Which is the best cordless circular saw? That’s a tough question to answer, but what I can tell you is which models I think are the best in certain categories.
I’ve used quite a few cordless circular saws these past few years, and tried out even more. There are very many good circular saws, and some great ones, and a few fantastic standouts. But the best? That sometimes depends a lot more upon personal preferences than other types of tools. Other times, it simply comes down to power, runtime, and capacity.
Looking for more “best tool” recommendations? Check out our best cordless drills, best cordless impact drivers, and best cordless oscillating multi-tool recommendations. We also discussed the best cordless power tool brand, with my vote leaning towards Milwaukee.
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I should point out that I only considered wood-cutting circular saws for this roundup, and not metal-cutting saws.
Best 18V: Milwaukee M18 Fuel 6-1/2″ 2730
If you want the best cordless circular saw, you’ll have to pony up the big bucks for the Milwaukee M18 Fuel 2730, their 6-1/2″ model that came out in late 2013. This is their first brushless circular saw, and there’s also a new 7-1/4″ saw that was added to Milwaukee’s line of M18 Fuel tools. More on that saw in a bit.
Milwaukee engineered the M18 Fuel 2730 circular saw with a brushless motor and a very robust housing. Even the shoe is overbuilt and sturdy. I know that the shoe shouldn’t be the first thing I look at in a circular saw, but it often is. A solid shoe tells you that a brand put their best effort into making the best circular saw possible.
Surprisingly, there’s no real competition to Milwaukee’s brushless circular saws. Makita was supposed to come out with a brushless circular saw of their own in early 2015, but I haven’t seen it in any stores yet.
Milwaukee’s 6-1/2″ is comfortable to use, it’s more powerful than most of the other 18V-class cordless saws I ever remember using, and it provides decent runtime. I prefer the 6-1/2″ blade size, and like that the saw is left-facing, which helps me better follow a cutline.
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But What About the New 7-1/4″ Model?
Milwaukee’s M18 Fuel 2731 brushless circular saw has corded-like blade size (7-1/4″) and corded-like performance, but with the convenience and portability of a cordless tool. It’s a best of a circular saw that performs very well, and provides greater cutting capacity than 6-1/2″ saws.
However, the saw is also a little bigger, heavier, and it’s right-facing which some users might not like. Many cordless saws are left-facing, and so you’ll need some practice if you’re upgrading from a lesser saw.
If greater cutting capacity is very important to you, then the 2731 is a great choice. But if you don’t really need the extra cutting capacity, the 6-1/2″ saw is a fantastic performer and will get you through the day with a little less arm fatigue.
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Editor’s Choice 18V: Dewalt 20V Max DCS391
I’m a sucker for Dewalt’s cordless circular saws. I am sure that Dewalt is working on brushless circular saws of their own, but in the meantime, the DCS391 saw is currently their premium model. There’s a lesser model, DCS393, but it lacks the fantastic magnesium shoe of the DCS391.
The Dewalt DCS391 offers a good balance between power, performance, runtime, and user comfort, and it’s not terribly expensive either.
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Best Budget 18V: Porter Cable
I don’t like cheap cordless circular saws, I really don’t. Inexpensive saws often have flimsy shoes and awkward knobs, and sometimes deliver lousy performance on top of all that. Less expensive cordless circular saws, especially those at the lower end of the pricing spectrum, also often have small blade sizes. When you see a 5-3/8″ blade size on an 18V-class circular saw, adjust your expectations as to how powerful the saw really is. Smaller blade = smaller motor.
5-3/8″ blades are also more difficult to find than 6-1/2″ and 7-1/4″ blade sizes. There are many brands that make general purpose blades, but when it’s time to find a plywood blade, nonferrous materials blade, a higher quality blade, or specialty blade, you won’t have much of a selection to choose from.
I reviewed Porter Cable’s 18V model a while back, and it surprised me. It looked like a cheap saw, but it performed decently and wasn’t at all flimsy as I had feared. Porter Cable is now focusing on their expanded 20V Max lineup, and so based on my experience with their 18V line, that’s the budget model I’d try first.
