The DEWALT 20V MAX DCS573B is the best cordless circular saw for most people. It pairs a full-size 7-1/4 in. blade with 5,500 RPM and FLEXVOLT ADVANTAGE electronics that unlock up to 77% more power when paired with FLEXVOLT batteries — enough to rip 2x lumber and break down plywood sheets all day without a cord. Need maximum cutting speed? The Milwaukee M18 FUEL 2732-20 spins at 5,800 RPM with a magnesium shoe built for daily jobsite abuse.
| Product | Model | Top Speed / Feature | Best For | Buy |
|---|---|---|---|---|
 | Best Overall DEWALT DCS573B | 5,500 RPM · FLEXVOLT ADVANTAGE | Framing, ripping & plywood | View on Amazon |
 | Fastest Cutting Milwaukee 2732-20 | 5,800 RPM · Magnesium shoe | Pro framing & speed | View on Amazon |
 | Best Runtime Makita XSH06Z | 36V power · 5,100 RPM | All-day cordless runtime | View on Amazon |
 | Best Rear-Handle SKIL CR5429B-20 | Rear-handle · 2-battery kit | Worm-drive feel, ready to work | View on Amazon |
 | Best Value RYOBI PBLCS300B | ONE+ HP brushless · DIY pick | Homeowners & DIY projects | View on Amazon |
How We Picked These Circular Saws
We started with every full-size brushless 7-1/4 in. circular saw from the brands that dominate US job sites and home garages. Then we compared each one on the metrics that actually change your day: blade size (inches), no-load speed (RPM), maximum depth of cut at 90° (inches), bevel capacity (degrees), shoe material, and the depth of each brand's battery platform.
Once you step up to a 7-1/4 in. blade, most saws cut 2x lumber with room to spare — so what separates a good saw from a great one is sustained power under load: a brushless motor, high-output batteries, an electric brake that stops the blade in seconds, and a flat, rigid shoe that tracks a straight line.
1. DEWALT DCS573B — Best Overall
The DCS573B has become the default cordless framing saw for a reason. Its FLEXVOLT ADVANTAGE electronics recognize when a FLEXVOLT battery is attached and draw more current, delivering up to 77% more power than with a standard 20V MAX pack. With a 7-1/4 in. blade spinning at 5,500 RPM, it rips 2x lumber, cuts pressure-treated deck boards, and breaks down 3/4 in. plywood without bogging down.
Capacity is a true full-size 2-9/16 in. at 90°, so it severs 2x stock at both 90° and 45°, and the bevel detents run all the way to 57° for steep rafter and stair-stringer cuts. An electric brake stops the blade in seconds, and the integrated rafter hook keeps the saw off the ground between cuts.
DEWALT 20V MAX Brushless 7-1/4 in. Circular Saw (DCS573B)
- Spec
- 5,500 RPM no-load speed
- Spec
- 2-9/16 in. depth of cut at 90°
- Spec
- 57° bevel capacity with positive stops
- Spec
- FLEXVOLT ADVANTAGE electronics
Pros
- Up to 77% more power with FLEXVOLT batteries
- Cuts 2x lumber at both 90° and 45°
- 57° bevel capacity for steep miters
- Electric brake for safer, faster stops
Cons
- Bare tool — battery and charger sold separately
- Best performance requires a FLEXVOLT battery
If you already own DEWALT 20V MAX batteries, this bare tool is a no-brainer upgrade — and pairing it with a FLEXVOLT pack turns it into a genuine corded replacement. If you are starting from scratch, look for a kit with a high-output battery so the saw can breathe.
2. Milwaukee M18 FUEL 2732-20 — Fastest Cutting
Milwaukee's M18 FUEL 2732-20 spins a 7-1/4 in. blade at 5,800 RPM — the highest no-load speed in this roundup — so it powers through LVLs, wet pressure-treated lumber, and long plywood rips where slower saws start to labor. The magnesium shoe and guards keep it rigid without adding the heft of an all-steel base, and the cutline visibility is excellent thanks to a well-placed LED work light.
Jobsite details are all here: an integrated rafter hook, a dust port that accepts a vacuum adapter, and an electric brake that halts the blade almost instantly. Backed by Milwaukee's 5-year warranty on M18 FUEL tools, it is the saw to buy if your circular saw earns its keep every single day.
The trade-off is ecosystem lock-in: to get the most out of it you will want high-output M18 batteries, and as a bare tool it usually costs more than the DEWALT. For framers, deck builders, and remodelers cutting all day, the extra speed is worth it.
3. Makita XSH06Z — Best Runtime
Makita's XSH06Z runs on two 18V LXT batteries wired in series (36V), which gives it the sustained, corded-like endurance that single-battery saws struggle to match on long rip days. The brushless motor spins a 7-1/4 in. blade at 5,100 RPM with a full 2-5/8 in. depth of cut at 90° — the deepest in this guide.
