Circular saws are one of the most versatile power tools in existence, and they’re incredibly useful for cutting through wood or metal. They can be used for all kinds of projects, from building furniture to making repairs around the house or workshop. If you work with wood regularly, then you must have access to this kind of tool!
If you work with wood regularly, then you must have access to this kind of tool! But how do you know which is the best circular saw? There are so many different models available today, each one promising to be better than its competitors.
- How do you choose between them?
- Which features should matter most when buying a new circular saw?
- What makes some brands more reliable than others?
Therefore, we’ve put together this buying guide with some of our top picks and other great options, so you don’t have to waste time researching everything yourself! So keep reading if this sounds like something that could interest you…
Table of Contents
Top 10 Circular Saws in 2021
| IMAGE | PRODUCT | FEATURES | PRICE |
|---|---|---|---|
 | SKIL 5280-01 Circular Saw | • Powerful 15-amp motor • 7-1 4-inch carbide-tipped blade included • 51° bevel capacity | |
 | Dewalt DWE575SB Circular Saw | • Among the lightest saws in its class • Electric brake of the corded circular saw • 15 amp motor | |
 | Skilsaw SPT77WML-01 Circular Saw | • Lightest magnesium construction • Cut-ready depth of cut system • 15 Amp of power | |
 | BLACK+DECKER BDECS300C Circular Saw | • Lightweight design • Powerful 13Amp motor • Laser guide | |
 | Makita 5477NB Hypoid Saw | • Efficient hypoid gears • Powerful 15 AMP motor • Oil bath technology and sealed gear housing | |
 | Porter-Cable PCC660B Cordless Circular Saw | • High-performance motor • 6-1/2-inch carbide tooth blade • Contoured Overmolded Handle | |
 | CRAFTSMAN CMES510 Circular Saw | • High performance motor • Tool-free BEVELING shoe pivots up to 55 deg • Magnesium shoe for durability and reduced weight | |
 | Bosch CSW41 Circular Saw | • Bosch CSW41 Circular Saw provides better comfort and control • CSW41 offers increased accuracy and precision • 15-amp motor provides torque for a variety of applications | |
 | Hammerhead HACS120 Electric Circular Saw | • Strong Power and Efficiency • Sharp Blade • Bevels up to 45° for great bevel cutting capacity | |
 | Milwaukee 2732-20 M18 Cordless Circular Saw | • Integrated rafter hook • LED light for increased accuracy and visibility • Electric brake for stopping blade |
1. SKIL 5280-01 Circular Saw
Cleverly designed for efficiency, this saw slices through your day with ease. With features like a spindle lock for easy blade changes and an anti-snag lower guard, it’s guaranteed to be productive no matter the job.
Keep things nice and tidy without tackling messy situations with this SKIL 5280-01 circular saw with a single beam laser guide!
Product Features:
- The 15 amp motor delivers 5,300 RPM and allows you to make fast cuts to speed up your project completion time.
- With an arbor size of 5/8 in and a 7-1/4 in blade included, this saw is sized perfectly for oddball tasks like cutting off limbs or trimming away metal edges.
- Its lightweight design at only 6.95 pounds, so you can reduce fatigue; it’s easy to be equipped for any home renovation calls that come your way!
- For easier blade changes, keep an eye out for a spindle lock as well as a 51-degree bevel capacity, so you know this product will cover all your needs for any cutting angle.
2. Dewalt DWE575SB Circular Saw
You’re always on the lookout for a new challenge, and this DEWALT 7 1/4 inch corded circular saw is one of the best tools for those tough jobs.
With its electrically braked blade, it stops after you let go, and at 8.8 pounds, it’s among the lightest in its class, so there’s no arm fatigue—just plenty of power whenever you need it. Whether you’re cutting 5/4″ plywood or ripping 2x4s, these saws make the job easier.
Product Features:
- Knife-to-metal cutting capacity of 2 9/16 inches makes it the perfect tool for remodeling or building new projects from scratch.
- Need a serious amount of power? Use this circular saw that’s equipped with a 15 amp motor delivering enough driving force wherever you need it most!
- The smooth, high-grade aluminum base will keep it true for accurate cuts without bending down an inch no matter who bumps into you.
- With 57 degrees of beveling capacity, you’ll never run out of options for quick cuts and smooth profiles. Just plunk down your tool on one of our stops at 45 degrees or 22.5 degrees for the precise cut every time!
