Do you have all the necessary knowledge for carpentry, with the exception of how to set up your own workshop? Are you an expert DIYer, but only after pleading with all of your friends to let you use their tools?
Although it’s unpleasant to bring up, pricing can be a significant barrier to entrance in the woodworking industry. Every workbench needs a circular saw, yet skilled crafters are frequently without one since they are unable to raise the money for such an expensive item.
Our reviews should support that. For the purpose of demonstrating that you don’t have to spend your cash on a saw that will last, we have gathered our top circular saws that are priced around $100.
Our Top Picks
- 5150 RPM motor of DEWALT circular saw delivers power and speed to make the most demanding cuts with ease
- High strength and lightweight magnesium shoe of the corded circular saw provides jobsite durability for long-term cut accuracy
- Optimized rubber overmolded comfort grip of the compact circular saw delivers optimal balance and control
- 0-50 degree bevel capacity allows for aggressive bevel cuts for a multitude of applications
- 6-1/2-inch carbide-tipped blade for cutting 2 times material at 90 degree and 45 degree and more cuts per charge
- Powerful 15-amp motor delivers 5 300-RPM for greater speed and faster cuts
- 7-1 4-inch carbide-tipped blade included. Spindle lock for easy blade changes.
- 51° bevel capacity with a positive stop at 45° for a wide variety of cuts
- Dust blower keeps line-of-cut free of sawdust for improved visibility
- Safety lock/guarded trigger and power-on indicator minimize accidental starts
- 15 amp motor running at 5,500 RPM provides power and speed through applications
- Steel shoe with optimum line of sight provides accurate cuts and durable construction
- Spindle lock and depth adjustment for quick adjustments on the job
- Only 9.5 lbs, with Aux handle, provide comfort and clear line of sight
- LIGHTWEIGHT DESIGN – Helps keep you comfortable and in control while minimizing muscle fatigue.
- POWERFUL MOTOR – Circular saw’s 13 Amp motor delivers effective and efficient cutting for most applications.
- LASER GUIDE – Illuminates the cut line for enhanced accuracy.
- SPINDLE LOCK – Allows for quick and easy blade changes.
- EASY BEVEL ADJUSTMENT – Make accurate angled cuts up to 45 degrees.
- GRIPZONE OVERMOLD: The handles of this power tool are lined with a rubber mold. This increases friction between your hands and the tool, improving handling in most conditions
- TRANSPARENT LOWER GUARD: The polyurethane blade guard is clear, so you can get maximum visibility on your work while you make your cuts
- ADJUSTABLE BEVEL: You can adjust the foot of this cordless circular saw up to 50 degrees to cut at a variety of angles for different applications
- EXTRA SIDE HANDLE gives you improved control. Its location on the left side of the tool gives you greater visibility over your cuts while you work
- ONE+ COMPATIBLE: The circular saw works with Ryobi’s 18 Volt batteries. These battery models include the P100, P102, P103, P104, P105, P107, and P108 (Batteries not included)
Review
DeWalt DCS391B Circular Saw – Best Overall
- 5150 RPM motor of DEWALT circular saw delivers power and speed to make the most demanding cuts with ease
- High strength and lightweight magnesium shoe of the corded circular saw provides jobsite durability for long-term cut accuracy
- Optimized rubber overmolded comfort grip of the compact circular saw delivers optimal balance and control
- 0-50 degree bevel capacity allows for aggressive bevel cuts for a multitude of applications
- 6-1/2-inch carbide-tipped blade for cutting 2 times material at 90 degree and 45 degree and more cuts per charge
We were not shocked to find DeWalt at the top of our list once more because they constantly beat other brands in our tests. With a motor capable cutting 5,150 RPM, a bevel range of 0 to 50 degrees, and a lightweight design that makes it simple to balance and maintain steadiness, their DCS391B circular saw is a powerful tool.
Do you need additional evidence? In tests, this saw effortlessly cut through plywood and 2x4s. The comfortable grip made it easy for us to hold a line, and we like how the added depth made it simple to cut in confined spaces. The durability is another plus; no matter what kind of abuse you subject it to, this device lasts a very long time.
The only issue we have is with the cost and the power supply. Only the corded version is available for about $100; the battery and charging kit wind up costing roughly twice as much. Since everything else about the DeWalt DCS391B is so fantastic, we decided it was still useful even if you had to plug it in, which makes it less of a cheap alternative than it initially appears to be.
All in all, we think that this is the best budget circular saw of this year.
PROS
- Comfortable to hold
- Ridiculously powerful
- Deep enough for sub-floor cutting
- Strong yet light
CONS
- Battery and charger are overpriced
- Doesn’t come with spare blades or a carry case
SKIL 5280-01 Budget Circular Saw
- Powerful 15-amp motor delivers 5 300-RPM for greater speed and faster cuts
- 7-1 4-inch carbide-tipped blade included. Spindle lock for easy blade changes.
