A water saw is basically a tile saw with water streams to suppress dust and cool down the blade. Water saws have many benefits, such as reducing noise, lubricating the blade to increase its lifespan, providing a smoother cut, preventing damage to both tile and the blade, and carrying the dust away.
There are many brands that make different models of water saw these days, varying in price and characteristics. In this article, we will review a few of the top water saws to figure out which one is actually the best water saw for the toughest cutting jobs out there.
Our Recommendation & Rating
| Brands | Our Review | Price Check |
|---|---|---|
| SKIL 3550-02 7" Wet Tile Saw | 4/5 | Check Price |
| SKIL 3540-02 7" Wet Tile Saw | 4.8/5 | Check Price |
| DeWalt DWC860W | 4/5 | Check Price |
| DeWalt D24000S Wet Saw Heavy Duty | 4.7/5 | Check Price |
| QEP 60020SQ Dual Speed Tile Saw | 3.6/5 | Check Price |
| DeWalt D24000 Wet Tile Saw | 4.7/5 | Check Price |
Our Review
SKIL 3550-02 7-Inch Wet Tile Saw
The SKIL 3550-02 is a 7-inch wet tile saw that uses HydroLock technology to keep the water limited to the blade. This water containment system considerably reduces the time to clean up.
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It would be safe to say that SKIL 3550 is an excellent saw for non-professional use. It is perfect to use while redoing your bathrooms or kitchens, but if you want to use it to cut tiles over an area of 500 square feet, this saw might not work for you.
You can cut large tiles with the saw, but it tends to get a bit awkward while cutting huge tiles. It cuts ceramic, porcelain and other tiles beautifully with great precision, but in order to cut glass, you would need a high-quality diamond cutter. SKIL also provides a 3-year warranty, so if you are not satisfied with your product, you can always get a new one.
Main Features SKIL 3550-02 7-Inch Wet Tile Saw
It is featured with a sliding extension which provides more room for tiles measuring up to 18 by 18 inches. The table top is made up of aluminum which is not only durable but also rust resistant.
The SKIL 3550 uses a blade with a diamond rim of around 7 inches, which provides very even and efficient cutting. The saw also has a variable rip fence including a built-in miter gauge, which results in miter and straight cuts. To provide flexibility for cutting in different styles, the SKIL 3550 allows you to cut the tiles in 3 different angles, that is, 45, 22.5 and 0 degrees.
Specifications
- Dimensions: 22 inches x 18 inches x 8.5 inches
- Weight: 12 kg
- Power source: Electric
- Product style: Water saw
- Voltage: 120 V
- Current: 5 A
- Certifications: Frustration-free certified
- Battery: None needed or included
- Surface: Aluminum
SKIL 3540-02 7-Inch Wet Tile Saw
The SKIL 3540-02 is a smaller version of the SKIL 3550. It also uses the 7-inch diamond rim to do the job. Instead of 18 x 18-inch tiles, the saw cuts up to 12 x 12-inch tiles. It comes in a very nice package and does not take much time to assemble.
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This tool is by no means a professional grade equipment that can be used by contractors, but it is great for DIY homeowners. Using it is surprisingly simple and easy; you can use it for projects like doing your kitchen backsplash or bathrooms using ceramic, porcelain, ornate or glass tiles.
Apart from making regular straight cuts, you can also use it to get a bunch of 45-degree cuts. The blade that comes with the saw will last for many projects without any major difference in quality.
The saw does not use pump water and comes with a water reservoir system which the blade runs through. However, the reservoir is a bit small and constantly needs to be filled up after every few cuts.
Main Features SKIL 3540-02 7-Inch Wet Tile Saw
The SKIL 3540-02 is featured with a stainless steel surface which is durable and rust resistant at the same time. It has sliding extensions on the sides which allow it to cut tiles measuring up to 12 x 12 inches.
The saw comes with a rip fence that is adjustable and has a miter gauge, which helps make straight and accurate miter cuts. SKIL 3540 is extremely flexible in terms of cutting and can cut in a range of 0 to 45 degrees. It is also extremely easy to clean with a long-lasting blade.
Specifications
- Dimensions: 22 inches x 14.5 inches x 8.5 inches
- Weight: 8 kg
- Power source: Electric
- Product style: Water saw
- Voltage: 120 V
- Current: 5 A
- Certifications: Frustration-free certified
- Battery: None needed or included
- Water reservoir system
- Surface: Stainless steel
DeWalt DWC860W Masonry Saw
The DeWalt DWC860W is a standard water saw that can be used as both wet and dry. In order to make a deep cut, you need to make two passes and clean out before making a second pass by using a pressured water stream.
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Making straight cuts using the guide is a bit difficult and there are no clear directions on how to connect the attachment for water, which also seemed to be made up of some sort of cheap plastic which starts leaking, so you cannot really work indoors.
If the manufacturer used brass or another metal for the shut-off valve, it would have been much more convenient, but it’s not that big of a deal. Overall, it is an effective tool, and if not for the design flaws, it would have been perfect.
Main Features DeWalt DWC860W Masonry Saw
The saw is powered by a 10.8-ampere motor that easily cuts through porcelain, granite, and concrete. The equipment can be used for both dry and wet cutting. It comes with a 13 ft water attachment line. Using it wet decreases the dust and enhances the blade’s life and performance.
You can adjust the angle to 45 degrees to make fast angular cuts. It also has a 4-3/8-inch diamond rim that can cut through 3-inch deep porcelain, glass, ornate, granite and similar material tiles. To prevent fatigue during work, a lock-on button is present in the system. The device is also very lightweight (weighing only 6.6 pounds) and compact with rubber grips for your comfort.
