IMAGE PRODUCT DETAILS
DEWALT DCS361M1 20V
  • Blade: 7.25 inches
  • Power: 20 volts
  • Speed: 3750 rpm
  • Weight: 31.6 pounds

Features

  • Oversized bevel scale.
  • 11 positive stops.
  • Includes 20v cell and charger.

Product Rating: 4.8/5

Check Price at AmazonDEWALT DCS361M1 20V Review DEWALT DCS361M1 20V Review
Makita XSL02Z
  • Blade: 7.5 inches
  • Power: 36 volts
  • Speed: 5700 rpm
  • Weight: 41.9 pounds

Features

  • Twin cells for power and run time.
  • Brushless motor.
  • Automatic speed change.

Product Rating: 4.7/5

Check Price at AmazonMakita XSL02Z Review Makita XSL02Z Review
Ryobi 18-Volt ONE+
  • Blade: 7.25 inches
  • Power: 18 volts
  • Speed: 4700 rpm
  • Weight: 19 pounds

Features

  • Tool only.
  • Five miter stops.
  • Brushless motor.

Product Rating: 4.8/5

Check Price at Amazon Ryobi 18-Volt ONE+ Review Ryobi 18-Volt ONE+ Review
Makita XSL01Z
  • Blade: 7.5 inches
  • Power: 18 volts
  • Speed: 2200 rpm
  • Weight: 27.3 pounds

Features

  • Direct-drive gearbox.
  • Quad rail glide system.
  • Includes dust bag.

Product Rating: 3.6/5

Check Price at AmazonMakita XSL01Z Review Makita XSL01Z Review
DEWALT DHS790AT2 FLEXVOLT
  • Blade: 12 inches
  • Power: 60/120 volt
  • Speed: 3800 rpm
  • Weight: 56 pounds

Features

  • Switch between corded and cordless.
  • Includes dust bag and wrench.
  • 289 cuts from one charge.

Product Rating: 4.4/5

Check Price at AmazonDEWALT DHS790AT2 FLEXVOLT Review DEWALT DHS790AT2 FLEXVOLT Review

THINGS TO CONSIDER BEFORE BUYING A cordless miter saws

R

Good for

Cordless miter saws are good for many things. The most obvious one is – portability. If you’re planning on frequently moving from one place to another, a cordless model would be a perfect solution for your plans. The unusual thing about these tools is the fact that they aren’t any weaker than their corded competitors. These miter saws can cut as precise and deep as any other corded ones, without too much hassle. Safety is also one of the strong points of these models. First of all, you don’t have to worry much about electrical cords at all. There were quite a few accidents that involved poor cable management or poor cable quality. Luckily, there is no need to worry about that when it comes to cordless units. Furthermore, even if something goes wrong, the current is much weaker in cordless models; therefore, they are quite safe.
Q

Not Good for

If you’re not a fan of batteries, these things might not be the solution for you, especially the lower-end models that are known to struggle with preserving power. While portability is one of the main advantages, one cannot say these tools are light. In fact, they aren’t much lighter than their corded cousins. Therefore, if you were expecting a lighter version of powerful corded models, you’re in for an unpleasant surprise. While cordless miter saws are pretty convenient to use, the batteries tend to be a burden. Many people forget to recharge the battery, it’s nothing unusual. However, the consequences are pretty big. These tools need a couple of hours to recharge; therefore, if you ever forget to do it – you’ll lose a lot of time and money if you’re a professional. Speaking of professionals, they tend to avoid cordless models due to the lack of professional features.

Top rated cordless miter saws


To tackle a big DIY project with ease, the DEWALT DHS790AT2 FLEXVOLT‘s great design and powerful output is enough to make it our top-rated cordless miter saw.

