Best Sliding Compound Miter Saw for the Money

My very first sliding compound miter saw was both the best investment I’ve ever made and yet the scariest one I’ve ever made. 

Not because miter saws are high-powered saws with super sharp blades rotating at 3,800 RPM, but because I knew my wife would eventually see that month’s credit card statement. 

On the other hand, my first miter saw helped scale my then-framing business to 6-figures over the coming 18 months. 

So to put that into perspective, I owe most of the early success I had in business as a professional contractor to my trusty miter saw. 

So grab a fresh cup of coffee, close all of your other miter saw review tabs, and get ready to take a deep dive into the best sliding compound miter saws for DIYers and contractors.

Comparison Chart

Best Sliding Compound Miter Saw Reviews

1. Bosch Power Tools GCM12SD Sliding Glide Miter Saw

The Bosch GCM12SD Sliding Glide Miter Saw offers a unique design. What’s more, it comes from a trusted name in power tool design and manufacturing.

Product Highlights 

The first noticeable thing about this saw is that the design isn’t all that traditional. It resembles a transformer more than the saws you are likely to have seen or used in the past. The glide system is a design in a class that is all on its own.

This saw is a bit heavy, weighing in at 88 pounds, though with that weight usually comes a high degree of durability. The base is very stable, making it resistant to any tipping and preventing damage to your materials. The motor is a 15-amp motor that delivers up to 3,800 RPMs at a no-load speed.

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The blade size is 12 inches, and it has a bevel capacity of 48 degrees going both right and left.

The bevel stops are at 45, 33.9, and one degree, right and left. The miter capacity is 60 degrees right and 52 degrees left, with miter stops at 45, 31.6, 22.5, and 15 degrees right and left. Its crosscut capacity is four inches by 14 inches.

The GCM12SD also has a handy push-button detent override setting. The detent override setting allows you to quickly set any adjacent angle to help increase the pace at which you can work.

Aside from that, we also really like the 48-degree bevel capacity in both directions, as well as the clear lower guard that can really help with accurate cutting. For your safety, you will get a clear lower guard. With this, you will have full unobstructed viewing. You’ll also likely enjoy the soft trigger handle.

What We Like About the Bosch GCM12SD Sliding Glide Miter Saw

To be honest, we really like the system on this saw. That axial-glide system prevents dust from restricting movement and causing the slide mechanics to get stuck. All saws tend to get stuck at some point, but this one really does not.

What We Don’t Like About the Bosch GCM12SD Sliding Glide Miter Saw

We don’t really like that this saw doesn’t come with the laser feature. We understand that not everyone likes the laser feature, but we’ve found that many times, it can come in quite handy.

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2. Makita LS1019L Sliding Compound Miter Saw  

The Makita LS1019L Sliding Compound Miter Saw is on our list because it comes from one of the largest power tool lines on the market. Makita is very well-known for delivering quality tools and accessories.

This model is one of the options best suited for do-it-yourselfers or hobbyists. That’s because many of the features are more suited to newer users rather than professionals.

Product Highlights

The LS1019L is a 10-inch miter saw as opposed to the more popular 12-inch variation. Nonetheless, it does really rival the larger option when it comes to actual cutting capacity and has a relatively tall fence for a 10-inch miter saw.

There is a rail system that is quite unique for the sliding action. You can use this in smaller spaces, given that the rails are actually alongside the saw as opposed to extended behind it.

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The included laser sight is a standard feature, and it really does help when it comes to making accurate and quick cuts. There are dust collector ports and a tall fence system which is also removable. The ports for the dust collector fit just about any shop vac or dust extraction system.

The blade on this sliding miter saw has 60 teeth and is 10 inches. It makes use of a direct drive motor system. That motor is set at an angle that helps prevent it from getting in your way when you’re trying to make awkward or unusually large cuts. It also comes with a soft start system.

Another benefit of the LS1019L is the smaller footprint with this saw. The position of the rails means that you can work in smaller spaces. This is great if you find you are working in locations with restricted space or operating a smaller workshop. 

What’s to like about the Makita LS1019L Sliding Compound Miter Saw

The dust collector on this saw is a great feature and an improvement over some of its competitors. If you use a dust extractor with it, you really can get rid of just about 80% of all dust. The cutting capacity is great with this saw, even though it is 10 inches instead of 12 inches.

