Miter saws are types of saws that gives the user several options to come out with the ideal shape for the material they are cutting. The best feature of a miter saw is its angling capabilities, with the blade shifting between different angles and depths to best suit the design and material you are operating.
There are many varieties of miter saws out there from different brands. Therefore, selecting the best miter saw for homeowner can be tricky. Additionally, miter saws also come in a range of prices and are suitable for a variety of uses.
The fact that miter saws provide even un-professionals with the ability to construct wooden designs like picture frames, crown moldings, dog houses, and even chicken coops makes miter saws popular among homeowners.
However, given the sheer amount of miter saws out in the market, a homeowner might be confused as to which one to buy. In this article, we have outlined six of the best miter saws suitable for homeowners, based on a variety of features like weight, safety, and pricing.
We have also given homeowners some key features to consider before purchasing a miter saw, and when these things you need to take into consideration then one cannot fail to pick the best miter saw for homeowner.
Best Miter Saw for Homeowner Reviews
A miter saw is a versatile tool that is used in cutting molding among other cutting projects. The following are some top miter saw every homeowner needs to have for precise cutting.
Comparison Chart
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1. DEWALT Sliding Compound Miter Saw
This miter saw from DEWALT is one of the most liked miter saws for home use out there and with good reason. Dewalt is a company known for its high-quality machinery, and this miter saw is no exception.
It features a 12-inch blade made of carbide that can turn up to 90-degrees to cut 2 by 16 lumber, and up to 45-degrees to cut 2 by 12 wood. This miter saw can cut timber of up to 6.75 inches in thickness and is specifically designed to use on fencing posts.
The Sliding Compound Miter Saw is powered by 15 amperes of direct power, with a long electric cord to connect to a power source. It’s motor experiences 3,800 RPM (revolutions per minute). This makes the Sliding Compound Miter Saw a powerful piece of machinery with extended power and more durable.
The DEWALT Sliding Compound Miter Saw also features a dust collection system that collects up to 75% of what is collected, making it easy for you to see the lumber you are working on without having to clear up the dirt. Also, it weighs 56 pounds, a weight that makes it comfortable to use and move from place to place.
Pros
Cons
- Versatile with the ability to turn 60-degrees to the right and 50-degrees to the left.
- Cuts lumber up to 6.75 inches in thickness.
- A suitable weight for various home and professional uses.
- The dust collector helps you see clearly when cutting.
- 56 pounds might be too heavy for some users.
- It does not feature a soft start and the user might experience a kick when turning it on.
2. Hitachi Compound Miter Saw - Hitachi C10FCH2 15-Amp 10-inch
Another highly reviewed miter saw comes from the renowned brand, Hitachi. This miter saw features some killer specs that make it suitable for both home and professional use. The blade is 10.5″ tungsten carbide-tipped, strong enough to cut through 3″ high and 6″ deep of wood.
The blade is designed to turn up to a miter range of 52-degrees to the right and left and has a bevel range of 45-degrees to the left. The blade is powered by 15 amperes of direct power, and features 5000 RPM, making it a very powerful and fast tool to cut through a variety of lumber thickness.
To make your work easier this miter saw features Hitachi’s signature laser marker which outlines the correct path for you to cut along even before the blade is in motion, increasing the precision of your cuts.
The saw’s grip is horizontal and features an elastomer grip that reduces the vibrations getting to the user, keeping you steady and your precision true. To improve on precision, it features positive, adjustable thumb-controlled stops.
This miter saw also features a dust collector that gathers the sawdust released during sawing to keep your vision clear and your cutting true. The Hitachi C1-FCH2 is only 26.5 pounds, making this miter saw a light and thus portable for both home and construction site use.
Pros
Cons
- Has a laser marker to keep the cutting at a straight angle.
- The dust collector gathers sawdust to improve visibility and precision.
- It has various turning angles, making it suitable for multiple angled cuts.
- The grip features a vibration-reducing feature to keep the user in control.
- It is light and portable from site to site.
- The base is made of plastic and is thus light and unstable if not clamped.
- The packaging is not secure, and some parts might be harmed in transit.
3. Bosch Miter Saw - Bosch Power Tools GCM12SD - 15 Amp 12 Inch
Bosch needs no introduction in the machinery category, and this powerful-looking piece of machinery is no exception. We will not go on looks alone, let us see if it has the specs to support it. The GCM12SD features an axial-glide system that makes wider and smoother cross cuts.
This system also means that you get 12″ of workspace due to its blade. The powerful blade can cut through lumber of 6.5″ horizontally and also against a fence base. This saw has a bevel angle of up to 45-degrees both left and right to improve the precision.
It is easy to adjust and a stainless-steel scale guides the user with marked detents and roof pitch angles. When working on a fence base, the GCM12SD features a square lock that locks the lumber on the table at 90-degrees and requires no extra support or adjustment.
If you want to slide the post, you use the quick release lock to move the post. The Bosch GCM12SD also has a vacuum dust collector to gather sawdust during cleaning, clearing up to 90% of the debris, keeping your visibility on point for precise cuts.
