The 9 Best Circular Saws of 2023

Best Overall

SKILSAW SPT67WL-01 Circular Saw

4.5

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Billed as one of the lightest Pro circular saws on the market, the SPT67WL-01 is only 8.6 pounds. While working on all-day projects, you will easily notice the difference a lightweight saw can make. A 10-foot power cord will extend your range without your having to worry about running out of power with a battery. However, don't think that the light weight of this saw makes it a lightweight when it comes to power, accuracy, or versatility. Its 15-amp motor is designed to remain cool, even when work sessions go long, and can spin the blade up to 5,300 rpms. This is a great choice not only for DIYers, but also for professionals who do a lot of framing or other construction work.

The saw comes with a standard 7 1/4-inch blade that you can tilt up to 56 degrees for a beveled cut through soft, hard, or engineered wood. The till locks at a 45-degree angle, which speeds up common cuts. And the depth-of-cut system lets you easily set the saw for a variety of common depths, including 1/4 ply, 1/2 ply, 3/4 ply and 2x boards. The integrated dust blower keeps your line of cut clearly visible and helps maintain the accuracy you are looking for.

Price at time of publish: $99

_{Power: 15 amp | Blade Size: 7 1/4 inch | Max. RPM: 5,300 | Max. Cutting Depth: 2 7/16 inches | Blade Side: Right}

Best Budget

Skil 5180-01 Circular Saw

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Conventional circular saws can quickly get up there in price if you're looking for the latest and greatest, but for people with the occasional weekend or DIY project, there's no need for an expensive professional saw. The Skil 5180-01 is an excellent budget option, since it will give you reliable cutting power and durability at an affordable price. At just 7.2 pounds, it is a couple of pounds lighter than the other top picks, which makes it easier to use on long projects. And with the standard 7 1/4-inch blade, this saw will easily handle the typical 2 x 4's and plywood that most small projects rely on.

For the price, this saw is also a good match for dusty worksites. With the built in dust blower, you will be able to keep the cutting area clear of the small types of debris that can ruin the 14-amp motor. And with a top speed of 5,300 rpm and a maximum cutting depth of 2 3/8-inches with the saw at a 90-degree angle, you won't give up performance for value. It can also cut bevels at an angle of up to 51 degrees.

Price at time of publish: $57

_{Power: 14 amp | Blade Size: 7 1/4 inch | Max. RPM: 5,300 | Max. Cutting Depth: 2 3/8 inches | Blade Side: Right}

Best Laser-Guided

BLACK+DECKER BDECS300C Circular Saw with Laser

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A laser guide can give you a clear and visible reference point when making long cuts that need to be completely straight, by providing a clear, easy-to-see line for you to follow. The BLACK+DECKER BDECS300C’s built-in laser makes it a breeze to accurately straight-cut typical 2x boards, rip-cut plywood, and make miter or bevel cuts on typical 2x boards. At a 90-degree angle, you can make cuts up to a 2.5-inch depth, and when cutting bevels at up to 45 degrees, your maximum cutting depth is 1.9 inches.

The 13-amp motor is not the most powerful on the market but is more than adequate for most DIY or home uses. When it’s time for a blade change, the spindle lock means no struggles. Plus, at only 7 pounds, the saw is light enough for easy portability and maneuvering, and it’s extremely reasonably priced. 

If you often work with long boards, this is the saw to keep your cuts straight and true from beginning to end.

Price at time of publish: $48

_{Power: 13 amp | Blade Size: 7 1/4 inch | Max. RPM: 5,300 | Max. Cutting Depth: 2 1/2 inches | Blade Side: Right}

Best for DIYers

Worx WorxSaw WX429L Compact Circular Saw

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If you want a versatile, lightweight circular saw that slices through 2x lumber, metal, plastic, and tile without difficulty, is small enough to be easy to maneuver in tight spots but still powerful enough to handle just about any common DIY project, and is reasonably priced to boot, then it's hard to go wrong with the WorxSaw. This compact, corded tool has a 4 1/2-inch blade, a 4-amp motor, and a top speed of 3,500 rpm. It can bevel up to 45 degrees, and thanks to the left-sided blade, you have a clear line of vision while you cut.

It only takes one hand to hold this light circular saw. It weighs only 4.4 pounds and has a comfortable grip with the depth-control lever conveniently located to make adjustments very easy. It includes a parallel guide to help you make perfectly straight cuts, which can sometimes be tricky with compact saws. It can also make plunge cuts up to 1 11/16-inch deep. While this isn't the tool for very heavy-duty cutting of large materials, it's an excellent choice for general use and DIY projects.

