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The best miter saws make fast, square, repeatable cuts for trim, flooring, framing and deck boards, and the right one depends mostly on how wide your boards are and whether you need to haul the saw to a jobsite. We compared specs, expert lab testing and owner reviews to pick nine saws, from a light budget chop saw to 12-inch dual-bevel sliders and cordless models that run on batteries you may already own.
Part of our Home Comfort, Backup Power & Tool Guides.
Quick picks
Price ranges: $ under $250, $$ $250-$450, $$$ $450-$700, $$$$ $700+.
| Product | Best for | Price range | |
|---|---|---|---|
| DeWalt DWS780 12″ Sliding | Best overall | $$$ | See price |
| Bosch GCM12SD Glide | Tight shops near a wall | $$$ | See price |
| Makita LS1019L 10″ Sliding | Dust control and finish work | $$$$ | See price |
| Milwaukee M18 FUEL 2734-21 | Best cordless | $$$$ | See price |
| DeWalt DWS715 12″ Compound | Best non-sliding | $$ | See price |
| DeWalt DCS361B 7-1/4″ Cordless | Trim and punch lists | $$ | See price |
| SKIL MS6305-00 10″ Sliding | Best value slider | $-$$ | See price |
| Makita LS1040 10″ Compound | Simple, precise woodworking | $$ | See price |
| Metabo HPT C10FCGS 10″ | Best budget | $ | See price |
1. DeWalt DWS780 12″ Double-Bevel Sliding Compound Miter Saw: Best Overall
The DWS780 is the saw many contractors and serious DIYers end up with, and it earned a best-overall nod in recent lab testing for cuts that stay precise and repeatable. Its sliding 12-inch head handles wide shelving and deck boards, both bevel directions save you from flipping stock on crown and trim, and the XPS LED casts a shadow of the blade on the work so you can line up a cut without a laser that drifts out of calibration.
Key specs
- 12-inch blade, 15-amp corded motor
- Dual bevel, sliding rails
- About 13.6 in. crosscut at 90 degrees in lab measurement
- Roughly 58-61 lb depending on source
- XPS LED shadow cut line
👍 Pros
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👎 Cons
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What owners say: Owners describe it as a dependable workhorse that holds its settings. The common complaints are its bulk and weight, plus dust curtains that can pull closed when a strong shop vac is connected.
2. Bosch GCM12SD 12″ Dual-Bevel Glide Miter Saw: Best for Tight Shops
Bosch swaps the usual sliding rails for an articulated glide arm, so the saw can sit close to a wall while still cutting very wide boards. Several reviewers named it their overall favorite for its smooth action and big capacity, and it also collects dust better than most 12-inch sliders. The trade-off is weight and the lack of any laser or light to show the cut line.
Key specs
- 12-inch blade, 15-amp corded motor
- Dual bevel with articulated glide arm
- About 14 in. horizontal and 6.5 in. vertical capacity
- About 66 lb
- Stainless steel miter and bevel scales
👍 Pros
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👎 Cons
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What owners say: Buyers rave about how smoothly the arm glides and how much it can cut. Weight and the missing cut-line guide are the usual knocks, and some recommend checking the fence for square on arrival.
3. Makita LS1019L 10″ Dual-Bevel Sliding Miter Saw: Best Dust Control
If you cut indoors, the LS1019L is worth a look: it captured the most dust in a 12-saw lab comparison, and its compact rail design and 60-degree miter range in both directions suit finish carpenters doing crown, casing and odd angles. It is pricey for a 10-inch saw, but the sliding head gives it more than 12 inches of crosscut.
Key specs
- 10-inch blade, corded
- Dual bevel, sliding
- About 12.1 in. max crosscut
- Miter to 60 degrees left and right
- Adjustable laser guide; about 62 lb
👍 Pros
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👎 Cons
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What owners say: Owners like the tidy work area and accurate cuts. A few mention having to tweak the laser and a blade guard that doesn’t always stay up.
4. Milwaukee M18 FUEL 2734-21 10″ Sliding Miter Saw: Best Cordless
Milwaukee’s M18 FUEL saw gives you near-corded capacity with no extension cord, which matters on remodels where outlets are scarce or power is not on yet. The kit includes an 8.0Ah battery, and the brushless motor handles 2x12s. Expert testers named it the top battery-powered saw, though they also noted its dust bag is weak.
Key specs
- 10-inch blade, M18 brushless motor
- Kit includes an 8.0Ah battery
- Dual bevel, sliding
- About 11.6 in. max crosscut
- Roughly 41-45 lb; LED shadow line
👍 Pros
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👎 Cons
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What owners say: Contractors love the freedom and accuracy on jobsites, especially if they already run M18 tools. Dust collection is the near-universal complaint.
5. DeWalt DWS715 12″ Compound Miter Saw: Best Non-Sliding
The DWS715 is a straightforward 12-inch chop saw for people who mostly cut 2x4s, 2x6s, trim and fence pickets. Skipping sliding rails keeps it lighter, more compact and much cheaper than the DWS780, and the 12-inch blade still gives good depth. Just know its crosscut width tops out around 8 inches.
Key specs
- 12-inch blade, 15-amp corded
- Single bevel to 48 degrees left, non-sliding
- About 8.1 in. max crosscut
- About 37 lb
👍 Pros
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👎 Cons
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What owners say: Buyers call it a no-frills saw that just works. The main wish is more capacity for wider boards.
