Photo: Bosch
A miter saw is basically a power saw that is designed to create smooth and sharp straight or angled cuts on your wood pieces with high precision. It is specifically designed to make angled cuts on the wood piece’s width (miter) as well as on the wood piece’s thickness (bevel).
However, there are different types, sizes and varieties of these tools in the market that have different defining features. To help you in the selection process, the review below looks at the 12-inch size miter saws and these are 10 of the best 12-inch miter saws that you should consider.
In this post:
- 10 Best 12-Inch Miter Saws – Review
- 1. Chicago Electric HA69684 – Best 12-Inch Miter Saw for the Money
- 2. DeWalt DW716 – Double Bevel 12-Inch Miter Saw
- 3. DeWalt DWS709 – 12-Inch Miter Saw with Tall Sliding Fences
- 4. DeWalt DWS780 – Wide Bevel Range 12-Inch Miter Saw
- 5. Bosch GCM12SD – 12-Inch Miter Saw with an Axial Glide System
- 6. Hitachi C12RSH2 – Laser-Guided 12-Inch Miter Saw
- 7. Skil 3821-01 – 12-Inch Miter Saw with Extension Rails
- 8. Tacklife PMS03A – 12-Inch Miter Saw with Comfortable Handles
- 9. DeWalt DWS779 – 12-Inch Miter Saw with a Dust Collection System
- 10. DeWalt DWS715 – Lightweight 12-Inch Miter Saw
- How to Buy the Best 12-Inch Miter Saw
- Conclusion
10 Best 12-Inch Miter Saws – Review
IMAGE | PRODUCT | FEATURES | |
|---|---|---|---|
 | 1. Chicago Electric HA69684 (Best for the Money) |
| |
 | 2. DeWalt DW716 (Double Bevel) |
| |
 | 3. DeWalt DWS709 (With Tall Sliding Fences) |
| |
 | 4. DeWalt DWS780 (Wide Bevel Range) |
| |
 | 5. Bosch GCM12SD (Has Axial Glide System) |
| |
 | 6. Hitachi C12RSH2 (Laser Guided) |
| |
 | 7. Skil 3821-01 (With Extension Rails) |
| |
 | 8. Tacklife PMS03A (With Comfortable Handles) |
| |
 | 9. DeWalt DWS779 (Has Dust Collection System) |
| |
 | 10. DeWalt DWS715 (Lightweight) |
|
PRODUCT |
|---|
1. Chicago Electric HA69684 (Best for the Money)
|
2. DeWalt DW716 (Double Bevel)
|
3. DeWalt DWS709 (With Tall Sliding Fences)
|
4. DeWalt DWS780 (Wide Bevel Range)
|
5. Bosch GCM12SD (Has Axial Glide System)
|
6. Hitachi C12RSH2 (Laser Guided)
|
7. Skil 3821-01 (With Extension Rails)
|
8. Tacklife PMS03A (With Comfortable Handles)
|
9. DeWalt DWS779 (Has Dust Collection System)
|
10. DeWalt DWS715 (Lightweight)
|
1. Chicago Electric HA69684 – Best 12-Inch Miter Saw for the Money
Photo: Chicago Electric
- Power: 15 Amps
- Speed: 3,800 RPM
- Bevel Range: 0 – 45˚
- Weight: 52 pounds
If you are on a tight budget, Chicago Electric’s HA69684 is an affordable miter saw to consider. That said, the piece is still well-built, featuring linear slide rails on the sides that extend the work area so as to hold large workpieces stably.
Also included is a laser guide system for accurate cuts, and it is trigger activated, meaning that the red light turns on automatically once you run the blade, while a double bevel design with a 45˚ range on both sides lets you angle-cut easily.
However, you don’t get tall sliding fences for holding tall workpieces.
Pros:
- Affordable
- Linear slide rails for extending the work area
- Laser guide system
- Double bevel design
Cons:
- No tall sliding fences
2. DeWalt DW716 – Double Bevel 12-Inch Miter Saw
Photo: DeWalt
- Power: 15 Amps
- Speed: 3,800 RPM
- Bevel Range: 0 – 48˚
- Weight: 44 pounds
Just like the DWS779 above, DeWalt’s DW716 is a double bevel miter saw, but this one has a wider range that goes up to 48˚ on both sides. This enables you to cut more slanted bevels while positive stops at 0, 33.9, 45 and 48˚ make it easy-to-use when dealing with these popular angles.
