5 Best Circular Saws to Make Short Work of Your Project

Last Updated on April 12, 2023 by Barry Gray

I love my circular saw. There’s just something exceptionally cool about it, from the way it works to the results you can achieve in seconds. Honestly, I don’t know what I would do without it.

But I know there is a problem, and that problem is the sheer number of options available when buying a new circular saw. In no time at all, everything can feel far more complex than it needs to be, but I don’t think you have to stress about anything.

Instead, I’m here to help, and I will help by telling you all about five of the best circular saws I believe will make short work of all your projects.

Listed below are five different models, but they all have something in common. I believe that they are five excellent circular saws, and they will indeed make a huge difference when it comes to your projects.

• Best Overall Circular Saw – DeWalt 7 ¼” with Electric Brake (DWE575SB)
• Best Budget Circular Saw – Skil 5280-01
• Best Circular Saw with Laser – Black & Decker BDECS300C
• Best Rail-Guided Circular Saw – Makita SP6000J1
• Best Professional Circular Saw – Skilsaw SPT77WML-0

However, I’m also acutely aware that not everyone is fully versed on what to look out for when it comes to buying a circular saw. So, I’m also here to help with that.

After my recommendations, you will find a series of tips designed to make life easier when it comes to making your decision. Then, I believe you will be in the perfect place to make your final decision and go ahead and make that all-important purchase.

How I Made My List

Making my list and getting my recommendations was not easy. With so many circular saws to choose from, I had to ensure each model could meet specific criteria. 

In this instance, I wanted each model to be powerful enough to cope with whatever you wanted to do but also easy to use. Also, each model had to make it straightforward to change the blade out whenever required, and I certainly didn’t want to recommend anything that made your life difficult.

It also involved checking out what others had to say about the saw. I had to know that these saws could cope with a lot of punishment and still produce outstanding results.

After all of that, I could go ahead and create my list, and these are the five different models I chose.

Best Overall Circular Saw – DeWalt 7 ¼” with Electric Brake (DWE575SB)

• Blade Size: 7 ¼”
• Speed: 5,200 RPM
• Bevel Capacity: 57 degrees
• Power: 15 Amp

This DeWalt circular saw is my choice for the best overall, and I have several reasons why it stood out from the rest. 

First, there’s the power in this saw. It has a 15 Amp motor that generates no-load speeds of up to 5,200 RPM. I find that more than adequate, and it means you get a pretty smooth finish.

But power is not everything.

This model also comes across as exceptionally lightweight but still makes you feel you are entirely in control. I find that to be important when you then find yourself working with those bevel angles, and this model comes with a bevel capacity of 57 degrees, which is fantastic.

I’m also impressed by the cutting depth of this model. At 90 degrees, you get an impressive 2.55”, and even at 45 degrees, it only drops to 1.9”. For a saw with a blade of this size, it does mean you get the absolute maximum out of this saw.

But handling this saw is also a delight. The ergonomically designed handle remains comfortable, and fatigue does not feel like an issue. Of course, the fact this saw is so light is another bonus, but you feel you can achieve so much with this saw.

Overall, this is a wonderful circular saw capable of doing so much with an integrated dust blower and an electric brake that stops everything as soon as you release the trigger.

Pros

• It has so much power and yet remains easy to use
• It feels light in your hand but also comfortable to hold
• The electric brake does make this model safer to use
• The dust blower clears your path for more accurate cuts
• The cutting depth is fantastic

Cons

• There are no negatives that really leap out

Best Budget Circular Saw – Skil 5280-01

• Blade Size: 7 ¼”
• Speed: 5,300 RPM
• Power: 14 Amp
• Max Cutting Depth: 2 ⅜”
• Bevel Capacity: 51 degrees

If you want to own a quality circular saw without spending too much money, then I suggest this model by Skil. I know Skil has a reputation for producing fantastic tools, and this circular saw is no different.

You get a good blade size here that measures in at some 7 ¼”, and it does come with a maximum cutting depth of 2 ⅜” at 90 degrees. I find that adequate for most projects, so there’s nothing of concern here.

