Ryobi has launched a new 18V compact cordless circular, model PCL400, which was designed for one-handed use and features a 4-1/2″ blade size.
The new Ryobi compact cordless circular saw has a 1-9/16″ maximum depth of cut, allowing it to cut through 2x construction lumber in a single pass, as well as plywood, OSB, flooring, and other sheet goods.
Additional features include 0 to 45° bevel range, integrated spindle lock, and on-board hex wrench for convenient blade changes.
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- 4-1/2″ saw blade size
- 5200 RPM
- 0-45° bevel range
- 1-9/16″ max cutting depth at 90°
- On-board vacuum port (adapter not included)
- 24 TPI blade included
Ryobi says it can perform over 150 cuts per charge when powered by their 18V 2Ah High Performance battery (included in the kit).
Price: $60 for the bare tool (PCL400B), $99 for the kit (PCL400K1)
ETA: November 2025
The kit comes with a 2Ah battery and charger.
The new Ryobi 18V saw will be sold exclusively at Home Depot.
Discussion
This looks to be a great addition to the Ryobi 18V cordless power tool system.
Ryobi’s newest circular saw is not part of the 18V HP family, and as such it appears to have a brushed motor rather than brushless.
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Still, the tool looks very compact.
The ability to cross-cut 2x construction lumber in a single pass is a must-have in a tool like this.
While I wouldn’t say the same about the integrated spindle lock and on-board hex key storage, it’s good to know that blade changes should be low-hassle. (Do any circular saws not have this these days?)
I’m not sure if it’s just the product images, but the saw is affordable without looking cheap.
With the feature set and the ergonomics as depicted in the product images, I think this could be the perfect starter saw for DIYers, or maybe a capable compact saw for portable or smaller tool kits.
Wes
Itty-Bitty saws like this can be super useful in Finish Carpentry stuff. The Porter-Cable 314 was amazing for this…. but new Porter-Cable sucks. Most of the little trim style saws I see these days look and feel super cheap. If this thing is kind of sturdy and sort of well made, I might be tempted to buy an actual Ryobi tool.
fred
Back in the dark ages when paneling was all the rage – we had Makita (9.6V NiCad) saws – that had 3 to 3-3/8 inch blades. They were had a sleek compact design – perhaps even smaller than their current offering CXT (12V) model:
https://www.amazon.com/Makita-SH02Z-Lithium-Ion-Cordless-Circular/dp/B01DZJDTBY
For me – my trim saw for many years was a corded Rockwell-Porter-Cable 4-1/2 inch worm gear saw (#9314). Before I bought my first track saw – the PC was my go-to for breaking down sheet goods ahead of the table saw
ElectroAtletico
Oh awesome!! I was looking at buying a small circular saw for small jobs! I just got a $45 gift certificate from Lowe’s – I’m thinking of turning it around and using it at the Depot to purchase this!!!
Mike
Wow, crazy, the “Buy the Kit” link goes to the correct item (“ONE+ 18V Cordless 4-1/2 in. Circular Saw Kit with 2 Ah Battery and Charger”), but the images are mostly of the 18V 3/8″ ratchet! Home Depot is out of control.
Mitherial
Is there a Milwaukee equivalent of this Ryobi saw? I own one of the “mid-range” MW circular saws, which is perfectly functional for heavy use, but as someone who only occasionally works with wood, a smaller saw like this (capable of cutting 2x4s) would actually serve me better.
> MW has a 3″ cut-off saw, but this takes bigger blades at 4.5″
Jason
They don’t, I’ve been getting into battery adapters lately for this reason (look for quality ones not the cheap 3d printed or import ones).
Mostly have used them on low draw tools like speakers and lights and stuff, but this saw looks intriguing.
Aaron SD
Dewalt does. I have one. I’m glad to see another one so there should be more blade options.
fred
Maybe this is hole in the Milwaukee lineup that they should consider plugging??
In a totally different league, I took advantage of a rare Mafell promotion and bought (for Xmas 2023) a nephew a Mafell KSS 40 cordless saw that uses a 120mm blade. He does mostly flooring work – but almost every time I speak to him – he sings this saw’s praises. But I guess that since today’s price is 12-times that of the Ryobi – I would hope that its praiseworthy.
Matt_T
150 cuts with a 2Ah battery doesn’t sound right. Seems so far off I’m wondering if it’s a typo rather than marketing exaggeration.
Stuart
That’s what it said. PR also says over 300 cuts per charge, and then says over 150 when used with the battery that is included in the kit. It doesn’t specify beyond that.
I asked for a test sample to check out its cutting performance, can make it a point to test the runtime too.
David Wolfe
It’s about time Ryobi gets with the program I’ve been waiting for this saw! bought the USB mini saw and used it once and returned it, it doesn’t have the power to cut a piece paper!!!
Jeff Fullerton
Curious… went to find out more about this saw, and the HD link you provided DOES go to a listing for this saw — but most of the pics are for the P344 3/8″ ratchet. And when I just go into the HD website, I can’t find it at all. Hmmm…
Stuart
That kind of thing happens a lot this time of year – I’m sure they’ll fix it soon.
Av
I picked up the 5″/ 125mm 40V Makita baby circ (HS005GZ) and love it. This form factor is very useful.
Doghair
I don’t know about new brushed circular saws — my last Ryobi circular died before I could finish a very small project. I for sure didn’t even go through 300 cuts. Plywood and a little bit of “resilient flooring” planks. It was meant to be a little saw that I kept in my car just in case I needed to rip some sheet goods down in a parking lot.
Andy
My father-in-law recently bought a new cordless circular saw. He does occasional projects around the house, and wanted something small and light so it’s easy to handle, and easier to store. This looks like it fits that bill perfectly and would be a great choice for someone like him.
J. Newell
That looks generally similar to the DeWalt DCS-571, which is an outstandingly useful for deck work, trim and similar materials. It’s an Atomic branded tool but that doesn’t mean much when there’s no other similar DeWalk saw. think it’s a minor mystery why Milwaukee has never designed a competitive saw.
SteveP
Nice. My Ryobi “cut-off tool” is so handy I bought an extra (saves the long walk to the workshop). This would be the “wood” equivalent 🙂
Jim
So SteveP, you are a fan of the small cut off saw?
What do you cut with it?
Thickness and materials?
Thanks,
Jim
razl
fyi: tech details at ryobitools here: https://www.ryobitools.com/products/33287236800
razl
I know the HD link shows the ratchet, but all the info on the page is for the saw. And, it’s listed as $49 for the kit (PCL4000K1). I think they goofed something but I put it in my cart and bought it.
All indicators other than the picture is that I’m getting the saw. If it ends up being the ratchet, I’ll take it back. But here’s hoping it’s the saw!
Alexk
I had the choice today of cutting decking size boards with the Dewalt version of this saw or my m12 circular saw and chose the Milwaukee. I like the shape of the Dewalt and Ryobi saw, but feel like I have better control with the handle on the Milwaukee.
Scott F
I get an error that the listing is not available when I click through the “purchase kit at HD” link above.
Scott F
“The product you are trying to view is not currently available.”
$60 seems like a steal
James
Now the link says that the product is not available. Is it April fools day and I didn’t realize it? Is anyone else able to find it on home Depot site?