At a glance, most miter saw blades look very similar: metal disks with teeth designed to cut or rip into materials. However, they vary greatly in terms of which materials they can cut and how well they perform.
There are countless miter saw blades to choose from, including some made by the leading names in power tools and sawing. While this means you will have plenty of options, it can also make it daunting trying to find the correct blade for a specific task.
To ensure you have the right blade for the job, we have reviewed seven of the best miter saw blades that are currently available. These blades were chosen for their material and size, how many teeth they have, and how wide a cut they make.
- Carbide-tipped blades
- Hook teeth
- Ultra-thin kerf
- Non-stick coating
- Carbide-tipped teeth
- Ultra-thin kerf
- Versatile two-pack
- Tungsten carbide-tipped
- Computer balanced
- Ideal for trim work
- Thin kerf reduces waste
- Great for veneer work
- Non-stick coating
- ATB tooth design
- Thin kerf
- Non-stick coating
- Triple-chip grind
- Thin kerf
- Non-stick coating
- C4 carbide-tipped
- Triple-ground teeth
The Best Miter Saw Blades of 2024
With so many miter saw blades to choose from, finding the right one for a specific job can be challenging. To narrow your search, we looked at numerous products before reviewing our seven best miter saw blades that are available today. We chose these blades for their material, size, teeth, and what they can cut.
Makita A-93681 10-Inch Miter Saw Blade
Best Miter Saw Blade for Hardwood
This Makita is a 10-inch blade, which makes it average-sized. Its 80 carbide teeth are honed using 600 grit to provide a very smooth finish that will help it cut through materials with less resistance.
The ultra-thin kerf helps you make smoother cuts with less stress on the motor and less material waste. The teeth are hooked at a 5-degree angle, with an alternative top and face design for precision cutting.
Another advantage of hook teeth is that they scoop the debris and sawdust out as you cut. This reduces the chances of blade gumming, which is one of the leading causes of dangerous kickbacks. Clearing the cutting line also means you will have a better view of what you are doing.
The only downside of this blade is its cost. It is a Bosch, so we wouldn’t expect it to be cheap, but other manufacturers offer packs of multiple blades for similar prices. Even so, this saw blade will slice through hardwood, softwood, and plyboard with ease and is an excellent choice if you are willing to spend some extra money.
Pros
- Carbide-tipped blade
- Hook teeth
- Ultra-thin kerf
- Fine crosscutting
Cons
- Expensive
Product Specs
| Kerf | Ultra-thin |
| Number of teeth | 80 |
| Max RPM | 5,870 |
| Suitable for | Hardwood, softwood, plyboard |
| Weight | 5 pounds |
| Size | 10 inches |
| Cost | $$ |
Our Ratings
Freud D12100X100 ToothUltra Fine Saw Blade
Best Miter Saw Blade for Fine Woodworking
This Freud Diablo blade fits 12-inch miter saws, so it is ideal for cutting through thicker pieces of material. It has 100 teeth and an ultra-fine laser-cut kerf that will help make fine, accurate lines in various types of wood.
It is suitable for making accurate cuts at a range of angles and is an ideal blade to use for fine woodworking. Carbide-tipped teeth provide excellent heat resistance and overall durability.
Freud laser-cuts stabilizer vents to prevent sideways movement and decrease vibrations and noise. The surface has a Perma-Shield non-stick coating that ensures the blade glides through the material with minimum resistance, which also protects your miter saw’s motor.
These features add up to a smoother sawing experience while providing greater control and accuracy.
Pros
- Non-stick coating
- 12 inches
- Carbide-tipped teeth
- 100 teeth
- Ultra-thin kerf
Cons
- Expensive
- Only suitable for light woodworking
Product Specs
| Kerf | Ultra-thin |
| Number of teeth | 100 |
| Max RPM | 6,000 |
| Suitable for | Wood, wood composites |
| Weight | 2.54 pounds |
| Size | 12 inches |
| Cost | $$ |
Our Ratings
DeWALT 10-Inch General-Purpose Miter Saw Blade Set
Best All-Purpose Miter Saw Blade
This DeWALT product contains two miter saw blades. One has 60 teeth and is better for crosscutting, while the other is a general-purpose blade with 32 teeth. These blades are for 10-inch miter saws and have carbide-tipped teeth to increase their heat resistance and overall durability.
