Versatile, accurate & easy to use, a circular saw is the right power tool for straight lines, cross cuts & bevels.
To choose the right circular saw, first up, consider the size. A large blade diameter will cut to a greater depth, while a mini circular saw is easier to use, safer and perfect for most sheet materials.
The second decision is whether to go cordless.
If budget allows, choosing a cordless circular saw makes complete sense. Compared to a corded equivalent, they’re easy to use, safe & super convenient. Plus, the latest 2023 models are powerful too.
Best Circular Saw UK
Blade size, power, weight, speed, accuracy, safety and ease of use are all important. Then comes, alignment, guides, motor type, braking and durability. These 12 aspects are the key factors we use to review and compare circular saws.
A good circular saw will handle a variety of tasks – different depths, angles and materials. Our research & saw recommendations are principally based on wood cutting. However, a blade change means all the recommendations below can also handle steel, aluminium and ceramics (tiles).
The blade diameter and saw design define the cutting depth. Generally, deeper is better although a bigger saw is usually more expensive and heavier. A small saw can also be considered, safer. They’re certainly easier to handle.
Verum has compared 42 models to shortlist & detail the best circular saws. Here’s the UK Top 5 (ranked by price)…
Hychika CS-85C Review
£54 | Buy Now from Amazon
The Hychika is the best budget mini circular saw you can buy. Versatile, safe and easy to use, it comes with a range of accessories, making it a good and affordable addition to any tool kit.
- Easy to use
- Comes with decent accessories
- Maximum cut depth 25mm
Supplied with three blades, this circular saw is designed to handle wood, plastic, aluminium and ceramics (tiles), out of the box. The benefit of using the right blade for the right material cannot be overstated. And getting a full set of blades in one purchase is both convenient & good value for money.
Owners love this Hychika mini circular saw. Good for a variety of tasks, it consistently outperforms expectations. This DIY saw is often purchased for a specific task but then used again & again.
SPECIFICATION: BLADE DIAMETER: 85mm | MAX DEPTH: 25mm | MAX NO LOAD SPEED: 4500rpm | POWER: 500w | BRUSHLESS MOTOR: No | WEIGHT 3.2kg
This mini circular saw is perfect for boards and sheet material. Safe, easy to use and supplied with three blades, it’s great value too.
Bosch PKS 55 Review
£81 | Buy Now from Amazon
This Bosch circular saw is compact, effective & affordable. Great for DIY, it will handle a variety of tasks and has a good maximum cut depth with the power to match.
- Affordable
- Maximum cut depth 55mm
- Corded
Ideal for cutting kitchen worktops, floorboards & garden decking, this saw is the right match for DIY projects that require accurate (& quick) straight cuts.
The critical specification is the maximum cut depth of 55mm. Perfect for worktops & deeper cuts. And the 1200w motor means that you won’t be lacking power.
Owners rate this circular saw. The user experience matches the specifications and expected Bosch quality. However, if you decide to read through 100s of owner reviews, proceed with caution. Some of the online review coverage merges comments on the recommended PKS 55 plus the smaller PKS16.
SPECIFICATION: BLADE DIAMETER: 160mm | MAX DEPTH: 55mm | MAX DEPTH 45°: 38mm | MAX NO LOAD SPEED: 5600rpm | POWER: 1200w | BRUSHLESS MOTOR: No | WEIGHT 3.9kg
Affordable & effective, the PKS 55 is great for DIY.
Bosch PKS 18 LI Review
£83 | Buy Now from Amazon
The best budget cordless circular saw is the Bosch PKS 18 Li. It’s powerful, with a decent cutting depth and has the right features to make it a good choice for most DIY projects.
- Cordless
- Bosch tool battery compatibility
- The initial cost of battery & charger
Cordless power tools are convenient, easy to use and safe. The initial outlay can be more expensive, but stick with one brand and you can use the same batteries & charger across multiple devices – saving a small fortune. The same battery that powers this circular saw also works on over 40 different Bosch DIY power tools ranging from drills to lawnmowers.
Looking at the specifications, the 48mm cutting depth is a match for kitchen worktops, doors, decking and most joinery projects. Angles are easy to adjust for and the guides make following the cut line, accurate.
SPECIFICATION: BLADE DIAMETER: 150mm | MAX DEPTH: 48mm | MAX DEPTH 45°: 36mm | MAX NO LOAD SPEED: 4300rpm | BRUSHLESS MOTOR: No | WEIGHT 2.6kg + BATTERY
In 2023 there’s every reason to go cordless. And for DIY, the Bosch PKS18Li is the top choice.
Makita DHS680Z Review
£160 | Buy Now from Amazon
This cordless circular saw from Makita ticks all the boxes.
- Powerful
- Technical & Safety Features
- Brushless Motor
- None
Powerful, versatile & easy to use it makes light work of the toughest tasks. Plus it has several technical features usually only associated with more expensive premium models.
Automatic speed control, soft start & an electric brake make this saw an easy choice for professionals and DIY enthusiasts alike. Automatic speed control means the power is matched to the load conditions – cutting performance is guaranteed.
