Searching for the best miter saw that suits your working style and budget? Of all the power tools in the workshop or on the job site, the miter saw is the one you probably rely on most to give consistently accurate timber cuts and reliable service. So why not settle for the best in your price range, after all the quality of your work is reflected in the accuracy and quality of your tools?
We’ve checked out the many brands available and have narrowed them down to the top 5. We’ve painstakingly done the research for you on the best miter saw for 2019 and beyond. In doing so we have checked out other leading websites, consumer reviews, and recommendations on many different social platforms and forums.
After plenty of homework on researching miter saws, the top miter saws eventually bubble to the top giving a clear indication of which miter saws are best in different categories.
All the miter saws reviewed have been rigorously tested in the real world by real people, both Diy’ers and trade professionals alike.
Quick Comparison of The Best Compound Miter Saws, 10 & 12 inch
Makita’s 10-inch Compound Miter Saw (model LS1040)
- Precise miters zero to 45 degrees left & zero to 52 degrees right
- Positive stop points at 15, 22-1/2, 30, 45 degrees on both sides
- Solid, Powerful and lightweight. Weighs 27.5 pounds
- 15 Amp Motor, 4600 RPM Direct Drive, soft start.
- Top quality machined base & Fence
- Ideal for woodworkers, carpentry, deck building, furniture, DIY and professionals.
- RATING 4.7 / 5 (Best in its class.)
Hitachi C10FCH2 – Single Bevel 10 inch Miter Saw
- Ideal entry level miter saw – quality saw build to last.
- Super accurate cutting using Hitachi’s Laser Marker System
- Cuts everything from soft and hardwoods, ply, decorative panels and aluminum
- Stops are thumb activated for quick angle changes.
- Weighs 26.5 pounds
- Professional quality tool, great for framers, carpenters, woodworking, and DIY
- Built tough, built to last – 5-year warranty
- RATING 4.4 / 5
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DWS780 – A Double Bevel Sliding Compound 12-Inch Miter Saw
- Top quality, great performing miter saw – the envy of those with lesser saws.
- XPS cutting alignment system Incorporates super bright LED for cut shadow
- Rear fence design allows cutting of 2 x 16 inch at 90 degrees, plus 2 x 12 inches at 45 degrees
- Miter detent plate has cam lock for easy adjustment and accuracy
- Tough construction, castings, and fences are precision machined, stainless miter detent plate.
- Powerful accurate miter saw with easy adjustments
- Top of the list for sliding compound miter saws
- RATING 4.9 / 5
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DEWALT DWS715 15-Amp 12″ Single Bevel Compound Miter Saw
- Top rated single bevel saw for DIY and Professionals Alike
- Best value for money in a compound miter saw.
- Solid dependable saw from DeWalt
- Fully Machined base
- RATING 4.7 / 5
- Cutting capacity 2 x 8 inches at 90 degrees, 2 x 6 inches at 45 degrees
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See Full Review For The DWS715 Here
Which Miter Saw Is Best For My Workshop
Often people ask ‘what size miter saw do I need’? 10-inch or 12 inches, ‘which compound miter saw is the best’, sliding or fixed?
10 Inch miter non-sliding miter saws are ideal DIY workshops and factory work requiring a basic miter saw. With this type of saw, you are able to cut 2 x 6 inches at 90 degrees and 2 x 4 inches at 45 degrees. This is because anything larger can be cut but the work would need to be flipped over and cut again from the other side. 10-inch miter saws would be considered an entry level saw and would not be out of place in any home woodworking shop or DIY applications.
I’ve been using a 10 inch Makita saw for the last 15 years in my workshop and have tackled projects from office desks to garden landscaping. While it does have limitations it still carries most of my day to day workload as a handyman. I do operate a 12-inch compound slider for the bigger jobs.
12 inch miter saws will handle most all jobs you are likely to throw at it. These are used by professionals and woodworkers alike. The key factor is the size cutting capabilities. Most will easily cut 16 inches at 90 degrees and crown moldings up to 6 inches high.
The Best Compound Miter Saws – Our Top Ratings For 2019 and Beyond
#1. DeWalt DWS780 Sliding Compound Miter Saw 12 Inch – First choice
It’s no secret that DeWalt has a reputation for solid dependable power tools. This US company has been around since 1924 so they really know their stuff. From their mission statement we get, WE are DEWALT, and we are GUARANTEED TOUGH”!
The DWS780 is no exception, our research reveals this is voted the best compound sliding miter saw in its class on the market, period!
Tradespeople, woodworkers, and DIY ers will get much pleasure from using this saw. Aside from being a delight to use the power and features of this machine will ensure any job can be tackled with accuracy and safety.
One of the few sliding compound miter saw with laser, this machine incorporates the XPS cross cut positioning system that gives the user an accurate cut indication ensuring quality and precise cuts every time.
The DWS780 is an ideal compound miter saw for crown molding work. The capacity for crown moldings is an impressive 6-3/4 inch of base molding vertically. Standard timber cutting will allow a massive reach of 2 x 16-inch cutting capacity.
