8 Best Miter Saw Blades – Reviews & Top Picks 2023

If you have been shopping around for a new blade for your miter saw lately, you may have noticed that there are quite a few brands available, and there seem to be more and more brands every day. Choosing the right blade is not so easy because there are a few things you need to look for—like tooth count and blade size. So, it’s better to know a little about blades for a miter saw before you buy one.

We’ve chosen eight different miter saw blades to review for you. We’ll tell you what we like and don’t like about each one, as well as fill you in on any problems we experienced while using them. We’ve also included a buyer’s guide where we break down what a blade for a miter saw needs and what makes them different from other types of blades.

Join us while we take an in-depth look at miter saw blades and discuss tooth count, kerf, durability, and more to help you make an educated purchase.

A Quick Comparison of Our Favorites in 2023

Rating	Image	Product	Details
Best Overall		Freud D12100X 100 Miter Saw Blade	Parma-shield non-stick coating Stabilizer vents High-density carbide	CHECK PRICE
Best 10-inch Miter Saw Blade		Hitachi 725206 72-Teeth	Made of good materials Precise Tungsten carbide tipped	CHECK PRICE
Best Value		Makita A-93681 Mitre-Saw Blade	Micro-grain carbide teeth Hardened and hand tensioned 80 teeth	CHECK PRICE
		DEWALT DW3128P5 Miter Saw Blade	12-inch blade Includes ripper blade Tungsten carbide	CHECK PRICE
		Diablo D1080X ATB Fine Finish Saw Blade	80 teeth Stabilizer vents	CHECK PRICE

The 8 Best Miter Saw Blades

1. Freud D12100X 100 Miter Saw Blade – Best Overall

The Diablo D12100X 100 12” Ultra Fine Miter Saw Blade is our pick for the best overall miter saw blade. This blade features a 100-tooth count that can cut through many types of hardwood with ease. It features a laser-cut kerf that produces a cut as smooth as that produced by 120-grit sandpaper, in many cases. The blade uses a unique Parma-Shield coating, which resists rust and corrosion, as well as prevents gumming and protects the blade against heat. Laser-cut stabilizer vents reduce noise and vibration to help produces a smoother cut, and the high-density carbide stays sharper longer.

We enjoyed reviewing the Diablo D12100X and the only negative thing we could say about it is that it’s expensive.

2. Hitachi 725206 72-Teeth – Best 10-inch Miter Saw Blade

The Hitachi 725206 72-Teeth 10” Tungsten Miter Saw Blade is our runner up for the best miter saw blade. This blade features 72 teeth and creates smooth crosscuts through most woods. The Tungsten carbide tipped blade is extremely sharp and stays that way through dozens of cuts. It has a .098-inch kerf width that helps you make extremely accurate cuts. Compared to the top choice, the lower tooth count produces a slightly rougher finish—but on its own, this is a fantastic blade suitable for most miter saw jobs.

There is a reason that it isn’t our top choice, however. The cut is slightly rougher than the Freud D12100X 100. When we used it, we found that it was somewhat lacking in comparison, even though, for the most part, the cuts were beautiful and precise. But they were a little rough, jagged, and a bit uneven—not always, but most of the time—with small flaws that you could see, but flaws nonetheless. Meanwhile, this blade is quite loud compared to others.

3. Makita A-93681 Mitre-Saw Blade – Best Value

The Makita A-93681 10” 80 Tooth Miter Saw Blade is our choice for the best miter saw blade for the money. This blade features micro-grain carbide teeth, hardened and hand tensioned by hand, to provide a durable and precise cutting tool. The .091 kerf leads to extremely accurate cuts, and a minimal amount of wasted material and the 80 teeth ensure smooth crosscuts.

The only thing we didn’t like about the Makita A-93681 was that it does wear out and become dull rather quickly. We also found that it made a loud whistling sound while we were operating it.

4. DEWALT DW3128P5 Miter Saw Blade

DeWalt DW3128P5 12” Circular Saw Blade Pack is a two-pack of saw blades that includes one 32-tooth ripper blade and one 80-tooth miter saw blade. These are 12-inch blades capable of cutting larger boards than the 10-inch blades we’ve been looking at so far. Each blade is tungsten carbide tipped for increased durability.

While we were reviewing the DeWalt DW3128P5, we found it to be quite loud, and while 80 teeth would be sufficient on a 10-inch blade, on the 12-inch blade it still resulted in tear-out when crosscutting certain woods. Also, despite the tungsten carbide blade, we found that it dulled quickly.

5. Diablo D1080X ATB Fine Finish Saw Blade

The Diablo D1080X ATB Fine Finish Saw Blade is the second Diablo blade on our list. This brand features 80 teeth for making crosscuts and features Diablos patented laser-cut stabilizer vents that reduce noise and vibration while increasing accuracy.