For power, this budget model comes in slightly lower than what you get with more experienced models as it has a 14 Amp motor. However, it still generates a maximum speed of 5,300 RPM, so it should make short work of any type of wood, no matter how hard it is.

And then there’s the bevel capacity. It comes in at 51 degrees, and while that’s slightly less than I would like, it still gives enough opportunities for most projects.

But one thing I love about this model is its weight. It comes in at just over 7lbs in weight, and that’s very little indeed. 

It may be a budget model, but you should still have no problem cutting through your typical 2 x 4 or plywood. Also, it still comes with a dust blower, so things won’t block, and you can clearly see where you should be cutting.

Overall, this budget circular saw represents real value for money. It will allow you to complete a wide range of projects without making too big a hole in your bank balance.

Pros

• It’s lightweight and easy to handle
• It has a dust blower built into the saw
• Changing blades is quick and easy to do
• It will make short work of most material
• It’s perfect for the weekend DIY’er

Cons

• It’s slightly weaker in power, so be aware it may be slightly slower

Best Circular Saw with Laser – Black & Decker BDECS300C

• Blade Size: 7 ¼”
• Speed: 5,300 RPM
• Max Cutting Depth: 2 ½”
• Power: 13 Amp

I admit that a laser on a circular saw makes a huge difference, and this model by Black & Decker is one of the best on the market. 

First, you get the typical 7 ¼” blade and a 13 Amp motor pushing blade speeds up to a maximum of 5,300 RPM. I know that power is slightly lower than I would like, but this model is not a heavy-duty circular saw.

I do feel the cutting depth at 90 degrees is impressive since it comes in at 2 ½”, which is undoubtedly more than enough for the jobs you will typically work on with a circular saw. 

The bevel angle here is slightly disappointing as it only reaches 45 degrees. I wish it extended beyond that, but adjusting the angle does prove to be relatively easy to do. 

Changing the blade on this circular saw will prove exceptionally straightforward to do. It comes with a spindle lock, so it won’t be too cumbersome, and you can get back to work in next to no time.

But it’s the laser that makes this model stand out. What you have here is a relatively inexpensive circular saw with one of the best laser guides out there. It makes life so much easier when it comes to following the perfect cutting line, and I also believe it is straightforward to use.

Pros

• The circular saw weighs only 7lbs
• Changing the blade is simple
• The laser works exceptionally well
• It cuts 2x boards without a problem
• You will never have a problem with making straight cuts

Cons

• I just wish the bevel angle was better

Best Rail-Guided Circular Saw – Makita SP6000J1

• Blade Size: 6 ½”
• Speed: 5,200 RPM
• Max Cutting Depth: 2 3/16”
• Power: 12 Amp

Makita tools always leave a positive impression, and this circular saw is no different. Yes, it does have a slightly smaller blade size at 6 ½”, but it still produces cuts of over 2” when at 90 degrees, and I find that to be hugely impressive.

But one thing I also appreciate about this model is the fact it’s a plunge blade. You see, most circular saws need to start at the edge of the material to work, but that’s not the case here.

Instead, it means a plunge blade opens up possibilities of how this saw can be used, and then there are the rail guides.

These rail guides extend up to 55”, which is huge. It means you can easily make accurate cuts even on large boards, and this saw will not let you down in the process. A rail-guided saw will make life so much easier when it comes to getting those precise cuts, and the rails lock into place, so nothing moves as a result.

The model also works well even without the rail guides and comes with a bevel angle of up to 48 degrees. While I wish it had more of an angle, at least it goes beyond that 45-degree mark.

Overall, you know this Makita saw will last a long time and is straightforward to use and adjust. Changing blades is quick and painless too, allowing you to get on with your project without too many interruptions.

Pros

• The rail guides work well and offer absolute precision
• It’s a plunge blade, and that provides more variability
• It has a satisfactory bevel angle capacity
• It’s very reliable and easy to adjust
• This saw will last a considerable period of time

Cons

• The rail guides can be tricky to adjust at first

Best Professional Circular Saw – Skilsaw SPT77WML-0

• Blade Size: 7 ¼”
• Speed: 5,300 RPM
• Max Cutting Depth: 2 ⅜”
• Power: 15 Amp

If it’s a professional-level circular saw you would like to own, then this Skilsaw model is one I would give some serious consideration to. 

