The 5 Best Saw Horses of 2020 – [Top Reviews & Rankings]

DIY projects require a lot of equipment you might not realize you need.  Everyone knows that a project might require a level, a hammer, screwdrivers and a saw (Source).

However, there’s other equipment that might also come in handy. The best sawhorses can make your life easier when sawing, especially if you don’t have access to a well-equipped workshop.

Sawhorses are triangular stands typically made of plastic, metal, or wood that support any piece of material that is being sawed. Sawhorses can also be used as a makeshift workstation with a piece of plywood on top.

To use properly, you first have to adjust the height of two sawhorses to your preference. Ensure that the heights are exactly equal, and that the legs are stable.

If the sawhorse has extending arms, you’ll want to adjust the width as well based on what you’re sawing. Finally, you’ll want to position the two sawhorses not too close to each other, but not too far to ensure the stability of what you’re sawing (Source).

Sawhorses are perfect for carpenters who travel to various sites. But they’re also great for DIY projects due to their ease of use and portability.

Prior to purchasing sawhorses, you’ll want to consider what material they’re made of. You’ll also want to consider the adjustability of the height and width. Finally, you’ll want to look at how portable and lightweight it is.

If you’re working on a project at home or at work, make sure you’re doing it right with these top-rated sawhorses.

What is a Saw Horse?

When it comes time to do some sawing, having a saw horse will help you by providing a stable platform for you to use. Saw horses are sturdy metal beams which come with legs.

What Are Saw Horses For?

Saw horses are used to suspend wooden planks and other materials to allow for easier sawing. Such a tool is used in various home improvement projects. A saw horse is a beam supported by two sets of A-frame legs.  Saw horses also provide support for construction professionals cutting wood. They can also be used as a makeshift workbench.

Comparing The 5 Best Saw Horses

1. Toughbuilt C550 Folding Sawhorse – Best Overall

his folding sawhorse model from Toughbuilt is one of the most popular horses out there. It boasts solid steel construction, which makes it capable of handling 1100lb of eight or 2200lb on a set of two.

Additionally, its zinc-plated steel resists corrosion while its pivoting feet help get this sawhorse set up so that it’s perfectly level, even if the surface it’s on is not. Likewise, its material pegs allow for the upright storage of things and make cutting awkward objects much easier.

Moreover, features folding legs and a carrying handle that make it easy to both store and transport. It also comes with 2×4 arms, which can be used to turn two of these into a rectangular work table via the simple addition of some lumber.

Lastly, this metal sawhorse offers a great combination of portability with durability. It’s rugged enough for daily professional use but its folding legs make it suitable for the home user, too, who can store it out of the way when not needed.

2. Stanley 060864R Plastic Sawhorse – Best on Budget

Nothing beats the durability of steel. But when weight is a factor, you may be better off considering lighter materials. This sawhorse from Stanley is the most lightweight yet efficient sawhorse in the market.

It isn’t going to last as long as the Toughbuilt model. However, its thick molded plastic is designed to be durable while still remaining lightweight. Similarly, a pair of these sawhorses only weighs 22lb, whereas a couple of the Toughbuilt model is close to twice that.

Furthermore, while it can’t hold the weight of sturdier metal models, it does have the load capacity of 1000lb per pair. Additionally, a folding tool shelf at the bottom of this product’s legs adds to its stability as well as allows tools to be kept within reach while working.

Lastly, the best feature of this plactic sawhorse is its ability to fold completely flat. For someone who only occasionally needs to use a set of sawhorses or for professionals who are often moving their equipment around, these sawhorses can be invaluable for light to medium work.

3. Dewalt DWX725 Sawhorse – Most Durable

This is a heavy-duty sawhorse with a solid metal frame constuction that can each support 1000lb at a time.

It boasts the usage of aluminum rather than steel, which is good for the portability but bad for long-term durability. On the other hand, being made of aluminum means this product is rustproof.

