Whether it’s a crown molding job, framing, making crosscuts, or other woodworking projects, a miter saw is a great tool for the job. But what if you need to move around the jobsite or work in awkward positions? That’s when a cordless tool comes in handy.
If you’re looking for the best cordless miter saws out there, you’re in luck! I’ve reviewed a couple of worthy units below – each with its corresponding pros and cons to help you decide which is suitable for your needs.
My top choice is the Makita XSL06PT 10-Inch Dual-Bevel Cordless Miter Saw, which is powered by two (2) 18V 5.0Ah lithium-ion batteries for a long-lasting charge and more work productivity. With its brushless motor (running at 4,400 RPM), this unit will run cooler than those that use traditional carbon brushes.
I like the automatic speed change of this miter saw because it helps reduce the load on the motor, preserving its lifespan. A single charge will yield up to 334 cuts for 2×4 SPF (spruce, pine, and fir). It has a bevel capacity of 0 to 48-degrees (left and right) and 0 to 60-degrees for miter capacity.
This cordless miter saw also has dual dust collection ports so you’ll find it easy to manage work debris and keep the cut line visible. The cutting capacities for this saw are the following: 6-5/8 inches (crown molding), 12 inches (crosscutting), and 5-1/4 inches (vertical cuts).
Usability is also accounted for thanks to the 2-steel rail sliding system for a smooth gliding action. Furthermore, the design of the saw allows you to use the miter saw flush against a wall – perfect for when you don’t have the luxury of space in your garage, shed, or jobsite.
Things I Like About This Product: It runs cool due to the brushless motor, has dust extraction, it’s space-saving, and it has a dual-battery system.
Things to Keep in Mind Before Buying This Product: Compared to most cordless miter saws, it’s a little on the heavy side at 60 pounds.
If you want a bigger blade, the Bosch PROFACTOR 18V SURGEON GCM18V-12GDCN Cordless Miter Saw is for you. This tool also has a brushless motor so it runs cool while being powered by a lithium-ion battery. Similar to my previous pick, it also has an axial glide system for a smooth crosscutting experience.
When it comes to the cutting specs, the miter saw has the following capacities: 15.7 inches (crosscutting) and 4.7 inches (depth). It also has a 47-degree bevel angle range with 4 positive stops (left and right). For miter detents, it has 5 (L/R) and a 60-degree detent to the right, with a miter angle range of 52/60-degrees (L/R).
Weighing 59.3 pounds, this tool even has an eco mode, which will help to conserve battery time so you’ll have more productivity. Although you have to buy the battery separately, it’s compatible with both an 8Ah and a 12Ah PROFACTOR battery depending on your needs.
On handling this workpiece, the miter saw has a 4-3/4-inch fence design so it will support taller materials. Aside from that, it will support up to 43 inches of material length.
Things I Like About This Product: This miter saw has a brushless motor that lets it run cool. Its axial glide system helps ensure smooth crosscutting. It also has an eco mode for conserving battery life.
Things to Keep in Mind Before Buying This Product: Similar to my top pick, this miter saw is also on the heavy side at 59.3 pounds.
My budget-friendly recommendation is the DeWalt DCS361B 7-1/4-Inch Cordless Miter Saw, which has a smaller blade compared to those two above. This miter saw has the following cutting capacities: crown molding (3-5/8 inches), baseboard/vertical (3-1/2 inches), and crosscutting (8 inches).
If you frequently have trouble with bevel accuracy, you will love this tool as it has an oversized bevel scale for convenient adjustments. What’s more, it has a cut line crosscut positioning system to further help with accuracy on crosscutting.
There are 11 positive stops for the miter detent plate (made of stainless steel) so you have many settings to choose from. The miter angles are also easily secured by the cam lock miter handle. Furthermore, it will cut dimensional lumber up to 2×8 at 45-degrees (bevel) and 90-degrees (crosscutting).
Compared to my picks above, this miter saw is relatively lightweight at only 30 pounds, which is likely because of its smaller blade. It has a no-load speed of 4,100 RPM and it uses any 20V MAX battery. The miter saw is backed by a 3-year limited warranty.
Things I Like About This Product: At only 30 pounds, this miter saw is lightweight and ideal for portability. It also has a lot of positive stops to choose from on the miter detent plate.
