A cordless circular saw is a must-have tool for any handyman and hobbyist. Invest right and it’s the kind of tool that you can expect to still be working in your workshop after a couple of years if not a decade or do.
But that’s only if you choose the right one. This is much easier said than done.
As the advent of the internet has made it easier for interested DIYers to set up their own workshops at home, and as handymen increasingly grew in number, so did the demand for their tools. Thus, the market responded. As a result, we have far more products to choose from than ever before.
This is a good problem to have. On the one hand, having choices is always a good thing. The problem is that having plenty of cordless circular saws to choose from can make it challenging to pick out the best one.
Read on below to find out what the best cordless circular saws are on the market and how to choose the right one.
Image | Title | Price | Prime | Buy |
---|---|---|---|---|
M18 BRUSHLESS 7-1/4" Circular Saw - Bare | PrimeEligible | Buy Now | ||
DEWALT 6-1/2-Inch 20V MAX Circular Saw, Tool Only (DCS391B) | PrimeEligible | Buy Now | ||
Makita XSS02Z 18V LXT Lithium-Ion Cordless 6-1/2" Circular Saw, Tool Only | Prime | Buy Now | ||
BLACK+DECKER 20V MAX 5-1/2-Inch Cordless Circular Saw (BDCCS20C) | PrimeEligible | Buy Now | ||
Hilti 3482502 SCW 18-A CPC 18-volt Cordless Circular Saw with Tool Bag | Prime | Buy Now |
Are Cordless Circular Saws Any Good?
It doesn’t matter if you’re a professional or a hobbyist. If you handle wood, plastic, stone, and metal regularly, you’ll want to have a circular saw in your workshop. Although handsaws can still do the job fine, circular saws are much more versatile.
Not to mention, they’re quicker and more efficient while also being capable of delivering precise results. Lastly, they’re portable too, especially the cordless ones.
But the problem with cordless circular saws is that they’re nowhere near as powerful as corded circular saws. Or at least, that’s what most handymen have been led to believe all these years.
While it is indeed true that cordless circular saws in the past lacked power or were too expensive, that’s no longer the case. Today, improvements in technology have allowed toolmakers to manufacture and create cordless circular saws that are just as powerful as corded circular saws.
The best part? They’re not as expensive anymore.
Paired with the fact that cordless power tools are far more convenient than their corded counterparts, there’s really no reason anyone who regularly uses circular saws to NOT invest in one.
What are the Best Cordless Circular Saws Today?
1. Milwaukee M18
Prices pulled from the Amazon Product Advertising API on:
Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on [relevant Amazon Site(s), as applicable] at the time of purchase will apply to the purchase of this product.
We’re kicking off our list with arguably the best cordless circular saw on the market today.
Built for heavy-duty use, the Milwaukee M18 cordless circular saw features cast-magnesium shoes and guards. This gives it extreme durability.
But at the same time, the material is also lightweight, therefore still making the M18 easy to manoeuvre, which can help minimize fatigue on the user’s side.
For further convenience, the M18 has a rubberized handle. This helps minimize slippage. It also comes with an integrated LED headlight for better precision, and it’s equipped with a rafter hook for easier storage.
Thanks to a brushless motor that’s capable of spinning as fast as 5,000 times a minute, the M18 can cut hard and fast. The 50-degree maximum bevel capacity and ⅝-inch arbour also make it versatile while also adding accuracy.
If you need a cordless circular saw that can complete both conventional and complicated cuts with ease, the M18 is for you.
Pros:
- Brushless motor for better reliability and performance
- Uses magnesium shoes and guard to maintain the ideal combination of durability and lightweight
- Rubberized handle for ease of use
- 50-degree bevel capacity
Cons:
- Lacks a laser guide
- Hex key storage location is inconvenient
2. DeWalt DCS391B
Prices pulled from the Amazon Product Advertising API on:
Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on [relevant Amazon Site(s), as applicable] at the time of purchase will apply to the purchase of this product.
Finding a powerful cordless circular saw isn’t easy. Even more challenging is finding one that can be as powerful and precise as a corded model. But that’s exactly what the DeWalt DCS391B is.
