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The best circular saw is going to be easy to control and highly versatile. But with so many to choose from, how do you know which models are worthy of your consideration? That’s where we come in. Join us as we look at the 10 highest-ranking entries.

We’ve compiled our reviews all in one place to make your search as easy as possible. You’ll find only the best here, so you know you’re investing in a quality product.

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SKILSAW’s corded Sawsquatch took the top spot as best overall. It’s powerful, well-built, and very versatile. Some may find it to be too heavy, but its design is nicely balanced.

DEWALT’s DCS570B is a lightweight cordless model. It’s easy to use and delivers some truly powerful cutting action. Both pros and beginners alike will appreciate the cutting freedom that it provides.

Top 10 Best Circular Saws

We think you’ll be impressed with what’s in store. Each model performed admirably and makes a great addition to any tool collection.


1. SKILSAW “Sawsquatch” SPT70WM-01 Review - Best Overall

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  • Powerful cutting
  • Smart design
  • Large blade
  • Versatile
  • Heavy
  • Expensive
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Capable of cutting at a brisk 4,600 RPMs, SKILSAW’s Sawsquatch is one tough machine. Those who need to buzz through a wide variety of materials will love what SKILSAW brings to the table.

Helping to bring the Sawsquatch alive is a 15-amp motor. It has an anti-snag guard, too. This ensures that your cuts are smooth and precise.

We also really appreciate the 51-degree bevel. This allows you much more freedom in your cuts. Not to mention the 10 ¼-inch blade. You’ll never have to worry about difficulty cutting.

At 16.5 pounds, this corded circular saw is pretty stout. But when you’re dealing with a blade this large and a motor this powerful, 16.5 pounds is a respectable weight.

Features

  • 25 x 8.75 x 13.5 inches
  • Electric-powered
  • 16.5 pounds
  • 120 volts

Ease of Use

Its weight will certainly be too much for some users. But the Sawsquatch is designed in a way that’s both comfortable and user-friendly.


2. DEWALT DCS570B Review - Best for Beginners

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  • Good weight
  • Easy to use
  • Well-built
  • Powerful
  • Cuts aren’t always accurate
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If you’re needing more freedom than what a corded model can provide, consider DEWALT’s 7 ¼-inch DCS570B. This is a beast of a circular saw. It boasts heavy-duty construction that gives it great versatility on the job site.

As with many DEWALT products, this model makes use of the popular 20-volt battery. If you’re a frequent buyer of DEWALT, chances are you have at least one extra battery in your collection.

With 5,200 RPMs on deck, we were mighty impressed with the power this cordless saw possesses. The only downside is there were occasional issues getting precision cuts.

Still, for the price and the freedom that comes with it, the DCS570B is a great saw to have in your arsenal. Pros and beginners alike will love this one.

Features

  • 11 x 8 x 10 inches
  • Brushless motor
  • 57-degree bevel
  • 7.5 pounds

Ease of Use

For such a powerful machine, the DCS570B has excellent weight to it. At just 7.5 pounds, nearly anyone can wield this saw with ease.


3. Makita 5007MG Review - Best Cordless

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  • Powerful cutting
  • Great balance
  • LED lighting
  • Versatile
  • Finicky blade guard
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Makita is a respected name in the tool industry. And the 5007MG lends further support of their expert craftsmanship. You’re getting quality cutting by way of a 7 ¼-inch blade.

This is a well-polished circular saw that delivers where it counts. It has a relatively lightweight body that adds to its overall versatility.

It sports built-in LED illumination for greater freedom and accuracy. You also get a dust blower to help you see your cut better.

This cordless workhorse packs in 5,800 RPMs of cutting power. It’s an excellent companion for the job site or around the house.

Our only real gripe lies in the blade guard. In our testing, it often got stuck in the middle of cutting. Having to fight with it while maintaining an accurate cut is a hassle we’d rather not deal with.

Features

  • 20.9 x 17.9 x 13.9 inches
  • 56-degree bevel
  • 5,800 RPMs
  • 10.6 pounds

Ease of Use

The weight is commendable, and the grip is comfortable. The blade guard is all that stands in the way of this saw delivering a perfect cutting experience.


