Whether you need to cut wood for a new deck, create moldings, do some trim work, install a new floor or window, or make a picture frame, a miter saw is an essential woodworking tool for any workshop or worksite.
The 8 Best Miter Saws
- Metabo HPT C10FCGS Compound Miter Saw
- DEWALT Single Bevel Compound Miter Saw
- Ryobi Compound Miter Saw
- Craftsman Sliding Miter Saw Kit
- Bosch Power Tools GCM12SD Sliding Glide Miter Saw
- Delta Power Equipment Corporation S26-262L Miter Saw
- Makita LS1019L Dual-Bevel Sliding Compound Miter Saw
- Milwaukee 6955-20 Sliding Dual Bevel Miter Saw (Our Top Pick)
Our Top Pick for the Best Miter Saw
Our top pick for the best miter saw is the Milwaukee 6955-20 Sliding Dual Bevel Miter Saw.
For all home renovations and professional building contractor work, Milwaukee Saw is a powerful, fast, and highly accurate carpentry tool that delivers a superior working performance. With a large sharp blade, innovative operating features, and great miter and bevel versatility, the Milwaukee will help you to complete even the toughest of woodworking projects.
Check the price on AmazonHighly Specialized Tools for Carpentry Projects
Power tools such as a nail gun, drill, jigsaw, or power screwdriver are handy tools for any contractor or DIY renovation enthusiast. However, if you are specially working with wood, a miter saw is a highly specialized power tool that will help you to quickly complete all your carpentry and woodworking projects.
A miter saw has a strong and sharp blade which is mounted on a swing arm that pivots left or right to produce a variety of precise and accurate angled cuts such as miter and bevel cuts.
It is a versatile tool that can perform many different carpentry tasks: cross-cutting, cutting wood for windows and door trims, cutting baseboards and crown molding, and making picture frames.
Still, like any power tool, there are different types of miter saws available on the market.
How to Choose a Miter Saw
There are 3 different types of miter saws: single-compound, dual compound, and sliding compound saws.
Single Compound Miter Saws
A single compound miter saw is useful for cutting wood for crown molding or making picture frames. It has a pivot function that lets you make angled cuts on the left or the right. It can also make bevel cuts, but only in one direction.
Dual Compound Miter Saws
Dual compound miter saws have a blade that can tilt both left and right and can create bevels at any angle.
Sliding Miter Saws
Sliding miter saws, such as the Milwaukee 6955-20 Sliding Dual Bevel Miter Saw, or the Makita LS1019L Dual-Bevel Sliding Compound Miter Saw have a sliding feature that allows you to move the blade forward and backward, which is a great feature if you have to work with longer pieces of wood.
To be able to find the right type of miter saw that will suit your project, here are some important features to consider.
Size of the Blade
A strong and sharp blade is especially important for fast cutting action. Saw blades can range from a smaller 7¼-inches size, 10-inches, or a large 12-inches blade. The smaller the blade, the more precise cuts you can make. Larger blades work best with bigger pieces of wood, especially hardwood.
Motor Power
Motors usually range from 9, 10, or 15 amps. If you have a small project, a 9 or 10 amp motor should be sufficient. For medium-heavy-duty cutting tasks, the saw needs to have a 14 or 15 amp motor such as the Bosch Power Tools GCM12SD Sliding Glide Miter Saw.
You also need to consider the motor’s maximum revolutions per minute (RPMs) which range from around 3,000 to more than 5,000 RPMs. The higher the RPMs, the fast and smoother the blade will cut through the wood. Soft start motors make the saw easier to start and takes the pressure off the motor.
Precision and Accuracy
High precision and accuracy are of prime importance with a miter saw and there are some features that will help you to cut perfect bevels and miter cuts.
Clearly marked and easy-to-read uniform bevel and miter scales and marked detents and a high visibility dual-bevel scale, solid angle presets, good fence support, tungsten steel carbide-tipped blades, and a laser guide system will help you to achieve precise and accurate cuts.
Angle Range
Most miter saws have an angle range from 0-45° or 52° or even 60°. The miter saw’s design should also allow you to adjust the angles to the left and right, depending on its overall design.
Positive Stops
Positive stops allow you to set specific angles. Miter saws may have 5, 6, 9, or 11 positive stops. The more positive stops the saw has, the more cutting versatility you will have at your disposal.
Thumb-activated Stops
A thumb-activated stop is another handy feature, such as the Metabo HPT C10FCGS Compound Miter Saw, that allows you to adjust the positive stops with just a quick flick of your thumb.