6. DeWalt 20V MAX DCS361B 7-1/4″ Sliding Miter Saw: Best for Trim
This compact cordless slider is a favorite grab-and-go saw for baseboard, casing, punch lists and small shops. At under 30 pounds it is easy to carry up stairs, and testers found its dust collection good for a cordless saw. It is sold as a bare tool, so it makes the most sense if you already own DeWalt 20V batteries.
Key specs
- 7-1/4-inch blade, 20V MAX (tool only)
- Single bevel, sliding
- About 8.2 in. max crosscut
- About 29 lb; XPS shadow line
👍 Pros
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👎 Cons
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What owners say: Trim carpenters praise how quickly it sets up and how clean the cuts are. Its limits show on wider boards and thick framing lumber.
7. SKIL MS6305-00 10″ Dual Bevel Sliding Miter Saw: Best Value
SKIL packs dual-bevel sliding capacity into a saw that costs about what many brands charge for a basic chop saw. Expert testers called it the best value, with fast, smooth cuts and more than 12 inches of crosscut. Dust collection and fit-and-finish are where you notice the savings.
Key specs
- 10-inch blade, 15-amp corded
- Dual bevel (48 left, 45 right), sliding
- About 12.6 in. max crosscut
- Miter to 51 degrees both ways
- About 40 lb; shadow cut line
👍 Pros
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👎 Cons
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What owners say: DIYers say it delivers features they didn’t expect at this price. Some wish it were more refined and that it caught more sawdust.
8. Makita LS1040 10″ Compound Miter Saw: Best for Woodworking
The LS1040 is a simple, compact fixed-head saw known for accurate crosscuts and bevels. Without rails it is stable and easy to keep in tune, which suits furniture makers and hobbyists who cut narrower stock and care more about precision than capacity.
Key specs
- 10-inch blade, 15-amp corded
- Single bevel, non-sliding
- Compact fixed-head design
👍 Pros
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👎 Cons
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What owners say: Owners value Makita’s build quality and how true it cuts out of the box. Dust and a dim work light are minor gripes.
9. Metabo HPT C10FCGS 10″ Compound Miter Saw: Best Budget
For a first miter saw or occasional projects, the Metabo HPT C10FCGS is light, affordable and backed by a 5-year warranty. It has plenty of power for 2x4s and trim, but its roughly 6-inch crosscut is small, and testers found it needed squaring up out of the box.
Key specs
- 10-inch blade, 15-amp corded, 5,000 RPM
- Single bevel 0-45 degrees left
- Miter 0-52 degrees left and right
- About 24 lb
- 5-year warranty
👍 Pros
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👎 Cons
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What owners say: Beginners say it is an easy, affordable starter saw. Expect to spend a few minutes adjusting it square before trusting critical cuts.
How to choose the best miter saw
- Saw type. A basic compound saw angles the blade for miters and tilts one way for bevels. Dual-bevel saws tilt both ways, which speeds up crown and trim. Sliding saws (or Bosch’s glide arm) add width for shelving, flooring and deck boards.
- Blade size and capacity. 7-1/4-inch saws are portable trim tools, 10-inch saws balance size and blade cost, and 12-inch saws cut thicker and wider stock. A 10-inch slider can out-cut a 12-inch chop saw on width: the SKIL slider measured about 12.6 inches versus about 8.1 for the DWS715.
- Corded or cordless. A 15-amp corded saw never runs out of power. Cordless saws make sense if you already own the battery platform and work where outlets are scarce.
- Footprint and weight. Sliding rails need open space behind the saw. Weights in this list run from about 24 pounds to about 66.
- Accuracy. Look for positive detents at common angles and readable scales, and check the fence and blade for square on day one. Budget saws often need a tune-up.
- Dust collection. Bags vary widely. Connecting a shop vac to the dust port makes the biggest difference indoors.
- Cut-line guide and safety. A shadow LED line needs no calibration; lasers can drift. An electric brake, trigger lockout and a work clamp are worth having.
Installer tip from our team: On trim and flooring jobs, set the saw up on a stand at a comfortable working height with support for long boards on both sides. Cuts stay more accurate when the stock isn’t sagging off the table, and it is easier on your back over a long day.
FAQ
What is the difference between a chop saw and a miter saw?
A chop saw only makes straight 90-degree crosscuts. A miter saw’s blade pivots left and right for angled cuts, and most also tilt for bevel and compound cuts, which makes them the go-to tool for trim and framing.
Should I get a 10-inch or 12-inch miter saw?
A 12-inch saw cuts thicker and wider boards. A 10-inch saw is lighter, cheaper and uses less expensive blades. If you need width, a 10-inch sliding saw often covers it for less weight than a 12-inch slider.
Can a miter saw cut metal?
Some can, with a blade made for the metal you’re cutting and a saw rated for it. Check your saw’s manual first, follow the manufacturer’s blade and speed limits, and wear eye and hearing protection.
Can you rip boards on a miter saw?
No. Miter saws are built for crosscuts, and rip cuts along the length of a board are unsafe on them. Use a table saw or circular saw with a guide for ripping.
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- Home Comfort, Backup Power & Tool Guides
Sources
GearLab: The Best Miter Saws; Bob Vila: Best Miter Saws; This Old House: Best Miter Saws; Metabo HPT C10FCGS product page; Pro Tool Reviews: SKIL 10″ miter saw. Owner feedback is summarized in our own words from public reviews. Photos courtesy of Unsplash.