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 cordless circular saws in this post.
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.
We certainly think so.
The price differential between corded and cordless shrinks every day and the untethered benefits increasingly outweigh the extra costs.
Cordless tools are beginning to rival (and sometimes exceed) the power of corded tools. Historically, you traded dollars and power for portability. Now, you only have to trade dollars for portability. As we mentioned before, that tradeoff is diminishing.
We love being able to move around the workshop without having to fetch extension cords or unplug and relocate to a closer outlet.
The Quick Answer
The MILWAUKEE 2730 and DEWALT DCS578 tie for our top recommendation for the best circular saw for woodworking and workshop projects. They have all the basics locked in along with a few extra features like forward-facing LED lights.
Both saws are a part of extensive cordless tool lines that offer a wide range of power options. You can’t go wrong with either of these circular saws.
The MAKITA XSH03Z is a close runner-up and includes a neat dust blower that keeps the area in front of the blade free from dust. It’s limited in battery power but we’re confident it can tackle any job for a reasonable amount of time.
RYOBI P507
The RYOBI P507 is the budget-friendly option in this mix. It’s a bit lighter, both in weight and power, compared to the competition. This makes it more suited to the occasional cutting jobs on the weekends rather than marathon workshop sessions.
Even still, the P507 can cut standard sheet goods and dimensional lumber with no problems.
The P507 is a part of RYOBI’s ONE+ line of cordless tools, which is one of the broadest lines of tools on the market. The ONE+ family includes saws, speakers, mowers, blowers, and even fertilizer spreaders. They aim to cover all the bases for the homeowner and they do this well.
Note that the cutting capacity at 45 degrees is just barely too shallow for dimensional lumber. Specifically, the P507 can cut to 1-7/16″ at 45 degrees and most dimensional lumber is a tad thicker at 1-1/2″.
The P507 accomplishes its lighter weight partially due to its choice of construction material. Much of the body is built from a sturdy plastic derivative rather than metal. While this cuts down on weight, it also cuts down on durability a bit. It works fine, but it’s not going to hold up to abuse as well as a solid magnesium or aluminum body like most of the competition.
DEWALT DCS578
The DCS578 from DEWALT is a fantastic middle-of-the-road circular saw that includes all of the basics and a few of the extras in a solid package.
This circular saw is a part of the FLEXVOLT system from DEWALT that includes both 20V and 60V tools. The DCS578 is a part of the 60V line in the FLEXVOLT family.
The blade spins at a quick 5800 rpm with a bunch of power, depending on the selected battery. Positive bevel detents at 22.5 and 45 degrees allow for rapid and precise adjustments to common angles.
One feature we like in this saw is the integrated LED worklight. In dusty or poorly-lit conditions, the light helps immensely to illuminate the workpiece and ensures you don’t wander from the cutline.
MILWAUKEE 2730
The M18 FUEL line gets a welcome addition with the 2730 cordless circular saw. The 6-1/2″ saw is constructed from magnesium which cuts down on weight while also maintaining structural integrity.
At over 200 tools, the FUEL line is massive and the 2730 joins the ranks of a plethora of quality tools. The family of tools includes most workshop and yard tools so if you’re looking to commit to a tool system, you can’t go wrong with the MILWAUKEE FUEL line.
The 2730 bevels to 50 degrees and spins at 5000 rpm. This is average for this saw class so it doesn’t lead or lag the competition.
MILWAUKEE’s batteries and tools include the innovative REDLINK system that aims to extend battery life by regulating the charging and discharging cycles. By preventing overheating and excessive discharging, both the saw and whatever battery you’ve chosen are protected against unnecessary wear and tear.
Especially impressive about the 2730 and the rest of the FUEL line is the five year warranty. This guarantee against manufacturer defects is the best in the industry. When a tool maker stands behind their tools for this long, we take notice.
MAKITA XSH03Z
The XSH03Z from MAKITA is a fantastic option for the workshop and will satisfy both hobbyists and tradesmen alike. As a part of the LXT line of tools, it shares batteries across a wide range of woodworking, metalworking, and yardwork tools.
The Automatic Speed Change Technology included in the XSH03Z variates torque and speed depending on the job at hand. When things start to bog down during an intense cut, the tool cuts the speed and increases the torque to help you power through tough spots.
Additionally, the Star Protection that is included in all LXT tools keeps the battery and tool humming by optimizing charge cycles and power flow between the two components.
The onboard LED worklight is especially useful in dim settings and the battery LED status lights kept us informed of juice levels in the tank.
Another feature we really like is the dust blower. The LED light keeps the cut line illuminated but that does no good if it’s covered in dust. The XSH03Z also includes a dust port to quickly move dust away from your workspace and into your shop vac.
SKIL CR5413
SKIL’s legacy is closely tied to circular saws since they developed the earliest concepts of the tool. The CR5413 is no slouch in this race with its reasonable power and capabilities.
