The 8 Best Circular Saws of 2025
When it comes to woodworking efficiency and versatility, few tools match the raw cutting power of a high-quality circular saw. Unlike the precision-focused miter saws that excel at angled cuts or stationary table saws, circular saws combine mobility with impressive cutting capacity, and each comes in a convenient handheld package. Essentially the “pickup truck” of the saw world, these workhorses feature a motor-driven circular blade that spins at high speeds (typically 4,000 RPM or higher), so they chew through lumber and plywood with relative ease.
What separates an exceptional circular saw from a merely “adequate” one? The most important factors include power output (measured in amps for corded models or voltage for cordless), cutting capacity (how deeply the blade can cut), bevel capacity (the angles at which the blade can tilt), and overall build quality. Premium models often feature magnesium components that reduce the saw’s weight without sacrificing its durability, while modern advancements include brushless motors, LED cutting lights, and electric brakes that stop the blade seconds after releasing the trigger (an especially valuable and time-saving feature when making tons of consecutive cuts).
The evolution of battery technology has been one of the most impactful developments for circular saws in recent years. While traditional corded models still offer uninterrupted power for demanding jobs, modern battery-powered circular saws now deliver comparable performance without the limitations of a power cord. The best cordless power tools, including some of our favorite cordless circular saws, now feature high-capacity lithium-ion batteries and brushless motors that maximize efficiency.
Here at Popular Mechanics, we’ve put dozens of circular saws through their paces across countless lumber cuts, plywood sheets, and renovation projects. The models we’ve selected below represent the very best circular saws available today, from budget-friendly options perfect for weekend warriors to professional-grade tools that can withstand the demands of daily job-site use.
The Best Circular Saws
What to Consider
Circular saws are powerful tools that both crosscut wood (move across the grain) and rip it (move with the grain). Apart from the rear-handle saws we cover, the tools that we tested don’t exhibit much design variation. With a few exceptions, most of their blades are 7.25 inches in diameter and positioned on the right side of the motor. When the blade is fully lowered, the saw cuts to about 2.25 inches deep (or slightly deeper). Circular saws do have some variations in their design and capabilities though, so in order to ensure you choose the best one for your tasks, make sure you’re familiar with the following factors.
Power
For corded saws, power is expressed in amperage (the amount of electricity it draws), with 15 amps being the most common across the board.
Battery-powered saws rate power in voltage, which can vary from 12 to 60 volts. While it’s true that higher voltage draws more current from the battery to the motor, the size of the battery also plays an important role. Measured in amp-hours (Ah), the battery’s capacity ultimately determines how long it can provide the intended voltage.
Speed
The speed at which the saw’s motor can spin its blade–measured in revolutions per minute (RPM)–directly affects its performance and is a useful metric to compare one saw’s potential productivity versus another. The higher the RPM, the quicker the motor can spin the blade, and the faster it cuts through material. Circular saw speed varies from saw to saw, and saws that cut 4,000 to 5,500 RPM are perfectly sufficient for most home projects.
Corded vs. Cordless
Circular saws are available in either corded or cordless models. To choose the best option for you and your project, it’s important to understand the pros and cons of each.
Corded
Although their mobility is limited by the length of your extension cord, corded saws are almost always more powerful than cordless options. They also offer an unlimited runtime and therefore deliver consistent results for hours and hours. Corded circular saws (such as the Skil 15-Amp Corded Circular Saw) are also typically cheaper than their cordless counterparts and don’t add clutter (in the form of batteries and chargers) to your workspace. If you don’t want to worry about purchasing and charging battery packs, and you primarily work in a garage or workshop, a corded circular saw is a great option.
Cordless
The portability of battery-powered saws is a major selling point, especially for those who don’t have a dedicated workshop that they work out of. They’re convenient to transport to and from a job site (even if that’s your backyard or driveway), and as long as the battery is charged, these are ready to cut as soon as you are. Their limited runtime is the obvious drawback, but if you buy a saw within the same brand as your existing battery-powered tools, this is less of an issue.
It’s worth noting that although corded tools have traditionally been more powerful than cordless, recent advancements in battery technology (even in the past couple years) have significantly narrowed that gap.
Blade Size
The most common circular saw blade sizes are 5-1/2, 6-1/2, and 7-1/4 inches in diameter, although you can find a range of smaller or larger options if you need them. The larger the blade, the deeper it can cut, and the more functionality it has in the woodshop. Circular saws that use 7-1/4-inch blades are useful for so many applications, and since they’re so popular, spare blades are easy to find.
