Cordless tools are all the rage, and there's no question that they're incredibly convenient. In fact, some of the best cordless circular saws, like the Makita 18V X2 Rear Hand Saw, are much more powerful than most corded saws. But not everyone is interested in the cordless craze when it comes to circular saws. In fact, in many areas, you're likely to see more corded models than cordless ones. Why? Reliable power and virtually unlimited runtime. Choosing the best wire saw is not always easy and there is more to consider than just specifications. With all these options, we put them to the test for you with our professionals.
If you pay attention to cordless tools, you know that they rarely stay on the market for more than a year without some kind of update. But some corded circular saws have been out of production for over 15 years and are still reliably chewing through wood…provided, you know, that the blades are replaced! While not every saw we've looked at earns a top recommendation, every saw has its place.
Metabo HPT C7UR/C7URM RipMax Pro
The C7UR/C7URM was originally introduced before Hitachi changed its name to the Metabo HPT, and it quickly hit the market. literally.
At 6800 RPM, field tests of the Metabo HPT RipMax Circular Saw proved it to be a muscular beast of a cutting tool that can chew through any wood in its path. Our framing team raved about its cutting speed.
For around $99, you can get a lightweight saw with excellent cutting performance.
Also consider:
- Makita 5007MG
- Hacksaw SPT67M8-01
Rounding out our list is the Makita 5007MG. It is a perennial bestseller and highly rated by our professional team. It's not as fast as Metabo HPT's RipMax, but it's fast enough, and its magnesium content helps keep the weight down.
You can buy it for $159.
We really like the Skilsaw Southpaw, it works almost perfectly with the left bladed edge we have in store. It trades some blade speed for extra torque, weighs less than 9 lbs, and has all the features we're looking for…except the blade brakes. Turns out that's the only thing stopping it.
Get this one for $149.
Best Corded Worm Drive Circular Saw
Skilsaw SPT 77 WML Worm Drive Circular Saw
While we're on the east coast and generally prefer rattlesnake circular saws, we're not entirely biased. For those who prefer the in-line design and higher torque of a worm drive, we recommend looking at the brand that started it all: Skilsaw.
In our opinion, the best cord worm drive circular saw is Skilsaw's SPT 77 WML. Its Series 77 15-amp motor provides plenty of wood-cutting power, while the magnesium motor housing, shoe and gear housing help keep the weight down to a reasonable 11.5 lbs. Even without the blade, it's still surprisingly light for this type of circular saw.
As a premium option, this one costs $199, and a twist-lock plug is also available for $219.
best woodworking wire saw
Festool HK 55 woodworking saw
On the face of it, you might be wondering why we're recommending a $460 circular saw—and that's a legitimate question. The Festool HK55 (and HKC55 if you want the cordless version) lets you combine the functionality of a circular, table and miter saw with its innovative FSK rail system. Since the Festool takes a whole system approach, it connects to the dust collector (the CT SYS is a good option when you're on the go).
The only caveat here is the odd 6 1/4 inch blade size.
You can buy a Plus kit with FSK420 rails for $659.
Also consider:
- Makita SP6000J
- Festool TS 55 REQ
For a more traditional track saw that delivers great results, check out the Makita SP6000J ($479 for 55-inch rails). Our carpentry is a proven design in the field.
If you're looking for a premium option, the Festool TS 55 REQ is highly rated by our team for its incredible precision. It's more expensive, starting at around $599 without rails, but you get the kind of improvements that make a difference for good woodworking.
If precision is what you need, there's no getting around the price of a dedicated track saw system. If you're on a tight budget and have more room for error, or you want to try track cutting before jumping in with both feet, you can convert most circular saws to track saws with the Kreg Accu-Cut Rail System.
It's primarily a DIY product that provides you with the essentials starting under $80.
Best Wire Saws for Cutting 4×4 and 4×6
Skilsaw SPT 70 WM-22 Sawsquatch 10 1/4" Worm Drive Circular Saw
When you cut 4x material with a standard 7 1/4" circular saw, it's a two-cut process. To do it in one go, use the Skilsaw Sawsquatch as the best wire saw for cutting 4×4 and 4×6.