The soft-start feature on the Makita has a couple of benefits. In addition to the safety aspect of no initial kick, it will also preserve the life of your saw. However, the most significant safety feature is the electric brake. If something does go wrong, you release the trigger & the blade stops. Without elaborating on what can happen if the blade keeps turning, an electric brake is worth every penny!
Circular Saw with a Brushless Motor
The Makita DHS680 has a brushless motor. Along with improved control, this advanced technology means the saw will last considerably longer. (Most models under £200 use traditional motors that use small brushes to transfer current – these wear out.)
A brushless motor is more efficient, meaning your batteries will have a longer run time. If budget allows, go brushless – you’ll save money in the long run.
What Else is Good about the Makita?
In addition to the superior motor technology, control & safety features, this saw has several additional advantages over the alternatives. For accurate cuts, you need to see the cutline. With twin LED lights & a dust blower, this line is well lit and clear of wood dust. Plus, the lightweight design & large baseplate make this saw, stable in operation & easy to use.
SPECIFICATION: BLADE DIAMETER: 165mm | MAX DEPTH: 57mm | MAX DEPTH 45°: 41mm | MAX NO LOAD SPEED: 5000rpm | POWER: 680w | BRUSHLESS MOTOR: Yes | WEIGHT 3.1kg + BATTERY
This circular saw isn’t cheap. However, it’s a truly outstanding power tool. Perfect for precision cuts, safe & built to last.
Dewalt DCS570N Review
£169 | Buy Now from Amazon
- Powerful
- Technical & safety features
- Brushless Motor
- None
The Cordless Dewalt DCS570N is robust, fully featured and capable of handling thick timber, boards and most construction materials.
Powerful with a large 184mm blade, this model has a maximum cut depth of 64mm straight and 48mm at a 45° angle – it’s a match for pretty much any job.
Powered by a brushless motor, it’s reliable and durable. The brushless motor design may cost more but the benefits are significant. All-day use, longer lifetime and lower battery drain make it the must-have component for trade.
A brake is good to have, even with years of experience using a circular saw. Reducing kickback by stopping the blade quickly can be the difference between finishing the job and a trip to A&E.
Improving usability & further enhancing safety, a bright LED light makes working in all conditions easy.
SPECIFICATION: BLADE DIAMETER: 184mm | MAX DEPTH: 64mm | MAX DEPTH 45°: 48mm | MAX NO LOAD SPEED: 5500rpm | POWER: 1400w | BRUSHLESS MOTOR: Yes | WEIGHT 3.6kg + BATTERY (18v Dewalt – 5Ah recommended)
This Dewalt is a high-performance cordless circular saw that doesn’t disappoint. It handles most jobs with ease. The safety & technical features plus the brushless motor delivers performance and longevity.
Buyers Guide
Safety Features
Circular saws are fast and efficient. However, whether you’re a seasoned pro or an occasional DIYer, care should be taken. A circular saw brake is an excellent safety feature. Essentially, when you release the trigger, the blade stops. And without going into graphic detail, should anything go wrong (such as kickback), this can make a big difference.
On a lighter note, it also means that on completing the cut, you can put the saw down immediately rather than waiting for the blade to stop spinning.
What’s Kickback?
Kickback occurs when the blade binds in the cut. This results in the saw or wood recoiling back at you. While a brake helps prevent accidents from happening, clearly kickback is best avoided. Here are three tips…
- Support the wood on a flat surface and clamp where appropriate. Avoid cutting between two sawhorses as this can result in pinching and kickback towards the end of the cut.
- Use the right (sharp) blade.
- Hold the saw with both hands and don’t stand directly behind it.
Make Perfect Cuts with a Circular Saw
- Follow the safety instructions that accompany your saw.
- Use the right blade for the material
- Use a clamped rail (or fence) to accurately guide the saw when making a rip cut (along the board). To do this, clamp a straight sturdy length of wood (or similar), parallel to the cut line at the exact distance which allows you to guide the saw baseplate along the rail to make the cut
- Most circular saws cut on the upstroke. This means you’ll get a better edge finish on the underside.
- Use masking tape for a better edge finish and/or …
- Score your cut line. This will give you the cleanest edge. (Especially with laminates)
BEST DEALS
UK VERDICT 2023
The Hychika mini circular saw is compact and easy to use – perfect for numerous DIY tasks. However, if you require deeper cuts, choose a model with a larger diameter blade. The corded Bosch is an affordable DIY choice, although if the budget allows it’s worth investing in a battery or two and going cordless.
For trade, serious DIY and anyone who enjoys using top-notch power tools, the decision is between Makita and Dewalt. Both models detailed above use brushless motors and both have market-beating specifications, safety details, design, etc. If you already own Makita or Dewalt batteries, your decision is easy, stick with the same brand & share batteries.
Overall, the Dewalt is our ultimate best buy. For power, a deep maximum cut & a superb specification, it’s nothing short of superb.
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