The Best Makita Miter Saws
Makita miter saws are prized for precise, refined cuts—at a premium price. Here are five Makita saws ranked, from the affordable LS1040 to a 12-inch slider and the cordless line.
Makita has a reputation among finish carpenters for smooth, precise, accurate cuts, and the lineup backs it up: refined corded sliders, the long-running affordable LS1040, and a strong 18V and 36V cordless range. The catch is price—Makita sits at the premium end, so picking the right model matters more than with cheaper brands.
These five Makita miter saws span the range from the value LS1040 to a 12-inch slider and the cordless line. One is the LS1019L from our best miter saw guide; the rest were verified against their live Amazon listings while researching this guide. Picks are research-based, not lab-tested.
Comparing brands? See our best miter saw guide.
The 5 picks compared
| # | Saw | Best for | Blade | Type |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| #1 | Makita LS1019L | Best Overall Makita | 10 in | Dual-bevel sliding compound miter saw |
| #2 | Makita LS1040 | Best Value | 10 in. | Compound (non-sliding) |
| #3 | Makita LS1219L | Best 12-Inch | 12 in. | Dual-bevel sliding |
| #4 | Makita XSL06Z | Best Cordless | 10 in. | 18Vx2 (36V) dual-bevel sliding |
| #5 | Makita XSL05Z | Best Compact | 6-1/2 in. | 18V LXT cordless dual-bevel |
Makita LS1019L
10 in · Dual-bevel sliding compound miter saw
Best for: Most Makita buyers. The LS1019L is a 10-inch dual-bevel slider with a laser, a compact flush-to-wall design, and the precise, refined cut Makita is known for—the sweet spot of the corded lineup for trim and finish work.
- 2-13/16 in x 12 inCrosscut capacity (90°)
- 0–60° left and rightMiter range
- 57.9 lbsWeight
- Crosscut capacity (90°)
- 2-13/16 in x 12 in
- Bevel range
- 0–48° left and right (dual-bevel)
- Miter range
- 0–60° left and right
- Motor
- 15 amp direct-drive, 3,200 RPM
- Weight
- 57.9 lbs
- Standout feature
- 2-steel-rail sliding system sits flush to a wall without losing cut capacity; built-in laser guide
Pros
- The compact 2-rail system lets you push the saw flush against a wall and still slide full front-to-back, saving bench space (Pro Tool Reviews)
- A direct-drive motor with soft start keeps a stable cutting speed for cleaner finish cuts and skips belt wear (Pro Tool Reviews)
- Cuts 5-1/4 in baseboard and 6-5/8 in nested crown, near the capacity of many 12-inch saws despite the smaller 10-inch blade (Makita)
Cons
- At 57.9 lbs it is not truly lightweight, so it is best left on a bench or stand rather than carried often (Makita)
- Real-world dust collection from the dual ports still needs hands-on confirmation and is not guaranteed by spec alone (Pro Tool Reviews)
Makita LS1040
10 in. · Compound (non-sliding)
Best for: Makita quality at an affordable price. A 10-inch non-sliding compound saw that's been a jobsite staple for years—light, reliable, and accurate for trim and framing to length, for far less than the sliders.
- 10 in.Blade
- No (fixed)Slide
- Single bevelBevel
- Blade
- 10 in.
- Slide
- No (fixed)
- Bevel
- Single bevel
- Price
- Around $369
- Amazon rating
- 4.7★ (660+ ratings)
Pros
- The most affordable way into a genuine Makita miter saw
- Light and dependable—a long-running jobsite favorite
- Accurate cuts for trim, baseboard and framing to length
- Strong 4.7-star rating across hundreds of reviews
Cons
- Non-sliding, so crosscut width is limited to a fixed chop
- Single bevel—flip the workpiece for the opposite bevel
Makita LS1219L
12 in. · Dual-bevel sliding
Best for: Maximum Makita capacity. A 12-inch dual-bevel slider with a laser and a clever compact design, it cuts tall crown and wide stock with Makita precision—the choice when you need more capacity than the 10-inch LS1019L.
- 12 in.Blade
- Yes, dual bevelSlide
- LaserGuide
- Blade
- 12 in.
- Slide
- Yes, dual bevel
- Guide
- Laser
- Price
- Around $989
- Amazon rating
- 4.4★ (400+ ratings)
Pros
- Full 12-inch capacity for tall crown and wide boards
- Dual bevel tilts both ways—no flipping for opposite corners
- Compact slide design saves bench depth for a 12-inch saw
- Makita's refined, precise cut quality
Cons
- Premium price—among the most expensive saws here
- Heavier than the 10-inch Makitas to move around
Makita XSL06Z
10 in. · 18Vx2 (36V) dual-bevel sliding
Best for: Full-size cutting on Makita batteries. A 10-inch dual-bevel slider powered by two 18V LXT packs (36V), with a brushless motor, laser and AWS dust extraction—corded-class capacity with no cord.
