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5 Best Miter Saws Reviews of 2022 (Compound, Sliding) – Buying Guide

 

a miter saw

For a serious home DIYer, a miter saw is a must-have tool. This product is a versatile tool that lets you cut a wide variety of angles accurately and easily. This tool is used to make cutting angles for things like door frames, window casings, crown molding, and picture frames far easier than it would be otherwise. Every handyman and contractors know that this is the most essential tool in the workshop. You can’t find the best miter saw just by searching on Amazon which not only can handle small or big tasks but also is in your budget.

We have selected best miter saws on the market after reading so many reviews which will save your time and money. We hope these miter saw reviews will help you spend your hard-earned money only on the best.

Comparison of our Favorite Picks

Model
Price
Weight
Ratings
#1. DEWALT DWS780
DEWALT DWS780
Editor's Choice

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$$$$


22 lbs


4.9/5
#2. Makita LS1018

Makita LS1018

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$$$


18 lbs


4.7/5
#3. DEWALT DW715
DEWALT DW715
Value for Money

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$$$


11 lbs


4.6/5
#4. Hitachi C10FCE2

Hitachi C10FCE2

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$$


7 lbs


4.3/5
#5. Black+Decker M1850BD

Black+Decker M1850BD

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$$


17 lbs


4.0/5

5 Best Miter Saws 2022 – Reviews:

1. DEWALT DWS780 12-inch Sliding Compound Miter Saw – Top Pick

 

DEWALT-DWS780

Dewalt is the most trusted brand loved by contractors and handymen. Dewalt DWS780 is the best sliding compound miter saw has a very precise miter system which allows you to make precision cuts that are basically required on a job site and even for DIYers.

It’s 15 amp motor moves with the speed of 3800 RPM which provides extended power and durability. The best thing is even with that much strong torque it is very quiet while starting and starts well with a soft start.

This is by far the best 12-inch miter saw as its machine base fence helps you in increasing cutting accuracy. The revolutionary XPS cross cut positioning system provides you adjustment free cuts & line indication for better accuracy and visibility.

Power, Precise cuts and Durability are important features if you are purchasing any tool and with that, if you are a home remodeling contractor it is important that the tool lasts for a long time. We have already discussed the power in starting. On durability, the saw is made from stainless steel castings which will withstand the constant rigors while working on any job site.

This Dewalt miter saw also has some amazing cutting abilities like it will allow you to cut lumber up to 2 x 16 pieces at 90 degrees & 2 x 12 at 45 degrees. You can also bevel from 0 to 49 degrees with 5 positive stops at 0, 22.5, 33.9, 45, and 49 degrees in both directions.

The saw features an adjustable miter detents plate with 10 positive stops. It also has an LED light that shines down both sides of the blade which highlights the exact place where the blade will touch. Also, the dust collection system will help you by reducing the dust while working.

Overall, this is the best saw in the market and an essential power tool for a miter saw job.

Pros
  • Powerful, durable motor
  • 3-year warranty
  • Double bevel
  • Great saw for the Pros or DIY
Cons
  • Heavy
  • Expensive

2. Makita LS1018L 10-inch Sliding Compound Mitre Saw – The Runner-up

 

Makita LS1018L

 

Makita LS1018 is our runner-up just little behind Dewalt DWS780. If you need an extremely accurate precision saw, this is the best 10-inch miter saw available today after Dewalt.

Although it has a smaller blade, except that it has lot of features which make it a great saw. We discovered that it is far lighter due to its compact design and just weighs 43.7 lbs which makes it lightest saw in its category and super easy to carry from one job site to another.

It comes with a powerful motor of 13 Amp which provides 4300 RPM although some users said its power is more than enough. The 4- steel rail sliding system that comes with it provides a stable cutting platform.

One of the most awesome features of our 2nd best sliding compound miter saw is 6 linear ball bearings that will help you to make dead-on cuts. It also includes a laser marker to help you see the cut every time and can make accurate cuts which also allows you to make precise adjustments up to 47 degrees on the left and 60 degrees on the right.

We also saw that it has a well-designed blade guard so you can align the teeth of the blade perfectly with your pencil mark and can see exactly where you are making cuts. Another cool one-touch miter lock feature helps you to make quick adjustments while working and which in turn improves efficiency.