Dust Collection Bag or Chute
Working with a miter saw can be messy, so a dust collection bag is a great idea. Dust collection bags are usually mounted on the saw and they collect any sawdust, which makes your workspace safer, cleaner, and easier to maintain.
Safety
Working with a cutting tool is dangerous and the only thing you want to cut is wood. Safety features may include blade guards that protect your hands from the rotating blade or a built-in clamping system that holds a piece of wood securely in place. Arbor locks will lock the blade in position, and a lock-out switch prevents any accidental start-ups.
Additional Features
- Sliding or flip fences provide extra support for longer pieces of wood
- Depth stops lets you adjust the height of the blade and control how deeply it cuts into the piece of wood
- Digital readouts provide easy-to-read bevel and miter setting information
- Ergonomic handles provide extra portability around your worksite
- Integrated lights illuminate the measurements and the blade
8 Best Miter Saws – Reviews
1. Metabo HPT C10FCGS Compound Miter Saw
The affordable Metabo HPT C10FCGS Compound Miter Saw is a quality power tool that is ideal for trim carpenters, framers, and woodworkers.
The reliable 15 amp motor generates a no-load speed up to 5,000 RPM, which gives you the power to effectively complete tough jobs such as crosscuts and complex miter cuts.
Whether you need to cut through plywood, decorative panels, soft fiberboard, and hardboard, the sharp steel blade delivers a smooth cutting action.
The saw has a 0-52° miter angle range to the right and left for increased flexibility, and a 0-45° adjustable bevel range to the left provides clean and accurate bevel cuts. Thumb actuated positive stops allow for quick miter adjustments while you perform repeated cuts.
A large table offers you better material support and a built-in clamping system holds your workpiece firmly in place. For extra operator comfort and control, the saw is lightweight and portable and its horizontal green handle has a soft vibration-reducing Elastomer grip.
The carbon brush access allows you to easily replace the brush as needed to greatly prolong the life of the tool. To maintain a clean workspace, the dust bag collects most of the sawdust.
The miter saw comes with a 10-inches 24T TCT saw blade, a dust bag, vise assembly, hex bar wrench and it is covered by a 5-year warranty.
The miter saw is also available with a stand.
Pros
- High quality
- Very affordable
- High level of precise cutting ability
- Provides smooth, accurate cuts for a variety of work-pieces
- Powerful motor
- Lightweight and portable
- Very good miter and bevel range
- Adjustable bevel stops
- Thumb activated positive stops can be preset
- Good stability
- Soft vibration-reducing Elastomer grip horizontal handle
- Large table
- Built-in clamping system
- Easy to replace carbon brush
- Good dust bag
- Five-year warranty
Cons
- Dust collection is not overly effective
- Blade may not be suitable for finishing work
- Not ideal for professional applications
2. DEWALT Single Bevel Compound Miter Saw
With a superb ability to deliver quick accurate cuts, the upgraded DEWALT Single Bevel Compound Miter Saw is a great choice for cross-cutting and miter cutting applications.
The powerful 15 amp 4,000 RPM motor and sharp large 12-inches blade gives you all the cutting power you need for working with thick lumber.
DEWALT has designed a reliable miter saw that will improve your work productivity. The DWS715 bevels to the left up to 48° and 3° to the right. It has 4 hardened steel bevel stops at 0, 33.9, 45 and 48° and the adjustable stainless steel miter detent plate has 14 positive detent stops.
It also features a cam miter lock that provides repeatable accuracy and durability with easy adjustments.
The tall fence supports 5¼-inches crown molding nested vertically, as well as 6½-inches base molding set vertically against the fence and the fence slides out of the way easily when it’s time to make bevel cuts.
Safety features include a blade guard, a vertical clamp, and a safety trigger that prevents any accidental start-ups. The miter saw is lightweight enough to carry and the built-in carry handle makes for easy portability around the job site.
The miter saw comes with a carbide blade, dust bag, and a blade wrench. DEWALT offers a 90-day money-back guarantee, a 3-year limited warranty, and a 1-year free service.
Pros
- High quality
- Affordable price
- Superb ability to deliver quick, accurate cuts
- Ideal for cutting framing or molding, cross-cutting, bevel and miter-cutting applications
- Powerful 4,000 RPM motor
- Four hardened steel bevel stops up to 48°
- Adjustable stainless steel miter detent plate with 14 positive stops
- Bevels to the left and the right
- Tall sliding fence for work with crown and base moldings
- Lightweight
- Easy-to-adjust cam miter lock
- Built-in carry handle for easy portability
- Dust bag
- Blade guard
- 90-day money-back guarantee
- One-year free service
- Three-year limited warranty
Cons
- No laser guide
- Dust bag is not very effective
3. Ryobi Compound Miter Saw
Ryobi offers you cordless convenience, a compact design, and improved cutting performance, which means the Ryobi Compound Miter Saw is just right for small projects that need to be completed in a restricted or cramped workspace.
