Where power and precision are required, only the very best circular saw can deliver the high-performance necessary to overcome every challenge. Whether you are looking to cut plywood, framing materials, smaller pieces of trim, or even non-wood materials such as plastic, sheetrock, or other masonry materials, you need a cutting tool you can depend on to execute the hard job to perfection.
While circular saws offer some of the best solutions for cutting medium to light materials, not all of them have an excellent reputation when it comes to handling the tougher jobs. If you want to buy a new saw but don’t know where to start, you may be in a very tricky position. With so many circular saws on the market, many of them of lower quality, it may be overwhelming to try to choose the one you need. After all, no power tool should be a casual investment. For the money you are about to spend, you’ll want to get a tool that will do the job you need it for and serve you for the years to come.
For that reason, we’re looking at some of the most reliable circular sawing machines that guarantee easy, accurate sawing and job site durability. You can’t go wrong with any of these, but you’ll want to check each review to ensure you’re buying the saw you need. Some are meant more household tasks and others for industrial use. Some come with a battery charger; others don’t. The RPMs that these saws deliver also vary, so you’ll want to check the power of the motor to ensure it can cut through the variety of materials you want to use it for.
DEWALT DWE575SB Circular Saw
Users who want to feel the power of sawing will appreciate the advanced capabilities of the DeWalt DWE575SB Circular Saw. Thanks to its high grade stamped aluminum shoe, this saw delivers enough power to cut to the right depth and bevel as needed. It makes bevel cuts up to 57° with stops at 22.5° and 45°. DeWalt also designed it to provide cutting depths of 2.55 inches at 90° and 1.9 inches at 45° respectively. It is also equipped with a state-of-the-art electric brake for safe and efficient braking while other notable features of the saw include a right side blade and spindle lock.
Beyond its cutting ability, this circular saw delivers great dust cleaning power, thanks to the built-in dust blower that clears the cut line as you work through the material. That ensures a thorough cutting and cleaning experience without a hassle.
At only 8.8 lbs., you must appreciate the convenient, light and easy handling of the saw. It was designed in a way that everything runs smoothly even while cutting through the toughest wood. The more demanding the wood to be worked, the more effective the DEWALT DWE575SB circular saw is. This is hands-down the best circular saw on the market that money can buy.
Here are some of the best metal cutting circular saws on the market. Be sure to check them out.
Makita SP6000J1 Circular Saw
The Makita SP6000J1 Circular Saw is for serious workers. Price-wise, it is on the upper end, so you want to check it out only if you have used other circular saws in the past, do at least a decent amount of work, and are prepared to invest a serious amount of money in it.
For the price, you’ll get an impressive 55” rail guide, a robust 12-amp motor, a variable speed control between 2,000 and 5,200 RPM, a bevel capability ranging between -1° and 48° with positive stops at 22.5° and 45°, and a large cutting capacity.
Makita never fails to impress with its tools, and this saw is no exception. It is not cheap, but you’ll get the quality you pay for.
DeWalt DCS391B Circular Saw
If you are looking for an efficient circular saw to respond to a variety of cutting needs and that possesses the power to cut through any wood type with as little trouble as possible, the Dewalt DCS391B circular saw will serve you well. The tool features 460 MWO, 5,250 RPM, which is more than enough to let you deal even with tougher materials such as brick, concrete, or dense lumber with ease.
The saw’s high-strength, yet lightweight magnesium shoe is optimized to guarantee high durability as well as high accuracy while cutting. The rubber over-molded comfort grip provides the necessary control and fits for absolutely every cutting situation.
The DeWalt DCS391B 6 ½, 20-Volt Circular Saw has a bevel capacity of up to 50°, which helps in achieving aggressive bevel cuts in various situations. Having said that, the 6-1/2″ left side blade cuts 2x material at 90° and 45°.
The saw features a plastic lower guard, though, which is a letdown given its sheer power. Also, the saw does not come with a battery or charger, so you will have to spend a little extra on top of the equipment price.
You may also be interested in some of the top miter saws from our list. Check them out.
Hitachi C7ST Circular Saw
The Hitachi C7ST circular saw is a 5-horsepower electric induction motor power tool packing plenty of power. It delivers an outstanding 15-amp motor that revs up to 6,000 RPM. With that level of strength, you will find this phenomenal circular saw to be more than capable of meeting all of your sawing needs.
