10 Best Sliding Miter Saws of 2023

Photo: Makita

While a traditional miter saw is very handy for cutting a wide variety of cuts including bevel and miter cuts, to cut larger and longer workpieces, you need to have the best sliding miter saw.

The sliding miter saw is designed to make all the cuts that a traditional compound miter saw can make, but it also has a slide feature thanks to a sliding arm similar to what you get on a radial arm saw.

The sliding arm allows you to move the blade back and forth along the included rails and hence allowing the saw to cut larger workpieces than the traditional compound miter saw.

Its ability to crosscut larger boards makes the sliding miter saw the most versatile type of miter saw. And this is more so since most models will also tilt both left and right for standard compound cuts and with dual-bevel to make bevel cuts both to the right and left.

While it is certain that a sliding miter saw will be handy in the workshop, like with any other power tool, you need to choose the best model. And to help you out, below we review 10 top-rated sliding miter saws and also explain the factors to consider when shopping.

10 Best Sliding Miter Saws ​– Review

IMAGE	​PRODUCT	​FEATURES
	1. DeWalt DW717 (Best Overall)	Powerful 15-amp motor with 4,000 RPM Tall sliding fence Precise miter system Quick and accurate miter angles
	2. DeWalt DWS709 (Best for the Money)	Powerful 15-amp motor Adjustable miter detent plate Oversized bevel scale Tall sliding fences
	3. DeWalt DWS780 (Best under $500)	Exclusive back fence Powerful and durable 15-amp motor Integrated crosscut positioning system Efficient dust collection system
	4. Hitachi C12RSH2 (Best 12-inch Design)	Powerful 15-amp motor Compact slide system Taller sliding fence Comfortable and vibration-reducing handle
	5. Makita XSL06PT (Best Cordless)	More powerful dual battery operation High-speed motor 2-steel rail sliding system Excellent dust collection system
	6. Hitachi C8FSE (Lightweight & Inexpensive)	High-speed motor Compact, lightweight and more affordable Larger pivoting fence and table Soft, vibration-reducing handle
	7. Delta 26-2250 (Great for the Budding DIYer)	Heavy-duty aluminum saw arm Wide sliding fence 15-Amp soft start motor Space-saving design
	8. Makita LS1216L (For Larger Cutting Capacity)	4-steel rail sliding system Independent laser guide 6 linear ball bearing Electronic speed control
	9. Milwaukee 6955-20 (Professional Woodworker’s Best Choice)	Powerful and high-performing 15-amp motor Fast electronic soft start Dual job site lights Efficient integral dust channel
	10. Makita LS0815F (Nice & More Portable)	Linear ball bearing system Soft start and minimal maintenance motor Compact and portable Ergonomic rubberized handle

1. DeWalt DW717 – Top Pick Overall

Photo: DeWalt

• Power: 15 Amp
• Blade Size: 10 inches
• Weight: 51 pounds

DeWalt DW717 is a powerful sliding miter saw with a 15-amp motor and a 10-inch blade that has been designed to handle a variety of cuts in the workshop or job site.

Its powerful motor delivers a no-load speed of 4,000 RPM to speed up the cutting process. And this is also a double bevel miter saw with a 45-degree bevel capacity to allow you to set up 0 to 48 degrees bevel cuts to either the right or left.

This top-rated sliding miter saw comes with an adjustable stainless steel miter detent plate with 11 stops to ensure easy setup and improved efficiency. Also, users will love that it has an easily adjustable cam-lock miter handle that delivers quick and more accurate miter angles.

The tall fence and compact rails are designed to ensure more accurate cuts and increased versatility and are also more durable for long tool life. And this saw is relatively easier to carry around because besides being compact it also comes with a comfortable carry handle.

The dust collection system on this sliding miter saw is not the best as it will not capture all the debris and dust. But, it is also not the worst for its price, and if you attach it to shop vac it should still do a good enough job.

Pros:

• Powerful and high-speed motor
• Easy to setup and more efficient
• Quick and accurate miter angles
• High bevel capacity with convenient stops
• Handy built-in carry handle

Cons:

• Wanting dust collector system
• Does not have a soft-start motor

2. DeWalt DWS709 – Best for the Money

Photo: DeWalt

• Power: 15 Amp
• Blade Size: 12 inches
• Weight: 51 pounds

DeWalt’s model DWS709 is our best sliding miter saw for the money because it is hard to get a better 15-amp motor miter saw with a 12-inch blade without spending more cash.

But there is still more to it besides being the second most affordable model on our list as it also provides taller sliding fences and a uniquely designed back fence to help increase the cutting capacity.

