Table of Contents
This review is centered on showing the best circular saws out there. If you are interested in getting for yourself the best circular saws, then probably you should read through this post. It promises to be helpful if you read through, so you make the right selections of your circular saws.
BUYER’S GUIDE
Dust Blower
Using a saw creates dust and that dust will be thrown all over the place with careless abandon. Sometimes that means even your cut-line will get covered in sawdust making it difficult or impossible to see even with a laser or LED work light. Obviously, this can negatively affect the quality of your cuts.
This is less of an issue on short cuts (trimming a 2×4 for instance) as the cut is done before you get a whole lot of dust. But on longer cuts, and especially when ripping pieces down, this can be a big problem.
The dust blower is exactly what its name says it is, it blows the dust away that collects ahead of the saw when you’re cutting. It really is a handy feature and pairs well with an LED work light or a laser.
Electric Brake
An electric brake will reverse the current in the saw to stop the saw blade very quickly once the trigger is released. In the best saws the electric brake can stop the blade in as few as 2 seconds.
This is a great feature because often we assume once we’ve released the trigger the saw is no longer running and therefore no longer dangerous.
It’s really easy to put your hands in the wrong place or to set the saw down while the blade is still moving, and that’s an ugly scenario. An electric brake will drastically reduce the chances of this happening.
Laser Guide
While they sound cool and are fun to brag about, I haven’t personally found them more than slightly useful for setting up a cut initially.
Not only are they only nominally accurate, but once I’ve begun cutting, I’m too focused on paying attention to the guide on the shoe to really be able to use the laser. Combine that with accuracy problems on the lasers and I personally don’t get a lot of mileage out of them.
LED Work Light
As opposed to lasers, this is a feature I can really get behind. An LED work light is a small flashlight on the saw that turns on when the trigger is engaged even a little. This makes seeing your cut-line significantly easier if you’re in any place other than outside on a sunny day.
Even in my well-lit workshop, standing in the wrong place can throw a shadow on the work-piece and make the line harder to see. Couple the LED work light with a dust blower and you’ve got a really handy combination.
Cut Depth and Depth Adjustment
In general, a circular saw will be best suited to cutting 2x (or smaller) materials. It’s not that you can’t cut thicker material but it won’t be your cleanest work as you’ll have to rotate it.
With regards to blade depth, you’ll want the bottommost tooth to be able to pass through the material by about 1/8 to 1/4 of an inch.
So, all the 6 ½-inch and 7 ¼ -inch saws will be able to make a cut through a 2-inch piece of lumber at 90°. Things get a little trickier when we talk about beveled cuts.
At 45° all the 7 ¼-inch saws will make it through with some room to spare but 6 ½-inch saws are cutting it really close. Literally. If you have a saw that goes beyond 45°, it can be hit or miss as to whether or not you’ll be able to make that cut in 2x material.
Being able to adjust the depth of your cut quickly and easily is something you’ll come to appreciate in a hurry. Many models allow you to make these changes using only one hand and some quick locking/unlocking levers, while others may require a little more effort.
If you plan on making a lot of beveled cuts with your circular saw, it’s important to be sure the saw you select will have the depth to make the cuts you need it to make and that it’s simple to adjust.
Bevel Capacity and Bevel Adjustment
A bevel cut is any cut where the blade is not perpendicular to the material. The ability to tilt the saw housing (or shoe depending on how you see it) is an almost required feature.
I’m not even sure you could find a circular saw incapable of doing this and even if you could, the price couldn’t be low enough to justify the loss in versatility.
However, some do the job better than others. For instance, some of the 6 ½-inch blade saws may not even make a 45° or better cut through 2x material and even if they had the depth, they may not have the oomph to get it done.
There is a rare need to go over 45° but if that’s something you anticipate you could need, then you’ll want to make sure you find a saw with that capability.
Also, it goes without saying but bears repeating. A saw that is easy to change the bevel on is a confidence booster. Easy to read scales help ensure you’ve got the saw in the right place and stops will help take nearly all the fuss and worry out of some cuts.