Its worm drive motor and 10 1/4" blade allow for 4 times shorter work times on materials. We use it a lot in agricultural construction where we need to level the tops of 4x fence posts and build various structures, the 4x make up the main part of the frame.
It's available with or without a twist-lock cord and costs around $419.
also consider
- Skilsaw Super Sawsquatch
If you want greater cutting capacity for wood framing or other high volume applications, consider the Skilsaw Super Sawsquatch. This is a 16 5/16" worm drive circular saw that cuts 6-1/4" at a time.
It comes with a plastic stand/transport case and costs $699.
Milwaukee 6370 8 Inch Metal Cutting Circular Saw
It's rare for tools in our store to get a perfect 5-star rating, but the Milwaukee 6370 does, and it's our pick for the best corded metal cutting circular saw.
From power and precision to burr-free results and debris collection, this saw wowed our custom furniture maker. Most importantly, it solved one of his major problems when designing a piece that required eight precise cuts at three different angles. If any cuts are cut, the design of the table will suffer.
Get it with a hard case for $399.
Also consider:
- Hacksaw SPT78MMC-22
Skilsaw turned to the worm drive design of their Outlaw metal cutting circular saws. Its clear cut-line view and solid build make it another great option for under $300.
best concrete wire saw
Skilsaw Medusaw Walk-behind Concrete Saw SPT79A-10
When you need to cut concrete, you really need a power cutter. But when the job requires expansion joints or cutting thinner masonry products, the Skilsaw Medusaw is the one for you.
Using a 15 amp worm drive motor and 7" masonry blade, the Medusaw adds rolling shoe and water injection capabilities to help you score lines on concrete without compromising your Form 1 compliance. It's a purpose-built system derived from a design modified in the field, it's just made better.
While the Medusaw itself is excellent, we prefer the SPT79A-10 model. It adds a fold-down handle that you can use to make it a walk-up scoring system rather than subjecting your knees to the punishment of the day.
It's $699 or $449 without the folding handle.
The Best Corded Budget Circular Saw for Professionals
Metabo HPT C7SB3
For our list of the best budget corded circular saws, we only looked at the models you can buy for under $100.
Metabo HPT's C7SB3 Circular Saw is our pick for the best wire saw under $100. It has 6000 RPM and a dust collector for more durable construction than what you'll find in DIY and Prosumer models.
While it lacks blade brakes and a lighter magnesium construction, it offers more versatility than other saws that fit our requirements. Even better, we found it for just $79 at Acme Tools.
also consider
- Kobalt K15CS-06AC
- Ritchie R3205
Kobalt put together a compelling circular saw for less than $100 ($89 last time we checked). They maintain high blade speeds and even give you features like blade brakes and tangent blowers. The build quality of many cheap saws starts to drop rapidly, but Kobalt keeps it strong enough for an economical Pro model.
Ridgid is another $50 option, and Kobalt leads the way in the build quality department and everyone when it comes to warranties thanks to their lifetime service agreement. Its overall feature set is also better than the Kobalt, but the lack of blade brakes has our Pro team approving the Kobalt for safety in tight races.
The Best Wire Saws for Homeowners and DIYers
Skill 5280-01
Honestly, as long as the $59 price doesn't hurt, we'd recommend Metabo HPT's C7SB3 here. While we don't know when that will change, we have some ideas for a few other DIY-priced models.
Choosing the best wire saw for homeowners and DIYers can be really difficult because there are three quality contenders. In the end, we settled on the Skil 5280-01. This is a full 15 amp model with laser guide, dust collector and more. But what puts it at the top of the list is its weight—just 6.95 pounds.
Get this one for under $60 or less.
Also consider:
- Rima CSB144LZK
- Artisan CMES510
Ryobi is not far behind with its CSB144LZK. It's also a 15-amp circular saw with a laser, though it has a slightly lower cutting speed of 5200 RPM. What we really appreciate is that it comes with an edge guide — something you'd normally buy separately.
