Ask any saw guru for advice and we bet he/she will mention the importance of selecting good tools at one point. However, if you’re looking for the best 12 inch miter saw, you are likely to face one problem that we’ve all experienced. There are just too many options to choose from.
Our Top Recommendation for 12 Inch Miter Saws!
The Bosch GCM12SD is a really powerful tool with a 60 tooth saw blade. This 15 Amp 12 inches corded dual-bevel sliding glide miter saw runs at a 3800 rpm that offers an unmatched smoothness of cut.
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Worry not though. We compiled a list of six of the top 12 inch miter saws that we know will be worth each and every penny. We do acknowledge that these are not all the miter saws available in the market. Nevertheless, we are positive that our list can guide you in your search.
| IMAGE | PRODUCT | FEATURES | PRICE |
|---|---|---|---|
 | BOSCH Power Tools GCM12SD | • Fast motor • 48-degree bevel capacity • Easy to use | |
 | DeWalt DWS779 | • Weighs 56 lbs. • Affordable • Fast motor | |
 | DeWalt DWS780 | • Weighs 56 Lbs. • User-friendly • Has better track movement | |
 | Metabo HPT 12-Inch Sliding Compound Miter Saw | • Powerful Motor • Powerful Performance • User-friendly Operation | |
 | SKIL 3821-01 12-Inch Quick Mount Compound Miter Saw with Laser | • Weighs 42.5 lbs. • Affordable • Comes with dust bag | |
 | Delta 26-2240 10 In | • Weighs 57 lbs. • Smooth cuts • Good build quality |
Top 6: 12 Inch Miter Saws
In case you wanted a quick comparison of the six miter saws we picked, you can get started here. We have picked up the best ones that is most suitable for your work. There’s a quick summary in each product to help you with the comparison easily, so that you can make a better buying decision.
1. BOSCH Power Tools GCM12SD
Durable, powerful, and well designed, Bosch surely upholds its name with the GCM12SD. Powered with a 15-amp motor that can deliver up to 3800 RPM, it can help you make different types of cuts and with the precision you deserve.
The smoothness of its cuts is also worth talking about, and this is mainly as a result of its axial-glide system. The ease of use of the GCM12SD had also been factored in. This is evident in the way you can make easy bevel settings without having to go behind the saw.
It doesn’t matter whether you are a professional or not. The Bosch GCM12SD was clearly built with everyone in mind.
QUICK SUMMARY
- Weighs 65 lbs.
- 12″ blade size
- 4″ x 14″ cross cut capacity
- 48-degree bevel capacity
- 0, 33.9, and 45-degree bevel stops
WHY IS THIS A TOP PICK?
Precision
The precision of Bosch’s GCM12SD is amazing. It comes with a square lock quick release fence which aids in aligning the fence at a 90-degree angle to the table. Once locked in, it requires no further adjustments. You’ll definitely love this kind of precision especially when making certain bevel cuts.
Versatility
The GCM12SD can help you make a wide variety of cuts. It can effortlessly make 6-1/2-inch vertical cut capacity cuts and has a maximum cross cut capacity of 4″ x 14″. Compared to other saws, all these are very large cutting capacities. Managing to make all these different kinds of cuts only means that you’ll be able to do a lot with this miter saw.
Control
You can also make several adjustments to the GCM12SD thanks to its uniform bevel and its stainless-steel miter scale. Since all the bevel controls are on the upfront side, this does not only make the saw easier to use, but it also gives you better control over it.
Dust Management
Many other miter saws feature poor dust collection systems. However, the Bosch GCM12SD can collect up to 90% dust. Paired with a vacuum, dust will be one of the few things that you will need to worry about in your workshop. What impressed us most about the dust management of this saw was that it never really struggled even when it had to deal with dust from larger materials.
Pros and Cons
Pros
- Large cutting capacity
- Great build quality
- Double bevel
- Highly versatile
- 90% dust collection
Cons
- Quite expensive
- Large and bulky
2. DeWalt DWS779
DeWalt’s DWS779 was clearly built with ease of use in mind as well. While the saw is designed with professionals in mind, we were delighted that DeWalt took its time to include easy-to-follow instructions with the miter saw.
Its dust collection system may not be as efficient as that of the Bosch GCM12SD. For its price, however, 75% dust collection is something we could not really complain about. It is certainly sufficient especially for a built-in system.
In addition, it is significantly lighter than most other compound miter saws. Sure, you won’t be moving it around much, but considering it is also quite affordable, it remains a worthy pick.
QUICK SUMMARY
- Weighs 56 lbs.
- Comes with carbide blade and blade wrench
- 3-year limited manufacturer warranty
- 6.75″ maximum cutting thickness
- Dimensions: 2″ x 23″ x 18.5″
WHY IS THIS A TOP PICK?
