A sliding compound miter saw makes it easier for you to create the trim pieces that your home needs as well as the trim that you make for your customers or clients.
These products let you trim the edges of those boards to the specific angle needed. The sliding design found on these models allows for more graceful and smooth cuts too.
We selected the DEWALT 12” (Check Price on Amazon.com) as our top model because it has a 15-amp motor that delivers a full 3,800 RPMs when running. This product also has a dependable dust collection system that eliminates and captures up to 75% of the dust and debris that comes off your boards.
You can see some of the pros and cons of this model as well as those of other models ranked among the best.
40 HOURS OF RESEARCHING
35 MODELS CONSIDERED
1 WINNER
5 Sliding Compound Miter Saws Comparison Chart
5 Best Sliding Compound Miter Saws - Reviews
1. DEWALT DWS779
The three-year warranty that DEWALT has on this model protects you against problems that can occur in the future. You shouldn’t have any problems with the motor on this one because it is a 15-amp model that produces a total of 3,800 revolutions in a minute. It comes with clear markings along the base too.
Another benefit found on this model is its dependable dust collection system, which can actually remove up to 75% or more of the dust and debris coming off your boards, though this does limit the larger dust collection systems that you can use. Its back fencing works with boards of 12-inches to 16-inches long and allows you to make cuts at 45-degree and 90-degree angles.
Though the dust collection system is a nice feature, this system uses a cheaper form of rubber that keeps this model from being compatible with larger and more efficient dust systems. You’ll also find that it kicks on quickly and doesn’t give you much warning, which can result in it pulling a board right out of your hands. The three-year warranty that DEWALT offers on this product does give you a little relief in the future though.
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2. Craftsman V20 CMCS714M1
This Craftsman model comes with a 7-1/4 inch blade that is a little smaller than those found on other models, but this is a carbide blade that lasts longer than steel or aluminum ones do. With a 3,800 RPM rating, this model will make those clean cuts faster too.
Inside this product is a 15-amp motor that produces more torque and horsepower for making those cuts. It comes with a miter adjustment of between zero and 45 degrees and a spindle lock. You also get an extension that increases the length of the boards that you can use with this product.
Though this one does have some flaws like plastic parts that snap off easily, it comes with a useful laser light that you can use to guide your boards across the blade or to create a path that you can easily follow. Other items that come in the packaging with this model include a clamp for clamping the extension table down and a dust collection bag for catching the waste produced by all your projects.
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3. RYOBI TSS102L
The built-in laser guide system on this Ryobi model extends out from the blade to create a perfectly straight line that you can easily follow when removing more from a longer board.
It also comes with an extension system designed to give you more space, though you may find that you wish it extended out more from the sides. A built-in electric brake system brings the spinning blade to a complete stop in less than a second too.
Making precise cuts is easy because this one has nine positive cuts that start at zero degrees and go up to 90 degrees, though the exact angle you can use will depend on how close you are to the blade and the type of cut you need to make. Also included is a carbide blade with extremely sharp tips that actually grab the wood and then slide off to the side to keep the wood from tearing or splintering.
You get both a clamp and a wrench blade with this model as well as a dust bag. This bag attaches to the back in seconds and comes off easily for dumping the dust collected.
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4. Evolution Power Tools RAGE 3-DB
The RAGE 3-DB is one of the few multipurpose models on the market, and it has a design that lets you cut most common materials, including plastic, wood and metal. Its blade can cut up to 80 feet before it needs sharpened or replaced, though you may get less use out of it depending on the thickness and type of metal that you need to cut.
This blade leaves metal and wood completely flat and will not cause burning or scorching, and it allows wood to come out smoother without any chips or splinters.
Its miter system features nine positive stops that keep the blade from cutting too deep into your boards and materials, but it also has a bevel tilt that lets you make cuts at a 45-degree angle. A slide mechanism adjusts this angle up to 55 degrees and extends the work area available to let you cut boards of more than 12.5-inches wide.
The blade included with this product uses both carbide and tungsten and features 28 teeth, but the blade has a surround on the front that keeps your clothing and skin protected.
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5. WEN MM1011
No matter what types of projects you want to do, this affordable WEN model helps you do those projects without going over your budget. This has a larger capacity than others that allows you to cut boards that are more than 12-inches wide and boards that are more than 3-1/2 inches thick. Its powerful motor, which is a 15-amp motor, delivers up to 4,500 revolutions to help you finish those projects quicker.
Weighing only 33.7 pounds, this is a portable model suitable for taking on jobs, and it comes with a two-year warranty from WEN. The manufacturer also included a number of accessories with this model like a dust bag that collects sawdust and other types of debris, a fence, clamp for holding down the fence and support arms that add to its overall stability. You also get a carbide blade that has 60 tips that both grip and slip off the wood to create smoother edges.
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Final Verdict
The 12” model from DEWALT gets our top choice in this tool category because it features a dust collection system that the manufacturer designed to remove up to 75% of the waste that you produce when cutting. It comes with a back fence system too that lets you cut boards at 45 to 90 degree angles. You can use this one with boards as long as 16 inches.
Its strong motor is just another of the top features that we think you will like. This 15-amp motor produces up to 3,800 revolutions in a single minute to cut through boards faster than you did in the past.