Ryobi will soon be coming out with a new 18V One+ 6-1/2″ circular saw, model P507, but I haven’t seen them in stores yet either. It seems like it might be on-par with Porter Cable’s 20V Max offering.
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Best 12V: Milwaukee M12 Fuel 2530
Milwaukee took all of the things users like about their M18 Fuel circular saws, and put them into an M12 Fuel saw, model 2530. Users have been asking for an M12 circular saw for quite some time, and Milwaukee didn’t disappoint them with their latest brushless tool.
As this saw is brushless, you get a great balance between power and runtime, and it’s built with a 5-3/8″ blade size. It has a 1-5/8″ cutting capacity, which means it can cleanly cut through 2X lumber materials. According to Milwaukee’s product page, the M12 Fuel saw can also accept 5-1/2″ sized blades.
If you need portable cutting convenience but can do without the greater power and cutting capacity of the M18 Fuel saw, the M12 model is smaller, lighter, and less expensive too. It’s really the only model you could use for serious work. Other 12V-class circular saws that are on the market are really small trim saws and don’t match up at all.
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The “I Wish I Could Try it” Model: Festool TSC 55
The Festool TSC 55 brushless tracksaw is the second-ever cordless plunge-cutting tracksaw, and the only one currently available. (Update: Dewalt’s 28V model is hard to find, but still out there.) It can be powered by one or two Li-ion battery packs, and is the only Festool product that I have ever seen with a dust collection bag.
Sadly, Festool has no plans to bring the TSC 55 to the USA.
Festool has announced plans to bring the TSC 55 to the USA starting in the summer of 2015.
Readers Choice
Right now, it looks like Milwaukee’s M18 Fuel brushless circular saws are leading the competition with a pretty sizable head start. You really have to try them out to appreciate the “corded-like performance” marketing claims that Milwaukee throws around. On the non-brushless side of things, I really like Dewalt’s cordless circular saw and could make do with Porter Cable’s lower budget offering. Ryobi’s has potential as a budget offering, but it’s not out yet and I didn’t test it yet.
I’ve used and tried other cordless circular saws that didn’t really make the figurative cut. I think that 2015 will be the year more of Milwaukee’s competitors catch up with the red team’s growing lineup of exclusive brushless tools, and if so I will look forward to testing them for the 2016 edition of this roundup.
Do you have a favorite cordless circular saw that you would recommend? Questions?
bymbie
I believe the Dremel is not cordless.
I would really like to get the Milwaukee M12, but I can’t justify purchasing a new saw until my current one is out of commission.
Stuart
Whoops, you’re right – thanks! The roundup started off looking at corded and cordless saws, but things got a little out of hand so I narrowed it down to focus only on cordless saws. Forgot to take out that mention of the Dremel Ultra-Saw!
Chris
Im debating the Milwaukee saws….6.5″ or 7.25″
I like the left cut of the 6.5″, but also like extra capacity of the 7.25″. I wouldnt really use the extra capacity all that much but its nice to know its there
Other than the capacity, blade-side and weight I dont think there are any differences between the saws…are there?
Has anyone else debated between the two?
Which (if any) did you end up going with?
James C
I prefer blade-left and that would be a big factor for me, personally. As for the capacity differences, consider what you’ll be cutting the most of. If it’s 2x material or sheet goods then the capacity difference doesn’t matter. Neither will do 4x material in one pass so that’s a moot point. The other consideration is if you do a lot of gang-cuts on sheet goods or beveled cuts. The 7 1/4 will have an advantage with those but it may not be significant to your uses.
Dwain (OZ Tool Talk)
this review (mine) does a decent job of comparing the two 🙂
Chris
Nothing personal, Im not going to watch the video!
I just returned the 7.25″ saw after hemming and hawing for a month….so I cant see the conclusion from your video unless it agrees with my choice 🙂
Brian
If you use a home made track guide, you’ll eat up some capacity.
But then you’ll probably only use that guide on sheets and you’ll still be fine.
As a righty, I strongly prefer a left hand saw for cutting sheets.