DEWALT DCS361M1 20V


Our Rating: 4.8
  • Design
  • Functionality
  • Price
When it comes to sheer accuracy, stability, and smooth operation – this model is among the best ones on the market. As you may already know, Dewalt is a well-respected brand known for designing quality power tools. Needless to say, this particular one isn’t any different. It has everything you’ll ever need for processing wood of any density without too many issues. The design is pretty conventional. Even though it can be regarded as universal, Dewalt always integrates a few interesting things in the design. The first thing most people notice about it is the integrated XPS cross cut positioning system. It improves both visibility and precision. In fact, when it comes to the precision, you really don’t have to worry about it while using the DCS361MI. However, a vast majority of users recommend a blade with at least 60 teeth. In simpler words, you should change the included blade as soon as you can. The miter detent consists of 10 positive stops. It’s made of stainless steel which guarantees durability and sturdiness. As far as the weight goes, it’s decent. One cannot say it’s a particularly lightweight piece of equipment, but it’s not as heavy as one might expect. It stands somewhere in the middle with its 32 pounds of weight. The battery is 20 volts and provides around 180 cuts on average. The charging process is surprisingly quick and easy to handle. As far as the downsides go, there aren’t many. One of the things you might not like is the dust-collecting system. While it’s functional and efficient, the capacity of the dust bag could have been better. In fact, the capacity is quite underwhelming, especially when you consider Dewalt’s great reputation. On the other hand, if you don’t need a super-efficient dust-collecting system, this model should meet your expectations easily.

  • Design
  • Functionality
  • Price

Makita XSL02Z 18V X2 LXT


Our Rating: 4.7

  • Design
  • Functionality
  • Price

Makita XSL02Z 18V X2 LXT


Our Rating: 4.7

Tools made by Makita are usually of good quality and great price. In fact, Makita is known for being an ideal budget brand for both DIY-ers and professionals. This particular model stands out because of its sheer power. It’s able to deliver up to 5700 RPM thanks to the powerful BL motor. On top of that, it only weighs around 28 pounds which can be regarded as quite light, especially when power tools are in question. As far as the design goes, it’s pretty neat. Even though it isn’t much different from the other models within the same category, the cutting capacity and precision are great. The blade can tilt from 0-47 degrees to the left and 0-57 degrees to the right. The hand grip isn’t cushioned. While some people think it’s not a big deal, the lack of buffers increases the vibrations by a lot. Therefore, you can expect a certain dose of vibrations if you opt for this particular model. However, it’s nothing you can’t overcome within a couple of uses. Dust-collecting capabilities aren’t the greatest on the market, but no one expects them to be. On the other hand, it collects dust without many problems; the issue is with the lack of bag capacity. In simpler words, you’ll have to discharge the dust bag frequently due to the lack of capacity. The Automatic Speed Change is an innovative technology that preserves power. Two 18V lithium-ion batteries offer 36V of power which is more than enough for the ultimate 5700 RPM. One of the biggest advantages of this tool is the fact that even contractors and devoted professionals can use it thanks to its precision and power output. Also, the XSL02Z is one of the more affordable models with professional features. If you’re looking for strong batteries and smooth performance, check this unit out.

Ryobi 18-Volt ONE+


Our Rating: 4.8
  • Design
  • Functionality
  • Price
If you’re an enthusiast on a limited budget, the Ryobi ONE+ might be the right tool for you. Many people are reluctant when it comes to affordable units because most of them are either cheaply made or not functional at all. However, this particular one doesn’t come with a ton of disadvantages, and it offers a smooth operation. The thing that separates this particular model from any other is compactness. It weighs only around 19 pounds meaning you can carry it around with you wherever you go and not think about fatigue. The 18V lithium-ion battery delivers more than enough power for most DIY projects. Even though this unit can be used by professionals, it’s not recommended. It does its job quite well, but longevity isn’t its strongest point, to say the least. The design is pretty good, but there aren’t any impressive parts of it. The best thing about the design is the laser line up. The laser is responsible for showing you the exact place where the blade is about to cut. Therefore, the laser increases the overall precision of this unit by quite a lot. The one thing most people notice immediately is the affordable price. While it’s a great power tool for almost any DIY project, it still retained its affordability, which is great. Ryobi isn’t a particularly famous brand, but you can rest assured that their units work as advertised. Quality is at a satisfactory level, and that’s what counts at the end of the day. Dust collecting isn’t the greatest, but no one expects it to be. It can extract quite a lot of dust from the workspace, but the bag capacity isn’t the greatest. However, you should be prepared for underwhelming dust collecting in this price category. One more good thing about this model is the lack of noise compared to some other battery-powered ones.

