Circular saws are an integral power tool. They let you perform ultra-smooth and precise cuts, and do so on a range of items.
Modern-day circular saws are designed to slice through any material; be it concrete, stone, metal, or wood. That said, one decision you’ll have to make when purchasing these tools is whether to go for a corded or cordless version.
In the following article, we’ve focused on corded models. To help you make an informed decision, here’s everything you need to know about the best corded circular saws.
The 5 Best Corded Circular Saw Reviews
1. DEWALT DWE575SB Circular Saw
Have you been searching for the best corded circular saw that strikes an excellent balance between pricing and features?
If you have, Dewalt DWE575SB is a superb example. It has a mid-range price tag, which means that it’s not too expensive; thus, making it affordable for most woodworkers.
An upgrade to their previous invention - the DW368 - the Dewalt DWE575SB is super lightweight. Tipping the scales at just 8.8 lbs, it manages to be well-balanced, ergonomic, and comfortable enough to use for a prolonged period.
Apart from weight, another factor you’re sure to like about the circular saw Dewalt is the 15 amp motor that spins the blade at a speed of 5,200 RPM.
Speaking of the blade, it’s 7 ¼ inches long, giving you a 2 9/16-inch depth of cut. You also get beveling capabilities with two stops at the 22.5° and 45° angles.
Another thing that sets Dewalt DWE575SB 7 1/4 inch saw is the range of safety features that it has. For example, it has an electric brake designed to bring the blade to an immediate stop the minute you release the trigger.
Also, onboard this piece of equipment is a metallic blade guard. This protects your hands and fingers from the blade that spins at supersonic speed.
Pros
Cons
If you’re looking for the best corded circular saw for beginners, then the Skil 5280-01 is exactly what you need.
The 4-inch circular saw comes in at under $50, making it an excellent budget circular saw.
When it comes to power, this saw is positioned at the lower end of the scale so it might not be the best fit for heavy-duty lumber cutting jobs.
Its 13 amp motor is better suited for light-duty cutting. It means it’s still good enough for DIYers and intermediate-level woodworkers. Besides, it delivers a decent cutting speed.
With a smaller motor, the weight of the Skil circular saw significantly reduces to just 6.95 pounds. Thanks to this, it’s easy to wield even if you’re working for an extended period.
The heart of this budget circular saw is the 4 inch blade that provides fast and accurate cuts. Obviously, this blade is much smaller than what’s included in other circular saws, so avoid subjecting it to heavy-duty tasks.
The good thing is, you can substitute it with a larger blade. And since it has a spindle lock, the blade changing process will be pretty easy.
You also have the freedom to adjust the bevel to an angle of 51 degrees. Plus, this bevel has positive stops for increased cutting depth.
The Skil 5280-01 budget circular saw is designed with ease of use in mind. As such, it has an integrated dust blower that traps any sawdust generated so as to keep your cutline free; hence, improving visibility.
We also like the array of safety features on board this 4 inch circular saw. The first is a safety lock that prevents accidental startups. There’s also a power-on indicator that lets you know whenever the machine is on.
Pros
Cons
Are you looking for an all-inclusive circular saw set? Then you’ll want to check out the Makita 5007MG corded circular saw.
The manufacturer has included a pack of 10 additional blades, offering you maximum range of use. To add to this, there’s a blade wrench that’s directly attached to the circular saw for seamless blade changes.
And as is the case with the best circular saws, the Makita 5007MG also has a built-in dust blower, providing an efficient dust collection system.
Another feature you’re likely to notice right off the bat entails the lightweight profile of this circular saw. This makes it very easy to wield, a particularly handy feature if you’re looking to carry the tool from one point to another.
This is thanks to the lightweight magnesium components used in its construction. They give the saw a durable quality without compromising on weight.
Powering the Makita 5007MG circular saw is a 15-amp motor. It spins the framing blade at a whopping speed of 5,800 RPM.
The main blade is 7 ¼ inches long, and it offers enough cutting power to frame walls, and rip panels. Considering you get different types of blades, it’s not surprising that the saw can be used for both plunge and bevel cutting
The Makita M007MG may not have a laser guide, but it has two built-in LED lights. These provide ample illumination, helping you see the cut line clearly.
Pros
Cons
Have you been searching for the best professional corded circular saw? If so, then the Bosch CS5 is an excellent choice.
One of the key highlights of this saw is its powerful 15 amp motor that runs on 120V. With such a rating, you’re guaranteed of getting as much cutting power as you need.
In fact, it delivers a blade speed of 6200 RPM. This makes it among the fastest on the market.
