Best Cordless Circular Saws
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A cordless circular saw is the tool most home and job-site users reach for first when they have to cut lumber or sheet goods. The main choice is blade size. A 7-1/4 inch saw is the full-size option for framing lumber and uses the most common blades. A 6-1/2 inch saw is lighter and usually a little shallower in its cut depth. A 5-1/2 inch saw is the light-duty class for plywood and trim.
This guide covers eight saws across those three sizes. We compare blade size, battery platform and what is in the box, which are the facts we can verify for every saw. Where a manufacturer lists a specific figure, such as cut depth or no-load speed, we include it in the pick. Everything is based on manufacturer specifications, not on hands-on use. For more on the size decision, see our 6-1/2 versus 7-1/4 inch comparison.
Our Top Picks
- For light DIY cutting: Black+Decker 20V MAX 5-1/2" Circular Saw
- For automatic speed adjustment in a 6-1/2 inch saw: Makita 18V LXT Brushless 6-1/2" Circular Saw
- For an in-line layout: Flex 24V Brushless 6-1/2" In-Line Circular Saw
- For a kit with a battery and charger: Craftsman V20 6-1/2" Circular Saw Kit
- For a 7-1/4 inch saw on the Bosch 18V platform: Bosch 18V Brushless 7-1/4" Circular Saw
- For a kit with an 8Ah battery: DeWalt 20V MAX XR Brushless 7-1/4" Circular Saw Kit
- For Milwaukee M18 owners: Milwaukee M18 FUEL 7-1/4" Circular Saw
- For USB-C charging and a track option: Skil PWRCore 20 Brushless 7-1/4" Circular Saw Kit
Comparison Table
| Product | Blade size | Battery platform | In the box | Price tier |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Black+Decker 20V MAX 5-1/2" Circular Saw | 5-1/2 inch | Black+Decker 20V MAX | Bare tool | $50–100 |
| Craftsman V20 6-1/2" Circular Saw Kit | 6-1/2 inch | Craftsman V20 | One 4.0Ah battery and charger | $100–200 |
| Flex 24V Brushless 6-1/2" In-Line Circular Saw | 6-1/2 inch | Flex 24V | Bare tool | $100–200 |
| Makita 18V LXT Brushless 6-1/2" Circular Saw | 6-1/2 inch | Makita 18V LXT | Bare tool | $100–200 |
| Bosch 18V Brushless 7-1/4" Circular Saw | 7-1/4 inch | Bosch 18V | Bare tool | $200+ |
| DeWalt 20V MAX XR Brushless 7-1/4" Circular Saw Kit | 7-1/4 inch | DeWalt 20V MAX | 8Ah battery and charger | $200+ |
| Milwaukee M18 FUEL 7-1/4" Circular Saw | 7-1/4 inch | Milwaukee M18 | Bare tool | — |
| Skil PWRCore 20 Brushless 7-1/4" Circular Saw Kit | 7-1/4 inch | Skil PWRCore 20 | 4.0Ah battery and charger | $100–200 |
The Picks in Detail
Black+Decker 20V MAX 5-1/2" Circular Saw
The BDCCS20B is a bare saw with a 5-1/2 inch blade, detents at 45 and 90 degrees, tool-free depth and blade adjustments and a pivoting shoe. It is in the $50–100 tier.
The motor is brushed. Battery and charger are separate.
- Detents at 45 and 90 degrees
- Tool-free depth adjustment and blade change
- Pivoting shoe for added control
- Battery not included, sold separately
- Brushed motor, not brushless
Makita 18V LXT Brushless 6-1/2" Circular Saw
The Makita XSH03Z is rated at 5,000 RPM, and its Automatic Speed Change technology adjusts speed and torque during a cut. The BL brushless motor is designed to run cooler, and Makita says it can extend run time per charge by up to 50%.
It is a bare tool in the $100–200 tier that works only with Makita 18V LXT batteries. Automatic speed adjustment helps in mixed material, where the load changes from cut to cut.
- BL brushless motor listed at 5,000 RPM
- Automatic Speed Change adjusts speed and torque
- Up to 50% longer run time per charge
- Tool only, battery and charger not included
- Works only with Makita 18V LXT batteries
Flex 24V Brushless 6-1/2" In-Line Circular Saw
The Flex FX2131A-Z puts the motor in line with the blade, which is meant to give balance and visibility. It has a 6-1/2 inch blade and a 2-9/16 inch depth of cut, enough to cut 3x lumber in one pass. The sensor-free brushless motor is designed for higher efficiency, and Flex lists up to 430 cuts in 2x4 lumber with a 5.0Ah battery.
It is sold bare, in the $100–200 tier, and works only in the Flex 24V system.
- In-line design for balance and visibility
- Cuts 3x lumber in one pass
- Sensor-free brushless motor
- Battery and charger sold separately
- Works only within the Flex 24V system
Craftsman V20 6-1/2" Circular Saw Kit
The Craftsman CMCS500M1 is a kit with a 6-1/2 inch blade, one 4.0Ah battery and a fast charger. It runs at 4,000 RPM and has a beveling shoe that pivots up to 50 degrees. It is in the $100–200 tier.
