There is no doubt that a miter saw is a great tool to have in your shed. However, most people overlook the importance of correct blades to go with your saw.
You should be aware that there are no universal miter saw blades. They all differ in terms of what material they cut, tooth count, and blade type. Therefore, only the right blade will get you the desired results in your woodworking projects.
In this post, we will go over 7 different saw blades to help you find the right one. But first, let’s take a look at our top 3 picks.
| IMAGE | NAME | DETAILS | |
|---|---|---|---|
  | ★ WINNER ★ Freud D12100X Diablo 12 inch Miter Saw Blade | If money isn’t a concern, we recommend the Freud D12100X 100 tooth blade. It works great with most standard woods and wood composites. Moreover, the 100 teeth will give you precise and accurate cuts. | Check on Amazon |
  | ★ RUNNER UP ★ DEWALT Cross-Cutting Thin Kerf 12 inch Blade | If you want a carbide-tipped blade to cut hardwood, the Dewalt cross-cutting blade will work best. It is equipped with two blades to cut material quickly and easily. | Check on Amazon |
  | ★ ALSO GREAT ★ Makita A-93681 Miter Saw Blade | This is our top pick for a budget-friendly blade. It comes with an alternative top and alternative face design to make sure that the cuts are as precise as possible. | Check on Amazon |
Now that you know about our top three picks, let’s look at their features in detail as well as analyze some other miter saw blades to determine the best one for you.
Best 12 Inch Miter Saw Blade - Top 7 Reviews
1.Best Overall Miter Saw Blade - Freud D12100X Diablo 12 inch Miter Saw Blade
We’ve tested a lot of blades but only a few can match the Freud Diablo in terms of durability. This is because it’s made of high-quality carbide.
We also love the innovativeness of the design since it features laser-cut stabilizer vents. This is great because it lets the blade contract and expand when in use.
This also results in a cleaner and straighter cut even against the grain.
Factors to Consider Before you Decide to Buy Freud D12100X Diablo 12 inch Miter Saw Blade
Application
The Freud Diablo is designed to cut hardwood, plywood, and other wood composites.
You can also cut metal such as aluminum and steel. However, if you decide to cut metal with this saw blade, remember that it will reduce the edge of the blade overtime.
Material
As we said before, this miter saw blade is extremely durable. It’s made from Tico hi-density carbide. As a result, you can expect your blade to last longer than other miter saw blades.
We were also impressed by the blade’s parma shield non-stick coating. This is great since it protects the blade from heat and corrosion.
Number of Teeth
It comes with a 12-inch diameter and 100 teeth. Since it has quite a lot of teeth, you will get extremely accurate and precise cuts.
Moreover, it has a speed of 6000 RPM. This helped cut the material smoothly and quietly.
- Tri-metal brazing for shock-free performance
- The miter saw blade has laser-cut slots and thin kerf
- Well designed and durable
- 100 carbide-tipped teeth
- Can cut softwood, hardwood, and non-ferrous metals
- The blades are easy to assemble in the machine
- Might be too expensive for some users
- Risk of blades getting bent during use
- Not recommended for hard metals
Best Overall Miter Saw Blade
The best overall miter saw blade is Freud D12100X Diablo 12 inch Miter Saw Blade because of its longevity, smooth operation, and 100 carbide-tipped teeth.
2.Best Miter Saw Blade to Cut Hardwood - Dewalt Miter Saw Cross-Cutting Thin Kerf 12 inch Blade
The next on our list of the best miter saw blades is the Dewalt crosscutting blade. We recommend this blade if most of your projects consist of cutting hardwood.
Moreover, the ultra-thin kerf will help you cut chipboards with great precision. We love the versatility of this miter saw blade given its price.
Factors to Consider Before you Decide to Buy Dewalt Cross-Cutting Thin Kerf 12 inch Blade
Application
If you decide to purchase this saw blade, you will notice it comes with a set of two blades. You can use these blades to make rough or fine cuts on softwood, hardwood as well as plywood.
Material
While we tested this blade, we were severely impressed by the material of its teeth.
They are made from high-quality tungsten carbide. Since this is a high-quality material, you can expect the blades to stay sharp for a long period of time.
Number of Teeth
With Dewalt thin kerf blade, you have two options. You can either use the 32 tooth blade for rough cuts or the 80 tooth blade for finer cuts.
They also come with a computer-balanced steel plate to reduce vibrations so the cuts are as accurate as possible.
- Ultra-sharp teeth
- Each blade is designed tough and durable
- Computer balanced steel plates reduce vibrations
- Equipped with laser cut expansion slots
- Good value for money
- Easy to connect to miter saws
- Laminate is not up to par
- 32 blade teeth is not recommended to make fine cuts
- Flimsy material instead of thick
Best Miter Saw Blade to Cut Hardwood
The best miter saw blade to cut hardwood is Dewalt Miter Saw Cross-Cutting Thin Kerf 12 inch Blade because of its versatility. You can use it to cut large woods including hardwood floors and PVC pipes.