You can get it for $89 at Home Depot.
Finally, consider the Craftsman CMES510. It adds magnesium shoes to help keep weight down, and it cranks its RPM up to 5500 with its 15-amp motor. Of our three proposals, it was the only one that included rafter hooks.
Get one at Lowe's for $79.
Best Corded Circular Saw Blades
No matter which circular saw you decide to use, many people can benefit from swapping out a spare blade. We've tried everything from Spyder circular saw blades to Crescent NailSlicer blades to Makita Max Efficiency blades. Each has various advanced features designed for one or more purposes:
- Cut faster
- Better battery optimization and runtime (often by using thinner kerf blades and special coatings)
- Added durability (look for "demo" in the name or something that indicates the blade is designed to cut nails)
You can find these blades at almost any tool warehouse or online retailer.
Best Corded Circular Saw Buying Guide
Left or right edge?
When it comes to left-blade or right-blade circular saws, most pros do things their way. And it's not just a "right-handers want right-handed blades, left-handers want left-handed blades" discussions.
At Pro Tool Reviews, Clint DeBoer and I are right-handed – I prefer the left edge, he prefers the right edge. However, direct drive (sidewinder) circular saws have traditionally been blade correct, but a few are bucking the trend. Here is a list of our recommended saws:
left edge circular saw
- Hacksaw SPT67M8-01
- Skilsaw SPT77WML
- Skill Skilsaw SPT78MMC-22
- Skilsaw SPT79A-10 Medusa
Blade Right Circular Saw
- Artisan CMES510
- Festool HK 55
- Festool TS 55 REQ
- Kobalt K15CS-06AC
- Makita 5007MGA
- Makita SP6000J
- Metabo HPT C7SB3
- Metabo HPT C7UR/C7URM
- Milwaukee 6370 Metal Saws
- Ritchie R3205
- Rima CSB144LZK
- Skill 5280-01
Rattlesnake vs. Worm Drive?
Which type of circular saw you choose is highly local, especially as a Pro. West coast users tend to use worm drives, while those of us on the east coast prefer rattlesnakes.
Sidewinders tend to be lighter and more compact, while worm drives have the advantage of more torque. For more details on the differences, check out our article on rattlesnake vs. worm drive saws.
If you're new to the business, try both methods and see which one you like best. Take it a step further and ask men and women what they like and why. You'll find that both styles have good reasons to choose them.
Track saw or circular saw?
A track saw is a dedicated woodworking circular saw that moves on a track to give you the straightest possible cut. They typically use higher tooth count blades designed to give a cleaner cut. For many applications, it is easier to use than a table saw when you need to make long, straight cuts.
Some newer flagship circular saws are track compatible. They give you the accuracy of using the rails with the familiar feel of a standard circular saw. You can still attach a high-tooth-count blade to it if you want a finer finish, but the design isn't as woodworking as a track saw.
You can also learn about the decision between a track saw and a table saw from PTR contributor Chris Wagoner.
features to look for
- Rafter hooks for hanging the saw instead of putting it down
- Cutting line blower keeps the cutting line visible during cutting
- Dust port for connecting vacuum, especially when cutting Hardie Board
- Weight Loss Magnesium Ingredients
- Metal upper and lower blade guards are more durable
- Blade brake stops the blade quickly when you take your finger off the trigger
Why use a corded circular saw?
You'll find a circular saw in just about every Pros arsenal. Corded models can provide virtually unlimited power as long as they are plugged in or have a generator nearby. With 15 amp motors available on most models, you get reliable, steady power. Even a DIY model can cut effectively with a decent blade at a decent speed. Across the country, these benefits keep professionals choosing corded over cordless convenience. Plus, corded tools don’t force you to stick with one brand of battery platform—you get the best tool in every category no matter who makes it.
Disagree with our selection?
It doesn't matter! We know that personal preference comes first in determining the best circular saw for you, and every Pro is different. Do Pro Tool Nation a favor and tell us what your top picks are and why you like them. Feel free to drop it in the comments below or on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter!
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