A decent mitre saw is the backbone of any joinery or carpentry workshop, and it earns its keep on building sites too. Whether you’re cutting skirting boards, architrave, decking, or framing timber, the right saw makes the difference between tight joints and costly mistakes.
We’ve rounded up seven mitre saws that UK tradespeople are actually using day in, day out — from a budget-friendly multi-material cutter under £200, right through to professional 305mm sliders that’ll handle anything you throw at them. Every model on this list is available from UK retailers like Screwfix, Toolstation, and Amazon UK.
At a Glance — Comparison Table
Model | Blade | Motor | Bevel | Cut Line | Price | Best For |
DeWalt DWS780 | 305mm | 1675W | Double | Yes (XPS) | ≈£660–£710 | Best overall |
Makita LS1219L | 305mm | 1800W | Double | Yes (laser) | ≈£750–£900 | Top precision |
Bosch GCM 8 SJL | 216mm | 1600W | Single | No | ≈£325–£445 | Mid-range pro |
DeWalt DWS774 | 216mm | 1400W | Single | Yes (XPS) | ≈£300–£360 | Portable pro |
Makita LS0815FL | 216mm | 1400W | Single | Yes (laser) | ≈£340–£370 | Compact sites |
Metabo KGS 254 M | 254mm | 1800W | Single | Yes (laser) | ≈£250–£290 | Hidden gem |
Evolution R255SMS+ | 255mm | 2000W | Single | Yes (laser) | ≈£170–£200 | Best budget |
1. DeWalt DWS780 — Best Overall Mitre Saw
Price: around £660–£710 | Blade: 305mm | Bevel: Double | Motor: 1675W
The DWS780 is the saw you’ll find in the vans of kitchen fitters, joiners, and carpenters who earn their living making clean, precise cuts every day. The 305mm blade handles large crown mouldings and wide boards that smaller saws simply can’t reach, while the XPS shadow line system gives you an instant, accurate cut line without any calibration faff.
The double-bevel design means you can tilt the blade both ways without flipping your workpiece — a genuine time-saver on site. The 1675W motor has plenty of grunt for hardwoods, and the cam-lock mitre system snaps into common angles quickly. Build quality is what you’d expect from DeWalt’s professional range: solid, well-machined, and built to last years of daily use.
Pros
- XPS shadow line is faster and more reliable than laser guides
- 305mm blade handles wide boards and deep cuts
- Double bevel saves time on compound cuts
- Excellent build quality and durability
Cons
- Heavy at around 25kg — not the easiest to lug between jobs
- Premium price, though you get what you pay for
Best for: Full-time joiners, kitchen fitters, and carpenters who need the best all-round performer.
- High cutting performance: The DeWalt panel saw can cut materials up to 303 mm wide and 110 mm high without effort, making it ideal for interior work / Optimum visibility thanks to dust extraction
- High precision: Thanks to the LED cutting line display, millimetre-accurate cuts can be made in addition, the saw has a cutting depth limiter for notching, grooving and tenoning
- High load capacity: Thanks to the dust-protected double extension, precise machining of large workpieces is easy ideal for wood and assembly work
- High versatility: With the panel saw, exact inclination angles up to 49° can be continuously adjusted & exact mitre angles up to 60° right & 50° left can be quickly carried out
- Scope of delivery: 1x panel saw 1650W, 1x 60-tooth HM saw blade (305 x 30), 1x assembly tool, 1x dust bag / 3 year (with online registration)"
2. Makita LS1219L — Best for Precision
Price: around £750–£900 | Blade: 305mm | Bevel: Double | Motor: 1800W
If precision is your top priority, the LS1219L is hard to beat. Makita’s direct-drive motor system and linear ball-bearing slide mechanism deliver exceptionally smooth, accurate cuts. Multiple users report that this saw arrives square out of the box — which is more than you can say for plenty of its competitors.
The 1800W motor handles hardwoods without hesitation, and the soft-start feature prevents that initial jolt that can pull your workpiece out of position. The compact rail design means it can be placed closer to a wall than traditional sliding saws, which is handy in smaller workshops. Makita’s three-year warranty is a nice bonus too.
Pros
- Outstanding accuracy straight from the box
- Smooth, controlled slide mechanism
- Compact rail design saves workshop space
- Three-year manufacturer warranty
Cons
- The most expensive saw on this list
- Laser guide isn’t as intuitive as DeWalt’s XPS system
Best for: Precision joiners, furniture makers, and anyone who values accuracy above all else.
