As a homeowner, there are those DIY projects that require the use of a precision cutting tool. One tool you can rely on for such tasks is a miter saw. Capable of making accurate crosscuts and miter cuts, these saws are incredibly versatile.
However, you are probably not looking to spend thousands of dollars on your miter saw. After all, this is not a tool you are looking to use regularly. That being said, you are probably interested in a saw that will get the job done without making you bankrupt.
So which miter saw should you invest in? This is the question we will be looking to answer in this article. We decided to search the miter saw market for the best miter saw for homeowners, and we believe we have come up with a pretty comprehensive list of the best.
From the many saws, we previewed and tested; we narrowed down to five. And below are our honest reviews of the five. Also included is a buying guide.
For our top spot, we had a hard time choosing between the Bosch GCM12SD and the Dewalt DWS779. We finally settled on the Bosch GCM12SD, which offered a better and more compact design.
This meant that the Dewalt DWS779 came in at a close second. Both of these saws are a bit costlier, and you may want to look at our other options for more budget-friendly options.
A Quick Comparison Of Our Top Picks!
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Reviews of Top 5 Best Miter Saw For Homeowners
Bosch Power Tools GCM12SD
The most expensive tool on our list is the Bosch Power Tools GCM12SD. The cost of this model is nearly double the price of some of our other entrants. This raises the question, is it worth the rather hefty price tag?
- AXIAL GLIDE SYSTEM: patented glide system allows wider cross cuts and better alignment while also being compact, saving you 12 inches of valuable work space
- CAPACITY: expanded cutting capacity, 14 inch horizontal capacity nominal 6 1/2 inch vertical capacity against the fence base 6 1/2 inch crown capacity against the fence 45 spring
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Firstly, this is a double bevel compound miter saw. This means there is a lot more you can do with it compared to some of the other models on the list. But is that enough to justify its price tag? If you don’t know the difference between double and single bevel miter saw read from here.
The axial-glide system is perhaps its most notable feature. It comes aligned at 90 degrees to the table. This means you do not need to make any adjustments. This axial glide system does not use the traditional rail system, which saves time.
As a double bevel miter saw, it has a miter range of 0 to 47 degrees both to the right and left. Its 15 amp motor delivers a no-load speed of 3800 RPM. This is sufficient for cutting through thick wood.
What we liked
- It is surprisingly compact and does not take up a lot of space
- The axial-glide comes aligned at 90 degrees thus no adjustments needed
- While it is powerful, it is remarkably easy to use
- Offers three market bevel dents at 0, 33.9 and 45 degrees at both the right and left side
- Has an impressive 14-inch horizontal cutting capacity
What we did not like
- Despite its price, it does not feature a laser guide
- It may be a bit too pricey for some people
Features
- 60 tooth 12-inch blade
- 15 amp motor
- 3800 RPM no-load blade speed
- 90 degrees dust chute
- 65 pounds weight
- Square lock quick release fence
Verdict
As a DIYer, you may need to invest in a quality, and versatile miter saw as well as a miter saw stand. The Bosch Power Tools GCM12SD could be the right choice for you. While it is a bit costly, it delivers perfectly and can handle more tasks than most.
Best Sliding Miter Saw For Homeowner: DEWALT Sliding Compound Miter Saw, 12-Inch (DWS779)
It is hard to find a miter saw that both professionals and hobbyists can agree on. But the DWS779 model from Dewalt is one such saw. Most DIYers and hobbyists love its compact design and ease of use.
- Stainless steel miter detent plate of the 12-inch miter saw blade comes with 10 positive stops
- The mitre saw has a precise miter system and machined base fence support
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This is a sliding compound miter saw, so expect a blade capable of tilting in both directions. With its back fence design, it can cut 2×16 dimensional woods at 90 degrees. At 45 degrees, it was able to handle 2×12 woods.
The 15 amp motor on this saw and the 12-inch blade is pretty standard. The motor spins the blade at a speed of up to 3800 RPM putting it on par with the Bosch. Where this saw truly shines is in its ease of use. We had no trouble switching between miter angles. And while the saw required some setup, the manual is very well written and explains everything well.
For most of us, safety features are necessary. This Dewalt model has a transparent blade guard that gives you an unobstructed view of the cut at all times.
What we liked
- It is relatively affordable sliding compound miter saw
- Overall it is an easy to use saw even for an inexperienced miter saw users
- Can make accurate crosscuts as well as miter and bevel cuts
- For its price, we were impressed with its cutting accuracy and precision
- The 15 amp motor and 12-inch blade combo are sufficient for general cutting
What we did not like
- Though it comes with a dust collection bag, it has underwhelming capabilities
- Weighing about 68 pounds some people may find it heavy
Features
- 15 amp motor
- 12-inch blade
- 6.75 inches maximum cutting thickness
- One blade wrench
- Back fence design
Verdict
You will be hard-pressed to find another miter saw that offers the same level of excellence as this one for the price. For home use, this takes the title of the best sliding compound miter saw.
