We independently evaluate all recommended products and services. If you click on links we provide, we may receive compensation. Learn more. Shopping Home Reviews Home Improvement Product Reviews The 8 Best Miter Saws of 2024 These power tools will make your DIY projects look like they were done by a professional. By Megan Boettcher Megan Boettcher Megan Boettcher is a freelance writer with more than 15 years of experience writing for home design, DIY, and holiday titles. Learn about BHG's Editorial Process Updated on October 22, 2023 Fact checked by Rich Scherr Fact checked by Rich Scherr Rich Scherr is a seasoned technology and financial journalist who spent nearly two decades as the editor of Potomac and Bay Area Tech Wire. The Baltimore native also covered the technology scene for LocalBusiness.com and has been a regular contributor to the sports pages of The Baltimore Sun and The Washington Post. Also among his credits is a stint editing morning news feeds for America Online and frequent contributions to the Associated Press. Learn about BHG's Fact Checking Process In This Article Expand Jump to a Section Our top picks Reviews The Bottom Line What to Know Before Shopping Your Questions, Answered Who We Are Better Homes & Gardens Having the right tool for the job makes any home improvement project go a little more smoothly. When it comes to installing trim or putting up your own crown molding, any avid DIYer will tell you it’s essential to have a good miter saw for the project. A miter saw allows you to cross-cut a board at 90 degrees or at an angle, such as 45 degrees. Being able to match up angled trim boards makes trim installation go quickly and smoothly. The best miter saws do much more than just cut wood at a couple of angles. Many of them are compound miter saws, which means you can also tilt the blade to make an angled bevel cut. An angled bevel cut cuts through the wood at a slant, creating a sloped edge. There are also sliding compound miter saws that allow the blade to move forward to cut and slide the blade through thicker materials, and dual compound miter saws that can make miter cuts and bevel cuts to the right or left. With so many options it’s hard to know what’s right for you and your skills. For working on the widest range of projects, “my recommendation would be a sliding compound miter saw,” says Brian Shaunfield, store manager at Lowe’s in Charlotte, North Carolina. It has the ability to cut through the thickest materials and make the largest range of angled cuts. However, the average DIYer may not need that many features. Depending on whether or not you want a battery-powered or electric power tool, a lightweight saw for easy transportation or a heavy-duty machine that can make cuts every day may be better for you. Bevel CutA basic miter saw can cut straight through a piece of wood at 90 or 45 degrees. Some miter saws also have a bevel cut feature, which allows you to tilt the head of the saw at an angle to cut diagonally through wood. This is a helpful feature to have if you are cutting wood for custom frames, trim, or baseboards. FenceThe fence on a miter saw looks like a small fence and is located toward the back of the table. Typically made of metal, this piece helps keep the wood in place while it’s being cut. RPMRPM, or rotations per minute, is the speed at which the blade on a miter saw is measured. The higher the RPM, the faster the blade can cut through wood. Blade DiameterThe size of the blade determines how thick of material you can cut. If you regularly work with thick boards, you will want a miter saw with a larger blade. It is common to see miter blades at 8, 10, and 12 inches. Always use the product’s recommended blade size—it can be dangerous to replace a 10-inch blade with an 8- or 12-inch blade. Our Top Picks Best Overall: Bosch 12-inch Axial Glide Miter Saw at Amazon ($599) Jump to Review Best Budget: Genesis Compound Miter Saw at Amazon ($148) Jump to Review Best Splurge: Milwaukee 6955-20 12" Sliding Dual Bevel Miter Saw at Amazon ($656) Jump to Review Best with Stand: DEWALT 15 Amp Corded Miter Saw and Saw Stand at Home Depot ($828) Jump to Review Best Compound: Makita LS0815F Slide Compound Miter Saw at Amazon ($549) Jump to Review Best Sliding: Ryobi 18V ONE+ 7-1/4" Sliding Compound Miter Saw at Home Depot ($242) Jump to Review Best For Beginners: DEWALT 12-Inch Single Compound Miter Saw at Amazon ($249) Jump to Review Best Cordless: Milwaukee M18 FUEL 18V Miter Saw Kit with One 12.0Ah at Home Depot ($849) Jump to Review Best Overall Bosch 12-inch Axial Glide Miter Saw Amazon View On Amazon $599 View On Lowe's $649 View On Home Depot $599 Why You Should Get It It has a dust chute and comes with a vacuum adaptor elbow so you can easily hook it up to a vacuum for better dust collection. Keep in Mind It doesn’t have a laser light cutting guide. Our pick for the best overall miter saw is the Bosch GCM12SD 15 AMP 12-inch Corded Dual-Bevel Sliding Glide Miter Saw. It is a compound sliding miter saw that can make bevel cuts from 0 to 47 