Cordless circular saws are extremely useful in woodworking projects because there’s no cord to get caught up or tangled in your projects. Here are the best cordless circular saw options currently on the market, as well as some additional information you should know before you start shopping.
The Best Circular Saws
Here are the top circular saw options currently on the market. These circular saw reviews are divided by category, rather than being a list of best to worst.
DEWALT’s DC390B is my top cordless circular saw thanks to a balance of different features. Its 3700 rpm blade speed is relatively low compared to a table saw, but it works out well in most situations where circular saws make sense. Meanwhile, the magnesium guards provide significantly better protection than weaker metals.
A 50-degree bevel provides additional flexibility for this product, while a fan-cooled motor provides consistent airflow to the hottest parts. However, while this tool is extremely affordable, you’ll need to buy a battery separately. That’s mostly for the benefit of people who already own DEWALT tools and don’t need extras, but it’s important to know before you go shopping.
Pros:
- A high-quality tool from a reputable company
- Reasonable power and speed for a cordless saw
- Small enough to fit almost anywhere
- Weighs about 6.3 lbs., which is very light for a cordless circular saw
Cons:
- Need to purchase battery separately
- Too small for deeper jobs, which can limit its use for some jobs
- Not as good with hardwood and other tough materials
Sometimes the right tool for the job is also one of the smallest tools for the job. POPOMAN’s 4-1/2” cordless saw comes with numerous features that help it stand out from other models, including a laser sight for accuracy and a pair of blades. The 24-tooth one is normal, but the additional 60-tooth blade for cutting soft metal and plastic is rare as a standard feature.
This saw is also good for one-handed use, which is another rarity among cordless saws. It’s actually light enough to control that way, although it will still be hard to get total precision without using two hands. This isn’t strong enough for cutting ultra-hard materials, but for softer things, it’s both affordable and effective.
Pros:
- Compact saw with extended handle reaches areas some other tools don’t
- Comes with a metal/plastic saw blade, not just a woodcutting blade
- 3400 rpm is a reasonable speed for a cordless saw
- More affordable than most other saws
- Has several rare but useful features, including a laser sight
- Usable with one hand
Cons:
- Not suitable for all materials
- Likely to wear out faster than a larger product
- The dust port is located in an inconvenient area
At the other end of the size spectrum are the large saws, and DEWALT’s DCS570B is the best cordless circular saw in this category. There are larger saws on the market, occasionally going up into the 12” to 14” range, but those aren’t as practical for most real-world applications.
The DCS570B is the best battery circular saw in this category thanks to its extremely high rotation speed and extra-large bevel capacity. With the ability to move up to 57 degrees, it has a wider range of cuts than most other circular saws. It also has a run time of about 100 crosscuts in 2×4 wood, which is quite impressive given the power of this machine.
Pros:
- High-quality, durable construction that will last for years
- 5200 rpm is faster than almost any other cordless circular saw
- Available in several shopping options, including with precision blades or a tote
- Better bevel than anything else on this list
Cons:
- Significantly more expensive than most other circular saws
- Battery not normally included
- Lower run time than other products because of its higher power
All cordless circular saws are lightweight, but the Makita SH02R1 is particularly light at just 3.5 pounds. This makes it an excellent choice for longer jobs, where every pound matters, and you can feel the difference after a few hours of work. The blade is quite small at 3-3/8”, but a 1-inch cutting depth is suitable for most common household applications.
I particularly like the kit version of this product, which comes with two batteries and a charger in a hard carrying case. The double batteries are especially useful because you can charge one while using the other, minimizing downtime. However, the slow rpm and generally low power mean this saw isn’t as useful on harder materials.
Pros:
- Ultra-light construction is easy for anyone to pick up and use
- Large enough for most common cutting needs
- Has a bevel of up to 45 degrees, which is reasonable for this type of product
- The kit version comes with two batteries
Cons:
- Slow cutting speed
- Not a good choice for hard materials
- Not compatible with all 12V batteries, including some other 12V batteries from its own manufacturer
The BLACK+DECKER BDCCS20B isn’t the most powerful saw on the market, but at this price, I’d be seriously concerned if it was. At 5-1/2”, the blade is relatively small, but a high-torque motor gives it enough power to chew through most softer materials. You can also adjust its cut depth and bevel without using tools, which is a nice touch.
Of course, this tool is fundamentally cheap in every sense of the term, with minimal metal parts. I can’t recommend this for serious buyers, but it’s worth a look if you need a tool for just one project or if you want to practice with a circular saw before you invest in a better tool.