The Makita miter saw has the capacity to cut 4×4 dimensional lumber in one go. You can easily cut 6-5/8 crown molding, 4 ¾ baseboard, and crosscuts at 90 degrees. The bevel lock on the rear handle easily accessible and can be adjusted at 0° – 45° (left and right) with positive stops at 0°, 45° (left and right). In all ways, this is great saw ideal for fine woodworking, carpentry, general construction work.

It comes with a one-year limited warranty but it does not match Dewalt’s power & cutting capacity hence it is 2nd in our list.

Pros
  • Compact and Lightweight
  • Linear Ball gearing System
  • 99% Accuracy
  • Cuts up to 12 inches at 90 degree
Cons
  • Dust collection is poor
  • Fences bend occasionally

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3. DEWALT 12-Inch Miter Saw, 15-Amp, Single Bevel, Compound (DWS715)

 

DEWALT DWS779

 

Dewalt DWS715 is a great saw at a lower price. This is out of the top compound miter saws available currently. It is one of the best miter saws for homeowners.

Not everyone can buy saw with power and durability like the first two saws, but this saw provides all the cutting ability and features at nearly half the price.

This saw weighs only 42 pounds having a compact design & a built-in carry handle by which you can move it to any Job site easily and can stow at any garage.

Dewalt DWS715 comes with a 12-inch carbide blade which makes this saw perfect for small and large jobs. The 15 amp motor with 4000 RPM is powerful enough to make clean and continuous cuts without bogging down. You can use it for cutting baseboards, crosscutting, and miter cuts.

The precise miter system with adjustable stainless steel detent plate feature has 11 positive stops for easy setup which in turn improves your productivity. The tall fence supports to cut 5-1/4-inch crown molding & 6-1/2-inch base molding nested vertically against the fence. When you want to make bevel cuts, the fence slides out from the way easily. It can provide you quick, clean and accurate cuts at 45 degree bevel with cross-cutting capacity up to 2×8 for lumber.

This saw comes with 32T general purpose blade by which you can cut laminate flooring and even you can upgrade to 80T blade which you can find on the aftermarket. This single-bevel 12 inch Dewalt miter saw comes with a 3-year limited warranty package & a 1-year free service contract. Overall, this is the best miter saw for the money.

Pros
  • Inexpensive
  • Straight & Miter Cuts
  • Durable
  • Includes: a carbide blade, dust bag, blade wrench, and comfortable side handles
Cons
  • Heavy like Dewalt DWS780
  • No Laser Guide

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4. Hitachi C10FCE2 Compound Miter-Saw

 

Hitachi C10FCE2

 

This 10-inch single bevel Compound Miter Saw can provide you smooth & accurate crosscuts on workpieces like wood, hardboard, decorative panels, plywood, soft fiberboard, and aluminum sashes.

You can buy the upgraded version of Hitachi C10FCE2 which comes equipped with the laser which helps you make precise cuts & comes with a compatible miter saw stand to do any job or home improvement project at a stable platform. The 15-amp motor spins the blade effortlessly without any vibrations and reaches to 5,000-RPM very quickly.

It only weighs 26.3 pounds, pretty lightweight, and compact, portable enough to carry to work location. The dust collector keeps the place clean by reducing the dust particles while working. The large table that comes with this Hitachi miter saw is larger than others and provides stable, sturdy support by keeping the workpiece in place.

As far as cutting capacity, they have provided thumb-actuated accurate cuts and miter stops which allow you to make miter adjustments between 0-52 degrees. With this feature, you can change the angle of the blade for creating miter in crown molding and other trim pieces.

It is also equipped with a 0–45 degree bevel angle to make most beveled cuts. You can also large workpieces up to 2-5/16-inches high and 5-21/32-inches deep with the help of the large extended flip fence.

We still think it is a good saw with a 5-year warranty as not other products provide this much warranty at an affordable price but I would not call it a professional grade for heavy job site use.

Pros
  • 15 amp motor
  • Weight only 33.6 Pounds
  • Plastic housing is tough
Cons
  • Does not come with the table extensions
  • Difficult to Set up
  • Not for Heavy Work

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5. Black+Decker Compound M1850BD Mitre-Sawing Tool

 

Black+Decker Compound M1850BD

 

Black+Decker M1850BD is good saw due to brand trust but his model is slipped to no 5 due to quality & lack of some important features.

