The Best Miter Saw Blades of 2024 | The Family Handyman

Nov 01, 2024

By Dan Stout

Updated on Oct. 27, 2024

Shopping for a miter saw blade? Here's what to look for, along with nine great options to consider.

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Most miter saws ship from the factory with a blade that’s good but not great. Whether you’re looking to upgrade to a better option or replace a blade that’s gone dull, we’ve rounded up a selection of great miter saw blades.

But first, let’s look at some of the top features and traits to look for in a miter saw blade.

Note: Retailers list some blades as “circular saw blades” or “table saw blades.” That’s because identically-sized blades can be swapped out between tools. All the blades on this list are particularly good choices for miter saws.

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Shop on Amazon

If you simply want a good, mixed-use miter saw blade, the DeWalt Construction 10-inch 60-Tooth Blade balances performance with affordability. DeWalt blades are familiar to anyone who’s bought a DeWalt miter saw, and they’re a consistently dependable option for DIY use. This model, with a 5/8-in. bore, makes a terrific all-purpose blade.

Shop on Lowes

Shop on Lowes

Another strong option for general use: The Craftsman CMAS21060 10-inch 60-Tooth Miter Saw Blade. We like that it features carbide tips, and its corrosion-resistant coating helps combat rust. It’s a few dollars less than the DeWalt, making it about the most affordable, good-quality blade on the market. It’s a great pick for tight budgets or as a spare blade.

Shop on The Home Depot

Shop on The Home Depot

There are plenty of expensive, highly specialized miter saw blades on the market, but the Makita A-94770 10-inch 80-Tooth model is a step up from many manufacturer-provided blades. Its carbide teeth are honed to a 600-grit mirror finish, and the “ultra-coated” blade plate lowers vibration and noise while preventing pitch (wood residue) buildup.

Shop on Lowes

Shop on Lowes

Miter saws are often used for fine details, but they work just as well for framing and rough-ins. If you want speedy cuts and aren’t overly concerned about tear-out, the Craftsman 10-inch 24-Tooth Blade cuts fast so you can get on to the next board. It’s a great choice if you’re chopping 2x4s to frame in a wall, or for any project where speed is more of a priority than a fine finish.

Shop on Woodcraft

Shop on Woodcraft

Miter saws primarily cut wood, but with the varied nature of DIY projects you’ll often find yourself cutting and shaping other materials. The 10-inch, 80-tooth Freud LU77M010 cuts non-ferrous metals like aluminum, brass and copper. (For ferrous metals like iron or steel, consider an angle grinder or dedicated metal saw.)

The LU77M010 can handle metal walls up to 1/4-in. thick, making it a great choice for light work. Regardless of size, Freud recommends using WD-40 or a similar liquid lubricant every four to five cuts to reduce heat and contain metal shavings.

$77.79 at Amazon

$77.79 at Amazon

Plywood and laminate materials are prone to chipping when cut with standard miter saw blades. For better results, go with thin-kerf, high-tooth-count blades like the Freud LU79R Thin-Kerf Ultimate Plywood & Melamine line.

Available 7-1/4-in., 10-inch and 12-inch, these specialized blades feature laser-cut stabilizer slots and Freud’s Perma-Shield coating to lubricate and reduce heat.

Shop on Woodcraft

Shop on Woodcraft

While almost any miter saw blade can cut plastics, the heat and rough edges tend to melt or chip the workpiece. If you demand a polished final product, that kind of finish simply isn’t acceptable.

Luckily, the 10-inch, 80-tooth the Forrest NM108011125 No-Melt Blade handles this task nicely. The side clearance of the carbide tips reduces or eliminates edge melting or chipping when cutting plastics.

That amazing performance comes at a premium price — a jaw-dropping $268. If you simply need to make a few cuts or don’t need a high level of finish, then go with a general-purpose, high-tooth-count blade. But if you want professional-grade results and have a lot of plastic to cut, this blade’s effectiveness is almost magic.

Shop on The Home Depot

Shop on The Home Depot

You can cut composite deck boards with a standard miter saw blade, but you’ll have an easier time if you follow the manufacturer’s guidelines.

Trex specifically recommends the Diablo TrexBlade. The TrexBlade features laser-cut stabilizer vents, and their Modified Triple Chip Grind (MTCG) is specifically made to keep Trex deck boards cool enough to prevent melting or marring.

According to TimberTech, manufacturer of Azek decking, you can cut their boards with any “fine-toothed, carbide-tipped finish trim blade (12-inch 100-tooth or 10-inch 90-tooth minimum).”

Shop on Amazon

Shop on Amazon

Miter saws are precision instruments rarely used for tasks like demolition. But occasionally, you may need to trim back a piece of wood with questionable materials like dirt or tar on the surface, or even embedded objects like nails. There’s no need to ruin an expensive blade when you’ve got low-cost spares on hand!

This two-pack of blades from Luckyway is convenient and affordable. At about $12 per blade, you’re not likely to find any miter saw blades for less. That makes them perfect for work that will put wear and tear on the blade.

The two-pack comes with 32- and 60-tooth blades. They’re nice to have on hand and affordable enough to be disposable if damaged.