The Best DeWalt Miter Saws
Compare five DeWalt miter saws by board size, bevel adjustment, power supply and working space. Start with the cuts you repeat before choosing a larger saw.
DeWalt is the default miter saw brand for a lot of carpenters and DIYers, and the lineup is deep: corded sliders, corded compacts, and cordless saws on the 20V MAX platform. That makes 'which DeWalt' a real question—the right one depends on your budget, the width of stock you cut, and whether you ever work away from an outlet.
This shortlist separates fixed-head, sliding and cordless models by the work they suit. Use the linked manufacturer documentation to confirm capacity at your actual miter and bevel settings. Recommendations are research-based, not lab-tested.
Comparing brands? See our best miter saw guide.
How this guide has been updated
- Inherited corrected manufacturer specifications from the shared saw comparison. This is not a new full-page audit.
- Removed unsupported price/rating comparisons, clarified selection criteria and added a project-fit checklist. Research-based; no new hands-on testing.
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Which DeWalt feature solves your recurring job?
Use these checks to narrow the shortlist. They explain our selection logic; they are not measured performance scores.
| Your situation | Check before ordering | Avoid this assumption |
|---|---|---|
| Wide stock at a fixed station | DWS779 or DWS780 capacity and operating depth | Compare the exact type and package; do not assume identical equipment. |
| A visible cut-line reference | The DWS780’s documented XPS system | A marking aid does not establish alignment or finished accuracy. |
| Narrower stock or battery work | Fixed-head DWS713/DWS715 or cordless DCS361B requirements | Choose by capacity and power supply before brand loyalty. |
Write down the material, measured dimensions, required angles and available workspace. Check those requirements against each model’s linked documentation before ordering.
The 5 picks compared
| # | Model | Best for | Blade | Type |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| #1 | DeWalt DWS779 | Best Overall DeWalt | 12 in | Double-bevel sliding compound miter saw |
| #2 | DeWalt DWS780 | Best for Precision | 12 in (305 mm) | Double-bevel sliding compound miter saw |
| #3 | DeWalt DWS715 | Best Corded Value | 12 in. | Single-bevel compound |
| #4 | DeWalt DCS361B | Best Cordless DeWalt | 7-1/4 in. | 20V MAX cordless sliding |
| #5 | DeWalt DWS713 | Best Budget / First Saw | 10 in. | Single-bevel compound |
Best for: Buyers planning a fixed 12-inch dual-bevel station for wide boards and tall trim. Compare the DWS780 if a documented XPS cut-line system is a requirement.
- Crosscut capacity
- 2x14 dimensional lumber at 90°; 2x10 at 45° miter
- Molding against the tall sliding fences
- 6-3/4 in. base vertical; 7-1/2 in. crown nested
- Bevel range
- 0°–48° left and right
- Miter stops
- 10 positive stops on a stainless-steel detent plate (range not stated on the current US page)
- Motor
- 15 amp, 3,800 rpm no-load speed
- Weight
- Not listed on DeWalt’s current US product page
- Cut-line aid
- No XPS light or laser listed for this model
Pros
- DeWalt lists 2x14 lumber at 90° and 2x10 at a 45° miter, which covers wide shelving and stair-tread stock in one pass (DeWalt DWS779 product page).
- The tall sliding fences support 6-3/4-inch base standing up and 7-1/2-inch crown nested, matching the DWS780 (DeWalt DWS779 product page). Bosch also permits 6-3/4-inch base under its manual’s special placement rules.
- It bevels 0°–48° both ways, so you change the tilt rather than flip a long board for the opposite bevel (DeWalt DWS779 product page).
Cons
- No XPS shadow line or laser is listed, so mark the line and make a test cut in scrap (DeWalt DWS779 product page).
- Its rear slide rails need clear depth behind the saw. The current US page lists no weight, so confirm it before you plan to carry the saw between rooms (DeWalt DWS779 product page).
Best for: Buyers comparing the DWS780 for its XPS shadow reference. Check the actual cut in scrap; the light is not a measured accuracy advantage over another model.
- Crosscut capacity
- 2x14 dimensional lumber at 90°; 2x10 at 45°
- Molding against the tall sliding fences
- 6-3/4 in. base vertical; 7-1/2 in. crown nested
- Bevel range
- Dual bevel; degree range not stated on the current US page
- Miter range
- 60° right / 50° left
- Motor
- 15 amp, 3,800 rpm no-load speed
- Weight
- Not listed on DeWalt’s current US product page
- Cut-line aid
- Integrated XPS LED cut-line indicator, described by DeWalt as adjustment-free
Pros
- DeWalt describes XPS as adjustment-free cut-line indication. It shows where the blade will land on your mark. It does not square the fence or blade, so a scrap test still decides the setting (DeWalt DWS780 product page).
- It miters 60° right and 50° left (DeWalt DWS780 product page).
- It lists the same 2x14 crosscut, 6-3/4-inch vertical base and 7-1/2-inch nested crown capacity as the DWS779 (DeWalt DWS780 product page).
Cons
- Like the DWS779, it needs depth behind the bench for the rails, and the current US page lists no weight (DeWalt DWS780 product page).
- DeWalt says the dust system captures over 75% of dust. That is the maker’s claim under its own conditions; we have not measured it (DeWalt DWS780 product page).
