Best Circular Saw Reviews & Ratings 2017
Quick Navigation [show]
- Quick Circular Saw Comparison
- Cordless Circular Saw Comparision
- SKIL 5680-02 15-Amp Circular Saw
- BOSCH CS10 7-1/4" 15-Amp Circular Saw
- Makita 15-Amp 7-1/4" Magnesium Circular Saw
- Dewalt DW364K 7-1/4" Circular Saw
- Milwaukee 6390-21 Tilt-Lok Circular Saw
- SKIL 5995-01 18V 5-3/8" Circular Saw
- Bosch CCS180BL 18V 6-1/2" Circular Saw
- Makita XSH03Z 18V Lithium-Ion Brushless Circular Saw
- Dewalt DCS391P1 20v Max Lithium-Ion Circular Saw
- MILWAUKEE 2731-21 M18 Fuel 7-1/4" Circular Saw
- A Circular Saw Buyer's Guide
Today’s market is flooded with circular saw models boasting their “can top this” features and high-quality performance when in fact they don’t deliver, and it is all hype.
However, don’t let the daunting task of sifting through the good and the bad trying to find that special tool that does all it says it will do and then some deter you away from making that investment. We will do that work for you. We are delivering you with an extensive list of the markets most popular and reliable tools and breaking them down in easy-to-read pros and cons to help you find the one.
Quick Circular Saw Comparison
| Skillsaw | Bosch | Makita | Dewalt | Milwaukee |
|---|---|---|---|---|
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
| 120v | 120v | 120v | 120v | 120v |
|
15 amp motor
|
15 amp motor | 15 amp motor | 15 amp motor | 15 amp motor |
| 1 Year Warranty | 1 Year Limited | 1 Year | 3 Year | 3 year |
| RPM 5300 | RPM 6200 | RPM 5800 | RPM 4800 | RPM 5400 |
| Bevel Cut 0-45 Degrees | Bevel Cut 0-56 Degrees | Bevel Cut 0-56 Degrees | Bevel Cut 0-53 Degrees | Bevel Cut 0-50 Degrees |
| $ | $$ | $$ | $$ | $$ |
| Ratings: 4.2 | Ratings: 4.7 | Ratings: 4.9 | Ratings: 4.8 | Ratings: 4.6 |
| . | . | . | . | . |
Cordless Circular Saw Comparision
| Skillsaw 5995 |
Bosch CCS180BL |
Makita XSH03Z |
Dewalt DCS391P1 |
Milwaukee 2731 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
| 18v | 18v | 18v | 20v | 20v |
|
6.5 lb
|
6.6 lb | 7.3 lb |
8.3 lb |
7.5 lb |
| 1 Year Warranty | 1 Year Limited | 3 Year Limited | 3 Year Limited | 3 year |
| RPM 4200 | RPM 3900 | RPM 5000 | RPM 5250 | RPM 5000 |
| Bevel Cut 0-50 Degrees | Bevel Cut 0-50 Degrees | Bevel Cut 0-50 Degrees | Bevel Cut 0-50 Degrees | Bevel Cut 0-50 Degrees |
| $ | $$ | $$ | $$ | $$ |
| Ratings: 4.1 | Ratings: 4.4 | (Editors Pick)
Ratings: 4.9 |
Ratings: 4.8 | Ratings: 4.7 |
| . | . | . | . | . |
SKIL 5680-02 15-Amp Circular Saw
Here is the SKIL 5680-02 15 Amp 7-1/4-Inch SKILSAW that includes a laser for a cutline guide for precision. For increased accuracy, you will have 51 degrees bevel with a positive stop at 45 degrees. It has a ball bearing motor construction that extends the life of the tool compared to the previous model. Users will get the benefit of rear view depth adjustment for better visibility and quick cut-depth changes. This is the best budget circular saws that you can buy..
.
| Pros | Cons |
|
|
Top SKILSaw Questions & Answers
A – No.
Q – Does it include a rip fence?
A – No rip fence included.
Q – Does it have an electric brake?
A – No it doesn’t.
Q – Does it have a case?
A – The product comes with a soft case.
BOSCH CS10 7-1/4″ 15-Amp Circular Saw
Here is the Bosch 7-1/4″ model with a take charge 15-Amp motor that only delivers quick and smooth cutting at different angles. Highly advanced composite footplate provides increased precision and stability for more accuracy. The circular saw brand by Bosch is user-friendly with effortless control and comfort weighing in at only 10.3 lbs with a soft-grip handle.
.
| Pros | Cons |
|
|
Top Bosch Questions & Answers
A – No there is not.
Q – Is this product for left-handers or righties?
A – The CS10 is for right-handed users, but you can purchase the CS5 that is for the left-handed operators.
Q – Is there a hard case included with purchase?
A – You get a soft canvas carrying case, but no, not a hard case.
Q – Does the saw come with a rip guide and is it setup for one?
A – No and yes. It doesn’t come with a rip guide as that is bought separate, but it is setup for one.
