A Comprehensive Guide to Finding the Best Miter Saw

Are you planning to get a miter saw for your workshop? It could be a great decision as miter saws are great for specific jobs like different angled cuts especially making crown moldings and critical cuts for furniture. But how could you get your hands on the best miter saw your budget allows you to have?

We have the best solution for you. Here’s the plan, we will suggest some of the best miter saws you can get yourself with a comparison table. Finally, we will share some great tips to help you find the right option.

So, let’s not waste more words and jump straight to the point!

What a Miter Saw is

A miter saw is a type of power tool used for making accurate and precise angled cuts in various materials, primarily wood but also metal, plastic, and other materials. It consists of a blade mounted on a pivoting arm that You can adjust to various angles to make different cuts.

Miter saws can be used for making crosscuts, bevel cuts, and compound cuts and are often used in woodworking and carpentry projects such as making frames, molding, and furniture. Some common features of miter saws include dust collection systems, laser guides, and safety guards to help users work more efficiently and safely.

Importance of Having a Good Miter Saw

A good miter saw is important because it can make accurate and precise cuts in various materials, such as wood, metal, and plastics. This is especially important for professionals and DIY enthusiasts who need to create precise and uniform cuts for their projects. A good miter saw also saves time and effort by enabling users to easily make quick and clean cuts.

A quality miter saw can also have features such as dust collection and safety guards, which can help ensure a clean and safe work environment. Overall, investing in a good miter saw can improve the quality and efficiency of your work and can make the cutting process much easier and more enjoyable.

Comparison Table of the Best Miter Saw

Top 10 Best Miter Saw Reviews

1. Makita LS1040 10” Compound Miter Saw

Makita is a brand you can trust with all your heart regarding power tools. They have gained so much popularity among users due to their build quality. Makita LS1040 comes to the top of the list considering every single factor. You can get to have a premium miter saw at affordable pricing.

Let’s discuss the power delivery of the saw. You will get a high-quality 15-amp motor with a no-load speed of 4,600 RPM at best. If you think about it, the saw surpasses the essential requirement of 9-amp and 3,500 RPM benchmark.

The unique feature of the saw is the dual post compound pivoting arm. Then, there is the ShaftLock feature to quickly and safely change the blade. Very few 10” miter saw are as light as Makita LS1040, as it weighs only 27.3 pounds. Mainly, the credit goes to the aluminum base.

The saw comes with nine positive stops at 15⁰, 22.5⁰, 30⁰, and 45⁰ on both sides and at 0⁰. The maximum mitering capacity is 52⁰.

You would get a vertical vise, a spare blade, a wrench, and a triangular rule for better precision among the attachments. Then, there is the trust of the “Made in USA” tag.

The only downside of this great saw is the single bevel mechanism and the non-sliding arm. However, it is fair at this price point. Otherwise, the price could reach beyond the reach of a regular user.

Pros

• Great motor with a 15-amp power rating
• No-load speed of 4,600 RPM
• Dual post compound pivoting arm
• ShaftLock feature
• Extremely lightweight
• Nine positive stops
• Fine build quality
• Great pricing

Cons

• Single bevel instead of dual
• No sliding arm

2. Makita LS1018 10” Dual Slide Compound Miter Saw

Makita LS1018 has everything that was missing from the previous model. So, let’s start with that. So, the best feature of this saw is the double bevel capability with an arm that can slide forward and backward.

Although, it doesn’t have as much power a motor as Makita LS1040. It comes with a 13-amp engine. As a result, the no-load speed falls to 4,300 RPM. However, the metering capacity is more significant in this model as you get a mitering capability of 0⁰ to 47⁰ on the left and 0⁰ to 52⁰ on the right side.

Just like the previous model, you will get nine positive stops, but the angles differ from that one.
So, how much accurate is Makita LS1018? You will get a pin-point accuracy as it comes with a linear ball-bearing system with the finest quality engineering in this class. You must have heard about the ergonomic D-handle that comfortably fits your hand.

