Best Cordless Circular Saw

There are plenty of ways you can go about cutting wood. The choices are plentiful, and to cover them all, we’ll probably have to write volumes about each one. In this article, we’ll be delving into the details of choosing the best cordless circular saw.

We’ll try and avoid barraging you with saw puns, but we won’t promise anything. With that said, enough lollygagging, let’s cut to the chase (sorry, I couldn’t resist).

In this review article, we’ll be showing you the different designs and features on which you’ll base your decision when you’re choosing the best cordless circular saw for your woodworking projects. We’ll be examining various models and brands in order to help you make the right decision and pick the optimal new power tool for your tool box (or rather workplace).

We’ll only be focusing on one of the three main types of circular saws, which are worm drives, sidewinders, and cordless circular saws. Surprisingly enough, our focus this time is on cordless circular saws (you saw this coming, didn’t you?).

So, without further ado, let’s get to the “best cordless circular saw” list, shall we?

The Best Cordless Circular Saw: Top Picks

Cordless saws have evolved a lot over time. Back in the day, they were nothing but a novelty. However, thanks to battery technology, modern circular saws have become powerful to the point of rivaling the power of some of the corded saws that are available on today’s market.

It’s easy to see why cordless circular saws are witnessing an impersonally growing following. All of that power packed in a compact, lightweight package. It’s a dream come true to saw enthusiasts. Being lightweight carry a lot of advantages with them.

A cordless saw is a lot more practical when it comes to situations where you need to get to high places. It’s also a lot safer. With that said, the cordless circular saws we will mention in this article don’t include batteries or a charger, so you’ll have to buy them separately at an additional fee.

Also, it’s worth noting that there is no absolute best choice, as choosing the best cordless circular saw will depend on your preferences and the kind of woodworking projects that you perform, so make sure to follow this article to the end, where you can check our buying guide.

#1 – DeWalt DCS391B 20V

Right of the bat is the best cordless circular saw from the big bad wolf of power tools; DeWalt. This is a really famous circular saw that’s common among professionals. Its affordability and when put side to side with other DeWalt circular saws are pretty compelling. This is not to mention that it lives up to the quality that DeWalt is known for. In addition to this, you have the option of buying the saw separately, or you can get two other models that include a carbide two battery packs so you can immediately get started.

The DCS391B is equipped with a rather powerful, lithium-ion, 20-volt 460MWO motor. That kind of power is enough to get the blade turning at 5,250 RPM, which will allow you to cut any material like a hot knife through butter.

Moreover, it’s pretty maneuverable and accurate thanks to a lightweight aluminum shoe. Coated in soft rubber, the handle of the DCS391B is comfy. You’ll be happy to hear that your hands won’t be fatigued when you use this saw for longer periods.

Last but not least, this cordless circular saw is equipped with a handy feature for making bevel cuts. There’s a setting for angle adjustment through which you can adjust the angle from 0 to 50 degrees effortlessly. There’s even a lock feature that you can use if you’re making a lot of angular cuts.

Something that might be a deal breaker for some is the fact that this cordless circular saw includes neither a battery nor a blade. It only consists of the main unit. If that doesn’t bother you and you’d like to get a taste of DeWalt’s power, this might just be the best cordless circular saw for you.

What We Like About It

One of the biggest strengths of the DCS391B is that it can be as efficient at cutting softwood as it is at cutting hardwood. It’s also very comfy and ergonomic thanks to the handle that’s coated with soft rubber. The feature that enables you to make angular cuts up to 50 degrees is also a massive plus for this circular saw.

If you happen to own a 6 and a half-inch blade, a battery, and a charger that are compatible with this machine, then the DCS391B is easily up there with the best cordless circular saws you can buy today. Additionally, the 6 and a half-inch blade perfectly synergizes with this circular saw you can use them together to cut through thicker materials effortlessly.

