Does the mid-range Evolution R210SMS+ 210mm Sliding Compound Mitre Saw cut as well as more expensive models?

Investing in a mitre saw is a smart move if you're a serious DIYer. It takes the hard work out of crosscuts and delivers accurate cuts for consistency across projects. They're ideal for getting clean cuts on decking boards, fencing, and studwork.

But there is so much more to a mitre saw. It's the perfect companion for creating precise, reliable bevels and mitres too. It's also ideal for ensuring architrave, trim, and skirting boards always fit as expected.

Here I run the Evolution R210SMS+ 210mm Sliding Compound Mitre Saw through a host of tests to see if it's ready to tackle your DIY projects precisely and accurately.

Specifications and features

• Motor: 1500W
• Max mitre: 50 degrees / -50 degrees
• Max bevel: 45 degrees
• Weight: 11.2kg
• Cord length: 3m
• Blade diameter: 210mm
• Max cut depth: 65mm / 45-degree - 38mm
• No load speed: 3750 min
• Warranty: 3-year limited
• Features: Multi-material blade included, laser guidance, trench cut facility, 230mm slide and integrated carry handles

Shop the Evolution Mitre Saw today

UNBOXING & FIRST IMPRESSIONS

The first thing I noticed was the box size. It was impressively compact for a product I was hoping would be one of the best mitre saws with a slide. This made it easy to carry (even at nearly 14kg), and as the box itself was adorned with plenty of product photos and info, I felt like I already knew the Evolution R210SMS+ 210mm Sliding Compound Mitre Saw before the box was even opened.

Opening the box revealed a host of cardboard components securely holding the all of the various parts in place. One thing I immediately noticed the blade wasn't attached; this came separately. The box included Evolution's Multipurpose TCT (Tungsten Carbide Tipped) blade, available from Screwfix, which is designed to cut wood, mild steel, aluminium, and plastic, and has 24 teeth.

As an extra addition to review, Evolution provided me with a general wood blade for comparison, but this doesn't come in the box. However, the Evolution Power Tools HTC210WRAGE Wood Carbide-Tipped Blade from Amazon is a good option.

Removing all the components revealed the various parts, including the blade, a dust bag, dust bag adapter, slide rail cover, machine table extensions, a three-piece hold-down clamp, a front clamp, and a double-ended hex key.

The build felt solid and sturdy, with a mix of mainly metal and plastic components, which wasn't surprising given the Evolution's very reasonable price point. However, most of the plastic parts felt well-made and up to the task they were designed for.

While the box and packaging were recyclable, they weren't really reusable. Once I had removed all the components and put them together, I couldn't fit the saw back in the box. It's a small point, but I would have liked to store the saw in the box. Instead, it ended up in my recycling bin.

SETTING UP

You might think that setting up a mitre saw is quick, and simply a case of taking it out the box, plugging it in and you're ready to go. It's rarely that simple though, as you usually need to add a few extras, such as a dust bag and extensions for holding longer lengths of wood. However, with the Evolution R210SMS+ 210mm Sliding Compound Mitre Saw, you do need to follow a few more steps to get this particular type of saw up and running.

The saw comes in parts, so it requires some minor assembly. For instance, you need to install the sliding carriage and blade, and add machine table extensions. There's also the option to add a slide rail protector and, of course, the dust bag.

Admittedly, this didn't take long, but the instructions could have been clearer, and I struggled to get the flange bolt (which helps hold the blade in place) moving. A supplied double-ended hex key helps remove it, but I needed a squirt of WD-40 (available from Amazon) and extra leverage to get it out. The next time was thankfully easier.

In the manual, it says that by "assembling the machine, the owner/operator will gain valuable insight into its many advanced features." I can see this from both sides. It's ideal for DIYers who haven't yet had the joy of owning a mitre saw – and admittedly, its price point directs it towards this market. However, I would have been much happier if I could have taken it straight out of the box, made a few minor adjustments and started using it straight away.