Steel and aluminum formwork are at the base to enhance its durability even further. At 9.5 lbs., the C7ST is a lightweight, extremely convenient power tool that you’ll find to be easy to operate. Hitachi offers the C7ST with a five-year warranty, dust blower and dust chute, spindle lock, a right-side blade, and a soft-grip handle that makes it easy to control and work with.
The C7ST has a depth of cut at 90° of 2.44 inches and 45° of 1.875 inches. It also includes an adjustment that allows you to set the blade angle anywhere from zero to 45°.
Bosch CS5 Circular Saw
Thanks to its anti-snag lower guard and the ability of its 15-amp motor to clock a no-load speed of 6,200 RPM, this mid-range priced power tool is one of the most exciting offerings in the construction industry and for everyone requiring a convenient left-blade designed saw that can power through anything.
The anti-snag lower guard enables you to cut without retracting the blade guard, making it easier for you to navigate trickier cuts. The CS5’s cutting depths for the material being worked is 1.875 inches at 45° and 2.44-inch at 90°.
Bosch is an old superpower in the tools market. They have gained lots of experience over the years, and you can see that experience in every piece coming out of their factories. This saw is not an exception. You can’t go wrong with the CS5.
Our guide to the top band saws offers more quality tools like this. Check them out.
Genesis GCS545C Compact Circular Saw
The Genesis GCS545C Compact Circular Saw will serve you well for cutting anything but the hardest materials and deepest cuts. For that, you have other machines, but for anything else, this beautiful saw will do the job.
Equipped with a 5.8 amp motor that produces 3,500 RPM, a triple-gear reduction for maximum torque, and versatile replacement blades, the Genesis GCS545C will easily cut through some very heavy materials and let you finish your project with minimum hassle. Moreover, the built-in dust port and vacuum adaptor will keep it free of debris.
It is powerful, convenient, easy to clean, and inexpensive. You should seriously consider it when choosing a saw for your household sawing needs.
Rockwell RK3440K Versacut Ultra-Compact Circular Saw
The Rockwell RK3440K Versacut Ultra-Compact Circular Saw was designed for everyday use for both beginners and experienced carpenters. It is a good choice for a saw that cuts through a large variety of materials.
The ease of use comes from the ergonomic grip and the weight of merely 3.4 pounds. However, the light weight doesn’t mean that it lacks features. It comes with a 4.0 amp motor, a built-in laser guide, a pivoting metal guard, and an impressive dust extraction adapter.
The Rockwell RK3440K Versacut Ultra-Compact Circular Saw is easily-portable, safe, and inexpensive. If that’s what you are looking for in a circular saw, this one is all you need.
You will find more quality tools by checking out our guide to the top-rated electric chainsaw.
Milwaukee 2731-20 Circular Saw Bare
The Milwaukee 2731-20 M18 Fuel 7-1/4″ Circular Saw Bare is designed for individuals who require a blade that cuts faster. The tool cuts deeper and faster due to the Redlithium XC5.0 Battery technology, which, backed by high-quality pack construction and electronics, delivers up to 300 cuts per charge cycle.
A rafter hook feature has also been equipped to ensure easy storage as you work your way through the material. The saw comes with a magnesium shoe as well as upper and lower guards to make the tool lighter and more durable. One of the most striking features of the Milwaukee 2731-20 is the LED light, which helps enhance accuracy in low-light conditions.
The Milwaukee 2731-20 Circular Saw Bare is not the first saw that comes to your mind when choosing which one to buy, but you should know that many previous customers have been pleasantly surprised by its capabilities. Check it out, and you’ll see why.
PORTER-CABLE PCE310 Heavy-Duty Circular Saw
Having the PORTER-CABLE PCE310 Heavy-Duty Circular Saw in your hands means having a 15-amp motor running at 5,500 RPM. As you may guess, it cuts easily through most of the heavy materials you can find.
Aside from that, it is equipped with metal upper and lower guards, a magnesium shoe, and three bevel settings. The 7.25-inch blades will never let you down as they provide you with clean cuts every time.
There are not many other circular saws with such impressive features at this price range on the market. Moreover, the saw come with a three-year warranty.
Makita 5007MG 7 ¼-inch Circular Saw
The Makita 5007MG is a 15-amp motor power tool that generates up to 5,800 RPM. Makita has a reputation as a manufacturer for offering highly durable products that have long, useful lives, and the 5007MG is no different. The saw comes with a multitude of magnesium components, which make it stronger than the average circular saw. It features 90° beveling capacity with presets at 22.5° and 45°.
