Used commonly for making cuts on window casings, doorways, crown molding, and picture frames, a miter saw is the perfect tool when you need to make angled cuts. A miter saw is designed to make these angled cuts quickly and accurately. A quick-release lever allows the user to change the angle of the cut with ease. Some miter saws are designed to allow for a cut of any angle between zero and ninety degrees, while other saws are preset to common cutting angles such as 15, 22.5, 30 and 45 degrees.
It’s this accuracy and ease of use that makes these saws so popular among carpenters, cabinet makers, and joiners, as well as a wealth of other trades.
Size-wise, the most common miter saws you will see have 10 and 12 inch blades and they come in four standard styles, those being:
Standard Miter Saw: Blade will pivot to perform angled miter cuts from 0 to 90 degrees.
Compound Miter Saw: As well as pivoting, the blade will also tilt in one direction, allowing for bevel cuts. Changing both the pivot angle and the tilt of the blade will allow for compound cuts.
Dual Compound Miter Saw: Operates the same as a compound miter saw but the blade will tilt in both directions.
Sliding Compound Miter Saw: A compound miter saw that utilizes a sliding joint that allows the blade to slide back and forth along the cut line, increasing the cut length of the saw.
With all the options that are out there, choosing the right miter saw to suit your needs and budget can get a little tricky. To help you make the right decision, we’ve created this list of the top 6 miter saws on the market today.
And as usual, here are our top three picks for those of you running short on time. But remember to keep reading for our full reviews and buying guide.
Top Miter Saw Pick
DeWalt DWS780 Sliding Compound Miter Saw
The best miter saw available on today’s market. This 12” dual compound miter saw, made by one of the world’s leading power tool manufacturers is designed to get the job done fast and with precision. A favorite among professional contractors and DIY enthusiasts across the globe.
Top Value Pick
DeWalt DW715 Compound Miter Saw
Another DeWalt saw, this one is our top pick when it comes to value for money. Cheaper than the DWS780 sliding model, the DW715 is another powerful and professional compound miter saw built by DeWalt. A top choice among home renovators and DIY enthusiasts.
Top Budget Pick
Hitachi C10FCE2 Compound Miter Saw
A fantastic compound miter saw for under $150! Although at the budget end of the price range, this miter saw cuts well and is reliable. All you need in a basic miter saw. Perfect for beginners and DIY enthusiasts.
What We Will Cover
– DeWalt DWS780 Sliding Compound Miter Saw
– DeWalt DW715 Compound Miter Saw
– Hitachi C10FCE2 Compound Miter Saw
– Makita LS1016L 10-inch Sliding Compound Miter Saw
– Homecraft H26-260L Compound Miter Saw
– Black+Decker Compound M1850BD Miter Sawing Tool
– Miter Saw Buying Guide
– Conclusion
Best Miter Saws with Reviews
1. DeWalt DWS780 Sliding Compound Miter Saw
Features –
- Motor: 15 Amp
- RPM: 3800
- Blade size: 12 inch
- Weight: 56 lbs
- Compound: Yes
- Sliding: Yes
- Warranty: 3 years
The Pros
– Dual compound (tilts both ways)
– Durable
– High-quality design and build
– Reliable
– Good warranty terms
The Cons
– Expensive
– Non-adjustable bearings
– Slide function reported to sometimes stick
Overview
This is my choice of miter saw as a professional tradesman. The DeWalt DWS780 dual compound miter saw is the top of the line saw I would recommend to any professional or person with a keen interest in home renovation. It’s on the pricier end of the spectrum but with DeWalt, you can be confident that you are getting the quality you’re paying for.
It features a powerful 15 amp motor that gets the 12 inch carbide blade spinning at 3,800 revolutions per minute under no-load conditions. Having a saw that boasts a powerful and reliable motor is so important in ensuring your work is performed as neatly and as efficiently as possible. Whether you are contracting or doing work around the home, your time is your most valuable resource, so it’s vital you use it the best you can.
Another great feature I have to mention is the integrated Cutline Blade Positioning System that provides adjustment-free cut line indication for improved accuracy and visibility when cutting, helping you work faster and more efficiently. It also features an adjustable stainless steel miter plate designed with 10 positive stops to greater improve accuracy and an increased miter capacity of 60 degrees (R)
and 50 degrees (L). And being a dual compound miter saw, it allows for bevel cuts from 0 to 49 degrees in both directions, with stops positioned at 0, 22.5, 33.9, 45 and 49 degrees.
The solid build features stainless steel castings, giving this saw a durable and strong design that will keep this saw spinning under heavy use and tough conditions.
