circular saw from dewalt

If you want a saw that can quickly rip through or cross cut some wood, then a good general purpose circular saw is just the ticket. Circular saws are the most popular choice for this type of work and the biggest seller in the power saw market today.

When these were first released, most people could simply not afford them at all. Today you can pick one up from about £25, though if you want something that will last, and have the important features, then allow a budget of about £50-100.

Circular Saws gain their popularity as they are inexpensive and versatile. These types of portable saw can be used for a wide range of tasks such as plunge cuts, ripping and cross cutting all of which can be done with great ease. All you need to figure out is the task you wish to accomplish and we will help you determine which saw suits your needs to accomplish it.

Below we have provided a circular saw buying guide that should help you out. We have also done individual reviews on some of the most popular choices for people which we have included right below. Circular saws are also referred to as "plunge saws" and "chop saws."

How to Choose a Circular Saw?

Before you spend any money on a circular saw, then there is some information which we think is very important to fully understand. We have included that just below.

Circular Saw Options

There are three slightly different options when it comes to buying a circular saw, and we have explained those just below.

  1. The most popular is the standard circular saw that has an electrical cord that you plug into a main's electrical socket.
  2. Growing in popularity is the cordless circular saw which need to be powered by a battery.
  3. Finally there is a mini circular saw that can be easier to use for many buyers. We have shown these just below so as you get a full understanding of what is available.

Standard Circular Saw

typical circular saw

These are electric corded, and powerful saws, that can be used for straight and bevel cutting 

Mini Circular Saw

typical mini circular saw

These are compact, can be used one handed, and are easier to control and primarily used for straight cuts 

Cordless Circular Saw

typical cordless circular saw

These are battery powered so no trailing leads, that can be used for straight and bevel cutting 

The corded circular saw is the most powerful but you do need to be able to plug it into an electricity supply. These are also heavy saws and care is needed when using them. The cordless circular saw requires a battery (usually 18 Volts), so no trailing leads, but you don't get quite the same power, and you will need a battery and a charger. Both types have a cutting depth of around 2.5" (63-65 mm)

The mini circular saw is much easier to use. However the maximum cutting depth is around 1.5" (40 mm) so will not be suitable for all jobs. It works for jobs such as cutting floor boards, picture framing, etc Some models can do bevel cuts.

Why would you buy a circular saw?

These saws help you quickly cut through material quickly and accurately. Most buyers get one to cut through wood such as floor boards, flooring, decking, kitchen worktops, trimming doors, etc. You can buy them as corded or cordless, and the cordless variety will be more expensive.

Circular saws are very popular for making straight cuts and some of them can be used to make angle mitre and bevel cuts, as you can adjust the base to create the desired angle. Primarily though these are used to make straight cuts very quickly. The corded option does remain the most popular choice as it is cheaper than a cordless option.

What brand of circular saw is best?

The leading brands such as Makita, Dewalt, Bosch and Ryobi make circular saws. On average they will cost around £100. It is easy to find different types of blades for these brands in DIY stores. They also have spares available, if and when you need them, and offer good UK based customer service.

Other brands such as Evolution, Meterk, Einhell, Black & Decker and Worx also make these, but will be slightly cheaper at around £60-£80. With the exception of Evolution it can be tricky trying to find blades and spares. Likewise customer service and support is not as strong as the leading brands.

Then there are the cheap brands such as Hychika, Tough Master, Galax Pro and Katsiu and it is difficult to find any useful information online about these brands. The saws are cheap though and you can buy compatible blades that will work with these.

What sizes do circular saws come in?

Circular saws are usually classified by the size of the diameter of the blade. You will find a range of sizes and some of the most popular sizes are

  • 160mm
  • 165 mm
  • 185mm
  • 190 mm
  • 210 mm
  • 255mm
  • 305mm

Mini circular saws tend to come in 115 mm blade sizes.

