Best Cordless Miter Saw for the Money

For anyone who needs to cut lengths or boards of wood as a professional contractor, or as part of a DIY project, a compound miter saw could be considered an essential tool. Its ability to make cuts quickly and precisely set it apart from any other type of saw. 

Often the cutting needs to take place away from the workshop, or on location, with no guarantee of a power supply.

To help you choose one, we have reviewed 5 of the best cordless miter saws, with details on their good, and not-so-good features.

Comparison Table

Best Cordless Miter Saw Reviews

1. Makita XSL06PT 36V Dual-Bevel Sliding Miter Saw

If you’re the type of person who likes their tools to incorporate as much of the latest technology as possible, you should probably take a look at Makita.

The Makita XSL06PT cordless miter saw has a modern brushless motor and automatic speed change functions.

Makita has some impressive benchmark figures to boast about when it comes to manufacturing cordless tools, and the XSL06PT is no different, possessing superb performance and sublime accuracy.

Product Highlights

Makita is a brand well-known for their innovation and with their XSL06PT cordless miter saw, they have proved that is the case once again. At the heart of the saw is a brushless motor which has many advantages over the standard carbon brush motors that most other miter saws use.

Firstly, it has a run time that is 50% longer, it is less likely to overheat, it has better power management, so your batteries last longer on each charge, and if all that wasn’t enough it provides more power and speed when you are cutting.

A lithium-ion battery is not considered a fancy feature in today’s world of cordless tools, and Makita has been manufacturing cordless tools with them for years. Although, they seem to have focused heavily on power efficiency with their cordless miter saws, and it certainly shows with the Makita XSL06PT.

Miter Saw REVIEW

This miter saw also employs a direct drive system which makes each cut smoother and more consistent. It also means that you will not have the hassle of having to change drive belts in the future.

Innovation continues with Makita’s ‘Automatic Speed Change’ feature, which adjusts the torque and optimizes the cutting speed depending on the load the motor is under while cutting.

In terms of the cuts you can undertake with the 10-inch blade, the fact that it is a sliding compound miter saw means you have the full range you would expect. Cut capacity is 6 5/8″ for vertical molding, and 5 1/4″ for vertical baseboards and you can make 90° crosscuts up to 12 inches.

The miter range is between 0 degrees and 60 degrees on both the left and right, with stops at the customary 0, 15, 21.5, 31.6, 45, and 60 degrees. Beveling has a range on both right and left of between 0 and 48 degrees.

Other features of the Makita cordless miter saw include; two collection points for dust, a laser guide for improved accuracy, and one which will appeal to many is the fact that it comes complete with two 18V Lithium-Ion batteries and a dual-port charger.

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2. Milwaukee 2734-21 M18 Dual-Bevel Sliding Miter Saw

When it comes to power tools, Milwaukee has built a name for itself that is synonymous with both quality and performance, especially when it comes to cordless tools.

After rolling out their M18 Fuel range, they have produced some of the best portable cordless miter saws on the market, and without compromising on either power or performance.

For those who want a lightweight and portable miter saw that has been manufactured by one of the top brands in portable tools, the Milwaukee 2734-21 Dual-Bevel Sliding Compound Miter Saw ticks both those boxes and many more.

Product Highlights

The Milwaukee 2734-21 is a no-nonsense cordless miter saw, that is ideal for those who are looking for an extremely portable option, thanks to its built-in carry handle and weight of just 28 lbs.

It might be lightweight, but it certainly packs a punch when it comes to cutting power with its 5,000 RPM motor driving a 7-1/4-inch blade.

You really don’t expect the kind of power that the Milwaukee 2734-21 delivers as most cordless miter saws lack the high-performance attributes that their corded counterparts brandish.

Miter Saw REVIEW

The saw gives you a variety of cutting options which include a miter range of 50 degrees to both the left and right with a total of 10 stops, including 0°, 15°, 22.5°, 31.6°, and 45°.

