The circular saw and miter saw are two very powerful woodworking saws. How do you pick the correct one? In this article, I will go over the key differences between the circular saw and miter saw, the advantages between each saw, questions to ask before buying a circular saw and miter saw, and the ideal users for each.
In short, the circular saw is ideal for users who want a versatile saw that is portable and can cut varying lengths of wood. The miter saw is ideal for users who already have a versatile saw and want to cross-cut thicker lumber, miters, and bevels.
Directory
- 10 Circular saw and Miter saw differences
- Saw advantages
- Questions to ask
- Ideal circular saw user
- Ideal miter saw user
10 Circular saw and Miter saw differences
| Circular Saw | Miter Saw | |
| Portability | More. Circular saws are lighter, smaller, handheld, and have battery operated options. | Less. Miter saws are heavier, larger and do not have battery operated options. |
| Accuracy | Less. Less accurate fine tune adjustments | More. Fine tune adjustments with incorporated clamping capabilities |
| Efficiency | Less. Takes more time with clamping, alignment, and jig and guide setups. | More. Takes less time with fine-tune adjustments and integrated fence and clamps. |
| Versatility | More. Can perform more cut types, is more portable, and has a higher cutting capacity | Less. Can only perform certain cuts and is not portable. But is more accurate and has a higher cut depth |
| Safety | Less. Kickback throws saw at user and more prone to human error. | More. Less prone to human error |
| Cutting Capacity | More. Can perform cuts on long pieces of lumber. | Less. Average cutting capacity of 6″ to 12″ |
| Cut depth | Less. Can cut wood up to 2 1/2″ thick | More. Can cut wood up to 4″ thick |
| Cut types | More. Able to perform cross-cuts, rip-cuts, beveled, and mitered cuts | Less. Can only perform cross-cuts, beveled, and mitered cuts |
| Price | Less. Price ranges from $50-250 | More. Price ranges from $100 – $1000 |
| Maintenance cost | Less. Blades and fixes are smaller and less expensive. Maintenance is minimal. | More. Blades are larger and fixes are more expensive. Maintenance is minimal. |
Portability
Circular saws are more portable than miter saws. The average circular saw weighs 5 to 15 pounds. Additionally, circular saws are handheld tools and some are battery operated.
In comparison, miter saws are larger woodworking saws that weigh between 30 and 100 pounds. Smaller compact miter saws are more portable, however, these saws do not have as much cut capacity and cut depth. In contrast, larger sliding miter saws are less portable but have more cut capacity and cut depth.
Accuracy
Miter saws are more accurate than circular saws. Miter saws have more fine tune adjustments to allow for accurate miters and bevels. Miter saws also have more positive stops to allow for perfect miter and bevel angles. The miter fence allows for a straighter cut and the integrated clamps keeps the wood still throughout the cut.
In comparison, most circular saws do not have integrated fences for straight cuts. There are jigs that allow for accurate straight cuts. Additionally, circular saws do not cut accurate bevels, like the miter saw.
Efficiency
With the integrated fences, clamps, and fine tune adjusters, miter saws are more efficient than circular saws. Circular saws take more time to set up with the use of jigs, guides, and external clamps.
Versatility
Circular saws are more versatile than miter saws. With circular saws, you can perform rip-cuts, cross-cuts, bevels and miters. Additionally, you can cut lumber and sheet material of any size since the tool is handheld. You can also easily transport the circular saw to remote jobsite locations due to its portability.
Miter saws cannot be used in as many scenarios as the circular saw. With the miter saw, you can only perform cross-cuts, bevels, and miters. You cannot perform rip-cuts with a miter saw. The miter saw is more efficient and accurate than the circular saw.
Safety
Miter saws are generally more safe than circular saws. However, both saws are very safe then the correct protocols followed.
The main safety difference between the two saws is due to the direction the blade is spinning in relation to the user. The circular saw blade spins towards the user while the miter saw blade spins away from the user.
Because of this, circular saw kickback causes the saw to jerk towards the user. This increases the risk of injury. The miter saw has integrated clamping that limits injury. Miter saw kickback may jerk the saw, but since the saw is larger and heavier, the saw will not fly away.
Kickback resulting in the wood flying towards the user can happen with either saw.
Circular saw also has to worry about runaway blades and is more likely to experience kickback due to human error. To learn more about circular saw safety and mitigation, check out my article “Circular Saw Safety: Injuries, Precautions, Scenarios“.
Cutting Capacity
The circular saw has a much larger cutting capacity than the miter saw. Since the tool is handheld, you can cut board of any length.
The miter saw can only perform rip-cuts and has a cutting capacity of 6″ to 12″, depending on the saw type. Compact saws with smaller blades can cut up to 6″ and sliding saws with larger blades can cut up to 12″.
Cut depth
Miter saws have a larger cut depth than circular saws. The larger 12″ miter saw blades can cut lumber up to 4″ thick. In comparison, the larger 7 1/2″ circular saw blades can cut lumber up to 2.5″ thick.
Miter saws are ideal for users who need to cut 4×4 wood.
Cut types
The circular saw can perform more cut types than the miter saw. With the circular saw, you can perform rip-cuts, cross-cuts, bevels, and miters on wood of any size. While the beveled and mitered cuts may not be as accurate as the miter saw, you have a saw that can perform more types of cuts.
