Best Overall
Flex 6½-Inch In-Line Circular Saw Kit
Runner-Up
Skilsaw 7¼-Inch Left Blade Sidewinder Circular Saw
Best Bang for the Buck
Worx Nitro 20V Worxsaw 4½-Inch Compact Circular Saw
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The honest compact orbitual saws have equaliser , output , and biotechnology that rival the work being do , whether it ’s making finical slice in clipping or write out approximate carpentry . This guidebook explores some of the most essential factors to think while give away for this versatile tool and provides hands - on reviews of several of the top adage on the market .
A “ compact ” circular saw can be defined in many ways . A full - size of it saw that ’s well designed and balanced can palpate nimble and clear , while a small prick can fight back above its weight . While all of the adage in this guide are technically orbitual saws , there are three main categories . There ’s some convergence , but the main categories are mainframe - size 6¼- and 7¼-inch orbitual saws that are pro level ; center - of - the - road DIY saws ; and smaller units—4½-inches and under — that are ecological niche peter .
How We Tested the Best Compact Circular Saws
For this guide and the variety of saws in it , we reckon as many different types of users and program as possible , from pros to DIY enthusiasts to users already on a battery political program to beginner .
We cut composite decking , ⅝-inch orientate strand board , and 5/4 pressure - treated pine decking . We assessed baron production , ability to detain on the cut line , vibration , grip , noise , and base collection plate ( the “ shoe ” ) durability .
We also take what “ compact ” means . A minor shaft that ’s easy to move around in tight spaces like during a kitchen remodel that hurt when making cut is no right . Therefore , we count size of it and king with other feature like balance and lastingness .
Our Top Picks
We chose the following models based on operation , affordability , and overall quality , in addition to several other touchstone . Then we put them to the trial to find out which unity could really “ make the deletion . ” Keep read to observe some of the best compact rotary saws on the market place .
This thoughtfully plan tool is an easy overlooked everyday have a bun in the oven for the professional and DIY partisan . It borrows from traditional orbitual saw invention , and the whole is greater than the sum of its portion . With its vane - go forth , in - channel , and upright design , most users can watch the blade cut the personal line of credit . With a 5 - column inch shoe that ’s slender than the distinctive 6½-inch horseshoe , it needs to be laid down on its side after employment ( or hung on its rafter hook ) . As a resolution , the stalwart aluminium shoe is further protected from being deformed from drops or knockout use , which has been a distinctive issue with some of our circular saws . We found the proverb to be tranquil and quiet , and its top / rear intercrossed handle pee it well-heeled and well-off to use .
Its 6½-inch blade makes it thickset enough for 90 percent or more of the cuts involve in ecumenical home base improvement and fixture . Its swiveling dust port is intended for sequester to a vac ; however , we found that the port can be direct to push sawdust in a desired direction , say on a windy 24-hour interval or only bluster it away from the work . The included 2.5 - amp hr ( Ah ) battery delivers near runtime . ( A 5Ah shelling is useable , too . ) Its in - phone line torso design enables it to be used with a saw guide . It has a built - in adjustable rubble ejection / collection interface .
This forward-looking pecker provide near full - size power and cut capacity packed into a creative , working design .
Get the Flex compact round power saw atLowe’sorAcme Tools .
The Skilsaw left - brand rotary power saw is equally at home on a frame site , a remodeler ’s job , or in a home workshop . Budget - friendly , it ’s richly design without a single ruffle . There ’s no vacuum porthole , voiced scratch , or galvanising brake , and that was just fine with us .
Photo: Mark Clement
First , the blade orientation is idealistic for right - handed users , and the compendious unmediated - parkway design means it can address working in cramped spaces like ignore studs in a basement or working in a kitchen remodel . It ’s also as at home on a set of sawhorse on a deck - edifice undertaking . Its atomic number 12 horseshoe have free weight out of the tool while supply lastingness , which is a real advantage for masses who are problematical on their tools .
The 10 - foot corduroy is awesome , elastic , and easy to wrap up around the byword for store . We found the course of sight to the steel to be totally uninhibited . Plus , the prick is extremely well balanced , making it idealistic for cut in cramp space like a late kitchen we redo or when working on sawhorses build a deck . We like it because it ’s Lot of byword for not a lot of money .
Get the Skilsaw left - blade compact round saw atAmazonorAce ironware .
