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Best Miter Saws

Updated August 2022
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Pros
Cons
Best of the Best
DEWALT 12-Inch Double Bevel Sliding Compound Miter Saw
DEWALT
12-Inch Double Bevel Sliding Compound Miter Saw
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Top Performer
Bottom Line

A stellar tool with a great range of options and phenomenal accuracy. The best on the market.

Pros

Excellent XPS alignment system. Effective dust collection. Folds into a compact package. 15 amp motor is powerful and durable.

Cons

Steep price. It's on the heavier side at 56 pounds.

Best Bang for the Buck
CRAFTSMAN Sliding Miter Saw Kit
CRAFTSMAN
Sliding Miter Saw Kit
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Trusted Brand
Bottom Line

A compact, easy-to-use, battery-powered 7-1/4-inch sliding miter saw.

Pros

An impressively powerful cordless miter saw that can cut 3-5/8 inch nested crown and 3-1/2 inch baseboard. It is a lightweight model (just 21.8 pounds) that has built-in handles for portability.

Cons

This saw may not have quite the same power as a corded model, but it still gets the job done.

Bosch Single Bevel Sliding Compound Miter Saw
Bosch
Single Bevel Sliding Compound Miter Saw
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Easiest to Use
Bottom Line

A compact miter saw designed to be both powerful and portable, making it ideal for use on job sites.

Pros

Offers the same cutting capacity as a 10-inch saw, only in a compact design. This model has a crosscut capacity of 12.25 inches with easy-access bevel controls. The front foot helps the saw maintain stability when performing side cuts.

Cons

Despite all the great features of this saw, a few individuals were upset that there was no laser guide.

SKIL Quick-Mount Compound Miter Saw
SKIL
Quick-Mount Compound Miter Saw
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Laser Guide
Bottom Line

An affordable compound miter saw with a laser cutting guide to help you achieve the most accurate cuts.

Pros

The quick-mount system offers an effortless setup on a SKIL miter saw stand. The saw also has 9 positive stops that allow you to quickly adjust for the most common miter angles. Built-in extension rails allow for longer work pieces.

Cons

A few individuals had a tough time with assembly and needed to Google instructional videos.

DEWALT 15-Amp 12-Inch Single-Bevel Compound Miter Saw
DEWALT
15-Amp 12-Inch Single-Bevel Compound Miter Saw
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Powerful Tool
Bottom Line

An overall robust and accurate tool.

Pros

Great for cutting large-section lumber. Operates at 4,000 rpm and has a 15-amp motor. Lightweight, and folds down for easy carrying.

Cons

Expensive. Few extra features.

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BestReviews spends thousands of hours researching, analyzing, and testing products to recommend the best picks for most consumers. We only make money if you purchase a product through our links, and all opinions about the products are our own. About BestReviews  
BestReviews spends thousands of hours researching, analyzing, and testing products to recommend the best picks for most consumers. We buy all products with our own funds, and we never accept free products from manufacturers.About BestReviews 
HOW WE TESTED

We recommend these products based on an intensive research process that's designed to cut through the noise and find the top products in this space. Guided by experts, we spend hours looking into the factors that matter, to bring you these selections.

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83
Consumers
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Researched
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Buying guide for Best miter saws

It is possible to get by without a miter saw. However, if you want to do the best job possible while also being quick and efficient, you won't want to tackle trim and molding work without one. If you've never used a miter saw before, you'll need some help picking out a model that has the right features for your particular needs.

Miter saws can make perfect cuts that create a 90° angle to the board’s face. If you need a beveled cut, you will want a miter saw that tilts so it can cut at an angle other than 90°. For wider wood, you will need a sliding miter saw. A powerful high-speed motor is preferred.

If you'd like a little more information on what a miter saw can do and how it does it, keep reading. If you're ready to make a purchase, know that our miter saws were handpicked because they are some of the best models on the market.

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Even if you only plan to make basic cuts at 90°, a miter saw works extremely well for home-based woodworkers.

How miter saws work

Using an electrical motor, a miter saw allows you to cut wood at precise angles. The motor spins a circular blade at a few thousand revolutions per minute to make the cut. The blade connects to an arm and handle that extend vertically above the base of the saw. The wood sits on the base of the saw.

You pull the handle downward while the blade is spinning to cut through the wood.

Miter saws will make 90° cuts that are perpendicular to the wood’s face. You can also make cuts at varying angles to the wood’s face (30°, 45°, and so on) with a miter saw.

Types of miter saws

Manufacturers split miter saws into a few different categories. A miter saw’s features determine the category into which it fits.

Basic miter saws

Basic miter saws are designed to handle simple cuts. You can make perpendicular 90° cuts as well as common angled miter cuts with this type of saw. A basic miter saw carries the lowest price point among miter saws of between $100 and $250.

