Photo: Bosch
A circular saw is characterized by a round, toothed blade that cuts via rotary motion while turning around an arbor, and is held above the cutting surface by a metal plate (shoe).
Traditional corded circular saws are quite powerful, but their cabled design limits their reach and use because there must be a power outlet nearby.
However, cordless circular saws are battery-powered, making them easily portable because they can be used almost anywhere. That said, if you want one, these are the best cordless circular saws to consider buying.
In this post:
- 9 Best Cordless Circular Saws – Review
- 1. Makita XSS02Z – Cordless Circular Saw with Overload Protection
- 2. DeWalt DCS391B – Powerful Cordless Circular Saw
- 3. DeWalt DC390B – Cordless Circular Saw with a Fan-Cooled Motor
- 4. Milwaukee M18 2630-20 – Cordless Circular Saw with Electronic Brakes
- 5. Bosch CCS180B – Heavy-Duty Cordless Circular Saw
- 6. Makita SH02R1 – Smallest Cordless Circular Saw
- 7. Hitachi C18DGLP4 – Cordless Circular Saw with a Spotlight
- 8. Porter-Cable PCC660B – Comfortable-To-Use Cordless Circular Saw
- 9. Black & Decker BDCCS20B – Affordable Cordless Circular Saw
- Corded vs. Cordless Circular Saw
- How to Buy the Best Cordless Circular Saws
- Conclusion
9 Best Cordless Circular Saws – Review
IMAGE | PRODUCT | FEATURES | |
|---|---|---|---|
 | 1. Makita XSS02Z (With Overload Protection) |
| |
 | 2. DeWalt DCS391B (Powerful) |
| |
 | 3. DeWalt DC390B (Has Fan-Cooled Motor) |
| |
 | 4. Milwaukee M18 2630-20 (With Electronic Brakes) |
| |
 | 5. Bosch CCS180B (Heavy-Duty) |
| |
 | 6. Makita SH02R1 (Smallest) |
| |
 | 7. Hitachi C18DGLP4 (Has Spotlight) |
| |
 | 8. Porter-Cable PCC660B (Comfortable-To-Use) |
| |
 | 9. Black & Decker BDCCS20B (Affordable) |
|
PRODUCT |
|---|
1. Makita XSS02Z (With Overload Protection)
|
2. DeWalt DCS391B (Powerful)
|
3. DeWalt DC390B (Has Fan-Cooled Motor)
|
4. Milwaukee M18 2630-20 (With Electronic Brakes)
|
5. Bosch CCS180B (Heavy-Duty)
|
6. Makita SH02R1 (Smallest)
|
7. Hitachi C18DGLP4 (Has Spotlight)
|
8. Porter-Cable PCC660B (Comfortable-To-Use)
|
9. Black & Decker BDCCS20B (Affordable)
|
1. Makita XSS02Z – Cordless Circular Saw with Overload Protection
Photo: Makita
- Battery Power: 18 volts
- Blade Size: 6.5 inches
- Speed: 3,700 RPM
- Bevel Range: 0-50˚
- Weight: 7.3 pounds
Top of the list is Makita’s XSS02Z, and this one is equipped with quite a number of safety features, which include overload protection, over-discharge and overheat protection. All these are categorized as Star Protection Computer Controls and are meant to protect the battery.
Other than that, the saw is equipped with a 6.5-inch blade that gives a 2.25-inch cutting capacity. This is quite deep and makes it suitable for a wide variety of cutting applications. Additionally, the unit is designed to perform bevel cuts up to 50˚, making it more versatile.
More features include a rubberized soft-grip handle for comfortable use, a high torque motor with a top speed of 3,700 RPM and a durable heavy-gauge base that is precision machined for accurate cutting. These features make this the top-rated cordless circular saw in this review.
However, no battery or charger is included with the tool upon buying.
More Detailed: Makita XSS02Z Review
Pros:
- Overload, over-discharge and overheat protection
- Large 2.25-inch cutting capacity
- Performs bevel cuts (0-50˚)
- Comfortable rubberized soft-grip handle
- Precision-machined heavy-gauge base for accurate cutting
Cons:
- Battery and charger not included
2. DeWalt DCS391B – Powerful Cordless Circular Saw
Photo: DeWalt
- Battery Power: 20 volts
- Blade Size: 6.5 inches
- Speed: 5,150 RPM
- Bevel Range: 0-50˚
- Weight: 7 pounds
DeWalt’s DCS391B is quite expensive cordless circular saw, but it has the features to show for it. For starters, it has a very powerful 460 MWO motor that rotates the blade at a whopping 5,150 RPM. This ensures you get enough torque and speed to make demanding cuts with ease.
