The Best Cordless Circular Saw From Every Major Tool Brand

1 min readWhen I first became familiar with circular saws, cordless tools were all about convenience. If you wanted real power, you grabbed the tool with the cord attached to it and a couple of extension cords. Nobody was framing walls or ripping stacks of plywood with a battery-powered circular saw—and if they told you otherwise, they were most likely trying to sell you one.How times have changed.I don’t think twice about reaching for a cordless circular saw anymore. In fact, unless I’m taking on particularly demanding work, it’s usually my first choice. They’re lighter, more powerful, and packed with features that would’ve seemed impossible just a few years ago. That creates a new problem, though. Nearly every major tool manufacturer makes an excellent cordless circular saw, and many of them are exclusive to their respective battery platforms.So if you’re shopping for a circular saw and are loyal to a particular brand, we’ve taken care of some of the legwork for you. Below are the best cordless circular saws from Bosch, Milwaukee, DeWalt, and others.ProsTrack saw compatibilityUnique one-touch shoe adjustmentExcellent power and cut capacityConsLess nimble than other sawsKey SpecsModelGKS18V-25GNPower18VWeight8.8 lbSpeed5,000 rpmBlade size7-1/4-in, 24-toothThis circular saw from Bosch is one of the most thoughtfully designed tools I’ve used in recent years, and in fact, in our guide to the best circular saws, I named this the Best Cordless option. Yes, it’s powerful enough to replace a corded saw for most users, but that’s not what I find interesting about it. The one-touch depth adjustment took me minute to get used to, but then I found it intuitive and easy to control. The auxiliary handle at first felt like a gimmick to me, but it gives the saw a planted confidence beneath you. And I appreciated the pivoting dust port for directing sawdust somewhere other than my face in certain cutting applications.Then there’s the track guide compatibility, which is one of those features that left me wondering why more manufacturers haven’t followed Bosch’s lead. Simply put, it allows the saw to ride along a guide rail that’s clamped to your workpiece, producing long, dead-straight cuts with remarkable consistency. If you’ve ever struggled to rip a sheet of plywood with nothing more than a chalk line and a steady hand, you’ll immediately appreciate the difference. Not only does it make ripping and crosscutting sheet goods less intimidating, it also makes them more accurate and repeatable.The saw also boasts an “Eco mode” that dials in the power output based on the density of your material, conserving battery life when full power simply isn’t necessary. Pretty smart.Granted, this isn’t Bosch’s lightest or simplest circular saw, but that’s also what makes it unique within the platform. If thoughtful engineering, exceptional ergonomics, and laser-straight cuts matter more to you than shaving a few ounces of your circular saw, Bosch has built something pretty special here.ProsLeft-side blade provides excellent cut visibilityLight and easy to maneuverImpressive battery runtimeCons6-1/2-inch blade limits cut capacity for thicker lumberKey SpecsModel2833-20Power18V M18 FuelWeight6.3 lbSpeed6,000 rpmBlade size6 1/2 in, 24-toothIf I had to recommend one Milwaukee circular saw (and I’m a fan of all of them—especially their rear-handle saw), this would be it—and I’m in good company. Our own Senior Test Editor, Brad Ford, has been singing its praises for quite a while now.There’s something to be said for a tool that doesn’t feel like overkill every time you pull it off the shelf. The 6-1/2-inch blade keeps the weight down and makes the saw feel extremely nimble without sacrificing cutting performance. It also offers terrific sightlines to the blade. With less saw between your eye and your cut line than you’ll find on larger, bulkier 7-1/4-inch models, it’s easier to follow a pencil mark accurately whether you’re breaking down plywood or trimming heavier lumber.Milwaukee squeezed more power out of this generation, too. Despite its compact size, I suspect unless you’re framing houses for a living, you’ll run out of projects in a given day before you run out of battery. It has more than enough muscle for the vast majority of homeowner projects and never feels underpowered simply because it employs a smaller blade.One thing to keep in mind: If you’re thinking that a 7-1/4-inch blade is more to your liking, and you’re of the mind that growing into a larger saw is inevitable for you, then I’d recommend this Milwaukee model instead. If you’re regularly framing walls, building decks, or taking on larger construction projects in general the extra size may be worth it. For just about everything else, though, I think this 6-1/2-inch model hits a real sweet spot between power, weight, and maneuverability.ProsBalanced and comfortable to useLED light helps light the wayPowerful brushless motorConsOptional dust collection system is lackingKey SpecsModelDCS565BPower 20V MAX XR Weight6.3 lbSpeed4,950 rpmBlade size6-1/2-in, 18-toothDeWalt’s best cordless circular saw isn’t its biggest or most powerful, but that’s exactly why I like it. While our guide to the best circular saws includes a different DeWalt