A cordless circular saw is an excellent tool used by both professionals or DIYers for working/cutting wood and other materials. These are lighter, compact, portable, and convenient to handle circular saws. They are capable of handling both light and heavy-duty tasks. They come with brushless motors and powerful batteries that offer longer runtimes and efficient cutting compared to corded models. Looking to invest in a cordless circular saw, we recommend considering these factors before making your purchase.
Blade Size: Saws with small blades are turned easily by the motor and thereby produce more torque, yet limited in cutting depth. Most cordless circular saws use a 6 ½-inch blade with a maximum cutting depth of 2 1/8-inches. While some high-end models feature larger 7 ¼-inch blades that cut to a depth of 2 7/16-inches. Some smaller ones offer 4 ½-inch and 5 ½-inch blades. Cutting Power or RPM: These days, cordless circular saws are getting more powerful than corded versions due to the development in battery technology. The cutting power rating (blade speed) of a circular saw is measured in rotating per minute (rpm), in which the higher RPMs offer better cutting power. Most cordless circular saws offer 5000 rpm (or more). Bevel Angle: Most saws let you cut bevels at angles of up to 45°, yet a few offer 50° (or more angles). If bevel angle and its adjustment are essential for your project or work, then make sure to pick the one to cut in the required angle. It helps you work on the edges and corners of wood pieces.
We have mentioned everything about cordless circular saws in our detailed “Buying Guide” and also, we came up with a list of top models available in the market. Read on to get the best cordless circular saw that perfectly suits your requirement.
Best Cordless Circular Saw
Best Cordless Circular Saw: Reviews
1. DEWALT 20V MAX 7-1/4-Inch Circular Saw
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Dewalt is one of the most popular power tools brands out there. It is known for making high-performance products while having a justified price. And that is also the case with the Dewalt DCS570B mentioned in this article. The Dewalt DCS570B is present in the 1st position in this article as it is a 20V cordless circular saw with a 7-¼ inch blade. And this blade rotates at 5200 RPM, which is more than enough for most users. And as you would expect, it offers excellent performance while cutting wood as it is one of the most powerful options out there. You also get a bevel angle adjustment with this circular saw. It can be adjusted up to 57 degrees. As you would expect, this option is quite useful for cutting corners and edges of the wood piece that you are working on. It offers a long battery life, which can be used to make 100 cross cuts in a 2×4 pinewood block. Best Features:
Long battery life 5000 RPM blade 7-¼ inch cutting blade circular saw Easy to use Up to 57 degrees bevel angle adjustment
Components:
Cordless Circular Saw User Manual Warranty Card
2. Craftsman Store V20 CMCS500M1 Circular Saw Kit
Here comes 2nd product on our list is a part of Craftsman V20 cordless system. The products from this brand are well-known for being durable and reliable. This circular saw kit is equipped with a high-performance motor that runs at 4,200 RPM. So, you can expect aggressive fast cutting every time. For maximum durability, it comes with a metal shoe. It accepts 61/2 inches blades for ripping or cross cutting. It can pivot up to 50-degrees for angled cuts. It has contoured over-molded handle for providing added comfort and grip. Best Features:
3mm cutting depth 50-degrees bevel capacity Metal show for durability High performance motor Suitable for aggressive cutting Tool-free beveling
Components:
Circular saw kit User manual Warranty
3. Ryobi One P505 18V Lithium Ion Cordless Circular Saw
Unlike various other power tool brands out there, Ryobi is a much more affordable option. And the Ryobi One P505 is one of the most affordable options if you want a cordless circular saw. This cordless circular saw from Ryobi is in the 3rd position in this article as it is one of the most affordable options out there. Despite its budget price tag, the Ryobi One P505 has a 4700 RPM blade with a blade depth of 5-½ inch. As a result, it is one of the most potent compact cordless circular saws available out there. It also offers a bevel angle adjustment of up to 50 degrees so that you can cut wood at multiple different angles. To make this compact circular saw easy to use, it comes with an extra handle on the side for easily cutting wood. As for power, you can use Ryobi 18 batteries with this cordless circular saw. Best Features:
Small and compact size 4700 RPM blade 5-½ inch cutting blade circular saw Side handle for an ergonomic shape Up to 50 degrees bevel angle adjustment Uses Ryobi 18 batteries
Components:
Cordless Circular Saw User Manual Warranty Card
4. BLACK+DECKER 20V MAX 5-1/2-Inch Cordless Circular Saw
It also offers a highly useful bevel angle adjustment option to its users. This can be used to adjust the cutting angle up to 45 degrees without any hassles. And despite its compact and small size, this saw is quite ergonomic and easy to use. Best Features:
Uses 20V black and decker batteries Decent speed of blade spin 5-½ inch cutting blade circular saw Ergonomic shape and design Allows bevel cuts of up to 45 degrees
Components:
Cordless Circular Saw 1 20V battery Charger User Manual Warranty Card
5. PORTER-CABLE 20V MAX 6-1/2-Inch Cordless Circular Saw
