What To Look For When Buying A Miter Saw

It’s good to know what to look for when buying a miter saw.  After all, if you’re into woodworking, you will most likely need one so you can cut boards easily and quickly.  A miter saw serves this purpose quite well.    They’re fantastic!

The saw is stationary so you can put it on a bench top and take the wood right to it. It is helpful to know what to look for when buying a miter saw as there are a lot of options to consider.  This guide will help you figure out a good one for your needs.

What is a Miter Saw Used For?

Miter saws are an adaptable power tool used for making crosscuts and miters by pulling a large backsaw or circular saw blade down for serious project work.  Every wood worker needs a good miter saw (aka drop saws), for cutting molding and trim.  Most are small and portable with common blade sizes ranging from eight to twelve inches.

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What to Look for When Buying A Miter Saw 

Miter saws need to be two things: reliable and durable.  You need to make a wise choice as they are not cheap and you want a power tool that will last the distance and come with the highest standard of safety.

You need to know what you want (what your needs are) and know the different choices available.

1. Firstly, there are the basic miter saws commonly used for trim cutting, cross and miter cuts. These designs typically don’t have a bevel option so they are limited to making miter cuts.  They are quite accurate and sufficiently effective for basic cutting jobs.

2. Compound miter saws can be used to make tilted or bevel cuts due to the addition of a bevel. They can also be used for miter cuts simply be making a quick adjustment.  These types of miter saws come in single bevel and dual bevel designs.  Compound miter saws are most effective at cutting crown moldings and the like or performing more complex jobs with ease and accuracy.

3. Lastly the most versatile type is a sliding compound miter saw. It is also the most costly option.  It provides all the benefits and capabilities of a compound miter saw with the added capability to cut side and thick pieces of wood due to the inclusion of a sliding arm.  Although overkill for a lot of woodworking jobs, the versatility and enhanced capabilities of these models make them very hard to beat.What to look for when buying a miter saw.

What are the Benefits of a Miter Saw?

Miter saws are some of the most useful tools to have in your shed or workshop.  The benefits include:

• Miter saws enhance accuracy and precision
• Miter saws make higher quality cuts possible (this is especially true of compound miter saws which are used for tasks that require the finest quality results. With these saws, you never have to deal with rough edges that require sanding afterwards).
• Miter saws enable you to make cuts of different angles
• Miter saws are easy to use
• Miter saws can save a great deal of time – especially useful for making wide cuts in large pieces of material

What Makes A Good Miter Saw?

When it comes to choosing miter saws there are dozens of brands to choose from and each come with their own unique features.  A good starting point would be to decide whether you want a corded or cordless one and of course, what your budget is.

Another factor you will want to look into is blade size.  Miter saws typically come with 8, 10 and 12 inch blades with the larger the blade, the more effective it is at making long cuts.What To Look For When Buying A Miter Saw

Also consider how much power you require which is measured in amps.  The higher the amp rating, the more effective it will be at cutting.  However it will also cost more than a lower amp alternative.

The best miter saws combine portability with high-functionality, letting you make that perfect angled cut (miter cut) used commonly in framing, joining pipes and molding purposes.

Precision is what makes miter saws so indispensable for the woodworker.  As the blade is fixed to a sturdy arm on a heavy body, cuts can be fine-tuned to pretty much the width of the blade.What To Look For When Buying A Miter Saw

What Limitations Do Miter Saws Have?

You need to be mindful that there are some things miter saws can’t do.  They are not good for making intricate or decorative cuts.  You would need a jigsaw for this.  You can read about our top 5 jigsaws under $100 here.  Also miter saws can’t rip lumber to width or cut very wide stock and many only tilt one way.  Sliding arms can increase cutting reach though and some will tilt two ways to make complicated cuts easier.  Bear in mind though that added features generally means added cost.

So with this in mind, we have pulled out our top 5 miter power saws that we feel offer you the best bang for your buck.