At 5400 rpm, the SKIL spins relatively fast compared to the rest of the field. The 6-1/2″ blade is on the smaller end of this comparison but it can tackle most workshop needs without any issues.
We like the integrated electric brake which slows the saw in a few seconds after you release the trigger. This feature is a welcome reprieve from workflow interruptions during heavily repetitive working sessions.
For the price of this unit, we’re glad to see a couple of premium features, namely an LED light and a dust port. Keeping the area ahead of the blade free from dust helps prevent disastrous errors that can quickly ruin a project.
So Which Cordless Circular Saw Is Best?
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 cordless circular saw for your workshop. Beyond these summaries, full reviews for each tool can be found here:
- RYOBI P507 (Full Review)
- DEWALT DCS578 (Full Review)
- MILWAUKEE 2730 (Full Review)
- MAKITA XSH03Z (Full Review)
- SKIL CR5413 (Full Review)
Scoring will be based on each cordless circular 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 Saw has the Most Features?
Exemplary = 25 points
Satisfactory = 15 points
Below Average = 5 points
The MAKITA wins this category with its forward dust blower, rear dust port, and LED light. Additionally, the positive stop at 45 degrees makes the most common bevel setting easily and quickly adjustable.
SKIL includes a dust port and both the DEWALT and MILWAUKEE feature LED lights to illuminate the cut line.
RYOBI doesn’t include much beyond the standard form factor of a circular saw.
MAKITA earns 25 points. SKIL, DEWALT, and MILWAUKEE earn 15 points. RYOBI earns 5 points.
Which Circular Saw has the Best Price?
Exemplary = 25 points
Satisfactory = 15 points
Below Average = 5 points
Most of the saws in this comparison are comparable in price, with one exception. The RYOBI is hands down the most affordable cordless saw on the market. At the time of writing, the RYOBI was less than half the price of the other saws. This is largely due to fewer features and lighter construction materials, but the low cost can’t be ignored.
RYOBI earns 25 points. MAKITA, DEWALT, MILWAUKEE, and SKIL earn 15 points.
Which Circular Saw is the Sturdiest?
Exemplary = 25 points
Satisfactory = 15 points
Below Average = 5 points
Metal construction abounds in most of these saws. Be it aluminum or magnesium, these saws can all take a beating during prolonged work sessions.
The only saw we have concerns with is the RYOBI. It’s mostly plastic. It cuts down on weight but it’d be the first to have issues if dropped from any meaningful height.
The RYOBI will work fine if it’s kept as an occasional rip cut tool but we’d recommend one of the other models if you’re looking for durability in a full-time or even a hobbyist workshop.
RYOBI earns 5 points. MAKITA, DEWALT, MILWAUKEE, and SKIL earn 15 points.
Which Cordless Circular Saw is the Most Powerful?
Exemplary = 25 points
Satisfactory = 15 points
Below Average = 5 points
For cordless tools, power is largely a function of battery size.
Each of these cordless circular saws are a part of a larger tool family that offers several battery sizes for different applications. A cordless glue gun (yes, it’s a thing) and a lawn mower will have different power requirements so each manufacturer includes a range of battery sizes.
We’ll evaluate the readily-available power offerings of the batteries in each tool line.
The MAKITA LXT and SKIL PWRCORE 20 tool lines offer batteries that max out at 5.0 to 6.0 Ah. This is fine for most jobs around the house and the shop. The only downside you’ll experience is diminished working time. Also, these batteries wouldn’t be able to be used in heavier-duty tools if you decide to expand you arsenal in either line.
RYOBI’s ONE+ system includes batteries up to 9.0 Ah. This is getting into serious power territory, which is great because the ONE+ system offers a very wide spectrum of power requirements in their tools.
MILWAUKEE and DEWALT take the cake with their battery lines topping out at 12.0 Ah. This is an immense amount of power that allows you to expand into all sorts of heavy duty tools if you buy into either tool line.
MAKITA and SKIL earn 5 points, RYOBI earns 15 points, and MILWAUKEE and DEWALT earn 25 points.
Final Results
If you’ve already heavily committed to one of these tool lines and aren’t looking to jump the fence, we recommend sticking with it since all of these saws are capable tools.
Otherwise, the DEWALT DCS578 and MILWAUKEE 2730 earn our highest recommendation for the best circular saw for woodworking and around the house. They are reasonably priced, well-equipped with features like LED lights, and are part of tool families with massively powerful batteries.
The MAKITA is our runner-up. It actually has the most features and includes a dust blower that we really like (this isn’t found on any of the competition). The one big gripe we have with the LXT line of tools is that it doesn’t offer batteries with more oomph like those of DEWALT’s and MILWAUKEE’s. If you aren’t ever going to consider heavy duty tools or lawn equipment, keep the MAKITA in the running.
RYOBI and SKIL don’t quite stack up to the rest of the competition with the lighter power options and fewer features. We have no alarming complaints with either tool, so we’re confident you’ll be happy if you’re adding these to your existing SKIL or RYOBI stable.