9 Best Compound Miter Saws for Woodworking Projects

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In this article, we’ve reviewed and listed the 9 best compound miter saws you can use to carry out your woodworking projects.

Compound miter saws are very important because they’re without doubt the best saws for making simple crosscuts. They replaced the radial arm saw as the ultimate tool for making cross cuts, miters and bevels. So as a woodworker, getting one for your projects is essential.

Choosing your first one however can be quite tricky, because they come in different types, styles and have different specifications you should know before making your choice. That’s why we’ve written this review and guide to make it easier for you to choose the right one.

We’ve spent a lot of time testing as many as we could get our hands on, and we’ve picked out only the ones that met our strict selection criteria.

Before getting to the list, here are our top picks from it.

Our Top Picks

• BEST OVERALL: Festool Kapex KS 120
• BEST FOR JOBSITE USE: Dewalt DWS780
• BEST FOR WORKSHOP USE: Bosch GCM12SD
• BEST FOR HOBBY WOODWORKERS: Wen MM1011T

Comparison Table

The Best Compound Miter Saws

In order to put this list together, we considered factors such as cut capacity, ease of making adjustments (like setting miter angles and bevels), accuracy, portability, power, overall design and build quality. All of them compound miter saws in this list meet these criteria and more, and we truly recommend them.

Dewalt DWS780 12-inch Dual-Bevel Sliding Compound Miter Saw

We spent hundreds of hours reviewing several compound miter saws, and I can tell you for a fact, that you’ll hardly find anyone better than this Dewalt DWS780. Whether you’re looking for a unit you that can withstand tough jobsite projects or you need one for your workshop, the DWS780 is one of the first dual-bevel sliding miter saws I’d recommend for you.

Here are the specs for it:

• 12 inch blade
• 15 amp motor
• Dual-bevel sliding unit
• Bevels 49 degrees left and right
• Miters 50 and 60 degrees left and right respectively
• Blade no load speed of 3800 RPM
• 2×14 inch max cross cut capacity at 90 degrees
• Weights 56 lbs.
• XPS LED system lights up blade from both sides, showing the exact cut line.

Festool Kapex KS 120 Sliding Compound Miter Saw – Best 10 Inch

The Festool Kapex KS 120 is like the Rolls-Royce of miter saws. It’s the most expensive unit in this list, but it’s also the most accurate, the easiest to adjust, and has the best dust extraction system you can find on any miter saw.

Here are the specs for it:

• 10-1/4 inch blade
• 15 amp motor
• Dual-bevel sliding unit
• Bevels 47 degrees left and right
• Miters 50 and 60 degrees left and right respectively
• Blade max. no load speed of 3600 RPM
• 2-1/4 x 4-3/4 inch cross cut capacity at 90 degrees
• Weights 50.93 lbs.

Related: 13 Tips And Tricks To Help You Get The Best Out Of Your Miter Saw

Bosch GCM12SD Dual-Bevel Gliding Compound Miter Saw | Best For Workshop Use

Bosch brings out one of the best designs and construction with this GCM12SD double-bevel gliding compound miter saw.

Instead of the traditional rail sliding design found in most miter saws, the Bosch GCM12SD uses an axial glide system which consists of a robotic arm that makes it possible to push the saw blade to-and-fro through the workpiece effortlessly, without using rails.

And since there are no rails extending from the back of the saw, you can sit the back of the saw flat against the wall, which makes it a lot more easier for you to conserve space in your workshop.

Here are the specs for it:

• 12 inch blade
• 15 amp motor
• Dual-bevel sliding unit
• Bevels 47 degrees left and right
• Miters 52 and 60 degrees left and right respectively
• Blade max. no load speed of 4000 RPM
• 2×14 inch max cross cut capacity at 90 degrees
• Weights 65 lbs.

Craftsman CMCS714M1 Compound Miter Saw

At first glance, the Craftsman CMCS714M1 miter saw might not look like it’s battery-powered, but if you observe properly, you’ll find out it is. The CMCS714M1 is actually one of the tools that uses the Craftsman V20 battery system.

