One of the good things about circular saws is that they improve your cutting speed significantly. Usually, this means that you can now cut for as long as possible. But do you often find it difficult to cut for long hours because of the ache in your hand?
That ache is very common with DIYers and other construction workers, and it is as a result of carrying heavy saws for long periods. What you need is a compact circular saw that takes the burden off your wrist. This will improve your cutting experience.
This guide will help you to choose a fitting saw among the best options on the market.
Table of Contents
A quick glance of Compact Circular Saw
The Best Compact Circular Saw on the Market of 2020
1. WORX WORXSAW 4-½” Compact Circular Saw (Our Top Recommended)
This portable mini circular saw has all the power you need to get the job done with less effort. It’s a corded saw and delivers the cutting capacity you need to get your tasks out of the way.
With this saw, you can cut 2 x 4s easily in as quickly as just one pass. Despite its small and compact size which weighs about 50% less than a regular 7-¼” circular saw, the cutting power is not diminished.
It comes with a thin blade that makes it easier to make cuts because the saw uses less stress in cutting. What this means is that the 4.5 inches blade cuts more quickly as the cutting speed is improved. It doesn’t slack in its RPM either; it has a pretty fast RPM of 3,500.
Another innovative feature you would find of this saw is its easy-depth gauge lever and a bevel that turns up to 45degrees. These features work together to allow you to make fast adjustments and also make more types of cuts.
Its left-sided blade design enables you to see your cutline more clearly so that you can cut through metal, tile, or plastic as smoothly as possible. The ergonomic handle and rubberised grip make it possible for you to manoeuver and handle the saw with ease.
Despite the exceptional quality of this saw, it has its minor drawbacks. The thinness of the blades work well to allow it to make faster cuts, but you may find that the blades start to bend or get hot after a while. You may get tougher blades to switch up to make your work less burdensome.
Size doesn’t matter when it comes to the ability of this saw. It saws through diverse types of material fast. It also has user-friendly features including a left-sided blade.
- It cuts fast despite its size
- It has a left-sided blade design
- It has an ergonomic handle
- Its blades start to bend after a while.
2. Rockwell 4-½” Compact Circular Saw (Best for the Money)
With a 5-amp electric motor, this saw gives you the strength of a regular-sized saw. If you wish to enjoy every penny of your purchase while you cut, this saw will see to that.
This saw weighs about 5lbs, an average weight for a compact saw. This means that your wrist gets less strained when cutting. You can achieve more with less energy and in a shorter period.
Its maximum cutting depth is 1-11/16” at 90 degrees while its bevel capacity is 1-⅛” at 45 degrees. This allows you to make different kinds of cut from different angles. It has a left-sided blade design which helps to improve visibility and see your cutline more clearly.
That ensures you make precision cuts and have better accuracy. It has a slim grip handle that makes it comfortable for you to hold the saw for longer periods. This saw mostly works to ensure that you have a good cutting experience.
However, you may find that although this saw cuts with the speed of any regular 7-½-in. saw, it is not strong enough for tough tasks. This saw is more suited for personal DIY projects around the house.
The 5-amp motor of this saw makes it suitable for most projects just like the regular-sized counterparts. It has an adjustable bevel that gives you versatility in cutting, especially with its easy to grip handle. It’s an excellent choice for your money’s worth.
- It cuts through wood swiftly.
- It has a left-sided blade design for precision cuts.
- It’s not suitable for large projects.
3. Rockwell Versacut 4.0 Amp Ultra-Compact Circular Saw
This saw comes with slightly less power than the previous Rockwell Circular Saw, but it still delivers on its promises of easy and fast cutting.
It has a 4.0Amp motor that gives the saw its 3, 500RPM no-load speed. Even at that power, it is still able to cut a wide range of materials such as metal, wood, plastic and more.
Its sleek and safe handle design makes it easy to grip and control the saw as you are cutting. It is so stylish and handy that you can hold the saw in one hand and grab any other tool you need with the other hand while still cutting.
The pivoting metal guard feature allows you to make plunge cuts while keeping you safe from accidental cuts. Another exciting feature that makes this saw worth it is the dust extraction adapter. It removes dust from your line of cut to make it easier for you to cut accurately.
Its Versacut feature is there to help with making cuts in tight areas where your regular saws cannot go. A seemingly major downside to this saw is that it is not enabled to make bevel cuts. This may be a problem if your design requires cutting at an angle.
This professionally designed saw works almost as good as a regular saw. It can reach into tight corners for fantastic results and helps you make precise cuts with its laser guide feature.
- It cuts all types of materials, including tile.
- It has a sleek body for a comfortable grip.
- It is lightweight.
- It is not bevel-cut enabled.
