The Best DeWalt Miter Saws of 2024, According to Our Testing
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Thinking about adding a new miter saw to your workshop? One from DeWalt’s extensive range of high-quality models may be a perfect fit.
Miter saws are by far the most popular types of saws on residential construction sites because users can make several types of cuts with a single saw. And when it comes to miter saw manufacturers, no one does it like DeWalt. The DeWalt brand is widely recognized as one of the top manufacturers of accurate, high-quality tools used by pros and DIYers alike.
We recently had the chance to test five of Dewalt’s top-selling saws in our own workshops. While all five made precision cuts, we found a favorite: the DeWalt DWS780, a 12-inch model with double-bevel ability that makes compound cuts and offers extended cutting capacity with a sliding arm.
We also consulted Tyler Knight, DeWalt’s senior product manager, to find out where DeWalt is going with its miter saw technology. As part of its cutting-edge innovation policy, “DeWalt is continually incorporating new and innovative technology into our miter saws,” Knight says. If you’re a DeWalt fan—like we are—check out the results of our hands-on tests of five of the best DeWalt miter saws we’ve ever had the pleasure of using.
- BEST OVERALL: DeWalt 12-in. Double-Bevel Sliding Compound Miter Saw
↓ Jump to Review - BEST BANG FOR THE BUCK: DeWalt 12-in. Single-Bevel Compound Miter Saw
↓ Jump to Review - BEST CORDLESS: DeWalt Cordless 12-in. Sliding Miter Saw Kit
↓ Jump to Review - BEST FOR SHOP: DeWalt 15-Amp 12-in. Double-Bevel Sliding Compound Saw
↓ Jump to Review - BEST FOR SMALL PROJECTS: DeWalt 7¼-in. Sliding Miter Saw Kit
↓ Jump to Review
| Testing Stats | |
| Products tested | 5 |
| Time spent testing | 8 hours |
| Tests performed | 4 |
| Price range | $300 to $890 |
Our Top Picks
The following DeWalt saws offer differing features—we’ve included corded and cordless picks plus budget-friendly options. As DeWalt’s own descriptions can often be very similar, we included each saw’s model number plus our favorite and least favorite features of each saw.
Best Overall
DeWalt 12-in. Double-Bevel Sliding Compound Miter Saw
Photo: Amazon
Our Ratings: Ease of Use 5/5; Accuracy 5/5; Portability 4.5/5; Value 5/5
Product Specs
- Power: Corded
- Size: 12 inches
- Bevel: Double, 49 degrees
- Miter: Double, 50/60 degrees
- Dust mitigation: Yes
- Model: DWS780
What We Like
- XPS Crosscut positioning system
- Positive detents for common angles
- Easy-to-adjust fences
- Nice dust-collection system
What We Don’t Like
- On the heavy side at 58 pounds
This 12-inch DeWalt miter saw was a pleasure to use. It’s well balanced, highly accurate, and cuts smoothly through boards of different sizes. We tested it for cutting several pieces of dimensional lumber, crown molding, and other boards up to 2×10 in size.
Our favorite feature on the DWS780 was the XPS Crosscut Positioning System that makes precise cuts easy. This is also called a shadow-cut system, and while laser guides have been known to go out of alignment over time, DeWalt made the XPS system with bright LED lights that shine on both sides of the blade to create a sharp, crisp cutline on the material. The cutline is always in the correct position because it uses the blade as a reference. We found it intuitive to use.
In recent years, DeWalt has released incredibly high-capacity rechargeable batteries, which are perfect for remote use. But for the near-constant use a miter saw sees on a construction site, we still prefer a corded model—just because we don’t have to remember to charge batteries, and it’s always ready to go.
Other features that earned this miter saw the top spot include large miter numbers that were easy to see, the ability to cut tall crown molding (up to 7.5 inches), positive detents for common angles, and a nice dust mitigation system.
Get the DWS780 DeWalt miter saw at Amazon, Lowe’s, or The Home Depot.
Best Bang for the Buck
DeWalt 12-in. Single-Bevel Compound Miter Saw
Photo: Amazon
Our Ratings: Ease of Use 5/5; Accuracy 4.5/5; Portability 5/5; Value 4.8/5
Product Specs
- Power: Corded electric
- Size: 12 inches
- Bevel: Single, 48 degrees left, 0–3 degrees right
- Miter: Double, 50/50 degrees
- Dust mitigation: Yes, bag
- Model: DWS715
What We Like
- Power and precision at a cost-effective price
- Positive detents at common angles
- Portable at just 36 pounds
- Corded power for consistency
What We Don’t Like
- Does not come with a sliding arm
If you’re a finish carpenter, you already know you can cut bevels in both directions on trim simply by turning the board around. While we love the convenience of dual-bevel cutting on our miter saws, we also know how important it is to save money when possible. The DeWalt DWS715 is a 12-inch single-bevel saw that comes at an attractive price point.
The DWS715 power miter saw is a corded version that makes precise compound miter cuts and features positive detents on the most commonly cut angles. In our tests, it proved to be powerful and precise, effortlessly cutting through dimensional lumber and trim boards. It doesn’t have a sliding arm, but with a 12-inch blade, it still cuts most boards used in residential construction for tasks including framing, hardwood floor installation, trim, and more.
Another thing we really liked about the DWS715 miter saw is its weight. At just 36 pounds, this model is relatively easy to move from job to job. This DeWalt single-bevel miter saw offers corded power and accuracy and is well suited for those looking to make high-quality cuts at a budget-friendly price.
Get the DWS715 DeWalt miter saw at Amazon, Lowe’s, or Ace Hardware.
