# The 6 Best Circular Saws on Amazon in 2026 > Best circular saws in 2026: corded 7-1/4 inch saws, cordless 6-1/2 inch saws, a 5-1/2 inch Ryobi and a compact 4-1/2 inch saw for small jobs. Guide: https://twelvetabs.com/reviews/best-circular-saws/ · Updated 2026-09-29 · By TwelveTabs · Search it live: https://twelvetabs.com/?q=best%20circular%20saw&guide=best-circular-saws As an Amazon Associate we may earn from qualifying purchases. Our picks are independently researched, written by TwelveTabs AI and never sponsored. Prices and ratings change often: see the guide for today's. ## The top picks - **Most home and DIY cutting:** SKIL 5280-01 Corded Circular Saw. A corded 7-1/4 inch saw with a 15-amp motor, a 51 degree bevel with a positive stop at 45 degrees, and a dust blower, per its listing. - **A lighter corded saw with an electric brake:** DEWALT DWE575SB Corded Circular Saw. A corded 7-1/4 inch saw listed at 8.8 pounds, with an electric brake, a 57 degree bevel with stops at 45 and 22.5 degrees, and a 2 9/16 inch depth of cut. - **A cordless saw with a magnesium shoe:** DEWALT 20V MAX Cordless Circular Saw. A cordless 6-1/2 inch sidewinder with a 5,150 RPM motor, a lightweight magnesium shoe, a 0 to 50 degree bevel and a 2-1/8 inch depth of cut at 90 degrees. - **A light cordless saw with an aluminum base:** Makita XSS02Z 18V Cordless Circular Saw. A cordless 6-1/2 inch saw sold as a tool only, with a 3,700 RPM electronically controlled motor, a machined aluminum base and a 7.3 pound weight with battery. - **A cordless 5-1/2 inch saw for Ryobi ONE+ owners:** Ryobi P505 18V Cordless Circular Saw. A cordless 5-1/2 inch saw with a clear polyurethane lower guard, a bevel that adjusts up to 50 degrees, an extra side handle and Ryobi ONE+ battery compatibility. - **Small jobs and one-handed cuts:** Genesis GCS445SE Compact Circular Saw. A compact corded saw with a 4-amp motor at 3,500 RPM, a 4-1/2 inch blade, a barrel grip for one-handed use and depth and bevel controls, per its listing. Our top pick is the **[SKIL 5280-01](https://twelvetabs.com/reviews/best-circular-saws/#pick-1)**, a corded 7-1/4 inch circular saw with a 15-amp motor that suits most home and DIY cutting. We read 96 Amazon listings for circular saws, compared 10 finalists and kept six that cover corded, cordless and compact saws. Cutting angles in trim? See our [miter saw guide](https://twelvetabs.com/reviews/best-miter-saws/). Need a drill for the holes and screws? See our [cordless drill guide](https://twelvetabs.com/reviews/best-cordless-power-drills/). If you want a corded saw with an electric brake, the [DEWALT DWE575SB](https://twelvetabs.com/reviews/best-circular-saws/#pick-2) has one. For cordless work, the [DEWALT 20V MAX saw](https://twelvetabs.com/reviews/best-circular-saws/#pick-3) and the [Makita XSS02Z](https://twelvetabs.com/reviews/best-circular-saws/#pick-4) both take a 6-1/2 inch blade, and the [Ryobi P505](https://twelvetabs.com/reviews/best-circular-saws/#pick-5) is a 5-1/2 inch saw for Ryobi ONE+ batteries. The [Genesis GCS445SE](https://twelvetabs.com/reviews/best-circular-saws/#pick-6) is a compact 4-1/2 inch corded saw for small jobs. Two saws that appear in the results, a compact DEWALT and a SKILSAW worm drive, show no new offer on Amazon today, so they are not picks. ## How to choose a circular saw TechGearLab's buying advice and WOOD Magazine's saw test cover most of what is worth checking. - **Corded or cordless.** TechGearLab says a corded saw gives ample power and long run time for demanding work, while a cordless saw is lighter and works where there is no outlet. Some cordless listings sell the saw alone, so read what comes in the box. - **Build.** TechGearLab says magnesium housings and cast-metal shoes with ridges stand up to drops, and that cheaper saws often have flat aluminum bases suited to occasional projects. WOOD Magazine says thin stamped-steel footplates on entry-level saws bend easily when dropped. - **Bevel, brake and blade changes.** TechGearLab says to look for positive bevel stops, a blade brake and a spindle lock. Those are listing facts you can check before you buy. - **Seeing the cut.** WOOD Magazine says cutline indicators and a built-in blower keep the line visible, because a saw throws sawdust onto it. - **Blade size.