When I first laid eyes on a miter saw as a kid, I remember saying it looked like something out of a Terminator movie. Today, the miter saw is one of the most frequently used tools in our shop, although I still do make that Arnold voice whenever I take it for a spin.
Whether it’s for cutting thick lumber, slender door frames, or even ceramic tiles, a miter saw can make complex cuts on all types of materials with ease. But because of their intimidating appearance and associated technical jargon, choosing your first saw can be a challenge.
There are few power tools that are as portable, versatile, or affordable as the best miter saws. You can use these saws to create a trim, create furniture parts, cut framing lumber, and much more.
Scroll down as we talk about all sorts of miter saw types and models. And, yes, we cover sliding compound miter saw reviews too.
The Best Miter Saws Are:
Miter saws are great tools, but they’re not all the same. These miter saw reviews cover the top-rated models that are available right now, highlighted in the chart below.
| Product | Details | ||
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| 1. Dewalt DWS779 | 
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| 2. Metabo HPT C10FCGS |  |
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| 3. Bosch GCM12SD |  |
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| 4. Dewalt DWS780 |  |
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| 5. DEWALT DCS361M1 |  |
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| 6. Milwaukee 6955-20 |  |
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| 7. SKIL 3821-01 |  |
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| 8. Metabo HPT C12RSH2S |  |
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| 9. Craftsman CMCS714M1 |  |
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| 10. Kobalt SM1850LW |  |
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| 11. Delta 26-2241 Cruzer |  |
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| 12. TACKLIFE PMS03A |  |
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| 13. Makita LS1019L |  |
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| 14. Genesis GMS1015LC |  |
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1. Dewalt DWS779 Sliding Compound Miter Saw — Overall Best Compound Miter Saw
This sliding compound miter saw delivers up to 3,800 RPM so that your cuts are accurate, consistent, and clean. There is an exclusive back fence design that allows you to make a 90-degree cut on boards that are up to 2×16″ in size. You can make 45-degree cuts on 2×12″ boards when needed.
What we really appreciated about this miter saw was its dust collection system, which keeps your working surfaces surprisingly clean. This saw is a bit of an investment, but it could be the last miter saw you ever need to purchase. It is definitely worth a look.
The dust collection system of this 12-inch miter saw captures more than 75% of the dust it generates. It also comes with a 15-amp motor that delivers great cutting speed. For better visibility and accuracy, this miter saw features a CUTLINE Blade Positioning System for adjustment-free cut line indication. And it has a 3-year limited warranty.
If you are looking for the best sliding compound miter saw that you can use to handle heavy-duty tasks, this is one of the options to consider. It also allows you to slide the fence out of the way to create more room for the blade. The only downside to this unit is that it is pretty weighty and it is on the higher end of the price spectrum.
Specs
- SK5 steel blade
- 180-degree rotating hand grip
- Cuts up to 1/2-inch diameter
- Four feet in length
Pros
- It is very powerful and it can cut lumber up to 2X16
- It comes with a 15-amp motor that delivers great speed and performance
- A highly efficient dust collection system to keep dust away from your workspace
- It offers a bevel capacity of 45 degrees on both sides.
Cons
- It is on the higher end of the price spectrum
- It is very heavy
2. Metabo HPT C10FCGS Compound Miter Saw — Best Budget Miter Saw
We think this little baby is not only a great budget miter saw, but it also the best 10-inch miter saw. It definitely offers the best value for the money in its class. It can handle projects of various sizes with ease and has a light, compact design that makes it easy to handle. Its low entry price makes it a contender for the best miter saw for beginners and occasional DIY-ers.
The Metabo HPT C10FCGS miter saw has a low price but its amazing features certainly make it one of the best compound miter saws. It has an extra-wide table that can handle large items like boards or logs with ease, while its powerful 15-amp motor is sure to make short work of them. And weighing in at just 25 pounds, transport and storage are a breeze.
One particular issue that we noticed is its flimsy base. The feet are made of thin metal, which many users have already pointed out, tends to crack, especially when tightened too hard. Also, this model only has a single-bevel configuration, which can be a hassle, particularly if you’re used to working with dual-bevel saws.
Specs
- Wide miter and bevel range for increased precision for various cutting jobs
- Large table with a vice clamping system
- 15-amp motor
- Thumb-actuated positive stops for quick adjustments
- Easy-to-access carbon brush
Pros
- Low price
- Large table to work in
- Capable motor
Cons
- Fragile feet
- Limited to a single-bevel configuration
The Metabo HPT C10FCGS 10-inch compound miter saw makes for a great starter saw. But if you’re looking for more durability and flexibility, Metabo offers better options at slightly higher prices.
Overall Rating: 4.5 out of 5 stars
3. Bosch GCM12SD Dual-Bevel Sliding Glide Miter Saw
This miter saw offers a patented axial-glide system that gives you an incredible amount of precision. It is a design that also minimizes the footprint of this saw so that smaller workbenches or spaces can benefit from this tool.
The horizontal capacity of this saw is 14 inches, with an incredible 6.5-inch vertical capacity – with a crown capacity to match. Uniform bevel and miter scales, made from stainless steel, make it easy to get each cut right as well. The trigger handle even works well for right- or left-handed woodworkers.
This is a compact miter saw and it features a glide system that allows for better alignment and wider crosscuts. It comes with a 15-amp motor that delivers a cutting speed of 3,800 rotations per minute. The cutting diameter is 12 inches and it comes with a guide movement controller for personalized control. This is what makes it among the best sliding compound miter saws.
It also comes with the exclusive Axial-Glide system of Bosch, which provides complete control, high precision, and compact workspaces. The dust chute of this unit is compatible with 1.25 inches and 35mm hoses.