degrees to the right or left, making it useful for a variety of projects like making custom frames or making a farmhouse bench. There are bevel detents at 0, 33.9, and 45 degrees on both sides so you can quickly set up your work for the most frequently used angles. This ambidextrous orientation is beneficial because it gives you more flexibility to complete projects and makes the saw more comfortable whether you are left- or right-handed. This best miter saw comes with a 12-inch, 60-tooth saw blade. The sliding feature creates smooth cuts, even for wide pieces of wood. Compared to a traditional rail set-up, this sliding miter saw doesn’t take up as much work space. One feature that makes working with this best miter saw a little easier is the square lock quick-release fence, which aligns the material at 90 degrees to the saw’s surface. Dust collection is a big issue when it comes to woodworking, and this miter saw comes with a dust chute that leads to a small collection bag. That might be enough of a dust collection solution for someone who only uses the saw occasionally, but professionals or serious DIYers will be happy to see there is a dust adapter elbow included with this product that they can connect to a wet/dry vacuum. However, the vacuum and hose are not included with this miter saw. One thing to consider is that this miter saw doesn’t have a laser light cutting guide. If that feature is important to you, you may want to look for another product. Product Details: Type: Compound sliding miter saw | Blade Diameter: 12 inches | Power Source: Corded | Max Speed: 3,800 RPM | Weight: 65 pounds Best Budget Genesis Compound Miter Saw Amazon View On Amazon $148 View On Walmart $177 View On Home Depot $154 Why You Should Get It It has a laser light guide for cutting. Keep in Mind It can only cut materials with a maximum height of 3 inches, so instead of cutting some items vertically you’d have to use the bevel function. Homeowners who want to periodically do home improvement projects themselves, such as installing baseboard molding, but don’t frequently do woodworking projects will want to take note of this best miter saw. This compound miter saw is drastically less expensive than other more professional-grade products on the market, but it still has the basic functions you need for occasional DIY projects. It comes with a 10-inch saw blade and can make precise miter cuts up to 45 degrees to the right or left. For convenience, there are nine position stops at frequently used angles. This miter saw can also make bevel cuts up to 45 degrees on the left. Note that this budget-friendly miter saw does not rotate to make bevel cuts to the right. One feature that is especially nice for beginners is the laser light that acts as a cutting guide. Additionally, this miter saw only weighs 24 pounds, making it easy to transport if you want to cut boards near your project area. It comes with a clamp to hold down materials, a dust collection bag, extension wings, a blade wrench, and two AAA batteries for the laser light. A two-year warranty from the manufacturer also lends some peace of mind to a new woodworker. One factor to take into consideration is that it only has cutting clearance for materials up to 3 inches high. This means that if you’re cutting 2 x 4s, you can’t cut them vertically because the board is too tall. You’d have to lay it down horizontally and make the cut using the bevel cut function. Product Details: Type: Compound miter saw | Blade Diameter: 10 inches | Power Source: Corded | Max Speed: 4,600 RPM | Weight: 24 pounds Best Splurge Milwaukee 6955-20 12" Sliding Dual Bevel Miter Saw Amazon View On Amazon $656 View On Home Depot $749 View On Acmetools.com Why You Should Get It It has built-in LED work lights that illuminate the cutting surface so you can clearly see the materials and cutting line. Keep in Mind It weighs almost 78 pounds, so if you want to transport it to a job site, you’ll want to purchase a separate rolling miter saw stand. Serious woodworkers and professional carpenters should consider investing in this heavy-duty compound sliding dual bevel miter saw. Not only can it make a variety of different cuts, it also has a fine adjust feature as well as built-in work lights. It is one of the most versatile miter saws on our list because it has the ability to make a wide range of miter cuts from 55 degrees to the left and 60 degrees to the right. It also has a digital readout of the miter angle so that you can accurately repeat angled cuts without worrying that anything has shifted between cuts. If you’re into fine detail woodworking, this miter saw has a fine adjust feature that lets you override the preset detents so you can dial in a precise angle. Another standout feature of this miter saw is the dual built-in work lights that illuminate the material you’re working with and the cut line from two sides. This feature eliminates the need to set up a separate work light in the area.To collect dust, there is an integrated dust channel that collects dust and debris and