The Best Circular Saws of 2024 for Beginners and Pros
These saws are a cut above, packing equal parts power and control.
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A circular saw is a staple of any construction site, the go-to power tool for ripping sheets of plywood or slicing through heavy dimensional lumber. Experienced DIYers should think about investing in one of these power saws too, especially since the market has expanded to include smaller, battery-powered models at more modest price points.
For our latest review of circular saws, our team in the Home Improvement and Outdoor Lab at the Good Housekeeping Institute focused on saws aimed at DIY enthusiasts, though we did test a few that can hold their own on professional job sites. We also traded testing notes with our partners at Popular Mechanics, who cover a wide swath of the market with their power tool reviews.
After dozens of hours of testing in our labs, workshops and homes, the following eight circular saws made it onto our winners list.
- Best Overall: Ryobi ONE+ HP 18V Circular Saw
- Best Value: CRAFTSMAN CMES500 13-Amp Corded Circular Saw
- Pro's Pick: Milwaukee M18 FUEL 18V Circular Saw Kit
- Best Fast-Charging: FLEX 24-Volt Cordless Circular Saw
- Best Lightweight: WORX Cordless Compact Circular Saw
- Best Corded Electric: Skil 15-Amp Circular Saw
- Best Heavy-Duty: Makita XSR01Z 36V Circular Saw
- Best Mini: DEWALT Atomic 20V Max Circular Saw
Pros
- Excellent value
- Lightweight, ergonomic design
- Solid cutting performance
Cons
- Not as powerful as corded models
When all the sawdust had settled on our latest round of testing, our experts named this Ryobi the best overall circular saw because of its combination of value and performance. Sure, some saws will rip through a sheet of plywood faster or deliver longer runtimes on a battery charge. But this 18-volt circular saw proved capable in all our performance tests, making clean cuts at various angles through lumber up to 2 1/2-inches thick.
Like all Ryobi tools, the saw is sold exclusively at Home Depot. It's relatively lightweight design cut down on arm fatigue in our tests and it has many features our experts look for, including an ergonomic grip, LED light and vacuum compatibility to minimize dust. Bottom line: Any first-time circular saw user should be very satisfied with this top-rated Ryobi.
| Type | Sidewinder |
| Power source | Battery |
| Power rating | 18 volts |
| Weight | 8.2 lbs |
| Blade size | 7 - 1/4 in. |
Pros
- Excellent price
- Lightweight design
- Ergonomic molded handle
Cons
- Cord can be a nuisance
- Limited cutting depth
If you shop at Lowe's, Craftsman power tools are worth a look. Ever since the legacy brand was bought by Stanley BLACK & DECKER in 2017, we've seen big improvements in performance and reliability and that's the case with this corded circular saw.
Our partners at Popular Mechanics were impressed by the relatively lightweight design and robust cutting power. The molded handle adds comfort and control. They pointed out the fact that the shoe and blade on the saw aren’t perfectly parallel, leading to minor inaccuracies. “But if you apply a little extra due diligence, you can keep the saw cutting true,” said Senior Home Editor Roy Berendsohn.
There's some tradeoff in performance with the Craftsman’s low price and the cord can be a nuisance, but unless you’re doing fine carpentry work, it shouldn’t be a dealbreaker.
| Type | Sidewinder |
| Power source | Corded |
| Power type | 13 amps |
| Weight | 8 lbs |
| Blade size | 7 - 1/4 in. |
Pros
- Excellent power and control
- Ergonomic design
- Safe to operate
Cons
- Pricey
Milwaukee is a brand you run into often on construction sites. As one builder told us, “You can tell when you have a Milwaukee tool in your hands by its weight, sturdy feel, ergonomics and power.” Testers who handled this 7-1/4” circular saw from the brand's M18 FUEL line surely got that Milwaukee vibe. Though the sidewinder-style circular saw tips the scale at just over 11 pounds, its well-balanced, ergonomic design makes it feel like lighter weight saws we tested.
It's more expensive than most on our list, but its cutting performance was exceptional and plenty versatile, thanks to the saw’s 2-5/8" cut capacity. When used with the 12.0Ah battery pack (sold separately), the saw can deliver up to 700 cuts, says Milwaukee. It has all the safety features we look for, including an electric brake to stop the blade after the trigger is released and an integrated LED light for added visibility.
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| Type | Sidewinder |
| Power source | Battery |
| Power rating | 18 volts |
| Weight | 11.1 lbs |
| Blade size | 7 - 1/4 in. |
Pros
- Exceptional battery
- Great control and cutting power
- Bright LED
Cons
- Pricey
Flex, another Lowe’s exclusive brand, is a relative newcomer to the power tool category, but it’s already tearing it up with its high-performance gear. The brand is aimed more at pros, or at least hardcore DIYers. We’re including it because our testers were blown away by the power and runtime of Flex’s 24-volt, 5 Ah lithium battery.