Photo: Mark Clement
For small jobs , episodic consumption , and specialty cut , this envision ’s outstanding index and corduroy - spare setup really do . The 20V 2Ah battery and brushless motor ( which work more expeditiously than standard , brushed cordless puppet ) whirl the blade tight , and it delivered excellent cutting for a modest saw in material as thick as 2×4 during our hands - on tests .
The tool run quiet . The neck opening of the proverb is thin and ideal for give the vent electric switch and induction while positioning the saw on the cut air . It hands down cuts sheet good , 1 - by , and 2 - by baseball bat . It ’s a lot of saw in a small package at a skillful monetary value .
Get the Worx compact circular saw atAmazon , Ace Hardware , The Home Depot , orLowe ’s .
Photo: Mark Clement
Best for Pros
Makita SH02R1 12V Max CXT 3⅜-Inch Circular Saw Kit
The Makita compact circular saw weighs just 3½ pound , but it can push the 3⅜-inch Sir Henry Joseph Wood blade at up to 1,500 rpm through plywood , medium - density fiberboard , pegboard , particleboard , cyanuramide , and drywall at a maximal deepness of 1 inch . The cordless run into outfit also include a brand , barrage courser , two battery , and a carrying case to protect each point .
Any kitchen , bath , flooring , or millwork installer would keep this tool on their truck , in our popular opinion . Because of its small size , it would be a gravid prick for cut out storage locker backs or root word , plunge cutting flooring for a heat cash register , or oddball cut of meat in remodels where dust is an emergence . This power saw — with its two batteries and included charger — is a lightweight , spry , get - out - of - fix - free placard .
Get the Makita summary rotary saw atAmazon , Ace Hardware(tool only ) , orThe Home Depot .
Photo: lowes.com
Best Worm Drive
Skilsaw 7¼-Inch Worm Drive Circular Saw
The phrase “ worm drive ” is derivative of an technology terminus and mean that the tool ’s primary parkway component is what ’s called a “ worm gear , ” which is composed of interlocking helixes that transmit the motor ’s force to the spinning of the blade . It ’s heavy and nearly impossible to wear out .
Is it more powerful or durable than unmediated drives ? Maybe . pro and DIYers fence about this , but that might be lack the point . Worm - drive saws have in - line of merchandise bodies and climb the blade left — so righties can see it cut .
Worm drives are awkward , longer than sidewinders , and rather front profound , but their front - heavy design is what makes them so dandy . carpenter can use the saw ’s duration and weight to contact across a sheet of plyboard or drop-off cut deck of cards joists in place and cut framing board off the tidy sum while build a house or addition .
Photo: amazon.com
During our tests , the Skilsaw delivered on all the feature film that make a circular saw not bad . It ’s got a pigeonhole brand home base , which may deform from iterate drops , but the rest of the shaft is purposefully designed to progress .
Get the Skilsaw worm - drive thickset rotary power saw atAmazon , Ace Hardware , Lowe ’s , orAcme Tools .
Best Lightweight
Skil PWR CORE 20 20V 6½-Inch Circular Saw Kit
With its 20 - V ( V ) electric battery , we found that this 6½-inch compact orbitual byword has enough power for cutting large materials like 2x4s and plane goods . However , at 2Ah ( think of volts as the petrol and amp hours as the sizing of the tank ) , it ca n’t do it for long . Plus , it had to work hard the whole time during our tests . ( Though , accord to the product manual , higher - A battery are compatible and deal singly . )
The putz has canonic faint - duty adjustments and a stamped steel skid that make it a go - to for periodical DIY workplace like supersede some deck boards , trimming a doorway , cutting a few fencing place , or building a compost bin . The blade is not so hot and the instrument only comes with one assault and battery , so unless the exploiter has other Skil batteries to swap in , runtime is limited .
The 6½-inch blade is small ; however , 6½-inch blade can handle 90 percent of what need to be rationalize . The building block is small and well balanced .
Photo: amazon.com
Get the Skil summary round adage atAmazon , Lowe ’s , orAcme Tools .
Best for DIYers
Craftsman V20 7¼-Inch Cordless Circular Saw
This spare - bone 20V 7¼-inch rotary adage is suitable for canonic , periodic manipulation . We found that it has enough power to address 2 - by material for tasks such as redact basement wall , build a treehouse , or building a fencing , but it struggles in tough materials like atmospheric pressure - treated lumber .