Price at time of publish: $69

_{Power: 4 amp | Blade Size: 4-1/2 inch | Max. RPM: 3,500 | Max. Cutting Depth: 1 11/16 inches | Blade Side: Left}

Best Rail-Guided

Makita SP6000J1 Plunge Saw With Guide Rail

4.8

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If you need the maximum degree of precision possible, the only thing for you to even consider is a rail-guided circular saw. While laser guides are good for making accurate cuts, nothing can compare to the solid guiding line of the rail. The Makita SP6000J1 stands out among circular saws, since it will give you this level of precision without being tied down like a tablesaw. With a 55-inch guide rail, this saw can also make long and repeated cuts while maintaining the same level of precision.

The 6 1/2-inch plunge blade—this means that unlike most circular saws, which can only begin a cut from the edge of the material, you can "plunge" the blade into the material from any point—and 12-amp motor are enough to handle most types of common cuts found on residential and commercial projects. If you think you will be cutting different types of material and thicknesses in one setting, the variable speed-control dial will also help you match the speed of the blade to the material you're cutting.

Price at time of publish: $774

_{Power: 12 amp | Blade Size: 6 1/2 inch | Max. RPM: 5,200 | Max. Cutting Depth: 2 3/16 inches | Blade Side: Right}

Best Professional

SKILSAW SPT77WML-0 Circular Saw

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Professionals often place more rigorous demands on their circular saws than the average DIYer, and so their tools need to stand up to the typical types of abuse that jobsites can throw at them. For people wanting the absolute best in durability and cutting power, the SKILSAW SPT77WML-0 is the only option to consider. With the standard 7 1/4-inch cutting blade, it can cut up to 2 3/8-inch-thick pieces of wood without flinching. The blade can also tilt up to 53 degrees with 0- and 45-degree locks.

One thing that sets this saw apart from other options is the magnesium-based construction. By avoiding the use of lighter metals and plastics, this saw's overall build will survive more abuse than cheaper options. SKILSAW's Cut-Ready system is also handy if you need to make quick and accurate cuts of various depths.

Price at time of publish: $199

_{Power: 15 amp | Blade Size: 7 1/4 inch | Max. RPM: 5,300 | Max. Cutting Depth: 2 3/8 inches | Blade Side: Left}

Best Cordless

Makita SH02R1 Cordless Circular Saw

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While corded circular saws undeniably win for the most power, there are times that portability is key. For those times, you’ll appreciate that not only does the Makita SH02R1 cut the cord, drawing power instead from the included 12-volt lithium-ion battery, but it still maintains a very impressive amount of power, delivering 1,500 rpm to slice quickly through plywood, MDF, pegboard, drywall, melamine, particleboard, and other lightweight materials. The saw itself weighs only 3.5 pounds, so it won’t weigh you down on the jobsite.

The 3 3/8-inch blade has a maximum cutting depth of 1 inch at 90 degrees, and 5/8-inch at 45 degrees. A tilting base lets you make bevel cuts from 0 to 45 degrees. You get two batteries, a charger, and a sturdy plastic carrying case that lets you easily tote your saw to your jobsite.

Price at time of publish: $149

_{Power: 12 volts | Blade Size: 3 3/8 inch | Max. RPM: 1,500 | Max. Cutting Depth: 1 inch | Blade Side: Right}

Best Compact

Genesis GCS445SE Compact Circular Saw

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Not every sawing job calls for the maximum in size and muscle. A compact circular saw has many advantages over the standard size. It’s easier to maneuver a compact saw in a tight space, and typically, these saws are lighter in weight, making them easier on your hands when working for extended periods. The Genesis GCS445SE Compact Circular Saw is one of the most versatile compact saws available today. With a 4.0-amp motor rated for up to 3,500 rpm, it packs a powerful punch in a body that is half the weight of many larger circular saws; it’s just 4.7 pounds. Plus, it’s designed for one-handed use. But the features don’t stop there.

For messy projects, this saw has a built-in dust port and vacuum adapter to keep the cutting area free of debris. The included tungsten carbide tipped blade is strong enough to cut through any 2x wooden board as well as similar materials, whether cutting straight, rip, or bevel. To use other kinds of blades, all you have to do is remove the existing blade, and pop in the other.

Price at time of publish: $44

_{Power: 4 amp | Blade Size: 4 1/2 inch | Max. RPM: 3,500 | Max. Cutting Depth: 1 1/16 inches | Blade Side: Left}