Since it’s a battery-powered tool, you can use it anywhere you like as long as you have a fully charged battery. In fact, you can make over 500 cuts with a fully charged V20 battery, ensuring you can use it to complete any small to medium sized project before it runs down.

Here are the specs for it:

• 7-1/4 inch blade
• 20V 4Ah battery
• Single bevel
• Bevels 47 degrees to left
• Miters 47 degrees left and right
• Blade max. no load speed of 3800 RPM
• 2×8 inch max cross cut capacity at 90 degrees
• Weights 30.8 lbs.

Delta Cruzer 26-2241

This is the Delta Cruzer miter saw. And it’s one of the most exceptional miter saws we’ve ever tested. Just like the Bosch Gliding unit listed above, the Delta Cruzer doesn’t use the conventional sliding rails found in most compound miter saws.

It uses a heavy-duty robotic Cruzer arm with bearings that allows it to move freely, with a smooth fluid motion across the miter table. You can even adjust the tension in the bearings to stiffen the arm or loosen it depending on what you’re comfortable with. Trust me, when it comes to miter saws, this is top of the line.

Here are the specs for it:

• 10 inch blade
• 15 Amp Motor
• Dual Bevel
• Bevels 45 degrees and right
• Miters 50 and 60 degrees left and right
• Blade max. no load speed of 4000 RPM
• 2×16 inch max cross cut capacity at 90 degrees
• Weights 55 lbs.

Wen MM1011T Miter Saw

Wen has several models of miter saws to choose from, but this model MM1011T is the particular one I prefer. It’s a 10 inch dual-bevel sliding unit you can use for a wide range of projects.

I like this unit because it’s compact and easy to carry around. The sliding arms extend to the front, not to the back. So you can even position it flush against the wall without any hindrance from it. The overall design of this particular WEN model is just better in my own eyes.

Because it’s portable and compact, it’s one of the best saws we recommend for simple jobsite and DIY projects at home. It’s also very affordable when compared with the rest.

Here are the specs for it:

• 10 inch blade
• 15 Amp Motor
• Single Bevel
• Bevels 45 degrees to left
• Miters 45 degrees left and right
• Blade max. no load speed of 4500 RPM
• 3-1/2×12 inch max cross cut capacity at 90 degrees
• Weights 37.2 lbs.

Dovaman DMS03G Sliding Compound Miter Saw

The Dovaman tool brand is pretty new to me, but we still tested their miter saw, and I’ll tell you, it did really good during our tests.

It’s a sliding unit, with a big 12 inch blade, offering a quite large cut capacity, but the overall saw itself is not really that big or bulky. It’s pretty compact, and the build quality is good. It even has a laser guide to help you check your cut line and keep them accurate.

The only drawback I see with this Dovaman is that the blade that comes with it is pretty mediocre. But that’s common with most miter saws, including those made by some of the top brands. You can always upgrade to a better blade afterwards, if you want to.

Here are the specs for it:

• 12 inch blade
• 15 Amp Motor
• Dual Bevel
• Bevels 45 degrees left and right
• Miters 45 degrees left and right
• Blade max. no load speed of 3800 RPM
• 4.2×13 inch max cross cut capacity at 90 degrees
• Weights 53.9 lbs.

Skil MS6305-00 10 Inch Dual Bevel Miter Saw

The Skil MS6305-00 is one of the best portable and most affordable dual-bevel sliding compound miter saws we tested.

It’s not the cheapest in this list, but it’s got the most value out of all the low-priced we found. Most of the units at this price range are single bevel. The Skil can beveled left and right, so you don’t have to flip your boards over when making bevel cuts in both directions.

Here are the specs for it:

• 10 inch blade
• 15 Amp Motor
• Dual Bevel
• Bevels 48 and 45 degrees left and right respectively
• Miters 50 degrees left and right
• Blade max. no load speed of 4800 RPM
• 2×12 inch max cross cut capacity at 90 degrees
• Weights 39.4 lbs.

