Are cordless miter saws as powerful as corded 12-inch sliders?

Per manufacturer specifications, flagship cordless 12-inch sliders (DeWalt DHS790AT2, Milwaukee 2739-20) match or approach corded no-load RPM and advertised crosscut capacity in the same blade class. Milwaukee states the 2739-20 generates the power of a 15-amp corded saw. The practical difference is energy supply: a corded saw holds RPM indefinitely on 120V; a battery saw is limited by pack capacity and voltage sag under dense hardwood. For trim, deck, and remodel cuts, published runtime ratings cover a typical room. For all-day production cutting, a corded saw or a dual-power model with its AC adapter is the lower-risk setup.

How many cuts does a cordless miter saw get per charge?

Published ratings are not interchangeable because each brand measures a different cut. DeWalt rates the DHS790AT2 at up to 289 crosscuts in 3-1/4-inch base molding. Milwaukee rates the 2739-20 at up to 330 cuts per charge and the 10-inch 2734-20 at up to 400 cuts with a HIGH OUTPUT 8.0 pack. Makita rates the XSL08Z at up to 175 cuts in 2x12 SPF with two 5.0Ah LXT batteries. Metabo HPT rates the C3612DRAQ4 at 230 crosscuts on a MultiVolt pack. Expect fewer cuts in hardwood, at bevel, or in cold weather than the published figure.

Should I buy a 10-inch or 12-inch cordless miter saw?

A 10-inch cordless slider such as the Milwaukee 2734-20 is the better fit when most work is standard trim, 2x4 through 2x12 laying flat, and the saw moves daily — it is lighter and published runtime is higher. A 12-inch cordless slider is the better fit when nested crown, thick base standing against the fence, or 2x14-class stock shows up regularly. Blade size, capacity, and weight are compared in the 10-inch vs 12-inch miter saw guide.

Do cordless 12-inch miter saws need two batteries?

It depends on the platform. The DeWalt DHS790AT2 runs on two FLEXVOLT 60V MAX packs at once (advertised as 120V MAX). The Makita XSL08Z runs on two 18V LXT packs (36V). Milwaukee's 2739-20 and 2734-20 run on a single M18 pack. Metabo HPT's C3612DRAQ4 runs on one MultiVolt pack, with an AC adapter sold separately. Two-pack designs raise kit cost and charging logistics; they also share packs with the rest of that platform.

Best Cordless Miter Saws in 2026

A cordless miter saw is a battery-platform decision, not a cheaper corded slider. The constraint is power delivery: no 120V drop on an upper floor, a deck without a receptacle, remodel work where cords cross finished floors, or a crew already on DeWalt, Milwaukee, or Makita packs. Those jobs punish a cord — and the wrong pack count or carry weight.

This is not a generic best-miter-saw list. For shop use and 400+ cuts on a 15-amp circuit, the corded contractor sliders remain cheaper and unlimited. Pair either class with a portable stand.

Quick Comparison

Model	Platform	90° crosscut	Nested crown	Published runtime	Weight	Dual power	Price
DeWalt DHS790AT2	2× FLEXVOLT 60V	13-3/4”	7-1/2”	289 cuts in 3-1/4” base	56 lbs	Yes (DCA120)	$650–$850 kit
Milwaukee 2739-20	M18 (one pack)	13.4” / 2x14	7-1/2”	330 cuts/charge	47.6 lbs	No	$550–$700 bare
Milwaukee 2734-20	M18 (one pack)	2x12 (10”)	5-1/4”	400 cuts/charge	45 lbs	No	$450–$550 bare
Makita XSL08Z	2× 18V LXT	3-5/8” × 15”	8”	175 cuts in 2x12 SPF	69.1 lbs w/ packs	No	$650–$850 bare
Metabo HPT C3612DRAQ4	MultiVolt 36V	4-3/16” × 12-1/4”	7-1/2”	230 crosscuts/charge	54.2 lbs w/ pack	Adapter extra	$550–$650 bare

If you only read one paragraph: The DeWalt DHS790AT2 is the top pick because the AT2 kit runs on two FLEXVOLT packs and the included DCA120 adapter — cordless on the deck, corded on production days. The Milwaukee 2739-20 is the M18 alternative: one pack, lightest 12-inch cordless slider here. Stay corded if the saw never leaves a wall outlet.

