Best Tile Saws In 2022

What To Consider When Buying A Tile Saw

Whether you’re a homeowner tackling the idea of revamping the tile work in your home or a contractor in need of a dependable tool, a tile saw is an essential addition to your arsenal. The market offers a bountiful range of choices. Here are a few things to consider before buying.

Power – Tile saws must be powerful enough to cut various types of tiles. To assess their suitability for the job, you can look for either wattage output or horsepower.

• Entry-level wet saws can output up to 400 watts and are ideal for light duty jobs, such as the occasional cutting of porcelain, ceramic, or glass tiles.
• Mid-range wet saws output between 400 and 600 watts on average and can handle most types of tiles, including harder materials such as granite and limestone. The main advantage of these machines is an excellent value for money that attracts both amateurs and professionals.
• High-end wet saws can output 900 watts or over and can handle all types of tiles. Whether it’s stone, concrete, paving slabs, or other tiles, these machines are up to anything. They are made for the elites and address avid hobbyists as well as contractors. However, they are quite expensive.

Blade size – The diameter of the blade is as important as the power. It determines the maximum cutting depth, so if you want to cut thicker tiles, you should check this feature before buying. Standard wet tile saws can have either 7-, 8-, or 10-inch blades. The former and the latter are the most common, whereas finding an 8-inch tile saw is a rarity. 7-inch blades can cut tiles up to 1.5 inches thick and are perfect for most home tile works. 8-inch blades can handle thicker tiles of up to 2 inches, while the 10-inch blades are perfect for thick wall and floor tiles including stone pavers. They can usually cut tiles up to 2.6 inches thick.

Build – Regardless of what type of saw you need, make sure it has a quality build. Since tiles are usually heavy, pick a unit with a strong frame made of either corrosive-resistant steel or die-cast aluminum. Avoid tile saws with plastic components as much as possible, as they may compromise the unit’s stability and strength. A heavier machine also produces fewer vibrations, improving the accuracy of your cuts.

Speed – Most tile saws reach speeds between 2,500 and 3,600 revolutions per minute, and you should pick the right one for you based on the type of tiles you want to cut. Thicker and stronger materials require slower but constant speed that can ensure clean cuts. If you want to cut various types of tiles, get a wet tile saw with adjustable speed.

Tabletop extension – A quick look at any tile saw will reveal a maximum stated tile size the unit can handle. This value varies widely, but only a few people know that a tabletop extension allows you to cut even larger tiles. If you’re interested in such a unit, make sure it comes with an adjustable side guide too, so you can keep the tiles firm while cutting them.

Safety – Like any other saw, the tile saw is a potentially dangerous tool that must come with a series of safety features. One of the main things to look after is a protective casing designed to ensure a smooth operation and lower associated hazards. Another essential safety feature is an overheat guard developed to shut off the motor if it overheats. You must also check the position of the on/off button and make sure it’s located within easy reach.

Portability – Not everyone needs a portable tile saw. If you’re only working in a workshop, the weight of the unit doesn’t matter. But if you want to cut the tiles in the rooms where you plan to install them, having a portable tile saw is paramount. A low heft and a carrying handle are the least you want. If possible, invest in a stand too, as this would allow you to set up the saw and cut tiles anywhere.

Price – Prices vary widely between tile saw categories. Top-end units can handle whatever the worksite is throwing at them, but they are usually expensive. Lower end units are cheap and appeal to amateurs, but might not have all the features required by a professional. All tile saws on our list bring excellent value for money and can easily serve all users.

Reviews – The easiest way to check the performance and reliability of a unit is by checking tile saw reviews. All units in this article are praised for their capabilities, durability, and dependability.

Why You Should Invest In A Tile Saw

There are only two tools you can use to cut tiles, a rail cutter or a tile saw. The former is perfect for small projects when you only have to cut one or two tiles. For larger jobs, a tile saw can help you finish your project faster and with better results.

The main difference between a tile saw and all other saws is the construction. Tile saws use water to cool down the blade, which is specifically developed to grind through tiles rather than cut.

The water has a dual role; on the one hand, it cools down the blade and prevents tiles from cracking under extreme heat. On the other hand, it captures most of the dust and debris produced while cutting, maintaining your working environment cleaner.

