Circular Saw: The Finest Circular Saws That You Can Get

Circular Saw

Circular Saw

Updated on 3/27/2024
Emma DowneyBy Emma Downey
Gardening Expert
Learn More about Emma Downey

Circular saw it is getting more user-friendly and complex as technology advances. Here are some excellent tools for do-it-yourself builders and professional construction workers.

Picking Out A Good Circular Saw

circular saw

circular saw

The electric drill, which is considered to be the first-ever power tool, was created in the year 1889. In less than 40 years after its invention, the first portable circular saws were manufactured by the Skilsaw Company. Compared to sewing by hand, they provided several clear benefits. Now, there isn't a single person who works with wood which doesn't have one.

The many improvements that have been made to this important instrument in recent years have rendered it invaluable. Plastic housings, blade guards, and adjustable bases are standard components of almost every circular saw on the market today. But, designs differ. The saws with the most advanced and user-friendly features often cost more, but this is not always the case.

When Shopping For A Circular Saw, There Are A Few Important Features To Consider

Even though many of the characteristics of a circular saw are considered conventional, manufacturers are constantly adding new features to make their designs more advanced. Here are some common and not-so-standard characteristics to consider when looking for the most OK circular saw for your requirements.

  • Worm-drive or direct drive: the first circular saw produced used a worm-drive mechanism instead of a gear-driven one. It generates a greater cutting torque than a sidewinder, defined as a saw with a blade positioned next to the motor and linked directly to the driving shaft. Saws with worm drives are chosen for use in heavy construction, despite having a slower blade speed and producing rougher cuts. Saws with a hypoid blade use a worm-drive mechanism but with a twist.
  • Bevel capacity: To make bevel cuts, the base or shoe of the machine may tilt. However, not all versions list the same amount. The most effective circular saw can bevel at more than 45 degrees and has positive stops at 22.5 and 45 degrees, which helps save time when adjusting the saw.
  • Controls for adjusting the machine should include tilt angle and cutting depth adjustment levers that are simple to use. It takes more time, and there is a risk of slipping while turning screws.
  • Saws that are cumbersome tire the user out more quickly than those with less weight and the weight is affected both by the housing and the foundation materials. The body of the most OK circular saw is made of magnesium or plastic, and the shoe is either aluminum or magnesium. In addition to their heaviness, steel shoes are prone to bending and rusting.
  • Ergonomics dictates that the ideal circular saw for the majority of applications should be both lightweight and small, with controls that are intuitive and simple to use. Be wary of saws that require you to simultaneously hold down the trigger stop button while also pressing and holding the trigger. It is exhausting, and it restricts your ability to move freely.
  • Desirable characteristics include a positive bevel stop, onboard wrench storage for rapid blade changes, and an LED guiding light. The most refined models have all three of these features. When your shadow hides the room light and makes it difficult to see the cut line, you'll be thankful that the LED is there. Certain saws have a laser guide. However, the value of having this function is debatable.

The Best Circular Saw In General

Due to the high cost, it might be classified as a splurge. But if you don't need to watch your spending, the Makita 18V X2 LXT Circular Saw gives you the power of a corded saw in a cordless package. It has a seven-and-a-quarter-inch display: blade, 2-5/8-in. The cutting depth and a brushless worm-drive motor provide rapid blade rotation (6,000 revolutions per minute) to eliminate chip-out issues. Even with two batteries already installed, it barely weighs ten pounds. In addition, it has a blade speed that can be adjusted, a blade brake, a dust blower, and a bevel angle of 56 degrees with positive stops. Nice.

The Worm Drive Circular Saw That Is The Best

The original Skilsaw, created in 1924, served as the basis for the design of the Skilsaw SPT77WML-01 Lightweight Worm-Drive Circular Saw, which was then upgraded with several current features.

Because the body is made of magnesium, it is much lighter than comparable worm drives. The bevel plate can be adjusted to tilt at a 53-degree angle, and an anti-snag blade guard ensures that the saw stays on its intended path even while cutting through tiny bits.

One thing to remember is that the saw blade revolves slower than the blades of sidewinder saws. The chip-out caused as a consequence might be problematic on rip cuts.

