Best Circular Saws In 2022 (Unbiased Review)
From cross-cutting wood to ripping plywood, the convenient handling of the circular saws makes it one of the most popular woodworking tools for homeowners, amateurs and professional craftsmen. Equipped with a special blade, a good circular saw can even help you easily cut various materials such as metal, ceramic tiles and stone products.
We have reviewed the best circular saws on the market today, and whether you plan to use them professionally or at home, this article will help you make an informed choice.
Best Overall: Makita 5007Mg
Best Budget: Craftsman CMES500
Best For Beginners: BOSCH CS10
Best For Pros: SKILSAW SPT77WML-01
Best Compact: Genesis GCS445SE
Best Cordless: DeWalt DCS570B
Best Left Handed: SKILSAW SPT67M8-01
What to consider when buying
Corded or Cordless
Corded circular saws usually provide more torque and have unlimited running time, but they rely on power. The portability of cordless circular saws allows work anywhere, but their running time is limited by battery life; moreover, cordless tools are generally more expensive.
Power
Generally, the corded circular saw motor is from 12 amperes to 15 amperes. For light tasks, you can choose a 12 amp motor. A 15 ampere motor is sufficient for most woodworking tasks. Cordless circular saws are usually powered by 18V to 20V batteries.
Worm Drive vs. Sidewinder
They are two different transmission systems.
The motor of the worm drive circular saw is located behind the blade, and the power is transmitted from the motor to the blade through the worm gear. Its transmission structure is more complicated and the weight is heavier. But the worm drive can provide more torque, run longer without overheating.
The sidewinder’s motor is placed side by side with the blade, and the power is directly transmitted to the blade through the spur gear. Therefore, it has advantages in size and weight and is more suitable for overhead applications.
Blade size
Larger blades can cut deeper. Most circular saws use 7-1/4 inch blades, if you want to do heavy work, then you’d better choose an 8-1/4 inch blade circular saw.
Safety
When not working, the retractable protective cover of the circular saw will immediately cover the blade to avoid accidents.
Another common safety device is an electronic brake, once the trigger is released, it stops the rotation of the blade within a few seconds.
Best Circular Saw Reviews
Makita 5007Mg is the leader of its kind in circular saw, its design, materials and functions are all first-class. Its 15 amp motor can provide a speed of 5,800 RPM, which can easily chew any wood in its path.
The 7-1/4 inch blade has a maximum cutting depth of 2-1/2 inches, allowing you to complete tasks in fewer times. This circular saw can also adjust its bevel shoe to cut between 0 and 56 degrees, and it has positive stops at 45 degrees and 22.5 degrees.
2 built-in LED lights can clearly illuminate the cutting line, helping you to make precise cutting easily. This circular saw is made of magnesium parts, which makes it lighter and has excellent balance and durability. The ergonomically designed handle allows you to hold the saw comfortably and firmly for long hours of work without fatigue.
- Only 10.6 pounds, very light
- Easy-to-read numbers and ruler markings
- Reliable built-in dust blower
- Durable 7-1/4 inch Ultra-Coated Framing Blade
If you are unfamiliar with woodworking, or just occasionally need to cut on a circular saw, Craftsman CMES500 is an excellent budget choice because it will provide you with reliable cutting capabilities and durability at an affordable price.
A 13 amp motor is sufficient to handle most types of cuts commonly found in residential and commercial projects. Moreover, the bevel shoe can be rotated 45° to achieve precise angle cutting.
Includes a high-quality 7-1/4 inch carbide tipped blade so you can use it right out of the box. This saw has a spindle locking mechanism for easy blade replacement.
- 5300 RPM fast cutting speed
- Provides a three-year limited warranty
BOSCH CS10 is an excellent choice for those who want to buy the first circular saw. It comes from a trusted brand in the field of power tool design and manufacturing. It is equipped with a 15 amp motor and can cut depths up to 2-7/16 inches.
CS10 is particularly suitable for clean and precise bevel cuts. With its 0 to 56 degree bevel angle range, and 22.5° and 45° positive detents, even inexperienced novices can guarantee cutting accuracy and consistency. The powerful blower keeps the dust clean and makes the cutting line clearly visible.
- Stable and precise magnesium footplate
- 24-tooth carbide blade
For professionals, their tools need to withstand more abuse. SKILSAW SPT77WML-01 is the preferred model for most construction sites. This circular saw designed for heavy woodworking projects has a durable magnesium structure and is the lightest saw in its class, weighing only 11.6 pounds. Lightweight design minimizes user fatigue and prolongs user work time.
The 15-amp dual-field motor has two copper coils instead of one, which means it can output powerful power for a long time without overheating. It also has a strong cutting ability, using a 7-1/4-inch blade with a 2-3/8-inch cutting depth, a maximum bevel capacity of 53°, and a positive stop function at 0° and 45°.
- Cut-ready depth of cut system can quickly and accurately set the cutting depth
- Worm drive provides powerful torque
- Practical anti-snag lower guard
Anyone looking for a powerful and compact circular saw should check out Genesis GCS445SE. The 4 amp motor can generate up to 3500 RPM and can easily cut 2X materials, and can perform 45° bevel cuts.
It is only 4.7 pounds, and the slim barrel grip designed for one-handed operation makes it very suitable for working in small spaces. Spindle lock device is convenient for users to change blades safely and quickly. This saw also has a nice dust collection system to help you keep your workstation tidy.
- 4-1/2″ 24T Carbide-Tipped Blade
- Rip guide guarantees the consistency of cutting
- 2-year warranty and technical support
If you need maximum portability, DeWalt DCS570B will be your best choice. It can rely on the battery to continuously output powerful power, thanks to DeWalt’s cutting-edge brushless motor technology and lithium-ion battery technology.
5200 RPM, 20V brushless motor provides lightning-fast cutting speed, easily handle most projects. Moreover, the brushless motor eliminates carbon brushes, making the motor run at a lower temperature, higher efficiency, longer service life, and less maintenance.
It provides a deeper cutting depth than most competitors. The maximum cutting depth of the 7-1/4 inch blade at 90 degrees is an astonishing 2-9/16 inch. At the same time, it has a bevel angle of up to 57 degrees, allowing you to easily complete a variety of cutting tasks.
Please note that this cordless saw only has tools without batteries, but the 20V battery of all DeWalt tools is universal.
- It’s very light, only 7.5 pounds
- Easy to adjust, with positive stops at 22.5 degrees and 45 degrees
- Rubber overmolding for better control
The blade of SKILSAW SPT67M8-01 is located on the left side, which can improve the visibility of the blade and cutting line, and this design is very friendly to left-handers. The 15-amp dual-field motor enables the saw to run longer while keeping it cool. It can provide speeds up to 5300RPM enough to easily cut thick rafters and wood.
SPT67M8-01 also has a strong cutting capacity. The 7-1/4 inch blade has a maximum cutting depth of 2-7/16 inches at 90 degrees, a maximum bevel capacity of 56°, and a positive stop function at 0° and 45°. Its weight is only 10.6 pounds. The secret of lightweight design is magnesium, which occupies most of the structure.
- Ideal for left-handed and right-handed users
- Ergonomic handle
Summary
There are many great circular saw models on the market. By reading this article, you will be able to choose a model for your project. Or you may want to recommend a model to our readers.
Tell us what you think in the comments below, I’m glad to hear your opinion.