10 Best Circular Saw for All Your Workshop Projects

Last Updated on November 3, 2021

When it comes to woodwork, circular saws are almost a necessity. The sheer power, convenient handling, and overall excellent design of the saws are capable of making powerful and intricate cuts to any piece of lumber you bring to the table.

Now, if you are new to the market of circular saws, you might be wondering why you should even switch from your trusty table saw.

However, once you go through this article, you will learn why the circular saw reigns as the supreme wood sawing tool and know what is the best circular saw for you.

10 Best Circular Saw Reviews

Now that we have established the benefits of the circular saw, let us go over, which are the best saws you can find in the market.

1. SKILSAW SPT77WML-01 15-Amp Lightweight Worm Drive Circular Saw

We are starting this circular saw guide with an absolute beast of a saw. Suppose you are about to work with an extremely dense wood. The run of the circular saws will not be able to cut them that smoothly. They are just only too hard and thick for the blades to entirely cut through them. That is where the Worm Drive circular saws come in.

These saws specialize in power over anything else. They pack powerful motors and durable saws to capitalize on that power to cut down on rough and tough wood. Among circular saws, however, the SKILSAW SPT77WML-01 takes the cake when it comes to the best.

Something you will instantly notice when wielding this tool is that despite its incredibly powerful motor and state of the art saw blade; it is very light. Its lightweight makes the device very portable. In fact, it is so convenient that it has been certified to be frustration-free.

It focuses on additional features to make the device more convenient for its users. And it also has a depth adjustment setting that allows you to choose exactly how you want your blade to cut.

Moreover, it has an anti-snag system. This prevents any kind of snag from getting in your way while you are delicately cutting thinner materials. The anti-snag also protects the blade from damage when it is not in use.

Now when it comes to cutting, this beast is no slouch. With a 15 amps best-in-class dual-field motor, there is no underestimating it. The motor is expertly designed for the specific purpose of powering saws.

This allows it to keep your tool to remain cool despite extended use. It can generate an impressive 5,300 no-load rotations per minute.

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2. DEWALT DWE575SB 7-1/4-Inch Lightweight Circular Saw With Electric Brake With DW3194 7-1/4-Inch 40T Precision Framing Saw Blade

When it comes to circular saws, nothing quite matches the power, elegance, precision, and majesty as a DeWalt manufactured tool. Easily one of the best brands in circular saws, their model, the DWE575SB, deserves every praise it receives.

Right of the bat, the first thing you will notice about this model is its sleek design. Sporting the classic DeWalt golden and black aesthetic, its intricate design simply allures you to use it. The build is excellent, and it is designed for ease of use. The handle is perfectly positioned to get the most out of every stroke you make.

When handling power to this degree, safety is a natural concern. This model provides said safety in spades. It provides additional safety through its innovative electric break.

It is made with the best material available and has a near-perfect track record of convenience. This is further evident from its tough and durable design. DeWalt’s signature circular saw possesses the widely desired tough cord system which provides resistance to pullouts thrice as much as those without such a feature.

This stops the blade a few seconds after being triggered, allowing the device to properly turn off while also allowing you to make repetitive cuts faster and better.

What truly makes this one of the best models is just how much power it holds in such a small package. No kidding, this beast cranks out 5,100 revolutions per minute while only weighing about 8.8 pounds. It is simply astounding how easy it is to carry, yet how efficient it is in cutting.

You can expect smooth and precise cuts with this high-end and dependable unit. Let us not forget that unlike the previous models that only have a 45-degree bevel, this unit lets you adjust at a full 57 degrees to make whatever cuts you desire. This may as well be the best circular saw made in the USA.

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3. Milwaukee 6390-21 7-1/4-Inch 15-Amp Tilt-Lok Circular Saw

The previous entries on our list went through saws with intricate features and abilities best suited for more skilled and professional users. It is a well-known fact that you cannot expect to get into using harder circular saws when you do not have prior experience.