Another thing you’ll love about the blade- that is 7 1/4 inches long- is that it’s positioned on the left side. This allows you to have an unobstructed view of the line of sight.
Adjusting the cutting depth of Bosch CS5 will be just as easy. It’s designed to offer a 1 ⅞” cutting capacity at 45°, 1 ⅝ inch at 50° and 2 7/16 inch at 90°. You also get seamless bevel adjustment with a maximum bevel capacity of up to 56°.
The Bosch CS5 has several features that make it very user-friendly. One of these is the spindle locking mechanism that makes switching the blade incredibly easy. There’s also an anti-snag lower guard that lets you perform regular and bevel cuts without shifting the guard.
Pros
Cons
If you’ve been looking for the best corded circular that is small and compact, then you’ll love the Rockwell RK3440K Versacut.
As expected, it’s not nearly as powerful as the others we’ve reviewed. It uses a 4.0 amp motor that provides just enough power to handle small-scale cutting jobs. On a more positive note, it weighs a measly 4 pounds, mitigating the risk of fatigue.
Despite its compact structure, this circular saw excels at versatility. It comes with three different kinds of blades. These include a 24 tooth carbide blade ideal for simple wood cutting.
The second blade has 44 teeth per inch and is made of HSS. This makes it suitable for tackling aluminum and PVC. Lastly, there’s a diamond blade, ideal for slicing through ceramic, tile, among other tough materials.
The Rockwell RK3440K is designed with ease of use in mind. For starters, it has a streamlined body. Factor in the rear-positioned motor, and you have one of the most user-friendly power tools.
Another feature that makes it earn the title of the best circular saw entails its laser technology. The laser guide enables you to align your saw blade perfectly; thus, cut accurately each time.
Also contributing to this saw’s precision is the dust extraction adapter. This is meant to keep your cutline free of any debris.
Pros
Cons
Corded vs Cordless Circular Saws
Here’s a brief overview that shows how corded circular saws stack up against their cordless counterparts.
Corded
Merits
The greatest advantage you can get from the best corded circular saw is extreme strength.
Since this tool is connected directly to the mains, it provides greater cutting power. As a result, you can use it to cut virtually any material.
Another benefit of this tool is that a majority of them are equipped with larger blades. Except for the mini circular saw, all the other models we reviewed earlier use 7 ¼ inch blades. A larger blade translates to high cutting capacity and faster speeds.
The best corded circular saw arrives ready to use. You don’t need to do any assembly nor do you have to start purchasing batteries. Just plug the tool into an electrical outlet, and you’re all set. The fact that they don’t use batteries also makes for very easy maintenance.
Limitations
While these saws are significantly more powerful, they suffer from one major shortcoming, that is, limited reach. Put simply; you can only work as far as the length of the power cord allows. It means that if it’s too short, it may limit its extent of use.
The fact that these tools rely solely on electricity can also turn out to be a setback. It means that whenever there’s a power outage, you won’t be able to make much use of your corded circular saw.
Cordless
Merits
A cordless circular saw will offer pretty much the same functions as its corded counterpart. The key difference is that it will be powered by rechargeable batteries.
The greatest benefit that arises from this is that it makes the power tool highly portable. If you want to carry the saw to your job site, or the field, you’ll be able to do so without worrying about the source of power.
Demerits
The fact that cordless models are portable is a good thing. But this is about the only benefit that these tools offer.
Most battery-powered circular saws lack sufficient power to tackle heavy-duty cutting jobs. More importantly, they don’t last that long. It means that if you use the saw for a prolonged period, you’ll have to carry an extra battery pack.
How to Choose the Right Corded Circular Saw
Here are a few points you should take into account when picking the best corded circular saw.
Blades
By now, you probably know that a circular saw can be used for an array of DIY projects. But this power tool isn’t worth much if it’s not equipped with a high-quality blade.
So what aspects should you focus on when purchasing a blade for a corded circular saw? Well, two factors that you should pay attention to are the number of teeth and size.
Size
Like the majority of power tools, these saws are described based on the diameter of the blades they can accommodate.
The most popular size is a 7 1/4 inch circular saw, and it’s perfect for many DIY tasks. It’s capable of cutting through stock that is at least 3 inches thick. On the extreme ends of the scale, you can also opt for a 4-inch circular saw for light-duty work. Or, an 8 ¼ inch for more heavy-duty cutting jobs.
Number of Teeth
What you need to remember here is that the fewer the teeth, the faster the blade. On that note, you’re likely to come across two main types: rip-cut and crosscut blades.
Rip-cut blades are meant to cut with the woodgrain, or along the board’s length. These typically have fewer teeth, ranging between 16 and 40. These blades cut aggressively so don’t expect smooth finishes.
