Last Updated on August 28, 2022 by Barry Gray
The argument between corded and cordless tools is something that just runs on and on with no sign of stopping. Some people simply prefer one over the other, but I’m not one to judge when it comes to your preference.
I admit that there are many fantastic corded tools out there on the market, and I’m going to look at one tool in particular; the circular saw.
A circular saw is a fantastic tool at your disposal, and there’s no doubt that anybody interested in working with wood for any project would do well to have one by their side.
But that then opens up another important question.
If you do not already have one, then how on earth do you manage to select the right corded circular saw for your needs? If I look at the marketplace, I feel swamped, so I know how you feel.
But that’s where I plan on helping.
You see, I have had a considerable number of years working with power tools, and I feel I’m pretty well placed to offer some advice on which corded circular saws are the best out there.
I have spent a lot of time checking out the various circular saws, which has led to me creating a list of seven of the best options available.
- Best Corded Circular Saw Overall – Makita 7 ¼” 5007Mg
- Best Corded Circular Saw for Beginners – Black & Decker 7 ¼” BDECS300C
- Best Corded Circular Saw for Home Use – Craftsman 7 ¼” CMES510
- Best Corded Circular Saw for the Money – Skil 7 ¼” 5280-01
- Best Corded Circular Saw Under $100 – WORX WORXSAW WX429L
- Best Corded Circular Saw with Laser – TECCPO Mini with Laser TAPS22P
- Most Powerful Corded Circular Saw – DeWalt 7 ¼” with Electric Brake DWE575SB
But that’s not all.
I’m also going to provide you with a number of tips on what to look out for when you are in the market for a new circular saw. I’m confident that the information I have available will make your life so much easier.
How I Made My List
I want to stress that each circular saw that appears on my list only does so after considerable research and time spent weighing up the pros and cons. I wanted to ensure each saw was reliable, robust, and capable of producing the sorts of results you wanted.
But it wasn’t just what I thought about them.
I also looked at the opinions of others and their long-term experience of using the tools. That helped me to ascertain if they are likely to put up with a lot of use or if they should have been left off my list.
Basically, each tool that appears on my list is on there because I believe they are among the best circular saws available.
So, let’s get on with checking them out.
Best Corded Circular Saw Overall – Makita 7 ¼” 5007Mg
- Blade Size: 7 ¼”
- Speed: 5,800 RPM
- Max Cutting Depth: 2 ½” at 90 degrees
- Weight: 10 lbs
Makita is a name to be reckoned with, and this particular corded circular saw is one of the best on the market, and I have chosen it as the best overall on my list.
It comes with a 7 ¼” blade while it works at speeds of 5,800 RPM. It is also powered by some 1800W, making for one powerful circular saw. You should have no problem working through even hardwood stock with this model.
When it comes to the cutting depth, I feel this model is pretty average. At 90 degrees, you get a maximum depth of 2 ½”, which drops to 1 ¾” when you move to 45 degrees.
But that’s not all I love about this model.
It also has a fantastic dust extraction system to clear the cutting path. It helps you out even more by having two powerful lights, and this does help with accuracy. In addition, changing angles is done in seconds as this circular saw also plunges and bevel cuts.
Overall, this powerful circular saw is comfortable to hold, doesn’t create too many vibrations, and only weighs some 10lbs.
Pros
- It is a powerful circular saw
- The dust blower works well to clear the path
- The cutting depth is more than adequate
- It feels comfortable in your hand
- It’s lightweight at only 10lbs
Cons
- The blade size does mean some limitations on what you can cut
Best Corded Circular Saw for Beginners – Black & Decker 7 ¼” BDECS300C
- Blade Size: 7 ¼”
- Speed: 5,300 RPM
- Power: 13 Amps
- Weight: 7 lbs
If you want the perfect circular saw when just starting out with this type of tool, then this model by Black & Decker could be the ideal solution. It comes with a 13 Amp motor creating a speed of 5,300 RPM, and even though the motor is less powerful than so many circular saws, I still find it more than adequate.
Also, I love it only weighs 7 lbs. It should mean less fatigue when using the saw, and the handle is also designed to make it comfortable to hold. This leads to better control over your project, which is something you will prefer when mastering a circular saw.
The 7 ¼” blade will provide you with cuts up to 2 ½” deep at 90 degrees, which is fantastic. It also has a bevel angle of up to 45 degrees, which may be less than some options, but it’s perfect for people beginning with a circular saw.
Overall, it’s incredible that a saw with this low price even comes with a laser guide to make it easier for you to follow your lines. I feel this saw is easy to set up and easy to change blades, and yet it still creates perfect crisp cuts every time.
