5 Very Best Sliding Miter Saws (My Honest Opinion)
Budget/Quality
Best Miter Saw
Best Price
A miter saw is handy to have in your workshop , but if you want to look at the range, you will be overwhelmed.
To help you with that, I have made this selection of the 5 best sliding miter saws. In addition to this miter saw comparison, I will show you on the basis of which functions you can make a comparison so that you can find the best sliding compound miter saw for your workshop.
Disclosure: At zero cost to you, I may get commissions for purchases made through links in this post. I earn from qualifying purchases as an Amazon associate. Products featured are selected based on quality, performance, and reputation, regardless of affiliate relationships.
What To Look For When Choosing a Miter Saw
It’s not easy to find the best sliding miter saw for your workshop. What criteria should you use to compare? The answer to this is quite lengthy.
That is why I wrote What Miter Saw Do I Need? 10 Tips for Choosing the Best Miter Saw
I recommend that you read this article before continuing to read these reviews. There, you will learn how to compare the various miter saws available and how to quickly find the best sliding compound miter saw for your workshop.
If you want to know more about the different sizes in miter saws, you can find more information in my article What Size Miter Saw Do I Need: A Clear Guide To Find What You Need.
6 Best Sliding Miter Saws
In this article, I only discuss corded miter saws . If you want to go for the cordless version, I advise you to view my review article, The 5 Very Best Cordless Miter Saws on the Market.
Budget/Quality
01: Bosch 12″ Dual Bevel Miter Saw
The first one in this list of best sliding miter saws is the Bosch, which is also the best choice. When all the features and prices of other miter saws are considered , I believe this saw is the best choice. The Bosh weighs 40 kg (88 pounds), but it comes with a 15-amp miter saw with a spin speed of 3,800 rpm.
This miter saw can cut compound bevels in both directions and boards up to 14 inches (ca. 36 cm) long. It also has extendable material supports on both sides that can be used to stabilize boards up to 40 inches (approximately 1 m) in length.
This miter saw is easy and safe to adjust, only the miter ranges aren’t that accurate.
The trigger handle has an ergonomic handle that can be used equally comfortably by both right-handed and left-handed users.
Gates are adjustable, and the miter scale numbers are etched in stainless steel for durability.
This miter saw has a sliding arm that has little to no play and can be placed against a wall if necessary . The arm is also super smooth for making precise cuts. The disadvantage is that there is no laser available to help you make accurate cuts.
PROS
CONS
Bosch 12″ Dual Bevel Miter Saw
Total score: 4.25/5
02: Makita LS1219L 12″ Dual-Bevel Sliding Compound Miter Saw
Thanks to the unique 2-steel rail sliding system design, this saw offers smooth movements and at the same time, it can also be placed perfectly against a wall. Despite these additional components, this miter saw weighs less at 65 pounds (ca. 29 kg), making it perfect for easy job site portability.
The large 12″ blade provides increased capacity for cornices up to 8″ (nested vertically), 6-3/4″ baseboard (vertical), and 15″ cross-sections at 90 degrees. Thanks to the built-in laser, you can make perfect and accurate cuts.
The blade is powered by a powerful 15.0 AMP direct drive motor which requires less maintenance and delivers 3,200 RPM . Behind the blade are dual dust collection ports that provide excellent dust extraction.
PROS
CONS
Makita LS1219L 12″ Dual-Bevel Sliding Compound Miter Saw
Total score: 4/5
03: Dewalt 12-inch Sliding Compound Miter Saw
If you’re looking for a miter saw that does almost everything well, this Dewalt miter saw might be for you. This saw has a strong 15 amp motor and sliding rails that allow you to cut a board up to 16 inches (41 cm) wide.
It should be noted that the sliding rails protrude from the back of the miter saw and thus are not truly space-saving. She won’t be able to use this miter saw against a wall or in tight spaces, which is a significant disadvantage in my opinion.
The DeWalt miter saw may have a bright LED light that illuminates the cutting field, but it lacks the handy laser to make precise cuts.
This miter saw comes with a collection bag that will only collect part of the dust, but can also be connected to your vacuum cleaner.
PROS
CONS
Dewalt 12-inch Sliding Compound Miter Saw
Total score: 3.5/5
Best Price
04: Metabo HPT 12-Inch Compound Miter Saw
This Metabo 10-inch (the only 10″ in this list) miter saw comes with a 12-amp motor that cuts bevels in both directions.
The Metabo has a pivoting fence to simplify the cutting of cornices .
The biggest advantage of this tool is that it features a handle designed to reduce vibration, hand fatigue, and hand slippage.
If you are looking for a lighter machine and an affordable price, this Metabo could be something for you. A disadvantage is that with this miter saw, the lever for adjusting the tilt of the saw is quite awkward.
PROS
CONS
Metabo HPT 12-Inch Compound Miter Saw
Total score: 3.75/5
Best Miter Saw
05: Festool Kapex KS 120 REB
The best is always saved for last, and the Festool Kapex 120 is no exception. But I saved this one for last because I know this miter saw isn’t in everyone’s price range. As a result, it is the most expensive item on this best compound sliding miter saw list. But that’s where the drawbacks end.
I own a Kapex 120 and can attest that this incredibly sophisticated miter saw has features that are not available elsewhere. You can read more about this tool in my honest review article here. You can run the saw against a wall in your workshop because of the rail-forward design . The same rail can also be used to tilt the miter saw for bevel cuts.
The Festool Kapex has an unrivaled dust collection system. Festool claims that this Kapex 120 captures 91% of all dust released.
You get a double laser line, a rail with no slack , and an adjustable back fence with this miter saw. Parts up to 120 mm thick can be sawn with the additional function .
Festool is known for its thoughtfulness. For example, they made the miter saw’s foot exactly the same height as a Systainer 1. This means you can use your Systainers to provide material support while sawing.
This saw is simply smooth, powerful, and unrivaled. If you ask me , it’s clearly the best sliding miter saw for woodworking, and I’ve tested a lot of them.
I choose Festool for my workshop because of many reasons, which you can discover in my article, Is Festool Worth It? The Essential Info You’re Looking For.
PROS
CONS
Festool Kapex KS 120 REB
Total score: 4.25/5
If you have found the miter saw for your shop in this list , you might want to consider getting a miter saw stand too. A good miter saw stand will help you make the most precise cuts possible. If you’re not sure which stand to buy, check out my article on miter saw stands . It’s called “The Most Complete Miter Saw Stands Guide” and it covers everything you need to know about picking the right stand . It has information on important features to consider and tips for making the most of your purchase.
How to build your workshop on a budget?
Building a workshop can be daunting, filled with trial and error. Believe me, I’ve been in those shoes.
But it was “The Ultimate Small Workshop” course, a gem I discovered and now endorse on Christofix.com, that provided insights unparalleled to any other. This expertise empowered me to invest wisely and save substantially.
I really suggest it to all of my fellow DIYers and creators!
I hope this was helpful to find the best sliding miter saw for your workshop, and that this blog inspires you.
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I’m looking forward to seeing you soon in another blog or video.
Greetings,
Christophe, founder of Christofix.com
Woodworking | DIY | Home decoration
