13 Best Circular Saws in 2021: Which One Is Right For You?

1. Festool TS 75 EQ Plunge Cut with 75-Inch Track

While there are cheaper products on the market that can handle most woodworking projects, few come with as many great features as the Festool TS 75 EQ Plunge Cut does. You get a 75-inch track that functions like a guard rail to help you make more accurate cuts. This track lets you make smooth and even cuts without leaving behind any splinters.

A spring-loaded riving knife, also known as a splitter, does a good job of keeping the blade away from the motor to avoid the kickback that you might experience with other saws. This knife also avoids the saw itself from putting too much pressure on the blade, which can extend the life of that blade. You may find that you need to swap out blades less frequently with this model.

The saw has a maximum cutting depth of 2-3/4-inches when you use the included track. You can also use the saw without the track and increase that cutting depth.

Festool designed its own FastFix system that helps you easily change blades faster than before. The saw also comes with Allen wrenches that fit inside its case to remove bolts quickly. Adjustable guide jaws on the inside help you decide on the size blade you need and easily slide and secure the new blade in place before working on your next project.

2. DEWALT DWS520K 6-1/2-Inch TrackSaw Kit

This TrackSaw Kit from DEWALT lets you work on all types of projects and comes with a zero-clearance design that helps you make more precise cuts. You can make perfectly exact and straight cuts each time you turn it on. DEWALT designed this to reduce the risk of splinters and jagged edges. 

Unlike other models that require you use specific types of tracks, this saw works with guards and tracks from DEWALT and other manufacturers. It gives you more control over your cuts too because it can make cuts in both directions. Move forward and across your wood before backing up to ensure you make the exact cuts you need. 

This corded model comes with a 13000W motor that can cut through thicker pieces of wood. DEWALT guarantees that it will cut through the wood of up to 2-1/8-inch thick. It’s longer cord gives you more space to work with and allows you to move across your workshop and complete projects without worrying about charging the battery first. 

An attached low-profile blade guard does a good of keeping your hands away from the blade. As this guard takes up less space, you can also use the saw in cramped spaces or areas with less work space available. The guard won’t get in your way as you cut either. 

A dust port located on the side pulls in dust produced by your cuts. This port can remove up to 90% of the dust in the surrounding area.

3. Makita SP6000J1 6-1/2-Inch Plunge with Guide Rail and Connector Kit 

Thanks to the included guide rail and connector kit, this Makita saw helps you make cuts that are perfectly straight and level. This guide rail lets you lay a piece of wood down inside and follow along with the edges with your saw blade. The extra kit can work with boards of different sizes. 

The 12.0 amp motor on this model is one of the strongest and most powerful motors that we came across. It produces all the horsepower you need for cutting through a thick piece of wood or a basic board with ease. Using the guards lets you cut boards without splintering the edges. 

A variable speed motor lets you adjust the revolutions per minute produced by the motor based on the project at hand. A dial offers more control over the rpm too and lets you choose between an rpm level of 2000 up to 5200. This variable system also keeps the motor from overheating. 

The saw itself features the iconic Makita blue color on its outer case. An attached handle lets you push down on the top and pulls the trigger to power the saw. Rubber added to the handle increases your comfort when working on larger projects. 

Makita added a plunge gauge that lets you easily decide on the depth you want to cut. This depth gauge uses the metric system, but you can quickly convert those sizes based on the depth you want to use.

4. Makita 5104 

The Makita 5104 Amp comes with an impressive saw blade that measures 10-1/4-inches wide, making it one of the largest in this class that you can buy. That blade works with the larger cutting capacity, which lets you cut to depths of up to 3-3/4-inches. It also has a bevel capacity that lets you make both 45-degree and 90-degree angled cuts. 

It’s more powerful 14 amp motor lets you cut through both beams and boards. Even the thickest of woods are no match for this beast. An electric brake helps you cut through more boards faster without worrying about your hands or fingers. 

Though it does weigh a little over 20 pounds, Makita designed the 5104 to feel more comfortable in your hands. A handle on the very top lets you control where the saw goes and how it moves. A second handle on the side lets you use both hands as you cut. 

A built-in guide on the top also helps improve your accuracy. This guide features a series of notches that you can follow to cut the exact right spot every time. Using the guide also provides more even cuts. 

