Bosch vs Makita Miter Saw – Expert Opinion

Having the best miter saw in your workshop is a must. However, if you are confused when it comes to deciding Bosch vs Makita miter saw then you have come to the right place.

I know, as a DIYer it’s tough to decide which one is better for you.

In this article, I have come up with a detailed comparison of Bosch vs Makita miter saw so that you can quickly make your decision within a few minutes.

Well, Makita and Bosch are best at everything they do. Both manufacturers provide great value for their money.

As my ultimate goal is to find the best miter saw, I have tested both of them and found out the winner.

So let’s get started!

In a Hurry? Here’s A Quick Comparison of Both Miter Saws

Winner
BOSCH CM10GD
Makita LS1019L
Product
Product
BOSCH CM10GD
Makita LS1019L
Motor Power
Motor Power
15 AMP
15 AMP
Miters
Miters
52 Degrees Left, 60 Degrees Right
0-60 Degree left and right
Bevel
Bevel
0-48 degrees left and right
0-48 Degree left and right
Power type
Power type
Corded
Cordless
Weight
Weight
60 pounds
72 pounds
Laser Guide
Laser Guide
No
Yes
Size
Size
10 inch
10 inch

Author Note – I have kept the 10-inch miter saw in the spot for the sake of this comparison. However, you can also find a quick comparison between other sizes too at the end!

Overall Design: Bosch CM10GD  VS Makita LS1019L

bosch vs makita miter saw handle comparison

The overall design of a miter saw is important as this is the first thing you are going to see. Both manufacturers have designed their machines with style and great ergonomics.

When it comes to design, Makita LS1019L looks better than Bosch CM10GD. The best part about Makita’s design is its handle which provides the perfect grip for carrying the machine around.

Well, the CM10GD also provides a solid grip but I somehow feel more comfortable while handling the LS1019L due to its soft rubbery touch.

Bosch CM10GD has a small, compact design and is lightweight. It also has a soft grip over the handle which ensures a great user experience.

The overall weight of Makita LS1019L weighs 72 pounds whereas Bosch CM10GD weighs 60 pounds which is lighter.

When it comes to portability, the Bosch CM10GD seems to be a clear winner due to its slightly lighter design as compared to the LS1019L of the Makita.

However, this isn’t the only factor and for most people out there it may not even count because you will not be carrying the tool for most of the time.

Here’s a Full Review of the Bosch CM10GD

Sliding Mechanism

Both devices feature different sliding mechanisms. Or in fact, there is a huge difference between both devices when it comes to the sliding aspect.

The LS1019L features a common rail sliding design that allows the saw to be pulled forward and pushed backward during the cuts.

makita miter saw handling

It helps the tool to easily cut wide boards without any issue at all.

However, it may not be able to cut very wide boards due to the limited rail of the saw.

One other drawback of this design is that you can not place it very close to the wall because the rails won’t allow you to do so.

However, when it comes to the CM10GD, it features a flip and glide design. The rails have been attached to the base of the saw which glides smoothly during cuts.

As compared to LS1019L, this design has more space-saving benefits because you can place it very close to the wall due to the absence of bulky rail coming out of it.

makita ls1019l in action

On the other hand, the flip and glide design provide great cutting capabilities as you can move it closer to the wall for crosscuts.

It is safe to say that Bosch CM10GD has a much better sliding mechanism as compared to LS1019L which may prove a bit difficult while cutting large boards due to its bulky rail.

Here’s a Full Review of the Makita L1019L

Guide System

The LS1019L of Makita features an electric brake hence it stops the blade within less than a second.

This is not the case with CM10GD because there is no such brake in it which means that if you want to stop the blade then you will have to do so manually.

Motor Power

This one is a no-brainer and that’s the reason why you buy a miter saw. The motor delivers high performance and provides accurate cutting results. Both manufacturers use 15-amp motors in their machines.

Now mind that a 15 amp motor is great for a miter saw. This motor provides enough power to cut through all types of wood and metal. It enables the saw to run smoothly and for a long time.

