Used for woodworking and making not just crosscuts but also bevels and crown molding, miter saws are versatile workhorses in a job site or a shop. If you are new to this kind of tool, don’t worry – I’ve got some suggestions for different kinds of working situations for you.
Different miter saws have varied specs such as blade sizes and other features. I will review some of the best miter saws below by checking out their pros and cons to help you decide.
The Bosch GCM12SD 12-Inch Dual-Bevel Sliding Miter Saw is my top pick because of its unique axial glide system, which saves more space compared to regular slide and glide systems found in most miter saws. It also has a quick-release fence to precisely control the material and support it during the cutting process. Its cutting capacity is 6-1/2 inches (vertical and crown molding at 45 degrees).
With its 15-amp 3-HP motor, it has a speed of up to 3,800 RPM. It has a clear lower guard to easily see the cut to avoid making mistakes. Moreover, its upfront bevel lock saves the effort of having to reach behind the saw and the stable base will keep your workpiece and machine from moving.
It has a bevel angle range of 47 degrees (left and right) with stops at 0, 33.9, 45, and 47 degrees. For miter angles, it has a range of 52 degrees (left) and 60 degrees (right) with detents at 0, 15, 22.5, 31.6, 45 (left/right) and 60 degrees (right).
Weighing 88.2 pounds, the miter saw has a dust chute that is compatible with 1-1/4-inch and 35-mm hoses. It is backed by a 1-year warranty with a 30-day money-back guarantee.
Read my review of the Bosch GCM12SD miter saw for more information.
Things I Like About This Product: The axial glide system moves smoothly and saves space when your work area is small.
Things to Keep in Mind Before Buying This Product: The miter saw is 88.2 pounds so it is a little on the heavy side.
The second product on my list is the Skilsaw SPT88-01 12-Inch Worm Drive Miter Saw, which is lighter in weight at only 51 pounds. It is a worm drive saw so if you are more into crosscutting, it will extend the blade’s reach due to the additional teeth. I like that it has an LED shadow light mechanism that will act as your guiding mark to make the perfect cut on your material.
With a 15-amp motor that’s a dual-field one (for a cool-running operation), it can crosscut most 4 x 14-inch pieces with an adjustable 0 and 45-degree bevel stop and 2 crown stops. The dust elbow will help in reducing the debris that flies around your work area while the miter lock knob allows you to focus more on repetitive cuts on the material with the right miter settings.
The miter saw runs at a speed of 4,000 RPM, which is considerably high for a 12-inch unit. It also comes with two Allen wrenches for adjusting the tool and its components. With its 60-tooth carbide blade and dust bag for debris management, this saw is backed by a 180-day guarantee and a 1-year limited warranty.
Things I Like About This Product: The worm drive design allows faster and more efficient cross-cutting and the tool weight makes it portable.
Things to Keep in Mind Before Buying This Product: The unit doesn’t come with a stand so you have to purchase it separately.
If you’re trying to save up, a unit with a smaller blade, such as the Metabo HPT C10FCGS 10-Inch Compound Miter Saw, will do the trick. Having a horizontal handle for security, this one has a no-load speed of 5,000 RPM, which is one of the fastest in its class (as with most 10-inch blade units). Its positive stops are 0, 15, 22.5, 31.6, and 45 degrees (right and left).
With a 0 to 45-degree (bevel) and a 52-degree (miter) angle range, this one has a 15-amp motor. If you are working with bigger workpieces, you’re in luck due to the large-sized table. Miter adjustments are done easily thanks to the thumb-actuated positive stops while the carbon brushes are replaceable for maintenance.
The weight of the tool is only 24 pounds so it’s not something bulky and heavy. A hex bar wrench, a vise assembly, and a dust bag are included with the saw and blade. With a 6-foot cord, it has an arbor size of 5/8 inch. It is backed by a 5-year warranty.
Things I Like About This Product: The unit has a fast cutting speed even as a 10-inch blade miter saw. It also has a large-sized table while being lightweight for portability.
Things to Keep in Mind Before Buying This Product: The user manual and directions are not as clear as with others so it may take time to set up.
For professional use, the DeWalt DWS780 12-Inch Double-Bevel Sliding Compound Miter Saw is for you. This one has a 15-amp motor with a 3,800-RPM speed and is backed by a fence design that’s capable of cutting 2×14 dimensional lumber at 90 degrees (2 x 12 at 45 degrees). For the stainless steel miter plate, you can choose from 10 positive stops to mark your cut accurately.