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Top 5 Miter Saws Compared

Top 5 Miter Saws Reviewed

Below are 5 miter saws we chose to review.  They are based on our personal experience, people we know who have used them plus other reviews we have read.  In all of our reviews across our site, we look for both the good and bad features of each product so buyers are aware of all benefits and pitfalls.

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Makita Ls1016L 10 Inch Dual-Bevel Sliding Compound Miter Saw with Laser – Top Pick

To make it to the number one spot on my list, we had to go through a fair few reviews plus compare our own products and marry this up to what is presently on the market.  Before purchasing we researched Milwaukee, Hitachi, Freud, DeWalt, Bosch, Festool and Jet saws.  Now I must admit, I love the features of the Festool – and at $1400 I’d expect it to be a good machine.  Unfortunately, dad’s budget doesn’t stretch the far (we were wanting to replace his 35-year-old Makita Model) and needed something with a bit more grunt than what he had.

Between the two of us, we used almost every tool brand out there.  This means we know that there are quite a few good options but still find ourselves asking which one?

Without question Makita have been making quality tools for a long time and are used by contractors and industry professionals.  Founded in Japan in 1915, like Hitachi power tools, they quickly became a household name that you can trust, with a commitment to excellence (like a lot of Japanese products).  These days they’re not necessarily manufactured in Japan (my last Makita product was made in the UK and they have factories in China and Malaysia too) but regardless, the quality remains.  Personally I’m more partial towards Bosch, but get that there are those who swear that the Makita power tools trumps all else.  It’s probably just a matter of opinion.

Dad wanted a new Makita so we purchased this one and were instantly impressed with the direct drive motor setup.  The slide action is very smooth and has extremely minimal side to side play – even when fully extended.  There’s a nice wide turntable for stock support plus stock hold down included.  Cuts are smooth and accurate and I really like the depth of cut you get with the slider.  Dad cut through wide 2” thick, maple slabs without any trouble.  A great tool for a professional – especially if you need a quality saw for trim work.  It’s also very close to the Festool Kapex’s quality at almost 1/3 price.  So despite the cons listed below, it is for this reason the Makita is our top pick! What To Look For When Buying A Miter Saw

To check the price on the Makita 10″ Dual Bevel Compound Sliding Miter Saw with Laser, Click Here.

Features:

• 10″ slide miter saw with the Crown molding cutting capacity (6-5/8″ nested) of a 12″ miter saw
• Linear ball bearing system engineered to deliver “dead-on” accurate cuts
• Innovative direct drive gearbox and guard system is engineered for increased vertical cutting capacity (5-1/4″)
• Unique 2-steel rail sliding system design offers single slide-glide operation; reducing saw’s footprint and allowing operation flush against a wall
• Less weight (57.9 lbs.) and the most compact design in its Class for easy jobsite portability

The Good:

• Lots of power with the direct drive motor
• Soft start feature
• Dust collection captures over 80% easily
• Laser works well
• Cut capacity is fantastic
• Zero play in the miter detents
• Nice stock hold down included
• Saw was perfectly aligned when set up after arrival

The Bad:

• Flimsy packaging (just cardboard boxes)
• The bevel knob and guide arms do occasionally block the view of the material being cut
• Dust port in an awkward position sticking from the rear of the saw going backwards (makes it hard to push against a wall)

Bosch Power Tools GCM12SD – 15 Amp 12 in. Corded Dual-Bevel Sliding Glide Miter Saw with 60 Tooth Saw Blade – Most Innovative

The Bosch 15 Amp 12 dual-bevel is an innovative miter saw.  This is because, anyone who has ever used a sliding compound miter saw knows that the dust it produces causes the slide mechanics to gum up and restrict movement.  Bosch though takes care of this problem with their axial-glide system.  It’s super smooth. The glide just kind of folds and unfolds.  Innovative indeed.  Really its designed to save space in a two car garage where you have your workstation built in.  In this scenario you need a miter saw that doesn’t stick out too far when a second car is in place.  The axial glide system is the alternative to using rails which must slide back to allow the motor housing and blade to extend.  Bosch has created this ingenious design that uses a hinged arm instead of rails.