Precision
With the DeWalt DWS779, you get the integrated cutline blade positioning system. It is ideally there to help with adjustment-free cut line indications. You can thus depend on its overall cutting accuracy regardless of the material or the angle you’re cutting the material at. In addition to the cutline blade positioning system, the dual horizontal steel rails equally improve the precision of the saw.
Power
For a saw that can compete with the Bosch GCM12SD, we just had to talk about the power of this saw. It can max out at 3800 RPM while using 120V and 15amps. Many other saws that fall within its price range offer much lower specifications. This pushes the DeWalt DWS779 to a class of its own. More power means that it can make fast and accurate cuts.
Large Cutting Capacity
If there’s one thing to really admire about in the DeWalt DWS779, then it has to be its large cutting capacity of up to 12″ wide. The saw can work with pieces that measure up to 2 x 16″ for regular 90-degree crosscuts and up to 2 x 12″ for those 45-degree bevel cuts. Since the blade can also tilt on either side, you will come to appreciate the overall cutting capabilities of this miter saw.
Dust Collection
The DWS779 can collect up to three quarters of the dust. This may be 15% lower than that of the GCM12SD, but we still liked the fact that DeWalt made the effort to put it there. Paired with any decent vacuum, you won’t have to worry about dust piling up in your workshop.
Pros and Cons
Pros
- Fast motor
- Convenient dust collection feature
- Easy to use
- Affordable
- Accurate and precise
Cons
- No locking mechanism on clamp
- Average dust collection
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3. DeWalt DWS780
It may seem rather laughable to include the DeWalt DWS780 in the same list that the DWS779 is in. However, there’s a very good reason. There’s a lot of confusion between the DWS779 and the DWS780 because both of them seem identical in all respects.
They both have a 15-amp motor that can deliver up to 3800 RPM. However, there have been a few people who claimed that they were unable to interchange the motors. Their main conclusion was that the motor on the DWS780 was a bit superior to that of the DWS779.
Even though many people would expect many differences between the two DeWalt miter saws, the DWS780 mainly comes with one advantage – the XPS cutline positioning system.
QUICK SUMMARY
- Weighs 56 Lbs.
- 1675W
- 3-Year Limited Warranty
- Includes 12″ Carbide Blade, Dust Bag, And Blade Wrench
- 15 Amps
WHY IS THIS A TOP PICK?
XPS Cutline Positioning System
We just had to. Between the DWS779 and the DWS780, there isn’t any big difference apart from the fact that you get the XPS cutline positioning system with the DWS780. Ideally, the XPS offers a blade-alignment guide that pretty much lets you use the saw in any kind of lighting environment.
Another thing that makes the XPS cutline positioning system stand out on this saw is that it also enables you to notice the thickness of your current blade. Miter cuts will thus be easy and accurate as you will know precisely where the material will be cut.
Better Track Movement
The specifications might not say it, but there are actually two types of the DeWalt DWS780. They are simply referred to as the 780 Type 1 and 780 Type 20. The latter was primarily made to address issues that were common with the 780 Type 1.
It now offers smoother track movement, and this is thanks to the smooth-rolling ball bearings on the saw. This will often go unnoticed by most people, but perhaps it may be the reason why the DWS780 is more superior than the DWS779.
Performance
Despite the fact that they are similar in many respects, some people have reported that the DWS780 is slightly better than the DWS779 when it comes to performance.
Since the motors on both of these DeWalt miter saws are not entirely interchangeable, this might hint towards the DWS780 being a better performer. In addition, the DWS780 comes with a slightly different mount and an adapter that allows you to connect it to the XPS light.
Pros and Cons
Pros
- Has the XPS cutline LED
- User-friendly
- Precise
- Newer model
- Has better track movement
Cons
- More expensive
4. Metabo HPT 12-Inch Sliding Compound Miter Saw
Metabo HPT 12-Inch Sliding Compound Miter Saw is a durable, powerful, and well-designed tool that lives up to the mark set by Metabo. It is equipped with a 15-amp motor that can produce up to 4000 RPM and can assist you in making various sorts of cuts with the precision you demand.
The smoothness of its cuts is particularly worth mentioning, owing mostly to its axial-glide mechanism. Metabo’s simplicity to use has also been considered. This is seen in the ease with which bevel settings may be made without having to move behind the saw.
QUICK SUMMARY
- Most Awarded
- Powerful Motor
- High Accuracy Laser Marker System
- Large sliding fence
- 12″ blade size
- 4″ x 14″ cross-cut capacity
- 48-degree bevel capacity
The top-of-the-line 12 Inch Sliding Dual Compound Miter Saw (C12RSH2S) is great for trim carpenters, framers, and woodworkers who want precision and dependability. It features a small sliding mechanism that needs no clearance. The fixed rail design allows the saw head to glide easily over the fixed rails, reducing the rear space required by other sliding miter saws. The compact sliding mechanism reduces the saw’s footprint by up to a foot, conserving important shop space in any shop setting.
WHY IS THIS A TOP PICK?
Precision
The cutline blade alignment mechanism and the two horizontal steel rails increase the saw’s accuracy.
