Ryobi 18V Cordless 6 1/2" Circular Saw Showcases HP's Brushless Upgrade
With the introduction of the next generation of 18V One+ HP brushless tools, one of our new favorites is the Ryobi 18V Cordless 6 1/2-Inch Circular Saw. We use it to see how it differs in form and function.
Considering that this model is in the 6 1/2 inch class, our cut is satisfactory. The torque of the brushless motor puts the Ryobi on a different level compared to other DIY/Prosumer grade saws. That's not to say you can't secure the blade – you can secure thicker cuts. It's stronger than you might expect, especially if you're using Ryobi's previous cordless 6 1/2" circular saw.
Let the saw's 4,900 RPM do the work and you'll get smooth, easy cuts. Pair it with a quality blade like Crescent's NailSlicer or Diablo's Tracking Point framing blade for even better results.
For runtime, Ryobi tells us to expect up to 350 crosscuts in the 2 x 4 with the 4.0Ah high-performance battery.
Ryobi 18V Cordless 6 1/2" Circular Saw Design Instructions
ergonomics
The Ryobi PSBCS01 weighs 7.1 lbs, is equipped with a 4.0Ah high-performance battery, and weighs 5.5 lbs bare. That's actually about half a pound heavier than its predecessor, the Ryobi P507. But that's okay. A little extra weight is an easy tradeoff worth making for the extra performance.
Including the blade, it is 10 inches tall and about a foot long. Plus, it's 6.75 inches wide, so it's really compact.
Overall, we like the overall feel of this circular saw. Ryobi has made some nice improvements over the previous model by adding a stronger rubber overmold to the grip. It has a more aggressive texture and larger grooves so that sweat can escape easily when the pressure is turned on.
Although this is a compact tool, the spacing between the rear grip and the front pommel area is very comfortable.
Bevel and depth of cut adjustment
Depth of cut and bevel adjustments come standard on the Ryobi 18V cordless 6 1/2-inch circular saw. As you might expect, both are tool-free and pretty simple. There is a bevel guide on it with a maximum angle of 50°, but there is no 45° stop, so you need to spend more time dialing in it than a saw with that stop.
At first glance, the saw appears to lack depth markings. However, they are actually etched into the blade guard. Release the lock, align the sole with your desired depth mark, and lock it back. We really like the concept, however, adding some contrast by filling the markers with ink helps those of us with low vision see better.
Maximum cutting depth is 2 1/4 inches at 90° and 1 9/16 inches at 45°. You only lose about 1/4" compared to a 7 1/4" circular saw, and that's enough to make 45° bevel cuts on 2x material in one pass.
Onboard Tool Storage
I personally like the location of the blade changing wrench. It's located on the back of the case, leaving room for your thumb to easily remove it. We have some saws that are hard to find where they decided to hide the wrench as if it was an ugly inconvenience. I like the layout and design better.
other highlights
- cutting blower
- Includes vacuum adapter
- led lights
Ryobi 18V Cordless 6 1/2" Circular Saw Prices
You can pick up this Ryobi 18V 6-1/2-inch circular saw from your local Home Depot for $129 bare or $179 in a kit. The kit includes a 4.0Ah high-performance battery and charger. Both are backed by Ryobi's 3-year warranty.
the bottom line
Looking back at Ryobi's previous 18V cordless 6 1/2-inch circular saw, this HP brushless compact model is far more capable. We recommend swapping your regular blades for premium blades for best performance, especially if you're cutting hardwood. Unless you really need the capacity of a 7 1/4-inch circular saw, this model can handle just about any weekend project, home repair, or light professional job you're willing to throw at it.
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Ryobi 18V Cordless 6 1/2" Circular Saw Specs
- Model: Ryobi PSBCS01
- Power supply: Ryobi 18V battery
- No-load speed: 4,900 RPM
- Maximum Cutting Depth: 2-1/4" (0°), 1-9/16" (45°), 1-3/8" (50°)
- Blade Position: Left
- Motor Type: Brushless
- Weight: 5.5 lbs (bare), 7.1 lbs (with 4.0 high performance battery)
- Maximum bevel angle: 0-50°
- Warranty: 3 years
- Price: $129 (bare), $179 (kit)