If you are a handyman, DIYer, carpenter, or anything in between, you know just how important it is to have the right tools in your equipment.
After all, you aren’t going to be able to build a cabinet or staircase with just your hands. One of the most valuable and important tools for any handyman is the miter saw.
These are very versatile tools that can perform a number of cuts. Of course, finding the best miter saws for you can be a challenge, which is what we are here to help you with today.
Best Miter Saw Reviews
1. DEWALT DWS779 Sliding Compound Miter Saw
When it comes to all-round great miter saws, the DEWALT DWS779 Sliding Compound Miter Saw might just be the No. 1 best option right now. It’s a fairly compact and portable compound miter saw that comes with a number of very useful features.
Product Highlights
First off, the DEWALT DWS779 Sliding Compound Miter Saw weighs around 60 pounds, which is really not too bad for a powerful compound miter saw.
Moreover, it comes in a fairly compact package. These two things come together to make this miter saw quite portable and an ideal tool to have if you always move from one job site to another.
The DEWALT DWS779 Sliding Compound Miter Saw features a fairly powerful and reliable 15-amp motor. This motor can deliver up to 3,800 RPM of no-load blade speed.
As you can see, it is actually quite a powerful miter saw. What also stands out about this saw is that it is made to be very durable. It has a very solid base and a metal frame that is built to last.
What is nice about the DEWALT DWS779 Sliding Compound Miter Saw is that it has a great back fence which allows you to cut lumber up to 2 x 16 inches at 90 degrees, or up to 2 x 12 inches at 45 degrees.
This saw can swivel 45 degrees in either direction for angled cross cuts, plus it can bevel for bevel and angled crosscuts.
This is a sliding miter saw with a blade rail, which makes cuts very accurate and easy to make.
The DEWALT DWS779 Sliding Compound Miter Saw features a great dust collection system that has the ability to suck up around 75% of all sawdust which is created.
Something else you might appreciate is that this saw comes with a 3-year limited warranty, just in case something goes wrong with it.
The included blade guard is a good addition as well, as it helps keep your fingers in one piece as you work.
The Good
We like the DEWALT DWS779 Sliding Compound Miter Saw for a variety of reasons.
First of all, it has a great fence system, and when combined with its ability to tilt and bevel, it allows it to make a wide variety of cuts with ease and accuracy.
It is also a very powerful and durable table saw, one that as a lot of capacity and comes complete in a fairly portable package too.
The Bad
Something which we do not like about the DEWALT DWS779 Sliding Compound Miter Saw is that the dust catching system is not the most durable.
The tubes used for the dust system could be a bit better, as they have a tendency to crack and break.
Pros
- Great metal base
- Lots of power and RPM
- Great capacity for angled and bevel cuts
Cons
- Dust collection system could be more durable
2. Delta S26-263L Shopmaster Miter Saw
If you need a very basic and simple miter saw, one that comes at a very affordable price, the Delta S26-263L Shopmaster Miter Saw could be a good option for you.
Now, this is not a compound miter saw, but it does perform normal crosscuts and angled cuts just fine, not to mention that it is lightweight and portable, plus very affordable too.
Product Highlights
The Delta S26-263L Shopmaster Miter Saw is a very convenient miter saw to go with if you are always going from one work site to another. This saw is one of the smaller miter saws out there, and it weighs well under 30 pounds.
This lightweight design makes it an ideal option for contractors who are always moving from one place to another.
We like how the Delta S26-263L Shopmaster Miter Saw comes in at a very low price. It’s a good option for basic jobs.
As we mentioned before, this is a miter saw, so it allows you to perform crosscuts with ease. Moreover, it comes with a great fence system and a blade that can be adjusted for the angle.
The fence and blade allow you to make angled crosscuts up to 45 degrees in each direction.
The fact that the blade can bevel is great, but do keep in mind that it is not a compound miter saw, so the blade does not be able to tilt.
Something else that stands out about the Delta S26-263L Shopmaster Miter Saw is that it comes with its own dust collection system.
Now, it is not the most high-quality dust collection system, but it is still better than not having a dust collection system at all.
Another cool addition to the Delta S26-263L Shopmaster Miter Saw is that it comes with a laser guide so your cuts are always as straight and as accurate as possible.
On a side note, the Delta S26-263L Shopmaster Miter Saw comes with extension pieces on each side so you can work with long materials.
The Good
Something which we like about the Delta S26-263L Shopmaster Miter Saw is how lightweight and small it is.
If you need a portable miter saw that is a breeze to transport, this is a great way to go. We also like how it is a very affordable table saw, which makes it great for basic and occasional use.