It also has one of the highest cutting capacities of any miter saw, allowing you to saw up to 2 x16” lumber at 90 degrees and 2 x12” lumber at 45 degrees.
Clean-up is made even easier thanks to the excellent dust collection system that can capture over 75% of the dust generated during use. The kit includes the saw, blade wrench, dust bag, vertical material clamp, and 12” carbide blade.
All this – backed up by DeWalt’s big 3 year manufacturer warranty – makes this the ideal miter saw for anyone with a heavy workload or an eye for quality and precision.
Click Here for up-to-date Prices and Customer Reviews
2. DeWalt DW715 Compound Miter Saw
Features –
- Motor: 15 Amp
- RPM: 4000
- Blade size: 12 inch
- Weight: 42 lbs
- Compound: Yes
- Sliding: No
- Warranty: 3 years, 1 year free service
The Pros
– Accurate and precise cuts
– Strong and durable
– Great value
The Cons
– Not as powerful as the DWS780
– Single compound unlike DWS780
Overview
For the price you pay, this miter saw is an absolute bargain. With the same quality and craftsmanship you’ll find with other DeWalt saws but at a much lower price. Sure, you might miss out on a little power when compared to some of the more expensive models and unlike the previous DWS780 model we reviewed, this saw doesn’t come with the dual compound feature that allows you to make bevel cuts both ways. But, if you aren’t a full-time contractor, chances are that you won’t miss these features anyway, leaving you with more dollars in your pocket to spend on other tools and toys for the garage.
Just because this saw is cheaper, doesn’t mean that the quality is sacrificed.
The DeWalt DW715 features a 15 Amp, 4000 RPM motor designed to power through cut after cut, providing more than enough power to the 12 inch carbide blade to help you breeze through home renovations and DIY projects. In my eyes, this is really who this saw is designed for. People who love spending their weekends or free-time on renovations or design projects. And because it’s made by DeWalt, it’s also a perfect choice for work on construction sites, particularly for tradesmen that work with wood infrequently such as electricians and plumbers.
It features an adjustable stainless steel detent plate that can be set at 11 positive stops and has a cutting capacity of up to 2 x 8” timber. Because it is a compound saw, it will tilt up to 48 degrees to the left allowing you to perform bevel and compound cuts. It will also get 3 degrees of tilt to the right, however, this certainly isn’t enough to make this a dual compound saw. Its simple and clear layout and design allows users to change the settings quickly and with ease, helping you to work quickly and efficiently.
This is one of the best-priced saws I’ve come across and the best value for money miter saw on the market today.
With the DeWalt DW715 you’ll get a dust bag, blade, blade wrench, 3 year warranty and plenty of bang for your buck.
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3. Hitachi C10FCE2 Compound Miter-Saw
Features –
- Motor: 15 Amp
- RPM: 5000
- Blade size: 10 inch
- Weight: 26.3 lbs
- Compound: Yes
- Sliding: No
- Warranty: 5 years
The Pros
– Budget-friendly price
– Very lightweight and easy to carry
– Excellent warranty terms
The Cons
– Poor dust collection
Overview
This easy to use, budget-friendly saw is a great choice for beginner woodworkers, DIY enthusiasts and hobbyists. It’s a compound saw, so it is able to cut miter and bevel angles at the same time and the powerful 15 amp motor and 10 inch blade produce smooth and accurate cuts. And for under 150 bucks, that’s an absolute deal. It has a bevel angle of 0-45 degrees to the left, and a miter angle of up to 52 degrees both left and right.
It’s one of the lightest miter saws around, weighing just 26.3 pounds, so it’s a great option if you need to move your saw around often. It’s also easy to store in your garage or shed.
Another thing I really like about this saw is the integrated clamping system on the bottom of the saw. This handy feature makes it really easy to mount on a work table and helps to keep your cuts accurate. It also features clamps to help keep your material in place as you cut, a super handy feature that will be appreciated by anyone who has had lumber shift at the last moment of a cut.
The standard 10 inch, 24 tooth, tungsten carbide blade that comes with the C10FCE2 is not designed for heavy use but will do a good job with softwoods, trim, and framing. If you are planning on cutting hardwoods, it’s a good idea to fit a blade with more teeth, ideally, something like this 72 tooth carbide blade also manufactured by Hitachi.
The only negative thing about this saw is its dust collection system. It’s quite messy and doesn’t do as good a job as some of the higher-end saws. Unfortunately, poor dust collection is common in most inexpensive saws, so it’s just something you’ll have to put up with.