Conversely, crosscut blades are designed to cut across the wood grain, or across the board’s face. Since they have more teeth, usually between 40 and 80 teeth, they produce cleaner cuts.
Material
Another thing you’ll want to take into consideration is the material used in the blade’s construction.
In that regard, you’ll have two main choices to pick from. There are carbide-tipped blades and high-speed steel ones.
With carbide-tipped blades, their edges are made of either titanium carbide or tungsten carbide. Both materials are highly durable, and maintain their sharpness for much longer than steel-made tips.
On the other hand, high-speed steel blades are meant to cut at fairly low speeds. The benefit of this is that they produce more accurate cuts regardless of the material being cut. They’re particularly efficient at tackling pipes, castings, tubes, and ingots.
Sidewinder vs Worm Drive
Other than the blade, another component you should be mindful of is the motor. More specifically, its alignment and position on the saw.
So what differentiates these two corded circular saws? With a sidewinder circular saw, the motor is usually installed in line with the blade. This causes it to operate at a rather high speed, and within a small footprint.
A worm drive circular saw differs in that its motor is positioned in the circular saw’s rear. It employs a set of worm gears, which are named so because of their worm-like structure.
Compared to sidewinders, a worm drive circular saw is not only bigger but it also weighs more and it's longer. This allows them to produce higher torque but they’re relatively slower. And since it uses gears, it needs to be lubricated constantly.
In summary, if you’re looking for a tool that has speed, and is easy to maintain, go for a sidewinder. But if you prioritize power and torque, then a worm drive is your best option.
Cutting Power
The most popular metric for determining the cutting power of corded circular saw is wattage.
Ideally, a standard saw needs about 2400 watts to start up; this is referred to as the “starting wattage.”
However, it doesn’t require as much to keep the blade spinning. On average, the running wattage of this tool is rated at 1200 watts. The higher the running wattage, the faster the blade will spin.
Another metric you should focus on is amperage or amps in short. This determines the amount of electricity that the circular saw’s motor will draw. It’s important because it helps you know whether the cutting tool is compatible with your home’s electrical supply.
The majority of corded circular saws use at least 15 amps that translate to a maximum safe wattage of 1440 watts. That said, it’s not unusual to find units with slightly higher or lower amperage.
Weight
As we mentioned earlier, one advantage of investing in a corded circular saw is the fact that it’s lighter.
However, there’ll be significant differences in weight even amongst these corded models. So be sure to check its weight.
The lighter the saw, the easier it will be to yield. As a result, you’ll be able to perform more precise cuts than with a heavier power tool.
Safety Features
Though corded circular saws are versatile and powerful, they come with their fair share of risks. To combat these dangers, consider buying one that’s chock full of safety features.
One such feature is an electric brake system. As implied in the name, its purpose is to bring the blade to an immediate stop upon releasing the trigger.
An integrated LED lighting fixture is another handy safety element. This is usually added to shed light on your workpiece and help you cut along the cutline.
You’ll also want to look for retractable blade guards. These are designed to completely conceal or cover the blade; thus, mitigating the risk of injury.
Ease of Use
The best corded circular saw comes equipped with extra features that make it easier to use. For example, it may have a built-in dust blower dust to trap any sawdust generated from the cutting action.
Other manufacturers offer circular saws with an integrated rafter hook. These swing out of the saw, letting the user hang the tools on a ladder, rafter, or another support structure.
another feature that makes these devices user-friendly is a laser guide. Like the LED lights mentioned earlier, this shows you a clear line of sight, enhancing your accuracy.
FAQs
Is a corded circular saw better?
Yes, it is. But ultimately, it depends on your individual needs. If you’re looking to work from a stationary and need a lot of power, then a corded circular saw is certainly the right choice.
What is the most popular size of corded circular saw?
As we saw earlier, these circular saws come in a wide range of sizes. But the most common blade size is the 7 ¼ inch one. This gives you a decent cutting depth without compromising on weight.
Conclusion
One of the best corded circular saws is Dewalt DWE575SB. It’s a very light circular saw, which makes it easy to wield for extended periods at a time.
It has a 15 amp motor, which is what drives the 7 1/4 inch blade. This gives you a maximum depth of cut of about 2 9/16 inches. It also has a bevel capacity of up to 57° with stops at 22.5° and 45° points.
And as we’ve come to expect of Dewalt power tools, the 7 1/4 inch circular saw has safety features. These include a ball bearing lower guard and an electric brake system that stops the blade instantly.
That said, if you're looking for a circular saw best suited for beginners, we recommend Skil 5280-01 instead. It's cheaper and has an array of user-friendly features.