Regarding portability, this sawhorse’s legs fold away for ease of transportation and storage. When needed, the legs fold out quickly and are locked in place by the use of a special lever, too, which ensures it won’t collapse during use.

Notably, you can also use this as a stand for a Dewalt miter saw or any other best table saws via the use of special attachments. Hence, Dewalt is offering is more than a simple sawhorse. Given its cost, durability, and customization options, this sawhorse is intended more for the professional market and has the build quality one would expect for such heavy duty usage.

4. HICO Metal Sawhorse – Can Support High Weight

The HICO sawhorse’s simple design hides some features that make it an attractive offering for home and professional users. First, it is constructed with durable and long-lasting metal. Second, it has foldable legs for transportation and storage.

In addition to that, its top is protected by a non-slip rubber mat to prevent accidents from ruining your work or causing injury. Moreover, it also features pre-drilled mounting holes that allow a set of these sawhorses to be turned into a table with the addition of a sheet of wood.

Hence, don’t let the minimalist design fool you. These sawhorses are capable of supporting 1200lb, thanks to a cross brace on each side. Additionally, it also has an adjustable height.

Its metal legs have five different height settings from 25 inches to 40 inches. Not only does this allow for a range of different jobs to be performed on a single set of horses; it also helps make it comfortable for people of different heights.

Overall, when used correctly, this sawhorse should give years of service. However, it is important to ensure that the height remains level when adjusted because it’s easy to mismatch the holes and end up with a sawhorse that sits at an angle.

5. 2X4BASICS 90196 Sawhorse – Most Affordable Sawhorse

Sawhorses don’t come much more basic than this. In fact, this isn’t really a sawhorse. Instead, this item is a pair of brackets that allow you to build your own sawhorse. This may sound basic and it is, but there are certain advantages to going about things this way.

One is the cost. With these brackets and some lengths of 2×4, you can build a sawhorse for far less than buying one that is premade. Hence, if the price is a major factor in your purchasing decision, this might be your best option.

Second, this DIY option allows you to make a sawhorse to suit your needs. Height, length, and width will all depend on the lumber you use. For special projects or for the very tall or very short, this customization ability is very useful.

Additionally, this pair of sawhorse brackets also allow for two levels, making a very sturdy sawhorse when assembled. While the brackets themselves are plastic, the sawhorse you make with them can hold up to 2000lbs.

Most Common Issues People Have with Saw Horses

• Weak Construction: Using a saw horse is something which can be potentially dangerous. This is why the construction strength should be, but isn’t always a top concern. It is common for people to encounter problems down the line with a saw horse that isn’t strong enough to support a certain item.
• Lack of Stability: The stability of a saw horse, just like the material strength, is something which has a direct effect on your safety using the product. If you have stability problems, it is much more common to slip during sawing, make mistakes, and so on.
• Difficult Assembly: When you get a saw horse, it is easy to assume that everything will be easy to assemble and use. This isn’t always the case, though. If you don’t spend some time determining what the teardown and setup process looks like for each model, you could end up regretting your purchase.

Factors To Consider Before Buying A Saw Horse

There’s more to a sawhorse than just a sturdy pair of legs.

When looking to buy saw horse legs, you need to think carefully about what you need from it and how much you’re willing to spend. Remember, quality doesn’t come cheap.

Hence, when making your decision, you might want to think about:

Quality Of Materials

Plastic, metal, or wood? Saw horses come in a variety of materials, with a similar range of price points. Every option has its pros and cons.

For instance, if you will be moving your sawhorse around to various job sites, the light weight of plastic will definitely appeal. On the other hand, if you want a piece of equipment that will stay in one place and last for years, metal would be the way to go.

Traditional wooden sawhorses fall somewhere between these two extremes. Heavier than plastic, they are still more mobile than metal and their durability falls somewhere between the two. Additionally, they have the ability to take a cut if you slip up during sawing whereas a metal sawhorse could damage the teeth of your saw if you cut into it.

