6 Best Miter Saw Blades (For Every Type of Cut)

Last Updated on April 12, 2023 by Barry Gray

Owning the best miter saw blade is important when it comes to getting those perfect cuts time and time again. However, I know a huge problem exists because so many blades are on the market.

That makes choosing the best blade trickier than it needs to be. But hold on a minute because I will make your life a bit easier.

What you will find below are six of the best miter saw blades available to purchase right now. However, I’m not only going to tell you that these are the best blades. Instead, I will tell you exactly why they are the best.

But that’s not all.

After you’ve checked out the blades that made it onto my list, you might also want to spend time reviewing my tips on choosing the correct blade. Those tips could very well make your life a lot easier when it comes to making your decision.

But you probably want to know why you should listen to what I have to say about miter saw blades. Well, I’ve been working with various power tools for over 20 years, so I know a thing or two about getting the most out of the tools. It’s that experience that I want to share with you to help you get to grips with your own power tools.

miter saw blade close up

How I Made My List

For a miter saw blade to get on my list, it had to pass through my own quality control. I wanted to ensure each blade would perform as you expect it to and won’t simply snap due to poor design or being of poor quality.

So each blade you see here is robust, sharp, and delivers the results you want from your miter saw. 

Also, I paid close attention to what other people said regarding their own experiences with these blades. That way, I can confidently state that the different blades that appear here can withstand a lot of punishment and produce a vast number of cuts before it’s time to change.

Best General Purpose Miter Saw Blade – Freud D12100X 100

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  • Blade Size: 12”
  • Teeth: 100

If you are in the market for more of a general purpose miter saw blade, then this model by Freud is certainly one I would recommend. It comes with 100 teeth, which means it makes quick work of ripping through even hardwoods.

But that’s not the only reason why I love this blade.

It also comes with a laser-cut kerf, ultimately leading to an exceptionally smooth cut. Actually, it turned out significantly smoother than I ever expected, and that’s fantastic. This alone can change your approach to projects because of how good this blade is when in action.

I also love their perma-shield coating that exists on the blade. This coating is designed to reduce the potential for rust and corrosion to develop on the blade, affecting its effectiveness. 

However, the coating also helps stop the blade from overheating. All of this can then mean it’s difficult for this blade to stick when in use.

I also appreciate the vents cut into the blade to reduce noise and vibration. This all contributes to those smooth cuts as the blade stays true to its line rather than bouncing and jumping all over.

Overall, this blade is an excellent choice, and I have no doubt you will love how well it performs.

Pros

  • It glides through even hardwood
  • The coating does reduce rust and corrosion
  • The vents cut down drastically on vibration
  • It’s manufactured from high-density carbide
  • With 100 teeth, it makes short work of any stock

Cons

  • There really are no issues with this blade

Best 10” Miter Saw Blade – Hitachi 725206M

  • Blade Size: 10”
  • Teeth: 72

If you have a miter saw that runs with a 10” blade, then this model by Metabo is certainly one I would check out for your machine. It comes with a total of 72 teeth, and I find this to be more than adequate when it comes to the jobs that the blade can perform.

This blade is a tungsten-tipped carbide blade, so that means the blade won’t become dull and useless too quickly. It also comes with a 0.98” kerf width, meaning you have no problem getting those accurate and precise cuts. 

Even though it does have fewer teeth at only 72, it does still produce a reasonably smooth quality cut. For me, I feel that it does a good enough job for me to rip through stock where having that absolutely perfect finish is not something that is required.

Overall, I find that the performance of this blade is exceptional, and that’s why I’ve included it here on my list. It delivers time and time again, so what more would you want from a miter saw blade?

Pros

  • It stays razor sharp for a long time
  • It has a wide kerf, so you get more accurate cuts
  • It can rip through most stock with little problems
  • It’s tough as made with tungsten-tipped carbide
  • The cut is relatively smooth

Cons

  • While the cut is smooth, it can leave a few rough edges

Best Value Miter Saw Blade – Makita A-93681

  • Blade Size: 10”
  • Teeth: 80

You may be slightly surprised that a brand such as Makita can produce the best value miter saw blade, but that’s the case here. I find this particular blade to be excellent at what it does, and you certainly know you will be purchasing a quality product thanks to the brand name.

This particular blade is the 10” model and comes with 80 teeth. That should mean it produces a relatively smooth cut even on tough woods, and I do find this to often be the case.

But it’s the construction of this blade that amazes me. It comes with micro-grain carbide teeth, and everything is then hardened. I find that this makes this blade exceptionally sharp, and it’s robust enough to cope with a lot of punishment without simply breaking.

This blade also comes with a 0.91” kerf, so you should find it relatively easy to get reasonably accurate cuts. When you factor in having a clean cut, I believe you will be left feeling impressed by this blade.

Pros

  • It produces a smooth cut
  • The blade remains sharp 
  • It contains micro-grain carbide teeth
  • The kerf is wide enough to provide an accurate cut
  • It doesn’t vibrate or bounce too much

Cons

  • It can produce a whistling noise when in use

Best Combo Pack – DeWalt DW3128P5 Combo Pack

  • Blade Size: 12”
  • Teeth: 32 & 80

Sometimes you just want your miter saw to rip through the stock, and a smooth cut is not required. In that instance, you want to choose an option with fewer teeth. This combo pack by DeWalt offers you the best of both worlds since it comes with a 32 teeth version alongside an 80 teeth blade.

I do love this combo. I find the 32 version to be excellent at simply ripping through stock, while the 80 version does give a very smooth finish to its cuts. Both blades are made in the same way, which means they are constructed from carbide, so they have the strength and durability you should be rightfully expecting.