Is there even a negative side? The saw is much heavier than Makita 1040 but still relatively light. It would help if you did not complain about it as it has a sliding arm which adds up the weight. Still, the saw is very much portable.

So, it would help if you didn’t worry about that, as the brand name Makita is there to make you feel comfortable.

Pros

• Great motor with a 13-amp capacity
• Above-average max RPM of 4,300
• Double bevel saw
• Sliding arm for more flexibility
• Nine positive stops
• Linear ball bearing mechanism for better accuracy
• Lightweight

Cons

• Laser guiding is missing
• Below-average dust collection port

3. Makita LS1221 12” Compound Miter Saw

Among the miter saws, a 12” blade option is considered quite big. This is the first 12” variation coming again from the trusted name of Makita. As it has a bigger blade, you will get a solid 15-amp motor. Although, the no-load speed is lower than the previous options – only 4,000 RPM.

But you shouldn’t worry too much, as the lower RPM is mainly because of the larger blade.
The best feature of Makita LS1221 is the 4 ½” tall pivoting fence. With this tall pivoting fence, you can handle much larger workpieces than others.

Like the previous two models of Makita saw, you will get nine positive stops and a very attractive D-handle. Although the saw is designed for the larger workpiece, the weight is unbelievably low – only 36.4 lbs. Another unique feature of the saw is the electric braking mechanism. So, you can call this saw very safe.

We must brag about the blade as it is much superior to others. It comes with a fine carbide-tipped blade reinforced with polycarbonate and aluminum coating. Sadly, you can bevel it in only one direction, and it doesn’t have a sliding or gliding arm. However, it can easily handle large workpieces and offers a smoother operation.

Pros

• Unbelievably lightweight
• Strong 15-amp motor
• Tall pivoting fence for bigger workpieces
• It has two support wings
• The superior dust collection port
• Bigger blade with a great quality

Cons

• The price is comparatively higher
• Laser guiding is missing
• Single bevel with no sliding arm

4. Bosch CM10GD Compact Miter Saw

Bosch’s CM10GD could be the finest quality miter saw loaded with features. We don’t think we have to introduce it with the name Bosch!

Why are we calling it the finest miter saw? This is the only saw with an axial gliding system in our list of the best miter saws. You would probably get the smoothest cutting experience with the advanced gliding mechanism.

The saw has a potent 15-amp motor that can offer you about 4,800 RPM at best. So, there is nothing to worry about the power delivery. Some other features make the saw stand apart.

We have to tell you about the high-end miter and bevel scales. Not only it has positive stops, but also there is a crown/chop locking mechanism. That mean’s you can fix the blade at a certain angle and make selected cuts.

It also comes with a reasonably tall sliding fence of 4 ¼”. Bosch boasts of the dust-collecting bags they offer with a saw.

So, doesn’t the saw have any negative side? You might call it an expensive option. It could even be out of the reach of many users.

Pros

• The unique axial gliding mechanism
• Great motor with a higher RPM rate
• Finer cut quality
• Double bevel system
• Tall sliding fence
• Has a dust collection bag
• Wider miter and bevel angles
• Locking mechanism

Cons

• Quite expensive

5. WEN 70716 10” Sliding Compound Miter Saw

Now let’s talk about a miter saw that offers the highest no-load speed having a 10” blade – WEN 70716. It would help if you gave credit to the manufacturer as they can offer such high speed, and it comes with a great motor with a 15-amp power rating.

You will get an excellent surface finish as it has a 60-tooth carbide-tipped blade. As you know, the more the teeth count, the smoother the finish quality. You will have great accessories with this fine sawdust collection bag, supporting arms, a tall fence, and clamps for holding down.

These were some of the great features of the saw. However, there are two things that we loved the most about the saw – the unbelievably low price and the feather-light weight. If you don’t have a high budget but still looking for a pretty good miter saw, the WEN 70716 should undoubtedly be your go-to option.