What’s not to like about the Makita LS1019L Sliding Compound Miter Saw

With our review, we found that sometimes, the blade will drag just a little on any long sliding cuts. It seems to be a result of the rails being just a little bit off from the square. This can become really problematic over time, especially as you increase use.

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3. DELTA 26-2241 Compound Sliding Miter Saw

The DELTA 26-2241 Single-Bevel Compound Miter Saw is another option from a trusted manufacturer. It offers a mix of durability and power and is a good choice for both professionals and hobbyists alike.

Product Highlights

This saw has a 15-amp motor that can deliver up to 4,000 RPMs. There is also an adjustable miter detent plate made from stainless steel for added durability. It comes with 14 positive stops, which you can override and then adjust to whatever setting you prefer.

This miter saw has a crosscut capacity of up to two by eight inches at 90 degrees. With an increased crown capacity of 45 degrees, it goes up to seven and a half inches.

It can bevel to the right up to 47 degrees and to the left for up to 47 degrees as well. It has a total of seven positive stops at 22.5 degrees, 33.9 degrees, 45 degrees, and more of the usual popular positive stops.

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In terms of miter capacity for the 26-2241, you’ll be working with a range of 50 degrees to left miter, and 60 degrees to the with 10 miter detents and positive stops. 

The Delta 26-2241 is a bulky and well-built miter saw that has some exceptional engineering qualities.

You’ll notice just how impressive this miter saw is once unboxing it yourself. Once you’ve actually fired this beast up and grabbed hold of the ergonomically designed molded handle, and pulled the highly responsive trigger, you’ll almost instantly be in awe. 

Delta has also incorporated a 1-1/2″ dust port with the 26-2241 miter saw so you can easily hook up a vacuum to the saw and collect dust without the use of the bag. With every purchase of this sliding compound miter saw, you will also get a dust bag, vertical clamp, side handles along the base, a carbide blade, and a blade wrench.

What’s to like about the DELTA 26-2241 Compound Sliding Miter Saw

For starters, we like how easy this saw is to set up so that you can get straight to work. The lockdown hold is also really helpful and the stainless-steel adjustable miter detent plate is impressively constructed.

What’s not to like about the DELTA 26-2241 Compound Sliding Miter Saw

The one thing we don’t really like is that it starts very loudly. Again, you’re using a power tool, so you should expect some loudness. However, this option is louder than some others we’ve reviewed here.

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4. DEWALT DWS780 Sliding Compound Miter Saw

The DeWalt DWS780 is a superb option for those looking to purchase their very first miter saw and is very much the ideal saw to consider if you’re contemplating upgrading to a sliding compound miter saw.  

Suitable for both hobbyists and professionals, the DeWalt DWS780 offers damn near every conceivable feature necessary to effectively slice miters and bevels with precision.

Product Highlights 

The DeWalt DWS780 is a dual bevel sliding compound miter saw, meaning the blade on this miter saw tilts in both angle directions, allowing you to make precise cuts without needing to calibrate or adjust anything.

Given the design of the back fence, you can cut up to two by 16-inch lumber at 90 degrees. At 45 degrees, you can cut two by 12-inch dimensional wood.

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DeWalt has fitted a robust 15-amp motor, and it has a lot less vibration than what you’ll find with other similar saws, especially given the powerful 15-amp motor it possesses. For safety features, you’ll get a transparent blade guard that is pretty standard.

In addition, the precision with which the DeWalt DWS780 delivers such fine-cut quality seems brilliantly balanced with the powerful 15-amp motor it harnesses. This results in a sliding miter saw that boasts outstanding accuracy and speed.

The limited vibration is a great feature, as well. Even professionals can get really tired of the vibration given off by most saws. This is especially true if you are using the saw for long periods. Lower vibration isn’t a necessity, but it’s a nice feature to have.

What’s to like about the DEWALT DWS780 Sliding Compound Miter Saw

First off, we like that this saw is pretty easy to set up. It does require some assembly, but it’s all quite straightforward and easy to figure out. The manual is actually really well written, so you can follow it pretty easily. Even a newbie can figure it out.