Other than that, the unit is equipped with an easily adjustable cam-lock miter handle for adjusting to either 50˚on the left or right, with 11 positive stops for convenience and improved efficiency when cutting.
More features include a 2×8-inch crosscut capacity at 90˚and 2×6-inch at 45˚, tall sliding fences for crown and base molding (6-5/8 inches nested and 6-1/2 inches vertically respectively), and a built-in carry handle for easy portability.
However, the saw is not equipped with laser guidance for accurate cutting positioning, but it is compatible with DeWalt’s DW7187 laser system, which you can buy as an upgrade.
Pros:
- Double bevel design with a wide 0-48˚ range on both sides
- Easily adjustable cam-lock miter handle with a 0-50˚ range on both sides
- 11 positive stops on the miter scale
- Tall sliding fences for crown and base molding
Cons:
- No laser positioning system
3. DeWalt DWS709 – 12-Inch Miter Saw with Tall Sliding Fences
Photo: DeWalt
- Power: 15 Amps
- Speed: 3,800 RPM
- Bevel Range: 0 – 45˚
- Weight: 51 pounds
DeWalt’s DWS709 is characterized by tall sliding fences, which can support crown molding in a nested position at up to 5.5 inches and vertical base molding up to 4.5 inches. These fences also slide out easily, leaving enough room for bevel cuts.
That said, you get a 0-45˚ bevel range with a bevel cut capacity of 2×10 inches at 45˚. You also get a nested vertical crown molding capacity of 5.5 inches and a 6.8 and 4.5-inch max width and max height miter cut capacity respectively at 45˚.
Other features include a 110˚ miter range (60˚ on the right and 50˚ on the left) with 13 positive stops for easy use, a powerful 15-amp 3,800 RPM motor for fast cutting and an oversized bevel scale that is easy to read when making angle adjustments.
However, the saw lacks a carrying handle, as well as a laser guiding system for accurate marking and cutting.
Pros:
- Tall sliding fences for supporting crown and vertical base molding
- Wide 110˚ miter range with 13 positive stops for convenience and efficiency
- Powerful 15-amp 3,800 RPM motor
- Easy-to-read oversized bevel scale
Cons:
- Lacks a carrying handle
- No laser guiding system
4. DeWalt DWS780 – Wide Bevel Range 12-Inch Miter Saw
Photo: DeWalt
- Power: 15 Amps
- Speed: 3,800 RPM
- Bevel Range: 0 – 49˚
- Weight: 54 pounds
With a 0-49˚ bevel range, this double bevel miter saw has a very wide tilting range, which enables you to create more tilted bevel cuts. Within this range, you get several positive stops, which are positioned at 0, 22.5, 33.9, 45 and 49˚ in both directions.
The unit’s drive system comprises a 15-amp 3,800 RPM motor and an innovative gearbox-belt mechanism, which increases the vertical cutting capacity of the blade to 16 inches for a 90˚ crosscut and 12 inches at 45˚.
On the miter cuts, you get a 110˚ range (60˚ on the right and 50˚ on the left) with 10 positive stops for high accuracy and easy use, a carrying handle and an efficient dust collection system.
However, no laser guidance system is integrated into the unit but an integrated crosscut positioning system is built-in for cutline marking using an LED light. It is also quite expensive.
More Detailed: DeWalt DWS780 Review
Pros:
- Wide 0-49˚ bevel range with 9 positive stops
- The innovative gearbox-belt design increases the vertical cutting capacity
- 110˚ miter range with 10 positive stops
- Carrying handle for easy transportation
- Efficient dust collection system
Cons:
- No laser guidance system
- Quite costly
5. Bosch GCM12SD – 12-Inch Miter Saw with an Axial Glide System
Photo: Bosch
- Power: 15 Amps
- Speed: 3,800 RPM
- Bevel Range: 0 – 47˚
- Weight: 88.2 pounds
Bosch’s GCM12SD is fitted with an axial gliding system, which allows for wider crosscuts and more accurate alignment, all while being very compact, durable and operating very smoothly.
Two quick-release square-lock fences create a rear wall over the table, and these provide the required support for holding long and tall wooden pieces as you slice through.
The saw is dual bevel and tilts up to 47˚ on either side with 2 positive stops at 33.9˚, while its miter range goes up to 52˚ on the left and 60˚ on the right with 10 positive stops at the popular cutting angles.
Other features include high visibility bevel and miter scales for easy reading, a dust chute and a vacuum adapter for sucking out the sawdust and an ergonomic, ambidextrous soft-grip trigger handle for comfortable use.
