The Best Compact Circular Saws, Tested

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We tested top-rated compact circular saws to find out which ones made the cleanest cuts and offered the best mobility and control.

The best compact circular saws have balance, output, and ergonomics that match the work being performed, whether it’s making finicky cuts in trim or cutting rough carpentry. This guide explores some of the most essential factors to consider while shopping for this versatile tool and provides hands-on reviews of several of the top saws on the market.

A “compact” circular saw can be defined in many ways. A full-size saw that’s well designed and balanced can feel nimble and light, while a smaller tool can fight above its weight. While all of the saws in this guide are technically circular saws, there are three main categories. There’s some overlap, but the main categories are mainframe-size 6¼- and 7¼-inch circular saws that are pro level; middle-of-the-road DIY saws; and smaller units—4½-inches and under—that are niche tools.

1. BEST OVERALL: Flex 6½-Inch In-Line Circular Saw Kit
2. RUNNER-UP: Skilsaw 7¼-Inch Left Blade Sidewinder Circular Saw
3. BEST BANG FOR THE BUCK: Worx Nitro 20V Worxsaw 4½-Inch Compact Circular Saw
4. BEST FOR PROS: Makita SH02R1 12V Max CXT 3⅜-Inch Circular Saw Kit
5. BEST WORM DRIVE: Skilsaw 7¼-Inch Worm Drive Circular Saw
6. BEST LIGHTWEIGHT: Skil PWR CORE 20 20V 6½-Inch Circular Saw Kit
7. BEST FOR DIYERS: Craftsman V20 7¼-Inch Cordless Circular Saw
8. BEST MULTIMATERIAL SAW: Dremel US20V-01 20V Max Cordless Compact Saw Kit
9. BEST CORDED-CORDLESS: Metabo HPT 36V 7¼-Inch MultiVolt Circular Saw 

How We Tested the Best Compact Circular Saws

For this guide and the variety of saws in it, we considered as many different types of users and applications as possible, from pros to DIY enthusiasts to users already on a battery platform to beginners.

We cut composite decking, ⅝-inch oriented strand board, and 5/4 pressure-treated pine decking. We assessed power output, ability to stay on the cut line, vibration, grip, noise, and base plate (the “shoe”) durability.

We also considered what “compact” means. A small tool that’s easy to move around in tight spaces like during a kitchen remodel that suffers when making cuts is no good. Therefore, we considered size and power with other features like balance and durability.

Our Top Picks

We chose the following models based on performance, affordability, and overall quality, in addition to several other criteria. Then we put them to the test to find out which ones could really “make the cut.” Keep reading to discover some of the best compact circular saws on the market.

Best Overall

Flex 6½-Inch In-Line Circular Saw Kit

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This thoughtfully designed tool is an easily overlooked everyday carry for the professional and DIY enthusiast. It borrows from traditional circular saw design, and the whole is greater than the sum of its parts. With its blade-left, in-line, and upright design, most users can watch the blade cut the line. With a 5-inch shoe that’s slimmer than the typical 6½-inch shoe, it needs to be laid down on its side after use (or hung on its rafter hook). As a result, the stout aluminum shoe is further protected from being deformed from drops or hard use, which has been a typical issue with some of our circular saws. We found the saw to be quiet and smooth, and its top/rear hybrid handle makes it comfortable and easy to use.

Its 6½-inch blade makes it compact enough for 90 percent or more of the cuts needed in general home improvement and repair. Its swiveling dust port is intended for attaching to a vac; however, we found that the port can be directed to push sawdust in a desired direction, say on a windy day or simply blowing it away from the work. The included 2.5-amp hour (Ah) battery delivers good runtime. (A 5Ah battery is available, too.) Its in-line body design enables it to be used with a saw guide. It has a built-in adjustable dust ejection/collection port.

This innovative tool offers near full-size power and cut capacity packed into a creative, functional design.

Product Specs 

• RPM: 5,500
• Blade diameter: 6½ inches
• Corded/cordless: Cordless24V
• Blade location: Left

Pros

• Innovative, effective design
• Available 5Ah battery provides massive runtime
• Cuts almost everything that could be found on a jobsite, such as plywood, 2-by, and doors

Cons

• At 7 pounds, it could be heavy for some users
• Might be too tall for some users as the handle rests high above the blade

Get the Flex compact circular saw at Lowe’s or Acme Tools.

Runner-Up

Skilsaw 7¼-Inch Left Blade Sidewinder Circular Saw

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The Skilsaw left-blade circular saw is equally at home on a framing site, a remodeler’s job, or in a home workshop. Budget-friendly, it’s amply designed without a single frill. There’s no vacuum port, soft start, or electric brake, and that was just fine with us.

First, the blade orientation is ideal for right-handed users, and the compact direct-drive design means it can handle working in cramped spaces like cutting studs in a basement or working in a kitchen remodel. It’s also equally at home on a set of sawhorses on a deck-building project. Its magnesium shoe takes weight out of the tool while adding durability, which is a real advantage for people who are tough on their tools.

The 10-foot cord is awesome, flexible, and easy to wrap around the saw for storage. We found the lines of sight to the blade to be totally uninhibited. Plus, the tool is extremely well balanced, making it ideal for cutting in cramped spaces like a recent kitchen we remodeled or when working on sawhorses building a deck. We like it because it’s lots of saw for not a lot of money.