When it comes to motor power since both devices have a similar motor i.e. 15 AMP, therefore, there is no clear winner. Both motors provide enough power and will not disappoint you.

Cutting Capacity

You can’t expect a miter saw to cut through everything like a hot knife melts butter. However, if your miter saw has more cutting capacity then it will enable you to cut thicker boards.

The cutting capacity of the miter saw is measured in inches and you must pay closer attention to this value especially if you are dealing with thick boards etc.

When it comes to the cutting capacity of the two devices the Bosch CM10GD wins. It features 12-inch horizontal capacity at 90° and 5-1/2-inch vertical capacity against the fence.

While on the other hand, the Makita LS1019L offers a 6-5/8-inch horizontal capacity and only 5-1/2 inch vertical capacity which is way less than the CM10GD.

Miter & Bevel Angle Range

makita miter saw bevel angle

The miter and bevel angles are most important for the accuracy of the device. The lower it is, the more accurate your cutting results will be. And you want to have a higher miter and bevel angle range so that you can do multiple types of cuts with your saw.

When it comes to the miter and bevel range, the CM10GD wins for being more versatile as it offers a full 10°- 52° left or right bevel angle with positive stops at 0°, 15°, 22.5°, 31.6°, 45° and 51.6° which is more than enough for your work.

The LS1019L on the other hand offers a standard miter degree range of 0°- 60° and a bevel range of 0-48 degrees that may not be enough for some users.

Accuracy of the Cuts

Accuracy is another factor that you must pay attention to while buying a miter saw. The more accurate it is, the better and more professional your cutting results will be.

While performing my tests I found out that both devices feature an accurate laser guide system to provide great accuracy of cuts. However, the CM10GD offers great adjustability and increases the accuracy factor because it features a 15-amp dual bevel motor that provides more power and can cut through any type of material.

When it comes to the actual cutting test, I found out that both devices don’t require much force and deliver accurate cuts without any struggle which is something we all want.

Depth Adjustment & Angle Indicator

bosch bevel and angle indicator

Both devices feature positive depth stops at 0, ½, and 2-1/4 inches.

It’s good to see that these measurements are done in inches rather than millimeters which make it easier for us Americans to do the math.

I found out that the depth indicator of the LS1019L is not accurate because when I set it to 1/2, I had to turn the knob by 2 and 3-4 revolutions in order for it to stop at 1/2 and when I set it to 2-1/4 it took me 5 revolutions before it stopped.

Some other users have reported this issue so there must be something wrong with the indicator. As for the CM10GD, its depth indicator is accurate and doesn’t require much force to turn it.

The LS1019L features a 0-50° bevel scale with 0-60° miter scale while on the other hand, the CM10GD features a positive stop at 22.5, 45 and 60 degrees which helps you set the device at any desired angle and get back to your work quickly.

I personally like the 60 degrees positive stop of the CM10GD because it enables you to make quick cuts or side bevels without wasting much time.

Mobility & Portability

Both devices feature a compact size which is a great thing to have on your miter saw. The Bosch CM10GD features a 60-pound weight which makes it more portable as compared to the 78.2-pound weight of the Makita LS1019L.

The CM10GD features a large base that provides great stability and stability is a factor you don’t want to ignore when dealing with miter saws as it can risk your safety or even damage your equipment.

In addition, the CM10GD offers great mobility as it has wheels at the front of the device which makes it very easy to pull and push around. The LS1019L doesn’t offer such a thing and has no wheels at the front which makes it difficult to transport.

However, both devices can be easily moved from one workstation to another due to their compact size and lightweight.

Dust Collection & Blade Guard

When it comes to dust collection both devices are great as they have dust ports that are large enough to fit 4 inches hoses.

However, the CM10GD is better than the LS1019L because it features a blade guard and riving knife with anti-kickback pawls which will help you protect your hand from any type of injury when dealing with wood pieces.

On the other hand, the LS1019L doesn’t feature a very reliable blade guard or riving knife which can be dangerous for new users or even experienced ones.

Stability & Safety

The stability of a miter saw enables you to make accurate cuts and avoid putting your hands in a dangerous spot while using it. As mentioned above, the CM10GD offers great stability due to its large base which provides more stability and minimizes blade deflection.

