Do you just want to know which cordless miter saw is the best? Makita XSL06PT 10″ Dual-Bevel Sliding Compound Miter Saw is your best option.
Battery-powered tools are popular among construction workers as well as woodworking hobbyists. These products allow you to work almost anywhere and have powerful battery platforms that will last for hours.
If you work with wood often, one of the more important power tools you can purchase is a miter saw, and that includes cordless models. It may be hard to determine, however, which one is the best cordless miter saw available. Let’s take at some important features you will want to look for, as well as a few models that might fit your workflow.
Best battery-powered miter saws compared:
What are Cordless Miter Saws Good For?
If you are looking to make multiple cross cuts or miter cuts into wood boards or trim, the miter saw would be right for you. These power tools are standard on construction sites where boards can be trimmed down quickly. They can also prove valuable in a woodworker’s shop, especially for those working on projects that involve a lot of work on boards or trim.
One of the most important features of these miter saws (also known as chop saws) is the ability to make consistent miter cuts. This will keep walls and flooring square for the construction site and can make a world of difference on wood projects from picture frames to boxes.
Why Choose A Battery-Powered Miter Saw
You might be wondering, who would want to buy a cordless miter saw? Is this just a trend artificially created by manufacturers to try and sell more stuff, including replacement batteries? Well, not quite. There are many ways why a cordless miter saw might prove more useful, safer, and even budget-friendly than a corded miter saw.
Conventional thinking left corded power tools, including cordless miter saws, sitting in construction workers’ trucks to be used at remote job sites. I believe that this type of tool offers just as many advantages to a woodworking hobbyist as it does to a construction professional. Let me explain.
First of all, a battery-powered unit will allow you to work anywhere. Some home enthusiasts don’t consider having to work outside of their shop. A cordless miter saw will allow you to work anywhere on your property that may lack access to an electrical outlet or when the power itself might be down.
Many DIY projects are built in areas without a power outlet within convenient reach. Running extension cords may not be an option and will, at the least, require you to use heavier cords with long runs. A cordless system can save you time and possibly money here. Additionally, we all know how frustrating it is to run a long cord just to make a few quick cuts. Forget about that with a cordless miter saw.
The second aspect is safety. As a contractor, you will definitely appreciate the fact that hundreds of feet of extension cords are not scattered all over the place. You will avoid plenty of safety hazards that are associated with extension cords. A battery-powered miter saw will help you avoid a ton of potential OSHA issues. What’s more, forget about the hassle of fixing or costly replacements of broken extension cords.
Moreover, many manufacturers focus their R&D on their cordless lines, allowing you to select the latest features that may not be available on a standard miter saw. This includes a product that is made from the newest components, which are lightweight and durable. The mobile nature of a cordless power tool will often make it easier to use as well.
Cordless tools will be a great help for those of you planning to build your own workshed. As with most construction projects, a cordless miter saw will make building a shed or small structure easy as well as precise.
What Features Should You Look For?
My grandfather used to say, “All of them!” All silliness aside, there will be certain things that allow some products to stand out from others.
Battery Power
It should be no surprise that the battery is the most important component of a cordless system. For your battery-powered chop saw, you will encounter a wide range of Lithium-ion battery packs that are used to power it. Today’s battery packs are designed to hold charges of 18 volts or more.
These packs are durable and can be charged many times before you will notice any degradation in performance. They will also supply a consistent level of power for most of the complete charge as well.
Cutting Flexibility
Another feature to look for is the cutting ability of the product you are looking at. All miter saws will crosscut at an angle, but some of these models will also allow you to bevel along the side. That will allow you to make compound miter cuts.
The length of the rail will determine the length of your miter saw, and you might be surprised by the angles you can adjust to on certain miter saws.
Position of Controls
The locations of your controls will be important as well. Most models will have finger controls for turning the saw on and off within the handle itself. Blade controls will be situated around the body of the saw or near the table portion.
Safety
A working blade guard will be just the beginning of the safety elements you should look for. You will also want to make sure that there is plenty of clearance between the blade and the walls on top of the table, no matter what angle the blade is set at.