Metabo HPT Compound Miter Saw C10FCGS
With a 10 inch blade, this is a basic saw designed for light to medium cutting tasks. It is also quite affordable and lightweight. All this makes it an ideal choice for most homeowners.
- LARGE TABLE SAW 10 INCH : Metabo HPT's compound miter saw offers better material support with its vice clamping system to secure the workpiece. This single-bevel table saw 10 inch is your ticket to fast and precise cuts, perfect for all your professional or DIY projects.
- PORTABLE DESIGN: The compound miter saw from Metabo HPT is lightweight, at only 24.2lbs. Our portable miter saw is easy to maneuver. The thumb-actuated positive stops allow for quick miter adjustments. 10" miter saw blade included
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Ease of use is something most of us look at, and this saw is easy enough to use. There is a simple thumb-adjustment level for changing the miter angles. The miter angle stops start from 0 to 52 degrees.
The 10-inch blade is quite common in saws of the Metabo’s caliber back to the blade size. Thus finding a replacement will be easy. As for power, it comes with a 15 amp motor. Again this is standard and should provide you with sufficient power for most tasks.
While it has a standard motor, its cutting capacity is not its best selling point. At 45 degrees, you will be able to cut wood of up to 1-5/8×4 inches. At 52 degrees, you will be able to miter cut wood of up to 2-5/16 x 3-½ inches thick.
What we liked
- Weighing about 24 pounds, it is one of the most lightweight miter saws
- Comes with a port at the back that you can hook a vacuum to for dust collection
- Offered at a relatively affordable price tag for most people
- Produces accurate and precise cuts
- Capable of cutting a variety of woods from hardwoods to dimensional lumber
What we did not like
- Is made from aluminum and may not be as long-lasting as other models
- Underperforms in the cutting capacity department
Features
- 10-inch blade
- 15 amp motor
- 0 to 52 degrees miter angle range
- 0 to 45 bevel angle range to the left
- Horizontal handle
- 24.5 pounds in weight
Verdict
This miter saw is designed for homeowners looking for an inexpensive and lightweight option that does not compromise on quality. While it does have a few things we didn’t like, we still found it good enough to be on the list.
DEWALT 12-Inch Miter Saw, 15-Amp, Single Bevel, Compound (DWS715)
You are probably already familiar with the Dewalt DW715. Well, the DWS715 is its replacement. The good news is, it retains all the DW715 good features and comes with some new additions.
- Stainless-steel miter detent plate of 12-inch miter saw blade comes with 14 positive stops
- The mitre saw features the precise miter system and machined base fence support
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Like all the other saws already on the list, it features a 15 amp motor. The latter can spin the 12-inch blade at speeds of up to 4000 RPM. This speed is sure to speed up your cross-cutting, molding, frame cutting, and miter cutting tasks.
There is a stainless steel detent plate that offers 14 positive stops. This is better than the ten positive stops you get from models such as the DWS780. The saw’s long fence is another one of its top features.
This fence can accommodate 5-¼ inch crown molding vertically, and 6.5-inch molding set vertically against the fence. In terms of portability, it weighs 40 pounds, and is thus not the most lightweight miter saw out there
What we liked
- The saw runs quietly
- The 4000 RPM blade speed translates to quick cutting
- It is easy to operate
- Comes with a built-in carry handle
- The easy-to-adjust cam-lock miter handle is easy to adjust
What we did not like
- The included dust bag fills up pretty quickly
- It costs a bit more than other similar products
Features
- 12-inch blade
- 15 amp motor
- Adjustable stainless steel miter detent
- 4000 RPM blade speed
- 48 degrees bevel to the left
- 3 degrees bevel to the right
Verdict
As with any other Dewalt product, this is a very well made saw. It is also fast and accurate. All this makes it a top-rated miter saw. That being said, it is a miter saw worth checking out.
TACKLIFE Miter Saw, 15 Amp Compound Sliding Miter Saw
Exceptional value for money is what you get from the Tacklife compound sliding miter saw. This a multi-functional tool capable of handling a wide array of tasks. Furthermore, you can use it on plastic, wood, plywood, and even mild steel.
The hallmark of this saw’s performance is its adjustable blade speed. Powered by a 15 amp motor, you can choose to switch between 3200 and 4500 RPM. This comes in handy when you need to cut through different types of materials.
Speaking of cutting through different types of materials, the saw comes with three blades included. A 10-inch blade can cut almost all materials, and there are two 10 inch blades designed for cutting wood.
You get five hardened steel bevel stops at 0 degrees, 15 degrees, 22.5 degrees, 30 degrees, and 45 degrees. There is also a laser guide that helps illuminate the cut area. In regards to safety, you get an iron safety guard.
