We think you’ll agree with us when we say a circular saw is something that every woodwork station should have. However, finding the right circular saw for you and your work can definitely be tough!
Therefore we decided to review the best budget circular saws available, so you can pick the tool that is right for you.
Each of these circular saws is special in its way. In this article, we have reviewed the top 5 best budget circular saws, with in-depth info and more!
| IMAGE | NAME | DETAILS | |
|---|---|---|---|
  | ★ WINNER ★ SKIL 5280 01 | This great power tool comes with amazing features and safety measures. You can cut through anything with it, and it has great power. | Check on Amazon |
  | ★ RUNNER UP ★ CRAFTSMAN V20 | Lightweight, powerful, and affordable, this saw is definitely one of the best in the market. It has amazing features and customizability. | Check on Amazon |
  | ★ ALSO GREAT ★ DEWALT 7-1/4-Inch | The power of a good saw and the comfort of storage, customizability, and performance. This saw will cut through any material and last you a long time. | Check on Amazon |
These were the three best circular saws we picked for you. However, our reviews for the top five best budget circular saws are listed below.
1. Best Affordable Budget Circular Saw - SKIL 5280 01 Circular Saw with Single Beam Laser Guide, 15 Amp/7-1/4 Inch Review
The Skil 5280 01 is one of the best circular saws available on a budget. Power tools such as this blade are great for all your workspace needs. Its portability and accuracy make it easy for you to work with it.
We noticed that the safety options on this blade such as the blade guard, anti-snag guard, and positive stops will help protect you from accidents.
Moreover, this saw has additional features like the laser guide and dust vacuum which make using it more enjoyable for you.
Factors to Consider Before you Decide to Buy SKIL 5280-01 Saw
Performance
This saw has a very powerful 15 amp motor and a 5300 RPM which makes it help you cut through things faster. For its size and weight, such a high-performance motor will definitely come in handy.
Portability
Weight just under 7 pounds, this saw will not tire you out while you use it. Although it is wired, its lightweight makes it easy for you to move around and use.
Safety Features
This saw comes with many safety options such as an anti-snag lower guard, a power indicator light, and a trigger guard. This helps keep you safe from any accidental startups or mishaps.
Power Input
You need to plug this saw into a power source to use it. It has a 60-volt usage and a 30 wattage. However, with a cord about 6 feet long, you sure won’t be constrained by it.
Accuracy
To make your cuts more accurate, this saw has a laser guide that is easy to use and set up.
- Has the feature of positive stops
- Laser guide cuts for accuracy
- It is extremely compact
- Has a dust vacuum feature
- Lightweight and portable
- Anti-snag lower guard
- The laser takes time to set up
- Handle gives in to pressure
Best Budget Circular Saw
The best budget circular saw is the Skil 5280 01 because it comes with many safety options, has a high power battery level, and provides accuracy.
2. Best Cordless Budget Circular Saw - CRAFTSMAN V20 Circular Saw, 7-1/4-Inch, Cordless (CMCS550B) Review
The Craftsman V20 Circular Saw is a great cordless saw to add to your power tool collection. This lightweight saw packs a powerful punch with its brushless motor that claims to give you up to 75% more power.
The maximum bevel for this saw is 56 degrees and has two positive saws to make bevel cuts easier for you. The positive stops are at 22.5 degrees and 45 degrees.
One thing we noticed was the regard for the manufacturers for those who work in all sorts of lighting. This saw offers an LED to light up the line of sight so your vision is never compromised.
Factors to Consider Before you Decide to Buy CRAFTSMAN V20 Saw
Portability
This cordless circular saw has high portability and is very easy to carry. The lithium-ion battery provides a charge for hours and the lightweight body makes using it easy for you.
Bevel Capacity
The capacity for this saw is 56 degrees. It helps you create cuts at different angles and two positive stops help aid angled cutting.
Performance
This saw comes with a brushless motor which claims to give 75% more power to your cuts. It has a 4700 RPM and a 4inch blade which helps provide in-depth cuts. This saw blade will not give in to the load you put on it and ensures better performance.
Accessories
One thing you must keep in mind is that the batteries and charger for this saw are sold separately. This could cost you more, but the overall product still amazes many.
- Powerful and accurate
- High-speed blade rotation
- Affordable price
- Can handle large materials
- Sturdy Build
- Easy blade change
- Less portable than others
- High Maintenance
- Battery and Charger not included
Best Budget Circular Saw
The best budget circular saw is the Craftsman V20 Circular Saw because of its brushless motor, LED line of sight, and portability.
3. Best Corded Budget Circular Saw - DEWALT 7-1/4-Inch Circular Saw with Electric Brake, 15-Amp, (DWE575SB) Review
The Dewalt 7-1/4 inch circular saw is one of the best saws out there. This saw has so many additional features that you will be in awe of. It is the lightest circular saw with a sturdy cable which you won’t need to replace.
