In today’s article, we will review and compare the best circular saws that money can buy. By definition, the term ‘circular saw’ encompasses a variety of other saws, such as a mitre saw or table saw. The most widely accepted definition in woodworking terms ‘circular saw’ refers specifically to the hand-held type, which we will be specifically reviewing today.
To make naming matters even more interesting, the hand-held circular saw also goes by ‘skill saw’. Most modern-day circular saws run off on electricity. Below you will find both the tested and proven corded varieties, as well as the newer lithium-ion battery-powered circular saws, which do equally as good a job. They just tend to be more expensive. All in all, the circular saw has come a very long way from its humble beginnings in timber cutting.
Best Circular Saw Reviews: top 8 in the UK
Now let’s have a look at some of the most efficient and reliable circular saws the UK market has to offer. For your convenience, each saw is linked to Amazon.co.uk for you to further read reviews and or purchase.
Makita HS7601J/2 190 mm Corded Circular Saw Review: my #1 pick
As mentioned in previous articles, the Makita brand is my longtime favourite and go-to for any of my woodworking needs. In this article, we will be comparing two separate Makita Skill saws against each other. This model has a cord and the other one is cordless. Keep in mind for most brands, the cordless model will set you back more money than the corded one.
This particular model is extremely compact and lightweight. Definitely portable in its MakPac Carry Case. The 190mm blade with a bore diameter of 46mm has a maximum cut at 90 degrees of 66 mm and 46 mm at 45 degrees.
I found the single-action lever a nice touch for quick adjustment of cutting depth. As the second cheapest corded circular saw, it is a spectacular value for the price and avidly competes with other more expensive models on this list. As with all Makita products, a full 3-year warranty is included.
Evolution FURY1-B Review: best cheap circular saw
This is the cheapest corded circular saw on the list, and my goodness, is it a great value!
The more I get to experience and use in the field the Evolution line of saws, the more I like them. They are a newcomer in this field, but their new technology is a welcome addition to circular saws in general.
They utilise the patented Evolution Multipurpose cutting technology which is optimised to cut mild steel, nonferrous metals, wood and plastic, all with one 185 mm blade. In Lehmans terms, the saw is using a high torque, low RPM gearbox to slowly chip away at the surface rather than ripping through it. This leads to some impressive results as steel will not spark or produce heat and is left with an instantly workable finish. This saw has a 0-45 degree bevel tilt, and the 185 mm FURY multipurpose TCT blade (16 teeth) is included. Also, for those purchasing in the UK, a 3-year warranty is included.
Bosch Professional GKS 190 Review
Bosch and DeWalt have always been at the forefront of build quality. This Corded 240 v Circular saw is no exception.
It is one of the highest motor powers in its class for fast sawing progress in both soft and hardwood. Given its power, I found it relatively portable. Not as portable as the Makita, but definitely holds its own. At 90 degrees, the 190 mm blade has a maximum cutting depth of 70mm and a bevel capability of up to 56 degrees. In some models of circular saws, excess debris can cause a visibility issue and can get just downright messy. I found the turbo blower and the optimised wood chip deflector were extremely efficient at keeping a dust-free view of the cutting line.
Thus far, this is my favourite in terms of quality-to-price ratio for the corded varieties I reviewed here.
DeWalt 240V 184mm Review
DeWalt has been a leader in the industry for a very long time and consistently shows in its quality.
This is a 240v corded circular saw, and later down the list, we will be comparing the cordless DeWalt. The 184 mm blade has a maximum cut depth of 65 mm. For the same price, I would recommend that one looks at the Bosch above for slightly better specifications. I did find the anti-snag lower guard and the high-strength magnesium upper guard to be of great assistance in consistently creating even cuts.
BLACK+DECKER CD602 Review
I don’t often review too many Black and Decker products, but I chose to include this particular saw because of all the amazing reviews it received online.
It is slightly more expensive than some other offerings but also has some features not seen on other saws. I was blown away by how little noise and vibration this saw made. Also, the depth of cut adjustment made changing the depth on the fly super easy. As is with most Black and Decker’s, this unit comes with a 2-year guarantee. Even though this saw performs well and has abundant features, I cannot justify the extra £10 when one could go with a Bosch or DeWalt.
DeWalt 18V 165mm XR Battery Circular Saw Review: best cordless circular saw
Lithium-Ion technology has come leaps and bounds in the past few years. Not only do they charge faster now, but they also hold and give out a lot more power.
The 18V Lithium-Ion battery in this unit is part of the intelligent XR Lithium Ion Series designed for efficiency. This, coupled with the powerful and highly efficient PM58 DeWalt fan-cooled motor with replaceable brushes, delivers up to 3700 rotations per minute for fast-cutting action. In comparison to the above-corded model, it generates less power. However, this cordless circular saw is powerful enough to get through most jobs with ease.
I suppose one has to question whether or not they want the complete mobility that comes from having no cord or not. Keep in mind that for the price above, a battery is not included, and the DeWalt 18V XR Lithium-Ion Battery 4AH will set you back an additional £55-60.
Makita Cordless Circular Saw Review: Makita DSS611Z LXT
As the second Makita in this review, this is the cordless skill saw variety. Once again, in today’s market, it depends on what kind of mobility you are looking for in your saw. If you want complete freedom, then cordless is the way to go.
The 165 mm blade with a 20 mm bore diameter has a maximum cut depth of 57 mm at 90 degrees and only 40 mm at 45 degrees. Unlike its corded brother, cuts will not be as deep with this saw. I was happy to see the battery, even though not included, did have a quick charge time of only 22 minutes. Even though this unit lacked some power, it made up for it in its great compact and lightweight design.
