The Best Circular Saws Available Today [Buying Guide In 2023]

If you fancy yourself a handyman or a tradesman, there are a couple of tools that you should have stored somewhere in your shed. One of these is the good ol’ circular saw, which is essentially a more portable and handy version of the traditional table saw.

Perfect for making short work of those rough 2×4’s and other cuts, circular saws come with blades specifically designed for a particular cut or material.

Take for example, the most common blade used is the Tungsten Carbide Tipped or TCT, but for tougher materials, you can opt for more powerful, high-speed steel blades.

In any case, whether you’re an apprentice tradesman or a hobbyist or even someone who’s relatively experienced, there’s bound to be a circular saw for you.

Just to make it easier for you though, we decided to round up the best circular saws on the market available today.

 

What are the Best Circular Saws?

1. SKIL 5180-01

Just like with every tool that a handyman would want and could use, circular saws can easily range from dirt cheap to whopping-ly expensive. It’s a good rule of thumb to always go with the most expensive that you can afford, as they tend to be more reliable.

But while the SKIL 5180-01 is definitely right down there as one of the more affordable circular saws, it’s not half-bad.

In fact, as long as you’re okay with NOT having the latest and most powerful, the SKIL 5180-01 is perfect for you. It comes from a reliable manufacturer with plenty of power.

Not to mention, it weighs just 7.2 pounds, making it relatively easier to handle compared to the heavier and more expensive circular saws out there.

Using a standard blade (7 and 1/4 inches), the SKIL 5181-01 can handle pretty much anything outside of large projects.

It also helps that it comes with a built-in dust blower that helps add protection to the 14 amp motor, especially when you’re working in particularly dusty work sites.

Pros:

• Affordable

• Powerful 14 amp motor

• Lightweight

• Built-in dust blower

Cons:

• The safety switch feature reportedly makes the SKIL 5180-01 relatively dangerous to handle for people with smaller hands

 

2. SKILSAW SPT67WL-01

SKILSAW continues to deliver economical but powerful products. The only difference though is that the SKILSAW SPT67WL-01 is actually something that’s billed, not just for weekend enthusiasts, hobbyists, and light work, but something that professionals can use for heavy-duty cutting.

Weighing just 8.6 pounds, the SPT67WL-01 weighs a whole lot less than its professional counterparts. This makes a huge difference when you’ve been working and cutting all-day.

Not to mention, because it comes with a 10-foot power cord, you won’t have to worry if whether or not you’ll need to rely on using a heavy-duty extension cord just so you‘ll have enough power to cut through all-day projects.

Other features include having up to a 56-degree tilt for the 7 1/4 inch blade and a 45-degree angle lock, as well as a Dual-Field motor for added protection.

Pros:

• Arguably the lightest professional circular saw in its class

• Dual-Field Motor

• Long power cord

• 15-amp motor

• Attractive price point

Cons:

• Flat depth adjustment levels

• Uneven balance

 

3. DEWALT DCS575B

What’s the one thing that saws absolutely have to do well? Cutting things, of course. But the thing is, not all saws do it well.

Or, at the very least, not well enough warrant the investment. Also, considering how expensive the best circular saws can be, that’s a risk that could put a sizable dent on your finances, especially if you end up having to buy another unit because what you bought previously just wasn’t as good.

The DEWALT DCS575B is a good example of a product that claims to be one of the best circular saws and actually delivers.

Combining an easy-to-replace yet secure blade design and a brushless motor that can get up to as fast as 5,800 RPM, the DCS575B won’t have any problem cutting through all sorts of wood.

Not to mention, because it’s a Dewalt product, you can use its battery with other Dewalt power tools. It will automatically adjust its voltage to minimize any risk of damage when used on other products.

The DCS575B also comes with an electric brake that will put the blade to an immediate stop in as little time as a second.

Pros:

• Electric brake feature

• Patented cord protection

• LED lighting

• Portable cordless design

Cons:

• Although quite powerful, the DCS575B reportedly doesn’t make the cleanest cuts

 

4. Makita XSS02Z

The reason why a lot of tradesmen use wired circular saws is because they’re just generally more reliable. However, a couple of reliable wireless circular saws are available out there on the market, including the DeWalt DCS575B that we previously recommended.

Another good product that we recommend taking a close look at is the Makita XSS02Z.

Running on the 18v battery platform of Makita, you can use the XSS02Z with Makita’s other tools. Also, speaking of the battery, it’s powerful enough to give you an hour of wireless cutting power.

This is great for when you simply just can’t be bothered to find an extension cable.

What makes the XSS02Z even better of a buy is that it’s designed with compactness and ergonomics in mind.

It’s not just small, it’s also very easy and comfortable to hold.

Outside of the lack of an electric brake for added safety, it’s hard to any faults on the XSS02Z.

Pros:

• Cordless and powerful

• Compact design

• Comfortable to use

Cons:

• Doesn’t come with an electric brake

 

5. Rockwell RK3440K Versacut

Circular saws are perfect except when they aren’t. Most models sacrifice power for portability. This means that there is just some stuff that you can’t cut unless you go with the burlier and bulkier models.

Except, of course, if you have the Rockwell RK3440K Versacut with you.

Delivering big saw power in a relatively miniscule package, the RK3440K weighs less than 4 pounds but comes with a powerful 4 amp motor. Sure, that may not sound like much, but wait until you get your hands on it yourself.