On the downside, this unit is very expensive and also very heavy (88.2 pounds), which makes it a bit challenging to carry.
More Detailed: Bosch GCM12SD Review
Pros:
- Axial gliding system gives wider crosscuts and better alignment
- Two fences with a quick-release mechanism for sliding
- Dual bevel with 2 positive stops over the 47˚ range on either side
- High visibility bevel and miter scales
- Dust chute and vacuum adapter for sucking dust away from the work area
Cons:
- Expensive
- Heavy
6. Hitachi C12RSH2 – Laser-Guided 12-Inch Miter Saw
Photo: Hitachi
- Power: 15 Amps
- Speed: 4,000 RPM
- Bevel Range: 0 – 45˚
- Weight: 59 pounds
Hitachi recently changed its name to Metabo, but the tools still retain the same top-quality status they have been known for. Using this C12RSH2 as an example, it has a laser-guided system that projects a narrow red light, projecting the exact point the blade will cut.
This laser is adjustable to the right, left or center of the actual blade’s cutting position, which gives you the allowance to set the precision according to your preference.
Another benefit you get is a compact slide system that glides the blade along fixed rails. This design eliminates the need for rear clearance, thereby requiring minimal space to set up.
More features include large sliding fences that give you the allowance to cut up to 7.5 inches in vertical crown molding and a powerful 15-amp motor with a top speed of 4,000 RPM.
However, the saw’s miter range is relatively short (0-57˚ on the right and 0-45˚ on the left), which limits your cutting range, and it is quite costly.
Pros:
- Adjustable laser-guided system for precise cutting
- Compact fixed rail system minimizes setup space requirements
- Large sliding fences give a 7.5-inch crown molding capacity
- Powerful 15-amp motor with 4,000 RPM top speed
Cons:
- Quite expensive
- Relatively short miter range (102˚)
7. Skil 3821-01 – 12-Inch Miter Saw with Extension Rails
Photo: Skil
- Power: 15 Amps
- Speed: 4,500 RPM
- Bevel Range: 0 – 47˚
- Weight: 42.5 pounds
Skil’s 3821-01 miter saw is unique because it features table extensions on the left and right of the work area, with extension rails that can support larger workpieces. This makes it very easy to work on long wood pieces for large projects.
The tool is equipped with a quick-mounting system that allows you to quickly set it up on Skil’s 3302-02 miter saw stand so that you can get to work.
You get a powerful 15-amp motor with a very high speed of 4,500 RPM for quick cutting, a laser guide for accurate cuts and 9 positive stops on the miter scale.
However, this is a single bevel miter saw that tilts only on the left side up to 47˚ and this means you have to flip your workpiece to get the bevel on both sides. It also has a relatively short 90˚ miter range (45 on both sides).
Pros:
- Table extensions expand the work area to fit large workpieces
- A quick-mounting system for easy setup
- Powerful, high-speed 4,500 RPM motor
- Laser guide for accurate cuts
Cons:
- Single bevel design
- Relatively short 90˚ miter range
8. Tacklife PMS03A – 12-Inch Miter Saw with Comfortable Handles
Photo: Tacklife
- Power: 15 Amps
- Speed: 3,800 RPM
- Bevel Range: 0 – 45˚
- Weight: 46 pounds
With a soft-grip cutting handle and a soft base angle change handle, this 12-inch miter saw is very comfortable to use. It also has a clamping device that stabilizes it on your stand for safe operation.
Once set up, the double bevel cutter gives you a 45˚ range on every side, as well as a 90˚ range (45˚ each side) on the miter scale with special stops at 0, 15, 22.5, 30 and 45˚ for convenience and easy use.
Other features include an efficient dust collection system and laser guidance for accurate cutting. However, the miter range is quite short and its laser guide is not adjustable position-wise for customization purposes.
Pros:
- Comfortable soft-grip cutting handle
- Clamping device for stabilizing it on your stand
- Double bevel design with 45˚ on both sides
- Efficient dust collection system
- Laser guide system
Cons:
- Short miter scale range
- The laser guide is not adjustable
9. DeWalt DWS779 – 12-Inch Miter Saw with a Dust Collection System
Photo: DeWalt
- Power: 15 Amps
- Speed: 3,800 RPM
- Bevel Range: 0 – 45˚
- Weight: 56 pounds
Top of the list is DeWalt’s DWS779 and this one has a dust collection system that is highly efficient, collecting up to 75% of the sawdust produced as you cut. This ensures your work area remains clean, requiring very little effort to tidy up at the end of the day.