Left Blade or Right Blade
What side of the saw the blade is on may seem superficial but it can definitely have a significant impact on your satisfaction with the saw. And if you aren’t aware of the differences, it may make or break a saw for you. Having said that, it is largely a matter of preference. Fair warning, I can only really speak about this as a right-handed person as I have never had the pleasure of being left-handed.
A right blade saw (where the blade is located on the right-hand side of the saw) is the traditional arrangement for a circular saw. In this configuration you guide the blade primarily by running the notch in the shoe along your cut line.
A left blade saw is just the opposite of a right blade saw. The advantage here is being able to better see your cut line as you are operating the saw.
It seems like this would be the obvious, go-to way to design the saw but it’s not without its disadvantages.
To begin with, a left blade saw will expel saw dust to the left-hand side instead of the right. This is directly where you’ll be standing. This might mean a little extra mess on your clothes or worse, in your eyes.
The second disadvantage is where your body will be positioned if there is a kickback. With a right blade saw generally your body will be off to the side of the saw, reducing the chance a kickback will hit you.
With a left blade saw, you move the blade closer and so your body is more in line with the saw if it kicks back. Also, on a left blade saw, your left arm will have to cross over the top of the saw blade if you are cutting with your right hand on the trigger.
Like with sidewinder vs worm drive, there are people who swear by both camps. So, this may be something you just have to try on and see how it feels. Like shoes.
BEST CIRCULAR SAWS
- Dewalt DCS577B Cordless Worm Drive Circular Saw
- Bosch CSW41 Worm Drive Circular Saw
- Makita 5477NB Hypoid Circular Saw
- Skilsaw SPT77WML Worm Drive Circular Saw
- Dewalt DWS535 Worm Drive Circular Saw
- Dewalt DWE575SB Sidewinder Circular Saw
- Makita 5007MGA Sidewinder Circular Saw
- Skil 5280-01 Sidewinder Circular Saw
- Dewalt DCS391B Cordless Circular Saw
- Bosch CCS180B Cordless Circular Saw
| NAMES | FEATURES | WHERE TO BUY |
| Dewalt DCS577B Cordless Worm Drive Circular Saw
|
Designed with blade oriented to the left of the motor and the handle positioned at the rear of the saw for easy line of sight
The saw has an electronic brake that helps stop the blade after the trigger is released Bevel capacity of 53° with stops at 45° and 22.5° Durable, high-grade magnesium shoe and an efficient brushless motor for smooth, accurate cuts and long runtime |
GET IT ON AMAZON |
| Bosch CSW41 Worm Drive Circular Saw
|
Bosch 7 1/4-inch worm drive saw includes a blade wrench, carbide blade and spindle lock
Simplifies storage with a built-in hook Includes a 1-year warranty Provides 15 Amps of power at 5,300 max rpm |
GET IT ON AMAZON |
| Makita 5477NB Hypoid Circular Saw
|
Hypoid gears deliver more power and have greater surface contact than conventional worm drive gears
Powerful 15 AMP motor for increased productivity Oil bath technology and sealed gear housing for less maintenance 0°-51.5° bevel capacity with positive stops at 45° and 51.5° is ideal for truss and rafter cut-outs High quality, heat treated hypoid gears are engineered for long lasting performance |
GET IT ON AMAZON |
| Skilsaw SPT77WML Worm Drive Circular Saw
|
Lighter magnesium construction (4 lbs. lighter than SKIL® SHD77), reduces user fatigue for less down time
Cut-Ready™ depth of cut system helps with quick, accurate depth measurements 53° bevel allows users to complete a wider variety of cuts |
GET IT ON AMAZON |
| Dewalt DWS535 Worm Drive Circular Saw
|
Weight – 14 pounds
Dimensions – 9.5 x 22.3 x 9 inches Power source – Corded Voltage – 120 Volts |
GET IT ON AMAZON |
| Dewalt DWE575SB Sidewinder Circular Saw
|
One of the lightest saws in its class at 8.8 lbs
15 amp motor, powerful enough for even the toughest applications 57° beveling capacity with stops at 45° and 22.5° 2 9/16 ” Depth of cut capacity provides additional versatility of applications |
GET IT ON AMAZON |
| Makita 5007MGA Sidewinder Circular Saw
|
Easy-to-read settings with oversized numbers and ruler markings
