DEWALT Circular Saws: Which Cordless Model Should You Choose?
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DEWALT is one of the most familiar names in cordless power tools, and its circular saws are a staple on job sites and in home garages alike. A circular saw spins a round, toothed blade very fast to make straight cuts through lumber and plywood, the kind of cuts you need for building shelves, decks or framing a wall. DEWALT’s cordless lineup runs on two battery platforms, 20V MAX and the more powerful FLEXVOLT 60V MAX, and the brand’s brushless motors are designed to get more cuts from each charge.
The six saws below include three genuine DEWALT circular saws of different sizes and power, one compact DEWALT 6.5-inch saw, one third-party saw built to run on DEWALT 20V batteries, and a DEWALT jig saw for anyone who needs curves rather than straight cuts.
DEWALT Circular Saws Compared
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Circular Saw for Dewalt 20V Max Battery, 7-Inch Brushless Cordless Right-Blade Circular Saw, 8000 RPM, 0-45° Bevel, Power Tool for Wood PVC Cutting (Battery Not Included)
Price and specifications are read from the Amazon product page and can change.
Circular Saw for Dewalt 20V Max
Best for: Occasional DIY cuts on a budget battery
Pros
- Runs on DEWALT 20V batteries
- 8,000 RPM brushless motor
- Two blades, guide and glasses included
Cons
- Third-party brand, not DEWALT
- Bevel range listed inconsistently
| Model | Made by | Battery platform | Blade size | Max depth at 90° |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| DEWALT 20V MAX XR Circular Saw (DCS590B) | DEWALT | 20V MAX | 7-1/4 in. | 2-9/16 in. |
| DEWALT FLEXVOLT 60V MAX Circular Saw with Brake (DCS578B) | DEWALT | FLEXVOLT 60V MAX | 7-1/4 in. | 2-9/16 in. |
| DEWALT FLEXVOLT 60V MAX Circular Saw for Framing (DCS577B) | DEWALT | FLEXVOLT 60V MAX | 7-1/4 in. | 2-7/16 in. |
| Circular Saw for Dewalt 20V Max | SXBSXB | Fits DEWALT 20V | 7 in. | Not listed |
| DEWALT DCS566 20V Circular Saw | DEWALT | 20V | 6.5 in. | Not listed |
| DEWALT 20V MAX XR Jig Saw (DCS334B) | DEWALT | 20V MAX | T-shank jig saw blade | Not applicable |
DEWALT 20V MAX XR Brushless Circular Saw for 20V Owners Wanting Top Power
Best for: Curves and cutouts instead of straight rips
Pros
- Brushless 20V motor
- 4-position orbital action
- Keyless blade change
- LED light
Cons
- Not a circular saw
- Slower for long straight cuts
Dewalt
DEWALT 20V MAX XR Brushless Cordless 7-1/4 in. Circular Saw, Tool Only (DCS590B)
Price and specifications are read from the Amazon product page and can change.
DEWALT 20V MAX XR Brushless Cordless
Best for: Owners of DEWALT 20V batteries wanting power
Pros
- Up to 1,700 MWO
- Up to 368 cuts per charge
- Brushless motor, electric brake
- 2-9/16 in. depth at 90°
Cons
- Heavy for 20V at 9.88 pounds
- Battery sold separately
The DEWALT 20V MAX XR Brushless Cordless 7-1/4 in. Circular Saw (DCS590B) is described as DEWALT’s most powerful 20V MAX circular saw. It delivers up to 1,700 MWO, which stands for “max watts out”, DEWALT’s way of measuring how much power the tool can put to the blade. The brushless motor reaches up to 5,500 RPM with no load and DEWALT claims up to 368 cuts per charge. A brushless motor has no carbon brushes rubbing inside, so it wastes less energy as heat and usually runs longer per battery.
The 7-1/4 inch blade cuts up to 2-9/16 inches deep at 90° and 2 inches deep at 45°, enough to cut through standard 2x lumber in one pass. The blade sits to the right of the motor with a top handle, the classic sidewinder layout most beginners learn on. An electric brake stops the blade from coasting after you release the trigger. It weighs 9.88 pounds and is sold as a tool only.
