tile saw that can be used for your DIY home remodeling work, this is a tool that comes at the most affordable price point.
Key Features
Don't forget the Blade!
Our Best Saw Blade Pick:
Click on the image to check price and details about the blade.
4. QEP 22650Q 650XT 3/4 HP 120-volt Tile Saw
This model from QEP is famous for its flat table that allows you to rip cut tile of unlimited size. This is also the case for diagonal cuts. It is affordable and extremely portable to allow you to do your job anywhere you like.
Its 0.75 horsepower motor is just enough powerful to cut porcelain, ceramic, marble, stone, and granite tile with ease.
It comes with a 7-inch diamond blade to allow you to jump into the work at the moment it is delivered to your doorstep.
The steel made tabletop and the rubber foot pad made it a perfect choice for those who want a stable tile cutting experience. And guess what? It has an 8-inch table extension that allows you to cut tiles that are bigger in size.
You can perform rip cut and diagonal cuts on as big tiles as you want. Thanks to the flat table surface! You only need is an extension table to make it possible.
The miter gauge allows you to have miter cuts of 22.5 and 45 degrees. But if you are looking for the bevel cut feature, this tool will definitely disappoint you. This does not allow you to do bevel cuts.
The water reservoir technique is becoming famous in the cheap tile saws nowadays and this tool is not different. Yes, it comes with a removable water reservoir that is easy to clean.
Its rip fence is a thing that can irritate you when working. The fence is hard to move for getting the right position. But once it is positioned perfectly, it works well.
Now, who should buy this tile saw? This one of the best tile saw for homeowners and DIYers but certainly, not for professionals. If you are thinking of buying it for heavy-duty works, it will surely disappoint you.
Key Features
5. MK Diamond 157222 MK-170 7-Inch Bench Wet Tile Saw
The MK Diamond wet saw is another tool that is made for DIYers. It is lightweight, easy to clean and has safe switch locking for safety precautions but has some drawbacks too.
This 15-pound tile saw is easy to move and requires a small amount of space to operate. So, it is a great tool to have when you have a shortage of spaces or need to do tile cutting jobs in a confined space.
Its plastic water reservoir is easily removable and can be cleaned without any hassle.
Since this is a small tile saw made for DIYers, you’ll not be able to cut more than 12-inch tiles straight. Although it comes with an adjustable rip fence to assist you in your tile cutting job, it does not work well.
The 0.33 horsepower engine powered saw can rotate the blade up to 5500 times per minute. Although it can rotate so fast, actually it cuts tile slower than the other saws we have reviewed above.
Its submersible water pump is also not of high quality. It sometimes stops working and sometimes, you’ll find it difficult to stop with the switch.
You’ll get a diamond blade in the package when you buy this machine. So, you do not need to buy another one unless you got a massive amount of tiles to cut with this.
Although the manufacturer claims it as a high-quality machine, we have found a lot of compromises that can interrupt or slow down your tile cutting process.
One thing that I liked most about this saw is its safe switch locking system. Since this is a small tool and children can easily access this and can be get harmed. So, an extra layer of safety must be appreciated.
Key Features
6. SKIL 3550-02 7-Inch Wet Tile Saw with HydroLock Water Containment System
This model from the SKIL is the upgraded version of our cheap tile saw pick. It has all the features that offer SKIL 3540-02 model and have some extra features like the extension table and hydro lock water containment system, an efficient way for reducing wastage and water usage.
The saw can cut tiles up to 18x18 inches and have an adjustable rip fence to assist you with your straight cuts.
It offers 22.5 and 45-degree bevel cuts, thanks to its flexible tabletop. Not only that, the miter gauge that comes with the package will also help you to get perfect miter cuts.
The tabletop is aluminum made that reduces the risk of sliding extension table and adjustable rip fence getting jammed for rust. Cleaning after each usage is all you need to do for keeping it functional for years.
The .80 horsepower motor can rotate up to 3600 times without load and cut almost all types of tiles with its 7-inch diamond blade. Although the blade is not so durable as usual, but it will do most of your initial job with the saw. You’ll need a replacement if you intend to go full force from the day you get the product.
The machine weighs only 24 pounds that made it one of the best portable tile saw available now. Although it comes with almost all the features the high-end expensive tile saws offer, you should not consider this a good fit for professional or heavy-duty usage.
Key Features
7. QEP 22400Q 3/5 HP Torque Master Tile Saw
A tile saw that comes cheaper than the rent of some heavy-duty tile saws. If you are looking for a saw for small jobs, this can be a money saver for you.
The saw can cut through porcelain, ceramic, marble, stone, and slate with its 4-inch diamond blade. Its 0.60 horsepower is enough powerful to do all your home tile cutting job pretty easily.
