Getting the best inexpensive miter saw is essential if you are a woodworking hobbyist or contractor. There’s more than one type of blade available.
Various designs on these blades can determine what kind of cuts they make, whether it be door frames and crown molding in need of trimming, window casing, or picture frames.
It becomes challenging as newbies enter into this market with no idea where to start when looking at all their options but don’t worry.
We’ll review five products and go over some guidelines before making any purchases to help you find the best miter saw for your money.
Best Inexpensive Miter Saw Reviews
1. Metabo HPT 12-inch Compound Miter Saw
Coming in first on our list of the best inexpensive miter saw is the Metabo HPT 12-inch Compound Miter Saw.
Other reviews may have referred to this as a Hitachi product, which is essentially right.
However, Hitachi is now called Metabo, so you may want to learn to get used to it.
In any case, this compound miter saw’s performance should have you quickly forgetting anything concerning semantics. It’s fantastic in so many ways!
Review
It seems homeowners and professionals alike cannot get enough of the HPT 12-inch compound miter saw, and not just for its low price.
It owns a 15-amp motor designed to powerfully cut through heavy materials with relative ease.
One thing you’ll notice initially with this saw is the smoothness at which it cuts.
It seems like there is no effort to it, and we just love that!
Additionally, the tool is built with a vise clamping system, so you won’t need to rig one up yourself.
At 25 pounds, it’s the perfect blend of portable and sturdy.
A standard dust collector also comes attached to this tool, so don’t worry about cleaning up too much.
This compound saw also cuts with almost laser-like precision, and you will see it in the outcome.
Everything about it screams “quality“, which is a pleasant surprise for a tool under 200 bucks.
As if this isn’t enough, the saw also offers excellent stability to ensure a less fatiguing and, thus, safer sawing session.
With a zero to 45-degree bevel range and a zero to 52-degree miter-angle range, this compound saw by Metabo lets you accomplish a range of different projects.
Still can’t believe this is one of the cheaper miter saws on the market? Well, you better.
It’s definitely one of this year’s standouts for cheap miter saws by far.
Pros:
- Precise cutting
- Affordable
- Powerful 15-amp motor
- Great for heavy cuts
Con:
- Blade is sold separately
2. Makita LS1040 Miter Saw
It was a close call between the Makita LS1040 and the Metabo HPT 12-inch Miter Saw, with the latter narrowly coming out the victor.
There wasn’t much between the two, and we liked them mostly for the same reasons.
The LS1040 also has a powerful motor, a good-sized blade that produced clean cuts, a sturdy build, and excellent portability.
Review
The Makita LS1040 was superb in every way the HPT 12-inch compound miter was, but it fell short in terms of turntable stability. Even when tightened, it still wasn’t fully secure.
That said, it’s incredibly easy to overlook this because of how the tool performs in other areas.
It’s also easy to forgive a flaw in a relatively inexpensive product.
There are bound to be some downsides, right? In this case, it’s not even that bad.
Now you know why it fell just short of the top prize.
There’s not much to say about this tool that you haven’t already read about in the first one because they’re practically the same miter saw in terms of features.
This one just has a more negative downside, which is what pushed it to the runner-up position.
Pros:
- Powerful motor
- Precise cuts
- Good customer service
- Great bevel cuts
Con:
- Unstable turntable
3. Metabo HPT 10-inch Compound Miter Saw
Next is a 10-inch version of our winning product and our “best value” miter saw.
This Metabo number is closely similar to its 12-inch cousin, but it’s priced a bit cheaper for the obvious reason of being slightly smaller.
That said, it still has a pretty significant cutting range and delivers clean cuts across the board.
Review
This tool may be the “junior” Metabo to our number one pick, but it owns a powerful motor to rival its larger cousin’s.
It also has a table large enough to fit most materials, thanks to the vice clamping system.
It may not be as sturdy as the 12-inch alternative, but it does hold its own in terms of durability, so you have nothing to worry about on that end.
Besides, the lower price point makes that understandable.
This one is definitely capable of delivering clean, thick cuts. Guess the two-inch size difference didn’t make that big of an impact in that department.
It did shake a little when cutting larger, denser objects, but that was it. What a relief!
That relief is what earned this product the third podium finish. Fifteen amps and a good way cheaper than our number one? Sign us up, please!
Pros:
- Lightweight
- Portable
- Especially great for rough cuts
- Affordable
- Reliable clamping system
Cons:
- Limited angles produced
- Subpar dust collector
- Power doesn’t last
- Precision can be off at times
4. TACKLIFE 10-inch Sliding Compound Miter Saw
The Tacklife 10-Inch Sliding Compound Miter Saw is not one to marvel at, especially when compared to the first three that came before it.
