A miter saw is useful for both professional carpenters and hobbyist woodworkers. If you are in the market for a miter saw, you might be asking yourself: is it worth paying extra to get a dual bevel miter saw? This guide will answer just that.
This article will explain the main differences between single bevel vs double bevel miter saws. You will also find a helpful miter saw buying guide and reviews of 4 best single & double bevel miter saws.
Top-Rated Single & Double Bevel Miter Saws:
Buyer’s Guide
Single bevel vs double Bevel Miter Saws: What’s The Difference?
While it might seem like an obvious answer, the main difference between a single and dual bevel miter saw comes down to skill and time. Basically, a single bevel miter saw can accomplish everything a double bevel model can, but you need to understand how to make inverse cuts.
Where a dual bevel miter saw can simply swing to the left or right, a single bevel miter saw requires you to flip the workpiece over and measure backward. While this is not an issue for most experienced professionals, it can be a bit tricky for beginners and increases the amount of time you spend making the cuts either way.
The best single & dual bevel miter saws
DEWALT DWS715 Single Bevel Miter Saw
- Stainless-steel miter detent plate of 12-inch miter saw blade comes with 14 positive stops
- The mitre saw features the precise miter system and machined base fence support
- Tall sliding fence of DEWALT miter saw supports 5-1/2-inch base vertically
OVERVIEW
Anyone familiar with power tools knows DEWALT, though the company is a bit hit or miss after being purchased by BLACK+DECKER. That said, the DEWALT DWS715 Single Bevel Miter Saw is a solid option that offers more functionality than most single-bevel miter saws that I encountered.
It is worth noting that while DEWALT has recently made changes to the design of this single bevel miter saw, they have not yet updated their advertising. As such, you should understand that you will not get all of the features that this saw advertises, though you still get enough features to make it a good single bevel miter saw.
One of the more impressive qualities of this single bevel miter saw is its exceptionally tall fence that provides a base mold capacity of 6 ½” and a crown mold capacity of 5 ¼”. As if that were not enough, the DEWALT DWS715 Single Bevel Miter Saw offers the best straight capacity for a single bevel miter saw we came across at 3 ⅝” 7 ⅞”.
Keep in mind, while this single bevel miter saw may not come as advertised, it still offers an excellent build quality made out of aluminum and steel. On top of that, the DEWALT DWS715 Single Bevel Miter Saw features a powerful motor that pushes 15 amps and spins at 4000 RPM with machined helical gears.
Pros
- Has a 15A, 4000 RPM motor
- Has a 3 ⅝” x 7 ⅞” capacity
- Has a tall fence and 14 miter stops
- Has a great build quality
Cons
- Is more expensive
- Not as advertised
Metabo HPT C10FCGS Single Bevel Miter Saw
- MOTOR: 15 Amp motor delivers high power for the toughest of cuts generating a no-load speed of up to 5,000 RPM
- LIGHTWEIGHT: Only 24.2 lbs. to facilitate maneuverability and portability
- MITER ANGLE RANGE: 0-52 degrees, to the right and left for increased flexibility
OVERVIEW
Metabo recently bought out and rebranded what used to be Hitachi Power Tools, a solid consumer-grade brand, but is still working out the kinks in the acquisition. However, it is hard to deny that the Metabo HPT C10FCGS Single Bevel Miter Saw provides an impressive overall value.
For starters, this single bevel miter saw is incredibly inexpensive, making it a great option for a young contractor or beginning hobbyist. However, that low cost also reflects the Metabo HPT C10FCGS Single Bevel Miter Saw’s build quality which has fallen since Hitachi was bought out by Metabo.
Thankfully, this single bevel miter saw still comes with a powerful motor that pushes 15 amps, generates 2 ½ hp, and spins at a blistering 5000 RPMs. On top of that, the Metabo HPT C10FCGS Single Bevel Miter Saw gives you a little cushion when cutting miters with a 52° miter range to both the left and right.
Unfortunately, this single bevel miter saw also comes up a bit short– quite literally, with the smallest cutting capacity I reviewed at only 2 ¼” x 5 ⅔”. That said, the Metabo HPT C10FCGS Single Bevel Miter Saw is easily one of the best job site miter saws I have encountered, thanks to a lightweight design that only weighs 24 ½ lbs.
Pros
- Has a powerful 15A, 5000 RPM motor
- Has a maximum miter of 52° L/R
- Is more portable
- Is less expensive
Cons
- Not the largest capacity
- Not the best build quality
Bosch Power Tools GCM12SD Double Bevel Miter Saw
- AXIAL GLIDE SYSTEM: patented glide system allows wider cross cuts and better alignment while also being compact, saving you 12 inches of valuable work space
- CAPACITY: expanded cutting capacity, 14 inch horizontal capacity nominal 6 1/2 inch vertical capacity against the fence base 6 1/2 inch crown capacity against the fence 45 spring
- ADJUSTABLE: provides easy adjustments with a large, easy-to-read uniform bevel and stainless steel miter scales with marked detentes and roof pitch angles; Bevel detents: 0, 33.9 degree, 45 degree...