You can cut larger tiles with this cheap tile saw, thanks to its dual extension table that adds up an extra 5 inches to accommodate larger tiles.
Surprisingly, this plastic made tile saw allows you to miter cut at 22.5 and 45 degrees which is a great feature in a tile saw under 100 bucks.
Since this is made of hard plastic, it weighs only 8 pounds and you can carry this in one hand without any problem.
Its efficient water management system is a feature worth mentioning. It recirculates water through the blade from the reservoir to cool down the blade and ensure a smooth cut. Although the reservoir fills out with tile debris fast because of its small size. So, frequent cleaning is required for uninterrupted smooth tile cutting experience.
Now, who should buy this tool? Not everyone will be satisfied with this tool for its compromise in the build quality and overall size. But when you have small jobs to be done, you can certainly get this to do your job. This saw will cost you less than what most of the rental service charges you for a couple of days of their tile saw.
Keeping all the aspects in mind, this is a good tool for small or occasional tile cutting jobs when you are on a tight budget.
Key Features
8. 2.5 Horsepower 10" Industrial Tile/Brick Saw
This heavy-duty massive tile saw is a tool that every professional dreamt of. It is durable, heavy-duty and comes in a steel frame.
You can cut 18-inch long tile straight and 12 inches diagonally. The precision linear bar makes it easy for the operator to align and cut straight.
The sliding table that comes with this machine allows you to perform miter cuts and bevel cuts with ease. But when it comes to flexibility, it does not offer you much. You can only have 0 and 45-degree miter cuts with this saw.
The powerful water pump that can pump 3 gallons of water per minute is another important factor when making the purchase decision. But the durability of the pump is not so good as the overall machine. You’ll need a pump replacement if you do a lot of works on this.
This heavy-duty tile saw is easy to clean and lasts long with little care and maintenance.
Its 90-pound weight will restrict you from moving this from one place to another often. So, if you need a machine that can be easily moved, this is not the perfect tool to buy.
Key Features
9. MK-370EXP 1-1/4 HP 7-Inch Wet Cutting Tile Saw
This 33-pound lightweight wet saw is another invention of the renowned brand MK. It is powered by 1.25 horsepower motor and can almost all those things that are available in thousand dollar range products.
This can cut 18-inch tiles straight and 13-inch tiles diagonally. Can perform 45-degree miter cuts for designs, and do plunge cuts to create openings in the tiles.
It has a unique feature that you will not find in most of the ordinary saws that is the precision cutting mechanism. You can cut the tile precisely with this saw, thanks to the well-engineered design.
The water pump can continuously pump water to cool down its 7-inch diamond blade to ensure smooth and easy cutting experience.
You’ll get two arbor wrench with this machine to easily replace the blade for making it more personalized for your specific job.
Now about the drawbacks! Although this tool offers almost all the high-end features, the result is not up to the mark to promote it to the top list. It can do all your job but can sometimes malfunction.
The bearing noise that comes out of the machine when you start working is an annoying thing that most of the professionals and homeowners want to avoid. Although you can make things a little bit easy by lubricating but no one loves to do anything to a newly bought product.
The rail system also does not work well. You need to keep lubricating to do the job smoothly.
And when it comes to build quality, it is inconsistent. Some users found their pieces surprisingly good and some are completely disappointed. So, it’s almost even stevens.
Key Features
10. QEP 61024 24-Inch BRUTUS Professional Tile Saw
The professional-grade QEP tile saw is the last product that we are reviewing in this guide. It can cut the toughest of the elements that people try to cut like marble, porcelain, masonry products, stone, granite, and obviously tiles!
Its dual water spray makes the cutting smooth and easy. You’ll feel ease cutting with this machine when the pump is running.
This heavy machine of 105 pounds is powered with a 1.5 horsepower motor that is built for the best quality tile cutting.
You can rip cut 24-inch long tile and can cut 18 inches diagonally with this wet saw. Its tilting head allows the operator to have miter cuts from 45 to 90 degrees.
This saw cuts the tile faster than most of the saw we have reviewed in this guide, thanks to the 10-inch continuous rim diamond blade that comes in the package.
Although you can do some initial cut with this blade, this is not of high quality. We recommend using a replacement blade for a better experience.
It has an easily removable water tray to make things cleaner. You need not put effort to keep this machine clean and ready for the next cutting job.
Although this provides a ton of benefits that you can’t think of with an affordable saw, we feel that the saw is overpriced a bit compared to the other saws.
Key Features
Best Tile Saw For Homeowners Buying Guide
Whether you are doing a DIY tile installation at home or installing tiles for clients as part of your business, you must have the right tool for the job.
But how do you make a good choice considering the flooded market?
There are many features to look out for as well as considerations to make before buying the best saw for tile.
