12 Best Table Saw For Dado Cuts 2023 (Genuine Reviews!) 

I was cleaning out my shop and noticed that most of my common-use tools were ones that I had bought in the last 6 months. Upon looking further, I realized that my oldest tool was a table saw I had purchased over a decade ago specifically to make dado cuts.

I can see that I have a lot more experience now purchasing table saws for myself and a few peers, so I’m going to share a round-up of the best table saws for dado cuts today.

The best table saw for dado cuts is usually one that has enough cutting depth, the ability to accept dado blades, and a decent motor that can cut through tough materials. Dewalt DWE7491RS Table Saw, Rockwell RK7323 Tabletop Saw, and Grizzly G-1023RLWX Tablesaw meet these criteria.

This article will be your buying guide for table saws that can be used to make Dado cuts. Among other things, you will find the 12 best table saws for Dado cuts, how they compare to each other, and how you can choose which one you should buy. By the end of this post, you will feel a lot more confident about your next purchase.

Which Table Saws Are Best For Dado Cuts?

Dewalt, Rockwell, Grizzly, Milwaukee, and Shop Fox table saws are best for cutting dados, provided that the specific models of the table saws accept dado blades. Here is the best table saw models for dado cuts:

Best For Precision: DEWALT DWE7491RS Table Saw

With a rip capacity of 32.5 inches, this table saw can cut through materials with a medium thickness. It has a 15 amp motor with a load speed of 4800 RPM, which is good enough more most dados. 8-inch dado blades are pretty common, and the DWE7491RS table saw is compatible with these.

That means you won’t have to get too specific with your search to find a dado blade that works with it. Be mindful of the thickness, though. The maximum width it accommodates in this context is 13/16 inches.

There are thicker dado stacks and even individual blades in the market, but they won’t work with this table saw. In my personal experience, this breadth capacity is more than enough for everyday dado-cutting. Its cutting depth is 2-1/4 inches at 45 degrees and 3-⅛ inches at 90 degrees.

Aside from the dado-specific properties, this table saw also has some convenience perks. Mainly, I like the wheeled stand that makes the table saw easier to move. This table saw’s portability and storability make it a great tool for a small workshop.

Best For Depth: DEWALT Table Saw for Jobsite

This is a job site table saw with pretty much the same motor and motion specs as the previous entry. The main point of difference is in the stand, but significant features in this table saw are different enough to warrant a separate product entry.

Since this is a combo product, it comes with the Dado plate included, making it a great plug-and-play purchase.

It has a 15 amp motor, 13/16-inch stack width tolerance, and a maximum cutting depth of 3-1/4 inches. Since it is basically the same saw with a different stand, it is just as valid a purchase as the previous one.

Best For Value: Skil 15 Amp 10 Inch Portable Jobsite Table Saw 

This table saw is quite value-packed in ways that go beyond just dado cutting. It is portable and comes with a range of accessories that you need to set up and operate the saw.

It doesn’t have a dado blade in the package, and that would be too much to expect from this relatively cheap purchase. It does come with a carbide-tipped standard saw blade, though.

It has a 15 amp motor fully capable of cutting dados, provided you get a dado blade that fits (Refer to the table above). The motor spins at 5000 revolutions per minute without material load. If there’s one bone I have to pick with this model, it is the lack of a dust collection port.

Best for Dust-free Performance: Shop Fox W1888 Table Saw

The W1888 Table Saw has an excellent dust collection system and overall versatility. It comes with a riving knife mechanism alongside the table saw aspect and has a 16 Amps capacity with a 2 HP motor.

Its cutting depth is 3-⅛ inches (76.2 mm) at 90 degrees and 2-⅛ inches (3.175 mm) at 45 degrees. Its ⅝ inch (15.875 mm) arbor can accommodate a 13/16 inch Dado.

Best For Spontaneous Projects: RIKON 10 Inch Portable Table Saw

This model is one of the most portable table saws that I have come across. It has a 2HP motor, so I would use it with medium-strength wood. Since it can be used to make precise cuts, I would consider it a decent dado-cutting table saw.

This table saw has a 28-Inch Rip Capacity and the ability to cut 13/16-inch-wide (20.64 mm) dadoes. This is on par with the top-rated recommendations here. The only drawback of this product is that it doesn’t have any reviews on Amazon.

However, it is sold by the official brand, so you don’t incur the risks of third-party resellers.

Best for Capability Set: Metabo HPT Table Saw

This table saw fits 8-inch dado blades and can create dados that are 13/16 inches in breadth. That’s the standard for most of the Dado-compatible saws’ maximum stack width. I have rarely needed to go beyond the 13/16 mark for my joinery.

Its 15 amp motor has a 4,500 RPM, which is ample momentum to cut at 3-1/8 inches depth with 0 degrees and 2-1/4 Inches at 45 degrees. It has excellent value as it comes bundled with saw blades and accessories.