This miter saw is highly stable and very easy to assemble, thanks to its dual Square Lock quick-release fences. For maximum comfort during the job, this saw comes with an ergonomic, soft trigger handle. It is very safe and easy to use.
The downside to this unit is that it does not come with a laser lighting system to guide your cuts. However, if you know what you are doing, you can get accurate cuts without laser lighting.
Specs
- Power: 15-Amp
- Size: 12 inches
- Speed: 3,800 SPM
- Bevel: 45 Degrees (left and right)
- Weight: 65 pounds
Pros
- It comes with a durable, powerful, and efficient carbide blade
- It comes with a dust collection system to keep your workspace dust-free
- A soft-grip ambidextrous handle for comfort during the job
- It comes with safety features to protect you while working
Cons
- It does not come with a laser lighting to guide your cuts
4. Dewalt DWS780 — Best 12″ Sliding Compound Miter Saw
Dewalt is one of the most popular brands in the power tool industry. This brand is known for making powerful and highly efficient equipment. The Dewalt DWS780 Miter Saw is one of the best miter saws on the market.
This miter saw is very powerful, reliable, and it delivers accurate and clean cuts — a winner and is right up there amount the best sliding compound miter saws. This unit features a stainless steel structure, and this contributes to the longevity and durability of the machine.
This unit comes with the XPS cross-cut system, which is the latest feature in Dewalt miter saws. With this feature, you can make cuts without adjustments, as it helps to sustain accuracy throughout the job.
When it comes to performance, this unit comes with a 15-amp motor that delivers a cutting speed of 3,800 rotations per minute. It also comes with an adjustable stainless steel miter detent plate with ten positive stops. This feature helps to boost accuracy and productivity.
This miter saw comes with a versatile and flexible fence design that allows you to cut 45 degrees 2X12 and 90 degrees 2X16. The package of this saw includes a 12-inch carbide blade, dust bad, 12-inch miter saw, vertical material clamp, and a blade wrench. The bevel capacity is from 0 to 45 degrees in both left and right directions. This versatility makes this one a favorite and one of the best 12-inch miter saws.
This is an electric-powered miter saw with a voltage of 120V. It comes with a three-year limited warranty. It features a high cutting capacity and it is highly durable.
Specs
- Power: 15-Amp
- Size: 12 inches
- Speed: 3,800 SPM
- Bevel: 45 Degrees (left and right)
- Weight: 56 pounds
Pros
- It delivers great accuracy for bevel and miter alterations.
- It offers a bevel capacity of up to 45 degrees on both directions
- Impressive build quality for durability and longevity
- It comes with a strong and durable 12-inch carbide blade
Cons
- If you do not maintain the slider properly, it can stick
- The dust bag of this saw also needs some improvements
5. DEWALT DCS361M1 20V MAX Cordless — Best 7 1/4 Inch Compound Miter Saw
The DEWALT DCS361M1 cordless miter saw offers power and precision in a highly portable package. Its single left bevel configuration and high cut capacity can also handle all common cuts with reliable accuracy.
Thanks to its XPS positioning system, the miter saw has exceptional accuracy with a precise cut line indication without the need for adjustments. It also has an adjustable miter detent plate with ten positive stops to ensure your cut is at the correct angle. We also liked the cam lock miter handle, which helped us make the right miter angle cuts with ease.
However, the battery that came with the saw only has a maximum capacity of four hours, which is a bit short, especially for demanding jobs. It’s also significantly more expensive compared to similar 7 1/4-inch saws from other brands, but the performance features make up for the cost.
Specs
- Integrated XPS cross-cut positioning system
- Stainless steel miter detent plate
- Cam lock miter handle
Pros
- Highly accurate cuts thanks to its innovative positioning system
- Large cutting capacity despite its size
Cons
- Low battery life
The DEWALT DCS361M1 MAX cordless miter saw may cost a premium, but it does come with premium performance and reliability. Even if you already have a larger saw, we still recommend adding this portable tool to your arsenal.
Overall Rating: 5 out of 5 stars
6. Milwaukee 6955-20 Sliding Dual Bevel Miter Saw
The next miter saw on our list is the Milwaukee 6955-20 12” Sliding Dual Bevel miter saw and it’s one of the best 12-inch sliding compound miter saws ever. This is another great miter saw on the market, and it comes with many great features to enhance your woodworking experience. Thanks to the design of this unit, setting precise miter and bevel levels are very easy.
This miter saw from Milwaukee tends to stand out from other miter saws on the market because it comes with a display that shows you the precise angle up to 1/10th of a degree.
With this feature, you can repeat angled cuts accurately and easily. This unit also comes with dual job site lights, which comes in handy when working in a low-light condition. The lights shine on the cut line and workpiece.
It comes with a powerful 15-amp motor that delivers a cutting speed of 3,250 rotations per minute. This unit is weighty, as it weighs 78 pounds. The cutting diameter is 12 inches, and the blade is very sharp and highly durable. One of the major selling points of this miter saw is its ease of use. Even homeowners find it very easy to use.
Specs
- Power: 15-Amp
- Size: 12 inches
- Speed: 3,250 SPM
- Bevel: 48 Degrees (left and right)
- Weight: 78 pounds
Pros
- It comes with a soft-start motor that enhances your accuracy when cutting
- The electric brake system helps to prevent accidental engagements
- Dual integral job site lights to light up your working space and cut line
- A digital display that shows you the precise angle
Cons
- It is very heavy, but the weight increases its stability
7. SKIL 3821-01 Quick Mount Compound Miter Saw with Laser
SKIL is one of the most respected brands in the power tool manufacturing industry. Some of the best miter saws on the market are from this brand. It is a very solid saw and it is going to last you for years.
This unit comes with a 15-amp motor, which is pretty much the standard for miter saws of this price