Things to Keep in Mind Before Buying This Product: Compared to other cordless miter saws, it has a small blade. Although it has a light guide, it’s not too visible under sunlight.
A lightweight tool (only 31.5 pounds) that’s worth mentioning is the Bosch GCM18V-08N Single-Bevel Sliding Miter Saw, which has an accurate laser guide system for maintaining a clean cut. It has a 3-5/8-inch crown molding capacity and it will make cross-cuts up to 10-5/8 inches.
The bevel capacity is up to 47 degrees (left and right). What’s more, it has precisely centered sliding bars for a smooth operation. Managing work debris is also convenient with this miter saw due to the included dust chute and bag.
It has a 5/8-inch arbor size and it also has a blade brake so stopping the tool becomes safer. This is also a positive when changing the miter saw blade. If you want to make slide or chop cuts, it’s possible to lock either of the vertical or the slide movements.
On a single charge of an 18V 8.0Ah battery, it will make up to 377 cuts. It has 4 positive stops (left and right) from 0 to 45-degrees. Included with the miter saw are the following: a 24-tooth carbide-tipped blade, a dust bag, a wrench, and a material clamp. It will fit most vacuum hoses at 22mm or 35mm, such as the VAC005 and VAC006.
Things I Like About This Product: The saw is lightweight and it has a laser guide system for additional accuracy.
Things to Keep in Mind Before Buying This Product: The dust collection vacuum lacks power compared to that of other miter saws.
If you are looking for a plethora of positive stops to choose from, the DeWalt DWS713 Cordless 10-Inch Compound Miter Saw is for you, as it has 14 to choose from! With a cutting speed of 5,000 RPM, this miter saw has a tall fence with 4-1/4-inch vertical support.
For its cutting capacity, it will cut up to 3-1/2 inches (vertical) and 4-1/2 inches (crown molding)/ With a 15-amp motor, it will cut dimensional lumber up to 2×6 at 90-degrees and up to 2×4 at 45-degrees. You also have two choices for the arbor size: 5/8 or 1 inch.
This miter saw is also portable and lightweight at only 31 pounds, making it suitable for all-day work. Aside from that, the size of 13.75 x 20 inches plus a built-in carry handle allows you to transport the miter saw between job sites. This comfortable weight also makes it easier to set it up onto any miter saw stand you have for work convenience.
Including a vertical clamp, a wrench, and a dust bag, this miter saw has a 48-degree bevel to the left and 0 to 3-degrees to the right. It is backed by a 3-year limited warranty.
Things I Like About This Product: It’s lightweight and portable plus it has 14 positive stops to choose from.
Things to Keep in Mind Before Buying This Product: It doesn’t have drill holes on both sides, which would’ve been useful for installing stop guards if you want to make repetitive material cuts.
With a cutting speed of 4,000 RPM, the Milwaukee M18 Cordless 10-Inch Dual-Bevel Compound Miter Saw uses a brushless motor so it runs cool and smooth. Each full charge of the M18 REDLITHIUM XC 8.0 battery pack will make up to 400 cuts.
There’s also a shadow cut line indicator to maintain accuracy for each cut. It will cut up to 2×12 at 90-degrees (2×8 at 45-degrees). Furthermore, it has a vertical cutting capacity of 5-1/4 inches while its crown molding capacity is at 5-1/4 inches. When it comes to repetitive work, it has 11 miter detents with a cam locking system.
It has a bevel capacity of 48-degrees on both sides and a 50/60-degree miter capacity. There’s even a detent override for custom miter locations that you might prefer for your project.
For portability, it has handles at the top and the side for convenient carrying of the tool around the jobsite. The miter saw weighs 39.9 pounds so it’s just the right weight when compared to similar tools of its class. It is backed by a 5-year warranty.
Things I Like About This Product: The miter saw uses a brushless motor so it runs cool. It’s also portable with included top and side handles. There are also a lot of miter detents to choose from – with added detent override.
Things to Keep in Mind Before Buying This Product: The shadow cut line indicator doesn’t work well in direct sunlight so you need to work in the shade.
