A circular saw is a must-have tool for both serious carpenters and projects around the house. Imagine having to saw down a pile of planks, beams, or similar items and having to use your old hand saw for 20 or 30 pieces of wood or even metal.
Finding the best circular saw to meet your needs is going to save you a lot of time, a lot of muscle-ache in your arms, and allow you to easily cut through wood, steel, ceramics, and other materials depending on the type of circular saw blade it supports. Here are a few of the best circular saws you might want to have a look at.
Best Circular Saws
DEWALT DCS570B 20V MAX Circular Saw
A 7-¼-Inch Dewalt Circular Saw You Won’t Regret Buying
- 5200 RPM Motor
- Bevels Up To 57 Degrees
- 2-9/16″ Depth of Cut
- 20 Volts
- Suitable for 7-1/4″ Blade
Starting off our list of some of the best circular saws around we have a Dewalt original that is nothing if not a quality product. Dewalt is a company familiar to many who know how to handle tools like saws, hammer drills, and similar. This circular saw by them comes with all of the typical features you might be looking for in a tool like this, plus more.
The saw comes with a few features that make your life cutting through anything from wood to metal a lot easier. These features include a brushless motor that has no problem reaching speeds of 5200 RPM and can handle amazingly under pressure by maintaining top speed for a while. It’s among the best cordless circular saws you can have, so expect a long battery life and a worry-free experience.
All of this sounds great but there is one tiny downside. This circular saw is on the pricier side of the chart but by choosing it, you are going with one of the highest quality saws out there.
- High-Speed Motor
- Very Durable
- Compact
- Excellent Battery Life
- A Bit Expensive
- No Blade Included
- No Battery Included
Makita XSH03Z 18V LXT Brushless Cordless Circular Saw
An Ideal Choice With a High-Performance Brushless Motor
- Large cutting capacity (2-1/4” at 90°)
- Die-Cast Magnesium Base
- LED Battery Indicator
- Dual Led Lights Illumination
Makita is no joke when it comes to high-power and high-efficiency brushless motors. This particular model is capable of reaching speeds up to 5000 RPM and allows easy cutting. The motor also automatically adjusts speeds for peak performance and no problems along the way.
It’s very attractive to look at but it’s not all about the looks. This saw features a compact and ergonomic design and weighs only 7.3 pounds. The bevel adjustment allows you to adjust accordingly up to 50 degrees. Another special perk that you get with this saw is a high-quality protection design that doesn’t allow water or dust to harm the tool.
Considering everything you’re getting, this circular saw is preferred by many experts but it’s not the best budget circular saw you will see. The price is a bit higher than others but it’s well worth it.
- Compact
- Very Durable
- Extreme Dust and Water Protection
- Easy to Use
- Very Convenient
- Blade Guard
- Expensive
- No Battery Included
Bosch CS10 15 Amp Circular Saw
The Heavy-Duty Bosch 7-¼ Inch Circular Saw
- 15 Amp Motor
- 7-¼ Inch Blade Size
- 56° Bevel
- 120 Volts
- Advanced Composite Footplate
This 15 Amp saw is probably the most powerful on our list yet as its ability to reach speeds of 5600 RPM is certainly admirable. On top of that, it also comes with a 24-teeth blade and together it weighs just a bit over 10 pounds.
It’s surprising how compact this tool looks even though it’s extremely powerful and able to cut through 2-7/16” of material at 90°. It’s a perfect choice and the best corded circular saw out there for delivering fast and precise cuts.
Regarding bevel capacity, this tool is capable of pushing its limits to 56 degrees bevel. On top of all these features, it has an extremely comfortable grip and design. It’s not the cheapest saw out there but it certainly isn’t the most expensive one as well.
- Very Compact
- Comfortable Design
- Blade Included
- Very Powerful
- Outstanding Performance
- On-Tool Wrench Storage
- Somewhat Expensive
TACKLIFE TCS115A Compact Circular Saw
The High-Tech Circular Saw of the Future
- 5.8 Amp Motor With 3500 RPM Speed
- Max Cutting Depth 1-11/16 Inches
- Weighs 8.27 Pounds
- 710 Watts
- 90° & 45° Bevel Capacity
Here is a circular saw that will immediately grab anyone’s attention even from the start thanks to its very different appearance. This is the Tacklife compact circular saw and it’s outstanding with how many features it comes in comparison to its price.
Its patented metal handle design is one of the most attractive features it possesses. It offers easier use and grip than other saws out there. The laser does a wonderful job of guiding the cutting process and doesn’t allow any room for making mistakes. Now, it’s not the most powerful saw out there as it comes with only a 5.6 Amp motor but it is the best compact circular saw you can find at this price.
