5 Best Cordless Circular Saw [Review 2022]

If you’re a professional carpenter or even a DIY-er, one tool that you need to have in your toolbox is a cordless circular saw. It’s one of the most common power tools, and if you have the right blades, you can cut wood, masonry, ceramic, and even steel.

There are lots of them on the market today with tons of features to make your projects easier, so it’s important to know what features you prefer while you’re working. Here are a few tips on what to look for in the best cordless circular saw, and a few reviews to help you start shopping.

Best Cordless Circular Saw Guide

When you’re looking for the best cordless circular saw for the money, you need to know what features are available. Only then can you decide which features meet your needs the best, so you’ll know which one is for you.

Important Circular Saw Fundamentals

Circular Saw Designs

• Sidewinder saws are the traditional circular saws that are the most commonly used. The motor on a sidewinder saw is found on the same axis as the blade, and the blade is driven by the shaft that runs straight to the motor. In comparison to worm drive saws, the sidewinders are more compact and lightweight, and they can be used for most circular saw projects.
• Inline Saws, or worm drive saws, place their motors next to the saw blade at a right angle. Gears are used by the motor to increase the torque that is conveyed to the blade. Worm drive saws are usually quieter and longer, and they’re a good saw for heavy-duty use.

Circular Saw Power Sources

• Cordless circular saws are super convenient on the worksite, especially when having an extension cord can cause safety issues. They’re usually smaller than a corded circular saw, so they work well in small spaces. These are great for cutting wood due to their battery power limits, although they can cut tougher materials, they take up a lot of power and kills the battery fast. Normal cordless saw sizes range from 5-3/8 to 6-1/2 inches.
• Corded circular saws are better for tougher jobs as they don’t have batteries that’ll die quickly. The normal size for a corded saw is 7-1/4 inches, and they normally require an appropriate extension cord.

Circular Saw Features

The function of a circular saw is to make fast and straight crosscuts across a board or along the length of aboard. Circular saws can also be used for bevel cuts. Basic features include the following…

Circular Saw Blades

Different blades are used for different projects. Always make sure the blade you’re purchasing is compatible with your saw when you’re buying one. Here are a few tips on buying blades.

High-speed steel blades

These blades are stronger than steel blades and also stays sharper longer.

Carbide-tipped blades

These have carbide tips that are attached to their teeth. They stay sharper longer than high-speed or steel, but they are more expensive.

Tile-cutting blades

These blades are specially designed tile-cutting blades used for cutting ceramic tile, and some of the better quality tile-cutting blades come with diamond-tipped blades.

Masonry blades

These are used on abrasive material like a brick, concrete, cinder block, and other masonry materials.

The Best Cordless Circular Saw

Here’s a brief summary of the top cordless circular saws on the market today. We’ll follow up with detailed cordless circular saw reviews to make your decision easier.

1. Milwaukee 2630-20 Bare-Tool Circular Saw

The Milwaukee 2630-20 Circular Saw is very versatile, and it is ideal if you work on a wide variety of projects. It is an easy-to-use saw that gives you the power and durability of a corded saw.

2. Porter Cable PCC660B 20V Circular Saw

The Porter Cable PCC660B Circular Saw has a lightweight and comfortable design that lessens worksite fatigue. It also comes with a 6 ½” carbine tooth blade that gives you 2 1/8” cutting capacity making the saw extremely versatile.

3. Makita 18V LXT Circular Saw

The Makita 18V LXT Circular Saw is a high performance cordless saw with a high-torque Makita built motor. It has a precise, heavy gauge machined base that makes accurate cuts at the worksite.

4. Dewalt DCS391B 20V Circular Saw

The Dewalt DCS391B Circular Saw is another lightweight and durable saw with a high strength magnesium shoe. It also has a 6 1/2” carbide tipped blade that lets you cut two times the amount of material as its competitors.