The tool is also fitted with a large 6.5-inch carbide-tipped blade that gives a 2.25-inch cutting capacity at 90˚ and 1.63 inches at 45˚. That said, you get a 0-50˚ bevel range for aggressive bevel cuts.
Other features include a strong, durable and lightweight magnesium shoe that is designed for long term accuracy when making cuts and a rubber over-molded handle that is designed to optimize comfort, grip, and control when handling the saw.
On the downside, the required 20-volt battery and charger are not included in the pack.
More Detailed: DeWalt DCS391B Review
Pros:
- Powerful 460 MWO 5,150 RPM motor
- Large 6.5-inch carbide-tipped blade with a deep 2.25-inch cutting capacity
- 0-50˚ bevel range gives aggressive bevel cuts
- Sturdy, durable and lightweight magnesium shoe
- Comfortable non-slip rubber handle
Cons:
- Expensive
- Battery and charger not included
3. DeWalt DC390B – Cordless Circular Saw with a Fan-Cooled Motor
Photo: DeWalt
- Battery Power: 20 volts
- Blade Size: 6.5 inches
- Speed: 3,700 RPM
- Bevel Range: 0-50˚
- Weight: 6.3 pounds
This circular saw is powered by a 3,700 RPM motor that has a fan cooling mechanism, which enhances its durability by quickly dissipating the generated heat. Additionally, this motor is designed to have easily replaceable brushes for easy maintenance every once in a while.
The actual cutting is done using a 6.5-inch blade, which gives a cutting capacity of 2.25 inches at 90˚ and 1.63 inches at 45˚. Tilting can actually go up to 50˚, enabling you to perform more aggressive bevel cuts.
Other features include a strong magnesium shoe that is very durable and a sturdy magnesium upper guard for protection against the spinning blade.
However, you get no battery or charger in this set, and the tool lacks electronic brakes for quick stopping of the blade after cutting.
Pros:
- Fan cooling mechanism ensures the motor runs without overheating
- Easily replaceable motor brushes
- 0-50˚ bevel range
- Sturdy magnesium shoe and upper guard
- Large 2.25-inch cutting capacity
Cons:
- Battery and charger not included
- Lacks electronic brakes
4. Milwaukee M18 2630-20 – Cordless Circular Saw with Electronic Brakes
Photo: Milwaukee
- Battery Power: 18 volts
- Blade Size: 6.5 inches
- Speed: 3,500 RPM
- Bevel Range: 0-50˚
- Weight: 8.5 pounds
Milwaukee’s M18 2630-20 is quite heavy cordless circular saw (8.5 pounds) but with this weight, you get electronic brakes, which are designed to stop the blade from spinning after cutting. This means you won’t have to waste time waiting for it to slow down.
That said, you get a 6.5-inch 24-tooth carbide-tipped blade that is rotated by a 3,500 RPM motor, delivering enough cutting power for framing, electrical, plumbing, finishing and of course, carpentry work.
The whole setup is protected by magnesium guards, which ensures that bumps and drops don’t destroy the internal components.
Other features include an ergonomic soft-grip handle for comfortable use, an onboard fuel gauge for showing the battery charge level and bevel cutting adjustment up to 50˚. However, no battery or charger is included in this set.
Pros:
- Electronic brakes stop the blade from spinning after use
- Magnesium guards provide protection from bumps and drops
- Ergonomic soft-grip handle
- Onboard fuel gauge for showing the battery charge level
- 0-50˚ bevel range
Cons:
- Quite heavy. Might cause hand fatigue very quickly
- No battery and charger
5. Bosch CCS180B – Heavy-Duty Cordless Circular Saw
Photo: Bosch
- Battery Power: 18 volts
- Blade Size: 6.5 inches
- Speed: 3,900 RPM
- Bevel Range: 0-50˚
- Weight: 6.6 pounds
With a heavy-duty aluminum foot and upper guard, Bosch’s CCS180B is designed with durability in mind because these parts protect the internal components from bump and drop damages.
On top of this, the saw features motor and cell protection, which helps to prevent overloading and overheating to maximize the battery’s lifespan.
An anti-snag lower guard is fitted on the unit’s lower part, and this helps in easing the blade entry into the workpiece for smooth operation.
You also get electronic brakes for quickly stopping the blade after cutting, a 0-50˚ bevel range, a spindle lock for quick and easy blade changes and a 6.5-inch blade that gives a 2-inch cutting capacity at 90˚ and 1.56 inches at 50˚.
On the downside, you get no battery or charger, and it has no light or laser for viewing the cutline when in use.