What’s not to like about the DEWALT DWS780 Sliding Compound Miter Saw

The one drawback with this model is that while it comes with a dust bag, it leaves much to be desired in the way of dust collecting. While it does collect a decent amount of dust and it is easy to mount, there is still much to be desired, especially in relation to fine dust.

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5. CRAFTSMAN CMCS714M1 Compound Sliding Miter Saw

The CRAFTSMAN CMCS714M1 is a great compound sliding miter saw if you’re looking for something cordless and powerful. 

This model could easily be considered the best budget sliding compound miter saw for both professional contractors and DIYers.

Product Highlights

This saw comes with a new precise miter system. In addition, it has a bulky rubber handle that makes it easy to transport if you are moving from one job site to the next. There is a positioning system that allows you to make adjustment-free cuts. This leads to finishing your job quickly, and it also builds in a lot of efficiency in the job.

Of course, anyone with a bit of construction experience knows that you always want to pay attention to durability and power. This tool offers a high degree of both. This miter saw runs on a 3,800-RPM, 20V brushless motor that delivers lightning-fast cutting speed.

Aside from the motor, the actual saw is built with durability in mind. The castings are stainless steel, which gives you a rock-solid saw that is going to last you quite a long time. It will also stand up to just about anything the job site can throw at it. If using it for home projects, you also should have no issue with longevity.

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In addition to power and durability, you’ll find a lot of unique features with this saw, all of which help you move quicker, chopping through angles swiftly. It has a high cutting capacity; you can cut up to two by 16 lumber pieces at a full 90 degrees.

You can also cut two by 12 pieces at 45 degrees. Finally, you can bevel from zero to 49 degrees, adding in stops at 49, 45, 33.9, 22.5, and zero degrees in both directions.

The saw also features a linear ball-bearing slide rail system for increased accuracy and durability. There is also a decent dust collection system with this saw, which can help you keep your workstation tidier. Again, we know that dust-collection systems aren’t perfect, but this one is actually pretty good.

What We Like About the CRAFTSMAN CMCS714M1 Sliding Compound Miter Saw

Above all else, we like that this product comes with a three-year warranty. We also really like that it offers some of the highest durability and power you can find. It is very easy to transport, as well, which is great if you need to bring it to multiple job sites.

What We Don’t Like About the CRAFTSMAN CMCS714M1 Sliding Compound Miter Saw

We don’t like that this saw doesn’t offer adjustable bearings. It is also the case that the miter saw sliding function utilizing a linear ball-bearing slide rail system is a little rough. Over time, the function’s unreliability can cause you to lose productivity if this becomes a problem for you.

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Sliding Compound Miter Saw Buyer’s Guide

A sliding compound miter saw is an important investment to make, regardless if you plan to use it professionally or just at home. As such, you should know which features to pay the most attention to when narrowing down your options.

Try to pay less attention to advertising campaigns when contemplating what miter saw to buy as the best brands don’t need a whole lot of advertising.

Keep in mind that a saw is a powerful, sometimes dangerous, piece of equipment. You don’t want to buy just any saw. Instead, you want to look for the best one for your particular project.

You should also understand that the best miter saw isn’t necessarily the most expensive one, but the one that suits you best.

1. Power

Power might be the single most important feature to consider when considering sliding compound miter saws. Ideally, you want a saw that is going to feel just like you are cutting through butter with a hot knife. That means you need power, which means you need a high-quality motor.

Remember to keep in mind just how much power you think you will individually need for your projects. Also bear in mind that a weak motor is likely not going to give you the results you need.

Ideally, you want to look for a motor that is going to give you a minimum of 15 amps with a rotation of at least 3,500 RPM at no-load speed. This is the minimum if you plan on using your saw professionally.

However, if you are only planning on using it for home projects, you probably don’t need that much power. You’ll want to think about exactly which projects you plan to complete and then match that with the power you think you need.

If you’re conducting mostly DIY projects without the necessity for such power, owning a saw with a powerful motor might not be a prerequisite.

Let’s say you’re planning on utilizing your new saw to cut crown molding which would revolve more around slicing materials at precise angles, than say, chopping fence posts which would be much more demanding on the motor.