sends it to a dust collection bag. If you want to set it up to a vacuum system for greater dust collection, the miter saw vacuum adapter is sold separately. One consideration for this professional-level miter saw is its weight. It weighs more than 77 pounds and to be able to transport it to a job site or even to another area of your home shop, you may need to purchase a rolling miter saw stand. You can expect to spend another $200 to $300 on a quality rolling miter saw stand to support this product. Product Details: Type: Compound sliding miter saw | Blade Diameter: 12 inches | Power Source: Corded | Max Speed: 3,250 RPM | Weight: 77.8 pounds Best with Stand DEWALT 15 Amp Corded Miter Saw and Saw Stand The Home Depot View On Home Depot $828 Why You Should Get It It comes with a rolling miter saw stand that holds up to 300 pounds and accommodates up to 8 feet of material. Keep in Mind It’s one of the heaviest miter saws on our list at 68 pounds. You could finally tackle that crown molding project you’ve been thinking about with the DeWalt 15 Amp Corded 12-inch Double Bevel Sliding Compound Miter Saw and Stand. This double-bevel sliding compound miter saw has a wide range of functions, and it comes with a stand so you don’t have to find a sturdy place for it in your garage or shed. It can make miter cuts from 60 degrees to the right and 50 degrees to the left, and it can make bevel cuts from 49 degrees to the right and 48 degrees to the left. Its maximum cutting thickness is 14 inches. It has a tall fence, which is the backstop where you align the wood before cutting. Having a tall fence allows you to cut crown molding up to 7.5 inches and base molding up to 6.75 inches high. This miter saw comes with a rolling miter saw stand that can hold up to 300 pounds, and it can support up to 8 feet of material. This is beneficial especially when you’re working alone and need to be able to hold a long board in place while you cut. The cart is collapsible so you can fold it up for easy storage in your garage or outdoor shed. It also has two rubber grip wheels so you can easily roll the saw where you want it before you set it up. Buying this set can save you money in the long run because it comes with the miter saw, the rolling stand, a 12-inch saw blade, a blade wrench, a clamp, and a dust collection bag. There is also a three-year limited warranty, one year of free service, and a 90-day satisfaction guarantee so you can return the product if you don’t like it. One important consideration to watch out for is a product recall on this model of miter saw built between April 2019 and April 2022. According to DeWalt, “The plastic rear guard assembly can break/shatter when struck, exposing the saw blade and posing a laceration hazard.” This issue has been addressed in newer models, so you want to ensure that you purchase one that was manufactured after April 2022. Product Details: Type: Compound sliding miter saw | Blade Diameter: 12 inches | Power Source: Corded | Max Speed: 3,800 RPM | Weight: 68 pounds Best Compound Makita LS0815F Slide Compound Miter Saw Amazon View On Amazon $549 View On Home Depot $549 View On Cpooutlets.com Why You Should Get It It only weighs 31 pounds, making it easier to transport to a job site or to use in DIY projects. Keep in Mind It only makes bevel cuts to the left. A compound miter saw is the best choice if you are going to be frequently cutting various sizes and angles of wood, and the best compound miter saw is the Makita LS0815F Slide Compound Miter Saw. It can cut pieces of wood up to 12 inches wide at 90 degrees, allowing you to tackle larger DIY projects. At just 31 pounds, it’s less than half the weight of some of the other miter saws on this list. This lighter weight makes it easier for a beginner or DIYer to use at home, and pros will also appreciate that it’s easier to transport to a job site. Despite being smaller, it’s still a powerful compound sliding miter saw. It has a maximum speed of 5,000 PRM, the highest speed on our list of best miter saws. It has a lot of flexibility and can cut miter angles from 50 degrees to the left and up to 60 degrees to the right. There are pre-set miter stops at 15 degrees, 22.5 degrees, 31.6 degrees, 45 degrees, and 50 degrees. You can adjust this miter saw to cut a bevel up to 48 degrees to the left, but only up to 5 degrees to the right. This limited range on the right might inhibit your project depending on what you’re working on and your skill level.The pre-set bevel stops are at 0 and 45 degrees to the left. Another detail to consider is that when cutting at a bevel angle of 45 degrees, the blade can only cut through 8.5 inches of material. If you’re frequently working with thicker materials you may want to keep scrolling for a heavier-duty saw, but for the average home improvement project this saw will fit your needs. There isn’t a laser light to help guide cuts, but built-in LED lights illuminate the work area and the see-through blade guard makes it easy to see where you’re cutting. A soft start feature and an ergonomic