3. Skilsaw SPT77WML-01 Circular Saw
It’s like a prom in your shop. Because honestly, there’s just nothing that can sufficiently be done with this power tool. It does an excellent job of cutting wood- not to mention being lightweight.
Use the cut-ready depth system if you’re feeling lost about gettin’ down to brass tacks on everything from cabinets to DIY projects for the kids’ playroom. The worm drive feature makes your work better because you can’t have an accurate cut every time without it.
Product Features:
- With its patented lower guard, it safely operates even when cutting small pieces of lumber.
- The 53° bevel allows users to complete a wider variety of cuts and have your work materials ready to go in less time than ever before.
- Its built-in guard not only removes snags from your lumber cutting routine but also lets you work much more quickly and comfortably, avoiding those unpleasant shavings that often cause unnecessary accidents.
4. BLACK+DECKER BDECS300C Circular Saw
For anyone who has ever wanted a fast, fun tool that won’t quit on them, this corded electric saw is a dream come true with a laser guide to give you enhanced accuracy and quick-change spindle locks for quickly changing the saw blade as needed, your best off cutting with BLACK+DECKER.
With a corded design offering unlimited runtime for even the biggest jobs, this tool is great for contractors or skilled woodworkers tackling residential projects.
Product Features:
- This corded saw has a powerful 13 Amp motor that delivers cuts efficiently and extends battery life, so you don’t need to worry about finding an outlet just yet.
- It also includes lasers that illuminate your cutting line for more accuracy.
- To adjust the depth up to 2 ½ inches at 90 degrees, all you have to do is turn the knob on this lightweight saw without worrying about arm fatigue thanks to the low center of gravity design which helps keep it stable when in use.
5. Makita 5477NB Hypoid Saw
Makita 5477NB circular saw is tough, reliable, and efficient. A powerful motor with a blade speed of 4500 RPM makes it perfect for the toughest cuts you can imagine.
Nothing less than high quality will work for you, which is why Makita designed these 7-1/4″ 3-tooth per inch blades that are engineered to last up to three times longer than ordinary blades!
Product Features:
- This saw was designed with hypoid gears that offer higher torque than traditional worm drive gears.
- It also features an oil bath system with sealed gear housing, so less maintenance is required over time.
- The 0º – 51.5º bevel capacity will cut through anything from trusses to rafters at positive stops of 45 and 51.5-degree angles, respectively, making it flexible enough for any job site or contractor’s toolbox.
6. Porter-Cable PCC660B Cordless Circular Saw
You don’t always need a table saw, or power saw to get the job done. Sometimes, all you need is a lightning-fast cordless circular saw! The cordless circular saw features high torque and a compact design for accurate cutting and beveling at tight spaces like rough framing and pipe cutting.
When you’re on-site, and your inspiration hits, grab your trusty PORTER-CABLE PCC660B every time with an impressive speed!
Product Features:
- With this lightweight circular saw design, job site fatigue can be avoided, and its small shape means carpentry projects will always fit into tight spaces without issue – that’s why this compact circular saw has become a must-have for residential architects everywhere.
- The 7 1/4-inch carbide tooth blade coupled with 4000 RPMs makes cutting traditional wood very easy.
- This saw features an innovative beveling shoe that pivots up to 50 degrees for non-traditional cutting applications and delivers 4000 revolutions per minute – fast enough to cut through steel!
- It’s perfect for height adjustments on doors and windows, accurate beveled edge cuts on moldings, baseboards & crowns, flat siding installations over concrete skirt boards, precision ceiling joist work in attics, or unventilated spaces, which makes installing low-level fixtures much easier.
7. CRAFTSMAN CMES510 Circular Saw
Rid yourself of unnecessary weight, and make life a little easier on your shoulders with this lightweight saw from Craftsman. This tool is perfect for constructions workers who need to cut through a lot of materials at once – it’s easy to carry around while still getting the job done in no time. It also comes with built-in detents that let you plot out angles without wasting any time or effort.
You will also find a tool-free beveling shoe that allows pivoting without loosening or modifying orientation into position.
Product Features:
- This saw may just cut through everything you’re looking to accomplish because its 18 teeth carbide-tipped blade lasts up to 21/8 inches into 2x material, which means less waiting around time for cutting tools that last.
- With its magnesium shoe and lower guard, this tool will stay lightweight but extremely durable, so kick back and don’t worry – all of your cutting needs are met.
- No abrasive dust means dry cutting wood indoors or on one side of your project while you add the finishing touches on the other side before some touch.
