If you are frustrated with constantly needing to manipulate a saw blade at awkward and sometimes even dangerous angles to get your woodworking done, it may be worthwhile to start considering other options. Or, if you are working with a miter saw but are becoming increasingly annoyed with the low quality of the blade the factory provided, we also have some advice for you as well. Check out miter saw blades – they can be a real game changer when it comes to your woodworking.
At a Glance: Our Top Picks for Miter Saw Blades
- OUR TOP PICK: Freud D12100X 100 Tooth Diablo
- RUNNER-UP: Makita 10-Inch 80 Tooth Micro Polished Blade
- BEST BUDGET OPTION: IRWIN Tools 10-Inch Circular Saw Blade
Comparison of the Best Miter Saw Blades
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What is a Miter Saw Best Used For?
Miter saws are ideal any time you need to make cuts that are at weird angles and are less accessible than regular cuts. These angles tend to pop up when doing certain woodworking tasks such as cabinet work or furniture crafting. However, miter saws are not just good tools for cutting wood, as they can also cut through pretty much any material you throw at them. So if you are crafting angled metal edges, they are excellent for that work as well.
Aspects to Consider Before Buying
Because of the sheer number of different miter saw blades available, it can be helpful to consider certain blade qualities before making your final purchase:
Cutting Material
As mentioned above, different miter saws can cut through different kinds of material. If you glance through our list below, you will see that some saws are specially designed for cutting through aluminum, while others are better at cutting, say, hardwood. Know what material you intend to use your saw for before you buy.
Durability
Regardless of what you are cutting, if you are working on a substantial project, you are likely going to be cutting a lot of it. It will be worth your while to invest in a durable miter saw blade that can stand up to hundreds of cuts without wearing down.
Smoothness of Cuts
Some miter saw blades are so sharp and so precise that the cuts they make feel just as smooth as if they had been heavily sanded. If you are interested in saving some time and labor by not needing to sand your finished cuts, it could be a good idea to go with one of these premiere blades.
Review of the Best Miter Saw Blades
Now that you know a bit more about what to look for in miter saw blades, let’s go check out some actual products:
Best Overall:
Freud D12100X 100 Tooth Diablo
PROS
CONS
The Freud D12100X 100 Tooth Diablo is the blade for you if you are looking for the absolute best miter saw blade you will be able to find on the market today.
This blade is absolutely incredible. It can cut through a wide variety of different woods, including pine, walnut, maple, oak, and poplar, as quickly and efficiently as if they were made out of butter.
Plus, it cuts so cleanly that the edges are as smooth as glass and will look as if they have actually already been sanded and finished, which dramatically reduces both chipout and sanding time. It is excellent for straight cuts as well as angle cuts, and it is perfect for trim, moulding, cabinetry, and crown work.
Bottom Line
The Freud D12100X 100 Tooth Diablo is the premiere blade for cutting pretty much any kind of wood you would ever want to work with. It is so sharp it can actually be quite dangerous, so please be careful in handling it.
Runner-up:
Makita 10-Inch 80 Tooth Micro Polished
PROS
CONS
The Makita 10-Inch 80 Tooth Micro Polished Blade is our close second choice for best overall miter saw blade, right behind the Freud D12100X 100 Tooth Diablo. The main thing that caught our eye about this blade was its durability.
Users report that when they were first starting to make miter work cuts and were inexperienced, they put this blade through a lot of abuse and miscuts and it still cuts just as cleanly as it did the very first time they used it.
It can cut through both hard wood and soft wood, as well as laminate, extremely easily. Plus, it can be used for more than just miter work – some users have also used it with a radial arm saw and a table saw, with awesome results.
Bottom Line
The Makita 10-Inch 80 Tooth Micro Polished Blade is a top notch blade that is durable enough to stand up to whatever you throw at it. Just be forewarned that it does produce a large amount of dust particles when you are using it.
Best for the Money:
IRWIN Tools 10 Inch
PROS
CONS
If you are interested in a high quality miter saw blade that will bust through anything you throw at it but not bust through your bank account, the IRWIN Tools 10 Inch Circular Saw Blade is the choice for you!
This miter saw blade is the absolute best option for the price out of any of the other blades on this list. It is staggering how many different materials this blade can efficiently cut through.
Users report it chomps through metal roofing sheets, white vinyl fencing, iron bed frames, 11 gauge steel, square tubing, acrylic, black metal deck railing, bamboo flooring, AND multiple different kinds of wood. There is simply nothing this blade cannot do!
Bottom Line
The IRWIN Tools 10 Inch Circular Saw Blade is the blade for you if you are looking to get the most bang for your limited buck. The amount of different kinds of materials this blade can handle is simply astounding. It does lose its teeth more easily than some of the other blades on this list, but users report that by and large, a lost tooth here and there does not impact its cutting ability.