While learning, you need something for regular cuts and not for very precise cuts. Only when you get better should you try to jump to more complex models.

As such, there are circular saws that are not only built for the express purpose of being beginner-friendly, but also for being a very reliable addition to your toolbox. Such a circular saw would be Milwaukee’s very own 6390-21.

Until you hold this saw, you will not believe just how inviting it is. Even without prior experience, you will feel at home with this machine, as if you have been using a circular saw your entire life. As it eases you into sawing, you will be able to learn faster and safer as well.

Although it is beginner-friendly, it packs a lot of power. With a 3-¼ Horsepower motor, this unit can rotate at 5,800 rotations per minute. Furthermore, the motor has a spindle lock and quick-lock system for even more convenience.

For safety, this saw checks out just fine. It has numerous comfort features like allowing you to lock and tilt the main handle for effective results. The grip is also soft that allows you to continue sawing comfortably for hours on end.

Are you worried about the shoe? This aluminum made shoe can take all the abuse you can dish out with little to no signs of damage to show at the end. It also comes with 6390-20 saw along with a blade, a wrench and a handy case to keep them all in.

Overall, it is a superb circular saw and can be considered the best circular saw for beginners.

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4. DEWALT DCS570B 7-1/4″ (184mm) 20V Cordless Circular Saw With Brake (Tool Only)

It is hard to find a brand that produces excellent, state of the circular art saws as consistently as DeWalt. Yes, this entry reintroduces DeWalt in a new light through its equally viable, yet differentiated cousin unit, the DCS570B.

While the other unit focuses on the power and weight, this unit establishes itself as the definitive portable circular blade option in the entire market.

A major inconvenience with a lot of circular saws is that they are corded. This cord not only restricts the portability of such devices but also restricts them to certain spaces. Units that are not corded also have the disadvantage of carrying huge motors to power them.

This, unfortunately, makes these devices incredibly heavy and harder to handle. The DCS570B sidesteps this issue entirely. Its intelligence and compact design enable it to power itself without any compromises while just weighing a minuscule 7.5 pounds. This saw is small and powerful.

The cordless feature allows you freedom of movement and handling. Each stroke feels freer and lighter, allowing you to make the perfect strokes to get the most out of your machine. It will generate stellar results due to its maneuverability. This bolsters its title as an easy-to-use machine.

Additionally, it has a 57 degrees fully adjustable bevel to make precise angled cuts. It covers every ground for being the perfect circular saw to take on the go. The biggest concern for cordless circular saws is that they usually sacrifice a lot of power for the feature.

However, this saw has a motor capable of generating 5,200 rotations per minute. The second concern for these saws is that regardless of how much power they possess, they tend to run out of it quite fast. This is only natural for most saws, but not the DCS570B.

In fact, it can last 100 crosscuts, which is significantly higher than its contemporaries.

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5. Makita 5007MG Magnesium 7-1/4-Inch Circular Saw

In the circular saw industry, there are a lot of stellar brands, each making superb saws. However, few brands hold as much prestige and respect as Makita. They have built their legacy as a high-quality and trustable organization for 100 years, and the 5007MG may be one of their best saws ever made.

The previous entry was a saw focused on portability. As great as it is, it will not be able to handle heavy work. When dealing with heavy-duty cutting, you want something capable, something you can rely on to get your work done with assurance.

It can handle any kind of work you through at it with its monstrous 15-amp motor that generates a staggering 5,800 rotations per minute. With this much power, it can easily cleave through whatever wood you throw at it without slowing down. You might think that a saw this powerful would weigh a ton.

Especially when you are working for long periods, you need to have a saw that can take all that time and come out un-depreciated. The Makita 5007MG is that very dependable saw that you need in your lives.

On the contrary, the Makita 5007MG weighs just over 10 pounds. This is achieved through the use of magnesium components. The said components are also expertly crafted to give the user the most comfortable and efficient cutting experience.