Bob
At Festool Connect 2015, Festool announced the TSC55 would be here in the US sometime this year (but no exact date or anything like that).
Jess
Makita released the XSH03Z Brushless Circular Saw a couple months ago. It is not sold in any big box retail stores that I have seen so far. Toolpig on instagram has posted a comparison video of it against the older brushed Makita saw here – https://instagram.com/p/1djlb3ux0d/
Dwain (OZ Tool Talk)
I’m currently editing oztooltalk’s comparison between the 6.5″ brushless Milwaukee and Makita saws, will be out in a few days 🙂 http://youtube.com/user/oztooltalk
Michael
CPO Outlets is selling the Makita XSH03Z bare tool now for $179.
http://www.cpooutlets.com/makita-xsh03z-18v-lxt-cordless-lithium-ion-6-1-2-in–brushless-circular-saw–bare-tool-/mktnxsh03z,default,pd.html
Garrick
I have the Bosch 36 volt circular saw (6 1/4″), and have found I almost never use the corded Makita anymore. The Bosch is not as powerful, so very occasionally I need the 110 volt.
Is there a comparison between the 18 volt models and the (few) 36 volt circular saws available anywhere?
KenZ
I too have that 36V saw, and while I love my 18V tools, when it comes to a circ saw, you just want that extra power for 4x4s, concrete, lots of 2x6s, whatever. With an 18V circ saw, you still kinda want to keep your corded just in case. With 36V, many (but not all) people can sell their corded for good.
On that note, and parroting Dominic below, Makita’s 2×18=36V system seems to be the best route.
KenZ
PS- Tools of the Trade did a comparison back in 2006 I think? That’s a long time ago, and the 18Vs have improved, but that’s the review that got me to grab the Bosch 36V.
dominic van lievenoogen
Makita’s dual 18v circ saw does outperform the fuel by a good Margin. It also runs longer on a charge.
Several comparison reviews by the YouTube reviewers have shown that.
adam
Small typo. You typed the best 12v is the Milwaukee 18v in the title.
Thanks for the writeup. I had been set on the 7 ¼ m18, but other than less choice of blades (at least ones promo / sale), I think I’ve changed my saw wish list.
fred
Thanks for the comparison. Any thoughts on how these might compare to a 36V Dewalt? When I was working we tried out Makita 18V (brushed model) saws and found them lacking for our intended use on roof decks. We switched over to the Dewalt 36V saw – which while not up to our Skil Mag77’s – was a good-enough performer to keep.
In my personal collection are a Makita BSS501Z trim saw that I’ve used from time to time, a Makita BSS611Z (6-1/ inch) saw that I use rarely, and a Makita BCS550Z (metal saw) that I don’t ever recall having used. I believe that they were bought as part of a packaged deal. Being mostly retired, my work (I’m a hobbyist furniture maker) is more often close to home (mine or my extended families) so I still think that my needs are better met with corded saws. When indoors, I still prefer my old Rockwell Porter Cable 4-1/2 inch trim saw over the cordless Makita. I use a Festool track saw for breaking down sheet goods and a Milwaukee 6460 (10-1/2 inch) or a Makita 5402NA for garden projects with 4×4 or larger timbers. I don’t do much framing anymore – so my old Skil 77 and B&D Supersawcat (IMO – the best sidewinder ever made) sit as collector’s items.
BikerDad
Gadzooks Fred, you’ve got more saws than I have drills!! (If I don’t count the 2 dead Ni-Cad units). And those are only your portable electric circular saws.
I haven’t used any of the cordless circular saws, so I can’t weigh in. I’m waiting for either the DeWalt brushless or Festool to show up before I take the plunge. If the price premium for the Festool isn’t too high, I’ll likely go with that and kill two birds (track saw and cordless) with one stone. Otherwise it will be the DeWalt and a track saw TBD later.
fred
Only 3 different-use Makita cordless saws – and I think they all came in a bundle.
Now if my Makita 5402NA were cordless – I’m guessing the battery would have to be bigger than what I have my your car and the saw and would be a lot more than the 30 (or so) pounds that it now weighs as a corded version.
