Best Circular Saws for DIYers
The workhorse for cutting decking, framing, plywood, and trim. A sharp blade and a straight guide matter more than raw power for most DIY cuts.
What to look for
- ·Cordless is plenty for deck and trim work. Go corded only for all-day framing or hardwood.
- ·A 7-1/4 inch blade is the standard size and the cheapest to replace.
- ·Spend the extra few dollars on a good carbide blade. It matters more than the saw.
Quick comparison
| Product | Tier | Price | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|
| Makita 18V LXT Brushless Circular Saw | Editor's pick | $139 to $199 (tool or kit) | Decking, framing, and clean sheet-good cuts |
| DeWalt 20V MAX XR Brushless Circular Saw (DCS570) | Editor's pick | $159 to $219 (tool or kit) | Full-size cordless cuts without a cord |
| Milwaukee M18 FUEL 7-1/4 inch Circular Saw | Editor's pick | $179 to $249 (tool or kit) | Heavy cutting and M18 battery owners |
| Ryobi ONE+ Circular Saw | Best value | $79 to $129 | DIYers already in the Ryobi battery system |
| Bosch CS5 7-1/4 inch Corded Circular Saw | Best value | $99 to $139 | Reliable corded cuts at a fair price |
| Metabo HPT 7-1/4 inch Corded Circular Saw (C7SB3) | Best value | $69 to $99 | A capable corded saw on a budget |
| SKILSAW 7-1/4 inch Corded Circular Saw | Budget pick | $59 to $79 | One-time projects where a cord is fine |
| WEN 7-1/4 inch Corded Circular Saw | Budget pick | $39 to $55 | A one-time job on the tightest budget |
| Black+Decker 20V MAX 5-1/2 inch Circular Saw | Budget pick | $49 to $79 (tool or kit) | Light, shallow cuts and existing 20V owners |
Editor's pick
Makita 18V LXT Brushless Circular Saw
$139 to $199 (tool or kit)
Accurate, smooth, and strong enough for decking and sheet goods on a single charge. The cut quality and balance are what set it apart for a careful DIYer.
Best for: Decking, framing, and clean sheet-good cuts
Typically available at Home Depot, Lowe's, Amazon.
DeWalt 20V MAX XR Brushless Circular Saw (DCS570)
$159 to $219 (tool or kit)
A full 7-1/4 inch cordless saw with the power to cut decking and framing all day. Popular for a reason: strong, accurate, and on a battery platform a lot of people already own.
Best for: Full-size cordless cuts without a cord
Typically available at Home Depot, Lowe's, Amazon.
Milwaukee M18 FUEL 7-1/4 inch Circular Saw
$179 to $249 (tool or kit)
The strongest cordless cuts here, with corded-like power on the M18 platform. Overkill for light trim work, but the pick if you want a saw that never bogs down.
Best for: Heavy cutting and M18 battery owners
Typically available at Home Depot, Acme Tools, Amazon.
Best value
Ryobi ONE+ Circular Saw
$79 to $129
Surprising power for the price on the ONE+ batteries you may already own. Not the smoothest, but it makes clean, accurate cuts for the money.
Best for: DIYers already in the Ryobi battery system
Typically available at Home Depot, Amazon.
Bosch CS5 7-1/4 inch Corded Circular Saw
$99 to $139
A smooth, well-built corded saw that punches above its price. No batteries to manage, good sightlines to the blade, and reliable for the occasional weekend project.
Best for: Reliable corded cuts at a fair price
Typically available at Amazon, Lowe's.
Metabo HPT 7-1/4 inch Corded Circular Saw (C7SB3)
$69 to $99
An inexpensive corded saw with a bevel range and build quality better than the price suggests. Formerly Hitachi, so the engineering is proven. A lot of saw for the money.
Best for: A capable corded saw on a budget
Typically available at Amazon, Lowe's.
Budget pick
SKILSAW 7-1/4 inch Corded Circular Saw
$59 to $79
The cheapest reliable cuts if you have an outlet nearby. No batteries to buy or charge, and it just works. Heavier and tethered, but hard to beat on price.
Best for: One-time projects where a cord is fine
Typically available at Home Depot, Lowe's, Amazon.
WEN 7-1/4 inch Corded Circular Saw
$39 to $55
About the cheapest full-size saw worth owning. Basic, a little rough, but it makes straight cuts with a decent blade. Fine for a one-time project where price is the priority.
Best for: A one-time job on the tightest budget
Typically available at Amazon.
Black+Decker 20V MAX 5-1/2 inch Circular Saw
$49 to $79 (tool or kit)
Light, compact, and cheap on the Black+Decker 20V platform. The smaller blade limits depth, so think trim, plywood, and thin stock rather than framing or thick decking.
Best for: Light, shallow cuts and existing 20V owners
Typically available at Amazon, Walmart.
Frequently asked
Cordless or corded for a deck?+
Cordless is plenty for a deck and far more convenient. Reach for corded only if you are framing all day or ripping hardwood, where a cord means you never stop to swap batteries.
What size blade do I need?+
A 7-1/4 inch blade is the standard full size and the cheapest to replace. Compact cordless saws use 6-1/2 inch, which is lighter and still cuts standard decking and 2x lumber.
How many teeth should the blade have?+
A 24-tooth blade rips and cross-cuts framing fast. For cleaner cuts in trim or plywood, use a 40 to 60 tooth blade. The blade matters more to your results than the saw does.
Is a more expensive saw worth it for occasional use?+
For a handful of weekend projects, a reliable budget or corded saw plus a good blade is all you need. Spend up only if you will use it often or want it on a battery platform you already own.
Circular saw or miter saw?+
A circular saw is the versatile do-everything tool and cuts sheet goods a miter saw cannot. A miter saw makes faster, repeatable angle cuts on boards. Most DIYers start with a circular saw.
Planning a bigger job? See the full Decking project guide: cost, DIY vs. hire, and the whole plan.
Open the Decking guide →