In comparison, the miter saw can only perform cross-cuts, beveled, and mitered cuts. While it isn’t intended, a miter saw can technically perform rip-cuts on smaller pieces of wood. However, you may not be able to clamp the wood correctly thus posing a safety risk. If you want to rip cut larger pieces of wood, then you will need to use another saw besides the miter saw.
Price
Circular saws are cheaper than miter saws. Circular saws generally range between $50 and $250 while miter saws range between $100 and $1,000. Since the saws are so different, I do not recommend making a decision on which saw to get solely based on price alone.
The circular saw is cheaper, more versatile, and the preferred saw for most woodworkers. However, there are questions you should ask yourself before picking between a circular saw and a miter saw. I talk more about these questions in the “Questions to ask” section.
Maintenance costs
Miter saws have more expensive maintenance costs than circular saws. But the miter saw and circular saw both have minimal maintenance requirements. The main maintenance than you would need to perform for both saws are periodical blade changes. Miter saw blades are larger and more expensive than circular saw blades. Miter saw blades range from $20 to $100 depending on type, brand, and size, while circular saw blades range from $10 to $80.
Saw advantages
Circular saw advantages
In all, circular saws are more advantageous than miter saws in the type of cuts that you can perform, the portability, cutting capacity, and the price.
- Portability
- Versatility
- Cutting capacity
- Cutting variety
- Price
Miter saw advantages
In all, miter saws are more advantageous than circular saws in the accuracy of the cuts, the safety of the saw, the cut depth, and the efficiency.
- Accuracy
- Safety
- Efficiency
- Cut depth
Questions to ask
Before picking between a circular saw and miter saw, you should ask yourself these 6 questions.
Do I have a rip-cut saw?
If you do not have a saw that can perform rip-cuts, like a jigsaw, circular saw, or table saw, then you should get a more versatile saw before getting a miter saw.
A circular saw is more versatile and portable while the table saw is more efficient and accurate. To learn about the differences between the table saw and circular saw, check out my article “Circular saw vs table saw
What types of cuts do I need to make?
If you need to make miters and beveled cuts, then your ideal saw will be the miter saw.
If you need to cut 4×4 wood, then you should choose a miter saw. A table saw can also cut 4×4 wood, but it becomes difficult when cutting longer pieces of wood.
Do I need a portable saw?
Circular saw are more portable than miter saws. I do not recommend choosing a saw solely based on the portability. Compact 8″ miter saws are lighter and smaller, thus making them capable of remote jobsite work. Sliding 12″ miter saws are heavier and larger. Circular saws and miter saws are both able to be transported to remote jobsite locations.
Do I need enhanced accuracy?
If you need a highly accurate saw, then the miter saw will be a better fit. Miter saws have finer adjustments and better integrated features. With the help of jigs, you can still make a circular saw very accurate.
The caveat is that if you need to cut accurate bevels and miters, you should not use a circular saw and will need a miter saw.
What is my budget?
Miter saws cost more than circular saws and range between $100 and $1,000. Circular saws range between $50 and $250. If you are on a tight budget, then you should get a circular saw over a miter saw. However, there are other saw options to considering a tight budget and woodworking needs. To learn more about woodworking saws, check out my article “Woodworking Power Saw Complete Guide: 6 Types of Woodworking Saws”.
What types of projects will I be creating?
If you are creating picture frames, boxes, and joinery with miters and bevels, then you should get a miter saw. Additionally, if you need an accurate and effective cross-cut saw, then you should get a miter saw. Otherwise, you may not entirely benefit from a miter saw.
If you are cutting large sheets of sheet material like plywood, mdf, and other particle board, then you should get a circular saw.
How often do I need to make mitered and beveled cuts?
Will you be making enough beveled and mitered cuts to justify purchasing a miter saw? Honestly, I purchased a miter saw with the purpose of making miter and bevel cuts, and I barely use it because I hardly need to make those cuts.
Now this should not deter you completely. Even though I do not use my miter saw for miters and bevels often, I use it to quickly and efficiently cross-cut longer boards.
Ideal Circular saw user
The ideal circular saw user will need to a very portable hand saw to cut long pieces of dimensional lumber and sheet material. Additionally, the user will want a saw to perform most types of cuts.
- Rip and cross cut long pieces of dimensional lumber
- Portable, handheld saw
- Cut sheet material
- Want to perform most types of cuts
Ideal miter saw user
The ideal miter saw user will need to perform very accurate and efficient miters, bevels, and cross cuts. Additionally, the user will likely have a more versatile saw that can perform rip-cuts and does not mind decreased portability of the saw.
- Accurate miters and bevels
- Accurate cross-cuts for long pieces of dimensional lumber
- Already has a rip-cut saw
- Does not need a highly portable saw
Conclusion
In all, the circular saw is ideal for users who want a versatile saw that is portable and can cut varying lengths of wood. The miter saw is ideal for users who already have a versatile saw and want to cross-cut thicker lumber, miters, and bevels.
In this article, we learned about the differences, in depth, between the miter saw and circular saw. We also learned about the specific advantages that each saw had along with questions to ask yourself before picking a saw. Lastly, we looked at what the ideal user would look like for the circular saw and the miter saw.
Thank you so much for taking the time to read this article and I wish you luck on your woodworking journeys!
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