Pros

• Standard Motor
• Great for making thicker cuts
• Compact and reliable
• Finer accuracy and precision
• Sliding arm
• Budget-friendly
• Extremely Lightweight

Cons

• Issues with heat insulation
• Single bevel

6. Ryobi ZRTS1143L 7 ¼” Miter Saw

Ryobi ZRTS1143L could be the most straightforward option on our list today. It has a comparatively smaller blade of only seven ¼” in size. As it has a smaller knife, you will not need that much power motor.

It has only a 9-amp motor, but it can offer a no-load highest speed of 5,800 RPM. If you look closely, Ryobi ZRTS1143L has the highest RPM count of all the miter saws on our list.

While some big brands don’t have a laser guiding system, Ryobi, a new name, has an EXACTLINE laser alignment feature. Ryobi could be a great option if you are looking for something simple with a low price tag.

Pros

• Highest no-load speed of 5,800 RPM
• Great budget option
• Weighs only 16 lbs.
• EXACTLY laser guideline

Cons

• Positive stops and hard to lock
• Average surface finish

7. Makita LS0815F 12” Sliding Compound Miter Saw

Again, we are back in Makita! We are a bit biased toward them. What could we do? They have such a wide range of excellent quality miter saws.

This is a sliding compound variant that offers single beveling capability. Despite having a 10.5-amp motor, the saw can deliver a 5,000 RPM output speed.

Like other Makita saws we have mentioned, it has a linear ball-bearing mechanism for a smoother and more accurate cutting experience. It doesn’t have a laser guiding system, but it has an LED light that helps the user to see the cut line.

The wider miter angle of 0⁰ to 50⁰ on the left side and 0⁰ to 60⁰ on the right side. Overall, it’s a great buy.

Pros

• Great power output
• Considerably lightweight
• Superior motor quality
• Robust and ergonomic design
• LED light for cut lines

Cons

• Average sliding mechanism
• Issues with blade guard

8. Craftsman 21237 10” Single Bevel Sliding Compound Miter Saw

You must have been looking for the name “Craftsman” all along. Well, here we are with a Craftsman miter saw. It comes with a reasonably strong motor with a 15-amp power rating. The maximum no-load speed of 4,800 RPM is also a great thing that Craftsman should be proud of.

The eight preset positive stops are great for precision cuts. It would help if you were happy about the wider miter and bevel angles. You are getting a sliding arm at this price point from Craftsman 21237, which is excellent.

The last thing we want to say about this saw is the modern and precise stand. It could be the finest quality stand you have ever seen. With a wide variety of accessories, Craftsman 21237 is a great miter saw, and you should consider buying this one.

Pros

• Powerful motor with a high no-load speed
• Better butting support
• Great pricing
• Has a sliding arm
• Fairly lightweight
• Fine cut quality

Cons

• Mixed customer reviews
• Average surface finish
• Single bevel

9. Hitachi C12FDH 12” Dual Bevel Miter Saw

Lastly, we will talk about two fine-quality saws from the brand Hitachi. The first one is the Hitachi C12FDH, a double-bevel compound saw. The first thing that you would notice is the above-average motor of 15-amp. We are still trying to understand why such a powerful motor can offer only 4,000 RPM no-load speed.

It has a wide miter angle ranging from 0⁰ to 52⁰ on both the left and right sides. As a double bevel saw, you will get a bevel angle ranging from 0⁰ to 48⁰ on both sides. The nine positive stops give it great accuracy.

As it has a 12” blade setup, you can efficiently work with large workpieces. Hitachi has added a vibration-damping elastomer grip to offer you better comfort while cutting. This grip will give you better control and provide safety against slipping.

Pros

• Great pricing
• Powerful motor
• Superior build quality from Hitachi
• Double bevel
• Great blade quality
• The dust collection bag is offered

Cons

• Issues with a vice clamp
• No sliding arm

10. Hitachi C8FSE 8 ½” Sliding Compound Miter Saw

As we have said, the last option on our list comes from Hitachi. Hitachi C8FSE is a popular name among DIY enthusiasts. There are two reasons for that – unique 8 ½” blade size and 5,500 RPM output speed.

