Best Tile Saw

The best tile saw is capable of slicing precise, exact lines into or on certain materials, from glass to granite, without fail. No matter what material you need to cut, a tile saw that usually fits the bill is the SKIL 3450-02 7-Inch Wet Tile Saw. While the 3450-02 tile saw from SKIL fits the bill for many, there are tile saws that are perfect for individual needs. For example, you can find a tile saw that’s best for cutting glass, ceramic, or even granite (we actually found those particular examples for you, so they’re listed later in this article).
We don’t want to just shine on one particular tile saw without giving at least a few others a chance. In fact, we had to spend hours deciding on the number one pick, and managed to come up with a second choice, a budget option, a few specialized picks, and a number of comparable contenders that definitely deserve at least a mention.

The DEWALT D24000 1.5-Horsepower 10-Inch Wet Tile Saw is the second choice in our journey to find the best tile saw, since it has an incredibly high quality but also a higher than usual price tag. For some people, the quality makes the price worth it; for others, they’d rather go with the more affordable number one pick.

You could be in need of a tile saw and simply not have that high of a budget to spend on fancy features or additional accessories. Instead, the budget pick is an excellent option for you, which is the QEP 60089Q 120-Volt 3/5-Horsepower Portable 7-Inch Wet Tile Saw. You get a high-powered wet tile saw for a steal.

Advantages of Tile Saws

A tile saw is designed for cutting porcelain, ceramic, glass, natural stone, and a variety of other materials used for tiling jobs. There are, of course, different types of tiles saw for different jobs and materials. Each of the saws have one thing in common, however: they’re each designed with a special type of diamond-coated blades for precise, refined lines that are as straight as they come.

There are very particular advantages that come with using a tile saw. For one, you’re using it because any other type of saw wouldn’t be able to provide a thin, smooth enough line through the material you’re trying to cut. Only the tile saw is able to essentially grind tile materials apart so quickly and finely that both pieces come off smooth and straight. Essentially, a tile saw has a diamond-coated blade so that it can grind away at tile and other materials that need that fine of a cut.

Another unique feature of a tile saw – or at least, a wet tile saw – is that it utilizes water when grinding against a material to cool it before the material can break or crack. This is why the majority of tile saws are able to be used as a wet tile saw as well as a dry saw, and why there aren’t many dry tile saws that aren’t versatile as wet tile saws too.

There are many advantages to owning a tile saw. However, the important thing to remember is that it is just a tile saw, and is only meant for specific types of projects. It can’t be mounted to your circular saw to provide thinner and finer lines across all of your projects, as unfortunate as that is. Using the advantages of tile saws that you have so that you can get a tiling job done the right way is the best way to fully utilize your investment.

Tips for Using a Tile Saw Safely

If you’re a beginner, starting to use a tile saw for the first time, some tips may be in order so that you can safely get your tiling project completed without anyone injuring themselves. Following these tips may be the difference between breaking your new saw and finishing your tiling project and still having time to spare.

Watch the Water Flow
When you’re using a wet tile saw, we’ve found that it’s best to wait until the water has already moved over the blade before you start your cut. This allows the blade to stay cool when you’re slicing a material through it. Leaving the blade dry after you’ve already started your cut could mean cracking or breaking the material that you were attempting to cut. Make sure that you let the water flow properly before hastily starting your cut.

Use the Angled Cut
Make sure to take advantage of the angled cut that your tile saw is designed to be capable of. Most tile saws can reach a full 45-degree angle, and some reach 60 degrees or more. Using the angled cut allows you to get to awkward corners, rounded edges, and much more. Using the angled section that cut the edges and then coming behind with the diamond-coated blade to buff everything makes for a smooth, clean line.

Keep the Water Clean
When you’re using a wet tile saw, it cannot be stressed enough how important using clean water is. The tile saw causes the water to spray everywhere, including at you. Ensuring that only clean water is hitting you is the best way to stay healthy while getting your tiling job taken care of. Make sure that you’re keeping an eye on the trough or section that the water is stored, as there is always the potential of dust or debris getting into the water source. This would not only potentially harm you if it got into the air, but it could cause breaking or cracking on the material as well.

How We Picked the Best Tile Saw

There were a few variables that we used to decide on the best tile saw, from the material that the saw parts are made out of to the feedback from our reviwers.

Once we had it narrowed down to only the high-rated, highly-reviewed wet tile saws that were within a reasonable price range, we looked at variables some may not normally consider when making an informed purchase. For example, how long the product is going to last you. This is determined by the materials the product is made out of, and indicates the quality that the product is able to live up to. We considered all of these things when we were picking the best tile saw.