Pros
- It’s quick and easy to set up
- It delivers crisp cuts
- It has a laser guide included
- It’s comfortable in your hand
- It makes it easy to be accurate
Cons
- The motor is slightly less powerful than some brands, so it may struggle with some materials
Best Corded Circular Saw for Home Use – Craftsman 7 ¼” CMES510
- Blade Size: 7 ¼”
- Speed: 5,500 RPM
- Power: 15 Amp
- Weight: 11.05 lbs
This circular saw by Craftsman may be heavier than most, but I still love it as a tool. It has a 7 ¼” blade and comes with 15 Amps of power, resulting in speeds of 5,500 RPM. It also has an impressive 55-degree bevel angle capacity, so you should have no problem setting up this saw for various projects.
The key here with this tool is fast cutting. It makes short work of getting through most materials, and I find that it does produce some pretty smooth cuts, even under harsh conditions.
Changing blades on this tool should also be easy as it comes with a spindle lock mechanism. I hate when tools make it almost impossible to change something as integral as the blade, so it’s cool to see that this is not one of those tools.
Add in a magnesium shoe, upper and lower guards, and what you have is a well-built tool, able to withstand harsh conditions and yet very easy to use.
Pros
- It’s very powerful and can cut through various materials
- Changing blades is very easy
- It is very robust
- It’s comfortable in your hand
- It makes fast work of cutting
Cons
- It may be slightly on the heavy side for some people
Best Corded Circular Saw for the Money – Skil 7 ¼” 5280-01
- Blade Size: 7 ¼”
- Speed: 5,300 RPM
- Power: 15 Amp
- Weight: 6.95 lbs
If you want to know the best corded circular saw for the money, then I suggest this model by Skil. It has a huge 15 Amp motor and produces speeds of 5,300 RPM, so its 7 ¼” blade will make quick work of most projects.
But that’s not all it has to offer as a circular saw.
It has a fantastic dust blowing system that helps clear the path for your cuts. Also, the laser included in the model makes life easier for the beginner to keep that straight cut path, and I find this saw easy to set up.
In addition, this model comes with an anti-snag guard, making it easier to produce those narrow cuts. Finally, it has an indicator light when it’s good to go, and this is just an example of how Skil goes for those small details with their features. Add a comfortable handle and overall design intended to reduce fatigue, and you have a great circular saw that won’t break the bank.
Pros
- It has a vast amount of power
- The dust blowing system is fantastic
- The anti-snag lower guard is a great addition
- It won’t tire you out, thanks to the ergonomic design
- It’s very easy to use
Cons
- There really are no major problems
Best Corded Circular Saw Under $100 – WORX WORXSAW WX429L
- Blade Size: 4 ½”
- Speed: 3,500 RPM
- Power: 400W
- Weight: 4.4lbs
I love when I find a tool that is an absolute bargain regarding price, and this model by WORX really does fit the bill. It costs you well under $100, yet it’s still a fantastic corded circular saw at your disposal.
Granted, it does have less power at only 400W, and the blade size is small at 4 ½”, but those are no reasons to avoid this model. I love it because it still gets the job done, even though it takes a bit longer, and it still provides those clean cuts you should be looking for.
It comes with a maximum speed of 3,500 RPM, making this model perfect for beginners, where you don’t have to worry about possibly losing control. In addition, it does have a maximum cutting depth of 2”, and that’s only marginally shorter than you tend to get with larger models.
Overall, I also like the fact this model is comfortable to hold, has a three-step bladed system, and you can even use it with one hand. It’s a fantastic model at a fantastic price.
Pros
- It’s a compact corded circular saw
- It still produces impressive speeds
- It has a cutting depth of 2”
- It’s very easy to hold
- You won’t struggle to maintain control when using this saw
Cons
- The size does bring with it some limitations
Best Corded Circular Saw with Laser – TECCPO Mini with Laser TAPS22P
- Blade Size: 3 ⅜”
- Speed: 3,700 RPM
- Power: 580W
- Weight: 5.25 lbs
Several circular saws come equipped with a laser to help you stay in line with where you are cutting, and I love this particular model by TECCPO. Now I know you may not be too familiar with the brand name, but this mini circular saw is a fine example.
Sure it comes with a smaller blade at 3 ⅜”, but it still gives you speeds of 3,700 RPM and almost 600W of power. That does mean this small blade has a lot going on behind it, and it will still make impressive cuts even though tougher materials.