I also appreciate it has a protective coating on the blade. It reduces the possibility of rust and corrosion, and I find the blade relatively smooth moving through the stock. 

Overall, if you want the same blade brand that allows you to produce different types of cuts, this is the pack for you.

Pros

  • Having the two blades makes life easier
  • Both blades are tungsten carbide tipped, so they are tough
  • The 32 version rips through stock with ease
  • The 80 version produces smooth enough cuts for most projects
  • Neither blade will suffer from too much rust thanks to the protective coating

Cons

  • As it’s a 12” blade, it might have been better to have 100 teeth

Best for a Smooth Finish – Diablo D1080X ATB Fine Finish Blade

  • Blade Size: 10”
  • Teeth: 80

If you want to own a miter saw blade that produces a smooth, fine finish with the cuts, then this model by Diablo is one I would recommend. It comes in a 10” size and is equipped with 80 teeth, and I find that the perfect balance to result in that smooth finish.

As with other Diablo blades, this version comes with vents cut into it to reduce both noise and vibration. It is certainly something that works well, and so does the protective coating to minimize rust and corrosion. You should also find it harder for the blade to stick while in use, which means your cuts are swift and perfect.

You will also be able to use this blade to produce several different cuts, including crosscuts, and it manages to do this without too many problems. I also find the blade to be relatively quiet when in use, while the kerf is large enough to allow you to produce those perfect cuts.

Pros

  • The vents make a real difference with both noise and vibration
  • It produces a smooth finish to your cuts
  • You can use the blade to create an array of cuts
  • The coating prevents rust and corrosion
  • The blade won’t stick when in use

Cons

  • It is perhaps not quite as durable as others but will still produce several cuts

Best for Crosscut – Freud 12x 80 Teeth Thin Kerf Blade

  • Blade Size: 12”
  • Teeth: 80

Freud has a reputation for producing quality miter saw blades, and this model is no different. This 12” model comes with 80 teeth, creating a relatively smooth cut. However, the thin kerf on this model stands out for me.

In this instance, the kerf comes in at 0.94”, and those tungsten-tipped carbide teeth will make fast work of ripping through that stock. However, I do find that the kerf, in this instance, reduces the waste, and your accuracy will also increase.

Actually, you will notice with this blade that it comes with positive hooks. That helps produce those smooth cuts, and then it comes with anti-vibration vents cut into the blade, so it doesn’t bounce around when cutting.

All of this results in those smooth cuts, and it performs better in that area than other 12” blades equipped with 80 teeth. Also, the coating stops creating so much heat, reducing your chances of burning the stock. This ability becomes even more critical when cutting slowly, so it’s a valuable addition to the blade.

Overall, I find this blade a pleasure to work with, and it produces fantastic results over and over again.

Pros

  • It has little in the way of vibration
  • The coating reduces heat, so it won’t really burn the wood
  • It does produce a smooth finish
  • It’s robust thanks to those tungsten-tipped carbide teeth
  • It won’t jam in the stock

Cons

  • It would have been slightly better still if it had 100 teeth, but the 80 here is often sufficient

How to Choose the Right Miter Saw Blade

miter saw ready for a cut

The 6 miter saw blades I’ve listed above are all fantastic in their own right, but I have a few tips to help you decide which blade to purchase. 

Size

The first thing is the size; the key here is to look at your miter saw. Typically, you are looking at either 10” or 12” models, and both work well in their own right.

However, you just want to ensure you buy the correct size for your model, so double-check on this before you do anything else.

Teeth

Your other main concern must be the number of teeth, as this influences the type of cut you can produce. The more teeth a blade has, the smoother the cut it can produce. 

If you want a blade that will rip through stock without a smooth finish, then aim for something with 32 teeth. It will still produce the desired end result without taking too long, but it will be rough.

However, if you want something smoother, don’t drop below 80 teeth on a 12” blade. If possible, get closer to 100 teeth on a 12” blade. For a 10” version, either 72 or 80 teeth will work.

The Kerf

The kerf is the width of the material that is then removed during the cutting process. A thinner kerf leads to a smoother cut, which is also something to look out for when buying your miter saw blade. 

Once again, if you want to rip through the stock and don’t mind a rough finish, then go for a larger kerf. Also, the thinner the kerf, the more accurate and precise your cuts will be, so think about that as well.

Coating

I would always opt for a miter saw blade with a protective coating to act as a shield, and I love this for a couple of reasons. 

First, this coating is designed to reduce the chances of rust and corrosion taking hold of your blade. It makes a difference to those older blades that never had this coating. As a result, your blades will last longer without worrying about them becoming weak.

Also, it reduces heat, protecting the blade and whatever material you are cutting. Without the coating, heat can lead to the material burning, and that’s not exactly something you want to happen. So, I would always seek to own a blade with this coating.

Vibration?

If you want the smoothest cut possible, I would check to see how the blade responds to vibrations. Some brands do incorporate special vents in the blade, which make a massive difference to how the blade moves when spinning.

Reducing vibration means the blade does not bounce around the same. Ultimately, the stability leads to a more accurate cut, where you end up with a better result.

For me, those are the key things to look out for when choosing a miter saw blade. However, the size and number of teeth remain the most important things.

Overall Conclusion

So there you have it, my choice of the six best miter saw blades. Oh, and don’t forget my tips on what to look out for when it comes to choosing your new blade.

Having the correct blade makes such a massive difference to how your miter saw will perform.

I suggest investing in the best blades possible to ensure you get the desired results. Just double-check that the blade can indeed work with your particular model, and that should be easy enough to do.

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Barry Gray

Hi, I’m Barry. I’ve loved woodworking and bringing things back to life for more years than I care to remember. I hope my passion for tools comes across loud and clear in everything you read here on The Tool Square.

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