10 Best Circular Saw Reviews & Buyer’s Guide
Whether you’re a professional woodworker, a hobbyist, or just a new homeowner and you need to cut lumber for your renovation project, you should own a circular saw. A professional woodworker already knows how important these tools can be and how much time you can save by using it. On the other hand, if you’re new to all this, finding the best circular saw for your needs might sound a bit difficult.
To help you with this, we have created this list of what we think are the best circular saws on the market right now. After reading this article you’ll see that this isn’t very difficult, you just need to know what to look for. In case you don’t know what the most important features of circular saws are, we have also compiled a buyer’s guide to help you even further; you can find the buyer’s guide later in the article if you need it.
Our Top Pick
DeWalt DWE575SB
- Lightweight
- Electric brake
- Great bevel capacity
Best for Beginners
Porter-Cable PCE310
- Great heavy-duty performance
- Amazing safety features
- Very powerful
Most Affordable
Tacklife PES01A
- Decent dust removal
- Two blades included
- Quite powerful
Top 10 Circular Saw Reviews
Makita 5007Mg
Makita is one of the best power tool manufacturers in the world, and its 5007Mg sidewinder model is an excellent example of that. It seems that they have figured out a way to balance useful features with a highly capable saw perfectly. This model is made with various magnesium components, making it very lightweight but highly durable.
Equipped with a 15-amp motor, the 5007Mg is powerful enough to develop a no-load speed of up to 5,800rpm. This is more than enough to easily handle almost any wood that finds its way in front of the blade. The motor is mounted on the left side, so if you’ve used a saw that was right-sided, it will take some getting used to.
When it comes to the maximum cutting depth, it all depends on the cutting angle. The 5007Mg can cut through 2.5″ at a 90° angle and 1.75” at a 45° angle. As for the bevel, it goes up to 56 degrees with predetermined stops at 22.5 degrees and 45 degrees.
The two best features of this model are the LED lights that let you know when the tool is running and the dust blower. The dust blower will clear the dust in front of the saw, thus allowing you to see where you need to cut.
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The Good
- Durable and lightweight
- Great bevel capacity
- Easy adjustments
The Bad
- The blade tends to get dull rather quickly
DeWalt DWE575SB
People at DeWalt have set themselves on a mission to manufacture durable, powerful tools that usually last a lifetime. They built a reputation on the rugged and uncompromising design of their products and power tools. Their DWE575SB circular saw is keeping this tradition going by being a small but very powerful tool that can handle anything you put in front of it.
Weighing in just short of 9 pounds, it’s one of the lightest sidewinder circular saws on the market right now. Powered by a highly capable 15-amp motor, the DWE575SB can generate a no-load speed of up to 5,200rpm. Given that this is a corded model, you won’t have to worry about battery life and constant recharging.
Some great features that this model comes with include a ToughCord system and an electric brake. The ToughCord system is designed in such a way to keep the cord plugged into the tool without any unwanted pullouts. Another attractive feature is the ball bearing guard on the lower part; combined with the electric brake, they provide a smooth retraction.
The depth capacity maxes out at 2-9/16 of an inch. As for the maximum bevel capacity, it’s at 57 degrees with predetermined stops at 22.5 and 45 degrees.
The Good
- Very lightweight
- Dust blower included
- Electric brake
The Bad
- Might be a bit pricey
SKIL 5280-01
If you’re an amateur woodworker or a new homeowner, you probably need a tool to help you cut larger boards and studs to size. But investing in an expensive power tool might be too much for some – that’s where the 5280-01 from SKIL comes into play. This model is a highly capable circular saw that comes at a very reasonable price tag, making it suitable for both professionals and beginners alike.
The 5280-01 is an extremely lightweight model, and with its 7lbs, it’s one of the lightest circular saws in the business. You don’t have to be one of the strongest people in the world to guide this tool through any cut easily. To make it even easier to use, this model comes equipped with a powerful 15-amp motor that can develop a no-load speed of about 5,300rpm.
Now that we realized that 5280-01 is powerful enough to handle almost any household woodworking project, it’s time for other great features. One of these features is an integrated dust blower that keeps your cut line dust-free, thus increasing your visibility and accuracy. Another useful feature is the laser sight that also improves the saw’s overall efficiency.
The Good
- Great value
- Super lightweight
- Guarded trigger
The Bad
- The laser guide isn’t the best
Black+Decker BDECS300C
The BDECS300C is brought to us by Black+Decker, one of the best power tool manufacturers in the world. This model is another highly affordable circular saw on our list, but despite its budget-friendly price, it offers a wide variety of great and useful features. It’s best for shorter and quicker cuts, so if you need something for larger projects, this tool might not be the one for you.
