It’s crucial to have a reliable miter saw when working on woodworking projects, especially for those working on something that requires precise cuts.
If you’re looking for a quality miter saw but don’t want to spend too much money, you’re in luck. In this article, we will review in-depth the 7 best miter saws for under 200 dollars. Whether you’re a carpenter or a DIYer, we have something for you. So read on to find the perfect saw for your needs!
Best Miter Saw Under $200 Reviews
1. Metabo HPT 10″ Single Bevel Miter Saw
Looking for an affordable top-of-the-line single bevel miter saw? The Metabo HPT (C10FCH2S) 10” single bevel miter saw may be just what you need. It has a 15-Amp motor that delivers a no-load speed of up to 5000 RPM for making cross cuts and miter cuts with ease. The motor features a carbon brush box, which makes brush replacement simple.
This miter saw comes with a laser marker that projects a red line onto your workpiece indicating where the blade will come into contact. This is a great feature for making precise cuts. However, some models have misaligned lasers.
The Metabo HPT (C10FCH2S) saw bevels from 0-45° angle to the left. It has adjustable bevel stops for making precise cuts and a large table to support your workpiece. This saw miters 0-52° angle to the right & left for flexibility. It also has thumb-actuated positive stops for making quick miter adjustments. Using the large rotating 4″ flip fence, you can cut crown molding vertically.
This miter saw is lightweight and has a horizontal D-handle with an elastomer grip that reduces vibration. It comes packaged with a 10″ 24T TCT saw blade, dust bag, vise assembly, 10mm box wrench, 4mm hex bar wrench, and a material support extension.
Benefits
- This miter saw features a laser marker that helps you make precise cuts.
- It comes with a 10″ 24T TCT saw blade, vise assembly, 10mm box wrench, 4mm hex bar wrench, and a material support extension.
- Its elastomer padded handle reduces vibration and increases use control.
- This saw miters 0-52° angle to the right and left and bevels from 0-45° angle to the left.
Drawbacks
- Some of these miter saw laser markers aren’t properly aligned at 90°.
2. Genesis GMS1015LC Compound Miter Saw – Best Cheap Miter Saw
The GMS10135LC is a budget-priced compound miter saw that will get the job done for amateur woodworkers and DIYers. It has a 15-amp motor that moves at 4600 RPM to handle most materials, including hardwoods. The motor features an electric brake that stops the blade seconds after releasing the trigger to prevent accidents.
This miter saw laser guide is a nice touch that helps you know where the cut will be ahead of time. It makes miter cuts up to 45° left/right and bevel cuts up to 45° left for added versatility. Thanks to the nine positive miter stops, it is simple to make exact cuts at these angles. You can also cut picture frames, crown molding, and other items with its compound cutting. However, you’ll find it hard to adjust the saw to make 90° angle cuts.
The manufacturer, Genesis, built it with a die-cast aluminum base for portability and better accuracy. It uses a ⅝” arbor lock for quick blade changes. When you buy this tool, it comes packaged with a 60T carbide blade installed, a clamp, dust bag, two extension wings, a blade wrench, and two AAA batteries for the laser.
Benefits
- This is a good beginner-friendly miter saw with a laser for improved accuracy.
- It has all the features you need.
- The saw cuts clean.
- It includes a 60T carbide blade, hold-down clamp, dust bag, two extension wings, blade wrench, and two laser batteries.
Drawbacks
- The laser requires a battery to function.
- It doesn’t last long.
- This miter saw is not for professionals.
3. DEWALT Single Bevel Miter Saw (DWS713)
DEWALT has been a popular brand in power tools for many years. Their DWS713 10” miter saw is designed for professional woodworkers, carpenters, and DIYers who need a reliable tool to make accurate miter and bevel cuts. Its 15-Amp 1600W motor moves at 5000 RPM to provide plenty of power for making clean cuts through thick lumber. It is capable of 2” x 6” dimensional lumber crosscut capacity at 90° and 2” x 4” dimensional lumber at 45° with its 10″ carbide-tipped blade.
The DWS713 miter saw features an accurate miter system and machined base fence support. Dewalt equipped it with a tall sliding fence that supports 4½” vertical crown molding. Its lightweight design and built-in carry handle allow for great portability. They also included a 10” stainless-steel detent plate with 14 positive stops for more precision.
Additionally, this miter saw bevels 0°- 48° to the left and 0°- 3° to the right, which makes it easy to create angled cuts without having to readjust the blade. A wrench, dust bag, and vertical clamp come along with it.
