Saw Tools Guide

10 Best Small Circular Saw 2023 – Expert Reviews & Guide

 

No one can’t neglect that small-sized tools provide the maximum possible portability, versatility, and convenient uses. It applies in almost all the sectors, similarly in the construction, carpentry, and crafting industries where workers need something quite handy, powerful, safe, and portable. But here we mainly focus on small cutting tools such as a compact circular saw, it is true that if you are willing to attempt precise cuts from time to time, then you can’t just use a big-sized saw. For this, you need something versatile, controllable, and handy to get the job done in a correct manner. 

Versatility is another significant factor, on behalf, mostly experts and regular users suggest every construction worker, carpenter, or craftsman use this type of saw. In order to understand the usability of a compact circular saw, you can take it in this way that this type of saw comes with a lightweight design, top-notch safety, great motor power, and different blade types. Likewise, one other thing is that, with a typical compact circular saw, you will not only be able to cut the soft or hardwood. But it will also allow you to perform cutting or trimming tasks with metal materials and metal sheets.

Best Mini Circular Saw Reviewed

But the only mistake that people usually make is not to consider essential points related to compact circular saws before making the final purchase decision. Thankfully, you don’t need to worry about this type of problem, because we have already done the homework for you. In other but simple words, here on this post, we are going too closely and analyzing the best options present in the market. Therefore, we have decided to add the ten best compact circular saws in this post to resolve all your confusion and to make sure that you get the best value under your budget. 

#1. Genesis GCS445SE Small Circular Saw

Genesis GCS445SE Compact Circular Saw

 

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Genesis GCS445SE Compact Circular Saw is our first but the best pick of this list, talking about the key points of this saw, so it is a highly compact plus an affordable range of saw that you can buy right away. Not only the simple cuts but because of the bevel adjustment, you can attempt the angled bevel cuts with this circular saw as well. At the same time, if we consider the motor power section, so as per the claim of Genesis manufacturer, it comes with a 4 AMP power of the primary motor. Which is capable of rotating the blade up to 3500 RPM, in short, you can expect a smooth and quick cutting experience.

Moreover, the primary blade is a hard carbide blade that allows you to perform cutting and trimming tasks on hard materials. The good thing is that the primary blade comes with 24 teeth with 2x material type to cut down the hard material smoothly. Another key thing to remember is that it comes with a spindle lock, which allows you to change the blade quickly without inserting additional effort. For easy adjustment of the cutting depth and bevel cuts, a specific adjustment section is present on the top.

Pros

  • Impressive motor power with 3500 RPM of speed can be very beneficial for a worker to quickly execute precise cuts.
  • The barrel grip on the handle part allows you to hold it correctly with maximum traction; it is perfect even for one-hand uses.

Cons

  • Some users say that it would be great if manufacturers offer the handguard in this circular saw for better safety. 

#2. WEN 3625 Small  Circular Saw

 

WEN 3625 Compact Circular Saw

 

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Cutting versatility of a compact circular saw also matters a lot; for instance, you should check that your selected saw can cut through different materials or not. But hold on, on the second spot, we have decided to include the WEN 3625 Compact Circular Saw, which can help you to cut wood, tile, drywall, PVC, ceramic, and metal sheets as well in a perfect way. Furthermore, bevel cuts are another specialty of this saw; it allows you to attempt bevel cuts from 0 to 45 degrees with proper adjustment.

To enhance the overall convenience, manufacturers included the laser guide on top of this saw to help you perform cuts correctly, even if using it one-handedly. The thing that stays out of sight, but helps to work the saw appropriately is the primary motor that it has. As per the manufacturers’ claim, this saw got a 5 AMP of a powerful motor that can rotate the blade up to 3500 RPM. Like the last option, this circular saw also comes with the 24 teeth enabled, and hard carbide built primary blade.

Pros

  • Because of the lightweight design of just 5 pounds, you can expect to hold and work with one hand as well, but only after wearing all safety gear.
  • Accurate cutting experience is one of the biggest plus points that attract more and more buyers toward this specific model of the circular saw.

Cons: 

  • None so far

#3. Meterk Compact Circular SawMeterk Compact Circular Saw

 

 

Moving towards a slightly expensive circular saw as compared to recent options, so this time we have given a chance to the Meterk Compact Circular Saw. First thing first, it is a fully functional compact saw, but the good part is that you don’t even need to spend more than 80 bucks. Talking about the biggest highlight of this saw, so it is the high cutting performance that it comes with. A 6.2 AMP of the powerful primary motor is the foremost reason behind the high performance. Therefore, you can expect that this saw can easily provide or offer more than 3500 RPM of speed for the smooth cutting experience. 