DeWalt gives this sliding miter saw an easily adjustable miter detent plate made from a durable stainless steel material and with 13 positive stops to increase productivity while also enhancing the cutting accuracy.

This saw will miter 60 degrees to the right and 50 degrees to the left which further increases its cutting capacity, and there is also a handy oversized bevel scale for easy and more accurate bevel angle adjustment.

A top carry handle is always a great addition to a miter saw, and so the absence of one on this model can be a significant shortcoming. However, since it is still a compact and relatively lightweight saw, it should still be easy to carry and store even without a top handle.

Pros:

• High cutting capacity
• More durable construction
• Precise and accurate cuts
• Easy to store and transport
• Relatively more affordable

Cons:

• No top carry handle
• Included dust bag is not very useful

3. DeWalt DWS780 – Best Sliding Miter Saw under $500

Photo: DeWalt

• Power: 15 Amp
• Blade Size: 12 inches
• Weight: 54 pounds

You cannot go wrong with DeWalt when it comes to sliding miter saws as they have some of the best models on the market. And if you are on the hunt for something under $500, their model DWS780 is as good as it can get.

What makes it such an amazing saw is that it runs on a powerful 15-amp motor that delivers up to 3,800 RPM and with a 12-inch blade to ensure it can handle a wide variety of cuts.

The DeWalt sliding miter saw features a stainless steel miter detent plate that is easily adjustable and with 10 positive stops for improved productivity and to enhance accuracy.

And there is also an integrated XPS crosscut positioning system that will give users an adjustment-free cut line indication for more precise cuts.

The miter capacity is good enough for most users as this saw can cut 60 degrees to the right and 50 degrees to the left, and it also features a highly efficient dust collection system.

While the slides on this sliding miter saw still work well enough, they do not seem as smooth as they should be, but this will hardly be a problem for many users once they get used to the saw.

More Detailed: DeWalt DWS780 Review

Pros:

• Powerful and durable motor
• Improved productivity and accuracy
• Accurate and adjustment-free cut line indication
• High miter cutting capacity
• Highly efficient dust collection system

Cons:

• Slides could be a little smoother
• No soft start feature

4. Hitachi C12RSH2 – Best 12-inch Sliding Miter Saw

Photo: Hitachi

• Power: 15 Amp
• Blade Size: 12 inches
• Weight: 59 pounds

With a compact slide system that will not require any clearance, the Hitachi C12RSH2 will be perfect for anyone with limited space in the workshop.

Besides the compact slide, its powerful 15-amp motor and taller fence design also help to make it one of the best 12-inch sliding miter saws out there as they will ensure faster and more accurate cutting.

The larger fence system allows you to cut larger materials and you can also make the cuts more accurate and precise thanks to the easily adjustable and tool-less laser marker.

Using this sliding miter saw will be more comfortable as it includes a soft and vibration reducing handle that will also make it easier to control.

The quality of the dust collection system on this sliding miter saw is quite wanting, but you can easily improve it by getting a larger dust bag. Also, the slider might not be as smooth as what you get from top end models, but it is still good enough.

Pros:

• Taller sliding fence
• Compact, space-saving slide system
• Laser marker for more accuracy
• Comfortable and vibration reducing angle

Cons:

• Dust collection system is wanting
• Slide could be smoother

5. Makita XSL06PT – Best Cordless Sliding Miter Saw

Photo: Makita

• Power: 5.0 Ah
• Blade Size: 10 inches
• Weight: 60.2 pounds

Makita is another top power tool brand that always lives up to expectations when it comes to miter saws, and their model XLS06PT will be perfect for anyone shopping for a cordless model.

This sliding miter saw runs on a powerful and high-speed motor that delivers up to 4,400 RPM to ensure fast and efficient cutting. And it uses two 5.0 Ah batteries that work with the brushless motor to ensure you not only get more power but also longer runtimes.

With this sliding compound miter saw, you get a convenient automatic speed adjustment that ensures you always have the right speed and torque for the best performance.

The 2-steel sliding system is a great addition to the design as it helps ensure smooth and accurate cutting and also reduces the saw’s overall footprint to allow you to place it flush against a wall.

When compared to other models on our sliding miter saw review, the Makita XSL060PT is a little on the heavier side and also relatively more expensive. But, for a cordless miter saw, both the price and weight are still okay.

Pros:

• High-speed motor
• Convenient auto speed adjustment technology
• Two batteries for longer runtimes
• Excellent dust extraction system
• Smooth gliding and space saving slide system

Cons:

• A little on the heavier side
• Relatively pricier

6. Hitachi C8FSE – Lightweight and Inexpensive

Photo: Metabo HPT

• Power: 9.2 Amp
• Blade Size: 8.5 inches
• Weight: 31 pounds

Any woodworker or DIYer looking for a more compact and lightweight sliding miter saw that can be easily carried from one job site to the other, the Hitachi C8FSE is a perfect choice.