This model also comes with 6 blades, flexible 90° and 45° bevel capacity, a manual explaining everything about it, a key for replacing blades, a dust port, and amazing customer service from the company.
- Compact Design
- Very Comfortable Handle
- Laser-Guided System
- 6 Blades Included
- Double Protection Switch
- Extremely Fair Price
- Not Great for Heavy-Duty Tasks
- Ideal for Softer Materials
Makita SP6000J Plunge Circular Saw
A Powerful Circular Saw for Extreme Heavy-Duty Tasks
- 12 Amp Motor, 5200 RPM
- Built-In Current Limiter
- Rubberized Grip
- Variable Speed Control Dial
- Soft Start Feature
If you are more serious about your circular saws and other tools, and you are looking for getting the best circular saw out there then this is a strong competitor that you might want to consider. The fact that it has a 12 Amp motor certainly throws it in first place for most powerful on our list so far.
An exciting feature that lets you have more control with this powerful saw is the ability to control the speed of the saw. You can control it anywhere from 2000 to 5200 RPM. Depending on the type and hardness of the material, you can adjust the speed accordingly for more precise cuts. The built-in current limiter also adds another layer of security for the powerful motor inside by eliminating any possibility for burnout.
The cutting capacity on this tool is fairly large, standing at 2-3/16″ at 90° and 1-9/16″ at 45°. It comes with a high-quality and durable case for storing and protecting. This saw certainly means business and makes up for the higher price it comes in.
- Extremely Powerful
- Perfect for Harder Types of Materials
- High-Quality Case Included
- Very Precise and Smooth Cutting
- Very Expensive
Milwaukee 2732-20 M18 FUEL Circular Saw
One of the Safest Cordless Circular Saws
- 15 Amp Motor, 5800 RPM
- Electric Brake
- Brushless Motor
- Cordless
- Integrated Rafter Hook
This is a cordless circular saw by Milwaukee and it comes with a few special perks that make it highly desirable for both newbies and professionals. The company was generous enough to include a blade with the saw but it’s just an average blade, nothing special about it.
The saw, however, has a lot more to it as it comes with a very durable design featuring a magnesium shoe and guards. It’s a very convenient and practical tool by Milwaukee as it has an integrated rafter hook so you can safely store it between cuts. On top of that, it has an electric brake that immediately takes action after the trigger is released. This is an excellent layer of protection and convenience.
The powerful 15 Amp cordless motor is capable of reaching up to 5800 RPM and it can really take advantage of the batteries. Also, one downside is that it does not come with batteries. Consider getting really good ones to match the power this tool is capable of delivering.
- Very Practical and Safe
- Very Powerful
- Comes with Decent Blade
- Light-Weight
- Very Precise
- Relatively Higher Price
- No Battery Included
- Higher Quality Batteries Preferred to Match Power
CRAFTSMAN Circular Saw CMES510
The Ideal Craftsman’s Circular Saw
- 15 Amp Motor, 5500 RPM
- Integrated Rafter Hook
- 18T Carbide Tip Blade Included
- Contoured Overmolded Handle
- Metal Upper and Lower Guard
This 7-¼ inch circular saw is the regular size saw that every craftsman needs more than any other. This particular model has all of the necessary features one might need plus a bit more that makes it among the best circular saws around.
It’s capable of reaching speeds up to 5500 RPM thanks to the powerful 15 Amp motor. It has no problem being forced to cut faster and more aggressively when necessary. The magnesium shoe offers excellent durability and makes the tool more light-weight for easier use. When it comes to beveling, you are free to adjust up to 55°.
These features seem decent and better than many saws out there, but when you consider the attractive price it stands at, it will be very worth it.
- Amazing Price
- Very Durable
- Ideal for Heavy-Duty Cutting
- Excellent Bevel
- 3-Year Limited Warranty
- No Case Included
WORX WORXSAW Compact Circular Saw WX429L
One of the Best Mini Circular Saws Ever
- 4 Amp Motor, 3500 RPM
- 120 Volts
- 4-¼ Inch Blade Size
- 0-45° Bevel Capacity
- 4.4 Pounds
More often than not, people find themselves needing a tool like the circular saw for smaller tasks and never for a huge project that involves a heavy-duty saw. If you are someone who finds themselves in a situation like this constantly then this is the tool you will want to have a look at.
This is a circular saw from Worx and don’t let its small appearance fool you, this one really packs a punch. Despite its small size, it’s quick, surprisingly powerful, and very sturdy and durable. The bevel capacity reaches up to 45° and its powerful motor allows it to reach speeds up to 3500 RPM, not bad for a compact and very portable circular saw.