To add to the precision, Makita shows off their innovative prowess through the involvement of the built-in an LED lighting system. This accurately lights up the cutting path — making precise cuts have never been easier.

Furthermore, it is astounding how versatile this tool is, and it is so well built; you cannot run out of things you can use it for. Whether it be lumber or metal, this unit can cut it.

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6. Bosch CS10 7-1/4-Inch 15 Amp Circular Saw

As amazing as the previous entry is, it comes at the cost of being more expensive. Who can blame it? It has astounding features that more than justify its costs. However, for those with a smaller budget, it might turn some heads.

For those people, there is a perfectly viable alternative. With a significantly lower cost, but similar specs, the Bosch CS10 may be the best one for its price.

First things first, this Bosch is not necessarily the cheapest in the market. What it does is offer value. Meaning, for the features and components it has, the price makes it quite a steal.

The 15 amps of power this beast offers are nothing to scoff at and its ability to deliver such a powerful motor at such a reasonable price is astounding. It provides 5,600 rotations per minute while weighing a little over 10 pounds.

Just writing this unit off as a saw that focuses only on power would be a grave sin. It comes with an excellent design capable of easing you into an unbreakable cutting trance. This is evoked by the design that enables you to see where you are cutting without interference.

This, in fact, makes the work very interesting as you feel more aware and in tune with what you are doing; generating excellent results. The CS10 emphasizes in delivering speed. It does not want you to waste time finding a wrench to change the blade as the tool itself has a compartment to carry them.

Therefore, it always keeps you on your toes working and maximizing your efficiency. It is stated before that power brings forth safety concerns, and the CS10 has it covered. This device is built with durability in mind to handle everything the motor throws at it.

It even comes with a powerful footplate to ensure your safety. This allows you to keep the blade steady, making precise cuts in the process.

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7. Makita HS7600 Circular Saw, 7-1/4″

We were not lying when we said Makita is among the best brands in the circular saw industry. They have a history of dishing out the best in the business; high-quality saws that will last you for a long time.

So, each entry of their production line is made to uphold their legacy and adhere to their standard, even when trying to create a cheaper machine. As such, the HS7600 is an incredible tool for woodworking that deserves a spot in your home. When making angled cuts, there are often a lot of restrictions.

These mostly come from restrictive bevels that can only cover a fraction of the degrees it should. However, even when a saw has a 57 degrees adjustable bevel, they are interfered by the tool’s guard. Those make positioning your hands much more difficult than it should be, generating poor cuts as a result.

Makita acknowledges this issue and has designed this unit to have lower guards. This improves your ability to make angled and narrow cuts. Makita makes sure that the build quality of all their units is top-notch. This unit does not fall short.

The aluminum base makes the saw exceedingly durable, while also bolstering its cutting prowess significantly. Also, the blade is composed of carbide tips capable of cutting through even the densest lumber. With the kind of power to cut through anything, it may as well be the best circular saw for woodwork.

As opposed to the previous Makita entry that had a 15-amp motor, this unit sports just a 10.5-amp motor. Although inferior in sheer numbers, there is a reason for it to adopt a weaker motor. The 10.5-amp motor allows this unit to be significantly cheaper than the 5007MG.

Moreover, it stands as a very well-rounded machine that yields superb value.

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8. Rockwell RK3441K 4-1/2” Compact Circular Saw, 5 Amps, 3500 RPM With Dust Port And Accessory Kit

Do we need big saws all the time? The answer is quite simply, no. Not all of us have to cut through large planks of dense wood. Some of us just need something to get the job done, quickly, efficiently, and especially conveniently. This is especially true for those who just want to get some light DIY work done.

For them, the Rockwell RK3441K is the perfect device. What Rockwell brings to the table in this entry is its compact size. Throughout this entire list, we have gone through saws that are both powerful, but big. Sure, we have talked about some small saws, but those are not quite like this.