Pros:
- Heavy-duty aluminum foot and upper guard
- Motor and cell protection prevent overloading and overheating
- Anti-snag lower guard gives smooth operation
- Electronic brakes for slowing the blade
- Spindle lock for quick and easy blade changes
Cons:
- No battery and charger
- No light or laser for viewing the cutline
6. Makita SH02R1 – Smallest Cordless Circular Saw
Photo: Makita
- Battery Power: 12 volts
- Blade Size: 3.38 inches
- Speed: 1,500 RPM
- Bevel Range: 0-45˚
- Weight: 3.5 pounds
If you are looking for a small and lightweight cordless saw that is easy to carry, Makita’s SH02R1 is the best option to consider. It weighs only 3.5 pounds and has a small 3.38-inch diameter blade, which makes it very compact.
Despite this, the tool is quite costly, but this can be attributed to the fact that you get a complete tool kit containing the saw, a 12-volt 2Ah battery, a charger and a carrying case for easy transportation of the whole set.
Other features include a cutting capacity of 1-inch at 90˚and 0.63 inches at 45˚, a bevel range of 0-45˚, a built-in dust blower that keeps the cutline clean for accurate cutting and battery protection from overloading, overheating and over-discharging.
However, the tool has a relatively low speed of 1,500 RPM, which means it cuts at a lower speed, especially if the wood is very hard.
Pros:
- Compact and lightweight design that is easy to handle
- Comes as a complete set (saw, battery, charger and carrying case)
- The built-in dust blower keeps the cutline free from debris
- Overload, overheat and over-discharging protection
Cons:
- Expensive
- Low cutting speed
7. Hitachi C18DGLP4 – Cordless Circular Saw with a Spotlight
Photo: Hitachi
- Battery Power: 18 volts
- Blade Size: 6.5 inches
- Speed: 4,500 RPM
- Bevel Range: 0-50˚
- Weight: 6.2 pounds
Hitachi’s C18DGLP4 circular saw takes accuracy to the next level by featuring a spotlight, which clearly marks out the cutline so that you can have better visibility of where exactly the blade will fall.
Other than that, this tool has a relatively powerful motor that capable of spinning at 4,500 RPM with no load, and this means that cutting will also be pretty fast.
That said, the actual cutting is done using a 6.5-inch blade with 18 teeth, and you get a 0-50˚ bevel adjustment range to suit different applications.
More features include electric brakes for safety and quick stopping after use, a soft-grip handle for better comfort and a left side blade position for easy use. However, no battery or charger is provided with the tool.
Pros:
- Built-in spotlight for marking the cutline
- Powerful 4,500 RPM motor
- 0-50˚ bevel range
- Electric brakes for safety and quick stops
- The soft-grip handle gives better comfort
Cons:
- No battery or charger
8. Porter-Cable PCC660B – Comfortable-To-Use Cordless Circular Saw
Photo: Porter-Cable
- Battery Power: 20 volts
- Blade Size: 6.5 inches
- Speed: 4,000 RPM
- Bevel Range: 0-50˚
- Weight: 6.5 pounds
This circular saw is characterized by a contoured over-molded handle that is optimized for user comfort and non-slip performance.
On the inside is a powerful 4,000 RPM motor that delivers high torque and speed, turning a 6.5-inch blade for quick, aggressive cutting.
The blade delivers a cutting depth of 2.13 inches and the saw can slant up to 50˚ for aggressive bevel cuts, making it very versatile.
However, the unit comes as a tool only without a battery or charger, and it lacks a spotlight or laser for precision guidance when cutting.
Pros:
- Comfortable contoured over-molded handle
- Powerful 4,000 RPM motor
- 0-50˚ bevel range makes it possible to perform aggressive bevel cuts
- Large 6.5-inch blade with a 2.13-inch depth of cut
Cons:
- No battery or charger
- Lacks laser or spotlight guidance
9. Black & Decker BDCCS20B – Affordable Cordless Circular Saw
Photo: Black & Decker
- Battery Power: 20 volts
- Blade Size: 5.5 inches
- Speed: 3,700 RPM
- Bevel Range: 0-50˚
- Weight: 6 pounds
Rounding up this list is Black & Decker’s BDCCS20B, which is an affordable circular saw and therefore, ideal if you are on a tight budget.
The tool is equipped with a 5.5-inch fast cutting blade that has very few teeth and is turned by a high torque 3,700 RPM motor, which enhances the cutting performance.
You also get bevel adjustments on a 0-50˚ range, with positive stops at 45˚ and 90˚ for convenience and easy use.
Other features include tool-free adjustment on the bevel and depth of cut adjustment and a 20-volt electrical system that is compatible with batteries from the brand’s entire 20-volt max system.