Depth of Cut

This is what most buyers get wrong when buying a circular saw. On most circular saws you can adjust the depth. However, the size of the blade will also determine the maximum depth of the cut. There are two depths to consider:

  1. A straight cut at 90 degrees - standard circular saws will vary between 50-70 mm (2"- 3")
  2. A bevel cut at 45 degrees - standard circular saws will vary between 34-65 mm (1.3" - 2.55")

Making Your Decision

So when it comes to buying a circular saw, here are the key things that you should consider:

  1. Do you need a standard sized circular saw or will a mini circular saw do your job? - The mini saws have a cutting depth of around 43 mm (1.7") whereas the standard circular saw has a cutting depth of between 50-70 mm (2-2.75") Just be sure the one you buy is able to cut deep enough.
  2. If you decide on a standard circular saw, then do you want a corded one or a cordless model? Corded models are cheaper than cordless generally speaking though it will vary from brand to brand. If you already own a cordless tool from a brand then a tool only circular saw from the same brand would be the best choice.
  3. If you are buying a circular saw and don't own any other cordless tools, then we would recommend sticking with a recognised tool brand such as Makita, Dealt or Bosch as they have good customer service and always have a range of spare parts should you need them.
  4. The cutting depth is the most important thing to understand. Make 100% sure that the saw you pick has a big enough blade with a big enough cutting depth to be able to get through the material you are planning to cut Most circular saws are suitable for trimming doors, cutting worktops, and smaller timber sizes.


Top 10 Best Circular UK Buyers 2024

We have listed just below the top 10 circular saws that are available on the UK market. If you click on any of the links just below you will be able to read a longer description of each saw.

  1. Makita HS7601J 190 mm Circular Saw - Our recommendation
  2. Hychika 1500W Circular Saw - Best Budget Corded Circular Saw
  3. Bosch Professional GKS 190 Corded 240 V Circular Saw - Best Professional
  4. Evolution Power Tools R165CCS-Li Cordless Circular Saw - Best budget cordless circular saw with battery and charger
  5. Evolution Power Tools R185CCS Multi-Material Circular Saw - Best for Home Use
  6. Bosch Home and Garden circular saw -  Best for beginners and best seller
  7. Dewalt DCS570N Cordless XR Brushless Circular Saw - Best with a brushless motor
  8. Evolution Power Tools R185CCSX - Best circular saw with track
  9. HYCHIKA Circular Saw - Best mini circular saw
  10. Einhell 4340490 Bench-type Circular Saw - Best circular saw with table

1. Makita HS7601J 190 mm Circular Saw

Close up of Makita HS7601J/2 240V 190mm Circular Saw

This is one of the biggest sellers online and also the saw with the highest buyer rating. It is an electric corded saw.

This is a 190 mm size circular saw with a bore diameter of 46 mm. It also comes with a MakPac carrying case. This saw is compact and lightweight, and uses a single action lever for quick adjustment of cutting depth.

Depth of cut at at 90 degrees is 66 mm, and at 45 degree is 46 mm.

We like that it uses a single action lever for quick adjustment of the cutting depth which really speeds things up.

Comes with a blade, dust nozzle, hex wrench, rip fence guide rule and case.

WE LIKE

  • 86 out of 100 UK buyers give this a 5 star review
  • When you use this, you instantly notice the ease with which this cuts wood
  • The blade cut guides on bevel and straight are accurate and the saw cuts a perfect line
  • We love the box at it just drops in along with the able for easy fast storage
  • Although expensive the quality is outstanding

WE DON'T LIKE

  • 1 out of 100 UK buyers give this a poor review
  • Might be too heavy for some people as it weighs 4 Kg

Key Features

Blade Diameter

190 mm

Cutting depth at 90 degrees

66 mm

Cutting depth at 45 degrees

46 mm

No Load Speed

5200 rpm

Blade supplied

Yes

Case supplied

Yes

Size

‎30.9 x 23.2 x 25.5 cm

Weight

4 Kg

Buyer Ratings

Overall Rating

Value for money

Ease of use

Cutting capability

Key performance

Our Opinion: - Our advice is that this is the best circular saw that is currently available on the UK market. Makita are a high end brand similar to Dewalt and Milwaukee and they make fantastic tools. Cheaper models are available but we think a circular saw is so useful around the home that it is worth spending a bit extra and getting something that will last you for years. This model does everything you would expect from a circular saw and is built to last for years.

