Circular saws are usually the first power saw in any garage. They are portable, spinning blades capable of cutting through all sorts of lumber and sheet goods. Their circular blades add an extra measure of rigidity that allow for straight cuts.
Most feature a footplate that glides along flat workpieces. An articulating blade guard is standard. It automatically retracts when you push the saw through a piece of wood so the blade isn’t exposed while it’s spinning.
Most circular saws have blade depth adjustments to accommodate lumber or sheet goods of all thicknesses. Typically, they can cut up to around 2-1/2″ deep. They can also tilt to around 45 degrees to allow for mitered (angled) cuts.
They come in corded and cordless flavors, but we’ll be focusing on corded circular saws in this post since they’re a bit cheaper and more common as first-time tools.
You can use a circular saw for cross cuts and rip cuts. Cross cuts divide a piece of wood across the grain while rip cuts divide a piece of wood along the grain. Circular saws are very portable and usually weigh less than 10 lbs.
Absolutely. There are few tools that are staples in the shop and the circular saw is one of them. From the most basic tool shed to the highest-caliber workshop, circular saws deserve a place in every workspace. They make for quick, straight, and accurate cuts in all sorts of materials. When pared with a simple straight-edge guide, these tools can break down sheet goods of all sizes.
The Quick Answer
SKIL’s 5280 earns the top spot with its extra features at a competitive price. This circular saw is the WWC favorite.
METABO HPT’s C7SB3 is also a worthy contender. We’d pass on the PORTER-CABLE PCE310 for now until it catches up with the rest of the crowd in price and capabilities.
METABO HPT C7SB3
METABO may be an unfamiliar name to most of us. It’s basically a rebranded Hitachi. The name has changed but the tools remain the same.
The C7SB3 from METABO packs the standard 15 amps in a well-built form factor. The included blade could use an upgrade, but it can handle just about any job thrown at it. Blade depth is an eyeballed-affair since there’s no depth gauge, but that’s forgivable.
The included blower is a welcome addition since it helped keep the cut line clear for us. Sawdust piling ahead of the blade is never welcome and we appreciate METABO’s measures to remedy this.
SKIL 5280
SKIL’s 5280 is a fantastic circular saw for beginners and professionals alike. It delivers the standard 15 amps of power at an aggressively low price.
You’d think that a saw this cheap would skimp on any and all of the basic features; but you’d be wrong with the 5280. SKIL includes both a blower and a laser. This combo is hard to beat since it helps guide the blade’s path while also keeping the cut line free of sawdust.
We really have no complaints with the 5280 from SKIL. This circular saw is a fantastic value with its extra features and competitive price.
PORTER-CABLE PCE310
PORTER-CABLE’s PCE310 is a fine circular saw. It includes all of the basics at an average price.
Like the other saws, the PCE310 sends 15 amps to the blade at 5500 rpm, which is respectable. A spindle lock makes blade changes easy. There’s no laser or blower like some of the competition.
The saw feel comfortable and sturdy in hand. At 9 lbs, it’s not the lightest or heaviest but a happy medium.
The PCE310 can bevel further than most of the competition to 55 degrees. This is a bit beyond the standard 45 degrees so it should serve you well for the gamut of mitered cuts.
So Which Circular Saw is the Best for The Garage Workshop?
We’ve summarized the strengths and weaknesses of each circular saw above. We’ll continue to pit them against each other below to determine which is the best circular saw for your workshop. Beyond these summaries, full reviews for each tool can be found here:
Scoring will be based on each saw’s performance in four categories. Also, units can score equally if deserved in a particular category (e.g. a first, second, third, etc isn’t forced). For this comparison, the max score possible is set at 100 and the minimum score is 20.
Which Circular Saw is the Most Powerful?
Exemplary = 25 points
Satisfactory = 15 points
Below Average = 5 points
All three saws send 15 amps to the blade, but at different speeds. The SKIL is the slowest at 5300 rpm and the METABO is the fastest at 6000 rpm. Even still, we don’t see much of a performance difference among the three saws. The biggest differentiator will be the stock blade. Slap a better blade on any of these saws and we’re sure you’ll be able to power through just about anything.
SKIL, METABO, and PORTER-CABLE earn 15 points.
Which Saw is the Most Well-Built?
Exemplary = 25 points
Satisfactory = 15 points
Below Average = 5 points
This is another tough comparison as each saw is built with solid components that stand up to the most strenuous jobs. The SKIL is the lightest of the bunch but it still seems sturdy. The magnesium base of the PORTER-CABLE can flex a little under heavy pressure but it remains stiff under most cutting operations.
SKIL, METABO, and PORTER-CABLE earn 15 points.
Which Circular Saw Includes the Most Extra Features?
Exemplary = 25 points
Satisfactory = 15 points
Below Average = 5 points
Extra features can make the difference between an average saw and a great saw. Circular saws are limited in the types of extra features they can include, but we see the gamut in this lineup.
The SKIL includes a laser guide and a blower. The laser is super helpful in guiding the saw along a cut line. The blower insures that the laser and sawblade are kept debris-free.
The METABO also includes a powerful dust blower that keep the kerf clear; but there’s no integrated laser.
The PORTER-CABLE doesn’t include anything extra to set it apart from the rest of the crowd.
SKIL earns 25 points, METABO earns 15 points, and PORTER-CABLE earns 5 points.
Which Saw is the Most Affordable?
Exemplary = 25 points
Satisfactory = 15 points
Below Average = 5 points
Circular saws in the entry-level corded category typically run around $80. All three of these saw fall in this ballpark, but the SKIL is priced pretty aggressively compared to the other two saws. It provides a lot for the least amount of investment.
SKIL earns 25 points, METABO and PORTER-CABLE earn 15 points.
Final Results
The SKIL 5280 is the clear winner in this comparison. It includes the most features at the lowest price. Quality is respectable so this is a no-brainer.
The METABO HPT C7SB3 is also a great choice for those that are more familiar with the legacy Hitachi brand. It’s priced fairly well and includes most features and capabilities you’d want.
The current iteration of the PORTER-CABLE PCE310 just doesn’t stack up as well against the competition. We’ll keep an eye on this model as it has a bunch of potential and we generally like the PORTER-CABLE brand.