This machine comes equipped with a 13-amp that can generate no-load speeds of up to 5,500rpm, making it suitable for almost any household project. Given that this model is a sidewinder, you won’t have to worry about maintenance, which is excellent for beginners and hobbyists. Other than that, the BDECS300C has a spindle lock that makes changing the blade quite easy.
When it comes to maximum depth capacity, this tool can cut through 2.5 inches of material at a 90-degree angle. As for the bevel capacity, the blade can tilt up to 45° making this model comparable to some of the best ones out there. However, the bevel doesn’t feature any predetermined stops, and you’re free to choose anything from 0-45 degrees as you wish.
The Good
- Very inexpensive
- On-board tool storage
- Laser guide
The Bad
- No predetermined bevel stops
DeWalt DCS391B
The majority of power tools manufactured by DeWalt are cordless and powered by batteries making them great for on the go projects. Their DCS391B model is an excellent testament to that, and it’s also highly reliable and durable.
This tool is powered by the well-known DeWalt’s patented 20V Max battery; it’s capable of generating a no-load speed of up to 5150rpm, meaning it’s powerful enough to handle almost anything you put in front of it. When it comes to the bevel capacity, the DCS391B can tilt up 50°, which is quite impressive. As for the maximum depth, this tool can cut through 2.25″ at 90° and 1.6″ at 45°.
The shoe of the DCS391B is made out of magnesium, making it highly durable, but the lower guard is made of plastic. If you already used a circular saw, you know how much abuse the lower guard suffers during work, so keep that in mind. However, one fantastic thing about the majority of the newer DeWalt battery-powered products is the fact that they all run on the same batteries. So, if you already own some of their cordless tools, you don’t have to buy a spare battery if you don’t want to.
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The Good
- Very durable and reliable
- Great performance
- 50-degree bevel capacity
The Bad
- Battery and charger sold separately
Tacklife PES01A
The PES01A is an incredible 1500-watt corded circular saw manufactured and brought to us by Tacklife. Weighing in at only 10.8lbs, it’s still quite lightweight but a smidge heavier than some of the other saws on our list. It comes at a very affordable price, but don’t let that fool you, it’s very powerful and effective for its price range.
This model provides the user with an excellent cutting experience when it comes to comfort, as well as low levels of noise and vibrations. The powerful 1500-watt motor can develop a no-load speed of up to 4500rpm, which is enough to perform bevel, cross, and rip cuts through almost any wood. As for the maximum depth capacity, the PES01A is capable of making 2.36-inch deep cuts at 90 degrees and 1.65″ at 45 degrees.
The angle adjustments and baseplate depth are very reliable and accurate, ensuring that the cutting result is constant throughout your whole work. Other great features that come with this model include an aluminum lower guard, a double safety lock for the switch, and a convenient 10-foot cable. Also, there is an efficient dust removal system that pulls the majority of the sawdust to the rear of the tool, keeping the laser guide clear.
The Good
- Super affordable
- Comes with two blades
- Decent dust extraction system
The Bad
- None at this price range
Porter-Cable PCE310
The PCE310 from Porter-Cable made to our list because it falls into the category of circular saws that are most suitable for heavy-duty projects. This model offers excellent overall performance making it ideal for beginners, skilled professionals, and even hobbyists. The overall design of this tool is well-balanced, so despite the added weight, it won’t cause any strain on your hands during prolonged work.
This model is equipped with a powerful 15-amp motor that’s capable of generating no-load speeds of around 5500rpm. With this motor, the PCE310 can cut through some of the hardest materials without any great effort. Even though it offers impressive performance, the unit itself doesn’t weigh that much, measuring only 9lbs, making it one of the lighter models.
Included with this model is a 7.25-inch blade with carbide tips that provide the user with a clean and precise cut. The PCE310 can cut through 2.5 inches at a 90-degree angle and 1.8 inches at 45 degrees. As for the bevel capacity, you can tilt the blade up to 55 degrees with predetermined stops at 22.5 and 45 degrees.
Because it’s very well balanced, you won’t get tired when using it, allowing you to create a clean, smooth cut every time. Also, the PCE310 has a spindle lock, so the process of changing the blade requires no effort from the user.