Pros:
- One of the cheapest saws on the market
- Decent size and power despite its low cost
- Light and easy to carry around
Cons:
- Not durable
- Not capable of cutting hard materials
Review Wrap-Up
The DEWALT DC390B is easily the best product on this list thanks to its overall balance of power, affordability, and features. I highly recommend it if you’re still not sure which saw to get. That said, the more-expensive DEWALT DCS570B is a good choice as a high-end purchase thanks to its better cutting depth and additional safety features.
Cordless Circular Saw Buying Guide
Here are some things to keep in mind when you’re buying a cordless circular saw.
What’s The Difference Between Cordless Saws, Corded Saws, And Other Saws?
Cordless saws, sometimes known as battery-powered saws, are among the most portable motorized saws useful for woodworking projects. These saws are most suitable for large jobs, such as making cuts in extremely large pieces of wood. Since they don’t have a cord to limit the range, you can take cordless saws into almost any work environment.
However, this upside is also a drawback for some users. The actual lifespan of a battery in a cordless saw varies based on factors like the power of the battery and the type of motor your saw has, but even the best batteries won’t get you anywhere close to a full day of constant use.
I prefer corded saws because their ability to work on-demand (subject to lubrication and cool down requirements) is generally nicer for big projects. However, there are times when flexibility is more useful.
When compared to other types of powered saws, cordless circular saws are more portable but less powerful and less accurate. Even with similar rotations per minute, circular saws can’t provide the same cutting power as a heavy cabinet saw, or a dedicated miter saw.
That said, circular saws are still viable choices for most woodworking choices, and their portability means you can use them in places where better tools aren’t an option.
Should I Get A Cordless Circular Saw Before Another Type Of Saw?
In most cases, yes. I recommend this because even the best cordless circular saw is generally less expensive than most other types of saws, and it’s useful in a variety of different situations that other saws aren’t.
If you’re not familiar with motorized woodworking tools, starting with something small and affordable is a great way to get some practice with tools and learn more about cutting techniques before you start a big project. I certainly can’t recommend buying a cabinet-style table saw if you’re not already familiar with them!
What’s The Best Way To Get Experience With A Cordless Circular Saw?
If possible, start by taking a class with a woodworking expert. They can give you personalized instruction, explain safety practices, and guide you through a series of simple projects. This doesn’t have to be a paid class, either. Finding a friend to teach you for a day or two often works fine.
After getting this sort of instruction, watch some videos or look at blueprints to complete a few small woodworking tasks. Chances are you’ll mess up on a few of the cuts, but these failures will help you understand what you did wrong and how to make better cuts in the future.
Once you’ve done a few projects with no errors, you’re ready to start on the project you’re buying the best cordless circular saw for. Trying to do a project without experience is likely to result in some expensive mistakes, so it’s usually more cost-effective to practice before you get to work.
What Should I Look For When Buying A Circular Saw?
There are a few different things to look for when you’re buying a saw. The most notable ones are:
- Safety Features: Circular saws are safer than table saws and miter saws, but they’re still dangerous tools. Safety features like trigger guards can protect you and your project from harm, so the more of these a circular saw has, the better.
- Accuracy-Improving Features: Accuracy-improving features include things like metal guides, measuring tools, and laser projections that can show you where to cut. You can’t reverse a cut once you make it, so the easier it is to do it right the first time, the better.
- Other Features: Other helpful features include things like fans that can blow sawdust away or wireless connectivity that can tell you the status of your saw and its battery. These are generally rare on circular saws, but quite useful when present.
- Brand Reputation: Reputation is everything in the world of power tools. Bigger brands tend to have more-reliable tools and larger support networks in case you need replacement parts or repairs. Relatively-unknown brands are more likely to go out of business, which could be a problem if your saw needs help.
- Price: Most cordless circular saws range from $50 to $300 in price. I wouldn’t pay any more than $300 for a product in this range. At that point, you can get a different type of saw instead.
Some saws have rare or even unique qualities that can set them apart from the crowd. For example, the majority of saws have the blade on the right and the motor on the left, but a few use a left-sided blade that offers better visibility for some users.
Why Are So Many Of These Sold Without Batteries?
Lithium-ion batteries (the most common type of battery for cordless saws) are usually classified as hazardous materials and require special care and packaging for shipping. This can get expensive when shipping them with larger items like saws, so most companies prefer to sell them separately.
Carriers have their own regulations, but this UPS guide explains the general problem with shipping batteries in more detail.
Conclusion
Before you buy anything, be sure to evaluate your projects to determine your needs. You may discover that you need features like laser sights or the ability to use the tool one-handed, and even the best cordless circular saws aren’t any good if they don’t meet the needs of your projects. Planning ahead ensures you’ll have the right tool for your jobs.