Besides, the Meterk manufacturers are offering two pieces of tile cutting, two pieces of plastic and soft-metal cutting, and two pieces of hardwood cutting blades out of the box. Surprisingly the overall accuracy of this saw is just impressive because of two significant aspects, one is the rip measurement, and the second is the inbuilt laser guide. With the safety guard and additional safety features, the manufacturers ensure double safety for each user.

Pros

  • Apart from normal precise cutting, this specific saw also comes with the bevel adjustment of a maximum of 45 degrees with cutting depth of 32mm. 
  • With all these extraordinary features, the one year of additional warranty on this saw is just like icing on the cake. 

Cons

  • None so far

#4. Worx WX531L Small Circular Saw

 

Worx WX531L Compact Circular Saw

 

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Now it is time to introduce one of the highest-rated and most popular compact circular saw of this list. On the fourth spot, we have decided to put the Worx WX531L Compact Circular Saw in front of all the readers. The first and biggest highlight that we want to mention here is that it is a typical cordless circular saw. In short, you don’t even need to mess up with wiring while working on any specific project because it got the in-built battery. But surprisingly, the manufacturers have maintained the overall weight properly; therefore, it won’t feel hefty.

Talking about the out of sight, but relevant section, so it got a high-performance motor with ideal power consumption. Thus, the primary motor doesn’t struggle to rotate the blade up to 6900 RMP even on the full load. Apart from the performance factor, one another key thing to remember is that it comes with the 4.5-inches diameter of the blade, which can offer a cutting depth of 1.5 inches without any issue. And yeah, undoubtedly you can perform the normal as well as the angled bevel cuts with this particular compact circular saw.

Pros

  • Despite high performance, the manufacturers have also focused on controlling plus the other safety features to make it safe to use for users. 
  • Easy to grip design on the handle part makes it super easy for you to hold it and work with this saw for as long as you want, without feeling uncomfortable.

Cons

  • This specific option from the Worx manufacturer seems a bit more expensive than other saws of this list.

#5. Rockwell RK3441K Mini Circular Saw

 

Rockwell RK3441K Compact Circular Saw

 

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Did you like the previous spot of circular saw, but it is out of your budget; that’s why you don’t want to go with that option? If this is the case with you, then for sure, you should give a shot to this one; next, we have added the Rockwell RK3441K Compact Circular Saw. In our view, the highly aggressive price point is the biggest reason, and the prime selling point of this saw because you don’t need to spend more than 100 bucks for it. Therefore, people gave a superb rating to this specific model of a circular saw on online stores.

Now let’s take a look at some other major highlights of this saw, so for better clarification, we want to let you know that this saw comes with a 5 AMP of powerful primary motor. That’s why the saw is capable of rotating the primary blade at 3500 RPM at normal load. Cutting depth of primary blade on normal usage is around 1-11/16 inches; on the other hand, bevel cutting depth is around 1-â…›.

Pros

  • It seems very interesting that the overall weight is not more than 5 pounds, which is too lightweight and easy to use.
  • Rockwell manufacturers didn’t compromise in the safety section because they have provided an excellent grip plus both upper and bottom guards on the blade.

Cons

  • None so far

#6. HYCHIKA Mini Circular Saw

HYCHIKA Compact/Mini Circular Saw

 

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Up Next, we got an option for all the readers who wants something that comes under their budget and must have all the essential and decent features. So, the sixth spot is taken by the HYCHIKA Compact/Mini Circular Saw. We liked the most about this circular saw because, at this type of affordable price point, it offers the adjustable cutting depth functionality, which is an impressive functionality. However, you will find it very interesting that the manufacturers also have offered a total of three blades out of the box, and each of them has different uses for cutting various materials.

Like we mentioned earlier about the decency, so the price and quality ratio is pretty good here. And you can get a firm idea about the price-quality ratio or this saw by taking a look at the motor that it comes with. The manufacturers have offered a 4 AMP of decently powerful motor, which is sufficient to rotate the blade up to 4500 RPM. Apart from this, the accuracy is also worth the compliment because of the laser guide, which ultimately enhances it.

Pros

  • Additional accessories such as three different blades carry bags, and a scale ruler will come out of the box.
  • This compact circular saw deserves to be on our list of top picks because of the price-quality ratio.

