Best Mitre Saw UK 2026: Sliding Compound Picks
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Why a mitre saw belongs in every joiner's workshop
If you fit skirting, architraves, dado rails, or cut studwork to length all day, a mitre saw is the difference between a half-day job and a two-day one. A sliding compound mitre saw cuts wide boards at any angle, with a finish you cannot match by hand. The right saw, paired with a 60-tooth blade, leaves an edge so clean you can join two pieces with no caulking gap visible.
This guide covers the best mitre saws for UK joinery and second-fix work in 2026, focused on 216 mm and 254 mm sliding compound models.
What to look for
- Blade diameter: 216 mm is the practical sweet spot — cuts up to ~305 mm wide and 60 mm deep, light enough to carry. 254 mm cuts wider boards and deeper rebates but adds 2–3 kg.
- Slide vs fixed: A sliding mitre saw can crosscut wider boards (up to 300 mm+). Non-sliding "chop saws" are cheaper and lighter but limited to ~150 mm crosscut.
- Dual bevel: Tilts left and right without flipping the workpiece. Saves time on long architrave runs where you need matching mitres at both ends.
- Laser or LED line: Most modern saws project the cut line. LED is brighter than laser in workshop conditions.
- Dust collection: Mitre saws produce huge amounts of fine dust. Look for a saw with a real dust port and pair it with an M-class extractor — the supplied bag is decorative at best.
Top picks: best mitre saws UK 2026
DeWalt DWS774 216mm Sliding Compound Mitre Saw
~£310–£380Best for: Best site/workshop all-rounder
The DeWalt DWS774 is the most popular 216 mm sliding mitre saw in UK trade. XPS shadow-line cut indicator (more accurate than laser), 0–48° bevel both sides, 50° left and right mitre. Folding handle and integrated carry handle make it portable. Crosscut up to 305 mm at 90°.
View on Amazon →Bosch GCM 8 SJL Professional 216mm Mitre Saw
~£360–£420Best for: Workshop with limited bench space
Bosch's GCM 8 SJL is built around a unique axial-glide system — instead of two rails sticking out the back, the saw head pivots on linkages, halving the workshop footprint. 312 mm crosscut, dual bevel, very smooth slide action. Premium feel for a professional joinery shop.
View on Amazon →Makita DLS713NZ 18V Brushless Cordless Mitre Saw
~£420 (bare) / £620 (kit)Best for: On-site fitting where mains is awkward
When you need to mitre on site without dragging a generator, the Makita DLS713 cordless 190 mm saw runs off LXT 18V batteries. Brushless motor, 305 mm crosscut, 0–45° bevel. About 200–300 cuts per 5Ah charge in soft timber. Lighter than 216 mm corded saws.
View on Amazon →Evolution R255SMS-DB+ 255mm Sliding Mitre Saw
~£200–£260Best for: Budget option with large crosscut
Evolution's 255 mm dual-bevel sliding saw is what you buy if budget is tight but you need the larger crosscut capacity (340 mm at 90°). The build quality is a step below Bosch or DeWalt, but for a working second-fix joiner doing one or two days of architrave per week, it does the job at half the price.
View on Amazon →Buying advice
For most joinery and second-fix work, the DeWalt DWS774 is the pragmatic choice. It is what most working chippies actually buy. Spend the extra on the Bosch GCM 8 SJL only if your workshop is tight on space and the axial glide saves you a real benchful of width.
Always upgrade the supplied blade. A 60-tooth Freud or Trend blade in your 216 mm saw produces a glass-smooth finish on hardwoods and primed MDF. The 24-tooth blade that ships with the saw is for construction timber only.
For finding a carpenter to fit second-fix joinery in Kent, see our how to choose a carpenter guide.
Frequently asked questions
What size mitre saw do I need?
216 mm sliding mitre saws cover 90% of joinery work — skirting, architrave, studwork. 254 mm or 305 mm is needed only for wider crosscuts (cladding, large worktops, deeper rebates).
Sliding vs non-sliding?
Sliding mitre saws crosscut up to 300 mm+ which is essential for boards wider than ~150 mm. Non-sliding 'chop saws' are cheaper and lighter but limited to narrow stock. For modern joinery, sliding is the practical choice.
Are cordless mitre saws good enough for daily use?
Modern brushless 18V/40V mitre saws (Makita DLS713, DeWalt FlexVolt 60V) handle a full day of fitting on a couple of 5Ah batteries. They are slower than corded for sustained use but ideal for site fitting where mains is awkward.