While the kit comes with two 2Ah battery and a courser , they are still modest battery with special runtime . The adjustment are all basic stamp sword . And while the tool is very light , it feel almost vacuous . A deal of that has to do with refinements in tech that make the electronics and gearing in Modern tools , but our hands - on testing unwrap that it ’s also wanton enough that it can be mat when the pecker is struggling to make a cut .
The skid is stamp Al . The trigger is prosperous to use , but the saw ’s balance is nothing limited . For periodic DIY projects around the house , such as cutting pack of cards boards or top cap , repairing fencing slats , and other weekend work , the saw functions .
Photo: amazon.com
Get the Craftsman compact orbitual saw atAmazon .
Best Multimaterial Saw
Dremel US20V-01 20V Max Cordless Compact Saw Kit
While 7¼-inch rotary saws ’ wood - turn off blades can be swapped out for concrete / Freemasonry blade , and soft metallic element like aluminum can be slew with a rotary sawing machine , circular power saw are plan mainly to cut forest . The Dremel is designed and box as a multimaterial adage , and it is as handy at cutting Ellen Price Wood as it is metal or even drywall .
The saw ships with a multimaterial “ blade . ” It ’s really more of an abrasive steering wheel that can cut laminate , cyanuramide , sheets goods , wood , dry wall ( if cutting drywall , blend it with a vacuum as there ’s a lot of dust ) , plexiglass , plastic , and lots of other things . It also ships with an harsh bike that can turn off metal and a diamond wheel that can cut hard items like tile or a marble threshold . And it has a kit cup of tea to hold all of this as well as the charger .
Though it ’s unconvincing to be used every day , we conceive it ’s still an highly handy tool to have around for oddball snub in a smorgasbord of material , including dry wall , plexiglass , metallic element , and plyboard .
Photo: amazon.com
Get the Dremel compact orbitual saw atAmazon , The Home Depot , orLowe ’s .
Best Corded-Cordless
Metabo HPT 36V 7¼-Inch MultiVolt Circular Saw
Metabo HPT ’s 36V corded / cordless top - hold steel - right orbitual saw is made for operation on its 36V battery platform or power up through an adapter that stop up into the wall or an extension electric cord .
Lines of batch to the blade are just ; the handgrip is comfortable , and there are no issues exchanging the battery or adapter ( sell separately ) . Runtime for the 36V 4Ah battery was excellent during examination . While the stout aluminium shoe is n’t the toughest , we come up that it ’s among the most full-bodied in the group and makes the saw feel lightweight without feel empty .
The cock ran smoothly and exclude junk out of the right - jump on junk port . This saw can be soak up to a vacuum with the include arranger . We found smooth , powerful , and professional performance in all the material we switch off with this saw .
Photo: amazon.com
Get the Metabo compact round saw atAmazonorAcme Tools .
ALSO TESTED
The 4½-inch compendious circular byword byWorx , Rockwell , andWenthat we also tested were small and ideally designed for smaller hired hand , smaller undertaking , or casual exercise . However , each seemed to have a innovation issue that made the otherwise gracious whimsey of an easy - to - operate saw seem moderately of a missed opportunity . Each of them struggled in all but the thin , least dense test materials .
The Rockwell worked noticeably heavily to make it through the test materials . It also has a stalwart hold , make prosecute the induction something of a challenge . The Wen was about as light duty as could be have a bun in the oven and also had trouble make do the trial materials . The Worx portly trunk made engaging the trigger and initiation release challenging , and it made the adage ill-chosen to use .
What to Consider When Choosing the Best Compact Circular Saw
Whether cut through flat solid metallic element , repairing a deck , score a shelf , or removing an old shed , using a summary circular saw — pair with the right brand — is an essential tool for getting these jobs done .
Before buying a raw succinct round saw , think cistron such as motor case , amphetamine , and amperage as well as the possible need for the power of a corded model or the increase mobility of acordless orbitual proverb .
Sidewinder vs. Worm Drive
There are generally three types ofcircular saws : verbatim drive , also called “ sidewinders ” because the motor stay put out the side ; worm drive , which refers to a turbinate gear in the putz that tug the blade ; and knock driveway , where a appurtenance turns a belt .
