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DeWalt DW745 vs DWE7480 vs DWE7490 vs DWE7491
- By Tools Bros
- Last Update: April 23, 2024
5/5
- Combines amazingly between power and portability
- Super lightweight
- Highly affordable
5/5
- Reasonable price
- Smoother cuts thanks to the coated table that reduces friction
- Durable all-steel base
5/5
- Adequately light and portable
- Wide range of rip capability
- Scissor stand makes it stable and easy to set
5/5
- Advanced safety features
- Easy to assemble and disassemble
- Clear and straightforward controls
Any woodworking requires a reliable and strong table saw, and whether you’re a professional contractor or amateur DIYer, you’ll have heard of DeWalt’s products.
After all, they make some of the best power tools on the market. Among their top-tier table saws are the DW745, DWE7480, DWE7490, and DWE7491.
In this article, I’ll compare the performance, features, and specs of these four products to help you make a well-informed buying decision and get the best table saw to fit your needs.
At a Glance:
When all is said and done, all these models are pretty similar to each other with slight differences.
The DWE7485 is a great option for a lightweight and cost effective option that suits general purpose work.
But if you need professional performance, you should opt for the DWE7490. The DWE7490 and DWE7480 suit medium-duty work, while the DW745 is ideal for general applications.
The DWE7491 is pretty new to the market. It has the most superior ripping capacity and cutting smoothness compared to the other models.
Compared to the DWE7490, it’s better for very tough applications. However, it’s a hit heavy which makes it a lot less portable than other options.
Between the DW745 and DWE7480, the former definitely takes the cake. It has enhanced features with better performance, higher RPM, and higher rip capacity.
This doesn’t mean that the DW745 isn’t a good choice, it generally receives great feedback and is a pretty affordable option.
- Reasonably priced
- Lifetime warranty
- It comes with an informative user manual
- It’s very easy to use and doesn’t require any prior experience
- Adjusted five sharpening angles
DeWalt DW745 vs DWE7480 vs DWE7490 vs DWE7491 - Full Comparison
The DeWalt DW745 is the ideal choice for anyone who’s looking for a budget-friendly table saw that doesn’t compromise performance for a more affordable price point.
It’s equipped with a 15-amp motor, which is quite powerful. However, due to its more compact size, its maximum speed stops at 3,800 RPM. So even if the motor is as powerful as other models’, this one still struggles a little with harder stock, so it’s more suitable for light-duty jobs.
Another reason the DW745 is a table saw for light-duty jobs is its limited rip capacity that stops at 20 inches, as opposed to a maximum of 32.5 inches found on the DWE7491.
Although it doesn’t suit bigger jobs, the DW745 beats all other models in terms of portability and mobility. It measures 25.75 x 26.5 x 13.87 inches -which is the same as the DWE7480, but it’s much lighter at only 45 pounds.
And that’s why the DW745 is the best option for those looking for a combination of affordability and portability.
What it shares with the next model -the DWE7480- is the 10” blade, ⅝” arbor size, and 2.5-inch dust collection port. They also share a modular guarding system that makes setup more efficient.
Pros:
- Combines amazingly between power and portability
- Super lightweight
- Highly affordable
Cons:
- Subpar miter gauge
- Limited rip capacity
- Speed:
- 3,850 RPM
- Weight:
- 45 pounds
- Rip Capacity:
- 20 inches
Our Rating
5/5
The DeWalt DWE7480 is one of the best-performing table saws on the market. It suits more well-versed woodworkers that are looking for more frequent operation.
It’s equipped with a rack and pinion system that makes its performance more accurate and precise. It also makes the adjustments of the rails faster and smoother.
At 54.4 pounds, it’s pretty lightweight and its design is compact, so it can be moved easily from one place to another. It’s also suitable for workshops where you don’t have plenty of space to spare.
Moreover, the DWE7480 comes with a unique site-pro guard system that gives you space for on-board storage.
The DWE7480 has a 24” rip capacity, which isn’t the largest but beats the DW745 and is sufficient for most jobs as it allows you to cut through large trim and shelving materials.
Its motor spins at a rate of 4,800 RPM with no load, which speaks volumes of how robust it is and how it would be able to cut through tough materials at high rates. Combine that with its 24-tooth carbide blade and you get amazing cutting action.
The blade comes with adjustable bevel degrees ranging from 0 up to 45 and has a reliable blade guard to keep operation safe.
The base is made from metal roll cages rather than the plastic used more commonly, which gives this model an advantage.
Additionally, it serves as a good miter gauge thanks to the standard square-shaped miter slot, has adjustable rear feet, and a superb dust collection system of 2.5 hook up to keep your work space clear of any dust or debris. To avoid any friction, the table is coated.
It also has a very straightforward assembling and disassembling process.
