Looking for the best miter saw on the internet can lead you down a never-ending rabbit hole. You will get bombarded with hundreds of products, all claiming to be the best in the market. This confusion can make choosing the best tool for you a lot more complicated.
The best way to go about buying a miter saw is to begin your search by looking for the brands with the best reputation for making quality tools.
Kobalt is among the most reputable miter saw manufacturers on the market today. If the name rings a bell, then it might be because Kobalt also produces power tools that are used in NASCAR.
With over two decades’ experience in the power tool trenches, this company is renowned for providing quality and reliable tools that don’t leave a dent in your pocket, which is a combination that is rare to find nowadays.
In this Kobalt miter saw review, we’ll look at the top miter saws that this manufacturer has to offer.
Our Top Kobalt Sliding Miter Saws Are:
| Product | Details | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| 1. Kobalt 12-inch Dual-Bevel Miter Saw |  Top Pick |
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| 2. Kobalt 10" 15-Amp Laser Sliding Miter Saw SM2505LW |  |
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| 3. Kobalt 7-1/4-in Sliding Compound Miter Saw |  |
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| 4. Kobalt 7-1/4-in Single Bevel Sliding Miter Saw |  |
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1. Kobalt 12-inch Dual-Bevel Miter Saw — Top Pick
The Kobalt 12-inch dual-bevel miter saw is what you get when you regularly work on substantial pieces. This saw is equipped with a 15-amp motor that can deliver up to 4,200 revolutions per minute. As mentioned, it can confidently make cuts in either direction.
It allows you to miter from 0 to 60 degrees to the right and 0 to 50 degrees to the left.
It comes with a smart lock that enables you to switch between angles without a lot of hassle. This saw’s bevel capacity is up to 47 degrees in either direction while the bevel movement is as smooth as it can be.
There are also several positive miter and bevel stops for the most commonly used angles. The stops are robust, compact, and allow for adequate movement.
The fence in this saw is tall and artfully made. It allows you to cut pieces up to 4 inches tall from a wide variety of materials. The fence also allows you to slide it sideways in case you want to make adjustments, which are quite common when making bevel cuts.
When working with longer pieces, you will love the quick-release wings that lengthen to support the material. This saw comes fitted with a clamp boasting rubber feet that work to prevent scuffing and scratching.
Additionally, unlike most saws from other brands, Kobalt’s stock saw is a thing of marvel. The Kobalt 12 gets its name from its 12-inch blade that features a row of 60 carbide-tipped teeth that can cut through the toughest of materials without much struggle. There is also a spindle lock available, which allows you to make rapid blade changes.
Durability is another factor to expect from this saw. It features a base made out of aluminum, which is one of the toughest materials on the planet.
The Kobalt 12 miter saw is also equipped with a laser guide to enhance the accuracy of your cuts. The laser guide ensures that you can work speedily without compromising the quality of your work. You will also get a dust bag that collects the chippings as you work to ensure that your workstation stays neat.
Specs
- Dual bevel capacity
- 15-amp motor
- 12-inch carbide-tipped blade
- Laser guide
- Extension wings
- Positive stops
- Clamp
- Spindle lock
Pros
- Powerful motor
- Excellent miter range
- Good fence
- Adjustable laser
- 3-years warranty
Cons
- The laser could use some fine-tuning.
The Kobalt 12 allows you to get a high-performance miter saw at the price of a lower-grade saw.
Overall Rating – 4.9 out of 5 stars
2. Kobalt 10″ 15-Amp Laser Sliding Miter Saw SM2505LW — Budget Pick
You will be hard-pressed to find a Kobalt sliding miter saw review that does not have the Kobalt 10″ 15-Amp Laser Sliding Miter Saw SM2505LW as one of its top picks.
The SM2505LW is a bargain-price saw with undeniable capabilities. It tilts to the left and has a traditional rail system that extends backward. As a result, the saw base plus that travel will need a bench depth of about 24 inches.
You will notice that the motor carriage tips down quite smoothly, which translates into smoother cuts.
This saw also comes fitted with a laser positioned at the right side of the blade. While the laser feature enhances the accuracy of your cuts, right-handed individuals will prefer that it was on the left instead.
The Kobalt 10 is also quite light, at just 36 pounds. Its light weight allows you to use it in a variety of settings without having to worry about logistics.
