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Whether you’re planning home renovations or just making a few simple cuts, a circular saw is an essential tool for your workshop. Its compact yet powerful design, combined with its ability to create a variety of quick and accurate cuts, makes it one of the most versatile power tools you can buy.
Since 2019, we’ve tested 16 of the market’s top battery-powered and plug-in circular saws, putting them through a grueling regiment of tasks that simulate prolonged use in the real world. Whether you need a lightweight saw for simple cuts here and there or you’re a DIY enthusiast taking on a bathroom remodel, we have a saw that will meet your needs and budget. If you’re interested in just cordless models, check out our cordless circular saw review, where we go much deeper on battery-powered models.
Best Circular Saw for Most People – Skil 5280-01
The Skil 5280-01 is a great all-around saw with a competitive price point. This relatively lightweight model (just 8.1 pounds) offers average plywood ripping capabilities and above-average crosscutting—the latter being a circular saw’s primary function. The unit also manages crosscuts of dense wood quite well. Our lead tester claims, “The Skil also did a decent job cutting metal pipes and sheets, a pleasant surprise during our tests.” The unit has common bevel settings marked with a stop at 45 degrees and a max setting of 52 degrees. Additionally, it has four notches for sighting cuts (two out on the leading edge and two within a sight box) for cuts of 0 and 45 degrees. When using these guides, the cutting accuracy is within a 32nd of an inch.
Our testers certainly liked the performance and price, but the angle and depth settings left us with some gripes. First, the bevel adjustment uses a set screw instead of a lever, like the depth setting. The markings on the angle and depth are fairly well marked; however, the depth is located between the handle and blade, making it somewhat hard to see. Additionally, the markings are common wood dimensions as opposed to inches. Minor complaints aside, this saw ranked near the top of the class and came in well below average in price. All told, this is a fantastic saw. If you’re a professional searching for a saw that cuts wood just as well as metal, be sure to check out the Skil SPT77WML-01. While it is more expensive, it’s the machine to buy if this is your life’s work.
Best for Professionals – Skil SPT77WML-01
The Skil SPT77WML-01 is a professional-grade tool that is built to last a lifetime. Our tester said, “This worm drive saw is a leader in the class at ripping dimensional lumber and crosscutting at the blade’s full depth.” Adjusting the angle and depth of the blade is easy, too. These adjustments have black letters stamped into the steel, making them easy to see. Likewise, these adjustments are secured with a lever that makes them easy to operate. The blade bevel has a 45-degree stop to ensure the accuracy of that common cutting angle, while the sight lines are spot-on accurate at 0 and 45 degrees.
Undoubtedly, the Skil is a burly saw. However, its strengths might be overkill for many users. For instance, its power comes from its large motor, which makes it rather heavy (11.6 pounds). The saw also needs a power outlet, so it’s less handy and will require an extension cord for many jobs. The DeWalt DWE575SB is another worthy option if you want something a little less pricey and a bit easier to use. That said, the Skil is worth its weight and cost if you want a saw for demanding cuts such as hardwood, sheet metal, and steel pipe.
Best Battery-Powered Saw – Milwaukee M18 Fuel 2732-20
The Milwaukee M18 Fuel 2732-20 is a cordless saw designed for heavy use. In many of our tests, this saw ranked right up there with its corded counterparts. For instance, this saw cut through sheet metal and steel pipe with unexpected ease and agility. Full-depth crosscuts and rips were also well within the M18’s capability. “As far as ease of use is concerned, I found the lever-locked blade depth adjustment is easy to operate,” said our lead tester. Moreover, the saw weighs a manageable 8.9 pounds, and its adjustment markings are large and legible.
The M18 is an all-around solid saw that is convenient to operate. However, we encountered some design issues in the angle settings. For one, the bevel has no stops on common angles, such as 45 degrees. Also, the bevel adjustment is secured with a screw lock (instead of a lever) which can be a little harder to operate. Finally, this saw is one of the more expensive in the class. Yet, when we place these critiques in context, we find these issues minor compared to the saw’s overall performance. All told, the M18 is a top-notch cordless circular saw. If a cordless saw isn’t your top priority, the Skil 5280-01 proves to be a top contender at an affordable price.