This saw has both metal upper and lower guards for added durability and strength. One feature that you’re bound to love in this saw is the electrical breaks. This will make sure you can stop the saw immediately in case of emergencies.
Factors to Consider Before you Decide to Buy DEWALT 7-1/4-Inch Saw
Performance
This saw has a very powerful motor with high voltage. It hosts a 15 amp motor that delivers a 5200 RPM speed. This means you can cut through any material at whatever depth you want.
Bevel Capacity
With an impressive capacity of 57 degrees, you can angle cuts however you like. This saw also has two positive stops to stop your angle cuts at 22.5 and 45 degrees.
Portability
To make moving around easier, this saw only weighs 8.8 pounds. The durable patented cord is said to be three times resistant to cord pulls. You can definitely extend the cord around the workspace without fear of having to replace it.
Ease of Use
The features of this wired circular saw such as the electric brakes, extended cord, and bottom guard design helps you use the saw easily and get the desired results.
Additional Features
Apart from an already impressive itinerary, this saw also features a dust blower to clear out the cut path. Similarly, the base is smooth aluminum that helps you get perfect cuts.
- Great cutting capacity
- Multiple bevel angle options
- Shoe safety option
- Lightweight
- Balanced arbor
- Expensive
- Short chord
Best Budget Circular Saw
The best budget circular saw is the Dewalt 7-1/4 inch circular saw because it is durable, powerful, and portable.
4. Best Portable Budget Circular Saw - BLACK+DECKER 20V MAX 5-1/2-Inch Cordless Circular Saw (BDCCS20C) Review
The Black & Decker 20V max cordless circular saw is a cordless circular saw dream come true. This saw will help you saw anything that you just don’t want to use a hand-saw on anymore. With its lightweight and high-power lithium-ion battery, this circular saw will make work easy.
The small blade at only 5 ½ inches is great for sawing through most wood and board materials. You will find the bevel dents at 45 degrees and 90 degrees suitable for making different angled cuts.
Factors to Consider Before you Decide to Buy BLACK+DECKER 20V MAX Saw
Power Input
The power input for this saw is a rechargeable lithium-ion battery. You can make around 50 cuts per charge with this saw. For power tools of this size, that’s a good output.
Blade
We know that bigger blades seem better when it comes to saws but the small blade on this one will not compromise on quality. This saw has a blade size of 5 ½ inches and a deep average cutting depth.
Portability
You will find that this saw is one of the best cordless circular saws when it comes to portability. Weighing just over 7 pounds and easy to move around, you won’t feel tired when handling it.
Accessories
This saw comes with a pivoting steel shoe and carbide blade that is easy to change. It comes with batteries and a charger.
Performance
Due to the special dents in the bevel, this saw performs as a worm-drive saw as well. You can use the saw even when it is one low charge.
- Lightweight and portable
- Lithium-Ion battery
- Easily changeable blade
- Long-lasting battery
- Shoe safety option
- Low voltage
- Needs good quality sheets
- Cut alignment can vary
Best Budget Circular Saw
The best budget circular saw is the Black & Decker 20V max cordless circular saw because it is affordable, portable, and efficient.
5. Best Lightweight Budget Circular Saw - DEWALT 7-1/4-Inch Circular Saw, Lightweight, (DWE575) Review
When it comes to corded circular saws the Dewalt 7-1/4 inch Circular Saw is the best of its kind. This lightweight saw will see you through any project. You can make easy cuts with it, and its additional features make it very versatile.
You won’t have to worry about getting sawdust in the way of the cut since the clear line of sight guard makes it easy to see. This saw has an inbuilt dust blower to help you make the cuts align.
Factors to Consider Before you Decide to Buy DEWALT 7-1/4-Inch Saw
Portability
This saw is highly portable for being a circular saw with a cord. You will find this saw to be easy to carry since it’s just under 8 pounds. Since the product includes a long-protected cord you won’t have to worry about tears.
Blade Capacity
The blade has a blade guard to keep it in place and a very good cutting depth. It is easily removable and comes across as heavy duty. It is a carbide-tipped blade.
Performance
This saw has a 15 amp motor that will help the blade cut through any material. You will find its high-grade aluminum base great for making smooth cuts. You won’t have to worry about the effects of harsh environments on the saw thanks to its ball bearing lower guard.
Added Features
You won’t have to worry about steering off course on a line with the additional features on this saw. The dust blower makes sure the path of the cut stays clear. A spindle lock is in place to make sure the blade can’t move unless you want it to. You are sure to love the steel shoe.
