One of the first power tool purchases many woodworkers make is a power miter saw. Although power miter saws offer a significant step up in precision and power over hand mitersaws, it can be difficult to navigate the multitude of options.
Ryobi offers a variety of power saws to suit different purposes. All models are compatible with the Ryobi miter saw stand and Ryobi miter saw parts. To decide which saw is right for you, it helps to know a little more about each model. Check out our buying guide onthe best miter sawoverall.
Ryobi Miter Saw 7 Inch Review
This little guy is the best choice for a saw buyer on a budget. The 7 inch miter saw uses a 7 inch cutting blade.
Things We Like:
- This Ryobi miter saw is the cheapest
- At just 7 kg, it is among the lightest Ryobi miter saws
- It is it easy to align boards before cutting with the laser guide
- The motor’s 9 amp rating gives you plenty of power to cut.
Things We Dont Like:
- Small blade size means that cuts are limited to 24 lumber and smaller trim sizes
- Not big enough for some crown molding or framing jobs
Ryobi Miter Saw 25 Cm Review
Ryobi’s 25 cm miter saw is the most affordable and powerful. It is an affordable saw that can tackle big jobs.
Things We Like:
- A 14-amp motor provides plenty of cutting power
- 25 cm blade can miter-cut 24 and bevel-cut 26 lumber
- The 7-inch model is cheaper than the larger saw, but it’s still a powerful saw.
- Safety added by electric blade brake
Things We Don’t Like:
- The Ryobi 25 cm miter saw is a big saw and really needs the Ryobi miter saw stand to work at its best
- They won’t tackle the most difficult jobs
Ryobi Miter Saw 18-Volt 7 Inch Cordless Review
Ryobi’s cordless 18-volt 7″ miter saw is Ryobi’s lightest and most portable model. This saw is ideal for jobs that need the saw to be moved about a lot or where electricity is not available.
Things We Like:
- This Ryobi miter saw is light at 7 kg
- The saw’s cordless motor is lightweight and portable so it can be used anywhere.
- Ideal for jobs that require mobility, such as adding trim to every room in a house.
Things We Dont Like:
- The Ryobi 7 inch cordless miter saw has the same limited cutting capacity as the 7 inch miter saw, but at a higher price point
- It does not have pre-set stops to cut common angles, like other models.
- Batteries are sold separately
- Not a great choice for heavy-duty framing work
Ryobi Miter Saw Sliding 30 Cm Review
Ryobi’s 30 cm sliding miter saw, the Ryobi 30, is the best. It is the most expensive Ryobi miter saw, but it is also the most powerful. This saw is the best choice for cutting larger pieces of lumber. This saw features a sliding arm that lets the blade move back and forth to cut much bigger pieces of wood.
Things We Like:
- You can make 90 degree cuts in lumber up to 214 or 46 inches, and 45 degree in lumber up to 210 inches.
- Ryobi’s most powerful miter-saw motor is a 15 amp motor
- Table extensions make it easier to handle long boards for cutting
- Safety braking with an electric blade
- This is the way to take on large jobs
Things We Don’t Like:
- Ryobi miter saws are more expensive than the other models
- For most projects, extra cutting capacity might not be worth it.
Miter Saw Basics
Sometimes, miter saws are called chop saws. But there’s a big difference. Chop saws can only make 90 degree cuts. They only go up and down, like a karate chop. The miter saws can make 90-degree cuts. However, the blade alignment can also be altered to make miter cuts. Are you questioning if you need a miter saw? You can read Miter Saw vs Circular Saw: Do You Really Need Both? For more information, click here
Cross cuts are used to shorten long boards to the correct length. Miter cuts are used to cut lumber at an angle across the width of the board. Some miter saws also cut bevels-angles relative to the narrowest dimension of the board. Its recommneded that you have a miter saw stand. Check out our guide on the best miter saw stand.
Making Miter Cuts
The miter saw blades can be adjusted because miter cuts are done at an angle. Clear angle markings are a good way to identify the cutting angle. Some miter saws even have settings that allow you to cut at common angles. Most common settings are 15, 22.5, 31.6 and 45 degrees for square ends.
Miter Saw Blades
Miter saws come in a variety of blade sizes. Use the right size blade for your saw.
- For cutting trim, 7-inch blades are the best.
- 25 cm blades are a good all-around choice for trim or light framing.
- 30 cm blades can cut large dimension framing lumber
The arm of sliding miter saws allows the cutting head and blade to move back and forth. This allows the saw’s cutting head to slide back and forth, allowing it to cut more lumber than a non-sliding one with the same blade.
There are many aftermarket blades that can be used with miter saws. For smooth cuts in trimming work, blades with fine teeth will be the best. For larger lumber, blades with smaller teeth can cut more quickly.
What Size Boards Can I Cut?
The size of board that you can cut depends on the size of the saw blade, the angle you are cutting, and whether or not the saw has a sliding arm. For more information on sliding vs. non-sliding miter saws check out this guide.
Both of the Ryobi 7 inch miter saws (corded and cordless) can make square cuts in boards as wide as 4 inches and 45-degree cuts in 8 cm stock.
The Ryobi 25 cm miter saw is capable of cutting 44 or 26 squares and making 45-degree cuts in 26 timber.
The Ryobi 30 cm sliding miter saw can crosscut lumber as large as 214 or 46 and can make 45-degree cuts in 210 lumber.
Cut Crown Molding
Compound miter saws make cuts that feature an angle and a bevel in the same cut. Compound miter cuts are required for crown molding installation. If you are installing crown molding, look for a saw with a 31.6 miter stop and a 33.9 degree bevel stop. These two settings are needed in combination to get proper corners in crown molding.
Ryobi Brand Info
Ryobi power tools are built by the same company who makes Milwaukee brand professional tools. Ryobi tools are designed for DIYers and hobbyists.
Choose Ryobi tools if you are working on a specific large project, do small projects on the weekends, or are just building a tool collection. Ryobi tools might not be the right choice if you are a professional builder or contractor.
The Ryobi 30 cm sliding mitersaw is our choice. This miter saw is powerful and can do any job, from trimming to framing.