I like that it has a handle design that lets you lift the tool easily without dangling or bumping the miter and/or bevel settings. This handle also lets you hold the miter saw comfortably during operation for added stability with minimum fatigue. Due to its cam lock miter handle, adjusting and setting your preferred miter angle is a breeze for repetitive projects. It has a miter range of 60 degrees (left) and 50 degrees (right).
For cutting capacities, it can perform nested crown molding at 7-1/2 inches, 13-7/8 inches horizontally, and 6-3/4 inches vertically.
What I like about this unit is the XPS cross-cut alignment system, which uses an LED to cast a straight shadow onto the material for a cutting guide. It only weighs 54 pounds and is backed by a 3-year limited warranty.
Things I Like About This Product: The XPS cross-cut system adds precision and the 6-3/4-inch vertical capacity is worth noting since not many miter saws have that large cutting range.
Things to Keep in Mind Before Buying This Product: The sliding mechanism is slightly stiff at first use.
If working on a deck project or moving the unit upstairs is your concern, you’d want to use the DeWalt 120V MAX 12-Inch Double-Bevel Miter Saw Kit. With a no-load speed of 3,800 RPM, this one can make up to 310 cross-cuts (baseboard molding) on a single charge.
This saw uses the cutline blade positioning system which requires little to no adjustments for its cutline indicator, allowing accuracy with minimal effort. Since it is only 56 pounds, it is easy to take with you anywhere, aside from the fact that it is cordless. A plus point is that you can also use it with a cord if needed due to its design.
Made with a supportive back fence design for larger materials, this will support up to 7-1/2-inch nested crown molding and up to 6-3/4-inch vertical cuts against the fence. Its durable stainless steel miter detent plate can be set to 60 degrees (right) and 50 degrees (left). Moreover, it has 11 detents for you to choose from.
If you ever have any other 20V MAX power tools from DeWalt, you can use the FLEXVOLT battery that’s made for this unit for backward compatibility. It is backed by a 3-year limited warranty.
Things I Like About This Product: The miter saw can be used either cordless or corded due to its unique FLEXVOLT battery, adapting to various work situations.
Things to Keep in Mind Before Buying This Product: You may experience slight stiffness with the sliding mechanism at first.
For home DIY projects, the Tacklife 12-Inch Double-Sliding Compound Miter Saw is a good choice. One reason is the dust collection, which allows you to connect to a vacuum cleaner thanks to the 35-mm dust port for less air pollution at home. This miter saw has a bevel capacity of 45 degrees (left and right) and has miter stops at 0, 22.5, and 45 degrees (both directions).
With a speed of 3,800 RPM using its 15-amp motor, it features a 40-tooth TCT blade that will work for various workpieces. Due to the soft-grip handle, it will reduce user fatigue when you’re working for hours on your home renovation or remodel. It has a wide worktable that will support larger materials and support them using the pair clamping system.
With its 3-meter (9.8-foot) power cord, it has a professional laser guide that adds accuracy when dealing with delicate pieces. The tool weighs 53 pounds so it’s not exactly too heavy for a double-bevel saw for home use. It is backed by a 2-year warranty.
Things I Like About This Product: The product is lightweight enough for home use and has a sufficient speed and blade size.
Things to Keep in Mind Before Buying This Product: It doesn’t have enough miter stops compared to other saws I mentioned above. The blade cover safety stop handle is also quite flimsy so be careful when handling that.
The Skil 3821-01 12-Inch Quick Mount Compound Miter Saw is for you if this is your first time using such a tool. It already has a fast speed of 4,500 RPM with its 15-amp motor even for a 12-inch saw (typically, that speed is more common for 10-inch units).
Setup is easy – all you need is the SKIL miter saw stand (3302-02) and you can start working. The table extension feature will be ideal for cutting large workpieces. The saw is also okay to use for up to 6 inches of laminate flooring at 45 degrees.
The 9 positive stops will allow you to choose from the most used miter angles for easy and quick cuts without losing accuracy. Speaking of accuracy, its laser cutline guide is quite a beginner-friendly feature. At 42.5 pounds, it is also a lightweight miter saw that makes it easy to transport between work areas or rooms.
Things I Like About This Product: It comes with a laser guide so beginners should have little to no trouble with accuracy. The saw is also lightweight for transport between rooms or work areas.
Things to Keep in Mind Before Buying This Product: The horizontal slide sometimes needs a few tweaks when tightening so as not to be off to the left.
