Best Sliding Compound Miter Saw Reviews
The main difference between these and the basic compound type is the width of the timber, metal, or laminate that can be handled by the machine. The blade arm sits on rails, increasing cutting capacity by allowing you to move the head forward and backward. If you’re making furniture or working with oversized baseboards, these features are essential. Read our advice and in-depth sliding compound miter saw reviews to find out more.
| IMAGE | PRODUCT | DETAILS | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
Best for Precision 
|
Best for Precision
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DEWALT DWS780
|
Features
|
Check Price at AmazonDEWALT DWS780 Review DEWALT DWS780 Review |
|
Best for Restricted Space 
|
Best for Restricted Space
|
HITACHI C12RSH2
|
Features
|
Check Price at AmazonHITACHI C12RSH2 Review HITACHI C12RSH2 Review |
|
Best Fatigue-Busting 
|
Best Fatigue-Busting
|
BOSCH GCM12SD
|
Features
|
Check Price at Amazon BOSCH GCM12SD Review BOSCH GCM12SD Review |
|
Best for Serious DIY 
|
Best for Serious DIY
|
DEWALT DWS779
|
Features
|
Check Price at AmazonDEWALT DWS779 Review DEWALT DWS779 Review |
|
Best for Professionals 
|
Best for Professionals
|
FESTOOL KAPEX KS120
|
Features
|
Check Price at AmazonFESTOOL KAPEX KS120 Review FESTOOL KAPEX KS120 Review |
Things to Consider Before Buying a Sliding Compound Miter Saw
Good for
If you’re looking for a tool that’s able to cut specific angles, a sliding compound miter saw is a good choice. These tools can cut through any material with ease as long as you’re using the correct blade. The default blades are mainly used for cutting wood, but some models support blades for cutting metal and other materials.
These saws are good for a vast array of different applications. For example, crown molding can be quite a burden to cut, but with this tool it’s a piece of cake. Whether you’re renovating parts of your home, or you’re a professional who works with wood on a daily basis, a sliding miter saw is going to be a useful addition to your kit. These units are easy to use and cost-efficient.
Not recommended for
These models aren’t the best choice for absolute beginners or occasional use. It’s not that they won’t fulfill your expectations, but you probably won’t utilize their full potential if you’re planning on tackling only a project or two.
They often come with a hefty price, but it’s for a good reason. but it’s for a good reason. Professionals love the accuracy and potential of sliding saws, which is why they are willing to pay a bit more. Therefore, if you’re on a budget, look for something with similar features for less money. Bear in mind, you won’t save a ton of money, but some people find the price difference pretty significant. After all, it’s up to you to decide whether you need a professional power tool for the things you have planned.
Top Rated Sliding Compound Miter Saws
The unit’s integrity and durability along with its dust collecting capabilities make the DEWALT DWS780 the top-rated sliding compound saw for our team.
DEWALT DWS780
Our Rating: 4.8
- Design
- Functionality
- Price
The unit’s integrity and durability along with its dust collecting capabilities make the DeWalt DWS780 our top-rated sliding compound saw. This model features a 15-amp motor, which can deliver up to 3600 RPM —more than enough power to go through most densities of wood.
When it comes to precision and accuracy, the Dewalt DWS780 is one of the best within its price range. The bright LED light integrated into the base allows you to see the values, even in low-light conditions. The base is made of sturdy and reliable materials. The design is pretty standard, but quite neat nonetheless. Needless to say, it’s pretty easy to use as long as you follow a set of simple rules highlighted in the user manual.
The most surprising element of this unit is its dust-collecting capabilities.
Most people are used to seeing inferior dust collection units in almost every miter saw on the market. However, the Dewalt DWS780 features an innovative system which is guaranteed to gather at least 75% of sawdust. It’s a great addition to an already versatile power tool. The price is acceptable, considering the overall quality and efficiency of this unit.
- Design
- Functionality
- Price
Hitachi C12RSH2
Our Rating: 4.5
- Design
- Functionality
- Price
Hitachi C12RSH2
Our Rating: 4.5
Hitachi always manages to surprise us with quality power tools, and the C12RSH2 is no exception. This model features a 15-amp motor — enough power to make any woodworking job easier. The sliding fence allows you to cut much larger pieces of wood without having to alter settings.
