best budget circular saw

Best Budget Circular Saws You Can Buy for Under $100 – Top Picks 2024

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You don’t always need to fork out a load of money for a decent circular saw.

The very best circular saws can cost well over a few hundred dollars.

To save you many hours of painstaking research, we have compiled a shortlist of the best budget circular saws, all for under $100…


Quick Picks

Here's 3 products we picked out that thought you would be interested in depending on your budget...

Best Budget Pick
PORTER-CABLE PCE300
Professional level power for a budget price, the PORTER-CABLE PCE300 is our best pick choice. If you haven’t previously owned a circular saw, this will be an excellent introduction.
Go Cheaper
SKIL 5280-01
With the SKIL 5280-01 you are getting an amazing value for money saw packed with features including a laser beam guide and dust blower. A great option for casual users.
No Frills
BLACK+DECKER BDECS300C
Our best budget pick amongst budget, the BLACK+DECKER BDCCS20C is a steal. If you’re tight for money but desperate for a power saw this model is perfect for you.

Best Budget Circular Saws with Reviews 2024

Here is a list of the best cheap circular saws we found:

1. PORTER-CABLE PCE300 7-1/4" - Top Pick

  • 15 amp motor running at 5,500 RPM
  • Heavy-duty steel shoe with optimal line of sight
  • Spindle lock & quick depth adjustments
  • Aux handle
  • Weighs 9.5lbs

Pros

  • Plenty of power
  • The blade is easy to change
  • Sturdy build

Cons

  • The switch could be better quality
  • Slightly heavier than other saws on this list

Overview

Securing our pick for the best circular saw under $100 is the PORTER-CABLE PCE300. The 15 amp motor, producing blade speeds of up to 5,500 RPM, is on par with those of higher-end saws making this one of the only budget saws that offer professional power.

A steel shoe along with a metal lower and upper guard adds to the durability of the saw. Spindle lock and depth adjustment for quick on the fly adjustments. Depth of cut at 45 degrees is 1-7/8’’ and 2-1/2’’ at 90 degrees. The aux handle improves user comfort.

3-year limited warranty. Power switch could be slightly better quality and it weighs slightly more than other budget models. Included with the saw are a 7-1/4’’ 18 teeth carbide-tipped blade and an Allen wrench

When it comes to budget circular saws, there is no beating the PORTER-CABLE PCE300.Despite being marginally heavier than the other models on this list it more than makes up for it in power and durability. A brilliant choice for beginners and casual DIYers.


2. SKIL 5280-01 7-1/4" Circular Saw

  • 14 amp motor producing 5,300 RPM
  • Laser beam guide
  • Dust blower & anti-snag lower guard
  • Spindle lock for easy blade changes
  • Weighs 6.95lbs

Pros

  • Super lightweight
  • Ergonomic design
  • Large stable foot

Cons

  • The laser has room for improvement
  • Short power cord (6ft)

Overview

The SKIL 5280-01 is a lightweight budget saw that features a user-friendly design. The 14 amp motor delivers 5,300 RPMs for fast cutting and a single beam laser guide makes cutting in a straight line a walk in the park.

An integrated dust blower maintains a clear line of sight while cutting by removing the excess sawdust. Anti-snag lower guard helps reduce snags when performing narrow cuts offs. 51-degree bevel capacity for a wide range of cuts.

Spindle lock for quick and easy blade changes. Comes with a 7-1/4’’, 24 tooth carbide blade, wrench and a carry bag. The laser could be improved but for the price does the job well. Power cord is 6ft.

Our best value pick, the SKIL 5280-01 is packed full of useful features which make it great for a wide range of projects around the house. Easy to use, accurate and backed by hundreds of reviews you won’t find anything else that offers better value for money.


3. BLACK+DECKER BDECS300C 7-1/4" Cheap Circular Saw

  • 13 amp motor delivers 5300 RPM
  • Spindle lock for easy blade changes
  • In house laser guide
  • Adjustable depth and easy to use bevel
  • Weighs 7lbs

Pros

  • Incredibly cheap
  • The blade is easy to replace
  • Trustworthy safety features

Cons

  • The inbuilt laser could be clearer in the daylight
  • Isn’t the most powerful saw

Overview

When something is chosen as the best budget pick amongst other budget options, you know you’re getting an amazing deal. At least this is the case with the BLACK+DECKER BDECS300C.

The 13 amp motor delivering 5,300 RPM is great for tackling a wide range of jobs. Laser guide for improved cutting accuracy and a spindle lock for straight forward blade changes. Easy to use bevel and depth adjustments to make precise cuts.

Cutting depth of 1.89’’ at 45 a degree angle and 2.5’’ at 90 degrees. Weighs in at just 7lbs. 2-year limited warranty. Included with the saw is the 7-1/4’’ saw blade and a hex key. The inbuilt laser isn’t very visible in the daylight and the motor isn’t quite as powerful as other saws on this list.

