If you are searching for the best chop saw according to consumer reports in 2022 then this post is for you.
You are setting up a home workshop, or small business in the locality.
What are the most essential tools or equipment you should buy?
Probably, hand tools, cleaning tools, most commonly used hardware, and above all power tools.
One step ahead, if you had to pick only one power tool for your small workshop or home workshop, what will you pick?
Yes, you are right, it’s the chop saw.
A chop saw is the most commonly used tool in the woodworking business used to cut straight lines. Not just the woodworking but cutting through hard metals such as cast iron, metal pipes, or stumpy angle stock.
It is imperative for a professional or home workshop setting to have a chop saw in the vicinity.
But for the first-timer, it is hard to pick the right product as an overwhelming number of brands as well as similar-looking products may deceive users, and make them end up with a sub-par or sub-standard product.
That’s why we are going to review the best chop saw available online. These models are hand-picked after personal testing as well as scrubbing through consumer reports. So Without further ado let’s get started.
Best Overall: Dewalt 14-inches Chop Saw
Dewalt 14-inches metal saw is the best overall due to its versatile performance, and advanced features to handle mild to complex cutting projects.
It comes with a 14-inches carbide-tipped blade, with 66-tooth, that shares 1300 rpm speed to help you handle anything that comes at you safely and efficiently.
7 Best Chop Saw Consumer Reports
I have compiled a list of the 7 best chop saw based on consumer reports 2022.
1. DEWALT 14-Inch Metal Cutting Saw (DW872)
- 15 amp, 4hp motor
- 14-Inches carbide tipped blade
- Integrated lock mechanism
- 30-days refund warranty
For a professional who has to handle a large variety of cuts on regular basis, a chop saw, should be enough powerful and versatile to cater to the loads.
DEWALT designed 14-inches carbide-tipped blade Multi-cutter metal saw is on the top of such models which are known for superior performance all the way around.
This metal saw comes powered with a 15 amp, 4HP motor that can easily deliver up to 1300 rpm. Other models of the same class might give you the same RPM, the rare aspect here is, that it gives with fewer sparks and at the required precision and control.
It comes from DEWALT, one of the biggest names in power tool making. So, durability is a no-brainer, it shares superior build quality, and comes with a 14-inches carbide-tipped blade, that provides the power to cut through a wide variety of materials including ferrous and non-ferrous.
What consumers mentioned about the carbide-tipped blade’s performance is worth mentioning here.
The blade allows depth cuts to be steady, four times faster than a regular saw. Plus, the 66-tooth blade shares lower costs per cut with virtually burr-free performance.
Not just the performance, I am awestruck looking at the safety features, and ease of use the tool offers for the users. You are not required to have any other tools to get an angle cut or sliding adjustments with the lock mechanism.
It comes with a lock system that harnesses the power of the saw using fingers. Miter adjustment is also easy, and it comes with a hand-lock to keep the miter placed at the right angle.
Virtual clamp too is a nice addition, such integration shows how this tool is going to make your professional cutting and woodworking life easier.
Pros
- The powerful saw handles a variety of cuts
- 15 amp 4HP motor handles complex cutting ferrous and non-ferrous metals
- 14-inches carbide tipped blade with 66-tooth count
- The blade is replaceable
Cons
- The fence is not square
2. CRAIN Multi-Undercut Chop Saw
- 7 AMP motor
- Adjustable height and depth of the blade
- Cuts to a max depth of 1 ¼ inch
- A dual-angle depth gauge allows angled cuts
Looking for a sturdy designed, powerful jam saw at an affordable price range?
Go with a CRAIN-designed Multi-undercut jam saw that comes with a powerful 7 amp motor and helps you enjoy smoother cuts for small to mediocre projects.
This jam saw is right suited for beginners or those running a small workshop, got has fewer learning curves, and is easier to handle.
It comes with adjustable cut height, in other words, you can cut up to 1’’ above the floor level. It is a battery-operated chop saw, great for those who have to offer remote services for woodworking projects.
I am particularly impressed with cutting depth, despite the compact design it delivers 1 ¼ inches cuts.
Don’t forget its dual-angle depth gauge that helps you get straight cuts as well as angle cuts. For angled cuts, the chop saw supports up to a 45-degree angle.