** A smaller blade cuts less deep. The listings give 2-1/8 inches at 90 degrees for the 6-1/2 inch DEWALT cordless saw and 2 9/16 inches for the corded DEWALT, so compare depth of cut with the lumber you cut. ## Our picks in detail ### 1. SKIL 5280-01 Corded Circular Saw: best for most home and DIY cutting **Why it made the list** - Its listing gives a 15-amp motor at 5,300 RPM and a 7-1/4 inch carbide-tipped blade. - The bevel goes to 51 degrees with a positive stop at 45 degrees, and a spindle lock speeds up blade changes. - A dust blower keeps the line of cut clear, and a safety lock, guarded trigger and power-on indicator are listed. - TechGearLab names the [SKIL 5280-01](https://twelvetabs.com/reviews/best-circular-saws/#pick-1) its favorite circular saw and the best choice for most home and DIY users. **Drawbacks** - It is corded, so it needs an outlet or an extension cord. - The listing text we read names no electric brake, one of the features TechGearLab says is worth having. **Skip it if** you cut where there is no power outlet, or you want an electric brake. ### 2. DEWALT DWE575SB Corded Circular Saw: best corded saw with an electric brake **Why it made the list** - Its listing calls it among the lightest saws in its class, at 8.8 pounds. - An electric brake stops the blade after the trigger is released. - Bevel capacity is 57 degrees, with stops at 45 and 22.5 degrees, and depth of cut is 2 9/16 inches. - WOOD Magazine's 2020 test names the [DEWALT DWE575SB](https://twelvetabs.com/reviews/best-circular-saws/#pick-2) among the saws with the clearest sight lines to the cutline indicators. **Drawbacks** - Being corded, it is tied to an outlet or an extension cord. - A 15-amp corded saw weighs more than the compact and 5-1/2 inch saws here (our inference from the sizes). **Skip it if** you mostly cut away from power, or only make the odd small cut. ### 3. DEWALT 20V MAX Cordless Circular Saw: best cordless saw with a magnesium shoe **Why it made the list** - The listing gives a 5,150 RPM motor and a lightweight magnesium shoe. - Bevel capacity is 0 to 50 degrees, and the listed depth of cut is 2-1/8 inches at 90 degrees. - A rubber overmolded grip and a 6-1/2 inch 18-tooth carbide-tipped blade are listed. **Drawbacks** - The 6-1/2 inch blade cuts to 2-1/8 inches at 90 degrees, against the 2 9/16 inches listed for the corded [DEWALT DWE575SB](https://twelvetabs.com/reviews/best-circular-saws/#pick-2). - Run time depends on the battery you pair with it. **Watch for this:** DEWALT sells more than one 20V MAX circular saw with a different blade size. This listing is the 6-1/2 inch sidewinder, and the listing text we read does not say whether a battery comes with it, so check the box contents before you order. **Skip it if** you want a full 7-1/4 inch blade, or you already own another brand's batteries. ### 4. Makita XSS02Z 18V Cordless Circular Saw: best light cordless saw with an aluminum base **Why it made the list** - Its listing gives a 3,700 RPM electronically controlled motor for faster cutting and ripping. - The base is precision-machined aluminum, and cutting capacity is 2-1/4 inches at 90 degrees with a 0 to 50 degree bevel. - It weighs 7.3 pounds with a battery fitted, and the handle has a rubberized soft grip. **Drawbacks** - The title says tool only and the bullets say the battery is not included, so you need Makita 18V LXT batteries and a charger. - The 6-1/2 inch blade cuts shallower than a 7-1/4 inch corded saw. **Skip it if** you own no Makita 18V batteries and do not want to start that system. ### 5. Ryobi P505 18V Cordless Circular Saw: best 5-1/2 inch saw for Ryobi ONE+ owners **Why it made the list** - Its polyurethane lower guard is clear, for a better view of the cut. - The bevel adjusts up to 50 degrees, and an extra side handle sits on the left for control and sightlines. - The listing names Ryobi 18 volt ONE+ batteries that it works with, and lists a rubber overmolded handle. **Drawbacks** - The title says the battery is not included, so it is worth buying only if you own or plan to buy ONE+ batteries. - A 5-1/2 inch blade is the smallest cordless size here, so it cuts shallower than the 6-1/2 inch saws (our inference from the blade size). **Skip it if** you do