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The latest cordless circular saws now provide the same power output as their corded counterparts.
As with many tools, there are many brilliant saws out there and trying to find the best one can be tricky.
There are also some poorer models out there you want to avoid and other saws which might not be right for your needs.
This guide will make sure you get the right one. Once you’ve finished reading this, you’ll know how to get the best cordless circular saw for you.
Quick Picks
Here's 3 products we picked out that thought you would be interested in depending on your budget...
The Best Cordless Circular Saw with Reviews 2024
Here's a list of the best cordless circular saws we found:
1. DeWalt DCS577X1 FLEXVOLT Cordless Circular Saw
Pros
- Smooth, accurate cuts
- Great line of sight
- Electronic brake
- Highly powered
Cons
- Heavy
- Soft case
Overview
The DeWalt DCS577X1 looks very much like a worm drive circular saw.
DeWalt have been able to produce a cordless circular saw which is the ultimate in performance. It has a great level of power and will make light work of most tasks. It’s a beast of a saw and one that you will be more than happy with.
That performance comes at the cost of high weight. That means that those needing to take it up and down ladders, for example, may see it as an issue. For work on the ground, it can’t be beaten. The high performance is added too by the fact it provides accurate cuts. The saw also has great safety features.
2. Makita XSR01PT Cordless Circular Saw
Pros
- Long runtime
- High capacity
- Great efficiency
- Impressive safety features
Cons
- Poor packaging
- Lower power
Overview
Makita are known for their quality. It makes it surprising that so many users have reported the tool as being poorly packaged but the saw inside is high quality. It has the level of performance you’d expect while having a great battery runtime.
While the DeWalt saw we looked at was powerful and heavy, this is slightly down on that power but much lighter. It can still get through a lot of work and is highly efficient with the brushless motor. This is a cordless circular saw that lives up to the standard of other Makita tools.
3. Bosch CCS180-B14 Cordless Circular Saw
Pros
- Ergonomic handle
- High powered battery
- Long runtime
- Fast charging
Cons
- Low RPM
- Smaller size
Overview
Bosch have been able to produce this small but highly effective circular saw which is perfect for DIY enthusiasts. It doesn’t have the same power as other but is still able to get through a great amount of work and it has impressive battery life.
The ergonomic handle design is able to give you great control and accuracy. It’s very comfortable to hold with low weight and minimal arm fatigue. It’s one of the easiest saws to use and allows you to get the job completed in no time. The fast charging also means there will be minimal downtime.
4. Milwaukee 2730-21 M18 Cordless Circular Saw
Pros
- Holds its charge
- Lightweight
- Incredible speed
- Well balanced
Cons
- No guide bar
- Loses power with capacity reduction
Overview
Milwaukee have made a circular saw that cuts through wood like a knife cuts through butter. It is able to deliver that exceptional power while still being lightweight. It’s also well balanced which makes it very comfortable for a full day of sawing.
There are very few negatives when it comes to this saw. It has a high level of durability and this is a saw that’s going to last for a large number of years. The kit gives you everything you need and it’s a tool that you’re not going to be disappointed with.
5. Ryobi P506 One+ Cordless Circular Saw
Pros
- Easy to hold
- Durable blade
- Easy to make accurate cuts
- Great speed
Cons
- The laser can be tricky to use
- Can clog
Overview
Ryobi have been able to make one of the most comfortable saws on the market. The rubberized handle will give you a solid grip and the design will give you close control. That is helped by the laser guide it has, but people might prefer to use more traditional methods of alignment.
It is very easy to adjust the depth and beveling angle. The blades are easy to use and the battery will give you a long life. The high amount of power is going to make easy work of most jobs and the high usability that it has will get your job completed in no time.
6. Ridgid Genuine OEM R8652 Gen5X Cordless Circular Saw
Pros
- High visibility
- Easy depth and bevel adjustment
- Clears debris
- High control
Cons
- Packaging issues
- Left-handed design
Overview
One of the aspects that immediately strikes you with this saw is just how low the handle is. It allows for very close control. This cuts down on any arm fatigue and gives you very close control. That fatigue is also cut down by how easy the saw gets through the wood.
Another great part of this saw is the control that you have over the depth and bevel adjustment. The LED lighting also ensures that you have a clear vision, all that comes with a saw that has a good amount of power with impressive durability.
7. PORTER-CABLE PCC660B Cordless Circular Saw
Pros
- High-performance motor
- Durable teeth
- Comfortable handle
- High cutting capacity
Cons
- Can get bogged down
- Low battery life
Overview
Porter-Cable have been able to produce a circular saw that has a very powerful battery. The downside to that, however, is that it doesn’t last very long. The saw still have a decent level of performance and is very easy to hold.
The durable teeth will help to give you a high cutting capacity but unfortunately, the saw can get bogged down from time to time. It is still a good saw with an affordable price for those looking for a cheaper option.
