The Best Miter Saw Stands

So, you’ve got a great miter saw but you’re tired of having to wear knee pads every time you want to make a cut in the field. Tomax Miter Saw Stand Quick Attach Tool 2There’s really only one answer to that question which is to snatch up the best miter saw stand you can find, bolt that puppy down, and get going.

The real question is which one is the best for your usage. That’s where we come in, read on and we’ll discuss the ins and outs of miter saw stand selection and just how you can make sure that you find the perfect fit for you and your saw.

In This Article:

The 6 Top-Rated Miter Saw Stands

Editor’s PicksBrand
Rating
Best Overall Miter Saw StandBosch Portable Gravity-Rise Wheeled Miter Saw Stand T4B
4.9
Best Lightweight Miter Saw StandDEWALT Miter Saw Stand, Heavy Duty
4.8
Easiest Miter Saw Stand to UseBORA Portamate PM-4000
4.6
A Great Budget OptionTomax Miter Saw Stand
4.5
Awesome With ProblemsDEWALT Miter Saw Stand With Wheels
4.3
Most Novel StandWEN MSA330 Collapsible Rolling Miter Saw Stand
4.1

When Should I Use a Miter Saw Stand?

Miter saw stands allow you to hold both the workpiece and the saw, ideally clamping both in place to allow you to make the cutting process go much more quickly.

For many people, they may not be necessary. If all you’re doing is making the occasional cut in a 2×4 you’re not going to get a ton of use out of one of these stands although they still make the whole process easier.

Tomax Miter Saw Stand Quick Attach Tool 4The basic components of a stand are the saw mount and the mounts for the workpiece. These vary from model to model, ranging from relatively short to 16’ or more. They’re great for making short work of unwieldy pieces with precision as long as everything is locked together.

Others will get a lot of use out of miter saw stands with wheels, which will allow you to quickly move around a job site or a project site without having to manually carry the(usually heavy) saw alongside you.

Using them is largely a matter of personal preference if you’re not using one for work. During our reviews we brought in some of those who’d tested the miter saws we’d previously tested, they were amazed at how much easier it made the whole affair once you got used to the settings of the stand.

Keep in mind that a miter saw stand really isn’t a space-saving item like the stands for many other tools. Instead, you’ll find that they take up quite a bit of space when in use. They’re meant solely for holding larger workpieces and your saw in one spot to make your life a little bit easier.

How We Selected the Miter Saw Stands

When it came down to it there was really only one way to judge these stands: in use.

We came up with a few qualities which we think you should look for in your miter saw, however, and we’ve listed them below.

Build Quality

Look, how a tool holds up is always important. The construction can make all of the difference between tools and while none failed or even seemed too rickety during our selection process the difference can be pretty big even in something this seemingly easy.

Tomax Miter Saw Stand Quick Attach Tool 3If a miter saw stand collapses under the saw and workpiece you’re risking the workpiece, your saw, and possible injury. Safety is paramount when using any sort of tool, but doubly so with any form of circular saw.

We tested this pretty rigorously, any sway or give was noted. If you go to the store to buy one instead of purchasing online this should always be your first consideration as long as the table is compatible with your saw.

Saw Compatibility

These days, most miter saw stands are universally compatible. It makes sense commercially: if you’re mounting an old saw of a different brand from the table you think suits you but it won’t mount… you’re going to end up buying something else.
BORA Portamate PM 4000 7
It’s still something to double-check, but if you’re purchasing both new then going “like for like” isn’t a bad idea. In the end as long as you can mount the saw you’re in good hands however.

Maximum Length

This was what really separated most of the tables. Even a cheap manufacturer can put together a remarkably solid table as long as they don’t go too cheap on any folding components. Instead, the maximum length the table can handle is one of the most important factors to consider.

Some can handle largely oversized workpieces, but most of the time they’ll be in the 12’-16’ range which is more than enough for most home usage but may not be a shining example of what can be done for specialized usage.