D-handle with an oversized trigger make it comfortable to use, especially if you’re making lots of repetitive cuts. Product Details: Type: Compound sliding miter saw | Blade Diameter: 12 inches | Power Source: Corded | Max Speed: 5,000 RPM | Weight: 31 pounds Best Sliding Ryobi 18V ONE+ 7-1/4" Sliding Compound Miter Saw Ryobi View On Home Depot $242 View On Ryobitools.com Why You Should Get It It can make up to 800 cuts on a fully charged battery. Keep in Mind The blade is only 7.25 inches in diameter, which limits its ability to cut some materials. The Ryobi 18V One+ 7-¼-Inch Sliding Compound Miter Saw is the best sliding compound miter saw for homeowners who like to tackle DIY home improvement projects but don’t need to use a miter saw every day. This sliding miter saw weighs 25 pounds, it’s easy to use, and it’s affordable. When you have a big weekend project to tackle, this saw can make up to 800 cuts on a single battery charge. There’s no need to worry about setting up your cutting station near an electrical outlet—you can set up shop anywhere. Despite being a compact saw, it can make miter cuts up to 47 degrees to the right and left. For your convenience, there are miter stops set at common angles, such as 0, 15, 22.5, 31.6, and 45 degrees. Even though the blade is only 7.25 inches wide, it can cross-cut through 2 x 10-inch materials. When set at a bevel, adjustable up to 45 degrees to the left, it will only accommodate smaller materials. One highlight that sets this best miter saw apart from the others is that this product won an award in 2021 for the best cordless miter saw from the Pro Tools Innovations Awards. There is also a three-year limited warranty from the manufacturer on this saw. Product Details: Type: Compound sliding miter saw | Blade Diameter: 7.25 inches | Power Source: 18V Battery | Max Speed: 3,600 RPM | Weight: 25 pounds Best For Beginners DEWALT 12-Inch Single Compound Miter Saw Amazon View On Amazon $249 View On Walmart $300 View On Walmart $300 Why You Should Get It It has a tall fence so you can cut boards up to 5.5 inches vertically. Keep in Mind It doesn’t have a sliding feature. It can be overwhelming for a beginner to use a power tool with too many bells and whistles. This compound miter saw is a high-quality power tool, but it has simple settings and features for novice DIYers to learn how to use it with confidence. This miter saw makes cuts from 0 to 48 degrees to the left, and up to 3 degrees to the right. Limiting the miter cutting to just the left side allows a beginner woodworker to create consistent cuts while learning how to adjust angles. There are 14 pre-set angles to choose from, or you can customize the angle for your project. This saw also makes a bevel cut up to 48 degrees to the left only. The cutting capacity for this compound miter saw is up to 2 x 8 inches on a cross-cut and up to 2 x 6 inches when cutting at 45 degrees. It doesn’t have a sliding feature so that limits the thickness of material you can cut with this best miter saw. One nice benefit is that it has a tall fence so you can cut trim boards up to 5.5 inches vertically. This flexibility is nice for the beginner who is just learning how to measure, cut, and fit miter cut boards to install trim or crown molding. It comes with a 12-inch carbide-tipped blade in this miter saw, which has a maximum speed of 4,000 RPM. Along with the saw, blade, and blade wrench, this product also includes a dust bag and clamp. There is a three-year limited warranty, one year of free service, and a 90-day satisfaction guarantee. Product Details: Type: Compound miter saw | Blade Diameter: 12 inches | Power Source: Corded | Max Speed: 4,000 RPM | Weight: 42.77 pounds Best Cordless Milwaukee M18 FUEL 18V Miter Saw Kit with One 12.0Ah The Home Depot View On Home Depot $849 View On Northerntool.com View On Toolup.com Why You Should Get It It is a cordless dual bevel sliding compound miter saw that has a large cut capacity for all types of projects. Keep in Mind For a heavy-duty miter saw, it has a small dust bag. You may want to connect it to a vacuum system for large projects. Serious woodworkers who want a cordless miter saw that can do it all should consider this dual bevel sliding compound miter saw. With a 12-inch blade, it has a 45-degree miter cross-cut capacity of 8 inches and a 45-degree bevel cross-cut capacity of 2 x 14 inches. The vertical capacity against the fence is 6.75 inches, and the vertical capacity of a nested crown molding is 7.5 inches. In layman’s terms, this saw has the ability to accommodate a wide array of material sizes. It also has one of the widest miter cut ranges on our list of best miter saws. It can cut a miter angle of 55 degrees to the left and 60 degrees to the right, and it can cut a bevel up to 48 degrees to the right or left. This versatility makes it one of the best miter saws for professionals and homeowners alike. Having a shadow cut line LED on this saw helps guide the user to make accurate cuts. It is powered by an 18-volt battery and can make up to 