Compound miter saws are popular with home DIY enthusiasts, professional craftsmen, and contractors alike for all the right reasons ― they provide flexibility and ease-of-use.
If you will be cutting a lot of angles and miter joints, it’s smart to buy a compound miter saw. It will make your life easier, and it will save you a lot of time in the long run!
Here are the top 10 best compound miter saws of the year — based on value, usability, and popularity.
| Name | Category | Product |
|---|---|---|
| DEWALT Sliding Compound Miter Saw | Best Overall |  |
| Hitachi C10FCG 15-Amp 10" Single Bevel Compound Miter Saw | Budget Pick |  |
| Hitachi C12RSH2 15-Amp 12-Inch Dual Bevel Sliding Compound Miter Saw | Upgrade Pick |  |
1. DEWALT Sliding Compound Miter Saw
Pros:
- Solid construction
- Easily adjustable miter scale
- Tool-free bevel controls
- Excellent dust collection
- Anti-snag lower guard
- Minimal vibration
- Dust blower attachment
- Automatic grease lubrication
- Consistent accuracy
- Qualified for both right and left handed users
Cons:
- Only ideal for straight cuts
- Tricky assembly
- Customer service can be frustrating
- May be overkill for small to medium sized projects
- Minimal safety measures
The DEWALT DWS779 is one of the best sliding compound miter saws available in the market and is also our top choice. Featuring a 60-tooth carbide blade, these saws have a 2.5HP motor and a 12-inch stroke length. The cast aluminum base provides durability and long-term stability, which is important for a saw that features a sliding mechanism.
Apart from that, this Dewalt model is extremely versatile with its adjustable stops. It lets you use the miter saw for projects that require either the right or left hand, which makes it a great choice for both left and right handed users.
2. DEWALT 12-Inch Sliding Compound Miter Saw
Pros:
- Solid build and a clear sightline
- Quick to adjust
- Smooth operation
- Automatically returns to 90 degrees
- Galling packed for easy on-the-go storage
- Includes an adjustable auxiliary handle, dust blower and sliding extension rail
- Long, 8-foot cord allows for a greater range of motion
- Easy to read cross-hair
Cons:
- Large, heavy design
- Rough edges on the sliding rails
This powerful sliding compound miter saw is probably one of the best sliding miter saws to buy. It features a miter range of 0 to 61 degrees in both right and left configurations. It also adjusts from 0 to 45 degrees on the horizontal stroke. The sliding action is smooth and accurate, while the saw itself is very stable and doesn’t move around even when the motor is going full speed.
The saw includes a dust blower which really helps keep the cut line clear during application of power. It also includes a sliding extension rail which is pretty nifty considering the price of the saw. Those two features really help the user get the most out of the saw.
3. Hitachi C10FCG 15-Amp 10" Single Bevel Compound Miter Saw
Pros:
- Precision ExactCut Bevel System
- JigSaw type fence
- 4-position pivoting fence
- 15 Amp motor
- Durable miter and bevel angle adjusment
- Energy saving features
- Easy-to-read scale
- Wide base for stability
- 12-Inch blade capacity (standard)
- Quick-lock miter handle
Cons:
- Blade makes a loud grinding noise
- Bevel stops beyond 45 degrees of miter angle
- Measurement markings not legible
- Saw is heavy
- Debris can find its way into dust chute.
4. CRAFTSMAN V20 7-1/4-Inch Sliding Miter Saw Kit
Pros:
- Affordable price point
- Sturdy aluminum base
- Easy-to-read measurements
- Includes a crown-molding stop kit and dual levers that allow you to adjust the horizontal and vertical bevel/miters
- Easy to assemble
- Comes with a 7-year limited warranty
Built with precise measurements and perfect angles, this 20-inch sliding compound miter saw is a must-have for all your miter and crosscutting needs. With an excellent 4.2 out of 5 star rating from over 800 reviews on Amazon, it is the top-rated sliding compound miter saw on the market, and is sure to meet all your miter saw needs.
The tool is compact and weighs a mere 24.5 pounds, easily upending the bulky saws that are often unfriendly for smaller spaces. It comes with a crown-molding stop kit that allows you to cut your moldings at both 45-degree angles and 90-degree angles. With dual bevel features and horizontal and vertical miters, this tool comes with all the features you need at an affordable price.