You, however, don’t need to stress much about it. In this section, we shall make the choice of choosing this equipment much easier for you.
Here are some of the things you need to look out for-
1. Pricing
The type of saw you get usually depends on the amount of money you are willing to spend on it.
If you are on a tight budget it is better to keep off heavy duty tile saws in favor of lighter ones.
On the other hand, professional tile cutters will want to go for heavy duty cutters not only because they are more effective but also because they can handle any project regardless of scope.
Generally, you should expect to part with about $100 for a basic saw and $1,000 for a commercial grade tile saw.
In case you are using the saw for a one time project, it is advisable to go for simple equipment in order to avoid spending a fortune on something that will spend most of its life in storage.
2. Safety Features
Safety is an extremely important consideration to look out for when choosing a tile saw. This is because they are very powerful, have sharp blades and may produce lots of dust particles that may lead to eye injuries.
As opposed to using dry saws that emit dust, it is advisable to work with wet saws complete with a water pump to neutralize dust.
You, however, don’t need a pump that over sprays water around. Consider one whose water pump is adjustable so as to effectively regulate the water spray.
In order to prevent bad accidents go for a saw with robust brakes capable of stopping the blade immediately the stop trigger is pulled.
Some tile manufacturers have included the double switch option where the equipment has an extra switch in place.
This eliminates the chance of accidental switching on the saw, therefore, boosting safety to the user.
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3. Accuracy and Versatility
With a tile saw, it is difficult to maintain accuracy because of the device shaking. In such cases, precision can be affected leading to making a bad cut on the tile.
Therefore, to ensure accuracy, one should go for a tool with less vibration.
It is no secret that you can only achieve perfect results if you are comfortable working with the equipment.
In addition to being accurate, a tile saw should also be versatile. One needs a tool that can not only cut through different materials but also makes cuts of different shapes as demanded by your project.
As a rule of thumb, look out for a saw that can make U and L shapes effectively.
Additionally, it should be able to not only cut through ceramic material but also via hard stones and glass tiles.
4. Cutting Capacity
The cutting capacity of the tile is important especially if you are a contractor who works with thick tile or would like cutting multiple tiles at the same time.
In this case, you will want a saw with a robust mortar and sharp diamond tipped blades that can cut through hard stone materials with ease.
When it comes to the capacity of the blade the cut depth and diameter play a major role.
Most models will have a maximum diameter of 27 inches when cutting straight and a maximum diameter of 18 to 19 inches when cutting at an angle.
5. Motor Horsepower
Adequate power is needed in order to juice up the saw so as to achieve maximum penetration through hard materials.
This is the reason why an authentic tile saw should have a robust and powerful motor so as to power up the blades.
Working with a tile saw with less motor power is less effective obviously, especially when dealing with complex and tough projects.
Again such a saw will not only leave you to work with scramble pieces but will also most likely damage your tiles.
As a general rule, it is advisable to stick with tile saws with a motor horsepower of about 15 amp and above. This is usually enough to cut cleanly through most tile materials without any bogging or damage to the materials.
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6. Dimensions and Portability.
This is another important feature to look out for, especially if you are a contractor. Because you are always moving from one location to another.
You should, therefore, pick a saw that you can easily move to different job location. Picking a heavy duty saw will make things really hard for you.
However, you can choose to stick to a heavy saw so long as it comes with wheels to move it around your work environment.
It is, however, advisable that you shouldn't choose heavy equipment that will take many people to lift because you may not have them around every time. Single contractors especially should always go for the lightest tolls in the market without foregoing on efficiency.
7. Accessories Availability
It is highly probable that you will need to replace the saw’s parts with accessories and spare parts after some time.
If these accessories are hard to come by and cannot be found easily, then that is usually the end of the road in using the tool.
It is, therefore, imperative to always choose a saw from a popular brand with spare parts across most tech shops across the country.
Accessories are also very paramount when it comes to upgrading the saw’s parts especially the blade.
In fact, most of the times you are dealing with tough jobs, you will need an extra pair of blades. If you can’t find blades that fit into your device you will have to buy a brand new device which translates to a huge wastage of money.
Additionally, the absence of fitting spare parts, means you are limited to the number and kinds of tasks you can perform with your saw.
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Where to Buy The Best Tile Saw For Homeowners
Now that you are aware of just about everything you need to know about the tile saw, you may be wondering where you can get these amazing equipment for sale.
A tile saw can easily be purchased online or offline with relative ease. However, when buying a tile saw anywhere, make sure to check that it has a warranty on it. Here are some of the ways you can purchase a good tile saw:
1. The Manufacturer
There are various manufacturers in the tile saw market. Some of these are well known while others are not; additionally, some are based here in the USA while others are based overseas. Some of these include:
- Bosch
- QEP
- SEG
- Target
- MK Diamond
- Husqvarna
- Craftsman
- Marshalltown Trowel
- Gison
- Dixie Diamond Manufacturing
- Clark Tile
You can get your desired tile saw by visiting the website of the brand you need and purchasing from there. They will certainly ship the product to you right from the factory.