Ultimately, power should definitely be a consideration when purchasing any saw, but it shouldn’t be the defining factor. Ultimately, you want to make accurate cuts when utilizing sliding compound miter saws. Having the ability to freely complete a range of miter angles, and every imaginable bevel angle when using sliding compound miter saws is paramount.

2. Blade

Next up is the blade size. Keep in mind that the larger the blade, the larger the cuts you’ll be making. You might not need a full 12-blade. The average person uses a 10- or 12-inch blade, but you can get them much smaller, even as small as four inches.

To know what blade size you need, you have to know what projects you plan to complete. If you buy a 12-inch saw, you are only going to be able to use blades that are 12 inches. You won’t be able to interchange them, so if you think you need something smaller, go for a smaller option.

Blade size isn’t all you want to think about when it comes to the blade. You also want to consider the tooth count. Each saw you look at will have its own number of teeth. The larger blades tend to have more teeth, while the smaller blades have fewer teeth.

In general, as the tooth count increases, so does the smoothness of the finish. For example, a carbide blade delivers a precise cut and has a reduced risk of tear-out, due to the blade’s tooth count. If you plan on cutting through thick material, you want a lower tooth count. This is especially true when using a miter saw to cut metal materials.

3. Cutting Ability

Cutting ability should really be at the top of your list when it comes to considerations. Yes, you need the right blade and a strong motor when cutting materials, but it’s likely you also want the ability to make accurate cuts more than anything. You also probably want to do so at a variety of angles.

• Positive Stops or Predetermined Positions

To start, keep your eye out for positive stops or predetermined positions. These are usually set to the cutting angles that are most common. They allow you to alter your cut fast for these specific angles. There are even some saws that offer switches that are just one-touch, so you can move from one cut to another quickly.

• Reliable Lock

Next, you want to make sure your lock is reliable. When you put it in the lock position, you want to ensure it stays that way. You don’t want to be in the middle of making a cut only to have the saw move out of place.

Locking into place is a really critical function. It not only means that your cut will stay accurate, but it can also be a huge safety concern if your lock feature isn’t working properly.

• Bevel

You also want to pay attention to the bevel angle. This will let the saw tilt. It also lets the saw rotate the base, which can change the angle you’ll be sawing. Examining the bevel beforehand is important.

Cutting capacities should be a major consideration when choosing sliding compound miter saws. If you want to make the most out of miter angles to produce quality miter cuts, choosing a saw that allows maximum leverage will provide the most value.

Nearly all sliding compound miter saws on the market today are dual bevel so you’ll be able to bevel both left and right without any worries. This cutting feature is very underrated as it is super easy to rotate the saw head when making an opposing bevel cut as opposed to flipping the entire workpiece.

4. Safety Features

Everyone knows that saws can be dangerous. However, many manufacturers have now introduced safety measures to make them a bit less dangerous.

The first safety feature to consider is what is known as a saw guard. It will help you from having any unfortunate accidents by doing exactly as its name suggests.

Another safety feature to consider when working with any of these saws is the base on which you will be operating.

This can be assisted by purchasing a quality saw stand like the Dewalt DWX726 Miter Saw Stand. The Dewalt DWX726 is an ideal option as it suits every saw on this list, plus some other popular models like the DeWalt DW717 & Makita ls1016l.

Working off of a dedicated miter saw stand not only helps exhibit better-looking cuts but also provides an incredibly stable base when cutting.

The third feature to consider is electric brakes. They let you halt the blade when needed. With this, you can stop it from spinning, and you can usually do it pretty quickly.

Those saws that come with electric blades usually let you stop the blade from moving within just two seconds. This is a really critical safety feature if you do, in fact, have an accident and need to shut off the saw immediately.

5. Dust Collection

When using sliding compound miter saws, you want to cut down on the amount of dust being expelled into the atmosphere as much as you possibly can. It doesn’t just make for a safe work environment.

Many saws offer a dust-collecting system. This means that while you are cutting, the dust deposits into an area intended to house the dust until you’re finished. Then, you can clean up more quickly. Some brands will even have hoses that actually blow air. This will clean the area, but truthfully, it will also make a mess at the beginning.