There are a few quick, easy tweaks to make to make sure everything is accurate, but the tools aren't included. But I only needed an Allen key (try this Hi-Spec Small Metric Hex Allen Key Wrench Set from Amazon) and a spanner. And what DIYer doesn't have these? Not many.

Once I set up the saw (and checked it as the manual suggested), I liked a lot about it. And the more I thought about the quality on offer for the price, the more I liked it.

Simple features like the placement of handles for carrying, the large bevel lock handle, the quality lower blade guard, the slide rail protector, the blade guard locking trigger, cable guides and the easy-to-use arbor lock button, to name a few, were all elements that won me over.

How well did it work?

With everything secure and a few minor tweaks made, the Evolution R210SMS+ 210mm Sliding Compound Mitre Saw was ready to get down to business. As mentioned, the blade it's supplied with is standard for most mitre saws. It is a jack-of-all-trades blade and a smart choice for most DIYers. To test it, I made a host of cuts on plastic pipe of various thicknesses, along with cuts to thin, soft metal strips. It handled all of them with relative ease and left very little burr.

Next on the list was a host of woods, which is what I typically use a power saw for. To start, I tried simple crosscuts with plywood, MDF, softwood, and hardwood. Everything went smoothly, although at one point a short piece of timber went astray; but that was my fault for not securing it properly. To ensure this didn't happen again, I made good use of the hold and front clamps.

The hold-down clamp was easy to set up and worked a treat. The front clamp involved more work and didn't hold thinner wood as well as I'd hoped. It still did the job, but I think a rectangular head would have worked better. The cut was pretty clean, although it left a little breakout on one edge, but nothing drastic.

The Evolution R210SMS+ 210mm Sliding Compound Mitre Saw has a max cutting width of 230mm and 65mm depth, which is enough for shelving, fencing, and floorboards or similar. I measured up to see how true the claim was, and it matched pretty much as expected. When cutting, the slide rail protector was a smart addition, helping to keep wood dust from clogging up the rails.

Next up were mitres and bevels. I tested this with all the woods I mentioned previously. The bevel lock handle was big, making it easy to adjust and secure your chosen angle (from 0-45 degrees). I tested at 15, 30, and 45 degrees; all cuts were easy and accurate.

Setting up the mitre was simple with stops at 0, 15, 22.5, 30, and 45 degrees. However, you can stop anywhere between 50 and -50 degrees. Everything was accurate and much the same as crosscuts. I can't continue without mentioning the laser guide either which is ideal and accurate for wood placement.

To finish testing, I replaced the Evolution multipurpose blade with an Evolution general wood blade with a saw TPI of 30. I performed the same tests as with the multi-purpose blade, obviously on wood only. The cuts were again clean and smooth, with less breakout. As I expected, this blade was a better choice for wood than the multi-purpose blade.

As with all types of power tools, remember to protect your hearing. The Evolution R210SMS+ 210mm Sliding Compound Mitre Saw isn’t particularly loud, but at over 100 decibels, I suggest investing in ear defenders like these Dr.meter Ear Defenders from Amazon.

Should you buy the Evolution R210SMS+ mitre saw?

The Evolution R210SMS+ 210mm Sliding Compound Mitre Saw should be on your to-buy list if you're a serious DIYer looking to replace your current saw, or invest in your first mitre saw. It sits at a price point that belies the quality, features, and finish you get for the money.

Many elements like the carry handle placement, cable management, slide rail protector and arbour lock button, are simple examples of the thought that went into the design of the saw and this further demonstrated with its performance.

Admittedly, you have to assemble the saw yourself and add the supplied general-purpose blade. So, if you have never owned a mitre saw, it does help to get to know it before you start using it. If you do a lot of wood cutting, I suggest investing in a specialist wood blade for more finesse.

The Evolution R210SMS+ 210mm Sliding Compound Mitre Saw isn't perfect, but it offers a lot at a price point that is hard to resist. In my opinion, you can't go far wrong with it and I'm sure you wouldn't be disappointed if you went ahead and purchased it today.