Built-in dust blower clears the line of cut for greater accuracy Blade wrench is attached to saw for fast and convenient blade changing Reinforced power cord withstands jobsite abuse and lowers repair costs |
GET IT ON AMAZON |
| Skil 5280-01 Sidewinder Circular Saw
|
Weight – 9 pounds
Dimensions – 14.2 x 9.8 x 8.5 inches Power source – Corded Voltage – 120 Volts |
GET IT ON AMAZON |
| Dewalt DCS391B Cordless Circular Saw
|
Powerful 460 MWO, 5250 RPM Motor
0 Degree-50 Degree Bevel Capacity 6-1/2″ Carbide Tipped Blade Battery Sold Separately |
GET IT ON AMAZON |
| Bosch CCS180B Cordless Circular Saw
|
Ergonomic main handle – angled for ease in pushing the saw forward
6-1/2 In. saw blade – cuts through 2 In. and cuts through 2 In. at 90° cuts through 2x material across entire bevel range Convenient 50° bevel range on saw – contributes enhanced versatility |
GET IT ON AMAZON |
Dewalt DCS577B Cordless Worm Drive Circular Saw
The FLEXVOLT 60V MAX* 7-1/4 in. Cordless Worm Drive Style Saw features a blade oriented to the left of the motor and the handle positioned at the rear of the saw to optimize line of sight when cutting. An electronic brake helps stop the blade after the trigger is released.
Bevel capacity is 53° with stops at 45° and 22.5°. The saw achieves smooth, accurate cuts and long runtime with a durable, high-grade magnesium shoe and an efficient brushless motor
| PROS | CONS |
| DeWalt’s standard guarantee | Price is a bit higher |
| Good quality | No tool-free blade changing |
| Powerful | Very heavy |
Bosch CSW41 Worm Drive Circular Saw
The CSW41’s worm drive system features an enormous gearing ratio in a compact size. So if you want tremendous power in a manageable package, this is the saw you need. This model features sturdy magnesium housing and a die-cast magnesium footplate for true strength and a lifetime of reliable use. It also has easily serviceable brushes, large adjustment levers, a spindle lock, and a built In. saw hook for easy storage between tasks.
| PROS | CONS |
| Large adjustment levers for fast, accurate bevel and depth adjustments | poor user manual |
| Powerful 15 amp motor provides power for a variety of cutting applications | One wrench for all screws |
| Easy access spindle lock for easy blade changes |
Makita 5477NB Hypoid Circular Saw
Makita’s 7-1/4-Inch Hypoid Saw (model 5477NB), combines a powerful 15 AMP motor and Makita’s efficient hypoid gears with ease-of-use features for more power, better performance and superior cuts. The 5477NB is engineered for framing walls, siding, roofs and floors using a range of dimensional lumber and engineered lumber, including OSB, LVL, PSL, plywood, and more. It is ideal for framers, builders, carpenters, and general contractors seeking a best-in-class 7-1/4-Inch hypoid saw.
| PROS | CONS |
| High quality | Tends to vibrate |
| Affordable | Somewhat heavy |
| Good design |
Skilsaw SPT77WML Worm Drive Circular Saw
The latest and lightest Worm Drive continues the long tradition of SKILSAW quality, rugged durability and consistently exceptional cutting performance. Weighing in at just 11.5 lbs., it’s 4 lbs. less than its predecessor and the lightest Worm Drive saw on the market. The rugged magnesium housing stays strong but keeps the motor cooler, giving you powerful performance job after job. Legendary SKILSAW Worm Drive technology meets our best-in-class Dual-Field motor, invented specifically for saws. This model comes with a SKILSAW blade.
| PROS | CONS |
| Lightweight construction means less fatigue | Worm gear may require semi-frequent lubrication |
| 15 Amp power means quicker cuts and less waiting | Not suitable for industrial use |
| Comes with an anti-snag lower guard to cut small pieces smoothly. | Not suited for travel, and does not have a coordinating carrying case |
| Has built-in measurement system for quick, effortless measuring and less mistakes |
Dewalt DWS535 Worm Drive Circular Saw
If you are searching for a true professional circular saw, then the DeWalt DWS535 is one to consider. The power tool comes with many features that make various types of cutting jobs easy. In terms of power tool, DeWalt is one of the most trusted brands in the world. Read on to see if this 7 1/4 inch model is a good fit.
