Dewalt dws709 vs dws780: Which Comes Out On Top?

Which one is better; the Dewalt dws709 vs dws780? At first glance, both miter saws look similar. And it is only when you look a little bit dipper that their differences become evident.

They are two capable compound miter saws powered by the same 15 amp motor and boasting a 12-inch blade. So which is the better of the two? Well, if I had to choose based on features alone, I would pick the Dewalt dws780.

However, as stated, you need to look a little deeper into what both saws offer to make an informed decision on which to buy. Let’s do that, shall we?

What Dewalt DWS780 Offers?

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How does the DWS780 compare to its counterpart? You may be asking. For the most part, it’s almost the same saw. It features the same 12-inch blade and the same 15 amp motor with a 3800 RPM blade rotation speed.

However, that’s where the similarities end. With the DWS780, you can cut 7-½ inch crown molding in a nested position. The cutting capacity can handle 2×16 inch wood at 90 degrees and 2×12 inches at 45 degrees.

Being a compound sliding bevel saw, it has miter adjustments of up to 60 degrees to the right and 50 degrees to the left. Also, you get a bevel angle of 45 degrees on both right and left.

The saw also features the Dewalt XPS lighting system that sports an LED light. TheLED light casts a shadow of the blade, which acts as a guide for your cutting.

PROS

• Offers increased cutting capacity
• Features the XPS lighting system that improves accuracy when cutting
• The default saw blade is of better quality than that found in most other saws.
• Can handle bevel cuts of 0 to 49 degrees on both sides

CONS

• Significantly pricier than the DWS709
• Can be a bit bulky for some people

Notable Alternative
If you are looking for something with a better cutting capacity than the dws709, but don’t have the money to spend on the costly dws780, you can opt for the dws779. The latter offers the same features as the two, with several differences.

It costs less than the dws780 and performs slightly better than the dws709. We have done a comparison article of the dws709 vs dws779, which you can check out.

What Dewalt DWS709 Offers?

Let’s get to meet the contenders individually first, starting with the Dewalt DWS709. This is a compound sliding miter saw powered by a 15 amp motor. 

The miter range on this one is 50 degrees to the left and 60 degrees to the right. It also comes with 13 positive miter detents. When it comes to cutting, it can handle 5.5-inch tall crown molding placed diagonally.

When placed vertically, it can cut 4.5 inches of crown molding. Its cutting capacity boasts a decent capacity of 9.5 inches at 90 degrees and 6-⅝ inches at 45 degrees.

You can plug it into a vacuum cleaner to deal with dust. You can also swap out the default blade with a specialized one if you want to cut plastic or metal.

PROS

• Features the same powerful motor as other pricier models
• The build quality is impressive.
• Can be used to cut a wide variety of materials from wood to aluminum
• Has a decent cutting capacity that can be increased to 14 inches at 90 degrees

CONS

• Does not have any onboard lighting
• The cutting capacity is a bit limited.

Dewalt dws709 vs dws780: Comparison

Performance:

When pitted against each other performance-wise, the two are fantastic saws. They are capable of making accurate cuts. However, the DWS780 edges out its counterpart thanks to its XPS lighting system and increased cutting capacity.

Price:

When it comes to price, the dws709 comes out on top. When compared, the dws709 price is almost ⅔ that of the dws780. That is a significant price difference, and for most people, it is enough to make them pick the dws709 if the cost is an important factor of consideration.

Versatility:

Given they are both compound sliding miter saws, the two are quite versatile. They both can handle miter cuts to the left and right. Furthermore, they both can handle cutting a variety of materials, including wood, plastic, and metal.

Nevertheless, the dws780 edges out its counterpart once again, thanks to its advanced features and increased cutting capacity.

Design:

Design-wise, both saws look the same, and the build quality is the same on both models. However, the dws709 is slightly larger than its counterpart. Thus, if you have limited space to store your saw, then the smaller dws780 will appeal to you more.

Weight and portability:

This is another area where the dws780 comes out on top. The dws709 is heavier and larger than its sibling. Thus it is less portable than the dws780. As such, if portability is important to you, the dws780 will be a better option.

Construction:

In regards to construction, the two are on par. Nothing is separating the two as they boast of the same high-quality construction.

Cutting power:

The dws780 can handle 2×16 inch lumber at 90 degrees while the dws709 can handle 2×14 inch lumber at 90 degrees.

At 45 degrees, the dws780 can handle 2×12 inch lumber, while the dws709 can handle 2×10 inch lumber.

From the above, it is clear that the dws780 once more edges out the dws709 in the cutting power department. 

Blade:

Both feature the same 12-inch carbide blade. This blade can be swapped out for a specialized blade for cutting plastic or metal on both saws.

Dust bag:

Both feature a dust bag and can be connected to a vacuum cleaner for a more efficient way of dealing with dust.

Safety:

In terms of safety, both are equipped with a blade guard that goes over the blade and protects your hands from the spinning blade.

Special Feature: What Makes dws780 Unique Than dws709

XPS Lighting system:

The main difference between the two is the XPS lighting system found on the DWS780 and missing from the dws709.

So why is this feature so important? This system shines an LED light on the surface of the blade casting a shadow.

You can use this shadow as a guide to increase the accuracy of your cut. 

Conclusion

If you are a DIYer looking for a basic compound sliding miter, saw, then the cheaper dws709 will be a great option. Most DIYers may find the dws780 a little bit pricey.

However, if you are a professional contractor, the additional money you pay for the dws780 will be worth it. The dws780 is clearly the winner in regards to performance, hence its higher price tag.