Best 9 Inch Blade:
Freud 9” x 22T Thin Kerf Rip Blade
PROS
CONS
The Freud 9” x 22T Thin Kerf Rip Blade is the most amazing 9 inch blade we were able to find after extensive research.
This blade is extremely versatile! It can cut through hard woods such as maple and walnut easily, without leaving burn marks or getting bogged down. It has a flat top grind, which is absolutely excellent for cutting grooves, rabbets, and splines. It will fit in a wide variety of different kinds of saws (users report it is particularly awesome for table saw work).
The cuts it creates are so smooth, they will not even need to be sanded afterwards. And do not think these super smooth cuts cost a lot of time for you to make – this saw cuts incredibly efficiently, even when cutting against the grain, and it will ultimately end up saving you a ton of time.
Bottom Line
The Freud 9” x 22T Thin Kerf Rip Blade is a phenomenal blade and the best 9 inch blade we could find. Be mindful that it creates a ton of sawdust, so remember to wear your safety goggles.
Best 10 Inch Blade:
Diablo by Freud D1060X Diablo 10 Inch
PROS
CONS
The Diablo by Freud D1060X Diablo 10 Inch is an amazing blade and overall the best 10 inch blade we were able to identify. It is phenomenal for producing a fine finish on your cuts, mostly due to its high quality details such as its carbide tips and non stick coating.
It is great at chomping through a wide variety of different woods, including bamboo, mahogany, plywood, maple, and more. It cuts so effectively that you will not need to apply very much pressure when you are working with it.
And on a fun note, it comes in a funky bright red color that also makes it extremely difficult to misplace. It is extremely reliable and excellent as a go to saw blade you can always depend on!
Bottom Line
The Diablo by Freud D1060X Diablo 10 Inch is a top notch blade that is extremely effective and efficient at making noticeably smooth cuts. It does tend to flex a bit more than some of its competitor brands, though.
Best 12 Inch Blade:
Amana Tool A.G.E. Series Heavy Duty 12 Inch Blade
PROS
CONS
The Amana Tool A.G.E. Series Heavy Duty 12 Inch Blade is the most impressive 12 inch miter saw blade we were able to find on the market today. This blade is tough as nails and can stand up to an extremely heavy work load without balking in the slightest.
The weight and thickness of this heftier blade makes it handle quite well, and it will make stunningly smooth cuts in almost any kind of material you can throw at it.
Plus, it is exceptionally durable. Users report that this blade can last through up to seven years of regular use, and up to eighteen sharpenings! And you likely will not have to have it sharpened for the first year of use. It is certainly difficult to beat that.
Bottom Line
The Amana Tool A.G.E. Series Heavy Duty 12 Inch Blade is an impressive, hefty blade that will last you an extremely long time. Just make sure you use it with a slow stroke and do not get impatient with it.
Best for Aluminum:
Concord Blades 10 Inch 100 Teeth
PROS
CONS
The Concord Blades 10 Inch 100 Teeth Blade is the premiere choice for a miter saw blade you can use to efficiently cut through aluminum. Users report being blown away with the precision of the cuts this bad boy can make, and the fact that it still makes great cuts even after being put through the wringer.
And aluminum is not the only material this saw can chew through: multiple users say it has also been effective on copper, brass, bronze, plastic, plexiglass, PVC pipe, acrylic, fiberglass, laminate flooring, vinyl, roofing material, and even wood! (Although, as a side note: you should not regularly cut wood with this blade as it was not designed for cutting that particular material.)
Plus, this blade can also work with a circular saw, a table saw, and a radial arm saw, in addition to use with your miter saw.
Bottom Line
The Concord Blades 10 Inch 100 Teeth Blade is the best blade in the business when it comes to cutting aluminum (and a wide range of other materials, too!). Just keep in mind that its teeth chip off more easily than some of the other types of saws on this list.
Best for Trim:
Hitachi 12” 80T Fine Finish VPR
PROS
CONS
The Hitachi 12” 80T Fine Finish VPR Miter Saw Blade is a phenomenal blade that is the very best option we could find for a miter saw blade that is excellent at cutting trim.
This blade as marketed as being awesome for cutting all different kinds of wood, from hard wood and soft wood to high quality finish lumber and even plywood, and in this regard, it most definitely does not disappoint.
Its high quality carbide inserts make this blade tough as nails and guarantees that it will last you through thousands of cuts without wearing down. Plus, it also works extremely well as a table saw blade, so when you invest in the Hitachi 12” 80T Fine Finish VPR Miter Saw Blade, you are investing in versatility.