Makita 15-Amp 7-1/4″ Magnesium Circular Saw
Here is the Makita 5007MG 7-1/4″ Magnesium model that is unmistakenly robust and built to handle demanding tasks. Using a powerful 15-Amp motor the 5007MG balances power, weight, and durability while being easy to handle. Users will love the built-in dust blower eliminating mess from covering the line of cut for the ultimate precision and accuracy. Ideal for floors, roofs, and framing walls, etc. It gets the job done and is best circular saw for the money.
.
| Pros | Cons |
|
|
Top Makita Questions & Answers
A – Yes! Not only does it have a carrying case but it’s a hard one not like some of the other models that have a canvas soft carrying case.
Q – Is the guide accurate or have anybody experienced any slipping?
A – Pretty accurate!
Q – Is there an electric brake?
A – No. This model doesn’t have an electric brake, but the 5007MGA model has one.
Q – Do the LED lighting stay on continuously while cutting?
A – Yes. It stays on the entire time the saw is on.
Dewalt DW364K 7-1/4″ Circular Saw
DEWALT DW364K 7-1/4-Inch model with Electric Brake is lightweight at 8.8 lbs with a 15-amp powerful motor showing greatness can be compact. Users will enjoy the convenient dust blower that is built-in reducing dust and debris from interfering with the line of cut. The ball bearing lower guard will glide effortlessly for each cut regardless of outdoor cold weather. Delivering 5200 no-load RPM this high-powered circular saw also has a trigger-sensitive electric brake stop to avoid accidents.
.
| Pros | Cons |
|
|
Top Dewalt Questions & Answers
A – Yes.
Q – Is this circular saw designed for right-handed users?
A – Yes.
Q – Will this be suitable for a beginner?
A – Absolutely! It’s a heavy-duty saw ideal for tough jobs but easy to operate and will last.
Milwaukee 6390-21 Tilt-Lok Circular Saw
Here is the Milwaukee 6390-21 7-1/4-Inch 15-Amp Tilt-Lok model using a powerful 15-Amp motor that will deliver 5800 RPM for cutting through the tough materials which include wet lumber, headers, and Microlams, etc. Users will enjoy the excellent visibility with a very clear and extensive line of cut from both sides. Only weighing 10.4 lbs but delivers 3.25 maximum horsepower offering you a nice weight-to-power ratio.
.
| Pros | Cons |
|
|
Top Milwaukee Questions & Answers
A – No.
Q – Is there a rip guide?
A – No there isn’t a rip guide.
Q – Will it have an electric brake?
A – No electric brake.
SKIL 5995-01 18V 5-3/8″ Circular Saw
Here is the SKIL 5995-01 18-Volt 5-3/8-Inch SKILSAW model that is lightweight to reduce user fatigue increasing productivity. It also includes a convenient anti-snag lower guard feature allowing for narrow cut-offs. Cutting crosscut and ripping 2x the material effortless making this circular saw ideal for any job sites.
.
| Pros | Cons |
|
|
Top SKIL Questions & Answers
A – No it doesn’t
Q – Does it have an electric brake?
A – No.
Q – Is there a blade included?
A – Yes.
Bosch CCS180BL 18V 6-1/2″ Circular Saw
Here is the Bosch Bare-Tool CCS180BL 18-Volt Lithium-Ion 6-1/2-Inch model with amazing precision and powerful cutting. Powered by a Lithium-Ion battery this cordless saw created by Bosch us ready for all day action regardless of the tasks at hand. Built to provide 50-degree bevel with an adjustable depth and an electric brake this saw is hassle-free and convenient with its cordless feature.
.
| Pros | Cons |
|
|
Top Bosch Questions & Answers
A – Yes.
Q – Does it include a blade?
A – Yes. Includes CCS180BL includes a 6 1/2″ 18 tooth carbide blade.
Makita XSH03Z 18V Lithium-Ion Brushless Circular Saw
Here is the Makita XSH03Z 18V LXT Lithium-Ion Brushless Cordless 6-1/2″ model with a brushless motor that has a combination of faster runtime, extra power, and faster ripping and cutting without the need for a long cord hindering user portability. This model is loaded with an automatic speed change technology that adjusts speed and torque while cutting for enhanced performance. Built to last a long time.
.
| Pros | Cons |
|
|
Top Makita Cordless Saw Questions & Answers
A – Yes.
Q – Does it include a LED light?
A – Yes! It works great at illuminating the line of cut for precision in low light areas.
Q – Does have a bevel stop of 45-degrees?
A – Yes and there’s a flip tab for 50-degrees bevel stop.
Dewalt DCS391P1 20v Max Lithium-Ion Circular Saw
Here is the DEWALT DCS391B 20-Volt Max Lithium-Ion Cordless Saw with an impressive 460 MWO, 5250 RPM motor delivering massive power and speed handling some of the toughest jobs in the commercial field. Lightweight with maximum strength the Dewalt brand never disappoints providing durability and cut accuracy. The 50-degree bevel capacity provides the user with angled cuts for many tasks. It will cut 2x the material at 90-degrees and 45-degrees for extra cuts per charge.
.
| Pros | Cons |
|
|
Top Dewalt Cordless Saw Questions & Answers
A – No.