4. Genesis 5.8Amp 120V 4-½in. Compact Circular Saw
This interesting saw has a variety of features to enable it to cut more easily. Apart from its aesthetic-looking design, it has other features like a heavy-duty motor to charm you.
With a powerful motor of 5.8Amp and its RPM of 3,500, you can cut through many materials 2 times faster. It has a triple-gear reduction to engage maximum torque. The saw also comes with blades that give it the fast-cutting approval, tungsten-carbide-tipped blade.
This blade allows for some work outside the range of small cuttings. With the dust-blower and vacuum adaptor, your work also becomes easier with dirt now out of the cutting line. The vacuum adaptor makes the workstation as well as the entire working environment neat.
One downside you may find when working with this saw is that the blade guard may sometimes get stuck or fall off. This could pose a dangerous hazard which may put you at risk.
This tool works pretty well. It's easy to operate and has depth and angled adjustments. It also comes with a dust-port and vacuum adapter feature that will improve the look of cuts and work area as well.
- It has carbide-tipped blades
- It has a powerful motor.
- The blade guard may become loose and fall off.
5. Dremel SM20-03 Saw-Max Tool Kit
This saw is made up of a kit of cutting tools and a home to many features. Overall, the ease of use of this saw gives it the hype it’s getting.
This saw has an even more powerful motor than usual. The Dremel Saw has a 6Amp motor, a pretty high range for a saw of that size. The power of this motor allows it to do even the toughest jobs.
The saw has a versatile cutting system that allows you to make those perfect and straight precision cuts that you need. It also gives you the ability to make specialised cuts like flush and plunge cuts.
The size of this saw allows you to be able to hold the saw properly with one hand even when you’re cutting. Your hand is not easily worn out after thorough cutting.
The design of the saw also gives you a clear all-round view so that you can see what you’re cutting without major challenges. Like many good things, this one has just one tiny flaw. The adjustable protector guard show is made of plastic.
Because of this, it is easy to get hot and worn out easily if you’re cutting items such as metal.
This saw makes a variety of cuts possible with its handy design. The saw’s motor is quite powerful and may be more suitable for large projects.
- It’s great for specialty cuts like flush and plunge cuts.
- It comes with a one-handed design for easy carriage.
- It has a heavy-duty motor.
- The adjustable protector guard shoe is made of plastic.
6. TACKLIFE Circular Saw with Metal Handle
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Tacklife Circular understands the needs of many users when using a circular saw. They have taken these needs and created them into amazing features for any user of the saw.
One striking feature about this power cutter is that it comes with 6 different blades for different reasons. At 3,500RPM you should be able to deliver faster cutting of wood and other related items. It runs with a 5.8Amp motor that is ideal for cutting.
The saw comes with bevel angling to allow for a better reach or an easier way to increase cutting depth. Also, this saw has a left-sided blade design that makes it stressless to view the line of your cut.
For ease of use and customer-friendly features, check out its metal handle design. Unlike other saws with a rubberised handle, this one helps for more stability and durability. For a clearer line of cut, the laser feature shows you exactly where you’re to cut.
Despite the quality features this saw has to offer, there is one hitch that may be a little problem. This is the laser guide. You may find it difficult to work the trigger of the laser guide.
This is a problem because the laser guide runs on batteries which will get drained very fast if you forget to turn it off.
With 6 different blades, a cutting speed of 3,500RPM and a bevel cutting mechanism, you have all you need in a saw to optimise your overall cutting experience. This saw is ergonomic and user-focused.
- It has a superb metal handle for easy grip.
- It has a left-sided blade design.
- It has a bevel cutting mechanism.
- The laser guide button is difficult to use.
- Laser guide battery drains easily.
7. BLACK+DECKER 20V MAX 5-½-Inch Cordless Circular Saw
Create a wide variety of cuts using the BLACK + DECKER compact saw. Its compact design makes it especially a perfect fit in your hand to work some cutting magic.
This saw has a high torque motor that works at 20Volts and a 5-½” fast cutting blade that allows you to make different types of cuts. It also comes with a bevel adjustment mechanism that allows you to adjust the angle position that you’re cutting at.
With this bevel adjustment mechanism, you can make 45 and 90-degree cuts. What this also means is that you can make flush and plunge cuts with more accuracy and less stress.
This is a Lithium-Ion battery-powered saw, and so you don’t have to bother about having a cord trailing after you as you move about to make cuts. You also don’t have to worry about getting tripped up anymore.
One drawback that you may encounter as you use this saw is that although it uses batteries, there are no batteries included in the package. You have to buy batteries to use with this saw separately. It is advisable that you buy strong, long-lasting ones.
This saw is great for making angled cuts. It’s also cordless, which allows you to move about freely as you cut.
- It has a high-torque motor.