8. Bosch CSW41 Circular Saw
Packed with powerful features, the BOSCH CSW41 is a go-to saw for any application. The worm drive design offers increased accuracy and precision, which you can see in every cut.
All backed by the most powerful 15-amp motor out there matched with worm drive gearing ensures that torque meets performance when tackling the toughest jobs with ease!
Product Features:
- With unmatched clarity of cut lines due to its left side blade design, this saw will be your favorite for both professional and DIY projects alike.
- Swing the BOSCH CSW41 circular saw and feel its unique precision: its comfortable grip handle helps you power through tasks easily.
- Knock out metals with the onboard multi-function wrench, so you don’t have to pack around heavy tools or stop working to change blades or brushes — push a button and get back cutting!
- With 5,300 no-load rpm and weighing only 13 lbs., there’s nothing this saw can’t handle.
9. Hammerhead HACS120 Electric Circular Saw
No reason to go the DIY route without the Hammerhead HACS120 circular saw. You’ll find it’s a lightweight, durable power tool for any home use. It will blast through even the toughest hardwood and new shapes in no time.
The Hammerhead HACS120 Circular Saw is an excellent saw at a great price and offers more power and durability than you might be used to.
Also, they included an angled self-sharpening blade that gets that clean-cut every time – just like clockwork! So don’t be scared: get this baby and get sawing!
Product Features:
- It’s designed for use in the woods, on your property, or at your job site, giving you enough safety features (up to 45° bevel capacity) to ensure that every cut is smooth and accurate.
- Hammerhead equipped with durability and accuracy, efficiency, and precision in your product will be smooth & outstanding.
- The circular blade is sharp enough to go through tough materials, so you won’t have to spend more than a few minutes on cutting tasks.
10. Milwaukee 2732-20 M18 Cordless Circular Saw
When cutting materials, you need the perfect balance of power and precision. Lean too much on one side or the other (less power OR more precision), and your cuts just won’t be as worthwhile.
Thankfully this is something that Milwaukee has gone to great lengths to solve with their latest M18 Fuel cordless circular saw! Packing up all that power into a lightweight body, it’ll allow you the ability to tackle any project at hand with ease-whether it’s building furniture for your home or helping out in an emergency response situation.
Product Features:
- The LED light makes sure everything is clear cut, so there are no needless mistakes made!
- With flexible blade position adjustments along with easy depth settings, you can ensure each cut will come out exactly as planned every time.
- The electric brake will enable you to stop your blades after releasing your trigger, allowing you a longer uninterrupted cutting before needing to switch out battery packs.
Factors to Consider When Choosing the Best Circular Saw – Buying Guide
Although circular saws are incredibly versatile, there are still plenty of factors you should consider before buying one. Here are the most important things to think about when choosing a new circular saw…
Corded or Cordless
Cordless circular saws have been around for a while now, but they’re now just as reliable as corded models due to advancements in technology. In fact, many people think that cordless tools are even better because they allow you to use them almost anywhere without being restricted by the length of the power cord!
So if you want the freedom to take your saw wherever you need it, go for a cordless tool.
Blade size
Circular saws typically have blades between 7 1⁄4″ and 10″. The bigger the blade is, the more material it can cut at once, making larger circular saws better for cutting sheet goods. Although many would think that the bigger the blade is, the more powerful it must be…
But this isn’t necessarily true. However, if you want to cut thicker materials, it’s best to go with a larger saw. This does not mean that smaller saws are incapable of cutting through thick material though, they need to make more passes over the surface!
Depth adjustment
This is an important feature, mainly because some materials require a specific depth to be cut properly.
For example, if you’re cutting through metal, then it’s best to have a saw that can easily adjust the blade depth, so you get the perfect result every time. Although this isn’t essential, it can certainly make things easier for you.
Blade speed
The RPM rating on a circular saw blade tells you how quickly it can be turned. The higher the rating, the faster the blade will cut through whatever material is being used. So if you want to make a quick cut, choose a circular saw with high RPM ratings!
For a normal user, 5000+ RPM is recommended.
This shouldn’t be your only consideration, but it’s worth thinking about before making a purchase.
Safety Features
Any tool with the potential to cause injury should have safety features that prevent accidents from occurring in the first place. Although this isn’t as important as those features we’ve already outlined, it does make life that little bit easier!
For example, a tool like this should have a plastic blade guard and a push shoe with anti-snag edges. These features protect both the user and the blade, which makes for a far safer tool.
