The choice between a left-tilting and right-tilting table saw often comes down to personal preference and familiarity, especially for users who have developed habits around one style. However, from a safety and performance standpoint, left-tilting table saws are generally considered the safer and more practical option, especially in modern woodworking setups.

The main safety benefit of a left-tilting saw lies in how the blade tilts away from the fence when it's mounted on the right side of the table, where most users place it. This configuration reduces the chance of pinching or binding the workpiece between the blade and the fence when making bevel cuts. When this binding occurs, common with right-tilting saws, it can increase the risk of kickback, where the material is violently thrown back toward the operator.

In addition to safety, left-tilting saws often provide cleaner bevel cuts and easier handling of sheet goods, since the off-cut typically falls away from the fence and blade. This not only makes bevel cuts more stable but also minimizes the chance of the off-cut interfering with the blade or fence.

That said, right-tilting saws were once more common and are still preferred by some users who are accustomed to them or who work primarily with jigs or specialty setups that rely on the blade tilting toward the fence. However, modern designs and evolving safety standards have made left-tilting saws the default for many manufacturers and the recommended choice for most users, particularly hobbyists and small shops.