5. Ryobi ZRP506 Cordless Circular Saw

The Ryobi ZRP506 Cordless Circular Saw was upgraded from earlier models, and it comes with a 24 Tooth Ultra-Thin kerf carbide-tipped blade to make fast, clean cuts. It also has a compact design for better handling, and it features Exactline Laser Technologies that automatically activates during use for improved cutting accuracy.

Top Cordless Circular Saw Reviews

1. Milwaukee 2630-20 Bare-Tool 18-Volt 6 1/2-Inch Circular Saw (tool only, no battery)

The Milwaukee 2630-20 Bare-Tool 18-Volt 6 1/2-Inch Circular Saw was created by Milwaukee Electric Tool Corporation to give users a lightweight, but powerful cutting performance for a wide variety of projects that include framing, finishing, electrical, plumbing, and carpentry.

This is a high-performance saw that gives you all the durability your need in a cordless saw. It has a 3,500 RPM motor that is powerful enough to quickly cut through difficult materials like a LVL headers.

The magnesium upper and lower guards give you the best durability that protects your blade if you drop it. The ergonomically designed, soft-grip handle gives you great balance and comfort while you cut.

The Bare-Tool also gives you an easy-to-read aircraft aluminum shoe for durability and better accuracy for rip cuts, and it has a battery fuel gauge that shows what how much run-time you have left. It also has an 18-Volt XC High Capacity LITHIUM-ION battery that gives you a longer run-time, plus up to 20% more torque for those powerful cuts.

Features include the following:​

• Durable and easy to use
• Comes with a heavy-duty magnesium guard for added durability, and an onboard fuel gauge that shows you how much battery life you have left
• Compact, ergonomic, and lightweight with a soft-grip handle for increased comfort

Pros

• Has enough power to cut through common sized boards
• Nice and lightweight and it’s pretty useful
• Cuts smoothly and effortlessly, and it can go all-day

Cons

• Does not come with a rip fence
• The battery doesn’t last long
• Requires a high capacity battery and it doesn’t take the standard battery

2. Porter Cable PCC660B 20V Max Lithium Bare 6 1/2-Inch Circular Saw

The Porter-Cable PCC660B 20V Max Lithium Bare 6-1/2″ Circular Saw offers 4000 RPM high-performance motor delivers 4000 RPM for ‘s for hardline cutting. It comes with a 6-1/2″ carbide tooth blade that gives you a 2-1/8’ cutting capacity for a wide array of cutting projects.

You can pivot the beveling shoe up to 50 degrees for non-traditional cutting projects, and it gives you a contoured over-molded handle for optimal user comfort. The Porter-Cable PCC6608B lessens worksite fatigue with its lightweight design coming in at only 6.5 lbs. This is a high-performance cordless saw that is a part of the 20V Max System.

Features include the following:​

• A high-performance motor that gives you 4,000 RPM’s for hardline cutting
• Has a 6 1/2″ Carbide Tooth Blade that gives you 2 1/8″ cutting capacity
• Bevel Shoe can pivot up to 50 degrees
• Optimal user comfort with the contoured over-molded handle

Pros

• A great price for a well-rounded say
• Surprisingly strong for a battery-powered tool
• Cuts accurately and offers visibility of the cut

Cons

• Not enough power, feels cheap
• Can barely get the blade to fit inside the covers, doesn’t come with instructions on how to mount it
• Safety leaver is in an awkward position

3. Makita XSS02Z 18V LXT Lithium-Ion Cordless Circular Saw, 6 1/2-Inch, Tool Only

The Makita 18V LXT Lithium-Ion Cordless 6-1/2″ Circular Saw gives you high-performance cutting power with a cordless saw. The XSS02Z comes with a high-torque Makita-built motor, plus a compact design for a wide array of cutting projects.

The durable Makita will cut two times the amount of materials at 45 degrees, and the high-torque Makita-built motor produces 3,700 RPM for quicker cutting. The accurate, heavy-gauge machined base is created for smooth, precise cutting in hard worksite conditions.

