Last Updated on 2021-11-15 by Harry Masterton
In A Hurry? Go straight to the Best Best Budget Miter Saw Winners in Every Price Category.
- Best Miter Saw Under $100
- Best Budget Miter Saw Under $150
- Best Budget Miter Saw Under $150 – Runner Up
- Most Affordable Cordless Compound Miter Saw
- Best Budget Miter Saw Under $200 – Highly Recommended
In the past, many tool users shopped according to brand name, with manufacturers dominating regional markets. Today's access to the internet allows woodworkers like you to shop worldwide while getting demonstrations and reviews of potential power tools from everybody around the globe. That means shopping for the best tools comes down to other factors.
For a lot today's carpenters, DIYers, and woodworking hobbyists, cost is the primary factor. Spending less on something we consider the best budget miter saw allows us to afford more tools, accessories, and project materials.
What do we mean by the best miter saw on a budget? It means finding the best inexpensive miter saw under a particular price point. For you, that means:
- The best affordable miter saw under 200.
- Locating the best miter on a budget of 150 or less.
- Shopping for the best inexpensive miter saw under 100.
The Best Budget Miter Saw For Your Shop
Finding the best affordable miter saw under 200.
The best affordable miter saw under 200 is going to be the easiest to research. Manufacturers add lots of safety and convenience features at this price.
It will have areas where it is lacking, something expected with budget tools. One place you see a dip here is materials.
The best inexpensive miter saw under 150
Miter saws priced at 150 or less are basic in design/construction. You will find one or two features that stand out, but manufacturers are building to a minimum here.
The best miter saw on a budget under 100
It is hard to find a full-sized miter saw at this price. Products at this range are mini-miter saw designs. An exception are refurbished tools, like the Metabo-HPT C10FCGSM renewed model found online at places like Amazon.
Best Budget Sliding Miter Saw
The one area of concern for woodworkers looking at the best budget miter saw designs is cutting capacity with angles, and miter cut and bevel cut depth and width. For amateurs and pros alike, that puts products in the categories of:
- Best budget compound miter saw.
- Best budget sliding miter saw.
- Best budget sliding compound miter saw.
Splitting your research into these categories makes shopping easier. The best budget miter saw designs make building east and fast, while future-proofing your workshop a little.
Compounding the issue: Best budget compound miter saw
Buying the best budget compound miter saw will provide you with two cuts, the miter and the bevel.
One area where manufacturers reduce price is offering a chop saw that does not cut bevels or only cuts on the left side, and angles past 45-degrees are rare.
Sliding across savings: Best budget sliding miter saw
A sliding chop saw allows you to make crosscuts wider than the reach of the saw blade, and the arm design will increase the price.
Budget sliders often use simple arm designs or reduce compound and miter cutting features to keep the sticker price down.
Can you have it all? Best budget sliding compound miter saw
It is hard to find the best budget sliding compound miter saw without sacrificing in several areas. From build materials to accuracy, you have to dig to find these gems in a budget category.
Best Budget Miter Saw For Woodworking
What would the best budget miter saw offer you? These products may lack the features desired or needed on the job site, but they make the best budget miter saw for homeowner or hobbyist needs.
The best budget miter saw for woodworking amateurs usually provides extras when it comes to set-up accessories. For example, the best budget miter saw with laser is popular among beginners because it makes alignment easy. They are building woodworking projects, so measurements and alignment take precedence.
The best budget miter saw for homeowner DIY projects makes things simple. They are interested in fixing or building something quickly on their day off, not creating a woodworking masterpiece. For them, the best budget miter saw is ready to go out of the box, without all the bells and whistles. In the previous example, the best budget miter saw with laser would use a built-in design and not one they would need to adjust.
The products reviewed below highlight the best budget miter saw for woodworking hobbyists and DIYers, so professional carpenters will likely purchase one of these as a cheap backup or as a starter tool for their apprenticeship.
Budget Miter Saw Reviews
Considering some of the features that the best budget miter saw products can and can not offer you, our cheap miter saw reviews that follow provide several data points that will match miter saw with shop needs.
Reviews of the best budget miter saw products include:
- Dimensions/weight – Will it fit your space, and can you move it yourself?
- Power ratings/RPMs – Do the products in our budget miter saw reviews have enough power and speed to cut your projects? Do they include a 15 amp motor, features like dust collection, dual bevel and angled cut capability?
- Cutting capacity – What angles can you set, how thick is the maximum accurate cut, and how far does the saw blade reach? What is the maximum miter angle?
