When cutting laminate planks, it’s crucial to be extra careful to cut the boards to measure. Luckily, saws are handy tools that can help cut the planks accurately, thus allowing for smooth installation. However, with several saws in the market, from table saws to circular saws, hand saws, and even jigsaws, choosing the best saw for your laminate flooring can prove daunting.
The best saw for laminate flooring depends on the type of cuts you want to make. Circular and table saws are best for straight cuts, while hand saws are ideal for small cuts. For curved cuts, a jigsaw might suffice. Ideally, laminate flooring saws should have as many teeth per inch as possible.
In this article, we’ll talk about the different types of saws available, review some of the best saws for cutting laminate flooring, and we’ll also discuss important features to consider before making your final purchase decision.
What Are the Main Types of Saws for Cutting Laminate Flooring?
Due to the tough plastic covering, cutting laminate flooring isn’t as straightforward as cutting hardwood. This is because using a random saw without enough teeth can chip the outer layer, leaving your edges looking unsightly.
So, what are some of the main types of saws that can be used on laminate floors?
Miter Saw
Miter saws are among the best saws to use on laminate floors. These saws are easy to use as you’ll only need to mark the edges, and the tool will do the cutting. A miter saw can manage impressive 90-degree cuts or other angles up to 50 degrees, thus giving you the much-needed versatility when cutting laminate.
While you can use a non-sliding or a sliding miter saw, you should ensure the blade is large enough to cut the entire laminate (width) in a single pass.
Some advantages of using miter saws include:
- Convenient and fast way to cut laminate boards
- Can easily cut multiple stacked laminate boards
- Manage straight, appealing cuts on laminate
The main cons of using miter saws include:
- Usually expensive
- Cannot cut a board lengthwise
- Most models release tons of dust
Circular Saw
Circular saws are great for making both parallel and perpendicular cuts. However, they’re also notorious for producing a lot of sawdust. To use a circular saw, you’ll probably require a solid enough work surface such as plywood to cut the laminate flooring. You’ll also need a square to provide direction in terms of the cuts you’re making.
Some of the main advantages of circular saws include:
- Can make parallel and perpendicular cuts
- Fast and effective
- Portable and easy to use
Below are the main disadvantages of using circular saws.
- Known to create lots of dust
- You’ll need to mark the laminate boards every time before making cuts
- Can be loud
Table Saws
Table saws are ideal for making rip cuts. When using a table saw, you can easily cut the laminate flooring without compromising on accuracy. Therefore, when it comes to lengthwise cutting of laminate boards, not too many saws compete with table saws.
Below are some advantages of table saws.
- Known to make the straightest lengthwise cuts
- The fastest way to rip boards lengthwise
- Ideal for accurate rip cuts
Cons of using table saws:
- Extremely loud and produce tons of dust
- Not great for crosscuts
Jigsaw
Although best for specialty cuts, jigsaws can be used for rips and crosscuts as well. A jigsaw will perform cutting tasks at a reduced pace compared to miter or circular saws. However, it can do a great job when cutting laminate in irregular areas.
Despite its effectiveness, a jigsaw is known to burn through several blades when performing large laminate cutting tasks. When using a jigsaw to cut laminate flooring, be sure to use a fine-toothed blade and work with the exposed side up.
Below are some advantages of using jigsaws.
- Among the safest wood cutting tools
- Easy to use
- Can cut in any shape or direction
- Usually quiet and less messy compared to other saws
Disadvantages of using jigsaws:
- Among the slowest laminate or woodcutting tools
- Difficult to use when working on straight lines
Best Saws by Type
With several options to pick from, it’s crucial to understand the pros and cons of some of the leading saws in the market. Below is an in-depth review of 14 of the best saws for cutting laminate flooring.
Best Table Saw for Laminate Flooring: Rockwell BladeRunner X2 Portable Tabletop Saw
This corded electric saw is easy to set up and boasts of an ergonomic, built-in handle that allows for smooth transportation within the project location. The Rockwell Bladerunner X2 Tabletop Saw comes with a riving knife system and a standard guard that allow you to perform cross, scroll, miter, and rip cuts.
