Makita LS1019L vs DeWalt DWS780: the 12 inch DeWalt cuts wider and taller, costs about $90 less and carries a 3-year warranty. The 10 inch Makita runs flush against a wall, uses cheaper blades and adds soft start and an electric brake. Here is which one to buy.
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Makita LS1019L vs DeWalt DWS780 is a comparison between two different answers to the same question: how much sliding miter saw do you need? The DeWalt DWS780 is the 12 inch double bevel slider that has been the reference point in this category for years. The Makita LS1019L is a 10 inch dual bevel slider engineered to deliver most of a 12 inch saw's capacity in a footprint that sits flat against a wall. On Amazon as of September 27, 2026, the DWS780 lists at the current retailer price and the LS1019L at the current retailer price, so the smaller saw is the more expensive one by $90. Based on our research into both manufacturers' published specifications and roughly 3,000 combined Amazon owner ratings, here is how they line up on capacity, motor, footprint, accuracy, dust, warranty and value.
Comparison Table
Cutting Capacity
The DWS780's 12 inch blade gives it the edge everywhere capacity is measured. DeWalt rates it to crosscut 2x14 dimensional lumber at 90 degrees and 2x10 at 45, and its tall sliding fences support 7-1/2 inch crown nested and 6-3/4 inch base standing vertically. Those are the numbers a trim carpenter cares about, because tall modern baseboard and large crown are where 10 inch saws run out of room.
The LS1019L closes the gap more than its blade size suggests. Makita's direct drive gearbox and guard design use more of the back of the blade, which is how a 10 inch saw crosscuts a full 12 inches at 90 degrees and handles 6-5/8 inch nested crown, capacity Makita fairly describes as 12 inch class. Where it falls short is vertical base at 5-1/4 inches and the 45 degree miter crosscut at 8-1/2 inches, roughly an inch short of the DeWalt. For framing, decking, flooring and most trim, both saws have more than enough. For 6 inch baseboard cut standing up against the fence, or 2x12 stair stringers mitered, the DeWalt is the one that does it.
Miter and bevel ranges are close. The Makita miters 60 degrees both directions with positive stops at 0, 15, 22.5, 31.6, 45 and 60. The DeWalt miters 50 left and 60 right on a stainless detent plate with 10 stops. Both bevel past 45 in each direction, 48 degrees on the Makita and 49 on the DeWalt, with the Makita's bevel lock placed at the front of the saw where it is easier to reach.
Motor and Drive
This is the Makita's strongest category. The LS1019L uses a 15 amp direct drive motor with soft start, electronic speed control that holds RPM under load, and an electric brake that stops the blade within a few seconds of releasing the trigger. Direct drive means no belt to slip, stretch or replace, and soft start eliminates the jerk when the saw spins up, which owners describe as making the saw feel more refined. The DWS780 uses a 15 amp belt drive motor at 3,800 RPM with no soft start and no electric brake. Belt drive is quieter in some designs and has served the DWS780 well for over a decade, but a worn belt is a maintenance item and the blade coasts to a stop after every cut. According to owner reviews, both motors have power to spare in hardwood and pressure-treated lumber; the difference is refinement, not muscle.
Most 12 inch sliders, the DWS780 included, run on rails that extend out the back of the saw as the head slides, which means the bench needs a foot or more of clearance behind the saw. The LS1019L's 2-steel rail system is built so the rails stay within the base and the head glides forward, letting the saw sit flush against a wall. In a one-car garage or a basement shop with a bench along the wall, that difference decides the purchase. Our best miter saw for a small shop guide covers this in detail.
Weight is a wash: 56 pounds for the DeWalt and 57.9 for the Makita. Both are carried by the top handle and both are best left on a stand. The DeWalt's lower profile at about 19-1/2 inches tall with rails retracted stores under a bench more easily; the Makita is 26 inches tall but shallower front to back.
Accuracy and Cut Line
The DWS780's XPS system shines an LED from above the blade so the blade itself casts a shadow onto the workpiece, exactly the width of the kerf, on both sides of the cut. It never needs calibration, works with any blade and shows exactly where the teeth will land. The LS1019L uses a laser that can be switched on and off and micro-adjusted to the left or right of the blade. Lasers are useful and this one is better than most because it works whether the blade is spinning or not, but a laser shows one line, drifts slightly over time and needs rechecking after a blade change. For pure cut line accuracy, the shadow line is the better system and it is one of the main reasons the DWS780 has held its reputation.
On the mechanics of accuracy, both saws use linear ball bearings on their rails to minimize deflection, both have replaceable stainless steel miter scales, and owner reviews describe both as square out of the box with minor fence adjustment. The Makita's 4-3/4 inch tall integrated fences and large aluminum base earn praise for rigidity; the DeWalt's cam-lock miter handle with detent override is faster for odd angles.
