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A 12 inch miter saw is ideal for cutting tougher and thicker materials.
A larger blade size and typically a more powerful motor these miter saws are a necessity for any construction site.
However, with so many 12 inch miter saws on the market it can sometimes be hard to choose what one’s right for you.
Purchasing the wrong miter saw can end up costing you both time and money.
In this guide, we’ve broken down the top 5 models available on the market for you to choose from.
Quick Picks
Here's 3 products we picked out that thought you would be interested in depending on your budget...
Best 12-Inch Miter Saw with Reviews
Here's a list of the best 12 inch miter saws on the market today:
1. DEWALT DWS780 Miter Saw - Top 12-inch Pick
- Double Bevel Sliding Compound Miter Saw
- Innovative gearbox and belt drive design
- Integrated XPS cross cut positioning system
- Powerful 15 AMP motor
- Adjustable stainless steel miter detent plate
- Dust collection system
Pros
- Heavy duty miter saw for the jobsite
- Outstanding cutting performance on large construction timbers up to 110 x 303 mm
- DEWALT XPS crosscut alignment system
- A super-efficient dust collection system
- Miter gauges can be adjusted
Cons
- Users found the tool to feel quite heavy (54 lb)
- No other negative feedback
Overview
Our top pick for a 12 inch miter saw is the Dewalt DWS780 due to the user feedback we had on this tool.
A powerful motor mixed with a high spec and a long warranty makes this product really something to consider.
Users found a broad range of cutting widths whilst remaining a high level of accuracy to be very handy.
We found a lot of feedback from professionals saying how smooth the tool operated with no element of sticking.
There was honestly not a lot of bad points mentioned by owners when it comes to this tool. Many owners were very impressed with the overall performance of it.
2. WEN MM1214 12" Miter Saw - Good Value
- 15-amp motor cuts up to 13-3/8 inches wide and 3-1/2 inches thick
- Bevel and miter 45 degrees in either direction
- Onboard Class II laser guide combines with the LED work light
- Features a 7-1/2-inch Crown molding nested capacity
- Includes a 12-inch 60-Tooth carbide-tipped blade
Pros
- Users mentioned that the dual bevel came in handy when trying to cut down job time
- Owners found that the slide is very smooth during operation
- The wings with stop blocks allow the user to repeat cuts
Cons
- Plastic ruler markings whereas a lot of premium models have metal
Overview
This tool was notably mentioned when it comes to being good value for money.
The price tag is brilliant for a tool that is specced to suit a professional tradesman. It really operates well without many issues when it comes to power for the cuts or accuracy in its measurements.
The dual bevel is always a handy feature to have so you can cut in two directions as opposed to one to reduce the amount of time you spend moving materials to cut.
The wings on the tool with the stop blocks featured a lot in user feedback. You can just load up the material, make your first cut, set the stops and then just repeat the same cut which makes things simpler.
The plastic ruler markings was a mention in the feedback however it shouldn’t really be enough to put you off as this is a very well built long lasting tool.
3. Tacklife PMS03A - Best Budget 12-inch Miter Saw
Pros
- Simple to set up and calibrate
- Goes through cutting materials with ease
- The tool was found to be very portable and light weight
Cons
- Users wouldn't recommend this tool for much more than light use
Overview
This tool is brilliant for household users who just need a basic miter saw to get odd jobs done however we do suggest if you’re looking for a more long lasting tool to cut thicker and tougher materials then to opt for a more premium tool.
The overall operation and running of the tool felt very smooth and powerful by users. It seemed to slice through the majority of materials with ease and there was no issue in terms of how the tool was operating.
Accuracy was also a common feature when users were mentioning how they found this tool. From the measuring lines to how accurate the tool actually cuts there was no negative feedback on this issue.
The manufacturer had made many of the parts plastic whereas a more premium model would have metal parts which ties in to the longevity as the tool. This tool simply won’t last as long as a more premium model.
If basic is the way forward for you and you don’t require any fancy add ons then this could be the one for you.