This miter saw has only 9 amp motor which is lowest in power out of our top 5 picks which means you can’t do the heavy cutting with this miter saw although it provides accurate cuts. The ball bearing motor has the power to cut only cut up to 2″ x 4″ (dimensional) at 90° and 2″ x 3″ (dimensional) at 45 degrees.

It comes equipped with 9 stops to cut at most used miter angles between 0 to 45 degrees to left and right. This model is under 17 pounds because it is made from die-cast aluminum which makes it lightweight.

This miter saw comes with a stable platform by which you can make the cut on a bench or on the floor. While many saws practically require a saw bench to be useable, this one is portable enough to use on any standard workbench. You can still do crown and base molding jobs around the house or job site.

It also features a dust collector to minimize airborne particles and dust piles but it is not as good as other saws. So in all, this saw is not good for contractors, best for only home use. Being cheaper, it still comes with 2 years limited warranty.

Pros
  • Good for construction or handyman type work
  • Comfortable grip
  • Best for cutting small width wood, 2×4’s, and bamboo for crafts
Cons
  • Not good for making 45 degree cuts
  • Difficult to Adjust and Frustrating
  • Dust Collection is Worst

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Buying Guide

When you’re shopping for a miter saw, there are a few things you should keep in mind. You must know the difference between a compound miter saw and a sliding compound miter saw. Most high-quality saws can be used for a variety of purposes. However, it is always a better option to figure out exactly what you need before you purchase a saw so you can get the best saw for your particular situation.

Type: 

There are three different types of miter saws.

A standard miter saw is the simplest model. It consists of a blade on an arm that is mounted to the base. This saw typically makes cuts up to 45 degrees on each side. They are quick and easy to use and are perfect for beginners.

A compound miter saw allows you to make compound cuts, which are both angled and beveled. While not everyone is going to need to make compound cuts, those that do will appreciate this type.

The next step up is a sliding compound miter saw. The arm on these models can be slid, hence the name. These saws often have many other features, but they are also the most expensive. What type of saw you need depends on what work you plan on doing with it. Generally, the average person will only need a standard model. However, be sure to consider the projects you’re going to be doing.

The difference between compound VS. sliding compound miter saws

A compound miter saw is best to cut at different angles but you can also tilt it in left direction only to make a bevel cut. Their best use is while installing crown molding, for that this model is useful, to help you to cut at two different angles. The other type of compound miter saw has dual-bevel the one we talked above is single-bevel. That’s why it has only one direction (left). With a dual-bevel compound miter saw, you can tilt both left or right and cut bevels at any angle without tilting it.

A sliding compound miter saw is equipped with rails that allow the blade to move forward and backward. This feature allows it to cut across wide pieces of material, which normal saws wouldn’t be able to touch. That’s why it takes some space as compared to a compound miter saw which can fit in a small area. These models are usually at least a little bit more expensive than others. However, this does not necessarily make them better in all cases. Their rails can get in the way of the cutting arm if you’re using particularly thick material.

A regular compound miter saw does not have rails and therefore can handle thicker materials. Sliding compound miter saws also take up more room due to their sliding mechanism. If your workspace is already hard enough, this can be a huge problem. The compound miter saw is going to attempt to counteract these problems, however.

If you are a contractor and cuts longer and thicker pieces then you should look for a sliding compound miter saw. One type of saw is not necessarily better than the other. It really depends on the type of project you’re doing, your budget, and what you have the room for.

Do not feel like you have to get a sliding compound miter saw just because they’re often said to be “better”. One of the best compound miter saw is just as useable. Check our review section for compound and sliding compound miter saws to select a model that works best for you.

Portability

Is portability important to you? Or do you plan on leaving the saw sitting in the same place? Portable model is lightweight and sometimes even come with carrying handles. Of course, the lighter a particular model is, the less durable it will likely be. It is a tradeoff of portability vs. durability. Consider your needs, what projects your going to be using the product on, and whether or not you have a dedicated workspace to determine whether a heavy or lighter model would be best.