Changing the blade is easy because of two key features. The first is a flat housing over the motor that lets you reach the blade with minimal hassles. This saw also has an attached blade wrench that helps you quickly remove the old blade in seconds.

5. SKILSAW SPT70WM

SKILSAW designed this circular saw to cut through boards up to four times faster than other models. You’ll also find that you can make clean cuts and that the edges left behind are smooth and free of splinters. It’s a solid choice for both hobbyists and professionals. 

This circular saw has a worm drive design that puts the motor and blade in a line beside each other. This provides you more power with each pass of the saw but also gives you more horsepower when cutting through longer and thicker boards. Its 15 amp motor is one of the strongest motors available on a circular saw. 

Many of the components on this circular saw feature a construction made of magnesium. This significantly reduces the overall weight of the saw, which can reduce fatigue and discomfort. The magnesium also gives the saw the more lasting power and gives you more use out of the saw. 

A 51-degree bevel feature helps you make more beveled cuts. You can adjust the bevel stop between 0 degrees and 45 degrees too. Changing the stop keeps you from cutting too far or too deep. 

Though this is a corded model, it weighs less than 17 pounds and comes with a longer cord. That longer cord lets you move around your workspace without feeling attached to one outlet. It’s lightweight helps you work for hours with minimal discomfort and without feeling fatigued.

6. Big Foot SBFX BF 15 Amp 10-1/4-Inch Worm Drive 

You might not know the name Big Foot, but this worm drive circular saw will make you want to invest in a few of the company’s power tool. The 15 amp motor found on this model is powerful enough for most projects and will keep up with the demands found on a professional job site. It even has a basic design that allows for quick blade changes. 

Big Foot designed this circular saw to do more than just cut through wood boards. While it works effectively with most types of wood, you can also use this saw to cut through cinder blocks, joists and even some roofing materials. The 10-1/4-inch included saw blade also lets you make larger cuts faster. 

Thanks to its maximum cut depth of 3-3/4-inches, you can cut through up to four times the size or amount of materials that other saws can cut through. The included kerf blade also works with the attached guards to help you maintain your focus and cut through only the materials you want to cut through. Those guards also do a good job of protecting your hands. 

Big Foot claims that you can save time on most projects with this saw. Though it weighs a little more than 23 pounds, it feels much more lightweight in your hands. You can adjust the guards to expands your work area and adjust the depth to make the specific cuts you need to make.

7. Robert Bosch Tool Group SPT70WM-22 SKILSAW 10-1/4-Inch

Create perfect cuts with this bad boy, which combines all the benefits of products made by both Bosch and SKILSAW. The lightweight blade that comes with this saw reduces its overall weight but features the sharp tips that you need for quickly cutting through wood. It even has a 15 amp motor to help you finish projects even faster. 

The worm drive design helps you get years of use out of the saw. Instead of putting the blade and motor right beside each other, this one has a blade that sits in front of the motor. This keeps the blade from rubbing against the motor, which can wear down the metal. 

A motor housing made from magnesium further reduces its total weight and creates a durable housing that protects the motor and keeps splinters and other debris from damaging the motor. This housing also provides some stability to the drive train to help the saw last longer. Those features make this saw effective at cutting through pine and other types of wood. 

You’ll also get a Diablo blade with 40 carbide tips around its edges. A multi-tool included with the saw gives you easy access to the motor and helps you easily remove the housing when you need to change the blade. A metal guard on the front adjusts to reach the depth that you need and keeps your hands safely away from the blade.

8. Milwaukee 2730-22 M18 Fuel 6-1/2-Inch Saw Kit 

Handle projects both at home and at work with this circular saw kit from Milwaukee. Its Fuel line includes dependable circular saws that are suitable for a host of different job types. You’ll get everything you need for completing woodworking projects at home, but this saw is strong enough for professional jobs too. 

Unlike hard-sided cases that can only hold a few select things, the soft-sided bag included with this Milwaukee set can expand to fit everything you need to take to the job site. It has convenient carrying handles on the top and a zipper that keeps everything you put inside safe. The bright red color of the bag helps you keep an eye on your tools too. 

This set comes with both a circular saw and a rechargeable battery. That battery easily snaps into the bottom of the saw and comes out just as easily. With the included battery charger, you can fully charge that battery in mere hours. 

