What Is the Best Track Saw? (My Honest Opinion)
Best Track Saw – My Top Pics
Best Choice
Best Cordless
Best Price
Track saws are power tools that have grown in popularity in recent years, especially among hobby woodworkers who cannot afford or install a large table saw to cut down sheets of plywood.
However, track saws are not the same as regular circular saws. Track saws have benefits against circular saws, like perfect and straight cuts. You can see this more in detail in my article, Track Saw Vs Circular Saw, How Do They Differ? A Clear Guide.
So if the track saw is the tool you need, look no further than my track saw selection for the best track saw for your woodworking shop. Here is a brief list of the best plunge saws I will review in this track saw comparison:
- Bosh tools Track Saw GKT13-225L 6-1/2 In. (Best Choise)
- Makita XPS01PTJ Cordless Track Saw (Best Cordless)
- WEN CT1065 Plunge Cut Sidewinder Track Saw (Pest Price)
- Triton TTS1400 6-1/2 Inch Plunge Saw
- Festool Track Saw TS 55 REBQ-Plus-FS
- Kreg ACS2000 Track Saw
- Dewalt DWS520K Track saw
Disclosure: At zero cost to you, I may get commissions for purchases made through links in this post. I earn from qualifying purchases as an Amazon associate. Products featured are selected based on quality, performance, and reputation, regardless of affiliate relationships.
What To Look For When Buying a Track Saw
In some cases, the track saw, also known as the plunge saw or plunge cut saw, will offer advantages over its counterpart, the table saw. If you think a track saw is worth it (which I will discuss in detail in this article) then you can switch to buying a track saw. But what is the best track saw for woodworking?
Well, to know that there are a few things you can pay attention to. To buy the best plunge saws for your workshop, you should look out for things like engine power, speed, track length, camping capacity, depth setting, and safety features. In my article What To Look For When Buying A Track Saw – Important POI, I discuss all of these things in more detail, and I recommend that you read that article first before going through this track saw comparison. You will see track saw reviews differently and find the best track saw for your workshop more easily as a result of the knowledge you will gain there.
Once you know what to look for, you can go through the track saw reviews for these top picks below one by one to make a selection of a new plunge saw for your woodworking shop.
Pro Tip
The great thing about track saws is that they can be expanded with all kinds of accessories to make this powerful tool even better. To inspire you I wrote my guide 10 Must-Have Track Saw Accessories to Enhance Your Cutting Experience. Be sure to visit this article and browse through the many options to make your track saw even better.
What Is The Best Track Saw?
Best Choice
01: BOSCH Track Saw – GKT13-225L 6-1/2 In.
In this track saw comparison, the Bosch crawler saw comes in first. Because it has the best price/performance ratio, this plunge-cut saw is the best option on this list. This plunge saw has a low-vibration motor and easily glides on rails.
The powerful motor has variable speed control, which comes in handy when cutting soft or hard wood. Your workpiece has clean edges with few cracks or knife marks.
The rails are sold separately and come in a variety of lengths.
Model: GKT13-225L 6-1/2Inch
Blade Size: 165 mm (6-1/2″)
Watt: 1400
Speed: 3,600–6,250 rpm
Weight: 5 kg (11 lbs)
Power Source: Corded
PROS
CONS
BOSCH Track Saw – GKT13-225L 6-1/2 In.
Total score: 3.75/5
Best Cordless
02: Makita XPS01PTJ Cordless Track Saw
This track saw is cordless and delivers great power and ultra-clean cuts with low marks and full-speed tearing. This Makita runs smoothly and easily on its rails, and it delivers top-notch cuts in just about any wood type. This powerful motor has a soft start and an easy electronic brake, which is a little soft. The speed of this tool is variable.
This plunge cut saw comes in a strong systainer without rails. It is good to think about whether wireless is really worth the extra cost. Ultimately, you can never really work wirelessly because it is always connected to the vacuum hose.
Here you will find the version with a cord that you can compare in terms of price.
Model: XPS01PTJ
Blade Size: 165 mm (6-1/2″)
2 x 18V
Speed: 2,500–6,300 rpm
Weight: 3.9 kg (8.6 lbs)
Power Source: Cordless
PROS
CONS
Makita XPS01PTJ Cordless Track Saw
Total score: 3.5/5
Best Price
03: WEN CT1065 Plunge Cut Sidewinder
This track saw is the cheapest in this track saw comparison, and unfortunately, it shows. Tis cheap track saw is designed in such a way that the costs are so low that it does not do what needs to be done.
It is a heavy tool and only has three depth stops instead of variable depth settings, and none of these are the most commonly used depths.
If you’re looking for a cheap track saw to do a one-off job and can pass the downside of the depth gauge, this is the tool you need, but don’t expect too much.