The saw is just about 4-½” in length — only half the size of regular saws. Astoundingly, even at this length, this circular saw is oozing with cutting capacity. It must be acknowledged that the motor is only 5-amps, which only generates 3,500 rotations per minute.

This is a measly amount compared to the entries we have discussed before. However, there is no reason to take this motor lightly. Despite it, it can cleave through 2×4 wood with absolute ease.

All that comes with the benefit of being easily maneuverable due to its small size and lightweight. There is no scope to feel encumbered when using this tool. The small stature also enables this unit to be easily transportable. Its grip is given great emphasis as its granted comfort is spectacular.

Also, the weight makes it feel more like an extension to your arm as you gain additional balance and control, making smoother cuts as a result. It is even designed to grant you a clear vision as to where you are cutting.

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9. PORTER-CABLE 7-1/4-Inch Circular Saw, 15-Amp (PCE310)

To finish off this list, we will show what may be the most well-rounded saw out there. Porter-Cable have always been experts in creating high-grade saws. The PCE310 may just be the poster child of that fact. Just from a glance, you can tell that this is not just any old saw; it is something special.

Yet, when you look at the price tag, you will be shocked to see just how cheap it is. That just adds to the value that this unit provides. Of course, the first thing to note is its incredible 15-amp motor. Along with its carbide-tipped blade and 5,500 rotations per minute speed, this saw can cut through practically anything.

The PCE310 keeps you busy when you use it — worried about how deep your cut is? The innovative depth adjustment setting will allow you to adjust the depth of your cuts. Utilizing the feature will allow you to keep yourself working and make the most out of your working hours.

A motor that powerful will naturally lead to an overall heavy saw. However, this unit has employed a magnesium shoe in its construction; allowing it to just weigh 9 pounds without sacrificing any of the effectiveness and durability. However, the upper and lower components are still constructed with metal.

With most of its features discussed, it should be noted how excellent this device is on all grounds. Its power, its weight, its construction, all of it is given equal emphasis to make a well-rounded, beast of a machine.

It is great for a myriad of purposes and is a great addition to everyone’s toolbox. The price boosts it even further as an excellent machine capable of winning the hearts of anyone who uses it.

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10. WEN 36055 9-Amp Plunge Cut Circular Track Saw With 2 Guide Rails

The WEN 36055 goes above and beyond when it comes to its capabilities. With both power and precision, the WEN has released one of their best models yet.

As its title implies, this saw was designed to make the best and cleanest plunge cuts possible. This is due to its inclusion of an adjustable depth gauge that allows you to choose how deep the blade will plunge into the material. The precision of this tool gets boosted even further by the included guide rails the product comes with.

Are you dealing with dense wood? There is nothing to worry because this saw has the power to make clean cuts to even 2-5/32 tick boards. The cuts will remain splinter-free and precise. This precision makes this device ideal for the plunge cut.

Now, many are concerned that guide rails can be difficult to work with due to some difficulty when sliding the saw along the rails. However, the circular saw prevents this by having a 12 x 6-5/8-inch base that features a slotted groove which enables the saw to slide smoothly along the rails, maximizing precision.

One of the most significant issues when performing a plunge cut is kickbacks. Going too fast makes the blade take in too much wood at a time. This causes a recoil that might mess up the entire cut. Yes, you should always take things slow, but sometimes, we might make mistakes.

However, if you do mess up, this circular saw has got your back. It has a riving knife with self-retracting capabilities. What this mostly does is automatically extend and retract to keep the saw steady even under harsh circumstances.

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Benefits of Circular Saw

Before knowing the best circular saws in the market, you should first know the factors about circular saws that make them such a superb addition to your toolbox

Almost every woodworker has a circular saw in their shed. And it is easy to see why as the device is filled to the brim with benefits. Let us learn about just some of the things these machines can do.

Superior Efficiency

The circular saw is an incredibly efficient device. Other saws take more time due to the necessity of a return stroke following a cutting stroke. However, circular saws can avoid this entirely by being able to cut as long as the blade runs.