Keep in mind that no system is going to be perfect at collecting dust. Saws produce a good amount of dust, and if you assume you’ll find a dust-collecting system to suck up all the fine dust floating around your workshop, you’ll end up disappointed. If this feature is important to you, simply seek out the best one you can find. DeWalt DW717 & Makita ls1016l Makita ls1016l

Just bear in mind that no dust-collecting system is going to be perfect.

6. Other Features

There are a couple of features that are unique to sliding compound miter saws that you might not have already been thinking about when preparing for your purchase. These aren’t always standard, so if you want one or more of them, you’ll need to make sure they are an option with the saws you’re considering.

• Laser Attachment

This feature is gaining popularity, and so many models now include it. It is usually professionals who don’t care as much for this feature. Most hobbyists or those who are doing projects at home for themselves seem to really like this feature, though.

It lets you actually see where your blade is going to land. This leads to perfect-looking accurate cuts and is often worth the added investment if you aren’t overly confident in your ability to keep your cuts accurate.

• Clear-Cutting Guards

Another extra feature you can look for is clear-cutting guards. You can see directly through these, which can make your project much easier to finish, especially when paired with the laser.

You can see the saw move right through the wood as you are actually cutting it. Again, this feature tends to be most useful for those who are less confident in their ability to keep the cut precise on their own while slicing through something requiring finesse like crown molding.

Remember that what is most important is that you choose the saw best suited for your predicted projects. You might not need the most powerful motor or the saw with the greatest cutting capacity.

In addition, know that the most expensive option isn’t always the best. You need to make your decision based on your specific needs, and, in the end, you might not need the fanciest and most expensive saw on the market.

Sliding Compound Miter Saw FAQs.

1. What is the benefit of a sliding miter saw?

Basically, these highly functional saws give you the versatility that a regular nonsliding compound miter saw just doesn’t due to its sliding feature.

You can move the blade backward and forward when cutting, which essentially means that you can increase the length of your cuts.

2. Can a miter saw make straight cuts?

A 90-degree angle cut is a straight cut. Miter cut is when you make cuts that are angled right across a board’s width.

Miter saws also make bevel cuts, which are angled cuts that are made by cutting across the thickness of the board. You can often use circular saws to do both miter and bevel cuts, but it isn’t always well-advised.

3. Do you push or pull when using sliding miter saws?

These saws are designed to cut on the push stroke. If you end up pulling, you’ll see that you get a climb cut. That climb cut can cause the blade to rise up and chase after you. Obviously not the best thing to attempt if you’re looking to make perfect-looking fine cuts.

4. Can you use circular saws instead of miter saws?

Technically, you can, but circular saws aren’t as safe to use as you’re operating freehand. This is because you’re able to hold your hands at a better distance and can sustain better control.

To use a circular saw, you would need to set up a straight edge or jig. In addition to that, you would also have to measure the angle.

5. What is the difference between table saws and miter saws?

A table saw is used mostly for making straight cuts. A miter saw, on the other hand, can be used to make both straight cuts and angle cuts.

A table saw can be much more work than it’s worth when it comes to something like a flooring project. The same could be said for really any project that needs you to make several small cuts or to cut angles a lot. 

Final Verdict

Each one of the top five tools highlighted here in our review could easily be considered the best available sliding compound miter saw. With that said, if we have to choose just one top pick, it would be the Bosch GCM12SD Sliding Glide Miter Saw.

While this saw is similar to some of the other DeWalt miter saws on the list, its additional features push it over the line.

The Bosch GCM12SD takes the cake among all other sliding miter saws because it comes with damn near every conceivable feature, and has the ability to deliver very precise cuts.

With a key number of bevel stops and a multitude of positive stops, you’ll be able to accurately make both miter cuts and bevel cuts with ease.

In Conclusion

The DeWalt DWS780 vs DWS779 comparisons are made because they are almost identical, apart from the fact that one has laser-guided sight, and the other doesn’t. Apart from that, they are pretty much the same saw. Hence the reason we didn’t review both. 

The DeWalt DWS780 has exceptional power, lightning-quick blade speed, and superb durability and is even offered along with a three-year warranty.

In addition, it is versatile enough to be used by both hobbyists and professionals, especially given how easy it is to transport.

We really hope you enjoyed reading this review, and please, leave a reply if you have any queries.