Model: VT1065
Blade Size: 165 mm (6-1/2″)
Watt: 2300
Weight: 5.9 kg (13 lbs)
Power Source: Corded
PROS
CONS
WEN CT1065 Plunge Cut Sidewinder
Total score: 3/5
04: Triton TTS1400 6-1/2-Inch Plunge Saw
This track saw is ideal for the hobby woodworker who requires a track saw on occasion. With the bevel adjustment, you can make precise cuts up to 48 degrees. With its powerful motor, you can easily cut through hardwoods up to 5.4 cm (2-1/8″) thick. This plunge saw, however, does not come as a kit, so you will need to buy a compatible track separately.
Model: TTS1400 6-1/2Inch
Blade Size: 165 mm (6-1/2″)
Watt: 1400
Speed: 2,000–5,000 rpm
Weight: 5.5 kg (12 lbs)
Power Source: Corded
PROS
CONS
Triton TTS1400 6-1/2-Inch Plunge Saw
Total score: 3.25/5
05: Festool Track Saw TS 55 REBQ-Plus-FS
Complete and in-depth review about the Festool TS 55 In my article here.
Festool is known for its accuracy, dust collection, quality construction, and durability, and the TS 55 is no exception. This plunge saw is widely used by professionals and can withstand continuous use on a busy job site. Professionals praise this tool for its dependability and precision. None of the tools on this list can produce cuts this straight and smooth.
This track saw kit comes in a handy systainer, and I personally like the way in which they can be attached to each other by means of the special T Lock. Rails are available individually in different lengths and are among the best of their kind. While there are nothing but advantages to Festool, the only downside to Festool is its price.
I’m slowly switching to Festool for my workshop and in my article, Is Festool Worth It? The Essential Info You’re Looking For, I’ll Reveal You The Reason Why. In my opinion, this is the best track saw, but you have to pay a higher price for this one.
Model: TS 55 REBQ- Plus-FS
Blade Size: 165 mm (6-1/2″)
Watt: 1200
Speed: 2,000–5,200 rpm
Weight: 3.5 kg (7.69 lbs)
Power Source: Corded
PROS
CONS
Festool Track Saw TS 55 REBQ-Plus-FS
Total score: 4/5
06: Kreg ACS2000 track saw
I already have Kreg products in my workshop and am very pleased with them. When I saw how well this tool performed, my high expectations were met.
It has a smooth soft start and a powerful electronic brake. Both the track and the left side of the blade have splinter guards.
When cutting in harder woods, the variable speed feature comes in handy.
The extremely long cord is an added bonus.
It has an upright handle design, which makes pushing the tool through a long crack or cross-cut easier than with other top-mounted handles.
Model: ACS200
Blade Size: 165 mm (6-1/2″)
Watt: 1300
Speed: 2,000–6000 rpm
Weight: 8.16 kg (18 lbs)
Power Source: Corded
PROS
CONS
Kreg ACS2000 track saw
Total score: 3.75/5
07: DeWalt DWS520K track saw
The DeWalt DWS520K is the last one in this track saw comparison. The tool has a powerful variable motor, but it vibrates while in use. Furthermore, at the highest speed setting, there is an increased risk of tearing. Fortunately, you can avoid this by returning to a lower RPM setting.
Its plunge is unique among the plunge cut saws on this list. The movement is more akin to an arc, with the motor head being pushed forward. It doesn’t have the smoothest dive of these track saws, thanks to the long throw of the release switch.
It has a long cord, which is useful on a construction site, as well as a nice kit box.
Model: DWS520K
Blade Size: 165 mm (6-1/2″)
Watt: 1300
Speed: 1750 – 4000 rpm
Weight: 5.2 kg (11.5 lbs)
Power Source: Corded
PROS
CONS
DeWalt DWS520K track saw
Total score: 3.5/5
I know that a track saw raises a lot of questions if you already have a table saw in your workshop. I myself thought for a long time that a bandsaw was not necessary. Yet there are many differences and they are complementary to each other.
That is why I wrote my article, Track Saw vs Table Saw: Which Is Better for You?, to keep you as informed as possible. Be sure to check out this article to gain more information and build your perfect workshop.
How to build your workshop on a budget?
Building a workshop can be daunting, filled with trial and error. Believe me, I’ve been in those shoes.
But it was “The Ultimate Small Workshop” course, a gem I discovered and now endorse on Christofix.com, that provided insights unparalleled to any other. This expertise empowered me to invest wisely and save substantially.
I really suggest it to all of my fellow DIYers and creators!
I hope this track saw comparison was helpful, and that this blog inspires you to find the best track saw for your workshop.
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I’m looking forward to seeing you soon in another blog or video.
Greetings,
Christophe, founder of Christofix.com
Woodworking | DIY | Home decoration