The 24-tooth carbide-tipped 7¼-inches blade can produce fast, clean cuts and has a 2 x 4-inches cutting capacity and 4¼-inches crosscut capacity.
Designed for bench and stationary use, the miter saw has 5 adjustable positive stops at 0°, 15°, 22.5°, 31.6°, and 45° to the left and the right. The saw also features Ryobi’s special machined and cast miter that helps you to achieve spot-on accuracy and the spindle lock allows for easy wrench blade changes.
The ergonomically designed, horizontal over-mold D-handle is comfortable to hold as you carry the tool around your workspace or job site.
The Ryobi miter saw is powered by a strong 18-volt ONE+ high capacity lithium-ion battery and the saw is also compatible with other Ryobi 18-volt ONE+ batteries and their extensive range of ONE+ tools.
As the Ryobi is a “bare-tool” you will have to purchase the battery and charger separately. Ryobi also includes a blade, blade wrench, a dust bag, and a work clamp. The miter saw is covered by a 3-year limited warranty.
Pros
- High quality
- Great performance
- Excellent value for money
- Ideal for small DIY projects
- Extremely compact and lightweight
- Cordless convenience
- Designed for bench and stationary use
- 24-tooth, carbide-tipped blade
- Produces fast, clean cuts
- Adjustable 5 positive stops from 0-45° to the left and right
- Ergonomically designed, horizontal over-mold D-handle
- Spindle lock for easy single wrench blade changes
- Machined and cast miter scale for accuracy
- Compatible with Ryobi’s extensive range of ONE+ tools that use the same 18-volt battery platform
- Dust bag
- Three-year limited warranty
Cons
- Angle setting writing is very hard to read in low light situations
- Not ideal for heavy-duty tasks
- Battery and battery charger has to be purchased separately
4. Craftsman Sliding Miter Saw Kit
Quick, accurate, and portable, the Craftsman Sliding Miter Saw Kit is the perfect cutting tool for a smaller crown, base molding jobs, framing, and craft projects.
The smart-looking red and black miter saw has a powerful 3,800 RPM motor that cuts 2X dimensional lumber, hardwoods, baseboard, and trim with ease. Its sharp 7¼-inches carbide-tipped long-lasting steel blade allows for a cross-cut capacity of 8-inches at 90° and 5.5-inches at 45°.
It also features 9 detent stops at the most commonly used angled cuts. The blade cuts through 3-5/8-inches crown molding and 3½-inches tall molding when it is set vertically against the fence.
For extra protection, while you work, the saw has a safety trigger and an LED light illuminates the cut line.
Carrying the miter saw is very easy as it has a lightweight design and side carry handles. A dust bag keeps your workspace clean from dust.
The miter saw comes with a battery and charger, a hold-down clamp, a dust bag, and a blade wrench, and it is covered by a 3-year limited warranty.
Pros
- High quality
- Very good value for money
- Perfect for small DIY handyman jobs
- Compact and portable saw
- Ideal for the crown and base molding jobs use for trim, framing, and craft projects
- Delivers precise and accurate cross-cutting action
- Sharp carbide-tipped long-lasting blade
- 45° for the left and right
- Nine positive stops
- Lightweight die-cast aluminum construction
- Side carry handles
- LED cut line
- Safety trigger
- Comes with a battery and charger
- Two-year warranty
Cons
- Not as powerful as a corded saw
- Dust bag is not very big
- Slide action is not very smooth
5. Bosch Power Tools GCM12SD Sliding Glide Miter Saw
With a smooth cutting action, accurate performance, and a space-saving design, the Bosch Power Tools GCM12SD Sliding Glide Miter Saw is designed for the serious DIY enthusiast and will maximize your work productivity.
The powerful 15 amp motor has a no-load speed of 3,800 RPM and the large sharp 12-inches blade provides quick, accurate cuts for all types of wood.
For further convenience, the saw is compatible with a variety of 12-inches blades and it has a clear lower blade guard to provide unobstructed cut-line visibility.
The miter saw features extended cutting capacity providing lots of cutting flexibility, with a 14-inches horizontal capacity, a 6½-inches vertical capacity, and a 6½-inches nested crown capacity against the fence or base at 45°. The 2 sliding integrated base extensions give extra support for longer pieces of wood that measure up to 40-inches long.
