Best Circular Saw for Beginners in 2023 – Reviews & Buying Guide

A circular is one of the most versatile tools that you need in your garage or workshop. This tool works well in various applications such as making furniture, building fences, decks, and cutting sheetrock, among others. A circular saw is an ideal tool for DIY lovers, and most of them are designed to last for years. So, why should you have the best circular saw for beginners?

If you are starting your woodworking journey, you need to have a versatile, dependable, safe, and tool that is easy to use. Since there are so many tools and various brands on the market, picking the right one can be problematic. However, if you know what you are looking for, then it will be easy to choose.

Check our comparison, reviews, and guide to help you make the right decision.

Best Circular Saw for Beginners – Quick Table

The most important thing that you should consider as a beginner when picking any power tool is safety. These tools can be dangerous if you do not handle them with care. We have done extensive research to provide you with safe, powerful, and dependable circular saws that are ideal for beginners.

Best Circular Saw for Beginners – Reviews of 2022

There are many circular saws on the market, but not all are suitable for beginners. Here is a list of the recommended circular saws suitable for beginners.

1. Makita 5007MGA Magnesium Circular Saw

Makita is one of the top brands that you can trust for quality power tools. In their line of circular saws, the Makita 5007MGA Magnesium is a recommended tool for beginners. This circular saw has a powerful 15 amp motor with a speed of 5800 RMP so you can be sure of excellent performance.

The saw is made from magnesium components that not only make it lightweight but also durable. Hence, it becomes easy to move the saw around the workshop. It provides you with a large cutting capacity of up 2 ½ inches meaning that you can handle larger workpieces. It is also equipped with an electric brake that prevents the blade to increase productivity.

When you are working with any power tool, comfort is important. This is why this circular saw has an ergonomic design. The tool provides you with a better grip even for people with larger hands or people wearing gloves. On top of that, it features LED illumination so that you can easily see in low-light conditions.

Makita 5007MGA Magnesium has a well-marked & easy to read measuring ruler. It comprises of oversized numbers and clear ruler markings to ensure accuracy. The saw is also designed with a convenient dust collection system to keep your working environment neat.

What we liked

• Great for beginners.
• Offers a faster and efficient cutting solution.
• Easy to change the blade.
• The ruler markings are easy to read for accuracy.
• The intense blades offer increased cutting quality.

What we didn’t like

• Its high quality makes it be expensive.

2. DEWALT DWE575SB Circular Saw

As a beginner, you need a circular saw that is easy to use. In this case, a lightweight saw like this model from Dewalt can be a great purchase. In fact, this is the lightest circular saw that you can find. It has a 15 amp motor that provides enough power to handle even the toughest cutting tasks.

One of the best aspects of this saw is the electric brakes. This means that the blade stops immediately after you release the trigger which makes the tool safer to use. It is a small yet very powerful tool with more power. You can easily move it around without problems. The circular saw is a great choice for general contractors, framers, concrete formers, and remodelers among others.

Another great aspect of this circular saw is that it is designed with durable components. This is a tool that will serve you for many years. For instance, it has a tough cord system that provides up to 3 times cord pull resistance as compared to other circular saws. It is also designed with ergonomic handles that offer comfort.

What we liked

• The saw has a very powerful make.
• Easy to carry it around for its lightweight feature.
• Inhabits a grip-friendly handle that is made from soft rubber.
• Runs quietly and does not cause noise when in use.
• Increased accuracy due to marked readings.

What we didn’t like

• The blades require regular sharpening and replacement.

3. Hitachi C7SB2 Circular Saw

The Hitachi is a great beginner circular saw with a powerful motor. It has an amazing lever cutting depth for deeper cutting on both hard and softwoods.  It is made from a heavy-duty aluminum alloy which as you know is a very sturdy and tough metal. With this saw, you can handle heavy-duty work without any difficulty.

When it comes to accuracy, it is also on point to ensure you do your work to perfection. Its favorable readings on the ruler boost this accuracy. They are well marked to ensure you take exactly the right readings at all times.

Moreover, the grips are well suited to ensure you can handle the saw with care. This is especially with the presence of a rubber coating on the grips. This saw is equipped with user-friendly features which makes it suitable for beginners.

Furthermore, the motor is built to be extra powerful. The 15 amp motor has a no-load saw speed of 5,800 rpm so you can be sure of better cutting performance.  Not only can you make 90-degree cuts but also bevels from 0-55 degrees in any framing material.

What we liked

• It is very powerful for heavy-duty work.
• It offers longer-lasting usage due to its durability.
• Aluminum alloy components provide strength.
• Easy to grip.
• It makes smooth cuts at all times.

What we didn’t like

• It has a heavyweight not suitable for movements.

4. SKIL 5280-01 Circular Saw

When you talk of an easy-to-use and well-operational saw, then SKIL 5280-01 is indeed the best saw. This is a beginner-friendly circular saw that is lightweight making it easy to use. This lightweight feature makes it easy to carry around the workplace and reduces fatigue when at work.

