The Best Circular Saw for Basic Woodworking
We’ve reviewed and listed the best circular saws available; take a look at them below!
Want to get into DIY woodworking projects? The first and most vital tool you need is the circular saw. These compact power tools in 2024 are ideal for making quick and easy cuts through various materials – but with different options on the market, picking the right one might seem pretty time-consuming and difficult.
Our Top Picks
Top Circular Saws on Amazon in 2024
Best Overall
The PowerSmart Circular Saw is a durable saw to tackle any project with. The is adjustable to allow for a variety of different types of cuts. With the ergonomic handle, you can easily position yourself in the right spot to make your cuts. The fast charger works quickly with the interchangeable batteries to ensure you always have enough power to get the job done. If you have other PowerSmart tools, you can mix and match the batteries to ensure continuous operation.
This circular saw has a safety switch to prevent accidents and ensure safety while working with this power tool. The cordless design is perfect for large workspaces where you don’t want a cord to get in your way. The powerful motor is suitable for cutting wood and plastic. This durable circular saw is the best overall choice on this list, thanks to the fast-charging battery and adjustable bevel angle.
Pros
- Safety switches for safer operation
- Easy to charge
- Suitable for plastic and wood
Cons
- May be difficult to control
Heavy-Duty Choice
This really powerful heavy-duty circular saw from SKIL is an impressive unit. It arrives with a big 7 ¼ inch blade size that will be more than enough for most people. The circular saw is powered by a highly powerful 15-amp motor that delivers 5 300 RPMs. To make your cutting experience a lot easier, it also features a single beam laser for straight cuts, an indicator light to know when the saw is on, and a dust blower to keep the dust away. And at last, it also comes with a decent 1-year warranty period.
Pros
- One of the most powerful options on our list
- Large big blade included
- Great extra features
Cons
- Shorter warranty period
For The Tough Jobs
The 13 amp BLACK + DECKER Circular Saw has the power you need to take on even the toughest jobs. The laser-cut line of this circular saw gives you extra confidence to make clear and precise cuts. It is also equipped with a convenient spindle lock, allowing easy blade changes. It has a 45° maximum bevel adjustment that is very easy to use,
Pros
- A laser guide to make precise cuts
- Spindle lock for fast blade replacement
Cons
- There is no trigger guard
High Quality and Great Warranty
The DEWALT Circular Saw is a strong electric power tool that allows cordless usage while on the go. This circular saw is powered by a strong battery system with a power rating of 20 volts. It also features a bevel gear design which allows users to cut two materials at 90° and one material at 45°. Just like any other DEWALT power tool out there, this one is also extremely durable and strong. This particular circular saw includes a 3-year long warranty which is one of the highest on this list.
Pros
- Includes easy-to-carry bag
- 3 years of warranty
- Offers magnificent performance on battery power
Cons
- Heavy design
Powerful Motor
Looking for an ideal circular saw for DIY and commercial cutting work? Then we have an excellent choice for you! The Craftsman’s circular saw operates on a high-quality 15 amp motor to provide 5 500 RPMS for strong cutting performance. It utilizes a 7 1/4 inch 8T carbide-tipped blade to deliver flat and precise cuts. The shoe of the circular saw is manufactured out of magnesium which provides extra durability and reduced weight. Also, the metal rafter hook along with the over-molded handle provides comfort and reduces hand fatigue while working with this power tool.
Pros
- Lightweight and portable option
- Ideal for DIY work
Cons
- Basic dust-removal port
Approachable Option
The POPOMAN Cordless Circular Saw weighs only 4.8lbs, making it one of the most lightweight on our list. It has a 20V battery, and thanks to the 2A charger, the total recharging process only takes 1 hour. This circular saw runs at 3 500 RPMs and will cut through wood, plastic, and PVC material. The safety switch and blade-guard design reduce unwanted accidents during operation and promise a safer and more reliable cutting job.
Pros
- It comes with two different blades
- Battery and charger included
- Aluminum alloy blade shield
Cons
- Not very powerful
Ergonomic Design
From the moment you open the case, you will be able to see that the Makita has performed a great job in designing and manufacturing the Magnesium Circular Saw. It features a powerful 15 amp motor that can deliver 5 800 RPMs. Thanks to the rubberized handles, you will be able to grasp the saw securely and tightly. To top it all off, it also has two integrated LED lights that will illuminate the cut line for increased accuracy.
Pros
- A very ergonomic design for comfort
- Precision cuts thanks to the LED lasers
- Quality magnesium parts
Cons
- Needs lots of care
Great Cordless Option
Ryobi One is an affordable cordless circular saw that provides comfort and performance at a really affordable price. The handles are covered up with rubber, which enhances the overall handling of this circular saw. You will be able to fully adjust the foot of the Ryobi One circular saw up to 50° to cut at several angles for various purposes. It is powered by Ryoby’s 18 Volt batteries (not included in the packaging) which are compatible with all the power tools in the one + section.
Pros
- Fully adjustable to a variety of angles
- Offers great control
- Uses One+ compatible battery
Cons
- User manual can be really hard to understand
Circular Saw Buying Guide
Circular saws appear in various designs, types, and sizes, so we created this buyer’s guide to help you pick the ideal one for you. Be sure to read until the end because we will be going through all the things you need in order to make the right buying decision.
