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From cross-cutting 2x4s to ripping plywood, circular saws use high-powered blades to make a variety of cuts. Although circular saws are often thought of as woodworking tools, many models can be outfitted with specialized blades to cut masonry, metal, and laminate flooring.
To help you find a circular saw for your DIY projects, the This Old House Reviews team researched the best circular saws on Amazon. Here are our top recommendations. For more information about buying tools, check out our tools buying guide.
Top 9 Circular Saws
- Best Overall: Makita 5007 Magnesium Circular Saw
- Most Portable: DEWALT 20-Volt Circular Saw
- Best for Long Cuts: SKILSAW Worm-Drive Circular Saw
- Best Value: CRAFTSMAN 15-Amp Circular Saw
- Most Efficient: Milwaukee 2830-20 Circular Saw
- Most User-Friendly: SKILSAW 5280-01 Circular Saw
- Best Kit: Makita SH02R1 Cordless Circular Saw Kit
- Best Heavy-Duty: SKILSAW SAWSQUATCH Worm-Drive Circular Saw
- Most Comfortable: Ryobi One P505 18-Volt Circular Saw
Compare Top Circular Saws
Product | RPM | Amps | Cutting Angle | Weight |
---|---|---|---|---|
Makita 5007 Magnesium Circular Saw | 5,800 | 15 | 90 degrees | 10.6 pounds |
DEWALT 20-Volt Circular Saw | 5,500 | 20 | 90 degrees | 7.5 pounds |
SKILSAW Worm-Drive Circular Saw | 4,700 | 15 | 90 degrees | 11.5 pounds |
CRAFTSMAN 15-Amp Circular Saw | 500 | 15 | 55 degrees | 11.05 pounds |
Milwaukee 2830-20 Circular Saw | 5,800 | 15 | 90 degrees | 9.9 pounds |
SKILSAW 5280-01 Circular Saw | 5,300 | 15 | 45 degrees | 8.7 pounds |
Makita SH02R1 Cordless Circular Saw Kit | 1,500 | 15 | 90 degrees | 3.5 pounds |
SKILSAW SAWSQUATCH Worm-Drive Circular Saw | 4,700 | 15 | 51 degrees | 16.5 pounds |
Ryobi One P505 18-Volt Circular Saw | 4,700 | 4 | 50 | 5.3 pounds |
Product | RPM | Amps | Cutting Angle | Weight |
Best Overall: Makita 5007 Magnesium Circular Saw
Most Portable: DEWALT 20-Volt Circular Saw
Best for Long Cuts: SKILSAW Worm-Drive Circular Saw
Best Value: CRAFTSMAN 15-Amp Circular Saw
Most Efficient: Milwaukee 2830-20 Circular Saw
Most User-Friendly: SKILSAW 5280-01 Circular Saw
Best Kit: Makita SH02R1 Cordless Circular Saw Kit
Best Heavy-Duty: SKILSAW SAWSQUATCH Worm-Drive Circular Saw
Most Comfortable: Ryobi One P505 18-Volt Circular Saw
Buying Guide
Before purchasing a circular saw, consider its blade compatibility and safety features, among other factors.
Battery-Powered vs. Corded
Circular saws come in either corded or battery-powered models. Corded circular saws like the Makita 5007 Magnesium Circular Saw use electricity to power their blades and make accurate cuts. While corded models typically generate higher speeds than their battery-powered counterparts, their reliance on extension cords makes them less portable.
Battery-powered circular saws are known for their lightweight design and mobility. While many battery-operated models lack the cutting power seen in their corded counterparts, some models like the DEWALT 20-Volt Circular Saw have efficient brushless motors that adapt to individual workloads to extend the life of their batteries.
Blade Size and Type
A circular saw’s blade size is calculated by measuring its diameter in inches. Most circular saws like the SKILSAW 5280-01 Circular Saw With Laser Guide use 7 ¼-inch blades, though some models like the compact Makita SH02R1 12-Volt Max CXT Cordless Circular Saw Kit use smaller blades. The blade size of a circular saw influences its cutting depth, meaning larger blades can cut through thicker materials.
Along with a blade’s size, the blade type also influences a circular saw’s performance. For example, most of the circular saws in this review come with wood-cutting blades that have a low number of teeth per inch (TPI). However, if you want to cut metal or other fragile materials, you can purchase blades with a higher TPI that deliver a more polished finish.
Adjustment
Some circular saws adjust to make cuts at various angles, which are referred to as beveled cuts. Most circular saws with bevel adjustments can tilt between 0 and 55 degrees. Some models even come with indented marks, known as positive stops, that let users lock into popular bevel cuts for easy adjustments. For example, the CRAFTSMAN 15-Amp Circular Saw has positive stops at 22.5 and 45 degrees.
Speed
A circular saw’s speed refers to how fast it can spin its blade and cut through material. Most circular saws have speeds between 5,200 and 5,500 revolutions per minute, though some models like the Makita 5007 Magnesium Circular Saw offer speeds up to 5,800 RPM. While a saw’s available RPMs are a good indication of how fast a cut can be made, they don’t impact how thick of a material the saw can cut.
Safety Features
Most circular saws come with safety features that help you operate the tool. One of the most common safety features is a brake stop, which halts the rotation of the blade once the trigger is released, preventing damage to the workpiece or power cord and injury to the operator. Another common safety feature is a guarded trigger, which requires you to hold down a safety button before activating the trigger.
Frequently Asked Questions
What are circular saws used for?
A circular saw is an essential DIY tool that uses a moving blade to make straight, accurate cuts. While circular saws are traditionally used to cut 2x4s, plywood, and other lumber, they can be outfitted with different blades to cut masonry, metal, and other materials.
What’s the difference between a circular saw and a miter saw?
While both a circular saw and a miter saw use a sharp, rotating blade to cut lumber and other materials, their difference in design impacts how they’re used. For example, circular saws are handheld tools that are used to make quick cuts, which makes them ideal for cutting 2x4s or plywood. Miter saws are stationary tools that make precise, angled cuts using a movable arm, which is useful for cutting decorative pieces like crown molding or baseboards.
Why does my circular saw get stuck?
If your blade is binding to its cutting material, the problem could be your cutting angle or blade. Check to make sure your blade is straight, sharp, and secure before using your circular saw.
Are circular saws dangerous?
While a circular saw can cause injury, there are a few measures you can take to ensure you safely use the tool:
- Wear eye and ear protection.
- Wear a dust mask if you’re cutting material that produces a significant amount of dust and debris.
- Don’t wear loose clothing or any other accessories that could get caught in the tool’s blade.
- When operating the circular saw, use two hands when possible for maximum control.
- Wait for the blade to stop before setting the circular saw down.
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We recommend products in each review using an intensive research process, spending hours combing through the best available models on Amazon. For a product to make our list of top picks, it must hold a solid sales record on Amazon, have consistently positive customer reviews, and offer unique features, among other factors. After narrowing down our list of recommendations, we conduct additional research and sometimes in-person testing to ensure that the products meet our standards. Once we conclude the research phase, we craft a well-rounded, user-friendly article that includes our recommended products and additional information to help homeowners like you make the right purchase.
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