Makita LS1219L

The Makita LS1219L is the newest model of their tried and trusted LS models. If you’ve used any of the previous LS units in the past like the LS1013 and the LS1018, then you’d surely like this one.

This new model comes with a larger 12 inch blade which offers a greater cut capacity than the older 10 inch models.

The sliding rail design has also been changed to reduce the overall footprint of the saw. It’s no longer sticking out from the back, but now side by side with the blade arm, so you can place it right against the wall, and still make cuts conveniently without any obstruction.

Here are the specs for it:

• 12 inch blade
• 15 Amp Motor
• Dual Bevel
• Bevels 48 degrees left and right
• Miters 60 degrees left and right
• Blade max. no load speed of 3200 RPM
• 2×15 inch cross cut capacity at 90 degrees
• Weights 65 lbs.

How To Choose The Right Compound Miter Saw For Your Projects

First of all, you need to know the type you want. There are different types of compound miter saws. So knowing the type you want definitely makes things a lot easier.

Types of Compound Miter Saws

Compound miter saws are basically classified according to their design and configuration. They are:

• Sliding
• Non-Sliding
• Single-Bevel
• Dual-Bevel

Sliding Compound Miter Saws

Sliding compound miter saws are designed mainly to increase their crosscut capacity. They come equipped with rails or robotic arms that allows the saw arm and blade to move or slide to-and-fro across the table, allowing you to cut wider boards than you would have been able to cut, if it were not sliding.

For instance, a typical 12 inch non-sliding miter saw can crosscut up to 2×8 inch dimensional lumber at 90 degrees only. Whereas, a typical 12 inch sliding miter saw can cross cut up to 16 inches of that same lumber.

So, the main purposes of the sliding arm is to increase the crosscut capacity.

Different manufacturers have their own design of the sliding arm or rail. Some put the rails behind the saw, which really increase it’s footprint, because you have to make sure there’s enough space at the back for the rails to move through.

Some place it at the side which reduces the saw’s footprint, because there’s no protruding rails at the back.

While other manufacturers like Delta and Bosch don’t even use rails at all. They use robotic arms instead.

Non-Sliding Miter Saw

Non-sliding compound miter saws are the opposite of what I just described above. They have a fixed arm that only goes up and down.

They’re mainly designed for projects where you don’t need to cut very wide boards, like hardwood flooring, baseboard installation, building framing, furniture making, and most diy woodworking projects.

Single and Dual-Bevel Compound Miter Saws

One thing you need to know is that, it can only be called a “Compound” miter saw if it can cut bevels as well. If it can’t cut bevels, it’s just a miter saw.

It’s single bevel, if it bevels in one direction. It’s dual-bevel, if you can cut bevels in both directions, left and right.

Dual bevels saws are very useful for complex trim work where you need to cut really complex angles.

If you’re not carrying out professional woodworking projects like trim and crown molding installations, you should be able to tackle all your projects with a single-bevel unit.

Features To Look When Choosing A Miter Saw

Here are a few important features you should look for when making your choice.

Look for clearly marked scale

A clearly marked scale allows you to make measurements quickly and ensures your cuts are as accurate as possible.

Without a clearly marked scale, you’ll find it difficult cutting miters and making bevel cuts. So, make sure the compound miter saw you buy has a clearly marked scale.

You shouldn’t need your reading glasses to read the scale.

Make sure the miter angle have solid detent presets

Cutting miters or angles is one of the important reasons of getting a miter saw. After all, it’s called a miter saw, or in simpler terms, angle saw.

Solid detents presets allow you to set the miter table easily and quickly cut most common angles needed for most projects.

Ensure fence is solid enough to support materials

A very important component or part of a compound miter saw is the fence. It can’t be flimsy. A flimsy or fragile fence will fail and disappoint you.

That’s why I always advice that you go with the well-known brands like Makita, Dewalt, Festool, Bosch, Delta and the rest.