A 4-½ inch blade fits it perfectly and for half the blade size you also get half the weight as this one stands at only a bit over 4 pounds. The price is more than acceptable for the amazing features and it’s perfect for smaller tasks around the house.
- Compact
- Portable
- Corded
- Perfect for Lumber
- Light Weight
- Fair Price
- Only for Less Demanding Projects
SKIL 5280-01 15-Amp Circular Saw
A Laser-Guided 7-¼ Inch Circular Saw Masterpiece
- 15 Amp Motor, 5300 RPM
- Spindle Lock
- 51° Bevel
- 60 Volts
- 8.7 Pounds
Our last pick for some of the best circular saws ever is this one by Skil. It’s a 15 Amp motor saw that comes with a carbide-tipped 7-¼ inch blade. It also has a spindle lock which is an amazing feature for quick and easy blade changes.
This powerful saw is a corded one that has a 6-foot cable and it’s surprisingly light-weight, standing at just under 9 pounds. As for the bevel, you can adjust up to 51° with positive stops at 45°. The cutting depth of this tool is 2-3/8 inches. It has an amazing feature to price ratio which sounds appealing to many.
Overall, it’s one of the best circular saws for the money and it’s amazing when it comes to the average features, plus a little extra, and all of that coming in a very acceptable price range.
- Perfect for Pro Users
- Ideal for Heavy-Duty Work
- Fair Price
- Very Accurate Cuts
- Blade Included
- Motor Sits a Bit Lower Than Usual
- Not the Best Depth Adjustment Lever
How to Choose a Circular Saw
Now comes the important part, learning what to look for in a circular saw and how to make the best choice possible depending on your requirements, expectations, and budget, of course.
When choosing the best circular saw, a few things to consider would be if it’s a cordless circular saw or a corded one, what Amp motor it has, what’s the average RPM, and more. Read below to make sure you make the best choice you can. Here is all you need to consider.
Corded vs Cordless Circular Saw
We can’t say that there’s no difference between these two types of models. Some of the best cordless circular saws will be a lot more powerful than a few corded ones but they are also going to squeeze out the battery in a short amount of time. The corded one, on the other hand, will often be more powerful, you will not have to worry about battery life, but it will also be less portable. Consider where and how much you will be needing it and decide on which type is best for your situation.
Does Blade Size Matter?
To put it simply, yes it does. The size of the blade determines a lot of things like how deep the cut can go. The most common blade size you will find is 7-¼ inches. If you are mostly going to be cutting materials around 3 inches thick or a bit more, then consider buying one with this size as some of the best 7-¼ circular saw blades will serve you for a very long time.
Know That There Are More Types of Circular Saws
We have already covered the cordless and corded types but did you know that there are a few more for special occasions?
Worm Drive
The difference between a regular one and a worm drive circular saw is the fact that the motor and blade are in line in worm drive saws. This allows for more torque and the ability to cut harder materials with ease. Some of the best worm drive circular saws are used for major renovation jobs and they work like miracles when needed.
Sidewinder
The Sidewinder is a great alternative to the worm drive as the blade sits alongside the motor which allows this machine to be more light-weight and a lot more maneuverable. They are perfect when working for longer periods of time.
Table Saw
There aren’t many differences here but the one difference is fairly huge. Table saws are amazing for cutting more precise lines and longer pieces of wood. It’s also a lot easier to work on a table saw but the main problem here is portability. If you don’t need to move it around ever and constantly cut long pieces of lumber, then this type of circular saw will come in handy.
Other Crucial Features to Keep in Mind
A few other features that make a great circular saw even better are the following:
Cutting Depth
This feature determines how deep the blade can cut. Most saws have depth adjustment levers but keep in mind that the lower the depth the harder the saw works and the more dangerous it is when having more teeth exposed.
Bevel Capacity
Bevel is very important when you want to make angle cuts. Different saws have a different bevel capacity so make sure that the bevel adjustment feature is there and has your preferred bevel capacity, and you won’t have much of a problem here.
Blade Guard
You might not think that this feature will help in cutting efficiency but it sure will help when it comes to safety. This is the most important part of the process and a blade guard will prevent you from getting hurt and also keep the blade safe.
Conclusion
Hopefully, this guide was able to help you out in making your choice. If in doubt, take into account the important features mentioned here and also take into consideration the choices above for some of the best circular saws on the market. The information here also applies when trying to buy similar tools like a miter saw, table saw, and other circular saws. Follow our guide and you will have no trouble making the right choice.