Features include the following:​

• Has a 2 1/4″ maximum cutting capacity
• Comes with a Makita built motor that gives you 3,700 PRM for quicker cutting speeds
• Has a heavy gauge, precision machined base for smooth, precise cutting and additional durability
• Has a 50 Degree maximum bevel cutting capacity
• Only weighs 7.3 pounds to lessen user fatigue

Pros

• Cuts effortlessly compared to its competitors
• Lightweight and has great sight-lines
• The handle provides a great grip for a steady hand and very durable

Cons

• Dust nozzle attachment not included and there’s no information on how to order it
• Very limited power, will not replace a corded saw
• Says it’s 18V, but it doesn’t fit the existing Makita 18V battery

4. DeWalt DCS391B 20-Volt MAX Li-Ion Circular Saw, Tool Only

The Dewalt DCS391B 20V MAX 6-1/2″ Circular Saw offers a very powerful 460 MWO, 5250 RPM motor that gives you speed and power to easily get through those difficult cuts. This saw has a lightweight, but high-strength magnesium shoe that gives you durability at the worksite for precise long-term cuts, and an over-molded rubber comfort grips that give you the maximum amount of comfort, control, and balance.

It also has a 0 Degree -50 Degree bevel capacity that lets you make hardline bevel cuts for a variety of projects, plus it has a 6-1/2″ carbide tipped blade to cut two times the amount of material at 90 Degrees and 45 Degrees as well as more cuts per charge.

Features include the following:​

• Has a powerful 460 MWO, 5,250 RPM motor
• Includes a high strength and lightweight magnesium shoe
• Has a 0 Degree to 50 Degree bevel capacity
• Comes with a 6 1/2″ carbide tipped blade

Pros

• Lightweight and powerful for a cordless saw
• A safety switch is really easy and convenient to use and comes with a great bag
• Very well balanced and cutting a straight line is effortless

Cons

• Batteries die quickly
• Only good for cutting thin wood
• Kind of made cheaply, the blade guard is made of 100% plastic

5. Ryobi ZRP506 ONE Plus 18V G4 Cordless Circular Saw

The Ryobi ZRP506 ONE Plus 18V G4 Cordless Circular Saw is an upgraded tool that gives you corded performance in a cordless saw. It is an 18-Volt ONE+ 6-1/2 in. circular saw that has a 40% more powerful motor than previous models.

It comes with a 24 Tooth Ultra-Thin kerf carbide-tipped blade that lets you make quick, clean cuts, and the compact design gives you better handling. The Exactly Laser Technology gives you better cutting accuracy, and the blade is on the left side allowing better-cut line visibility.

Features include the following:

• Has Exactline Laser Technologies that activates automatically while in use for improved cutting accuracy
• Has a compact design for better handling
• Includes a powerful high output motor for demanding projects
• Includes a 5 1/2″ carbide blade for extended life
• Comes with a left-sided blade that provides improved cut line visibility

Pros

• Cuts through 2″ x 4″ easily and slices up the fence boards
• ​The battery goes on the side instead of from the back
• Well constructed and has plenty of power

Cons

• Isn’t a tool that can go all-day
• Only good for small and thin wood projects
• Blade sounds like it’s loose when cutting

The conclusion

The winner of the Best Cordless Circular Saw Round-Up is the Milwaukee 2630-20 Bare-Tool 18-Volt 6 1/2-Inch Circular Saw. It is very versatile, and it works well with a variety of projects including framing, finishing, electrical, plumbing, and carpentry.

It has a 3,500 RPM motor that is powerful enough to quickly cut through difficult materials, and magnesium upper and lower guards giving you increased durability by protecting the blade in case you drop it. The ergonomically designed, soft-grip handle gives you great balance and comfort while you cut.

The definite winner of the Best Cordless Circular Saw Round-Up is the Milwaukee 2630-20 Circular Saw.