3. Best Budget-Friendly Miter Saw Blade - Makita A-93681 Miter Saw Blade
If you want a high-performance blade on a budget, then the Makita A-93681 miter saw blade might be the one for you.
We love this blade because not only is it affordable but it has some added features to make it easy to use. The thin kerf provides a smooth cut that doesn’t put stress on the motor like other blades at this price point.
Moreover, they also added an alternative top and alternative face design to make the cuts as accurate as they can be.
Factors to Consider Before you Decide to Buy Makita A-93681 Miter Saw Blade
Application
We recommend you only cut plywoods, softwoods, and hardwood with this blade. You can also use it to make excellent crosscuts to your board or wood piece.
Material
Although it’s made from high-performance carbide and steel, we feel that it isn’t as durable as the other blade. But, it’s still a bang for your buck considering all the extra features.
Number of Teeth
Makita A-93681 is equipped with 80 micro-grain carbide teeth. The 60 grit gives it an incredible mirror finish.
We were also impressed by the ATAF technology of the teeth. This helped us create ultra-thin cuts on your projects.
- 5-degree hook angle
- Super accurate
- Does not waste wood as it cuts through
- Laser cut slots for expansion
- Great value for money
- Easy to install on miter saws
- Not as durable as other miter saw blades
- Can’t cut metal
Best Budget-Friendly Miter Saw Blade
The best budget-friendly miter saw blade is Makita A-93681 Miter Saw Blade because of its reasonable price, design, and accuracy.
4.Best Professional Miter Saw Blade - Hitachi 115436 12-inch 80 Tooth Fine Finish VPR Miter Saw Blade
If you want a professional miter saw blade, we recommend the Hitachi 115436 12” 80T Fine Finish VPR Miter Saw Blade.
Although there are other professional blades on the market, we love Hitachi due to its laser-cut expansion cut design. You can use the blades for a long time without any problems with the performance.
What’s more, is that it has a max RPM of 5800. This means that the cuts will be quick and smooth.
Factors to Consider Before you Decide to Hitachi 115436 12-inch 80 Tooth Fine Finish VPR Miter Saw Blade
Application
The Hitachi VPR miter saw blade is ideal to cut any wood. This includes softwood, solid wood, lumber, plywood, PVC, etc. You can also use it on an oriented strand board.
Material
We were pleased by the performance and durability of this blade. It is created from Japanese steel and micro-grain carbide. It also made a great blade for crosscuts.
Number of Teeth
Hitachi VPR is an 80 tooth micro-polished circular saw blade.
It is also equipped with tri-metal brazing. This allows the teeth to withstand extreme impact during use.
- Great tool for different types of woods
- Equipped with balancing precision tension to decrease vibrations
- Electrophoresis coating protects the blade from rust
- Tri-metal brazing increases durability
- Laser cut expansion slots help the blade to expand to cool of
- Teeth made of tungsten carbide tips
- Risk of wrapping with some materials
- Short warranty
- Assembly is difficult
Best Professional Miter Saw Blade
The best professional miter saw blade is Hitachi 115436 12-inch 80 Tooth Fine Finish VPR Miter Saw Blade because of its high-quality micro-grain tungsten carbide teeth. You can use it for framing, ripping, or even for finer cuts.
5.Best High-Density Carbide Miter Saw Blade - Freud 12" x 72T Thin Kerf Sliding Compound Miter Saw Blade (LU91R012)
Similar to other Freud blades this one also comes with a perma-shield non-stick surface. This helps lubricate the blade as it cuts through the material. It’s also proven to reduce kickbacks in your miter saw.
While testing out the blade, we noticed that it pushes the workpiece down and towards the saw fence. This allowed for smooth feeding and accurate cuts.
Factors to Consider Before you Decide to Freud 12″ x 72T Thin Kerf Sliding Compound Miter Saw Blade (LU91R012)
Application
You can use the Freud compound miter saw blade for all types of professional use. Due to the Perma shield, the blade can bear tough use. It also works great to cut large volumes of wood at a time.
Material
Just like other blades manufactured by Freud, this one is also made from Tico hi-density carbide. This blend is extra hard to stand in the face of demanding crosscuts or other use.
Number of Teeth
It comes with 72 teeth with a 5-degree negative hook. Moreover, it utilizes the alternate top bevel design to improve the quality of the cuts.
- Anti-vibration design
- Thin kerf
- Needs less horsepower
- Can perform complicated cuts
- Laser cut stabilizer vents
- Perfect for sliding miter saws
- Expensive for some users
- Quality issues
Best High-Density Carbide Miter Saw Blade
The best high-density carbide miter saw blade is the Freud 12″ x 72T Thin Kerf Sliding Compound Miter Saw Blade because it is ideal for heavy loads. It also decreases the vibration and noise due to the thin kerf.