2. Hychika 1500W Circular Saw

1300W HYCHIKA Electric Saw

We always make a point of finding the cheapest model and then narrow that down to one that gets good enough reviews. It is an electric saw.

We found this Hychika model but are not familiar with the brand other than most buyers seem happy with their purchase

It is a 1500 Watt circular saw that comes with 2 blades for cutting wood

It has a maximum cutting depth of 65 mm for straight cuts and 45 mm at 45 degrees

You can also adjust the depth of cut and it does have a laser guide and the cord length is 2 metres 

WE LIKE

  • 64 out of 100 UK buyers give this a 5 star review
  • One of the cheapest on the UK market
  • Buyers say this is good for lighter sawing work and does that job nicely
  • Good that it comes with a couple of blades

WE DON'T LIKE

  • 6 out of 100 UK buyers give this a poor review
  • Didn't see an easy way to contact the manufacturer or any information online about the brand

Key Features

Blade Diameter

190 mm

Cutting depth at 90 degrees

65 mm

Cutting depth at 45 degrees

45 mm

No Load Speed

4700 rpm

Blade supplied

Yes (2)

Case supplied

No

Size

‎38 x 27.8 x 20.3 cm

Weight

4 Kg

Buyer Ratings

Overall Rating

Value for money

Ease of use

Cutting capability

Key performance

Our Opinion: - You do find that cheaper circular saws are made by brands with names that are not well known such as Meterk and Hychika. This Enventor brand appears to be another one of those and we couldn't find much information about them online. They do make some other models of saws and cutting tools. We have only included this model as it is the cheapest with the best reviews. If you just want a saw to do general wood cutting on a project then this one should be able to handle that.

3. Bosch Professional GKS 190 Circular Saw

Bosch Professional Hand Held Circular Saw

This is a popular choice for professionals and trades people from the well known and trusted Bosch brand.

This is a 190 mm size circular saw with a bore diameter of 30 mm 

This saw has a 1400 watt motor and has a compact, ergonomic design.

Depth of cut at at 90 degrees is 70 mm, and at 45 degree is 56 mm.

This saw is very well made and built to last and sits in the Bosch professional range of tools - it has been a work horse for many years and retains high buyer satisfaction ratings


WE LIKE

  • 85 out of 100 UK buyers give this a 5 star review
  • Although designed for professionals this is also a great choice for people who do a lot of DIY and know the benefit of a good quality tool
  • This is a great choice for any project like shed building, putting up a fence, building a deck, floorboards etc
  • Buyers like the case which they say is great for storage
  • Buyers recommended registering this saw online with Bosch as it extends the warranty to 3 years

WE DON'T LIKE

  • 1 out of 100 UK buyers give this a poor review
  • Doesn't have a brake

Key Features

Blade Diameter

190 mm

Cutting depth at 90 degrees

70 mm

Cutting depth at 45 degrees

50 mm

No Load Speed

5500 rpm

Blade supplied

Yes (2)

Case supplied

Yes

Size

‎39 x 28 x 21 cm

Weight

4.1 Kg

Buyer Ratings

Overall Rating

Value for money

Ease of use

Cutting capability

Key performance

Our Opinion: - Bosch make high quality tools and they have a Home range (green) and a professional range (blue) This circular saw is in their professional range so you do pay a bit extra, but get better engineering. This is a great sturdy reliable saw that won't let you down. It is very easy to use and it is very accurate.