#2 – DeWalt DCS391P1 Kit

Unlike the previous circular cordless saw on this list, DeWalt’s circular saw kit is – well, as the name indicates – an all-in-one circular saw. This, alone, has put this on top of many lists as the best cordless circular saw. The DeWalt DCS391P1 kit ships complete, with a battery pack, a battery charger, and of course, the unit itself. When it comes to the features and specs of this saw, there is little difference when compared to the DCS391B from the same company.

As we mentioned in the DCS391B review, it’s incredibly high quality when it comes to cordless circular saws. You can expect this model to perform equally as good as the other one. The difference here is that buying this circular saw kit will save you the headache of individually looking for a battery charger a battery pack. Not only that, but they also come in a nifty plastic carry case.

However, you shouldn’t expect it to be as affordable as the DCS391B. In fact, it has a price that some would consider hefty. In this model’s case, it’s justified as you’ll be getting your money’s worth. Don’t expect this beauty to fail you any time soon. The high price is perhaps the only thing that can drive you away from this product. Seeing how it features a complete saw kit, it’s natural that the cost would be higher than the other cordless circular saws.

What We Like About It

The DeWalt DCS391P1 is an extremely durable product that’s as robust as it is efficient. It’s also equipped with all of the bells and whistles of the DCS391B which means that it’s pretty versatile when you’re making 0- to 50- degree angled cuts. This one, however, features a complete circular saw kit which can save you a lot of trouble. Not to mention that it comes with its own carry case.

The DeWalt DCS391P1 is mainly designed for professionals or aspiring professionals. If you fit this description and also don’t have the time or the patience to go looking for batteries and a charger, then this model is the best cordless circular saw. Moreover, its durability and efficiency are sure to put a smile on your face.

#3 – Black and Decker BDCCS20B

This is another circular saw that comes alone in the package; however, this model really drives a good bargain when it comes to the price. The Black and Decker BDCCS20b saw is equipped with all of the bells and whistles you can expect from a high-end cordless circular saw at a surprisingly affordable price point.

The B&D Cordless circular saw is also compatible with the company’s Max System batteries. If you happen to have one lying around, there’s no better way to use it than to power this beauty with it.

Black and Decker’s power tool is also equipped with a big aluminum shoe that acts as a robust base for this cordless circular saw. This model also comes with a nifty, depth adjustment features that allow you to move the blade upward and downwards with little effort. You won’t need any extra tools in order to use this feature.

Additionally, the B&D BDCCS20b circular saw allows you to make bevel cuts easily. It’s also important to note that it has 90- and 45-degree detents. While not the best when it comes to versatility, it still covers the most commonly used angles.

Perhaps one of the most apparent weaknesses of the B&D BDCCS20b is that it’s not as versatile as other models when it comes to making bevel cuts. There’s also the fact that it’s a bare tool, so it comes with neither the battery nor the 5-and-a-half-inch blade.

What We Like About It

One of the most compelling things about the Black & Decker BDCCS20b circular cordless saw is its price. It offers the bang for your buck. Another thing to add is how lightweight and compact it is which is very convenient. Moreover, this model is equipped with a powerful 20-Volt, lithium-ion, heavy duty battery which gives it a mean punch. It’s also equipped with a blade guard that ensures the user’s safety from the blade along with dust and debris.

The depth adjustment feature is also convenient and easy to use, which means less time configuring and more time working. If you want a compact, lightweight cordless circular saw to work with material that’s thinner than 5 and a half inches; then you’ll be satisfied with this model’s performance.

In short, if you’re on a budget and looking for the best cordless circular saw within the affordable price range, the B&D Circular Saw is the way to go.

#4 – Makita XSS02Z 18V LXT

A personal favorite of ours, Makita’s XSS02Z 18V cordless circular saw’s strength does not lie in its power, rather the combination of portability and performance that captivates us.

This model’s motor can rotate the blade to about 3,700 RPM. While this is less than the other models we featured in this review, it is fast enough to cut through most materials with ease.