Dust Collection
Sliding miter saws are dust cannons, and neither of these collects everything. DeWalt rates the DWS780's system at over 75 percent capture with the bag or a vacuum, which is at the top of the category. Makita gives the LS1019L dual dust ports and a redesigned chute that owners describe as good for a slider, without publishing a percentage. Spec analysis favors the DeWalt on paper; in practice, both work best on a shop vacuum with a hood behind the saw.
Blades and Running Cost
The Makita takes 10 inch blades with a 5/8 inch arbor, the same size most jobsite table saws use, so a woodworker can share blades between tools and the selection is enormous. The DeWalt takes 12 inch blades on a 1 inch arbor, which cost more per blade and are made in fewer configurations. Over years of ownership, a 10 inch saw is cheaper to keep sharp. The Makita ships with a 60 tooth micro-polished blade suited to trim; the DeWalt ships with a general purpose carbide blade that most owners upgrade to an 80 tooth for finish work.
Warranty and Support
DeWalt backs the DWS780 with a 3-year limited warranty, one year of free service and a 90-day money-back guarantee. Makita covers the LS1019L with a 1-year limited warranty. On a tool in this price range that will be used for a decade, that difference matters and it is one of the clearest points in DeWalt's favor. Both brands have national service center networks and long parts availability.
Price and Value
at the current retailer price for the DWS780 and $739.00 for the LS1019L on Amazon as of September 27, 2026, the DeWalt is $90 cheaper while offering more capacity, a better cut line system and three times the warranty. On value alone the DWS780 wins. The Makita's price premium buys the compact rail design, soft start, the electric brake and long-term savings on 10 inch blades, which is a fair trade for the buyer who needs those things and a poor one for the buyer who does not. Amazon showed the LS1019L with limited stock at the time of writing, so check availability before planning around it.
Who Should Buy the Makita LS1019L
The LS1019L is for the woodworker or finish carpenter whose saw sits on a bench against a wall, who values a smooth direct drive motor with a brake, and who already owns 10 inch blades. It is also the right pick for anyone who found 12 inch sliders too bulky for the shop but does not want to give up 12 inch crosscuts. Check the current price of the Makita LS1019L on Amazon.
Who Should Buy the DeWalt DWS780
The DWS780 is for the framer, the deck builder, the remodeler and the homeowner who wants the most capacity available in a portable slider, the most accurate cut line indicator, a 3-year warranty and the lower price. If crown molding and tall baseboard are in your future, it is the safer choice, and our best miter saw for crown molding guide explains why. Check the current price of the DeWalt DWS780 on Amazon.
Final Verdict
The DeWalt DWS780 is the better saw for more people. It out-cuts the Makita in every capacity measurement, its XPS shadow line is a real advantage every time you line up a cut, and it costs less with a longer warranty. The Makita LS1019L is the better saw for a specific shop: one where the saw must sit against a wall, where soft start and a brake matter, and where 10 inch blades are already on the shelf. Know which shop you have and the choice makes itself. For the wider field of sliding and non-sliding options, see our best miter saws guide.
FAQ
Is a 10 inch or 12 inch sliding miter saw better?
A 12 inch saw like the DWS780 cuts wider and taller and is the safer choice for tall base and crown. A 10 inch slider like the LS1019L uses cheaper blades, is usually more compact, and in the Makita's case still crosscuts 12 inches at 90 degrees. If you rarely cut material over 5 inches tall, a 10 inch saw does the job.
Can the Makita LS1019L cut crown molding?
Yes. It handles crown up to 6-5/8 inches nested against the fence, which covers the vast majority of residential crown. The DeWalt DWS780 goes to 7-1/2 inches nested for oversized profiles.
Does the DeWalt DWS780 need space behind it?
Yes. Its rails extend out the back of the saw as the head slides forward, so the saw needs clearance behind it on the bench. The Makita LS1019L's rail design keeps everything within the base and lets the saw sit flush against a wall.
Which has the better cut line indicator, the XPS shadow or the laser?
The DeWalt's XPS shadow line. It shows the exact kerf on both sides of the blade, works with any blade and never needs calibration. The Makita's laser is a good one with micro adjustment, but any laser shows a single line and should be rechecked after blade changes.
Is the Makita LS1019L worth $90 more than the DeWalt DWS780?
Only if you need its compact footprint, its soft start and electric brake, or 10 inch blade compatibility. For raw capacity, cut line accuracy, warranty length and price, the DWS780 is the better value.