OVERVIEW
Bosch is one of the most well-known and respected power tool companies in the world, respected for its precise, professional-grade products. The Bosch Power Tools GCM12SD Double Bevel Miter Saw is no exception, though it falls into the trap that many of the other types of Bosch power tools do.
Thankfully, this dual bevel miter saw somewhat avoids that issue by providing a powerful motor that pushes 15 amp and generates 3 hp. Unfortunately, the Bosch Power Tools GCM12SD Double Bevel Miter Saw only spins the blade at 3800 RPMs which necessitates a slower cut with the hardest hardwoods.
That said, this 12-inch miter saw is also a sliding miter saw, which significantly increases the width cutting capacity for a total straight cut capacity of 4” x 14”. The Bosch Power Tools GCM12SD Double Bevel Miter Saw’s large cutting capacity also holds for base and crown mold at 6 ½”– the largest reviewed for crown mold capacity.
Unfortunately, all of these specs and features come at a cost, and this dual bevel miter saw is an expensive model. Still, the Bosch Power Tools GCM12SD Double Bevel Miter Saw also boasts the largest miter range with a 52° maximum miter to the left and a 60° maximum miter to the right.
Pros
- Has a powerful 15A, 3 HP motor
- Has a 4” x 14” capacity
- Has a maximum miter of 52° L/60° R
- Has a sliding arm
Cons
- Is quite expensive
- Cuts hardwood slower
TACKLIFE PMS03A Double Bevel Miter Saw
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OVERVIEW
TACKLIFE is easily the newest and least experienced company on our list, but it makes up for that fact by offering some of the best values I have ever seen. There are few examples better exemplifying this than the TACKLIFE PMS03A Double Bevel Miter Saw, which comes with a few extra features.
While this would be expensive for a single bevel miter saw, the option is actually inexpensive for a dual bevel miter saw. However, when you consider that the TACKLIFE PMS03A Double Bevel Miter Saw is also a sliding miter saw, the cost of this product is virtually unheard of.
The sliding arm action comes in handy by increasing the maximum straight-cutting capacity to a healthy 4” x 13”. Unfortunately, the TACKLIFE PMS03A Dual Bevel Miter Saw is not known for being the most durable option on the market, but customer service is solid, and it honors its warranty better than some inexpensive brands.
This dual bevel miter saw also comes with a powerful motor that pushes 15 amps and 1700 watts but cuts a little bit slower due to a blade speed of only 3800 RPMs. However, the TACKLIFE PMS03A Double Bevel Miter Saw seals the deal by also including a laser guide to make sure you cut true.
Pros
- Has a powerful 15A, 1700W motor
- Has a 4” x 13” capacity
- Has a laser guide
- Is less expensive
Cons
- Cuts hardwood slower
- Not the most durable
Buying a Miter Saw: Important Considerations
Consider the power
This ends up being one of the more important factors when choosing the best miter saw, regardless of the bevel design, due to the tool primarily making crosscuts. As such, you want to make sure that your miter saw comes with a powerful motor that can cut through any density of wood without tearing the backside out.
Of course, part of that process comes with the speed of the blade combined with the density of the wood. In this instance, you should look for a miter saw that spins the blade faster if you expect to cut hardwood with the blade speed meeting or exceeding 4000 RPMs if you expect to cut exotic hardwoods.
Cutting Capacity
There are a couple of different cutting capacities that you should consider when choosing a miter saw, with the straight cut and the molding cut being the most important. For straight cuts, you can get an even larger capacity by using a sliding miter saw, which significantly increases the workpiece’s maximum width.
While most workpieces used for professional jobs come in standard sizes, there is no reason not to get a miter saw with a larger cutting capacity to increase its versatility. It is worth noting that cutting capacity tends to be one of the specs more closely correlated with price, so consider your budget.
Build Quality
The build quality of a miter saw often comes down to the materials used, with steel and aluminum being the best materials– though a good balance is important. If a miter saw uses too much steel, it will often be too heavy for one person to transport alone, making it a poor job site miter saw.
Outside of the materials, looking for a miter saw that uses machined components will help ensure straighter, more precise cuts. Depending on your needs, you might also want to make sure the miter saw comes with a variety of adjustments for every conceivable cut alignment.
Extras
There are only a handful of extra features that should really move the needle, but one of the best is a sliding arm action. Generally found on double bevel miter saws, a sliding arm action greatly increases the maximum width of your workpiece and also allows you to make small, precise rip cuts.
After a sliding arm, some form of a guide can be helpful– like a laser guide– but is more a quality-of-life feature than a necessity.
Wrapping up
While both types of miter saw offer plenty of value, I found the DEWALT DWS715 Single Bevel Miter Saw to be the best in its class. Even though DEWALT might be removing some of the more nuanced features, it still offers great cutting capacities, plenty of power, and an excellent build.
On the other hand, if you want a dual bevel miter saw, the Bosch Power Tools GCM12SD Double Bevel Miter Saw is every bit worth the investment. The sheer cutting capacity of this beast means that you will not need to worry about cutting on the reverse side as the powerful motor chews through anything put in its path.