Another great thing about this model is that the power switch is conveniently placed right on the handle, so you are able to power the machine using your thumb. It’s also surprisingly lightweight, weighing 7.3 pounds when you include the 18-volt lithium-ion cell. Quite ergonomic, isn’t it?

Whether you choose to purchase the model along with the charger and battery pack, you would still be spending a lot less when compared to other models of the same range.

One caveat that we have with this model is that it doesn’t come with a battery or charger pack. You’ll have to get those by making additional purchases.

What We Like About It

The Makita XSS02Z cordless circular saw is a very appealing choice with its low price and low weight of 7.3 pounds. It is also capable of doing bevel cuts of 50 degrees.

If you happen to have a spare LXT 18V cell lying around for one reason or another, then buying this model is a very good choice as you’ll be getting your money’s worth many times over with a model this versatile and efficient. The Makita XSS20Z cordless circular saw also boasts a lot of great features that might entice newbies as well as aspiring professionals.

#5 – DeWalt DC390B 20V

The DeWalt DC390B circular saw has been made explicitly for those who are looking for a lightweight, and portable cordless circular saw. As a natural consequence, this model lags a bit behind in power when put side to side with the other DeWalt models on this list. However, that doesn’t discredit its viability at all. In fact, it should perform just fine.

This model’s motor is equipped with a fan in order to keep it cool. This is very useful as it allows the user to keep operating with the saw for extended periods of time. It can also extend the longevity of the machine.

With that said, as you might have already guessed at this point, the DeWalt DC390B circular saw is not a complete kit, so you are probably going to need to buy the charger and battery separately. If you happen to have an extra 18-Volt battery that’s compatible, then you can use that for this model and save yourself the trouble of looking for another battery. You should be already familiar with the quality and DeWalt offers by this point, and this saw is no different. In fact, this is an exquisite saw that we highly recommend it.

As with the other DeWalt models on this list, this model is equipped with a tillable shoe that allows you to make a bevel cut at 50 degrees quickly and easily. The motor of this model can rotate the blade at up to 3,700 RPM which is not as fast as the other saws but is more than satisfactory. It’s enough to make smooth, seamless cuts. Just like the other DeWalt models, the DC390B boasts the same 6-and-a-half-inch carbide blade that allows it to come in handy when tackling larger projects.

One thing that we don’t like about this cordless circular saw is the not-so-ergonomic design of the handles in comparison to the other DeWalt saws that we mentioned. That doesn’t mean that it isn’t ergonomic, if you’re going to use it for a short time then you shouldn’t worry about body strain.

What We Like About It

The big 6-and-a-half-inch blade of the DC390B comes in handy in when it comes to tackling bigger projects. It also has the benefit of allowing the user to make angled up to 50 degrees. The tillable magnesium shoe on it also allows the user to be very precise. On top of all that, the DC390B 18V cordless circular saw is very compact and portable.

The DC390B cordless circular saw is mainly oriented towards those who tackle large projects. With its 6-and-a-half-inch blade, it’s very efficient and will give good results. While it may lag behind other cordless circular saws with its 18V battery, it still packs a good punch and can make smooth cuts. If you’re a beginner or an aspiring professional who mainly does general purpose cutting operations, then the DC390B can be the best cordless circular saw for you.

Choosing the Best Cordless Circular Saw – Buying Guide

Why You Need a Cordless Circular Saw

Circular saws are a must have if you happen to be a DIYer, or a professional tradesperson, and anything in between. Be it cutting lumber, siding, cutting plywood, or for framing a shed or fence; the best cordless circular saw always has your back covered.

There are mainly three types of circular saws:

• There are sidewinder circular saws which have a spur gear along with a blade, and of course, a motor.
• Sidewinder saws always have the blade on the right side, which makes them ideal for left-handed users.
• Then there are worm drive circular saws which have the blade situated on the left side of the saw. This allows right-handed users to cut the line easily. These circular saws are usually heavier than sidewinder circular saws. Nowadays, thanks to the technological advancements that made batteries more viable, more and more brands are starting to produce cordless circular saws. These are usually of the sidewinder variety.

