I Tested 5 Miter Boxes: Here are the Best (2024)
When you need to make precise miter cuts in small workpieces, a miter box can be a tremendous help.
I’ve used several miter boxes and have some strong opinions on which is best! Here are my favorites!
In a hurry? The Stanley Miter Box is the overall best miter box for making angled cuts, as it’s sturdy, accurate, versatile, and easy to use, regardless of your experience or skill level.
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- 5+ miter boxes thoroughly vetted and hand tested
- 10+ data points and key considerations
- 13+ hours of use
Best Miter Boxes
- #1 Best Overall – Stanley Miter Box
- Best Quality – CRAFTSMAN Adjustable Angle Miter Saw
- Best Design – Olympia Tools Saw Storage Mitre Box
- Best Value – CRAFTSMAN Mitre Saw & Clamping Box
- Best for Beginners – Olson Saw 35-241 Fine Kerf Saw
1. Stanley Miter Box – #1 Best Overall
The simple and well-built Stanley Miter Box delivers in all the ways that matter most, and that’s why it commands the top spot on my list.
The box component is made of sturdy aluminum, and the 14” saw blade is made of stainless steel; blade thickness being 0.04”.
And since the box weighs just 2.3 lbs, it’s one of the most lightweight and portable options out there—two green flags in my book.
Like most miter boxes, there are four slots at 22.5° and 45°, and two slots at 90°.
Plus, cam-shaped pins are used to keep workpieces in place, and mounting holes are also available for workbench mounting.
But unlike other miter boxes, this one has an extended lip and built-in saw stopper, so it’s sturdier and better for accurate cutting.
Finally, it comes with a limited lifetime warranty, which makes purchasing this product even better.
What I Liked:
- Built-in pencil holes ensure you’ll never be without pencils when you need them.
- Mounting holes ensure top-notch sturdiness when larger, denser materials are being cut.
- Extended lip ensures stability when you can’t use the mounting holes.
- There are several pin holes, so it can accommodate a variety of workpiece shapes and sizes.
What I Didn’t Like:
- A metal or wood saw handle would make cutting less strenuous.
- Bright yellow color can make slots hard to see sometimes.
My Thoughts:
All things considered, I have nothing but praise for the Stanley Miter Box, as it’s one of the simplest and most reliable miter boxes on the market today. It’s the perfect balance of lightweight and sturdy, and it can accommodate different workpieces because its locking pins are first-rate. Granted, the plastic saw handle is a little bit of a drag, but when this is the only downside, that should tell you just how terrific this miter box is.
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2. CRAFTSMAN Adjustable Angle Miter Saw – Best Quality
When you want a wide range of cutting angles, incomparable sturdiness, and precision results consistently, the CRAFTSMAN Adjustable Angle Miter Saw will suit you quite well.
To begin, this 8” miter box is made of cast iron, so it’ll stay in place no matter what you’re cutting. Love that!
And since the 22” stainless steel saw blade is attached to a guiding apparatus, it’ll cut evenly with every stroke, and this just might be the best thing about this metallic miter box.
Also, angle adjustments are easy to make—just press the red button near the bottom and lock it once you have your angle.
Of course, there are cam pins and numerous holes for fixing workpieces in place, and the saw’s handle is made of a composite material for better gripping.
Finally, this miter box is backed by a full lifetime warranty, meaning you can enjoy more peace of mind when using it.
What I Liked:
- You can cut at multiple angles, so it’s more capable than other miter boxes.
- The 22” saw blade has hardened teeth that can leave clean edges in any material.
- The saw handle is reinforced, so you’ll be able to push and pull with ease.
- Making angle adjustments takes mere seconds, since you only need to press one button.
What I Didn’t Like:
- Getting the saw blade in place can take awhile since a few pins will need to be tightened.
- The feet can easily scratch a workbench surface.
My Thoughts:
Looking to make precise cuts at uncommon angles? Then you’ll need the CRAFTSMAN Adjustable Angle Miter Saw, as this product was clearly built with the perfectionist in mind. I love how the blade is attached to a sturdy guidance system; it prevents me from cutting with too much downward pressure. Plus, setting cutting angles is a breeze, and the blade can cut through just about any piece of wood. Honestly, all this miter box needs is anti-scuff feet; then it’d be perfect!
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3. Olympia Tools Saw Storage Mitre Box – Best Design
The quality of a miter box is largely determined by how it’s designed, and that’s why the Olympia Tools Saw Storage Mitre Box will help you make all kinds of accurate angle cuts and crosscuts—because its design is simply brilliant!
This miter box is 36 x 14 x 9 cm, and it comes with a 14”, 11 TPI blade that’s made of stainless steel.
The box is made of acrylonitrile butadiene styrene, otherwise known as ABS plastic, and that’s why it’s durable yet lightweight—just 1.5 lbs!
The saw handle is made out of ABS plastic too, and it’s ergonomic to make cutting more convenient. Big fan!
Lastly, there’s an overhang edge if you don’t want to take advantage of the mounting holes, and a blade protector is included for safe storage!
What I Liked:
- Blade handle is larger and solid, so it’s easy to push and pull.
