Table saw vs. circular saw: running cost
A circular saw is cheaper to run: about $4 a year versus $4 for a table saw at typical use and 17.99¢/kWh, a $1 difference.
| Table saw | Circular saw | |
|---|---|---|
| Typical watts | 1,800 W | 1,500 W |
| Watt range | 1,200–3,700 W | 1,000–1,800 W |
| Typical use | 30 minutes a day, 1 days a week | 15 minutes a day, 1 days a week |
| Energy per year | 23 kWh | 20 kWh |
| Cost per hour | 16¢ | 27¢ |
| Cost per day | 1.2¢ | 1.0¢ |
| Cost per month | $0.35 | $0.29 |
| Cost per year | $4 | $4 |
| Per year in Hawaii (43.51¢) | $10 | $9 |
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What drives the difference
- Table saw: Benchtop and jobsite saws draw up to 15 A under load; they spend much of their run time spinning freely at lower draw.
- Circular saw: Corded circular saws are 13-15 A tools; energy use is tiny because cuts take seconds.
Ways to cut either cost
Cordless circular saw
Uses only charging energy and avoids extension cords.
See options on Amazon Blade cleaner
Clean blades cut with less effort.
See options on AmazonWe may earn a commission from qualifying purchases. It never changes the numbers we show. Disclosure.
Frequently asked questions
Which costs more to run, a table saw or a circular saw?
At typical use and the U.S. average rate (17.99¢/kWh), a table saw costs about $4 a year versus $4 for a circular saw. That's $1 more, or 1.2× as much.
How many watts do table saw and circular saw use?
A table saw typically draws 1,800 W (range 1,200–3,700 W). A circular saw draws 1,500 W (range 1,000–1,800 W). Watts alone don't decide cost. Hours of use, cycling and standby matter just as much.
Rates: EIA, 12 months ending 2026-07. Methodology.