DEWALT DWS715 Miter Saw Review: Is It Worth It for a First Miter Saw?

Quick verdict

The DEWALT DWS715 is a corded 12-inch, single-bevel compound miter saw. After reading the maker's specs, Bob Vila's tested review, a written review summary and a video test, our verdict is: if you want one straightforward miter saw for trim, framing and deck boards, it is a safe choice.

It is light for a 12-inch saw, it has firm angle stops, and reviewers praise its accuracy and value. It is also a simple saw: no sliding arm, a single bevel and a dust bag that catches only part of the dust.

If you are still deciding whether you need a miter saw at all, start with our miter saw basics. This page covers one exact model.

What you get

According to the maker and the listing:

• A 12-inch blade and a 15-amp corded motor rated at 4,000 RPM.
• A stainless-steel miter plate with 14 positive stops, which click at the common angles.
• A miter range of 50 degrees each way and a bevel of 48 degrees left and 3 degrees right.
• A cross-cut capacity of 2x8 at 90 degrees and 2x6 at 45 degrees.
• A fence tall enough for 5-1/2 inch base molding standing on edge.
• A dust bag.

Matt Crampton Labs' video unboxes the saw and notes the blade in the box is a 24-tooth framing blade, which the reviewer planned to replace with an 80-tooth blade for nicer cuts. That fits what reviewers usually suggest for any miter saw: use a framing blade for rough work and a finer blade for trim.

What buyers and testers say

We read the review summary on ShopSavvy, Bob Vila's tested DEWALT roundup and the video test.

What gets praised most

1. Accuracy. ShopSavvy's summary praises accuracy, and Bob Vila's testers scored it high for it and called it powerful and precise on dimensional lumber and trim. In the video, the reviewer found the cuts smooth and the saw far more powerful than the 10-inch saw he was replacing.
2. Portability. Bob Vila's testers liked its 36-pound weight for moving between jobs and gave it top marks for portability and ease of use.
3. Value. ShopSavvy and Bob Vila's testers both single out value, and Bob Vila names it the best bang for the buck among the DEWALT miter saws it covered.

Most common complaints

1. No sliding arm. Wide boards are limited to what the blade can span. Bob Vila's testers note this and add that a 12-inch blade still handles most boards in residential work.
2. Single bevel. The blade tilts left 48 degrees and right only 3, so some compound cuts mean flipping the board.
3. Dust bag. ShopSavvy lists the small bag, which fills quickly, as a drawback. Use a shop vacuum.

The video also shows one limit: at a 45-degree bevel, the blade could not cut all the way through a 4x4. That is normal for a 12-inch saw with this design, but worth knowing.

Pros and cons

What the test cuts show

The most useful evidence we found is Matt Crampton Labs' video, because it shows the saw cutting real lumber. The reviewer unboxed the saw, noted it looked well finished and that the miter table swung smoothly and locked into the stops from 0 to 45 degrees, then made test cuts outside.

• 90-degree cuts: a 2x4, a 4x4, a 2x6 and a 4x6, all cut through in one pass. The reviewer said the cut was smooth, with just a little chip-out on the edge of the 2x6 that a zero-clearance insert would reduce.
• 45-degree cuts: a 2x4 and a 2x6 cut cleanly. A 4x4 would not cut all the way through at 45 degrees, because the blade's arbor hit the wood.

Those results line up with the maker's capacity figures, a 2x8 at 90 degrees and a 2x6 at 45. If your projects involve 4x4 posts cut at an angle, a 12-inch saw of this type will need two passes or a handsaw to finish the cut.

Blades, stands and extras

The saw comes with a framing blade. For trim, flooring or cabinet work, a blade with many more teeth gives a cleaner edge; the video reviewer planned to fit an 80-tooth blade. You will also want a stand or bench with side supports, a shop vacuum for the dust port, and a pair of clamps. None of these come in the box, so plan for them when you decide whether the saw fits your space.

How it compares

Against a 10-inch miter saw. Smaller saws are lighter and fine for trim, but the video reviewer said he could not cut all the way through a 4x4 with his 10-inch saw, and the 12-inch DWS715 does at 90 degrees.

Against a sliding miter saw. Sliding saws cut wider boards but are heavier and need room behind them. The reviewer in the video chose the DWS715 over DEWALT's sliding models partly for the smaller footprint. If you cut wide shelf boards or deck boards over eight inches often, a sliding saw is worth the extra space.

Against a dual-bevel saw. A dual-bevel saw tilts both ways, which saves flipping boards for crown molding and compound cuts. The DWS715 is the simpler option.

Against a circular saw. A circular saw like the DEWALT DWE575SB cuts plywood sheets and goes to the work. A miter saw makes faster, more exact crosscuts on boards. For a first saw, many buyers are better served by a circular saw; the miter saw is the next one to add.

Setting it up and using it

Stable surface. A miter saw is only as accurate as what it sits on. Use a folding stand with side supports or a solid bench.

Check square. Before an important job, check the fence and blade against a reliable square. Fix the saw, not the board.

Hold the board firmly, keep your hands well away from the blade, and clamp short pieces.

Let the blade stop before lifting the handle.

Use a stop block for repeat cuts, and a shop vacuum for dust.

Planning a deck or a trim job? The deck calculator counts boards, and the feet-inch fraction calculator turns a cut list into exact lengths.

Who should buy it, who should wait

Buy it if you cut a lot of boards to length: baseboard, deck boards, studs, fence pickets or shelves. It turns a pile of lumber into accurate pieces faster than any handheld saw, and the stops make repeat angles easy.

Wait or choose a different saw if most of your cuts are on plywood or long boards, in which case a circular saw suits you better, or if you cut a lot of wide boards, where a sliding saw is the better tool. If you only make a handful of cuts each year, a hand saw and a speed square may be all you need.

Durability and warranty

Most buyers are happy with the DWS715, but reviews of any popular saw include some reports of early problems. Keep your receipt and check the maker's warranty terms on the day you buy; DEWALT's terms vary by product and change over time, so we do not quote them here. A miter saw that travels in a truck or a garage also benefits from a quick square check every so often, since a knock can move the fence.

Tips if you buy one

1. Add a finer blade. The stock framing blade is fine for rough work, but trim looks better with more teeth.
2. Set it on a stand or bench with supports at table height on both sides.
3. Clamp short pieces instead of holding them.
4. Cut a scrap first at the angle you need, and check it with a square.
5. Use a stop block for repeat cuts so every piece matches.
6. Connect a shop vacuum since the bag catches only part of the dust.

Key specs to look for

Where to buy

The DEWALT DWS715 is widely sold, including on Amazon. It sits in our mid-range tier. Check that the listing says DWS715 before you order.

DEWALT 12-Inch Miter Saw, 15-Amp, Single Bevel, Compound (DWS715)

Mid ($$)Worth-owning score 8.3/10

• A 12-inch blade and 15-amp motor that handle standard lumber and most trim
• Stainless-steel miter plate with 14 positive stops, so repeat angles match
• About 36 pounds, light enough to move between jobs

View on Amazon

How we scored it

Usefulness 9/10 · Value 8/10 · Durability 8/10. This is our own opinion, based on specs, buyer reviews and independent tests. It is not an Amazon or customer rating.

Read the newest reviews before you buy. Add a finer blade, safety glasses and hearing protection to the same order, and plan for a stand.