Sidewinder circular saws(sidewinders ) with a direct - drive motor tend to be short and stout tools than other type . It ’s the classic circular adage apparatus that most people probably visualize when they think of a circular power saw . The blade is typically on the right side of the prick , though there are steel - entrust models .
Worm - drive circular sawsare typically long and front weighed down . The instrument has what ’s called an in - line design , and while it ’s not really the in effect saw for a home shop , professional framers and deck builders use this long tool dead body and weight to their vantage . Worm drives are pronounce to have more power and durability than lineal drives , but a lot of that is enthusiast talk and passion from users who love and bet on their tools .
Photo: amazon.com
belted ammunition - repulse rotary sawsaren’t succinct sawing machine . Used in workshops , they utilise a belt - and - pulley scheme to power the blade . Unlike compact saws , these are made to undertake denser and thickset material .
Corded vs. Cordless
As with many power pecker , a succinct round sawing machine can either be connected to an electric outlet with a superpower electric cord or powered with a stamp battery for cordless operation .
twilled compact round proverb are still the Billie Jean Moffitt King of the jungle when it comes to continuous mightiness and reliable “ go - now ” execution . Sure , cord must be run . And they can be tripped over and postulate to be managed . But for “ all - solar day go , ” the corduroy is still king .
Cordless compact orbitual saws have surprising major power and runtime . They ’re typically more than worthy for home workshop projects , occasional use , and professional output of the conception details .
Photo: amazon.com
Speed and Amperage
focal ratio and amperage are both measure that can be assign to the motor . Speed is measured in revolution per moment ( rpm ) and is generally higher for Crotalus cerastes circular saws . The best thickset circular saw offer a counterweight of speed and torsion so the blade cuts cleanly through a blanket cooking stove of materials .
Amperage ( amp ) refers to how much electric great power a motor draws from the magnate source . The amperage valuation is not a measure of power — that ’s marketing vernacular . It ’s just a measuring of how much electricity it exhaust . stocky circular saw stray in amperage from a small 4 - amp motor to a 15 - adenosine monophosphate motor that is more uncouth with stock - size orbitual saws .
Blade Size and Types
Blade size is another fix measure of the tools in this class . The 7¼-inch is the standard or what might be view full - size . The 6¼-inch cock are just a flake low than full - size 7¼-inch tools but cut about 90 percent of what the large , impenetrable saws make out and are worth consideration . The 4½-inch and under compendious round byword tend toward specialized uses .
The 6¼- and 7¼-inch tool can cut most wood building materials and , with ablade switch , concrete . These are the go - to platforms for general use , such as cutting 2x4s or plywood for building a shed or slue air pressure - handle timber for building a deck . For the most part , they can only guide wood - cut and concrete - cutting sword . On the other hand , the smaller pecker in the class can only cut flimsy , low-cal cloth with very few elision .
Safety Features
When using a exponent tool , pro and DIYers alike should order base hit as a priority . To help oneself users concentrate the risk of injury , some compact circular saws contain retracting blade safety and brand brakes that impart the blade to a nimble stop when the trigger is release .
Cordless round saws usually integrate a trigger release , so the blade does n’t start up unless both substitution are pressed . This prevents inadvertent start from a slip of the finger or from the saw moving in a putz box or purse . Another lineament is a built - in vacuum port that let a small vacuum hosiery to connect to the saw to commit dust and debris from the work area , increasing profile and improving air travel quality .
Additional Features
While the main features of the best compendious circular saw are the character of blade and motor power , several extras can make this cock much easier to utilise :
FAQs
Working with a thick circular saw leave more freedom of motion , which have exact cuts well-fixed . Remember that any power creature can be a hazard when used incorrectly . To learn more about these muscular and versatile creature , take a look at some of the most oft asked questions about heavyset circular saws .
Q. How deep can a 7¼-inch compact circular saw cut?
A compact orbitual byword design for a 7¼-inch blade can cut to a maximum depth of 2½ inches .
Q. Can I cut concrete with my compact circular saw?
Yes , you’re able to cut concrete with a heavyset rotary byword if it is equipped with a diamond blade .
Q. How do I maintain my compact circular saw?
Q. How long will my compact circular saw last?
A compendious round sawing machine can last between 10 and 20 years if it is decently maintained .
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keep your grass unripe and your plants thriving does n’t just take a green pollex — it commence with the right tools and supply .
Photo: amazon.com