The 5007MG features 90° cutting depth of 2.5 inches and 45° cutting depth of 1.75 inches. At 10.6 pounds, this saw is light enough to reduce user fatigue and enable you to cut seamlessly. Other features include two LED work lights, a dust blower, easy-to-read scales, and single-hand depth and bevel adjustments.
Skilsaw SPT77WML-01 Lightweight Worm Drive Circular Saw
Rugged, durable, and consistent, the Skilsaw SPT77WML-01 15-Amp 7-1/4-Inch Lightweight Worm Drive Circular Saw offers 15 amps of power that deliver enough juice to allow you to work through more lumber in less time than usual. A soft-grip handle has been fitted to give you even greater comfort and control.
In the impact-resistant carbide blade, the SPT77WML-01 has a strong structure that can withstand tough sawing conditions and provide the desired cuts. The saw hook helps ensure your safety after placement. Other functional features of the SPT77WML-01 include the anti-snag lower guard, multi-function wrench, 53° bevel, magnesium shoe, and a spindle lock that allows for quick and easy blade changes.
Ryobi P507 Circular Saw
The Ryobi P507 Circular Saw is a fabulous tool with an exquisite design. It features sturdy construction, a light weight, and great performance. The tool bevels up to 56° and generates plenty of cutting power at 4,700 RPM.
The saw’s 6.5-inch blade allows you to cut to a depth of 2.06 inches at 90°and 1.44 inches at 45°. The Ryobi P507 supports single-hand depth and bevel adjustments, offers spindle lock functionality, and weighs only 5 pounds without a battery.
You may have noticed that the numbers do not imply the best performance in the world, but if you don’t need quite as much of an advanced tool, it may be ideal for you. It is perfect for beginners. And you can’t beat that price.
Makita XSH03Z Circular Saw
The Makita XSH03Z is yet another solid circular saw, a quality wood cutting device that provides a means of saving time in construction. It offers sophisticated technology with plenty of features and loads of power thanks to the BL Motor, which provides 5,000 RPM, for faster cutting and ripping as well as angles up to 50° with a stop at 45°.
The equipped LED work lights have a significantly improved light output that makes visibility much easier. Other features that make the XSH03Z the perfect cutting solution include a dust blower, an electric brake, dust- and water-resistance, an integrated rafter hook, and a battery charge indicator.
Among the tons of different features and functions right at your fingertips is the Automatic Speed Change functionality, which adjusts the speed of the blade and force on the fly, depending on what the saw requires.
The Makita XSH03Z was designed using state-of-the-art and environmentally sound technologies, such as using magnesium for the shoe, an upper guard and lower guard, making for a combination that provides for extremely lightweight construction with ultra-strong support and stability. As a result, the saw weighs in at a very light 7.3 pounds.
Using this tool, you can cut to a depth of 2.25 inches at 90° and 1.625 inches at 45°.
DEWALT DCS577B FLEXVOLT Worm Drive-Style Circular Saw
The Dewalt name is synonymous with high-quality the world over. Much like the company’s other offerings, the DeWalt DCS577B FLEXVOLT convinces us with its extremely robust 60-volt brushless motor, suitable for any sawing job you might want to subject it to.
This rear-handled circular saw features an integrated dust blower, electronic brake, and rafter hook. It also boasts a bevel capacity of 53° and cuts up to a depth of 2-7/16. The DEWALT DCS577B FLEXVOLT comes with a three-year warranty.
In our opinion, the previous two DeWalt saws may serve you better, but if the features of the DCS577B FLEXVOLT and its pricing fit you, go with it. This brand will never let you down.
Skil 5180-01 Circular Saw
If you intend to use your new circular saw only for occasional projects around the house, there is no need to spend lots of money on the most powerful model. Instead, opt for the Skil 5180-01 Circular Saw. It’s a great value for the money.
Some of the features include a cutting depth of 2 ⅜ inches, 7.2 pounds of weight, a built-in laser guide, a 14-amp motor, a 51° bevel with a positive stop at 45° for greater cut capacity, and a dust blower.
What is most important for beginners, this saw is available for under $50. So, if you are in search of something to get your feet wet or that will serve you for light household tasks, look no further than the Skil 5180-01.