DeWalt DWE7485 vs DWE7491RS: the compact 8-1/4 inch saw weighs half as much and costs about $170 less, while the 10 inch DWE7491RS adds 8 inches of rip capacity, a deeper cut, dado support and a rolling stand. Here is which one to buy.
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DeWalt DWE7485 vs DWE7491RS is the decision most homeowners face once they have settled on a DeWalt jobsite table saw and realized there are two of them. The DeWalt DWE7485 is the compact 8-1/4 inch saw that one person can carry. The DeWalt DWE7491RS is the full-size 10 inch saw on a rolling stand. On Amazon as of September 27, 2026, the DWE7485 lists at the current retailer price and the DWE7491RS at the current retailer price, a gap of $170.00. Both share the same rack and pinion fence design, the same 15 amp motor rating and the same 3-year warranty. Based on our research into DeWalt's published specifications and more than 11,000 combined Amazon owner ratings, the differences come down to four things: rip capacity, depth of cut, dado support and weight.
Comparison Table
Power and Cutting Capacity
Both saws carry a 15 amp brushed universal motor, which is the maximum a standard 120V household circuit supports, so neither has a power advantage on paper. The DWE7485 spins its smaller blade faster at 5,800 RPM, the DWE7491RS turns the 10 inch blade at 4,800 RPM, and the rim speed works out roughly the same. According to owner reviews, both saws rip 2x framing lumber and 3/4 inch plywood without bogging, and both slow noticeably in thick hardwood, which is normal for any jobsite saw.
Capacity is where they separate. The DWE7491RS rips 32-1/2 inches to the right of the blade, enough to cut a 4x8 sheet in half lengthwise with room to spare and to cross-cut wide shelving. The DWE7485 rips 24-1/2 inches, which still splits a sheet down the middle but leaves no margin for wider panels. Depth of cut is the bigger practical gap. At 3-1/8 inches the DWE7491RS clears a 4x4 post in one pass. At 2-9/16 inches the DWE7485 does not, so a 4x4 or a 3-1/2 inch thick beam means flipping the stock and cutting twice. At 45 degrees the numbers are 2-1/4 inches versus 1-3/4 inches, which matters for beveling 2x material.
Then there is dado work. DeWalt rates the DWE7491RS for dado stacks up to 13/16 inch wide with an optional dado throat plate, which makes it a real furniture and cabinet saw for cutting grooves, rabbets and shelf dados. DeWalt's position on the DWE7485 is that it does not accept dado stacks, and owner reviews note the short arbor would not hold one safely regardless. If you plan to build bookcases, drawers or cabinets, that single line settles the comparison.
Fence, Accuracy and Build Quality
The rack and pinion telescoping fence is the feature that made DeWalt's jobsite saws popular, and both models have it. Turning the front crank moves the fence in and out on toothed rails, so it stays parallel to the blade without the tap-and-check routine older saws needed. Owner reviews of both saws consistently describe the fence as accurate out of the box and repeatable, which is unusual praise for saws in this price range. The DWE7491RS adds a flip-over fence face that drops below the table for narrow rip cuts and a patented material support for thin strips, small conveniences that add up over a project.
The DWE7491RS has a larger cast table at 26-3/8 by 21-7/8 inches, which supports wide panels and long boards better and gives the miter gauge more travel. The DWE7485 is built inside a metal roll cage that protects it when it gets tossed in a truck, and its whole footprint is roughly 22-3/4 inches square. Both have on-board storage for the guard assembly, fence, riving knife, miter gauge and wrenches, and both use DeWalt's Site-Pro modular guarding, which lets you swap between the full blade guard and the low-profile riving knife without tools. The DWE7485 also gets a power-loss reset that stops the saw from restarting on its own after an outage if the switch was left on, and a blade brake that stops the blade quickly after you switch off.
This is the DWE7485's whole argument. At 46 pounds with a molded carry handle, it goes up a flight of stairs in one trip and lives on a garage shelf between projects. The DWE7491RS weighs roughly 90 pounds with its stand and Amazon lists the shipping weight at 110, so loading it into a truck bed is a two-person job. Once on the ground, the rolling stand does the work: it folds and unfolds in a few seconds, rolls on two wheels, and puts the table at a comfortable working height. The DWE7485 comes without a stand, which means either a bench, a pair of sawhorses, or a separate DeWalt stand that adds roughly a hundred dollars and narrows the price gap between the two saws considerably.
If your shop is a corner of a one-car garage, the DWE7485 stores in a space the DWE7491RS cannot. If you have a dedicated bay or basement shop, the DWE7491RS folds against a wall and the size stops being a problem. Our best table saw for a small shop guide goes deeper on working in tight spaces.