Even if you’re not choosing a saw from a well-known or recognized brand, make sure the saw you choose is backed with a very good warranty, so you can ensure if it fails before you’ve had any use from it you can have it returned and get a better one or get your money back and still get a better one from a well-known brand this time.

Smooth sliding action

What good is a sliding compound miter saw when the sliding action is as rough as a bad ball bearing? I’d say not good at all.

That’s why when you’re getting a sliding compound miter saw, you need to make sure that the sliding action is very smooth…

You don’t need to force the saw to slide through the cut. If you’re forcing it, it’s not worth it. So, if you’re buying offline from your local hardware or tool dealer, make sure you test the saw and check if it slides well.

If you’re buying online, check the reviews to make sure that there’re no complaints regarding how well the saw slides. If there are, move on from that saw and find something better.

Check dust collection and the location of the dust port

Although they don’t produce as much dust as a wood planer does, miter saws produce a fair amount of sawdust. And unless the dust is properly collected, your shop and the air around you can easily turn into a huge mess.

With proper dust collection however, that can be prevented. So, make sure the one you choose have a simple dust port where you can attach your shop vac to get the sawdust collected and stored for other uses.

Check for good blade guide system

Never operate a compound miter saw without a blade guard. So, if you see one without a blade guard, run.

Trigger locking feature – single and ambidextrous trigger locks

Ensure the one you choose have a trigger lock feature. When the miter saw is not in use, you need to engage the trigger lock.

This will ensure that the saw does not turn on when you or someone else accidentally presses the trigger.

Some saws come with a single trigger lock located at the saw handle, while others features an ambidextrous trigger lock so you can engage the trigger lock no matter which hand you’re using to operate the saw.

Accessories – laser guides and lights

If there are certain additional features and accessories you’d like to have, then you need to check for them too. Additional features like a laser or shadow line tech found in certain miter saws are things some people consider.

Blade size

Blade size is a very important option you need to choose very carefully when buying compound miter saws.

They come in 3 main blade sizes. The 7-1/4 inch blade, 10 inch blade and the 12 inch blade.

If you’re using it for woodworking, then you need not concern yourself with a 7-1/4 inch blade unit because it has a very small cut capacity.

10 inch blade miter saws are usually ideal for most woodworking projects that don’t require a large cut capacity.

A 10 inch blade though will still give you a larger cut capacity that a 7-1/4 inch blade unit.

With a 12 inch blade you have a very large cut capacity, especially when the saw is a sliding 12 inch compound miter saw.

In terms of blade size, keep in mind though that the smaller the blade the cheaper it is. 10 inch blades are far cheaper than 12 inch blades.

That means, if you get a 10 inch unit, you’ll find it cheaper to replace the blade when it gets bad or blunt than when you get a 12 inch blade saw.

The tooth count of the blade is also very important. Although you can always replace or change the blade that comes with your miter saw.

A higher tooth counts means clean neater cuts good for fine woodworking projects like furniture making and finish carpentry.

Low tooth count blades produce less neat or clean cuts and are ideal for cutting framing lumber and for DIY projects.

Space or footprint

I’ve talked about this before. You need to consider the space you have in your shop before making your choice.

Most sliding compound miter saws occupy a large footprint and thus needs more space to operate them.

Non-sliding units however, are more compact and occupy a smaller footprint making them ideal for woodworkers with very limited workshop space.

Corded vs cordless or battery operated

This is another important option you have to consider before choosing. Do you want a corded unit or a cordless one?

If you’re going to be operating the saw away from your shop most of the time, then you probably need a cordless compound miter saw.

Today there’re units that are both corded and cordless such as the Dewalt Flexvolt, Makita XSL06PT, the Ryobi ONE+ and the Milwaukee M18 fuel compound miter saws, just to name a few.

As a woodworking handyman, you need cordless tools because you may not always have access to electricity.

Having a corded + cordless saw with you will really go a long way to ensure you’re well-equipped and that you do your job easily.

So ensure you take note of these features when choosing one for your projects, and I’m sure you’ll end up with the right one.