Compound miter saws

With a compound miter saw, you can make bevel cuts in addition to straight and miter cuts. The entire saw blade apparatus tilts to create the bevel cut.

Some compound miter saws can tilt only in one direction for bevel cuts, while others tilt either right or left. If you have a one-way tilting saw, you may have to cut the wood upside down to achieve the desired angle.

Compound miter saws have a price range of between $200 and $400.

Sliding miter saws

A sliding miter has a blade apparatus that can slide forward and backward. This type of miter saw can cut wood with larger width measurements.

All sliding miter saws can make miter and straight cuts, and some also can also make bevel cuts.

Sliding miter saws generally cost between $150 and $500.

A note about battery-operated miter saws

Some miter saws run on rechargeable battery power, but they are rare.

If you really need a portable option that can run far from any electrical power outlet, however, you should look for a battery-operated miter saw.

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Did you know?
Miter saw blades typically measure 8, 10, or 12 inches in diameter.
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Sizes of miter saws

You can compare the size of different miter saws a few ways. As a general rule, introductory miter saws will have less power and use a smaller blade than pricier miter saws.

But for basic woodworking around the house, you probably don’t need the most expensive saw on the market.

If you love all kinds of woodworking projects, though, a more versatile miter saw would likely meet your needs better.

Blade size

The most common circular blades in miter saws measure 8, 10, or 12 inches in diameter. A larger blade cuts thicker and wider pieces of wood than a smaller blade.

Motor power

Electrical motor power is measured in amps. In a miter saw, a higher amperage equals more cutting power. Many miter saws use 15 amps.

Blade speed

Look at a miter saw’s revolutions per minute (RPMs) to determine its speed. Miter saws typically offer between 2,500 and 5,500 RPMs.

A fast-spinning blade cuts through tougher and harder wood better than a slow-spinning blade. Fast-spinning blades also tend to stay sharp for longer periods of time than slow-spinning blades.

Weight

Miter saws may weigh anywhere from 25 to 65 pounds. If you want portability, pick a lightweight model.

However, you should be aware that lighter miter saws tend to offer less power than heavier miter saws.

A miter saw uses a circular blade that spins at a few thousand rotations per minute. More speed equals more power in cutting the wood.

Types of cuts you can make with a miter saw

The miter saw’s value becomes apparent when you must make a variety of cuts in a piece of wood and need a versatile tool. The variety of cuts a miter saw offers will allow you to complete different types of projects.

Straight cut

A miter saw contains a flat edge guide against which you can press the wood to guarantee a straight cut. If you’re making a 90° perpendicular cut against the face of the wood, having the wood squared up to the blade ensures accuracy.

Miter cut

If you need to make a cut through the wood at an angle other than 90°, you’re making a miter cut.

Just set the angle on the body of the miter saw, and the saw will turn the flat edge guide to the desired angle while leaving the blade in place.

A common miter cut is 45°, allowing you to line up two pieces of wood to make a corner for a frame.

Bevel cut

Some miter saws can create bevel cuts. This occurs when the blade goes through the wood at a tilt, rather than remaining perpendicular to the wood.

The blade on a bevel cut penetrates the wood on the horizontal plane as well as going through the wood vertically at the same time. The bevel cut affects the angle of the edge of the board, whereas the miter cut means the edge of the board still has a 90° angle to the board’s face.

Potential buyers should understand that some miter saws cannot make bevel cuts.

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For precise cutting, you’ll want to seek out a miter saw that projects a laser light onto the wood. This allows you to see the exact cut line every time.

FAQ

Q. What’s the best location for a miter saw?

A. You’ll want to place your miter saw in a location that allows you to cut different sizes of wood. For example, if you work primarily with 2x4 wood with an eight-foot length (one of the most common sizes of wood), you need plenty of space on either side of the miter saw to accommodate the length. Keep in mind that miter saws generate a lot of sawdust, even if the saw has a collection bag attached, which will be messy.

It’s also important to note that miter saws put out a lot of noise. This noise output could affect where you place and use your miter saw.

Q. How do I secure a miter saw?

A. You should mount your miter saw to a workbench or support frame. Miter saws have holes in the base for placing screws or bolts to secure the saw. If you plan to move the miter saw from location to location, consider securing the saw to a piece of plywood. Then carry the plywood sheet to the new location and place it on sawhorses.

Q. How can I safely provide power to my miter saw?

A. Most miter saws run from a power cord plugged into an electrical outlet. That said, most miter saw cords stretch only a few feet. For this reason, you may need to break out an extension cord.

Make sure you purchase an extension cord that can handle at least the number of amps the miter saw requires. Using an inadequate extension cord could cause overheating of the saw’s motor or the cord.

A few miter saws on today’s market run from rechargeable batteries, which may fit your needs better.