DeWalt 60V MAX Brushless Cordless 12 in. Double-Bevel Sliding Miter Saw Kit

First impressions and setup

I set up the 60V 12-in slider on a stand the same way I would any big miter—unbox, lock the head, mount the blade, square the fence, and check the bevel and miter scales. Out of the box, the saw was very close to true. A couple of minor tweaks on the bevel zero and fence had it dialed in within minutes. The controls are familiar DeWalt: positive miter detents, a sturdy miter lock, and a bevel release that’s easy to reach without awkward hand gymnastics.

At 50.9 lb tool-only, it’s no featherweight, but it’s on par with many 12-in corded sliders. The payoff for the mass is a planted feel and low vibration in use. The kit includes a 9.0Ah FLEXVOLT battery, a 6A charger, clamp, stabilizer bar, dust bag, and AirLock adapter. You can be cutting within minutes.

Power and cut capacity

The brushless motor and bevel-gear transmission give this saw a very “corded” feel. On site, I crosscut 3x12 stock at 90° (the stated max is 3 in x 12 in), and the saw held speed without bogging. At 45°, the 3 in x 8 in capacity covers most common trim and framing tasks. No-load speed is 3800 RPM; while that number isn’t flashy, the torque delivery and smooth acceleration make up for it. Start-up has a confident ramp without the jump you sometimes get with belt-drive saws.

For trim, the cut quality with a fine-tooth blade was excellent—minimal tearout on prefinished casing and a glassy surface on paint-grade MDF. For framing and decking, swapping to a general-purpose or framing blade kept throughput high. The blade brake is quick, and I appreciate the regenerative braking—blade stops fast, and runtime is strong. I can’t isolate the regen’s exact contribution, but over a day of repetitive cuts, the saw consistently ran longer than I expected from a single 9.0Ah pack.

Accuracy and visibility

Accuracy starts with a rigid head and a stable rail system. Deflection was negligible on full extension crosscuts in hardwood. The miter detents are positive, and the indicator is easy to read. Bevel travel to 49° left and right makes compound work straightforward; the saw returns to zero reliably.

The CUTLINE shadow system remains one of the best alignment aids in the category. Because it casts the blade’s actual shadow on the work, there’s no laser to calibrate and no parallax—what you see is what the teeth will cut. The integrated LED light does double duty for visibility in dim rooms and early-morning starts.

Dust collection

With the included dual-fitting AirLock adapter connected to a shop vac (1-7/8 in or 2-1/2 in), dust capture is well above average for a miter saw. DeWalt claims up to 94% when paired with the specified extractor; my results varied by material and cut type, but I noticed a clear improvement on sliding cuts in MDF and oak compared with typical bag-only setups. As with all miter saws, compound cuts and trenching still push the limits of any hood, but this system is efficient and easy to connect.

One miss: there’s no built-in wireless tool control or vacuum auto-start feature on this model. If you’re used to your vac syncing with the trigger, you’ll be managing power separately or using a third-party autoswitch.

Runtime and the FLEXVOLT ecosystem

The included 60V 9.0Ah battery is the right match for this platform. DeWalt cites up to 675 cuts in 3-1/4 in MDF base and up to 255 cuts in pressure-treated 4x4. My field numbers were in the same ballpark, with runtime dependent on blade choice and the mix of materials. On a typical trim day—base, casing, and some 1x stock—I got through the bulk of the work on a single pack and topped off during lunch with the 6A charger.

If you’re already in the FLEXVOLT ecosystem, this saw slots in seamlessly. The battery cross-compatibility is practical; it will power other 60V tools and step down for 20V tools as needed. For heavy production days or site work without reliable power, I’d budget at least one spare 9.0Ah pack.

Portability and ergonomics

Cordless changes the rhythm on site. Not dragging a cord or hunting for an outlet speeds up staging and makes “quick cut” stops more efficient. The saw’s balance is good when carried by the handle, and the rails lock solidly for transport. Still, at just over 50 lb plus battery, this is a two-handed lift into a truck bed. If you’re moving it frequently between floors, a stand with wheels is the way to go.

The handle and trigger are comfortable, with a natural line of sight down the fence. The material clamp is better than average and quick to reposition. Miter and bevel locks feel robust, and the blade change process is straightforward—no contortions required.

Noise and feel

Under load, the motor has a steady hum rather than a scream, and vibration is well controlled. The gear drive contributes to a crisp, connected cut feel. The brake engages quickly, which improves safety and reduces waiting between repetitive cuts.

What could be better

• Weight: It’s not unusually heavy for a 12-in slider, but it’s not light either. Plan your transport accordingly.
• No auto-start vacuum: Lack of wireless tool control or a built-in vac sync is a convenience gap for dust-minded users.
• Accessory ecosystem: The included dust bag is, as usual, a last resort; plan on a vac for best results.
• RPM ceiling: 3800 RPM is plenty with the right blade, but if you exclusively cut fine moldings, consider a high-tooth-count blade to maximize finish quality.

Who it’s for

• Finish carpenters and remodelers who want corded performance without being tethered.
• Deck builders and framers needing full 12-in crosscut capacity and jobsite portability.
• Shop users who occasionally roll the saw outside and appreciate a clean setup without cords.

If your work is high-volume trim in a fixed shop, a corded slider with an integrated vac switch might still be the simpler choice. For everyone else who splits time between shop and site—or across multiple rooms and floors—cutting the cord here is a real productivity gain.

Recommendation

I recommend the 60V 12-in slider. It delivers corded-class power, accurate cuts, and very good dust collection in a cordless package that meaningfully improves jobsite workflow. The CUTLINE shadow light remains best-in-class for visibility, the bevel and miter systems are reliable and easy to adjust, and the included 9.0Ah battery provides practical runtime for a full day of trim or a focused block of framing work.

The trade-offs—weight and the absence of vacuum auto-start—are worth noting, but they don’t overshadow the core strengths. If you value mobility, clean power, and precise results without stringing extension cords, this saw earns its place on the stand.