Power is provided using a 15-amp motor, which delivers up to 3,800 RPM to the cutting blade at full thrust. This is quite fast and will ensure you cut your wood in no time.
Also included is an exclusive back fence design that holds 2×16-inches dimensional lumber when cutting at 90˚ and 2×12-inches when cutting at 45˚ while tall sliding fences hold crown molding up to 7.5-inches (nested) and 6.75-inches for base molding when placed vertically.
Combined, these features make this the top-rated 12-inch compound miter saw in this review. However, it does not have a carry handle for easy portability and lacks laser guidance for accurate positioning. Instead, you get cutline blade positioning, to improve on accuracy.
Pros:
- Highly efficient dust collection system
- Powerful 15-amp motor
- Exclusive back fence design with tall sliding fences for crown and base molding
- Cutline blade positioning system for adjustment-free cutline marking
Cons:
- No laser guidance for high precision cutting
- Lacks a carrying handle
10. DeWalt DWS715 – Lightweight 12-Inch Miter Saw
Photo: DeWalt
- Power: 15 Amps
- Speed: 4,000 RPM
- Bevel Range: 0 – 48˚
- Weight: 42 pounds
Coming in at 42 pounds, DeWalt’s DWS715 is a very lightweight 12-inch miter saw that is easy to carry, and features a built-in carry handle for easy portability. Despite this, the piece still carries a lot of features such as a 15-amp motor with a fast 4,000 RPM spin for quick cutting.
The unit has tall sliding fences that support crown molding up to 5.25 inches in a nested position. You also get a 51˚ bevel range (48˚ to the left, 3˚ to the right).
This makes it a single bevel saw because the 3˚ on the right is quite small. On the bright side, 4 positive stops are included at 0, 33.9, 45 and 48˚ for easy use. However, there is no laser guidance system.
Pros:
- Lightweight; easy to carry
- Carry handle for easy transportation
- Powerful 4,000 RPM motor
- Tall sliding fences for supporting crown molding in a nested position
Cons:
- No laser guidance
- Single bevel design
How to Buy the Best 12-Inch Miter Saw
Photo: DeWalt
1. Type
Stationary Compound
A stationary miter saw has its head fixed on a non-movable arm. This enables you to crosscut, angle, bevel, and compound cut your wood piece and is ideal for projects that require similar-sized cuts, with the width of the workpiece being smaller than the blade (12 inches in this case).
Sliding Compound
Sliding compound miter saws feature radial or extension arms that allow the saw head to be moved back and forth. This makes the tool very versatile because the movement increases the crosscut capacity and generally gives you a wider range of cutting options.
Sliding Dual Compound
Also known as a double bevel miter saw, this type is the most versatile because it has an extension arm and adds on a tilting head that can swing to the right or left on an angled axis.
This design makes it possible to cut bevels on both edges of your workpiece without flipping it over, making it ideal for decorative trim work. However, such saws can be very costly.
2. Power
Given in amperes, this value shows how powerful the motor is. Ideally, the more powerful the motor is, the easier it will be for it to slice through hard and thick pieces of wood. With 12-inch miter saws, a 15-amp motor is usually powerful enough for the job.
3. Speed
A miter saw’s speed determines how fast it is at powering through your workpiece. In most cases, this speed is given for “no-load” conditions in RPM, meaning that it might be slower when cutting. That said, a speed of 3,500 RPM going upwards should be good enough for fast cutting.
4. Cutting Ability
This is a very important factor to consider because it determines if the miter saw will be suitable for your project. You should check the various cutting capacities for each unit, such as the vertical, angled and even crown molding capacity in a nested position.
Given in inches, these maximum capacity values should be greater than the size of your workpiece.
5. Bevel Range
A miter saw is mostly known for its bevel cutting capabilities but you should check its range before buying. The wider the range, the better because this enables you to create a wider variety of decorative bevel cuts.
Another thing to check is whether the saw is a single or dual bevel type. Dual bevel types are better because they tilt on both sides but with a single bevel design, you will have to physically flip your workpiece so as to cut a bevel on the other side. This makes it a bit tedious to use.
Conclusion
In summary, 12-inch miter saws are very popular because this blade size is suitable to work on most woodworking projects. This makes it a very valuable asset for your workshop.
However, as you can see above, there are a lot of features that you should consider before buying one but after reading through, you should be in a better position to pick the best 12-inch miter saw that suits your needs.