Makita's fit and finish shines here: smooth-plunging guards, minimal vibration, an electric brake, and a built-in dust blower that keeps the cutline clear. If you already own a pile of LXT batteries from other Makita tools, this saw puts all of them to work.
The catch is that it needs two batteries to run at all, so the upfront cost is higher if you are not already on the LXT platform. For anyone invested in Makita's enormous 18V lineup, though, it is the hardest-working saw here.
4. SKIL CR5429B-20 — Best Rear-Handle
Rear-handle (worm-drive-style) saws put the motor behind the blade, giving long, straight rips a balanced, two-handed feel that framers swear by — and the SKIL CR5429B-20 brings that handling to cordless. It runs on two 20V PWR CORE 20 batteries and ships as a complete kit, so there is nothing else to buy.
Straight out of the box you get the saw plus two 5.0Ah batteries and a dual-port PWR JUMP charger that charges both packs at once — genuine jobsite-ready value. Visibility down the blade is excellent in the classic rear-handle stance, making it easy to track a chalk line on long rips.
Rear-handle saws are longer and take a few cuts to get used to if you have only run sidewinders. But if you want worm-drive handling without the cord — with batteries and charger included — nothing else here touches this kit.
5. RYOBI PBLCS300B — Best Value
The RYOBI ONE+ HP brushless 7-1/4 in. saw brings full-size cutting capacity to a homeowner-friendly budget. The brushless motor runs cooler and sips battery compared with older brushed models, and it handles 2x lumber, fence pickets, and plywood breakdowns without complaint.
The real draw is the ONE+ 18V ecosystem: one battery runs hundreds of RYOBI tools, from drills to string trimmers, so a couple of high-capacity packs cover the whole garage. For weekend projects, furniture builds, and yearly deck repairs, it is more saw than most DIYers will ever outgrow.
It is a bare tool, so factor in a battery and charger if you do not own ONE+ gear yet — grab a 4.0Ah High Performance pack or larger for the longest cuts. Pro framers will want the DEWALT or Milwaukee above, but everyone else can stop reading here.
Circular Saw Buyer’s Guide
Blade size: 7-1/4 in. vs. 6-1/2 in.
A full-size 7-1/4 in. blade cuts 2x lumber at 90° with room to spare — every pick in this guide uses one. Compact 6-1/2 in. saws are lighter and handier overhead, but they give up depth of cut and bog down sooner in thick stock. For a do-it-all saw, 7-1/4 in. is the answer.
No-load speed (RPM)
Manufacturers rate circular saws by no-load speed, typically 5,000–5,800 RPM for full-size cordless models. Higher RPM means cleaner cuts in plywood and faster progress in framing lumber — but sustained speed under load matters more than the headline number, which is why brushless motors and high-output batteries are worth it.
Depth of cut and bevel capacity
Look for at least 2-1/2 in. of depth at 90° so the saw severs dimensional lumber in one pass, plus bevel cuts to at least 45° (50° or more is better for rafters and stair stringers). Positive bevel stops at 22.5° and 45° speed up repeatable miter work.
Shoe material and weight
The shoe (base plate) is what rides your straightedge — magnesium and aluminum shoes stay flat and rigid without the weight of steel. Bare-tool weight between 7 and 9 lbs is typical for full-size cordless saws; balance matters more than raw weight on long rips.
Battery platform and amp-hours
Circular saws are among the hungriest cordless tools, so battery choice matters. Your first saw usually locks you into an ecosystem: DEWALT 20V MAX/FLEXVOLT, Milwaukee M18, Makita 18V LXT, SKIL PWR CORE 20, or RYOBI ONE+. For ripping, bring 5.0Ah packs or larger (high-output lines like FLEXVOLT or FORGE cost more but hold voltage under load), and keep a second pack on the charger.
Brakes, guards, and warranty
Every saw here has a spring-loaded lower blade guard and an electric brake — never buy a saw without both. DEWALT covers most saws for 3 years, Milwaukee covers M18 FUEL for 5 years, and Makita, SKIL, and RYOBI typically offer 3 years. Always verify current terms on the manufacturer’s website.
The Bottom Line
For most DIYers and pros, the DEWALT DCS573B delivers the best mix of full-size capacity, FLEXVOLT-boosted power, and bevel range. Choose the Milwaukee 2732-20 if raw cutting speed is your priority, the Makita XSH06Z if you want maximum runtime on the LXT platform, the SKIL CR5429B-20 if you love rear-handle handling in a complete kit, and the RYOBI PBLCS300B if you want the best bang for your buck.
Driving the screws that hold those cuts together? Read our Best Cordless Impact Drivers (2026) guide.