The high-quality tabletop saw comes packed with an adjustable gauge to help you manage precise miter cuts of up to 60 degrees. For convenience, the Rockwell Bladerunner X2 Portable Tabletop Saw comes with a large base that facilitates the storage of the rip fence, miter gauge, and extra blades when they aren’t in use.
The presence of a safety switch prevents the device from starting accidentally. Even better, the vacuum port allows you to set up a shop vac that’ll continue cleaning while you cut the laminate. If you fancy switching between blades, then you’ll love the product’s tool-less blade change and its compatibility with standard 4″ (10cm) T-shank blades regardless of manufacturer.
Pros
- Easy to set up
- Compact and portable enough for ease of transportation
- Can use a variety of blades from different brands provided they’re 4″ (10cm) T-shank blades
- Comes with five blades that are ideal for cutting laminate, plastic, wood, metal, and aluminum
- Can manage an impressive 0-60 degrees miter cuts
- The large base acts as a storage area for the rip fence, miter gauge, and extra blades when they aren’t in use
- Features a safety switch to enhance safety
Cons
- Could use a longer miter block
- The shop vac requires regular cleaning during projects
- The wires can make the work station messy
Best Miter Saw for Laminate Flooring: Dewalt Sliding Compound Miter Saw
The Dewalt Sliding Compound Miter Saw stands out due to its versatility and impressive wood, metal, and plastic cutting capabilities. This saw is perfect if you’ll be cutting laminate as well as other materials in preparation for the installation.
The product comes packed with a blade wrench and a 12-inch (30-cm) carbide blade. However, if you want a laser cutting guide or an LED, you’ll need to buy them separately as they aren’t included in the package. Another great feature of the Dewalt Sliding Compound Miter Saw is its highly effective dust collection mechanism that allows you to capture up to 75% of the generated dust.
Pros
- Comes with a 3-year warranty
- Efficient dust collection mechanism
- Cuts at 90 degrees and 45 degrees
- Comes with accessories like LED and laser cutting guide sold on the side
- Easy to use
- Ideal for cutting laminate and other products
Cons
- Might be a bit too much for the first time DIYer
- Only comes with one blade, meaning you’ll need to purchase other blades separately
Best Electric Saw for Laminate Flooring: JCB Tools Miter Electric Powered Saw
With a speed of 5000 RPM, this superior sliding miter saw can cut a huge load of laminate with relative ease. The 10″ (25 cm) multi-function blade ensures the saw can cut through the laminate and other materials, including wood, metal, and plastic, thus giving you flexibility in your DIY project.
The miter scale is laid on a black surface to enhance accuracy. This increases overall visibility, allowing you to make those precise cuts. The dust collection bag ensures that you’re working in a safe environment free from sawdust.
You’ll also love the nine miter angles (45°, -31.6°, -22.5°, -15°, 0°, 15°, 22.5°, 31.6°, 45°) that make the saw extremely versatile for wood cutting, especially cutting the top layer on laminate boards.
Pros
- The blade head and blade can be tilted in a wide range of angles
- Provides compound cuts (a blend of bevel type and miter cuts)
- Comes with two carbon brushes, a dust bag, and two workpiece supports
- Features nine miter angles that are preset
- Lightweight and highly accurate
- Features an electric brake
Cons
- Understanding how the saw works can prove difficult at first
Best Circular Saw for Laminate Flooring: Rockwell RK344OK Versacut Ultra-Compact Circular Saw With Laser Guide
The Rockwell RK344OK Versacut Ultra-Compact Circular Saw stands out for its high speed (3500 RPM) despite its fairly compact size. This handy tool can cut various materials ranging from laminate, metal sheets, wood, and tile, making it highly versatile.
The presence of a slim grip handle provides extra comfort for your hand when cutting laminate, thus allowing you to make precise cuts. Moreover, the built-in laser guide is also crucial in improving your overall accuracy during use.