Cons

  • None so far

#7. Homitt Mini Circular Saw

 

Homitt Compact/Mini Circular Saw

 

 

As we mentioned at the beginning of this post, we offer the best option related to circular saw under every budget; therefore, here we are with another budget-friendly option. This time, we have decided to include the Homitt Compact/Mini Compact saw, but the interesting thing is that you don’t need to spend more than 70 bucks to buy it. Apart from the price point, there is nothing to complain about this saw because it comes with almost all the features and functionalities. Let’s first take a look at the power and performance section, so the hub of the power of this saw is its primary 5.8 AMP of the motor.

Believe it or not, but this budget-friendly circular saw comes with the 3500 RPM of blade rotation speed. All this is possible only because of the powerful motor that manufacturers have offered here. Three different blades are making it a more versatile cutting tool, so that you can use it for cutting wood, marble, hard stone and metal pieces as well. However, the saw allows you to make both straight and angled bevel cuts with the bevel adjustment lever.

Pros

  • The overall design of this saw doesn’t seem bulky, and design-wise, it is not that heavy to hold as well.
  • The versatility is on the next level because of the three types of blades that manufacturers have offered out of the box, so you don’t need to buy them additionally. 

Cons

  • None so far

#8. VonHaus Compact Circular SawVonHaus Compact Circular Saw

 

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VonHaus Compact Circular Saw is another budget-friendly option of this list so that you can make the laser targeted purchase as per your needs. Talking about this specific saw, so here the combination of each functionality, feature, and power is looking impressive. For better clarification, let’s dig a bit deeper into the specifications, and let’s talk about the motor section first. The VonHaus manufacturers have offered the 5.8 AMP of the motor, which can rotate the primary blade up to 3500 RPM. In simple words, you can expect a good performance and smooth cutting experience from this saw.

If you are specifically looking for a saw to cut wood and plywood material, then we surely recommend this one to you. Actually, the manufacturers have provided three similar blades that are useful for cutting soft and hardwood easily. However, the length of each blade is around 4.5 inches which can allow you to cut deeply. One other important aspect that helps a lot with the smooth cutting experience is the forward movement supporting design. The overall design is pretty ergonomic, so it will help you hold the saw correctly and properly gripping.

Pros

  • In this type of affordable range of circular saw, the manufacturers didn’t forget to offer the bevel cut functionality. 
  • The dust collection vacuum adapter also comes with this saw to help keep your working area clean while cutting different materials.

Cons

  • None so far

#9. PORTER-CABLE PCE381K Compact Circular Saw

 

PORTER-CABLE PCE381K Compact Circular Saw

 

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If you want your chosen circular saw last for long term uses, then you should look at this option. On the ninth spot of this list, we have decided to come up with the PORTER-CABLE PCE381K Compact Circular Saw. This compact saw got a really nice design, and tough built, therefore, you can easily expect that it will last longer than other affordable saws. More specifically, we like the ergonomic design the most about this compact circular saw, and the gripping on the handle is fantastic to hold it for a longer period.

Design-wise, there is nothing to complain about this saw, but what about the overall performance. Right? Thankfully, you do not need to compromise with the performance because it comes with a decent powerful motor. Mentioning in detail, you are getting the 5.5 AMP of the primary motor, which is powerful enough to rotate the blade up to 3500 RPM. Other than this, the bevel cut’s blades and functionality make it stand against other options of this list.

Pros

  • For each operation and maneuvering, the lightweight but ergonomic design seems the right combination.
  • Metal guard, vacuum adapter, and depth adjustment of cuts are the features that make this saw very useful for commercial uses.

Cons

  • As per some users’ opinions, the price and quality ratio is not that great but quite acceptable. 

#10. XtremepowerUS Electric Small Circular Saw

 

XtremepowerUS Electric Compact Circular Saw

 

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We are now on the final spot of this list, but don’t worry; we didn’t forget to offer the value to you; that’s why we have decided to include the XtremepowerUS Electric Compact Circular Saw. There are multiple special things present about this specific saw, but let’s first focus on the performance section. The best thing that we liked the most about this saw is that it comes with a decent motor that can generate more than enough power. Therefore, you can expect that this saw can offer an RPM speed of more than 3500, at the normal load.