4. Bosch GCM12SD 12 Inch Miter Saw
- The patented glide system allows wider crosscuts and better alignment
- Cutting capacity is 14 inches Horizontal and 6 1/2 inches Vertical
- Stainless steel miter scales with marked detents
- Upfront bevel Controls with an all metal bevel lock lever
- Square lock quick release fences
Pros
- A user was happily surprised when this tool cut 60-degree angles on 4x6 posts with ease
- Users found the axial-glide system to be very smooth
- This Bosch tool was found to be extremely quiet when compared to other models
Cons
- This saw doesn't come with a laser as standard
- Users found the blade that comes included with the tool to not be very good
- The tool doesn't come with a stand with wheels as standard
Overview
The Bosch GCM12SD is a premium model aimed at working professionals that require a reliable tool to cut tough materials on a regular basis.
A very common feature that repeatedly popped up in the user feedback was the level of power of this tool. This tool cut at angles through materials that other miter saws struggled on but it was described to cut through those materials like butter.
The patented axial-glid system that Bosch own gave users precision and control when making cuts. Users found the system to work so smoothly which allowed them to make consistent accurate cuts.
Owners were happily surprised that Bosch have loaded up this tool with metal parts where they can as opposed to opting for cheaper plastic parts. The stainless steel miter scales look very premium and are built to last.
Apart from purchasing a separate laser, if you require one, and maybe purchasing some higher quality blades then there were really not a lot of bad points said about this tool.
5. Makita LS1219L Miter Saw
- Unique 2-steel rail sliding system design
- Increased capacity for up to 8" Crown molding
- In-front bevel lock for convenient operation
- Dual dust collection ports provide excellent dust extraction performance
- Innovative direct drive motor and guard system
Pros
- Calibration felt spot on for users straight out the box
- Cuts were clean and smooth and the tool was easy to adjust
- Dust collection was described as very efficient by users
Cons
- Users found the tool quite heavy which affected portability
- The laser that comes as standard was found to not be the best
Overview
We felt the Makita LS1219L had to make a feature in this guide as users really found this tool to be quite something.
The design of the tool is set up for users to make an array of cuts at a wide selection of angles with efficiency due to it being a dual bevel tool and due to having no rear sliding rail the tool can sit up flush to the wall.
It was a big plus that users can literally grab this tool out the box and it’s already calibrated for them very accurately. The tool was then very accurate, powerful and smooth throughout operation.
It was also another bonus that the dust collection was found to be very efficient on the tool which prevents another job from being created after the user has finished cutting.
Users did find the tool to be quite heavy but this shouldn’t really be a major put off. It was also mentioned that the standard laser wasn’t the best but again it’s still useable and if you find it that bad it can be replaced by a better laser because at the end of the day this is a very good miter saw for a professional.
Buying Guide
Why 12 Inch Over 10 Inch
The main plus of having a 12 inch miter saw as opposed to a 10 inch is the fact that the tool can cut wider and thicker materials. This will then result in working time being reduced on site.
You can also put a 10 inch blade in a 12 inch miter saw and it’s not compatible to put a 12 inch blade in a 10 inch miter saw. This opens up the versatility of the tool.
If you’re looking to pay extra money for a miter saw in order to cut thicker and wider materials as well as having the versatility of loading up the tool with the other sized blade then a 12 inch miter saw is the way forward. Just take in to consideration that the 12 inch miter saws are typically heavier and more expensive machines.
Price
You’ll typically be paying more for a 12 inch miter saw compared to smaller 10 inch models.
A 12 inch model is a more premium model so expect to pay a bit more.
If you’re looking for a budget model you should be looking to pay in the region of $200-250 whereas if you’re looking for something more long lasting to complete a constant workload on a professional basis then it’ll be more like $300+.
Related: Reviews of the Top Miter Saws
Wrapping it up
Our guide is now coming to an end. We found the DEWALT DWS780 to be the top pick due to its versatility of cuts, it’s smoothness and power in operation and long-lasting reputation. When it comes to finding a well rounded 12 inch miter saw for a tradesman this is the best we found.
For those of you on a budget or looking for a tool that offers them something else then we hope you found at least one pick in our guide for you.
Happy sawing guys!
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