Benefits
- This miter saw is high-quality and accurate.
- It is simple to set up and use.
- It cuts wood and aluminum.
- You’ll get value for your money.
Drawbacks
- It doesn’t work for decking purposes.
4. Hitachi C10FCG Single Bevel Compound Miter Saw
The Hitachi CIOFCG miter saw is a great addition to any DIYer arsenal looking to do some cutting jobs. It’s a versatile machine that can handle a variety of tasks, from making cross cuts to miter cuts. Its 15-amp motor moves at 5000 RPM to provide plenty of power to get the job done quickly and efficiently. However, this saw is made from inferior materials, so shouldn’t be used for heavy-duty jobs, otherwise, it would break down.
Note that Hitachi and Metabo HPT are the same company. So, this tool is similar to the Metabo HPT C10FCH2S miter saw we first reviewed. That said, this miter saw has a wide table with a sturdy vice clamping system to offer support to your workpiece. It miters 0°-52° angle range to the right & left and bevels 0°-45° to the left to provide clean and accurate bevel cuts.
Thanks to the thumb-actuated positive stops, you can make quick miter adjustments for precise cuts without adjusting the 24T TCT saw blade each time. And with its dust collector bag, you will keep your work area clean and tidy.
Benefits
- This saw bevels and miters.
- It has a large table with a vice clamping system to hold your workpiece firmly as you make cuts.
- With its dust bag, you’ll have a clean working environment.
- It is easy to use, especially for DIYers.
Drawbacks
- Always wear safety goggles and protection when using this saw.
- It is not ideal for heavy-duty cutting.
5. Delta S26-262L 10″ Miter Saw with Laser
Delta Power Equipment Corporation S26-262L 10″ shop master miter saw is a professional-grade tool that woodworkers, DIYers, and furniture makers will find useful. It has a powerful 15 amp motor that spins at 5500RPM to make quick and accurate cuts through hardwoods. The motor features an electric brake that stops the blade within seconds from releasing the switch to protect you and your workpiece. With the sturdy spindle lock, you can change blades quickly and easily.
This impressive miter saw comes with a built-in battery-powered laser that helps users position the workpiece for precise results. Although it needs to be calibrated to align with the blade. The laser has an on/off switch, so you can use it when you need it, and turn it off when you don’t.
Moreso, this miter saw bevels left from 0°- 47°. It also cut nominal 2″ x 6″ & 4” x 4” at 90° and 2” x 6” in one pass. There are denoted stops at 0°, 15°, 22.5°, 30°, and 45° for added precision. But the angle stops are subtle and slightly inaccurate. This saw has table extensions that give you more support when cutting longboards. However, there are no mount holes in the fence.
The S26-262L is lightweight, easy to use, and straightforward to set up. It also has a dust port that attaches to a dust bag to keep your work area clean. The saw comes with a 60-tooth carbide-tipped blade, a blade wrench, an operator’s manual, and a three-year warranty.
Benefits
- This is a powerful miter saw with electric brakes for safety.
- It features a laser for precision and accuracy.
- This miter saw cut nominal 2″ x 6″ & 4” x 4” at 90° and 2” x 6” in one pass.
- The manufacturer has a three-year warranty on it.
Drawbacks
- The laser requires a AAA battery to operate and must be calibrated before use; otherwise, it will not be accurate.
- The angle stops don’t stop at a set angle.
- There are no mounting holes in the fence.
6. Evolution R185SMS+ Sliding Miter Saw Under 200
The Evolution Power Tools R185SMS+ is a 7¼” model that can handle a wide variety of materials, including wood, melamine, and aluminum. It is perfect for the professional carpenter or woodworker who needs to make quick, accurate cuts in a variety of materials. It’s also ideal for DIYers who want a high-quality tool to help them tackle complex projects.
This saw features a 10-Amp hi-torque motor designed for longevity and reliability. It has a 7¼” 60TCT blade made of high-quality steel that cuts through 6mm thick mild steel. However, it uses a 20mm arbor, so it would be hard to find replacement blades that will size it since most blades have a ⅝” arbor.
Furthermore, this saw built-in laser guide helps you align your cuts. Its blade adjusts to create up to 0° – 45° left bevel cuts and 50˚ – 50˚ miter cuts. There are adjustable depth stops to cut any angle from 0″ to 2¼”. This miter saw also handles crosscuts with the adjustable depth stop and 8¼”, making it a versatile tool for any project. Thanks to the three-piece clamp, you will be able to hold workpieces firmly.