It also features a sturdy aluminum base and compact tabletop design. But, if you already have a saw and want to upgrade your experience, you can opt for purchasing the Delta 20-797 Sliding Compound Miter Saw Blade Stop.
5. Hitachi C12RSH2 15-Amp 12-Inch Dual Bevel Sliding Compound Miter Saw
Pros:
- Affordable price point
- 15 amp motor provides adequate power
- Bevel stops help with repetitive cuts
- Compatible with various Hitachi sight lines
- Dual bevel capability
Sometimes, the best miter saws are not always the most expensive ones. That’s certainly the case with the Hitachi C12RSH2. Now, you may be wondering why it’s on this list, and why it’s not one of the more expensive machines. Well, you should know that this saw is cheaper because it is not as powerful as several other saws on this list. However, it’s still good for professional projects.
The Hitachi C12RSH2 Sliding Compound Miter Saw is a dual bevel sliding compound miter saw with a 15 amp motor. This is ideal for woodworkers looking to make accurate and repetitive cuts every time without having to sacrifice too much power.
6. 12-Inch TACKLIFE Sliding Compound Miter Saw
Pros:
- Excellent power
- Very lightweight
- Aluminum base for durability
- Soft grip handle
- Can be upgraded
- Great value
- 60 day money back guarantee
Cons:
- Blade can get stuck easily in some spots
- Plastic casing
- Large and heavy
How is the best sliding compound miter saw unique from other miter saws? When it comes to the sliding compound miter saw, there is also a lightweight version. However, the lightweight miter saws are best for use in a workshop or on a job site where the saw must be moved all the time. Sliding compound miter saws are unlike any other miter saw on the market, and they are typically professional-grade.
A sliding compound miter saw is a powerful saw that is primarily used in a workshop or in industrial settings. The exception is with the saws on our list of the top 10 best miter saws, which, as you will soon see, are ideal for both industrial and home use.
This miter saw has an aluminum base for durability and it's lightweight, so it can be moved around easily. It has a comfortable soft grip handle and it is wide enough to offer plenty of room for both small and large hands.
7. Delta Power Equipment Corporation S26-263L Shopmaster 10 In. Slide Miter Saw w/Laser
Powerful —features10-in. blade capacity, with a maximum of 5000 RPM
Intuitive —includes SRL (Sliding Rail Lock), LED worklight, dust bag, and other helpful features.
If you’re looking for the best sliding miter saw for the money, the Delta Power Equipment Corporation S26-263L Shopmaster 10 –can cut through anything with the touch of a button. It comes with top-of-the-line features, and is designed to offer you the best value for the money when it comes to the best sliding miter saw in this price range. The Delta S26-263L offers up to 5,000 RPM, a dual laser system, and a telescoping aluminum rail.
8. DEWALT DWS780 12-Inch Double Bevel Sliding Compound Miter Saw
Pros:
- Maximum cutting depth of 2-1/8” at 90 degrees
- Maximum cutting capacity of up to 10-1/4” at 90 degrees
- XPS light system for improved visibility
- Constant-Response Circuitry for an efficient, reliable, and powerful performance
- Tool-free bevel stops at 0°, 15°, 22.5°, 31.6°, and 45°
- Positive stops at 22.6°, 45°, and 63°
- Safe-T-Beam
One of the top features of this model is the XPS (Xtra-Power System) that enhances the visibility of the material you’re cutting, allowing you to see the cut line clearly. Moreover, the LED lights illuminate the cutting line beyond the shadow of its blade. This helps to eliminate the guessing and helps you to cut straight. This system comes in handy during back or overhead cuts, allowing you to adjust the blade position and make quick cuts.
9. Festool 561287 Kapex KS 120 Sliding Compound Miter Saw
Pros:
- Extremely accurate
- Variety of Specifications
- Price
Cons:
- Manual
- Additional cost for accessories
- Dust collection
This is an accurate tool that is manufactured by the Festool Company, which is one of the top brands for professional tools. This compound miter saw is compatible for both plunge cutting and sliding cutting. The sliding cut-off capacity is 28 inches. Up to 90 degree of angles can be cut to either right or left, with a maximum depth of 3 1/4 inches. The depth setting for crosscutting can be as much as 3/4 inch, dependent upon the miter angle. This saw can be used to crosscut plywood up to a thickness of 1 1/4 inches, and hardwood up to 3/4 inches in thickness.