- 10 in.Blade
- 18Vx2 LXT (36V), tool onlyPower
- Yes, dual bevelSlide
- Blade
- 10 in.
- Power
- 18Vx2 LXT (36V), tool only
- Slide
- Yes, dual bevel
- Features
- Brushless, laser, AWS
- Amazon rating
- 4.5★
Pros
- Full 10-inch sliding dual-bevel capacity without a cord
- Runs on two standard 18V LXT batteries (no new platform)
- Brushless motor plus AWS auto dust extraction
- The cordless pick for a committed Makita user
Cons
- Expensive, and sold as a bare tool (needs two batteries)
- Two-battery setup adds weight versus a single-pack saw
Makita XSL05Z
6-1/2 in. · 18V LXT cordless dual-bevel
Best for: A tiny, precise cordless saw for finish work. A 6-1/2-inch brushless dual-bevel saw with a laser and AWS dust, light enough to carry one-handed—ideal for a trim carpenter already in the 18V LXT system.
- 6-1/2 in.Blade
- 18V LXT (sold separately)Battery
- Compound, dual bevelSlide
- Blade
- 6-1/2 in.
- Battery
- 18V LXT (sold separately)
- Slide
- Compound, dual bevel
- Features
- Brushless, laser, AWS
- Amazon rating
- 4.8★
Pros
- Very light and compact—easy to carry and store
- Dual-bevel and a laser give real accuracy for the size
- Single 18V LXT battery and AWS dust extraction
- Top-rated by the Makita owners it's built for
Cons
- 6-1/2-inch blade is the smallest here—trim, not wide stock
- Premium price for a bare tool
What separates a good pick from the rest.
Slide vs fixed
Makita's sliders (LS1019L, LS1219L, the cordless saws) crosscut wide boards; the LS1040 is a fixed compound that costs much less but cuts narrower stock. If you cut wide trim or shelving, the slide is worth it; if not, the LS1040 is the value choice.
Blade size
The 12-inch LS1219L cuts the tallest crown and thickest stock; the 10-inch LS1019L and LS1040 are lighter and cheaper but cut less; the cordless XSL05Z is smallest at 6-1/2 inches. Match the blade to the tallest, widest material you actually cut.
Corded or cordless
Corded Makitas give the most capacity per dollar for a fixed shop. The cordless XSL06Z matches a corded 10-inch on capacity using two 18V packs, while the XSL05Z trades size for portability. Pick by where you work and which batteries you own.
Precision and dust
Makita's draw is cut quality—refined slides, accurate detents, and a laser on most models. The cordless saws add AWS auto dust extraction that triggers a connected vacuum automatically. If clean, precise finish cuts are the goal, this is where Makita earns its premium.
Value for the money
Makita rarely competes on price, so decide which Makita features you'll actually use. The LS1040 delivers the brand's quality cheaply; the sliders and cordless saws cost more and are worth it only if you need their capacity or portability.
Frequently asked questions
Which Makita miter saw is best?
For most people the Makita LS1019L—a 10-inch dual-bevel slider with a laser and a compact design that delivers Makita's precise cut without the bulk of a 12-inch. Choose the LS1040 to save money, the 12-inch LS1219L for maximum capacity, the cordless XSL06Z for full capacity on batteries, or the compact XSL05Z for a tiny finish saw. The best one depends on your budget and stock.
What's the difference between the Makita LS1019L and LS1219L?
Blade size and capacity. The LS1019L is a 10-inch dual-bevel slider; the LS1219L is its 12-inch big brother, cutting taller crown and slightly wider stock. Both share Makita's compact slide design, laser, and refined cut quality. The 10-inch is lighter and cheaper and handles most trim work; the 12-inch costs more and is the pick when you regularly cut tall or thick material.
Does Makita make a cordless miter saw?
Yes, several. The XSL06Z is a 10-inch dual-bevel slider powered by two 18V LXT batteries (36V) for corded-class capacity, and the XSL05Z is a compact 6-1/2-inch saw on a single 18V pack. Both are brushless, accept a laser, and feature Makita's AWS automatic dust extraction. They're sold as bare tools, so you supply the batteries.
Are Makita miter saws worth the price?
If you value precise, refined cuts for finish and trim work, many carpenters say yes—Makita's slides and detents are smooth and accurate, and dust control is excellent. For rough framing or occasional DIY, a cheaper brand gives you more saw for the money. The LS1040 is the exception, offering Makita quality at an accessible price.
What is Makita's most affordable miter saw?
The LS1040, a 10-inch non-sliding compound saw, is Makita's long-running budget model and usually the cheapest way into the brand. It gives up the slide and dual bevel of the pricier saws, but it's light, accurate, and dependable for trim and framing to length—a lot of Makita quality for the money.