The Flex, although on the pricey side, is an extremely capable circular saw, with a unique “in-line” design that combines the power of a worm drive with the handling of a sidewinder. In our performance tests, it ripped through ½-inch plywood with ease and accuracy, thanks to the clear sightlines and built-in LED light, and it delivered similar results with even thicker hardwoods.
| Type | In-line |
| Power source | Battery |
| Power rating | 24 volts |
| Weight | 7.05 lbs |
| Blade size | 6 - 1/2 in. |
Pros
- Weighs only 3.8 lbs
- Ample power
Cons
- Depth maxes out at 2 inches
Coming in at 3.8 pounds, this compact circular saw from Worx is perfect for users who might succumb to arm fatigue with saws weighing two or three times as much. “Between its compact design and 20-volt motor, this Worx offers a great balance of convenience and power, especially for first-time circular saw users," said one of our expert testers.
The 4.5-inch blade is smaller than traditional circular saws, which allows it to spin faster. The downside is it can only cut through 2-inch-thick lumber. If you need more depth than that, this compact circular saw isn’t the tool for the job.
| Type | Sidewinder |
| Power source | Battery |
| Power rating | 20 volts |
| Weight | 3.8 lbs |
| Blade size | 4- 1/2 in. |
Pros
- Superb value
- Clean, accurate cuts
Cons
- Cord limits portability
The pros at Popular Mechanics call this circular saw “one of the best power-tool deals out there.” Skil is the DIY spinoff of Skilsaw, a popular brand targeted mainly at professionals. Even though Skil saws are very competitively priced, they retain many features of their beefier brand-mate, and that’s the case with this corded model.
Testers were especially impressed by the smooth handling, easy adjustments and accurate cuts, aided by a laser guide. They were also pleasantly surprised by the torque (a.k.a. rotational power) of the saw’s 15-amp motor. “Even with the blade fully submerged in lumber for rips and crosscuts, it powered through nicely,” noted Berendsohn. Keep in mind that the cord will limit its portability.
| Type | Sidewinder |
| Power source | Corded |
| Power rating | 15 amps |
| Weight | 8.7 lbs |
| Blade size | 7- 1/4 in. |
Makita XSR01Z 36V Circular Saw
Pros
- Excellent power and control
- Durable construction
Cons
- Heavy
This Makita is the circular saw of choice with the maintenance crew at the Good Housekeeping Institute, who we often call on to fabricate platforms and other staging equipment for various product tests. Makita is popular with pros across many trades, and our engineers know it as a trusted power tool brand with a time-tested reputation. (The company invented the first power tool in 1958, a portable electric planer, and the first cordless drill in 1978.)
Our maintenance team likes the rear-handle design of the XSRO1Z, which makes it handle more like a worm drive saw (with the motor behind the blade, instead of to the side), even though it technically isn’t. That’s getting into the weeds of the tool design, but all you need to know is that the Makita offers a superb combination of power and control, though, at 12.4 pounds, it's a lot of tool to push, pull and carry.
Through dozens of hours of use at our facility, it’s also proven to be an extremely durable saw, thanks in part to its brushless motor technology. The saw uses two 18-volt lithium-ion batteries, for exceptional power and runtime.
| Type | Sidewinder |
| Power source | Battery |
| Power rating | 36 volts |
| Weight | 12.4 lbs |
| Blade size | 7- 1/4" |
DEWALT Atomic 20V Max Circular Saw
Pros
- Lightweight design
- Impressive power
Cons
- Won't cut thick lumber
While you wouldn't want to build a deck with one, mini circular saws are perfect for cutting thin materials, like wood paneling. Dewalt is a trusted brand with our experts and the Atomic is a crowd favorite on Amazon, with 7,000-plus reviews averaging 4.8 stars.
The battery-run saw packs plenty of power into its compact housing. Its in-line motor and lightweight design combine for exceptional control, even with one-hand cutting. The mini has many features our experts look for, including an electronic safety brake that stops the blade quickly and safely, plus a brushless motor for added durability.
| Type | In-line |
| Power source | Battery |
| Power rating | 20 volts |
| Weight | 6.6 lbs |
| Blade size | 4- 1/2 in. |
How we test circular saws
Our team of experts in the Home Improvement and Outdoor Lab at the Good Housekeeping Institute start by surveying the marketplace to identify the models that you’re most likely to find on store shelves and online. From there, we zero in on brands that have performed the best and proven the most reliable through years of power tool tests.
