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Circular saws are handy power tools for cutting various materials. Depending on the blade types you have, you can cut through wood, metal sheets, and even concrete. Typically, a machine will either be powered by electricity or by batteries.
So, are corded circular saws better than their cordless counterparts, or is it the other way around? Will a battery provide enough power to optimize the performance of your machine?
This is an age-old conflict that we intend to settle in this post.
Both saw types have their perks and drawbacks. Cordless tools offer maneuverability and mobility, while corded tools offer maximum consistent power.
Settling the cordless circular saw vs. corded debate will, therefore, take more than just advocating for one unit type over the other.
Let’s get down to the details.
Cordless Circular Saw
If you invest in a circular saw that has no power supply cord, then it is a cordless machine. It hence runs on a Lithium-ion battery that has to be recharged for it to supply enough power to your device.
A cordless unit is more maneuverable and portable. It makes an excellent investment for professionals who work within different job sites, including outdoor locations that are not close to power outlets.
Unfortunately, cordless circular saws are less powerful compared to the corded varieties. Their motors are smaller, not to mention that their energy supply dwindles when they start running out of juice, and this impacts their performance.
Then again, the onboard Lithium-ion battery makes them heavier. Generally, bulkier hand-held machines are harder to handle, and they cause hand fatigue.
The blades of cordless units are smaller, and the cut depth is somewhat limited. This makes cordless circular saws mainly ideal for medium or light-duty woodwork tasks.
On the bright side, you can work in any location you choose. Your productivity will also not be affected by a power blackout as long as your battery is fully charged.
Cordless circular saws are slightly more expensive than corded saws, although they make excellent investments for mobile woodworkers.
Benefits
Drawbacks
Our Recommended Cordless Model: BLACK+DECKER 20V MAX
The BDCCS20C cordless circular saw from Black & Decker is designed to deliver high performance. Its powerful high torque motor can provide impressive speeds 3,700 RPM. This is overkill for the majority of basic home improvement projects.
Another major highlight of this machine is that the cutting depth is adjustable. This tool also features an adjustable bevel with detents at 45 degrees and 90 degrees for enhanced precision.
Trust me, this feature significantly takes the stress off tasks that involve making intricate angled cuts.
This tool is powerful enough to cut drywall sections and wooden planks like a dream. It has a 5-1/2″ blade that is sturdy enough to cut through a range of materials without any problem.
Moreover, its 20V lithium-ion battery provides about 45 minutes runtime, and this allows you to work from anywhere, including remote worksites that lack power outlets.
You don’t need to have much previous experience to use this unit. It has user-friendly features that make it an excellent option for beginners.
Charge your battery, set your cutting depth, angle the cut, and hit the trigger to start cutting.
This is a good-looking cordless circular saw with striking orange and black design. It also has an attractive price tag, making it ideal for anyone searching for a reliable yet affordable saw.
Furthermore, this power tool offers impressive performance without the hassle of wrestling with cables or ditching your projects anytime you experience a power outage.
PROS
CONS
Related Guide: Best 8 Inch Jointer
Corded Circular Saw
These are a top choice for professional woodworkers and DIY enthusiasts who want heavy-duty performance. These units are engineered to take on tough jobs such as cutting concrete and steel, among other demanding applications.
Moreover, they come with a power supply cord that ought to be plugged into a power output. As long as there is no power outage or power load shedding, you can work for long, uninterrupted hours.
What is beyond debate is that corded units give you more power, and this makes them ideal for heavy-duty work. The majority of models feature a bigger 7.5-inch blade that moves faster, cuts deeper, and generally delivers unrivaled cutting power.
Anytime you want to work continuously, it is better to use a corded circular saw. The absence of a battery makes it lighter, hence more comfortable to handle. It also offers better efficiency and excellent performance without much hassle.
Currently, corded circular saws are more cost-effective than their cordless counterparts.
Related Guide: Table Saw for Dado Cuts
Benefits
Drawbacks
Our Recommended Corded Model: DEWALT 7-1/4-Inch Circular Saw
For concrete specialists, remodelers, and general contractors searching for a tough circular saw that is built to last, look no further than the DeWalt 7-1/4-inch corded machine. It is packed with a host of in-built features that make it the ultimate tool for heavy-duty cutting operations.
This unit has excellent ergonomics and plenty of power to help you take on the most demanding applications with minimal effort. For enhanced comfort and balance, it has a trigger actuation and ergonomically designed handles.
While this 8.8 lbs. model is one of the lightest in its class; it features a powerful 15AMP motor with speeds of 5,100 RPM. It boasts of a 7-1/4 inch carbide-tipped blade and a depth of cut capacity of 2 9/16-inch.
The ToughCord cord system ensures reliable cord pullout resistance for enhanced safety. Another feature that increases user safety is the electric brake that stops the blade when you release the trigger. This is a feature that also makes it quick and convenient to start repetitive cuts.
One of the best features of this unit is that it has an integrated dust blower for clearing your line of sight. This enhances accuracy and ensures smooth cutting. Another bragging point is the 57-degree bevel with 22.5 degree and 45-degree detents. This further enhances precision when making angled cuts.
PROS
CONS
Cordless vs. Corded Saw – Differences
Cordless and corded circular saws have numerous physical similarities. At the same time, there are more than a few aspects that make them as different as day and night.
Let’s have a look at these dissimilarities.
Power Source
This is perhaps the most significant separating factor that has a weighty impact on the performance of these two types of circular saws.
Corded units rely on direct electricity for unrivaled performance. They have power cords that ought to remain plugged into power outlets when they are in use.
Cordless units use Lithium-ion batteries. These batteries need about 1 hour to charge fully.
Blade Size
Corded machines have larger blades that range between 7.25 and 10 inches. Because cordless tools rely on batteries and have a more limited power supply, they also run smaller 6.5-inch blades. After all, they are meant for medium and light-duty cutting performance.
Runtime
The power source of any power tool highly dictates its runtime. As long as the electricity supply is steady, a corded unit can run for hours on end. Cordless circular saws, on the other hand, operate depending on the level of juice in the batteries.
However, the batteries of cordless units are created differently. Those with higher capacities provide longer runtime. You, however, have the option of buying several additional batteries to increase your overall productivity.
Weight and Portability
Cordless circular saws have onboard Lithium-ion batteries, and this increases their overall weight. They are heavier than corded units, although they are more portable because you don’t need to work close to a power outlet.
The extra weight may even so cause hand fatigue during large-scale operations. On the bright side, the absence of a power cord also increases maneuverability and allows free hand movements.
Corded machines are less portable. They may be lightweight, although the presence of a power cord makes it crucial to work close to areas with power outlets.
Safety
Corded circular saws are less safe than their cordless counterparts because of several reasons. First, they have a power cord, and this automatically poses the risk of electrocution in case of faulty wiring.
Then again, the cable may tangle and limit your control, causing an accident. It is also possible for one to trip on the cord and fall.
Additionally, corded machines are packed with more power and have bigger and faster spinning blades. This makes it vital to take extra safety precautions during your projects.
Conclusion
Whether to choose a corded or a cordless circular saw will highly depend on your needs. Both have unique sets of pros and cons, and you merely need to decide which unit is ideal for your type of operations.
If you need more power and top-class performance for heavy-duty woodworking projects, consider choosing a corded machine. It is, however, essential to also ensure that you can access power outlets and extension cords.
Based on the facts outlined on our cordless circular saw vs. corded review, machines that run on batteries are better for light-duty tasks. A home DIYer would hence find such units ideal. They are safer and also give you the freedom to work from anywhere!