The Makita LS1019L 10-Inch Dual-Bevel Sliding Compound Miter Saw has a high bevel capacity of 48 degrees (left and right) with a miter capacity of 60 degrees (left and right), including positive stops of 0, 15, 22.5, 31.6, 45, and 60 degrees in either direction. For crosscuts, it can handle up to 12 inches, 5-1/4 inches vertically, and up to 6-5/8 inches for crown molding.
Due to the 2-steel rail sliding system, it will reduce footprint while simplifying the slide-glide operation, which is ideal for small work areas. It only weighs 57.9 pounds so taking it around the job site will be a breeze. Moreover, the laser guide on the miter saw will help beginners and those who want accuracy for their workpiece.
The included WST06 miter saw stand, which weighs 33.7 pounds, can support up to 100-1/2 inches of material and weights of up to 500 pounds. It also has rubber wheels for convenient job site mobility. For repetitive cuts, it also comes with an adjustable material stop and an aluminum feed roller.
Read my review of the LS1019L for more information.
Things I Like About This Product: It comes with a free miter stand for portability and support while it is also lightweight for easy transport.
Things to Keep in Mind Before Buying This Product: There are issues with the rail and motor not being parallel, but a quick fix can be done using internet guides.
Yet another small-bladed unit, the Makita LS1040 10-Inch Compound Miter Saw has a high speed of 4,600 RPM with its 15-amp motor. Because it only weighs 27.3 pounds, moving it around the job site, shop, or home remodel area will be a breeze. It has miter angle capacities of 45 degrees (left) and 52 degrees (right) with stops at 0, 15, 22.5, 30, and 45 degrees. It also has a 45-degree bevel cutting capacity and a dual-post compound pivoting arm for convenience.
I like that the saw has a work light for convenience in the dark or when you can’t spot your material. It has a 5/8-inch arbor size and a maximum cutting capacity of 2-3/4 x 5-1/8 inches (90 degrees). Moreover, the saw comes with a dust bag for debris management.
Blade change is also quick and easy due to the shaft lock on the miter saw. What’s more, its aluminum base is precision-machined for durability, stability, and accuracy. It is backed by a 1-year limited warranty policy.
Things I Like About This Product: The saw is very lightweight at only 27.3 pounds, allowing easy job site portability.
Things to Keep in Mind Before Buying This Product: The design of the two front legs could be prone to eventual breakage when mounting on a bench or stand.
If you want a comfortable unit for long hours of cutting, the Bosch CM10GD 10-Inch Compact Miter Saw is for you, thanks to its form-fitting ergonomic ambidextrous trigger handle. It also uses the signature axial glide system that allows easy cross-cutting without taking a lot of space in your work area. The upfront metal bevel controls and square lock precision fences make adjustments simplified.
As a miter saw, it has a crown/chop lock to secure your nested crown or base molding project. Its 15-amp motor delivers 4,800 RPM of no-load speed and a vertical cutting capacity of 5-1/2 inches (6 inches for crown molding). The miter saw has detents at 0, 15, 31.6, 22.5, 45, and 60 degrees while having a miter capacity of 60 (left) and 52 (right) degrees.
It comes with a dust chute and a vacuum adapter (that fits any 1-1/4 or 35-mm sized hose) for simplifying dust extraction. The push-button mechanism of the miter detent override allows you to set the miter angle conveniently. For bevel settings, it has stops at 0, 33.9, and 45 degrees (left and right) with a capacity of 47 degrees in both directions.
For more information, also check out my full Bosch CM10GD review.
Things I Like About This Product: It has an ergonomic handle for long hours of woodworking without feeling too fatigued.
Things to Keep in Mind Before Buying This Product: It doesn’t come with a laser guide for accuracy and the weight of 60 pounds might be slightly heavy for some workers.
If you want a portable woodworking tool, the Makita XSL06PT Cordless 10-Inch Dual-Bevel Compound Miter is a good choice due to its cordless nature. This one has a speed of 4,400 RPM with a 5/8-inch arbor size. I like that it has an electric brake that allows you to perform repetitive cuts with fewer pauses, resulting in more productivity.
It has a miter capacity of 2-13/16 x 12 inches at 90 degrees and it has a cutting capacity of 334 cuts per charge on any 2 x 4-inch SPF lumber. For crown molding, it can cut up to 6-5/8 inches and on vertical cuts, it has a capacity of 5-1/4 inches. It also comes with a laser guide for accuracy.