Dust Collection
You won’t be worried about dust accumulating up in your workspace, if you pair it with a good vacuum.
Large Cutting Capacity
The saw can handle components up to 2 x 16″ for conventional 90º crosscuts and up to 2 x 12″ for 45 ° angle bevel cuts.
Pros and Cons
Pros
- Less-Dust
- User-friendly Operation
- Precise
- Latest-model
- Improved track movement
- Powerful Performance
Cons
- Bit expensive
5. SKIL 3821-01 12-Inch Quick Mount Compound Miter Saw with Laser
As it is the fastest saw on our list, we expected a lot from the SKIL 3821-01, and it never failed us. Apart from being fast and quite affordable, it is also among one of the most portable saws you will come across.
All this makes it a perfect saw for any aspiring woodworker who wants to get his/her hands on a miter saw that is powerful and minimalistic at the same time. It comes with a few amazing features that make it compete with some of the bigger and more sophisticated miter saws.
The SKIL 3821-01 stands out for being one of the most underrated miter saws in the market, and it won’t take you too long to realize that.
QUICK SUMMARY
- Weighs 42.5 lbs.
- 0.625 arbor size
- Bevel type: single
- 4500 RPM
- 6 ft. cord length
WHY IS THIS A TOP PICK?
Ultimate Power
If you’re looking for a miter saw with a maxed-out RPM, it is highly likely that the SKIL 3821-01 will pop up on the list. It draws 15 amps of power at 120V just like all the other miter saws, but you can expect faster and more accurate cuts with the SKIL 3821-01.
Accuracy
Thanks to its laser cutline guide, the SKIL 3821-01 ensures that accuracy won’t be one of your problems. Without a proper cutline, it can be immensely difficult to make accurate cuts on your work pieces.
However, the laser cutline guide on this miter saw shows you the exact path that will be cut. You will thus be able to make accurate cuts much faster. In addition to this, the saw comes with 9 positive stops for setting miter angles.
Table Extensions
Working on larger pieces that are also long can be cumbersome, but not if you have the table extension that comes with the SKIL 3821-01. Many woodworkers are likely to find this useful because not so many miter saws come with convenient table extensions like the one on this saw.
Lightweight
Miter saws are anything but portable. SKIL 3821-01 changes that though. Weighing in at 42.5 lbs., this saw struck us as the perfect miter saw for a contractor.
The inclusion of the table extension was also a clear sign that SKIL intended for the saw to be used in tight spots. The same cannot be said about many other miter saws that weigh well over 50 lbs.
Pros and Cons
Pros
- Highly user friendly
- Affordable
- Has a laser cutline guide
- 9 positive stops
- Comes with dust bag
Cons
- Quick mount system works with SKIL 3821-02 only
6. Delta 26-2240 10 In
While less popular than other brands of miter saws like DeWalt and SKIL, you’d be wise not to take the Delta 26-2240 for granted. Its specifications make it almost identical to the Hitachi C12RSH2 since they share a motor with the same RPM and amperage. However, Delta’s 26-2240 has one of the widest cross cut capacities for a miter saw of its kind.
You will like the overall design of the Delta 26-2240. For starters, this saw saves a lot of space thanks to its new saw arm design which also helps you achieve both accurate and precise cuts. The smooth sliding mechanism on the saw is unlike any found on other models.
QUICK SUMMARY
- Weighs 57 lbs.
- 1800W
- 6.5″ maximum cut thickness
- 5-year limited warranty
- 7 ft. cord length
WHY IS THIS A TOP PICK?
Useful Fence
The saw features a useful flip-down fence design that you can easily access. It is equally wide and can securely hold crown moldings of up to 6.5 inches vertically. For a saw of its size, a reliable fence goes to great lengths to help you handle jobs that need extra attention to detail.
Wide Cross Cuts
Delta’s 26-2250 can make cross cuts of up to 18″ wide. This is one of the widest cross cut capacities you are likely to come across when shopping for a dual bevel sliding miter saw. The generous cross cut capacity makes the 26-2250 ideal for a wide variety of jobs.
Saw Arm Design
We did mention that the saw arm design of the Delta 26-2250 makes it provide smooth, precise, and accurate cuts. However, we failed to mention how much the adjustable components of the saw complement the saw arm design. All these features make the saw compact, comfortable to handle, and easy to use.
Pros and Cons
Pros
- One-handed control design
- Smooth cuts
- Great sliding mechanism
- Fast saw
- Good build quality
Cons
- Lacks a laser guide
- Unreliable plastic dust collector
Conclusion
Wrapping it all up, we hope we passed one important message about choosing the best 12 inch miter saw. For starters, it always isn’t about choosing the best money can buy or picking the most feature-packed miter saw.
That is the primary reason why we had a hard time settling on the Bosch GCM12SD. Rather, it is more about finding a miter saw that is just right for you. Regardless, we hope you found something to your liking from our list.
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