Most beginners would not want to make an ambitious commitment and invest in a complicated machine that does not fully suit their needs. Some may not have enough expertise to sort through the available products in the market. Thus, our experts are here to present you with options for the best miter saws compatible for beginners like you.
Reviews of the Best Miter Saws for Beginners
1. Craftsman CMCS714M1
The Craftsman CMCS714M1 is a workhorse of a saw. It’s the ideal miter saw for portability as it’s incredibly lightweight. You also have your choice of accessories for an additional price.
The versatile tool can cut wood and trim lumber down to size with ease. As a sliding miter saw, the CMCS714M1 can create cross-cuts at varying degrees. The brand also adds more cutting capacity to this model to improve its functions.
The LED cut line positioning system will ensure this best sliding compound miter saw will deliver the most precise cuts.
What We Like
- Not an overpowering saw
- Sliding design
- LED guide for cutting precision
- 9 miter dents for adjustment
- Cordless miter saw
- Lightweight and easily portable
- Comes with side-carrying handles
- Added cut capacity
- Cordless
- Great for crown molding
What We Don’t Like
- Not powerful enough for heavy-duty contractor jobs
- Needs to be charged before use
2. Bosch GCM12SD
Bosch tools are high quality and durable, which explains the price tag for the Bosch GCM12SD. However, the features are admittedly remarkable. The sliding miter saw is a great deal for your money. It has an axial-gliding system that delivers better cross cuts with the miter saw blade without adding to the size.
There is also an expanded cut capacity on the Bosch GCM12SD, and the saw provides bevel angle adjustments and a miter scale with detents. In addition, the square lock quick release doesn’t require setting, and all the controls are located conveniently for easy access.
What We Like
- Compact
- Axial-gliding system for precise cuts
- Square lock release aligns the fence automatically
- Bevel adjustments
- Miter scale with detents
- Powerful 15-amp motor with 3,800 RPM
- Soft trigger handle
- Sliding saw design
- Dust port to connect to your dust collection system
- Limited 1-year warranty
What We Don’t Like
- Expensive
- Needs to be set up
3. Ryobi 7-¼ in. Miter Saw
The budget miter saw our professionals have chosen from Ryobi 7-¼ in. Miter Saw is a smaller model compared with the other saws. However, despite the smaller size, the Ryobi miter saw is excellent for cutting materials that require a powerful motor.
The 9-amp engine provides a whopping 5,100 RPM, faster than some larger models. It requires you to consult the user’s guide for Ryobi miters saws to know how to operate such powerful models.
There are miter stops at all the common angles and a 2×4 cutting capacity plus a 4-¼ cross-cut capacity for easy setting. In addition, the miter range on this Ryobi saw is extended to provide 47-degree cuts in both directions.
What We Like
- 3-year manufacturer warranty
- Comes with accessories
- Has a dust port to connect to a dust collection system
- 9-amp motor with 5,100 RPM
- Common miter angle stops
- Extended miter range
- LED laser light guide
- Smaller size and more lightweight
- Affordable price
What We Don’t Like
- May not be shipped in original packaging
- Small size is unsuitable for large stock
4. Makita LS1040 10" Compound Miter Saw
Makita is another brand known for top-quality products, so they also have the best miter saw for beginners. It’s a 10-inch compound miter saw with a powerful 15-amp motor with a direct drive. As for the RPM, you can expect up to 4,600. The dual post compound pivoting arm is easy to use for miter cuts to the left and right.
The compound miter saw also features common miter stops and can deliver bevel cuts up to 45-degrees. An aluminum base keeps powerful miter saws sturdy during operation, which is what the Makita LS1040 has. The miter saw is also lightweight and portable.
What We Like
- Powerful 15-amp motor with a direct drive
- Compound miter saw
- Dual post compound pivoting arm
- Excellent for most cutting tasks
- Cordless and portable
- Durable aluminum design
- 1-year warranty
- Shaft lock for easy blade changes
- Precision cutting
What We Don’t Like
- Flexible angle detent lever
- Thin blade guard
5. DEWALT 12-Inch Miter Saw, 15-Amp, Single Bevel, Compound (DWS715)
This sliding compound miter saw is a little larger than most, measuring at 12 inches. However, the Dewalt DWS715 is more sturdily built with a stainless steel miter plate with 14 stops for accuracy.
The Dewalt miter saw has a powerful 15-amp motor that can drive the blade at 4,000 RPM. As a result, you get extended cuts when cutting wood or wood trims, and the tall sliding fences can support a 5-½ base. Simply ensure that the blade of your miter saw is not dull, as you may need to replace the blades of your Dewalt miter saw in order for it to function properly.
