For many of us, a power saw is the single most important tool we own. A good circular saw can elevate your level of woodworking, and it can also help you finish a project quickly and productively when your workshop is pressed for time or space. If you are in the market for a new circular saw, you’re probably overwhelmed by the sheer number of options available. To help you narrow down your search for the best circular saw for woodworking in 2022, I’ve assembled this guide of the best circular saws for woodworking.
| Name | Category | Product |
|---|---|---|
| Rockwell RK3440K Versacut 4.0 Amp Ultra-Compact Circular Saw | Best Overall |  |
| BLACK+DECKER 7-1/4-Inch Circular Saw | Budget Pick |  |
| Makita SH02R1 12V Max CXT Lithium-Ion Cordless Circular Saw Kit | Upgrade Pick |  |
1. Rockwell RK3440K Versacut 4.0 Amp Ultra-Compact Circular Saw
Pros:
- Powerful (4.0 amp motor)
- Quick set up
- Comes fully assembled
- Compact
- Easy to Use
- Has a carry case
- Great cutting capacity
- Can cut up to a maximum depth of 1-3/8 inches
- Adjustable depth of cut
- Comes with a laser guide system
Cons:
- Not suitable for advanced users
- Won’t be able to cut thick boards
With so many great circular saws on the market, it’s somewhat difficult to choose the perfect one for your needs. We’ve reviewed the Rockwell RK3440K Versacut to determine whether it’s a suitable choice for your DIY projects.
The Versacut circular saw may have been designed for use by novices and DIYers, but beginners and pros alike will be surprised by its capabilities. It’s a very lightweight tool, so it can be easily carried around. It even has a built-in carrying case for easy portability.
2. Makita 5007MGA 7-1/4" Magnesium Circular Saw
Pros:
- powerful motor,
- lightweight
Cons:
- short life span
- not adjustable
Compare to other circular saws, Makita 5007MGA has a powerful motor which allow for fast cutting. The saw is also quite lightweight for easy handling and comfortable working. This compact saw with ergonomic designed grip is a perfect choice for precision cuts for woodworking.
In addition, the Makita 5007MGA features an electronic speed control, a feature you don't see in most circular saws. It can automatically use the torque necessary for your particular material. It also has a cord retention feature that keeps the cord safely in place.
Overall, it's a great, fast, easy-to-use saw to have as part of your collection of precision woodworking tools. It's easy to carry around and to store at the end of the job. Its value for the money is well worth it.
3. SKIL 5280-01 15-Amp 7-1/4-Inch Circular Saw
Pros:
- 14 foot cord length
- 15 Amp motor
- Single beam laser guide
- Spindle lock
- Three year warranty
Cons:
- Narrow blade
- Doesn’t handle well on slippery surfaces
This is quite a handy little handy little circular saw. It’s a great piece of equipment for all those jobs around the house or even for amateur building projects.
Although the blade is quite thin, it’s a steel blade (not aluminum) and can handle most of the materials that you’re going to need to work with.
The handy saw has a number of handy features. One of the most notable is the single beam laser guide, which is a great thing to have on a saw, especially when you’re working in tight corners or on angles.
4. BLACK+DECKER 7-1/4-Inch Circular Saw
Pros:
- Versatile
- Great for large projects
- Compact and lightweight
- Great blade with a simple-to-change depth
- Laser guides your cutting line
- Decent blade length
- Rounded safety tip
- Can be adjusted to be used left-handed
- Easy to use grip and trigger
- Can be operated with one hand
Cons:
- Expensive
- Blades are hard to find
- Only available in one color
- Not the best sharpness
- Fence guides aren’t great
This saw is ideal for the carpenters out there who need to cut down long boards. It provides users with a cutting depth of 2-27/32 in, which is quite a lot. The deep cut allows you to get the job done very quickly. The 13 Amp motor is powerful enough to get the job done fast, and it comes with a cutter as well!
5. Bosch CS5 120-Volt 7-1/4-Inch Circular Saw,Bosch Blue
Next, we have the Bosch CS5 saw from Bosch. It’s one of the most popular circ saws on the market because of it’s reliability, precision, and durability. It averages about 4 out of 5 stars on Amazon and has been given the best-selling “tool” award from Sears.
One of the most convenient features about this saw is the portable built-in storage case. It also has a moveable handle to help you switch to the different positions of the saw.
Another thing we love about this saw is that it comes with a clear L.E.D. display. It’s backlit so you can clearly see what you’re doing to prevent any accidents.
6. WORX WORXSAW 4-1/2" Compact Circular Saw
Available for a very reasonable price, the wonder saw is a great option for anyone looking for an inexpensive circular saw. As the name suggests, it allows you to make woodworking easier by cutting materials.
The Worx WX429L is a convenient tool that you can use with equal effectiveness for projects such as window and door frames, cabinets, wooden walls, furniture, shelves, and a lot more. One of the greatest features that we were very pleased with is the quick-and-easy loading system. This makes it much easier for you to change the blades when necessary. You will also find the tool very easy to use.
Worx WX429L is a battery-powered tool. This means that you don’t need to worry about tripping on the power cord. After charging the battery, you will be able to operate it for around 20 minutes.