The addition of a laser guide is very helpful for less experienced users. This combined with the lightweight design and super low price makes the BLACK+DECKER BDECS300C a solid choice for newbies.


4. BLACK+DECKER BDCCS20C 5-1/2" Budget Cordless Circular Saw

  • 5-1/2’’ tipped carbide blade delivering up to 3,700 RPMs
  • Tool-free depth of cut
  • Bevel adjustments with detents at 45 and 90 degrees
  • 12 teeth carbide blade
  • Weighs 7.55lbs

Pros

  • Cordless
  • Super light
  • Compact design

Cons

  • The smaller blade which some may not prefer
  • Not as powerful as other models on this list

Overview

The BLACK+DECKER BDCCS20C is the only cordless model that makes it onto this list. It features a5-1/2’’ 12T carbide blade that is great for a variety of smooth and fasts cuts no matter the material.

Weighing in at just 7.55lbs, this saw is great for minimizing fatigue during long periods of use. Cordless which allows total freedom from where you work and compact which further adds to the ease of use. The tool-free depth of cut system allows for easy depth adjustments.

Bevel adjustments with presets at 45 and 90 degrees. 2-year limited warranty. Also comes with a 5-1/2’’ blade, 20V lithium battery and charger. Smaller blade size and not quite as powerful as other models on this list.

The BLACK+DECKER BDCCS20C is suited to DIYers who need a cheap cordless circular saw for jobs around the house. This is not a saw for professional use. Where it lacks in power it more than makes up for in usability and flexibility.


5. CRAFTSMAN CMES510 7-1/4-Inch Circular Saw

  • 15 amp motor delivers 5,500 RPMs
  • 55-degree tool-free bevelling shoe
  • Metal upper and lower guards
  • Spindle lock mechanism
  • Magnesium shoe
  • Weighs 9lbs

Pros

  • Comfortable to use
  • High-performance motor
  • Changing settings is easy

Cons

  • Marginally heavier than other budget options
  • Lacks a brake

Overview

The CRAFTSMAN CMES510 features a 15 amp motor that powers a 7-1/4’’, 18 teeth carbide-tipped blade that can turn at speeds of up to 5,500 RPM. Provides more than enough power to complete everyday cutting tasks.

Spindle lock mechanism for efficient blade changes. The magnesium shoe offers improved durability and reduces the overall weight of the saw. Metal upper and lower guards. Contoured handle for added comfort during use. 3-year limited warranty. Max cutting depth at 45 degrees is 1.875’’ and 2.5’’ at 90 degrees.

Convenient raft hook to store the saw while not in use. 55-degree tool-free capacity with handy presets at 22.5 and 45 degrees. Included with the saw is the 7-1/4’’ carbide tip blade and a hex wrench. Marginally heavier than other options and it doesn’t have a brake.

Optimized for user comfort the CRAFTSMAN CMES510 is a dream to use while making aggressive cuts with the high performance 15 amp motor.


How to save money when shopping for a circular saw

Corded vs Cordless

Corded models tend the be cheaper than their cordless counterparts. Feature in the added cost of batteries and a charging kit and you’ll find your costs creeping up even higher. If saving money is your top priority, go corded.

If you want to go cordless, then check out the best battery powered circular saws.

Blade Size

Circular saws like those above can feature a blade that ranges in size from 5-1/2’’ to 7-1/4’ inches. Saws featuring larger blades are usually more expensive due to the increased power requirements. If you don’t think you’ll need a large blade, choose a saw that takes a smaller one to save on costs.

Brand Name

Once a company gains a reputation within its industry, you can be sure they’ll put their prices up. When it comes to circular saws and power tools, in general, it is company’s like DeWalt, Makita, Milwaukee that are known as the more expensive brands. I am not denying the quality of their products, I am merely suggesting there are alternatives out there that are often overlooked, just because of their lesser-known brand name. Some brands that produce cheaper saws include;

  • SKILSAW
  • Porter-Cable
  • Craftsman
  • Black+Decker
  • Ryobi

Older Models

An easy way to save is to go with an older model. Nowadays it isn’t unusual for a new model to be released on a yearly or biyearly basis. This spells good news for customers as the backlog of older models grow and become cheaper. Remember to always check reviews on older models to make sure they are reliable.

Wrapping it up

These are, in our opinion, the best 5 budget circular saws for under $100 you can buy. A good budget circular saw must maintain sufficient power for tough jobs without skipping on build quality.

After extensive research, the PORTER-CABLE PCE300 secures our best pick spot. We chose it for the incredible power output combined with sturdy construction. It won’t be long out of the box before you realize what a brilliant decision you have made!

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About Jacob Hanson

Jacob is the Editor at Toolsfirst.com. He used to be the owner of a local construction company with over 20 years experience in the trade. He now enjoys thoroughly researching DIY tools as well as publishing guides to help readers.

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