What Should You Consider Before Buying a Circular Saw?
Corded vs. cordless circular saws
The most important decision you have to consider is choosing the power source you wish to use. As with most of the power tools, the corded circular saws connect to your power outlet, and the cordless circular saws are powered by batteries.
For example, if you will be mainly working in your own workplace and won’t need to take the circular saw anywhere else, you should get a corded one. However, if you need something that you can carry with you and requires no electricity, then get a cordless circular saw.
Power rating
Manufacturers use different terms to describe the power rating of the circular saw. The corded circular saws use a power rating that’s shown in amperage. If you need a circular saw for occasional use and smaller jobs, then get a 12-amp one. On the other hand, if you’re on the hunt for basic performances, then we suggest you search for a circular saw that has a rating of at least 15 amps.
The cordless circular saws are measured in the voltage of their batteries. Most individual circular saws will deliver 16, 18, 20 volts. If you want a powerful circular saw, then get one with a 20-volt power rating.
Blade size
Circular saws are also classified by the diameter of the saw blade they have. The most popular and helpful size for home workers and DIYers is 7 1/4 inches. Circular saws of this size will be able to easily cut through 3-inch thick materials. If you need a circular saw for lighter tasks, then get a 6 1/2-inch, or get an 8 1/4-inch model if you need one for heavier-duty tasks.
Speed
Last but not least, you should keep an eye on the motor speed of the circular saw. The speed is measured in revolutions per minute (RPM). So if you need a circular saw with more power speed, then you should look for high RPMs. Usually, we suggest that you take a circular saw with anywhere between 3 000 to 5 000 + RPMs.
How Did We Choose the Best Circular Saw?
There are dozens of brand names out there, so to choose only the best circular saw, we used the following criteria:
- Customer ratings: We’ve gone over hundreds of customer reviews and picked out the highest-rated products.
- Value: There are a lot of circular saws that can cost you a fortune, so that is why we did our best in choosing high-quality products at the most reasonable price.
- Brand: When selecting the best circular saws, we’ve paid attention to the brand authority and reputation. The top-notch brands will always try to provide their customers with quality products.
How To Use a Circular Saw
Cicular Saw is a woodworking tool used for cutting materials such as wood, masonry, plastic, or metal. As, eye protection is very important always remember to wear safety glasses while using circular saws. Check video by Steve Ramsey to understand the best uses of circular saws.
How Much Do Circular Saws Cost?
When it comes to power tools, we always suggest that buyers should pay more to receive the best quality possible. Most circular saws will cost you as low as $40 and all up to $450; the price will largely depend on the power rating, brand, saw blade size, and additional features.
What Are Some of the Most Important Features of Circular Saws?
Electric brakes
All the power tools can be risky to work with, but if you want extra protection, it’s unquestionably worth picking a circular saw that has electric brakes. The electric brake feature will immediately stop a spinning blade right after you turn off the power; this will provide a faster work pace and safety while cutting.
Lasers
Some of the top-notch circular saws also feature laser guides to help you stay directly on the cutline. Most of the time, the cutlines will be presented in red color; this can help to improve your accuracy.
Changing saw blades
There are circular saws that will allow you to quickly remove and install new blades in just a couple of minutes – this can reduce downtime and can be really beneficial.
Bevel capacity
Be sure to search for a circular saw with a lever and angle scale combination to make custom adjustments to your saw cuts. The modern circular saws will be able to make simple bevel cuts at different angles of up to a maximum of around 55°.
Conclusion
We really hope that our buyer’s guide has helped you in any way. All wood workshops require a straight-cutting power tool, and the versatility, compact design, and easy storage make the circular saw a power tool you can not afford to be without.
People Also Asked
Can I use the circular saw to cut metal?
The main purpose of the circular saw is to cut wood and any type of wood materials. Trying to cut meta or stone can cause irreversible damage to the circular saw. If you want to cut metal, then buy a metal cutting power tool.
Should you get additional features in a circular saw?
The circular saw comes with many additional features, and most of them are meant to assist and reduce manual work. However, one feature that we advise you to look after is the electrical brake, and it can be a lifesaver.
Are Circular Saw Blades Universal?
The quick answer is no! As noted earlier, saw blades can come in various sizes. So, you can't use a bigger saw blade than your circular saw can handle. Before you even start using the circular saw, be sure to read the whole user manual to know which blades work the best with your type of circular saw.
How to use a circular saw?
To start using the circular saw out, you will firstly need to unpack it from the packaging box. Next up, see if the circular saw comes with a batter; if not, you will need to go ahead and buy one. Take the circular saw and hold the handle with your hand, and then just press the "ON" button. This will power up the motor, and the circular blade will spin and cut through any material that it comes into contact with.
Are cordless saws better than plugged in ones?
That depends on your needs. Corded saws tend to have more power than cordless ones. That said, they require an outlet and aren't as portable. If you don't use your saw often and are looking for a portable option, go cordless. Cordless options are also great for outdoor work.