Best Cordless
DeWalt Cordless 12-in. Sliding Miter Saw Kit
Photo: The Home Depot
Our Ratings: Ease of Use 5/5; Accuracy 5/5; Portability 4.3/5; Value 4.8/5
Product Specs
- Power: Cordless
- Size: 12 inches
- Bevel: Double, 49 degrees
- Miter: Double, 49 degrees
- Dust mitigation: Yes
- Model: DCS781X1
What We Like
- Cordless design for anywhere use
- Comes with high-capacity battery and charger
- Uses DeWalt’s precision cutline technology
- Positive miter detents
What We Don’t Like
- Battery dependant so will need recharging
DeWalt’s DCS781X1 miter saw is very similar to our best overall pick, the DWS780, but it has one major difference. It’s a cordless miter saw kit that includes a high-capacity 9-amp-hour battery and a charger. We loved the fact that the DCS781X1 can be used anywhere—even if an electrical outlet isn’t available.
This battery-powered miter saw excelled in cutting all types of boards, from crown molding nested against its tall back fence to 2×10 lumber, made possible with a smooth-operating sliding arm. Like the DWS780, this cordless model features DeWalt’s popular cutline technology—the XPS crosscut positioning system—that allowed us to see exactly where we were cutting.
According to Knight, “DeWalt takes pride in being as accurate as possible.” We agree. Of all the guideline technologies we’ve seen over the years, DeWalt’s cutline technology is the most precise because it creates the cutline using the blade’s actual shadow.
The DCS781X1 cordless compound miter saw also comes with positive miter detents for cutting the most common angles, and its bevel capacity is 49 degrees in both directions. This miter saw performed every bit as good as our top pick; the only thing that edged it out of the winner’s spot was the need to recharge the battery. But on the flip side, if you’re looking for a remote-use miter saw, you’d be hard-pressed to beat this DeWalt model. After 1.5 hours of near-constant testing, we experienced no loss of power.
Get the DCS781X1 DeWalt miter saw at The Home Depot, Amazon, or Ace Hardware.
Best for Shop
DeWalt 15-Amp 12-in. Double-Bevel Sliding Compound Saw
Photo: Amazon
Our Ratings: Ease of Use 5/5; Accuracy 5/5; Portability 4/5; Value 4.5/5
Product Specs
- Power: Corded electric
- Size: 12 inches
- Bevel: Double, 48 degrees
- Miter: Dual; 50 degrees left, 60 degrees right
- Dust mitigation: Yes, bag
- Model: DWS779
What We Like
- Wide miter range of 50/60 degrees
- Tall back fences for cutting crown
- Sliding arm allows cutting boards up to 14 inches wide
- Powerful and precise
What We Don’t Like
- Lacks a laser or guide light
- Dust collection is not as efficient as other models
A total workhorse is the best way to describe the DWS779. We’re familiar with this model, and while it’s not among DeWalt’s newest releases, it’s one of its most dependable performers. If you have a dedicated workshop, this DeWalt sliding miter saw may well be the best pick for you.
The DWS779 features dual bevels with a 48-degree capacity in both directions. It miters 50 degrees on the left and 60 degrees on the right. The 60-degree capability offers a wider range of cuts, and we found it particularly useful for cutting sharp angles on crown and trim.
It doesn’t come with a guide light, so plan to mark your cutline clearly and use the saw in a well-lit area of the shop. We’re just so-so about its dust collection system, which is just a bag that collects about 75 percent of the dust. However, if we were going to set this saw up in our shop, we’d pair it with a dust funnel to collect more of the dust.
The sliding arm on the DWS799 allowed us to cut boards up to 14 inches wide, and we cut wide-nested crown on the tall back fences. Like other DeWalt miter saws, this model is powerful and precise. It made crosscuts in dimensional lumber with ease. It’s a little too heavy (68 pounds) to be a truly portable miter saw, but it’s a great pick for mounting on a workbench in the shop.
Get the DWS799 DeWalt miter saw at Amazon, Lowe’s, or The Home Depot.
Best for Small Projects
DeWalt 7¼-in. Sliding Miter Saw Kit
Photo: Amazon
Our Ratings: Ease of Use 5/5; Accuracy 4.5/5; Portability 5/5; Value 4.8/5
Product Specs
- Power: Cordless
- Size: 7¼ inches
- Bevel: Dual, 48 degrees
- Miter: Dual, 49 degrees both directions
- Dust mitigation: Yes
- Model: DCS361M1
What We Like
- Compact and lightweight (31.6 pounds)
- Ideal for small projects
- Cordless convenience
- Good dust collection system
What We Don’t Like
- Not suitable for large cutting projects
If you’re looking for a great miter saw for small projects, check out the DeWalt DCS361M1. It’s a 7¼-inch saw, making it well suited for trim work and small cutting tasks. It weighs just 31.6 pounds, so it’s easy to transport from job to job.
While it’s meant for cutting smaller boards, its sliding arm still allowed us to cut smoothly through 2×8-dimensional lumber, and we cut nested crown up to 3⅝ inches. Don’t let its small size fool you—this compact miter saw is a little powerhouse and it comes complete with a 4-amp-hour battery and charger, so you’re ready to go right out of the box. Best of all, it features DeWalt’s newest cutline technology, the XPS crosscut positioning system, so we were able to make highly accurate cuts. It also includes a good dust collection system and comes with positive miter detents on the most common angles.
This DeWalt cordless miter saw isn’t going to replace a chop saw for framing, but it will still cut a range of dimensional lumber. It absolutely shines for making highly precise cuts on smaller boards and trim. It’s a great pick for a DIYer or a professional trim carpenter.
Get the DCS361M1 DeWalt miter saw at Amazon, Lowe’s, or The Home Depot.