Additionally, it has a spinal lock on the blades. This makes it easy to replace the blades when a need to change arises. Not only will you be able to change the blades but also you will be able to put into place blades of different types. You can use this circular saw either for cutting hard or softwoods.

The circular saw is fitted with an electric motor that has great operational power. It is a powerful 15-amp motor that delivers greater speed and faster cuts at all times. With the faster cuts and speed guaranteed, you will be able to have an improved rate of work.

Furthermore, it has a dust blower for smooth and improved visibility. You will also enjoy a clean working environment. On top of that, this tool has an indicator light that will help you know when the saw is powered to begin the job.

What we liked

• It has a comfortable gripping surface.
• It has increased durability.
• Easy to use for beginners.
• More powerful motor compared to the predecessors.
• A Guarded Trigger that minimizes accidental start-up.

What we didn’t like

• It is not efficient for heavy-duty jobs.

5. PORTER-CABLE PCE300 Circular Saw

Looking for an incredible circular saw that is suitable for all types of applications? Then you can get this Porter cable circular saw. This saw has a speedy way of cutting various materials. It is designed with a powerful motor that provides the required power to handle cutting jobs. It also has a durable construction to ensure it provides services for a longer time without any problem.

The saw provides accurate cuts when handling your projects. The reason is that the readings and measurement marking are well fitted to ensure there is no error at all. With this, you will always cut woods that are well-fitting to the place you want.

With a weight of about 9.5 pounds, the saw is easily portable from one place to another. It additionally has a steel shoe and a magnesium shoe which are very durable in quality. Thus, it can perform heavy-duty functions. This saw has an AUX handle that offers comfort during operation.

The saw works well with a bevel adjustment of up to 45 degrees. With this, the saw provides great ease of use at all times. Accuracy, efficiency, and powerfulness are all guaranteed in this saw at all times.

What we liked

• It is easily portable around the workplace.
• It comes with a strong motor that increases the rate of work.
• Easy to use for beginners.
• Guaranteed durability offered by magnesium and steel components.

What we didn’t like

• It depends on the availability of electric power to operate.

6. BLACK+DECKER BDCCS20B Circular Saw

Black & Decker is one of the top brands on the market that provides quality and reliable power tools. If you’re looking for a beginner-friendly circular saw, I would recommend the BLACK+DECKER BDCCS20B. This is a powerful tool with a high-torque motor that provides precise and fast cutting.

The saw has a tool-free cut depth and a bevel adjustment that is easy to use which helps you achieve accurate and angled cuts. It is suitable for everyday cutting tasks and you can expect fast and smooth cuts when working with this circular saw.

Furthermore, the saw is very friendly to use for beginners. This is because it does not have a lot of complications. Additionally, it comes with a manual to help beginners to be able to understand how it works easily.

This tool comes with a circular saw blade included in the package. However, you can buy extra blades or batteries separately in case you need more.

What we liked

• Comfortable to use.
• Has a lightweight that makes it be suitable for movements.
• Easy to use for beginners.
• Contains a fast-operational motor to suit its operation.
• Does not rely on the availability of electricity.

What we didn’t like

• Require regular replacement of batteries which might be expensive.

7. Bosch CS5 7-1/4-Inch Circular Saw

Are you a professional or DIYer looking for an easy-to-use circular saw? You can try this model from Bosch and enjoy a great time handling your cutting projects. As compared to other circular saws on the market, this model provides more power, is quality, and has a nice high-end design.

The saw is equipped with a powerful motor so you can be sure of the right power to suit your cutting needs. This tool is also efficient meaning that it shortens the cutting time and the blade is always ready to cut.

The circular saw is easy to use. This is to facilitate usage, especially by beginners, so that they find it easy to use. We recommend the saw for it surely ensures a clear view of the line of sight while cutting. It is made to be much better with its favorable weight.  You will, therefore, find yourself doing a large amount of work easily without getting tired.

What we liked

• Easy to replace the blade when the need arises.
• Easy to use for beginners due to the included manual.
• Highly durable due to the strong materials used.
• This saw is easier to move from place to place.
• The saw does not require regular repair, thus saves time.

What we didn’t like

• Mainly not suitable for right-handed people.

8. Makita 5007MG Circular Saw

When it comes to quality tools, Makita is another reputable brand that you can trust. The Makita 5007 MG is the best beginner-friendly circular saw that you can find from this brand.  The saw is designed with magnesium components that not only make it lightweight but also durable.

Furthermore, it comes with a Powerful 15.0 AMP motor. The motor always delivers 5,800 RPM when it is at work. The reason is to increase the rate of work done at a time. It is among the circular saws that have a proven performance and job site durability at all times of operation.

Another great aspect of this saw is the two built-in L.E.D. lights. The lights are essential to illuminate the line of cut. The reason for this is for increased accuracy in making cuts at all times regardless of the wood surface. Therefore, the probability of making errors is reduced by a huge margin.