It is the cheapest model on our list and despite its smaller price tag, it is a high-speed miter saw capable of generating up to 5,500 RPM to ensure fast, easy and smooth cuts. And there is an electronic speed control that ensures consistent speeds throughout the cut.

Miter and bevel cuts will be more precise thanks to the thumb-actuated positive miter stops that will make it easy to change the angle of the blade to suit your intended cut.

And with the soft and vibration-reducing vertical handle, this will be a more comfortable miter saw to operate, and controlling it will also take little effort.

While the 9.2-amp motor is the least powerful on our list, it is still good enough given the size of the sliding miter saw and its price.

Pros:

• Quick and easy brush changes
• High-speed motor with electronic speed control
• Easy large materials handling
• Soft and vibration reducing grip
• Compact, lightweight and more portable

Cons:

• Relatively less powerful motor

7. Delta 26-2250 – Great Saw for the Budding DIYer

Photo: Delta

• Power: 15 Amp
• Blade Size: 12 inches
• Weight: 57 pounds

For DIYers looking for a sliding miter saw that can handle different projects and is easy to carry around to different project sites, the Delta 26-2250 is a perfect choice.

Despite being relatively compact, it is still a powerful saw that runs on a 15-amp motor and with a 12-inch blade that allows it to handle a wide variety of cuts. And the miter saw also offers soft starts and an easy-to-use trigger.

The sliding miter saw comes with a wide sliding fence that holds larger crown molding securely in place to ensure more accurate cuts and a stable heavy-duty base table.

With the easy-to-reach bevel switch, you can easily make bevel cuts both to the right and left and with the patented flip-down fence design this saw will make some of the widest crosscuts in its class.

Although this Delta sliding miter saw seems to have quite many plastic parts, the good news is that the company uses high quality and durable plastic to ensure they last long enough.

Pros:

• Wide sliding fence
• Easy to reach bevel switch
• Soft start motor and easy to use trigger
• Heavy-duty base table
• Space-saving design

Cons:

• Lots of plastic parts
• Smaller dust port

8. Makita LS1216L – For a Larger Cutting Capacity

Photo: Makita

• Power: 15 Amp
• Blade Size: 12 inches
• Weight: 58.6 pounds

Cutting capacity should always be at the top of your mind when shopping for the best sliding compound miter saw, and the fact that the Makita LS1216L can cut crown molding up to 8 inches means it will work for most DIYers and professionals.

This miter saw runs on a powerful 15-amp motor that requires less maintenance and with soft starts to give users an easier time.

With this saw, you get an independent laser guide that will indicate the line of cut to ensure more precision and accuracy, and it also has a unique 4-steel rail gliding system that provides increased rigidity for superior cuts.

There is an exclusive 6 linear ball bearings that will deliver smooth and highly accurate cuts and a taller dual sliding fence system for more precise bevel and miter cuts.

When compared to the high-end models that come ready to use, this miter saw seems to require a little more tuning and set up when you get it from the box. But, the good news is that it makes some excellent cuts once you dial it in.

Pros:

• Powerful, less-maintenance and soft start motor
• Larger cutting capacity
• Highly precise miter/bevel cuts
• Fast and easy fence adjustments
• Comfortable ergonomic and rubberized handle

Cons:

• Requires a little more tuning/set out of the box
• A little heavier

9. Milwaukee 6955-20 – Professional Woodworker’s Best Choice

Photo: Milwaukee

• Power: 15 Amp
• Blade Size: 12 inches
• Weight: 65 pounds

As a professional woodworker or contractor, you need a more powerful and heavy-duty sliding miter saw like the Milwaukee 6955-20 that can withstand heavy and regular use.

It runs on a 15-amp motor that generates up to 3,250 RPM and with a 12-inch blade for wider and deeper cuts into almost any wood material including hardwoods.

The sliding miter saw includes fine miter angle adjustments that include detent overrides to ensure precise miter angle dial-in, and there is also a digital readout for the miter angle for repeatable accuracy.

This high-performing sliding miter saw also includes an integrated dual work list to keep the workpiece adequately illuminated and integral dust channels to help keep the work area clean.

This Milwaukee saw almost has no significant shortcoming besides being the priciest and heaviest model on our list. However, for a professional grade sliding miter saw, both the price and weight are still acceptable.