These blades cost half as much as some models from DeWALT’s competitors, yet they still come from a very reputable brand, so they offer excellent value for money. The 32-tooth blade is very versatile and will tackle the majority of your cutting tasks, whether you are working with wood, composite, plastic, sheet metal, or ply.
These DeWALT blades are computer balanced to reduce vibrations and noise and to improve your accuracy for a better finish. They will also fit sliding miter saws and their thin kerfs will help you make precise cuts every time.
Pros
- Excellent value for money
- Two-pack
- Very versatile
- Tungsten carbide-tipped
- Computer-balanced
Cons
- Durability issues.
Product Specs
| Kerf | Thin |
| Number of teeth | 32 + 60 |
| Max RPM | 6,000 |
| Suitable for | General-purpose |
| Weight | 3 pounds |
| Size | 10 inches |
| Cost | $ |
Our Ratings
Forrest WW10407100 Woodworker II 40-Tooth Saw Blade
Best Miter Saw Blade for Trim and 2x4
Forrest provides some of the best-quality saw blades on the market and will help you make smooth, accurate cuts. This quality is reflected in its price, which is about as much as some budget miter saw units. It will probably only be a serious option for professionals or passionate hobbyists.
Despite having a 10-inch diameter, this blade slices to a maximum depth of two inches, which means it will cut through 2×4 with ease. The teeth are carbide-tipped, set at an angle of 15 degrees, and should cause far less splintering than inferior blades.
The kerf is thin and wastes very little material while cutting. It leaves a smooth edge without any additional sanding, which could speed up your work significantly.
Pros
- High quality
- Great for trim work
- Reduces wasted material
- Far less splintering
- Ideal for veneer work
Cons
- Very expensive
- Best suited to professionals
Product Specs
| Kerf | Thin |
| Number of teeth | 40 |
| Max RPM | 6,000 |
| Suitable for | General-purpose, trim, crosscutting, wood |
| Weight | 2 pounds |
| Size | 10 inches |
| Cost | $$$$ |
Our Ratings
Freud Thin Kerf Sliding Compound Miter Saw Blade
Best Sliding Miter Saw Blade
This Freud blade has 72 teeth with a 5-degree negative hook, which improves the quality of the cut. It also utilizes the alternating top bevel design (ATB), meaning the teeth face left and right. This configuration pushes your workpiece down and toward the fence for improved control and accuracy.
The blade increases the performance of sliding miter saws, but it is also effective in standard saws when you want to perform crosscuts, rip cuts, or bevel cuts. The teeth are carbide-tipped for improved heat resistance and a longer lifespan.
The thin kerf helps you easily cut details with a sliding saw, which also reduces the strain on the saw’s motor. Like other Freud blades, this one is lubricated with a Perma-Shield non-stick surface to help it move through the stock smoothly.
Pros
- Non-stick coating
- ATB tooth design
- Thin kerf
- 72 teeth
- Designed for sliding miter saws
Cons
- Expensive
- Durability issues
Product Specs
| Kerf | Thin |
| Number of teeth | 72 |
| Max RPM | 6,000 |
| Suitable for | Sliding miter saws, general-purpose, trim, crosscutting, wood |
| Weight | 2.42 pounds |
| Size | 12 inches |
| Cost | $$$ |
Our Ratings
Diablo D1080N Non-Ferrous Metal and Plastic Cutting Saw Blade
Best Miter Saw Blade for PVC
This Diablo blade is made specifically to cut non-ferrous metals and plastics, so it is ideal for working with PVC. The blade is 10 inches in diameter and has 80 carbide-tipped teeth. These teeth are in a triple-chip grind design at a 5-degree angle to provide a clean and burr-free finish.
