10 Best Compound Miter Saws – Our Top Picks and Reviews

Miter saws are an essential tool if you need to create crosscuts and miters in the work material. It is one of the most crucial tools for metal and woodworkers. It is obvious that everybody would like to have the best compound miter saws. But which is the best option, and whether it will work in every situation or not, we need to figure that out.

Normally, you would need to go through various websites and forums to find out the best compound miter saws. This process is mundane, and you might find different answers at different places, depending on the use of the miter saw.

10 Best Compound Miter Saws

• Best 12 inch: Dewalt DWS715 Compound Miter Saw
  “User-friendly design, lightweight, powerful motor, professional use”
• Best for Woodworking: Makita LS1040 Compound Miter Saw
  “Smoothest, Lightweight, easy portability, easy to use”
• Best 10 inch: Hitachi C10FCH2 Compound Miter Saw
  “Exceptional Power, easy to work, Laser Marker System”
• Best Double Bevel: Dewalt DWS716XPS Compound Miter Saw
  “Excellent quality, LED-based alignment system, high efficiency”
• Best under $200: Hitachi C10FCG Compound Miter Saw
  “Portable saw, reliable, impressive power, best selling saw”
• Best Budget: Metabo HPT C12FDHS Compound Miter Saw
  “Battery powered, elegant, Versatile, excellent control and precision”
• Best Design: Delta S26-262L Compound Miter Saw
  “Quickly and accurate, unique design, perfect for DIY projects”
• Best Lightweight: Metabo HPT C10FCG Compound Miter Saw
  “Increased flexibility, user-friendly for beginners, saw weighs 24 ounces”
• Best Value for Money: Makita LS1221 Compound Miter Saw
  “Horizontal D-handle design, Comfortable and convenient to use”
• Best Quality: Ryobi ZRTS1345L Compound Miter Saw
  “Excellent safety feature, excellent power, dual-view bevel scale”

Best Compound Miter Saws

Here, I have compiled a list of the best miter saws based on the needs that they serve. This list would help you find the best-rated miter saw for your job in no time at all. I have also provided brief compound miter saws reviews to help you understand these tools.

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1) Dewalt DWS715

Dewalt DWS715 is one of the best 12-inch compound miter saw out there. It is lightweight, and the 12″ blade is sufficient to cut most materials that you might use at your workplace. It comes with a powerful motor that is capable of delivering 4000 RPM at 15 amp.

I used this saw to work with crown molding up to 5 1/4 inch, base molding up to 6 1/2 inch without any difficulties. The company claims that this saw could crosscut up to 2×8 inch dimensional lumber at 90° and a 2×6 inch dimensional lumber at 45°.

Features and Benefits

It comes with a carbide blade, dust bag, blade wrench, vertical clamp, and comfortable side handles in the base. The left and right bevels of Dewalt DWS715 go up to 48 degrees and 3 degrees, respectively. The positive stops are at 0°, 45°, and 33.9° for cutting crown molding laying flat.

The machine is 26.77 x 21.85 x 18.9 inches in dimension and weighs 43 pounds, making it an excellent choice for the professionals.

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2) Makita LS1040

Makita LS1040 is one of the best saws for woodworking jobs. It is a powerful saw that goes up to 4600 RPM at 15 amp. It comes with a dual post compound pivoting arm. It is capable of delivering Miter cuts 0-45 left and 0-52 right. The 10-inch blade and small size of the tool provide easy portability.

Features and Benefits

I find this saw useful as it allows me to do a variety of jobs ranging from finish carpenters, professional woodworkers, case, and base installers. I have friends who use Makita LS1040 for cabinet installers, decking, and flooring applications.

The package comes with Compound Miter Saw, 10-inch C.T. blade, vertical vise, wrench, triangular ruler, and dust bag. So, you can start working without any further delays. The machine has a dimension of 20 x 10 x 21 inches (LxBXH) and weighs it 27 pounds. It is the best compound miter saw for DIY tasks.

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3) Hitachi C10FCH2

If you are looking for a mid-range miter saw, then the best 10-inch compound miter saw for you. It is an ideal tool for trim carpenters, framers, and woodworkers. Hitachi’s exclusive Laser Marker System offers precision and reliability, making it extremely easy to work with the tool.

Features and Benefits

I like Hitachi C10FCH2 miter saw as its motor can deliver up to 5000 RPM at 15 amps, making it easier to cut through objects quickly. Combine it with the user-friendly nature of the tool, and you will find it a perfect saw for your job.