The Good
- Heavy-duty performance
- Quite powerful
- Great safety features
The Bad
- No rip guide
Bosch CS5
The CS5 model, manufactured by Bosch, features one of the most reliable motors on the market right now. It’s powered by a highly capable 15-amp motor that can develop a no-load speed of up to 6500rpm, which is more than enough. To be honest, this is a tool that can generate the highest blade speed of all the models on our list.
Bosch is well-known for its fantastic power tools, and this model is a pretty good example of that. Given the high speed and exceptional performance of this model, you can cut through almost any hard material quickly and easily. Also, this being a sidewinder type, the motor is mounted on the right side of the tool.
When it comes to cutting depth, the included 7.25-inch blade can cut 2.44″ deep at a 90° angle and 1.8 inches at a 45° angle. As for the saw’s bevel capacity, it goes up to 56° allowing you to create cuts at a wide variety of angles.
This product also has a dust blower, which keeps the dust out of the blade’s cutting path. However, the only downside of this feature is that it doesn’t blow the dust away from the users but rather towards them.
The Good
- Anti-snag lower blade guard
- Extremely powerful
- Great bevel capacity
The Bad
- Blows the sawdust on the user
Tacklife TCS115A
The TCS115A from Tacklife falls into the category of the best compact circular saws available right now, and that’s why it’s on our list. This tool is unique and flexible, and it comes with a wide variety of useful features. Because this is a compact type of saw, it’s operated by only one hand, and the majority of users truly like that about this model.
Equipped with a 5.8-amp motor, this model can run at speeds of up to 3500rpm. This is certainly not the fastest tool on the market, but it’s excellent for any kind of your typical household project. It’s not suitable for bigger projects and more abundant materials, but it will cut through plastic, wood, piping, and similar materials.
Because it’s very flexible, you can disassemble and adjust the tool with just a single move of one hand. Other than that, included with the TC115A are six different blades ranging in size from 4.5” to 4.75”. The included blades can be used for wood, some for tiles, other for softer metal, and more.
With the wide variety of blades, you can cut at different depths, but the most common ones are 1-11/16” at 90° and 3/8 of an inch at 45°. The TC115A is a lightweight model weighing only 8 pounds, and it also has an ergonomic handle making it very easy to use.
The Good
- Decent laser sight
- Six different blades included in the pack
- Safe and ergonomic design
The Bad
- Not suitable for larger projects
Makita SH02R1
Makita’s SH02R1 is another incredible compact circular saw on this list. As is the case with the majority of small models, this one is also powered by a battery. Because it’s compact and battery-powered, this tool is very lightweight, coming in at only 3.5 pounds, making it one of the lightest circular saws on the market.
With the 12V Max, 2.0Ah battery, this model is capable of developing no-load speeds of about 1500rpm. This doesn’t make it one of the most powerful tools available, but it’s great for small projects around the house. The maximum cutting depth of the 3-3/8” blade is 1 inch deep for all kinds of cutting applications.
As for the bevel capacity, this tool can tilt from 0 to 45 degrees, and you can cut at any angle between the two marks. The cutting depth at 90 degrees is 1 inch and 5/8 of an inch at a 45-degree angle. It can cut through materials such as pegboard, plywood, MDF, drywall, melamine, and particleboard, making it highly versatile.
This model comes with a bit higher price tag, but the high versatility when it comes to all household working makes it worth it. Also, the SH02R1 comes with two 12V Max Lithium-Ion batteries included in the pack, so you won’t have to buy an extra one separately.
The Good
- Great for smaller projects
- Highly versatile
- Comes with two batteries
The Bad
- The motor isn’t brushless
Circular Saw Buyer’s Guide
As we said in the beginning, there are a lot of circular saws available on the market right now. Because the market is oversaturated, finding the right tool for you can be a bit difficult if you don’t know what to look for. To help you in all of this, we have created this comprehensive, but easy to understand buyer’s guide.
In this guide, you’ll come across some of the fundamental information that you should know before making any purchases. As is the case with any other power tool, you need to find one that will suit your needs without much effort. Other than that, the device you choose needs to have some basic features that you require and some extra ones if possible; you never know what future work might bring you.
We’ll discuss different types of circular saws that you can choose from and some essential features they can come with. You’ll get somewhat detailed step-by-step instructions to know how to choose what you need, so, without any further ado, let’s dive right into it.
Types of circular saws
The first thing you need to determine is whether you need your saw to be small and highly portable, or do you need one for more significant projects. There are three main types that you can choose from, and those are compact, large, and track saws. We’ll delve deeper into each one so you can get a clearer picture of what they’re useful for.