6.Best General Use Miter Saw Blade - KHCRAFT Laser-Cut Thin Kerf General Purpose Blade
If you don’t want something super fancy, we suggest the Khcraft laser cut blade.
Its laser-cut technology sets it apart from other traditional blades. Stress and deformation on the blades can cause adverse effects on the body of the blade. The laser cut mechanism helps decrease the vibration to cut down on these negative effects.
Moreover, it has noise reduction lines similar to many high-end miter saw blades.
Factors to Consider Before you Decide to Buy KHCRAFT Laser-Cut Thin Kerf General Purpose Blade
Application
You can use this miter saw blade to cut high-quality finished lumber, rough framing lumber, plywood, softwood, hardwood, MDF, etc. It’s also ideal for ripping, crosscuts, and miter cuts. However, we don’t recommend you use it to cut iron or steel
Material
We were quite impressed by the manufacturing of this blade. The body is made of high-quality Japanese steel whereas the tips are crafted from professional tungsten carbide with Cobalt 6X.
Number of Teeth
This is a 12-inch blade with 60 ATB teeth.
Although the teeth are quite durable and made from micro-grain tungsten carbide, we don’t think it’s suitable for finer cuts. For finer cuts, anything higher than 80 teeth would do fine.
- Max RPM 5500 with 1-inch arbor
- Great for professional reshaping
- Ideal for dry wood
- Long blade life
- Vibration-free
- Tri-metal brazing to withstand shock
- Risk of losing balance
Best General Use Miter Saw Blade
The best general use miter saw blade is the KHCRAFT Laser-Cut Thin Kerf blade because of its versatility and affordable price. You can use it to cut all types of wood.
7.Best Crosscut Miter Saw Blade - SKILSAW SPT1011 12-inch 80T Miter Saw Blade For SPT88-01 Miter Saw
The last on our list of the best miter saw blades is the Skilsaw SPT1011. We highly recommend this blade if you need to make a lot of crosscuts in your projects.
You would be glad to know that the Skilsaw is extremely easy to handle. Therefore, we think it’s ideal for both professionals and hobbyists.
Factors to Consider Before you Decide to Buy SKILSAW SPT1011 12-inch 80T Miter Saw Blade
Application
You can use this blade to make crosscuts on a variety of different softwood, lumber, and hardwoods.
Material
We found its carbide formula to be extremely durable. Since carbide is such a strong material, it helps keep the blade sharp for a long time.
Number of Teeth
This is an 80 tooth miter saw. It also features an alternate top bevel (ATB) design to help you cut wood against the grain.
- Durable
- Alternate top bevel design
- Dark speed coat to reduce abrasion
- Accurate cuts
- Ideal for crosscuts
- Carbide formula prevents damage
- Hard to set up with your miter saw
Best Crosscut Miter Saw Blade
The best crosscut miter saw blade is SKILSAW SPT1011 12-inch 80T Miter Saw Blade because of its strong build and durability.
Looking for more detailed reviews? We’ve got them right HERE.
Buyers’ Guide - Best 12 Inch Miter Saw Blade
There are numerous types of blades available on the market. You can choose from their size, features, and price. But, how do you know if you’ve made the right decision?
To help you choose the best miter saw blade, we’ve written this buyer’s guide.
Here are some things you need to look out for:
Application
The type of blade you need relies on what type of job you intend to do with it. There are blades designed to cut certain materials.
For example, you can’t cut metal with a saw designed to cut wood. However, you’ll also find multi-purpose blades too. So, you can pick and choose the most suitable for you.
Material
This is an important feature to consider. The blade performance depends on the type of material it’s made from.
You can choose between three options:
- Steel
- High-speed steel
- Carbide-tipped
We recommend the steel option for long-term use. However, if you want something more budget-friendly, the others will do just fine.
Number of Teeth
This is where it gets technical. If you want a smoother cut and a crisp finish, we suggest you go for a blade with a higher number of teeth. Whereas, blades with a lower tooth count are ideal for thicker material or material in bulk.
However, for plastic, we recommend you choose a blade with few teeth. This is because too many teeth can melt the plastic instead of cutting it.
Moreover, a larger blade will have a greater number of teeth. So, a 12-inch blade will have 80 to 100 teeth, perfect for fine cuts.
Design of the Teeth
There are different types of designs you can choose from.
To make it easier for you, we’ve compiled them in a list:
- Alternate top bevel (ATB)
- Flat top gringo (FTG)
- Triple chip grind (TCG)
- Alternating top alternating face (ATAF)
- ATB with raker (ATBR)
All these designs differ in terms of the shape of the teeth. You’ll notice some of them be triangular with a positive or a negative rake. While others are very intricately designed.
