5 Best Cordless Miter Saws: Buying Guide
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Miter saws are used a lot, but most of them are limited by a cord. If you want to work from anywhere, then buying a cordless miter saw is recommended.
Cordless miter saws use a battery as a power source — so you don’t have to worry about having a power outlet near you while working.
But, choosing the best cordless miter saws can be challenging. That’s why to help you out, we made a list that contains 5 different battery-operated miter saws that come with different features. Check it out down below.
Except for that, we have also made a buying guide where we listed all the things you need to check before buying a cordless miter saw.
| Products | Product Name | Details | Price |
|---|---|---|---|
Adjustable Bevel  | Adjustable Bevel |
| Buy On Amazon |
Cut Line Indicator  | Cut Line Indicator |
| Buy On Amazon |
5700 RPM  | 5700 RPM |
| Buy On Amazon |
120V Brushless Motor  | 120V Brushless Motor |
| Buy On Amazon |
Budget Choice  | Budget Choice |
| Buy On Amazon |
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Best Cordless Miter Saws
1. DEWALT DCS361M1
- Adjustable Bevel
- Lightweight
- XPS Light
More detailed review ↴
If you are into power tools then you probably heard about DeWalt — it’s a known brand that produces high-quality power tools. I use a lot of their tools and I have never been disappointed with their quality. Our first unit in the best cordless miter saws list is exactly from DeWalt — DEWALT DCS361M1.
What I like most about this cordless miter saw is the weight. It only weighs 30 pounds (approximately) which makes this unit lightweight and portable. If you are working in different places then moving this unit won’t be difficult.
This 7-1/4 cordless miter saw comes with a single adjustable left bevel that can be adjusted from -3-degrees to 48-degrees left.
The oversized bevel scale makes the adjustable process easier and more accurate. Speaking of accuracy, the stainless steel miter plate comes with 10 factory set stops that help the unit to make more accurate cuts and improve its productivity. The cam lock miter handle and the precise miter system also help a lot for more accurate cuts. It’s safe to say that this miter saw is very accurate.
On the downside, it’s not recommended to use this miter saw for large cutting projects. But, it will do a good job for small-medium projects.
Pros:
- Lightweight – Approximately weighs 30 pounds.
- Adjustable Bevel – The left bevel can be adjusted from -3 to 48-degrees left.
- Accurate – It comes with 10 factory set stops to help the unit make accurate cuts.
- XPS – Light to help you make accurate cuts.
- Low Vibrations
Cons:
- Not recommended for large projects.
2. Milwaukee 2734-20 – Best Battery-Operated Miter Saws
- Cut Line Indicator
- Cam Lock Miter System
- Portable
More detailed review ↴
This 10″ cordless miter saw comes with a large capacity than most of the 10″ units on the market. A big reason for that is because it comes with long rails.
The Milwaukee 2734-20 comes with a 5-3/4” vertical capacity against the fence, 2×12 horizontal capacity if it’s lying at 90-degrees (flat), and 5-1/4” vertical capacity nester crown.
What I like most about this unit is the shadow cut line indicator — it’s a bright LED that is on the top of the blade, as you move the blade down the light will tell you exactly where the cut will happen. It’s a lot of times better than the laser that most saws have.
It’s portable too — it comes with carrying handles at the top and side that will help you to move the unit easier. Plus, approximately weighs 45 pounds.
Although this is an 18V saw, don’t let that scare you — Milwaukee is a known brand when it comes to cordless products. Their battery and products last a lot.
Pros:
- Cut Line Indicator – LED light located at the top of the blade that will tell you exactly where the cut will happen.
- Cutting Capacity – This 10-inch cordless miter saw has a larger capacity than most of the saws
- Portable – Comes with handles at the top and side to help you carry the tool.
- Bevel – It comes with a dual bevel 9 detents.