7. Rockwell RK3441K 4-1/2” Compact Circular Saw
Pros:
- XPS Crosscut Laser System
- Works with a circular saw guide to make accurate cuts every time
- LED Work Light illuminates the workpiece to help cut in dimly-lit areas
- Extreme Plunge Cut depth of 1-1/2" allows you to saw right through difficult materials
- Professional grade construction
Cons:
- Short cord
- Can take a while to get used to
The Rockwell RK3441K 4-1/2” Compact Circular Saw is an extremely capable portable unit that will handle just about any job you need it to.
This powerful saw features a compact design and weighs just 6.3 lbs, so you can take it anywhere with ease.
Kayenta tool bags are included to make storing your saw simple. The bags are designed to ensure your saw can is protected from dust and dirt while transporting it.
8. DEWALT 7-1/4-Inch Circular Saw
Pros:
- Great for carpentry and deck building
- Affordable
Cons:
- Doesn’t include a dust bag in the box
- Longer framing cuts need to made with slow cuts
The DWE575SB from DEWALT is a really great circular saw that can handle a wide range of jobs.
This saw comes with a 7-1/4 inch blade and the DEWALT 10.5 amp pivoting motor delivers up to 3,900 RPM. It’s a compact saw that’s capable of making cuts from 2.5 inches up to 11.5 inches deep.
Being a corded model, this saw is only compatible with 120 volts. I still like the corded models as they offer plenty of power.
9. DEWALT DC390B 6-1/2-Inch 18-Volt Cordless Circular Saw
Pros:
- Powerful motor
- Precise cutting with its dual modes
- Compact yet durable design
Cons:
- Continuous cutting can affect the battery life
- Cutting large pieces can be challenging
The Dewalt DC390B is a great power tool for the best cordless circular saw because it’s very lightweight at just 4.3 average weight.
This power tool is built with the highest quality materials, such as its all-metal baseplate with a strong, lightweight magnesium riser. This power tool can withstand any small jobs you throw at it.
The Dewalt DC390B power tool is designed to cut various types of materials. It has two different modes, a fine and course mode for precision cutting and fast cutting jobs.
10. Makita SH02R1 12V Max CXT Lithium-Ion Cordless Circular Saw Kit
Pros:
- Cuts through objects quickly
- Can be used for larger projects
- Lightweight
- Durable construction
- Excellent battery
- Comes with a carrying case
- Heavy-duty blade
Makita is known as a reputable brand and continues to live up to its reputation with this fantastic circular saw. Just like you’d expect from a quality product, the Makita 12V Max CXT Lithium-Ion Cordless Circular Saw is built with excellence. It’s on the pricier side but for what it offers, it’s not a bad deal.
The CXT provides you with 3000 SPM with a speed of 5600 RPM. It also has a bevel angle lock that can be activated at 0-50 degrees. The circular saw weighs just 6.2 lbs and is only 13X8X4", so it’s extremely lightweight. It’s easy to handle, especially since it comes with a soft grip handle.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
What are the best circular saws?
For DIY'ers, one of the simplest projects can be something as simple as cutting wood for a garden fence or a deck. And, even if you have hired a professional to build you one of these things, you will need to cut some wood.
A circular saw is the right tool for the job, but we recommend you pay attention to the number of amps, blade attachment, and the ability to adjust the bevel. You can choose which of these three characteristics is the most important to you. As you make that decision, you'll still want to consider other criteria, such as safety features, design, and weight.
However, you can ʦnd the best circular saw out there. A few of our recommendations are the Makita 2705X1, the DeWalt DWE575SB, and the Black & Decker GCO18PP.
What is the best corded circular saw to buy?
What are circular saws good for?
Circular saws are versatile cutting machines that handle a wide range of materials. I find them to be particularly useful for those who are looking for a good sturdy saw, but don't want a big, bulky table saw for their jobs.
If you plan to cut sheet goods such as plywood, particleboard, and OSB, then a circular saw is an excellent choice. Furthermore, if you plan on cutting curves, then a circular saw will complement your tools well. Many people believe it will certainly be sufficient for basic home woodworking tasks. However, some claim that a circular saw isn't the most appropriate choice if you plan on cutting thick lumber often.
What is the best saw for woodworking?
The best saw for woodworking is one that is right for you. If you're a beginner, then a 15-Amp saw will serve you well. But, if you've been doing this for a while and need something made for speed and performance, then a cordless saw may be what you want. Ideally, a cordless saw will allow you to cut through a 3-inch tree branch as if it were butter.
If the branch in question happens to be an 8-foot long 2" in diameter tree branch, then you'll want to make sure you get a circular saw that is specifically designed for this kind of task. If you buy a pretty much any other saw, you will be in for a very frustrating morning.
If you buy a more expensive saw for a task like this, you are more likely to just use the cordless circular saw for everything. A cheaper model will probably be just good enough.
Conclusion
A circular saw is one of the handiest tools that you could ever own. You can use it for everything from hanging pictures to building tables, decks, sheds, and even entire houses. Because of the diversity of uses, it might be important to have one that is powerful, lightweight, and precise so that you can use it to its maximum efficacy. That's where this buying guide comes in. We've broken down the best options based on a variety of features so that you can arrive at the perfect circular saw no matter what your needs might be.
Our Recommendation
| Name | Category | Product |
|---|---|---|
| Rockwell RK3440K Versacut 4.0 Amp Ultra-Compact Circular Saw | Best Overall | |
| BLACK+DECKER 7-1/4-Inch Circular Saw | Budget Pick | |
| Makita SH02R1 12V Max CXT Lithium-Ion Cordless Circular Saw Kit | Upgrade Pick | |