- 51° bevel capacity with a positive stop at 45° for a wide variety of cuts
- Dust blower keeps line-of-cut free of sawdust for improved visibility
- Safety lock/guarded trigger and power-on indicator minimize accidental starts
The SKIL 5280-01 circular saw features a deep 712-inch blade and a 15-amp motor with a maximum unloaded speed of 5,300 RPM. You may use it all day long without getting tired because it just weighs a little under 7 pounds. We also like the dust blower for keeping debris and sawdust out of the blade’s path.
This saw boasts features like a laser guide, inbuilt wrench storage, and the ability to bevel from 0 to 51 degrees that we often don’t see on models under $200. Powerfully slicing neatly through pressure-treated lumber, it backs up all these advantages while costing a quarter of the price of our top selection.
Adjustability is the catch. While it’s simple to modify the depth on the DeWalt DCS391B, the SKIL 5280-01’s adjustment handle is of poor quality and frequently doesn’t function. The engine is likewise subpar; while being strong, it cuts in and out after operating nonstop for more than 10 minutes. Not a marathoner, this saw is a sprinter. Even so, we still believe that this is the best inexpensive circular saw we have tested this year.
PROS
- Powerful cuts
- Deep blade
- Easy to afford
- Laser guide and wrench storage included
CONS
- Depth is hard to adjust
- Motor sometimes cuts out
Porter-Cable PCE300 Circular Saw – Best Value
- 15 amp motor running at 5,500 RPM provides power and speed through applications
- Steel shoe with optimum line of sight provides accurate cuts and durable construction
- Spindle lock and depth adjustment for quick adjustments on the job
- Only 9.5 lbs, with Aux handle, provide comfort and clear line of sight
You would anticipate the Porter-Cable PCE300 to be a cheap circular saw that you would discard after a few jobs for a price this attractive. But for such a modest cost, this saw offers amazing durability. According to what we saw, you could use this to renovate a full house and it would keep spinning (at 5,500 RPM unloaded!).
We’ve found the PCE300 to be the greatest circular saw for the money thus far. Although it weighs 912 pounds, the steel shoe and the guides make it easy to maintain stability. Its primary selling features are price and durability, but it has plenty of power; not only does it create precise cuts, but it also lines them up precisely.
Any shortcomings? This saw requires you to jiggle the switch in order to turn it on since it is uncomfortable to turn on and occasionally fails to turn on at all. After just a few tests, we also saw some concerning symptoms of deterioration in the steel shoe.
PROS
- Budget price
- Lasts a long time
- Easy to stabilize
- Cuts line up well
CONS
- Heavy
- Steel shoe isn’t as durable as the rest of it
- Power switch often sticks
Black+Decker BDECS300C Circular-Saw
- LIGHTWEIGHT DESIGN – Helps keep you comfortable and in control while minimizing muscle fatigue.
- POWERFUL MOTOR – Circular saw’s 13 Amp motor delivers effective and efficient cutting for most applications.
- LASER GUIDE – Illuminates the cut line for enhanced accuracy.
- SPINDLE LOCK – Allows for quick and easy blade changes.
- EASY BEVEL ADJUSTMENT – Make accurate angled cuts up to 45 degrees.
For regular woodworking, the Black & Decker BDECS300C is a reliable saw. If you purchase it with both, you can easily swap out the blades using a spindle lock. It comes with either an 18-tooth or 24-tooth blade. Although it doesn’t come with a cordless option, it makes up for that drawback with extras like a laser guide and an included wrench as well as a lengthy guarantee.
We discovered that the B&D BDECS300C’s laser sight did a great job of keeping us on our pencil markings, and the blade effortlessly sliced through 2x4s in all directions. The provided blade worked fine for us, but some have reported problems, so we’d suggest changing it.
If you select this saw, you need also be particularly cautious about safety. While the majority of it is made properly, the plastic guard above the blade is much thinner than some of the plastic we cut with the blade. Additionally, the trigger has no protection at all.
PROS
- Powerful motor
- Budget price
- Easy to replace blade
- Good warranty
CONS
- Corded power only
- Weak safety features
- Included blade is low-quality
Ryobi One+ P505 Budget Circular Saw
- GRIPZONE OVERMOLD: The handles of this power tool are lined with a rubber mold. This increases friction between your hands and the tool, improving handling in most conditions
- TRANSPARENT LOWER GUARD: The polyurethane blade guard is clear, so you can get maximum visibility on your work while you make your cuts
- ADJUSTABLE BEVEL: You can adjust the foot of this cordless circular saw up to 50 degrees to cut at a variety of angles for different applications
- EXTRA SIDE HANDLE gives you improved control. Its location on the left side of the tool gives you greater visibility over your cuts while you work
- ONE+ COMPATIBLE: The circular saw works with Ryobi’s 18 Volt batteries. These battery models include the P100, P102, P103, P104, P105, P107, and P108 (Batteries not included)
You may get the Ryobi One+ P505 cordless circular saw at a reasonable cost. Although it is at the bottom of our ranking for the reasons we’ll discuss later, it’s nonetheless of high quality. No matter where you’re using it, you can keep it firm with the rubber grip and additional side handle, and it cuts straight without requiring any additional alignment features.
The rechargeable 18V battery and charger are supplied separately, which might be costly for the typical household budget. However, Ryobi’s batteries are of high quality and retain their charge for the whole day.