This still allows the saw to make wide cuts (up to 12 inches) but requires almost no additional space.  Super innovative! You can even park it flush on the back of a workbench. This unique design, combined with a powerhouse motor and professional quality, justifies the premium price tag. It’s good to know though, that it has mainly positive reviews from users.What To Look For When Buying A Miter Saw

The pitfalls?  There’s no laser or crown stops (and if someone could lug it around for us too, that would be great!)  Really, if you plan on using this saw to move from jobsite to jobsite, you’re going to need a stand with wheels as it is pretty heavy.

The saw does come with a blade (although like most products that come with a blade, they’re not very good – this one isn’t that great either).  I’d recommend Freud industrial blades instead (especially the 60T for the not so delicates and 72T for detailed work).

At the end of the day if you’re after a compact machine of this type and it fits your budget, then the Bosch does what it’s designed to do, without question.  Really my only complaint I can think of is that it doesn’t bring me a beer at the end of a job well done!

To check the price on the Bosch 15 Amp 12″ Dual Bevel Sliding Glide Miter Saw with 60 Tooth Saw Blade, Click Here.

Features:

• Axial-glide system: The patented glide system allows wider cross cuts and better alignment while also being compact. This saves you 12 in. Of valuable workspace. Bosch glide miter saw also offers unmatched smoothness of cut
• Capacity: expanded cutting capacity 14 in. Horizontal capacity Nominal 6-1/2 in. Vertical capacity against the fence base 6-1/2 in. Crown capacity against the fence 45 spring
• Adjustable: the GCM12SD miter saw provides easy adjustments with a large easy-to-read uniform bevel and stainless steel miter scales with marked detents and roof pitch angles. Bevel detents: 0, 33.9°, 45° left/right for accurate cuts. Category best 90% dust collection – optimized for cutting 2x material with a vacuum
• Precision: square lock quick release fences lock fence 90° to the table and requires no adjustment, 1-touch lock/unlock to slide fence for added support
• Ease of use: Upfront bevel Controls all metal bevel lock lever and range selector located Upfront for quick and easy bevel settings without reaching behind the saw. What To

The Good:

• Superior Quality
• Axial-glide system allows more workspace
• Cutting diameter: 12 inches
• Adjustable
• Blade included
• Has a soft start
• Not too loud (much quieter than Makita)
• The option for crown stops as an accessary
• 30 Day money back guarantee – 1 year warranty

The Bad:

• Heavy
• Blade only good for general work – would need to purchase a high quality finish blade for interior trim work
• No laser

Genesis GMS 1015LC 15-Amp 10-Inch Compound Miter Saw with Laser Guide and 9 Positive Stops – Budget Friendly

For the price, this is a great saw. Even comes with a laser guide to assist with alignment. The blade seems solid and cuts easily.  Another plus is that the whole unit is not too heavy and is pretty straightforward to assemble.

There are a couple of quirks that I think could be addressed…some reviewers reported that after about 20 or so uses, the clamp stripped out. Not good.  I also noted that when the clamp is used on the right, it can get in the way of the saw motor when you’re dropping the blade.

The design is mostly well built.  It could be a case of ‘you get what you pay for’ so you need to be mindful of the criticism of cheaper saws.  I did note that the screws holding the extension arms and rollers have cheap plastic heads and may not last. Another reviewer expressed that wheels are quite small – or wrongly placed – for anyone over about 4 feet tall to use without bending.

Overall it works fine for a low end miter. It allows great angles and is easy to adjust.  Considering most miter saws cost significantly more, if you are just getting started and don’t want to spend too much, this miter saw is worth considering.  Although it is not top of the range, it works as it should with far more positive reviews than negative ones.  Really the low price is merely another “perc” to great compound miter saw.  A worthy addition to any workshop!