Tom
I have used a Cordless Dewalt tracksaw. They still have the DC351KL on thier site.
http://www.dewalt.com/us/tracksaw/products/DC351KL.html
Stuart
Looks like you’re right. I couldn’t find anyone that had this in stock when I last checked, but it looks like some dealers are still selling it now.
John Blair
I recently remodeled my kitchen myself. The only circular saw I had was a Festool track saw. Since I was going to have to cut up some ruined subfloor with staples still in it, I bought the Cordless Dewalt 20v Max DCS391 as a bare tool. The tool was only $110 before the $25 off 100 sale Amazon seems to run every year. For $85 bucks, it wasn’t much more than a replacement Festool blade. I ended up loving the saw. If you already have 20v Max battery and charger, it is very good for a ridiculously good price.
John E
Agree, 100%
Dave
I have the 7-1/4 Fuel, and its a great cordless, but that being said pretty much every review I’ve seen has the 2x18v Makita besting it pretty handily in every test. I’m already heavily invested in Milwaukee, and love all my Fuel tools. So I’m not about to go running to Makita, but I’m shocked it did not even get a mention. My Fuel is nice, but does not really deliver true corded performance, and can still get bogged down on tougher tasks, a problem the 2x18v makita does not seem to have.
Stuart
Technically the X2 is a 36V saw, but I suppose it might have qualified for consideration. As mentioned, except for the cordless Festool, my recommendations are based on saws I have used and tested. Makita wanted to send out their new brushless saw for testing, but I haven’t seen anything yet. Hopefully I’ll be able to test one out in time to be considered for the next post update.
Adam spiller
I’ve used cordless saws, and they have no reel power, they suck.
Dwain (OZ Tool Talk)
then you haven’t used any of the more recent professional models. The 3 Milawaukee models, Dewalt, Bosch and 2 Makitas are all very nice 18V circ saws.
john
Agreed on that Dwain. Lots of cordless circs are fantastic these days. I use the Dewalt having always thought they were a bit weak and weedy but the Dewalt has been a revelation.
Frankie
Dwain,
I’m a DIYer looking to buy his first (rather than borrow) GOOD saw. I’m torn between the M18 (which I would have to buy battery, charger, etc) or the Makita XSS02Z , OR a corded. I have read through your reviews; I know that cordless are now as good, but it means having more crap aroud, more needs to be replaced – when a corded just lasts forever, til it doesn’t. What are your thoughts?
Stuart
Cordless comes in handy for DIY work, such as breaking down 8′ limber in the home center parking lot to bring home. The last time I was at Home Depot, it took at least 30 minutes to find someone to make a single cut.
But you’ll get a lot more tool for your money with a corded saw.
It takes a lot longer for a power cord to wear out than a Li-ion battery pack.
For the same money you can get a pro-grade cordless saw, or pro-grade corded saw AND a homeowner-grade cordless.
Frankie
So you wouldn’t recommend just going all out and getting an M18 set, but rather a good corded and a lower-grade cordless? What would be your recommendations for these two, if you have it?
Stuart
It depends on how often you would take advantage of the cordless saw’s cord-free freedom. If you plan on using the saw a lot, it might be worth going all out for an M18 set. But for infrequent use, you’re going to have to spend money in a couple of years on replacement batteries. If you already bought into a cordless platform, then it’s a tough decision to make because you already have batteries and just need to buy the bare tool.
For corded, I have a Festool tracksaw. For cordless, I would go with Porter Cable or maybe Ryobi, and I would make sure it had a 6.5″ blade size. I tested a Porter Cable corded saw a while back, and really liked it too (https://toolguyd.com/porter-cable-heavy-duty-circular-saw-review/). Too bad their new “heavy duty” model looks kind of flimsy. I’d say that $85 and up gets you a fantastic corded saw, but less expensive ones can be decent too. If I had to come up with a corded saw shortlist right now, Milwaukee, Dewalt, and Bosch would be my top 3 choices.
