AmazingBuyz is reader-supported. When you buy through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission at no extra cost to you. Learn more.
The best circular saws make fast, straight work of plywood, framing lumber and deck boards, and today’s brushless cordless models cut nearly as hard as a corded saw. To build this list, we compared specs, expert testing from Bob Vila and ProTradeCraft’s 2026 cordless shootout, and owner reviews, then picked saws for every kind of user, from first-time DIYers to framers who cut all day.
Part of our Home Comfort, Backup Power & Tool Guides.
Quick picks
Price tiers: $ under $150, $$ $150-$300, $$$ $300+ (bare tool or kit as noted; approximate at time of writing).
| Product | Best for | Price range | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Makita XSH06PT 36V (18V X2) Kit | Best overall cordless | $$$ (kit) | See price |
| Milwaukee M18 FUEL 7-1/4″ Circular Saw 2834-20 | Pros on the M18 platform | $$ (bare) | See price |
| DeWalt 20V MAX XR DCS590 Kit | DeWalt 20V users | $$$ (kit) | See price |
| Ryobi 18V ONE+ HP PBLCS302 | Best value cordless | $$ | See price |
| Makita 40V XGT GSH01 | Heavy cordless use | $$$ (kit) | See price |
| Skil PWR CORE 20 CR5429B-20 | Budget cordless kit | $$ (kit) | See price |
| Bosch PROFACTOR 18V 7-1/4″ Circular Saw Kit | Left-blade cordless | $$$ (kit) | See price |
| Skil 5280-01 15-Amp | Best budget corded | $ | See price |
| DeWalt DWS535B Worm Drive | Lightweight worm drive | $$ | See price |
| Skil SPT70WM-01 10-1/4″ Worm Drive | Big timbers and beams | $$ | See price |
1. Makita XSH06PT 36V (18V X2) Kit: Best Overall Cordless
Makita’s XSH06PT runs on two 18V LXT batteries for 36V of power, and in Bob Vila’s testing it kept cutting without bogging down even with the packs half drained, while the motor stayed cool through an hour of work. A magnesium shoe and guard keep weight in check and hold up to jobsite abuse.
Key specs
- 7-1/4-inch blade, 6,000 RPM
- Bevel to 56 degrees with stops at 22.5, 45 and 56
- 2-5/8-inch max depth of cut
- Magnesium shoe and blade guard; kit includes batteries and charger
👍 Pros
|
👎 Cons
|
What owners say: Owners rave about the power and runtime and compare it favorably to corded saws. Dust management is the most frequent complaint.
2. Milwaukee M18 FUEL 7-1/4″ Circular Saw (2834-20): Best for Pros on M18
Milwaukee’s latest M18 FUEL 7-1/4-inch saw took first place in ProTradeCraft’s 2026 head-to-head of 12 flagship cordless circular saws. Testers credited its power, electric brake and magnesium shoe, and noted it is nearly a pound lighter than the previous model. It was also one of only two saws in that test with standout dust collection.
Key specs
- 7-1/4-inch blade, M18 battery platform
- Electric brake and magnesium shoe
- Vacuum adapter for dust collection
- 5-year tool warranty
👍 Pros
|
👎 Cons
|
What owners say: Contractors praise its cutting speed and balance. Several note it really shines only with Milwaukee’s larger high-output batteries.
3. DeWalt 20V MAX XR DCS590 Kit: Best for DeWalt 20V Users
If your shop already runs on DeWalt 20V batteries, the DCS590 is a strong full-size option. Bob Vila’s tester found it had as much power on the last cut as the first, and it adds a rafter hook and a bevel range past 45 degrees for roof and stair work.
Key specs
- 7-1/4-inch blade, 5,500 RPM
- Bevel to 57 degrees
- 2-9/16-inch max depth of cut
- Rafter hook; aluminum shoe
👍 Pros
|
👎 Cons
|
What owners say: Users like the steady power and the rafter hook. A few would prefer a magnesium shoe at this price.
4. Ryobi 18V ONE+ HP PBLCS302: Best Value Cordless
ProTradeCraft called the Ryobi PBLCS302 the value leader of its 2026 test, ranking it second overall behind Milwaukee. It brings features usually found on pricier saws, including an electric brake, LED light, vacuum adapter and rafter hook, and it runs on the same ONE+ batteries as hundreds of Ryobi tools.
Key specs
- 7-1/4-inch brushless saw on Ryobi 18V ONE+
- Electric brake and LED light
- Vacuum adapter and rafter hook
- 3-year warranty
👍 Pros
|
👎 Cons
|
What owners say: DIYers say it cuts far better than they expected from Ryobi. Some note runtime drops with smaller packs.
5. Makita 40V XGT GSH01: Best for Heavy Cordless Use
Makita’s 40V XGT GSH01 placed third in ProTradeCraft’s test. It is compact for its power class, with a magnesium shoe and a wide bevel range, and it is a natural pick if you are moving to Makita’s higher-voltage XGT platform.
Key specs
- 7-1/4-inch saw on Makita 40V XGT
- Magnesium shoe, wide bevel range
- Compact design
- 3-year warranty
👍 Pros
|
👎 Cons
|
What owners say: Owners like its power and compact size. The cost of buying into XGT batteries is the usual drawback.
6. Skil PWR CORE 20 CR5429B-20: Best Budget Cordless Kit
Skil’s brushless 20V kit comes with two 5Ah batteries, which makes it one of the most complete cordless circular saw packages for the money. It has a solid bevel range and an aluminum shoe, though going past 45 degrees requires pressing a second button.