Pros
- Come with a built-in laser to act as a guide when cutting
- Pivoting metal guard ensures safe and smooth plunge cuts
- Features a dust extraction adapter that keeps dust away from the cut line
- Ergonomic handle allows for enhanced grip and control
- Versatile (as it can cut laminate, plastics, metal, and tile)
Cons
- Not ideal for large projects
- The electric cord could be longer
Best Hand Saw for Laminate Flooring: EAB Laminate Flooring Cutter
The EAB Laminate Flooring Cutter is ideal for cutting laminate, engineered flooring, and solid wood up to 15 mm (5/8″) thick. This handy saw will also cut vinyl tiles and fiber cement siding.
With the ability to cut up to 9″ (23 cm) wide, you’ll love the versatility that comes with this highly portable hand saw. The angle gauge allows you to cut laminate up to 45 degrees. Also, since this laminate cutter isn’t electricity-powered, you won’t have to deal with lengthy electrical cables that often make the workspace messy. The package comes with a sharpening stone for sharpening the replaceable 2100006 blade.
Pros
- Quiet operation
- Doesn’t emit dust
- The blade can be sharpened and even replaced
- Can manage up to 9″ (23 cm) wide cuts
- Perfect for cutting laminate, solid wood, and vinyl
- The package comes with a honing stone
- Ideal for DIYers and amateur floor installers
Cons
- Doesn’t cut thick planks too well
- Not ideal for large projects
Additional Saw Recommendations
Skil 3601-02 Flooring Saw With 36T Contractor Blade
The Skil 3601-02 Flooring Saw is among the best saws to use on laminate flooring. Despite its impressive wood, plastic, and metal cutting capabilities, the Skil Flooring Saw is compact, lightweight, and durable.
The convenient size allows you to set up the saw in the room you’re working on and cut the laminate boards as you install them. This high performing saw can perform exquisite miter cuts in several angles, making your laminate cutting job both straightforward and enjoyable.
Pros
- Ideal for cutting laminate flooring, engineered, and solid wood
- Perfect for making miter, cross, and rip cuts
- Lightweight design allows for ease of transportation and setup in the project location
- The miter detents at three angles, 0, 22.5, and 45 degrees
- Die-case rip fence and aluminum miter
- Perfect for cutting in high volumes
Cons
- Electrical cords might make the work area messy
- Not ideal for the cutting of wide boards
Tacklife 10-Inch Sliding Compound Miter Saw With Red Laser and Extension Table
The Tacklife 10-Inch Sliding Compound Miter Saw is well-known for its superior features. This bad boy can manage two speeds, 3200 RPM or an impressive 4500RPM, which is a big plus when working on huge workloads.
When buying the product, you’ll get three blades, one 10″ (25 cm) 48T TCT blade for multi-function purposes, and two 10″ (25 cm) 40T TCT blades for cutting plastic and wood. The presence of a laser and bevel cutting guide helps increase the accuracy of the saw, allowing you to make precise cuts.
The presence of a self-retracting saw shield provides greater protection from the cutting blade, thus preventing accidental mishaps. Moreover, you can cut long planks courtesy of the saw’s sliding cut design.
Pros
- Features an extension table with clamping that provides better balance and support
- Comes with a 24 months warranty
- Has a chip bag that connects directly to the saw, allowing you to collect dust and thus avoiding a buildup
- Iron blade guard provides enhanced protection
- Can manage two speeds, 3200 RPM and 4500 RPM
- Has three multi-function blades
- Portable
Cons
- Not ideal for first-timers
- Can be challenging to set up due to the many parts
Proxxon 37070 Table Saw FET
The Proxxon 7070 Table Saw FET is among the most powerful saws you can use to cut laminate flooring. This superior cutting tool can manage an impressive 7000 RPM speed, making it ideal for large DIY or professional projects.
For ease of cutting, this heavy-duty saw boasts a table extension integrated with an auxiliary stop. The blade angle is adjustable up to 45 degrees to make precise miter cuts. You can also raise or lower the blade to accommodate the laminate boards of different lengths.