That said, we’ve found 6-1/2-inch models to be especially convenient and comfortable for common cross and rip cuts, and depending on your cutting requirements (their shallower cut depth isn’t ideal for 45-degree cuts, for example), their lighter weight and compact size are worth the compromise.
What Else Do You Need?
Aside from the saw, in order to use a circular saw to complete projects around your home, you likely need a couple of carpenter’s pencils (regular mechanical pencils are also perfectly fine) and a combination square to both mark the lumber and guide the saw for accurate crosscuts. For corded circular saws, you also need a heavy-duty extension cord. Regardless of the type of saw you use, always wear safety glasses and ear protection.
How We Tested
In order to confidently recommend the models on this list, I used both my own experience using circular saws in the past, as well as the detailed testing notes from our Popular Mechanics team. Collectively, we sourced each saw for real-world testing on a range of wood types and cuts, running the entire group through a hands-on evaluation process, using each saw to cut across and with the grain with the blade perpendicular to its shoe and at an angle to it.
To get a better idea of the accuracy and quality of each saw, we also performed a series of hairsplitting crosscuts, using a speed square as a guide. For this update, I took all our previous data into account when evaluating the most useful picks. I will continue to test and evaluate models as they become available in the future.
Best Circular Saws Reviews
We’ve tested many circular saws, and this one comes as close to perfection as is possible. Equipped with a standard 7.25-inch blade and an 8-Ah battery, and weighing 11.6 pounds (9.5 for the saw and 2.14 for the battery), it’s a nimble cutter by itself. But the good news gets better: It has an aluminum accessory track—no special shoe or mounting hardware required. Lay the track (available separately for about $100) on the board or plywood, and slide this Bosch down it like a locomotive riding the rails. The resulting rip or crosscut is table-saw-accurate.
To control cutting depth, this saw features a thumb latch right above the trigger. Move the latch forward and press down, and the saw’s shoe drops. To fine tune the shoe’s position, simply hold it with one hand while pressing down on the latch. When the shoe is where you want it, release the latch. And the amount of blade exposure below the shoe is right where you need it.
There’s also an eco setting that reduces power for light cutting while conserving battery life, and six speeds for enough range to make multiple cuts in thin plywood on low to full bore (and maximum blade depth) to cut construction lumber. A battery life readout tells you how much charge you have left.
This saw crushes cuts more quickly and powerfully than almost any other. Its 15-amp motor pushes through lumber fast enough that you can earn a living with it, and thanks to the electronic brake system that stops the blade as soon as you release the trigger, you’re on to your next cut in mere seconds. A built-in dust blower helps keep your cut line free of debris, which improves visibility and increases overall accuracy. It’s not cheap, but this saw is worth the investment for anyone who needs the unlimited runtime and power of a corded saw.
Skil has a long history with the circular saw, and it puts that institutional knowledge to good use with this inexpensive but capable corded model. It’s accurate and comfortable to handle. Its cut depth is easy to adjust, and the shoe sits perfectly parallel to the blade.
We were also pleasantly surprised by the torque this saw’s 15-amp motor provides, and a bright power indicator light lets you know when it’s turned on (a handy safety perk I always appreciate). Even with the blade fully submerged in lumber for rips and crosscuts, it powered through our tests with minimal resistance.
Key Specs
| Model | HPCS25 |
|---|---|
| Power | 20 volts |
| Weight | 8.4 lbs |
| Speed | 4000 RPM |
| Blade Size | 7 ¼-inch, 24-tooth, framing |
We test homeowner and professional circular saws the same way. In the case of this 20-volt Hart, that meant cutting Douglas fir framing lumber, sawing through the 1.5-inch thickness and also with the board turned on edge so the blade was fully submerged at its maximum depth in the lumber.
Our verdict: You won’t confuse this saw with one used to frame houses; push it too hard and you trip its thermal cutoff. But it’s got enough oomph for cutting some lumber, including a 4 x 4. We liked the lock button (officially, the spindle lock); press it to hold the blade in place to more quickly turn off the nut that tightens down on the blade. We also appreciated its safety latch, which is easy for both right or left-handed users to operate.