In addition to pipes, this blade also cuts laminate, aluminum, and brass. This makes it a very versatile option if you are working on-site. It has a thin kerf, so it will leave a smooth cut and place minimal strain on the saw’s motor.
If you are worried about gumming and the increased risk of kickbacks that comes with it, this blade’s Perma-Shield will help. Perma-Shield is a non-stick coating that reduces friction and decreases how hard the motor has to work.
The teeth are carbide-tipped to enable them to withstand extreme heat during the cutting process and to protect the blades against dulling quickly.
Pros
- Non-stick coating
- 80 teeth
- Triple-chip grind
- Thin kerf
- Ideal for plastic and non-ferrous metal
Cons
- Expensive
- Quality issues.
Product Specs
| Kerf | Thin |
| Number of teeth | 80 |
| Max RPM | 7,000 |
| Suitable for | Plastic, brass, pipework, non-ferrous metals |
| Weight | 1.45 pounds |
| Size | 10 inches |
| Cost | $$$ |
Our Ratings
Bosch Edge DCB1072 Daredevil 10-Inch Laminate Saw Blade
Best Miter Saw Blade for Laminate Flooring
This Bosch blade will cut laminate flooring with ease. It has 72 teeth with a negative hook angle to eliminate chipping and extend the blade’s life.
Laminate is notoriously brittle, which is why Bosch has triple-ground the teeth to make them as sharp as possible, cutting the material rather than breaking it.
The teeth are tipped with C4 carbide to enhance their cutting power and longevity. These blades have an anti-friction coating to help them move through the stock smoothly. When combined with a thin kerf, this means a neater cut with less material wasted.
If you don’t need to cut laminate, this blade will also cut melamine, wood, plyboard, and other building materials, making it a versatile option to keep in your toolkit.
Pros
- Non-stick coating
- C4 carbide-tipped
- Triple-ground teeth
- Thin kerf
- Ideal for cutting laminate
Cons
- Expensive
Product Specs
| Kerf | Thin |
| Number of teeth | 72 |
| Max RPM | 6,000 |
| Suitable for | Laminate, melamine, wood, plyboard |
| Weight | 1.65 pounds |
| Size | 10 inches |
| Cost | $$$ |
Our Ratings
| Product | Best | Kerf | No. of teeth | Max RPM | Suitable for | Weight | Size |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Makita A-9368110 Miter Saw Blade | Hardwood | Ultra-thin | 80 | 5,870 | Hardwood, softwood, plyboard | 5 lbs | 10″ |
| Freud D12100X100 ToothUltra | Fine Woodworking | Ultra-thin | 100 | 6,000 | Wood, wood composites | 2.54 lbs | 12″ |
| DeWALT Miter Saw Blade Set | All-Purpose | Thin | 32 + 60 | 6,000 | General-purpose | 3 lbs | 10″ |
| Forrest WW10407100 Woodworker | Trim & 2×4 | Thin | 40 | 6,000 | General-purpose, trim, crosscutting, wood | 2 lbs | 10″ |
| Freud Thin Kerf Miter Saw Blade | Sliding Blade | Thin | 72 | 6,000 | Sliding miter saws, general-purpose, trim, crosscutting, wood | 2.42 lbs | 12″ |
| Diablo D1080N Non-Ferrous Blade | PVC | Thin | 80 | 7,000 | Plastic, brass, pipework, non-ferrous metals | 1.45 lbs | 10″ |
| Bosch Edge DCB1072 Daredevil | Laminate Flooring | Thin | 72 | 6,000 | Laminate, melamine, wood, plyboard | 1.65 lbs | 10″ |
When to Replace a Miter Saw Blade
Unfortunately, miter saw blades don’t have built-in indicators that tell you when they need to be replaced. As a result, you will need to know what to look for and keep an eye on your blade.
Before doing anything else, read your miter saw’s operating manual. This should provide an estimate of how often its blade will need to be replaced. Next, consider what you are sawing. If you are chopping through softwood, the blade will last longer than if you are cutting sheet metal or hardwood.
Another important consideration is the quality of the saw blade and its material. Carbon steel blades will dull faster than those made of cobalt steel or carbide-tipped tungsten.