The Evolution Power Tools R185SMS+ 7¼” multi-material compound sliding miter saw has an integrated handle for transporting it safely around the workshop or on-site. It also comes packaged with a 10ft power cord and a dust bag that attaches to the rear dust port to make your working environment clean.
Benefits
- This saw has different features to become an essential part of your workshop.
- It features a built-in laser guide that helps you align your cuts.
- This saw makes 0° – 45° left bevel cut and 50˚ – 50˚ miter cuts.
- It has a dust collection system.
Drawbacks
- The saw has a 20mm arbor size, which doesn’t fit most standard blades.
- It is not very accurate.
7. CHICAGO ELECTRIC Sliding Compound Miter Saw
Last on the list is the CHICAGO ELECTRIC 10” sliding compound miter saw. This professional-grade miter saw is packed with features that will make any woodworker or DIYer happy. It functions with a 15-amp motor that produces a maximum speed of 5000 RPM to make clean cuts. The motor offers easy access to the carbon brush compartment to replace the carbon brush when needed.
The saw uses a 10” blade with a ⅝” blade arbor size (purchased separately) and comes with a 6¾ft cord. One of the most impressive features of this miter saw is its ability to make 45° cuts left/right and 45° bevel cuts to the left. This is perfect for when you need to make angled cuts or trim down pieces of lumber. You can also make miter cuts up to 12” wide with its dual linear ball bearing rails.
The Chicago Electric miter saw comes with extension bars and a table clamp. These accessories are great for when you need to make long cuts or work with larger pieces of wood. Another feature of this saw is its built-in dust bag, which will help you to keep your workspace clean and free of sawdust.
Benefits
- This saw works great and has a lot of power.
- It uses a 10” blade with a ⅝” blade arbor size.
- It makes 45° cuts left/right and 45° bevel cuts to the left.
Drawbacks
- It doesn’t last for long.
Best Miter Saw Under 200 Buying Guide
There are many different types and models of miter saws available on the market, so it can be difficult to decide which one is right for you. In section, we will discuss the factors you should consider when purchasing a budget miter saw.
Type of Miter Saw
The first factor to consider is the type of miter saw. There are three main types of miter saws: manual, compound, and sliding compound.
Manual miter saws are the most basic and least expensive type. They are typically only able to make simple cuts, such as 90-degree crosscuts.
Compound miter saws are more versatile than manual saws and can make both miter cuts and beveled cuts.
Sliding compound miter saws have all the features of a compound miter saw but with the added benefit of being able to slide the blade back and forth, allowing for longer cuts.
Size of the Blade
Another important factor to consider is the size of the blade. The size of the blade will determine the maximum width of the cut you can make.
Miter saw blades range in size from six to twelve inches. If you will be making a lot of cuts, or need to cut wide boards, you will want to purchase a saw with a larger blade.
Cordless vs Corded Miter Saw
Miter saws can be powered by either corded electricity or batteries. If you have access to an outlet, a corded electric miter saw will be more powerful and easier to use than a battery-powered model.
However, if you don’t have access to an outlet, or need to take your miter saw with you on the go, a battery-powered model may be more convenient.
Belt Drive, Worm Drive, or Direct Drive
Miter saws can be powered by either a belt-drive, worm drive, or direct drive motor.
Belt-drive motors are the most common type of miter saw motors. They are more durable and require less maintenance than other types of motors. Plus, they feel smoother than the other two types.
Worm-drive motors are more powerful than belt-drive motors and are better suited for heavy-duty use.
Direct-drive motors are the most powerful type of miter saw motor but require more maintenance than other types of motors. If you want to cut thick wood slabs or do the cutting task on a regular basis, a Direct drive motor may be better suited.
Cutting Assitance Features
Some miter saws come with features that assist in making cuts. These features can be helpful, but they are not necessary for all users.
One such feature is a laser guide. A laser guide projects a line onto the workpiece, showing you where the blade will cut. This can be helpful for making accurate cuts.
Another feature is dust collection. Dust collection systems help to collect the wood chips and dust generated when cutting, keeping your work area clean and free of debris.
Price
Of course, price is also an important factor when choosing a miter saw. Miter saws range in price from around $50 to over $500.
It is important to choose a saw that fits your budget but also has the features you need.
Final Thoughts
It is difficult to find a budget-friendly miter saw that still offers the features and power you need for your projects. Each saw on our list has been carefully selected based on its performance and affordability. It’s up to you to decide which features are essential and which ones you can live without.
To conclude, no matter which model you choose, ensure you read the included safety guidelines before use to ensure optimal performance and prevent any potential injuries.