Due to the smaller blade size, the saw doesn’t need that much powerful motor. The 9.2-amp engine is quite enough. It has a broader miter angle than the previous Hitachi saw – 0⁰ to 57⁰ on the left side and 0⁰ to 45⁰ on the right side.

Unlike the previous model, this one has a sliding arm. Although we were expecting a double-bevel capability, it could be too much to ask from them. All the other features are almost the same compared to the Hitachi C12FDH.

Pros

• 5,500 RPM maximum no-load speed
• Wider miter angles
• Vibration damping grip design
• Linear ball bearing slide system
• Fine workmanship from Hitachi
• Great safety features
• It has a dust bag

Cons

• One-sided beveling capacity
• Smaller blade

Buying Guide – Best Miter Saw

Getting a miter saw could be a great decision as it could give a lot of versatility. It doesn’t matter whether you are a DIYer or a professional woodworker; a miter saw is always handy.

For example, getting that perfect crown molding or critical furniture building depends on a good miter saw. Besides these two tasks, small household construction and home remodeling are also quite simple with a miter saw.

But what things should you look for while buying a miter saw? Of course, you would buy one with better build quality at a fair price. But what else?

Check out these factors before you decide on a particular model. You don’t want to regret the purchase!

Types of Miter Saws

The first thing you should consider is the type of miter saw. Only some models are suitable for some jobs, and they have distinctive differences in their pricing.

Some consider the chop saws to be a variation of miter saws. However, chop saws can’t cut at an angle other than 90 degrees. In short, they don’t have the “mitering” ability.

Commonly, you can find three kinds of miter saws –

• Standard Miter Saws
• Compound Miter Saws
• Sliding Compound Miter Saws

Let’s check out their details.

Standard Miter Saws

A standard miter saw has the most straightforward construction among the variations. There is an arm attached to the circular blade. It can only make cuts from -45⁰ to +45⁰ angle. These simple miter saws can help you get the job done. But remember, they don’t have the advanced features or additional abilities like the other options.

So, why should you pick this variant?

Simple! They are the cheapest option among the three. So, if you are running low on budget and don’t plan to increase the funding even in the future, a Standard miter saw is the option for you.

Compound Miter Saws

This is by far the most popular option among experienced woodworkers. It can help you make compound cuts. That means you can make both the miter and bevel cuts simultaneously.

Beveling means the ability to tilt the blade either left, suitable, or in both directions. This ability opens up the door to immense possibilities. Even if you don’t have the budget right now, we suggest you wait a bit longer and buy this variation. Why?

It can make –

• Crosscuts
• Miter cuts
• Bevel cuts, and
• Compound cuts

The ability to make the angle and the compound cuts make a huge difference. So, compound over standard!

Sliding Compound Miter Saws

It is the most advanced miter saw you can find. A compound saw can do almost everything but has a limited capacity.

How so? A compound miter or a standard saw has a stationary blade handle that can move only up and down, just like a chop saw.

However, a sliding compound miter saw has a blade handle that can slide forward and backward. So you can have much more flexibility while cutting. A sliding compound miter saw is everything the previous two models have but with an extra benefit.

As this saw is the most advanced option with every feature you could expect, the price is relatively high. You should go for it if you plan to make your workshop loaded with features and versatility. The only negative side of this type is the price. Other than that, it works like magic.

Power Matters!

When using a power tool, you should feel the sheer raw power out of the motor. Just think of it; cutting wood down could be very hard sometimes. You want to avoid struggling while in the middle of the cutting operation. So, no matter what, try to choose a model that offers the best motor.

But what can be considered the optimum quality motor for your miter saw? The answer is simple and you should stay within the 9-amp standard motor power. With this motor rating, you can quickly expect your miter saw to give you a no-load output of 3,500 RPM.

If you are lucky, you can expect 5000 or even more RPM with such high-quality motors.

With a lower-quality motor, you can get disappointed at times. Just remember, a miter saw should serve you for at least ten years, and you should bargain with the quality of the motor. It is the most critical parameter when you are choosing.

Even if the saw doesn’t have exciting features, you can still be happy with a saw with an excellent power outcome.

