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DEWALT DWE575SB
If you buy one circular saw, this is the one that covers everything
Check the price on Amazon- 4.8/5 from 5,213 Amazon.com ratings
- 2-9/16-in depth of cut, 57° bevel
- Electric brake, 8.8 lb
Other options
🗓️ Prices checked on October 27, 2026. Amazon prices change often: check them before you buy.
Written by Julien · Reviewed by Nadia on 10/27/2026 (prices, links and availability checked) — our editorial pen names
The DEWALT DWE575SB is the 7-1/4-inch reference at $142
The short answer: the best circular saw for most DIYers is the DEWALT DWE575SB, a corded 7-1/4-inch saw at $142.48 (checked October 27, 2026), rated 4.8 out of 5 from 5,213 Amazon.com ratings. It cuts 2-9/16 inches deep, weighs 8.8 lb and has an electric brake. On a tight budget, the SKIL 5280-01 at $59.00 is a full-size saw too.
See the DEWALT DWE575SB on Amazon →In this guide
A circular saw is the first saw most people need: it breaks down plywood, cuts 2x lumber to length and rips deck boards. Here are two full-size 7-1/4-inch saws and two compact 4-1/2-inch saws sold on Amazon.com, with the one we’d buy. More saw guides are in our Cutting & Sawing section.
The four circular saws compared
Four corded 120 V saws available on Amazon.com on October 27, 2026, from $39.99 to $142.48. Two are compact “mini” saws, a category worth buying only if you know its limit: depth of cut.
| Saw | Blade · motor | Max depth at 90° | Price (checked Oct 27, 2026) · Amazon rating |
|---|---|---|---|
| DEWALT DWE575SB ✅ | 7-1/4 in · 15 A | 2-9/16 in | $142.48 · 4.8/5 (5,213 ratings) |
| SKIL 5280-01 | 7-1/4 in · 15 A | 2-3/8 in | $59.00 · 4.6/5 (14,223 ratings) |
| WORX WX439L | 4-1/2 in · 4.5 A | 2x lumber (WORX) | $71.98 · 4.4/5 (1,316 ratings) |
| GALAX PRO mini | 4-1/2 in · 4 A | 1-11/16 in | $39.99 · 4.1/5 (1,635 ratings) |
DEWALT DWE575SB
$142.48
4.8/5 — 5,213 ratings · checked Oct 27, 2026
15 A · 5,200 RPM · 7-1/4 in · 2-9/16 in depth · 57° bevel · electric brake · 8.8 lb
Good to know: DEWALT calls it one of the lightest saws in its class. The electric brake stops the blade when you release the trigger, and the bevel goes to 57° with stops at 45° and 22.5°. Shipped and sold by Amazon.com.
See the price on Amazon →SKIL 5280-01
$59.00
4.6/5 — 14,223 ratings · list price $69.99 · checked Oct 27, 2026
15 A · 5,300 RPM · 7-1/4 in · 2-3/8 in depth · 51° bevel · laser guide · 8.7 lb
Good to know: the most-rated saw in this guide, sold with a 24-tooth carbide blade, a wrench and a carry bag. No electric brake: wait for the blade to stop before lifting it. Shipped and sold by Amazon.com.
See the price on Amazon →WORX WORXSAW WX439L
$71.98
4.4/5 — 1,316 ratings · list price $89.99 · checked Oct 27, 2026
4.5 A · 4-1/2 in blade · one-hand design · 45° bevel
Good to know: WORX designs it to cut 2x stock lumber and quick rips around the house, with one hand. It’s ideal for paneling, flooring and plywood; a 4×4 post is beyond it.
See the price on Amazon →GALAX PRO 4 A mini circular saw
$39.99
4.1/5 — 1,635 ratings · checked Oct 27, 2026
4 A · 3,500 RPM · 4-1/2 in 24T blade · 1-11/16 in depth · laser guide
Good to know: the laser helps you follow a line, but a straight cut comes from the included parallel guide pressed against the edge. Judge it on its 1-11/16 inches of depth. Sold by a third-party seller.
See the price on Amazon →What really matters when you choose
Depth of cut comes before power
It’s the one spec that makes a job physically impossible. A 4-amp saw takes longer than a 15-amp saw through the same board, but it gets there. No saw with 1-11/16 inches of depth will ever cut through a 4×4 post (3-1/2 inches actual), even in two passes from opposite sides. Look at what you cut first, then at amps.
Blade diameter drives everything else
Depth follows diameter: a 7-1/4-inch blade gives about 2-3/8 to 2-9/16 inches, a 4-1/2-inch blade well under 2 inches. Diameter also decides what blades cost and where you find them. 7-1/4-inch blades are on every hardware store shelf; compact blades are fewer, and sometimes come only from the saw maker.
In the US, full size doesn’t cost more
The SKIL 5280-01 is a full-size 15-amp saw at $59.00, less than the WORX compact. So a mini saw is not the cheap option; it’s the light, one-handed option, built for paneling, flooring and plywood. Many bad reviews in that category come from buyers who expected a framing saw.
An edge guide beats a laser
A straight cut comes from support: a guide pressed against the edge of the board, or a straightedge clamped to the workpiece. A laser shows a line but constrains nothing. Cut outside, or connect a shop vac when the saw has a dust port; our guide to the best shop vac covers that.
Who should skip a full-size saw
- If you cut mostly curves and cutouts: you need a jigsaw. Our circular saw vs. jigsaw guide makes the call, and our best jigsaw guide picks the model.
- If you mostly crosscut trim at angles: a miter saw is faster and more accurate; see the best sliding miter saw.
- If you only cut thin paneling overhead: the compact WORX is easier on your arm.
FAQ
How deep a cut do I need from a circular saw?
For 3/4-inch plywood and paneling, any saw here is enough. For 2x lumber (1-1/2 inches actual), especially at a bevel, choose a 7-1/4-inch saw with about 2-3/8 inches of depth or more. A 4×4 post (3-1/2 inches) takes two passes even with a full-size saw.
Circular saw or track saw?
A circular saw enters the wood from the edge of the board and is built for breaking down lumber and sheets. A track saw plunges into the middle of a panel and rides on a rail, leaving a glue-ready edge. For cabinet panels, a track saw is more precise; for framing and decks, a classic circular saw fits better.
How many teeth for which cut?
Few teeth (18 to 24) for fast, rough cuts in framing lumber. More teeth (40 to 60) for plywood, melamine and finish cuts, with less tear-out. A 24-tooth blade in melamine will chip the surface, whatever the saw.
Should I buy a cordless circular saw?
Cordless is great on a job site, but a circular saw drains batteries fast and serious models cost more once you add batteries. The DEWALT 20V MAX DCS391B was $99.00 tool only on October 27, 2026. For a saw that stays in the garage, corded gives more power for less money.
Can you cut metal with a wood circular saw?
Not with a wood blade: it’s dangerous and the blade is ruined right away. There are metal-cutting blades and dedicated metal saws that spin much slower. For occasional metal cuts, an angle grinder with a cut-off wheel is the better tool.
Our verdict
If you buy one circular saw, get the DEWALT DWE575SB at $142.48 (checked October 27, 2026): 2-9/16 inches of depth covers everything a home shop meets, the electric brake adds safety, and 4.8 out of 5 from 5,213 ratings makes it the surest bet on this page. On a tight budget, the SKIL 5280-01 at $59.00 is still a full-size saw. The two minis are great for what they are, light panel and flooring saws; buy them for that, and they’ll do it well.
All our picks are on our recommended tools page.