Best for Advanced Woodworkers:

Powermatch PM1000 is one of the most powerful table saws and is best left for difficult materials. It has a rip capacity of 52 inches and an amperage of 20 amps. It also comes with a 5-year warranty that makes sense for its price point.

I would personally not make it my first choice because of its price, but people who have made it theirs are pretty happy with it.

After using many table saws over the last 30 years, I decided to put together this list of the best table saws under $1500. These have either been used by myself or my close woodworking peers whose opinions I trust. Enjoy!

Best For Construction: Delta 36-6023 10 Inch Table Saw

This Delta Table Saw has slightly lower blade momentum with a 15-amp motor and an 8-inch stacked dado capacity. The motor is contractor-grade, and the portable stand is sturdy enough to stay stable. Its wheels make it movable despite the weight. This blade also comes with a 5-year warranty.

Best For Movement: SKIL SPT99 Table Saw

This table saw has a heavy-duty build and performance with a 3-5/8 inch cutting depth and a rip capacity of 30-1/2 inches. The SPT99 has an amperage of 15 amps, slightly below some of the better-powered saws but good enough for most hardwoods.

Its warranty is limited and covers one year, so you have to make sure no operational breakdowns are your fault.

Best Cordless: Milwaukee 2736-20 Cordless Table Saw

The Milwaukee 2736-20 will most likely prove to be more versatile and portable than you need. It has a 24-1/2 ft. rip Capacity. Its amperage is 15 amps, and a 4-inch blade length average. It was most famously shown to be dado-compatible by a woodworking Youtuber A Concord Carpenter.

Best For Narrow Dados: Ryobi 10″ Table Saw

There’s a misconception that Ryobi table saws can’t accept Dado blades. This Ryobi saw is more than capable of accommodating a dado blade and cutting dados. It has a 15 amp amperage and a 10-inch blade length. The table saw comes with a 3-year warranty and is ideal for narrow dados.

What To Look For When Buying A Table Saw For Dad Cuts?

A table saw that is being bought specifically for its dado-cutting capacity has to accept dado blades, have variable cutting breadth and depth, and decent amperage to power the cuts without dulling the blade.

What Is A Dado Cut?

A dado cut is a trench cut into a machinable material, usually for joinery. It consists of two vertical parallel cuts of equal length and a broad vertical cut connecting the two vertical cuts. From a cross-section perspective, the cut has three side.

A dado is what you would get running two blades of equal depth parallel to each other, far enough apart from each other to form a trench.

What Are The Different Blade Types For Dado Cuts?

There are two blad types used for dado cuts. A wobble Dado blade and a Stacked dado blade. The wobble dado blade doesn’t require a wide arbor in the table saw and can rotate across enough breadth to form a dado cut without an additional blade.

A stacked blade requires two blades but offers as much customization potential as the saw’s arbor permits.

Can Any Table Saw Use Dado Blades?

Not all table saws can use Dado blades, but most modern table saws have the capacity to accommodate at least one type of Dado blade. But if you plan on making dado cuts and do not have a table saw, you should definitely consider its compatibility with a dado stack before making your buying decision.

Can You Put A Dado Blade On A Dewalt Table Saw?

There are several Dewalt Table Saws that accommodate Dado blades. Dewalt DWE7491RS and Dewalt DWE7485 Table Saws are the best for dado blades.

Do Ryobi Table Saws Accept Dado Blades?

Ryobi ‎RTS12 Table Saw can be used to make dado cuts as it accepts dado blades. However, you cannot assume that all Ryobi table saws have the same dado blade compatibility as the ‎RTS12.

Portable Table Saws That Accept Dado Blades

The portable table saws that accept Dado blades include SKIL 15 Amp 10 Inch Portable Jobsite Table Saw, Rockwell RK7323 Portable Tabletop Saw, and

Milwaukee 2736-20 Cordless Table Saw. These table saws, alongside many jobsite saws with wide arbors, can be used to make dado cuts.

Portable table saws can come in varying degrees of cutting power and with different types of blade compatibility. It is generally safer to go with the top recommendations instead of betting on a wide arbor.

How Can You Confirm Dado Blade Compatibility?

To confirm Dado blade compatibility, you can use two methods. The first is to actually opt for a table saw that is covered in the round-up above. If you choose to buy a table saw that is not on the list, then you can easily confirm compatibility by looking up “Dado” in the search box located at the bottom of the Amazon listing for the saw.

It searched the product’s description, Q&A, and customer reviews for the word and can show not just whether the saw accepts dado stacks but also how they function with dado blades.

Final Thoughts – 12 Best Table Saw For Dado Cuts 2023

The best table saws for Dado cuts are ones that have high HP, customizable depth capacity, and decent width capacity. Finding such table saws requires looking closely at arbor width, table saw motor specs and blade compatibility.

Fortunately, I’ve compiled the top table saws for Dado cuts in this post, so you don’t have to do as much research to find the table saw you need for Dado joinery.