- Adjustable Stainless Steel Detent Plate
- Cam Lock Miter System
- 400 Cuts Per Charge
Cons:
- Dust Management
3. Makita XSL02Z – Best Battery-Powered Miter Saws
- 5700 RPM
- Powerful
- 18V Battery
More detailed review ↴
At just under 30 pounds, this cordless miter saw is one of the lightest saws in this list. Its weight makes this unit very portable and helps you to move it around without any trouble.
It comes with 2 different lumber cutting capacities — at 90-degrees it comes with a cutting capacity of 2″x 12″, and at 45-degrees it comes with a cutting capacity of 2″x 8″.
When it comes to performance, the Makita XSL02Z comes with a powerful 18V rechargeable motor that delivers up to 5700 RPM. It has an automatic speed change that adjusts the cutting and torque speed. And, to make superior cuts the four-steel rail sliding system increases rigidity.
On the downside, you will have to buy the batteries separately.
Pros:
- Lightweight – Weighs just under 30 pounds.
- Cutting Capacity – 90-degrees(2″x 12″), 45-degrees(2″x 8″).
- Motor – Features an 18V rechargeable motor.
- Speed – Delivers up to 5700 RPM.
Cons:
- Battery is sold separately.
4. DEWALT FLEXVOLT DHS790AB
- Comes With Plug-in Adapter
- 120V Brushless Motor
- 3800 RPM
More detailed review ↴
If you are not sure if you need a cordless or corded miter saw then don’t worry. The next unit in our list will help you make an easier choice.
The DEWALT FLEXVOLT DHS790AB comes with the freedom of a cordless model, but with the power of the corded version. The battery automatically changes voltage when you change the tool.
What I like most about this tool is the motor — it features a 120V brushless motor that delivers up to 3800 RPM. This brushless motor lasts longer than the old brushed motor. You can use the plug-in adapter or the 18V battery.
It comes with an adjustable stainless steel detent plate with 11 detents, the plate adjusts 60-degrees to the right, and 50-degrees to the left to increase the capacity. Moreover, the cutline blade positioning helps you to make more accurate cuts and faster adjustments.
On the downside, this unit takes a hit when it comes to portability, it weighs more than the units listed here.
Pros:
- Versatile – Comes with the cordless freedom and corded power
- Motor – Features a 120V brushless motor.
- Speed – The motor delivers up to 3800 RPM.
- Cutline Blade Positioning System
Cons:
- Heavy
5. Ryobi ZRP551 – Best Battery Miter Saws
- Budget Choice
- Laser Light
- Easy To Adjust
More detailed review ↴
For those who are looking to do simple and small projects around the house, then the Ryobi ZRP551 is going to be perfect. It doesn’t have the power of the other saws reviewed here, but it will do a good job.
The unit is easy to adjust and it comes with different cutting angles. It comes with a laser light that will show you exactly where the cut will happen.
The design looks bulky, but the machine weighs just under 20 pounds. So, moving it around is very easy.
Pros:
- Budget Choice – Doesn’t cost a lot compared to the other saws.
- Laser Light – Shows you where the cut will happen.
- Lightweight – Weighs just under 20 pounds
Cons:
- Low Power
Best Battery-Powered Miter Saws — Buyers Guide
There are a lot of things that you need to consider before buying a cordless miter saw. There’s the battery, motor, speed, etc. If you just started out, then these simple things can be very difficult for you.
But, don’t worry. To help you out, we made a buying guide where we listed all the things that you need to check before buying a cordless miter saw. Here are the things that you need to check to find the best cordless miter saws —
Related Read— Best 10-inch Miter Saws
Battery
What makes cordless power tools different is the battery. They use the battery as a power source — so, normally the first thing that you need to check when choosing a cordless machine is the battery.
Nowadays, most brands use lithium-ion batteries. These types of batteries are a huge upgrade, they offer a better battery life. That’s why I recommend choosing these batteries. Except for that, you also have to check the battery voltage. There are two types of battery voltages that you need to check, those under 17V and those more than 17V.
Under 17V: Any battery that is under 17V won’t give you the needed power. Saws require a lot of power, especially if you are dealing with large projects. In my opinion, any battery that is lower than 17V isn’t worth it, you will be spending money on nothing.
