Best Miter Saw Of 2023

Best Miter Saw
Last Updated on January 30, 2023

If you’re a DIY’er, you’ve probably had occasions where you needed a miter saw, mainly if you’ve replaced trim around the house. It’s a must-have tool for anyone looking to improve their cutting technique and speed everything up. Many handymen and professional contractors swear it.

Generally speaking, these saws are excellent for making angled cuts or crosscuts in your piece of work. There are many different styles and features you can choose from. It would help if you weighed all the options before you made your purchase.

Today, we’ll help you find the best miter saw by looking at a few different kinds. There’s the compound miter saw and the sliding compound saw. In addition, we’ll get into some great choices for cordless saws as well as the best option for beginners. If you’re eager to learn the differences between these, don’t worry; we’ll explain everything in detail throughout the reviews!

Table of Contents

The Research

When reviewing the best Miter saws of 2023, we looked at all the products on the market. We needed to whittle things down to the product we believe is the best all-around miter saw for you to buy. So, here are a few of the main things we looked out for:

Cutting Ability/Blade Quality

First and foremost, it needs to get the job done and function correctly. So, we paid great attention to the cutting ability of the saws we looked at. Ideally, a good miter saw is one that you can adjust to various positions. You should be able to switch from one angle to another, which allows you to transition between different cuts with more fluidity and accuracy.

Another thing that impacts the cutting quality is the bevel adjustment. This is what allows your miter saw to tilt and rotate. The best saws offer responsive rotation and tilting that can be done in more than one direction.

The blade also needs to feel locked into place, so it doesn’t move, resulting in a poor cut. The blade sharpness and teeth count are also crucial things to consider. The more teeth a blade has, the finer the cuts will be and the smoother the finish.

Dust Features

We all know that using any saw will result in excess sawdust in the air. This can be dangerous if inhaled, and it can also just be exceedingly messy. So, if you’re looking for the best overall miter saw, you want one with good dust collection features.

Some of the better miter saws out there have dust bags and ports for hooking up to your dust collection system or shop vac. It keeps your workspace clean and means you don’t have pesky sawdust filling the air.

Safety Features

It’s vital that your miter saw is safe to use. As a result, we paid close attention to the safety features included in all the products we reviewed. Things like saw guards and super-fast brakes help reduce the risk of accidents when using these saws.

Because all power tools have some risk, it’s always important to respect the machine and never become complacent. You’re not scared of your saw, but you understand the risk and always pay attention to where your hands are in relation to the blade. Appropriate safety features will allow you to feel more confident making cuts with your miter saw.

Bonus Features

The top miter saws will often tick the right boxes for cutting ability, blade quality, dust collection, and safety. So, what tips the scales in favor of one over another is the range of bonus features it can boast. Miter saws can have laser attachments that guide you when using them, vastly improving your accuracy and speed. Clear-cutting guards are a popular feature as they let you see what you’re doing and can further enhance your skill.

Price

Of course, we have to consider the cost or value for money. It’s common to assume that the most expensive miter saw must be the best. However, it could be costly purely because of the brand name or have features that aren’t necessary for your specific needs. Likewise, you want to ensure that you get a saw that performs well and has essential safety features. Instead, we look at the price to see if the saw is worth every penny and provide you with excellent value for money.

After weighing all these things up, it lets us narrow the search and find the best options on the market.

Compound Miter Saws

A compound miter saw is one of the two main varieties of miter saws. With a compound miter saw, you can pivot the blade. This means it can move from left to right, letting you get some accurate angled cuts. As such, a compound Miter saw is essential for anyone that works on projects where angled cuts are necessary, such as cutting molding or picture frames.

You get an improved range of motion with a compound miter saw, and making two different cuts in the same piece of wood on multiple planes is very easy.

When looking for the best compound miter saw, we narrowed the options by looking at the same things discussed in the research section above. But, there’s particular emphasis on the pivoting ability as this is the critical feature of this type of miter saw.

