Cordless Circular Saw
The following reviews of the popular cordless circular saw were obtained from material found at consumersearch.com(link to page). Because I am, at best, a home remodeling amateur I felt it would be in your best interest to provide information about cordless circular saws from people who have actually field tested the products. The following article will help you make an informed decision about buying the cordless circular saw that will best fit your needs.
Best Overall Cordless Circular Saw:
Reviewers recommend the Makita BSS610 LXT (link to our store page) as the best cordless circular saw, praising its comfort, safety and convenience. The lithium-ion batteries hold their charge a long time between uses, and also last much longer than NiMH or NiCad batteries. The cordless saw bevels up to 50 degrees, has a laser guide, dual LED lights and built-in edge guide, plus a dust blower to clear the cutting line. The 18-volt Energy Star batteries recharge in 45 minutes, and the 6.5-inch saw can cut 2X lumber even at a 45-degree bevel. The competing Ryobi P500 (*est. $60, $110 with charger and battery) isn't as accurate and doesn't use lithium batteries, but reviewers say it's an acceptable budget circular saw.
The best comparison review of lithium-ion cordless circular saws was found at Tools of the Trade magazine. HGTVPro.com provides a detailed single-product review of the Makita LXT BSS610 circular saw, and FineHomebuilding.com and Popular Woodworking review it as part of larger Makita LXT kits. A brief review by Brian Marks, the "power tool geek," looks for the most comfortable cordless tools for small hands. Two useful short videos at YouTube demonstrate this saw and its blade-changing procedure.
1. Tools of the Trade
This review compares eight lithium-powered cordless circular saws based on actual tests, and though the saws aren't rated or ranked, the descriptions make it easy to pick out the Makita LXT as the best 18-volt model. It earns praise for its light weight and smooth power, but tests find the blade brake "not as responsive as some."
Review: Industry News: Lithium Ion Hands On, Rick Schwolsky and Michael Springer, Jan. 2007
2. HGTVPro.com
This single-product review by tool expert Mark Clement gives the Makita BSS610 cordless circular saw (an Editors' Pick) top marks for power, balance, visibility and easy adjustments. The only criticism is that the aluminum base plate bent when the saw was dropped down eight stairs with multiple hits.
Review: New Products: Makita's 18-volt LXT Lithium-ion Circular Saw, Mark Clement
3. Fine Homebuilding
This review of a Makita LXT cordless tool kit rates the batteries and charger "outstanding" and gives props to the BSS610 circular saw's power, with special praise for the saw's light weight, adjustments, dust blower and LED light. The dust chute aims at the user so it's better to hook it to a vacuum, and the horizontal grip isn't as comfortable as a standard vertical grip.
Review: Editor's Review: Cordless Tools Redesigned from the Battery Up, Andy Beasley, May 2006
Best Cordless Circular Saw For The Budget Conscious:
Reviewers say the 5.5-inch Ryobi P500 circular saw is the best budget cordless saw, but it's only recommended for occasional light use, making fairly rough cuts. It's one of many Ryobi tools that use the same 18-volt NiCad batteries, though you can upgrade it with a Ryobi lithium-ion battery kit. The Ryobi saw bevels only up to 45 degrees, but has a laser guide, onboard blade wrench and comfortable handle. It's often available as part of larger cordless tool kits, and carries a two-year warranty. If you plan to use a circular saw often, reviewers recommend getting a corded circular saw or investing in the lithium-ion-powered cordless Makita BSS610 LXT (*est. $350).
The best comparison tests of the Ryobi P500 cordless circular saw were found at Consumer Reports, where it's ranked and rated along with six other cordless circular saws and 25 corded models. Over a dozen owners review the Ryobi P500 cordless circular saw at HomeDepot.com. In addition, three professional reviews -- at Online Tool Reviews, FineHomebuilding.com and Workbench magazine -- review this circular saw as part of reviews of Ryobi kits that include it. An older comparison review of cordless circular saws at Popular Mechanics tests a similar but earlier Ryobi cordless circular saw.
1. ConsumerReports.org
This review compares and ranks 32 circular saws, including the cordless Ryobi P500, based on objective tests of cutting speed and power -- plus ratings of construction quality and ease of use.
Review: Circular Saws, Editors of Consumer Reports, Jan. 2008
2. HomeDepot.com
More than a dozen owners give the Ryobi P500 cordless circular saw mostly positive reviews, saying it's a great value for the price, especially with so many other cordless tools available that use the same batteries. One owner complains that it lacks power.
Review: Ryobi 18 Volt 5 1/2 In. Circular Saw With Laser, Contributors to HomeDepot.com
3. OnlineTool Reviews.com
Reviewing the Ryobi One+ system of 18-volt cordless tools, this Australian woodworker finds that the one-hour charger actually takes up to two hours to recharge a battery.
Review: Tool Reviews, Dean Bielanowski and other contributors
Best Of The Rest:
The following is a list of fourteen of the cordless circular saws judged to be the best behind the Makita and Ryobi circular saws.
Milwaukee 6390-21 *Est. $135
5 picks by top review sites
Milwaukee V28 0730-22 *Est. $400
3 picks by top review sites.
Bosch 1677M *Est. $220info
3 picks by top review sites.
Porter-Cable 423MAG *Est. $140
3 picks by top review sites.
DeWalt DW369CSK *Est. $130
3 picks by top review sites.
Porter-Cable 324MAG *Est. $140
2 picks by top review sites.
Festool TS 55 EQ *Est. $475
2 picks by top review sites.
Bosch CS20 *Est. $135
2 picks by top review sites.
DeWalt DC390K *Est. $220
2 picks by top review sites.
Skil MAG SHD77M *Est. $205
2 picks by top review sites.
Makita 5007MG *Est. $135
2 picks by top review sites.
Ridgid R3203 Fuego *Est. $120
2 picks by top review sites.
Makita 5007FK *Est. $100
2 picks by top review sites.
Hitachi C7SB2 *Est. $100
2 picks by top review sites.