Q – Does it include a blade?
A – Yes there is a blade included with the saw.
Q – Will the Dewalt 20v batteries from my drill work on this circular saw since batteries aren’t included?
A – Yes!
MILWAUKEE 2731-21 M18 Fuel 7-1/4″ Circular Saw
Here is the MILWAUKEE 2731-21 M18 Fuel 7-1/4″ Saw that cuts faster than previous models and weighs an astounding 40% LESS than its corded counterparts reducing user fatigue and increasing portability. It uses a POWERSTATE brushless motor delivering twice the runtime than any other 18-volt saw out there. It is designed with a convenient LED light to illuminate over the line of cut for accurate precision.
.
| Pros | Cons |
|
|
Milwaukee Cordless Saws Questions & Answers
A – No. There’s no dust collector or a vacuum port.
Q – Is there a hard case?
A – No. Includes a contractor’s bag.
Q – Can I use metal cutting blades on this saw or should I buy a saw meant for cutting metal?
A – This saw can cut medium metal with the proper blade, but for anything heavy-duty you will need a metal cutting saw.
A Circular Saw Buyer’s Guide
Circular saws is one of those “must have” tools for the everyday tasks at job sites or a home DIYer. When working with the right blade, these types of saws can cut wood, steel, ceramic tile, masonry, etc. Here are some circular saw buying guide tips to help you find the right tool for the job.
Basics
Circular saws make fast, straight crosscuts or rips cuts. Users can also preset a their saw to make bevel cuts with aggressive angles. Standard components on a circular saw include:
A blade guard: It is a cover for the blade when the circular saw isn’t being operated and will retract to expose the blade during use.
A foot plate (or shoe): that steadies the saw against the workpiece.
A depth adjustment: to allow for workpieces of different thicknesses.
A bevel adjustment: that lets the foot plate tilt with the blade for making bevel cuts.
Circular saw sizes are commonly sorted by the diameter of the blades. Sizes of 5-1/2″ to 7-1/4″ are the standard. There are plenty of options for circular saws. Decide on the saw based on your particular needs.
The best 7 1/4 circular saw blade is entirely dependent on the type of woodworking project. For finish work, I recommend at 60 tooth blade for smooth finishes, like laminates, MDF, oak, etc.. For rough cuts such as: Plywood, 2×4’s, etc.., grab a 24 tooth blade. The best circular saw blades on the market are the Frued blades.
You’ll get two standard designs to pick from:
Sidewinder (or inline saws): are the popular and the most used saw, traditional circular saws. The motor is found parallel to the blade. A shaft goes directly from the motor to drive the blade.
Sidewinder saws are more user-friendly, lightweight, and compact than worm drive saws and are well-suited to most applications.
Worm drive: saws come with their motors positioned at a right angle to the saw blade. The motor uses gears to deliver more torque to be transferred to the blade, which makes the saw well-suited for heavy-duty use.
Worm drive saws are much longer than sidewinder saws and make less noise.
Mini circular saw: These compact circular saws use a 4 1/2″ blade and are perfect for small project. I mostly use mine for when I’m installing wood siding. The best mini circular saw in my opinion is the Rockwell 4-1/2″ Compact Circular Saw — Others may suggest the Makita. Either way, both are really good for tight cuts.
Circular Power Sources
There are two kinds of power sources available, and the one that’s best will depend on your specific tasks. Two types as follows:
Cordless Circular Saw: Are highly-portable and greatly needed when on a job site that requires mobility to not reduce productivity by being confined to one spot. They’re especially great for when working in tighter spaces. They work well with cutting wood products and can cut through many types of tough material. However, the tougher the task the quicker the battery drains.
Circular Corded Saws: Don’t need to worry about having to be recharged as there supply source is continuous and ready to tackle demanding jobs such as steel, masonry, wood cutting. They’re available in many sizes with 7/1/4″ being the most used size. This type of saw requires a long extension cord and each manufacturer have their particular cord they want to be used with the saw.
Features
Once you’ve decided on the type of saw and the power source the fun part comes with the features you choose:
Electric brake: This reverses the flow of power to the motor when the trigger gets released, as changing the current will STOP the blade’s momentum within seconds or instantly.
Laser Guides: The laser helps enhance the precision and accuracy of each cut by projecting a laser beam onto the workpiece.
Spindle (or shaft locks): This allows the changing of the saw blade to be a lot easier.
Bevel Capacity: Will indicate the maximum cut that the saw can make.
Bevel Stops: Feature allows for quick and easy preset adjustments for bevels while working.
In Other Circular Saw News:
- Dewalt Cordless Circular Saw Review
- Milwaukee M18 Cordless Circular Saw Review
- Makita cordless circular saw
- WORX Compact Circular Saw: 4-1/2 WX429L
- Milwaukee Circular Saw Review 7 1/4 6390 15-amp
- Makita Circular Saw Review 7-1/4″ 5007MGA
- Dewalt Circular Saw Review DWE575 7-1/4″
- Best Cordless Circular Saw
- Best Corded Circular Saw