Its blades are as impressive as you need for a compact and portable chop saw. With a 33-teeth blade, it can deliver quicker and smoother cuts.
When I compared this jam saw with others, I can clearly say this one is hugely powerful and stuns you with its cutting power as well as precision and accuracy.
With 11-pound of total weight and its compact construction, it is an advisable saw for carrying around. Plus, the package comes with a carrying case that allows you to easily take it around in remote locations.
The only concern I had with this jam saw or under-cut saw is its slower RPM. The slower rpm speed of the saw makes the places very messy, and you will have to go through the cleaning process more than with a regular saw.
Pros
- Compact designed, easy to carry a powerful saw
- Good for beginners and DIYers, fewer learning curves
- Adjustable height and depth of the blade
- High-quality steel blade renders cleaner, quicker, and smooth cuts
Cons
- Can’t take the load of complex, heavy projects
3. Makita LC1230 12-inches Metal Cutting Saw
- 15 amp BLADE
- D-grip handle
- Angled cut up to 45-degree
- Integrated wrench for a clamp for changing the blade
If you are a professional and looking for a compact but powerful chop saw that could easily handle mild to complex cutting projects without any hiccup or issue, go with Makita designed Metal cutting saw.
This metal cutting chop saw comes with a 15 amp motor that can easily deliver up to 1700 rpm speed without any big trouble or issue.
In my testing, as per consumer reports, the metal cutting chop saw is great for professionals and helps them cater to professional-grade projects like iron bar cutting, metal pipe cutting, tubes, and other building materials cutting.
Many consumers mentioned how this saw helps them cut metals four times faster than regular metal saws.
It comes with a quick-release screw that helps it to place the metal securely in less time and trim the time of cutting.
You too will experience that even when cutting the hard metal objects, the vibration is minimal and you will get refined, cleaner, and smooth cuts.
You can remove the blade too, the removing though is not keyless, like the way it is for Dewalt D28715 saw, but with the help of the integrated wrench, it can easily be done.
It would be near to crime not to mention the safety feature and ergonomic handle. It got a D-designed ergonomic handle that comes with two-finger Tigger and a button lock. This makes it safer for the accidental launches and damages a consumer may face.
With this chop saw you can also enjoy angled cutting. Yes, with the help of a quick closing guide, you can enjoy angled cutting up to 45-degree.
If you compare the overall performance, safety features, durable construction, and above all its blade power and lifespan, I can call this miter saw a professional tool for professionals.
Pros
- Quick release for retention and protection
- Shaft lock for easier blade change using a wrench
- Bigger aluminum base for holding longer materials in place
- Powerful 15 amp motor
Cons
- Requires a tool for changing the blade
4. Evolution S380CPS
- 15 amp motor
- 14-inches carbide tipped blade
- Strong aluminum constructed clamp
- Dry cut technology designed blade
If you have to handle tougher materials cutting regularly, you need something heavy-duty designed to cater to the load, Evolution designed S380CPS is the right option to get hands-on.
I have seen this chop saw being used on a commercial and industrial scale. In my experience, the saws which are used at an industrial scale often don’t deliver smoother cuts, but this one produces even and smoother cuts than small and compact designed saws deliver.
This chop saw comes with a 15 amp motor that can easily deliver 1450 rpm speed to meet the needs. Its stand-apart aspect is carbide tipped blade.
It got a premium quality constructed tungsten Carbide tipped blade that makes the tasks way easier and smoother.
I wonder how the manufacturers managed to make the blade deliver smoother cuts, it was the latest dry technology integrated into the carbide-tipped blade that makes it smoother and cleaner, unlike commercial chop saws.
It also comes with a chip collector that helps collects the chip or dust particles to make the space clutter-free.
You would not have to indulge in an hours-long cleaning process after going through hectic cutting and molding work.
One more thing, if your work requires you to have a bigger-sized blade, and you don’t want to use any other saw, you can replace the 14-inches incumbent carbide tipped blade with a 15-inches blade too. The replacement though can take a longer process as well as additional tools.