model—the 7-1/4-inch DeWalt 20V Cordless Circular Saw—that saw is notable for its unparalleled power. This one, however, is more of an all-around pick—the saw I’m grabbing for most projects.It feels incredibly refined in use. It’s light enough that I never think twice about grabbing it for a quick project, yet capable enough that I’ve never found myself wishing I’d pulled something larger from the shelf. Ripping through plywood, trimming pressure-treated boards, or knocking out those little half-day projects around the house all feel completely doable with this saw.What I’ve always appreciated most about DeWalt circular saws is their balance, and this one is no exception. Everything is exactly where my hand expects it to be. The sightline to the blade is excellent, giving you a clear view of your cut line without having to awkwardly crane your neck over the tool, and adjustments at the shoe and bevel are simple and intuitive. The integrated LED work light comes in handy, especially when making cuts in dim corners of a garage or basement workshop.ProsExcellent value with battery and charger includedBrushless motor delivers strong cutting performanceCast-aluminum shoe adds durability and precisionConsDust exhaust is limitedKey SpecsModelCR5440B-10Power20VWeight7.2 lbSpeed5,300 rpmBlade size7-1/4-in, 24-toothWith this saw, Skil didn’t build a watered-down budget saw. It built a full-fledged circular saw that just happens to cost a lot less.The brushless motor delivers plenty of cutting power, while the cast-aluminum shoe and electronic brake give it a feel that's more premium than its price suggests. Throw in a full-size, 7-1/4-inch blade, plus a battery and charger in the box, and you've got a saw that's ready to tackle just about any DIY project without asking you to spend major bucks.If you’ve already bought into Skil’s Pwrcore 20 platform, I think this is where I’d spend my money on a circular saw. Skil also makes an exceptional corded saw, our Best Value pick, if you’re not married to the idea of going cordless and you don’t want to break the bank.ProsComfortable and easy to maneuverPart of Ryobi’s vast ecosystemExcellent cut visibilityConsStamped steel shoe lacks rigidityKey SpecsModelPBLCS300BPower18VWeight8.23 lbSpeed4,300 rpmBlade size7-1/4-in, 24-toothThis 7-1/4-inch cordless circular saw from Ryobi surprises me in all the best ways. It’s comfortable in hand, offers excellent visibility to the cut line, and has more than enough power for the overwhelming majority of products most homeowners are likely to tackle.I especially like the positive detents at common cutting angles in the bevel adjustment, which simply means I don’t have to think twice about eyeing up the gauge. When the bevel stops at the presets, it’s there and stays there until I choose to adjust it. Smart touches like the LED worklight and included dust port adapter are welcome additions, too.I don’t really remember the day I became a “tool person.” Pretty sure it just happened over time, watching my own father work. From that humble start, I took my first step toward building things, and if you’re in a similar place on your tool journey, this circular saw is an excellent fit.ProsLight and well-balancedAutomatic speed change optimizes cutting performanceTop-notch ergonomicsConsFewer high-tech features than other saws in its classKey SpecsModelXSH03ZPower18VWeight7.3 lbSpeed5,000 rpmBlade size6-1/2-in, 24-toothThis Makita cordless circular saw doesn’t boast built-in track saw compatibility or headline-grabbing specs, but when you instead get best-in-its-class comfort, balance, and build quality, that’s an OK trade off.At just over 7 pounds with the battery installed, this is among the lighter saws in this guide, and that difference becomes more noticeable the longer you use it. Whether you’re ripping plywood or banging out a weekend project in the yard, the saw never feels cumbersome in your hand. Makita’s automatic speed change technology adjusts torque and speed as the load on the motor changes, while the LED light and electric brake are useful additions I’ve come to appreciate.Makita offers larger and more powerful circular saws, including our choice for Best Overall circular saw, the corded 5377 Magnesium Hypoid Saw, but among their cordless options, this is the one I keep coming back to because it simply disappears into the work in a way that few tools do.Paul Russell Smith is a former NYC ironworker turned screenwriter (Grace Point) and home renovation specialist. He lives in a crooked old farmhouse in Stockton, NJ, where he’s just as likely to be clearing a clogged pipe as rewriting a third act. When he’s not working, he enjoys hiking, pedestrian beer, and cooking over a live fire. His self-proclaimed spirit animal is the English Bulldog.John Gilpatrick is a Senior Reviews Editor for Popular Mechanics, covering tools, home appliances, yard and garden accessories, and smart home tech. He previously worked for Men’s Health and has bylines on numerous other websites, covering topics as disparate as nutrition, tech, and pet care. He is also a former film critic who’s unusually fond of the Star Wars prequels, and he appeared on Pop Culture Jeopardy in 2025 while wearing jorts and a fanny pack. He is a member of the Online Film Critics Society (OFCS).