Accessories and Blade Cost
Blade choice slightly favors the DWE7491RS. Ten inch blades are the industry standard, so every brand makes them in every tooth count, and a good 10 inch combination or fine-finish blade is easy to find at a fair price. The 8-1/4 inch size is common on circular saws and the selection has grown, but you will find fewer premium woodworking blades in that diameter. Both saws ship with a 24-tooth carbide framing blade that is fine for construction lumber and should be replaced with a 40 or 60 tooth blade for plywood and hardwood. If you have never changed a table saw blade, our blade change guide covers the process for both saws.
Price and Value
at the current retailer price versus $599.00 on Amazon as of September 27, 2026, the DWE7485 is $170.00 cheaper, and if you already have a bench to bolt it to, that is real money. If you need a stand, the math shifts. Add a DeWalt rolling or scissor stand to the DWE7485 and you are within a few dozen dollars of the DWE7491RS, which includes its stand, adds 8 inches of rip, 9/16 inch of cut depth and dado capability. For a buyer who would end up buying a stand anyway, the DWE7491RS is the better value even though its sticker is higher. For a buyer who will bolt the saw to a bench or use it on sawhorses, the DWE7485 is the better value and one of the best-rated saws on Amazon at 4.8 stars.
Both are covered by DeWalt's 3-year limited warranty, one year of free service and a 90-day satisfaction guarantee, so warranty does not tip the decision either way.
Who Should Buy the DeWalt DWE7485
The DWE7485 is for the DIYer, the trim carpenter and the remodeler whose work is plywood, 2x lumber, MDF and trim, and who needs to carry the saw to the work or put it away when the car comes back in the garage. It is also the right pick for a first table saw if budget is tight and you have a bench to set it on. What it cannot do, dado cuts and single-pass 4x4s, are things many homeowners never need. Check the current price of the DeWalt DWE7485 on Amazon.
Who Should Buy the DeWalt DWE7491RS
The DWE7491RS is for the homeowner or hobbyist who plans to build things: cabinets, bookcases, workbenches, deck framing, furniture. The dado support, the deeper cut, the bigger table and the wider rip make it a saw you grow into rather than out of, and the rolling stand makes it workable even in a modest garage. It is also the better choice for anyone who would otherwise buy a stand for the smaller saw. We cover it in more depth in our DeWalt DWE7491RS review. Check the current price of the DeWalt DWE7491RS on Amazon.
Final Verdict
For most people reading a comparison like this, the DWE7491RS is the saw to buy. The extra capacity is the kind you use every few projects, dado capability opens up real woodworking, and the included stand erases most of the price difference. The DWE7485 wins on one axis, portability, and it wins decisively. If that axis is the one that matters in your situation, it is an excellent saw with the same fence and the highest owner rating of the pair. Either way, you are getting the best fence design in the jobsite class. For the wider field beyond DeWalt, see our best table saws guide and our best table saws under $500.
FAQ
Can the DeWalt DWE7485 use a dado blade?
DeWalt states the DWE7485 does not accept dado stacks, and it sells no dado throat plate for it. The DWE7491RS is rated for dado stacks up to 13/16 inch wide with the optional dado throat plate. If dado joints are part of your plans, choose the DWE7491RS.
Will the DeWalt DWE7485 cut a 4x4?
Not in a single pass. Its maximum depth of cut is 2-9/16 inches at 90 degrees, and a 4x4 is 3-1/2 inches thick, so you need to flip the post and make two passes. The DWE7491RS cuts 3-1/8 inches deep and clears a 4x4 in one pass.
Does the DWE7485 come with a stand?
No. The DWE7485 is the saw only and is designed to sit on a bench, sawhorses or a separate DeWalt stand. The DWE7491RS includes a rolling folding stand, which accounts for part of its higher price.
Is the DWE7491RS worth the extra money over the DWE7485?
If you need a stand, yes, since adding a stand to the DWE7485 brings it close to the DWE7491RS price while still giving up 8 inches of rip capacity, over half an inch of cut depth and dado support. If you will bolt the saw to a bench and mostly cut sheet goods and 2x lumber, the DWE7485 is the better value.
Which DeWalt table saw is better for a beginner?
Both share the same rack and pinion fence, which is the most beginner-friendly feature either has. The DWE7485 is lighter and cheaper, which suits a first saw in a small space. The DWE7491RS is the one you will not outgrow. If you are still deciding whether a table saw is the right first tool, our circular saw vs table saw guide can help.