Since it uses a BL brushless motor, it will run cooler than those that use traditional carbon brushes, thereby increasing its lifespan in general. This makes it a good miter saw for hot climates. Because it uses Star Protection technology, the battery and tool communicate well to prevent overloading and other similar problems.
For more information about this saw, read my full review.
Things I Like About This Product: The electric brake allows easy repetitive cuts and the cordless design is good for deck building and home remodeling.
Things to Keep in Mind Before Buying This Product: The 60-pound weight is still heavy for a miter saw, even if it is cordless. The included laser is also slightly difficult to adjust.
Made with a 15-amp motor, the Jet 707210 10-Inch Sliding Compound Miter Saw might not be from a name-brand company but it is a dual-bevel type with convenient features. It has a thumb lever for easily changing miter angles while the sliding mechanism is smooth thanks to the enclosed linear bearings.
Because of its 5-second motor brake, it allows for repetitive cuts without a lot of pauses in between. The LED light will provide accuracy in low light areas while the D-shaped handle will lessen user fatigue. What’s more, the die-cast aluminum construction adds to its durability and the 54-pound weight makes it just right for portability.
The miter saw comes with a dust port and a bag with a 2-1/2-inch adaptor for setting up your dust extraction configuration. It is backed by a 3-year warranty.
Things I Like About This Product: It has a motor brake for repetitive cuts and a D-shaped handle for comfort.
Things to Keep in Mind Before Buying This Product: You need to set the miter angle at 0 degrees before using to avoid ruining the laser’s alignment.
Last, but not least, the Delta S26-263L 10-Inch Sliding Miter Saw is part of my list. It is lightweight at only 27 pounds and can cut a 2 x 12-inch material at a 45-degree bevel. It has a spindle lock for easy blade changes and the table extension is beneficial for long materials.
It has a laser guide for accuracy, which you can also turn off when not needed. It also comes with an electric brake for effortless repetitive cuts. The cord is strategically placed on the rear of the slide bar to avoid contact with the blade. It is backed by a 3-year warranty.
If you like this saw, check my comparison of Delta Shopmaster miter saws as well.
Things I Like About This Product: It has an electric brake for those who need repetitive cuts and it has a laser guide for accuracy.
Things to Keep in Mind Before Buying This Product: The backing fence might be a little too short for most larger materials.
The Methodology: What I Considered When Picking the Miter Saws Featured Above
In choosing the miter saws I mentioned, I considered some criteria to pick the best ones out there (and you should, too), such as the following:
1. Blade size
Miter saws usually come in either 12-inch or 10-inch blades. If you tend to work with lighter jobs, go for the 10-inch blade and vice-versa or 12-inch ones.
2. Ease of use
A spindle lock will speed up the process of changing the blade while thumb-actuated controls for setting the miter and bevel angles will make the job easier.
3. Corded vs. cordless
Corded units work well for job sites and stability. If you want to use a miter saw between rooms, go for a cordless or lightweight unit.
4. Laser or light guides
These will come in handy for adding accuracy to your tool when working in low light areas.
5. Comfort
An ergonomic handle with a soft, non-slip grip will make you feel less fatigued at the end of the day.
6. Cutting capacity
Most miter saws have a vertical cutting capacity of 5 to 6-3/4 inches on average, with 6-1/2 inches being the norm for most 12-inch units.
Summary
Overall, my top pick is the Bosch GCM12SD Sliding Miter Saw due to the space-saving axial glide system and good vertical cutting capacity. The Skilsaw SPT88-01 12-Inch Worm Drive Miter Saw is my runner-up, which is ideal for heavy-duty cross-cutting jobs.
If your budget is small, the Metabo HPT C10FCGS Miter Saw is a portable option for you. For professional use, investing in the DeWalt DWS780 Miter Saw is worth it due to the 6-3/4-inch vertical capacity and XPS cross-cut system.
For those who want a cordless tool, I’d recommend the DeWalt 120V MAX 12-Inch Double-Bevel Miter Saw Kit. If you are remodeling your home, the Tacklife 12-Inch Double-Sliding Compound Miter Saw is a unit that’s easy to handle while the Skil 3821-01 12-Inch Quick Mount Compound Miter Saw has a laser guide for beginners.
I would also recommend the Makita LS1019L and the Makita LS1040 for those who want lightweight units to work with. The ergonomic handle of the Bosch CM10GD will be a plus point if you work all day while the Makita XSL06PT, Delta S26-263L, and the Jet 707210 are ideal for