The LS1019L doesn’t offer such a thing as it has a small base that can be unstable on some types of surfaces, therefore, you must make sure that the surface is stable enough for this miter saw, or else it may cause injuries.

Another thing you should know is that the blades of a miter saw can be dangerous if they come in contact with other objects such as your hands, fingers or body parts.

To avoid this type of accident, you must use a riving knife and blade guard that will help you avoid getting injured because it has anti-kickback pawls.

However, some users reported that the blade guard on their LS1019L came off easily which is very dangerous for safety. This issue can be resolved if you tighten the screws of your device regularly which will help it stay in place. On the other hand, the CM10GD doesn’t have this problem because its blade guard stays in place.

Versatility

One of the most important factors you should consider when buying a miter saw is versatility. A miter saw with great versatility will help you complete many jobs without having to switch devices, therefore, increasing your productivity.

The CM10GD has more than enough capacity for making cuts at 90° and 45° angles which are the job of a miter saw. The LS1019L provides the same capacity as it can perform at 90° and 45° angles but it has another feature that makes it better than the CM10GD.

The LS1019L features a sliding arm that increases its capacity to make cuts at 97.5, 64.5, and 39 degrees which are the angles included in compound miter cuts.

Although the CM10GD can also make these types of cuts, they will take more time and effort as compared to using the LS1019L because you will have to push and pull it multiple times.

For that reason, you should consider buying the LS1019L if you mainly make compound miter cuts because it will save you time and effort. However, if you don’t make these types of cuts often, then the CM10GD will be a better option for you due to its great capacity for making standard miter angles.

Warranty

Both devices offer two-year warranties which cover any type of defect that can show up within this timeframe.

However, the warranty of the LS1019L will be void if you use it incorrectly or modify its components without the consent of Makita which means that you should handle your device with care to avoid damaging it.

On the other hand, the CM10GD doesn’t provide any limitations during usage and it doesn’t void the warranty if you modify its components because it has great durability.

Also Read – Best Miter Saw for Fine Woodworking

Bosch 12 Inch VS Makita 12 Inch Miter Saw

BOSCH Power Tools GCM12SD
Winner
Makita LS1219L
Product
Product
BOSCH Power Tools GCM12SD
Makita LS1219L
Brand
Brand
BOSCH
Makita
Blade Length
Blade Length
12 Inches
12 inch
Power Source
Power Source
Corded Electric
Corded
Power
Power
15 Amp
15 Amp
Cutting Capacity
Cutting Capacity
14 inch horizontal and 6-1/2 inch vertical
8 inch, 6-3/4 inch
Bevel Angle
Bevel Angle
45-degree left right
45 degree left right
Laser
Laser
No
Yes

Conclusion

After taking a closer look at various features of both miter saws, we’ve come to the conclusion that the Bosch CM10GD might be a better choice. It has a powerful motor that enables you to make clean cuts through different types of wood, rigid aluminum extrusions, and more without any trouble.

In addition, it features anti-kickback pawls which will protect your hand from injury if planks or timbers get kicked back while cutting them. This is why the CM10GD is safer than the LS1019L.

On top of that, its blade guard stays in place which will prevent accidents such as your hands or fingers getting in contact with the blades when they are exposed, therefore making it much safer to use.

However, both devices offer great capacities and there isn’t a big difference between them.

Although the LS1019L has a sliding arm that makes it better at making compound miter cuts, this feature isn’t something you should consider to be a priority because most users don’t make these types of cuts on a regular basis.

Therefore, if you are looking for the best miter saw to complete all standard tasks with more power and durability, then the CM10GD by Bosch will be a more suitable option for you.

However, if your priority is to make compound miter cuts often, then buy the LS1019L because of its great capacity to do this job. Otherwise, it’s better to choose the CM10GD due to its greater versatility and simplicity to use.

Thank you for reading our article! I hope I helped you make a more informed decision.

Click Here to Check the Latest Price of Bosch CM10GD Check Here to Check the Latest Price of the Makita LS1019L

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