The 6-1/2-inch saw blade has sharp tips along the edges that power through almost any type of wood. An adjustable guard covers that blade to keep it from reaching your hands. You can raise and lower that guard based on how deep you need to cut. 

This saw has a trigger grip and a rubber covering over its handle that helps you cut in comfort. A second handle on the very front lets you use two hands to gain more control over your cuts.

9. Festool 201371 HKC 55 EB PLUS Cordless

Thanks to its cordless design, this Festool circular saw is one you can use anywhere. You’ll never again feel limited to working just where you have an outlet. It comes with two 18-volt batteries that can cut through more than 300 feet of wood before they need charging. 

The only reason we ranked this model further down on our list is because it does not come with guide rails. The manufacturer recommends using its own branded rails with this saw. Its other features though made it stand out from some of the lower ranked saws. 

Those features include splinter guards placed on either side. Those guards ensure that the wood you cut is smooth to the touch and that you never leave behind any cuts outs, tears or splinters. It also comes with a 4500 rpm motor that provides more power than most cordless models can. 

A patented FastFix system makes changing out blades a breeze. This system lets you unlock and remove both the arbor and switch to remove the old blade. You can just as quickly lock the switch and arbor after installing a new blade. 

The top of the saw has an accuracy system that includes measurements to help you stay on track as you cut. It also comes with a warranty from the manufacturer that covers the charger, batteries and saw for three years. With to without guide rails, this Festool saw delivers amazing power and speed.

10. DEWALT DCS391B

This DEWALT circular saw proves that you can get power and speed in a lightweight package. Weighing less than its competitors, it comes with features like an ergonomic handle. The curved design of that handle fits comfortably in your hand and reduces both pressure and strain as you cut. 

Its 5,150 rpm motor delivers all the speed and power you need, and that motor has a maximum output of 460 watts. DEWALT lets you easily adjust your speed, even in the middle of a cut, to keep the motor from overheating. Its design also reduces the kickback that you might otherwise experience when turning it on. 

The included 20-volt MAX Li-Ion battery snaps right into the base of the saw. To ensure that you have all the power you need, DEWALT gives you a charger that can fully charge that removable battery in a few hours. You can even invest in a second battery to get more power for all your jobs. 

A bevel capacity of 0 to 50 degrees helps you make corner pieces and beveled cuts on all your projects. You’ll also get a 6-1/2-inch heavy-duty blade with carbide tips. Those carbide tips cut through more types of wood and will make the blade last longer than standard blades can. 

An adjustable guard attaches right to the bottom of the saw. Turn the knob on this guard to move it lower or raise it higher when adjusting your cutting depth.

11. Milwaukee 2731-22 M18 Fuel Battery Kit 

Milwaukee designed this kit for those who need a portable circular saw. Not only does it come with a corded version of the product, but it also comes with a charger that plugs into any outlet. That charger can charge any Fuel batteries used with other Milwaukee power tools, and you can charge those batteries in this charger. 

The rugged carrying case that comes with the kit features two durable handles at the top and a zipper that keeps the tools from falling out. Reinforced stitches on the bottom support the weight of everything placed inside. The bag can store your saw, battery, battery charger and other accessories.

 You get a 7-1/4-inch circular blade that can make cuts faster than other smaller blades. This blade weighs less than other blades too, which cuts down on the discomfort that you feel. That lightweight design applies to the entire saw because it weighs right around nine pounds with the battery pack inside. 

Its removable battery uses C4.0 Battery Technology to help it last longer. Milwaukee claims that this saw can last up to twice as long as its competitors before it needs charging. When you do charge that battery, you should reach full power in around four hours or less.

 An included LED light illuminates the area around your boards for cutting in lower light conditions. A set of guards made from magnesium reduces the overall weight of the saw while still helping you make accurate cuts.

12. DEWALT DCS391P1 

Feel free to move around your workshop with ease with this cordless DEWALT circular saw. The 20V MAX Lithium Ion battery that comes with the kit can last for hours before it needs a charge. DEWALT provides you with a charger that lets you charge that battery via any outlet in just a few short hours or less. 