Cuts-per-charge figures are not a common unit: DeWalt counts 3-1/4” base, Makita counts 2x12 SPF, and Milwaukee does not publish the sample cut. Spec sheets mix tool-only and with-battery weights. 10-inch vs 12-inch still decides blade size — the 2734-20 covers 2x12 laying flat; 12-inch saws earn the mass on nested crown.

DeWalt DHS790AT2 — Best Overall (Dual Power)

Specification	Value
Blade / speed	12” · 3,800 RPM
Platform	Two 60V MAX FLEXVOLT packs (120V MAX class)
90° crosscut	13-3/4” (16.1” special setup / back fence)
Nested crown / vertical base	7-1/2” / 6-3/4”
Miter / bevel	50° L / 60° R · 49° L/R
Runtime / weight	289 cuts in 3-1/4” base · 56 lbs tool
Dual power / warranty	DCA120 in AT2 kit · 3 years
Price	$650–$850 kit (two packs, charger, adapter)

Check price on Amazon →

According to DeWalt’s specifications, the DHS790AT2 is a brushless 12-inch dual-bevel slider that runs on two FLEXVOLT batteries or the included DCA120 supply. That dual-power path is why it sits above battery-only saws: cordless on a deck, unlimited runtime on a 15-amp circuit. CUTLINE casts a blade shadow rather than a laser. Fence capacity matches DeWalt’s corded DWS779/DWS780 class. Buying without the AT2 kit (packs + charger + adapter) defeats the dual-power argument — confirm the listing is DHS790AT2, not a later single-pack 60V SKU.

Best for: FLEXVOLT crews and anyone who needs cordless portability plus a corded fallback.

Milwaukee 2739-20 — Best Single-Pack 12-Inch (M18)

Specification	Value
Blade / speed	12” · 3,600 RPM (operator’s manual)
Platform	M18, one pack (HD12.0 cited for runtime)
90° crosscut	13.4” max width / 2x14
Nested crown / vertical base	7-1/2” / 6-3/4”
Miter / bevel	50° L / 60° R · 48° dual bevel
Runtime / weight	330 cuts/charge · 47.6 lbs
Dual power / warranty	No · 5 years
Price	$550–$700 tool only

Check Milwaukee 2739-20 on Amazon →

Per Milwaukee, the 2739-20 generates 15-amp corded-class power from one M18 pack, with a shadow cut-line LED, cam-lock miter, 11-stop stainless detent, and ONE-KEY. The operator’s manual lists 3,600 RPM, 13.4” max width at 0° miter, and 47.6 lbs — the lightest 12-inch cordless slider here. Runtime is up to 330 cuts per charge with HD12.0. No AC adapter; spare packs are the plan.

10-inch sibling — 2734-20. Same platform, 10” blade, 4,000 RPM, 2x12 at 90°, 5-3/4” vertical base, 5-1/4” nested crown, up to 400 cuts per charge with a HIGH OUTPUT 8.0 pack, about 45 lbs. Use it when 10-inch capacity covers the cut list.

Check Milwaukee 2734-20 on Amazon →

Best for: M18 crews who want one pack and lower carry weight.

Makita XSL08Z — Widest Nested Crown (LXT X2)

Specification	Value
Blade / speed	12” · 4,400 RPM
Platform	Two 18V LXT packs (36V)
90° / 45° capacity	3-5/8” × 15” / 3-5/8” × 10-1/2”
Nested crown / vertical base	8” / 6-3/4”
Miter / bevel	0–60° L/R · 0–48° L/R
Runtime / weight	175 cuts in 2x12 SPF (two 5.0Ah) · 69.1 lbs with packs
Dual power / warranty	No · 3 years
Price	$650–$850 tool only

Check price on Amazon →

Per Makita, the XSL08Z is a dual-bevel 12-inch slider on 18V X2 LXT: direct-drive gearbox, rail-forward design that sits flush to a wall, front bevel lock, laser, and AWS (transmitter sold separately). Published nested crown is 8” with 15” crosscuts at 90° — the most horizontal reach here. Two constraints: 69.1 lbs with batteries is shop-install weight, and Makita USA lists XSL08Z as discontinued (Amazon B07RD8CJRJ is remaining stock). The current Makita 12-inch cordless slider is the 40V max XGT GSL04 family. Do not buy XSL08Z as a path onto XGT.