Key Specs
| Model | DCS573B |
|---|---|
| Power | 20V |
| Weight | 8.2 lbs + Battery |
| Speed | 5500 RPM |
| Blade Size | 7 ¼-inch, 24-tooth, framing |
DeWalt took its 20-volt cordless circular saw and sent it to the gym. Now, it can run on a standard 20-volt Max battery or the hulking dual-voltage 20/60 Flex Volt power pack (not included). The latter enables a ridiculous amount of cuts on one charge or repeated cuts at its depth of 2-9/16 inches. It made so many buzzes through 2x4s in our test that we didn’t even bother counting them; We ran out of wood before the battery showed any signs of fading. Of course, with these larger batteries, you’re hauling around more total weight.
During our testing, we found this circular saw really comfortable to operate, thanks to the ergonomic handle positions and rubber grip. We also appreciated the effectiveness of the electronic blade brake, which stops the blade from spinning a second or two after you release the trigger.
Overall, this DeWalt cordless circular saw is a powerful, smooth-cutting tool with outstanding accuracy. If you’re thinking of going cordless, but want to ensure you maintain top performance, this is the one to get.
Key Specs
| Model | C3607DWAQ4 |
|---|---|
| Power | 36 volts |
| Weight | 8.2 lbs |
| Speed | 5100 RPM |
| Blade Size | 7 ¼-inch, 24-tooth, framing |
The Metabo-HPT 60V embodies aspects of the traditional left-blade circular saw that have endeared it to generations of carpenters. Its chief virtue is that it has a high power-to-weight ratio. This saw is a fast-cutter, even if it’s not quite as strong as some heavy-duty rear-handle saws out there (such as the Makita 40V rear-handle circular saw). That said, it is almost three to four pounds lighter than others we tested.
It cuts any typical framing material well, but you can also easily use it to break down plywood sheets or lengths of hardwood lumber for a furniture piece you want to build.
During our testing, this circular saw did just as well cutting full-depth bevels as it did full-depth rips and crosscuts. Our verdict? Its light overall weight, power, and easy-handling features help to make this a truly productive circular saw.
Pros
- Easy to maneuver
- Includes storage bag for convenient transport
Cons
- Relatively low RPM
Key Specs
| Model | DCS565P1 |
|---|---|
| Power | 20 V |
| Weight | 7.6 lb |
| Speed | 4950 RPM |
| Blade Size | 6 ½-inch, 18-tooth, framing |
At 7.6 pounds, this DeWalt saw was the lightest model we tested, and that made it especially comfortable to maneuver and operate. Its compact size—less than 16 inches front to back—also means it’s convenient to use in tight or awkward spaces and easier to store or transport than bulkier models.
We also found the cam levers—used to lock in bevel and cut-depth adjustments—to be intuitive and to lock in place securely without hassle. This kit also includes a snap-on dust chute, which connects directly to your shop vac or dust extraction system.
It’s worth noting that the 18-tooth blade results in rougher cuts than the 24-tooth blades on most saws, but as long as your projects don’t require extra-smooth edges, this shouldn’t be much of an issue.
Alex Rennie is a freelance writer who specializes in the Home Improvement, DIY, and Tool space. As a former residential and commercial carpenter, Alex uses his hands-on experience to write practical buying guides, how-to articles, and product reviews. His work has also appeared in Business Insider’s Insider Picks, and before his writing career, he was a full-time carpenter living in New York City. There, he worked as part of a team designing, building, and installing large furniture pieces, as well as performing a variety of home repair and maintenance projects. Alex currently lives in Los Angeles, CA, and spends his free time exploring the beaches and mountains with his fiancé and their dog Louie.
Roy Berendsohn has worked for more than 25 years at Popular Mechanics, where he has written on carpentry, masonry, painting, plumbing, electrical, woodworking, blacksmithing, welding, lawn care, chainsaw use, and outdoor power equipment. When he’s not working on his own house, he volunteers with Sovereign Grace Church doing home repair for families in rural, suburban and urban locations throughout central and southern New Jersey.
Brad Ford has spent most of his life using tools to fix, build, or make things. Growing up he worked on a farm, where he learned to weld, repair, and paint equipment. From the farm he went to work at a classic car dealer, repairing and servicing Rolls Royces, Bentleys, and Jaguars. Today, when he’s not testing tools or writing for Popular Mechanics, he’s busy keeping up with the projects at his old farmhouse in eastern Pennsylvania.
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