4. SKILSAW SPT77WML-01 Review - Best for Construction

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  • Precision cutting
  • High-quality
  • Powerful
  • Smooth
  • Large design
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SKILSAW gets the nod yet again. This time with the 7 ¼-inch SPT77WML. This electric saw has a pretty good weight to it considering the power that it brings to the job site.

It sports a 53-degree bevel that lets its users perform a litany of unique cuts. With versatility like this, it’s no wonder why construction workers prefer it over others. It’s easy to use and controls well.

We like the torque that the 15-amp motor provides to cutting. And with 5,300 RPMs at your disposal, you’ll finish up your cuts with speed and precision.

We’re also rather fond of the build-quality. The SPT77WML is designed in a way that makes it comfortable to hold.

When compared to other premium circular saws, the price is actually pretty reasonable.

Features

  • 20.5 x 7.75 x 8.75 inches
  • 53-degree bevel
  • Anti-snag guard
  • 11.5 pounds

Ease of Use

Some will find it to be a bit on the beefy side. But depending on what you’re doing, that can work in your favor. The SPT77WML clocks in at 11.5 pounds. It’s not exactly lightweight, but it is very well-balanced.


5. CRAFTSMAN CMES500 Review - Most Budget-Friendly

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  • User-friendly
  • Comfortable
  • Lightweight
  • Affordable
  • Lesser-quality materials
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It’s not often that you come across such a well-priced tool from a premium manufacturer. But that is what CRAFTSMAN has accomplished, and we’ll gladly take advantage of it.

The CMES500 is a highly-affordable entry that boasts some impressive specs. It has a respectable motor that delivers 5,300 RPMs of cutting speed via a 7 ¼-inch blade.

It’s a corded saw, so you’re missing some of the versatility found on battery-powered models. That being said, there’s plenty of power at the ready to see you through each job.

The only potential issue we foresee is its cost-saving construction. There are a lot of plastic components here, which help to give the CMES500 its lightweight design.

But we’d be foolish to think it will withstand the same workload as something like SKILSAW’s Sawsquatch. But when you factor in the incredible price, maybe it’s not supposed to.

Features

  • 12.82 x 9.32 x 7.41 inches
  • 45-degree bevel
  • 5,300 RPMs
  • 9.59 pounds

Ease of Use

Considering its sub-10-pound weight, the CMES500 is a pretty easy unit to use. It feels great in hand, with a comfortable handle that sports exceptional grip.


6. Metabo HPT C7UR RipMax Review - Highest RPMs

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  • Nicely-priced
  • High RPMs
  • Well-made
  • Powerful
  • Heavy
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Metabo is a relatively small company in the grand scheme of things. They’ve been around nearly 100 years. Yet they maintain a steady amount of revenue with less than 2,000 employees worldwide.

When we got our hands on the C7UR, it was evident that we were working with power. This 6,800-RPM saw left us impressed with its cutting ability.

We had no trouble buzzing through timber and other materials with its 7 ¼-inch blade. And with a built-in blower, it’s easy to keep an eye on your cut at all times.

This corded entry is pretty heavy when you stop to compare it with other models. Those who aren’t used to handling a 16-pound tool will tire out quickly.

It is, however, well-balanced. This helps make its weighty frame more manageable. You’re also getting a 55-degree bevel for greater cutting versatility.

Considering what a hefty model the C7UR is, its price is more than acceptable. If you’re looking for a good bargain, this is the saw for you.

Features

  • 16 x 11 x 9.5 inches
  • 16.22 pounds
  • 6,800 RPMs
  • 120-volt

Ease of Use

The C7UR’s 16+-pound weight may not make it the most versatile of circular saws, but it’s certainly powerful. There are some nice features that help improve its ease of use, though.


7. Makita XSH03Z Review - Best Value

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  • Cutting freedom
  • Fast operation
  • Easy to use
  • Lightweight
  • Low build-quality
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Makita delivers a lightweight model that’s both battery-powered and versatile. The XSH03Z sports a 6 ½-inch blade for efficient cutting power.