For fine adjustments, and to make the miter angles very precise, there is a miter deter override, plus the cam miter lock helps position the table quickly and accurately. The 2734-21 is also a dual bevel miter saw with stops at 45° and 48° both left and right.

Additional features include a dust bag, and as you might expect from a brand as renowned as Milwaukee, the Milwaukee 2734-21 is the most portable dual bevel sliding miter saw at a measly 28 lbs, even with the M18 batteries connected.

Considering all the features that are packed into this lightweight cordless dual bevel sliding miter saw, you’d assume it would command a relatively high price tag, right? Well, you’d be right, and we can confirm this assumption.

Although, you could justify the extra expense purely by the build quality and performance of the Milwaukee 2734-21. And with the addition of a standard 5-year manufacturer’s warranty, there’s no denying that this really is a brilliant cordless miter saw.

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3. DEWALT DHS790AT2 Dual-Bevel Sliding Miter Saw

Dewalt has a very strong reputation for manufacturing excellent power tools, and they’ve further solidified their status with the DeWalt DHS790AT2 by including an array of unique new features. 

When your thinking of cordless miter saws, you generally assume you are restricted to 7-1/4 and maybe even 10-inch miter saws, but surely not 12-inches. Well, that is exactly what you’re getting with the DeWalt DHS790AT2, plus a whole host of other jaw-dropping features. 

Product Highlights

When you are cutting wood, the speed and accuracy of the cut very much depend on the power which is driving the blade. What Dewalt has introduced is a two-battery configuration, utilizing its innovative FLEXVOLT technology that automatically changes voltage when changing tools.

The DeWalt DHS790AT2 uses two FLEXVOLT 20V/60V MAX batteries delivering double the power supplying 120V. Even with all that power being used, the batteries are normally good for an entire day’s work. This feature would be very beneficial to the likes of framers or trim contractors who make not have access to power while on site.

Speaking of which, another unique feature of the DHS790AT2 is that it’s both cordless, and electric corded. So if your batteries do run dry, you could simply find the nearest power supply and you back on track.

Sticking with the power theme, we come to the motor, which is brushless, and thus more efficient, longer-lasting, and has a longer run time than standard carbon brush motors.

Miter Saw   REVIEW

Your cutting opportunities with this miter saw are immense, especially with its dual-bevel configuration, which means you should not need to move your material for the majority of cuts. When setting up your cuts, you have the DeWalt LED light guide system to help you make the setup as accurate as possible.

Bevel adjustments can be made by using the DeWalt signature lock, you can loosen and adjust the bevel from 0 – 45 degrees both to the left and right. DeWalt has also included bevel stops that pivot in and out of position at 22.5 and 33.86 degrees.

As for the cut capacity, the DHS790AT2 has a maximum crosscut capacity of 16-inches, a 45-degree miter cut capacity of 8-inches, a miter cutting capacity of 49 degrees left and right, and a bevel cutting capacity of 45 degrees both left and right. It also has a maximum cutting height of 6-3/4 inches and a crown capacity of 7-1/2 inches.

The saw also features sliding and removable fence extensions, electric brake stops, a dust collection system, and a standard 60-tooth, 12-inch blade. Add in the new FLEXVOLT 20V/60V MAX batteries which replace the older lithium-ion battery from the DeWalt DCS361M1 model, and you’ve got yourself one impressive miter saw.

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4. Craftsman cmcs714m1 Dual-Bevel Sliding Miter Saw

If you are looking for a simple, but highly effective, cordless miter saw, the CMCS714M1 from Craftsman fits that desire perfectly.

While the CMCS714M1 miter saw won’t enthrall you with its design or high-tech features, it will do the one thing you want from a miter saw… make accurate cuts.

Product Highlights

If you need to work in different locations, a cordless miter saw is an answer, and the Craftsman CMCS714M1 weighing in at just 17.4 lbs. is certainly going to be lightweight enough to carry with you.

Having said that it does require the battery and charger to be purchased separately, but even adding them on isn’t going to make it any less portable.