Product Specs 

• RPM: 5,300
• Blade diameter: 7¼ inches
• Corded/cordless: Corded
• Blade location: Left

Pros

• Super-durable design with a magnesium housing and shoe make for a dependable tool
• Blade-left design is ideal for those who are right-handed
• Well-balanced and lightweight design makes it easy to use

Cons

• No electric brake can be a disappointment for some
• No soft start, which is a feature some DIYers enjoy

Get the Skilsaw left-blade compact circular saw at Amazonor Ace Hardware.

Best Bang for the Buck

Worx Nitro 20V Worxsaw 4½-Inch Compact Circular Saw

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For small jobs, occasional use, and specialty cuts, this saw’s outstanding power and cord-free setup really perform. The 20V 2Ah battery and brushless motor (which works more efficiently than standard, brushed cordless tools) spin the blade fast, and it delivered excellent cutting for a small saw in materials as thick as 2×4 during our hands-on tests.

The tool runs quietly. The neck of the saw is thin and ideal for reaching the release switch and trigger while positioning the saw on the cut line. It handily cuts sheet goods, 1-by, and 2-by lumber. It’s a lot of saw in a small package at a good price.

Product Specs 

• RPM: 6,900
• Blade diameter: 4½ inches
• Corded/cordless: Cordless
• Blade location: Left

Pros

• Surprising power for a small tool, muscling through all of the test materials
• Lightweight design makes it easy to use for long periods
• Easy to handle cutting across sheet goods and dimensional lumber
• Well-balanced design enables the user to focus easily on the job at hand

Cons

• Unlike others that offer kits, this only comes with 1 battery
• Low amp-hour battery at 2Ah, which is comparable to some but less than others

Get the Worx compact circular saw at Amazon, Ace Hardware, The Home Depot, or Lowe’s.

Best for Pros

Makita SH02R1 12V Max CXT 3⅜-Inch Circular Saw Kit

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The Makita compact circular saw weighs just 3½ pounds, but it can drive the 3⅜-inch wood blade at up to 1,500 rpm through plywood, medium-density fiberboard, pegboard, particleboard, melamine, and drywall at a maximum depth of 1 inch. The cordless saw kit also includes a blade, battery charger, two batteries, and a carrying case to protect each item.

Any kitchen, bath, flooring, or millwork installer would keep this tool on their truck, in our opinion. Because of its small size, it would be a great tool for cutting out cabinet backs or bases, plunge cutting flooring for a heat register, or oddball cuts in remodels where dust is an issue. This saw—with its two batteries and included charger—is a lightweight, nimble, get-out-of-jam-free card.

Product Specs 

• RPM: 1,500
• Blade diameter: 3⅜ inches
• Corded/cordless: Cordless
• Blade location: Right

Pros

• Lots of power packed into a small saw
• Ideal for particular applications like cutting cabinet backs and other thin materials
• Light weight makes it easy to use and store
• 2 batteries plus a charger in the kit are a great value

Cons

• May be too specialized; a niche tool for some
• Requires small Makita batteries that may be incompatible with other Makita tools

Get the Makita compact circular saw at Amazon, Ace Hardware (tool only), or The Home Depot.

Best Worm Drive

Skilsaw 7¼-Inch Worm Drive Circular Saw

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The phrase “worm drive” is derivative of an engineering term and means that the tool’s primary drive component is what’s called a “worm gear,” which is composed of interlocking helixes that transfer the motor’s power to the spinning of the blade. It’s heavy and nearly impossible to wear out.

Is it more powerful or durable than direct drives? Maybe. Pros and DIYers argue about this, but that might be missing the point. Worm-drive saws have in-line bodies and mount the blade left—so righties can see it cut.

Worm drives are awkward, longer than sidewinders, and rather front heavy, but their front-heavy design is what makes them so great. Carpenters can use the saw’s length and weight to reach across a sheet of plywood or drop cut deck joists in place and cut framing boards off the stack while building a house or addition.

During our tests, the Skilsaw delivered on all the features that make a circular saw great. It’s got a stamped steel plate, which may deform from repeated drops, but the rest of the tool is purposefully designed to build.

Product Specs 

• RPM: 5,300
• Blade diameter: 7¼ inches
• Corded/cordless: Corded
• Blade location: Left

Pros

• Purpose-built for professional use
• Long in-line body for drop cutting deck joists and rafter tails as well as reaching across plywood
• Tough, durable design can handle repeated drops

Cons

• At just more than 14 pounds, it may be too heavy to manage safely for some users
• Stamped steel shoe can deform from dropping

Get the Skilsaw worm-drive compact circular saw at Amazon, Ace Hardware, Lowe’s, or Acme Tools.

Best Lightweight

Skil PWR CORE 20 20V 6½-Inch Circular Saw Kit

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With its 20-volt (V) battery, we found that this 6½-inch compact circular saw has enough power for cutting larger materials like 2x4s and sheet goods. However, at 2Ah (think of volts as the gasoline and amp hours as the size of the tank), it can’t do it for long. Plus, it had to work hard the whole time during our tests. (Though, according to the product manual, higher-amp batteries are compatible and sold separately.)

The tool has basic light-duty adjustments and a stamped steel shoe that make it a go-to for periodic DIY work like replacing some deck boards, trimming a door, cutting a few fence posts, or building a compost bin. The blade is not so hot and the tool only comes with one battery, so unless the user has other Skil batteries to swap in, runtime is limited.

The 6½-inch blade is small; however, 6½-inch blades can handle 90 percent of what needs to be cut. The unit is small and well balanced.

Product Specs

• RPM: 4,500
• Blade diameter: 6½ inches
• Corded/cordless: Cordless
• Blade location: Left

Pros

• Blade left, which is good for right-handed users
• Lightweight design at 3 pounds makes it easy to handle
• Blade is easy to see, which helps with precision cuts