To check the price on the Genesis GMS 15 Amp 10 Inch Compound Miter Saw with Laser Guide and 9 Positive Stop, Click Here. To Look For When Buying A Miter Saw

Features:

• Make bevel cuts up to 45 degrees left | perform compound Miter cuts with ease!
• Use compound cutting for crown molding, shadow boxes, Picture frames, and more | the Genesis compound Miter saw is inexpensive and versatile!
• Laser cutting guide for quicker alignment and improved accuracy | Know where the cut will be ahead of time with the integrated laser guide!
• Electric brake stops the blade in seconds and Arbor lock for quick blade changes
• Includes: 60T Carbide blade installed, hold down Clamp, dust bag, Two extension wings, blade wrench and two AAA batteries for laser
• Make precision miter cuts up to 45 degrees left and right, with 9 position stops at commonly used angles
• Arbor lock for quick blade changes
• Die cast aluminium base for portability and better accuracy
• 9 Positive detent miter stops lock firmly in place for faster setup and accurate cuts!

The Good:

• Perfect for around the house DIY jobs
• 15 Amps of power
• Does not wobble, folds easily, works well not super heavy
• Solid and easy to install
• Laser guide to assist with alignment with batteries included
• 60 tooth Blade included
• Light weight (24 pounds) but doesn’t slide around when in use
• Company offers good customer support
• Two Year Parts and Labor warranty

The Bad:

• Safety concerns made by reviewers
  The guard isn’t very hard making cutting large crown molding difficult
• Dust catcher could be better

DeWalt Sliding Compound Miter Saw 12-Inch (DWS779) – Amazon Most Popular

Please note here the model number is the DWS779 and not the more expensive DWS780 that comes with a light and is sometimes packaged with a stand.  With DeWalt you have to make sure that you check the product number code as different codes can offer more or less features for almost the same saw (eg same motor, fence, blade, stops and capacities but perhaps no light or stand).

This one here we’re reviewing does NOT come with a light (or stand for that matter) but is around $200 cheaper than it’s light included counterpart.

Personally I think it is better to put that money you save towards a rolling stand as this saw is heavy (as you would expect with any 16” straight cut capacity saw).  It can withstand some serious work though and is well built – easy to adjust and gives a true cut.

One thing I particularly like about this beast is its ability to cut through 12 inch dimension wood at less than a 45 degree angle with a completely straight edge. Do note that you will probably need to adjust the guides when it is straight out of the box, but that is always the case, even for high volume professional wood shop saw like Delta and Jet.

So if you’re after a dual bevel saw that’s calibrated right of the of box with ample power, a functioning miter lock, and sliding action to make perfect cross cuts regardless or beams or plywood, then this saw will suit your needs.

To check the price on the DeWalt Sliding Compound Miter Saw, 12 Inch, Click Here

Features:

• Powerful 15 amp, 3800 RPM motor delivers extended power and durability
• Exclusive back fence design cuts up to 2×16 dimensional lumber at 90° and 2×12 at 45°
• Super efficient dust collection system captures over 75% of dust generated.
• Backed by DEWALT’S 3 year limited warranty
• Maximum Cutting Thickness: 6.75 inch

The Good:

• Sawdust collector works well (may need an adapter from your favourite shop vac)
• Carbide blade and blade wrench included
• 3 year warranty

The Bad:

• Only comes with a 24 tooth blade (great for rough cuts like deck building but not so good crafting or finish work)
• No laser What To Look For When Buying A Miter Sa

Metabo C10FCGS 15-Amp 10” Single Bevel Compound Miter Saw – Best For Beginners

If you’re a beginner, this saw could be for you.  It’s not fancy or decked out, but if you’re not after a sliding saw and want to save some coin, this saw might just suit your needs.  You might be wondering, who the heck is Metabo?  Basically they are the old Hitachi power tools that have been rebranded and named Metabo HPT.  Due to their low cost, I thought it would be good to review this miter saw that is quickly rising in sales on the best seller list.