When it came to reviewing specific models for this round-up, our engineers and product reviewers spent hours analyzing hundreds of technical and performance data points, including manufacturer claims around power output, weight and more. Hands-on testing took place in our Lab as well as our home workshops, enabling us to evaluate the equipment in real-world conditions.
To measure performance, our experts spent at least three hours with each circular saw cutting through a variety of wood, including ¾-inch plywood, 2x4s made of Douglas fir and deck boards made of ipe, a dense tropical hardwood. We also considered usability, starting with how easy it was to load the blade into each saw and how easy it was to adjust the depth and angle of the cuts. Usability tests also include trying all available batteries and checking their charge and runtimes.
Convenience features, such as extra batteries and dust collection ports, earned extra points. Finally, our testers assessed overall safety, highlighting features like LED lights and spring-loaded blade guards, both of which reduce the risk of accidents.
What to look for when shopping for the best circular saw
To find the best circular saw for your needs, consider the following factors.
✔️ Type: This is determined by the position of the motor relative to the blade. These are the main types.
- Sidewinders: With this design, the motor sits next to the blade. These saws are also referred to as direct drive because the motor is directly connected to the blade, which allows it to spin at higher speeds. Sidewinders tend to be fast, compact and lightweight.
- Worm drivers: In this configuration, the motor sits behind the blade, and uses worm-like gears (hence the name) to spin the blade. They’re usually longer and heavier than sidewinders. Though worm-driven blades don’t spin as fast, they have more power, which is helpful for cutting through dense wood.
- In-line: This is a kind of hybrid saw, with a rear motor that's directly "in line" with the blade, for excellent balance and a clear overhead view of both sides of every cut. That makes for easy operation whether you're right or left-handed.
✔️ Power source: Circular saws are either battery-powered or corded. Our experts generally recommend battery-powered models for DIYers, because they’re more convenient and lightweight, even with the added battery pack. Corded circular saws tend to be more powerful, which pros like, plus they don't have to deal with batteries dying mid-project.
✔️ Power output: Battery-powered saws are measured in volts. DIY-grade saws are typically in the 12- to 18-volt range, while pros prefer saws in the 20- to 36-volt range. Corded saws are measured in amps. For most homeowners, 13 amps will do, while contractors generally like at least 15 amps.
✔️ Weight: Though compact circular saws can weigh as little as 4 pounds, most DIY models weigh 8 to 9 pounds, including the weight of the battery. Pro-grade saws weigh 10 pounds and up. The difference of a couple of pounds can really add up over the course of a day, plus it impacts balance and ease of cutting.
How do you make clean, accurate cuts with a circular saw?
Clean cuts start with a sharp blade. Circular saws cut from the bottom to the top, so always put your material’s appearance side (or the side that will show after it’s cut) face down. Remember the carpenter’s adage: ‘Measure twice, cut once.’ Keep a carpenter’s pencils and a square handy to mark the lumber and guide the saw for accurate cuts.
How can circular saws be used safely?
Look for circular saws with an electric brake, which stops the blade from spinning as soon as you release the trigger. Spring-loaded blade guards cover the blade when it’s not in use. LED lights illuminate the workspace to reduce the chance of errant cuts.
Even with all the safety features, user error can still lead to accidents and injuries. Always wear safety goggles and earplugs when operating a circular saw. Be sure to remove the battery or unplug the tool before adjusting the depth or angle of the blade. Check the blade guard frequently to ensure it is covering the blade’s razor-sharp teeth.
Before cutting, always check for obstructions in the wood, like nails or screws. Never force the saw forward when cutting and maintain proper footing and balance, rather than stretching to finish a cut. If using an extension cord, make sure its rated amperage capacity is equal to or greater than the saw’s motor rating.
Why trust Good Housekeeping?
I've covered the power tool market for more than two decades for brands like This Old House and Consumer Reports before joining the Good Housekeeping Institute in 2022. In my role as director of the Home Improvement and Outdoor Lab, I oversee the testing of all power equipment, working closely with our team of engineers and product analysts.
Before I started writing about home improvement and testing products, I worked on various roofing and remodeling crews, where I spent all day, every day wielding circular saws, along with cordless drills, pneumatic nailers and other heavy-duty equipment. I've also managed several remodeling projects, most recently the gut renovation of a 19th-century Brooklyn brownstone. I'm a regular at trade shows, such as the National Hardware Show and the International Builders' Show, where I keep up with the latest innovations around cordless drills and other power tools.
Having written thousands of product reviews and how-to articles on all aspects of home ownership, from routine maintenance to major renovations, Dan (he/him) brings more than 20 years of industry experience to his role as the director of the Home Improvement & Outdoor Lab at the Good Housekeeping Institute. A one-time roofer and a serial remodeler, Dan can often be found keeping house at his restored Brooklyn brownstone, where he lives with his wife and kids.
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