Blade Diameter and Kerf Thickness
Lastly, consider the blade diameter and kerf thickness. Go through the blade’s user manual so you know the exact measurements. Incompatible blade size can damage both the miter saw and blade.
The kerf is the thickness of the blade. It decides how much stuff is used or wasted during the cut. If you want a quick cut and less wastage, we suggest you go for a blade with a thinner kerf.
However, if you want a blade to trim through objects like metal, a thicker kerf blade would be a better option.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Is a 12-inch Miter Saw Blade More Powerful Than a 10-inch Miter Saw Blade?
It’s a common misconception that a 12-inch saw blade may be more powerful than a 10-inch blade. But, it’s actually the reverse.
A 10-inch blade offers 5000 revolutions per minute. Whereas, a 12-inch blade can provide 4000 RPM for the same motor.
How Many Teeth Should a Miter Blade Have?
The number of teeth depends on the material you want to cut as well as the size of the blade.
For example, an 8.5-inch blade will have 60 teeth while a 12-inch blade has 80-100 teeth for finer cuts.
What is The Best Miter Saw Blade?
The best miter saw blades have proper diameters, designs, and tooth count. It should be specifically made for the material you want to cut.
The performance of the blade depends on both the material it’s made of and the design. Moreover, don’t forget to go through the user manual of your miter saw for the best experience.
Can I Use a 10-Inch Blade on a 12-Inch Miter Saw?
Yes, this is possible if the arbor size is the same. However, do not attempt to fit a 12-inch blade on a 10-inch miter saw.
This is because 10-inch miter saws have a lower motor power and may be at risk of overburdening. Moreover, since a 12-inch blade is heavier, the 10-inch miter saw won’t be able to support the blade.
This is not the case for 12-inch miter saws. A 10-inch blade won’t slow the motor down and give you finer and smoother cuts.
Can I Use My Miter Saw To Cut Metal?
You can definitely use a miter saw on metallic material, provided you have the correct blade.
For non-ferrous metals like aluminum, we recommend you go for a carbide-tipped blade. However, do keep in mind that metals wear out blades faster than wood.
What Blade is The Best To Cut Hardwood Floorings With?
If you want optimal cuts for your hardwood flooring, then you don’t need a substandard blade.
A good option would be 40-carbide tipped teeth or more if you want precise cuts. However, we suggest you use a diablo miter saw blade for this task.
How to Clean and Maintain your Miter Saw Blade?
Continuous use of the miter saw blade can cause acclimation of dust, debris, and other substance. Therefore, if you want to use your blade for a long time, it’s important to regularly clean it.
First, carefully remove the blade and place it in a tub or container of water. You can use a dishwasher soap or any blade cleaner to dilute it with water. Leave the blade in for 15-20 minutes.
Then, take a soft brush or an old toothbrush to scrub away the dirt. Submerge it in water once again to remove any final bits of debris.
Finally, dry the blade with a clean towel and reattach it to the saw.
One of the best ways to maintain the blade is to use oil or lubricates on the blade. This will allow the blade to keep moving smoothly for a long time.
Can you Sharpen a Miter Saw By Hand?
Although we recommend you use a power tool, you can sharpen it by hand.
You can use a triangular saw. The teeth of the blade are set at specific angles, so make sure you don’t deviate from this.
We also suggest you use a zig-zag manner to sharpen the teeth. Make sure you’re following the same angle. Once, you’ve sharpened both sides, clean the blade with soap and water.
Can I Use A Miter Saw Blade On A Table Saw?
You can use your miter saw blade on a table saw if the kerf is not thinner than the miter saw splitter.
But, if you have a table saw with a thicker splitter, you can easily get it replaced. Make sure it matches the thickness of the kerf of your blade.
Otherwise, the workpieces might get stuck and you might have trouble operating the saw.
Are Higher Tooth Counts Better in a Miter Saw Blade?
This completely depends on the type of cut you want to make.
If you’re going for a smooth crosscut, a blade with a higher tooth count would work best. But, if you don’t care for the appearance of the cut or want to perform a rip cut, then go for a miter saw blade with a lower tooth count.
Wrapping things up
This ends our review on the best 12-inch miter saw blades. For the most part, all of the blades listed above are excellent at what they do.
However, The Diablo Freud D12100X takes the number one spot for us. We were impressed by its Tico Hi-density carbide teeth for the extended sharpness of the blade. The teeth are also cut at an angle that enables the blade to spin at 6,000 RPM.
If you want a blade on a budget, Makita A-93681 is also a great option.
Don’t forget to keep your blades in a good condition so they last longer. The better you take care of your blade, the better they will serve you.
If there is anything further you would like to know, leave a comment below.
CLICK HERE, for tool reviews and more.