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Buying Guide
Battery power
The latest batteries can provide just as much power as corded models.
The battery power is one area where there can be a large difference in power output. The two key figures that we see here are voltage and amperage. Simply put, the higher these figures, the more power is going to be delivered to your saw.
Lithium-ion is going to be the battery of choice and all the saws that we have looked at here come with a powerful battery. Some come with different battery options and this depends on what your needs are. A bigger battery will naturally get through more work.
The runtime is also important as you don’t want to have to down tools all the time. Most of the saws that we have looked at here have great efficiency. The batteries also charge quickly to give you minimal downtime when it does run out of juice.
Handle style
This will be personal preference, but do you prefer the worm drive style or sidewinder? There are some differences between the motors and the torque they can produce.
No-load speed
The no load speed of these devices is simply the RPM they have when they are not cutting. This is because cutting into wood is going to naturally act as a brake.
That can make it a tricky specification to judge as if you have a saw with low torque then a high RPM is useless. Due to the power of these devices, it’s still the best indicator of the load speed.
- <3,000 RPM – This is most likely not going to have enough power and all the cordless circular saws we have looked at here are comfortably above this.
- 3,000-5,000 RPM – These are the mid-range saws when it comes to speed. They are going to make light work of most tasks and need to be backed up with a large battery.
- >5,000 RPM – This is the top-end when it comes to speed. When backed up with a powerful battery, these saws will simply slide through even stubborn wood.
Safety features
Cordless saws are naturally a lot safer than corded models. There is no wire to trip over or get in the way. There are also a few other safety features to look out for.
- Electronic brake – This is an obvious point and some that all circular saws should have. As soon as you let go of that trigger, you want to make sure you don’t have to wait for the blade to stop spinning.
- Control placement – The controls should be in an easy to reach place. Having to overreach or cross hands to control your saw is never a good idea.
- Control – The general control of the saw needs to be high. This will come with easy to grip handles, handles that are close together and a well-balanced saw.
- Blade guard – This is a device which covers the blade when it’s not in use. The cover then retracts when you get going.
- A foot plate – This should be standard on all models. It’s the plate that allows for clear control and straight cuts.
Blades
Most cordless circular saws will come with a blade but there are different options available for different tasks.
- High-speed steel blades – There are a lot harder than regular steel blades and are great for getting through a high volume of work.
- Carbide-tipped blades – These have carbide tips on teeth which gives them a huge level of durability. There are the most expensive option but stay sharp for an extremely long time.
- Tile-cutting or masonry blades – If you are doing a specific job then you need to get specially designed blades that are going to be able to cope.
Bevel capacity and cutting depth
You’re not always going to be cutting simple wood in straight lines. It’s important to get the bevel angles and cutting capacity that you need to complete your jobs. The cutting depth will come down to the size of the blade.
If you want to make deep cuts then you want to make sure that you’re using a saw that supports a large blade. If you want to make cuts at various depths then a saw with a depth adjustment is going to allow you to cut a wider range of wood pieces.
The bevel adjustment is when the footplate tilts and will allow you to make beveled cuts. For those that wish to complete these types of cuts, it is also a good idea to look for a saw that allows you to lock in your bevel at specific angles.
Weight
While it may not feel like a huge issue, the weight of the cordless saw will be important for some. Even when using it with two hands, these saws can be very heavy. There are other ones which have a more lightweight design, allowing it to be more portable.
You also have to consider exactly where you’re going to be cutting. If you are going to be up ladders, or working at heights, then having a heavy saw wouldn’t be ideal. If you feel as though this could be an issue then check the product weight before you buy.
Extra features
- Spindle or shaft locks – Having these on your saw will make it very easy to change the saw blade. This is because the shaft lock immobilizes the saw to allow for easy removal. This is especially useful for those who have to often change their blade.
- Bevel capacity – If you plan on making bevel cuts, then you need to know the maximum angle of bevel cut you can make. A shallow angle could make for a frustrating experience if you can’t get the cuts you want.
- Bevel stops – Making a large number of bevel cuts can be tiresome if you don’t have bevel stops. They will allow you to easily change the angle of the blade by locking it into certain positions and vastly speeding up the process.
- Laser guides – Laser guides will be able to pin down the angle of your cut. While some people still prefer the more traditional methods, for others they feel it will vastly improve their accuracy. Whether this is an important feature or not is up to your preferences.
Wrapping it up
Cutting wood or any other material can be tiresome with a poor circular saw. Using one of these products we’ve listed here, however, going to make your life a lot easier. They will be able to slice through the material in no time for those clean and precise cuts.
The best tool for the job in that respect is the DeWalt Circular Saw. It has tremendous power to make light work of the most difficult cuts. It has a great build quality with all the features that you’d expect. It ticks all the boxes and is the best cordless circular saw you can get.
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