Not only does it have 15 Amp of power, but it also produces blade speeds of up to 5,300 RPM. That’s fast, and it does mean that a 7 ¼” blade should have no problem making pretty smooth finishes even on the toughest of materials.

But for me, the key to this model is its durability, and that’s partly down to the materials used in its construction. This model is made from magnesium rather than lighter, cheaper materials, which adds to its durability. It means you feel you can work this saw hard, and it won’t let you down, which is precisely what you want in a professional-level tool.

I also appreciate that this model has a wider than average bevel range of up to 53 degrees. That opens up several other opportunities when it comes to projects.

But even though this is a professional-grade tool, it remains easy to use. The durability and sheer power mark this model out as different, so if those are the important areas for you, then this tool will not let you down.

Pros

• This model is very durable and can cope with a lot of punishment
• It comes packed with a lot of power
• The bevel angle is impressive
• It’s made of a solid construction
• Changing blades is quick and easy

Cons

• It perhaps packs too much of a punch for beginners

How to Choose the Perfect Circular Saw

The five circular saws listed above are all fantastic in their own right. However, I know that choosing the perfect circular saw is not easy when you are perhaps unaware of the key things to look for.

So, these tips should hopefully make life that bit easier for you.

Blade Size

Typically, circular saws vary in blade size from 6 ½” to 7 ½” with various sizes.

Here, you need to consider the depth of material you will tend to cut with the saw, as smaller blades mean thinner material can be cut.

Power

While power plays a role, it’s less important here than other power tools. For example, I included a Makita model with 12 Amp power and a DeWalt with 15 Amp. While that’s a big difference, they do go about the cutting aspect in different ways.

While less power may indeed mean it takes longer to cut something, it can also offer you greater control. Don’t always allow yourself to be swayed by the power ratio.

Cutting Depth

When checking out the cutting depth of a circular saw, I would always examine the depth at both 90 and 45 degrees. 

The cutting depth depends on the blade size. However, I would always want the maximum cutting depth at 90 degrees to be over 2”, and for it to be as close to 2” as possible at 45 degrees.

Clearly, this influences the depth of material you can work with, so think about your projects before settling on a circular saw.

Weight

Any circular saw that weighs between 7lbs and 9lbs should suffice.

Anything above that upper weight could result in fatigue if you plan on using the circular saw for an extended period, which is not a good thing.

Bevel Capacity

The bevel angle is another area I pay close attention to.

My preference is when it goes beyond 50 degrees, as I believe it provides you with more options. However, it must always go to at least 45 degrees.

In my opinion, try to push that angle as much as your budget allows.

Other Features

I also like to consider several other features, but I admit not every circular saw comes with them.

First, look at how it deals with dust. The better models have a dust blower device included, and that helps clear your cutting path and allows you to maintain better control over the cut. Also, you may want to indulge in a model with a laser guide. That does make a huge difference in keeping in line.

Also, check if your circular saw can work with rail guides. Those rails offer the most precise type of cuts, so that’s something you may want to think about.

Finally, some models come with electric brakes that stop the saw as soon as you release the trigger. That’s an excellent thing from a safety perspective, and it’s certainly something I would recommend.

Overall, you have little in the way of key aspects to consider when purchasing your circular saw. As long as you keep the different points above firmly in your mind when looking at the various options, then I believe you will be able to locate the perfect circular saw for your projects.

Overall Conclusion

Those are my five top circular saws that could make short work of your projects. Each saw is fantastic, and as long as you understand their limitations and capabilities in advance, I don’t see you running into too many problems.

A circular saw is an incredible tool to own, and if you plan on carrying out any DIY projects on even a semi-regular basis, then I would strongly suggest owning one. You will find that the models I’ve mentioned above also cover an array of budgets, so I have no doubt you can find one that fits in with however much money you wish to spend.

Remember to run over my tips regarding what to look for if you feel unsure about any aspect. The tips are designed to make life easier when it comes to making your decision. Hopefully, after reading them, you will feel better positioned to decide on the perfect circular saw for your personal requirements.