- Lightweight
- Powerful motor
- Deep cut capacity
- Anti-Snag bottom guard
- Tough and sturdy chord
- Dust blower function
- Blade alignment issues
- Expensive attachments
- Low-quality packaging
Best Budget Circular Saw
The Dewalt 7-1/4 inch circular saw is the best budget circular saw because it is lightweight, powerful, and efficient.
Buyer's Guide
Portability
Does the portability of the saw affect how easy it is to work with?
Portability is a very important aspect when it comes to circular saws. You would want a portable saw that is also heavy-duty at the same time. This is because even if you could easily move it around, you would still want it to have the cutting power needed for projects.
Are corded saws less portable than cordless ones?
You don’t need a saw to be cordless for it to be portable. It does not matter if your saw is corded or cordless, the portability factor comes from the weight of the saw and the cord length.
Wireless ones weigh less so you can easily carry them around and saw your materials as you would with a hand saw.
Wired ones have long pull-proof cords and a reduced weight so that you can carry them around from the power source.
Blade Length
Does the blade length influence the cutting capacity of the saw?
The standard for circular saws is a 7 ½ and a 5-inch blade. The cutting capacity such as the depth of the cut is usually determined by the RPM and force applied onto the blade. Smaller blades are usually good for small cuts and projects and necessary depth adjustment.
How important is it to make necessary blade changes?
Blade changes are an important part of working with a circular saw. Most circular saws have a carbide blade that reduces wear and makes it last longer.
Once your blade starts to dull, you should change it so that your cuts do not get messy. You should always remember to check the spindle lock before changing the blade.
Power Input
Power input in circular saws is usually between a corded power source or a lithium battery. You can get budget-friendly saws in both variations and for the best value.
The most important thing you should focus on is buying corded saws with long sturdy cables and cordless saws that come with the battery included.
Budget
You can get a good saw for under 100 dollars, but if your budget allows you to use more then you should. The price range is wide enough to offer a variety of features in the tool.
To get the best value when buying a budget-friendly saw, make sure that you compare it to others and cross-check for important features like a dust blower, spindle lock, laser beam, or magnesium shoe.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
What are circular saws used for?
These saws are usually used to cut through wood and other sheet materials. Smaller portable saws can be used instead of a simple hand saw to save time and get efficient cuts.
Does the dust vacuum function matter?
Dust vacuums are important because they help you see the line you want to cut. If the option isn’t available you can go for a laser guide saw instead.
Do cordless models and corded models give the same results?
Both cordless and corded circular saw models have similar results depending on the features of the saws you chose to compare. However, if you’re looking for powerful performance then direct input trumps lithium-ion batteries.
How often should you change the blade?
You can change a saw blade as soon as you start to feel that it is beginning to dull. A carbide-tipped blade usually lasts longer than most. You need to check the spindle lock or secure the blade before attempting to remove it. Most saws have easy blade changes.
Is the laser beam important for accurate cuts?
A laser beam helps guide cuts and ensures accuracy. It is especially important if your saw doesn’t have a dust clearer and you cannot keep track of the cut line. You wouldn’t have to worry about unaligned cuts if your saw has a laser guide.
What safety features should a good circular saw have?
Safety is very important when using a saw. You need to look out for things like:
- Spindle lock
- Sight guard
- Anti-snag guard
- Steel, Aluminum, or Magnesium shoe
- Dust vacuum
Do cheap circular saws offer the same results as expensive ones?
The price of a circular saw is not that important if it has the same features as an expensive one. You need to see what kind of material and work you will be using the saw for. Another thing you can do is cross-check specs on different saws and pick one.
Does the tooth carbide on the saw’s blade matter?
Tooth carbide on a saw’s blade helps prevent the saw from wearing out. The number of teeth on the carbide blade is important. Carbide-tipped blades will help you cut through any material without having to replace the blade often.
How important is it to have a powerful amp motor in the circular saw?
We highly recommend that you pay close attention to a saw’s amp motor when deciding to buy one. Powerful motors are very important because they influence the power given to the blade, the torque, and the RPM.
If your saw has a powerful motor it means it has a greater power to cut through different materials. You can also make better angles at 90 degrees and more.
Is the spindle lock an important safety feature?
You do not want to cut yourself when trying to remove the blade or fixing any other feature of your saw. A spindle lock will help keep the blade in place and prevent it from moving unless unlocked. This helps you keep yourself safe hence it is a very important feature.
Final Verdict
We have reviewed the best five budget circular saws on the internet and after all that testing we declare the Skil 5280 01 as the winner. This fine saw comes with all the safety features and additional features needed to make your experience the best.
Its laser guide helps you to make accurate cuts, whilst the anti-snag guard protects the saw from damage.
You don’t have to worry about dust getting in your way as the dust vacuum will clear it out for you.
Affordable, versatile, and efficient, this saw definitely stands apart from the competition.