Our Pick for the Best Tile Saw

SKIL 3450-02 7-Inch Wet Tile Saw
There was a lot of time, energy, and man hours put into researching all of the different types of tile saws, using user experiences and personal experience to put together a list of reasonable choices one can utilize when they’re looking to purchase a tile saw. We decided on the SKIL 3450-02 7-Inch Wet Tile Saw for a variety of reasons, starting with the fact that it’s a big-time bestseller.

The SKIL 3450-02 7-Inch Wet Tile Saw has a top made out of a corrosive-resistant stainless steel that supports tiles measuring up to 12 x 12 inches. The genuine, high-quality material that SKIL used means that this wet tile saw will last for years to come. With the proper upkeep and routine maintenance, this wet tile saw can last decades and retain its sharpness and shine.

This particular wet tile saw has an adjustable rip fence that has a miter gauge which gives an accurate, straight cut each time. The bevel cuts tile anywhere from 0 to 45 degrees, giving you virtually full range on what you’re wanting to do. On top of that, it’s also got a blade-cooling water reservoir designed to minimize dust and debris while simultaneously keeping the blade cool.

Stepping back from the fantastic features the 3450-02 wet tile saw has to offer, it’s important to mention the other aspects of the purchase. When you tack free shipping on with it, it’s hard to pass up such a genuinely great offer.

The SKIL 3450-02 7-Inch Wet Tile Saw also has over 100 answered questions for you to browse through so that you can get a good idea of the other users experiences besides those who have purchase the product. You’ll get a lot of valuable information, and probably have a lot of questions about the product answered so that you don’t have to look it up through outside sources. Personally, this is simply a bonus feature that makes this wet tile saw that much more appeasing.

For some added reassurance, SKIL also offers a three-year warranty on all of their products. They guarantee all of their consumer benchtop power tools will be free of any defects or foul issues for a minimum of three years from the date of purchase. With a warranty and guarantee backing their product, and the ability to get your money back if the product is defected, it’s hard to pass up such a great option for a tile saw.

Our Second Pick

The second on our list was a close contender for the number one spot, except for one negative aspect that we just couldn’t overlook: the price tag.

DEWALT D24000 1.5-Horsepower 10-Inch Wet Tile Saw

The DEWALT D24000 1.5-Horsepower 10-Inch Wet Tile Saw is a heavy-duty, long-lasting product designed for durability. Weighing 69 pounds compared to the dainty 17 pounds that our number one pick weighs, it’s perfect for users who have a set workshop that they plan on doing their projects around.

There’s an integrated 45 over 22.5-degree miter feature that allows for quick-angled, precise cuts. Another feature allows the user to plunge the blade downwards quickly, making it a safe choice for electrical outlets and AC units. The two nozzles on the wet tile saw can be adjusted, letting you reach the optimal water placement on the blade for your needs. This, in turn, minimizes any mist and over-spray that a tile saw normally causes.

DEWALT kept the overall weight of the tile saw in mind, so they made it incredibly easy to break down into smaller parts, making transportation and moving the product around in general that much simpler. Essentially a lightweight version of a heavy duty commercial tile saw, the DEWALT D24000 1.5-Horsepower 10-Inch Wet Tile Saw is built to last just one person a matter of decades, just like the tile saw from SKIL, which is why it stays firm in the number two spot.

Budget Tile Saw Pick

QEP 60089Q 120-Volt 3/5-Horsepower Portable 7-Inch Wet Tile Saw
The 7-inch diamond blade is designed to cut through ceramic and porcelain like butter, slicing it in clean, straight lines to make any tiling job a breeze.

We didn’t just pick it because it’s affordable, though. It’s got enough power behind it to make it a contender for the top, which is why it’s on our list to begin with. It has over 320 customer reviews with a 3.6 rating, so while it wouldn’t have been considered for our number one spot it is still a high-grade, popular wet tile saw.

Notable features of the QEP 60089Q 120-Volt 3/5-Horsepower Portable 7-Inch Wet Tile Saw include a direct-drive motor with a 120-Volt standard plug. The adjustable angle guide allows for accurate cuts every time, and there’s even a splash guard built in that keeps any debris, dust, and water spray away from you and to a minimum.

The QEP 60089Q 120-Volt 3/5-Horsepower Portable 7-Inch Wet Tile Saw is also incredibly low maintenance, with a built-in water reservoir that’s removable, making it easy for cleaning and transportation. The angle of the blade allows you to make precise, even 15, 30, and 45-degree cuts across just about any material you need to cut across or through.