Best for: Deep LXT inventories that need 8” nested crown, or discounted new-old-stock.

Metabo HPT C3612DRAQ4 — Compact Rails, MultiVolt or Plug-In

Specification	Value
Blade / speed	12” · 4,000 RPM auto / 3,200 high-torque
Platform	36V MultiVolt or AC adapter (sold separately)
90° capacity	4-3/16” × 12-1/4”
Nested crown / vertical base	7-1/2” / 5-1/2”
Miter / bevel	45° L / 57° R · 45° L/R
Runtime / weight	230 crosscuts/charge · 54.2 lbs with pack
Dual power / warranty	Adapter extra · 5 years tool body
Price	$550–$650 bare

Check Metabo HPT C3612DRAQ4 on Amazon →

Per HiKOKI C3612DRA specifications (sold in North America as Metabo HPT C3612DRAQ4), the brushless motor uses Torque Boost (auto 4,000/min, high-torque 3,200/min) and 12-1/4” crosscut at 0°. Metabo HPT’s US listing adds zero-rear-clearance rails, Xact Cut shadow line, and MultiVolt-or-AC operation. Vertical base is 5-1/2” — shorter than DeWalt/Milwaukee 12-inch cordless fences. Horizontal capacity covers 2x12; it is tighter than 13-3/4”–15” on wide casing laid flat. The AC adapter is extra, unlike the DHS790AT2 kit.

Best for: MultiVolt crews, tight shops, and dual-power without two FLEXVOLT packs.

Who This Is NOT For

Shop and production crews with a 15-amp outlet and 400+ cuts a day. A corded DWS779 or 6955-20 is cheaper and does not die mid-run.
No existing 18V/20V/60V inventory and a budget under about $500. A professional 12-inch cordless kit is $550–$850 before a stand. Corded plus a long cord is the rational first saw.
Occasional trim under a few dozen cuts a month. A compact 10-inch corded compound saw covers casing and hobby work without pack lock-in.
Makita XGT buyers treating XSL08Z as the current 12-inch cordless saw. XSL08Z is LXT X2 and listed discontinued; XGT is a separate pack.
Framing-only 2x4/2x6 work. A circular saw and speed square are faster; a miter saw earns its weight on repeatable angles and trim.

A used corded slider plus a generator is smarter when the only problem is kit price and the truck has no packs.

Sources

DeWalt DHS790AT2 specifications — 3,800 RPM, CUTLINE, 13-3/4”/16” crosscut, 7-1/2” nested crown, 289 cuts in 3-1/4” base, 56 lbs, DCA120 (dewalt.com)
Milwaukee 2739-20 operator’s manual 58-14-2739 — 18V, 3,600 RPM, 13.4” max width, 47.6 lbs (documents.milwaukeetool.com)
Milwaukee 2739-20 / 2734-20 product pages — 15-amp-class claim, 330 / 400 cuts per charge (milwaukeetool.com)
Makita XSL08Z specifications — 4,400 RPM, 3-5/8” × 15”, 8” nested crown, 175 cuts in 2x12 SPF, 69.1 lbs with battery (makitatools.com)
HiKOKI C3612DRA specifications — Torque Boost 4,000/3,200 min⁻¹, 4-3/16” × 12-1/4” at 0° (hikoki-powertools.com)
Metabo HPT C3612DRAQ4 — MultiVolt or AC adapter, Xact Cut, 230 crosscuts, 54.2 lbs with battery, 5-year tool warranty