In a perfect scenario, one would have a worm drive, circular saw for hard ask like framing; and a more lightweight and compact sidewinder for easier jobs like trimming fence boards.

How to Use a Circular Saw. Everything you need to know. | Woodworking Basics

Best Cordless Circular Saw Brands

DeWalt

You’ve probably already seen this one coming from a mile away. DeWalt is pretty much known as one of the titans of this industry. It was founded in 1924.  Nowadays, the name DeWalt carries with it a lot of esteem and respect as the brand has delivered quality products in spades. To learn more about this giant, take a look at our Milwaukee and DeWalt comparison.

Makita

Founded since 1915, Makita had started as a motor sales and repair business. In its earlier days, Makita had dominated when it comes to making power tools. Whether it functions on electricity, battery, or gas, Makita does it, and it doesn’t disappoint.

Milwaukee

Founded in 1924, Milwaukee started out with a portable ¼ inch drill A.K.A the Hole Shooter. You might have heard of Milwaukee through their high quality, heavy duty tools. However, they have also pioneered the field by making products such as the Sawzall which pretty much revolutionized the 7 ¼ inch circular saws. It’s also the first to produce circular saws that use lithium-ion batteries. All of that makes it one of the Best Cordless Circular Saw brands that you can pick today.

Hitachi

Some of you might have never heard this power tool brand before. For the uninitiated, Hitachi not only makes power tools, but they’re quite good at what they do. Hitachi first started in 1948. They mainly manufactured electric power tools and coal mining machinery in general. However, they’ve since expanded their reach in the market by making metalworking, woodworking, drilling, saws, pneumatic, and even more tools.

Bosch

Founded 1886 by a certain Robert Bosch (you might have heard of him through the saying “I’d rather lose money than trust”). Bosch is held in high esteem among professionals as he’s known to make premium products. Bosch also seems to be a pioneer in the power tools field as they’ve always strived to innovate. Additionally, they also manufacture auto parts and accessories along with automotive service center, along with appliances, garden tools and a plethora of other things.

Ryobi

Ryobi is a Japanese manufacturer founded in the year 943. Ryobi started out by making die-cast products. As time passed, Ryobi started making automobile and electronic parts. Nowadays they have a plethora of professional and consumer grade power tools and garden equipment.

Features That You Should Look for in the Best Cordless Circular Saw

When picking the best cordless circular saw, or any power tool for that matter, there are different features that you should look for to make a sound choice. For the cordless circular saw, these features include:

Power

Power is the first thing to consider when buying any power tool, be it a Sliding Compound Miter Saw, Tile Saw, Table Saw, Random Orbital Sander.

While most manufacturers don’t show all of the data surrounding the circular saws they make, there are a couple of other things you can take into account when measuring the power of a given saw and choosing the best cordless circular saw.

The blade speed is one of those things. It is most commonly measured in RPM or round per minute. A perfect circular saw should be able to spin the blade up at a speed of around 4,500 to 6,000 RPM. One of the specs that manufacturers seem to keep for themselves is torque.

Torque is basically how much force is acting on an object, causing it to rotate. However, worm drive circular saws tend to have much higher torque when compared to their sidewinder counterpart. This is mainly due to the difference in the gear design of the worm drive circular saws which favor more torque.

Brushless vs. Brushed

Brushless motors in cordless circular saws have only recently appeared, and it has risen to fame quite quickly. Some people might even consider it to be a must-have feature. The brushless design of the motor reduces friction that’s involved in with the brushes. This makes brushless motors better from a technical standpoint as they are more powerful and more power-efficient.

While the difference isn’t as noticeable as some people make it to be, it’s still there. The only caveat about brushless motors is the fact that they cost more than their brushed counterpart.

Batteries

Volt is the unit used when measuring battery power. There are several manufacturers that make 12-volt batteries. We recommend you avoid buying such batteries as the power they provide isn’t even near the required amount. The most popular kinds of cells are the 18 volt and 20-volt batteries as they fall in the sweet spot of voltage when it comes to cordless circular saws, being fit for almost all possible jobs. At the higher end of the spectrum, you can find 60-volt batteries. These beasts are manufactured by DeWalt.