Having a total of 9 miter detents, the Craftsman CMCS714M1 7-1/4-Inch Cordless Miter Saw is a lightweight and portable tool that has a cutting speed of 3,800 RPM. It even has side carry handles for easy transport between job sites.
It will cut lumber and hardwoods up to the following: 8 inches (90-degree crosscut), 5-1/2 inches (45-degree crosscut), 3-1/2 inches (vertical baseboard), and 3-5/8 inches (nested crown molding). A single charge will yield up to 585 cuts when working on a 3-1/4 inch baseboard.
The miter saw has a 5/8 inch arbor size and it uses an LED light for accuracy when making cuts. Unlike my other picks above, this is a miter saw kit so it includes the battery (4.0Ah lithium-ion) and a charger. It also has additional accessories, such as a blade wrench, dust bag, and a material clamp.
Dust collection is also convenient thanks to the included Velcro Hose clamp for your Shop-Vac. It is backed by a 3-year limited warranty for defects in material or workmanship.
Things I Like About This Product: If you’re looking for a lightweight saw, this is a great choice, as it weighs in at only 21 pounds. It also has a long battery life plus some dust extraction accessories for keeping your work area clean.
Things to Keep in Mind Before Buying This Product: It doesn’t have an electric brake and a spindle lock – both of which would’ve been handy for quickly changing saw blades.
The Methodology: What I Considered When Picking the Cordless Miter Saws Featured Above
Are you having trouble choosing a cordless miter saw? Here are the criteria that you should look for (which I also used to make my choices above):
1. Blade Length
Knowing the blade length is important since not all materials and project pieces are the same. You will find most cordless miter saws with a blade length of either 10 or 12 inches.
Think about what projects you usually work on and decide from that. If you’re mostly working on small-scale projects, such as DIY, a shorter blade length around 7 to 8 inches will do just fine. However, for larger materials, or if your projects vary in scale, you will need a longer blade for adaptability.
2. Cutting Capacity
The cutting capacity of a cordless miter saw depends on its blade length. Since a miter saw has different cutting options (such as crown molding, vertical/baseboard, and crosscuts), you’ll find different cutting capacities listed in one saw.
Crown molding: expect a cordless miter saw to have a cutting capacity of 3 to 6 inches for this type of cut.
Vertical cutting: most cordless miter saws have about 3 to 5 inches for their vertical cutting capacity.
Crosscutting: you’ll find most miter saws ranging from 12 to 15 inches for their width or crosscut capacity. Shorter saws, on the other hand, will usually cut up to 8 inches. The crosscut capacity for dimensional lumber is also a different number depending on the miter angle.
3. Comfort
No one likes to work with their miter saw and have aching arms at the end of the day. By having a non-slip grip for the handle, you’ll save your hands from excessive fatigue after a hard day’s work.
Aside from that, additional handles not only help with keeping the miter saw in place, but are also a selling point for transporting the tool between job sites or areas. Some good examples are the Milwaukee M18 10-Inch Dual-Bevel Compound Miter Saw and the DeWalt DWS713 Compound Miter Saw.
4. Laser or Light Guides
Are you working in a low-light area? Why not get a miter saw with a laser or light guide? This will increase overall accuracy and safety when crosscutting, crown molding, and/or vertical cutting.
The DeWalt DCS361B Miter Saw, the Milwaukee M18 Compound Miter Saw, and the Craftsman CMCS714M1 Miter Saw are examples of tools with a light guide for accuracy. However, you do need to be in the shade for the light to work properly.
If you prefer a laser guide, the Bosch GCM18V-08N Sliding Miter Saw is a tool that has that feature. Laser guides work best for daylight jobs, so if you feel that regular light guides aren’t doing the trick, why not try a laser guide instead?
5. Usability
Setting the positive stops and bevel options with thumb-actuated controls is a plus point because it gives you more flexibility at work while saving time. The locking options should be straightforward so you’ll have more time to work on your project rather than fiddling with the settings.
The Bosch GCM18V-08N Sliding Miter Saw is an example in which the locking configuration can vary depending on your preference. For instance, you can lock both the vertical and the slide movements or just one of them. This allows you to make chop and slide cuts.