- It cuts fast and smoothly.
- It’s a cordless saw.
- There are no batteries included.
8. TECCPO 3-⅜” Compact Circular Saw
If you’re looking for a cutting tool laden with innovative and unique features, you might want to invest in this saw.
The saw comes with a powerful and top-notch 480W/4A fine copper motor. This motor provides you with a no-load speed of 3500/RPM that will allow you to cut tile, wood, aluminium, plastic and even flooring materials without hassle.
The fine copper which makes up part of the motor makes it less conductive of heat than other types of aluminium motors. This less-heat feature makes sure that your saw has an extended lifespan.
It comes with blades that allow it to cut wood, as well as a grit diamond blade that gives it the ability to cut tile. You can make a variety of cuts, including straight, plunge, and flush cutting. It has a laser beam to guide you in making precise cuts as you go.
With the additional vacuum adapter feature, you can clean up your work area without much hassle. It also makes sure that you don’t inhale dust as you cut. You may have some problem with setting up the saw because there are no instructions on how to set it up for use.
The saw is lightweight, easy to carry and has an easy grip for long hours of cutting. Its motor is fast and durable, while its blades are specifically designed for different types of cuts.
- It has a powerful, premium motor.
- It cuts through wood, plastic and tiles.
- It has a laser beam for accuracy and precision.
- It doesn’t have instructions for setting up the basics.
9. Official ROTORAZER Compact Circular Saw
This mini electric circular makes a perfect fit for DIY home projects and other mini-tasks around the house. With its powerful 400Watt Motor, you’re sure to get your work done quickly and effectively.
If you’re looking for a circular saw that would help you get your DIY tasks done. It cuts almost all DIY materials, from PVC to drywall, hardwood, metal, marble and even carpets. The Saw’s kit contains different types of blades to help you cut any of the above.
The saw also helps you to cut in diverse directions; vertically, horizontally, corner cuts, curved cuts and lots more. The saw is like a combo of your jigsaw, circular saw, handsaws, band and tile saw, hack saw and mitre saw in one.
This feature-laden saw, however, may pose one drawback, the vacuum pipe that accompanies the saw may not fit into your standard home vacuum cleaner. If you can, however, work without the need for one, then you may get this saw.
This saw is versatile and durable. It’s a great choice for DIY tasks and mini-projects. You can make diverse cuts without problems using this saw.
- It is suitable for numerous types of cuts.
- It effectively cuts different materials.
- The vacuum adapter may not fit into your regular vacuum.
10. BLACK + DECKER 20V MAX 5-½-in. Cordless Circular Saw
With its high-torque motor and a 5-½ inch. Blade, this lightweight saw cuts fast and accurately enough for your everyday cutting tasks.
This saw is designed in such a way that you can handle it with either one or two hands, depending on how you want it. It’s battery-powered; this means that you do not need electricity or a long cord to get it functioning.
It’s suitable for very light-duty work only. And you might find this a major drawback. But it makes your work much easier than having to use a handsaw for all your cutting tasks. It’s a good deal, and it’s easy to use.
The saw is portable and easy to use. It cuts pretty fast and runs on batteries only. It also has Carbide tipped blades that give it more accurate cuts.
- It makes fast cuts even at angled degrees.
- It has a high-torque motor.
- It can only be used for everyday light-duty jobs.
Buying Guide
Compact Circular saws are like mini-messiahs that are designed to deliver your hand from the weight of heavy circular saws. They are equally as fast as regular circular saws, but they usually have lesser power and are more suited for minimum duty work.
To buy a good compact circular saw you need to look out for some key features. Find out about them below:
Find out whether it is corded or cordless. Cordless saws are for small jobs that do not take long. Corded saws will work as long as there is electricity.
Look out for the power of the saw. To cut thicker materials, a saw with higher power would be useful. Also, look out for the depth of cut. You would need saws with larger depths of cut for thick materials.
Ergonomic design makes operating your saw quite easy and stress-free. Be sure to choose a saw that has this feature.
What's Your Budget?
How much money you have planned to spend on the saw is equally important. If you wish to buy a saw for a quick DIY job without the need to use it daily, then you may not buy an expensive saw. Save and invest the big bucks in a compact circular saw that would serve you well every day.
Conclusion – The Best Compact Circular Saw, Our Choice
All the tools in this guide make good choices for your work; however, the WORX WORXSAW 4-½” Compact Circular Saw tops them all easily. It is sturdy, portable, fast and ergonomic.
To get the best value for your money, then you might go for the Rockwell 4-½” Compact Circular Saw. You get to do more with less energy while also enjoying precise and accurate cuts.
Overall, these saws are not choices you will regret because they deliver on their promises of speed, accuracy and portability.
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