Compact saw – This type of circular saw is much smaller when compared to other standard models. But don’t let their size fool you, they’re quite sturdy and will cut through almost any type of wood at a 90-degree angle. The majority of these saws use a 4.5″ blade, which is big enough for any small project you plan on doing; another great feature is that they’re controlled with only one hand making them very easy to use.
Large (beam saw) – This is a much bigger type than any other typical circular saw, and most of them use blades that are at least 16 inches in diameter or larger. The beam saws are designed for larger projects, and they can cut bigger pieces of wood, such as 4x and 6x, with no effort required. Because they’re quite big, they can weigh a bit more, so keep that in mind when searching for your perfect saw.
Track saw – These saws are very neat, and they come with a guide that looks like a giant ruler, which ensures an entirely accurate cut. As the name suggests, these saws slide over a track guide that we mentioned earlier; this keeps them in a perfectly straight line during work. The tracks can come in different lengths, but you’re always free to buy another one that is shorter or longer, depending on your needs.
Type of drive
The actual difference between circular saw types comes down to the location of the motor, among other smaller differences. Other than that, they also feature different kinds of speeds, gears, and transmissions, as well as some other minor things that make them unique. There are three main types of drives you can choose from: sidewinder, worm, and hypoid.
Sidewinder – This type of circular saws is otherwise known as inline type, and it’s one of the lightest types available. The motor on these models is typically located on the right side, though left-sided models do exist. The majority of cordless models fall into the sidewinder category, and they operate at very high speeds compared to the other two types.
Many of these models feature sealed motor systems, meaning you don’t have to worry about adding oil. This makes them more or less maintenance-free, so they’re quite popular among all kinds of users. Also, they’re usually the least expensive type of drive.
Worm – Circular saws that feature a worm drive are usually more narrow than other types, and their motor is located in the back part of the tool. These models operate at speeds that are a bit slower, but they offer much bigger torque compared to sidewinder models. The power from the motor is transferred to the blade using two gears; as these gears have to be lubricated, these models require more maintenance, and you will have to check and add the oil from time to time.
Hypoid – These models are quite popular lately because they combine the low maintenance of sidewinders and a high torque offered by the worm drive. The motor on these is located in the back of the tool, but it uses a sealed motor system, meaning you don’t have to check or add any oil. Other than that, hypoids use more efficient gear than the one used for worm drive, so the motor doesn’t need that much power, and it’s quieter.
Power Source
This is a pretty straightforward feature; there are two main types of power tools when it comes to the power source: corded and cordless.
Corded – These saws provide more power, which translates into easier cutting and somewhat better performance. The biggest upside is that you don’t have to worry about battery life and recharging. On the other hand, the downside is the cord length, which can be pretty limiting if you don’t have an extension.
Cordless – As the name suggests, these models don’t have a cord. Instead, they’re powered by a battery. The newer models can offer quite a lot of power, some are even comparable to the corded ones, but it all depends on the battery. If you’re worried about battery life, you can always buy an extra one to switch them out when one runs out.
Additional Features
Once you have chosen what type of saw you need and what power source you want it to have, it’s time to look for other features. Like many other power tools, these also have a lot of useful attributes that make your work more comfortable and less time-consuming. We’ll keep this as short as possible and list some of the essential features to look out for.
No-load speed – The amount of rpm (revolutions per minute) the motor can generate each minute. When we say no-load, that means when the saw is running, but the blade has no contact with the material.
Maximum cutting depth – How deep into the wood can the saw cut; this is determined by the manufacturer and the size of the blade.
Power input – How much watts does the motor need to operate correctly. Like any other power tool, the more watts mean more powerful motor.
Laser guide – These guides can be handy because you can easily follow them to keep your cut as accurate as possible.
Dust port – This feature is significant if you plan on working inside as it will keep your workplace clean. Also, it’ll keep you safe because sawdust can be quite harmful if it gets into your mouth or eyes.
Bevel capacity – Some saws can tilt to a certain degree to allow the user to make angled cuts when they need to. The standard bevel of 45 degrees is quite enough for the majority of projects, but newer models can go to 50+ degrees.
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Conclusion
As we said before, owning a circular saw can have a lot of benefits, and it truly doesn’t matter if you’re a professional or not. Having the best tools that you can buy can only make you happier and your work more valuable. Of course, there’s a lot of research involved in this, so make sure to do yours and get the tool that fits your requirements perfectly.