Overall, this is a great saw for those on a budget and an absolute steal for the cheap price tag. For less than $150 you’ll get the saw, a 10 inch 24T TCT blade, dust bag, pivoting flip fence, vice assembly, 10mm box wrench, and material support extension. Plus a huge 5 year warranty to back it all up.
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4. Makita LS1016L 10-inch Sliding Compound Mitre Saw
Features –
- Motor: 15 Amp
- RPM: 3200
- Blade size: 10 inch
- Weight: 53.4 lbs
- Compound: Yes
- Sliding: Yes
- Warranty: 1 year
The Pros
– Neat and accurate cuts
– Compact designed
– Steel rail sliding system adds stability
The Cons
– Fences reported to sometimes bend
Overview
This is the best 10 inch saw available on the market right now and a close runner up for our top pick overall. Despite having a smaller blade than the DeWalt DWS780, it comes with a stack of features that make it a great tool to have in your shed.
It comes with a powerful 15 amp motor that has a cutting capacity for crown molding of up to 6-5/8” when inserted vertically (the largest cut capacity in its class), 4-3/4” baseboard cutting capacity and a cross-cutting capacity of 12” at 90 degrees. A great design feature that I really like is the 6 linear ball bearings that give you accurate, adjustment-free cuts time and time again.
The LS1916L miters 0 to 52 degrees to the left and 0 to 60 degrees to the right, featuring positive stops at 0, 15, 22.5, 31.6 and 45 degrees on both sides. It’s a dual compound saw so it will tilt to 45 degrees on both sides, with positive stops found at 22.5, 33.9 and 45 degrees both left and right.
Another nice feature of this saw is the one-touch miter lock system which speeds up efficiency by allowing the operator to make quick and simple adjustments.
This saw also features four sliding fences consisting of upper and lower fence adjustments for extra precision when cutting. These fences also slide to enable a wide range of cutting styles.
Cut visibility is really clear thanks to the nifty see-thru blade guard and you’ll be able to tell exactly where you want to cut thanks to the inbuilt laser guide.
When it comes to Makita, you know you are buying a quality product that will stand up to all you throw at it. I’ve been using Makita power tools since I was an apprentice and they’ve never let me down. This is a really well-designed and developed miter saw and easily the best around in the 10 inch category. Great for the job site or at home in the garage. It’s backed by a 1 year manufacturer warranty.
Click Here for up-to-date Prices and Customer Reviews
5. Homecraft H26-260L Compound Miter Saw
Features –
- Motor: 14 Amp
- RPM: 5500
- Blade size: 10 inch
- Weight: 18 lbs
- Compound: Yes
- Sliding: No
- Warranty: 3 year
The Pros
– Excellent Value
– Durable yet lightweight and portable
– Performs well for simple and rough cuts
The Cons
– Limited angles
– Not as powerful
– Messy
– Not for heavy-duty use or precision cutting
Overview
Another budget miter saw that can be picked up for around 200 bucks. The H26-260L isn’t going to wow anyone with its features but the price tag might just leave a smile on your face. Being a budget-friendly miter saw, you’re pretty much going to get what you expect (and pay for) – a lightweight, very portable saw that will give you quick cuts when you need them. Don’t expect anything too much and you’ll be happy.
Power-wise, it only has a 14 amp motor (one of the only saws on this list that doesn’t feature a 15 amp motor) which means that with heavy use, it may wear out faster than other budget saws. Also, don’t expect to cut anything other than softwood as it really isn’t designed to cut metal or hardwoods. The odd cut here or there would probably be fine but its main use is for pine and such material.
For miter cuts, it has positive stops at 15, 22.5, 30 and 45 degrees and it can make bevel cuts from 0 to 47 degrees. It also comes with a battery-powered laser guide which is a nice touch for a budget miter saw.
And as with pretty much all budget-range saws, the dust bag isn’t very effective, so make sure you have your trusty broom handy for when the job is done.
It’s backed up by a 3 year warranty.
Click Here for up-to-date Prices and Customer Reviews
6. Black+Decker Compound M1850BD Miter Saw
Features –
- Motor: 9 Amp
- RPM: 5000
- Blade size: 7-1/4 inch
- Weight: 25.4 lbs
- Compound: Yes
- Sliding: No
- Warranty: 2 year limited warranty
The Pros
– Precise and neat cuts
– Lightweight and compact
The Cons
– Lacks power
– Not for professional or heavy use
Overview
The last position on our list is saved for the compact Black and Decker M1850BD. With only a 7-1/4 inch blade and 9 amp motor, it’s the baby of the bunch. It’s great for light work and occasional use but not really designed to tackle the big jobs or heavy workloads.