Specifications
- Dimensions: 9.8 inches x 10.3 inches x 6.9 inches
- Weight: 6.6 lbs
- Power source: Electric
- Product style: Wet and dry
- Voltage: 120 V
- Current: 10.8 A
- Wattage: 1300 W
- Diameter: 4.5 inches
- Certifications: Frustration-free certified
- Battery: None needed or included
- Color: Yellow
DeWalt D24000S Wet Tile Saw
The DeWalt D24000S is a 10-inch durable water saw that comes with a stand. It makes fast and straight cuts. There are enough miter adjustment options present along with a rolling plate so that you can make accurate miter cuts.
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The water reservoir tray does not leak and the water stays right where it should. It is simple to clean, but the blade it comes with does not last long. If the manufacturer had used aluminum instead of alloy, it would have been much better.
However, changing the blades is very easy and can be done with a knob, so you don’t have to worry about that. The water pump is pretty solid as well, but with different kind of materials, it would need some adjustment in the water placement.
Main Features DeWalt D24000S Wet Tile Saw
The DeWalt D24000S comes with a rail/cart system which provides a cutting capacity for 24 x 18-inch tiles. The equipment weighs only 69 lbs, which makes it very easy to set up and carry. To provide flexibility for cutting in different styles, the DeWalt D24000S allows you to cut the tiles in 3 different angles, 45, 22.5 and 0 degrees for angled fast cuts.
The saw has double adjacent water spouts around the blade for smooth cuts. It is incredibly easy to clean with a detachable cutting cart. The saw also features a plunge cut which allows the users to make cuts for A/C registers and electrical outlets.
Specifications
- Dimensions: 26.8 inches x 13.7 inches x 25.9 inches
- Weight: 69 lbs
- Power source: Electric
- Product style: Wet and dry tile saw
- Voltage: 120 V
- Power source (DC or AC): AC
- Battery: None needed or included
- Color: Yellow
- Comes with a stand
QEP 60020SQ Dual Speed Tile Saw
QEP 60020SQ is a 24-inch double speed tile saw with a solid water pump. It comes with a portable stand on which the saw sits.
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The saw does not take much time to set up. It is by no means a professional grade tool that contractors and professional workers use, but if you are a normal DIYer, the QEP 60020SQ is perfect for you.
It is very easy to use and make nice and straight cuts as well as angled cuts, so you can use it for mini jobs like cutting pavers for your walkway or porcelain tiles for your kitchen backsplash.
The blade that it comes with is not designed for rough cutting and ripping and is intended for merely finishing or detail work. For rougher use, I would suggest you to buy a proper masonry blade.
You do not have to apply any force while using it; just be patient and let it do the work. The package includes a portable stand, high-power water pump, a wet diamond rim of 10 inches, a cutting guide, wrenches for assembling the saw and miter block.
Main Features QEP 60020SQ Dual Speed Tile Saw
QEP 60020SQ works on 120 volts and has a very strong 2 HP motor that rips through the hardest granite, marble, porcelain, stone, and almost all other kinds of tiles as well as other masonry products.
The maximum tile size that the saw can cut is 24 x 24 inches and diagonally, it can cut tiles with an area of 14 x 14 inches.
In order to fit different blades that can be used to work on a wide variety of materials, the saw allows the user to vary the RPM manually, so it can be used for a wide variety of tasks. It comes with a voluminous pump with a dual nozzle system that cleans the blade quickly and efficiently.
Specifications
- Dimensions: 40 inches x 22 inches x 27 inches
- Weight: 58 lbs
- Power source: Electric
- Product style: Wet saw
- Wattage: 1500 W
- Power consumed by the motor: 2 horsepower
- Voltage: 120 V
- Power Source (DC or AC): AC
- Battery: None needed or included
- Color: Yellow
- Comes with a stand
DeWalt D24000 Wet Tile Saw
The DeWalt D24000 is a 10-inch, 1.5 HP water saw. The saw is a bit expensive for non-professional DIY tile projects that it is designed for, but it’s worth every penny.
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It has fewer features than other high-grade saws, but it works really smoothly. It is also easy to assemble if you follow the instructions.
The miter gauge works perfectly and you can cut tiles at different angles. For diagonal cuts, the blade does not line up as nicely as you would have liked, but you will have to use it as it is if you don’t have an alternative. The sled rubber does a good job of preventing the tile from moving while you cut it.
Main Features DeWalt D24000 Wet Tile Saw
The DeWalt D24000 comes with a rubber top to keep it from slipping and sliding while you cut. It weighs just 69 lbs, which makes it capable of being handled and set up by just one individual. The saw has a large rip capacity with up to 26 inches and diagonally, it can cut up to 18 3/8 inches. It also features plunge cuts for A/C registers and electrical outlets.
Specifications
- Dimensions: 36 inches x 29.2 inches x 20.4 inches
- Weight: 11.2 lbs
- Power source: Electric
- Product style: Wet and dry tile saw
- Voltage: 120 V
- Power source (DC or AC): AC
- Battery: None needed or included
- Color: Yellow
- Comes with a stand
How to Maintain Your Water Saw
Following are the steps you need to follow in order to take care of your water saw:
- The whole mechanism of the saw is waterproof and, hence, should be washed with clean water.
- Every bearing surface should be wiped and greased regularly.
- The water saw needs to be rinsed after every few cuts in order to achieve an accurate and smooth operation.
- Keep changing water after every 100 cuts or less to increase the life of both the pump and the saw.
- Remove broken tile bits, chips and offcuts from the bucket and wash it thoroughly before filling it up again with clean water. You can also use two buckets to ensure that your pump never gets blocked – one for pumping in the fresh water and the other for catching the dirty water.
- When the blade is new, make sure you only cut soft and abrasive material for the longevity of the blade.
