Miter Saw Buying Guide: How to choose the right one

Last updated on: April 25, 2024

Know what to consider

Choose the right saw

Enjoy woodworking again

Choosing which miter saw to buy is a tough task. With so many brands and models on the market, it can be frustrating to choose. I get it.

That is why I have done the research for you. In this buying guide I will be sharing with you what to look for, what size to buy and which brands to consider.

A good miter saw is a staple item for your workshop. Woodworkers use these powerful tools to produce a variety of products in numerous styles which entails the ability to make cuts at any angle.

This power tool has an oscillating swing arm that can be adjusted to aim the blade left or right to produce a desired angled cut. If you’re looking to make flawlessly straight, splinter-free cuts this tool is an essential. And with this article, I hope to give you the answer to “what miter saw should I buy?”.

In a hurry? >> Click here for the Quick Compare table

Miter Saw Buyers Guide for 2020

Why buy a miter saw?

Have you ever seen seamless crown molding or immaculate, custom trim? If so, there was likely a miter saw involved in the creation. Items with joints made between two or more pieces of wood such as picture frames, window or door frames, furniture, or even decks are also products of a miter saw (also sometimes referred to as a chop saw).

Miter saws create precise, crisp angles and is convenient for making a lot of quick bevel cuts and miter cuts if one needs numerous small pieces made up. Measurements are made easy as the saw is labeled making the learning process a lot easier.

Now, let’s start cutting into some details! There are a few different sizes of blade and brands (including Dewalt, Makita and Hitachi) to be aware of before making a purchase. Here are the basics of miter saw buying.

What to look for

What size to buy?

Blades typically come in 10 or 12-inch sizes. Deciphering between which saw to purchase is dependent on what you plan on cutting. However, unless you have a frequent need for a 12-inch blade a safe bet would be to buy a 10-inch.

Which is right for me: 10 inch or 12 inch?

The 10-inch

At most hardware stores there will be a larger selection of 10-inch blades that you will also find to be less costly. Not only is the upfront costs less, but fewer teeth means these blades are also less expensive to sharpen. The smaller radius allows the blades to spin faster using fewer amps ultimately driving down the cost of electricity, too.

Editor's Choice: 10-inch

A good 10 inch option is the DW717 made by Dewalt.

A great all-round sliding compound miter saw.

The 12-inch

The benefits of the 10-inch saw do not always outweigh that of the 12-inch. Bigger blades mean longer cuts. These tools also use more amps so they drive more power into the cuts. This is ideal for tasks like deck building or projects that use thicker material. Higher tooth speed also means cleaner, sharper cuts.

Editor's Choice: 12-inch

A 12inch saw I really like is the DWS780 from Dewalt.

This is a very popular 12 inch model, and for a good reason.

Do you need a saw with a laser guide?

Purchasing a laser for your miter saw would be a good idea if you if a project requires accurate and clean cuts. Laser essentially act as a guide by shining a beam onto the material where the blade will hit upon lowering. This way, a woodworker will know precisely where the blade will cut before contact is made. This decreases the risk of error and is a safer way to use the tool.

Keep in mind the laser is harder to see under bright light, so this is best for indoor use.

Is a sliding or compound miter saw better?

When determining which type to buy you need to consider what you will be using it for.

If you are creating simple things that require angled cuts in two planes (like picture frames, or crown molding) you will want a compound saw. These miter saws can pivot left to right and can create a compound cut in one easy pass.

Sliding miter saws differ from compound saws because they can also move forwards and backwards. This allows woodworkers to increase the length of a cut. They can do all that a compound saw can do and can cut up to 16-inches thick. This is ideal for lumber, boards, or logs.

So, now if you know what type and size to buy, the last thing you need to know is which brand to choose. A quality woodworker needs a reputable tool!

Where to buy miter saws?

My recommendation is only buy from Amazon. Their range and service are the best in my opinion. Sure, you can walk into your local hardware store, or a Home Depot\Lowes, but Amazon regularly offers miter saws for sale at some of the lowest prices you will find online.

Which miter saw to buy?

If you have been wondering what miter saw to buy, you are definitely in the right place.

Here are some quick tips on the top 5 brands on the market:

Miter Saw	Pro's	Con's
Hitachi C10FCE2 15-Amp 10-inch	Precise, accurate cuts. Great for beginners	Not ideal for fine detail. Blade needs to be updated.
DEWALT DW715 15-Amp 12-Inch	Easy to control, simple set up, accurate	Cheap dust bag
DeWalt DWS709 12-inch	Great cutting power, lightweight, ease of use	Reduced capacity, fewer features, more space needed for dust bag
Makita LS1016L 10-Inch Dual Slide with Laser	Leader for crown molding, adjustable for small angles	Heavy, unclear instruction manual
DEWALT DWS780 12-Inch Double Bevel	Powerful, high speed, includes LED light for accuracy	No soft start option, blade could use upgrading

What is the next step?

If you did not find a good option in the comparison table, I suggest reading some more of our recent reviews. Simply click on the image below to go to the review.

Read one of our recent reviews

See the top models compared head to head

Click here to see which are the top models of 2020.

Start looking at your accessories

Now that you have seen all the different angles of miter saws, it’s time to start thinking about which miter saw table and blade you want to use.