By Tony Carrick | posted on September 19, 2020 at 6:10 PM

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It used to be the only cordless circular saw with a mini-saw with a small 4¼ inch blade. If you want to cut plywood, MDF and 2x4s, you need a wire saw. Those times are gone.

Advances in battery technology have paved the way for new powerful cordless circular saws, some of which can even handle the same 7¼-inch blades used by their corded brothers.

There are many good reasons to own a cordless circular saw. Cordless circular saws get rid of the shackles of wires and can run on most job sites without the need for a generator or a 100-foot power cord. The cordless circular saw also eliminates trip hazards and rope obstacles, which can cause failures in cutting.

This article describes some of the main features that should be considered when buying the best circular saw. The following list provides cordless circular saws that have been successful in terms of performance and value.

Some things to consider when buying a cordless circular saw include style, power output, blade size and function.

Sidewinder and worm drive are one of the most heated topics in the woodworking industry. Let's take a closer look.

The difference between a worm-drive circular saw and a side-scroll saw is mainly the position of the motor. The worm-driven motor is connected to the back of the saw and meshes with the saw blade through two gears-the spiral "worm" gear and the other gear-to transfer the energy of the motor to the saw blade. Since this setup is not so straightforward, most worm-driven blades rotate at a slower speed than rattlesnake blades, with a maximum speed of only about 4,500 rpm. Worm-driven saws use larger gears, which provide more torque than rattlesnakes, allowing them to better absorb shocks and undertake more difficult cutting tasks.

The profile of the worm gear drive is longer and narrower than that of the side-winder circular saw, which expands the operator’s working range and allows access to narrower spaces. This makes them ideal for work such as remodeling and framing.

The motors of Sidewinder saws are located on the side of the saw, which makes their profile wider, shorter and lighter than worm drive saws. This compact shape makes the saw easier to operate and is more suitable for inexperienced users. The Sidewinder saw uses a spur gear to turn the blade at a speed close to 6,000 rpm.

In the past, cordless circular saws were not as powerful as corded varieties. Due to the advancement of battery technology, the power gap has been greatly reduced. In fact, many cordless circular saws are more powerful than corded circular saws.

The rated power of a circular saw is measured in revolutions per minute (rpm). Most cordless circular saws have a speed of 4,000 rpm, and high-end circular saws have a speed of 5,000 rpm or higher. The higher the speed, the better the cutting ability. Remember that speed is not necessarily a good indicator of torque. Although the speed of a worm drive saw may be lower than that of a rattle saw, its design provides greater torque.

Considering the large power requirements of the circular saw, the cordless circular saw has a rechargeable 18-volt or 20-volt lithium-ion battery connected to the saw. Many manufacturers design their batteries to be interchangeable with the entire line of cordless power tools, including cordless circular saws.

Since cordless circular saws are generally not as powerful as corded circular saws, most cannot handle a full 7¼-inch blade. Although smaller blades produce more torque because they are easier for the motor to turn, their cutting depth is limited.

Most cordless circular saws use 6½-inch blades, but a few high-end saws use 7¼-inch blades. The maximum cutting depth of the 6½ inch blade is 2⅛ inches, while the larger 7¼ inch blade can cut to depths of 2-7/16 inches. Smaller cordless circular saws will be equipped with 5½-inch or even 4½-inch blades.

The main difference between brushed and brushless motors is related to friction. There is no need to deeply understand the working principle of each motor, the brushless motor generates less friction, and the efficiency level is between 85% and 90%. In contrast, a brushed motor loses more energy due to friction, achieving an efficiency of 75% to 80%.

Although this difference may not be significant for a corded circular saw that can provide unlimited power at 110 volts, it has a significant impact on cordless saws. The higher the efficiency level, the less energy is lost by friction, which means more battery power is used to turn the saw blade. This is equivalent to making more cuts before the battery runs out.

The higher efficiency rating also means that the 20-volt battery can provide more power to turn the blades, resulting in greater torque and higher maximum speed. The most powerful cordless circular saws, including those capable of turning 7¼-inch blades, use brushless motors.

In addition, because they generate less friction, brushless motors generate less heat, thereby reducing the possibility of overheating that may damage the motor.

The cordless circular saw has similar safety features as the wire saw, including retracting the blade guard and blade lock. Once the trigger switch is released, the blade lock will stop immediately.

The cordless circular saw also uses a trigger safety device to prevent accidental start. Other safety features include a molded handle with a rubber handle to prevent the tool from slipping out of the operator's hand.

In addition to standard functions such as bevel angle and depth adjustment, the cordless circular saw also offers new technologies designed to extend the life of the saw. Some saws will shut down if the saw overheats or the battery is close to overload. High-end saws have waterproof and dust-proof waterproof seals, allowing them to withstand the harsh environment of outdoor construction sites. Some saws even automatically adjust torque and speed according to the workload to optimize performance.

The saws below are made by some of the most respected and well-known power tool manufacturers in the world. They have powerful motors and cutting-edge wireless technology.