This miter saw is a single bevel miter saw in the design, but there is also a dual option bevel. If you’re not sure which type of bevel miter saw to use for your project, check out this comparison of single and double bevel miter saws. Users get a vertical clamp, a carbide-tipped blade, the wrench, and a dust bag with their purchase.
What We Like
- Powerful 15-amp motor at 4,000 RPM
- Stainless steel miter detent plate
- 14 miter stops
- Sliding compound miter saw
- Lightweight
- Has to carry handles
- Tall sliding fences
- Extended cut capacity
- Quiet operation compared to other miter saws
What We Don’t Like
- No crown stops
- No kerf plate adjustment
6. Skil 10" Dual-Bevel Sliding Miter Saw - MS6305-00
For beginners looking for a dual bevel power tool capable of providing smooth edges, the SKIL MS6305-00 is our contractors’ recommendation. The miter also has a powerful 15-amp motor for quick and accurate cuts and a no-load speed of 5,000. In addition, the design provides cutting accuracy for both the left and right sides.
Our team members prefer LED guides rather than lasers as it provides more accuracy. The SKIL MS6305-00 earned additional bonus points for the LED shadow line. The miter saw cuts at standard angles and has 9 detents on the miter plate.
What We Like
- No-load speed RPM of 5,000
- Dual bevel design
- LED shadow line
- 9 detents
- Cuts at common angles
- Cam miter lock knob
- Powerful 15-amp motor
- Lightweight for portability
What We Don’t Like
- Not very stable without a standard miter base
- Requires setup
7. Metabo HPT 10-Inch Compound Miter Saw C10FCGS
The Metabo HPT C10FCGS is a 10-inch compound miter saw that delivers a high no-load RPM of 5,000 with a powerful 15-amp motor. It’s one of the lightest saws on our list at around 24 pounds and easily transportable. The miter range is between 0-52 degrees to offer versatility, and the bevel range is between 0-45.
Adjustments are quick and easy with thumb-actuated stops, and you get a vast working table on the Metabo HPT C10FCGS and a secure clamping system to stabilize your workpiece. In addition, Metabo backs up this compound miter saw with a 5-year warranty.
What We Like
- Powerful 15-amp motor with 5,000 RPM
- Wide miter and bevel range
- Thumb-actuated stops
- Larger working surface
- Secure clamping system
- 5-year warranty
- Compound miter saw design
- Very lightweight and portable
What We Don’t Like
- Not a heavy-duty contractor power tool
- Takes longer to set up
8. WEN MM1011 15-Amp 10" Single Bevel Compact Sliding Compound Miter Saw with Laser
The WEN MM1011 sliding compound model has a 15-amp motor and is a single bevel design. The miter gives you 45-degrees in either direction, and the saw model features an onboard laser guide to help with precision, making it a great miter saw for novice.
For such an affordable price, the MM1011 is one of the units that come with many accessories. You get a 40-tooth carbide blade, table extensions, a clamp assembly, a dust bag, and a dust port adapter to connect to your dust collection system.
There is also a 2-year warranty that comes with the WEN MM1011 miter saw.
What We Like
- Compact size
- Budget price
- 45-degree miters in either direction
- Comes with many accessories
- Powerful 15-amp motor
- Great for cutting wood and wood trim
What We Don’t Like
- Works better on a miter saw stand or mounted
- Sticker markers
Miter Saws for Beginners Buyer’s Guide
What should you look for in the best miter saw for beginners? It is not just about the sturdiness or the capacity to cut of a stainless steel plate. A variety of factors can impact the function of the best miter saw for beginners. Thus, our woodworking team will explore these factors below.
Design and Material
The brand doesn’t have much to do with the design and material, as our team members have been disappointed with reputable brands and pleasantly surprised by some power tools from more obscure manufacturers.
You have different types of miter saws to understand before picking the best miter saw for you. You have the sliding miter saw, compound miter saw, compound sliding miter saw, and dual compound sliding miter saw.
The best sliding miter saw has rails that provide a larger cut capacity. Our team says this type of saw is best for those who need deeper cuts but not the best if you consider portability. If you want a tool you can carry from one place to another, a non-sliding miter saw is preferable to a sliding miter saw.
A compound miter saw can deliver miter and bevel cuts – hence the name. Most miter saws are compound miter saws, but they are more suitable for cutting wood but not metal.
You then have the best compound sliding miter, which gives you the capabilities of the two types, as mentioned earlier. However, it’s not the most portable option if you need to transport the saw.
The most advanced option among the four is the dual compound sliding saws. You get the rails, the miter angle, and the bevel angle. Our experts recommend this model if you need to make cuts from both the left and right sides.
Your miter saw should be constructed of the most durable materials on the market, usually steel. A machine with a stainless steel plate is more vital than one without. In addition, a sturdy build will guarantee a longer lifespan for your device.