As far as standard lumber goes, 2x4s top out at 12’ from most retailers so it’s not necessary for a home craftsman to have a ridiculously oversized table and it’s just added weight you don’t need to deal with.

Wheels

Bosch Portable Gravity Rise Wheeled Miter Saw Stand T4B 4Miter saw stands which are stationary can be great for those working in a garage or doing something stationary like cabinet-making. We found that wheels make them better overall but they’re not necessary for all applications.

For those planning on moving around while working or just want an easy way to get to it in the front yard instead of a musty garage wheels are also a great addition.

Storage

Almost all of the stands that we could find folded down to one degree or another. Just how much use that was depended on the saw stand itself.

It’s not as big of a concern for those in a professional setting but for many home craftsmen space is at a premium. Even folded up most miter tables will require more space than a lot of tools, so we made sure to note this which folded up to a smaller size.

Our Testing Process

When it came down to it, there were only a few variables we needed to test on the saw as long as they looked like the picture we ordered from:

  • Sturdiness: We mounted a saw, shoved the stands around a bit. Not hard, obviously, as many of them would tilt over if slammed but just to see if they felt stable and rickety on a level concrete floor.
  • Weight Capacity: Just to have some kind of numbers we loaded the stands with 25lb plates to at least 90% of their rated weight capacity.
  • Actual Use: We made a dozen cuts of random 2×4 scraps on each just to make sure they didn’t seem to vibrate or move under usage.

We also took into account extra features and anything which might make a saw stand out from the rest such as an exceptional holding capacity. These were tested before we moved the saw stands into our finalist’s category.

In the end, we found six excellent saw stands ranging from the way-above-class Bosch to the humble WEN with its outlets and light weight despite a wheeled design.

So, if you’re looking for the meat, here it is:

Top Miter Saw Stands

We picked six of our top-rated stands to bring to you after running tests on nine different models. All performed well, but in the end, these were the five that we felt were best to bring to the table for our readers.

Best Overall Miter Saw Stand

Bosch Portable Gravity-Rise Wheeled Miter Saw Stand T4B

Bosch Portable Gravity Rise Wheeled Miter Saw Stand T4B 1At A Glance:

  • Maximum Holding: 18’
  • Weight: 91.6lbs
  • Wheels?: Yes

This was the cream of the crop when it came to miter saw tables. This excellent Bosch table supports up to 300lbs, can run out to eighteen impressive feet, and even has wheels. All of this comes at some expense, of course, but for those who can afford the monetary hit, it’ll be worth every penny.

The entire frame is durable and well suited. The weight of just a touch over 91lbs might seem intimidating but the entire affair is well balanced and not much hard to move than a regular hand truck. The wheels are even pneumatic, making them easy to move across rougher areas like job sites.

It’s extremely sturdy once placed, no amount of normal use or even moderate abuse is going to tip it over while you’re working, which was a definite plus in our book. The uniquely designed frame ensures it remains upright.

4.8/5
Our Opinion:

This was the best of the best, and it comes with the price tag to match. That said, none of the others we tested were anywhere near this level of quality and they’re all great miter saw stands in the first place.

Best Lightweight Miter Saw Stand

DEWALT Miter Saw Stand, Heavy Duty

DEWALT Miter Saw Stand Heavy Duty 1At A Glance:

  • Maximum Holding: No guide
  • Weight: 15.4lbs
  • Wheels?: No

Simple wouldn’t even begin to describe this stand. It’s just four sturdy legs with a great clamp for the saw, all built up the quality standards you’d expect from any DeWalt product.

That said, in testing it proved to be more portable than even some of the wheeled saw stands which made it through testing. There’s also the little fact that the rated capacity is an astonishing 1000lbs to take into account.

It’s not going to win any prizes for storage, being about the size of a sawhorse and not folding down, but most people will be able to make room for it pretty easily. There’s also the fact it doesn’t have the usual holders for the workpiece.