6. Motor
A brushless motor is a plus because it makes the miter saw run cooler even on a heavy load. Since it no longer relies on traditional carbon brushes, a brushless motor also makes fewer noises, which leads to a cooler-running engine.
Fortunately, many of the cordless miter saws on the market today already have a brushless motor, which will give you more productivity and preserve the motor lifespan. My top pick, the Makita XSL06PT 10-Inch Dual-Bevel Cordless Miter Saw, is a great example of that.
7. Battery Life
Lithium-ion is common nowadays if you’re looking for cordless miter saws. Gone are the days when you’d only find Ni-Cad tools on the market. Lithium-ion batteries have a plethora of benefits, such as:
- longer lifespan
- withstands harsh temperatures
- lighter in weight
- stable power
- no “memory effect” or idle discharge
The Makita XSL06PT and the Craftsman CMCS714M1 are two miter saws that have long battery life. If you need to work for hours in an area with a lack of access to AC power, these miter saws will come in handy.
8. Blade Swapping
If you want efficient blade changes, consider a cordless miter saw with a spindle lock or any other mechanism that speeds up the process while also promoting safety. It also helps if your miter saw has an electric brake (also called a blade brake) that instantly stops the blade from moving.
Having an efficient blade swapping mechanism will reduce downtime – especially if you want to meet a certain deadline or just want to get more work done. After all, no one likes to constantly wait, even for a few seconds, for the blade to stop spinning completely!
9. Bevel Capacity
Most cordless miter saws have a dual-bevel capacity (left and right). The bevel angle range is usually 47 to 48-degrees in both directions. However, some saws do have a specificly higher bevel capacity on one side.
If you’re a serious woodworker or if you want a more accurate cut, I suggest getting dual-bevel miter saws as they will help create a more precise cut on both sides. However, that doesn’t mean that single-bevel miter saws aren’t useful – they’re also great for beginners and casual hobbyists.
10. Positive Stops
Miter saws usually have a lot of positive stops so you can easily work on your preferred setting for repetitive cuts. Expect a cordless miter saw to have at least 6 to 11 positive stops for both sides.
As with the bevel feature, the miter detents should be easily lockable. While default stops are okay, certain miter saws, such as the Milwaukee M18 Cordless 10-Inch Dual-Bevel, have a special detent override for fine-tuning.
If your miter saw has a detent override, it means that you can set the detent to a specific angle that is not present in the positive stop options. This makes the tool great for odd jobs.
11. Dust Management
A cordless miter saw with good dust collection will not only help you keep your eyes on the cut line but will also save the unit from getting impacted by material debris (which could ruin the motor and internal parts).
It’s also important to know which dust port or accessories are compatible with the miter saw you have in mind. This way, you’ll have an idea if these dust collection accessories are readily available.
12. Saw Gliding Mechanism
Most cordless miter saws on the market have a certain gliding system or mechanism to ensure both accuracy and convenience to the user. This is particularly useful for slide cuts and increasing productivity.
Two examples of cordless miter saws that have a smooth gliding system are the Makita XSL06PT and the Bosch PROFACTOR 18V SURGEON GCM18V-12GDCN. The Makita miter saw uses a 2-steel rail sliding system while the Bosch PROFACTOR SURGEON has an axial glide system. Both of them help make each cut smooth like butter.
Summary
As a whole, the Makita XSL06PT 10-Inch Dual-Bevel Cordless Miter Saw is my top pick, which runs cool on a brushless motor and has a dual battery system. The Bosch PROFACTOR 18V SURGEON GCM18V-12GDCN Cordless Miter Saw is also a great choice, especially if you want a bigger blade and battery-conserving features.
If you’re on a small budget, I suggest the DeWalt DCS361B 7-1/4-Inch Cordless Miter Saw, which is lightweight and suitable for DIY work. Other great options for a lightweight tool are the Bosch GCM18V-08N Single-Bevel Sliding Miter Saw, DeWalt DWS713 Cordless 10-Inch Compound Miter Saw, and the Craftsman CMCS714M1 7-1/4-Inch Cordless Miter Saw
Last, but not least, for those who want a lot of choices for the miter detent, the Milwaukee M18 Cordless 10-Inch Dual-Bevel Compound Miter Saw is for you. I like that this miter saw also has a detent override for fine-tuning.