Key specs
- 7-1/4-inch brushless saw, 5,300 RPM
- Bevel to 53 degrees
- 2-9/16-inch max depth of cut
- Kit includes two 20V 5Ah batteries
👍 Pros
|
👎 Cons
|
What owners say: Homeowners like the price and the two-battery kit. Some find the bevel controls a bit fussy.
7. Bosch PROFACTOR 18V 7-1/4″ Circular Saw Kit: Best Left-Blade Cordless
Bosch’s PROFACTOR saw puts the blade on the left, which many right-handed users prefer because they can see the cut line without leaning over. Bob Vila’s testers found it capable for framing-type work, and the kit comes with a battery, charger and bag.
Key specs
- 7-1/4-inch blade (left side), 5,000 RPM
- Bevel to 50 degrees
- 2-1/2-inch max depth of cut
- About 12 lb; aluminum shoe and guard
👍 Pros
|
👎 Cons
|
What owners say: Users like the left-blade visibility and smooth cuts. Weight is the most mentioned downside.
8. Skil 5280-01 15-Amp: Best Budget Corded
For occasional DIY use, the Skil 5280-01 is hard to beat on price. Its 15-amp motor handles plywood and 2x lumber, and a single-beam laser guide helps keep cuts on line. Bob Vila’s tester noted the motor got warm after about 45 minutes of steady cutting and that several parts are plastic.
Key specs
- 7-1/4-inch blade, 15-amp, 5,300 RPM
- Bevel to 51 degrees
- About 2-7/16-inch max depth of cut
- Laser cutting guide
👍 Pros
|
👎 Cons
|
What owners say: Buyers call it a great first saw for the price. Heavy users eventually upgrade to a sturdier model.
9. DeWalt DWS535B Worm Drive: Best Lightweight Worm Drive
Worm drive saws deliver extra torque for framing, and DeWalt’s DWS535B keeps weight under 9 pounds thanks to a magnesium build. It is a favorite for framers who want worm drive power without the arm fatigue of older, heavier designs.
Key specs
- 7-1/4-inch blade, 15-amp, 4,800 RPM
- Bevel to 53 degrees
- Under 9 lb, magnesium shoe
👍 Pros
|
👎 Cons
|
What owners say: Framers like the torque and the manageable weight. New users say the left-blade, rear-handle layout takes practice.
10. Skil SPT70WM-01 10-1/4″ Worm Drive: Best for Big Timbers
When you need to cut 4x material in one pass, a 10-1/4-inch worm drive is the tool. Skil’s magnesium SPT70WM-01 offers more than 3-1/2 inches of cutting depth. It is heavy, and Bob Vila’s tester felt it in the arms and shoulders after a session, but nothing else here cuts as deep.
Key specs
- 10-1/4-inch blade, 15-amp, 4,700 RPM
- 3-11/16-inch max depth of cut
- Bevel to 51 degrees
- About 16.5 lb, magnesium construction
👍 Pros
|
👎 Cons
|
What owners say: Timber framers and deck builders love the cut depth. Most agree it is a specialty saw, not an everyday one.
How to choose the best circular saw
- Cordless or corded: Corded saws give consistent power for long shop sessions at a lower price. Brushless cordless saws are now strong enough for framing and are far handier on decks, roofs and remote jobs.
- Battery platform: If you already own a brand’s batteries, a bare tool is the cheapest route. Bigger, high-output packs make a noticeable difference in cutting speed.
- Sidewinder vs worm drive: Sidewinders are lighter and suit most users. Worm drives add torque and reach for framing but weigh more.
- Blade side: Left-blade saws give right-handed users a clearer view of the line; right-blade saws are more common and feel natural to many DIYers.
- Bevel and depth: A 7-1/4-inch saw cuts about 2-1/2 inches deep at 90 degrees, enough for 2x lumber. Look for bevel to at least 50 degrees for roof and stair cuts.
- Shoe and safety features: Magnesium shoes resist bending better than stamped steel or aluminum. An electric brake stops the blade quickly, and a dust port helps indoors.
Installer tip: Our construction crew sets the blade depth only about 1/4 inch below the material. It cuts cleaner, reduces kickback risk and is easier on the motor and battery.
FAQ
Is a cordless circular saw as powerful as a corded one?
Top brushless cordless saws come close and handle most framing and sheet goods, especially with large batteries. For all-day ripping or very dense material, a corded saw still offers steadier power.
What size circular saw should I buy?
A 7-1/4-inch saw is the standard choice and cuts 2x lumber in one pass. Compact 5-3/8 to 6-1/2-inch saws are lighter for trim and paneling, while 10-1/4-inch saws are for beams.
Should I upgrade the blade that comes with my saw?
Often yes. Stock blades are usually basic framing blades. A finer-tooth blade gives cleaner cuts in plywood, and a quality framing blade cuts faster and lasts longer.
How do I use a circular saw safely?
Follow the manufacturer’s manual, wear eye and hearing protection, support the work so the offcut falls away, keep the cord or battery clear of the blade, and never pin back the lower guard.
Related guides
- Best Power Tool Combo Kits
- Best Miter Saws
- Best Cordless Drills
- Best Impact Drivers
- Home Comfort, Backup Power & Tool Guides
Sources
Bob Vila: Best Circular Saws; Bob Vila: We Tested the Best Circular Saws; ProTradeCraft: Top Cordless Circular Saws of 2026. Owner feedback is summarized in our own words from public reviews. Photos courtesy of Unsplash.