- Extras found in our cheap miter saw reviews – What are some stand-outs with these products?
- What do the tools in our budget miter saw reviews lack – Is there something missing or underperforming that we caught?
Some of these have already been covered in-depth by our staff. Those products will have mini-reviews that summarize what you can find elsewhere on our site. Products we have not looked at previously will be more detailed cheap miter saw reviews.
Best Budget Miter Saw Under $100
At this price range, one of the few stand-out products would be the C10FCGSM. It is a model that we have previously reviewed in our Small Miter Saw reviews, but the chop saw is worth mentioning the best miter saw under 100. The low price tag is due to it being a refurbished tool, which might make it the best budget miter saw for homeowner use.
The miter saw measures 20.3 x 15.25 x 14.25 inches. It is lightweight at 24.2 pounds, making it a contender for the best budget miter saw because it is easy to move around.
It delivers 5,000 RPMs with a 15-amp electric motor. That should be plenty of power for most DIY or hobby projects, and the speed will cut into most framing lumber and sheet goods without issues. That is standard specs on the best budget miter saw designs.
It is a left-side bevel power tool. A 45-degree setting works for simple woodworking projects, repairs, or home add-ons. The miter angles are impressive, with left and right-sided adjustments reaching 52-degrees.
It is a 10-inch miter saw that lacks a slide arm, limiting you to a width capacity of 5 21/32-inches at 90-degrees. That can still cut through a 2×6 with one pass.
- It is lightweight.
- Miter angles to 52-degrees.
- Bevel cuts to left only, and no sliding arm.
Best Budget Miter Saw Under 150.
Metabo HPT C10FCGS 10-Inch Single Bevel Compound Miter Saw
4.7 out of 5.0 stars
Why cover the Metabo-HPT again under the best miter saw under 150? Spending just a little bit more will get you the best budget miter saw at this price range without a pre-owned sticker. As a new product, it also has the five-year limited warranty that Metabo offers, which is one of the best packages in terms of warranty length.
As we mentioned in the previous review, the Metabo HPT C10FCGS 10-Inch Single Bevel Compound Miter Saw was covered previously in our Small Miter Saw reviews.
The dimensions on the best budget miter saw at this price bracket are 20.3 x 15.25 x 14.25 inches, and the 24.5 pounds continues to be a stand-out feature on this 10-inch chop saw.
Its 15-amp electric motor uses carbon brushes, but Metabo HPT makes it easy for you to access when it is time for replacements. A 5,000 RPM no-load rating will cut through most types of wood you will use for hobby projects and DIY stuff at home.
The left-sided bevel adjustment reaches 45-degrees, but you can adjust this saw's miter angles to 52-degrees on either side of the saw blade. It is capable of cutting through a piece of 2×6 framing lumber with one crosscut.
- Metabo HPT provides a five-year limited warranty.
- Lightweight chop saw with wide miter adjustments.
- Single-sided bevel cutting and limited width capacity.
- Best Miter Saw Under 150 Runner Up
Best Budget Miter Saw Under 150 – Runner Up
Genesis GMS1015LC 15-Amp 10-Inch Compound Miter Saw
4.4 out of 5.0 starsThe runner-up for the best budget miter saw at this price range is another 10-inch chop saw. You can read a full review of it on our recent rundown of Small Miter Saw power tools.
The chop saw measures 19.5 x 16.25 x 15 inches and weighs in near 24 pounds. Those specs make it another option for those needing to move the tool around their shop or home.
Our best budget miter saw at the 150 or under price point uses a 15-amp electric motor to create up to 4,600 RPMs on the arbor. That is a bit slower than the Metabo HPT under no-load, but you should not notice a difference with most woods you will be crosscutting.
It uses left-side bevel adjustments that reach 45-degrees, and you can adjust miter angles on both sides of the saw blade to 45-degrees as well. One bonus feature is the nine detent stops at popular angles. It has no movement when set at a positive stop, making adjustments fast and easy.
The crosscut width of 4.75 inches can make it through a 2×4, but a 2×6 will need a second pass. Its laser guide is a nice addition at this price point, and will help increase setup speeds.
- Nine positive stops on miter adjustments.
- A laser cutting guide.
- Not a future-proofing power tool.
Most Affordable Cordless Compound Miter Saw
RYOBI 18-Volt ONE+ Cordless 7 1-4 in. Compound Miter Saw – Tool Only
4.5 out of 5.0 stars
With a price tag under 150, the P553 by Ryobi measures 20.3 x 13.5 x 12 inches. It weighs only 19 pounds, making this cordless miter saw design easy to move around and store. The tool-only purchase is a good option for those already buying Ryobi cordless power tools.