Saw Circular Hypoid With The Best Blades

Makita, a well-known and reputable brand in the world of power tools, is one of the very few manufacturers that also produces hypoid saws. The Makita 5377-MG Circular Saw weighs just 13 pounds thanks to its lightweight magnesium build, making it relatively light for a geared saw.

Traditional worm-drive saws have gears made of bronze alloy, but the gears on this saw are constructed of heat-treated steel, which lasts far longer. It may be angled to a maximum of 51.4 degrees, with positive stops at 22.5 and 45 degrees for making rapid adjustments. Because the gear housing is hermetically sealed, the gears themselves, in contrast to standard worm-drive gears, do not ever need lubrication.

Best Corded Sidewinder Circular Saw With An Extension Cord

Once again, Makita has shown to be the industry leader with their all-magnesium 5007 Mg 7-1/4-in. Circular Saw. The saw weighs just 10.6 pounds and comes with a carrying case, a wonderful added touch. It is possible to achieve a bevel angle of up to 56 degrees, with positive stops at 22.5 and 45 degrees. The ergonomic design includes two LED guiding lights, a dust blower built to keep the cut line clean, and a front handle that provides additional stability for the device. For your next framing job, you will require this special equipment.

Best Cordless Sidewinder Circular Saw

Most cordless sidewinder saws are equipped with little blades so that the saws may be made smaller and use less electricity. Except for the Milwaukee M-18 Brushless Circular Saw, which utilizes the same 7-1/4-in. Edge, and saw a cable powers that. It serves a purpose in the workshop and on the building site. The brushless motor receives sufficient power from the 5-amp-hour battery, which has been discretely hidden so that it is out of sight. This allows the engine to shred hundreds of feet of plywood with ease. The fact that it includes an additional handle to compensate for its weight is a positive feature.

The Best Circular Saw For Beginning Woodworkers

If you're new to woodworking, you should start with a cordless saw rather than a corded one since it will be more straightforward. The 6-1/2-inch version of DeWalt's You won't waste time getting up to speed with the 20V Max Circular Saw. This is the first saw on the list with a price lower than one hundred dollars. The shoe is made of magnesium, while the body is made of lightweight plastic. Compared to a saw with a full-sized blade, this one has a tiny edge, making it simpler to handle.

The Best Circular Saw For Professional Woodworking

When you're on the construction for eight hours a day, you need a lightweight and powerful watch to tackle the toughest cutting chores. The DeWalt 7-1/4-In and angle Grinder weigh in at a mere 8.8 pounds. The circular saw is one of the more portable options, and the corded 15-amp motor keeps going strong throughout the workday. The electronic brake eliminates the need to wait for the blade to halt, and the 57-degree bevel capacity is more than that of most saws. It is a dependable companion for use in the workplace thanks to features such as an aluminum shoe, adjustment levers rather than turn screws, and onboard wrench storage for expedited blade replacements.

The Finest Compact Cordless Circular Saw

Even though it has a blade that is just 4-1/2 inches long, the DeWalt Atomic Circular Saw's battery, which has a voltage of 20 volts, delivers the same amount of power as a full-sized saw. When ripping plywood, the barrel handle, characteristic of mini-saws, gives a stable hold for slicing through 1-1/2-inches of material: stock and other valuable duties. This saw has an onboard storage compartment for blade wrenches, an auxiliary handle that can be removed, and a dust blower. In addition to that, it has a brake with a quick stop.

Best Affordable Circular Saw Option

If you decide to invest in Ryobi's One+ 5-1/2-inch, you can achieve the same results. Even with the battery and charger included, this circular saw is still less expensive than most competitors. However, if you already possess tools that are compatible with Ryobi's One+ system, you can purchase simply the saw for around $40. As long as you don't need to cut through six inches-thick beams, this saw can do the majority of the same tasks as a more costly one. It has a bevel angle of fifty degrees and storage for wrenches right on the board.

Best Value Circular Saw

A 15-Amp, 7-1/4-Inch Speaker from Skil This almost professional-grade model, can be yours for less than half the price with the Circular Saw. It has a bevel angle of 51 degrees and weighs just 8.7 pounds, earning it a rating of 4.7 stars on Amazon. A dust blower and an extra handle are helpful features at the front of the product. There is a possibility that some users may value the guarded trigger and the laser guidance. This tool is an excellent investment, even if it does not come with them.