Pros
- Has a vacuum cleaner adapter that helps prevent sawdust buildup
- Emits low noise
- Table extension allows for accurate cuts of larger materials
- Versatile as it can power through different materials including metal and tile
Cons
- Best suited for heavy projects
- Not ideal for amateur DIYers
Roberts 10-94 Multi-Floor Cutter
This guillotine-system floor cutter by Roberts can cut laminate planks that are 13 mm (0.5 in) wide and 16 mm (0.6 in) thick. It comes with a long handle designed to enhance cutting power but with less effort. The movable guild allows this handy tool cutter to manage 45 degrees cuts.
The replaceable blade is made from tungsten-steel, which holds its edge well and is durable. You’ll also love the extruded base made from aluminum and the solid plastic surface that functions as the working area.
Pros
- Ideal for cutting engineered wood flooring, LVT, and laminate
- Comes with a wide enough cutting surface
- The extra-long handle provides additional power at a reduced effort
- Features a removable tungsten-steel blade that holds its edge well
- Portable and lightweight for ease of carrying
Cons
- Costly
- Not ideal for tough plastic, metal, and hardwood surfaces
MantisTol 13″ Laminate Flooring and Siding Cutter
This cutter by MantisTol is highly versatile and can cut laminate, bamboo flooring, fiber-cement siding, LVT, SPC, VCT, vinyl flooring, and even deck-floor-boards. This highly capable cutter is known to make flooring installation easy for both professionals and amateurs, featuring a heavy-duty steel and aluminum construction.
The package comes with a 600 grit whetstone for keeping the tungsten steel blade sharp. The product features a long handle that gives you enhanced leverage but with less effort to make cutting easy. You won’t have to deal with dust or annoying noises when using this cutter.
Pros
- Boasts of a heavy-duty steel and aluminum construction
- Ideal for cutting several materials including laminate, vinyl, and bamboo flooring
- Comes with a long handle that increases leverage while lowering the effort needed to cut
- Not a noisy wood cutting tool
- Light and portable enough for use on location
Cons
- The blade can’t be relied on during heavy projects
- Cannot cut wood lengthwise
Black+Decker Jigsaw Smart Select
Black+Decker has a solid reputation for manufacturing high-quality jigsaws, and this Smart Select release by the company doesn’t disappoint. Featuring a dust blower to keep the working area neat, the Black+Decker Jigsaw Smart Select boasts a 3,000 SPM cutting power and a variable-speed motor of 5 Amp.
This handy tool has an adjustable shoe that provides extra stability and can make bevel cuts up to 45 degrees. The Black+Decker Jigsaw Smart Select also comes with an improved wire guard that allows for precise cuts. For increased convenience, the keyless blade clamp allows you to change blades without needing any tools.
Pros
- Features Black+Decker’s Curve Control technology that allows for the adjustment of the saw’s orbit
- Can manage a cutting power of up to an incredible 3,000 SPM
- Lightweight and highly portable
- Comes with a dust blower
- The improved wire guard allows for more accurate and precise cuts
Cons
- Not ideal for straight cuts
- Might be time-consuming when used in large projects
Teccpo 6.5 Amp 3000SPM Jig Saw With Laser
Weighing just 5.51 pounds (2.5 kgs), the Teccpo 6.4 Amp 3000SPM Jig Saw with Laser can be used for long periods without causing hand fatigue. This superior jigsaw can manage up to 3000 strokes per minute and boasts a 6-position variable speed that allows for the smooth cutting of different items.
The Teccpo 6.5 Amp 3000SPM Jig Saw with Laser comes with a unique 4-position orbital setting that allows for accurate and precise cutting. You’ll also love the built-in laser that gives you more precision when cutting the edges of your laminate planks.
Pros
- Comes with a 2-year satisfaction guarantee
- The package is well-accessorized as it comes packed with one rip fence, one sturdy carry case, one dust exhaust pipe, and six replaceable blades
- Has a lock button that allows you to use the saw without pressing the power switch
- The dust blower prevents sawdust buildup
- Has a 6-position variable speed that facilitates the cutting of different material
Cons
- The handle can be uncomfortable for people with small hands
- Not ideal for straight cuts
Mini Chop Portable Table Saw
If you’re looking for a portable table saw that can cut tiny pieces of laminate planks, then look no further than the Mini Chop Saw Portable Table Saw. This highly portable saw features a height adjustment button that allows you to control the blade and table distance.