The cutting blade is 7-1/4 inches in diameter and is manufactured with 24 carbide-tipped teeth to make every cut clean and precise.

For beveling, you can set it to any one of 9 stops between 0 and 45 degrees, the cross-cutting capacity is 4-1/4 inches, and the normal cut capacity is 2 x 4 inches.

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The laser guide will assist in setting up whichever cut you are working on more precisely, and when you are performing the cut, the ergonomically designed horizontal handle will make your part in the process more comfortable, and you can make the cut more accurately too.

Should ever be required to change the blade, there is a spindle lock to ensure this is done safely, and to keep your working area as free from airborne debris as possible, there is a dust removal system.

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5.  DEWALT DCS361M1 20V  Single Bevel Sliding Miter Saw

DeWalt is one of the industry leaders and has been for many years, so any cordless miter saw with their name on it is definitely worth taking a look at, especially a miter saw which is as popular as this one.

While battery power and raw speed are always a consideration when searching for a new miter saw, what should really top the list is accuracy, and that’s exactly what you get with the DeWalt DCS361M1. 

Product Highlights

We’ll say from the outset that when you purchase this you are receiving the tool only, plus the blade, so you will need to buy the necessary DeWalt 20V battery, and the one you want is the DCGB204. On the positive, if you already have cordless DeWalt products, you are likely to already have this battery as they use the same one for all of their tools.

As for this tool, we mentioned the blade comes with it, and specifically, it is a 7-1/4 inch blade with extra-sharp carbide-tipped teeth. This has been designed to minimize vibration when cutting and to ensure precise cuts.

In terms of cutting capacity, the impressive Dewalt DCS361M1 provides all the options for cutting that you would expect to find on a single bevel sliding compound miter saw, so you have plenty of scopes.

It can be used to bevel to the left at angles between -3° and 48°, and within that range, it has no fewer than 10 factory set stops for highly accurate angled cuts.

For crosscuts, you can cut up to 8 inches, between 45 and 90 degrees. Further cutting options include molding cuts of 3-5/8 inches for vertical workpieces, and 8 inches if the wood is lying flat.

Miter Saw REVIEW

The tool is obviously portable and with a weight of just 30 lbs. it should be light enough to be transported to any job. There is also an LED light to illuminate the work area so you should have no issue making a precise cut at any angle.

There are a lot of cordless miter saws on the market and if you’re looking for a reliable saw that will deliver both accurate cuts and a multitude of angles, the DeWalt DCS361M1 could be a viable option.

Another thing to keep in mind with the DeWalt DCS361M1 is that it’s identical to the DeWalt DCS361B, minus the batteries and charger. So if you are looking for a complete kit with charger and batteries, the DeWalt DCS361M1 is the way to go. 

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FINAL VERDICT

We are happy to recommend all the miter saws in our reviews, but the one that stands head and shoulder above the rest is the Makita XSL06PT cordless miter saw.

It may come with a high price tag, but this is completely worth it when you consider the list of innovative design features such as a brushless direct-drive motor, and automatic speed control, plus the multiple cutting options that take this miter saw to another level.

The Makita XSL06PT is the kind of power tool you can confidently put to the test with everything from baseboard molding, to crown molding, to fencing and window framing. You’ll be able to accurately cut any materials at the necessary angles even when working remotely, without any issue.

In Conclusion

Whether most DIY enthusiasts or professional craftsmen what to admit it or not, when it comes to selecting tools, there will be a degree of brand loyalty when determining which tool they choose.

But there is some solid logic within that decision-making process as these brands have a reputation when it comes to delivering quality tools, and both the enthusiasts and pros have experienced this firsthand.

That is why when you look at this list of reviewed best miter saws, you see the same usual suspects as these manufacturers have stood the test of time.

Each of these saws could have rightfully taken the crown for the best cordless miter saw of 2021. They all have their defining qualities, but you’ll have to put your newfound knowledge to the test and choose the right power tool for yourself.

Best of luck, and we thoroughly hope you enjoyed our review and analysis of the top cordless miter saws.