4.8/5
Our Opinion:

Overall this little stand from DeWalt is highly portable, lightweight, and extremely solid. It’s not going to win any prizes for accessories but if all you need is a way to make sure your saw stays put then it’s what you’re looking for.

Easiest Miter Saw Stand to Use

BORA Portamate PM-4000

BORA Portamate PM 4000 8At A Glance:

  • Holding Capacity: 10’
  • Weight: 27.2lbs
  • Wheels?: No

The BORA Portamate PM-4000 doesn’t seem to come from any familiar companies. Still, it seemed highly rated so we dug it out to give it a shot and see what all the fuss was about.

Right out of the package it looked a bit flimsy, but it’s rated to hold 500lbs and held up to 350lbs during our testing without so much as a grunt of protest so we’d guess that the actual rating is quite similar to that.

BORA Portamate PM 4000 9The arms only extend to 10’, however, so keep that in mind if you’re planning on using full-length lumber for a project or you’ll end up having to chop 24” from the end of your board to fit it in there.

Other than that it was perfectly serviceable and came in at a great price. It was also extremely easy to use compared to many of the others we tested, which is a big bonus for those who are unfamiliar with these tools.

4.8/5
Our Opinion:

This one was fairly lightweight, basic, and had a small capacity for length but the sturdy construction and ease of use put it firmly in our favorites before the day was done.

A Great Budget Option

Tomax Miter Saw Stand

Tomax Miter Saw Stand Quick Attach Tool 5At A Glance:

  • Holding Capacity: 6’
  • Weight: 24.1lbs
  • Wheels?: No

For those who are just looking for something that “works” the Tomax is a great deal. It’s cheap, lightweight, and has extendable arms that hit the 6’ mark. It doesn’t sound like a lot, but it’s a great garage stand for those who aren’t concerned about the space it will take up.

Overall, we’d give this one solid marks on build-quality although not excellent. For the price, you’re getting a lot, but a few dollars more can get you a much higher-end miter saw stand even if you just want something basic.

It’s rated for 330lbs and we stopped at 300lbs as it seemed to hold steadily there. It was also a bit harder to tip over than saw stands at the same price point which was how it won out for one of our budget picks.

That said, it’s really not suitable for job sites or other places where you need to cut some serious lumber. The short extendable arms and relatively low weight capacity don’t lend themselves to professional use for the most part.

4.8/5
Our Opinion:

If all you need is a miter saw stand that holds short pieces of lumber and works… it’s right here and it’s cheap as dirt. Without the low price point considered it’s still sturdy, but not in the same class as most of our other top picks.

Awesome With Problems

DEWALT Miter Saw Stand With Wheels

At A Glance:

  • Holding Capacity: 8’
  • Weight: 67lbs
  • Wheels?: Yes

We’re going to start this out by saying thanks to the kind folks at DeWalt customer service, without them this one wouldn’t have made the list. If yours has trouble folding back up like ours did then you’ll need to adjust the cable, it’s pretty simple but infuriating if you don’t have the fix.

DEWALT Miter Saw Stand With Wheels 7That said, this was one of the best of the jobsite suitable, lightweight miter saw stands that we took a look at. It might be a bit nicer if it was able to hold more than 8’ of lumber at a time but it’s certainly no slouch when you compare it to some of the others.

The best part of this saw also turned out to be the most annoying: it folds up compactly making it suitable for tight garages and home workshops where you might otherwise find yourself having trouble fitting a non-folding stand. Compared to the Bosch it was also easy to lug around, having a similar wheeled design but being almost a third lighter.

Overall, it’s exactly what you expect from DeWalt: a well-built, portable miter saw stand. The problem with the cable notwithstanding it’s a great choice.

4.8/5
Our Opinion:

This is an excellent option for tight garages or job sites, but be aware of the cable problem before you buy it. It’s easy to fix and you’ll end up with a miter saw stand you love.