Small But Powerful

Unlike table saws, circular saws are quite small. Despite that, they have powerful motors that can let them run incredibly fast. Their incredibly powerful motors also bolster this fact.

Portable

This is a major step up from the table saw. You can bring your tool to the material rather than the other way around. Of course, you should ensure that there is always support underneath when sawing.

How to Choose the Best Circular Saw

When buying circular saws, there are a lot of terms and concepts you should be versed with to know how to invest in a saw properly. Going in blindly will only cause dissatisfaction and buyer’s remorse. As such, here are a few things you should keep in mind and learn about before choosing to buy a circular saw.

Check The Power of The Motor

Cutting through the wood is difficult. It takes a lot of power to cleave through the wood, no matter how sharp the blade is. If it does not rotate at an acceptable speed, it is bound to produce lackluster results. So, how do you get around this? That is where the motor comes in.

The motor makes or breaks a circular saw. A poor motor means that the saw will not be able to cut through most materials, and a good motor means it will be able to cut hardwood. Even the smoothness of a cut is determined on how good the motor is.

This is because, the faster it is, the more of the wood it can cut at once.

Also, the metric used to judge the quality of a motor is how many amps the motor is, and how many rotations per minute (RPM) the motor can generate. The higher the amp and the higher the RPM, the better the motor is.

Of course, better motors tend to be heavier, so if weight is a concern, then you might be looking for a saw with a smaller engine. On the other hand, if you are trying to go for a saw that can handle heavy-duty usage, then the better the motor, the better it is for you.

The Shoe Material Is Important

The shoe is the metal component attached to the bottom of the saw. This shoe keeps the body of the saw stable along with the material. It also prevents damage from spreading from the cut to the rest of the material. As such, having a weak shoe is not an option.

Since the shoe is so vital, most of them are made using aluminum. The pristine quality and durability offered by aluminum shoes are unparallel. There is a reason why it is the most highly used material when making the shoe. Durability enables overall better and smoother cuts.

However, aluminum shoes are quite heavy. They make the saw somewhat uncomfortable to use and difficult to maneuver. As such, a common replacement for aluminum is magnesium.

This material, while retaining most of the durability and quality of aluminum, also comes with the added benefit of weighing much less. So, replacing aluminum shoes with magnesium makes them much lighter.

Another very important factor for shoes is whether or not they flex. We all want flexible shoes; they are the most ideal for cutting. Inflexible shoes make it difficult to align and make straight cuts, while flexible shoes are perfect for such a function.

Therefore, make sure you examine the flexibility of the shoe before you buy your saw.

Choose The Appropriate Weight

There is no one weight to rule them all. Fact is, different people, work best with different weights. Some might like working with something heavy, while others cannot stand to use anything weighing over 10 pounds. This all comes from individual preference, although generally, people prefer lighter tools.

Moreover, this preference stems from the fact that lighter tools enable more options for maneuverability and transportation. Heavier tools simply do not have such privileges.

However, the capabilities and price of a circular saw are proportionate to the weight of the machine. This is because the lighter a machine is, the fewer components it contains. Likewise, the heavier a tool is, the more the components are existing within them.

Better motors, more durable materials, all of these are heavier than their inferior counterparts. As such, lightweight saws need to sacrifice quite a few to obtain a good standing.

For example, aluminum must be replaced by magnesium, a more costly material, to maintain and control the weight of a tool. This drives up the prices for said material as well.

So, lighter but powerful machines are priced higher than their contemporaries. This is quite vital to know before you buy a circular saw based on weight. As such, checking the specifications and price in proportionate to the weight is necessary for the purchase.

Get The Right Blade For Your Job

We all do not have the same crafting requirements. Some of us are more interested in very small DIY work, while others need to build houses and sheds. Different works like these require different levels of intensity from your blade.

Of course, you can easily cut smaller wood with a big saw, but you cannot cut thick hardwood with smalls saws. On the other hand, you cannot expect to make intricate small cuts on small materials if you have a giant saw.

