If you are looking for a miter saw blade and have decided on the 12-inch size, the next thing to do is choosing the best model that fits your needs.
There are several more factors you need to take into account, and in this post, we will show you how to choose the best 12-inch miter saw blade.
Here are the best 12-inch miter saw blades you can buy in 2024:
- Best Overall: DEWALT DW3128P5
- Best For Hardwood: MAKITA A-93734
- Best For Razor-Sharp Cuts: Freud D1244X
- Best For Softwood: Hitachi 115436
- Best For Smooth Cuts: Overpeak 12 Inch Circular Saw Blade
- Best For Dimensional Lumber: Neiko 10768A
| 6 Best 12-Inch Miter Saw Blades | ||
|---|---|---|
Best Overall | DEWALT DW3128P5 | |
Best For Hardwood | MAKITA A-93734 | |
Best For Razor-Sharp Cuts | Freud D1244X | |
Best For Softwood | Hitachi 115436 | |
Best For Smooth Cuts | Overpeak 12 Inch Circular Saw Blade | |
Best For Dimensional Lumber | Neiko 10768A | |
Best Overall: DEWALT DW3128P5
- Extra versatility – it includes two packs of different blades
- Enhanced durability - heavy-duty tungsten carbide material
- Able to make smooth, fast, and accurate cuts - thin kerf
- Simple storage and portability – include a carrying bag
- Dull easily while cutting laminate flooring
Check out the DEWALT DW3128P5 if you appreciate the most fine-tuned engineering 12” miter saw blade that is also backed by the manufacturer's 3-year limited warranty.
It comes in two packs: one 32-tooth blade and one 80-tooth blade for extra versatility. Both of them are made of heavier-duty tungsten carbide material, making them last a lot longer than usual.
The thin kerf, meanwhile, is key to help you make smooth and fast cuts with high accuracy. A big bonus for the additional carrying bag for simple storage and portability.
| DEWALT DW3128P5 Specifications | |
|---|---|
Material | Carbide |
Number of Teeth | One blade with 32 teeth One with 80 teeth |
Arbor Size | 1-Inch |
Max RPM | 7000 |
Highlight Features | include two packs of different blades heavy-duty tungsten carbide material thin kerf include a carrying bag |
Not only created by a renowned manufacturer, but the DEWALT DW3128P5 also becomes our Editor’s Choice Award winner for its overall performance, reliability, and price point.
Best For Hardwood: MAKITA A-93734
- Cut through hardwood fast without splintering them – the 100-tooth design
- Deliver true cuts – made of high-grade steel
- Give you a smooth and sleek finish – the teeth are honed with 600 grit
- Not last really long
- Quickly dull
As advertised, the MAKITA A-93734 makes wonderful cuts on hardwoods without splintering them. And you totally have a firm basis to trust our saying, which is its 100-tooth design.
The 0.71” plate thickness, 5-degree hook angle, and ultra-thin 0.91” kerf even give you the ability to split huge rolls of vinyl and cut through them in a jiffy.
Made of fully hardened steel that is also expertly hand tensioned, it delivers true cuts. Meanwhile, the teeth themselves are honed with 600 grit for a mirror finish.
| MAKITA A-93734 Specifications | |
|---|---|
Material | Carbide |
Number of Teeth | 100 |
Arbor Size | 1" |
Highlight Features | the 100-tooth design fully hardened and expertly hand tensioned steel the teeth are honed with 600 grit |
If you want to save hours of work and aggravation when cutting hardwood items, use the MAKITA A-93734.
Best For Razor-Sharp Cuts: Freud D1244X
- Great shock resistance - Freud's exclusive TiCo Hi-Density Carbide formula
- Corrosion and heat resistance - Perma-Shield Non-Stick Coating
- Too thin for mitering 1”x6” boards at 45 degrees
- It could give cleaner cuts
This 12” miter saw blade is very clean, easy to use, and delivers fast cuts. It is made in Italy, where sophistication and dedication are placed on top in any product manufacturing process. This one is no different!
It highlights hardy teeth that are well-covered by Freud's exclusive TiCo Hi-Density Carbide formula for enhanced shock resistance capabilities.
While the blade stays sharp for smooth and fast working proceeds, we realize that it doesn’t get dulled as fast as standard carbide.
We also appreciate the added Perma-Shield Non-Stick Coating for increased corrosion and heat resistance.
| Freud D1244X Specifications | |
|---|---|
Material | Carbide |
Number of Teeth | 44 |
Arbor Size | 1" |
Highlight Features | Freud's exclusive TiCo Hi-Density Carbide formula Perma-Shield Non-Stick Coating |
The Freud D1244X is one of those rare 12” miter saw blades designed with Freud's exclusive TiCo Hi-Density Carbide formula. Undoubtedly, it’s the sharpest on the market.
Best For Softwood: Hitachi 115436
- Cut fast, smoothly, and cleanly - 5500 maximum RPM
- Hold up well – made of 18/10” steel material
- Reduce blade vibration - Precision Tension Balancing
- No complaint
Not only work greatly on hardwoods but Hitachi 115436 also makes great cuts on softwood and other materials. Its performance is like a much more expensive model: offering 5500 maximum RPM, precision tension balancing, and compatibility with miter saws.
It is very quiet as well as cuts smoothly and cleanly without splintering the wood. Besides, the blade sharpness stays longer than others at the same price point.
Note: Recently, it has been renamed to Metabo HPT.
| Hitachi 115436 Specifications | |
|---|---|
Material | 18/10 Steel |
Arbor Size | 5/8” |
Max RPM | 5,500 max RPM |
Highlight Features | 5500 maximum RPM made of 18/10” steel material Precision Tension Balancing |
Working excellently on softwoods, the Hitachi 115436 is our recommendation for those DIY crowds doing their own finish work around the house.