Not only can the QEP 60089Q 120-Volt 3/5-Horsepower Portable 7-Inch Wet Tile Saw cut evenly and with a smooth line through ceramic, porcelain, and other tile materials, but it also cuts a fine line through glass objects. This makes it a perfect product for DIY projects where you have to cut glass, glass bottles, and more.

Specialized Picks

You may need the best tile saw for a specific need or material. For example, you may need the best tile saw for cutting glass, or the best tile saw for cutting ceramic. Fortunately, we’ve compiled a list of Specialized Picks so that you can get a good idea of where to at least look for specialized tile saws that will get you to the level where you need to be.

Best Tile Saw for Cutting Glass

QEP 22400Q 3/5-Horsepower 4-Inch Tile Saw
The majority of good tile saws are able to cut through glass in clean lines without any issues. You may still be looking for one that stays ahead of comparable products, though, which would be the QEP 22400Q 3/5-Horsepower 4-Inch Tile Saw. The 4-inch diamond blade is designed to sheer through glass with expert clean lines. It’s fully adjustable and, best of all, it has extension tables that add five inches to the width of the table. This allows for the tile saw to support larger tiles.

Best Tile Saw for Cutting Ceramic Tile

QEP 22650Q 120-Volt 3/4-Horsepower Tile Saw
QEP is an excellent brand for tile saws, especially the specialized picks that are designed for particular materials better than others. The QEP 22650Q 120-Volt 3/4-Horsepower Tile Saw, for example, is the perfect tile saw for ceramic and porcelain tile. It’s got a durable, heavy duty steel table. The foot pads are rubber, built for stability. The design of this particular flat table provides an unlimited possibility as far as tile size goes.

Best Tile Saw for Cutting Granite

Omega Trading Group’s 110-Volt 4.5-Inch Circular Tile Saw
When you need to cut granite or other difficult materials, you need a tile saw that’s going to pull out all the stops and tricks to get the job done. The Omega Trading Group’s 110-Volt 4.5-Inch Circular Tile Saw makes any tiling job a breeze, especially with granite and wood. It also comes with a vinyl hose and a rubber joint so that you can use it for wet cutting, as well.

Best Tile Saw for Cutting Marble

ATE 120-Volt 7-Inch Tile Saw
A tile saw capable of cutting marble precisely, finely, and smoothly is the pinnacle of quality as far as tile saws are concerned. With a quick, adjustable parallel fence and a key safety switch, the ATE Tools 120-Volt 7-Inch Tile Saw is capable of cutting just about any material you need to slice. The thick, 7-inch diamond cutting blade gets the job done the first time without question. It’s versatile, made for both wet and dry tile cutting, so you have the options available to you with this particular tile saw.
Best Tile Saw for Cutting Wood

DEWALT DWC860W 4 3/8-Inch Tile Saw
The best tile saw for cutting wood and other delicate materials like wood, such as plastic and metal, is the Dremel SM20-02 120-Volt Saw-Max. The dust extraction port makes getting rid of any potential dust and debris spray a non-issue. Because it’s able to handle such delicate materials easily, it has a small but powerful 6 Amp motor. Alongside the motor, it also comes equipped with a second-wheel position for flush cutting. In fact, it comes with an entire kit and a case.

The Competition

We found a number of tile saws that were easily comparable to the number one and number two spots on our list, but they just didn’t quite make the cut. We still feel that they should be mentioned, however, to properly display the different types of tile saws that can be purchased and the spectrum of quality that you can. Sometimes, our number one pick may not be everyone’s idea of the best tile saw, so we like to keep the options open.

The DEWALT DWC860W 4 3/8-Inch Tile Saw is a wet and dry masonry saw that’s comparable with the SKIL 3450-02 7-Inch Wet Tile Saw. The powerful 12.5 Amp motor cuts a clean line through any material you need a slice through, from porcelain to granite. There’s a 13-foot water line which continuously feeds water straight to the blade. This decreases the amount of the dust, debris, and water spray you might come across.

Hitachi CM4Sb2 11.6-Amp 4-Inch Tile Saw
With a no-load speed of up to 11,500 RPM, the Hitachi CM4Sb2 11.6-Amp 4-Inch Tile Saw is a hefty tile saw that cuts through even the toughest materials. The 11.6 Amp motor is nothing to complain about, either. It’s designed to be super-efficient, keep the debris and dust to a minimum, and to provide a low-noise level experience, reaching no higher than 85 decibels. Designed as a dry saw, it has a sealed armature coil which is protected from any potential dust and debris, making it perfect for dry cutting projects. On top of that, the Hitachi CM4Sb2 has a dust-resistant switch which altogether prevents and stops any dust or debris from entering the tool, period.