Because of its light weight and its motor, the RK3440K can let you cut both large and small items. Its ability to cut the latter is especially useful since it’s easy to maneuver, allowing for more precise cuts.

Last but definitely not the least, the RK3440K comes with a laser guide up front that will all but spoil other circular saws for you.

Pros:

• Perfect for precision cutting and smaller items

• Lightweight

• Long 120-inch cord

• Laser guide

Cons:

• You’ll have to compensate for the lack of heft by applying more pressure than you normally would when cutting

 

6. Genesis GCS545C

Quality and smooth cuts can be quite a problem when you’re using big and bulky tools. Thankfully, the Genesis GCS545C is no such tool.

Equipped with a 5.8 amp motor, the GCS545C can conveniently cut through all sorts of materials without sacrificing the quality of the cut and/or finish. The 3,500 triple-gear reduction motor ensures maximum torque with minimal effort.

It also comes with a vacuum adaptor for helping you clear out debris from the cutting area, as well as a built-in dust port.

With adjustable maximum cutting depth and capacity settings, as well as a 2-year warranty, the GCS545C is easily one of the best circular saws out there.

Pros:

• US-based customer support service with a 2-year warranty

• Powerful yet compact

• Dual-cutting capacity

• Dust port and vacuum adaptor

Cons:

• The small size can take a while getting used to

 

7. Bosch CS10

Built for professional handymen, the Bosch CS10 is equipped with a powerful 15-amp motor that’s capable of cutting through pretty much anything like it was better. It also comes with a wide slew of added features that make cutting and framing easier.

Examples of this is the built-in hook, as well as a rafter-angle guide, and an easy-to-read blade depth scale that’s even easier to adjust.

So long as you don’t mind sacrificing portability and weigh, the CS10 is one of the best circular saws for those who need professional work done.

Pros:

• 15-amp motor packs a lot of power

• Convenient bevel adjustment mechanism

• Worm drive gear train

Cons:

• HEAVY

 

How to Choose the Best Circular Saws

Size of the Blade

As a general rule of thumb, larger blades are better for big jobs. They’re not that great for precision cutting though.

If you tackle a lot of cutting in your line of work, you’ll want something that can handle both larger and smaller blades.

 

Blade Material

Tungsten-tipped blades are commonly used when cutting through harder materials. However, tougher metals are available in case you need to cut through even tougher material.

 

Blade Adjustability

You’ll want a circular saw whose blade is easy to adjust. Otherwise, you’ll have a hard time making different types of cuts.

 

Overall Weight

Portability is one of the main redeeming qualities of the best circular saws. Just keep in mind that a circular saw that’s too light will require far more pressure to be able to cut through tougher materials more steadily.

Ideally, you’ll want something that’s not that hard to move around. Yet, at the same time, something that’s also light enough that you can handle easily.

 

Durability

The best circular saws can’t just cut through tough and thick materials, but they can do so reliable for years at a time. A good way to tell if a product will be reliable is if it comes with a long manufacturer-backed warranty. This is because it signifies that the manufacturer trusts its product well enough.

 

Power

Power is almost everything with circular saws. We saw almost because more power usually means more expensive or heavier and sometimes both.

 

Convenience and Ergonomics

The best circular saws aren’t just lightweight and powerful, but they’re also easy to use. Consider the design, for example. You’ll want a machine whose handle position and center of gravity make handling easier.

 

How Do You Use the Best Circular Saws Safely?

1. Wear proper protective gear at all times. Preferably, a cut-resistant pair of gloves that offers additional grip strength. You should also wear goggles to protect your eyes from dust and dirt, as well as blade chips that may fly away when dealing with tougher materials.

2. Don’t forget to give the operation manual a thorough read. Not all circular saws operate the same way.

3. Be gentle yet firm when handling the circular saw. Don’t apply too much force. At the same time, don’t apply too little force as well.

 

How Long Do Circular Saws Last?

Ideally, years. Some handymen and tradesmen even go as far as to claim that their circular saws last for the entirety of their professional careers.

Whether that’s true or not is debatable, but as a general rule of thumb, a good circular saw will last you a good decade or so. This is even with constant use.

Blades, on the other hand, need constant replacement.

Here are tips to help you check if the blade of your circular saw needs to be replaced already:

• Dull, chipped, and/or worn-out teeth

• You’ll start to notice the blade binding whenever you make a cut

• Cutting precision is starting to suffer and tears or chips become more common

• Handling your circular saw becomes more difficult

 

Are the Best Circular Saws Corded or Cordless?

The best thing about cordless circular saws is portability. You can’t just cut anything, you can also cut anywhere you want, which isn’t something that you can do with a corded circular saw.

Also, in case you run out of batteries, you can still use cordless circular saws and plug them into an outlet. Lastly, some cordless circular saws come with removable batteries that you can use on other compatible power tools and products.

Of course, while cordless circular saws are great, they’re often nowhere near as powerful as corded circular saws. You’ll want to go with a corded circular saw if you want more cutting power and precision.

 

Final Thoughts

Finding the best circular saws on the market isn’t easy. Fortunately, you’ve got us to help you out.

In addition to our list of recommendations of the best circular saws, we also included tips and information on how to choose the most ideal circular saws for your own particular purpose.

This way, you can guarantee that you’ll purchase and invest in the best circular saw that will last you throughout many projects and hobbies.

 

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