Chad
I gave up waiting for a Dewalt brushless and replaced my older 18v dewalt with the new 20v model. It’s twice as good as the old. Larger, more power and the typical fade during the cut which the older saw would do when running low is gone.
The only 18v I have left to replace is my radio, one impact and my recip saw.
OnTheWeb
My Milwaukee NiCad 6-1/2″ non-Fuel saw built plenty of decks with nothing but battery power and using treated lumber and cut the 4×4’s by going around the perimeter cutting at full depth. 2×8’s? Check. Yes, I had a triple battery charger but the saw had no problem cutting anything I threw at it.
The only time I would grab a corded saw is for ripping.
Adam spiller
I have a makita hypoid wormdrive saw, no cordless saw has the power that’s got, I just don’t think cordles saws are that good , they say it’s the future, but I just can’t see it.
john
Its not the future, its the present. I have recently started using a cordless saw and its a real timesaver and has plenty of guts.
Of course a corded saw will be best for heavy cuts but for 90% of work a good cordless will cut it. And the timesaving by not plugging in soon adds up.
Jimmie
Has anybody used the M12 Fuel saw? I know it can handle 2x material but those cuts tend to be short (can’t imagine someone ripping a 2×4 with one of these saws). I’m curious whether it’ll bog down on when doing a 4-5 foot cut in 3/4″ plywood. Any insights?
Stuart
I haven’t used or tested it on sheet goods wider than 24″ yet, but I don’t think it’ll bog down. It won’t be quite as speedy as an 18V-class tool, but it’s less fatiguing to use imho.
A 4-5 foot cut of a stack of 3/4″ plywood sheets? Definitely the wrong tool for the job.
Jimmie
Thanks, Stuart. Seeing how CPO is running a $20-off-$100 promotion for Milwaukee gear thru the 24th, I used it to get one.
Frankie
Jimmie,
Where did you see that coupon?
Thanks!
fred
I’m a fan of he right tool for the job
We used a Skil-77 wormgear saw with a bigfoot attachment for gang-cutting stacks of plywood or OSB.
http://www.amazon.com/Foot-BF-4-Inch-Wormdrive-Circular/dp/B0000224SE/
OnTheWeb
I contacted Milwaukee and they do not make an edge guide for the M12 Fuel circular saw.
Adam spiller
Yes it will bog down, no power, no torque,
Adam spiller
Cordless saws, O ,K for small jobs, i would probably end up throwing it in the dumpster.
Nathan
I bought a use Milwaukee Tilt-Lock saw last year, figuring that for something as power-intensive as a circular saw, a corded version was a better choice. It turned out to be very powerful but in fact more saw than i need on regular basis and too large and heavy to go with me as often as i’d like. So it’s more a matter of when than if for the m12 Fuel saw, as i have decided i won’t invest in more than one battery system and that one works well for me.
So what i’m trying to decide is “when”. There’s currently a $20 sale at CPO but the best case scenario would be to get the bare tool version during the free battery deal HD has during the holidays. I heard that they also do the battery deal around Father’s Day. Can anybody confirm that, and are there thoughts on whether something as new as the m12 saw will be offered or what other special sale i should look out for?
OnTheWeb
If you can only have one saw, you need to go with M18 and a 6-1/2″ version. Even the brushed Milwaukee is decent and I used one for 7 years. The M12 is a nice-to-have and not intended to be your main or only saw.
6-1/2″ brushed Milwaukee built all of this deck, including cutting the treated framing, 4×4’s, etc.
https://www.flickr.com/photos/22844360@N07/3624360662/in/photolist-6wgN9W-6wgN7S-6wgNc3-6Dci9d-5N9Btb-8SjDxk-6tZQKn-6tfRLD-6qmFzu-6qhwmv
Nathan
Right, but i’m not going to buy into the m18 line so that isn’t an option. If i end up needing more saw than the m12 fuel can provide down the line i’ll buy another corded model for that application. Small and lightweight are high priority for me right now.
Frankie
Whats the CPO $20 coupon?