Some manufacturers also support customization of the product as long as you can foot the extra charges. These manufacturers also have local dealerships all over the world.
Which means all you have to do is provide your location and they will link you up with a local dealership in your area.
2. Retailers
This is where local power tool stores near you actually fall into. Most of them buy the product either from wholesalers or direct from the manufacturers and then distribute them at a retail price.
Online retailers such as Amazon, eBay, Walmart, Etsy, Target, Aliexpress, Costco, and Kohls.com are a good place to start although the first option is obviously the best of them all.
Large offline retailers such as Sears and Kmart stores also stock up good quality tile saws that you can check out. However, Amazon is the best option if you are looking to buy a single unit for business or home use.
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3. Wholesalers
If you are a tile saw dealer, retailer or contractor looking to buy a large number of tile saws then visiting a wholesaler is the way to go.
Wholesalers usually have an arrangement with the manufacturer to distribute their products, therefore, you can rest assured of getting the best saw for cutting the tile.
Most of them offer to sell you as less as 5 items and as much as more than 500 items at a go.
Some famous online wholesalers you can try if you live in the US include Alibaba and Master Wholesale.
Final Verdict
Doing a DIY tiling project is a bold move that more and more people nowadays are making.
This most probably has to do with the many professional tools available for purchase out there as well as the ease of getting knowledge, especially via online video tutorials.
Indeed we think that this desire to do things alone will only continue to increase going forward.
Any DIY project, however, should be done after careful thinking and detailed planning.
You have to ensure that you get every tool and equipment ready before starting and prepare the right kind of materials.
A tiling saw is a vital tool for any DIY tiling project and the experience you have with the first one will either encourage you to continue or discourage you from going any further.
This is why a well-chosen blade, versatility and a robust tool can make all the difference in the world for you.
Make sure you check out our best tile saw reviews explained above before you decide to pick the perfect one.
Is Tile Floor a Kid Friendly Flooring Option?
A lot of people asked me about their concern over tile flooring. Especially, when they have a little kid. If you are one of them and concerned about the safety of your child on the tiles floor. Here is your answer-
The safety test is based upon the material used for making the tile. If you choose vinyl tile, then it is very safe for your children. Vinyl tile floors are generally made of a type of synthetic element which grips well.
The modern well-made ceramic and stone tiles are also safe for your children. Good tile companies add an upper coating layer to strengthen the product and remove the slipperiness.
But when you have a child on your home, you should get a quality check done on the tiles you are buying so that you are 100% sure about the safety.
I have used porter cable tile saw which you have picked as your best for money. This saw can do a tremendous amount of job without any interruption.
Just make sure you have the correct blades for the particular cuts. Good Review indeed.
Thanks, Kaylen.
After reading all these words, I have an observation.
Size does matter :p for tile saws, obviously!
I’m impressed with the DEWALT saw. I hired a home improvement agency for my previous home and he brought this saw for the work.
I can say that this beast, though a bit expensive, can do a lot more job what a cheaply priced tile saw can’t do. I’m thinking of giving it a shot.
Thanks for sharing your experience with our visitors. Don’t forget to share the hands-on review after giving it a shot. Cheers!
Hello Stuart, Loved the writeup. Which type of tile saws is the best for non-professional use?
I want to take one for my home.
Wet tile saws are recommended for you. These will reduce a lot of burden from your shoulder. If you want any specific answer, I would recommend our Best for money “Porter cable saw”.
Great article. I appreciate your work. Keep publishing articles like this.
How many days a tile saw survives? I want to calculate the price with durability. Looking forward to hearing from you.
Thanks in advance
You can’t say anything about it. I saw tile saws running smoothly for years without any problem. You just need to replace the blades after 120-150 cutting hours. The time varies on the quality of the blade.
Hi James, Thank you for the hassle you have taken to make such an amazing piece.
What are the key differences between wet tile saw and dry tile saw? I am really confused about it.
The key difference is wet saws are for heavy usage and it exhausts less dust compared to the dry saw. Using dry saw will save your money but it will make your task difficult.
Good information. Lucky me I recently found your
website by accident (StumbleUpon). I have bookmarked it for later!
Thanks, Riley.
This is truly helpful, thanks.
I bought a tile saw by your recommendation and it is working really good.
Having read this I believed it was very informative.
I appreciate you taking the time and effort to put this article together.
Hi, yeah this post is really nice and I have learned a lot of things from it on the topic. thanks.