A proper dust extraction connection should be incorporated into the design. Your miter saw will create a lot of dust and keeping it out of the way allows you to see the cut as well as help components from clogging up.
Cordless Miter Saws Reviews
Now, let’s review some of the best cordless miter saw models that you can find on the market today.
Makita XSL06Z Brushless Cordless 10″ Dual-Bevel Sliding Compound Miter Saw with Laser
- Powered by two LXT batteries; x2 LXT technology delivers more power, speed and run time without the hassles of a cord
- Makita built electronically controlled BL motor delivers 4, 400 RPM for faster and smoother cutting.
- The BL Brushless motor eliminates carbon brushes, enabling the BL motor to run cooler and more efficiently for longer life
OVERVIEW
This 18-volt battery system can deliver 4,400 RPMs and make clean cuts quickly. A unique double battery configuration will let you make over 300 cuts into 2 x 4 boards or nearly 200 cuts into 2 x 12 lumber before you will need to recharge the batteries.
PROS
- This miter saw uses two batteries at the same time, generating more power for longer periods of time.
- Automatic speed change technology allows it to adjust blade speed and torque during the cut.
- Its brushless motor operates with fewer parts, allowing it to stay cooler and run smoothly for more longevity overall.
CONS
- You will need to make sure that both batteries are charged to get the full power output.
- Using two batteries side-by-side will make that portion of the saw heavier and more awkward to move.
DEWALT DCS361B 20V MAX 7-1/4-Inch Miter Saw
- Integrated cut line cross-cut positioning system provides adjustment-free cut line indication for better accuracy and visibility
- Capacity to cup 3 5/8 in. nested crown and 3 1/2 in. base vertically
- Adjustable stainless steel miter detent plate with 11 positive stops improves productivity and ensures cutting accuracy
OVERVIEW
DeWalt products are covered by solid warranties, and that is no different here with this cordless saw. A three-year limited warranty is included with this package. You will also find DeWalt strong in customer support with an online presence and support through distributors across North America.
PROS
- A durable stainless steel detent plate has eleven different locations marked on it that will speed up the setup time on this saw.
- Its miter handle makes use of a cam lock system that will secure the angle of the saw once you have it put into place.
- This product uses the 20 Volt MAX battery line from DeWalt, which will provide more power to your battery-operated tools while working on multiple products in the same line.
CONS
- This particular offering comes with just the tool and will not include any extras, including a battery and charger, as you may find with other cordless miter saw packages.
- A 7 1/4 inch blade is geared towards cutting molding or plumbing pipes, and it is too small for most woodworking applications.
Ryobi P551 18-Volt ONE+ 7-1/4 in. Cordless Miter Saw
OVERVIEW
iI really like the design of the ONE+ batteries used in the cordless miter saw. They are able to charge quickly while providing a steady 18-volt discharge for the battery life. The charger helps to protect the battery while conserving energy during use.
PROS
- It comes with a carbide-tipped saw blade with 24 teeth, a setup that will work in most woods quickly and efficiently.
- There is an “exact line” laser adjustment system that will allow you to accurately line up your lumber without having to worry about being off the mark before you cut.
- You can charge the 18-volt batteries on this platform in as little as one hour, giving you less downtime between charges.
CONS
- A small dust bag is included with this miter saw, and it will fill quickly and require a lot of change-outs.
- The 7.25-inch blade is rather small, limiting the size of wood stock that you can effectively cut and increasing your work time should a piece need to be turned and cut again.
DEWALT DHS790AT2 12-inch, Double Bevel, Compound, Sliding Miter Saw
- Flexible power -The 12-inch miter saw blade has the corded or cordless power
- Accuracy - The mitre saw has CUTLINE blade positioning system and highly visible miter and bevel scales
- Runtime - DEWALT miter saw provides up to 289 cross cuts in 3-1/4-inch base molding
OVERVIEW
Cutting-edge battery technology takes this offering from DeWalt into a new area. It uses the first battery that will change voltage when it is placed into other tools. This flex-volt system can automatically change between 20 and 60 volts, giving you extra power when you need it and at a level other cordless systems cannot provide.