This miter saw is lightweight and is powered by 120 volts of direct-source power, making it one of the most powerful miter saws out there. The stainless-steel material means that this saw is durable and does not experience rusting over continued usage.
Pros
Cons
- Axial-glide system for wide and smooth cuts.
- A wide range of bevel and miter angles for versatility.
- Vacuum dust collector to improve visibility.
- Cuts up to 6.5 inches thick of material.
- Made of stainless steel and is thus durable.
- It weighs 65 pounds, making it hard to handle without support.
- Does not feature a soft start, and the user experiences a powerful kick when turning it on.
4. Makita Miter Saw - Makita LS1018 10-Inch
Another highly-recommended miter saw for home use out there is the LS1018 from Makita. This saw is made with a 10-inch blade that delivers precise and accurate cuts right out of the box. The blade miters up to 47-degrees to the left and up to 60-degrees to the right and features positive stops at intervals at 15-degrees, 22.5-degrees, 31.6-degrees, and 45-degrees both right and left. The blade guard is see-through so that the user can see his line of cut when using it.
The bevel cut experiences up to 45-degrees angling for both the left and right, with positive stops at 0-degrees and 45-degrees. It is easy to adjust the angle as there is a handle specifically for that reason which has a quick release feature. At 90-degrees, the blade can cut up to 12 inches thick of lumber at 90-degrees, and up to 8.5 inches at 45-degrees.
The Makita LS1018 is powered by 13 amperes of direct power and features a 4300 RPM motor which makes it a powerful machine with precise cutting. It is easy to start, with a soft-start feature to prevent the user from experiencing a kick during start-up. It also features an electric brake for easy stopping of the machine. It does not require a lot of maintenance, and even when using it the dust gathered is collected into a dust bag. It is also 43.7 pounds, which is a good weight and makes it easy to move from place to place.
Pros
Cons
- See-through blade guard to improve precision.
- Features a soft start feature to protect the user.
- Has a soft rubber handle for comfort and ease of use.
- The electric brake makes it easy to stop the motor during use.
- Features easily-adjustable positive stops to improve on angling.
- The sliding is not smooth.
- Does not have a laser-guiding system for precision.
5. Delta Shopmaster Miter Saw - Delta Power Equipment Corporation S26-262L 10"
This machine is sleek and from the get-go, you can tell that it is geared for precision and accurate cuts. The blade is 10″ long that cuts 2 by 6 blocks of wood when at 90-degrees with one pass. It bevels up to 47-degrees for versatility. The blade guard is see-through so that you can see your line of cut when working, and this improves on your precision. To further improve your precision, it features a laser-guiding system that outlines your line of cut clearly.
The laser is battery operated, with an easy to access on-off switch. The whole machine is powered by 15 amperes of direct source power and features 5500 RPM of the motor, which makes it powerful for cutting through any thickness of the material. There is also an electric brake to quickly stop the blade within seconds. This saw is highly versatile, and is made to fit with almost any miter saw stands in the market. It is also lightweight, weighing only 25 pounds, making it one of the lightest miter saws out there and therefore one of the most portable.
Pros
Cons
- Clear blade guard to improve visibility and precision.
- A laser beam to guide when cutting.
- It is light and thus portable.
- An electric brake for easy starting and stopping.
- Aluminum base to sturdiness and stability.
- Does not have a locking mechanism for the positive stops.
- The sawdust collector is not very effective.
6. Makita Compound Miter Saw - 12-inch Compound Miter Saw
Another miter saw from Makita is this 12-inch, carbide-tipped blade variety that cuts through 4.5 inches of the pivoting fence and up to 5.5 inches of crown molding. The saw can miter up to 45-degrees both left and right. It has positive stops at intervals of 15-degrees, 22.5-degrees, and 31.6-degrees.
The LS1221 is powered by 15 amperes of direct power and experiences 4000 RPM of a motor for maximum productivity. It has an electric brake with which you can control the motor and quickly stop the saw while in action. It also features electronic speed control to keep the speed constant during operations.
The LS1221 is supported by a sturdy aluminum base to ensure that it remains stable when working. This ensures that your cuts remain precise. There is a dust-collecting mechanism to keep the sawing area clear of debris released when working. It is controlled by a horizontal handle for ease of use and comfort while operating the saw. The LS1221 also weighs 48.8 pounds, making it portable and easy to move from site to site.
Pros
Cons
- Supported by an aluminum base to keep it sturdy.
- Dust-collector to keep visibility sharp when operating it.
- Has a variety of angles with up to 9 positive stops.
- It features a pivoting fence to support larger materials.
- It has an easy-to-use and comfortable horizontal D-handle.
- It does not have a soft-start feature.
- Smooth wood may slide off when doing angle cuts.
Things to Consider when Buying a Home Miter Saw
Before you buy a miter saw, it is prudent to understand some important buying tips. This will help you select the most suitable tool that will suit your cutting needs. Here are important tips to help you make the right choice.