not use Ryobi batteries, or you cut thick lumber often. ### 6. Genesis GCS445SE Compact Circular Saw: best compact saw for small jobs **Why it made the list** - The listing gives a 4.0-amp motor at 3,500 RPM with a 4-1/2 inch blade and a 3/8 inch arbor. - A barrel grip is listed for one-handed operation, and the depth and bevel controls make bevel, plunge and cross cuts. - The listing says it cuts through 2x material, and a spindle lock speeds up blade changes. **Drawbacks** - It has the smallest blade and motor of the six, so it is the lightest-duty saw here (our inference from the specs). - The listing frames its limit as 2x material, so it is not a saw for thick stock. **Skip it if** you will use a saw often, or you cut anything thicker than 2x lumber. ## What we left out, and why Of the 96 organic listings we read, ten had their pages read in full and six became picks. Two saws that look like obvious picks are not, because Amazon shows no new offer for them today. - **DEWALT ATOMIC 4-1/2 Inch DCS571B.** A compact cordless saw. Its listing shows only "See All Buying Options" and no add to cart, so a shopper cannot buy it new from that listing. - **SKILSAW SPT77WML-01.** A worm drive saw that PlumbandLined's worm drive guide names its best. Its listing also shows only "See All Buying Options", so it is not a pick. - **SKIL 5080-01.** A second corded 7-1/4 inch SKIL that does the same job as the [SKIL 5280-01](https://twelvetabs.com/reviews/best-circular-saws/#pick-1). - **BLACK+DECKER 20V MAX 5-1/2 Inch BDCCS20B.** A cordless 5-1/2 inch saw that overlaps with the [Ryobi P505](https://twelvetabs.com/reviews/best-circular-saws/#pick-5). Wirecutter has no circular saw guide, so there is no Wirecutter pick in the comparison table. ## Questions people ask ### Corded or cordless: which circular saw should you buy? TechGearLab says it depends on the work. A corded saw such as the [SKIL 5280-01](https://twelvetabs.com/reviews/best-circular-saws/#pick-1) gives ample power and long run time, and a cordless saw such as the [Makita XSS02Z](https://twelvetabs.com/reviews/best-circular-saws/#pick-4) is lighter and goes where there is no outlet. If you already own a battery system, start with the saws that use it. ### What size circular saw blade do you need? The corded picks here take a 7-1/4 inch blade, the two larger cordless picks take 6-1/2 inch blades, the [Ryobi P505](https://twelvetabs.com/reviews/best-circular-saws/#pick-5) takes 5-1/2 inches and the [Genesis GCS445SE](https://twelvetabs.com/reviews/best-circular-saws/#pick-6) takes 4-1/2 inches. A smaller blade cuts shallower, so check the depth of cut against the lumber you cut. ### What does a blade brake do? TechGearLab says a blade brake helps avoid costly mistakes, whether the blade reaches a wood floor, a cord or a finger. WOOD Magazine says several saws it tested stop the blade in about two seconds or less after you release the trigger. The [DEWALT DWE575SB](https://twelvetabs.com/reviews/best-circular-saws/#pick-2) lists an electric brake. ### How did TwelveTabs choose these circular saws? We compared the Amazon results for one search phrase, set aside listings with no new offer and saws that only repeated another pick's job, and read each finalist's page for its listed features. Every pick is a saw a shopper can buy new today, and each was matched to a different kind of cutting job. ## How we researched On September 29, 2026 we read 96 Amazon listings for circular saws across two pages of results. AI compared them, set aside sponsored repeats, read the pages of 10 finalists and chose six saws that cover corded, cordless and compact jobs. AI wrote this guide from that research. Listings change: we read them on September 29, 2026, and a battery, kit, seller or stock may differ today. Specs are the listing text as we read it, which the collector cut to about 200 characters per bullet. Cordless saws need a battery and charger, and some listings sell the tool alone. ### Sources - [TechGearLab: Best Circular Saws](https://www.techgearlab.com/topics/tools/best-circular-saw) - [WOOD Magazine: Circular Saws](https://www.woodmagazine.com/tool-reviews/circular-saws/circular-saws) - [PlumbandLined: Best Worm Drive Saw](https://plumbandlined.com/the-best-worm-drive-saw/)