However, it does hold some decent features, none more special than the 15-amp powerful motor.
Review
This compound miter saw might be fourth on this list, but it packs a lot of power. And when it comes to saws, power is one of the essential qualities.
Plus, Tacklife has earned its place in the industry for producing some of the highest quality power tools, this one included.
Before you think this falls short of their normal standard, remember that this is an inexpensive list.
The soft book design allows the product to deliver power quickly, reaching maximum speed in around two seconds.
With this much power, you barely feel vibrations (though they’re there) when cutting through heavier slabs.
You get two different speeds for cutting, one that lets you zip through wood and another for cutting precisely through metal. Take your pick.
What’s more, there’s a laser guide for precise cutting on various materials. This particular feature tends to increase the price of a miter saw, but it wasn’t high enough to take this one off our list in this case.
There are also two blades in total and the standard dust bag you can expect from these units—a good package overall, but not a great one.
Even so, we consider it a worthy addition to this list for Tacklife’s excellent customer service and the two-year warranty that comes with their power tools.
Pros:
- Powerful motor
- Maximum speed in about two seconds
- Includes two blades
- Risk-free purchase
Cons:
- Can struggle at times, particularly with large slabs of wood
- Bevel cut can be a problem
- Vibrates
5. WEN 70712 Miter Saw
You might expect something that comes fifth on this list not to have much going for it other than its price.
On the contrary, the WEN 70712 has a bit more to offer than a price advantage.
It’s a pretty decent miter saw overall, and its price tends to make you ignore how average it is in other ways.
Review
Decent power, good stability, and an above-average dust collector bag are not exactly the recipe for an amazing saw-cutting experience, but they may do for a miter saw priced this low.
Low prices tend to make us ignore a few things, but we could not overlook how poorly fastened the components were.
We can’t be too sure if this was an isolated case or if it’s true for this model in general. It’s not a good thing either way.
Another feature that wasn’t supposed to be a bad one was the 15-amp motor that came with this model. It’s powerful, for sure.
However, it doesn’t cut as smoothly as its competitors for some reason.
The cuts aren’t bad by any means, but they take more of a struggle to create, and the range isn’t as wide.
A product requiring adjustments on the first day is a bad sign. The saw may work better after, but you may be too pissed to hold a power tool by this point.
Still, it’s a tool that’s cheap enough to get away with the drawbacks.
Pros:
- Affordable
- Cuts good after readjustments
- Decent dust collector
Cons:
- Underpowered for a 15-amp motor
- Does not stay put
- Poor cutting at around 45 degrees
Best Inexpensive Miter Saw Buying Guide
As mentioned, a miter saw is a good option when you want to make similar cuts on various angles repeatedly. Its primary purpose is to save you time and energy.
But the question is what to look for when buying a miter saw.
Here are the top considerations when choosing one:
Budget
If you are a woodcutter hobbyist or work at a low level, we suggest you go for cheaper options whereas, if you are a professional it is wise to spend a little more and get a better quality product.
Spending a little extra gives you extra durability, a more efficient product, and less likelihood of showing issues while working.
Moreover, buying a cheap product for a beginner is suggested so that they can explore what the machine can do for them.
Then, after gaining some expertise in using the tool, they can opt for a better option.
Safety
Miter saw is a technical machine with few risks involved especially for amateurs. So, it is significant to look for some safety features in the machine, including:
- An electric braking system to stop the blade immediately.
- A control placement to maintain control of the chop saw.
Blade Size
It’s always important to use the recommended size of the blade while working to avoid any mishaps.
If you are a hobbyist cutter, then a 10-inch blade is enough for you, while for site projects, a 12-inch blade is ideal.
Cutting Versatility
The two important features to look for cutting versatility are compound and sliding control.
The compound in the miter saw enables you to move the cutting blade in multiple directions (left to right). Whereas, sliding controls the traveling of the blade from the fence.
Marking
A model with high contrast marking is one of the best miter saws.
These markings help the user to set the blade in the preferred position quickly.
Corded vs. Cordless
Corded miter saws are definitely more powerful than cordless ones.
However, they’re less portable and sometimes require an extension cord.
Instead of getting tethered with the cord, you can get hold of the low-maintenance, lighter, and relatively smaller cordless or battery-operated miter saw.
Just make sure you charge it regularly.
Inexpensive Miter Saws FAQs
1. What do you use a miter saw for?
By now, you know that miter saws are generally used for woodworking, specifically processing wood and wood derivatives.