Battery power is either expressed by Amps for how many hours it should last before requiring a recharge. A good battery should be rated between 1.4 ah and 9.0 ah.

When it comes to the best cordless circular saw, there are two kinds of batteries that you can find. There are those that contain Nickel Cadmium (NiCd) which is pretty much an obsolete technology at this point. They are also not environment-friendly. On the other hand, you can also find Lithium-ion batteries which are much better. They are lighter, more power, and can last longer than their NiCd counterpart. With that said, they are more expensive.

Charging Time

This is an important factor to consider when buying any Cordless Tool Set or single machine. No one likes waiting, and when it comes to batteries, it’s even more frustrating as you would have probably had to stop working because the battery died on you. We recommend you buy two batteries along with the best cordless circular saw so that you never encounter such a situation. When it comes to charging time, it tends to vary greatly. However, most good batteries should require no more than 30-90 minutes.

Blade – Right or Left

The choice of the side of the blade mostly comes down to personal preference. If you’re right-handed, you might prefer one side over the other. We’ll tackle the perspective of a right-handed person. If you happen to be a lefty, you can simply take the opposite of what we say here.

Blade right saws are the traditional circular saws. Their main advantage is the fact that the keeper side of the workpiece is, in most cases, situated left of the blade. This allows the user to keep the base shoe flat on the workpiece. The main disadvantage here is that it can be hard to see the cut without going around the saw, or over it. This means that if you want to spot the cut, you are probably going to have an uncomfortable time.

If you want to be able to see the cut without having to contort yourself around and over the saw, then you might be better off with a blade right saw as you will have an easier time that way.

Sidewinder circular saws tend to have the blade place on the right side, with few exceptions. On the other hand, Worm drive circular saws all have the blade on the left side of the saw.

Cut Depth and Depth Adjustment

This is another critical feature to consider when looking for the best cordless circular saw. Cut depth is the maximum depth at which the circular saw can cut. It can also be described as how thick a piece of work can be cut. If the base shoe set is at 90 degrees, then a 7 and ¼ inch saw can cut approximately 2 and 3/8-inch-deep a 6, and a half inch saw is able to cut about 2 and ¼ inches deep. While you might not need to always be cutting rafters every day, you will encounter situations where you’ll need to do some bevel cuts by adjusting the base of the saw to something other than a 90-degree angle.

A 7 and ¼ inch saw can easily cut through 2 x material at angles that are higher than 45 degrees in a single pass. When it comes to smaller saw blades like 6 and ½ inch ones, they can barely cut through 1 and ½ inches of material at a 45-degree angle, so we advise against using them in bigger projects, especially if you’re going to be making a lot of bevel cuts. It’s instead more adequate to use them for things like cutting plywood and paneling.

When you are setting up the best cordless circular saw, make sure to set the blade approximately ¼ inches deeper than the material you’re going to cut through. The majority of the saws come with a locking level and some sort of sliding mechanism that you can use for cut depth adjustment. A good circular saw should allow the user to make cut depth adjustments without much effort.

Bevel Capacity and Bevel Adjustment

Bevel cuts are cuts that are not made at a 90-degree angle to the workpiece. A couple of examples of bevel cuts would be when you’re cutting compound angles on miter cuts or rafters. The best cordless circular saw will include the ability to tilt the base shoe. However, each saw has its limit. Generally speaking, a good circular saw’s limit will be higher than 45 degrees. Some circular saws even go up to 53 degrees.

If you intend on making bevel cuts on 2 x material, then your circular saw better pack a real punch as you’ll probably need a powerful saw. This I mainly due to the fact that cutting diagonally means that you’ll be cutting through thicker material. Knowing this, it is wiser to go with a worm drive saw rather than a sidewinder saw as they have more power and torque.