330 cuts per charge. This saw comes with a battery and a multi-voltage rapid charger. If you want to mount it to a miter saw stand, the stand is sold separately. The dust collection bag is about the size of a deck of cards, which may be too small for heavy use. If you’re working on a big project or plan to use this miter saw frequently, it may be worth getting a vacuum hose adapter to connect it to a dust collection system. Product Details: Type: Compound sliding miter saw | Blade Diameter: 12 inches | Power Source: 18V Battery | Max Speed: 3,500 RPM | Weight: 52.4 pounds The Bottom Line Overall, our top pick for the best miter saw is the Bosch GCM12SD 15 AMP 12-inch Corded Dual-Bevel Sliding Glide Miter Saw because it has the ability to make up to 45-degree miter cuts to the right and left as well as bevel cuts. It comes with a dust adaptor elbow to easily connect to a vacuum system, and it is moderately priced compared to its competitors. What to Know About Miter Saws Before Shopping Type There are a few different types of miter saws. A basic miter saw makes straight and angled cross-cuts. Usually, you can set the miter saw at a specific angle to make precise cuts. A compound miter saw performs the same functions as a regular miter saw, and additionally, it tilts to the side to make bevel cuts. A dual compound miter saw rotates to make miter cuts and bevel cuts to both the right and left. A sliding miter saw allows you to move the blade forward to cut through thicker material than you would be able to do with a simple cross-cut on a basic miter saw. Many of the best miter saws on our list combine features, so you may see products listed as dual compound sliding miter saw. This means that the blade can slide forward through the materials, and it can be set to cut a miter angle or bevel angle to the right and left. Blade Diameter The size of the blade determines how thick of material you can cut. If you regularly work with thick boards, you will want a miter saw with a larger blade. Most of the best miter saws on our list require a 12-inch blade. However, the cordless Ryobi Sliding Compound Miter Saw needs a 7.25-inch blade. It is common to see miter blades at 8, 10, and 12 inches. Always use the product’s recommended blade size—it can be dangerous to replace a 10-inch blade with an 8- or 12-inch blade. Power Source There are two power options for miter saws. Most miter saws come with a cord, and you’ll need to consider how close you are to an outlet when you use the saw. Cordless miter saws are operated by a rechargeable battery, like the Milwaukee M18 FUEL 12" Dual Bevel Sliding Compound Miter Saw. While you can make hundreds of cuts per charge on a cordless saw, it is a smart solution to fully charge the batteries the day before work, or to make sure you never run out of power, opt to get two batteries so you can charge one while working with the other. Cutting Capacity Before purchasing a miter saw, consider what projects you’ll be completing and the measurements of the wood you’ll be cutting. For projects with smaller pieces of wood, you can use a 10-inch blade, but for larger projects use a 12-inch blade. For a miter saw with a 10-inch blade, you can cut a 2 x 6-inch piece of wood at 90 degrees or a 2 x 4-inch piece of wood at 45 degrees. A miter saw with a 12-inch blade can cut thicker pieces of wood—it can cut a 2 x 8-inch piece of wood at 90 degrees or a 2 x 6-inch piece of wood at 45 degrees. Your Questions, Answered How much are miter saws? The more affordable miter saw on our list, the Genesis Compound Miter Saw, is less than $200, and it’s a good option for light DIY work. If you’re doing a lot of woodwork for your job or a hobby, you may want to invest in the splurge-worthy Milwaukee 6955-20 Sliding Dual Bevel Miter Saw a little more than $700. The average price for the best miter saws on our list is $515, and you can find several great options from $200 to $600. Can a miter saw cut metal? “You can cut through both ferrous and non-ferrous metal using a miter saw depending on its thickness,” Shaunfield says. “However, if you regularly cut into metal, I would suggest using a tool specifically meant for metal cutting.” Do you need a stand for the miter saw? You may need a miter saw stand, depending on how often you plan on using it. “Miter saws are typically mounted to a workbench for shop use, but if you’ll be transporting the saw to multiple areas, using a stand aids portability and maintains a sturdy foundation for cutting,” Shaunfield says. Who We Are Megan Boettcher is a freelance writer for Better Homes and Gardens, writing about a variety of topics, including home design, holiday crafts, and more. To find the best miter saws, she researched the features of miter saws and also considered factors like cut capacity, miter angle ranges, and power sources. She also consulted with Brian Shaunfield, Lowe’s store manager in Charlotte, North Carolina. These Circular Saws Smoothly Cut Through Lumber Was this page helpful? Thanks for your feedback! Tell us why! Other Submit