You should pay attention to how effectively your saw cuts. If you notice that it is taking longer to cut the same materials that you were with previously, it is probably a sign that your saw blade is dull.
How quickly a blade dulls will obviously be influenced by how frequently it is used. If you use it every day, you should expect to replace it every two to four weeks. However, if you only use your miter saw occasionally, your blade could potentially cut well for years.
How to Choose a Miter Saw Blade
Choosing the right miter saw blade will help you make smooth, accurate cuts without damaging the material or your saw. On the other hand, the wrong blade can have the opposite effect. There are so many blades that you can spend a lot of time looking at them, but you can narrow them down by thinking about a few key points:
Blade Material
Miter saw blades are made using several materials, each designed for different purposes:
Carbon Steel
Carbon steel is the cheapest type of miter saw blade and is suitable for soft materials and plastics. Carbon steel blades dull quickly due to their soft teeth, so you will need to replace them often if you use your saw regularly.
High-Speed Steel (HSS)
High-speed steel blades are more durable than carbon steel blades. They retain their cutting edge for longer and have higher heat resistance, which is one of the most important factors in keeping blades from dulling.
These blades can typically withstand heat up to 600 degrees centigrade and score between 62 and 66 on the Rockwell Hardness Scale. As they are made for use at higher speeds, HSS blades will cut through MDF and hardwood with ease.
Cobalt Steel Blades
Cobalt steel is an alloy containing 8% cobalt, which makes these blades even tougher and more resilient than HSS blades. Like HSS blades, cobalt steel blades can also withstand extreme temperatures, which will prevent them from dulling quickly.
Carbide-Tipped Blades
Carbide-tipped blades are the most expensive blades but they are also by far the most durable of the standard types. They typically score 65 to 80 on the Rockwell Hardness Scale, making them among the hardest-wearing blades you can buy. They can cut through sheet metal, aluminum, and even steel.
Blade Size
The size of the blade you need will be influenced by the material you are cutting and which blades your saw can accommodate. For sheet material, you should choose a blade with a thin edge for finer lines.
Unless you are sawing multiple sheets at once, the depth of the blade won’t matter much with thin material. However, if you are cutting thick pieces of wood, you will need the maximum blade depth blade your saw can accommodate.
Bore
Find out the bore size of your machine by consulting the owner’s manual or the label on the saw itself, if it has one. The bore size of your blade will need to match that of your miter saw unit, otherwise, it won’t fit.
Diameter
If the blade’s diameter is too large, it could strike other parts of the saw when it is activated, which is a major safety hazard. The saw’s manual should specify how large a diameter it can accommodate, along with the width of a suitable blade.
The wider the blade, the wider the cut will be. All the relevant measurements will be etched on the surface of the blade itself.
Number of Teeth
The material you are cutting will influence the number of teeth your blade should have. This is measured in teeth per inch, or TPI for short. The harder the material, the higher the TPI should be.
| Type of Blade | TPI | Total Number of Teeth | Suitable For |
| Coarse | 3 to 8 | 40 to 60 | Lumber, hardwood, softwood, MDF |
| Medium | 8 to 18 | 60 to 80 | Lumber, hardwood, softwood, MDF, plyboard, sheet metals |
| Fine | 18 to 32 | 80 to 120 | Plyboard, frames, sheet material, non-ferrous metal |
General Use
Kerf
Kerf refers to the width of the cut, which results from the width of the blade. The kerf is often thinner than the center of the blade as it tapers towards the edge. A full kerf has an edge measuring 0.125 inches, while a thin kerf is 0.094 inches.
Blades with full kerfs are more durable and better suited to cutting through tough materials. However, you will need a more powerful motor if you use a full kerf blade. A thin kerf is suitable for finer detail work and creates less waste material. The downside is that thin-kerf blades are less durable, so they will dull more quickly.
Remember
Type of Saw
Miter saws are available in various shapes and sizes. These include single and double bevel miter saws, as well as sliding miter saws. Common blade sizes include 8-inch, 10-inch, and 12-inch, so you need to make sure a particular blade is a size that your saw is designed for.