You have a lot of cutting flexibility as the saw has a 52° miter range on the left and 60° on the right and you can set miter detents at 0°, 15°, 31.6°, 22.5°, and 45° and beveled angles at 0°, 33.9°, and 45° to the left and the right.
Working with the BOSCH is effortless as it has easy-access up-front controls and easy-to-read uniform dual bevel and stainless steel miter scales while marked detents and roof pitch angles make the most common angles easy to set.
A push-button miter detent override helps ensure fine miter angle adjustment for precise cuts and a thumb-actuated control is located at the front of the saw for easy access.
The high-precision, pre-aligned 90° quick-release Squarelock fences have a one-touch lock/unlock feature which allows you to easily slide and lock each fence into position for accurate material alignment and they require no adjustment.
What sets the BOSCH apart from other miter saws is BOSCH’s exclusive Axial-Glide System, which creates wider cross-cuts, provides enhanced alignment, smooth glide for the life of the tool, and gives you complete control over the saw’s cutting action.
Featuring a compact design, the BOSCH miter saw does not use a traditional rail set-up, which means that the saw takes up 12-inches less workspace, so it is the perfect saw for cramped workspaces.
Handling the saw is made easy with the large soft-grip ambidextrous trigger handle and its clear lower guard provides unobstructed cut-line visibility. To keep your workspace free of sawdust, there is a combination of dust chute with a vacuum adaptor.
Pros
- Great value for money
- Smart design
- Sharp large 12-inches blade
- High precision and accurate cutting performance
- Compact Axial-Glide System
- Expanded cutting capacity
- High-precision One-touch lock/unlock slide Squarelock fences
- Two sliding integrated base extensions
- Large form-fitting ambidextrous ergonomic trigger handle
- Depth stop
- Adjustable easy-to-read miter and bevel scales with detents at common angles
- Easy-access upfront controls
- Thumb-actuated control is located at the front of the saw for easy access
- Push-button miter detent override
- Clear lower blade guard
- Combination dust chute
- Compact
Cons
- Plastic fencing isn’t as strong as metal
- Heavy
- No laser guide
6. Delta Power Equipment Corporation S26-262L Miter Saw
The Delta Power Equipment Corporation S26-262L Miter Saw is a great cutting tool for small everyday DIY carpentry tasks.
Its lightweight design allows you to move it around your workspace and it is compatible with any miter saw stands.
The dependable 15 amp motor delivers 5500 RPM and it has the power to cut 4 x 4 and 2 x 6 pieces of wood at 90° and 2 x 6 pieces at the bevel setting. It has denoted stops at 0°, 15°, 22.5°, 30°, and 45° and it can make left bevel cuts from 0-47°.
For precise and accurate cutting every time, the saw has a battery-operated laser which is easily operated with an on/off switch.
Delta includes some great safety features such as the spindle lock that securely locks the blade in position for quick blade changes and the lock-out switch prevents any accidental start-ups.
The ergonomic black handle allows you to operate the saw easily and cut through the wood in just one pass.
The Delta miter saw is covered by a 3-year limited warranty.
Pros
- Excellent quality
- Very affordable price
- Perfect for small DIY tasks
- Powerful 15 amp 5500 RPM motor
- Can cut through most wood types at 90°
- Five Easy to adjust denoted stops up to 45°
- Can make left bevel cuts from 0-47°
- Precise and accurate cutting performance
- Smooth operation
- Battery operated laser
- Arbor safety lock and a lock-out switch
- Easy to hold ergonomic handle
- Lightweight and portable design
- Works with virtually all miter saw stands
- Three-year limited warranty
Cons
- Not ideal for heavy-duty tasks
- Teeth are set far apart, which may not be suitable for furniture moldings
7. Makita LS1019L Dual-Bevel Sliding Compound Miter Saw
Packed with loads of innovative features, the Makita LS1019L Dual-Bevel Sliding Compound Miter Saw is specially engineered for finish work, remodeling, trim work, and furniture making, which makes it a versatile carpentry tool for general contractors and DIY enthusiasts.
The powerful 15 amp 3,200 RPM direct gearbox motor has a soft start feature and electronic speed control which delivers smoother start-ups, constant speed under load, and ultimately, higher-quality cutting.
You can make precise miter and bevel cuts with the built-in laser and the exclusive 6 linear ball bearings are engineered for accurate angle cuts.
There are 0-60° miter indents on the left and right, and positive stops (left and right). The rear-handle bevel lock is easily accessible and you can make adjustments from 0-4° (left and right), and 45° (left and right).
The dual front bevel scales provide improved visibility and the easy one-touch miter lock system is designed for accurate adjustments and increased efficiency.