It’s generally designed with a base, handle, and blade, though some models may come with a station for added stability.
Miter saws allow for easier “technical” cutting, particularly the following:
- Crosscuts
A crosscut is exactly what it sounds like: cutting across a board instead of lengthwise like you would with a table saw.
The motor on this type of saw gives it the power to split wood up to 4×4 wood pieces easily.
Miter saws are particularly great at producing curved cuts without leaving a mess of sawdust behind.
- Angles
A miter saw’s main function may be crosscutting wood, but you can also create angled cuts with it.
The standard angle range is around zero to 45 degrees, though some cheaper machines can start to struggle as the angle approaches 45.
- Compounds
Cross and angular cutting combined means “bevels.” Miter saws are great at beveling or creating sharp and pointed shanks for making complex patterns and figures.
These are just some of the many ways a miter saw is used; feel free to research the rest.
However, the three purposes mentioned are what people need from the machine generally.
2. What are the essential features of a miter saw?
Aside from the base, handle, and blade, the features that truly make a miter saw what it is are the miter and the bevel.
You can find the former close to the handle. It’s a slicer that tilts to the specific cutting angle you need for cutting incisions, parallel cuts, or cross cuts.
On the other hand, the bevel is somewhere around the base. To bevel a piece of wood or the corner of that piece of wood means to give it a more complex cut.
The miter functions similarly in that it’s used for creating cuts and incisions. However, its focus is on straight and diagonal shapes.
You can angle it up to 52 degrees using the scale at the machine’s base to change the miter’s cutting direction.
A miter saw is called a miter saw because of the presence of this namesake part or feature. It is the very essence of this machine.
3. How do you adjust a miter saw?
The first step is to use a level surface. Once you find a clean, even surface to work on, locate the machine’s two main parts: the miter and the bevel.
Generally, you will find the latter attached to a part of the handle.
It comes with a gauge scale that’s also found around that area. Rotate the scale to find your preferred angle and lock it in.
Proceed to locate the bevel, which tends to be designed around the base and has a similar adjustable scale conjoined to it.
These respective rotatable scales are how you adjust the different bevel and miter cuts.
That said, don’t forget that essential first step, which is key to doing a successful cut of any kind.
4. How are budget miter saws different from premium ones?
Let’s start with the most obvious one: quality. Perhaps the starkest difference between these two price ranges will be found here.
More often than not, you can tell when a product is expensive at first glance. That tends to be the case when it comes to miter saws.
A budget option in the $80 to $100 range might still work well, but it’ll likely look and might actually be flimsy.
On the other hand, a miter saw that costs upwards of $200 should be more durable and take more than a little fall to break.
Another difference is the lack of extra features in the budget models.
Even our top budget picks will pale in comparison to their high-end counterparts in most departments, with added features included.
They aren’t likely to come with a dust collector bag, or it might be a below-average one if there was one.
Some of your favorite features in expensive models, like the digital display battery and superior material, are likely to be absent in their cheaper equivalents.
5. What safety precautions should I keep in mind while using a miter saw?
Whenever you work with power cutting tools or any power tools for that matter, you would need to ensure you keep yourself protected.
That is, even if the machine you chose has all the safety features you can think of since accidents happen anytime, anywhere, unexpectedly.
As such, here are some of the most basic safety precautions to keep in mind:
- Always protect your eyes and ears before start working with a miter saw. You’ll find several work goggles and earbuds (any ear protectors) available in the market today.
- Avoid wearing any dangling jewelry items that can get caught in the machine or material you’re working on or cutting.
- Do not wear gloves while working because they can also get caught in the machine. Similarly, they can prevent you from gripping the machine properly, especially thick gloves without grips.
- While adjusting the blades, lockout power or simply unplug to prevent cutting yourself accidentally.
- Keep your fingers and hands six inches away from the blade.
- Keep the lower guard clean to enhance visibility and controlled movement for a smooth operation. Otherwise, you may cut the material unevenly.
- Always use sharp blades because dull blades require more pressure on your end. Not only is it tedious and time-consuming, but it’s also dangerous because your hand might slip from the machine’s handle. Yikes!
- Let the blade stop completely and then raise it from the workpiece.
- Keep the blade path clean.
Which Among the Inexpensive Miter Saws Should I Pick?
Miner Saw is an effective tool for saving time and getting perfection in your work. There are multiple models available in the market that can be your best assistant.
Here we suggested our top pick of the best inexpensive miter saws; you can use the buying guide above to help you choose what works best for you.
That said, we highly recommend the Metabo HPT 12-inch Compound Miter Saw, as it’s superior to the four other models when it comes to performance and ease of use.