If you want to see our top picks, then check out the reviews below:

Best 12 Inch Compound Miter Saw

DIY

Sale
DEWALT 12-Inch Miter Saw, 15-Amp, Single Bevel, Compound (DWS715),Black
The Dewalt DWS715 is our top pick in the compound miter saw category, considering value for the money. This saw is best suited for smaller at-home projects without needing longer or heavy right bevel cuts. Featured highlights include:

  • Motor Speed: 4,000 rpm
  • Max Bevel - Left: 48°
  • Max Bevel - Right: 3°
  • Miter Angle Range: 0-50° (Left/Right)
  • Blade Size: 12 inch
  • Warranty: 3 Year Limited
  • PRO

    Sale
    DEWALT Miter Saw, 12-Inch, Double Bevel, Compound, XPS Cutline, 15-Amp (DWS716XPS)
    The Dewalt DWS716XPS is our top compound miter saw choice if you need dual bevel functionality out of your saw. In addition, the 716XPS offers a LED light guide that casts a shadow on your workpiece, giving you an exact reference for where your piece will be cut. Top features include:

  • XPS Cutline Technology for increased accuracy of cut
  • Motor Speed: 3,800 rpm
  • Max Bevel (Left): 0 - 48°
  • Max Bevel (Right): 0 - 48°
  • Miter Angle Range: 0-50° (Left/Right)
  • Blade Size: 12 inch
  • Warranty: 3 Year Limited
  • Best 10 Inch Compound Miter Saw

    DIY / PRO

    Sale
    Metabo HPT | Compound Miter Saw | 10-Inch | Single Bevel | 15-Amp Motor | 0-52° Miter Angle Range | 0-45° Bevel Range | Large Table | 10" 24T TCT Miter Saw Blade | C10FCGS
    Metabo, formerly Hitachi, has become a significant player in the world of power tools. Their offerings in the miter saw category have many DIY'ers coming aboard. This 10-inch compound miter saw is perfect for projects around the house if a right-side bevel feature isn't needed. Features include:

  • Motor Speed: 5,000 rpm
  • Max Bevel - Left: 45°
  • Miter Angle Range: 0-52° (Left/Right)
  • Blade Size: 10 inch
  • Warranty: 5 Year
  • Sliding Compound Miter Saws

    Lastly, there’s the sliding compound miter saw. With this version, you have a product that can pivot to different miter angles, but it also has a sliding feature. The good news is that this is easy to understand once you know what a compound miter saw is.

    With a sliding compound miter saw, you can extend the saw blade further and cut along wider pieces of wood. This makes it ideal for people who are likely to make wide crosscuts consistently without turning the lumber over to meet the cut on the other side. You would need to work with wider pieces of wood, such as 2×12″+, to see the benefits of this sliding feature.

    If you are looking for a sliding compound miter saw, then these are our top picks:

    Best 12 Inch Sliding Compound Miter Saw

    DIY

    WEN MM1214T 15-Amp 12-Inch Dual Bevel Sliding Compound Miter Saw with Laser
    We're big fans of Wen Tools. For the DIY'er or Weekend Warrior, we can't recommend them enough when you consider value for the money. This Wen 12-inch Dual-Bevel Sliding Compound Miter Saw can get about any job done around the house. It offers some extra features not often found in budget-level power tools. Here are some notable features:

  • Motor Speed: 3,800 rpm
  • Max Bevel - Left: 45°
  • Max Bevel - Right: 45°
  • Miter Angle Range - Left: 45°
  • Miter Angle Range - Right: 45°
  • Blade Size: 12 inch
  • Warranty: 2 Year
  • * Check out our article on other Wen tools we’ve tested and reviewed.