The package contains a 24T TCT Saw Blade, Pivoting Flip Fence, Dust Bag, Vise Assembly, a 10mm Box Wrench, a 4mm Hex Bar Wrench, and a Material Support Extension (321549). The Compound Miter Saw with Laser Marker weighs just 24.5 pounds making it an excellent option for DIY enthusiasts.

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4) Dewalt DWS716XPS

Dewalt DWS716XPS is a miter saw that is known for its high-efficiency. It is capable of going up to 3800 RPM at 15 amps, and the LED-based alignment system makes it easier to cut the materials.

Features and Benefits

In my opinion, the bevel design that includes tall sliding fences for crown molding up to 6-5/8-inch, and the double bevel design that allows the saw to bevel left and right 0 – 48 degrees makes Dewalt DWS716XPS miter saw one of the best double bevel compound miter saws.

It also features an adjustable stainless steel miter detent plate with 14 positive stops. On ordering this product, you get the saw, a 12″ Carbide tipped blade, a wrench, a dust bag, and a vertical clamp. This miter saw measures 26.5 x 22.5 x 19.5 inches and weighs 49 pounds.

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5) Hitachi C10FCG

Hitachi C10FCG is a 10-inch single bevel compound miter saw that is well-known for its reliability. The saw can go up to 5000 RPM at 15 amps, which allows it to cut through a wide array of materials in no time. I find this miter saw a great option to choose from due to its lightweight.

It is a perfect tool for people looking for some DIY activity. This saw is affordable and helps you do your job without any hitch.

Features and Benefits

The saw supports miter angles between 0 and 52 degrees on the right and the left sides. A bevel selection between 0 and 45 degrees allows you to make some of the most precise cuts, and thumb actuated positive stops will enable you to adjust the bevel in no time at all.

This saw is excellent for professionals who deal with woodworking job as Hitachi C10FCG offers unprecedented reliability and accuracy. This miter saw dimensions are 21.46 x 18.13 x 22.9 inches (LxBxH), and it weighs just 24 pounds. In my opinion, this is the best compound miter saw under $200.

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6) Metabo HPT C12FDHS

Metabo HPT C12FDHS is one of the best compound miter saws for professionals. It features a 12-inch blade alongside, double bevel compound and laser precision system. The saw features a miter scale ranging from 0 to 52 degrees, and the bevel scale goes from 0 to 48 degrees. These features let you make every cut with extreme precision.

Features and Benefits

The saw is capable of delivering 1950 watts of power at 15 amps. The thing that I like about Metabo HPT C12FDHS saw is its elastomer compound coated handle. It works wonders by reducing the impact of vibrations and offers an excellent grip.

I also commend the saw on its versatility. It can cut wood, crown molding, plywood, decorative panels, soft fiberboard, hardboard, and aluminum sashes. If you are a woodworking professional, you would love this saw. The dimensions of this miter saw are 26.9 x 22.2 x 21.3 inches (LxBxH), and it weighs close to 60 pounds.

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7) Delta S26-262L

Delta S26-262L is one of the best miter saws for people who want portability without sacrificing precision. This saw features a 10-inch blade and a laser guidance system for quick and accurate cuts. The bevel scale goes from 0 to 47 degrees and can handle 2×6 pieces at the full bevel.

Features and Benefits

I like this saw due to its portability. Delta S26-262L is battery powered and lightweight, which allows you to carry it to your workplace quite easily. It is a perfect tool for people who have to work on DIY projects or work in remote places.

The saw can go up to 5500 RPM at 15 amps, allowing it to cut various materials without any difficulty. I also like this saw because of its ability to work with nearly all kinds of miter saw stands. When talking about its size, the miter saw measures 14.53 x 17.52 x 22.05 inches (LxBxH). The saw weighs just 6.4 ounces making it extremely easy to carry around.

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8) Metabo HPT C10FCG

Metabo HPT C10FCG is one of the best compound miter saws for DIY projects. This saw features a 10-inch blade and a 15 amp motor that delivers enough power to cut most materials that you have to deal with in your projects.

Features and Benefits

This saw features a 0-52 degree miter angle range to the right & left for increased flexibility and 0-45 degree bevel range to the left to provide clean and accurate bevel cuts. In my opinion, this is an excellent saw. It features a large table for better material support with a vice clamping system to secure a workpiece.

The thumb actuated positive stops for quick miter adjustments. Additionally, the horizontal handle provides a secure hold while operating the saw. Metabo HPT C10FCG is capable of going up to 5000 RPM at 15 amps.