Angle Variations
There are 3 variations of miter saws. Compound miter saws have blades that pivot to the left and to the right to make angled cuts and tilt one-way to make beveled cuts. These kinds of saws are good for making picture frames and crown moldings and make complicated cuts in one pass.
Dual compound miter saws are almost like compound miter saws, but they feature additional bevel cuts, enabling it to bevel to any angle. Dual compound miter saws are therefore more versatile.
Sliding compound miter saws feature a sliding capability in addition to their compound miter saw capabilities. The sliding feature enables the user to move the blade back and forth to increase the length of cut when using it.
Electric Capabilities
A direct power source powers many miter saws, and it is essential that a miter saw has a high amperage because this gives the saw more cutting power. Many of the miter saws featured here experience 15 amps of power, making them very powerful.
RPM refers to the motor revolutions per minute, and a higher RPM rating means a faster motor revolution. A miter saw with high RPM cuts faster even right after being turned on. Electric brakes are also a handy feature for any miter saw, as they make it easy to stop the saw in only a few seconds quickly.
The way the work is that they promptly reverse the flow of electricity when the trigger is released, and this immediately stops the blade. It is vital that miter saws have this feature for quicker capabilities.
Guiding Features
A good miter saw has several guiding features so that the user can make accurate cuts. One of them is the positive stops feature, which shows various angles so that the user can correctly stop at one depending on the type of angling required.
It is also crucial that a miter saw has a locking mechanism for these positive stops so that it does not slide right past the stops and distorting the accuracy of cuts made. Another feature that improves precision and accuracy is a laser guiding system.
The lasers are mostly battery-operated so that the user can quickly switch the guidance on and off. The laser beam lights directly across the piece of lumber and makes it easy to follow for precise cutting. Most saws feature a digital display system that automatically shows the setting at which the saw is at for quick reading and easy adjusting.
Stopping Features
As mentioned earlier, positive stops are vital since they enable quick setup on various angles and save the user time and improve the accuracy of angling. Miter saws with thumb-activated stops make it easy to lock the saw at the right angle since the feature is easily-accessible.
Depth stops are also essential features as they adjust the height of the blade when around the machine. The depth stop determines the depth at which the saw will cut into the material, and this improves on the accuracy, giving you the desired angle and shape.
Locking mechanisms like a spindle lock or a shaft lock keep the shaft static, enabling you to change the blade without hassle.
Support System
A good strong base made of either aluminum or steel makes the miter saw stable despite the angles at which the blade is turned. This is important to make accurate cuts. Good miter saws are made so that they can be placed and supported by any type of miter saw stands, and this helps especially if the saw is heavy.
They are made with features that help clamp miter saw stands extensions to the saw to cut longer pieces of material. Another supporting feature is the fences. Sliding and flip fences support taller, longer pieces of material regardless of the type of saw you are using.
The material can be slid out and flipped to make different kinds of angled cuts. Moreover, you can check some reviews on the best table stand that you can also consider buying.
Material
Another supporting feature is the fences. Sliding and flip fences support taller, longer pieces of material regardless of the type of saw you are using. The material can be slid out and flipped to make different kinds of angled cuts.
Other Features
While not necessary, a good miter saw will feature a blade guard that protects you from the blade but also improves the accuracy of your cutting. Some guards are see-through so that you can see your line of cut through it to make more precise cuts.
The blade diameter is also an important feature to consider. A blade with a bigger diameter makes longer cuts. Blades range from 8″ diameters to 12″ diameters. In this article, we have featured 10″ and 12″ diameter miter saws, and your decision should be based on the type of cuts you are going to make.
A dust collection system is also an important miter saw the feature. Dust collectors gather the sawdust released when working without you having to dust it off to resume operations manually. Most dust chutes are vacuum-powered to zap up to 90% of the dust released.
The dust collection system is not complete without a dust bag where the dust collected is stored. A good dust collection system saves you time that would have otherwise been spent clearing the work area, and it also improves the visibility of the material to ensure precise cuts.
Conclusion
There are a variety of miter saws out in the market; most of them are high-quality and durable. We have listed the best miter saws for homeowners available, featuring different blade diameters, weights, guidance systems, and various metallic body composition.
It is essential to consider the sawing you will be doing before purchasing a miter saw, especially since many saws are not cheap. If you are going to use your saw at home, either in the garage or out in your driveway, then you can handle a heavier miter saw since pulling it out of storage and mounting it will not be challenging.
If you are thinking of moving your saw from site to site, maybe to a construction site, it is vital that your saw is light and portable, especially if you do not have extra hands to help you load it up. Safety is also a critical component of any miter saw. A blade guard protects your eyes from the wood shavings.
Electrical braking enables quick stoppage mainly since they feature a quick-release trigger to grind the saw to a halt immediately.
These are important factors to consider, combined with others such as blade diameter, fencing features, and positive stops features. If you follow this guide, you are guaranteed to purchase the best miter saw for homeowners.
Also, check other related posts on the best circular saw for beginners and mitre saw stands with wheels that you might also be interested in.