The warranty for this tool is sufficient, covering all parts for five years against defects in design and construction. The included one-year warranty is contingent upon normal use. This warranty is backed by the Festool company, and a toll free number has been established for handling questions and claims.
10. Hitachi C8FSE 9.2-Amp 8-1/2-Inch Sliding Compound Miter Saw
Pros:
- Build-in clamp and keyhole slot
- Lightweight
- Easy to assemble
- Big cutting length when folded up
- Cuts smoothly
- Very affordable
Cons:
- Manual can be confusing
- Was reported to leak oil, but the company has since rectified the issue
With Blade Wrench, Magnesium Foot, and Stand.
As miter saws become more and more common in workshops, it can become a challenge to find the right tool for the job. However, this Hitachi model is worth putting on your list of options to consider if you need a saw for cutting wood.
In addition, it comes with a number of special features that make it a versatile option for DIY projects around the house, so there’re a host of situations in which this saw can be used for a variety of purposes. For example, many users have pointed out that the sliding option on this tool makes it a versatile one that is ideal for cutting moldings and general lumber.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
What is the best sliding compound miter saw?
This is a pretty tough one because there are so many options to choose from. It depends on what you need the saw for. For a single carpenter or occasional user, you might be okay with a cheaper model, but if you have a larger workspace or are a professional that needs to keep the saw cutting for long hours, then you'll want to pay closer attention to the following.
Some of the features to focus on when shopping for a sliding compound miter saw are the motor and the max rating of the saw. The motor is important for how much power your saw has, while the max rating will be based on the largest materials you are likely to cut. These two features will go a long way towards making your saw last.
After that, you'll want to look at the base. The base is important for how smooth the saw will be able to slide. This is important to make sure that your cuts are able to be made as smooth as possible.
What is the most accurate compound miter saw?
The best compound miter saw depends on how you measure the accuracy. The actual miter degree is always very accurate for compound miter saws because the saws are designed to be quite accurate after aligning its 90-degree angles. So, if you ask the question "which saw is the most accurate when cutting a 45-degree miter", then Bosch and DeWalt have the most accurate miter saws, respectively.
How big of a board can a 10 sliding miter saw cut?
This is a question that deserves a good answer, and here it is:
To conveniently finish a large piece with a powered miter/miter saw, it must be to a few feet in length.
The majority of miter saws on the market today have a cross-section cutting capacity of 6" x 12"/2-4" x 10". (This also means you can cut workpieces of these sizes in lengths up to 6 feet).
For example, here is the cross-cutting capacity of the popular 10 sliding miter saw:
- Hitachi C10FBF 10-Inch dual sliding compound miter saw – 10-Inch x 6-Inch x 72-Inch
- Porter-Cable Miter Saw
- DEWALT DW717 10-Inch dual sliding compound miter saw – 10-Inch x 6-Inch x 72-Inch
Are sliding miter saws accurate?
With all compound miter saws, it is important to use the tape measure that is included to ensure near accurate measurements on the cut.
When the blade and the saw are off by even 1/64 of an inch, it can make a big difference on an 8 foot long board.
The fence of a sliding blade saw will also be off by an exact same inch causing the board to be cut proper on one side but protruding on the other.
With this saw, some users find it difficult to install the saw and particularly hard to adjust it. Some of the complaints are that the included user manual is limited and has inadequate guides. It is however, a great tool for wood trimming. Be careful to have periodic maintenance done to keep your sliding saw functioning perfectly.
Conclusion
It can be a little tricky to pick out the best miter saw for your needs. For general woodworking projects, you should have a standard compound miter saw. When it comes to sliding miter saws, they are great for longer lengths or for projects built in a fixed frame. Before you choose a sliding miter saw, you need to make sure you understand the differences.
Our Recommendation
| Name | Category | Product |
|---|---|---|
| DEWALT Sliding Compound Miter Saw | Best Overall | |
| Hitachi C10FCG 15-Amp 10" Single Bevel Compound Miter Saw | Budget Pick | |
| Hitachi C12RSH2 15-Amp 12-Inch Dual Bevel Sliding Compound Miter Saw | Upgrade Pick | |