The miter base is well-designed and calibrated nicely. A lot of models on the market struggle with the calibration of the miter base, but not this one. Furthermore, it can lean 57 degrees to the right, or 45 degrees to the left, for better flexibility. As you can tell, versatility is one of the strongest points of this particular unit. Another feature that makes a difference between this and most other models is the cushioned hand grip.
This significantly reduces the amount of vibration coming from the base.
As far as downsides go, the only thing we weren’t happy with was the lack of fence stability. A few users of this particular model said that they had some issues with the fence, mainly wobbling.To help prevent such occurrences, make sure everything is screwed in tightly before starting your work.
The thing that users do like is the price. It’s significantly cheaper than some other models on the market that offer the same or even fewer features. You’ll definitely save a dollar or two if you opt for Hitachi. On the other hand, they are sometimes criticized for having a somewhat inconsistent quality control department.
Bosch GCM12SD
- Design
- Functionality
- Price
If you’re already into power tools, then Bosch will be a familiar name. A well-known manufacturer of heavy-duty units, a vast variety of professionals opt for products coming from Bosch due to their great reputation. Needless to say, the GCM12SD deserves a spot on our list for being one of the best choices for both hobbyists and professionals.
The patented axial glide system makes this unit worth checking out — the accuracy is on point at all times. Unlike some models, you won’t need frequent re-calibrations and fine-tuning. Due to the sliding mechanism, it features an expanded cutting capacity of 14 inches horizontally, 6.5 inches vertically, and 45 degrees of crown capacity. As you can see, precision is certainly one of its strongest points.
The design is great, we have to mention the look of this particular unit. The thing we liked most is the position of colors on this power tool. While some consider it quite irrelevant, the coloring scheme is easy on the eye. The miter base is well-calibrated and easy to read. The red details integrated into the base helps a lot when it comes to fine tuning and reading the miter base.
The motor features 15-amps of power with a maximum of 3800 RPM, for quick and accurate cuts. As you can tell, it packs more than enough power to cut through most materials. Safety features are okay but not as impressive as they could be. However, considering the price, it’s worth checking out.
There aren’t many downsides, but make sure you read the user manual before you turn the machine on for the first time.
- Design
- Functionality
- Price
DEWALT DWS779
Our Rating: 4.7
- Design
- Functionality
- Price
DEWALT DWS779
Our Rating: 4.7
Dewalt brings innovation to the market once again. This time, they’ve done it with the DWS779, which is a 12-inch sliding compound saw with a ton of useful features. The starting point of every product coming from Dewalt is precision. This particular model stands out as one of the most precise within its price range and category. Therefore, it’s a great solution both for DIY enthusiasts and devoted professionals.
The design is quite good, particularly the dust collection feature. While most other models have disappointing dust-collecting abilities, if any, this particular one works quite well. In fact, the manufacturer guarantees that their system captures over 75 percent of dust generated during use.
The motor is a relatively standard 15-amp one with a maximum of 3800 RPM. The back fence is of high quality and allows you to cut up to 2×16 dimensional lumber at 90 degrees. The miter base is crafted with pre-set positive stops for ease of use. The materials used in the production are quite durable and seem pretty trustworthy. It’s not the lightest unit on the market, so portability could be an issue. Pricewise, it certainly isn’t a cheap piece of equipment, but it’s certainly a worthy investment, especially for professional users.
Festool Kapex KS 120 Sliding Compound Miter Saw
- Design
- Functionality
- Price
If you’re looking for an all-in one unit, this model is a good one to check out. It’s packed with a ton of auxiliary features, safety, and particularly smooth performance. Features include dual-laser support for better accuracy to fine-bevel adjustments and locks.
The precision is optimum, thanks to the aforementioned dual laser system. Instead of having to worry about reading the miter base and finding the right spot to cut, you just need to calibrate the two lasers and point them in the right direction. It features precise miter and bevel scales, paramount elements of every compound saw. The motor is powerful, and you can control the span of RPM to reduce vibration.
The included blades are of premium quality, specially designed to reduce noise levels and vibrations. Therefore, even though the hand grip isn’t cushioned, vibration is kept to a bare minimum most of the time. When it comes to dust extraction, this unit is among the best on the market, with up to 93 percent of dust elimination guaranteed. It also comes with a pivoting 36mm hose for better performance.
We couldn’t find any downsides — the only thing that lets it down is the premium price. It’s significantly more expensive than any other model within its category, although the high price is justified by the excellent quality of production.