You get a 6-½ inch blade in this cordless circular saw that spins at 4000 RPM. And this is quite decent when you consider the size of this blade and the justified price tag of this saw. It even features the ability to adjust the bevel angle without any issues. You can change the bevel angle adjustment up to 50 degrees as per your requirements. This saw uses a blade with carbide teeth for extra durability. You can cut all kinds of woodblocks without worrying about damaging the saw or its blade. It uses a 20V battery system for powering this cordless circular saw if you wish to use it as a portable option. Best Features:
Works flawlessly with a 20v battery system 4000 RPM blade Offers a 6-½ inch blade Comes with up to 50 degrees of bevel adjustment Carbide teeth blade
Components:
Cordless Circular Saw User Manual Warranty Card
6. EnerTwist Cordless Circular Saw
The brand EnerTwist has great products with the uncompromising build quality and unparalleled performance. The cordless circular saw from the brand is a compact-sized tool measuring 1583.5 inches. It is an ideal choice for all kinds of work due to its high convenience and portability. The lightweight saw (4.5 lb) comes with a decent 4-½ inches blade that gives efficient cuts. The saw can easily cut through all kinds of surfaces that include wood, tile, drywall, plastic, etc. It runs with a no-load speed of 3,500 RPM and with great comfort it can cut up to 2-inch lumber. As it is a cordless tool, it is convenient to work in tight spaces as well as outdoor. The ergonomically designed cordless saw comes with a soft grip hand and gives you comfort along with rigid support. Its left-sided blade design lets you have decent visibility while working and the integrated safety switch assures you of secure DIY projects. Best Features:
2 years warranty 4.0 Ah lithium-ion battery 4-½ inches blade size 3,500 RPM no-load speed Integrated safety switch Left-sided blade design
Components:
Mini circular saw Battery 3.5 A fast charger Laser guide 3 types of blades Vacuum adapter
7. Makita XSH06Z 18V X2 LXT Cordless Circular Saw
As you would expect from any other expensive product, this circular saw from Makita also delivers excellent performance. It comes with a 7-¼ inch blade that spins at 6000 RPM, which is the best in class. Due to this, you can use this circular saw for cutting all kinds of woodblocks without any issues. It can offer this power even when on battery. This cordless circular saw uses two 18v LXT batteries that you have to buy separately. You also get a bevel adjustment option of up to 56 degrees in this saw. This bevel angle is more than enough for most users. It even features dual lights that work as an indicator while using this saw. Best Features:
Uses 2 18v LXT batteries Blade spins at 6000 RPM 7-¼ inch cutting blade circular saw Ergonomic to use Up to 56 degrees of bevel angle adjustment
Components:
Cordless Circular Saw User Manual Warranty Card
8. Ryobi P508 One+ 18V Lithium Ion Cordless Circular Saw
We are here with yet another cordless circular saw option from Ryobi. And as per its name, it is essentially an improved version of the Ryobi circular saw mentioned earlier in this article. This one offers better features at a slightly higher price tag. You get a 7-¼ inch blade with this cordless circular saw, which is quite large. And this blade spins at 3800 RPM which is quite decent considering the size of the blade and price of this circular saw. Just like the previous option from Ryobi, this one also works with Ryobi 18 degree batteries. You can simply keep multiple 18 batteries from Ryobi to use this saw as a portable one. It even features a bevel angle adjustment of up to 56 degrees. When compared to other options, this is quite good and more than enough for most woodblocks. Best Features:
Uses Ryobi 18 batteries Saw blade spins at 3800 RPM 7-¼ inch cutting depth offered by the blade Blades are easy to replace Comes with a bevel angle adjustment of 56 degrees
Components:
Cordless Circular Saw User Manual Warranty Card
9. SKIL 20V 6-1/2 Inch Cordless Circular Saw
The Skil CR540602 comes with included batteries and charger with this cordless circular saw. And as you would expect, this is very portable. You can use this battery to power the 6-½ inch blade that spins at 4500 RPM. This makes this circular saw a highly powerful option for cutting wood without paying a lot of money for it. You also get the option to adjust the bevel cutting angle of this circular saw. It allows you to change the bevel adjustment angle to anything of your choice up to 50 degrees. As a result, you can easily cut woodblocks for making joints. Best Features:
Comes with a battery and a charger 4500 RPM blade speed Comes with a 6-½ inch cutting blade Easy to use ergonomic design Up to 50 degrees bevel angle adjustment
Components:
Cordless Circular Saw Battery Battery Charger User Manual Warranty Card
10. Milwaukee Cordless Circular Saw
Mailwaukee is one of the reliable brands known for providing good quality power and handy tools. Their cordless circular saw provides clean and precise cuts every time without the cord tying you down. It comes with in-built REDLINK PLUS intelligence which ensures optimal performance. This circular saw is capable of cutting quicker compared to 15amp corded saw. It can deliver up to 750 cuts on a complete charge. This circular saw comes with an integrated hook which ensures easy storage. An in-built LED light is provided which ensures visibility even in dim lighting areas. Best Features:
Overload protection Cuts faster than 15-amp corded saw Delivers 750 cuts per charge LED light Integrated dust port Electric brake Integrated rafter hook Magnesium shoe and guards for maximum durability
Components:
Circular saw kit Warranty User manual
How to Choose the Best Cordless Circular Saw:
We recommend going through this buying guide, which has all the essential information that helps you to pick the perfect cordless circular saw.