#2. Dewalt 12 inch Compound Miter Saw – DW715
Another winner from DeWalt. This 12-inch single bevel saw will be a pleasure to use in any home DIY workshop or light industrial business. Having a 12-inch cutting blade allows horizontal cuts of 2 x 8-inch capacity, and on a 45 degree, you will cut 2 x 6 inches.
Great general purpose saw for woodworking, furniture making, picture frames, fine woodworking, finish carpentry and DIY projects.
For cutting crown moldings this machine will cut 5 1/2 inches both vertically and vertically nested. Probably the best miter saw for crown molding.
Voted one of the best compound miter saws in its class this saw is very well priced and is great value considering the quality DeWalt produce.
Being only a single bevel miter saw, the DWS715 will only bevel 45 degrees to the right and can go a small way to the left of only 3 degrees. This for many DIY applications is not really an issue. There are eleven positive stops.
The saw comes standard with a 12-inch carbide tipped blade, blade wrench, and a dust bag. The motor is certainly powerful enough to handle any DIY project with an rpm of 4000.
In all this single bevel compound saw is ideal for the home-based workshop and DIY work. Coming in at half the price of its sliding compound counterpart this machine will give years of use and satisfaction.
#3. Makita LS1040 -Best Value 10” Compound Miter Saw
Almost fifteen years ago I purchased a Makita 10 inch miter saw, primarily at the time to do a house renovation. That little saw has since worked on many projects and is still running today. All I have done is replace the saw blades when needed, It still has the original brushes!
This is a testament to the quality that Makita provides. The Makita LS1040 is a simple miter saw that performs well above its weight. From the reviews, I’ve read many have commented on how accurate the saw cuts and how straight forward it is to adjust. From my experience, I would agree with those comments. The saw base is precision machined to ensure these accurate cuts.
The Makita LS1040 is ideal for those into cabinetry and woodworking, also well suited to flooring and deck builds, framing work and general DIY. Its simplicity is a pleasure to use, with a powerful 4600 rpm motor the startup is smooth and braking system reliable.
With its dual pivot arm, the saw will bevel cut 45 degrees left and 52 degrees right. The nine positive stops are set at 15, 22.5, 30, and 45 degrees. , both left and right. The saw features a fluorescent light that clearly lights the work surface.
My original 10-inch Makita has built many decks, worked on home additions, landscape projects, and furniture without missing a beat. The only real limitations it has are width and depth of cut where sometimes you need to use a hand saw to finish a wide board cut. No big deal really the saw has served me well and I will continue to use it. Highly recommended for DIY.
#4. Hitachi / Metabo C10FCG 15-Amp 10″ Single Bevel Compound Miter Saw
Note- While The Hitachi C10FCG is still available, it has been upgraded to another model along with a product name change from Hitachi to Metabo. The new Metabo model is basically the same.
Hitachi has been around for many years and producing good quality power tools for many years. ( I still have a Hitachi electric chainsaw that is over 40 years old and still running.)
The C10FCG is a 10-inch miter saw that id down to earth, a basic compound miter saw that just gets on with it. This is a no-frills power tool that is rugged and quality through and through. Boasting a powerful 15 amp motor that revs to 5000 rpm, which is more than any other saw reviewed here.
The saw comes with a 24 tooth tungsten carbide tipped blade, dust bag and wrench. While it is a basic miter saw the machined base is somewhat bigger than most other saws in its class, giving greater stability and work surface area. It also features a laser for the cutting line.
Hitachi has recently changed the name to Metabo, however, the quality remains the same. This machine would not be out of place in any DIY workshop or as a day to day saw in a small business environment. Voted best value single bevel miter saw on a budget, or as a general workshop saw for DIY. Great miter saw for beginners.
Which Is Best, 10 Or 12 Inch Compound Miter Saw
There are two choices with modern miter saws, either 10-inch blades or 12-inch blades. 12-inch saws will cut larger timber, up to 2 x 16-inch boards in the case of the DeWalt 780. The motor on a 12-inch saw is also likely to be more powerful than a 10 inch as there is more blade to spin. If a 10 and 12 inch saw have the same power motor, the 10-inch blade will spin much faster and therefore give a much nicer cut.
Prices also vary considerably between the two. A 12 -inch saw costs more to buy, costs more to run as they use more power, and the replacement saw blades themselves cost more than 10-inch models.
The bottom line is that a 10-inch miter saw will be fine for many people who have a home workshop and will also not be out of place in a professional environment. We don’t all work on the same projects. The maximum you can cut would be around 3 inches square without having to use a handsaw to finish. If you work on anything bigger then the 12-inch blade model is the best miter saw for you.
Once you have your miter saw, there are options as far as setting up the saw. If you have limited space in your workshop area or have no room on the workbench then you may want to consider a reliable, stable miter saw stand. These can be most effective in situations where transport is required or when the miter saw is stowed away.
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