When it comes to cutting and processing timber, the most effective, precise, and convenient way to do so is unquestionably with a circular saw. Compared to the alternatives, a circular saw allow you to do your wood processing in shorter times and with far greater accuracy, making it the ideal tool for all types of projects from laying hardwood floors and trimming plywood to building a tool shed, deck, fence, or treehouse for the kids.
We reviewed dozens of circular saws to identify the best of the best. We examined a range of factors, including size, weight, cutting depth, safety features, power, convenience, cost, and average customer reviews. All of these top-rated circular saws can be purchased online at Amazon.com.
Having considered a large number of circular saws, we chose the SKILSAW Lightweight Worm Drive Circular Saw as our top pick. This saw is relatively lightweight, easy to use, just about as powerful as they come, and packs all the features required for quick, precision cutting and a smooth and safe user experience.
In This Article
The 5 Top-Rated Circular Saws
| Editor's Picks | Brand | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| Best Circular Saw Overall | SKILSAW Lightweight Worm Drive Circular Saw | 4.7 |
| Best Battery-Powered Circular Saw | DEWALT DCS575T2 FLEXVOLT Circular Saw | 4.8 |
| Best Budget Circular Saw | HYCHIKA Electric Saw | 4.9 |
| Best Lightweight Circular Saw | DEWALT DWE575SB Lightweight Circular Saw | 4.8 |
| Best Compact Circular Saw | Rockwell Versacut Ultra-Compact Circular Saw | 4.3 |
*Ratings are from Amazon at the time of publication and can change
Best Circular Saw Overall: SKILSAW Lightweight Worm Drive Circular Saw
Having considered a wide array of options, the circular saw that wins our vote as best model currently on the market is the SKILSAW Lightweight Worm Drive Circular Saw. This saw is the ideal choice for buyers who want all the cutting power and precision of a heavy-duty saw without all the added weight that can result in having to cut your wood processing session short on account of arm fatigue.
Weighing in at just 11.5 pounds, this is the lightest worm-drive saw on the market but still packs a 15-amp motor that lets you slice through even the toughest of woods with the utmost of ease. It also uses a 53-degree bevel, has 0-degree and 45-degree stops on the footplate that allow you to make a wider variety of cuts with more precision, and boasts a max cutting capacity of 2 3/8 inches at 90 degrees.
What we really love about this machine is all the added power and torque provided by SKILSAW’s proprietary worm-drive gearing, which, together with the saw’s light weight, makes the cutting experience far smoother than with almost any other circular saw out there.
Other endearing features in this saw include soft, ergonomic grip handles that provide all-day comfort, a ready-depth adjustment feature that makes changes to cutting depth quick and easy, and an anti-snag lower guard that protects the blade when not in use and prevents snagging while you’re cutting thinner materials.
SKILSAW Lightweight Worm Drive Circular Saw Key Features:
- Weighs 11.5 lbs.
- 15-amp motor
- Worm-drive gearing for higher torque
- 7.25-inch saw cuts to a depth of 2. 4 inches at 90 degrees
- 24-tooth carbide-tipped blade
- Soft, ergonomic handles
Best Battery-Powered Circular Saw: DEWALT DCS575T2 FLEXVOLT Circular Saw
The DEWALT DCS575T2 FLEXVOLT Circular Saw is a great choice for any user who anticipates needing to be a little more mobile when doing their woodwork.
This saw boasts a powerful, brushless motor that offers performance on a par with many corded models and is capable of producing a whopping 5,800 rpm, which allows you to work at high speed and power through even tougher materials with maximum precision and consummate ease.
The DCS575T2’s weighs in at just 8.8 pounds, meaning most users will be able to operate the device with one hand only. It also uses a vibration-dampening rubber-grip handle that improves comfort during longer cutting sessions and an electronic brake that automatically stops the blade when you release the trigger, thereby reducing the risk of kickback or spin out.
Other winning attributes this device boasts include an impressive runtime (it can cut up to 339 two-by-fours per charge!), great balance, clean sight lines, easy-to-use depth of cut and bevel settings, and a burly, confidence-inspiring shoe plate.
DEWALT DCS575T2 FLEXVOLT Circular Saw Key Features:
- Brushless motor
- 7 1/4″ full size blade
- Electronic blade brake
- 5800 RPM
- Weighs just 8.8 lbs.
- 3-year warranty
- 2 x battery and charger included
Best Budget Circular Saw: HYCHIKA Electric Saw
Our budget choice is the HYCHIKA Electric Saw. This low-cost circular saw is the ideal choice for occasional use or any buyers who plan on processing smaller quantities of wood.