Tool Storage

Some of the better saw horses out there include a shelf to hold tools while you work. This can be a handy feature to have, allowing you to keep what you need nearby as you work. Smaller hand tools like folding saws (best ones here) or cordless jigsaws (here) that you might often need can have a proper place where you can easily reach them. It can also improve the stability of the sawhorse.

Folding Saw Horse

If portability is important to you, a folding sawhorse can save precious cargo space and be easier to move around than a non-folding one. However, be sure to check how much weight the horse can take. Folding designs are by definition less sturdy than stationary ones.

Features of the Best Saw Horses

Getting the best saw horse to meet your needs shouldn’t be rocket science. However, there are certain features that you need to keep in mind in order to make the best possible decision.

Strong Frame Parts Included with All Attachments

Saw horses can be made with a variety of different materials. Typically, this can be metal, wood, or plastic. Ideally, the model you choose comes with a sturdy metal frame.

Most importantly, check to ensure all parts and necessary attachments are included so that you don’t have to make additional purchases down the line.

High Load Capacity

If you plan on using your saw horse to hold heavy objects, you need a saw horse that has a load capacity, which meets your needs. If you’ll be using saws like top dry cut metal saws, you better have a saw horse that can take its weight.

Typically, a high-quality saw horse will have a load capacity of at least 1000 pounds. As a general rule of thumb, make sure the load capacity of the model you choose provides more support than you ever imagine needing.

Plenty of Room for Adjustability

People have different heights and different types of workspaces. For this reason, high-quality saw horses come with adjustable legs.

Before you make your final decision, it’s important to check the adjustability specifications. Determine what height you need to work comfortably, and make sure that the product you choose will help you to work comfortably without having stability issues.

Easy Setup and Teardown Process

Ideally, using a saw horse only requires you to adjust the leg height and then easily lock it in place. Although this may sound like a feature which is common, some saw horses are harder to setup and teardown than others.

Do yourself a favor, and check how each saw horse is used. If you need to spend more than a minute or so setting up and putting your saw horse away, you should consider a different model with a simpler design.

Portability and Easy Storage

A saw horse is an item which many people don’t use that much. Many saws can fully function without a saw horse, including the best toe kick saws and  Unless you work a job which requires you to use one.

In most cases, having a model which is portable and easily stored without taking up too much space will help make it so your saw horse doesn’t become a burden. Saving space might be a top concern of yours since various saw horses aren’t necessarily designed to help you do so.

FAQ’s About Sawhorses

Q: How do I use a sawhorse?

First, ensure your sawhorse is level. The beams have to be well balanced; on the same height and in an optimal width near and far from each other. Second, check they’re on steady ground and put the wood you need to saw on top.

Q: What is the purpose of a sawhorse?

Sawhorses are used to support boards or planks for sawing.

Q: What is the ideal height for a sawhorse?

Most sawhorses measure 32 inches high by 32 inches wide, but you are not limited to any one length or height. If you want to adjust the height or length or height of your sawhorses, use a set of 10-foot 2x4s.

Q: How wide are sawhorses?

Sawhorses are usually made by 2x4s and their other dimensions depend on the user if they make one via DIY or pick one via purchasing.

Ready To Buy The Best Saw Horses?

The best sawhorse available is the one that fits your specific needs. As is the case with any tool, what features you require will depend on your intended use, as well as your budget.

If you have a specific project in mind and need a non-standard size saw horse legs, simple brackets that allow you to make your own sawhorse could be the best option.

On the other hand, if you use your sawhorses on a regular basis, you need something durable and versatile that can perform multiple functions.

Before making your decision, think carefully about where and how often you will be using these crafting benches. Only then can you make an informed choice as to which model is best for you.

Finally, make your work day go by a little bit faster with a jobsite radio. Play your favorite tunes or listen to the radio and your tasks will become a breeze!

However, if you want to get the best production of your best hybrid table saw, you need to have the best gear.