Simply put, it’s not the best in the world, but it does get the job done.
The Bad
Something which we do not particularly like about the Delta S26-263L Shopmaster Miter Saw is that the blade cannot tilt.; we would probably like it better if it was a compound miter saw.
On a side note, it’s just not the most durable option around.
Pros
- Very affordable
- Lightweight and portable
- Good fence system
Cons
- The blade does not tilt
- Durability is limited
3. Bosch Compound Miter Saw
In terms of price, the Bosch Compound Miter Saw is so far the most expensive option on our list today.
However, we think that it would be well worth the investment, seeing as it is also one of the most powerful, durable, and versatile options around.
It has a lot of useful features that make it well worth the investment.
Product Highlights
One thing that can be said about the Bosch Compound Miter Saw is that it does have a lot of power. It has a great 15-amp motor that can deliver up to 3,800 RPM of no-load blade speed.
It is definitely a powerful miter saw that will be able to cut through most anything which you put in its path.
On that point, we also want to note that this Bosch Compound Miter Saw is built with extremely high-quality materials. It has a really solid base and frame, and all components used are tested for durability.
Now, the Bosch Compound Miter Saw is a bit heavy, as it weighs nearly 90 pounds, and it is not the smallest miter saw out there; it is worth noting that this is not the most portable miter saw around. However, with that being said, it does have some other great features which make it worth the investment.
For instance, the Bosch Compound Miter Saw, while it does not come with its own vacuum, does come with a compatible dust chute system that works with most standard dust collectors.
The Bosch Compound Miter Saw also has a great cutting capacity. It has a wide 14-inch horizontal cutting capacity, a 6.5-inch vertical capacity, and a 6.5-inch crown capacity.
The blade can bevel to 45 degrees to either side, plus it can tilt to 45 degrees to the right. This is a nice compound miter saw that can perform all of the jobs which any miter saw should be able to perform.
Literally everything about the Bosch Compound Miter Saw, including the guides, scales, and fences, is designed to make this saw highly accurate and help increase its cutting capacity, which is also true thanks to the side extensions.
The Good
The best part about the Bosch Compound Miter Saw is that it has such a high cutting capacity in every direction.
For a compound miter saw, it can handle some really large workpieces with ease. Also, it can both tilt and bevel, it comes with great safety features, and it has a really powerful motor too.
The Bad
Something which we do not like about the Bosch Compound Miter Saw is how it is so big and heavy. It is definitely not the first choice to go with if you need something portable, or something affordable for that matter.
Pros
- Very versatile
- Great cutting capacity
- Very durable
- Great safety features
Cons
- Expensive
- Big and heavy
4. Makita LS1040 Compound Miter Saw
This is another good compound miter saw, a very lightweight and portable option that is perfect for people on the go.
What is surprising is that the Makita LS1040 Compound Miter Saw comes at such a low price, although we know that it is not the most durable option around.
Product Highlights
The Makita LS1040 Compound Miter Saw has some great features, and for the low price, this is actually quite surprising. First off, this miter saw has a blade tilt feature.
The blade can tilt up to 45 degrees to the left to make bevel cuts, which is convenient.
Moreover, it can also make angled miter cuts because it comes with a fence and pivoting blade system; the blade can pivot 47 degrees to the left and 52 degrees to the right, therefore allowing for quite a wide variety of cuts.
We want to note that the Makita LS1040 Compound Miter Saw is fairly small, so cutting capacity is not massive.
That said, we like how the Makita LS1040 Compound Miter Saw is so small and compact, plus it weighs well under 30 pounds.
Moreover, when it comes time to go home, the Makita LS1040 Compound Miter Saw folds up into a neat little package that can easily be carried.
So, if you need a really lightweight, compact, and easy to transport miter saw that comes in at a great price, the Makita LS1040 Compound Miter Saw is a good way to go.
We also want to note that the Makita LS1040 Compound Miter Saw has a 15-amp direct-drive motor.
It is quite powerful and also very reliable. It can deliver up to 4,800 RPM of no-load speed, which is quite impressive for such a small miter saw.
The Good
The good part about the Makita LS1040 Compound Miter Saw, for one, is that it is extremely affordable, therefore making it a good option for basic jobs and occasional use. Moreover, for such a low price, it is surprisingly functional and versatile, as it is a compound miter saw.
It certainly has some good features for accuracy. Finally, the fact that it is so small and lightweight is great, and you won’t find a better miter saw than this in terms of portability.
The Bad
Something which we do not like about the Makita LS1040 Compound Miter Saw is that it is just not very durable.