Talking about the cutting versatility, so this circular saw comes with three different blade types. So in this way, it automatically allows you to cut various material types such as plastic, PVC, wood, tiles, hard stone, and metal pieces. From a safety perspective, this saw won’t disappoint you, there are essential safety features like blade guard, and double safety switch present. Not only this, but the overall stability of this saw is pretty elegant as well; you can even handle it with one hand only. However, it is also a recommendation for you to use all the safety wears and precautions before using this type of powerful cutting tool.

Pros

  • Laser guide, next level of stability, and the edge guide are the features that are taking the accuracy of this saw on the next level. 
  • A total of six-blades in three different types make this saw more versatile to cut various materials without any issue.

Cons

  • None so far

How To Choose The Best Small Circular Saw

Do you still have some confusion regarding the compact circular saws? Don’t worry because it is a pretty common thing because many people find themselves confused because of tons of different options related to this type of saw. Therefore, we have decided to come up with a detailed buying guide, where we are going to share some key points that you shouldn’t ignore while making the final purchase decision.

Motor Power

There is no doubt that the motor is the same as the heart of a saw; therefore, it is your duty to pick the primary motor’s right power. However, almost all the manufacturers offer a bit different power of the primary motor, which ultimately makes the selection process much harder and difficult for a buyer. If you are wondering for the proper answer to resolve your confusion, so in our view, you should go with a compact circular saw that must come with at least 5 AMP power of the motor. In this way, you will be able to ensure that you will get better cutting experience, even performing cutting tasks with hard materials.

Different Blade Types

You must understand that different types of blades are present for various cutting tasks, suppose if you want to cut a tile, then you can’t do it properly with a wood-cutting blade. Other than the type, there are numerous things that you should keep in mind, like the blade material, teeth, purpose of use, etc. One other role of blades is to determine the versatility of a compact circular saw; it is simple if a saw is coming with multiple types of blades, which simply indicates the higher versatility. That’s why it is a suggestion for all the users, always choose a saw that comes with different types of blades.

Cutting Performance

The cutting performance of a circular saw depends upon multiple factors, like the power, blade rotation speed, blade type, material that you are willing to cut, etc. But the blade rotation speed also plays a vital role in making the cutting experience much smoother; therefore, we recommend that you prefer to go with a saw that comes with at least 3500 RPM blade rotation speed. Thankfully, in this post, we have added almost all the options that fulfill these criteria, so you can easily choose any of the above-listed options. Two other things that we must mention in the cutting performance are the cut type, always keeping an eye on the cut type, and whether your chosen variant offers the bevel-cut functionality.

Safety Features

No one can’t neglect the importance of safety features in saw; therefore, we are adding this point in our buying guide. The essential thing to keep in mind is that it never goes with a cheap compact saw an option that doesn’t offer any kind of safety feature. As per the experts, you should always be sure about three major things while making the purchase decision related to this type of saw. First, always ensure that you are getting the proper stability so that you can handle the saw with one hand. Second, the safety feature that you should look for is the blade guards, so that it can prevent the contact of rotating blades with your fingers. Last but not least, the safety feature is the double-check switch, which will allow you to use the saw safely without getting in any trouble.

Weight And Design

A compact circular saw should be lightweight and easy to hold so that you can use it for long sessions without stopping your work. If you are wondering about the most common question: what is the ideal weight range for the compact circular saws? So we want to let you know that you should prefer to go with an option with ranges from 5 to 6.5 lbs of weight, but not more than that. Talking about the design, so the design should be ergonomic, and the handle grip should be appropriate. Thankfully, to find this type of saw option, you don’t need to go through any in-depth research because we have already added the best compact circular saws.

Compact Circular Saw Safety Tips and Guidelines

A compact circular saw is great for the portable design and slightly lightweight design. It is surely one of the best tools that you can take anywhere with less effort. However, you should use a compact circular saw safely by following the given tips –

  1. Never Avoid Safety Equipment

Even though the work you are doing will be requiring a few minutes of compact circular saw use, but it is always better to wear safety equipment. Always use the essential gears to have perfect usability in all cases. Usually, accidents take place during small jobs and ignorance.

  1. Learn to Grip Adequately

A compact circular saw has two places to maintain a grip on. Based on the type of compact circular saw you are using, learning about the right place to hold and maintain a perfect grip is essential. You can learn from the user manual that came with the saw.

  1. Check out the Blade and the Saw

Checking the blade before getting started with the use is necessary to ensure that the blade will work perfectly. If there are any marks of stain, rust or broken blade teeth, avoid using the saw. Replace the compact circular saw blade to avoid any accident.