Joe
As a dewalt fan, I’m getting tired of coming up with excuses. This year is to red IMO. I still don’t like reds’ ergonomics but it is what it is.
When it comes to speed performance balance, red has figured out something.
Festool, I’m wondering who is fes?
At least from my descriptive understanding.
DeWalt = Walt Disney.
Milwaukee = us state.
Makita = machine.
ryobi = ?
I may be 100% wrong of course lol. But I would not mind knowing the history for the names of the tool brands.
To get back on topic, yeah big red has my vote.
Ryan
Milwaukee’s a state, eh?
fred
As far as I understand a guy named Raymond DeWalt invented the radial arm saw back in the 1930’s. His company became synonymous with that tool type. We had a big old 1950 vintage AMF-Dewalt sitting in the corner of one of our shops. At some point in the 1960’s the company was sold to Black and Decker – who probably valued the brand name more than they did radial arms saws that were starting to fall out of favor. Anyway they (B&D) started putting the Dewalt name on their tool line aimed at professional users – leaving the B&D brand name for hobbyist-DIY markets. When B&D acquired Porter Cable (known for professional tools aimed at the woodworking- carpentry trade) – B&D apparently decided to make PC their intermediate brand.
The Festool name – may have something to do with the names of company founders Albert Fezer and Gottlieb Stoll – but it could just as easily be a made-up name
OnTheWeb
Yes, when ‘Festool’ was introduced to the US years back, its original name was “Festo” for a few years, then it became “Festool.”
Back then you could buy stuff online, pretty much without taxes because they had no US presence in the states. Then they became Festool and the rest is history.
Very high quality machines designed with dust collection as a priority instead of an afterthought.
CanadianStig
This might be a daft question, why is the blade placement not standardized in the industry, Placing the blade on the left or right?
Personally I’m more comfortible with a blade placed on the left. I could have two or three different circular saws operating on the project. Using a left side then switching to right seems to throw me off a little.
Stuart
There’s no standard, at least not that I am aware of, but there is a common practice, if that makes sense.
Worm drive circular saws are left-sided. Corded sidewinder-style circular saws are right-sided. Cordless 6-1/2″ circular saws are left-sided. Since cordless 7-1/4″ saws are meant to be comparable to corded saws, they’re right-sided.
Some brands offer left and right-sided saws.
fred
The debate has continued (some might say raged) for some time. Early on the first Skil sidewinder saws were supposedly designed for right handed users and blade on the right usually meant that the weight of the saw was on the larger (not off cut) side of the cut. This meant that the saw was better supported – but the cutline was a bit obscured. When worm-gear saws were introduced – the motor was more in-line with the blade – and (as an example) the Skil 77 positioned the blade on the left – with a noticeably better sightline. Maybe because of their inline geometry and because worm gear saws are often used with a 2 handed grip – the position in relation to the offcut might have been less of an issue. Today different sidewinder saws come either left or right blade – and it may be a matter of personal preference which you like. As with other tools – its nice to try them out before you buy to see what feels good in your hands.
rx9
I just got the M18 fuel 7.25 inch saw, and it is fantastic. Having had previous experience with the fuel impacts, I was expecting it to be powerful, and although it seemed not exactly as powerful as a high amp corded model, it didn’t disappoint. The light was a nice touch. What really impressed me was how light and quiet the saw was compared to my corded Ryobi. This saw is a pleasure to use and powerful enough to make short work of most tasks.
Joe
How does the M12 circular saw compare to the lower-end 18v circular saws such as the brushed Makita/Milwaukee? I currently run all M12 tools, and corded for everything heavy duty. I’ve been looking to get an 18v kit lately, just wondering if a circular saw would be a good place to start or if I could continue with M12. Not looking to shell out the extra $$ for brushless other than the M12 fuel.
