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These saws are a cut above, packing equal parts power and control.
A circular saw probably shouldn’t be your first power tool — make that an easy-to-use cordless drill, great for hanging shelves and assembling furniture, or a high-performance pressure washer that's perfect for cleaning outdoor surfaces. But once your DIY skills hit the point where you’re ready to tackle large-scale projects, like building a deck or paneling a wall, a circular saw is a must-have in your arsenal of power tools.
The main job of a circular saw is to cut large pieces of lumber and plywood. The experts at the Good Housekeeping Institute focused on models aimed at DIY enthusiasts, as opposed to professional contractors who use the saw to frame an entire house. We teamed up with Roy Berendsohn, Senior Home Editor at Popular Mechanics, who says, “A homeowner working with a pro-level circular saw may find it too heavy and be unable to take advantage of its speed and power.”
After dozens of hours of testing in our labs, workshops and homes, our experts came up with this roundup of top-scoring circular saws. Most are battery-powered, since they offer maximum convenience and control, though we included a couple corded picks as well, for DIYers who want maximum power without having to pause for a recharge.
After hours of testing, when all the sawdust had settled, 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 run times on a battery charge. But this 18-volt circular saw (a Home Depot exclusive, like all Ryobi products) proved capable in all our performance tests, making clean cuts at various angles through lumber up to 2 1/2" thick. The saw's relatively lightweight design should minimize arm fatigue 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"
Ever since Craftsman was bought by Stanley Black & Decker in 2017, our experts have seen serious improvements to the legacy tool brand, which still offers some of the best prices around. The CMES500 corded circular saw is another fine example. Our partners at Popular Mechanics were impressed by the relatively lightweight design and robust cutting power. They did point 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,” notes Berendsohn. Our final takeaway is that, yes, there's some tradeoff in performance with the Craftsman’s low price, but unless you’re doing fine carpentry work, it shouldn’t be a dealbreaker.
• Type: Sidewinder • Power source: Corded • Power rating: 13 amps • Weight: 8 lbs. • Blade size: 7 - 1/4"
Flex, a Lowe’s exclusive brand, is a relative newcomer to the power tool category in the U.S., but it’s already tearing it up with its high-performance gear. Truth be told, the brand is aimed more at pros, or at least hardcore DIYers. We’re including it in this roundup because our testers were wowed by the power and run time of Flex’s 24-volt, 5 Ah lithium battery. They were even more impressed by the upgraded battery ($200), a stacked lithium that our tests confirmed reaches full charge in 15 minutes flat and lasts four times as long as traditional lithium ions. Battery performance aside, the Flex 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"
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. Rachel Rothman, Chief Technologist at the Good Housekeeping Institute, often finds circular saws to be cumbersome and unwieldy. But when she put the battery-powered Worx to work on various home projects, she was pleased with its maneuverability. “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," she says. 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,” says Rothman.
• Type: Sidewinder • Power source: Battery • Power rating: 20 volts • Weight: 3.8 lbs. • Blade size: 4- 1/2"
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 aimed squarely 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,” notes Berendsohn.
• Type: Sidewinder • Power source: Corded • Power rating: 15 amps • Weight: 8.7 lbs. • Blade size: 7- 1/4"
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 XSRO1, 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 run time.
• Type: Sidewinder • Power source: Battery • Power rating: 36 volts • Weight: 12.4 lbs. • Blade size: 7- 1/4"
While you wouldn't want to build a deck with one, mini circular saws are perfect for cutting thinner materials, like plywood and paneling. Our experts didn't get hands-on with this model, but Dewalt is a brand we trust, and the Atomic is a crowd favorite on Amazon, with 5,000-plus reviews averaging 4.8 starts. 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"
Our experts start by shopping the marketplace to identify the models that you’re most likely to find on store shelves and online. From there, they zero in on brands that have performed the best and proven the most reliable through years of power tool tests at the Good Housekeeping Institute.
When it came to reviewing specific models for this roundup, 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.
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.
Testers cut through plywood and other kinds of lumber with each circular saw to assess power and precision.
Our usability tests include trying all available batteries and checking their charge and run times.
To find the best circular saw for your needs, consider the following factors.
✔️Type: There are two main types of circular saw, determined by the position of the motor relative to the blade.
✔️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 there’s no worry of the job site screeching to a halt because of a dead battery.
✔️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 might not sound like much, but it adds up over the course of a day, plus it impacts balance and ease of cutting.
For starters, make sure you’re using a sharp blade. It will cut more cleanly and safely. 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.
Look for certain safety features in the circular saw, including 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.
That said, user error is the biggest cause of 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. When it comes time to cut, 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.
The Good Housekeeping Institute Home Improvement Lab provides expert reviews and advice on all things home-related, including circular saws. In his role as Director of the Home Improvement & Outdoor Lab, Dan DiClerico brings more than 20 years of experience to the Institute, having reviewed thousands of products for Good Housekeeping, as well as brands like This Old House and Consumer Reports. He also wielded all kinds of power tools during his years working in the trades.
For this report, Dan worked closely with Rachel Rothman, Chief Technologist & Director of Engineering at the Institute. For more than 15 years, Rachel has put her training in mechanical engineering and applied mathematics to work by researching, testing and writing about products across the home improvement space.