This is the pick for anyone already invested in DEWALT 20V batteries who wants the strongest 20V saw. If you need even more power for all-day framing, the FLEXVOLT models step up. For more 20V options, see our dewalt 20 volt circular saw guide.
DEWALT FLEXVOLT 60V MAX Circular Saw with Brake for Heavy Cutting
Dewalt
DEWALT FLEXVOLT 60V MAX* Circular Saw for Framing, 7-1/4-Inch, Tool Only (DCS577B)
Price and specifications are read from the Amazon product page and can change.
DEWALT FLEXVOLT 60V MAX* Circular Saw
Best for: Framers who prefer a rear handle
Pros
- Worm drive style layout
- Magnesium shoe, brushless motor
- Dust blower and blade wrench storage
Cons
- Heaviest here at 10.9 pounds
- Shallower 2-7/16 in. cut depth
Best for: Heavy cutting with FLEXVOLT batteries
Pros
- 60V FLEXVOLT power
- 57° bevel capacity
- LED light and rafter hook
- Electric brake
Cons
- Needs FLEXVOLT battery
- Power figures differ in listing
The DEWALT FLEXVOLT 60V MAX* Circular Saw with Brake (DCS578B) runs on DEWALT’s FLEXVOLT 60V MAX batteries. DEWALT says it has up to 47% more power than its earlier 60V circular saw, and a no-load speed of 5,800 RPM. The description lists 2,456 unit watts out, while the spec sheet lists 1,700 watts, so the power figures in the listing do not match; the description figure is DEWALT’s marketing measurement.
It uses a 7-1/4 inch blade with a maximum depth of 2-9/16 inches at 90°. It stands out for bevel range: up to 57°, with stops at 22.5° and 45°. A bevel is an angled cut, used for roof rafters and trim. It has an electric brake, an integrated LED for seeing your cut line and a rafter hook for hanging it on a joist. Battery and charger are sold separately.
This suits contractors and serious DIYers who cut thick, wet or dense lumber all day. For occasional home projects, the DCS590B is lighter on your battery budget.
DEWALT FLEXVOLT 60V MAX Circular Saw for Framing
The DEWALT FLEXVOLT 60V MAX* Circular Saw for Framing (DCS577B) is a “worm drive style” saw. That means the blade sits to the left of the motor and the handle is at the rear, giving a long, inline shape. Many framers prefer this style because it gives a clear line of sight to the blade for right-handed users and pulls straight through long rip cuts.
It has a brushless motor, a no-load speed of 5,800 RPM and a durable magnesium shoe (the flat plate that slides on the wood). It cuts 2-7/16 inches deep at 90° and bevels to 53° with stops at 45° and 22.5°. Extra touches include an electronic brake, an integrated dust blower that clears sawdust off your line, a rafter hook and onboard blade wrench storage. It is the heaviest saw here at 10.9 pounds.
Choose it for framing crews or anyone who already likes a rear-handle saw. Beginners usually find the sidewinder DCS590B or DCS578B easier to learn.
Circular Saw for Dewalt 20V Max Battery by SXBSXB for Budget DIY Cuts
The Circular Saw for Dewalt 20V Max is made by SXBSXB, not DEWALT. It is built to accept DEWALT 20V batteries such as the DCB200, DCB203 and DCB206, so you can share batteries you already own, but it is a third-party tool and does not carry DEWALT’s warranty. It is sold as a bare tool.
It uses a 7-inch blade in a right-blade layout and a brushless motor rated up to 8,000 RPM. The listing mentions cutting boards, solid wood, PVC pipe and plasterboard. It has a safety lock against accidental starts and a non-slip handle. The kit includes two 7-inch 30-tooth blades, a parallel guide, a hex wrench, safety glasses and work gloves. The bevel range is listed as both 0-40° and 0-45°, and no cut depth or weight is given.