Types of Circular Saws
There are 2 main types of circular saws that you can choose from…
- Worm drive circular saw – This type of circular saw is known for its power and durability. However, the downside to this model is that it’s quite heavy and can take some getting used to.
- Sidewinder circular saw – This type of circular saw is known for its low cost and lightweight design. However, you don’t get the same power or durability with worm drive circular saws.
For most DIY’ers, the sidewinder is all you’ll need (or want).
Adjustment
Any circular saw should be easy to adjust to suit your particular needs. This is achieved by having large adjustment knobs that are simple to turn when you need to adjust to the blade depth.
The design of the machine should also be ergonomically friendly, mainly because poorly designed models can cause an enormous amount of strain on the wrist.
This may not sound very important, but it’s quite serious because poor designs can lead to many injuries and cause you a lot of discomfort.
Power
We recommend that you go for a circular saw that has at least 11 amps of power. This amount of torque ensures that you’re getting the power you need to tackle the majority of sawing projects.
Weight
Typically, circular saws are heavy because they require a lot of power. The average weight is around 8 pounds, making them easier to carry but harder to use for a longer time.
We recommend that you go for a circular saw around 7 pounds in weight, mainly because this is a good balance between lightweight and heavy.
Blade Visibility
The best circular saws will include a blade that can be seen from both sides. This feature makes it much easier to cut through different materials and ensures that there’s never a time when you’re not aware of exactly where the blade is.
Manufacturers will typically include this feature on saws that have a 7.5″ or larger blade, though it can be found on smaller models as well.
Tool Balance
How well the circular saw is balanced depends on the design of the machine. For example, if it has an uneven weight distribution (with more weight at one end than the other), then it’s not going to be easy to use.
If you’re considering buying a cordless model, then this isn’t really an issue. But if you’re considering a corded model, then it’s something worth thinking about before making your final purchase. Because poorly balanced models can be quite difficult to use, especially for extended periods.
Precision
The precision of your circular saw will determine how accurate your cuts are. If you want to cut through different materials with ease, it’s important to have an exceptional precision model.
It’s also worth noting that the more teeth there are, the smoother and finer the cuts will be in terms of saw blades.
Baseplate Material
The best saws will have a baseplate that’s made from cast iron. These models are generally more expensive, but they’re also more durable and can handle heavy-duty jobs without any problems.
Easy to Change Blade
Upper-end saws will have a blade that can be removed with the simple turn of a button. However, for those models that don’t have this feature, you’ll need to use a wrench to remove the old blade before inserting the new one.
Best Circular Sawa FAQs
How can you know which saw is best for your needs?
By understanding the features that are important to you. Different circular saws have different characteristics and will be better suited to particular tasks than others.
Which one should I get, corded or cordless?
You must consider what you’re going to be using the machine for before making a purchase. Corded circular saws will typically have more power, but it’s much harder to maneuver around different projects. On the other hand, battery-powered circular saws are usually smaller and more lightweight, but they also have less power. The choice depends entirely on your intended uses.
How do you determine blade speed?
The TSR is the ratio of the blade’s tip speed to the wind speed. For example, if a blade’s tip is moving at 100 mph, so at a wind speed of 20 mph, the TSR is 5.
What are the most common uses of a circular saw?
Construction workers typically use circular saws for making straight cuts as well as cutting through different building materials. In the home, it’s most often used to cut plywood, timber, and plastics.
How many types of cutting can you do with a circular saw?
There are two types of cutting, bevel and non-bevel. A bevel cut is done with the blade tilted away from the material, while a non-bevel is done with the blade parallel to the material.
How do I set a circular saw to cut straight?
Most circular saws will have a lateral adjustment system that allows you to move the blade laterally. It’s important to make sure this is set to zero before making your first cut.
What’s the difference between a circular saw and a miter saw?
A circular saw is designed for making cross and ripping cuts. Whereas a miter saw is designed for cutting straight.
Are circular saws dangerous?
Absolutely, always wear safety glasses and make sure the area surrounding the work is clear of people and objects that may become projectiles.
Are Bosch circular saw good?
Yes, they are one of the best circular saws out there.
Conclusion
Before you take the plunge and purchase a circular saw, it’s important to consider what your needs are.
Depending on how often you intend to use the machine, as well as what materials you’ll be using it for, will determine which one is right for you. And once you’ve made that decision, then purchasing an excellent circular saw should be a breeze.
With that in mind, I hope you found this article helpful and wish you good luck with your next project.