Whether it’s cutting wood or metal, a circular saw is a very useful tool among all types of tradesmen.

So which circular saw should you choose?

In this review, I’ll recommend some of my personal favorite circular saws that are reliable, safe, and have plenty of power.

I will also give you some advice about what features to consider before actually buying a saw.

Best Circular Saw

Dewalt 7-¼” Circular Saw With Electric Brake

This circular saw from Dewalt features a lightweight and ergonomic design that makes operating it effortless on your hands.

It also has an electric brake that automatically stops the machine when you release the trigger. Its powerful 15-amp motor helps you do woodwork till your heart’s content with minimal manual effort.

The aluminum base helps keep the saw level and disturbance to a minimum, so you end up with the perfect cut.

The integrated dust blower gets rid of dust while you are working, and the blades are stored securely in the storage space on-board.

This ensures the blades are easily accessible, while your workspace remains clutter-free.

What customers are saying

This circular saw received mostly 5-star reviews. The majority of customers loved the electric brake feature, powerful operation, durability, and lightweight design.

However, some customers complained that the blades did not cut straight.

Best Mini Circular Saw

Worx Worxsaw 4-1/2” Compact Circular Saw

The Worx circular saw is conveniently compact and lightweight, making it ideal for quick plunge cuts without setup. But don’t let its small size fool you into thinking it can’t pack a powerful punch.

The 4.5” blade can spin double the rate of a traditional circular saw blade, up to 3500 revs per minute. The slimmer blade also results in less pressure which prolongs the life of the saw.

The EZ-set depth gauge enables you to adjust the bevel settings quickly from 0-45°.

With this saw, you can easily slice into lumber of up to 2” thick, as well as other materials such as plastic, metal, and tile. We love this portable saw and recommend it as the best mini circular saw.

What customers are saying

Customers gave this unit fantastic reviews. Most of them were extremely happy with the compact size, handling, efficiency, and user-friendly operation of the machine.

Still, some customers had issues with the alignment and with the blade not cutting straight.

Best Left Handed Saw

Bosch 120-Volt Left Blade Circular Saw

The Bosch circular saw has a compact size of 7 ¼” and a voltage rating of 120V. It is a lightweight unit that delivers a power of 15 amps and is perfect for left-handed users with its left-blade design.

You can make perfectly aligned cuts as well as even bevel cuts with the anti-snag lower guard feature. The saw also features a boosted line of sight, incredible durability, and powerful operation.

What customers are saying

This model received numerous excellent reviews with customers commenting on how well-made it is, its powerful operation, and the great line of sight with the left-hand blade.

However, some customers had issues with the base plate on the unit.

Best Cordless Saw

Makita 12V Max Lithium-Ion Cordless Circular Saw Kit

The Makita cordless circular saw works with incredible speed and power. It can be used for various applications and is perfect for tight spaces.

The machine is compact and lightweight with a 1” capacity that can effortlessly cut through melamine, MDF, plywood, particleboard, pegboard, and drywall.

Included in your package are 2 lithium-ion cells, an LED charge level indication station, and a wrench for prompt battery changes.

The saw has superior ergonomics and performance packed into a convenient portable size.

What customers are saying

Most customers were incredibly satisfied with their purchase. Many of them said that they love its lightweight and portable design as well as precision and quality.

Some customers, however, were disappointed with the power output of the unit.

Best For Beginners

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The Tacklife saw comes with a ground-breaking patented auxiliary handle that is perfect for 1-hand operation and lessening fatigue while cutting anything from tiles, to wood, metal, and more.

The copper motor provides an impressive running power of 3500 revs per minute, and the cutting angle is adjustable from 90-45°.

With this super-efficient circular saw, you can make perfect and precise cuts each time.

The unit’s dust port can be connected with your vacuum to keep your work area clutter-free and you can make parallel cuts effortlessly with the rip guide.

What customers are saying

Customers gave this saw plenty of 5-star reviews. Many were impressed with its easy assembly and ergonomic, lightweight design. Some also praised its powerful operation and safety features.

Still, a few customers had issues with the unit being too heavy for one-hand operation, and some people did not receive all the blades in their package.

Ideal For Woodworking

Skil 7-1/4-Inch Circular Saw With Single Beam Laser Guide

The Skil circular saw is perfect for more experienced users who want a powerful saw with impressive features.

The powerful 15-amp motor on this one offers excellent performance for cutting sheet goods and lumber while renovating, building decks, or doing other heavy-duty tasks.

You can make precise and accurate cuts with its single-beam laser while your line of sight is kept clear with the built-in dust blower.

The saw features a bevel capacity of 51° with positive stops at 45° which gives you various cut choices, and blade changing has never been easier with the included wrench and spindle lock.

