We asked the pros for their opinion on which sliding, compound, single-bevel, and double-bevel features really make a difference when buying which type of miter saw. If you were going to buy a miter saw, which one would you choose? There are many different types of miter saws to choose from, and there's more to it than picking the right brand and features. We help you decide.
Table of contents
- Various types of miter saws
- What size saw should I buy?
- Should I Buy a Cord or Cordless Miter Saw?
- What do our professionals recommend?
- Have more questions? view these articles
Editor's Note: Check out our best miter saws article for our top recommendations, and check out our miter saw buying guide before buying.
Various types of miter saws
In its most basic form, a miter saw (or chop saw) has a table that swivels side to side, allowing you to change the angle of the crosscut you're making. The blade falls straight down and your cutting ability is limited by the diameter of the blade. The capacity will be less than the blade diameter because the arbor is holding it back all the way down. However, when you are cutting on the back of the fence, it may exceed the blade radius .
Editor's Note: The saw is similar to a miter saw, except that it cannot be adjusted to a 90-degree miter angle. Most gang saws are designed for cutting metal. Some people refer to miter saws as "hack saws," but we'll keep them separate. For more information on this topic, check out our chop saw vs. miter saw article.
sliding miter saw
A sliding miter saw is a miter saw that has added rails that allow the blade to slide back and forth across the wood. It gives you a greater depth of cut than the same size miter saw without the guide rail. Most sliding miter saws also have the ability to make compound cuts.
- Conditions to buy: You will need to cut deeper material such as 1×12 or 2×12 lumber.
- Pass if: You want a more compact saw for portability.
Compound Miter Saw
Compound cuts include bevels and bevels. Compound miter saws add the ability to make miter cuts in addition to their miter capabilities. Whenever you use crown molding or other decorations installed on the wall, you want to make sure you have this feature. Mitering occurs when you rotate the saw blade around the base. The base has a scale that tells you the miter angle in degrees.
- Buying Conditions: You intend to cut wood not metal. Most miter saws these days are compound designs.
Compound Sliding Miter Saw
Compound sliding miter saws offer the best of both worlds. This miter saw uses guide rails to increase crosscutting capability and add a left miter for compound cuts. This way, you get the flexibility of a compound miter saw with the increased depth of cut provided by the slider.
- Conditions to buy: You will need to cut deeper material such as 1×12 or 2×12 lumber.
- Pass if: You want a more compact saw for portability.
Dual Compound Sliding Miter Saw
On a dual-compound sliding miter saw, you get a miter table, slide rails, and left and right miters. The left bevel eliminates the need to flip the material over to make the opposite compound cut. This can save you some time and frustration. If you prefer to cut the crown and bottom moldings flat, this saw will save you the hassle of dealing with longer materials.
- Why buy it: You want to bevel the crown and base in both directions.
- Pass if: You rarely need to lean in both directions. You want a more economical saw.
What size saw should I buy?
When looking at the various types of miter saws, keep in mind the nature of your work and the material you intend to cut. Next, learn about the tradeoffs between capacity and portability. Why carry extra weight if you rarely need to cut to the capacity of a 12" sliding compound miter saw?
Typically, 8-1/2-in. slide models provide the cargo needed for 85 percent or more of the job. After all, a miter saw is a finishing tool. Anyone using a miter saw primarily on 2x lumber or thicker material either doesn't know how to use a circular saw properly or is doing a very specialized job.
A 10" or 12" saw makes sense if you need the ability to cut both bottom and top vertically. However, if you're doing most of your "flat" cutting on the base, then a sliding 8-1/2" saw makes more sense. It packs more portability – which saves you a lot of hassle day in and day out.
- Buy a 12" miter saw if: You need to cut deeper material, such as a 1×12, and you don't mind using a larger saw. This saw is also most effective if you plan to use a stand. Cutting vertical crown heights usually requires a saw of this size as well.
- Buy a 10 Inch Miter Saw if: You want the perfect combination of capacity and portability.
- Pick up a <10" miter saw if: You want to prioritize portability and plan to cut smaller bases, crowns, and door trim.
Traditional slides vs. "glide" or similar mechanisms
Another consideration when deciding which type of miter saw to buy is where you plan to place it. Traditional sliding miter saws require space behind the saw for the sliding mechanism to function. For anyone concerned about placement against a wall, some saws offer an innovative solution.
The Bosch Axial Glide Miter Saw uses a mechanism that allows the saw to extend forward without the need for a rail on the back of the tool. Delta Cruzer miter saws work in a similar fashion. Even the Metabo HPT C3610DRA miter saw uses a dual-rail system to provide a similar front slide mechanism.
Should I Buy a Cord or Cordless Miter Saw?
The question of whether you should buy a corded or cordless miter saw didn't even exist 10 years ago. Some of the best miter saws we've ever used now have battery-draining versions.
Portability is of course all about size, but some pros also have to deal with lugging around extension cords. If you can save time and energy with a cordless miter saw, be sure to investigate the many battery-operated options on the market. Most offer cord-grade power, and some even offer the ability to run on battery power or via a wired adapter.
What do our professionals recommend?
There is no doubt that dual compound sliding miter saws offer the greatest versatility. Depending on what you're cutting, you'll likely get the most bang for your buck and capacity from the 10-inch or 12-inch models. Once selected, the next step is to practice how to use your miter saw like a pro.
Do you like the saws shown in this article? Check out our Makita XSL07 miter saw review or buy it here at Acme Tools.
Have more questions? view these articles
How to Use a Miter Saw
What to Look for When Buying a Miter Saw
How to Calibrate a Miter Saw