It is a practical choice when you do not own V20 batteries yet and want to start cutting. The motor is brushed.
- One 4.0Ah battery and charger included
- Beveling shoe pivots up to 50 degrees
- Contoured over-molded handle
- Brushed motor, not brushless
- Kit includes one 4.0Ah battery
Bosch 18V Brushless 7-1/4" Circular Saw
The GKS18V-68-2N is a 7-1/4 inch brushless saw for crosscuts, rip cuts and bevel cuts in wood. It runs at 5,500 RPM, cuts up to 2-9/16 inches deep and weighs 7.7 lbs. KickBack Control helps stop the blade in bind-ups, and a 360-degree pivoting dust port accepts a vacuum adapter.
It is a $200+ bare tool that works only with Bosch 18V batteries. The control features are the main reason to pick it.
- Brushless motor at 5,500 RPM
- 2-9/16 inch cut depth for 2x material
- KickBack Control helps stop the blade in bind-ups
- Tool only, battery and charger not included
- Cut depth limited to 2-9/16 inches
DeWalt 20V MAX XR Brushless 7-1/4" Circular Saw Kit
The DCS590WW1 includes one 8Ah battery and a charger. DeWalt lists a brushless motor that runs up to 5,500 RPM no-load, a maximum cut depth of 2-9/16 inches at 90 degrees, and an automatic electric brake that stops the blade after you release the trigger. Cut depth drops to 2 inches at 45 degrees, and DeWalt lists up to 368 cuts per charge.
It is in the $200+ tier. A kit like this suits someone starting on the DeWalt 20V MAX platform.
- Brushless motor up to 5,500 RPM no-load
- One 8Ah battery and charger included
- Automatic electric brake
- Cut depth drops to 2 in. at 45 degrees
- Works only with DeWalt 20V MAX batteries
Milwaukee M18 FUEL 7-1/4" Circular Saw
Milwaukee's page for the 2834-20 lists a POWERSTATE brushless motor that delivers 6,000 RPM, a 2-5/8 inch cut capacity, bevel capacity up to 50 degrees, bevel detents at 22.5 and 45 degrees, depth detents, and an electric brake. A 7-1/4 inch 24-tooth framing blade, a vacuum adapter and a blade wrench come with it, but no battery or charger.
It is the highest RPM listed in this guide.
- 7-1/4 inch blade with framing blade included
- Bevel detents at 22.5 and 45 degrees
- Electric brake to stop the blade
- Tool only, battery and charger not included
- Works only with Milwaukee M18 batteries
Skil PWRCore 20 Brushless 7-1/4" Circular Saw Kit
The Skil CR5440B-1C kit includes a 4.0Ah USB-C battery and charger, a vacuum adapter and a 24-tooth blade. The saw runs at up to 5,300 RPM, has a 2-5/8 inch depth of cut and an electric brake. The battery has a USB-C port that charges personal devices.
Using it on a guide track needs a separately sold CRT0702 track. It is in the $100–200 tier, a lower tier than the other 7-1/4 inch kit here.
- Battery and charger included in kit
- Digital brushless motor up to 5,300 RPM
- Electric brake stops the blade quickly
- Track compatibility needs separately sold CRT0702 track
- Maximum 2-5/8 inch depth of cut
How to Choose a Cordless Circular Saw
Choose the blade size by the work. A 7-1/4 inch saw usually cuts deepest and takes the most common blades. A 6-1/2 inch saw is a little lighter and still handles 2x lumber. A 5-1/2 inch saw is for thin material and light work.
Decide on a kit or a bare tool. Three saws here come with a battery and charger: the Craftsman, DeWalt and Skil kits. The rest are bare tools, so budget for batteries.
Check cut depth at the bevel. Cut depth falls when the shoe tilts. The DeWalt kit lists 2 inches at 45 degrees, down from 2-9/16 inches at 90 degrees. If you cut a lot of bevels, check the figure.
Look for safety features. An electric brake, which stops the blade after release, is useful. Bosch adds KickBack Control. These do not replace good technique and proper blade guards.
Use the right blade. A 24-tooth blade is for fast, rough framing cuts, and a finer blade gives cleaner cuts in plywood and trim.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is a 6-1/2 inch saw enough for 2x4 lumber?
Yes. A 6-1/2 inch saw generally cuts 2x lumber in one pass at 90 degrees. The Flex lists a 2-9/16 inch depth, which cuts 3x lumber in one pass. A 7-1/4 inch saw gives more margin at bevels.
Do cordless circular saws need a big battery?
Larger batteries run longer, but also add weight. For a heavy day of cutting, aim for a 4.0Ah or 5.0Ah pack.
What does brushless mean on a circular saw?
A brushless motor has no carbon brushes, runs cooler and generally uses battery power more efficiently. Five of the eight saws here are described that way, and Milwaukee's page names a brushless motor too. The Black+Decker and Craftsman saws have brushed motors.
Can I use a circular saw with a guide track?
Some can. Of the saws here, only the Skil kit mentions track compatibility, and it needs a separately sold track. Check the manufacturer for any saw you plan to use on a track.