1. Sidewinder Vs. Worm Drive:
Worm drive and sidewinder are two main types of cordless circular saws used widely in the woodworking world. The key difference among them is their motor placement, in which the motor of the worm drive attaches the back of the saw, and the sidewinder saw has a motor on its side. Worm Drive Circular Saws – Their motor at its back gets engaged with the blade through two gears (spiral worm gear and another gear), which is used to transfer the motor’s energy to the blade. So, with its less direct setup, these blades won’t spin faster than the sidewinder blade. Yet, they provide more torque with their larger gears than a sidewinder saw, which absorb shocks better and deal with tougher cutting jobs. It offers a maximum speed of around 4500 rpm. Compared to sidewinder saws, the worm drive saws come with a longer and narrower profile that allows the user to reach and get easy access to tighter spaces. Thus, it is ideal to do framing and remodeling tasks. Sidewinder Circular Saws – The motor is attached to the side of the saw, which makes the saw profile shorter, lighter, and wider than the worm drive saw. So, its compact shape will make the user easy to handle the saw, even for new users. This type of saw uses spur gear to run the blade at a speed of around 6000 rpm.
2. Cutting Power:
Initially, it is said that cordless circular saws are less powerful than corded varieties. But it is not true these days due to its advancement in battery technology. Actually, most cordless circular saws are designed to be more powerful than corded versions. The rate of cutting power (or speed) of a circular saw is measured in rotations per minute (RPM). Various cordless circular saws offer 4000 rpm, while some high-end models offer 5000 rpm (or more). So, the higher the rpm rating, the better the cutting power. However, rpm’s is not an indication of torque. Usually, the worm drive saw has lower rpm compared to the sidewinder saw, as its design provides more torque.
3. Blade Size:
Usually, corded saws offer more power than cordless circular saws. Since most models are unable to handle a full 7 ¼-inch blade. Though the motor can turn smaller blades easily and create more torque, yet limited in cutting depth. The cutting depth of a saw will determine the maximum width of a wooden board that you can cut with this saw. Simply, check it by looking at the blade size. Most of these cordless circular saws feature 6 ½-inch blades, which offers a maximum cutting depth of 2 1/8-inches. While some high-end saw models use 7 ¼-inch larger blades that can cut up to a depth of 2 7/16-inches. Some smaller cordless circular saw models use both 4 ½-inch blades and 5 ½-inch blades.
4. Battery Power:
Most manufacturers design their batteries for interchangeability to use for their entire cordless power tools. The same applies to this cordless circular saw. So, the majority of these saws come with a rechargeable 18 – 20 volt lithium-ion battery. While the power requirements of the saws supporting a 7 ½-inch blade will require a saw featuring a rechargeable 60-volt battery. Although, the 18V and 20V batteries are a bit different yet they offer similar results. So, most saws state that 18V nominal power and 20 V max power. This means, whenever you fully charge an 18V battery, then it delivers a powerful 20V charge (maximum). If done a bit of work, then it is set to its normal 18V power level. So, either it is a saw with 18V or 20V, it offers the same voltage.
