Best Miter Saws

Producing a whole variety of power tools for all sorts of work, DeWALT is a true leader in its sector. Known for their vivid yellow and black design, DeWALT tools stand out for excellent quality and high performance, always keeping the top positions in different ratings. The DWS779 miter saw is not an exception and offers the same branded quality.

Solidly built, the unit rests on a robust molded base and features steel rails on linear ball bearings, all of this making the tool a match for heavy-duty cutting works and ensuring consistently flawless operation. A rugged 12” blade is capable of cutting through a wide range of materials varying in thickness and hardness. Unlike other models that can cut lumber maximum 12 inches wide, the DeWALT DWS780 will cope with workpieces 2x16 inches in size while a special depth stop allows for cutting grooves.

This machine is a heavy-weight model (56 lbs) that will take you some effort to move if necessary. On the other hand, though, it’s perfect for stationary use. It will stand stable and won’t wobble or vibrate during operation. The tool comes pre-calibrated and assembly is a real snap, thanks to comprehensible step-by-step instructions in the manual.

In this model, Bosch has realized its branded engineering experience and innovations that give this tool an advantage over many traditional miter saws. What sets the model apart from the rivals is the patented Axial Glide system with a robust cast-aluminum arm and sealed ball bearings that work together with a saw fence, base, and controls to achieve excellent durability and cutting precision. A no-rail design saves the trouble of the tool re-calibration delivering perfect cutting accuracy at all times. Besides, it ensures a noticeably smaller footprint allowing you to work easier in tight spaces or put the saw flush on the wall in your workshop, thus, having some more area for other tools and accessories you might need at hand. Fitted with a special glide controller, the GCM12SD also feels like no other miter saw to provide perfectly smooth glide action at all angles.

We'd be remiss not to mention the amazing cutting capacity of this model. It offers up to 14 inches for crosscuts and 6.5 inches for molding. So, whether you need to cut baseboard, molding or dimensional lumber, the tool will help you get the work done in less time with single cut precision. And you won't help but like the easy-to-reach bevel controls located in the front of the saw that will make bevel adjustment quick and easy. The scales of bevel and miter are also in full view for checking the saw's cutting angle.

When you need to make extremely tight and smooth cuts, the cutting speed is a key feature to check in a miter saw. The faster the blade rotates, the smoother cut you’ll get. And it’s especially important when working with some delicate and expensive materials. This is where the C10FCE2 compound miter saw by Hitachi will come into play.

What you’ll get is a pretty small tool with staggering tech specs. Overall, it is smaller and much lighter than many other models in the class. So, you can easily handle and move it from one place to another if needed. Yet, don’t let this compactness fool you. The model packs a 15-Amp motor characteristic of heavy-duty tools and produces the rotational speed of impressive 5000 RPM, which is noticeably higher even than that of top-liners. The high speed in combonation with a solid 10” blade provides truly accurate cutting without declinations and cracks, no matter how hard or soft the material you process.

The functionality and ease-of-use are the other merits of this model that can’t be overlooked. The tool is very easy to use and control, and even a novice user will master it pretty quickly. The saw's handle has an elastomer grip that snugly fits in your hand and reduces vibrations. The bevel and miter adjustment as well as turning the table are almost effortless. Apart from that, the miter saw offers both angled and cross-cutting capacity and can be quickly set within a range from 0 to 45 degrees, thanks to thumb-actuated positive stops. The side handle in the frontal part of the saw makes the angle adjustment super convenient. Meanwhile, wide cutting depth adjustment makes it possible to cut through both thinner plastic and thicker dimensional lumber. Finally, the saw comes with a vise assembly for secure fixation of a workpiece on the turntable.

Normally, miter saws are rather heavy and bulky tools not suitable for carrying around. Usually, they need a dedicated place in your garage or workshop and require pretty much effort to be moved. Yet, in Craftsman, they created a portable miter saw great for the use on the go. The tool weighs only 21 lbs and has two side handles to be conveniently moved or transported from one place to another or in between the job sites. Another feature that makes this model shine straight away is a cordless design that makes the Craftsman miter saw a real find for the use in locations with limited or no access to the mains.

As lightweight and compact as it is, the tool is strongly built and looks stout. Stainless steel construction and a steady base ensure stability on the working surface and make it fit for all sorts of cutting and sawing jobs. And the cordless design in no way impacts the tool performance. Packed with a mighty 20V motor, this cord-free unit will impress you with the 3800 RPM cutting speed and the force more peculiar for corded models. So, you’ll be able to cut hardwoods, lumbers, baseboards, plastic moldings, and other trimming materials with ease. The saw sliding rails allow for cross cuts up to 8 inches as well as for nested crown cuts up to 3.6 inches and vertical baseboard cuts up to 3.5 inches. The miter enables single bevel cuts and boasts an LED cutline for added precision where accuracy is crucial. Though some users claim that a 7.25-inch blade could have been a bit bigger, it cuts through all materials just fine with no stalls and jams.

Makita LS1018 is yet another compact miter saw on the market. Nevertheless, the smaller size of this saw is not a problem for accurate and clean cutting (conforming to the standards of bevel and miter cutting). The tool works pretty good and is quite convenient. The sliding rails on linear ball bearings provide a quick and dead-on sawing. The angle adjustment in this miter saw is child's play. The miter angle is varied with a front lever and a grip arranged in the front of the saw, while the bevel lock is located on the saw's back.

The Makita LS1018 is equipped with a super handy D-shape rubberized handle for a comfortable blade tilting. The design of the turn base adds to the convenience of this compound miter saw. A workpiece is fixed securely on the base, and you can also use a vise for additional fixation. By the way, the turn base can be easily extended for handling larger workpieces.

When it comes to the performance of this miter saw, it won't disappoint you as well. The LS1018 features a soft-start 13-Amp motor that generates the speed of 4300 RPM to confidently and precisely cut through both harder and softer materials while a strong 10-inch blade has the right diameter for processing smaller and bigger workpieces equally well. Meanwhile, an electric brake will let you accurately control the blade run. So, the tool is safe even when it is under heavy load.

Overall, Makita engineers have done everything for the long life and durability of this miter saw.