- The miter box is extremely lightweight yet durable, so you can transport and store it with confidence.
- Since there are four 45° slots, you can make all the cuts you need without flipping the workpiece.
- Its simplicity ensures you can make a range of accurate cuts in no time.
What I Didn’t Like:
- Blade teeth dull relatively quickly.
- Dust collects in the box because there are no release holes.
My Thoughts:
If you’re looking to make clean miter cuts quickly and without much hassle, consider the Olympia Tools Saw Storage Mitre Box. This miter box is made of reinforced plastic, so it’s lightweight and portable but also durable and sturdy—talk about a winning combination! And since the saw handle is wide and dense, you have so much more control when cutting. Granted, the blade teeth can dull somewhat fast, but this is the only notable downside on an otherwise phenomenal miter box.
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4. CRAFTSMAN Mitre Saw & Clamping Box – Best Value
- ACCURACY: The hand miter saw has cam-shaped pins twist and lock with honeycomb base to secure work for…
- MULTIPLE CUT ANGLES: Cuts mitres on 45-degree and 90-degree angles and face angles on 45 degree and 22.5…
- Extended lip on base holds mitre box in place while cutting and a built-in saw stop helps prevent cutting into…
Who doesn’t like getting bang for their buck, right? Well, with the CRAFTSMAN Mitre Saw & Clamping Box, that’s exactly what you’ll get, as it’s straightforward, well-made, and affordable when compared with similar products.
The box is 19.25” x 8” x 4”, and it comes with a 12” blade.
You can make cuts at the basic angles (22.5°, 45°, 90°), and there’s an extended lip for stability. It’ll also prevent you from cutting the box—something I’ve done before!
Finally, it has on-board storage for pencils and the two cam pins that come with in.
What I Liked:
- Low price makes this miter box accessible to hobbyists and DIYers.
- Its red color surprisingly makes the angle slots easier to see.
- The lip is one of the biggest I’ve seen, and it comes in handy when you’ve got a large workpiece.
- The saw can be screwed into the box, along with the cam pins, for easy storage.
What I Didn’t Like:
- The thin blade would benefit from being just a tad thicker.
- Box edges can be cut easily, leading to imprecise results.
My Thoughts:
As far as budget miter boxes go, the CRAFTSMAN Mitre Saw & Clamping Box is superior and that’s that. In virtually every way that matters, it’s just as good as high-quality models that, in some cases, cost nearly double! You can make all the common angle cuts quickly and easily, and it’s pretty sturdy for a lightweight miter box. Reinforce the slot edges and this miter box could be in the running for the top spot on my list!
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5. Olson Saw 35-241 Fine Kerf Saw – Best for Small Cuts
- Fine Kerf Saw
- With Aluminum Thin Slot Miter Box
- Item Package Dimension: 13.0″ L x 4.0″ W x 1.5″ H
When you want to get the miter box basics down, the Olson Saw 35-241 Fine Kerf Saw is a great product to choose, mainly because it’s unbelievably simple and all the components are high-quality.
The miter slots on this 6-1/2” box are 0.14” wide, and the box is made of lightweight aluminum to ensure portability and durability. Very nice!
The 6-1/2”, 42 TPI blade can cut up to 2” deep, and its cutting width is 7/8”.
What I Liked:
- Box’s size makes it perfect for holding smaller workpieces.
- The saw’s handle is made of solid wood, so it’s easy to grip.
- Because there are so many teeth per inch, it’s great for getting ultra-smooth edges.
- Since only strong materials are used here, both components are sure to last years.
What I Didn’t Like:
- No cam pins means workpieces are harder to secure.
- There are no slots for 22.5°.
My Thoughts
Learning the fundamentals of cutting wood is made easy with the Olson Saw 35-241 Fine Kerf Saw. The miter box is made of high-quality aluminum, so you can make accurate crosscuts and miter cuts with ease. And unlike other saw blades, this one is attached to a solid wood handle to ensure top-notch comfort and maneuverability. Sure, there are no cam pins, and the 22.5° slots are missing, but this is still an excellent product!
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What to Consider When Buying a Miter Box
Materials
The best miter boxes are made of metal, and their saws have stainless steel blades with reinforced handles.
If the miter box is made of a sturdy material, it’ll stay in place when you’re cutting a piece of wood, even if there are no mounting holes.
Versatility
A miter box that’s capable of securing workpieces of different shapes and sizes will be great for cutting crown molding and picture frames.
And if you can make fine cuts at dozens of angles, you won’t have to move the wood inside every time a new cut must be made.
Storage
A storage miter box can hold pencils, cam pins, etc. Of course, this kind of miter box is preferred for its convenience.
Final Thoughts
To recap, the Stanley Miter Box is the best miter box overall because it’s built to last, easy to use, and ideal for those who need to make precise cuts with limited space.
Then there’s the CRAFTSMAN Adjustable Angle Miter Saw, a preferred option for professionals because it’s well-equipped and capable of delivery top-tier results consistently.
Finally, we have the CRAFTSMAN Mitre Saw & Clamping Box, a terrific buy for anyone who’s interested in cutting wood at different angles for a can’t-beat price.