Circular saws are handy cutting tools with blades specially designed for material they are intended to cut. With the right blade installed, circular saws can rip through wood, masonry, plastic and metal. They are generally used for making rip-cuts, cross-cuts or a combination of both.
Although they can be mounted, the majority of circular saws are hand-held and use an abrasive disc or blade to cut through materials using a rotary motion spinning around an arbor.
Miter saws in fact are circular saws that have been mounted enabling them to swing and crosscut wood at an angle.
Is a Circular Saw Worth it?
Without doubt, circular saws are a staple tool for a lot of DIY jobs and definitely for woodworking. Circular saws are definitely worth it. Certainly a must for a professional tradesperson. There are so many jobs you can do. If you just need to cut a bit of plywood for the roof of your bookcase project, whip up a doghouse, make some signature furniture or tear up some lumber for decking, a circular saw will get the job done in no time at all.
What is the Best Cheap Circular Saw? (Low Price)
The best cheap circular saw is going to one that offers the best features for less than $100. If you’re only going to get one circular saw, I would choose something cordless as power packs for modern cordless saws are typically pumping out 18 to 20 volts. This is more than enough for the average DIY job.
For professional use, you may want the corded variety, as this will pack more power.
Another thing to bear in mind is that the more amp it has, generally the more expensive it will be. Even saws with identical voltage will have various amp-hour ratings. Just get the highest amp-hour battery you can afford. This helps as it is super annoying to run out of power in the middle of a job.
Also look for a cordless saw sold with a thin-kerf blade. This makes the running time of the saw more efficient.
You may also want to consider a worm drive over a sidewinder. This is because a worm-drive motor means faster blade speed and greater torque (which is perfect for heavy cutting).
Blade Size
The most common blade size is 7¼ inches. For this reason, the majority of the saws listed below, have this blade size (the Makita Kit has a smaller, 3-3/8 inch blade and the Premium Skilsaw has a bigger 10 ¼-inch blade).
Ryobi One P505 18-Volt Circular Saw (Low Cost)- Less Than $100
This low cost saw the saw features an adjustable beveling shoe and a transparent blade guard that increases visibility while you work. The rubber-molded grip is handy plus there’s an additional side handle. It is battery-powered and compatible with Ryobi’s line of ONE+ batteries. There’s no bells and whistles here, but it is a popular saw that won’t break the bank.
It is a bare-tool only so you’ll need to factor that in. You may want to get a 4 or 5 amp battery to use with it.
CRAFTSMAN 15-Amp Circular Saw (Low Cost) – Less Than $100
A fraction more than the Ryobi, the CRAFTSMAN houses durable metal guards and a magnesium shoe. It’s nice as it’s fairly lightweight so won’t tire you out in operation. The saw also includes a carbide-tipped blade that delivers speeds up to 5,500 RPMs. Unlike the Ryobi, this one comes standard with a three year warranty.
SKILSAW, 15 Amp 5280-01 Circular Saw with Single Beam Laser Guide (Low Cost) – Less Than $100
This is by far the most popular, 15 Amp, 7¼ inches, low cost circular saw available on Amazon at present. It’s light weight with a laser beam to help guide your cut. Y0u can raise up the cutting depth to 0 to make a variety of cut depths. Plus it packs plenty of power and you’ll notice the the torque as soon as you turn it on. I like that it’s easy to handle either right or left and it’s pretty compact when completely lowered. Also comes with a carry bag and it has an integrated dust blower that keeps dust out of your line of cut.
Makita 5007 Magnesium Circular Saw (Mid Price Range) – Less Than $200
This saw is more expensive than the ones mentioned above, but it is corded and is designed to tackle heavier grunt work. It’s balanced well and this is important for professional use plus it’s not too heavy to handle. It comes with a guide, built in dust blower and 2 built in L.E.D lights to illuminate the line of cut for increased accuracy. This circular saw can also adjust its beveling shoe to make cuts between 0 and 56 degrees. Makita are known to make quality products and this one is pretty good and hugely popular.
DEWALT 20-Volt Circular Saw (Mid Price Range) – Less Than $200
A little more expensive than the Makita, this Dewalt circular saw is also popular and one of the lowest price points you’ll find for a powerful yet cordless, circular saw. If you’re after the convenience of a cordless saw, it’s well worth considering. The tool has a brushless motor that adjusts its power output based on the requirements of each task. This is handy as it allows for a lengthy run-time when cross-cutting or ripping sheets. An excellent saw.
Makita SH02R1 12-Volt Max CXT Cordless Circular Saw Kit (Mid Price Range) – Less Than $200
This one was included as it is a kit (rather than a bare tool only like all the other ones). The kit includes a lithium-ion battery, a compatible battery charger, and a durable carrying case. Plus it’s backed by a three-year limited warranty that covers the tool, battery, and charger. Bear in mind that the blade size is smaller than the other saws listed (this saw comes with a smaller, 3-3/8 inch blade). Therefore, simple logic will tell you it’s not going to cut nearly as fast or with as much force as a corded 7-1/4 inch or larger saw. But, it will get the ripping jobs done and you can get a rip fence and vacuum attachment.
Milwaukee 2830-20 Circular Saw (Premium) – Less Than $300
A powerful rear handled saw is backep up by Milwaukee’s long-lasting M18™ Redlithium™ battery, which provides up to 570 cuts per charge. Makes it ideal for professional use. Besides it’s long running time, the tool includes an LED light for enhanced visibility when needed. Works well with a 12 amp battery and the 2X4 hanging hook is convenient. Well worth considering for professional use.
SKILSAW SPT77WML-01 15-Amp Worm-Drive Circular Saw (Premium) – Less Than $300
A worm-drive circular saw and probably the lowest cost one for the 15 amps. Worm-drives are great for extending your reach and helping you make longer cuts in operation. I really like the handy cut-ready depth adjustments guide. Helps to prepare the saw for cutting. Additionally, the saw features an anti-snag lower guard that helps prevent its blade from binding to thinner materials.
SKILSAW 15-Amp SAWSQUATCH Worm-Drive Circular Saw (Premium Delux) – Less than $400
This is an absolute beast of a saw and at this price point, you would want it to be. This powerful, worm-drive saw houses a durable magnesium frame. It is really built for heavy-duty woodworking projects and professional use. This is simply a bigger saw with a bigger 40 tooth blade (10 ¼-inch) making it useful for going through 6×6 boards. No need to flip the board for a second cut. Skil makes quality products and this one is designed for job-site durability.
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