- Design
- Functionality
- Price
Quick Product Comparison
| POWER SOURCE | VOLTAGE | WEIGHT | PRICE | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
DEWALT DWS780 | Corded | 120V | 56 pounds | $$ | Check Price |
HITACHI C12RSH2 | AC/DC | 120V | 59 pounds | $ | Check Price |
BOSCH GCM12SD | Corded | 120V | 88 pounds | $$ | Check Price |
DEWALT DWS779 | AC/DC | 0V | 67 pounds | $ | Check Price |
FESTOOL KAPEX KS120 | Corded | 120V | 57 pounds | $$$ | Check Price |
Before You Buy: How Does a Sliding Compound Miter Saw Work?
Before you go ahead and buy any one of these models, make sure you comprehend the basic principles of how they work and their limitations. Therefore, in order to avoid unpleasant scenarios, take a look at our buyer’s guide, which should help you understand more about compound sliding miter saws.
Motor
These machines usually have a 15-amp motor, delivering between 3000 and 4000 RPM. Also, they are all corded, meaning the source of power is electricity. Remember to check the voltage to ensure it’s compatible with your grid, particularly if you’re using it at home. Many people overlook this important factor.
Dust collection
Some models feature a bag while others have a hose system incorporated. Either way, sliding compound miter saws usually have an efficient dust collecting system. Some manufacturers even guarantee over 90 percent of extraction, which is quite impressive.
Safety
The most notable safety feature of these tools is the transparent blade guard, which allows you to see your work while cutting. It also ensures you don’t chop anything other than the piece of wood you’re processing. It might be tempting to remove the guard to speed up cutting — don’t!
Accuracy
Most of these tools depend on either the miter base or a laser system. The laser method is much easier to use, but not necessarily more precise. Generally, machines from the more reputable manufacturers are likely to deliver the most accurate results.
Finding the Best Sliding Compound Miter Saw – Buying Guide
In order to make the best possible move when it comes to investing in these power tools, you need to do some research and figure out which model will be the best for the project you’re working on. However, if you’re not experienced, the range is likely to appear vast and confusing. Read on to find a useful tip or two about what to aim for and what to avoid.
Reliability
The first thing many people want is reliability. One of the crucial indicators here is the combination of materials used for manufacturing a particular model. If there are many plastic parts involved, you might want to skip it. The materials you should look for are aluminum, steel, and other metals in general.
The overall weight is also a good starting point for reliability checks. If the unit seems too light, it probably is. Even if you aren’t able to check this in person, look up the specifications and compare weights. Bear in mind that lightweight units usually have issues with stability.
Safety
As you may know, safety is the number one factor to consider when buying a heavy-duty tool. The features we recommend looking for are electric brakes, fence guards, and quality blade guards. Even though most modern compound saws already have these safety features included, make sure you read the specifications before buying. This way, you’ll be reassured you’re buying a model that’s completely safe to use.
Dust collecting system
Even though a lot of people consider it irrelevant, the quality of the dust collecting system is quite important, especially if you’re working in a tight space. Luckily, most sliding compound miter saws have good dust collecting capabilities. Again, it’s a good idea to check the specifications before handing over your hard-earned cash.
Laser guide systems
This part isn’t a mandatory concern, but definitely a recommended one. There are plenty of models that include laser guides. If it isn’t incorporated in the model you’re considering, it can be purchased separately. However, in this case you should research whether the model is compatible with the after-market accessories on the market. But as we said, it’s not a must-have, and you could skip this particular consideration, not least because laser measuring systems can significantly add to the cost.
Cutting capacity and performance
Sliding saws are known for their extensive cutting capacity. However, it’s a relative term and may lead to confusion. For example, some models cut wood up to 12 inches wide, while others cut up to 16 inches.
The Conclusion
All the models we’ve covered here are worth checking out. They are all different but share a similar set of features. We chose to cover two models made by DeWalt as one of the most respected brands in the industry of power tools. DeWalt also retains affordability on many products while still producing high-quality gear. Therefore, the company is a favorite among both DIY enthusiasts and professionals.
If you aren’t sure about what to look for or how much to invest, take a few minutes to check out our advice above. This is designed to help you overcome some common obstacles and find the right tool for your needs. Our chosen products all offer value for money, reliability, and high-quality safety features. Precision is something we also took into account while reviewing the best sliding compound miter saws.
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