For more precise cuts, a built-in laser clearly indicates the line of cut, and the on-off switch allows you to make quick micro-adjustments for precise “left-of-blade” or “right-of-blade” cutting.
The Makita saw has the largest crown molding cutting capacity in its class so it can be used for 6-5/8-inches crown molding, 5¼-inches baseboard (vertical) cuts, and 12-inches cross-cuts at 90°.
The unique 2-Steel Rail Sliding System offers you a reduced footprint and flushes operation against a wall and it is very easy to adjust to suit miter and bevel cuts.
For operator convenience, the miter saw has a compact and portable design which takes up 2-inches less rear space than other miter saws. The ergonomic rubberized horizontal D-handle design has a better fit and added comfort, and the large trigger switch is designed for easier operation.
Safety features include a see-through blade guard system that provides greater visibility of blade and line of cut and has a one-step blade change process for increased efficiency.
The Makita miter saw comes with a 60-T micro-polished blade, a vertical vise, a dust bag, a triangular rule, and a hex wrench and it is covered by a 1-year warranty.
Pros
- Excellent quality
- Great value for money
- Largest crown molding cutting capacity in its class
- Ideal for general contractors and DIY home renovators
- Powerful 15 amp 3,200 RPM direct gearbox soft-start motor
- Electronic speed control delivers smooth and accurate miter and bevel cuts
- Easy one-touch miter lock system
- Exclusive 2-steel rail sliding fence system
- Compact and portable design
- See-through blade guard
- Easy one-step blade change
- Dual rear-handle bevel lock
- Dual front bevel scales provide improved visibility
- Ergonomic rubberized horizontal D-handle
- Large trigger switch
- Built-in laser
- Dust bag
Cons
- Expensive
- Dust bag is not big enough
- Still a bit bulky for a small workspace
- Does not cut that well through hardwood
8. Milwaukee 6955-20 Sliding Dual Bevel Miter Saw
The Milwaukee 6955-20 Sliding Dual Bevel Miter Saw has loads of features that make it an excellent everyday cutting tool for crosscutting, crown molding, or making a window frame.
The 15 amp, 3.3 Max HP Direct Drive soft-start motor has constant power technology, and the sharp, large 12-inches carbide-tipped blade gives you exceptional power for cutting hardwood lumber.
Milwaukee has designed a smart working miter saw that will make your carpentry projects quick and easy. The dual horizontal steel rails have 3 large linear bearings that deliver a smooth sliding action. The angle digital readout gauge provides repeatable high accuracy to 0.1°.
The fine adjust with detent override feature makes it simple to dial-in precise miter angles and make quick adjustments for a non-square environment.
The oversized single lever makes it easy to set the 9 positive bevel stops for both left and right bevels from 0-48°, and the 5¼-inches tall fence allows you to cut wide crown molding.
If you need to work in low-light conditions, the dual integrated job site lights fully illuminate your workpiece with a green glow. For operator comfortability, the side handles have rubber grips for carrying the saw.
To keep your workspace clean, the integrated dust channel can capture up to 75% of the dust and debris. When you have finished your work project, the Milwaukee miter saw folds up for easy storage.
The Milwaukee miter saw comes with 1 blade wrench, 1 carbide-tipped blade, a dust bag, and the saw is covered by a 5-year limited warranty.
Pros
- High quality
- Great value for money
- High cutting accuracy
- Cuts easily through hardwood
- Powerful 15 amp, 3.3 Max HP direct-drive soft-start motor
- Constant power technology
- Large 12-inches carbide-tipped blade
- Ideal for a wide variety of carpentry applications
- Digital readout gauge provides repeatable accuracy to 0.1°
- Miter Angle fine adjust with detent override system
- Dual horizontal steel rails with 3 large linear bearings
- Oversized single lever bevel adjustment
- Nine positive bevel stops
- Extra cutting width
- Sliding action is smooth and stable
- Dual job-site lights
- Excellent integrated dust channel collection captures up to 75% of the dust
- Foldable design
- Rubber grip handles
- Five-year limited tool warranty
Cons
- Expensive
- Heavy
- No clamp system
Our Top Pick for the Best Miter Saw
Our top pick for the best miter saw is the Milwaukee 6955-20 Sliding Dual Bevel Miter Saw.
For all home renovations and professional building contractor work, Milwaukee Saw is a powerful, fast, and highly accurate carpentry tool that delivers a superior working performance. With a large sharp blade, innovative operating features, and great miter and bevel versatility, the Milwaukee will help you to complete even the toughest of woodworking projects.
Check the price on Amazon
