We researched the best circular saws available online, evaluating power, accuracy, durability, and ease of use. Our best overall pick, the SKILSAW SPT67WL-01 Circular Saw, is lightweight, has precision beveling adjustment, and is powered by a reliable 15-amp motor. Here are the best circular saws. The saw comes with a standard 7 1/4-inch blade that you can tilt up to 56 degrees for a beveled cut through soft, hard, or engineered wood. The till locks at a 45-degree angle, which speeds up common cuts. And the depth-of-cut system lets you easily set the saw for a variety of common depths, including 1/4 ply, 1/2 ply, 3/4 ply and 2x boards. The integrated dust blower keeps your line of cut clearly visible and helps maintain the accuracy you are looking for. Price at time of publish: $99 For the price, this saw is also a good match for dusty worksites. With the built in dust blower, you will be able to keep the cutting area clear of the small types of debris that can ruin the 14-amp motor. And with a top speed of 5,300 rpm and a maximum cutting depth of 2 3/8-inches with the saw at a 90-degree angle, you won’t give up performance for value. It can also cut bevels at an angle of up to 51 degrees. Price at time of publish: $57 The 13-amp motor is not the most powerful on the market but is more than adequate for most DIY or home uses. When it’s time for a blade change, the spindle lock means no struggles. Plus, at only 7 pounds, the saw is light enough for easy portability and maneuvering, and it’s extremely reasonably priced. If you often work with long boards, this is the saw to keep your cuts straight and true from beginning to end. Price at time of publish: $48 It only takes one hand to hold this light circular saw. It weighs only 4.4 pounds and has a comfortable grip with the depth-control lever conveniently located to make adjustments very easy. It includes a parallel guide to help you make perfectly straight cuts, which can sometimes be tricky with compact saws. It can also make plunge cuts up to 1 11/16-inch deep. While this isn’t the tool for very heavy-duty cutting of large materials, it’s an excellent choice for general use and DIY projects. Price at time of publish: $69 The 6 1/2-inch plunge blade—this means that unlike most circular saws, which can only begin a cut from the edge of the material, you can “plunge” the blade into the material from any point—and 12-amp motor are enough to handle most types of common cuts found on residential and commercial projects. If you think you will be cutting different types of material and thicknesses in one setting, the variable speed-control dial will also help you match the speed of the blade to the material you’re cutting. Price at time of publish: $774 One thing that sets this saw apart from other options is the magnesium-based construction. By avoiding the use of lighter metals and plastics, this saw’s overall build will survive more abuse than cheaper options. SKILSAW’s Cut-Ready system is also handy if you need to make quick and accurate cuts of various depths. Price at time of publish: $199 The 3 3/8-inch blade has a maximum cutting depth of 1 inch at 90 degrees, and 5/8-inch at 45 degrees. A tilting base lets you make bevel cuts from 0 to 45 degrees. You get two batteries, a charger, and a sturdy plastic carrying case that lets you easily tote your saw to your jobsite. Price at time of publish: $149 For messy projects, this saw has a built-in dust port and vacuum adapter to keep the cutting area free of debris. The included tungsten carbide tipped blade is strong enough to cut through any 2x wooden board as well as similar materials, whether cutting straight, rip, or bevel. To use other kinds of blades, all you have to do is remove the existing blade, and pop in the other. Price at time of publish: $44 The molded handle of the saw is comfortable and secure within your grip, making it easier to keep your cuts straight and true. The blade is oriented to provide the best possible line of vision while you work, further helping you to stay accurate. And should there be a problem, the saw has a brake that immediately stops the blade when you release the trigger. Price at time of publish: $110
Corded or Cordless
Cordless circular saws offer freedom and flexibility to cut anything, anywhere—which is especially great for an outdoor job site. But cordless models also generally have more limited power, and their runtime is limited by battery life. On the other hand, a corded saw will usually give you more cutting power and can run as long as it’s plugged into an electrical outlet.
Power
Corded circular saws have motors rated in amps. A 15-amp motor is the standard for a circular saw that is capable of handling most DIY tasks. There are inexpensive 10-amp or 12-amp tools available, but those are generally only suited to lightweight tasks. Cordless circular saws today have lithium-ion batteries, usually 18-volt. You’ll also find more powerful 20-volt models, which are good choices if you use your saw for very lengthy work sessions or deal with thick or heavy materials.
Blade Size
The most common size of blade for a circular saw is 7 1/4 inches. This is the best size for most DIYers and can tackle materials more than 3 inches in thickness. You’ll also find circular saws with 6 1/2-inch blades—these are for lightweight jobs—and 8 1/4-inch blades for more heavy-duty use. There are also circular saws with small blades, often around 4 1/2 inches, that are mostly used for cutting panel or other thin materials.
Why Trust The Spruce?
This article is edited and updated by Michelle Ullman, the tool expert for The Spruce. She has extensive experience not only in writing about all things related to the home but also in carrying out various DIY projects, including landscaping, painting, flooring, wallpapering, furniture makeovers, and simple repairs. Clean any accumulated dust or sawdust from the upper and lower guards with a cloth. Inspect your new blade for an arrow indicating the direction of rotation. Install the blade in a counter-clockwise direction. Depending on the brand of blade, that might mean with the writing facing towards you, or facing away from you. Slide the new blade into place, and use the saw wrench to tighten the arbor nut. The nut should be tight enough to hold the blade securely in place but not so tight that you won’t be able to remove it next time you need to remove the blade. Lower the blade guard back into position, and unlock the blade when you’re ready to use the saw. If you are new to using a power saw, or don’t want to take a chance on veering out of line, use some sort of guide. There are numerous guides available; most are a rail or metal bracket that you clamp or screw to the board before starting to cut. You can also achieve the same effect by clamping another board to the board you’ll be cutting, aligning the guide board along the desired cut line, and then making the cut using the clamped board as your guide rail. For this roundup, she considered dozens of circular saws, evaluating each for basic features, extras, and customer feedback, as well as input from Deane Biermeier, a licensed carpenter and contractor and member of The Spruce’s Home Improvement Review Board.
