If you haven’t tried a lithium ion cordless circular saw then it’s time for you to adjust your expectations… UPWARDS. We rounded up cordless circular saw reviews, comparisons and opinions from forums to bring you the top 7 cordless circular saws of 2009. But first, here are a few things we learned during our research:
Primary reasons cited for purchase:
-field dressing sheet goods
-“high up” cutting (on ladders, roofs etc…)
-cordless convenience
Primary negatives cited:
-frequent battery pack burnout/replacement in daily use situations
-when deviating off of the line, binding eats a lot of batteries
-sacrifice torque for convenience
Primary suggestions noted:
-LI is the only way to go, end of story
-18V or higher
-Use thin, sharp blades (ie replace factory blade asap)
That’s enough ado. Check out the top 7 cordless circular saws.
1) Makita
Makita BSS610 LXT
Ranking:
9 Overall Makita Recommendations
3 Makita LXT recommendations
Ranked “Best Cordless”: ConsumerSearch
Makita’s 18-volt LXT Lithium-ion Circular Saw
Makita – LXT400 Cordless Combo Kit
“The 6-1/2-in. circular saw was sturdy and powerful, with excellent controls and adjustments. A dust blower kept the cutting line clear, and an LED light aimed at the leading edge of the blade was a genuine help when I was working in any conditions less than bright sunlight. I didn’t like the saw’s horizontal grip, but the light weight of the battery pack compensated by making the tool easy to handle.”
2) DeWalt
DEWALT DC390B 18-Volt Cordless Circular Saw
Ranking:
12 Overall DeWalt Recommendations
9 Recommendations: DEWALT 18V
DeWalt DW939 Cordless 6 1/2″ Circular Saw Lumber Jocks Review
3) Milwaukee
Milwaukee 0730-22 V28 Lithium Ion 6-1/2-Inch Cordless Circular Saw
Ranking:
8 Overall Milwaukee Recommendations
1 Milwaukee 18V Recommendation
5 Milwaukee V28 Recommendations
Mike Guertin in Fine Home Building:
“On my last few remodeling projects, I set aside my corded circular saw and relied solely on the new cordless Milwaukee V28. Even though I was crosscutting 2x lumber, ripping full sheets of 3/4-in. plywood, and trimming MDF (medium-density fiberboard) panels, I had to keep reminding myself that I was using a battery-powered saw.”
Milwaukee – 0730-20 V28 Cordless Circular Saw
4) Ridgid
Ridgid R845 Cordless Circular Saw
Ranking:
10 Overall Ridgid Recommendations
4 18V Recommendations
5 24V Recommendations
Ridgid R922 18v Cordless Combo Pack Review (including Circ Saw)
5) Ryobi
Ranking:
10 Overall Ryobi P500 Recommendations
1 Don’t Buy counter-recommendation
Ranked “Best Budget Cordless”: ConsumerSearch
“it is what it is… with the proper expectations you won’t be disappointed”
Ryobi Cordless Saws – Ryobi Fan expressing adulation
6) Bosch
CCS180 18V Litheon Circular Saw
Ranking:
5 Recommendations
7 tie) Hilti
Hilti WSC 70-A36 Cordless Circular Saw
Ranking:
1 Recommendation
7 tie) Hitachi
Hitachi C18DLP4 18-Volt Lithium Ion 6-1/2-Inch Circular Saw
Ranking:
1 Recommendation
7 tie) Panasonic
Panasonic EY3551GQ 18-Volt NiMH 6-1/2-Inch Cordless Circular Saw
Ranking:
1 Recommendation
>> Forum Sources:
Cordless Circular Saw Recommendations
cordless circular saw? Recomended or not
Need advice on cordless circular saw
Lowe’s Firestorm cordless circular saw advice
DeWalt cordless circ saw
Good Cordless Tools
24V Circular Saw R885
6 1/2″ cordless circ saws – blade speed
People with cordless tools, still use corded ones?
corded vs. cordless? your vote = my purchase…(Long)
buyers remorse – just venting on my cordless vs corded dilemma
Cordless Combo Kit
Another Cordless bites the dust
Cabinet installation tool kit (2004)
Scribing a Template to Fit A Countertop Between Three Walls
Cutting notches (best method ?)
>> Other Sources
Consumer Search on Circular Saws
Circular saws: Plug them in – anti-cordless circ saw propaganda from Consumer Reports
Lithium-Ion Hands On -Though I value the effort that went into the Tools of the Trade overview of Lithium Ion cordless tools, they don’t explain the hierarchy of the tools, or indicate if there’s any preference of one tool over the other. Also, they only talk about the positives. Good overview, but not super useful for decision making in my opinion.
Bosch 18-Volt Cordless Circ Saw (2002)
Cordless Circ Saw videos
>> More Circular Saw Articles from ToolCrib.com
Woodworking Without A Table Saw
Best Circular Saw Under $100
Q/A: Converting a Circular Saw into a Table Saw
DIY Table Saw Alternative: EZ Guide + Circular Saw
Getting Sheet Goods Home: 9 Ways to Reduce the Pain
>> More Top Tool Comparisons from Tool Crib
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Top 9 Woodworking Shop Vac Smack Down: Ridgid vs. Festool vs. Fein and More
Top 16 Trim Routers: Bosch Colt vs. Makita vs. PC310 vs. Ridgid R2400 and MORE!
Top 10 Hybrid Table Saws: Craftsman vs. Grizzly vs. Steel City vs. Jet and MORE!
Cyclone Dust Collectors: Gorilla vs. Clear Vue vs. Grizzly
Best 14? Bandsaws: Grizzly vs. Rikon vs. Powermatic vs. Laguna and More
Table Saw Fence Buying Guide: Biesemeyer vs. Unifence vs. Vega vs. Incra
The 18 Gauge Brad Nailer Showdown: PC vs. HF vs. Bostich vs. Senco and MORE!
Combination Blade Showdown: Forrest vs. Freud vs. Tenryu and More
Best Plunge Router: DeWalt 621 vs. Bosch 1617 vs. Festool OF 1400
Dovetail Jigs: Leigh vs. Akeda vs. Porter-Cable and More
7 Best Sandpaper Brands: Klingspor vs. Norton vs. 3M in the Sanding Supplies Showdown
Compact Drivers: Bosch vs. Milwaukee vs. Rigid
Most Used Belt Sanders: Porter Cable vs. Dewalt vs. Bosch
Best Table Saw Miter Gauge: Incra vs. Osborne vs. Kreg
The 11 Top Woodworking Power Tools That Give 100% Satisfaction or Better