Equipped with a separately-sold 20-volt battery, the DCS391B comes with a 5,150-RPM motor and a 6 and a half-inch blade with a 50-degree bevel that allows you to cut through metal and wood with ease.
Also, speaking of ease, the DCS391’s blade is located on the left side. This makes it easier to create precise cuts because you can see exactly where you’re cutting as you use the tool.
Another impressive thing about the DCS391B is that it uses a 20V Lithium-Ion battery.
What makes this noteworthy is because DeWalt tools have an extensive library of tools that use 20V Lithium-Ion batteries. This means that if you’re using DeWalt tools, you can share the 20V battery with other cordless models for a cord-free workshop.
Pros:
- Interchangeable 20V Lithium-Ion battery
- Blade brake
- Powerful 5,150-RPM motor
- Long battery life
Cons:
- No safety switch
- Charging takes a while
3. Makita XSS02Z
Prices pulled from the Amazon Product Advertising API on:
Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on [relevant Amazon Site(s), as applicable] at the time of purchase will apply to the purchase of this product.
The Makita XSS02X is nowhere near as powerful as the DeWalt DCS391B and the Milwaukee M18 cordless circular saws that we recommended earlier. However, it’s no slouch either.
The 3,700-RPM motor might not be class-leading, but it’s plenty powerful enough for hobbyists and professionals alike. Also, weighing just a shade over 7 pounds, the XSS02Z is both manoeuvrable and lightweight.
What really sets apart the XSS02Z though is its relatively quiet operation. For a corded circular saw, it’s quiet. It’s not whisper-quiet, but you won’t at least be needing earplugs and be as worried about noise complaints when using this.
Unless you need the extra power of the more powerful cordless circular saws, the XSS02Z should do you just fine.
Pros:
- Quiet operation
- Manoeuvrable
- Improved battery circuit
Cons:
- Even Makita fans have a hard time figuring out the battery requirements for this cordless circular saw
- Lacks blade brake
4. Black + Decker BDCCS20C
Prices pulled from the Amazon Product Advertising API on:
Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on [relevant Amazon Site(s), as applicable] at the time of purchase will apply to the purchase of this product.
The Black + Decker BDCCS20C is an excellent value proposition. Why? Because it already comes with a battery and a charger, two things that most of the other cordless circular saws on our list don’t come with.
But the fact that you can save up on battery and charger costs aren’t then the only reasons why the BDCCS20C made it here.
Although smaller (it comes with a 5 and a half-inch blade compared to a 6 and a half-inch blade), it still comes with enough heft (7.5 pounds) to feel solid when used. Plus, it’s not like it sacrifices power either.
For the same price as JUST a battery pack from other manufacturers, the BDCCS20C is one of the best circular saws today. Although it’s not something that we’d recommend to professionals, it’s more than adequate for hobbyists and DIYers.
Pros:
- Comes with both charger and battery
- Packs enough power for conventional cuts
- Feels solid
- Two-year warranty
Cons:
- Not suited for heavy-duty use
5. Hilti 3482502
Prices pulled from the Amazon Product Advertising API on:
Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on [relevant Amazon Site(s), as applicable] at the time of purchase will apply to the purchase of this product.
Expensive doesn’t even begin to describe the Hilti 3482502 circular saw. In fact, it’s CRAZY EXPENSIVE. It’s easily the most priced cordless circular saw on our list, and it’s not like it’s populated with cheap ones either.
But even though it has a high asking price, the 3482502 is well worth the investment for the right set of individuals.
Given its price, we’re already ruling out hobbyists and DIYers here. But then again, nobody’s stopping the weekend handyman from ponying up for this. This is because it’s quite an attractive package.
For the price, you get two batteries, a charger, and a bag. This is on top of all the niceties that most want from a cordless circular saw, including but not limited to an electric brake.
Built for heavy-duty users on then construction site, the Hilti 3482502 is the kind of tool that you buy for life.