Albert Holmes
I’m a longtime DeWalt cordless user and had their 14.4V tool for many years till the NiCad batteries wore out. Not a professional user but do moderate size home and farm projects. I am now sold on the brushless motor concept and have collected most of DeWalt’s 20v XR tools over the past 2 years. Have been eagerly awaiting DeWalt circ and Recip saws with brushless motors, but have become very discouraged with how DeWalt has drug their feet on developing these tools with no info of any kind on when they will be available. I’m expecting my current tools to last many years and refuse to buy brushed and then have brushless come out a month later. Considering going with Milwaukee or Festool. Having 2 different lines might not be so bad, adds versatility. Any explanation on DeWalt’s puzzling procrastination?
alex
Ive been having the same thoughts. It seems to me like Dewalt is multiple generations behind with their saws and reciprocating saws. I can’t be bothered investing money in their obsolete brushed saws, even though I already have the batteries. I am getting more and more tempted to sell my Dewalt stuff and go to Milwaukee. Dewalt seriously needs to put more money into the R and D of their core product lines instead of getting left further and further behind
Albert
I agree, and if I like the Milwaukee saws well enough, I might even sell my Dewalt stuff too, and go Milwaukee all the way.
OnTheWeb
I’ve had Makita and Dewalt cordless saws in the past, and was never happy until the Milwaukee.
fm2176
I have a Porter Cable 18v saw similar to the one in Stuart’s review. Mine has notches in the shoe instead of the plastic piece, though. Since PC decided to abandon the 18v line (okay, make it a Ni-Cad system–effectively abandoning it besides batteries and chargers for however long) I won’t harp on my saw in particular, but rather preach the benefits of going cordless to the naysayers.
I’ve used the heck out of mine this year. I’ve made various cuts at a house I’m slowly remodeling, that doesn’t have power. I’ve built a few things out of dimensional lumber at the place I live. Most recently I cut all of the material for blocking and bracing shipping containers my unit shipped halfway across the US. Corded would have only been a realistic possibility for the stuff I built at my residence; power simply wasn’t available for the other two.
Even consumer grade stuff like Porter Cable is decent nowadays. I have to use the four LX (1.3 Ah) batteries I have, but they last a fair amount of time so long as the saw isn’t forced and the cutting depth is set. Also, I’ve only ever used Diablo blades since my saw was a display and didn’t come with one. I’d guess that I make twenty cuts through 2×6 lumber and six rips across 5/8″ plywood before needing to switch batteries, and my newest battery is three years old. Imagine what newer brushless technology with 4.0 Ah or bigger batteries can do!
I know I’m mostly preaching to the choir, but when my cheap Ryobi circular saw was stolen along with my Milwaukee Sawzall and Magnum drill a couple of years ago I figured I’d miss them. I already had a cordless reciprocating saw, and bought the cordless circular saw shortly after redeploying, and the more the use them the less I have an urge to use corded tools. I did splurge and buy the corded versions (both Porter Cable for less than a new Sawzall would have cost) earlier this year: the TigerSaw has been used once, while the circular saw hasn’t even seen a blade put on it yet.
Charles
If you get a chance I would love to see this list updated to reflect some newer saws. To me there are only 3 cordless saws that are competitive with corded saws. Milwaukee’s brushless 7 1/4″, Makita’s brushless 7 1/4″, and Ridgid brushed 7 1/4″ circular saw.
On Real tools review, and Tool craze youtube channel have done reviews on these saws. The Makita uses two 18v batteries so its really more close to a 36v tool, and as expected it outperforms these models. The Ridgid and Milwaukee saws, perform about the same in both their tesst when both saws are powered by 4ah batteries. When you factor in the price difference, to me that makes the Ridgid the winner in terms of value. They also compared Ridgid’s gen5x recip saw with the milwaukee sawzall. Ridgid’s recip saw is competitive their as well.
If Ridgid’s gen5x brushed circular saw performed that well, I’m interested to see how well it will their new gen5x brushless motor circular saw will perform.
Stuart
I’ve been testing a couple of other saws, and will be updating this post in 2016. To be frank, I haven’t seen anything that would change my opinions very much. I need to put in a little more time with Makita’s brushless saw, and will try to get my hands on Ridgid’s new model.
