The new Bauer compact band saw from Harbor Freight leans hard into portability, trimming weight without giving up the kind of cutting ability that matters on real jobs. It is aimed at overhead work, awkward angles, and anyone who wants a tool that feels less like a workout and more like a practical helper. Early response has been strong, and the price puts it squarely in budget-tool territory.
Bauer’s 20V 2-½-inch Cordless Compact Band Saw sells for just under $90, which is the first thing that jumps out. At 16 inches long, 9-¼ inches wide, and 7-½ inches tall, it stays small enough to fit into tight spots, and at 6.74 pounds it is much easier to manage above shoulder height. That lighter frame matters more than it sounds, especially when the cut takes longer than expected and arm fatigue starts creeping in.
The saw is built for cutting pipe, angle iron, metal stock, and threaded rods, so it is squarely pointed at metalworking and maintenance tasks. It runs at a maximum speed of 590 SFPM and uses a 32-7/8-inch by 1/2-inch blade, which keeps it in a familiar compact-band-saw lane. Bauer also packed in an LED light, adjustable blade guides, and a tool-free blade tension lever, all of which make the tool feel a little more polished than its price might suggest.
That bargain label comes with a catch, though. The tool is sold as the bare unit, so the blade, battery, and charger are not included, and that changes the real-world cost fast. Harbor Freight’s Bauer 20V 5 Ah battery and charger starter kit adds another $114.99, which can turn a tempting entry price into a bigger purchase than some buyers expect.
Compared with the Hercules 20V 5-inch Brushless Cordless Deep Cut Band Saw, Bauer’s model gives up blade size but wins on weight and speed. Hercules comes in at 18.7 pounds, which is a very different kind of tool to hold up for long cuts or overhead work. Bauer’s lighter build makes it feel more nimble, while Hercules is better suited for those who want a deeper cut and do not mind carrying more mass.
The comparison gets even more interesting when Bauer is lined up against the Ryobi 18V ONE+ 2-½-inch Compact Band Saw, which sells for $169. The two share the same cut capacity, blade size, and nearly the same cutting speed, but Bauer undercuts it by a wide margin on price. For shoppers trying to keep costs down, that difference alone is hard to ignore.
Ryobi does have a few advantages that help explain its higher price. It ships with a blade and includes a three-year warranty, while Bauer’s version starts lean and leaves the extras to the buyer. Ryobi also has a longer track record and a solid reputation, with 4.7 stars from 170 reviewers on its website and the same rating from 617 customers on Amazon.
Harbor Freight also sells the Hercules 20V 2-½-inch Brushless Cordless Variable-Speed Compact Band Saw for $99.99, which sits close to Bauer in price but takes a slightly different approach. It is a bit heavier at 7.2 pounds and a little larger overall, but it keeps the same cutting capacity and blade size. That makes it another viable option for anyone deciding whether to prioritize weight, power, or a few extra bucks of margin.
Early feedback on Bauer’s new saw has been encouraging, even though the review count is still small. All eight reviewers gave it a perfect 5-star score and recommended it, with users pointing to rebar and fence work as areas where it handled itself well. One reviewer said it had “All the features you expect and keeps up with top brands.”