5. Motor (Brushed Vs. Brushless Motor):
The difference between brushless and brushed motors is their friction. The brushed motors lose more energy to friction that results in 75 – 80% efficiency. While brushless motors generate less friction that results in an efficiency rating of 85 – 90%. A general rule is, the higher the efficiency, the lesser the energy is lost to friction. Thus, the motor utilizes more battery power to turn the blades of the saw for proper cutting. Thereby results in more cutting before losing the battery power (charge). So, brushless motors are used by the most powerful cordless circular saws that include the one turning 7 ¼-inch blades. Since they generate less friction, these motors cause less heat when working. Thus, it reduces the overheating of the device and thereby prevent the motor’s damage.
6. Battery Life:
Since it is a cordless circular saw and has limited battery life, one has to know how long the battery runs before it dies (runtime or battery life) before making its purchase. So, based on the type of work/project you are dealing with, you have to select the saw with the best battery life. Although it is not an essential feature if you (your project) need to do one or two cuts every time you work. But a quite key factor for those performing numerous cuts in their work.
7. Charge Time:
Other than battery runtime, it is essential to know its charging time. How long the battery will take to charge when once it runs out. Choosing a battery with a quick charge time will help to reduce the waiting time and allows you to start your work quickly again. In general, a few batteries can take up to 4 hours to get charged, whereas others get ready to work within 90 minutes of charging. Also, purchase a spare battery to use while the original one is getting charged. Thus, this switch over will allow you to work continuously without waiting for the battery to charge.
8. Blade Placement (Left or Right):
The placement of the blade (blade left or right to saw) plays a key role in its total functioning. However, some pros or DIYers won’t check the blade’s side on the saw, but most people prefer to check its placement and don’t even purchase them, if the saw has a blade on its wrong side. We suggest you try both to check out which one is quite easier for you to cut the material. In general, right-handed people use a blade-left design rather than a blade-right design. So, select a saw with a blade on the correct side to increase the user’s comfort along with increasing the cutting effectivity.
9. Safety Features:
Mostly, we notice similar safety features for both corded and cordless circular saws (maybe with a bit extra). This includes retracting blade guards and blade locks to stop the blade immediately when one trigger switch is released. Usually, they use trigger safeties to avoid accidental start-up (especially if kids or pets there in your home). Other safety features offered by the cordless circular saw is to molded handles with rubberized grips to avoid the device from slipping out of the user’s hand.
10. Bevel Angle:
There are various circular saws that let you cut bevels at angles of up to 45°, while some models offer 50° (or more) angles. If the bevel angle is essential for the type of work you require to perform, then select the one that can cut in your required angle.
11. Weight and Maneuverability:
A cordless circular saw is to deal with weight and maneuverability. The saw is designed to carry along, especially where manual management is required. So, the saw should be lighter, compact, and portable. Maneuverability depends on the weight. The heavier saw is a bit harder to carry around, whereas, the lighter saw is quite easier to handle and move around. So, check out the weight of a circular saw where you need to hold the saw for a longer time to make the cuts. However, you may not feel much difficulty while having shorter cuts. Yet for making longer cuts such as rip cuts, your hand may wear off easily. Also, it is hard to balance the device to make accurate cuts. The lightweight nature is one of the biggest advantages of cordless saws, which makes it able to find the most suitable one.
12. Handle Position:
It is quite common to find differences in handle positions for cordless circular saws, and the common positions are sidewinders and rear handles. It may be a regional factor, as saws with different handle positions can be observed in different regions. Rear Handles – This type of handle remain at the saw’s back, and allows you to operate the saw from the back of the cutting blade. These saws remain a little bulky and heavier compared to their counterparts. Sidewinders – As the name implies, this type of handle remain integrated beside the cutting blade. This saw comes with a more compressed design that results in lighter body weight. After considering all these things about the handle position, check out the model that is more convenient for you to operate.
13. Dust Port:
It is quite common that saw creates sawdust while using it for sawing/cutting things. While it creates a lot of sawdust if sawing through selected material. If the saw won’t offer any dust cleaning system, then sawdust will definitely fly freely everywhere on the workspace. Thereby makes it a bit difficult to continue doing your work. So, make sure to select a cutting saw having designated dust ports to collect & clear the sawdust on your workplace and thus keep the place clean to do your work peacefully.
14. Bare Tool or Kit:
Sometimes we notice that these saws are sold as bare tools – that won’t have any battery or charger. If you have any cordless tool, then you can use bare saws with the help of the same battery. All you need is to know which brand you have to purchase. Since some brands are used for more than one model that allows the same battery. So, check out all features before deciding to purchase a saw.