4. Evolution Power Tools R165CCS-Li Cordless Circular Saw

Evolution Power Tools R165CCS-Li Cordless Circular Saw

Many power tools now have cordless options. Most of the top brand sell these as tool only so you then have to buy batteries and a charger which pushes the price right up

This Evolution cordless circular saw is a good price and comes with a 4.0 AH battery and charger

It also comes with a solid 3 year warranty

It is a 165mm cordless circular saw that comes with a multi-material blade  and parallel edge guide

90° maximum cutting depth: 55mm. 45° maximum cutting depth: 39mm.

Blade arbour size: 25.4mm

WE LIKE

  • 79 out of 100 UK buyers give this a 5 star review
  • No question that this is good value for money
  • Buyers do love the fact that they don't have to worry about an electrical cord swinging around
  • Buyers were impressed by the power of cutting and also pleased with the battery life
  • Buyers say it is light and very good at straight cuts
  • Buyers recommended registering this saw online with Evolution as it extends the warranty to 3 years

WE DON'T LIKE

  • 2 out of 100 UK buyers give this a poor review
  • A couple of buyers received a faulty product
  • Not quite the same power as a corded one

Key Features

Blade Diameter

165 mm

Cutting depth at 90 degrees

55 mm

Cutting depth at 45 degrees

38 mm

No Load Speed

5200 rpm

Blade supplied

Yes (2)

Case supplied

Yes

Size

‎37 x 26 x 21 cm

Weight

3.4 Kg

Buyer Ratings

Overall Rating

Value for money

Ease of use

Cutting capability

Key performance

Our Opinion: - In terms of value for money this is probably about as good as you will get. The Makita DSS611Z is the best cordless circular saw on the UK market but costs around £100 and you still have to buy the batteries and a charger so that will be close to £200. This Evolution model is good value and most buyers were impressed and said it was very good at cutting and also liked the weight and feel of it.

5. Evolution Power Tools R185CCS Multi-Material Circular Saw

Evolution R185CCS Multi-Material Circular Saw

The British Evolution brand is a popular choice for many UK buyers

This is an electric corded 185mm circular saw with a multi-material blade suitable for cutting wood, aluminium, light steel, plastic and wood with nails in it

The depth of cut is from 0mm to 64mm at 90 degrees 40mm at 45 degrees, and 24mm at 60 degrees and changing the depth of cut is easy

This is an affordable and powerful saw that will cut through most materials with ease

WE LIKE

  • 78 out of 100 UK buyers give this a 5 star review
  • This is good value for money
  • Buyers like that it has plenty of power and cuts even hard woods with ease
  • The additional handle helps ease the weight and gives you a lot more control
  • Comes with a limited 3 year warranty

WE DON'T LIKE

  • 2 out of 100 UK buyers give this a poor review
  • You are pretty restricted to using only Evolution blades due to sizing
  • There is no case for it

Key Features

Blade Diameter

185 mm

Cutting depth at 90 degrees

64 mm

Cutting depth at 45 degrees

45 mm

No Load Speed

5200 rpm

Blade supplied

Yes (2)

Case supplied

No

Size

‎14.76 x 10.43 x 10.04 cm

Weight

4.3 Kg

Buyer Ratings

Overall Rating

Value for money

Ease of use

Cutting capability

Key performance

Our Opinion: - Evolution make a number of models and this is the most popular for home use. One of their big selling points is that it has a multi-material cutting blade. That can be handy but if you need finer cuts they also have blades for those. The blades size is unique to Evolution so you essentially have to use their branded blades. That said, they are not expensive so don't let that put you off.

6. Bosch Home and Garden Circular Saw

PKS55 circular saw

This Bosch circular saw has the model number PKS55 and it is a 160mm size

This is a corded electric saw and is powered by a 1200 watt motor so plenty of power for general purpose use around the home and garden.