Best For Smooth Cuts: Overpeak 12 Inch Circular Saw Blade
- Leave a polished surface after cut - ultra-thin kerf
- Cut fast and accurately - 80 ATB Triple Chip Grind Teeth
- Resist corrosion, rusting and gumming - Non-stick Perma-Shield Coating
- Not as durable as the high-end miter saw blades
We’re pleasantly surprised by how less of the waste left after being cut by this 12” miter saw blade. Besides, the cutting surface is as smooth as it would be sanded with 600 grit paper, just like a hot knife through butter.
It’s fast, smooth, and accurate. Everything is perfect!
To achieve such fantastic performance, that’s a big thank you to the ultra-thin kerf and 80 ATB Triple Chip Grind Teeth.
The blade, on the other hand, is built to last. The Non-stick Perma-Shield Coating plays a huge role in eliminating corrosion, rusting, and gumming. So, it won’t get full quickly.
| Overpeak 12 Inch Circular Saw Blade Specifications | |
|---|---|
Material | carbide |
Number of Teeth | 80 |
Arbor Size | 1” |
Max RPM | 5000 |
Highlight Features | ultra-thin kerf 80 ATB Triple Chip Grind Teeth Non-stick Perma-Shield Coating |
Boasting an ultra-thin kerf and 80 ATB Triple Chip Grind Teeth, the Overpeak 12 Inch Circular Saw Blade has long been known for its smooth cutting capabilities.
Best For Dimensional Lumber: Neiko 10768A
- Give the arbor a better fit – an additional 20mm arbor reducer
- Deliver cleaner and more accurate cuts - 80 sharp teeth
- Extra abrasion resistance and high heat protection – the tipped saw blade design
- It has a slight imbalance
- A bit heavy compared to other blades
- Not last well for laminate flooring
At this price point, it’s hard to find such a good saw blade like this one that can cut dimensional lumber like a champ.
We want to make clear that it might not be the best option for finish work but if you want to save your costly blades from getting dull by that type of work, try this.
It features a 1” arbor with a 20mm arbor reducer for great fit and 80 sharp teeth for cleaner and more accurate cuts when cutting across the grain. For extra abrasion resistance and high heat protection, Neiko shaped it as a tipped saw blade.
Combined with the high-grade carbide material, it is able to deliver not only a smooth but also clean cut.
| Neiko 10768A Specifications | |
|---|---|
Material | Carbide |
Number of Teeth | 80 |
Arbor Size | 1” |
Max RPM | 5000 |
Highlight Features | an additional 20mm arbor reducer 80 sharp teeth the tipped saw blade design |
The Neiko 10768A is an ideal 12” mitre saw blade for dimensional lumbers that we have ever tested.
How To Choose The Best 12-Inch Miter Saw Blade?
Tooth count & Shape
The tooth count and tooth shape are among the first things you need to think of when choosing a miter saw.
The tooth count on a blade can be anywhere between 14 and 120 teeth. This number will determine what material to use the saw on and what type of cut to make.
A miter saw blade should have about 80 teeth, more teeth will result in cleaner crosscuts.
The tooth shape also affects the saw performance. The teeth can be shaped for good rip cuts, crosscuts, or both. In the case of a miter saw, you should find Alternate Top Bevel teeth as they are made for crosscuts.
On the other hand, other shapes work too but they will result in rougher edges or slight damage to the wood.
Blade
When looking into the blade, you need to consider what materials you will cut and the thickness of the blade.
Many blades are made to specifically handle different materials like lumber, veneered panels and plywood, plastics and laminates, melamine, and non-ferrous metals.
You can also find combinations and general purpose blades that can make multiple types of cuts.
In terms of the thickness, it’s important to know the term kerf width that refers to the slot a blade can cut in the material.
Many blades offer both thin-kerf and full-kerf varieties. Regarding this factor, keep in mind that a thinner blade will result in more precise cuts and less material wasted.
Gullet
The gullet is the space between the blade teeth. Miter saw blades are designed for crosscuts, meaning more teeth and less space between them.
Good blades have a smaller gullet size that prevents too-fast feed rate while larger gullets mean faster stock removal.
Which Brands Make The Best 12-Inch Miter Saw Blade?
Makita
Founded in 1915, this company has had over 100 years of experience in the industry. Its strength is in research and development capability, offering powerful, durable products.
DEWALT
Over almost a century, DeWALT has become a leading brand in terms of power tools. Its products are best known for being tough and reliable.
Hitachi
Since its establishment in 1926, this company has been a leader in technology. It specializes in making smart products that work faster and enhance productivity for users.
Freud
This brand is confident to claim it’s the best in cutting tech. It focuses on materials, innovative designs, and manufacturing processes to deliver the best tool to you.
FAQs
How many teeth should a miter saw blade have?
A miter saw blade should have an average of 80 teeth.
Is more teeth on a saw blade better?
In a way, more teeth are better because that means you get a finer finish. But fewer teeth will cut faster.
Which is better 10 or 12 miter saw?
This depends on what you need. A 12-inch miter saw has more cutting power and more cutting capacity, but a 10-inch saw makes faster, smoother cuts.
Are Freud and Diablo the same?
No, they are not. Freud mostly offers full-kerf blades while Diablo is more specialized in thin-kerf blades.
Why do saw blades have cuts in them?
The cuts on a saw blade are probably the gullet, which is basically the space between the blade teeth. The gullet size determines how smooth a cut you will get.
Conclusion
We hope that through this comprehensive guide on choosing the best 12-inch miter saw blade, you will find it easy to get the perfect blade for your use. All of these factors are important, so make sure you take them into account before making any decision.