Blades are Important

When you choose the blade, you consider two things: the diameter of the blade and the material of the blade. Let’s start with the very first thing, the blade diameter. The diameter of the blade is entirely dependent on your wish.

There is no rule saying that any particular diameter is good or bad. It would help if you knew which size should match your usage. The average size of the blade is 10″ or 12″. You can easily use this blade to cut any standard workpiece. Another blade size popular among users is the 4″ variant.

In most cases, DIYers go for the 4″ option as they have to make delicate cuts. A woodworker would choose the larger 10″ or a 12″ blade as they have to make furniture or significant house elements like doors or windows or even a crown molding (the perfect use case of a compound saw).

Secondly, you should ensure you have a blade material suitable for your purpose. You can’t expect a poor blade with lesser quality material to perfectly working on metals like steel. The blade’s tip should contain more rigid material like tungsten or carbide. A carbide-tipped knife should be good enough for woodworking.

The last thing you should be aware of is the teeth count. The teeth count plays a vital role as it determines the quality of the smoothness. You can expect a smoother surface finish with a blade with higher teeth count. If the teeth count is low, the cuts are best quicker, but the surface finish will not be up to the mark.

So, choose the teeth to count that is good for you.

Cutting Ability and Precision

Now we will discuss the unique features that make a miter saw special. Two things make the saw so efficient. Yes, you have guessed it correctly; it’s beveling and mitering.

Whenever you think about these two things, you should think about angled cuts. To give your cuts extra precision, modern miter saws come with “positive stops.” A positive stop is a predefined angular position to make more precise cuts at a certain angle.

A great thing about the modern options is that they offer positive stops and incremental adjustment options with many customizations. You could even get an automated saw to help you choose the desired cut angle with a button push.

In most cases, the positive stops range from 0⁰ – 45⁰, which can extend from -1⁰ to 47⁰ in some cases.

Single Bevel vs. Double Bevel

This is a crucial factor that new woodworkers should keep in mind. It might not seem too much, but this feature means so much more when you are using your compound miter saw now and then. A single bevel miter saw can tilt its head in only one direction – either right or left. On the other hand, a double bevel miter saw can tilt the lead on both the left and right sides.

With a double bevel miter saw, you will not have to flip the whole workpiece to make symmetrical cuts on both sides. It would help if you converted the entire workpiece with a single bevel miter saw. It might seem like a little when working on a small workpiece. However, if the workpiece is too big, you will have to go through a lot of hassle.

As you can have much more flexibility with a double-bevel variation, you will have to count a lot more money to get one. So, the decision is again up to you. If you have the budget and often handle larger workpieces, go for the double-bevel miter saw. You will thank us later.

Dust Collection

Working with wood could get messy sooner than you think. Especially when using power tools like a saw, you will see wood grains covering everything. If you have your workshop adjacent to your house, your house will become a mess soon.

So, make sure all your saws have a dust collection port. This is true for more than just a miter saw but every kind of saw. Always go for the option that comes with a dust collection port.

Safety First

It doesn’t need an expert to say that working with power tools is risky. You don’t want to be a victim of a “chainsaw massacre!” Make sure your miter saw comes with enough safety options. Today, you can find a saw loaded with tons of safety features.

It’s optional to have all of them on your miter saw. But a few of them is mandatory. For example, a blade guard is the MUST element that you need. A blade guard could save you from nasty accidents. You could even lose your limbs with a blade guard!

Then comes the braking mechanism. A braking system will not only save you from accidents, but it can also prevent going extra inches and help you reduce wastage. Some modern miter saws have a one-push stop button. It’s a great feature, and you should consider having one.

Each company has its signature safety feature. It would help if you looked into the detailed specification of them. We have only one suggestion for you guys – never compromise with safety!

Final Thoughts

We hope we have helped you with the process of deciding on the best miter saw. If you still need clarification, we suggest you pick a saw with excellent power delivery, a wide range of miter and bevel angles, and a better surface finish.

Other factors are less important than these three crucial factors. We hope you find your perfect miter saw that can TRULY serve you in the long run!

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