The Makita brushless cordless 6½-inch circular saw is equipped with a powerful motor that can provide 5,000 rpm and is the best in its class. Although there are other equally powerful saws on the market, Makita's use of cutting-edge technology has taken this model to a higher level. This includes its automatic speed technology, which automatically adjusts the speed and torque of the saw to optimize performance based on the material being cut.

Makita also equipped the saw with a brushless motor, which reduces friction and extends the operating time before it needs to be charged. The saw is designed to withstand the harsh environment of the work site, with a series of seals to protect the motor from water and dust, making it an excellent choice for outdoor use. The technology that helps extend its life is to allow the battery to communicate with the motor to prevent overheating and overload.

One of the challenges of cordless power tools is its battery, which slowly began to die after just a few years, and the use time between recharges has been continuously shortening. Bosch uses a protection system to prevent the battery from overloading, thereby extending its life. The same technology can also prevent the motor from overheating and ensure that it can also run for a long time. Be sure to make the most of the 4,000 rpm power from this saw—enough to cut 2 inches of wood.

Other features include a 50% bevel, a wide range of oblique cuts, and an electronic brake stop device to ensure that you don't have to stand by and wait for the blade to tighten after each cut.

If you think you have to pay a lot for a high-quality cordless circular saw, please think again. The cordless saw from Porter Cable, a long-term tool manufacturer, provides excellent value without cutting corners. This 20-volt saw can produce an impressive cutting force of 4,000 rpm and can cut wood up to 2 inches thick.

In other words, there are some trade-offs in terms of price. It does lack the battery and motor saving technology of high-end saws. Some of its structures are not durable, and plastic covers are compared to more durable metal covers. Although this circular saw may not provide enough durability for professionals, its powerful features and affordable price make it a good choice for home DIYer.

Although not as powerful as its larger cousin, this compact cordless circular saw packs a punch in a compact and easy to transport form. This cordless saw uses a smaller 5½ inch blade, which limits its cutting capacity, but provides excellent torque, allowing it to cut harder materials. Lighter in weight and easy to carry, it is not only easy to transport to the work site, but also very suitable for overhead use and other awkward cutting.

Other features include bevel adjustment for oblique cutting and tool-free depth adjuster. For DIY enthusiasts who occasionally use at home or want a saw that is easier to operate, this saw is an excellent choice.

DeWalt is known for making powerful cordless tools, and this cordless circular saw is no exception. Although it may lack some of the cutting-edge technology of other high-end cordless circular saws, it is one of the only circular saws with a 7¼-inch blade. That's because most cordless saws cannot provide the torque needed to power this blade.

With its 5,200 rpm brushless motor, this circular saw does not have this problem. The increased size allows cutting depths of 2-9/16 inches. The battery life of DeWalt 20V Max has not disappointed either. Up to 330 crosscuts can be performed on a single charge. Other features include bevel cuts in the 57-degree range, LED lights to increase visibility during the cutting process, and electronic brakes.

It is hard to beat the power and technology contained in this powerful Makita worm gear saw. The powerful 5,100 rpm motor puts it on par with many corded circular saws. This is enough to drive a full-size 7¼ inch blade to a maximum cutting depth of 2-9/16 inches.

Makita is known for its advancements in battery and motor energy-saving technologies, and this saw fully demonstrates these technologies. The brushless technology extends the running time of the saw by 50% after a single charge, while reducing the heat generated by friction, ensuring that the motor can be used for a long time. Automatic transmission technology adjusts speed and torque during use to optimize performance. And, if this is not enough, Makita's star protection technology can prevent battery overload.

EnerTwist is designed to be operated with only one hand, is small in size and light in weight, making it one of the versatile cordless circular saws you can buy. Use this mini circular saw weighing only 4.5 pounds for overhead cuts, vertical surface cuts, hard-to-reach areas and small places. And has a 4½ inch blade.

This saw can cut to a depth of 1-11/16 inches, enough to pass through a standard 2×4 and perform bevel cuts of up to 45 degrees. Functions include laser guidance and side guidance to ensure accuracy. The large handle is easy to grasp, and the soft padding increases comfort, making it easy to control the saw with one hand.

For work that requires you to leave the workshop, a cordless circular saw is a valuable tool. With the latest developments in technology, cordless circular saws are narrowing the gap with their corded counterparts. A more powerful battery and brushless motor means that a cordless saw can operate the same 7¼-inch blade as a corded circular saw. Because the cordless circle has its own power source, it can go freely wherever it is needed.

In order for the cordless circular saw to perform at its best, some important safety and operating guidelines must be followed.

Below we will solve some of the most common questions about cordless circular saws.

Like a corded circular saw, a cordless saw uses a small motor to power the circular saw blade. Wire saws are powered by direct current from a standard power outlet, while cordless circular saws use 18 or 20 volt batteries connected to the saw.

Manufacturers rate saws based on the number of cuts that can be made before they need to be charged. Although this is difficult to measure, given that different materials and different cuts require different powers, a standard cordless circular saw can perform up to 300 cuts on a single charge.

Most cordless circular saws have a left blade, which means that the motor and most of the weight are on the right. Because of this configuration, the left hand holds the trigger handle and the right hand holds the stabilizer knob on the front of the saw. This design maximizes visibility and allows the operator to clearly see the cutting line.

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