RYOBI P553 – Features
Ryobi uses its flagship battery platform, the 18-Volt ONE+, to power the miter saw. It is capable of 4,000 RPMs under no-load and fully charged. You will likely get less than that in thicker lumber, especially as the battery starts to drain.
It is a left-bevel design with a maximum setting of 45-degrees. The miter angles can adjust left or right and have a maximum capacity of 47-degrees. A 4.5-inch width capacity and enough depth of cut for a 2×4 make it handy for small projects.
Its dust extraction system places it among the best budget miter saw products.
RYOBI P553 – Things We Like
- A “D” handle design offers a natural ergonomic grip. The power switch and lock positions provide easy thumb activation, keep your off-hand free
- It uses a 1.25-inch dust port and includes a debris collection bag. The bag works adequately, but a shop vac will help gather most debris generated
- With the included miter saw blade you'll achieve precise cuts and a nice clean compound cut
- The RYOBI P553 is very lightweight at 19 pounds. That will make it easy for most to move.
RYOBI P553 – Not So Good
- Its 7.25-inch saw blade limits the depth of cut and crosscut width. Users will need more than one pass for anything bigger than a 2×4.
- The price tag does not include a battery or charger. It remains among the best budget miter saw models, especially with owners already invested in Ryobi's battery platform.
Best Budget Miter Saw Under 200.
HYCHIKA 15 Amp 10 inch Single Bevel Sliding Compound Miter Saw
Another product we reviewed in our Small Miter Saw article is the MS255 from HYCHIKA. It is our choice for the best miter saw under 200 even though its price is just above that mark. The features fit well in the best budget miter saw categories, making it necessary to include the chop saw here.
It measures approximately 20.5 x 20.5 x 16 inches and weighs 37.7 pounds. You can still move it, but not as easy as some of other compound mitre saw in this review.
The 15-amp electric motor rated at 1,800 watts allows it to rotate the 10-inch saw blade at a speed of 4,600 RPMs without a load. That is full-sized performance and makes it one of the best budget miter saw designs on the list.
Its sliding arm allows you to make 12-inch crosscuts, and the blade can cut to a depth of 3.5-inches at a 0-degree bevel angle. You can only cut bevel angles to the left side of the saw blade at 45-degrees, but you can adjust for angular cuts up to 45-degrees on both sides of the circular saw blade.
It is one of the best budget miter saw with laser cut lines, especially with the sliding rails reach and extra support.
- Wing extensions increase material support
- It breaks down easily for storage
- Seams in handle are not comfortable.
Best Budget Miter Saw – Final Thoughts
If the list above proves anything, it shows you that the best budget miter saw products do not have to cost you a small fortune. While budget-friendly chop saws might lack the build quality and flexibility that features on professional-grade power tools offer, the best miter saw under 100, 150, and 200 are just fine for DIY homeowners and hobbyists building woodworking projects.
We intentionally started the list off with a refurbished woodworking power tool. Online sellers like Amazon provide professional inspections on pre-owned power tools to verify that they are working like new. These sellers also offer money-back guarantees to keep you happy and safe with this type of purchase.
It can be hard to find a budget miter saw at such a low price, however. Most buys with a price tag of 100 or less will be small chop saws. That is why we would suggest shopping at the 150 price point at minimum. You will get a new chop saw with a full warranty and all the features you need around the home or woodshop.
While shopping for the best miter saw under 200 will double the sticker price of the rock-bottom power tools, it is worth every penny. Casual woodworkers and DIYers that build and refurbish weekend projects will likely never need an upgrade. The chop saws at this price (or higher) provide future-proofing in most hobbyist shops.
Just remember: At Price Points…..
100 or less – You can get a pre-owned miter saw, or a small chop saw at this price. You will likely need to upgrade at some point.
150 or less – A solid first power tool choice with the power and features you want. You might not require upgrades from here.
200 or less – A good miter saw for non-professionals. Upgrades are likely never needed.
What you wont find in the budget miter saw rundown is a DeWALT product like the DeWALT dws779, the dewalt dws780 or the dewalt dw715 for the simple reason that the DeWALT miter saw range doesn't have a saw that fits the budget bracket.
If your looking for features like 12 inch capacity, electric brake and a tall sliding fence you may have to spend more.
If you're happy to stay with the budget restraints between $100 to $200 then you'll find the best budget small miter saw for your shop.
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