Hud-Son Oscar 336 Pro
For sawyers with large logs who want powered head height and a long warranty for a little over $10,000.
Hud-Son $10,495$10,495
A portable bandsaw sawmill runs a thin band blade through a log held on a steel track, turning trees from your own land into boards, beams and slabs. These rankings compare what the makers publish on the same terms: what the mill costs with its standard track and engine, how big a log it takes, how much power drives the blade, which jobs are powered and how long it’s covered.
Log size is the first choice. Most homeowners’ trees fit a compact mill that takes logs up to about 26 in. Bigger logs need a larger head, a longer blade and more engine, and the price climbs with them.
Engine is the second. A small engine of around 9 hp cuts softwood well but slows in wide hardwood; 14 hp and up keeps a steady pace, and larger mills use V-twins of 18 to 25 hp. An electric motor is quieter and needs no fuel, but it has to run near a heavy circuit.
Feed and setworks are the third. On most mills under $10,000 you push the head through the cut and crank it up and down by hand. A powered head lift or power feed saves a lot of effort on a long day, and track extensions let the mill take longer logs later.
Top Picks
MechMaxx SM-26
For homeowners who want the most engine and log size for the money in a compact mill and accept thin warranty cover.
Amazon $1,999$1,999
Shop by Log Capacity
Up to 26 in logs
7 rankedEntry band mills for logs up to about 26 inches: fence boards, beams and lumber from your own trees.
Top rated: MechMaxx SM-26 $1,999
Over 26 in logs
18 rankedBigger heads and engines for logs over 26 inches and steady production.
Top rated: Hud-Son Oscar 336 Pro $10,495
Narrow It Down
By budget
By feature
Deals
Prices were last checked November 2, 2026 and are subject to change; the price and availability shown by the retailer at the time of purchase apply.
Best Small Portable Sawmills
- MechMaxx SM-26#1 of 7Full review
For homeowners who want the most engine and log size for the money in a compact mill and accept thin warranty cover.
Amazon $1,999$1,99926 in15 hp10 ft - Woodland Mills HM126MAX#2 of 7Full review
For homeowners and small sawyers who want a compact mill with a long warranty and a strong engine. Manual feed keeps it simple but slower than powered mills.
Woodland Mills $4,395$4,39526 in14 hp10.4 ft - Wood-Mizer LX50SUPER#3 of 7Full review
For hobby and small farm sawyers who want a 26 in mill with a full size engine and longer bed from a known brand.
Amazon $4,795 Wood-Mizer $3,995$3,99526 in14 hp12.4 ft - Wood-Mizer LX50START#4 of 7Full review
For hobby sawyers who want a 26 in mill from a known brand at a low price and can live with a small engine.
Amazon $4,195 Wood-Mizer $3,195$3,19526 in9.5 hp10.2 ft - MechMaxx SM-22#5 of 7Full review
For a homeowner who wants to try milling small logs for the least money. Expect slow cuts and little warranty cover.
Amazon $1,599$1,59922 in8.1 hp10.4 ft
Best Large Portable Sawmills
- Hud-Son Oscar 336 Pro#1 of 18Full review
For sawyers with large logs who want powered head height and a long warranty for a little over $10,000.
Hud-Son $10,495$10,49536 in23 hp17 ft - MechMaxx SM-36MAX#2 of 18Full review
For sawyers who want 36 in capacity and a big engine for a fraction of the usual price and accept thin support.
Amazon $3,199$3,19936 in25 hp16.2 ft - Woodland Mills HM136MAX#3 of 18Full review
For sawyers with big logs who want a 36 in mill and a long warranty. Expect to push and crank the head by hand.
Woodland Mills $9,200$9,20036 in21 hp10.4 ft - Bilt Hard 36 in Sawmill#4 of 18Full review
For a budget buyer with big logs who wants the most capacity per dollar and can do without warranty cover.
Amazon $3,299.99$3,299.9936 in25 hp16.7 ft - Woodland Mills HM130MAX#5 of 18Full review
For a homeowner with bigger logs who wants a 30 in mill and a long warranty without paying for powered features.
Woodland Mills $5,775$5,77530 in14 hp10.4 ft
How We Rank
Each mill is ranked against others of the same log capacity, and scored on its price, the largest log it takes, its engine power, its powered feed, setworks and track extensions, and its warranty.
| Factor | Measures | Weight |
|---|---|---|
| Price | price of the mill with its standard track | 25% |
| Capacity | largest log diameter | 15% |
| Engine | engine or motor horsepower | 15% |
| Features | powered feed, powered setworks and track extensions | 20% |
| Warranty | warranty length | 25% |
How we rank explains each factor in full.