The package comes with the Metabo HPT C10FCG, 10″ 24T TCT Saw Blade, Dust Bag, Vise Assembly, Hex. Bar Wrench (5mm), and a Holder. This miter saw measures 18.13 x 22.9 x 15.46 inches (LxBxH). The saw weighs 24 ounces making it portable.

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9) Makita LS1221

Makita LS1221 is another great compound miter saw for professionals. This saw features a 12-inch blade and a 15 amp motor capable of going up to 4000 RPM. It provides you with the power to cut materials easily and accurately.

Features and Benefits

This saw features a 4-1/2-inch tall pivoting fence for cutting crown moldings up to 5-1/2-inch. It comes with positive miter stops at 9 settings: 15°, 22.5°, 31.6°, 45° right or left, and 0° (90° cuts). I like the saw for its horizontal D-handle design for easy and comfortable operation.

The Carbide tipped blade of Makita LS1221 offers precision cutting and the electric brake for maximum productivity. Inside the box, you get the 12-Inch Compound Miter Saw, 12-inch C.T blade, vertical vise, extension wings, wrench, and dust bag. This miter saw measures 26.5 x 24 x 23.86 inches (LxBxH). The saw weighs close to 49 ounces.

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10) Ryobi ZRTS1345L

If you plan to buy the best compound miter saw with laser, I would suggest you get the Ryobi ZRTS1345L. This saw features a heavy-duty motor capable of going up to 5,500RPM, allowing you to cut tough materials with relative ease.

Features and Benefits

In my view, the best feature of this saw is the ease of mounting and dismounting the blade. It comes with a dual-view bevel scale that helps provide a clear line of sight from either side. You also get miters to 45 degrees left and right that have stops at 0-, 15-, 22.5-, 31.6- and 45 degrees.

The Ryobi ZRTS1345L saw comes with a horizontal D-handle to improve comfort and control. Additionally, it features an electric brake to stop the blade for added safety. The saw weighs around 25 pounds.

If you would like to get reviews of other power tools, kindly visit our Guide page.

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Compound Miter Saw Buying Guide

Before discussing how to use a compound miter saw, I would like to explain what is a compound miter saw. A compound miter saw is a special kind of miter saw. It cuts the material at various angles and comes with an option to let you tilt it in a specific direction. This feature comes in handy when you need to cut a bevel or cut something at two different angles.

Now, you might be wondering, what is the difference between a miter saw and a compound miter saw? A regular miter saw is a tool that you use to make crosscuts and miters in various materials. This saw is used to cut at an angle.

However, it cannot be tilted or rotated, making it difficult to cut a bevel or crown molding. A compound miter saw provides a solution to this issue as it comes with a feature that allows you to tilt the saw at an angle other than the cutting angle.

How to Cut Base Molding with a Compound Miter Saw?

One of the main reasons why people need the best compound miter saws is to create base molding. So, I would like to talk about this process as well. It is a bit tricky to cut a base mold, but it becomes easier if you know what to do. To make a base molding, you need to decide the miter angle, bevel angle, and get the materials and tools you would use to do this job.

The first thing that you need to do is come up with four inside corner cuts. To make these cuts, you need to adjust the miter and the bevel angles to 0 degrees and 45 degrees, respectively. Mark these angles on the baseboard using a pencil or marker. Now, use the saw to make the cut, ensuring that the board’s back portion is longer than the front portion.

The next step is an outside corner cut. The process is similar to the inside corner cut. All you need to do is mark the board’s angles and cut the board, ensuring that the front portion is longer than the back portion.

Things You Need to Consider When Buying the Best Compound Miter Saw

If you want to buy saws other than those mentioned in the Compound Miter Saws Reviews, you would need to consider some aspects of these saws. So, I would like to mention some of the things you need to consider while purchasing the best compound miter saws.

Size

If you are not familiar with miter saws, you would have no idea what blade size would suit your needs. If you are a professional contractor, you would want a 12″ double bevel sliding compound miter saws. If you need a miter saw for DIY use, a 10″ blade would be perfect for you. If you are looking for portability, some saws offer 7″ blades as well.

Portability

Many people use these saws in a fixed position. So, a saw that runs on electricity ill suits their needs perfectly. If you are a person who needs to carry the miter saw to your work location, you can opt for battery-operated saws with smaller blades.

Budget

The budget plays an important role in selecting the best compound miter saw. A person who needs a saw for DIY can get away with a cheap saw as they don’t need to use it regularly. On the other hand, a professional contractor might need a high-end machine as they cannot tolerate faults while working on a project. I would suggest you buy the saw that offers the best features for the money you will spend.

I hope you find this article and use it to get the best compound miter saw for the price that you pay.