Specs
- Slide-out table extension
- Laser technology
- Dust bag
- 9 miter detents
Pros
- Incredibly cheap
- Lightweight
- Laser for accuracy
Cons
- Fence is too far back
This Kobalt 10-inch Sliding Compound Miter Saw Reviews concludes that there is only so much you can ask of a $179 miter saw. At that price, you should expect nothing but low quality. The Kobalt 10, however, does its best to maintain quality and will be a great addition to your workshop if you’re on a budget.
Overall Rating – 4.6 out of 5 stars
3. Kobalt 7-1/4-in Sliding Compound Miter Saw
Let’s look at the smallest of the Kobalt miter saws, the 7¼-inch miter saw.
Even though one wouldn’t expect quality from such a low-priced tool, Kobalt engineered most of its features to enhance accuracy. For example, it has a hold-down clamp that works to improve stability as you work compound cuts, bevel or miter.
It also has a die-cast aluminum cordon and lingering that provide support while setting up and during cutting. This saw is even equipped with laser technology to guide you through your cuts.
Specs
- Dual-slide rail system
- 29 pounds
- AC power source
- Made from die-cast aluminum
Pros
- Lightweight
- Ideal for molding
- Cheap
- Can be used without a stand
Cons
- No dust bag
Kobalt 7¼ Sliding Miter Saw Review: this Kobalt is a pocket-friendly saw that is ideal for cutting interior molding. It is also quite small, which means that storage shouldn’t be a problem. We recommend it for DIY enthusiasts.
Overall Rating – 4.5 out of 5 stars
4. Kobalt 7-1/4-in Single Bevel Sliding Miter Saw
The Kobalt SM1850 is one of the lightest, most dedicated, and convenient miter saws on the market. It is adept at performing both framing and molding cuts. At right angles, it has maximum cross-cut dimensions of 2 in x 8 in, and at 45 degrees, it has maximum dimensions of 2 in x 6 in.
This saw has a large table and base made of die-cast aluminum to provide support for bevel cutting toward the left for up to 47 degrees. It also has positive stops at 0 and 45 degrees.
But that is not all; the saw also comes with a laser guide system that not only accurately projects pre-cutting lines but is also adjustable.
Specs
- Laser-guided system
- 10amp motor
- 5,000 RPMs
- 40-tooth carbide-tipped blade
- Safety clamp
- Blade wrench
- Manual
Pros
- Light and convenient
- Precise cutting
- Good value for the money
Cons
- Blade guard can shatter
This miter saw is great for small jobs, as well as for remodeling projects. The extra bevel ability makes it a very versatile small miter saw.
Overall Rating – 4.5 out of 5 stars
About Kobalt Tools
Let’s devote this part of our Kobalt miter saw review to the company behind it. The Kobalt Tools line is a private brand of tools made by Lowe’s Co., which is the company behind Lowe’s improvement stores across the country.
Lowe’s headquarters are based in Mooresville, NC. Initially, Kobalt Tools were manufactured by J.H. Williams. However, production has since shifted to other tool manufacturers.
Kobalt Tools Launch
Kobalt Tools was launched as a brand in 1998 in Lowe’s bid to enter the power tools market and provide some competition. Its biggest competitors all had their own in-house brands and Lowe’s wanted in on the business.
About Lowe’s
Lowe’s was founded in 1946 in North Carolina. Today, it is arguably the most popular home improvement store in the world, with only Home Depot having a valid claim for that spot. The company has more than 1,800 stores distributed across the United States, Canada, and Mexico.
Kobalt Manufacturing
As mentioned, J.H. Williams was the original manufacturer of Kobalt Tools. Today, however, they are owned by Snap-on Industrial Brands.
Kobalt and NASCAR
Kobalt also manufactures auto mechanics tools. In fact, Kobalt Tools is the official sponsor of the ‘Kobalt Tools 400,’ which is a Sprint Cup stock car race in Las Vegas. Kobalt also sponsored the ‘Kobalt Tools 500 NASCAR’ in Arizona.
Final Thoughts
When you came looking at this Kobalt miter saw review, you expected to find the best miter tools from Kobalt, and we have found and reviewed them for you.
Kobalt has been on a mission to provide high-end goods at pocket-friendly prices. Therefore, don’t think that you will be getting low quality due to the low price.
However, if you’re looking for the best miter saw from Kobalt, we recommend going for the Kobalt 12-inch dual-bevel miter saw as there’s nothing that saw can’t handle. It is sturdy, durable, and accurate, which is what you want in an ideal miter saw.