Durability

Everyone wants their saw to be durable. However, this often comes with a tradeoff. Like we previously mentioned, durable saws are usually heavier and less portable. Durable saws are also often more expensive so this can be a problem if you’re on a budget. In the end, it really depends on how often you’re going to be using the saw and how much your budget is. If you’re only going to be using the saw once in a blue moon, you probably don’t need one that is super durable. But, if you’re planning on using it every day, you’ll likely save money in the long run by choosing a more expensive saw.

carpenter working

Dust Collection

Most models also come with a dust collector that helps keep airborne dust to a minimum. This can prevent you from breathing in unnecessary amounts of dust and can help keep your workshop cleaner. Free flying dust can quickly coat anything and everything. We have even experienced dust finding its way to other rooms!

Of course, these do often need to be emptied and they have varying degrees of effectiveness. Dust chutes and blowers are also quite common and can help move dust from the cutting area. This makes it easier for you to see where you’re cutting and can improve your accuracy somewhat. However, just blowing dust doesn’t do much for the cleanup. Instead, it tends to do the opposite. While the blowers will keep your workpiece clean, they will send the dust to the far reaches of your workshop and into your lungs.

Blade Size

Saws are only designed to accept one blade size. Once you pick a saw, you’re stuck using whatever blade size it does. If you try to use a bigger or smaller size, it just won’t fit. My miter saws come in one of these four options: 7-1/2in, 8-1/2in, 10in, and 12 in. However, there is some variance and outliers. You should always check your saw’s manual to check the blade size. Don’t assume.

Because saws can only use one size blade, you need to pay attention to the blade size when choosing a saw. Bigger blades can make deeper cuts and tend to cut faster. However, bigger is not always better. Bigger blades take up more room and can break easier. You will have to store bigger blades when not in use. With that said, there really isn’t a huge difference between the sizes. The design of the miter blade matters a lot more than the size. So, don’t spend too much time weighing this feature.

Accuracy

Depending on what you’re planning on using the product for, you will need a varying amount of accuracy. Of course, more accuracy is always better. However, more accurate models are often more expensive, and a high level of accuracy might not be necessary depending on what you’re doing. Saws with laser guides provides more accurate cuts than without.

Power

A saw with a less than stellar motor isn’t going to be able to handle bigger jobs and will likely fizzle out sooner rather than later. 15-amps is about average for most high-quality saws, but most people will be okay with a model with a little less power. Like most things, the more powerful the motor, the more expensive the saw is going to be. If you plan on using you saw for only light projects, there is probably no need to shell out more cash for a more powerful motor. Purchase one you can safely afford that is also powerful enough to meet your needs.

Features

Guiding laser feature is not uncommon and can help with accuracy tremendously. However, it is not always necessary to choose a model with a laser, especially if you don’t need huge amounts of accuracy.

Some models come with digital displays, which can make it easier to use. Most also include sliding and flip fences, providing some extra support for taller and longer materials. Dual bevels are also common. Typically, the more features a saw has, the more they will cost. While more features isn’t necessarily a bad thing, you will save money if you buy a model that only has the features you need. 

Frequently Asked Questions

How big of a board can a 10-sliding miter saw cut?

A model of this size can typically make a cut across a board that is 5 and ½ inches wide. This is the typical size of a piece of two-by-six lumber. Most models can also be purchased in 12-inch versions, which can cut about a maximum of 7 and ½ inches – about the size of a two-by-eight.

Is a sliding miter saw better?

It depends on what you’re doing. These models can cut pieces that are wider than what a normal saw can handle. However, they also take up quite a bit more room and are more expensive than most standard models. If you need to be able to cut wider pieces of wood, a sliding model is going to be necessary. However, if you’re just cutting picture frames, you are likely okay with a standard model.

Conclusion:

If you’re in doubt about what miter saw to get, we recommend the DEWALT DWS780. It is a high-quality saw that won’t break the bank. It comes with all the features an average person needs and is quite durable. Plus, the price of this saw on Amazon is unbeatable. Plus if you are looking for Best Buck for Money Dewalt DWS715 is to go for.

Note: We have also written a complete miter saw stand buying guide found here. If you buy a heavy, the stand is much needed.