- Features dxt (deep exact cutting technology)
- Built in laser guide
- See through blade guard system for visibility of the blade and cutting line
- Single sliding system enables smooth operationm, slide lock for locking the sliding movement of the carriage
- Motor head slides on fixed pipes without extending machine at the rear end, so the machine can be placed close to a wall
3. Bosch GCM 8 SJL — Best Mid-Range Professional
Price: around £325–£445 | Blade: 216mm | Bevel: Single | Motor: 1600W
The Bosch GCM 8 SJL sits in a sweet spot between price and professional performance. With a 312mm crosscut capacity and smooth axial-glide system, it handles most skirting, architrave, and framing cuts without breaking a sweat. The axial-glide mechanism is noticeably smoother than traditional rail systems and takes up less space behind the saw.
The 1600W motor is punchy for a 216mm saw, and the dust extraction is genuinely effective — Bosch claim up to 90% collection with the included bag. It’s a solid choice for tradespeople who need professional reliability without stretching to a 305mm premium saw.
Pros
- Axial-glide system is smooth and space-saving
- Effective dust extraction system
- Good crosscut capacity for a 216mm saw
- Robust, well-built construction
Cons
- Single bevel only
- No cut line indicator included as standard
Best for: General builders, second-fix carpenters, and anyone wanting pro quality at a mid-range price.
- Cutting capacity of 70 mm vertical and 312 mm horizontal for sawing large workpieces
- 2-point dust extraction system provides optimized dust management
- Light and compact design amd one-handed transportation handle provide an easy transport
- Powerful and compact mitre saw offers nearly dustless work in various applications
- Scope of supply: Clamp (1 609 B04 224);Voltage 240 V;1 x circular saw blade, Optiline Wood, 216 x 2.0/1.4 x 30 mm, 48 (2 608 640 432)
4. DeWalt DWS774 — Best Portable Professional
Price: around £300–£360 | Blade: 216mm | Bevel: Single | Motor: 1400W
The DWS774 is DeWalt’s lighter-weight sliding saw, and it’s a favourite with tradespeople who move between sites regularly. The two oversized carry handles make it genuinely manageable to shift in and out of vans, and the XPS shadow line system — the same technology used in the DWS780 — gives you instant cut-line visibility without fiddling with laser alignment.
It comes accurately calibrated out of the box, with positive mitre stops at all the common angles (15°, 22.5°, 30°, 45°). The 1400W motor handles softwoods and most hardwoods comfortably, though you’ll notice it working harder on thicker oak or ash compared to the larger saws on this list.
Pros
- Lightweight and genuinely portable
- XPS shadow line system is best-in-class
- Arrives well-calibrated
- Good value for money
Cons
- 216mm blade limits maximum cutting depth
- Single bevel only
Best for: Mobile tradespeople, site workers, and anyone who needs to transport their saw regularly.
- XPS Shadow line cut indicator provides fast accurate alignment of the blade while illuminating the work piece for increased productivity no adjustment required
- Improved Dust extraction efficiency
- The base and fence have been machined to meet the accuracy requirements of the most demanding applications
- New head lock function allows the head to be fixed, restricting the traverse function for trim applications and ease of transportation
5. Makita LS0815FL — Best Compact Mitre Saw
Price: around £340–£370 | Blade: 216mm | Bevel: Single | Motor: 1400W
Makita’s LS0815FL is the most compact sliding mitre saw in this roundup, making it ideal for tight site conditions or smaller workshops. Despite its size, it doesn’t compromise on cutting quality — the linear ball-bearing slide is buttery smooth and the laser guide keeps you on the line.
The LED work light is a welcome touch for poorly lit site conditions, and the transparent blade guard gives you a clear view of the cutting line at all times. It’s noticeably quieter than some competitors too, which your ears will thank you for during long cutting sessions.
Pros
- Extremely compact — great for tight spaces
- Smooth linear ball-bearing slide
- Built-in LED work light
- Quieter than many competitors
Cons
- Crosscut capacity is limited compared to larger saws
- Single bevel only
Best for: Electricians, plumbers doing boxing-in work, and anyone working in confined spaces.
- High dust extraction rate - connects directly to Makita vacuum cleaner for a cleaner work area (not included)
- Built in laser guide
- LED job light
- Sliding sub fence (left side only)
- Holder can be attached to both sides of base
6. Metabo KGS 254 M — Best Value for Money
Price: around £250–£290 | Blade: 254mm | Bevel: Single | Motor: 1800W
Metabo doesn’t get the same attention as DeWalt or Makita in UK trade circles, but the KGS 254 M deserves a look. You’re getting a 254mm blade and 1800W motor for well under £300 — that’s a bigger blade than the Bosch and DeWalt DWS774, with more power, for less money.