It does not cost much, but if you need a miter saw for steady use, one that will last you for years to come, this might not be the best way to go.
Pros
- Powerful
- Small and portable
- Good accuracy features
- Great price
Cons
- Very limited durability
5. Ryobi 18-Volt ONE Cordless Miter Saw
This is a very unique miter saw to keep in mind. It is, in fact, the only option here on our list today which is cordless and 100% battery powered.
Many people are going to like this, and all in all, it is not a bad miter saw but does keep in mind that being battery powered does create some limits which corded models do not suffer from.
Product Highlights
The Ryobi 18-Volt ONE Cordless Miter Saw is a really cool option to go with because for one, it is a cordless saw.
The fact that you never need to worry about being close to a power source and that you never have to deal with extension cords is a bonus for some.
Now, what you need to keep in mind is that the battery life is not great.
This is not a miter saw you would get if you need to use it for hours on end. Sure, the battery does charge really fast, in about 1 hour, but unless you have a spare battery, this still ends up being an obstacle for lengthy use.
The Ryobi 18-Volt ONE Cordless Miter Saw is a decent saw for smaller and simpler jobs. Now, because it is battery powered, it does not have the most powerful motor, nor does it have the highest RPM of all miter saws.
So, while it does fine for smaller and more basic jobs, it does not perform too well with large and dense stock.
The Ryobi 18-Volt ONE Cordless Miter Saw comes with a 24 tooth carbide-tipped blade, which is a fairly sharp and long-lasting blade.
Something else you might like about this saw is that it is very compact and lightweight; it weighs well under 30 pounds and the unit itself is fairly small.
It is a good saw to go with if you need something portable that is easy to take from one place to another.
The other thing that stands out about the Ryobi 18-Volt ONE Cordless Miter Saw is that it can bevel from 0 to 45 degrees, with positive stops at 0 and 45 degrees.
The blade can also tilt to 45 degrees in a single direction for bevel cuts.
The Good
We like the fact that the Ryobi 18-Volt ONE Cordless Miter Saw is very small and portable. It’s a good option for being on the go, plus you never have to worry about power cords.
The Ryobi 18-Volt ONE Cordless Miter Saw is also quite affordable.
The Bad
What we don’t like about the Ryobi 18-Volt ONE Cordless Miter Saw is that the battery life is not great. It’s not a miter saw you would get for endless hours of use, plus it is not the most durable option either.
Pros
- No need for power cords
- Very accurate
- Portable and lightweight
- Great price
Cons
- Limited battery life
- Limited power
Buyer’s Guide
Of course, you do not want to just go out and buy the first miter saw that you see. There are a number of purchasing considerations to keep in mind, so let’s go over these.
Weight
One thing to look out for is how heavy the miter saw in question is. The heavier ones are usually more durable, but also less portable, so it really depends on what you need the miter saw for.
Blade Diameter
Another purchasing factor to consider is how big the blade is. Simply put, the larger the blade of the miter saw, the larger the materials you will be able to work with.
Having a small blade diameter is fine for basic jobs, but not the best for large-scale operations.
Speed
The next thing to keep an eye on here is blade speed. The faster the blade can move, the more versatile the miter saw will end up being.
Power
Most standard miter saws are going to come with a 15-amp motor. Anything less than that is not going to be ideal for most purposes.
Dust Bag
You want the miter saw in question to have a dust bag and a dust collection system in place. It just makes life a whole lot easier when cleanup time comes along.
Laser Mount
A laser mount can make a big difference when it comes to cutting accuracy. It is not necessary, but it certainly helps.
Related Article: Miter Saw Vs Table Saw, which one do you need?
FAQ
How to use a miter saw
There are many little components of a miter saw that you need to learn how to use. Check out the video we have included here for more info.
How to cut crown molding with a compound miter saw
Cutting crown molding is one of the basic functions of a compound miter saw. To find out how to do this, check out the video below.
How to build a miter saw table
Miter saws need tables underneath them. Check out the video here to find out how to make a miter saw table.
How to change the blade on a miter saw
Changing the blade on a miter saw is not hard. For a step by step tutorial, check out the video we have included here.
How to unlock a miter saw
Unlocking a miter saw needs to be done for various reasons. For information on how to do this, check out the video we have included.
Conclusion
If it is a recommendation you are looking for, we would recommend the Bosch Compound Miter Saw. Sure, it is a bit pricey, but in terms of features, it does also seem to be the best around.
If a cordless miter saw happens to suit your fancy, the Ryobi 18-Volt ONE Cordless Miter Saw makes for a cool choice.