As such, it is best to know what kind of saw you need before going to the additional step of buying the machine. Saws come in a variety of sizes. Most conventional saws are 7-1/4 inches while smaller saws about half their height also exist.

You can use the 7-1/4 inches on anything; a 4-1/2-inch saw would be better for cutting smaller wood. The material of the blade is also a significant matter. You cannot be thrifty when buying the blade. The blade is the portion that gets the most stressed when using circular saws.

As such, a good blade is necessary, unless you want your tools to break. Carbide-tipped saws are the best for cutting through hard items. It is highly recommended to go for carbide tipped saw, and it should be part of your list of things to consider.

Source of Power

Corded, or not corded, that is the question. Both come with astonishing benefits and loses. For one, corded systems require us to carry cables in your bags and an external power source. These can increase the overall weight.

However, in exchange, you get the benefit of having a lighter machine. Since it is corded, the tool does not have a built-in power source, saving weight.

Cordless power sources have the added benefit of being extremely portable. Gone are the worries of having to carry a cable and a power source where ever you go. As long as your unit is charged, it can make cuts wherever you go.

Usually, these are weightier since they have to have carry batteries that brings forth the additional weight.

Cordless tools do have the benefit of free mobility and convenient use, but they simply are not a viable option under heavy usage. Cordless tools are better when they are just for casual light use or, just regular use around the house.

It will run out of charge before accomplishing any decent result for heavy-duty work. For these occasions, corded options reign supreme. Consequently, you must take into account the kind of work you will be doing before you determine which of the two you need to get.

Are The Prices Justified To You?

The act of making a purchase is simple. You give up your money in exchange for something else because you value that ‘something else’ more than you value that money. This is a very inconsistent feeling.

You might feel like something was worth the price once, but they completely change your mind after they have already bought the item. This is why careful consideration is necessary when buying pretty much anything. You want something, from which you can derive the most value.

Of course, there are cheap alternatives to better tools, but to you, maybe the original option just is not worth it, and you lean towards the cheaper alternative. First, you have to know what the purpose of your saw is. Is it for an impulsive hobby? Then just get something cheap.

Is it an investment to buy a decent DIYer? Get something mid-ranged. Do you cut professionally? Then, try to get the best one out there. As you can see, each scenario begets different budgeting plans and priorities. Make sure this is taken into account before buying anything.

Try Before You Buy

You can read a thousand articles on the internet, but you will never truly ‘know’ which saw you need until you try it yourself. It is simple, to each person, the ideal saw is different. Therefore, everyone is riddled with their own biases about what the best saw is.

That, however, does not exist. There is no one saw to rule them all. There are only the best saws for you. As such, you should go to showrooms and try out the saws you intend to buy. Only when you feel the tool in your hand will you know if it is right.

You might end up going through a ton of samples, but eventually, you will find the saw that fits you perfectly. When you use it, you will just know it is for you, and once you experience that, that should be the one that you ought to buy.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: Are all of these units corded?
A: While most circular saws are corded, some saws like the DeWalt DCS570B are cordless and require batteries to operate.

Q: What is the difference between aluminum shoes and magnesium ones?
A: While aluminum is more capable and durable, magnesium is lighter.

Q: Should I get the DeWalt DWE575SB or the Makita 5007MGA?
A: Each comes with different specifications. So, when a matter of DeWalt DWE575SB vs. Makita 5007MGA comes into question, it is best to research and choose the one that is best for you.

Q: Do all of these units come with a hard-shell case?
A: While most saws come with a hard-shell case, some might not.

Q: What do I have to do to cut hardwood?
A: When cutting hardwood, make sure the blade and support are capable enough to handle it.

Conclusion

There are cases where people use a single circular saw for over 20 years. These laws are not only akin to long-term investment, but also a trusty companion to serve you over the years. So, choose the best circular saw according to your requirements. Happy crafting!

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