Despite its small size, it will manage to cut lumbar at 2 x 4” at 90 degrees and 2 x 3” at 45 degrees. It will perform miter cuts from 0 to 45 degrees to the left and right, with 9 positive stops in both directions. The head will also tilt up to 45 degrees to the left to allow for bevel and compound cuts.
This is a lightweight, compact miter saw that weighs in at 25.4 lbs, making it very easy to carry, transport, and store. It’s made from die-cast aluminum and is built with its own stable platform, allowing you to operate it at floor level or at bench height.
This is a really affordable saw that is great for small jobs around the house. Keep in mind that it does have a far smaller blade than any others on this list but if you only need to cut small pieces of wood for things like trimming and craft jobs, it might be just what you need.
It comes with a 24T carbide-tipped blade, hold-down clamp, dust bag, blade wrench, and user manual. It’s also backed by a 2 year limited warranty.
Click Here for up-to-date Prices and Customer Reviews
Miter Saw Buying Guide
Now that we’ve talked about the features and benefits of these saws, I want to take the time to go over what to look for when purchasing a miter saw. If you are new to woodworking, you might have some uncertainties when it comes to choosing the right saw for you. As a professional tradesman, I need to have complete trust in my tools, so over the years I’ve gained an eye for the features I want each of my tools to have. I’ve listed below a few different aspects of miter saws that are important to consider before you make your purchase – those being the saw’s power, its blade, cutting ability, dust collection system, and extra features found on individual saws. It’s also very important to find the saw that fits your needs.
But before I talk about all that, I want to first discuss the differences between compound and sliding compound miter saws.
The difference between compound VS. sliding compound miter saws
A compound miter saw is a saw which has a blade that can pivot from its straight cutting position to the left, the right, or both, usually up to around 45 – 50 degrees. By pivoting, the saw allows operators to make the angled cuts needed to perform tasks like framing, crown molding, and so forth. These cuts can be plain bevel cuts or can be made with a miter angle to perform a compound cut – hence the name compound saw. Achieving a cut like this is very difficult with a standard saw, so if you are making miter, compound or bevel cuts, it’s important you use the right saw. If a saw will tilt in both the left and right directions, we call it a dual compound saw.
Now that we’ve got that out the way, let’s talk about the difference between compound saws and sliding compound saws, as it’s a question that is sometimes asked.
Compound saws and sliding compound saws are exactly the same except for the slide feature found on sliding saws. It’s not so much that they are different, more like one as an added feature over the other. This slide feature allows the saw to cut wider pieces of wood, as the saw blade isn’t fixed in a set position like on a regular compound miter saw. Instead, you have the ability to move the blade in a back and forth motion, allowing the blade to cover more ground.
Whether or not you require your saw to have this feature is dependent on the type of work you are performing but personally, I always go with the sliding saw as it just gives me more flexibility and cutting options on the jobsite.
Choose the Right Tool For Your Needs
Deciding on the right miter saw depends a lot on the type of work you are going to be doing. Not everyone needs to splash out the big bucks for a top of line saw, especially if they will be rarely using it. So, my first recommendation is to think about your workload. How much use will the saw get? And also think about the type of cuts you will be performing. Your line of work might mean you’ll be cutting harder materials that would probably burn the motor out of a cheaper saw. Or a budget-friendly, entry-level saw might be perfect for the odd jobs around the house that you’ve been putting off since the previous summer.
Another thing to consider is where you will store your saw and how often you will need to transport it. I’m always on the go, so having high-quality, reliable tools that are easy to carry is important to me. On the other hand, you might be more concerned about storage space and in the market for a smaller, more compact saw. It all comes down to your individual needs.
Once you know the type of work you’ll be doing and have considered the portability factor, here are some other things that you should be thinking about before making your purchase:
Power
This is a really important one. When it comes to cutting, there are few things more annoying than when a saw bogs down halfway through a cut due to lack of power. Or worse, burns the motor out due to insufficient size. If you can afford it, it’s always best to go with well-known and trusted manufacturers that produce reliable and powerful saws. This is especially important if you have a heavy workload and need your saw to produce great results cut after cut.
Personally, I always look for a saw with at least a 15 amp motor. Most saws on this list are 15 amp saws, with the exception of the last two, so if you are considering one of the lower amperage saws, make sure it will still have enough power for the work you are planning to take on. I also look for a saw that produces at least 3200 RPM to ensure the blade gives a nice, neat cut. RPM isn’t the most important factor to consider though. A less powerful saw might have a higher RPM under no-load but it still needs to have the power behind it to keep the blade spinning as you make your cut.