Frank D
need advice, I’m looking to add one more Cordless Circular Saw to my collection, I currently have the 6-1/2 in makita, works great and good dust collection, you have to buy an add on piece for around 8 bucks but well worth it. Then I have a 5 1/2 Ryobi that came in a kit I was basically just buying for the batteries. Not the best saw pretty much just something I keep in my car in case I need to cut something down really quick, actually has come in handy.
I am a big fan of Milwaukee and I am thinking about going in that direction, I already have several m12 and m18 tools with batteries so thats not an issue. I am just wondering everyones thoughts on the new 7-1/4″ BL and the 6-1/2 BL as well as the non bl model and how they may stack up against one another? Then there is the 5-3/8 m12 which I have confirmed take 5-1/2″ blades.
To me they are all fairly nice saws that come in at anywhere between $100 if you catch a sale on the standard 6-1/2 to 200$ but for arguments sake lets just call it 120$ to 200$ the 7-1/4 and 6-1/2 are now priced the same at 200. Is that extra blade depth worth it though?
Also I should note that I also have the capabilites to go with porter cable 6.5 or 5.5 20v at a very low price as well as the 18v bosch li-ion 6.5.
I am personally not a fan of dewalt besides the dw735 planer and dw621 plunge router their tools just don’t appeal to me.
Just looking for opinions let me know what you think
Thanks
adam
I have been tossing it up between the M18 BL 6-1/2″ & 7-1/4,” and will probably go with the 7, as I can get it cheaper in-store (haven’t seen the 6 in the store once the 7 came in). I’d probably be fine with the M12, but it seems the widest selection & more likely to go-on-sale saw blade size would be the 7-1/4.” (I would like the 6 because of the blade placement, but much less blade selection).
I, like you, don’t care so much for the Dewalt tools. I can’t give a good reason why, but not my #1 tool brand choice. Perhaps it is their tardiness in releasing new tools that would actually benefit the consumer. I do however like their OPE (outdoor power equipment 40v) quite a bit.
Frank D
Well don’t ask me how or why but the tool gods smiled down upon me, As I was driving home yesterday I happened across a pawn store that appeared to be having a big sale, turns out they were just really busy at that time. I stopped in and took a look around, at first I wasn’t impressed and then I stumbled upon the Milwaukee 2730, Brand New Condition w/ the charger, bag and RED xc4.0 Battery and they had it priced at $120. I thought that to be a good deal and assumed there was a catch so I asked an associate why the price was that much. He responded the bare tool at home depot sells for $119 so with the battery it seems fair considering its condition, I realized he or someone didn’t know there was a brushless and a non brushless model one at $119 and the other at $200. I shrugged and say could you do better? he said name a price, I threw out 70 bucks he said that’s a little too low but will you do $80, I immediately walked to the register and payed them.
A great day for me but of course last week I just purchased the PCC660 as a secondary saw to my Makita. Now I have 4 Cordless Circular Saws.
I am curious to know why Makita is the only one to offer a dust collection nozzle? The PC has a port however they do not sell an adapter nozzle to hook up to a dust collection or shop vac like the Makita?
Anyone know of an adapter for the PCC660?
Frank D
I have just added the Ridgid Gen5x 7-1/4″ Circular saw to the collection. I am also going to be picking up the m12 Fuel because home depot has it on sale in some stores for $75, I now have 5 Cordless Circular Saws as well as top of the line blades to go with each and every one of them. I’m an addict, it’s time to accept that. I can literally justify each and everyone. The saddest part is the only one that actually hooks up to a dust collector is the Makita. If anyone knows of an adapter nozzle like the Makita, please let me know. I have the M18 6.5 fuel, PCC660 6.5, Ridgid gen5x 7-1/4 and Ryobi 5.5<– the ryobi was bought because I bought the nailer and needed a battery, so it seemed to make since to buy the 4 pc combo kit w 2 batteries for $110 rather than 2 batteries and a charger for 80$. I have to say its come in very handy, I keep it in the trunk and its good to have that extra drill for friends that seem to want to borrow tools instead of buying their own. I would much rather loan out ryobi than my Fuel, Hilti or Bosch stuff.