The miter saw is an essential tool in any properly equipped work site or tool shed, made for angular cutting with a precisely lowered saw blade. There are endless applications for these tools as you work, so we’ve shortlisted five of the best to help you choose the best.
Related Article: The 5 Best Miter Saws For 2023
Our Best Sliding Compound Miter Saw Reviews and Comparisons
| PRODUCT | FEATURES | |
|---|---|---|
TOP PICK | 1. DEWALT DWS709
| Check Price |
RUNNER UP | 2. Hitachi C12RSH2
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  | 3. Makita LS1219L
| Check Price |
  | 4. Dewalt DW715
| Check Price |
  | 5. Milwaukee 6955-20
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1. DEWALT DWS709
Product Highlights
DeWalt DWS780 is a powerful miter saw with enough angle on both bevel and miter for tricky cutting wherever you need it, and a strong safety suite to back it up.
Features
- Miter and bevel rotation of fifty degrees
- Cuts twelve inches wide and more than four inches deep
- XPS shadow line guidance system will light up the cutting line for work in dim areas
- Adjustable blade speed for precision cutting of different materials
The Good
DeWalt DWS780 is a great choice for many work sites or home projects, with a strong motor and enough angle combinations to offer precision cutting wherever it’s used. DeWalt had safety in mind designing the DWS780; an automatic blade cover keeps the blade concealed unless actively cutting, and the base is sturdy enough to keep the machine stable even during a full-power cut.
Buyers can breathe easy when purchasing the DWS780, thanks to a year of free service, three years warranty coverage, and a ninety-day money-back guarantee.
The Bad
The dust control system is functional but far from what it could be, and the cutting depth can be troublesome enough to require manual adjustment during a cut.
A particular turn off for many is the price; the DWS780 runs a minimum of five hundred dollars, an expense users might be tempted to avoid.
Pros
- Fifty degrees on bevel and miter
- Adjustable speed
- Illuminated guidance system
- Multiple strong safety features
- Fifteen-amp motor
Cons
- Subpar dust control
- Relatively expensive
2. Hitachi C12RSH2
Product Highlights
This saw is built for the future, with several high-tech features aimed at taking your projects to the next level.
Features
- Fifteen-amp motor delivering up to four thousand rotations per minute
- Laser guide for accurate cutting
- Forty-five degrees rotation on bevel and miter
- Collapsible slide rails
The Good
C12RSH2 is extremely advanced, with a laser guide and a collapsible rail system. It is powerful enough for most hardwoods and requires nearly zero clearance.
The Bad
Although useful for a smaller workshop, the collapsible slide rails are not the smoothest for moving the saw. The dust bag is a start but will likely require outside help.
Pros
- Collapsible for smaller workspaces
- Laser-guided
- Best value for the price
- Little to no clearance needed
Cons
- Extra dust control needed
- Slide rails can stick
3. Makita LS1219L
Product Highlights
Makita’s entry into the field is focused on giving the maximum cutting power out of the box, with an extra-strength beltless motor and a sixty-toothed blade.
Features
- Six and three-quarters vertical cut capacity and fifteen inches on crosscut
- Up to sixty degrees rotation on bevel and miter
- Fifteen-amp direct-drive motor with slow-start function
- Laser-guided for exact cutting
- Sixty-tooth carbide-tipped blade
The Good
The LS1219L Is built for increased cutting power from base to blade and delivers it along with smooth and easy cutting
The Bad
LS1219L’s many durability features make it noticeably bulkier than comparable machines, and several pounds heavier as well.
Pros
- Slow-start option
- Versatile cutting capabilities
- Easily adjustable
- Beltless motor
Cons
- Heavier than most
- Bulky exterior is hard to handle
4. Dewalt DW715
Product Highlights
Also from DeWalt, the DW715 is very much a value-for-money product, giving reliable action and good cutting power for a markedly reduced price.
Features
- Twelve-inch carbide blade
- Fifteen amp motor running up to four thousand rotations per minute
- Steel detent plate and eleven positive stops
- Cuts up to six and a half inches against the fence
The Good
DW715 is compact and relatively lightweight, combining with solid cutting power to make an excellent choice for the handyman or home carpenter.
The Bad
This saw may not be up to work site use or particularly heavy or thick pieces of lumber, and carries only forty degrees of swivel instead of fifty or sixty.
Pros
- Great value for money
- Unusually durable
- On the lightweight side at forty-two pounds
- Accurate cutting for smaller pieces of material
Cons
- Not powerful enough for industrial use
- Less rotation than other models
5. Milwaukee 6955-20
Product Highlights
Milwaukee continues its longtime reputation of fine hardware with a saw built for ease of use and exact performance.
Features
- Angle adjusts to one-tenth of a degree
- Digital angle display
- Full job site and cut line illumination
- Fifteen-amp motor up to three thousand, two hundred fifty rotations per minute
The Good
This saw is particularly easy to use for odd or repeated cuts thanks to its digital display and angle controls.
The Bad
Slower cutting speed than other saws, and no vacuum adapter included.
Pros
- Extreme precision
- Fully illuminated job site and cutting line
- Built-in screen to control tilt
- Motor can maintain speed even under load
Cons
- Slower cutting speed than usual
- Does not come with a vacuum adapter or bag clamp
Final Verdict
Any of these tools will make for a quality addition to your workshop or a way to speed up a home project. The main features of bevel and miter, cutting depth and speed, and workplace safety and durability are so close it can be hard to call.
For many, the choice will doubtless be one of budget or availability. Whichever happens to be cheapest at a particular retailer will be chosen
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