What we liked
- For the price, it comes with a laser guide, which is a feature missing on most similar models
- Weighing 30 pounds, it is lightweight enough to carry around
- Can run at two different blade speeds
- Comes with three different blades designed for cutting different materials
- The saw can cut through a wide variety of materials
What we did not like
- The number of degrees was hard to read
- Moving to higher RPM takes quite a bit of time
Features
- Two adjustable blade speeds 3200 and 4500 RPM
- 15 amp motor
- One 10 inch multi-functional blades
- Two 10 inch wood blade
- Five positive bevel angle stops
- One clamping device
Verdict
At its price, there aren’t many miter saws as versatile as this Tacklife Unit. It is our best miter saw for home projects, because of its versatility. Additionally, its lightweight design and ease of use make it an attractive proposition for most.
What You Need To Know Before Buying a Miter Saw
There are things you need to know before purchasing a miter saw. Let’s look at some of them in this section.
Type of miter saw
From our list, we can pick out three main types of miter saws. Compound miter saws, dual compound miter saws, and sliding compound miter saws for homeowners. Compound miter saws can tilt to the left or right to make angled cuts. However, they can only tilt in one direction to make bevel cuts.
Dual compound miter saws can make bevel cuts at any angle. Finally, sliding miter saws have a sliding base that allows you to move the blade back and forth to increase the cut’s length.
If you are looking for a basic and inexpensive miter, saw for making picture frames and crown molding a compound miter saw is an ideal option. But if you want to handle more bevel cuts, go for a dual compound miter saw.
Sliding compound miter saw will come in handy when you have long sheets of material to cut. It is worth noting though that sliding compound miter saw can be costly.
Blade Size
Miter saws come with different blade sizes. There are blades as small as 6.5 inches, but the most common blade sizes range from 71/4 inches to 12 inches. All the models on our list feature either a 10 inch or 12-inch blade.
Larger blades can, of course, cut thicker materials. On average a12 inch blade will be able to cut through a 2×8 with relative ease. A 10-inch blade, on the other hand, can handle 2×6. Therefore, the blade size you select will depend on the size of materials you are most likely to cut.
Size and weight
As a homeowner, you probably want something you can use around your compound. Thus you are probably not interested in a bulky model that has to be bolted onto a desk. That being said, weight and size are important factors to consider.
Some miter saws weigh as little as 24 pounds with others weighing as much as 65 pounds. Depending on your overall needs, a lightweight saw may be a better option. Also, the overall size matters, mainly if you have limited space.
Positive stops
Miter saws come with positive stops set by the manufacturer. These are used for making precise cuts without the need for re-adjustments. Ideally, the more the positive stops on a miter saw, the better.
Blade Guard
A blade guard is a safety feature that you will find in most miter saws. It acts as a buffer between you and the spinning blade when you lift the saw. This is an important feature to have, especially if you are not an experienced miter saw user.
Should I buy a table saw or miter saw first?
Table saw first, but not by much. A table saw is probably the most versatile piece of equipment in a workshop (along with the band saw). It’s safe to say that you’ll want one before anything else. The miter saw is used for cross-cutting and mitering plywood panels to create molding and trim pieces. They also excel at precise bevel cutting, as well as adjusting for any angle within 1-degree accuracy. That said, there are some tasks where a table saw can’t make cuts accurately because of the lack of flexibility afforded by its rectangular throat opening (most commonly panel ripping), so we recommend buying a miter saw if you can’t afford both; right away! Miter tools offer precision in many areas and are often much less expensive than table saws, so shop around and find one that fits your needs.
What kind of Mitre saw should I buy?
The choice depends on the desired application and power required to do different tasks with this tool including cutting thick materials or deep cuts or crosscutting boards, etc. The first step is to figure out what kind of cuts you’re going to be making. If you’ll mostly just be cutting wood, for example, a cordless miter saw might work best because it’s more portable and lightweight than a corded one. However if your job includes doing metal or other non-wood materials then the power provided by the cords may make them better suited for those jobs. The most important thing is that you know how often and in which type of material(s) you will use your tool before deciding on what kind of mitresaw suits both your needs and budget.
Should I choose a 10 or 12-inch miter saw?
The answer is simple. It depends on the type of work you do and what your needs are. If you have a large workshop with lots of space, then go with the 12-inch model because it will be more versatile and last longer than the smaller version. On the other hand, a 10-inch miter saw spins faster compare to a 12-inch miter saw.
Which one is the good beginner miter saw?
A good beginner miter saw will be lightweight, easy to use and it should have a wide range of features.
Conclusion
We have examined a diverse selection of miter saws in this article. And the reason for this is that there is no one-fits-all model. It all depends on your needs as well as budget. Costly models may offer more features, but they are not necessarily ideal for you.