Best for: Full 12-inch cutting height without paying for a slide you may not need. A non-sliding 12-inch compound saw that nails accurate miters and bevels, hugely popular and well under the price of the sliders.
- 12 in.Blade
- Single bevelBevel
- No (fixed)Slide
- Blade
- 12 in.
- Bevel
- Single bevel
- Slide
- No (fixed)
Pros
- 12-inch blade for tall stock at a fraction of the slider price
- Lighter than the sliders and simple to set up and use
- Accurate, positive miter detents for clean trim cuts
Cons
- No slide, so crosscut width is limited versus the DWS779/780
- Single bevel—you flip the workpiece for the opposite bevel
Best for: The DCS361B is a compact 20V MAX slider. Check its exact capacity, compatible batteries and charging plan. Other DeWalt cordless models can use different power arrangements, so verify each model rather than assuming brand-wide battery compatibility.
- 7-1/4 in.Blade
- 20V MAX (sold separately)Battery
- Yes, single bevelSlide
- Blade
- 7-1/4 in.
- Battery
- 20V MAX (sold separately)
- Slide
- Yes, single bevel
- Use
- Jobsite / portable
Pros
- Runs on DeWalt's huge 20V MAX battery platform
- Light and portable—carry it up a ladder or onto a roof
- Sliding action crosscuts wider than a fixed compact saw
Cons
- Sold as a bare tool—battery and charger cost extra
- 7-1/4-inch blade cuts less than DeWalt's 12-inch corded saws
Best for: A first DeWalt at the lowest price. A light 10-inch single-bevel compound saw that handles trim, baseboard and 2x stock accurately—the entry point into the DeWalt corded line for a DIY shop.
- 10 in.Blade
- Single bevelBevel
- No (fixed)Slide
- Blade
- 10 in.
- Bevel
- Single bevel
- Slide
- No (fixed)
Pros
- DeWalt accuracy and build at the lowest corded price
- Light 10-inch saw that's easy to carry and store
- Plenty of saw for trim, baseboard and general DIY
Cons
- 10-inch single-bevel, non-sliding—the least capacity here
- Best for lighter trim work, not wide or tall stock
What separates a good pick from the rest.
Slide vs fixed
The first DeWalt decision. The DWS779 and DWS780 slide to crosscut wide boards; the DWS715 and DWS713 are fixed compounds that cost less and weigh less but cut narrower stock. If you cut wide trim or shelving, pay for the slide; if not, a fixed compound is the value play.
Blade size
DeWalt's 12-inch saws (DWS779/780/715) cut taller crown and thicker stock; the 10-inch DWS713 and 7-1/4-inch DCS361B are lighter and cheaper but cut less. Match the blade to the tallest, widest material you actually cut rather than buying the biggest by default.
Corded or cordless
Corded DeWalts give the most capacity for the money and never need charging—best for a fixed shop. The cordless DCS361B trades some capacity for the freedom to cut anywhere on the 20V MAX platform. Pick by where you work, and whether you already own DeWalt batteries.
Precision features
DeWalt's XPS shadow-line system (on the DWS780) casts a true shadow on your cut line for accurate marking—genuinely useful if you cut to a line all day. The other saws rely on the blade and detents, which are accurate but ask for a little more care.
Value
The DWS779 shows DeWalt's sweet spot: near-DWS780 performance for much less. Across the line, decide which features you'll actually use—slide, 12-inch height, XPS, cordless—and don't pay for the ones you won't.
Frequently asked questions
Which DeWalt miter saw is best?
For most people the DeWalt DWS779—a 12-inch double-bevel slider with big capacity, accurate stops, and the best value in the line. Step up to the DWS780 if you want the XPS shadow line, choose the fixed 12-inch DWS715 to save money, the cordless DCS361B for portability, or the 10-inch DWS713 as a budget first saw. The best one depends on your budget and the stock you cut.
What's the difference between the DeWalt DWS779 and DWS780?
They share the same 12-inch double-bevel sliding cutting head and capacity. The DWS780 adds DeWalt's XPS LED shadow-line system, which casts a shadow of the blade on your cut line for precise marking, and has a slightly different dust-collection setup. The DWS779 costs noticeably less. If you don't need the shadow line, the DWS779 is the better value; if you mark and cut to a line constantly, the DWS780 earns its premium.
Is a DeWalt 12-inch miter saw worth it over the 10-inch?
If you cut crown, tall baseboard, or thick stock, yes—a 12-inch like the DWS715 or DWS779 cuts taller and a bit wider. If your work is mostly trim and 2x4s, the 10-inch DWS713 is lighter, cheaper, and plenty. Buy the 12-inch for maximum capacity; buy the 10-inch for portability and value.
Does DeWalt make a cordless miter saw?
The DCS361B is a compact 20V MAX slider. Check its exact capacity, compatible batteries and charging plan. Other DeWalt cordless models can use different power arrangements, so verify each model rather than assuming brand-wide battery compatibility.
Are DeWalt miter saws good?
DeWalt offers fixed-head, sliding and cordless models with different capacities and handling requirements. Brand name alone does not establish accuracy or suitability. Compare the exact model’s documented cutting envelope, inspect the setup and choose features that solve your recurring jobs.