| PROS | CONS |
| High-quality unit | No electric brake |
| Easy to handle | Somewhat loud |
| Accurate |
Dewalt DWE575SB Sidewinder Circular Saw
The DWE575 7-1/4″ Lightweight Circular Saw is among the lightest saws in its class at only 8.8 lbs. 15 Amp motor is powerful enough for the toughest applications. Bevel capacity of 57° and 2-9/16″ depth of cut capacity provide versatility.
| PROS | CONS |
| The DeWALT DWE575SB weighs only 8.8 pounds, making it one of the lightest, most maneuverable saws we reviewed. | The saw does not come with a rip fence. |
Makita 5007MGA Sidewinder Circular Saw
The Makita 5007MG 7-1/4 in. Magnesium Circular Saw features highly durable magnesium components and a powerful 15 AMP Makita-built industrial motor. The 5007MG seamlessly balances weight, power, durability, and ease of use, making it the most refined circular saw on the market. A built-in dust blower clears the line of cut for more accurate and precise cuts.
The 5007MG is built for framing walls, floors and roofs using a range of dimensional lumber and dense engineered lumber, including LVL, PSL and I-Joists, headers, and microlams; as well as ripping panels such as plywood, OSB, particle board, and dense structural panels. Other applications include plunge and bevel cutting.
| PROS | CONS |
| The Makita Magnesium 5007MGA has a great design that includes a rubber grip, attached blade wrench and dual LED lights to illuminate your cut line. | Makita only includes a one-year warranty with this circular saw. |
Skil 5280-01 Sidewinder Circular Saw
When versatility is in question, SKIL has an answer for that. It’s a well-known brand that is mostly in the business of designing affordable and accessible power tools. In case you are looking for a high-quality machine but are on a limited budget, this brand might be the answer for your troubles.
Circular saws are an important piece of equipment in every DIYer’s garage. Making compromises and purchasing cheap copies of reputable brands is a huge mistake and can result in losing money and especially nerves.
Remember, cheap tools always cost much more than the high-quality ones because they require much more maintenance, expenses, and so on. Therefore, if you have an opportunity to buy a high-end machine, don’t waste time by trying to save a few dollars, it’s not worth it.
| PROS | CONS |
| Easy to use | The laser is not adjustable |
| Affordable | It’s hard to see the laser while working outdoors |
| Accurate |
Dewalt DCS391B Cordless Circular Saw
The DeWALT® 20V MAX* 6-1/2″ Circular Saw (Tool Only) has an incredibly powerful motor which gives the 6-1/2-inch carbide cutting blade a maximum of 5,250 revolutions per minute, to get you through any material. The motor also gives 460 max watts out. The rubber over molded comfort grip is optimised for control and balance to allow you to keep a tight hold on this DeWalt cordless circular saw when working in all conditions.
| PROS | CONS |
| Break Blade feature offers emergency stop. | Overhead vertical cuts from bottom to top motion can pose a challenge. |
| Complies with latest industry and OSHA safety standards. | The “Tool Only” design is a bit of a downer for those who were expecting a Li-ion battery to accompany their brand new purchase. |
| Lightweight flat head magnesium shoe allows the saw to sit solid on a long range of material surfaces. |
Bosch CCS180B Cordless Circular Saw
The Bosch CCS180B 18 V 6-1/2 In. Circular Saw Bare Tool can easily cut through 2x (“two by”) material across entire bevel range. This cordless saw provides a convenient 50° bevel range, which is handy for times when quick bevel cuts are called for in a difficult situations. The easy-to-read depth-of-cut gauge and bevel scale help make accurate cuts simple.
| PROS | CONS |
| Easy blade changes – saw includes robust spindle lock and on-board blade-change wrench | None |
| Ambidextrous lock-off release button on saw – helps prevent unintended starts | |
| Easy-to-read depth-of-cut gauge and bevel scale – for quick and accurate cuts |
Conclusion
We have come to the end of this review. With this aid of this review, you shouldn’t be misled when you decide to get yourself a circular saw.