Thanks to the included hard-sided case, you can now organize your tools and have your circular saw on hand for any job. This hard-sided case has cut-outs inside that hold the saw, battery charger and other parts. This case keeps the tool safe from dust and protects it from accidental drops. 

Though it might look a tad smaller than other saws, it comes with a 5250 rpm motor that produces faster cuts. It has a bevel capacity that ranges from 0 degrees to 50 degrees, which can help you make beveled and angled cuts on almost any type of wood. You can also adjust the blade for making cuts between 45 and 90 degrees. 

DEWALT includes a 6-1/2-inch cutting blade that has carbide tips. Those tips extend the life of the blade while also helping you cut through both thicker and harder woods. 

You’ll also find a uniquely designed grip on the trigger. Called a comfort grip, it features a rubber cover that keeps your hand from slipping off the saw while also making your hand feel more comfortable during longer cutting sessions.

13. Milwaukee 2730-21 M18 Fuel 6 ½ Kit

For an affordable tool that will help with all your woodworking projects, there is the Milwaukee 2730-21 M18 Fuel 6 ½ Circular Saw Kit. It comes with a carrying bag that features the company logo on the front and space for all your tools inside. Carrying handles on the top of the bag let you easily carry this bag with you to job sites or around your own home. 

Weighing just over 14 pounds, this circular saw comes with a rechargeable battery and a battery charger. You can completely charge the battery in just a few hours. The battery also works with other cordless power tools from Milwaukee. 

Using this circular saw is easy too because of the adjustable handle on top. This handle lifts up from the saw and allows you to better guide the tool as you cut. A safety switch added to the saw keeps it from coming on until you release the switch and pull the trigger. 

Other features include mechanisms for adjusting both the depth and the miter. You can use one mechanism for quickly changing the depth at which it cuts. It can cut to a depth of more than one-inch. 

Milwaukee includes a 6-1/2-inch circular saw blade that can last through hundreds of cuts. When you need to swap out the blade, you can easily open up the saw, remove the attached bolts and put the saw back together again.

Our Winner

Our top choice is the Festool TS 75 EQ Plunge Cut. Festool includes a 75-inch track with this model that helps you make precise cuts on all types of wood. It also comes with a FxFix system that makes removing the arbors and locks to replace the blade easy. 

The variable speed motor automatically adjusts itself based on the type of material you use and your cutting style to keep the motor from overheating. Festool also added a riving knife and slip clutch that work together to keep the saw from kicking back on you and reduces wear and tear on the blade itself. It’s great for anyone who takes woodworking seriously.

1. Saw Size

Start with a look at the overall size of the blade the saw can accommodate. Most come with a 7-1/4” saw blade, which is the standard size blade. You’ll also find models that come with a smaller 4” blade and some that can accommodate larger blades.

2. Horsepower

The horsepower the motor on a saw produces gives you an idea of how quickly it can cut through wood and other materials. Though some like using a one-horsepower motor, a two-horsepower mode is usually a better option. The more horsepower it produces, the faster it will cut.

3. Safety Features

You also need to choose one that comes with safety features like a safety switch that works with the trigger. You can only use these saws after turning off the safety switch. Some models come with an automatic shut-off feature that will turn the saw off when it comes into contact with your skin.

4. Battery or AC Power

Many now come in corded and cordless models. A cordless saw uses a rechargeable battery that you can charge on the included charger. A corded model will have a cord that you plug into the wall.

If you opt for a corded model, make sure that the cord is long enough for using in your wood shop. Shorter cords will limit how far away you can work from an outlet.

5. Rip Guide or Parallel Guide

As you shop, consider looking for a model that comes with either a rip guide or a parallel guide. A rip guide helps you make more accurate cuts and gives you more control over the saw. Some models come with an optional parallel guide that attache to the saw’s base and helps you cut a straight line.

6.Dust Extraction Tool

As you cut wood, you’ll notice a lot of dust coming off those boards and planks. One that comes with a built-in dust extraction tool will pull some of that dust away from your workstation. Many manufacturers include a dust extraction tool that works like a vacuum cleaner.

7. Blade Guards

Always limit your search to ones that come with an www.bestcabinettablesaw.com/circular-saws-reviews attached blade guard. This keeps the blade from cutting through anything nearby. Many models have an adjustable guard that you can lift up when making different cuts.

8. Sidewinder vs. Worm Drive Designs