How to Clean and Maintain Your Miter Saw Blade
If you want to get as much use from your miter saw blade as possible, you will need to clean it occasionally.
- Place the blade in water: Once you have removed the blade from the saw, take some all-purpose cleaner and dilute it in warm water in a washing-up bowl. Submerge the blade in the water. Leave it to soak for a few minutes so the cleaner can do its work.
- Scrub: Carefully remove the blade and scrub away any stubborn deposits with a toothbrush. Submerge the blade in the water again, taking care to hold the blade by its center hole. Give it a gentle shake in the water to wash away any remaining bits of debris.
- Dry: Remove the blade from the water and dry it thoroughly with a clean cloth.
To keep the blade clean, you can lightly brush its surface after each use. This will remove any loose debris that could become compacted and cause damage later. One of the best ways to maintain your saw and blade is to apply oil and lubricant to the moving parts to ensure everything works smoothly.
Top Tip
How to Sharpen a Miter Saw Blade by Hand
It is possible to sharpen a miter saw blade using a power tool, which is much quicker. However, sharpening a saw blade only takes a maximum of about twenty minutes, even when using a file.
1. Unplug the Saw
Before you do anything else, make sure the saw is switched off and unplugged. Never attempt to remove the blade while the machine is plugged in.
2. Loosen the Wrench
Many miter saws have a fastening wrench. Simply loosen this to remove the blade.
3. Remove the Blade
Carefully remove the blade. Use a marker pen to mark the point on the blade where you will start sharpening. This is to prevent you from sharpening the same area twice. Next, clamp the blade in a vice, making sure the teeth are accessible.
4. Grab a File
Grab a triangular file. The teeth are set at a specific angle, so make sure you don’t deviate from this. Place the file on the start point where you marked the blade with the pen.
5. Zig-Zag the File
Move the file to match the angle of the teeth and work in a zig-zag motion, working backward and forward four times. Skip the next tooth and repeat the process for every other tooth.
6. Flip the Blade
Once you have done a full cycle, flip the blade and complete the same process on the teeth that face the other way, working toward your marker.
7. Clean the Blade
Remove the blade from the vice and clean it with some soapy water. Make sure the blade is completely dry before inserting it back into the saw.
FAQs
How Do I Know If My Miter Saw Blade Is Dull?
Check the depth of the blade. If it’s significantly less than when you last sharpened it, it’s probably time for a new one.
Take a close look at the edge of the blade. If it’s noticeably chipped or nicked, then it’s likely the blade isn’t performing as well as it could be.
Finally, try cutting through a piece of wood. If the blade catches or does not create a clean, even cut, then it’s probably time to invest in a new blade.
Do Miter Saw Blades Warp?
It depends on the type of miter saw blade you use. Carbide-tipped blades are much less likely to warp because carbide is an extremely durable and heat-resistant material. But, even carbide can become warped if it is subjected to too much heat.
So, be careful when using a miter saw and avoid putting too much stress on the blade. If you notice that your blade is beginning to warp, replace it as soon as possible. A warped blade can cause the saw to cut unevenly and can even be dangerous.
Which Miter Saw Blades Make the Smoothest Cut?
The Diablo Freud D12100X blades are perfect for smooth cuts using miter saws. This blade has a tooth count of 100, enabling it to easily slice through various types of hardwood.
It has a kerf that is cut using a laser, which results in a cut that is, in many instances, just as smooth as the cut generated by sandpaper with a grain of 120.
The blade has been given a special coating called Parma-Shield, which protects it from rust and corrosion and prevents it from gumming up, and shields it from heat.
Laser-cut stabilizer vents lessen the amount of noise and vibration produced, which contributes to the production of a smoother cut.
Additionally, high-density carbide maintains its edge for longer periods of time.
What Brand Makes the Best Miter Saw Blades?
There are tons of great brands to consider, all with their own pros and cons. But Makita is definitely the best all-around brand for miter saw blades.