PROS
- It includes a tall fence that you can stack larger moldings or timber against while still providing plenty of support up the entire height of your wood.
- All markings used on this model are high-contrast and will be easy to read, even when the lighting is not the best.
- This model comes with two batteries as well as a fast charger, providing you with more power and less downtime between charges.
CONS
- The flexibility offered by this battery platform is cutting-edge technology, something that will push the price point up on this particular model.
- This high-power setup could be a bit of overkill for novice woodworkers, especially if this is their first miter saw purchase.
Makita XSL05Z 6-1/2″ Lithium-Ion Brushless Cordless COMPACT Dual-Bevel Compound Miter Saw with Laser
- Weighs only 14.6 lbs. With battery (battery not included) for easy portability
- Automatic speed change technology adjusts cutting speed and torque during cut for optimum performance
- 18V LXT Lithium-Ion battery delivers the power and performance of a corded miter saw without leaving the 18V LXT platform (battery not included)
OVERVIEW
This Makita miter saw is able to use any of the Makita 18-volt batteries marked with a star symbol. The brushless motor is efficient and capable of running up to 50 percent longer on each charge than other designs are capable of. This is due to electronic controls installed by Makita that keep the drill and battery running at peak performance without wasted energy during the miter saw’s operation.
PROS
- These 18-volt batteries are designed to slide into the miter saw, providing a solid hold once they are fully in place.
- Not only is this miter saw compact, but it is also fairly lightweight at 14.6 pounds with the battery installed.
- Makita has included star protection computer controls that protect against discharging, loading, and overheating issues.
CONS
- The 6.5-inch blade really limits the effectiveness of this power tool, relegating it to working on molding mostly.
- If the blade seems small, you will find that the fence is little more than a ridge to press small objects against, making it unsuitable for anything but thin molding.
Which Miter Saw Cuts The Cord?
- Powered by two LXT batteries; x2 LXT technology delivers more power, speed and run time without the hassles of a cord
- Makita built electronically controlled BL motor delivers 4, 400 RPM for faster and smoother cutting
- The BL Brushless motor eliminates carbon brushes, enabling the BL motor to run cooler and more efficiently for longer life
All five products will do the job you need them to, but the best cordless miter saw on the list appears to be the Makita XSL06PT 10″ Dual-Bevel Sliding Compound Miter Saw. It is powered by Makita’s LXT technology, which uses two batteries to deliver high performance. While it may be a bit clumsy, this system provides high-quality power that is consistent and long-lasting.
You will notice that the controls for this saw are conveniently placed. While most products on the list offer similar mounting locations, the ease of use found on the controls themselves set Makita a bit above the other entries.
With a 10-inch blade, you can perform a variety of cuts with this cordless miter saw, and the adjustments are smooth. That will allow you to easily set your cut without having to fight while tightening. Another stand-out feature of this Makita miter saw is the high contrast markings that are very easy to read under most light conditions.
Don’t feel like any of the mentioned cordless miter saws suit your needs? Check out my best miter saw review to find other 10 and 12-inch miter saw alternatives that might work better for your specific needs.
2 thoughts on “Cordless Miter Saw Reviews: Which One Is Best? (2024)”
t the Makita XSL06PT is the top choice foR a 10″ miter saw right now. Especially with the current deal going where you get two free 5ah batteries with your purchase at Home Depot or other online stores giving you a total of four 5ah batteries a charger and a saw. I tried the Delta gravity rise stand with it and it is unstable meaning the Ridgid gravity rise stand will not work either. I got the Hercules stand from Harbor freight and it is very stable. Just make sure you fold up the legs on the end with the wheels first when closing it and last when setting it up.
Hi,
Thanks for your input. Yeah, the Makita XSL06PT is the best cordless miter saw you can buy at the moment IMO. This is exactly why this saw is the winner of this roundup.
Arthur