Despite managing an impressive 5800 RPM, this mini table saw produces negligible sound thanks to its 80 dB working noise rating. Thanks to the angle adjustment ruler (0-45 degrees), you can easily cut and grind at different angles.
Pros
- Powerful despite its tiny size
- Features an angle adjustment ruler that allows you to cut and grind at varied angles
- Doesn’t make too much noise during use
- Perfect for small cuts
- Portable and lightweight
Cons
- Not ideal for large projects
- Might not work too well on laminate if the right blade isn’t used
Skil PWRCore Brushless Stroke Jigsaw
Skil needs little introduction when it comes to the manufacturing of high-quality power tools. The Skil PWRCore Brushless Stroke Jigsaw features a PWR core 20 2.0 Ah Lithium battery and a PWR jump charger to allow for cordless use.
Although not the lightest jigsaw, weighing 6.92 pounds (3.14 kgs), it boasts a highly efficient digital brushless motor that allows for smooth wood and laminate cutting. The lithium batteries are of the highest quality, while the automatic PWR ensures the battery charges to 100% in under 30 minutes.
The 4-stage orbital functionality allows you to determine the cutting speed while the dust blower prevents dust from building up and consequently affecting your cut line vision.
Additionally, the blade clamp allows for tool-free blade changing, which is a huge plus when working on large projects.
Pros
- Cordless, thus giving you increased flexibility when cutting laminate
- Fast charging as the battery can reach 100% in half an hour
- Features a dust blower
- The digital brushless motor allows for higher performance when cutting through the laminate
- Ergonomic handle for long term use
Cons
- Costlier compared to other jigsaws
- Difficult to find a replacement battery of the same quality
Best Saw Blade for Laminate Flooring: The Main Features
Cutting laminate floors requires specific types of blade due to the laminate’s protective top coat. Below are the main features to consider when looking to buy the best saw blade for cutting laminate floors.
Blade Teeth
It’s best advised to use a blade with many teeth to avoid jagged edges when cutting laminate. The trick is to use a blade with as many teeth as possible regardless of the saw you prefer. Blades with over 100 teeth are ideal for cutting laminate flooring, thus leaving your floor looking neat and well-done.
Blade Strength
Using blades with carbide-tipped teeth is highly recommended. Carbide-tipped blades tend to hold up well to the hard surface of laminate flooring. Although carbide-tipped blades are strong and tough, they’re likely to become blunt after repeated use during laminate installation. So, it’s best to carry several carbide-tipped blades for your installation project.
Factors to Consider When Buying a Saw for Laminate Flooring
Here are the factors you need to consider when buying a saw for laminate flooring:
- Saw type: With several saws to choose from, the best one will depend on the type of cuts you intend to make. For straight cuts, circular saws and table saws are your best picks. However, for odd cuts around door jambs and pipes, the jigsaw is the best option.
- Portability: It’s always best to cut the laminate planks at the point of installation to prevent the hassle of unnecessary carrying. Therefore, while you’ll want a powerful saw to make accurate cuts, it’s also advisable to choose one that’s easy to set up and light enough to carry around.
- Extra features: Some saws come packed with additional features for increased convenience. For instance, you can opt to purchase a table saw with an extendable table or a cordless jigsaw like the Skil PWRCore Brushless Stroke Jigsaw that’s known for its fast-charging properties.
- Versatility: It is also highly advisable to purchase versatile saws that can use an array of standard blades. Please note that you might have to switch blades or purchase blades with many teeth if you’re to use some saws to cut laminate. Therefore, always check on the type of blade used on the saw before using it to cut laminate.
Wrapping Things Up
The best saw for cutting laminate flooring depends on the type of cuts you want to make. It’s best to go with circular or table saws for straight cuts, but to make precise, special cuts, a jigsaw will come in handy regardless of the type of project you’re working on.
When buying saws for laminate flooring, choosing portable ones that can be easily transported to the installation location is highly recommended. Finally, remember to use blades with many teeth to avoid leaving your laminate planks with jagged edges.