Most Novel Stand

WEN MSA330 Collapsible Rolling Miter Saw Stand

WEN MSA330 Collapsible Rolling Miter Saw Stand 3At A Glance:

  • Holding Capacity: 10’ 6”
  • Weight: 38lbs
  • Wheels?: Yes

WEN is always coming up with novel solutions to problems that no person has thought too much about. In this case, however, we’ll give them a pass as the outlets turned out to be quite handy since you can power more than one tool off of just the stand.

In addition to that it was the lightest of the wheeled miter saw stands that we tested and even had a quick release for setting the tool on the stand. All of it added up to a lot of features, although it seems to have come at the cost of a bit of build-quality.
WEN MSA330 Collapsible Rolling Miter Saw Stand 6
Not that this stand isn’t sturdy enough to be of use, but like a lot of WEN’s stuff it just doesn’t feel like it should if that makes sense.

Still, it’s foldable, lightweight, and comes jam-packed with features to make your life easier so we can forgive WEN yet again.

4.8/5
Our Opinion:

If the extra features on the WEN appeal to you then snatch it up and you won’t be disappointed. It’s an excellent saw stand, it just doesn’t match DeWalt or Bosch when it comes to built quality.

What To Do With Your Miter Saw Stand

BORA Portamate PM 4000 6Here’s the neat thing about the new universal mounts: you can use a miter saw stand to get virtually any tool with a flat footprint off of the ground. During testing, we also mounted table saws, for instance, with no issues.

During the chopping portion of our testing, we found that there was a whole lot to be said for using one of them. At the very least they get your tool off the ground and hold your wood for cuts but the best like the Bosch we top-rated made a lot of work a complete breeze.

With universal mounts, if you need a tool off the ground and don’t have a bench handy for whatever reason they make for a great way to do it.

Miter Saw Stand FAQ

It’s that time again, you’ve got questions, we’ve got answers. Drop us a line in the comments and maybe you’ll even end up with a question here yourself.

Is a miter saw stand necessary to use a miter saw?

No, but they sure make it a lot easier on you. Many at home will find themselves working somewhere in the yard and repeatedly bending over, a miter saw stand is much more secure than simply putting it up somewhere and hope for the best.

How big of a handling capacity do I need?

Only you really know that, there’s a wide variety out there. As a general rule, most people use 8’ 2x4s around the house, although 12’ 2x4s are available from most lumber supply and inclusive hardware stores.

Is using a miter saw stand dangerous?

Don’t give it a running kick and you’ll be fine. Even the worst of the models we tried out were easily able to withstand normal use and light abuse. They’re not perfect, but unless you decide to shove it over yourself you’d do better to be concerned about miter saw safety guidelines than the stand.

Are those with legs instead of wheels more stable?

In our experience… no. We also didn’t test any low-end wheeled models because they’re hard to find. The frames are designed to be stable once set down, the wheels are just there to help you get along the job site or driveway easier.

Can I mount a…?

Universal mounts can hold a lot of tools. If it fits securely then you’ve got nothing at all to worry about. With cheaper stands and tools that give off heavy vibrations, you may have some issues but they’re relatively minor in the long run.

How accurate are the weight capacity ratings?

In our relatively limited experience, they’re close to tolerance. A few got creaky as we approached but during testing, we didn’t load any of them past their rated capacity and all held up to at least 90%, except for the 1000lb rated DeWalt but knowing them it’ll probably hold a whole truck before breaking.

Are foldable saws less durable?

The WEN might be. The others are probably going to last longer than the fixed stands that we tested just owing to superior construction all around.

So, Keep Standing!

Miter saw stands might not be on the list of essentials for most people but the best of them can make your life a lot easier. Some of the extra features can also be nifty and the fact you can mount a variety of tools to avoid working on the ground is extra cool.

So, pick one up for the convenience. Pick one up for the need. Pick one up so it can grow old and tired after you find out just how much easier they’ll make your life.
BORA Portamate PM 4000 5