We were mighty impressed by how easy this unit was to operate. Of course, when you weigh only 7 pounds, there’s little doubt as to why. We were able to zip through cuts using just one hand.

If you’re in need of speed, the XSH03Z is worthy of your attention. It sports a brushless motor that’s capable of delivering 5,000 RPMs.

Our only concern here lies in its plastic construction. Durability is unlikely to be as high as more robust units. You’ll want to consider this if you’re thinking about taking it to a busy job site.

Features

  • 7.8 x 14.02 x 10.43 inches
  • Automatic speed adjust
  • 5,000 RPMs
  • 7 pounds

Ease of Use

We like the compact design of the XSH03Z. It may not have the power of higher-end models, but it’s great for lighter cutting. This is an excellent choice for jobs around the house.


8. Milwaukee 2530-20 M12 Fuel Review - Best for Compact Cutting

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  • Well-crafted
  • Easy to use
  • Compact
  • Versatile
  • A bit pricey
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Need to do some light cutting that doesn’t require a big, hefty saw? Milwaukee has you covered with the 2530-20. This unit sports a 5 3/8-inch blade that is perfect for small woodworking and other light jobs.

At just 6 pounds, the 2530-20 is a breeze to operate. It’s ideal for getting in tight angles that would be difficult for bigger saws.

And thanks to its battery-operated design, you’ll enjoy a lot more freedom, too. It’s easy to zip around projects.

The only downside is that you’re going to pay for its convenience. For such a small circular saw, it costs just as much as higher-end models. Still, you’re getting a highly-versatile unit that will make short work in your shop.

Features

  • 14 x 10 x 8 inches
  • Battery-powered
  • 5 3/8-inch blade
  • 6 pounds

Ease of Use

Milwaukee’s little workhorse is easily the most fun we’ve had with a circular saw. It’s a veritable cinch to operate. And its compact cutting prowess helps speed up complex woodworking projects.


9. SKIL PWRCore 20 Review - Best Battery

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  • Comfortable grip
  • User-friendly
  • Lightweight
  • Cordless
  • Low power
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This complete kit comes with everything you need to start cutting. You get the blade, battery, and charger. The blade is a 6 ½-incher, but it performed admirably in our tests.

You’re also getting a saw with nice balance and weight. At only 9.1 pounds, it’s a breeze to manage. And with a digital brushless motor, the PWRCore 20 operates at a commendable level.

It doesn’t have the power found on some of the other entries we reviewed. But it’s perfect for lighter work around the shop.

Perhaps most impressive is the battery system. One of the biggest drawbacks to battery-operated tools is the wait time to get working again. With the PWRCore 20, you’re looking at just 5 minutes to recharge.

Features

  • 12.6 x 10.2 x 5.9 inches
  • 6 ½-inch blade
  • 9.1 pounds
  • 20-volts

Ease of Use

For those who just need a reliable saw for smaller projects, the PWRCore 20 won’t let you down. It’s a cinch to operate and is even easier to handle.


10. SKIL 5280-01 Review - Best for DIYers

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  • Quality construction
  • Nice versatility
  • Lightweight
  • Affordable
  • A little underpowered
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If you’re a DIYer, you probably don’t need a heavy-duty saw. A versatile model that’s lightweight is likely going to be a perfect fit.

Enter: the SKIL 5280-01. It’s an affordable option that performed well in our tests. And it makes a great companion to keep around the house.

It boasts 5,300 RPMs and a 15-amp motor. We found this to be plenty enough for both woodworking and home maintenance.

This electric model sports a 6-foot cord for greater freedom while you work. You even get a built-in dust blower to help you keep an eye on what you’re cutting.

Features

  • 14.25 x 9.75 x 8.5 inches
  • 7 ¼-inch blade
  • 8.7 pounds
  • 15-amp

Ease of Use

At 8.7 pounds, operating the 5280-01 is a walk in the park. Those with experience will appreciate its versatility. And newcomers will love its ease of use. It’s a very well-crafted tool that is worth the inexpensive investment.