Rubi DT180 110-Volt 7-Inch Wet Tile Saw
Not only do you get a thick, 7-inch diamond cutting blade with the 7-Inch Wet Tile Saw, but it also comes with a rip guide, wrench, pump, and an Operator’s Manual. The large cutting capacity of the Rubi DT180 gives it a plunging cutting head that provides a 24-inch rip and an 18-inch diagonal cut. It has a powerful 9 Amp motor with 1 horsepower. Overall, this particular tile saw is expertly ergonomically designed with a reasonable power level making it capable of even the toughest or strenuous of tiling jobs.

Rockwell RK7323 Blade Runner X2 Tabletop Tile Saw
Thanks to the professional design of the Rockwell RK7323 Blade Runner X2 Tabletop Tile Saw, you get an unlimited capacity for rip and cross cuts. It’s lightweight, compact, making it a recommended choice for a high-quality tile saw. The miter gauge can reach up to 60 degrees to the right or left. The saw is easy to carry around anywhere, so it’s readily portable. You can set it up in mere seconds to cut through tile, wood, plastic, metal, or just about any other material you need sliced.

Commonly Asked Questions About Tile Saws

What are the Different Types of Tile Saws?
There are only ever wet tile saws or dry tile saws. Sometimes, you can buy a saw that’s capable of being versatile, so it can be both dry or wet. Among the wet blades, there are diamond blades, continuous rim diamond blades, and much more. For the dry blades, there are turbo diamond blades, segmented diamond blades, turbo wave diamond blades, and countless other types. While some can be cut with or without water, it’s can be seen clearly that most projects can be completed with just a wet blade alone.

What are the Advantages and Disadvantages of a Wet Tile Saw?
A wet tile saw can give you smooth, precise cuts, but it’s not handheld. It doesn’t require a lot of strenuous effort on your part, so not a lot of physical strength is required to use a wet tile saw. The biggest disadvantage for wet tile saws is simply that you have to have a water source readily available and near you in order for you to use the wet tile saw and actually make it work. Plus, if you don’t have a wet tile saw that properly protects you from debris, dust, and water, you’re going to get sprayed with splashes of dirty water continuously throughout the entire tiling job.

What are the Advantages and Disadvantages of a Dry Tile Saw?
All you have to do with a dry tile saw is plug it in, so it’s faster and easier to set up than any wet tile saw could be. Because they’re handheld, most dry tile saws will allow you to cut out old tile with them, too, unlike wet tile saws. However, also because they’re handheld, you won’t be able to have steady, consistent control. In the end, most of the time cuts using a wet tile saw will come out cleaner, more even, and finer than a dry tile saw could provide.

Are There Any Safety Tips to Keep in Mind When Operating a Tile Saw?
Goggles, gloves, and an apron are always recommended when using various types of saws, and that includes tile saws. The goggles are especially recommended, since they protect your eyes from the dust and debris spray that is inevitable when using a tile saw to cut through most materials.

Wrapping It Up

Tile saws make a lot of DIY projects easier, and they’re essential for a tiling job to get done the right way the first time. Not every tile saw is going to give you the results you’re looking for, however. We chose the SKIL 3450-02 7-Inch Wet Tile Saw as our number one pick because of the high-quality material the saw is made out of.
While the SKIL 3450-02 7-Inch Wet Tile Saw is our choice for the best tile saw, we also have a number of other tile saws that can’t go without mentioning. There’s the second choice, the DEWALT D24000 1.5-Horsepower 10-Inch Wet Tile Saw.

There’s also the ultra-affordable option, which is the QEP 60089Q 120-Volt 3/5-Horsepower Portable 7-Inch Wet Tile Saw. That’s not even mentioning the other tile saws scattered throughout the Specialized Picks and Competition sections, like the DEWALT DWC860W 4 3/8-Inch Tile Saw or the QEP 22400Q 3/5-Horsepower 4-Inch Tile Saw.

No matter which of the tile saws you choose, the important thing to keep in mind when purchasing is to make sure the tile saw you’re purchasing is going to live up to each task you need to perform with it. Using proper safety techniques and equipment, you can get a tiling job finished in no time when you have the best tile saw for your needs.