Pros:

• Easy to dial in miter angles
• Powerful and high-performing motor
• Efficient dust channel
• Handy integrated work lights
• Fast and soft starts

Cons:

• Pricier model
• Quite heavy

10. Makita LS0815F – Nice and More Portable

Photo: Makita

• Power: 10.5 Amp
• Blade Size: 8.5 inches
• Weight: 31.1 pounds

The compact and lightweight Makita LS0815F has been designed for job site as you can easily carry it around which allows you to use it from almost anywhere.

Besides portability, other things that make this one of the best sliding miter saws include the high-speed 10.5-amp motor that generates up to 5,000 RPM and also offers electronic soft starts and requires less maintenance.

High cutting precision is guaranteed by the linear ball bearing system that also provides a smoother cutting operation. And to make things even better there are also some built-in LED lights that will help ensure you maintain clear sight of the cut line even in dark spaces.

For those that want miter cuts this sliding miter saw will allow up to 50-degree miter cuts to the left and up to 60-degree miter cuts to the right and with several positive stops.

The 8.5-inch blade is relatively smaller when compared to many other models on our list, but while it might not deliver the same cuts or service as the lager 10 and 12-inch blades for its size it still makes some amazing cuts.

Pros:

• High speed and less-maintenance motor
• Ergonomic rubberized handle
• Built-in LED lights
• Highly accurate cuts
• Compact and lightweight

Cons:

• Relatively smaller blade diameter
• Table extensions are a little narrow

How to Buy the Best Sliding Miter Saw

Photo: Metabo HPT

Sliding miter saws are complex power tools with multiple parts and they are also available in different models from several brands, and so when choosing one, you need to keep a keen eye on various things to ensure you get the best one. These vital things to consider include the following.

1. Power

Power is what defines any power tool and the sliding miter saw is no exception. The amount of power the saw can generate will determine how fast and easy it can cut through wood and also the kind of woods it can cut.

To avoid job site disappointments you need to make sure that the sliding miter saw you choose is as powerful as possible.

At the bare minimum, the saw should have at least a 15-amp motor that can generate speeds of 3,500 to 5,000 RPM to ensure fast and smooth cutting.

2. Blade

With any saw type that you are buying, the blade should always be one of the important things to consider as it is what will be doing the actual cutting.

When it comes to the blade the first and most important thing to consider is the blade size. Generally, the larger the blade size the deeper and larger the cuts that you can make.

And while you might not necessarily need a 12-inch blade, something that is at least 10 inches in diameter is always more favorable. However, you can get blades for sliding miter saws that are as small as 4 inches. Hence, the wise idea is always to go for a size that suits your projects.

Also, remember to check the tooth count because blades have a different number of teeth per inch. And the higher the teeth count the smoother the cuts that you will get, but for cutting through thicker material a lower tooth count is more preferable.

3. Dust Collection

Whether you will be using the sliding miter saw frequently or not, you need to make sure that it has an efficient dust collection because sawing produces lots of wood dust.

While most sliding miter saws will have some form of dust collection, the feature is not the same for all models. Some will come with a dust collection pouch/bag system while others will include a dust port to allow you to connect your shop vac and some will have both.

For light and occasional uses, the dust bags or pouches are often good enough. But for those that use their sliding miter saw, a dust port that connects to a shop vac is better than it will be more efficient and with a larger capacity.

4. Accessories

When shopping for the best sliding compound miter saw, there are also some accessories that you need to watch out for as they can help improve the performance, efficiency and make the saw easier to use.

Some of these accessories include the laser guide system or guide lights that help to ensure you maintain a more precise and accurate cut line.

Also, the saws that come with table extensions are always much better as they provide a larger work area so that you can handle larger workpieces. Other things like a folding stand with wheels are also great to have as they make storing and transporting your saw easier.

5. Budget

Everyone wants to save as much money as possible everywhere including when shopping for a sliding miter saw. Hence, before you even start shopping for one, you need to come up with a budget.

With a budget in mind or once you decide how much you are ready to spend on a sliding miter saw, shopping for one becomes a lot easier.

You can get a sliding miter for anything between $100 and $1,000, but there are also some high-end models that will cost upwards of $1,000.

And as you determine how much you are willing to spend on a sliding miter saw, it is important to keep in mind that it is always better to spend a few extra dollars to get a top model from a reputable brand.

Conclusion

Whether you are a hobbyist or professional, a sliding miter saw will be a highly useful power tool for you.  And while there are plenty of good models available, it is important to know how to pick one that will suit your projects.

However, finding the best sliding miter saw should be easy if you watch out for important things like power, blade, dust collection, accessories, and your budget.

And even if you are an absolute beginner that does not know where to start when shopping for one, this piece also has you covered as our top 10 sliding miter saws reviews will provide more than enough recommendations.