15. Durability:
The saw blade should be made of high-quality metals that ensure durability that the blade won’t get damaged by cutting wood or other materials over time. If the saws blade is not strong and durable, then you have to replace it continuously. So, prefer to choose the circular saw blade that comes with a higher tooth count and is made with carbide, as it cuts faster, durable, and lasts for a longer time.
16. Warranty:
Since the continuous usage of these power tools will make them undergo depreciation over time. It is essential to consider the warranty offered by the manufacturer before buying the product. Most of these cordless circular saws come with a minimum warranty of 1 year, while some saws offer a 2 or 3 years warranty against their manufacturing defects. A few premium saws come with a 5-years warranty, which allows you to work peacefully without any worries about its repairs or replacements.
17. Additional Features:
Other than standard features (like depth and bevel adjustments), the new technologies of cordless circular saws aid effective performance and longevity. Here are some extra features that allow you to use the saw with ease.
Electronic Brake – Helps to stop the blade quickly, if anything happens wrongly (as a safety feature). Trigger Safety Design – Most people prefer to use a push-in style, while others prefer a push-down style as their trigger safety. Rafter Hook – As the name implies, a perfect option to hang a variety of objects rather than placing the saw on the ground. Rail Compatibility – Makes the saw gets attached to the track for its highly accurate cuts. Dust Port – Makes it easy to connect to a vacuum for effective cleanup of sawdust and other debris after working with the saw. LED Light – It provides essential lighting to make the blade area visible and help the operator to clearly see the cutline. Thus, it makes the saw follow the cutting line easily, even in low-light conditions. Magnesium Components – Helps to reduce the weight without losing its strength. Cutline Blower – It clear away the sawdust from the cutline by using exhaust airflow, and thereby makes it visible for you to work/cut effectively. A few saw models will shut off immediately whenever the saw is overheating or the battery is about to overload to protect the saw from getting damage. Some high-end models offer waterproof seals that resist dust and water, which make them sustain in a harsh environment, especially while working outside the workplace. To enhance its working performance, a few saw models can adjust the speed and torque automatically depending on the workload.
How to Work with a Cordless Circular Saw?
There are various developments in the technology along with its brushless motors and powerful batteries, this cordless saw model is a precious tool, which let you operate a 7 ¼-inch blade (same as corded saws). Being cordless, it comes with its own power source, which makes it to use wherever required. Follow some of these operation and safety guidelines to grab the top performance out of a saw. Select the Right Blade – Though there are various blade types (like rip blades, general-purpose blades, and crosscut blades) used to cut different materials. So, choosing the appropriate blade type for your cordless circular saw will allow for perfect cuts. Proper Installation of the Blade – After selecting the right blade, make sure to follow the manual instruction for its proper installation. It involves taking away the 5/8-inch bolt that holds the blade driving by using a wrench. Ensure that blade is in the proper direction, as various blades come with an arrow printed on them to define the rotation direction properly. Calibrate the Depth and Bevel Angle – We know that circular saws have bevel and depth gauges adjustments. All you need is to calibrate them properly to make a perfect cutting of the material/things. Wear Safety Gear – It is quite essential to wear safety gear properly, like safety glasses, hand gloves, perfectly fitting shoes, ear protection, etc. before you start operating the cordless circular saw. Safety Measures – Almost all cordless circular saws (except one with smaller 4 ½-inch saws) need to hands operation for its safe usage – a handle including a knob-like grip and trigger to the front part of the device. Thus, it permits for optimal saw control that makes fingers not to get into the blade path. Also, before you start cutting, ensure the retractable guard is in its place. Operating the Saw – Mark the line on the selected wood piece by using a market for an accurate cut. Place the saw on the wood edge with a blade aligned with the marked line. Set the blade to get extend a bit under the depth of the wood piece. Yet not too much, as it makes the saw hard to cut through the material. After positioning the saw, it’s time to start the cutting process. Simply, turn on the saw and allow the blade to operate at full speed. Now push the saw slowly and gently through the wood piece. Allow the blade to perform its work without rushing or pushing the saw hardly. As soon as it completes the cutting, then immediately release the trigger and wait till the blade stops spinning.
Conclusion:
If you want one of the best performing cordless circular saws, then the DEWALT DCS570B is the perfect option for you. It offers a 5200 RPM 7-¼ inch cutting blade while being quite powerful. And you get this without paying a lot of money for it. Although, if you are on a budget, the Ryobi One P505 is also another great option. Despite its budget price tag, it offers decent performance with its 4700 RPM blade. And the small size of this cordless circular saw a great option for portable usage. The Black + Decker BDCCS20C offers a great balance between pricing and features that it offers. It is another great option if you want a small and portable cordless circular saw that is highly powerful as well.
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