What customers are saying

Customers had a lot of good things to say about this saw. Many of them commented on its accuracy, precision, durability, and overall value for money.

But some customers had issues with the depth adjustment lever being of poor quality and the blade stopping or jamming while cutting.

Other Recommended Saws

Skilsaw Lightweight Worm Drive Circular Saw

The Skilsaw circular saw is built to be lightweight, it weighs a mere 11.6 lbs. It features the renowned Skilsaw drive gears with exceptional torque and power.

The saw features a 15-amp dual-motor that remains cool during long hard days of work, and its max cutting capacity is 2-3/8” at 90°. The bevel capacity is 53° with a positive stop at 0-45°.

This saw is perfect for applications like decking, ceilings, framing, and sidings. It works extremely well with hard, soft, or engineered woods.

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This Milwaukee heavy-duty saw with 18V lithium-ion batteries is built to deliver power as well as toughness.

The powerful motor and blade deliver 3500 revs per minute, and the durable magnesium guards offer excellent protection for the blade against damage or accidental drops.

The durable bevel and depth adjustment structure can also be found onboard close to its foot.

Makita SP6000J 6-1/2-Inch Plunge Circular Saw

The Makita 61/2” circular saw is built to deliver accurate and precise cuts. It also comes with an optional anodized aluminum guide rail structure.

The rail system and saw work as a team to deliver precise cuts with the lowest possible tear-out.

The saw features a 12A motor, electronic speed control feature, and lightweight magnesium components.

This unit is the perfect portable choice for workshops and sites, with its -1 to 48° bevel capacity and close-to-wall capability for larger cutting jobs.

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This circular saw is designed with forward-thinking technology and features a solid, powerful motor that delivers 5000 revs per minute.

It also includes a laser guide, so experienced users and beginners can both get precise and straighter cuts. It has an aluminum-alloy base and shield that makes it lightweight, but still durable.

Additionally, the unit boasts a 10-foot power cord and is perfect for any DIY job around the job site.

EnerTwist 20V Max 4-1/2” Cordless Circular Saw

The EnerTwist circular saw is compact and lightweight enough for portability and has a left-sided design to ensure a clear line of sight when cutting.

It also features a built-in safety trigger that is advantageous for control, comfort, and balance.

The dust port can be connected to a vacuum cleaner, which enables you to keep the job site dust and clutter-free. The saw also comes with a laser-guide to ensure quick and precise cutting.

All in all, an excellent buy.

Features To Consider

Motor alignment

There are typically three types:

Sidewinder models

The motor lines up with the cutting blade, which means the unit is smaller and runs at a high speed.

Worm drive models

The motor is located at the rear and uses worm gears. These types of saws are typically heavier, larger, and longer than the sidewinders are.

They have increased torque, but lower speed levels. The gears must be oiled regularly.

Hypoid models

The motor is also situated at the rear, but unlike worm drive models, this saw uses a different gearbox and transmission. It also has an enclosed motor.

There are certain similarities between hypoid and worm drive models, but they are not the same.

Left-side or right-side blade models

This is another important thing to think about.  Most sidewinders have left-sided blades, while most hypoids and worm drives have right-sided blades.

Blade size

A palpable variance in circular saws is the blade sides. Each unit uses a specifically sized blade.

It can vary from ½” blades to blades as big as 16-5/19”. The average blade size for construction or framing is 7-1/4”.

Blade type

The most well-preferred types of blades include finish, all-purpose, plywood, and framing blades. The blade tooth-count is a determining factor in which application a blade will be most suited for.

The lesser number of teeth on the blade, the rougher your cut. Higher tooth-count blades are typically used for plywood, finish work, and cabinetmaking.

Amperage & speed

The amperage is the level of power the motor can take without the inner workings malfunctioning.

The speed, on the other hand, is an important consideration, because the blade will cut through the material as fast as the blade spins.

The faster it spins the faster it cuts. Just remember, blade speed is not related to the material density that the saw can cut. Instead, this largely depends on the quality and type of blade.

Corded vs cordless

Corded circular saws have a power cord that plugs into a power source, while a battery-operated unit is cordless and can be taken wherever you go.

The battery-operated saws nowadays are made with more power as well as extended battery life. This is mostly because of the use of lithium-ion cells.

Shoe material

The shoe is the name for the saw’s base plate. It is typically manufactured from steel, aluminum, or magnesium.

Steel

Even though this used to be a popular material, that is no longer the case. Steel is robust and affordable, but a heavy option.

Aluminum

Aluminum is a lighter choice than steel, however, it is a pricier option that is not as durable.

Magnesium

This material makes up about a third of the aluminum weight-per-volume.

Magnesium is the preferred metal nowadays for circular shoes because it is more durable than aluminum. While manufacturing is easier, this material is substantially more expensive.