When it comes to power, it’s always better to have too much than too little.
Blade
When it comes to blade size, I think it’s pretty obvious. The bigger the blade, the bigger the cut you can make. Most miter saws are built with either a 12 or 10 inch blade but can go down in size to as small as 4 inches. It’s important you consider what size cuts you are going to be making, as choosing a saw that is too small is just going to annoy the hell out of you. You can’t fit a 10 inch blade to a 12 inch miter saw or vice versa. The size you buy is the size you’re stuck with. And just like with power, it’s better to be too big than too small, so if you can, opt for the bigger blade.
When choosing a blade, you should also consider the tooth count of the blade. Different blades have different amounts of teeth. The basic rule to follow here is that the more teeth your blade has, the smoother and neater your cuts will be. But when cutting through big bulky material, it’s better to have a blade with fewer teeth, which helps the saw to power through the cut.
Cutting Ability
It’s no good having a powerful motor and the best blade if the saw you are using can’t manage precise and smooth cuts. The best way to ensure you buy a saw that cuts well is to stick with the leading manufacturers and follow the advice of other users. There are some features you can look out for that help to make your cuts neat and accurate and one of these is positive stops. Positive stops are predesignated positions, designed at common cutting angles that allow you to change your cut quickly and accurately. The more stops, the more quick options you have at your disposal, improving your efficiency and precision. Make sure your saw as a good positive stop locking system, as the last thing you want is for the angle of the drill to change halfway through a cut.
You should also consider whether or not you need a compound saw that can tilt to make bevel and compound cuts. Some saws will tilt only one way but the more expensive ones will usually tilt both directions. You’ll still be able to perform the same cuts with a compound saw that tilts only one direction but you’ll need to switch the direction of your material to do so. It’s a lot faster and easier with a dual compound miter saw.
So in basic terms, look for a saw that locks into position well, is easy to adjust and can tilt both directions.
Dust Collection
This isn’t going to affect the operation of your saw but it may affect your health and make clean-up simple or a pain in the butt. Sawing produces lots of dust and debris and having a good dust collection system to catch that dust is a big bonus. It makes clean-up quicker and easier, keeps your workplace and tools clean, and helps keep your lungs clean too. Most saws have a dust collection bag or can be fitted the vacuum attachments.
Some dust collection systems work a lot better than others and the general rule is that the more you pay for your saw, the better the dust collection will be. Of course, this doesn’t always ring true, so it’s best to pay attention to user reviews and see what others are saying about a particular saw’s dust collection system.
Extras
Extra features that make the job easier are a great benefit. Two of my favorite miter saw features are laser guides and clear blade guards. The laser guide is great for seeing exactly where the blade is going to fall on the wood and helps to speed up your cutting while improving accuracy.
And clear blade guards give you more vision while cutting and let you keep a better eye on things as you are working. Clear guards are a must-have feature that I look for when buying a saw.
Also, look for miter saws that have sliding support systems for extra stability and for saws that feature clamping systems. These are also great features that help to improve your work.
Safety
The last thing I want to touch on in this section is operator safety. Power tools are dangerous things and accidents do happen. So it’s vital that you follow proper safety precautions, especially when using a sharp, cutting tool like a miter saw. After all, fingers don’t grow back.
The obvious safety feature that all miter saws should have is the blade guard. These can be any color (clear is best) or size but they should correctly cover the blade.
Something else to keep an eye out for is electric brakes. These work by reversing the flow of electricity and are designed to stop the blade spinning within 2 seconds.
And remember, you should also always be wearing the correct personal protective equipment whenever you are operating your saw.
Conclusion
Choosing the miter saw that suits your needs can be a little confusing at times. With so many great options out there it can get a little overwhelming. I hope this list has helped to narrow down your options and has given you a clear guide as to what features to be on the lookout for.
My first choice for a quality miter saw is the DeWalt DWS780 but running in a close second is the Makita LS1016L – the best 10 inch saw on the market. It’s the DeWalt’s extra power and bigger blade size that cements its spot at number one for me.
If you are after value for money, I recommend another DeWalt – the DW715. It carries the same DeWalt quality as its bigger brother mentioned above but in a more budget-friendly package. It’s an excellent addition to your tool collection and is great for home renovators and those serious about their DIY work.
A compound miter saw is such a versatile and useful cutting tool and is a must-have for anyone from DIY beginners to full-time contractors. I hope you found this guide informative and it makes your decision a little easier to make. Thanks for reading and I’d love to hear what you have to say about your miter saw experiences in the comment section below.
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