First thing to note, is that it has the “look and feel” of a more expensive unit:  ie it is well designed and constructed of quality materials.

Also of note is that the box was very sturdy, and had a number of cardboard supports to isolate the saw in the box.  Admittedly the cardboard under the saw wasn’t overly thick, and a number of reviewers reported broken feet, likely due to rough handling somewhere along the line. The saw should have all four feet in good condition.

When “folded” at 45 degree miter and 45 deg bevel, the saw is compact, saves space and is light enough to be easily transported for storage or use elsewhere.

Out of the box, the blade was set at a perfect 90 degrees both vertically and horizontally.  The thumb indexing for the pre-set stops is easy and intuitive and is made of spring steel that will be less prone to breakage than the plastic versions on some other saws. For off-index angles, the large table handle is threaded to press the indexing spring against the table to hold the saw in place.

The saw handles small pieces easily, but because of its light weight it moves easily, so you may need to bolt it to a plywood base that can be clamped to a work table for handling larger items.  It does have a screw down holder to keep long boards in place and from tilting on you.  The additional sub fence is also good for extra support.T

Overall operating this beast is super easy.  A cave man could do it.  Just plug it in, place the work piece on the table (hold or clamp in place), stay away from the moving parts, pull the trigger, let the saw spin up to speed and move it down slowly through the piece.  The Metabo Compound Miter Saw works well and the handle and trigger are very comfortable making it a wise choice for the beginner woodworker.

To check the price on the Metabo 15 Amp 10″ Single Bevel Compound Miter Saw,  Click Here

Features:

•  0-52 degree miter angle range to the right & left for increased flexibility
• Motor Horsepower – 2.57 hp
• 0-45 degree bevel range to the left to provide clean and accurate bevel cuts.T
• Thumb actuated positive stops for quick miter adjustments
• 2 lbs to facilitate manoeuvrability and easier transport.
• Dust collector attachment included to minimize airborne particles
• 15 Amp motor delivers high power for the toughest cutting jobs.
• Large table for better material support with vice clamping system to secure work piece
• Miter ranges – left 52, right 52

  The Good:

• Low price
• Solid design and construction
• 0-45 degree bevel range
• 0-52 miter angel range
• dust collection attachment
• Includes a vise assembly and pivoting flip fence
• 24 tooth blade cuts smoothly and makes a true 90 degree cut

 The Bad:

• No laser marker
• Would need to purchase a 100 tooth blade for crosscutting and ‘finer work’
• Instruction book is questionable at best, but basic mechanical skill and YouTube will help with this

Final Thoughts……

Overall buying a miter saw isn’t something you will want to do too often.  They are not a cheap purchase and sometimes it can be a case that you get what you pay for.  It is far better to buy a quality item that you won’t need to be replacing for years to come.  You will still need to work within your budget so choose one you feel represents good value for money.

We would recommend reading several reviews and look for ones that are best sellers as they sell in huge volumes for a reason; they work well.   All the ones we recommend are top sellers as there’s no point wasting time looking at dodgy miter saws!  It really comes down to the type of saw you will need and must have features.  At the end of the day, you can always return the saw if you’re not happy with it so don’t despair if it doesn’t work as well as what you thought it would.

Leave a comment and let us know how it goes!

Quick links to Our Top 5 Miter Saws…..

1. Makita 10″ Duel Bevel Sliding Compound, Top Pick
2. Bosch 12″ Duel Bevel, Most Innovative
3. Genesis 10″ Compound Miter, Budget Friendly
4. Dewalt 12″ Sliding Compound, Voted Most Popular by Amazon
5. Metabo 10″ Single Bevel Compound, Best for a Beginner