While it may be cheap, this device’s 12.5-amp/1,500W copper motor doesn’t pull any punches and is capable of up to 4700RPM, meaning it can make light work of even tougher woods, plastics, and soft metals and leaves a clean cut with no chips or nicks. The cutting depth and bevel angle can also be adjusted easily with a spindle-locking hex wrench and switching between the two included blades (40T and 24T) to customize your cut takes no more than a minute, even for first-timers.
This saw also boasts a range of high-quality features, including a double safety switch and aluminum guard to prevent accidents, a scale ruler that helps you control cutting width, and a built-in laser guide for straighter, precision cutting.
HYCHIKA Electric Saw Key Features:
- 12.5-amp motor
- Weighs 8.8 lbs.
- 2.5-inch max cutting depth
- Built-in lazer guide
- Ergonomic slim grip for one-handed operation
- Two 190 mm saw blades (40T and 24T) included
Best Lightweight Circular Saw: DEWALT DWE575SB Lightweight Circular Saw
With so many high-quality lightweight circular saws out there, picking an out-and-out winner wasn’t easy, but DEWALT DWE575SB Lightweight Circular Saw wins our vote on account of its comfortable feel, outstanding cutting power, and incredibly smooth-running motor.
This tool has the capacity to make your cutting jobs quicker and altogether less labor-intensive than almost more than any other circular saw on the market. While it lacks some bells and whistles found on pricier models (such as outboard height-adjust lever or a built-in lazer guide) it merits its place near the top of any buyer’s shortlist of potential purchase son account of its almost effortless operation, high-quality build, and use of a motor that provides as much power as many models that weigh and cost twice as much.
A few other features that make this circular saw a standout amongst its peers are an electric brake that brings the blade to a complete stop when you release the trigger, a “ToughCord System” that prevents accidental disconnects while you’ve in the middle of a cut, and an integrated dust blower that gives you a clear view of your cutting line.
Finally, the DWE575SB comes with a very handy carrying bag for storing extra tools and transporting the device from A to B and a 7.25-inch, carbide-tipped tungsten saw blade with an anti-stick coating that minimizes friction for smoother cuts.
DEWALT DWE575SB Lightweight Circular Saw Key Features:
- 15-Amp motor
- Weighs just 8.8 lbs.
- ToughCord System
- 57-degree beveling capacity with positive stops at 45 and 22.5 degrees
- Electric brake
- Integrated dust blower
- Travel bag included
Best Compact Circular Saw: Rockwell Versacut Ultra-Compact Circular Saw
Let’s get straight to the bottom line: the Rockwell Versacut Ultra-Compact Circular Saw is probably the most compact, versatile, and easy-to-use circular saw you’re ever likely to come across. And while there are a handful of well-made, lightweight compact circular saws on the market, few come close to matching the Versacut in terms of overall performance.
This saw uses a surprisingly potent 4-amp motor that packs more than enough power to slice through most materials measuring at or below the machine’s maximum cutting depth of one inch.
But what really makes this device stand out above its peers is how easy it is to use…
In addition to its light weight and superbly portable, streamline design, the Versacut boasts a wealth of convenience-enhancing features that are likely to steer several buyers well clear of larger, heavier and pricier options. These include a highly effective dust extraction system that lets you keep a close eye on the line of your cut as you go, laser guide technology that indicates a precise cutting line, an ergonomic handle, and a simple depth-adjustment lever that lets you make cut changes with ease. In terms of safety, the Versacut’s a winner, too, boasting a handy lock-off switch that prevents accidental starts and a durable, full-metal inner and outer guard that reduces the risk of being caught in the spin off or struck by debris.
The bottom line? While this machine doesn’t offer quite the same power or cutting depth as other models in our review, if you plan on using your saw to process wood under one inch thick, this one’s a great choice and a bigger, more powerful machine will likely be overkill.
Rockwell Versacut Ultra-Compact Circular Saw Key Features:
- 4-amp motor
- 120-inch cord
- Weighs just 3.4 lbs
- Effective dust-extraction system
- Lock-off safety switch
- Max cutting depth: 1 inch
- Laser-guided cutting line
If you’re in search of the best tools you can buy for your home improvement projects, these top-rated circular saws are a great choice. For more DIY tools and equipment, check out our reviews of the Best Telescoping Ladders and the Best Cordless Drills.