The P505 just doesn’t go as far as the other saws on our list after that. Its engine is less powerful, it can’t cut as rapidly, and it isn’t as deep. This saw could work for you if you believe portability is worth spending more money for less power. If not, you would be better off scrolling up the list.
PROS
- Low price
- Straight cuts
- Easy to hold
CONS
- Batteries and charger sold separately
- Not very powerful
- Slow
- Only good for shallow cuts
Buyer’s Guide – Choosing the Best Budget Circular Saw
Our goal at HealthyHandyman is to help you reach your full potential as a DIYer, woodworker, and handyman. If your financial situation prevents you from realizing your potential, we want to assist you access tools that are reasonably priced so you can start working.
Having said that, we prefer that you purchase the appropriate circular saw over the least expensive one. If pricing is your primary consideration, you can miss out, lose money, or put your projects or yourself in danger. Learn more about the various aspects of buying a circular saw that you should take into account in our buyer’s guide.
Power Source
Power saws need power. You’ve got two options here.
- Corded: a saw that requires electricity to operate. Corded saws are often bigger, heavier, and better equipped to handle harder materials. Additionally, they won’t ever lose control while working. They won’t function, though, if you can’t plug an extension cable into an outlet.
- Cordless: Even though these saws are frequently smaller and less powerful, you may carry them wherever. A cordless saw is your only choice if you’re building in the woods or next to a busy road. They are often powered by rechargeable batteries, many of which are able to endure for a whole workday.
Mechanical Style
Once again, two choices.
- Sidewinder: These circular saws have a shaft connecting the motor, which is mounted to the side of the blade. Look for a handle that is positioned just above and near to the blade to identify a sidewinder at a glance. Sidewinders are simpler to handle over a long day of work since they are lighter and more compact.
- Worm Drive: A worm drive saw’s motor is located behind the blade and is linked via gears. Find a handle that is further back and close to a visible motor. Worm drive saws are heavier and are used by professionals for harder tasks requiring greater torque, such as sawing through concrete and wet timber.
Power Rating
Circular saws with cords measure their power in amps, whereas cordless saws rate their power in volts. Power is crucial for determining what a saw can cut, but because practically all saws now have the same power rating, it’s not a helpful indicator for decision-making.
- Corded saws: 15A
- Cordless saws: 18V or 20V
Power ratings are only important in the sense that you should avoid purchasing any sort of saw that is rated lower than this.
Blade
The blade of a circular saw is less significant than it would first appear, much like the power rating. As the most easily removable part of the entire instrument, the factory blade may easily be changed if you don’t like it.
Examine how simple it is to replace the blade before assessing a circular saw by its blades. Blade replacements are made simple with spindle locking on saws like the Black & Decker BDECS300C. Choose a new blade with at least 18 teeth that has a carbide tip.
Shoe
The circular saw is kept stable against the material it is cutting through by the shoe. Its primary duty is to remain put. Find one that is firmly fixed, well-positioned, and constructed of sturdy materials. Although cast magnesium is more durable than the more common steel, it is still worth the extra money.
Safety Features
The trigger safety, which stops the saw from beginning if it isn’t activated, and the guard, which obscures as much of the blade as possible, are the two most crucial safety elements to look for on a circular saw. Trigger safeties should be placed so you may press the trigger once after releasing them. In order to avoid breaking when hit or dropped, guards should be thick enough.
No amount of inherent safety can ever take the place of good sense. Always be mindful of what you’re doing and use hand and eye protection.
Adjustments
Two features might be adjustable on circular saws: depth and bevel angle.
- Depth indicates what thickness of material the saw can cut through. 5½ inches through 7¼ inches is the usual range.
- Bevel angle determines how much the shoe is able to tilt for bevel cuts. Most adjustable-bevel saws will range from 0 to 50 degrees.
Comfort
This is frequently forgotten, but we promise you won’t be thinking about anything else after five hours of cutting. It mostly depends on the weight and ergonomics of the saw’s handle.
- Weight: You’ll want this to be proportional to your own weight. If you’re 100 pounds wet, you won’t be able to wield a 16-pound worm drive saw for long. Likewise, if you’re 220 pounds of muscle, you’ll get pretty impatient with a 7-pound sidewinder.
- Handle: Make sure it’s pliable without being flimsy and conforms to your hand.
Conclusion:
The DeWalt DCS391B and the SKIL 5280-01 fought hard for the title of finest circular saw under $100. In the end, the DeWalt prevailed. The only true issue we had with the saw was the additional cost required to use a cordless saw, despite our best efforts to discover defects with the actual saw.
Both of these saws are robust, quick, easy to use, long lasting, and secure. Even though we’ll point out that the Skil is significantly less expensive, it only just missed the mark due to minor problems with its depth adjustment and motor.
We firmly advise you to get the Porter-Cable PCE300 if you enjoy buying goods that offer the best value for your money. All the features you would expect to see in a high-end machine are there in the circular saw.
We’ve tried our best to present you to the variety of inexpensive circular saws available to you in these evaluations. Only your commitment and creativity should be your limits when working in your workshop.
Last update on 2023-05-28 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