    PRO

    Sale
    DEWALT Miter Saw, 12 Inch Double Bevel Sliding Compound, Stainless Steel Detent Plate with 10 Stops, Cam-Lock Handle, For Quick & Accurate Miter Angles, Corded (DWS779)
    The Dewalt DWS779 is our top pick in the Sliding Miter Saw category for several reasons. This was a no-brainer between the powerful motor, wide cutting range, incredible bevel and miter angles, reasonable price, and near-perfect ratings from verified buyers. Featured highlights include:

  • Motor Speed: 3,800 rpm
  • Max Bevel - Left: 45°
  • Max Bevel - Right: 45°
  • Miter Angle Range - Left: 50°
  • Miter Angle Range - Right: 60°
  • Blade Size: 12 inch
  • Warranty: 3 Year Limited
  • TIGHT SPACES

    Sale
    BOSCH GCM12SD 15 Amp 12 Inch Corded Dual-Bevel Sliding Glide Miter Saw with 60 Tooth Saw Blade
    We consider the Bosch GCM12SD the king of all miter saws, specifically when considering the need for a sliding saw that can operate up against a wall. This masterpiece features the patented Axial Glide System, which offers smooth, wide cuts in a highly compact setup. If you need a miter saw for heavy or professional use, we strongly recommend you check this one out. Featured highlights include:

  • Motor Speed: 3,800 rpm
  • Max Bevel - Left: 52°
  • Max Bevel - Right: 60°
  • Miter Angle Range - Left: 45°
  • Miter Angle Range - Right: 45°
  • Blade Size: 12 inch
  • Warranty: 1 Year
  • Best 10 Inch Sliding Compound Miter Saw

    DIY

    Sale
    Skil 10" Dual Bevel Sliding Compound Miter Saw - MS6305-00
    The Skil 10-inch dual-bevel sliding compound miter saw is an excellent addition to your tool arsenal, specifically regarding DIY projects around the house. With this saw, you'll get outstanding cutting capacity, a powerful motor, and extra features like the integrated LED shadow line. Top features include:

  • Motor Speed: 4,800 rpm
  • Max Bevel - Left: 48°
  • Max Bevel - Right: 45°
  • Miter Angle Range - Left: 50°
  • Miter Angle Range - Right: 50°
  • Blade Size: 10 inch
  • Warranty: 3 Year Limited
  • PRO

    Sale
    BOSCH CM10GD Compact Miter Saw - 15 Amp Corded 10 In. Dual-Bevel Sliding Glide Miter Saw with 60-Tooth Carbide Saw Blade
    Like its 12-inch big brother, this 10-inch Bosch sliding compound miter saw is ready to take on the most complex projects. It's equipped with the Axial-Glide System, which extends on an articulated arm as opposed to the traditional rail system. This allows you to back the saw up to a wall without needing clearance for sliding. Notable features include:

  • Motor Speed: 4,800 rpm
  • Max Bevel - Left: 47°
  • Max Bevel - Right: 47°
  • Miter Angle Range - Left: 52°
  • Miter Angle Range - Right: 60°
  • Blade Size: 10 inch
  • Warranty: 1 Year
  • Cordless Miter Saws

    Cordless miter saws have become extremely popular in recent years, mainly because of their ease of setup and mobility. Contractors and handypersons alike have found that moving the miter saw from room to room without relying on a power source is a huge bonus.

    Most cordless miter saws range from 7-1/4″ to 10″ blades. You’re not going to cut 4×4″ posts in one pass with either of these blade sizes. However, this is only a limitation if you plan to make large crosscuts or chop very thick lumber.

    Let’s dig into a couple of the best cordless miter saws on the market.