This would be a perfect cordless circular saw for the average consumer or even a gift for someone looking to get into woodworking. As always, all Makita saws come with a 3-year warranty, so you are sure to see many great years of usage.
WORX WX427 XL 710W Mini Circular Saw Review
As the final saw on the list, this is a smaller and lightweight version of a circular saw.
This Worx is probably the best mini circular saw you can buy online in the UK. The reason is that it is somewhat unique in its versatility. The 710W motor has enough power to cut through both tiles and masonry as well as plastic and metal. However, for similar features and more power, one would look into the Evolution Fury above, as I found the cuts to be slightly cleaner.
Furthermore, you won’t need to change out the blades with the Evolution as you will with this depending on what you are cutting. The blades have a maximum cutting depth of 46mm at 90 degrees. One of my favourite features is the form factor of the saw. It physically looks different than the norm and is suitable for one-handed operation with its ergonomically designed slim inline grip.
Also, the laser guide was a great addition to improving the accuracy of my plunge and regular cuts. Therefore, you can make use of it as a cheap plunge saw as well. So, for smaller jobs and easy handling, it’s definitely worth considering.
Best Corded Circular Saw
The Bosch Professional GKS 190 Corded 240 V Circular Saw for a reasonable price – hands down, wins the highest quality corded circular saw. It is corded but exceeds the power and cut depth of almost all other saws on this list and is contained in a well-constructed and designed body all under the Bosch name. The fact is that cordless technology has advanced drastically, but it just hasn’t been able to trump the corded variety. If you are looking for the best cordless circular saw, I would recommend the DeWalt 18V 165mm XR Lithium-Ion Circular Saw.
Best Budget Circular Saw
The Evolution FURY1-B Multi-Purpose Corded Circular Saw that is cheaply priced by far wins the Best Budget Circular Saw. For approximately half the price of Bosch and DeWalt, you are getting more than ample power coupled with the versatility of one blade that can cut through both metal and wood alike, all in a beautiful form factor. The icing on the cake is the saw comes with a 3-year manufactures warranty if purchased in the UK.
Best Cordless Circular Saw
If mobility is important to you, then look no further than the DeWalt battery-powered circular saw. The battery life is long enough to get you through most of the jobs. If you attach a 5 A.h. battery to it – it will be powerful enough to do most jobs just fine. This is a great addition to any serious DIYer out there. Please bear in mind that you need to purchase a battery and a charger as I only included the body in the reviews.
The history of Circular Saws
The circular saw was invented around the end of the 18th century as a rip saw to convert logs into lumber (timber) in sawmills, and various claims have been made as to who invented the circular saw. Before the design was invented, logs were sawn by hand using a pit saw or using powered saws in a sawmill using an up-and-down saw with a reciprocating motion. The rotary nature of the circular saw requires more power to operate but cuts faster because the teeth are in constant motion.
Why would someone choose a Circular Saw over a table saw or mitre saw?
The answer lies in the amount of usage and what you are using it for. If you are an average consumer and just need to do simple fixes around the house, then a circular saw is right up your alley. Now, if you have to say a full kitchen to create, then I would recommend something more heavy-duty and precise like a Mitre Saw.
Typically, the material to be cut is securely clamped or held in a vice, and the saw is advanced slowly across it. In variants such as the table saw, the saw is fixed, and the material to be cut is slowly moved into the saw blade. As each tooth in the blade strikes the material, it makes a small chip. The teeth guide the chip out of the workpiece, preventing it from binding the blade.
Characteristics of the circular saw include:
• Cutting is by teeth on the edge of a metal blade or by an abrasive wheel
• The cut has a narrow kerf and a relatively smooth surface finish
• Cuts are straight and relatively accurate
• The saw usually leaves burrs on the cut edge of metal and plastic (which should then be addressed with sandpaper)
• Saw setting should be done geometrically
The above characteristics are all qualities we want to look for in our saw. Also, below we will be taking into account the type of power, both corded or battery-powered, motor power, build quality, and the all-important manufacturer’s warranty. Hopefully, by the end of this article, you will be able to make an educated, and precise decision on which is the best circular saw that fits both your workload and your budget.
Types of Circular Saws
There are many different types of circular saws, each designed for a specific purpose. The most common type is the handheld saw (the one analysed in this article), which is perfect for small jobs such as cutting through lumber or trimming branches.
For larger projects, a table saw is necessary. These saws are often used by professionals as they provide a stable surface and allow for more precise cuts.
Compact circular saws are a newer type of saw that is becoming increasingly popular. They are smaller and lighter than traditional saws, making them easier to transport and manoeuvre.
Finally, mitre saws are specialized saws that are used for making angled cuts. These saws can be used for both woodworking and metalworking projects.
Can I use a bigger blade on my circular saw?
Technically speaking, you can, but there’s no way I or any other professional would recommend it. If you do, however, make sure that the maximum rpm rating of the blade will not be exceeded by the saw. Also, your saw will be underpowered by a larger blade, as the larger diameter will require more power from the motor to provide the same cutting power at the tooth. Therefore, if you overstress your motor, it creates more heat than the one it is designed to remove, and, as we all know, heat kills a motor.
Bottom Line
I hope you’ll find these reviews useful. At the end of the day, it all comes down to your budget, needs and brand loyalty. Whether you plan to buy a corded one or you prefer the mobility a battery-powered one offers you, there are a few things you need to know before starting to cut. Use it in a safe manner because, no matter what, safety always comes first. Happy cutting!
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