Just like for cut depth and depth adjustments, the best cordless circular saw is usually equipped with a locking lever and some sort of sliding mechanism that allows the user to tweak the bevel angle. However, what sets the great from the best is the inclusion of a readable scale.

Laser Guide

To put it as simple as possible, laser guides are no more than a gimmick. They serve little purpose in the way of accuracy as the laser line isn’t even adjustable to the thickness of the blade. This means that it isn’t as reliable as you would think. It’s not like the traditional way of doing things is inconvenient, or anything, which makes laser guides seem all the more stupid. So, when picking the best cordless circular saw, don’t give laser guides much thought.

Blade Guard and Electric Brake

Almost all of the circular saws available today include some sort of blade guard which is retractable. It is mainly used to cover the blade when the machine is powered off or not engaged with the workpiece. That way, when you’re done with cutting, you can put down the saw before the blade comes to a halt.

Electrical brakes, on the other hand, reverse the flow of the saw in order to stop it. They are a must-have safety feature. With that said, not all circular saws are equipped with electric brakes, so you will need to keep an eye on that when looking for the best cordless circular saw.

Cost Effectiveness

When it comes to high quality cordless circular saws, their price usually ranges from $90 to $150. The prices tend to vary depending on the features and the brand of the saw. If you’re a professional and you’re looking for some beastly machine with beastly spec, DeWalt has got your back covered with its worm drive, 60V battery powered cordless circular saw; but be ready to spend $368 for it.

If you’re running on a tight budget, then you can get some consumer grade circular saw for under $90. With that said, we don’t recommend skimping on circular saws unless you don’t intend to use them regularly.

Cuts That You Can Make Using a Circular Saw

One of the things that make circular saws such an essential tool in anyone’s arsenal is how versatile they are.

While working with the best cordless circular saw, there are two types of cuts that you will most definitely have to make at some point in time. These are rip cuts and cross cuts. Rip cuts are cuts that are parallel to the grain while crosscuts are perpendicular to the gain.

There are also bevel cuts. These are cuts that are angled across the edge of the wood. Bevel cuts can be made by adjusting the saw’s bevel settings along with plunge cuts. This is a skill that you will acquire through trial and error. A woodworker worth his salt will have had to make a ton of mistakes to reach the level he’s at. With just a bit of practice, you’ll be capable of managing miter cuts which are angled across the face of the wood.

If you’re really crafty with your circular saw, you’ll be able to make curved cuts if the curve you’re after isn’t that tight. This is why the best cordless circular saw is a must have since it’s so versatile.

Perfect Cuts With A Circular Saw - 200

Picking the Best Cordless Circular Saw – Frequently Asked Questions

verdict

If you’re a DIYer or a homeowner, then adding a circular saw to your toolset is extremely helpful. We’ll even go as far as to say that it’s a must-have – Seldom can you find a machine so versatile and useful.

If you don’t own a circular saw and this article convinced you to buy one, then you’ll need to keep a couple of things in mind when looking for the best cordless circular saw so you can make the soundest decision.

First of all, you need to have an idea of how you intend on using it; this will help you determine the type of saw you should buy. That applies to any tool purchase, of course. After all, why would by a Chainsaw Mill or Chainsaw Chaps, for example, if you don’t even cut logs and large pieces of lumber?

Secondly, if you’re going to use it in places where electricity isn’t always available, then you’re better off with a cordless circular saw as it’s much more portable. Otherwise, you can buy a corded circular saw. Whatever option you may pick, the market is full of high-quality circular saws.

Last but not least, if you intend on using the saw regularly, you better not skimp on it. The last thing you’d one is to buy a flimsy circular saw and try to use it intensively only for it to fail you.

Have you tried a cordless circular saw before? How does it compare to its corded counterpart? Share your opinion in the comments!

References:

• Bunnings Warehouse, Types of power saws and their uses
• curbly, Power Tools 101: How to Use a Circular Saw, and Why You Definitely Need One in Your Tool Kit
• howstuffworks, Circular Saw