The 305mm crosscut capacity at 90° is impressive for the price, and the integrated laser line helps with cut accuracy. The quick-clamp system holds workpieces securely, and the dust bag does a reasonable job of keeping the workspace tidy. It’s not as refined as the DeWalt or Makita options, but for the money it’s very hard to fault.
Pros
- Excellent price-to-performance ratio
- 254mm blade and 1800W motor at this price is remarkable
- Good crosscut capacity
- Integrated laser guide
Cons
- Build quality is a step behind DeWalt and Makita
- Less widely stocked in UK trade counters
Best for: Tradespeople on a budget who still need solid performance, and anyone setting up a second saw for site work.
- Precise shadow cutting line without re-adjustment thanks to cleverly positioned LED
- Electronic soft start for smooth start-up
- Fast brake for increased safety with fast stopping of the tool used.
- Optimal dust protection for clean, comfortable working: dust and chips are extracted immediately and efficiently
- Maximum cutting depth at 90°/45° - 92 / 47 mm // 3.6 / 1.85 "
7. Evolution R255SMS+ — Best Budget Mitre Saw
Price: around £170–£200 | Blade: 255mm | Bevel: Single | Motor: 2000W
The Evolution R255SMS+ is the wild card on this list — and it’s genuinely clever. The included tungsten carbide-tipped blade can cut through wood, mild steel, aluminium, and plastic without swapping blades. That multi-material capability makes it surprisingly useful for general builders and first-fix carpenters who encounter all sorts of materials on site.
At under £200, it’s the cheapest saw here by a wide margin. The 2000W motor is powerful, the laser guide is functional, and the overall build is decent for the money. It won’t match a DeWalt or Makita for fine joinery work, but for rough carpentry, framing, and general site cutting, it’s brilliant value.
Pros
- Multi-material cutting blade included
- Exceptional value for money
- Powerful 2000W motor
- Widely available from UK retailers
Cons
- Not as precise as professional-grade saws
- Build quality reflects the budget price point
- Louder than more expensive options
Best for: General builders, apprentices, and anyone needing a versatile budget saw for mixed materials.
- Multi-material: Japanese tungsten carbide tipped (TCT) blade included cuts steel, aluminium, wood with embedded nails, plastic and more
- Powerful: 2000 W optimised gearbox and blade system, increases motor and blade life to cut through a variety of materials with ease
- Accurate: Precision cutting with laser guidance, trench cut facility, 300 mm slide, 0 degrees to 45 degrees bevel and 50 degrees to 50 degrees mitre settings, covers all common cutting angles
- R255-TCT multi-material blade (28 teeth) included
- 3 years limited warranty (only valid if purchased in the UK)
What to Look for When Buying a Mitre Saw
Blade Size
Mitre saws come in three common blade sizes: 216mm (8½”), 254mm (10″), and 305mm (12″). Bigger blades cut wider and deeper material. If you’re primarily cutting skirting boards and architrave, 216mm is usually sufficient. For large crown mouldings, decking boards, or framing timber, you’ll want 254mm or 305mm.
Sliding vs Fixed
A sliding mechanism lets the blade travel forward and back, dramatically increasing crosscut capacity. Every saw on this list is a slider. Fixed mitre saws are cheaper but much more limited — we’d recommend a slider for any professional trade use.
Single vs Double Bevel
Single-bevel saws tilt one way; double-bevel saws tilt both ways. If you do a lot of compound cuts (crown moulding, for example), a double bevel saves you flipping the workpiece and keeps your workflow faster. It’s worth the premium if compound cutting is a regular part of your work.
Cut Line Systems
DeWalt’s XPS shadow line projects a shadow from the blade itself, giving you an exact cut line that never needs calibrating. Laser guides (used by Makita, Metabo, Evolution) project a red line that shows approximately where the blade will cut, but they need occasional re-alignment. Both work well, but the XPS system has the edge for accuracy.
Dust Extraction
Mitre saws produce a lot of fine dust. Good dust extraction matters for your health and for keeping your workspace usable. The Bosch GCM 8 SJL is the standout here, but most saws benefit from being connected to an external dust extractor rather than relying on the included bag.
Our Verdict
For most professional tradespeople, the DeWalt DWS780 is the best all-round mitre saw you can buy in the UK right now. The XPS shadow line, 305mm blade capacity, and double bevel give you everything you need for precise, efficient work across a wide range of materials and applications.
If your budget is tighter, the Metabo KGS 254 M offers remarkable value with its larger blade and powerful motor at well under £300. And for builders working with mixed materials, the Evolution R255SMS+ is a genuinely useful tool that won’t break the bank.
Whichever saw you choose, invest in a quality blade and a decent stand — they’ll make more difference to your cutting experience than you might expect.