    Best 10 Inch Cordless Miter Saw

    DIY / PRO

    Metabo HPT MultiVolt™ 36V Sliding Miter Saw | 10-Inch Blade | Dual Bevel | Includes Battery & Charger | C3610DRAQA
    The Metabo HPT MultiVolt Miter Saw is unique because it offers two different power sources. An AC adapter can power it, or the included 36-volt battery. This saw has it all: dual-bevel, sliding ability, laser cutting guide, and weighs in at just 45.5 pounds. Here are some of the specs:

  • Power: 36 Volt
  • Max Bevel - Left: 48°
  • Max Bevel - Right: 48°
  • Miter Angle Range - Left: 55°
  • Miter Angle Range - Right: 60°
  • Blade Size: 10 inch
  • Warranty: 5 Year
  • Best 7-1/4 Inch Cordless Miter Saw

    DIY / PRO

    Sale
    DEWALT 20V MAX* 7-1/4-Inch Miter Saw, Cordless (DCS361M1)
    The Dewalt DCS361 is our top pick for a 7-1/4 inch cordless miter saw. It's an incredible saw for such a small package. While you're not going to be cutting thick stock or making wide crosscuts with this saw, it's perfect for trim and cutting 2x4's. I actually use this saw a lot more than I do my 12-inch miter saw. It's just so easy to move around and quick to set up. The 20v battery (included) will not give you the same power that the Metabo 36v will, but I've easily cut through maple, walnut, and ash without issue. Here are the specs:

  • Power: 20 Volt
  • Max Bevel - Left: 45°
  • Miter Angle Range - Left: 48°
  • Miter Angle Range - Right: 48°
  • Blade Size: 7-1/4 inch
  • Warranty: 3 Year Limited
  • Miter Saws For Beginners

    When looking at the best miter saw for beginners, you’ll want to consider a couple of things, ease of use and safety features.

    Ease of Use

    It’s important to note that, as a beginner, you’re not necessarily looking for a stripped-down, featureless miter saw. You want something you can learn from, and having some extra features can help develop your skills. That being said, you also want to find a saw that is easy to operate and make miter and bevel adjustments for your cuts.

    Safety Features

    If you’re in the market for a beginner miter saw, there are some essential safety features that you’ll want to look for. You’ll find the most critical safety features in newer miter saws, but if you’re looking at used saws, you’ll want to ensure they have the basics, mainly if the saw is old. These safety features include a blade guard, electric brake, trigger safety, and clamps to hold your workpiece securely.

    BEST FOR BEGINNERS

    Sale
    DEWALT Miter Saw, 12 Inch Double Bevel Sliding Compound, Stainless Steel Detent Plate with 10 Stops, Cam-Lock Handle, For Quick & Accurate Miter Angles, Corded (DWS779)
    The Dewalt DWS779, also chosen as our top PRO pick for sliding compound miter saws, is our top pick for miter saws for beginners because it's easy to use and packed with features. It includes the most critical safety features and is incredibly user-friendly. This is a great saw to learn with and will help you take on any home improvement project easily. Beginner features include:

  • Plastic blade guard covering the entire 12-inch blade
  • Electric brake that stops the blade from spinning almost instantly
  • Trigger safety helps you avoid accidentally turning the saw on
  • Included clamp to firmly keep your workpiece secure
  • Easily adjustable miter angles
  • Easily adjustable bevel angles
  • Conclusion

    Finding the perfect miter saw for your specific needs can be challenging with so many options available. We hope that you found this article informative and helpful in your search. The key is to determine what projects you plan to take on and find a saw that will meet or exceed them. You don’t always have to spend top dollar to get a great saw. There are many budget-friendly options that will help take your projects to the next level.

    If you’ve had a great experience with another miter saw not mentioned in our review, we’d love to hear about it! Please comment below and let us know.

    Last update on 2023-12-06 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API

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    About the author

    Stephen Rice

    Stephen Rice

    Stephen is a hobby woodworker... a weekend warrior, if you will. Over the past 8 years, he's been tackling projects around the house and building furniture for family and friends. During his time as a woodworker, Stephen has tested and used just about every power tool out there, across multiple brands. He's not loyal to one brand, but simply chooses the best option for the job at hand. When he's not in the shop, Stephen can be found doing just about anything outdoors.

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