Bottom Line
The Hitachi 12” 80T Fine Finish VPR Miter Saw Blade is the star of the show when it comes to a blade that can handle cutting trim with ease. Keep an eye on the balance of this blade, though, as users report it can be a bit wobbly at times.
Best for Hardwood:
DEWALT 80 Tooth 12" Crosscutting Tungsten Carbide
PROS
CONS
The DEWALT 80 Tooth 12 in. Crosscutting Tungsten Carbide Blade is an absolute monster when it comes to cutting through different kinds of hardwood. This blade can handle pretty much any cut you throw at it, including intricate cuts.
It makes extremely clean cuts and it cuts through hardwood quickly. And it can keep this level of performance up for a long time, thanks to its carbide tips that are made with tungsten, elevating them to new levels of durability and performance. It is versatile enough to be used for a wide range of different applications, so you are limited only by your imagination when working with the DEWALT 80 Tooth 12 in. Crosscutting Tungsten Carbide Blade.
Bottom Line
The DEWALT 80 Tooth 12 in. Crosscutting Tugsten Carbide Blade is a top notch blade that excels at cutting hardwood and will last for an extremely long time. Just keep in mind that you will likely need some hearing protection when you are working with this blade.
Best for Laminate Flooring:
Freud 10” x 24T Thin Kerf Rip Blade
PROS
CONS
The Freud 10” x 24T Thin Kerf Rip Blade is the choice for you if you are primarily interested in a miter saw blade that can cut through laminate flooring with ease. This blade can handle quite a bit – but do not think that translates into it being difficult to handle.
On the contrary, this blade is accessible and easy to use by anyone, even those users who are inexperienced or even completely new to the craft of miter work.
This quality is due in part to the balance of the blade, which is extremely well designed and makes it quite steady, without a large amount of vibration for users to worry about. It can cut extremely efficiently, no matter what angle you are working with it at. Plus, this blade is also excellent for use in table saws.
Bottom Line
The Frued 10” x 24T Thin Kerf Rip Blade is the number one option if you want a blade that will work well for cutting laminate flooring, and is simple and easy to use. Keep in mind you will likely need to do a lot of cleanup after you are finished working with this blade, though.
Types of Miter Saw Blades
There are many different measurements used to describe miter saw blades. Here are some of the most common, decoded for you:
Kerf
If you have spent any time at all perusing miter saw blades, you will notice the word “kerf” being thrown around a lot. Kerf actually does not describe the blade itself at all – it simply refers to the width of the material the blade will remove by cutting through. Thinner blades have a thinner kerf; thicker blades have a thicker kerf.
Tips
Many of the miter saw blades you will find will market themselves as having carbide tipped blades. While this may sound like a flashy buzzword, blade tips are actually extremely important, as tipping is one of the best ways to make a blade last longer. Blades with carbide tips are the most durable out of all blades you can find.
Tooth Number
Some blades have a stunning amount of teeth, while others have a simpler, more manageable number. Number of teeth can make a big difference when it comes to the kind of cut you want to make, but it also impacts how quickly and efficiently you are able to make your cuts.
Conclusion
A good miter saw blade can really make all the difference, whether you are working on a new cabinet set for your kitchen, or trimming blinds that are too big for the windows in your new house. Regardless of your project, a top notch miter saw blade can help. Keep in mind what you most anticipate using your miter saw blade for, including the specific material you are imagining cutting. No matter what your needs are, we know you will not be able to go wrong if you choose one of the premiere models from our list. Happy cutting!
People Also Ask
Are More Teeth on a Saw Blade Better?
If you have been paying close attention throughout this article, you have likely noticed that some of the blades we have reviewed have varying amounts of teeth. This is because the answer to whether or not you want more teeth on your saw blade really depends on what you are trying to do with it. More teeth make for cleaner cuts, but they also take much longer to work with, so there is definitely a trade off.
How to Change a Blade on a Miter Saw
First and foremost, prioritize your own safety buy unplugging your saw to ensure it can’t accidentally turn on while your hands are near the blades. Then, pull on your saw’s locking pin and undo the blade guard bracket screw. Press on the spindle lock button and loosen the arbor bolt. Once the bolt is loose, you should be able to remove the current saw blade and attach a new one. Then, just reverse the process: tighten the arbor bolt, reset the spindle lock, screw on the blade guard bracket screw, and slip the locking pin back into place.
How to Sharpen a Miter Saw Blade
Since miter saws are circular, it is not entirely clear where you begin sharpening, so make sure to mark your first tooth with a crayon to indicate your starting point. Then, use a diamond file to hone the edges of each of the blade’s teeth individually, from all angles, until all teeth are sharpened. Then, slip your blade back into your saw and get going – you will be pleasantly surprised at the difference a freshly sharpened saw blade can make for you!