  1. Safe Cutting Depth

You can adjust the depth of the blade according to the thickness of the material. Do not engage the blade to the highest thickness, because it is a safety flaw in the working routine. People using the blade at the highest depth find it easy to use, but for safety, it is a poor flaw and ignorance related issue.

  1. Check Wire

Before turning on the compact circular saw, always check the wire. You should not plug the wire until you go through the wire. Hold the wire in one hand and slide through the length to the entire wire. If there are any cracks, you will immediately catch them. Replacing the wire before using the blade with the faulty wire is necessary.

  1. Hold the Material

If you are cutting lightweight material, always clamp those things. Using the circular saw blade on moving or unstable object is risky. You won’t be able to make perfect cuts and accuracy will be the major issue. At the same time, it is also risky for the user to work on an unstable object. So, hold on to items with clamps instead of using hands or feet.

Compact Circular Saw Frequently Asked Questions

A compact circular saw, is it any good?

A compact circular saw, as far as we know, has advantages and disadvantages. Like all the other circular saws, compact circular saws could be used for specific cutting purposes. Most commonly, compact circular saws are best for household and small tasks.

Compact circular saw could be used for cutting small pieces of wood? Is it risky?

Yes, a compact circular saw could be used to cut small pieces of wood. However, there are some preparations to be made and there is a right way of doing it. First, the depth of cut should be set, the workpiece should be properly supported, and do not cut the wood too deep. Yes, cutting very small pieces of wood without proper knowledge and proper set up could prove very risky.

Circular saws are dangerous than table saws?

Yes, circular saws are indeed dangerous than table saws. In a recent study, it was pointed out that 30% of accidents related to saws are caused by circular saws. One of the reasons is because the blade of compact or general circular saws are more exposed than a table saw. Yet another reason is that the blade speed of the circular saw is higher than that of a table saw.

What are the key advantages of a compact circular saw?

A compact circular saw offers a diverse range of advantages when compared to other saws. A compact circular saw is lightweight and could be held and used with a single hand. Apart from this, a compact circular saw could be used with ease. There are no complex set up or functionalities to this saw. Above all, most of the compact circular saws are very powerful and if used with the right type of blade, it could help cut even plastic, alloy, and thin metals.

Is it possible to reduce or increase the size of blades of a compact circular saw?

No, as far as we know, there is so far no compact circular saw that allows such a feature. While other circular saws might allow such a replacement, a compact circular saw does not offer such a feature.

I am getting a lot of kickback while using my compact circular saw, how to avoid such kickbacks?

One of the key reasons for kickbacks is that you are using the compact circular saw in the wrong way. Yes, there is a right way of using a compact circular saw. Do not apply a lot of tension on the saw, give the saw its time to cut through, if you apply a lot of tension on the saw, kickback is natural. Remember too much tension on the saw and too much kickback could eventually break the blade or kill the motor.

How long does a compact circular saw blade last? Is there a way to increase the lifespan of a cutting blade?

If you use the compact circular saw in the right way and follow all the manufacturer’s instructions, the blade could last 12 to 120 hours of continuous use. Yes, the lifespan of a compact circular saw blade could be increased. All you have to do is use the saw in the right way and also prevent using the saw continuously for a long time. After every 5 minutes of use, if the blade is heated up, allow the blade to cool down. Use it only after the blade cools down.

Is it possible to use a compact circular saw as an alternative to a table saw?

No, it is not possible. Table saw and compact circular saw are used for different types of cuts. However, both a compact circular saw and table saw could make some common type of cuts, for such cuts, you could use a compact circular saw as an alternative.

CONCLUSION

It is quite understandable if you feel exhausted after spending hours finding the best compact circular saws online. We know this because there are too many variations and varieties present in the market related to the compact circular saws. Therefore, we have conducted in-depth research to find the best out of the best option to include in this list of ten best compact circular saws that you can buy right away. For More Circular Saw Visit Links Below:

Circular Saw

DEWALT 20v 7-1/4†Circular Saw

Milwaukee 6-1/2″ Circular Saw

Milwaukee 7-1/4″ circular saw 6391-21

Cordless Circular Saw

Metal Cutting Circular Saw

Milwaukee M12 Circular Saw

Makita 7-1/4 Circular Saw 5007MG

 10-1/4 Inch Circular Saw

 Compact Circular Saw

Circular Saw Blades

Metabo HPT 7-1/4″ Circular Saw

Makita 7-1/4″ Circular Saw  5007F

Dewalt  7-1/4-Inch Circular Saw DWE575

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