Compound Miter Saws Reviews

Power miter saws make quick work of crosscutting lumber and molding. They take less space than most table saws, and since they're mounted on a stand, they're faster and less tiring to use than circular saws. The most basic miter saws, often called chop saws or cut-off saws, just cut straight across the board or miter an angle. These are fine for cutting steel. However, for woodworking and carpentry, reviews recommend a compound miter saw that can cut precise miter angles and bevels. That's the kind of miter saw covered in this report.

We found an excellent review of 10-inch compound miter saws (the size most popular for home and jobsite use) at Consumer Reports. Based on objective tests, editors compare 13 miter saws, including one cordless miter saw and -- for cutting wider lumber -- three sliding compound miter saws. An earlier miter-saw review at American Woodworker also includes some of these small models.

Other miter saw sizes and types are compared in woodworking and construction publications. Recent reviews in Wood Magazine and in Woodworker's Journal test 12-inch compound miter saws, and Taunton's 2008 Tool Guide, Fine Woodworking and Workbench Magazine compare 10-inch sliding compound miter saws. Some earlier reviews are also still useful, since miter saws tend to stay on the market for many years.

Owner-written reviews and in-depth single-product reviews by woodworkers and construction crews provide information that fills in details left out of the big comparison reviews. Owners often base their reviews on months or years of usage, while most comparison tests are performed in just a few weeks. Popular Woodworking magazine also runs "endurance tests" lasting at least two years, evaluating tools for durability and long-term performance.

Reviews say that for smoother, more precise cuts, you can sometimes upgrade a budget miter saw by outfitting it with a better blade that has more teeth. If you plan to do this, be sure to add the cost of the new blade to that of the miter saw itself. For example, a top-quality 10-inch Forrest blade with 80 teeth, the Forrest CM10806105 (*est. $130), costs nearly as much as the least expensive miter saw reviewed here. Even a less expensive blade like the 80-tooth Freud TK806 (*est. $50) can add significantly to the total price.  ... Continued

Our Consensus Report shows how many times products are top-ranked by reviewers included in our
All The Reviews Reviewed chart.

The DeWalt DW703 gets the most recommendations among 10-inch compound miter saws. For 12-inch miter saws, reviews recommend the DeWalt DW716 and Bosch 4212L, with the single-bevel Delta 36-322L, Bosch 3912 and Hitachi C12FCH as good budget choices. Among 10-inch sliding compound miter saws, the Bosch 4410L has the lead, but the Makita LS1013L is a close contender. The Ridgid MS1290LZ takes the field among big 12-inch sliding miter saws. The Ryobi TS1341/TS1342 is a 10-inch basic miter saw that's fine for making rough cuts.

The Buzz

The 10-inch Evolution Rage3 sliding compound miter saw (*est. $300) is unique in its ability to cut both metal and wood. Most reviews are positive so far, though one notes that it cuts slowly. Its big advantage is in remodeling, where hidden screws and nails might otherwise be a problem. At 44 pounds, it's also fairly lightweight. You can see a video of this saw in use, crosscutting lumber studded with nails.

SawStop, the company that makes an innovative table saw that stops the blade when it encounters flesh -- limiting a potential amputation to just a nick -- is developing a miter saw with the same safety feature. You can see a video of a prototype on the SawStop website.

Brian Mark, the "Power Tool Geek," predicted in January 2006 that with miter saws taking 12 percent of the power tool market, and cordless tools 44 percent, more cordless miter saws must be on the way. The capabilities of lithium-ion batteries make this even more likely. However, we haven't seen any evidence of new lithium-powered miter saws yet. They'd be used more by contractors, for their extra portability, than by homeowners. Apparently the market isn't there yet.