However, the required battery and charger are not included in the set, and there is no light or laser guidance for precision cutting.
Pros:
- Affordable
- High torque 3,700 RPM motor
- 0-50˚ bevel range with positive stops at 45˚ and 90˚
- Tool-free bevel and depth of cut adjustment
Cons:
- No laser/light guidance
- Battery and charger not included
Corded vs. Cordless Circular Saw
Photo: DeWalt
1. Cutting Power
Corded circular saws have the benefit of having an unlimited power source and therefore, they are usually more powerful, with high torque motors that cut through wood and other materials with ease. They are ideal for very intensive cutting jobs.
On the other hand, the major limitation of cordless circular saws is that their power supply is limited. Therefore, their cutting power is also limited and more so as the battery charge level drops. They are ideal for jobs that are not very intensive.
2. Cost
Corded units are usually cheaper than their cordless counterparts, primarily because they don’t require batteries and chargers. In most cases, cordless units are sold as tools only, which means you have to spend extra to get these must-have accessories.
3. Portability
This is where cordless circular saws excel. Battery power allows them to be easily portable, thereby giving you the flexibility to move around your worksite or to a different site quite easily.
4. Size
Due to the battery, most cordless circular saws are larger and heavier than their corded counterparts. The larger the battery that you fit in, the heavier that it will be. This makes the cordless units a bit difficult to handle in comparison to the corded type.
More detailed: click here
How to Buy the Best Cordless Circular Saws
Photo: DeWalt
1. Battery Power
A powerful battery will definitely deliver more power to the saw, leading to a longer runtime. That said, you need to check the voltage and amperage, in which the higher these values are, the better.
However, regarding the voltage, ensure that the battery’s voltage is compatible with the saw’s internal electrical system, which is usually either 18 or 20 volts.
2. Blades
Carbide-tipped blades are very popular because they are very durable and maintain sharp tips for a very long time. However, they are quite expensive.
If you are a bit tight on cash, high-speed steel blades are a bit cheaper than their carbide-tipped counterparts and are ideal for high volume cutting work. Therefore, a saw with such a blade would be very handy if you have lots of pieces to split.
Other than that, there are blades for different types of materials other than wood. For instance, if you want to use the saw for tile cutting, ensure you have tiled cutting blades fitted in.
3. No-Load Speed
This basically means the spinning speed of the blade when not cutting. Measured in RPM, this speed will drop as you slide the blade into your workpiece because the cutting process acts like a brake.
To avoid slow cutting speeds, ensure the saw you buy has a high speed, high torque motor so that, even when cutting, the spinning does not drop that much.
Ideally, 3,000-5,000 RPM is good enough but any RPM past the 5,000 mark is best. Anything below 3,000 RPM will cut at very slow speeds.
4. Bevel Capacity
Bevel cuts are ideal for decorative trims and are achieved by tilting the footplate on the angled plate. Each circular saw has its own bevel range, but the ones with wider ranges are better because they are able to create a wide variety of different cuts.
Another thing to check is if there are special stops on the bevel scale, which should be positioned at common angles for convenience and easy use.
5. Cutting Capacity
A saw’s cutting capacity is very important to consider because it determines its cutting abilities. This capacity basically means the depth or thickness that the blade can reach. Therefore, if you want to cut very thick pieces of wood, make sure to check if the saw is up to the task.
6. Safety Features
Safety features are important for protecting both you and the tool from damages. The most important ones to have include:
Electronic brakes
In normal instances, blades continue spinning for some time after releasing the trigger. This makes it a bit risky because the sharp edges might cut your fingers or damage anything that comes into contact.
Electronic brakes help to prevent this by stopping the blade as quickly as possible once the trigger is released.
Blade guard and Shoe
These two components help to protect the blade and other internal parts from damages in case of drops or bumps. Other than that, the blade guard keeps the blade covered to prevent accidental cuts to your fingers even when not spinning.
Overload, overheat and over-discharge protection
These 3 always go together and are meant to protect and preserve the battery for long-lasting performance. As a general rule of thumb, the more the safety features, the better.
7. Weight
Handling a heavy circular saw can cause hand fatigue very easily because lifting it and setting it to different workpieces can be quite tiring.
That said, any weight below 7 pounds is comfortable to lift but on exceeding this, you should have enough physical strength to carry that weight with ease.
Conclusion
To conclude, cordless circular saws are very important additions to your toolset and as you can see above, these pieces have slightly different features, but all are designed to give you that perfect cut.
That said, using our buying guide, you should be able to pick the best cordless circular saw that suits your needs from the ones in the review.
Sources
- 7 Things to Consider When Buying a Circular Saw – The Spruce