More than 17V: Most of the time, cordless saws come with an 18-20v battery. These types of batteries offer enough power to saws. Anything more than that is just a bonus.
The battery voltage is very important and tells you how your saw will perform. A higher voltage means better performance(most of the time), and that’s how cordless machines can compete with corded machines.
No-Load Speed (RPM)
Another important thing to check is the speed. The speed for saws is measured with RPM, the RPM stands for rotations per minute. The more RPM a saw has, the faster it will be. The “no-load” stands for how fast the saw rotates without any resistance.
Speed Under 4,000 RPM: Most of the professional machines come with under 4,000 RPM. These types of saws are good for home projects. They are not recommended for large projects or thick materials.
More Than 4,000 RPM: These are the type of saws that I prefer to use. They are fast, so you can complete the projects faster, plus due to their speed, these types of saws offer a clean cut. But, most of the time these saws cost more.
Related Read— How To Cut Baseboard With a Miter Saw
Portability
Most people buy cordless machines because of their portability. You can move them and work with cordless machines anywhere you want ( as long as the battery is charged).
So, most of the cordless miter saws are portable, but not all of them. If you will be working at the same place every time, then having a portable cordless miter saw isn’t necessary. But still, here are the things that you need to check for portability:
Weight: The most obvious thing to check is the weight. If you have to move around a lot, then having a lightweight cordless miter saw is needed. Most of the units we listed here are lightweight.
Design: Except for the weight, another thing that determines if the unit is portable or not is the design. If the saw is large then moving it around will be hard, even if it’s heavy. One thing that you should check is the carrying handles — if the saw has carrying handles then moving it around won’t be a problem.
Bevel Angles And Cutting Depth
Having a cordless miter saw that allows you to make angled cuts is important. Most of the saws will allow you to make up to 45-degrees angled cuts. You want the tool to allows you to make the adjustments as easy as possible.
Except for that, you should also check the cutting depth. The depth varies from your needs.
Additional Features
Although these additional features won’t make or break a saw, it’s still good to have them.
Corded Option: Some cordless units come with the option of using the machine with a cord. While this is a great feature, it still means that you will have to deal with a cord.
Laser Light: The laser light is a great feature. Most of the time is located at the top of the blade, and as the blades go down, the laser will show you exactly where the saw is going. This will help you to make more accurate cuts.
Battery Run-Time: There’s no use if you have the most powerful battery, but it lasts only 5-minutes. You want a battery that is powerful, but at the same time lasts a lot. Ideally 30-60 minutes.
Sliding System: Most of the cordless miter saws don’t have this feature, but the sliding system will help you to make professionally angled cuts.
Related Read — Miter Saw vs Table Saw
How To Use A Cordless Miter Saws Safely?
While miter saws are considered somewhat safe, it’s still good to take safety measures when using these machines. Here are some of them —
- Always wear safety goggles or a face shield.
- Read and understand the manual before starting to work.
- Keep your fingers and other parts away from the blade.
- Keep the wheel closed when you are using the saw.
- Before changing blades, make sure that the saw is disconnected.
- Don’t use the saw in the ground.
- Make adjustments only when the saw is disconnected.
- Wear foot protection, if needed.
These are just some things that you need to do before using a cordless miter saw. Always keep your focus on.
Related Read — Learn More About Different Saws
Final Words
And that is it — that’s all the information that you need to make a better decision. Cordless miter saws are very good, and I highly recommend using them if you have to work in different places.
These types of miter saws are very portable and easy to work with. Keep in mind — that most of the cordless machines don’t come with a battery, so you will have to separately buy one.
Hopefully, we made it easier for you to find the best cordless miter saws. If you don’t know which one to pick, then check our buying guide where we listed all the features a cordless miter saw should have. Keep in mind, the best battery miter saws are the ones that will fill your needs.
Last but not least, check the DEWALT DCS361M1 — there’s a reason why we listed it #1, right?
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