Types Of Tile Saws

Tile saws can be categorized based on the type of cooling system they come with or based on their power source.

Regarding the cooling system, we can distinguish between recirculating pump saws and fresh water saws.

Recirculating pump saws: Have a water reservoir designed to supply water during use while a filtering system removes grinding debris and returns clean water to the reservoir. All you have to do is fill up this reservoir before you start grinding. The only downside is the water loss due to splashes, so you might have to refill the tank regularly throughout the process.

Fresh water saws: Come with a hose that attaches to a faucet. Clean water is supplied directly from your tap, so you won’t have to worry about cleaning filters and replenishing water. However, you might not be able to use the machine in areas where there is no access to a water source.

Based on their power source, we have electric and cordless wet tile saws. The former draws energy from a traditional outlet and is characterized by impressive power and torque. The latter typically comes with lithium-ion batteries and offer limitless mobility, but is less powerful than its corded counterpart.

Different Kinds Of Tile Saw Blades

A quick look at the tile saws on the market reveals most models come with diamond blades. This means the metal core of the blade is covered by a rim consisting of crystals of synthetic diamond and bonding material made of metal powders.

These blades are not sharp, and their purpose is to grind hard materials including porcelain, ceramic, brick, stone, concrete, and other masonry constituents.

Despite being all diamond blades, we can break them down in three types of tile saw blades:

Continuous rim blades: Is the type developed specifically for wet tile saws. Water cools down the blade, prolonging its lifespan, reducing debris, and lessening the friction in the cutting area. These blades are slow but produce flawless cuts. They are also universal, meaning you can use them on soft tile materials like slate, ceramic, and porcelain, or harder materials like concrete, marble, and granite.

Segmented blades: Are not designed for wet tile saws but can be used on dry tile saws. They have a marked-out rim designed to cool the blade with air alone and are usually employed to cut masonry blocks, concrete pavers, and limestone slabs. Although they can be used on a wet tile saw, they provide rough cuts.

Turbo rim blades: Are a hybrid between the two above and can be used for both wet and dry applications. Small segments on the rim allow air to cool the blade even in the absence of water while pushing the material out faster. They are strong enough to cut through most materials including concrete, brick, and limestone, but might not be able to handle harder masonry materials.

Tile Saw FAQ

Q: What is the best tool to cut ceramic tile?

A: The wet tile saw is undoubtedly the best tool you can use to cut ceramic tile. While other saws could also provide accurate cuts, there is a chance your tile could crack due to overheating.

Q: What size tile saw do you need?

A: Assessing the size of the tile saw must be done based on the type of tiles you want to cut. You must check both the cutting depth – determined by the diameter of the blade – and the rip and diagonal cut capacities. Most tile saws can handle tiles up to 18 x 18 inches, but some higher-end units can cut larger tiles too.

Q: How do I use a tile saw?

A: Using a tile saw is not complicated, but there are a few steps you should follow:

• Connect your saw to the water source if you have a fresh water saw or fill the reservoir of a recirculating pump saw, then plug in the unit.
• Turn on the water and check if it is flowing all around the cutting end of the blade.
• Turn on the power, paying attention to have the blade area clear.
• Take a tile and push it slowly into the blade, keeping your hands out of the line of the cut.
• Turn off the unit, inspect the cut, then follow the same steps to cut any other tiles.

Our Top Pick

In our quest to finding the best tile saw on the market, we focused on products that can serve both amateurs and professionals. There are only a few tools that can satisfy all users, and our favorite is the DEWALT D24000S.

Perfect for DIYers as well as contractors, this exceptional unit boasts a 25-inch rip cut capacity which is expandable to 28 inches. You can cut tiles of all sizes, whether it’s wall or floor tiles.

The diagonal cut capacity of 18 inches is also exceptional, and the 22.5 and 45 degrees positive stops allow you to perform accurate miter cuts.

Our favorite feature is the cut line indicator alongside a steel role designed to provide stability and ensure the accuracy of the cuts.

Adjustable dual nozzles deliver the water right where is needed, keeping the blade cool and preventing overheating.

Easy to set up and transport on your own, performing, dependable, and easy to use, this is no doubt one of the best wet tile saws you can get your hands on.