  • Design
  • Functionality
  • Price

Makita XSL01Z


Our Rating: 3.6

  • Design
  • Functionality
  • Price

Makita XSL01Z


Our Rating: 3.6

Makita deserves to be mentioned a couple of times on the same page for a good reason – they offer great solutions both for enthusiasts and professionals. The XSL01Z model is a high-power miter saw with a built-in motor that can deliver up to 2200 RPM. While it doesn’t sound like a lot, it’s more than enough for a wide variety of applications. The biggest thing about the design of this model is its light weight. With only 28 pounds of weight, this model can be regarded as quite portable and mobile. The 18V lithium ion battery doesn’t add much weight which is great. However, the battery is not included in the box. Therefore, make sure you order one before you opt for this particular model. The blade miters left for 0-45 degrees, and right for 0-57 degrees. As you can tell, it lets you cut a vast variety of angles by using a single adjustment. It saves a lot of time, and most importantly – effort. The steel rail is well-designed, and it increases the overall accuracy significantly. Speaking of accuracy, the XSL01Z model is as precise as one would expect. In other words, you don’t have to worry about the accuracy of the cuts; the machine is calibrated excellently. As far as the downsides go, there are a few, but they aren’t as crucial. The first one is lack of power for professional use. In other words, if you’re a contractor, it’s a good idea to avoid this particular model. While it cuts well, it doesn’t have a lot of consistency, especially while on low battery. The other noticeable disadvantage is the dust-collecting system. It is indeed functional but quite underwhelming. In fact, don’t expect a miraculous performance when it comes to the dust collecting capabilities of this particular power tool.

DEWALT DHS790AT2 FLEXVOLT


Our Rating: 4.4
  • Design
  • Functionality
  • Price
Dewalt has managed to impress the general public once again with their cordless miter saws. This particular model is one of the best ones coming from Dewalt when cordless units are in question. It has a great runtime, RPM output, and power in general. Whether you’re a professional or an enthusiast, you’ll definitely find this tool worth checking out. The design is great. It looks like most of the other saws available on the market, but it packs a ton of excellent features under the hood. This miter saw is capable of making more than 300 cuts with a single charge. As you may know, a vast majority of other models usually have a runtime capacity of around 200-250 cuts. Obviously, this particular one is far better for bigger DIY projects. On the other hand, even if you’re a contractor, this machine can definitely be of good use. Crown molding and cutting laminate is a piece of cake with this machine. The ease of use is also one of the biggest advantages of the DHS790AT2. While some other units have complex and incomprehensive measuring elements, this one is quite straightforward. All you have to do is set the blade correctly and turn the machine on, that’s it! As far as the price goes, it’s somewhat premium but well worth the investment. One cannot say it’s cheap, but it’s certainly an affordable unit for serious artisans due to its versatile functions. There aren’t many downsides, which is a pleasant surprise. The only thing people complained about is the missing parts in the package. However, that could have easily been the shipping company’s error instead of the manufacturers. If you’re looking for a high-end cordless miter saw, take a moment and check this one out, it’s worth the effort.

  • Design
  • Functionality
  • Price

Quick Product Comparison


POWER SOURCEVOLTAGEWEIGHTPRICE
DEWALT DCS361M1

DEWALT DCS361M1

Battery20V36 pounds$$Check Price
Makita XSL02Z

Makita XSL02Z

Battery18V29 pounds$$Check Price
Ryobi 18 volt one+

Ryobi 18-Volt ONE+

Battery18V19 pounds$Check Price
Makita XSL01Z LXT

Makita XSL01Z

Lithium Ion battery18V27 pounds$$Check Price
DEWALT DHS790AT2

DEWALT DHS790AT2

Battery / Corded120V56 pounds$$$Check Price

Before You Buy: How a Cordless Miter Saw Works?


Before you opt for a particular model, you need to do a bit of research, especially if you’re an inexperienced individual. A worrying number of people make a common mistake of buying the first thing they stumble upon. Also, instead of paying attention to features, people compare the prices with their budget. Needless to say, these methods are completely wrong and can have pretty unpleasant results. For example, you could end up with a unit that doesn’t meet your expectations but costs a ton of money. There are plenty of things to think about, but the basic principles are the most important. Take a moment and check this article out, it should be helpful.

The motor


Most models have a brushed motor. The brushless type provides longer runtimes in comparison to the brushed type, but it’s significantly more expensive. There are a few miter saws that feature a brushless motor, but they are in the high-end category. When it comes to sheer RPM, most of these are able to deliver from about 2000 RPM up to 6000. It all comes down to your needs. If you’re looking to cut dense wood precisely, higher RPM will make sense. However, higher RPM means more power is needed. Consequently, the runtime suffers.