Pros
- Powerful 15 amp motor
- Well built strong clamp holds pieces in place
- The blade can be changed with a 15-inches bigger size
- 14-inches tungsten carbide tipped blade
Cons
- The dust collector can’t even collect half of the dust or chips
5. Fein Slugger Abrasive Metal Cutting Chop Saw
- 1500 rpm motor
- Onboard storage
- 5 1/8 round stock, 4 ¾ square stock cutting
- Horizontal grip
Fein-designed metal cutting chop saw is another stunning inclusion in the list of the best chop saw. This chop saw shares extra nuts and bolts to fits the needs of a professional who wants to work in a safer and more controlled environment.
Fein Slugger chop saw comes with a 15 amp motor and produces 1300 rpm cutting capacity.
Its stand-apart aspect is its unique blade guard. Yes, the blade guard is a safety layer, this guard divides the blade into two sections and opens and closes like a scissor.
Most of the blade is covered by the guard, no accidental touches or smashes can hurt or damage you.
You can use this chop saw for various material cutting. It easily cuts through steel, aluminum, stainless steel, and many other metals.
With a round solid capacity of 4 1/8 inches at 45-degree and 5 1/8 inches at 90-degree, it fits for professionals as well as industrial scale cutting performances.
One more thing I would like to particularly mention as I noticed in our testing and consumer reports too back that, it produces less heat and debris.
You know abrasive cutting produces lots of sparks and chips, but here you get smoother cuts with fewer sparks and a blade to generate less heat.
Plus, it got onboard storage which means tinier things or additional accessories can easily be stored.
Such as I, most of the time lose the blade changing tool, every time I try to put it in a different secure location. Here you can easily store blade changing tool too, to not lose it.
Pros
- Quick release vise makes clamping and releasing easier
- Two sides blade clamping guard
- On-board storage of blade changing tool
- 3-year warranty against defects
Cons
- Heavier
6. Evolution Power Tools EVOSAW230
- 15 amp, 2.7 HP motor
- 2700 rpm speed
- 12-inches blade with 48-tooth
- Dedicated collection system for dust
If you want the right fusion of power, productivity, durability, and transportability all fusion in one product, Evolution designed EVOSAW230 chop saw is the right option.
This chop is designed to take the load of heavy as well as mild projects and seamlessly pass through challenging applications like a pro.
Look at its weight, it is just 11-pounds weight a chop saw, which makes it the go-to chop saw for those who offer remote services.
Again, it is one of the durable chop saws and shares a metal construction. It’s not just the construction that makes this saw a go-to option.
It shares the right power due to its 15 amp 2.7 HP motor, which easily produces up to 2700 rpm speed.
This chop saw unlike others can provide you with angled cuts too. Yes, you can have angled cuts up to 45-degree with its 12-inches 48-tooth blade which is made of quality stainless steel material.
This compact-designed saw comes with a dedicated waste collection system. For the remote location, sometimes you have to work in tight spaces where you can’t spread the mess.
With this waste collection system, the chips produced during the cutting can easily be collected to reduce clutter.
It also comes with safety features that improve the reliability and protection of the users. Accidental turning on can be prevented using the safety feature.
Pros
- A durable cutting metal chop saw
- Accuracy laser guide system
- A dedicated collection system to collect the chips prevent mess
- Safety feature integrated
Cons
- Not a good option for straight cutting
7. DEWALT Chop Saw D28715
- 15 amp, 4HP motor
- 4000 rpm speed
- Keyless blade changing mechanism
- Solid base
If you are a DIYer, or running a small woodworking business in the locality and looking for an affordable yet efficient chop saw that does it all, go with DEWALT designed old-model chop saw.
The model is beginner friendly, got fewer learning curves and its controls are easier to understand and handle for a non-professional or beginner.
The stand-apart aspect of the model is its build quality. I am super impressed looking at the construction, it feels like a robust sturdy model and those using the latest models can easily spot the difference in the durability.
It comes with a 15 amp motor that easily delivers up to 4000 rpm speed. With a 14-inches blade and quick-blade changing mechanism it seamlessly transforms your cutting experience.
If you require a different blade than the incumbent one, the keyless blade system helps you do in no time.
Keep in mind, to change the blade on a regular saw, requires tools such as a wrench and others. Here, it can be done with no tools at all, in a matter of seconds, to save your precious time.
The arm compression springs make the movement smoother and error-free. You will see no jamming, no maintenance or oiling, and long-hours cutting performance with no breaks. The handle too is impressive and worth mentioning.