I also like that this circular saw is easy to use, and even people new to circular saws will have no difficulty using this model. I also like how it can manage to cut not only wood but also tile, plastic, and aluminum.
But this model doesn’t only have a laser guide; it also comes with a scale and a depth gauge, so setting up this model to complete your task is very straightforward. I really feel that anybody can then get the results they want, thanks to this model.
From a safety perspective, it has a double start/stop button along with a safety trigger in the handle. That means it will stop whenever you want to by letting go, and I do like that feature.
Overall, this may be a small saw, but it packs so much into it
Pros
- This small saw is dynamite
- It has the ability to cut through various materials
- It has several safety features to stop the saw in its tracks
- The laser is easy to use
- The depth gauge allows you to make the perfect cut
Cons
- The size does restrict the depth of cut it can make
Most Powerful Corded Circular Saw – DeWalt 7 ¼” with Electric Brake DWE575SB
- Blade Size: 7 ¼”
- Speed: 5,200 RPM
- Power: 15 Amp
- Weight: 8.8 lbs
DeWalt has always been a fantastic brand, and this particular circular tool is another amazing option. It comes with a 15Amp motor, which helps push this circular saw to speeds of 5,200 RPM. Basically, it makes short work of even tougher wood, so you should have no difficulty using it with any part of your project.
It also comes with a 7 ¼” blade, allowing you to get down to depths of over 2” without any problems.
But what I like about this model is that it may be powerful, but it remains lightweight thanks to an aluminum base. However, it remains strong and comfortable in your hand when using, and I feel that it makes this saw particularly easy to use.
This saw also has a wonderful bevel capacity that pushes on to 57 degrees. I love when something goes beyond 45 degrees as it opens up so many possibilities; this saw is an excellent example.
Finally, this model has a ball-bearing lower guard, which helps protect the tool from some more harsh conditions. I also find the motor to be reliable and require little in the way of maintenance, meaning this circular saw should last for years.
Pros
- It packs so much power into the saw
- It’s lightweight
- The bevel capacity is perfect
- The tool requires little maintenance
- It’s very easy to use
Cons
- It could do with a better form of dust extraction
How to Choose Your Corded Circular Saw
When choosing your corded circular saw, you have several key areas that I feel you need to focus on. I want you to make the correct choice regarding your tools, so here are some tips on what to look out for.
Power
Power is a tough one to discuss. Going for a larger circular saw, I would aim more for 15 Amps of power, but 13 Amps could still suffice.
For more compact or mini circular saws, you can drop to around 5 Amps of power, but you need to remember the limitations of the power drop.
The more power you have, the easier it will be to cut through harder materials, so try to push it as much as you can.
Speed
Speed is another key consideration with a circular saw, and once again, the higher the number, the easier the saw finds it to cut through the material. Most larger circular saws will come with rates of over 5,000 RPM, and I find those to be the best, but compact saws will often drop below 4,000 RPM.
The key here is to remember that a lower speed will result in it taking longer for the saw to work through the material. However, a lower speed can also result in better control over the project.
Cutting Depth
The cutting depth is directly related to the size of the blade. I would aim for a blade size of around 7 ¼”, but compact circular saws will tend to come in closer to the 4” mark for the blade.
That does then change the depth it can cut, and keep in mind you have a cut at 90 degrees and 45 degrees to consider.
For the average circular saw, you should be achieving a cut depth of around 2 ½” at 90 degrees for the saw to be capable of dealing with most projects.
Additional Features
Other additional features I would be looking for include laser guides, easy blade changes, and a dust blowing system.
A dust blowing system keeps things nice and clear to allow you to really follow the cutting line. This improves accuracy, and when you have this tied in with a laser guide, then it’s almost impossible to go wrong.
I would always make sure it does move the dust away, and you want a quick change for the blade to make your life so much easier.
Weight
Circular saws do not tend to be too heavy, and this is especially the case with corded versions. That means I wouldn’t worry about the weight aspect and would focus more on the power and speed aspects rather than stressing about this part.
Overall, choosing a circular saw only involves you having to think about several key areas. Think about your project and the materials you will be cutting to help determine the perfect speed and power you need to complete things without a hitch.
Overall Conclusion
The seven different corded circular saws listed above are all excellent in their own right, and that’s why they have made it onto my list. I’m confident that you will be able to find the perfect corded circular saw to fit your needs within those seven options.
But I implore you to think carefully about the points I mentioned above regarding the key areas to look out for when buying a corded circular saw. I believe those points will make your life much easier, and improve the chances of you choosing the perfect saw at the first time you ask.