At 90 degrees it can cut materials of 0-48 mm in depth

At 45 degrees it can cut materials of 0-36 mm in depth

It weighs around 2.6 Kg and that is a comfortable weight to handle when using this saw

WE LIKE

  • 77 out of 100 UK buyers give this a 5 star review
  • This is a good choice for any first time users of a circular saw
  • Buyers like that it has plenty of power and cuts even hard woods with ease - particularly good for trimming doors or cutting kitchen worktops
  • The saw has a nice balance and feel to it
  • Comes with a solid Bosch tool warranty

WE DON'T LIKE

  • 1 out of 100 UK buyers give this a poor review
  • Can be slightly aggressive so first time users beware

Key Features

Blade Diameter

160 mm

Cutting depth at 90 degrees

55 mm

Cutting depth at 45 degrees

38 mm

No Load Speed

5600 rpm

Blade supplied

Yes

Case supplied

No

Size

38.79 x 28 x 27.7 cm

Weight

5.63 Kg

Buyer Ratings

Overall Rating

Value for money

Ease of use

Cutting capability

Key performance

Our Opinion: - Bosch just make very good tools and this is their best selling circular saw in their Home and Garden range (Green coloured tools). All circular saws feel aggressive if you have never used one before but they do get the job done quickly. The instructions that come with this PKS 55 model are clear and concise. Blades are readily available at all good DIY stores. Read my full review on the PKS55.

7. Dewalt DCS570N Cordless XR Brushless Circular Saw

DEWALT DCS570N Cordless XR Brushless Circular Saw

On most tool top 10 lists you will find a Dewalt branded product because they are just very good tools, though always and expensive buy.

This DCS570N cordless circular saw model is a 184 mm top of the range circular saw that is cordless and also has a longer lasting brushless motor - hence the price. If you already own a compatible Dewalt battery then this is the perfect choice if you want to own a high quality saw.

At 90 degrees it can cut materials of 0-65 mm in depth

It weighs around 2 Kg so very easy to work with

WE LIKE

  • 85 out of 100 UK buyers give this a 5 star review
  • This saw is powerful enough to get through just about anything
  • Buyers say this is one of the best saws they have ever used
  • The saw is high quality and with full metal parts is a very high engineering standard
  • Comes with a solid Dewalt tool warranty

WE DON'T LIKE

  • 2 out of 100 UK buyers give this a poor review
  • A couple of buyers said it needed to be lined up

Key Features

Blade Diameter

184 mm

Cutting depth at 90 degrees

65 mm

Cutting depth at 45 degrees

n/a

No Load Speed

5500 rpm

Blade supplied

Yes

Case supplied

No

Size

14.96 x 8.27 x 10.24 cm

Weight

3.6 Kg

Buyer Ratings

Overall Rating

Value for money

Ease of use

Cutting capability

Key performance

Our Opinion: - This Dewalt saw can be used for general purpose ripping, cross-cutting and bevelling and is part of the DEWALT 18V XR range. The manufacturer and many buyers highly recommend using a 5.0Ah battery with this as smaller batteries just will not last

8. Evolution Power Tools R185CCSX Circular Saw with Track

Evolution Power Tools - Build Multi-Material Circular Saw and Track

This R185CCSX model is a 185 mm circular saw from the Evolution brand and comes with a TCT blade that is suitable for cutting thin steel, aluminium, wood and plastic

It is powered by a 1600 watt motor and the depth of cut at 90 degrees is 64mm and at 45 degrees drops to 47mm

It comes with a 1020mm track which is in 3 parts and allows you to make really good straight cuts. The track uses connector bars to fit it together using an Allen hex key which is also provided.