It got an ergonomically designed handle, that without putting your hands and body on fatigue, pulls the magic, you can’ behold the same features in a modern designed chop saw though.
To help consumers cut materials at precision and accuracy, it comes with an adjustable fence system. The quick fence of the saw is of 45-degree, which helps in making sure the accuracy is needed.
Don’t forget the solid steel constructed base. This base helps you to cut through longer materials, the four pre-drilled holes in the base allow easy bolt down to get slip-free performance in handling complex and hard-to-cut through materials and objects.
Pros
- Powerful 15 amp SAW
- Steel constructed base with pre-drilled holes
- Ergonomically designed handle
- Easy keyless blade changing mechanism
Cons
- Old model, cutting at 45-degree is hard
Consumer Reports Chop Saw Buying Guide
A chop saw is a huge investment. Not just an investment but it impacts your performance and if end up with sub-par or sub-standard products, your projects can be halted, and even performance would be impacted.
Even professionals who got eyes for the right specs or features by the overwhelming number of brands and products available in the market can get confused.
To help you learn what makes a chop saw stand out, we have put a detailed guide. In this guide, we are going to shed light on the important features one must look at before giving a product a final shot.
Size
The size of the blade is a deciding factor, it decides the type of work you can handle. On average, a smaller-sized blade chop saw is used at home or for DIY projects, and a bigger-sized saw for professional and industrial scale work.
For home and DIY, we recommend going with a 12-inches saw, and for professionals and industrial scale, at least 15-inches or more. With a bigger size blade, you can work on metal cutting and other hard objects or building material cutting.
Power
Power is power, in the case of a chop saw too.
Try to grab a well-powered chop saw, the one that fits your needs and helps you cater to the type of workloads you take.
A low-powered c hop saw finds it hard to cut through tougher materials at a good speed.
In a low-powered chop saw, if you try to cut tougher materials, the motor sometimes gets burned or blades break off in pieces.
Speed
In a good chop saw, along with the right power, the speed is equally important. Faster speeds or RPMs chop saw helps you cut fast, without any problem or issue.
So, for me, I recommend at least a 1500 rpm chop saw. At this RPM you can work on industrial projects as well as home projects as a DIYer.
Portability
Portable products are getting fame. We all love sleeker, compact, and lightweight products in power tools too. Compact, lightweight portable products make it easier for those who offer remote location services.
With a portable chop saw, not only within the shop maneuverability will be easier, but you can take it outdoors too.
Chip trays
Woodworking is messy, it produces lots of debris, chips, and dust. For a shop or a business location, the chips produced by cutting metals and woods might not be that problematic.
But, if you are working outdoors in an office or at home in tight spaces, chip production can make the environment messy.
So, particularly for using a chop saw in tight spaces, within homes, or in a shop, I always prefer attaching a chip tray.
It collects most of the chips, and dust and makes it easier for you to work, and clean the space at the end of the day or project.
Carbide-tipped blades
For a professional chop saw, I highly recommend buying one with carbide-tipped blades. The carbide-tipped blades give you precise cuts even at low speed and produce fewer sparks.
Carbide-tipped blades are also durable and last long. You would not be stuck in a loop of always changing the blades, due to breaking.
Safety Features
Safety comes first for a chop saw too. To get the best out of your chop saw without getting yourself injured look for the lock-off button that prevents accidental start after power-off. Also, look for overload protection, and overheat protection.
Wrap Up
In this long guide, we reviewed top-of-the-line chop saws. These options are the top-rated and most purchased with all modern features and durable constructions. The products listed here are put after thorough research and reading through consumers’ feedback.
We tried to help you by telling you the features, pros, and cons of the products so that you could decide better as per your needs.
We also tried to help you with a buying guide section, to make you learn what makes a chop saw stand out.
FAQs
Is it possible to cut a 4×4 wood with a chop saw?
It depends on the chop saw you got and its blade-cutting power. If the chop saw comes with a blade guard, and helps you clamp the model, and the blade size supports the 4×4 cutting material, you can cut through.
Usually, for cutting 4×4 pieces, you need a compound miter saw.
Could a chop saw be used to cut metal?
Yes, a chop saw can easily be used for cutting metals. But, the blade you are cutting through woods can’t be used for the metals. To cut through metals, you need a specific type of blade with durable construction and smoother power.
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