I purchased my first miter saw about two years ago, and I love it so much that I’m thinking about upgrading! But then I had some research to do – how much do miter saws cost, and what features influence the cost of miter saws.
A basic compound miter saw starts at $100, while miter saws with sliding blades start at $125. Dual-bevel miter saws start at $200, and professional-level miter saws with special features can cost as much as $800.
Since I’m a numbers gal, I pulled 5 miter saws and their prices in each category, which will hopefully give you an idea of what you can expect to pay for a miter saw with the features you’re looking for!
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The Cost of a Basic Miter Saw
The most basic miter saw available is a single-bevel, compound miter saw. These start around $100, but prices can range up to $300 depending on brand, amperage, and blade size.
| Compound Miter Saw | Cost | Blade Size | Amperage |
| Chicago Electric 10″ Single-Bevel Compound Miter Saw (Harbor Freight) | $99 | 10″ | 15 Amps |
| Ryobi 10 in. Compound Miter Saw with LED (Home Depot) | $134 | 10″ | 14 Amps |
| Metabo HPT 10-in Single Bevel Compound Corded Miter Saw (Lowes) | $149 | 10″ | 15 Amps |
| DeWalt Corded 12 in. Single Bevel Compound Miter Saw (Home Depot) | $219 | 12″ | 15 Amps |
| Makita 10 in. Corded Compact Single Bevel Compound Miter Saw (Home Depot) | $250 | 10″ | 15 Amps |
The two important features of note are “compound” and “single-bevel.” Compound implies that the saw can cut both bevel and miter cuts (see photos below,) while “single bevel” indicates that the saw only tilts one direction to cut bevel cuts.
Bevel Cut:
Miter Cut:
Compound miter saws can cut miter and bevel cuts simultaneously.
Some miter saws at this price point also include an LED laser guide to help with cutting. This feature doesn’t seem to significantly impact price, however it is something many people desire when choosing a miter saw.
If this will be your first saw, be sure to check out my list of miter saw safety tips to minimize your risk of injury!
What Do Sliding Miter Saws Cost?
Sliding miter saws have a sliding blade that increases the width of board a miter saw is able to cut. Entry level sliding miter saws start around $125, and single bevel sliding miter saws marketed towards consumers can go up to $250 for name brands with additional features.
These miter saws are particularly useful for homeowners that lack a table saw. The sliding feature allows for the user to cut wider boards; cuts that otherwise would have needed to be done with a table or circular saw.
| Sliding Compound Miter Saw | Cost | Blade Size | Amperage |
| Chicago Electric 10″ Single-Bevel Sliding Compound Miter Saw (Harbor Freight) | $124 | 10″ | 15 Amps |
| Ryobi 10 in. Sliding Compound Miter Saw (Home Depot) | $179 | 10″ | 15 Amps |
| Craftsman 10 in. Single-Bevel Sliding Miter Saw (Lowes) | $189 | 10″ | 15 Amps |
| Wen 10 in. Single Bevel Compact Sliding Compound Miter Saw (Home Depot) | $194 | 10″ | 15 Amps |
| Performax® 10″ Corded Single-Bevel Sliding Compound Miter Saw (Menards) | $219 | 10″ | 15 Amps |
You’ll notice this list lacks brands that cater to professionals (such as Dewalt and Makita.) At this level, these brands start prioritizing portability, and while they do sell sliding miter saws, I don’t consider them directly comparable to the saws listed above.
Professional-level sliding miter saws marketed for portability tend to have smaller blades and decreased amperage in order to reduce the weight of the saw and increase portability. Additionally, many are cordless and battery powered, which increases the price.
I’ll talk more about these miter saws later in the article.
Dual Bevel Miter Saw Cost
Dual Bevel miter saws can tilt in both directions, increasing flexibility when cutting molding or doing other bevel cuts. Double bevel miter saws start around $200, and most consumer marketed saws are under $400.
While there are higher priced dual bevel saws marketed towards professionals, they tend to include a number of other features that may or may not be useful to the average DIY-er.
Double bevel miter saws are typically also sliding saws, however stationary double bevel saws are available. The saws I’ve listed here are all sliding double-bevel saws for comparison’s sake.
| Dual-Bevel Sliding Miter Saw | Cost | Blade Size | Amperage |
| Admiral 12 In. Dual-Bevel Sliding Compound Miter Saw (Harbor Freight) | $199 | 12″ | 15 Amps |
| Kobalt 10-in Dual Bevel Sliding Compound Corded Miter Saw (Lowes) | $219 | 10″ | 15 Amps |
| Masterforce 10″ Corded Dual-Bevel Sliding Compound Miter Saw (Menards) | $319 | 10″ | 15 Amps |
| Rigid 12 in. Dual Bevel Sliding Miter Saw (Home Depot) | $349 | 12″ | 15 Amps |
| Dewalt 12-in Dual Bevel Sliding Compound Corded Miter Saw (Lowes) | $399 | 12″ | 15 Amps |
What Do Professional-Level Miter Saws Cost?
Professional-level miter saws are typically built for portability and accuracy. Features include:
- Compact build – Most sliding miter saws require a large footprint for the slide to work. Compact builds have reduced this footprint with innovative solutions.
- Cordless – Battery powered miter saws allow for saws to be operated on a jobsite that lacks power. While likely unnecessary for the average consumer, it’s an essential feature for many professional builders.
- Soft Start Motor – These devices reduce the power load to the motor when it’s first starting up, allowing for a less sudden start. This prolongs the life of the saw, and makes it easier to use.
- Electric Break – Electric breaks stop the blade after a cut, increasing efficiency when making multiple cuts in a row.
- Brushless Motor – A recent technological improvement in power tools, brushless motors are more durable and efficient than brushed motors.
Professional miter saws start around $250 for a cordless jobsite miter saw, and can range as high as $800 for highly specialized tools, depending on the brand and features.
| Professional Miter Saw | Cost | Blade Size | Amperage | Special Features |
| Dewalt 20-Volt MAX Lithium-Ion Cordless 7-1/4 in. Miter Saw (Home Depot) | $279 | 7.25″ | 20 Volt Battery | Cordless |
| Makita 8-1/2 in. Corded Single Bevel Sliding Compound Miter Saw (Home Depot) | $385 | 8.5″ | 10.5 Amps | Electric Break, Soft Start |
| Makita 15 Amp 10 in. Dual Bevel Sliding Compound Miter Saw with Laser (Home Depot) | $599 | 10″ | 15 Amps | Compact Design, Soft Start, Electric Break |
| Bosch 15 Amp Corded 10 in. Dual-Bevel Sliding Glide Miter Saw (Home Depot) | $599 | 10″ | 15 Amps | Compact Design |
| Milwaukee 12 in. Dual Bevel Sliding Compound Miter Saw (Menards) | $749 | 12″ | 15 Amps | Soft Start, Digital Angle Readout |
At this level, it’s also important to pay attention to what the miter saw comes with. Many cordless miter saws are sold separately from the battery and charger, which could cost an extra $100.
Additionally, many miter saws are bundled with a miter saw stand, which typically adds about $100 to the cost of the saw.