Despite having a good number of teeth, we found the Diablo D1080X ATB Fine Finish Saw Blade to produce a rougher finish than many of the other brands, and it also cuts very slowly. We also found this blade got dull after a few cuts.

6. Freud 12”x 80T Thin Kerf Fine Finish Crosscut Blade

The Freud 12” x 80T Thin Kerf Fine Finish Crosscut Blade features 80 high-density carbide coated teeth with a .094 kerf that work together to help you make accurate cuts with little waste. Positive hook angles allow for smoother cuts, and a balanced, anti-vibration design reduces noise and tear out. Perma-Shield non-stick coating helps protect the wood from heat and reduces buildup.

The Freud 12” x 80T was a fun blade to review, but we found 80 teeth on a 12-inch blade isn’t enough to produce the smooth cuts available from 80 teeth on a ten-inch blade, and our cuts were often quite rough. We also found that if we cut too slow, the wood would burn, but cutting too quickly caused the blade to bind up in the wood.

7. CRAFTSMAN 10-Inch Miter Saw Blade, Combo Pack

The CRAFTSMAN 10-Inch Miter Saw Blade, Combo Pack is another combo pack on this list, and this one is by a company well known for creating high-quality tools. This two-pack features one 24-tooth ripper blade and one 60-tooth miter saw blade. Each blade is heat-treated and features a carbide tip. They also feature a corrosion-resistant coating that helps prevent rust.

W found that both blades in this CRAFTSMAN Combo Pack cut very well and were quite durable. However, the 60-tooth miter saw blade produces cuts that are a little rougher than many of the other blades on this list. As we made cuts, the blade was very loud, and when we first took the blades out of the package, they had a very gooey coating that was challenging to scrape off.

8. TWIN-TOWN 12-Inch Saw Blade

The TWIN-TOWN 12-Inch Saw Blade is the last saw on our list of miter saws to review for you. This attractive brand features 80 tungsten carbine teeth and cuts with a 2.5-mm kerf for accuracy and minimal waste. Laser-cut stabilizer vent help reduce noise and vibrations while you work.

While we were reviewing the TWIN-TOWN 12-Inch Saw Blade, some of the problems we experienced included a lot of tear-out—no matter what type of wood we were cutting. The laser-cut stabilizer vents did seem to help to reduce noise, but there was still quite a bit of vibration, which led to a rougher finish in the cuts we were making. We also felt that they dulled quickly and often needed replacing.

Buying Guide – Picking the Best Miter Saw Blade

Let’s take a look at some of the most important things when considering the best miter saw blade for you.

Tooth Count

Our reviews are mostly concerned with crosscutting against the grain, which requires a blade with a high tooth count. The higher the tooth count, the smoother the resulting cut will be. A higher tooth count will also reduce the chance of tear-out, which is when the wood splinters because you are cutting across the grain.

Diameter

The size of your saw will determine what diameter blade you will need. Larger blades can cut larger boards. Standard sizes include 7.5, 8.5, 10, and 12 inches, but we only have 10 and 12-inch blades on our list.

A larger diameter blade will require more teeth than a smaller diameter blade. When doing crosscuts with a miter saw, we recommend a minimum of 70 teeth for a ten-inch saw and 80 teeth for a twelve-inch blade, but you will often require a blade with more teeth to get a really smooth cut.

Kerf

Kerf is the term we use to describe the width of the cut a blade makes in a piece of wood. Many people also consider the kerf the thickness of the blade. The thinner blade allows for a more precise cut with less wasted material. Carving away the extra wood also uses more energy, which can slow down the blade causing excess heat and lead to wood burning.

Blade Types

Acronyms abound when shopping for miter saw blades. Here are a few of the most common ones you’ll see.

Cuts & Materials

Besides crosscutting, there are several other cuts and materials to consider:

Ripping blades – for cutting hardwood quickly. They can produce smooth cuts, but not as smooth as the crosscut blades. Ripping blades typically have around 24 teeth per blade and Flat Top Grind teeth.

Plywood and Laminate – plywood and laminate miter saw blades have a unique design that caters to the special needs of this material. These blades have a high number of triple chipped teeth with a 10-degree hook angle. ATBR or Hi-ATB are best for these materials.

Melamine – another type of specialized wood that requires the correct bade or cutting will result in splintered edges. Melamine blades are like crosscut blades and will have a high number of teeth. TCG are best for melamine.

Non-Ferrous and Steel – require a very high number of teeth and use coated blades to cut through these solid metals.

Conclusion

We hope that you have enjoyed reading over these reviews and have seen a few brands that interest you.

We recommend our pick for the best miter saw blade overall, the Diablo D12100X 100 12” Ultra Fine Miter Saw Blade, which has a high number of teeth and features a coating that helps protect the blade and extend its life. It’s also quiet and cuts quickly.  The Hitachi 725206 72-Teeth 10” Tungsten Miter Saw Blade is our best value choice and is an excellent option for smaller jobs and those that don’t require an extremely smooth cut.

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