Batteries


The batteries are usually lithium ion 18V ones. Some models can have dual battery slots meaning they output up to 36V. One of the good things about these batteries is the fact that they don’t require a lot of time to recharge. The recharge cycle only takes an hour up to several hours (depending on the battery), and it’s quite easy to execute. All you have to do is hook the battery up and turn the charger on. It’s recommended that you invest in at least two batteries so that you don’t experience any downtime. As you can see, these aren’t particularly complex devices. In fact, they are all fairly simple and easy to get a hold of.

Best Cordless Miter Saw – Buyer’s Guide


Many people end up with a super-expensive miter saw that doesn’t meet their needs and expectations. The main reason for that is the fact that the price is not always a good representative of quality and features. In fact, you shouldn’t identify a high price with high quality, that’s not how it works. Instead, the thing you should do is look for the elements that you use on a daily basis. For example, if you’re not a frequent user, there is no reason to buy a unit with double batteries. While it’s overkill, it’s also more expensive than the single solution. As you can see, there are ways to save some money, but you have to know how to recognize those moments. If you’re interested in reading some tips, take a moment and check this buyer’s guide out.

Think about the batteries


The first and most obvious thing you should think about is the battery power of a particular model. Most come with an included 18V lithium ion battery. Therefore, even though this is a pretty significant step, the chances for error are minimal because most models have very similar batteries. One of the things that are great about batteries is that you can buy as many as you want. In that case, you’ll never run out of battery because you’ll always be able to recharge one while using the other.

The motor


The majority of the available models on the market at the moment come with a brushed motor. Needless to say, many companies look to design an efficient motor because it’s probably the most important part of every unit. When it comes to RPM, you might want to look for the ones with bigger numbers. However, it’s not a crucial piece of data, by any means. The machine that is able to deliver 2000 RPM isn’t necessarily worse than the one that delivers 5000. As far as the brushless motors go, some models come with it, but they are much more expensive.

cordless makita

Measuring components


Miter gauge, bevel angles, and other measuring components of miter saws are extremely important. Build quality of these elements is crucial for the overall precision and accuracy of a particular unit. Therefore, always look for high end measuring components because the cheap ones aren’t worth investing in.

cordless saw

Build quality and design


When it comes to aesthetics, it’s all up to you because it’s a matter of personal preferences. However, build quality is something you should really pay attention to. For example, if a particular unit seems too ”plastic”, you might want to avoid it. Even though most companies use hard plastic, something like steel or aluminum is always a better solution due to the difference in sturdiness. The usual recommendation is to go with metal bodies or hard plastic ones if you’re on a limited budget.

Other accessories


Things like lasers, additional battery slots, and LED lights can make a huge difference sometimes. Even though neither of these accessories is mandatory for smooth operation, they are still recommended, especially the laser-guided adjustments. The best thing about these auxiliary features is that they are all more or less affordable and budget-friendly.

The price


As we already said, a high price doesn’t mean high quality. If you’re on a limited budget, make sure you’re getting the most out of it. Don’t spare money on crucial parts because it’s going to backfire quite quickly. Sparing and saving money while buying power tools isn’t the best idea, to say the least. Instead of purchasing a cheap tool, wait for a couple of days or weeks until you either have more finances or find a better deal. Don’t rush the purchase; it won’t end up well.

The conclusion


If you’re looking for a high-end cordless miter saw, some of these models might be a good solution. It’s up to you to check their features out so that you can fine-tune your requirements with the capabilities of a particular unit. In other words, make sure you know what are you doing, and everything should be fine. If you opt for any of the units from our list, you can rest assured that they work and perform as advertised. Miter saws are important tools, especially for people that work with wood on a daily basis. Making angled cuts is a piece of cake as long as you have the proper tools. Once you start dealing with cheap ones, the problems arise. If you want to find out more about these, don’t hesitate to check our full reviews out. We offer a much more detailed insight into the performance and efficiency of every individual model. The one thing you don’t have to worry about is money because most of these power tools are affordable and usually a bang for one’s buck.

Other Cordless Miter Saw Categories

compound
sliding compound