Pros:
- Reasonable price
- High-quality 15-amp motor
- Durable all-steel base
- Lightweight design
- Smoother cuts thanks to the coated table that reduces friction
Cons:
- Difficulty cleaning the lock head without removing the rail
- Comes with a flat-track for the miter gauge instead of the common T-track
- Speed:
- 4,800 RPM
- Weight:
- 54.4 pounds
- Rip Capacity:
- 24 inches
Our Rating
5/5
If you’re looking for an upgrade in rip capacity and wouldn’t mind a slightly larger footprint, you can opt for the DWE7490 instead of the DWE7480.
The DWE7490’s rip capacity reaches 28.5 inches while its dimensions are 30.8 x 20.4 x 30.2 inches. It’s also slightly heavier at 58 pounds.
Apart from these two specs, it’s pretty much the exact same as the DWE7480 with a 15-amp motor, 4,800 RPM no-load speed, modular guarding system and 10-inch blade.
It also comes with a compact scissor stand to provide stability, flip over fences, patent material support and telescopic fence railings that make it great for narrow cuts, and a roll cage made of metal for durability.
Furthermore, you also get on-board storage for your accessories which you can install, remove, or adjust using the riving knife and guard. The famous rack and pinion fence enables you to make adjustments with no hassle according to your needs and convenience.
Pros:
- Adequately light and portable
- Wide range of rip capability
- Scissor stand makes it stable and easy to set
- Accurate and fast performance
Cons:
- Includes some plastic parts that are prone to break
- A lot of pressure is required to lock the fence
- Scissor stand isn’t very tough
- Speed:
- 4,800 RPM
- Weight:
- 58 pounds
- Rip Capacity:
- 28.5 inches
Our Rating
5/5
Last but definitely not least is the DeWalt DWE7491. This model is highly recommended for committed specialist and professional users.
Its powerful engine can cut through very thick wood with ease, especially thanks to the 15-amp motor that spins the blade at a speed of 4,800 RPM and delivers a rip capacity of 32.5 inches.
It would have been more helpful if the power button was a little larger though, to allow quick action in case of an emergency.
But generally, that’s not a major deterrent when you consider how great the value for the price is and how solid the structure is.
Although it weighs a hefty 90 pounds, not all hope is lost for its transport from one location to another as it comes with a wheeled moving stand. It’s also not the most compact as it has a 31×24.5×31-inch footprint.
Pros:
- Advanced safety features
- Easy to assemble and disassemble
- Clear and straightforward controls
- Durable for tough job site conditions
- Heavy-duty and well-balanced stand
Cons:
- Doesn’t come with a dado plate
- Not nearly as portable as other models
- Very small power button
- Speed:
- 4,800 RPM
- Weight:
- 90 pounds
- Rip Capacity:
- 32.5 inches
Our Rating
5/5
How to Pick a Table Saw
Although you can’t go wrong with DeWalt products, you might want to do some more shopping around. That’s why I cooked up this buying guide for you to share tips on how to choose a table saw.
1. Your Cutting Needs
If there’s no budget restriction, why not just go for the biggest and toughest saw available? Simply, because you might not need it.
If you opt for a very powerful saw and your projects involve light-duty work with soft wood, you’ll basically be throwing your money away. The power of the saw will ruin the project and you won’t benefit from the extra roar.
Additionally, if you can’t move and maneuver your saw with ease, you won’t be able to use it as efficiently and consequently, you’d be wasting whatever extra power it has to offer.
2. Portability
Typically, table saws are used on job sites, so you might want to move it around the same job site or from one job site to another.
This is why you need to consider how much it weighs along with all the extras you’ll need to get your work done.
In this case, the DW745 is a good choice or if you need more power, you can opt for the DWE7480.
Read more: check out our guide to the best saw horses.
Cordless saws are usually a lot more compact, lightweight, and very easily portable. So you might want to look into the options available if portability is a huge concern of yours.
3. Rip Capacity
Rip capacity refers to the size of the piece you can cut. Naturally, the bigger your saw is, the bigger the pieces of wood you can cut through.
This becomes important when your project involves using large pieces of wood that are used to remodel homes or build new additions.
Also, if you’re looking for room for flexibility to handle large pieces of wood, you should pay the rip capacity of the saw you’re considering a little extra attention.
Final Thoughts
The four DeWalt table saws I reviewed are quite similar, with simple tweaks on newer models.
So let’s talk about the two extremes, the DW745 and DWE7491.
The former is a great choice if you’re looking for a more affordable option that is easily portable and compact. However, the difference between its rip capacity and that of the DWE7491’s is pretty big.
So if you’re looking to finish some heavy-duty projects using your table saw, you should opt for the DWE7491. Although it’s hardly portable, it’s very strong and capable. Its blade spins at a faster rate, has higher cutting capability, and enables you to work with a wider variety of materials and pieces.
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