It suits a homeowner making occasional cuts who already has DEWALT 20V batteries. For regular use and clear specs, a genuine DEWALT saw is the safer bet.
DEWALT DCS566 20V Circular Saw for Compact Cuts
Best for: Lighter one-handed cuts in sheet goods
Pros
- Compact 6.5 in. blade
- Brushless with brake
- Lightest circular saw here at 7.8 pounds
Cons
- Very sparse listing
- Bulk packed, bare tool
The DEWALT DCS566 20V Circular Saw uses a smaller 6.5-inch blade and a brushless motor with a brake. At 7.8 pounds it is the lightest circular saw in this list. Smaller blades cut less deeply but make the saw easier to handle for plywood, paneling and trim.
The listing is sparse. It says bare tool only and bulk packed, which usually means it ships without retail packaging. It lists a 24-tooth blade, wood, metal and plastic surfaces and a limited warranty, but it does not specify cut depth, RPM or bevel range, and one spec reads “56.31 degrees” without explanation.
It suits a beginner or gift recipient who wants a lighter saw for sheet goods. For thick lumber, the 7-1/4 inch DCS590B cuts deeper. More compact options are in our dewalt 20v saw guide.
DEWALT 20V MAX XR Jig Saw as a Curved-Cut Alternative
The DEWALT 20V MAX XR Jig Saw (DCS334B) is not a circular saw. A jig saw uses a thin blade that moves up and down, which makes it ideal for curves, circles and cutouts such as a sink hole in a countertop. It is included here because many first-time buyers are really looking for that kind of cut.
It has a brushless motor, blade speed up to 3,200 strokes per minute, a variable speed trigger and dial, 4-position orbital action (the blade swings slightly forward for faster, rougher cuts), a keyless lever for T-shank blade changes, an LED light and a dust blower. The keyless shoe bevels with detents at 0°, 15°, 30° and a stop at 45°. It weighs 4.2 pounds.
Pick it if your projects involve shapes. For long, straight cuts in lumber, any circular saw above is faster and more accurate.
How to Choose the Right DEWALT Circular Saw
20V MAX or FLEXVOLT. 20V MAX is DEWALT’s everyday battery platform. FLEXVOLT 60V MAX batteries deliver more power for demanding tools, and saws like the DCS578B and DCS577B need them. If you already own 20V batteries, the DCS590B or DCS566 keeps things simple. If you plan to go FLEXVOLT, see our dewalt 60v saw roundup.
Blade size. A 7-1/4 inch blade is the standard size and cuts through 2x lumber in one pass. A 6.5-inch blade is lighter and handier for plywood. A 7-inch blade sits in between.
Brushless motors. Every circular saw here lists a brushless motor, which generally means better runtime and less maintenance.
Layout and weight. Sidewinder saws (blade on the right, top handle) are the most common and beginner-friendly. The worm drive style DCS577B suits framers. Heavier saws feel steadier but tire you faster.
Genuine or compatible. The SXBSXB saw fits DEWALT batteries but is not a DEWALT tool, so specs and support come from its seller.
FAQ
Which DEWALT circular saw is best for a beginner?
The DCS590B is a strong all-round choice for 20V battery owners, with a familiar layout and an electric brake. The DCS566 is lighter for small projects.
Can I use a 20V battery in a FLEXVOLT saw?
The FLEXVOLT listings call for 60V MAX batteries, so plan on FLEXVOLT batteries for the DCS578B and DCS577B.
What is the difference between the DCS578B and DCS577B?
The DCS578B is a sidewinder with a 57° bevel and LED light. The DCS577B is a worm drive style saw with a rear handle, 53° bevel and magnesium shoe.
Is the circular saw for DEWALT 20V batteries made by DEWALT?
No. It is made by SXBSXB and designed to run on DEWALT 20V batteries.
Do these saws come with batteries?
No. All are sold as bare tools, so batteries and chargers are separate.
Should I buy a jig saw or a circular saw?
Choose a circular saw for straight cuts in lumber and plywood, and the jig saw for curves and cutouts.
