Cordless tools continue to take off rapidly thanks to lithium-ion technology, and circular saws are finally catching up. For a while, we had to settle for the 6-1/2-inch models, which have everything we need to get the job done, but with a slight loss in capacity and a less wired power cord. Now 7-1/4-inch models are making their way, with several claiming to rival wired performance. That's always up for debate, so we took our brand new (as new as it was announced earlier today) DeWalt DCS570 20V Max Circular Saw to see what it can do in the 7-1/4" cordless category.
If you thought the DeWalt DCS570 looked familiar, you'd be absolutely right. Essentially, it's a twin brother to the FlexVolt 60V Max circular saw – almost identical with a different motor. Of course, this DeWalt 20V Max circular saw is on a 20V platform, not 60V, so I would expect some power loss. The question is, is this a 6-1/2" model with a larger blade, or the new motor has some extra torque behind the brushless motor.
Editor's note: This is the original review, but the rating has been updated to reflect the results of our cordless circular saw shootout.
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Top 5 Features of the DeWalt DCS570 20V Max Circular Saw
You can read the full feature list below, but here are my top 5 that stand out the most.
Brushless Motor
Brushless motors must be in this class. Ridgid's Gen5X model has a 4-pole brushed motor and it works well, but if you're going to compare head-to-head with what the pros expect from a wired model, then brushless is really what you need.
blade brake
The blade brakes on brushless motors are not mechanical but electronic. This makes it easier to design a quick-stop solution, and the DeWalt DCS570 Circular Saw's brake stops very quickly to reduce your risk of injury or damage to the workpiece.
ergonomics
I'm a fan of DeWalt's cordless tool handles, and you can get the same handles here. It contours my hand well and, along with the overmold, provides a comfortable grip. The support handle (called the pommel) is offset to take some of the stress off the wrist while cutting.
One downside is the push-in trigger safety. I really like the push down safety. It's all about creating two distinct moves to pull the trigger, but I've found the safe push to be harder to beat. Then again, maybe that's why it's there.
Adjustment
Depth of cut and bevel adjustments are very smooth. The lock stays firmly in place without being annoyingly difficult to release. One bonus is that DeWalt includes detents in the 22.5 and 45 degree bevel adjustments. These are easy to feel and lock into those common cuts.
rafter hook
Maybe it's just me, but I want to have a belt hook or rafter hook on all my cordless tools. Sometimes I'm climbing a ladder and want to put it on my tool belt rig. Other times I need to put it down and don't want to bend over to do it. Regardless, the lack of rafter hooks on the DeWalt DCS570 is a glaring omission.
- Brushless Motor
- Bright LED tangent light
- 22.5 and 45 degree bevel brakes
- metal blade guard
- blade brake
- 7-1/4" blade
- without rafter hook
- Right blade orientation
Performance
Over the course of a few weeks, I took the DeWalt DCS570 through crosscuts and rips through plywood, rough lumber, PT, and even some MDF (I hate that stuff). I started by using the Irwin Weldtec blade to make some test cuts in 1/2" plywood. Not surprisingly, it passed without a hitch. But really, if your circular saw is having trouble with this, just return it or throw it away and start over.
On 3/4-inch plywood, the saw maintains its confidence with enough speed. It's here that I start to think it might just keep up with the wire saw. Mainly cross-cutting in 2 x 6 rough timber – but adding split-cuts for better measure – confirms this model is a legitimate contender for the 18V/20V Max class.
Turning the bevel to 45 degrees really made me appreciate how easy it is to adjust the bevel and use the detent. The bottom plate slides easily and is very clear when you press the detents and lock them into place.
Making 45 degree cuts in PT (and some test cuts in rough wood) has left me with the impression that the DeWalt DCS570 can replace your wire saw without any performance trade-offs. Of course, this rules out runtime issues. Still, you should get a solid day's work out of the saw. But even if you're pushing the limits, it's hard to work faster than you can cycle two batteries on the charger.
One issue with the FlexVolt circular saw is that the coating on the base plate doesn't slide as easily as we'd like. The aluminum plate on this model doesn't have this problem, and we found it to slide through the material more easily than its stronger sibling.
the bottom line
The DeWalt DCS570 is a capable replacement for your wired Diamondback model. The worm drive will still have more torque, and both the DeWalt FlexVolt Circular Saw and the Makita 18V X2 LXT Rear Handle Saw will give you a power boost. However, it gives DeWalt 20V Max owners a good reason not to jump ship to DeWalt's deep flagship cordless line.
The XR brushless motor and blade and bevel brakes highlight all the main features. I'm a little disappointed there's no rafter hooks, but the performance and ergonomics are good enough to overcome this minor complaint.
As a bare tool, the DeWalt 20V Max Brushless Circular Saw is $159. That's an excellent price for the performance you get, and easily one of the best values currently available.
Features of the DeWalt 20V Max Brushless Circular Saw Maker
- Brushless motor delivers 5,200 RPM to maintain speed under load
- 7-1/4" blade provides 2-9/16" of cutting capacity at 90°
- 57° bevel capacity with positive stops at 45 and 22.5 for added versatility
- Available with rubber overmold for better control
- Stops the blade when the trigger is released
- Provides wired capacity
- Durable high-grade aluminum base for precise cutting
- Maximize uptime and durability for superior performance
- Includes 7-1/4" (184mm) circular saw, 7-1/4" blade and blade replacement wrench
DeWalt 20V Max Brushless Circular Saw Specifications
- Models: DeWalt DCS570B (Bare), DeWalt DCS570P1 (Kit)
- Power: DeWalt 20V Max or FlexVolt battery pack
- Blade Size: 7-1/4″
- No-load speed: 5200 RPM
- Maximum cutting depth: 2-9/16″
- Maximum Bevel: 57 degrees
- Bare Weight: 8.16 lbs
- 4.0 AH Battery Weight: 9.52 lbs
- Weight with 9.0 AH FlexVolt battery: 11.04 lbs
- Price: $159 (bare), $279 (kit with one 5.0 Ah battery)
- Warranty: 3 years
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