Pros:
- Legendary customer service
- Two sets of batteries, charger, and bag included in the package
- Comes with electric brake feature
Cons:
- Pricey
How to Choose the Best Cordless Circular Saws
Multiple factors play into choosing the one for you. Also, just because one is the top circular saw for a particular individual, that doesn’t mean that it’s the best for everybody. You still have to consider numerous things first, including but not limited to:
Weight
Don’t forget, circular saws are handheld devices. This means that you’ll have to guide them using your arms. While heavy circular saws are great because you don’t have to press on them much for them to cut deep and precise enough, you also want to make sure that the circular saw is too heavy either.
Otherwise, you’ll end up taking too many breaks than usual and take longer to finish.
Another big disadvantage of using heavy cordless circular saws is manoeuvrability. This is especially troublesome when you’re making complicated cuts in tight angles.
If you want a cordless circular saw that’s safe to use and leads to precise, efficient work, get a lightweight circular saw.
Battery
The main advantage of using cordless circular saws is that you’re no longer tethered to a cord. This allows you to better manoeuvrability, which can and will come in handy.
However, depending on the nature of your work and how long you’ll be working with circular saws, you’ll want to choose based on battery capacity as well.
As a general rule of thumb, the longer a circular saw can work at full power, the better, but circular saws with long battery lives can be quite expensive. Also, some circular saws might come with large batteries but consume them much faster than others, which risks you spending far too much time recharging your batteries than you’d like.
A great way to work around this is to buy multiple batteries for your circular saw. This way, even if the battery life isn’t the greatest, you can simply swap batteries in and out in the middle of your work.
Cutting
Blade size and blade type are also major factors as they affect the maximum cutting depth and capacity of your cordless circular saw.
Most cordless circular saws have a 6 and a half-inch blade, although 5 and a half-inch blades aren’t half-bad for DIYers and hobbyists. But just to be safe, we recommend buying a cordless circular saw with a 6 and a half-inch blade since they’re more versatile.
Also, make sure that the cordless circular saw can cut deep enough for most if not all of your projects.
Bevel Angle
Most cordless circular saws can cut at a maximum bevel angle of 50 degrees, albeit some can only go as high as 45 degrees. Make sure that you choose a cordless circular saw that has a bevel angle that’s perfectly suited for your purpose.
Safety
Lightweight cordless circular saws are generally safe, but that doesn’t mean that you shouldn’t take note of added safety feature as well. You can never be too careful nor too safe, after all.
Because of this, you’ll want to buy a cordless circular saw that comes with safety features like electronic brake and control, as well as a blade guard and a footplate.
The reason why these safety features come in handy is that it makes the cordless circular saw easier to use outside of workshops and in more crowded areas.
When Are Corded Circular Saws More Useful than Cordless?
Cordless circular saws are great, but they’re not perfect. Even the top range cordless circular saws have flaws, especially when compared to corded circular saws.
For example, corded circular saws are just much more powerful. They’re equipped with heavy-duty motors and larger blades for larger jobs. They also take power directly from power outlets, making them better suited for cutting down harder materials like masonry and steel, among other things.
Plus, corded circular saws don’t have batteries, which means that they’re usually lighter and easier to use.
Ultimately though, it all boils down to power.
If you’re a handyman or aspiring to be one, we recommend having both a corded and cordless circular saw in your workshop.
This way, you can resort to using a corded circular saw for tougher cuts while still having the option to use a cordless circular saw as your daily driver for more conventional cuts.
Final Thoughts
A cordless circular saw is an indispensable tool for the modern handyman. Although more expensive compared to their corded counterparts, they’re just so much more convenient as well.
But because of their popularity, there are numerous circular saws that claim that they are the best cordless circular saws available on the market.
With that said, we made sure to recommend the best in our list, and in addition to that, we added a couple of tips as well.
This way, once you go shopping for the most ideal cordless circular saws, you’ll have a better idea of what to choose, and more importantly, how to choose the right product.
This should then make it significantly easier for you to pick the best one.
Related articles:
The 7 Best Pole Saws To Trim Trees
5 Best Compact & Mini Circular Saws
Best Cordless Drills Under $100 For Portability