WE LIKE

  • 74 out of 100 UK buyers give this a 5 star review
  • Most buyers say this is excellent value for money
  • The track is short at just over 1 metre long but that is enough for most common jobs
  • Many beginners to DIY like using this saw as it has the track

WE DON'T LIKE

  • 4 out of 100 UK buyers give this a poor review
  • A couple of buyers said it would have been better if it came with a bag to hold the track and rods

Key Features

Blade Diameter

185 mm

Cutting depth at 90 degrees

65 mm

Cutting depth at 45 degrees

47 mm

No Load Speed

5500 rpm

Blade supplied

Yes

Case supplied

No

Size

‎37.5 x 26.5 x 25.5 cm

Weight

5.1 Kg

Buyer Ratings

Overall Rating

Value for money

Ease of use

Cutting capability

Key performance

Our Opinion: - This Evolution saw with the track is ideal for trimming doors and jobs of that nature. We think it is good value for money just as a good multi-material cutting saw. The track is useful but Evolution should really also include the clamps need to make this a fully functional track

9. HYCHIKA Mini Circular Saw

HYCHIKA Mini Circular Saw, Circular Saw with 3 Saw Blades

If you just need a smaller mini circular saw which is much easier to hold and to use then this Hychika option will do your job nicely.

It isn't a well known brand and it's hard to find out much information about them and also hard to find spares, but all things considered the saw works well and is at a sensible price point

It has a 500 watt motor with a metal casing and gears so well enough made and comes with 3 blades that you can use to cut different materials - finding spare blades to fir this is no problem at Screwfix or eBay

It also has a laser guide and a parallel guide which helps a lot with straighter cuts

WE LIKE

  • 66 out of 100 UK buyers give this a 5 star review
  • Most buyers say this is excellent value for money
  • Buyers say this is so much easier to use and handle than a large circular saw and can do many cutting jobs
  • Many buyers said this is great for cutting flooring

WE DON'T LIKE

  • 5 out of 100 UK buyers give this a poor review
  • A couple of buyers said it would have been better with a dust bag
  • A few buyers said the depth gauge wasn't accurate

Key Features

Blade Diameter

185 mm

Cutting depth at 90 degrees

25 mm

Cutting depth at 45 degrees

n/a

No Load Speed

4500 rpm

Blade supplied

Yes (2)

Case supplied

Yes (Bag)

Size

‎14 x 12.5 x 41.5 cm

Weight

3.1 Kg

Buyer Ratings

Overall Rating

Value for money

Ease of use

Cutting capability

Key performance

Our Opinion: - Large circular saws are heavy and dangerous to use. It takes a lot of practise to be able to control and make accurate cuts. This smaller type of saw is better for many home DIY people as it can do a wide variety of tasks but is simply a great deal easier to handle. It isn't packed with features but sometimes that is a good thing. With this one you can adjust the depth of cut and the laser helps a lot with straight lines. We notice that many female DIY people really liked this saw.

10. Einhell 4340490 Bench-type Circular Saw

Einhell 4340490 Bench-type Circular Saw

Circular saws are heavy and can be difficult to handle so having them along with a bench/table can really make the world of difference

This table has an ideal working height of 85cms and comes with parallel stops and angle stops. The blade can also tilt so it can be used for mitre cuts and also for bevel cuts

It also has side table extensions for wider pieces of wood (Maximum up to 583 x 893mm) Cutting depth at 90 degrees is 87mm

There is also dust extraction built into the housing and accessories can be stored under the table

WE LIKE

  • 63 out of 100 UK buyers give this a 5 star review
  • Most buyers say this is good value for money
  • Many buyers say this is really good as a multi-purpose saw

WE DON'T LIKE

  • 5 out of 100 UK buyers give this a poor review
  • A few buyers didn't like the mitre fence setup

Key Features

Blade Diameter

250 mm

Cutting depth at 90 degrees

85 mm

Cutting depth at 45 degrees

65 mm

No Load Speed

5000 rpm

Blade supplied

Yes 

Case supplied

n/a

Size

‎113.5 x 89.6 x 87 cm

Weight

19.2 Kg

Buyer Ratings

Overall Rating

Value for money

Ease of use

Cutting capability

Key performance