Carpenters can use the saw with excellent results. Also, you can use the saw for masonries and metal cutting purposes at all times. Consequently, when it comes to this saw, you do not need to worry if you are a beginner. This is because the manufacturers have made it keeping in mind the needs of a beginner.

What we liked

• Has a high rate of accuracy.
• Comes at a reasonable and budget-friendly price for all.
• The saw is easy to use for beginners.
• Easy to read and adjust the readings of the well-marked ruler markings.
• Made of high-quality blades that do not break easily.

What we didn’t like

• Greatly relies on electricity; it, therefore, cannot work when there is no power.

Buyer’s Guide

Several things make up a quality circular saw. Before you buy the right tool for beginners, here are a few essential considerations that you need to take into account.

Accuracy

One of the main things you should check when buying a circular saw is accuracy. After all, you don’t want to have a saw that provides inaccurate results. An accurate saw is very efficient in making your cutting work easier. When cutting you do not want to make under/ overestimation of the measurement. You want to ensure you make accurate and error-free measurements.

Thus, while buying a saw, consider the accuracy feature it has. For example, a saw with clear measurement markings and readings will ensure accuracy.

The Brand

When buying a saw, you need to be aware that there are many brands of saws out there. Different manufacturers manufacture these saws. This means different innovations are used to make these saws. Hence, there might be those of great quality and others of low quality. Therefore, you need to consider the brand of the saw wisely. Always ensure that the circular saw you choose is the exact brand you want.

Choosing the brand will depend on the features you want the saw to have and also the usage.  You need to note people use saws for different purposes hence choose a brand that matches tour purposes. Some top brands that you can trust include the following:

• Makita
• Porter-Cable
• Bosch
• Skil
• Black & Decker
• Hitachi among others

Easy Blade Replacement

The blade is a very important component of the saw. The most important for it is the one that does the cutting activity. You need to consider how efficient it is to replace it. This is because a time will come when you will need to change the blade of the saw. This is due to various reasons like:

• When the Blade becomes dull.
• Depending on whether you are cutting hardwood vs. softwood.
• If it is a Plywood, it will require a different type of blade.
• Thus, you need to consider if it will be easy to replace the blade when a need arises.

Grip Suitability

At all times when choosing a circular saw, always consider the gripping surface of the saw. The grip of the circular saw is essential for it decides the comfort of the saw while at work. Hence, a feature worth considering. Choose a saw that has easy grips. This is because it will decide on the comfort you get in operating any circular saw.

Because of this, a good grip is one that has a well-placed rubber. When buying a saw, hold it to check whether you are comfortable with it.

YouTube Video Credit seejanedrill

Blade Size and Quality

Consequently, the blade size and quality are also important considerations to look at. As we discussed above, we saw that the blade is the most important part. You, therefore, want to ensure that it is among the parts that are working best. Therefore, always choose a circular saw which has a strong and durable blade. Which will cut for a long period without wearing out?

Under the same consider choosing a blade with the right sizing. The sizing will depend on the work if you will mostly be cutting softwood and thin woods. You will opt for a saw with a small size. A large saw will be considered for hardwood and thick wood cutting.

Affordability

When buying a circular saw, it is essentially like any other product to consider affordability. This is done by checking the cost of the saw. Checking on this helps to ensure you get the best saw according to your pocket. Considering this helps you not to go beyond your budget.

Therefore, when buying a saw always ensure you consider your budget. After considering this option for the saw that is within your budget spend. Always ask yourself this question, can I afford it? If it is yes, then you are good to go.

The Weight of the Saw

The weight of the saw also plays a vital role in a circular saw. It is therefore worth considering it when buying a circular saw. About the weight, we are mainly looking at whether it is heavyweight or lightweight.

If you will be moving the saw here and there the best option will be the lightweight saw. The reason is that it is easy to carry it around without any problem at all.

On the other hand, if you intend to use the saw at a fixed point, then the heavy-duty saw is the best. The reason is that they are more powerful.  You need to note that the lightweight ones also have an excellent performance if you choose the right ones.

The Other Important considerations are;

• The size of the saw.
• The power and operation of the motor.
• Whether the dust blower is in place.
• A trigger safety.
• The size of the circular saw.
• The usage of the saw/the purpose.

All the above considerations need to be considered when buying a saw. Luckily all the saws we mentioned have met the above threshold and will work well.

Final Verdict

In the past, getting a cheap circular saw that works best was very difficult to find. This is no longer an issue. You can now purchase a cheap quality and operational saw just as you want it to be. The above are the best circular saws for beginners.

We also recommend that when choosing a saw, you need always to consider the above considerations. The good thing is that the saws above have met the factors above and will work best.

Your cutting experience will no longer be the same. Therefore, when choosing a saw, choose carefully.  Consider the above saws as the best circular saw for beginners. Their features and usability make them great.

Relevant Resources

• The 8 Best Circular Saw reviews in 2022 –Top Picks & Buying Guide
• The 8 Best Circular Saw Guide Rails in 2022 – Reviews & Buying Guide