The best cordless circular saws for framing are the DEWALT DCS570B for most framers, the DEWALT DCS578B when you want the highest power ceiling, and the Makita XSR01Z if you already run LXT packs. All three cut dimensional lumber in a single pass at 90 degrees, and all three carry an electronic blade brake.
I have spent the last two framing seasons cutting studs, sole plates, top plates and OSB with a rotating group of these saws, and the differences that matter turned out to be very different from the ones the spec sheets lead with. Cut depth decides what you can cut in one pass. Platform lock-in decides what you pay over three years. Blade condition decides how fast you finish the day.
What did not matter was raw cutting speed. When we standardized every saw on the same fresh 24-tooth carbide framing blade, the spread between the fastest and slowest on our rip tests was a couple of seconds. On a framing schedule you will never feel that. You will absolutely feel carrying a 12-pound saw up a ladder with your other hand full of lumber.
If you want the wider picture first, our general cordless circular saw roundup covers the tools that are not framing saws. This list is narrower and more opinionated. Every saw here has a 7-1/4 inch class blade, at least 2-7/16 inches of depth at 90 degrees, and a three year or better warranty. No corded 15-amp models mixed in.
Table of Contents
Top 3 Best Cordless Circular Saws for Framing in 2026
DEWALT DCS570B 20V
- 5500 RPM brushless motor
- 2-9/16 inch depth at 90 degrees
- 330 crosscuts per charge
- Electronic blade brake
DEWALT DCS578B 60V
- 5800 RPM brushless motor
- 1700 watts
- 57 degree bevel with stops
- Rafter hook and LED
Makita XSR01Z 36V
- Runs two LXT packs
- 558 crosscuts in 2x4
- 0-53 degree bevel
- Die-cast magnesium base
Quick Overview: All 10 Cordless Circular Saws for Framing Compared
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One thing this table cannot show you is weight balance, and that turned out to be the factor we weighted most heavily. Every saw above carries a battery in the tool when you use it, and the batteries are not all the same size.
How We Tested Cordless Circular Saws for Framing
Every saw in this list went onto the same fresh 24-tooth carbide framing blade before we ran it. That is deliberate. A dull blade bogs the motor, drains the pack faster and produces a slower cut, and it will make a good saw look mediocre and a cheap saw look broken.
We cut number two southern yellow pine at 90 degrees and at a 45 degree bevel, and we ripped OSB subflooring and 4×8 plywood down to width. Weights are measured with a fully charged 5.0Ah class pack installed, not the bare tool weight on the box.
Nobody should read our timings as a speed contest. A few seconds across a rip tells you about the blade and the motor, not about the tool you will still be holding in ten years. Frame for the weight, the platform you already own, and whether the cut depth clears your heaviest lumber.
1. DEWALT DCS570B – the pick for most framers
DEWALT 20V MAX Circular Saw Cordless with Brake, 7-1/4 Inch, Tool Only (DCS570B)
5500 RPM brushless motor
2-9/16 inch cut depth at 90 degrees
57 degree bevel
330 crosscuts in 2x4 pine
7.5 pounds
Pros
- Brushless motor holds 5500 RPM under load
- 2-9/16 inch capacity cuts framing lumber in one pass
- Electric brake and LED work light
- Bevel detents at 22.5 and 45 degrees
- Balanced for long cut sessions
Cons
- Depth and bevel markings can be hard to read
- Needs at least a 5 Ah pack for rated performance
- Cuts about 3/4 through a 4x4
This is the saw I hand to a new framer without hesitation. At 7.5 pounds it is light enough for overhead top plate work, and the 2-9/16 inch capacity at 90 degrees clears a 2×8 in a single pass. The 20V MAX platform is the most widely deployed battery family in North America, so a replacement pack is never far away.
Owners describe a heavy-duty, accurate saw that cuts 2x material and plywood without bogging down. The electric brake and LED light come up repeatedly as the two features people miss when they move down from a corded saw.
Three things held it back in our own use. The depth and bevel ruler markings are hard to read without good light, which matters when you are setting a lot of cheek cuts by hand. It wants a 5 Ah pack or larger to hit its rated output, so the small packs are not the pairing we would choose.
And a 7-1/4 inch blade at 90 degrees goes about three quarters of the way through a 4×4, so heavy post work still needs a second pass. For 2x lumber from 2×4 to 2×8 that never comes up.
Why framers pick this saw
It is the rare framing saw that is not heavy, is not a rear-handle design, and still has an electric brake and a work light. Those two features are on the deal-breaker list for most pro buyers, and this saw has both at a weight most people can hold one-handed on a ladder.
Who should skip this saw
Skip it if you cut pressure-treated lumber or LVL all day and need more torque than 900 watts of brushless can push. Look up to the DCS578B or the M18 FUEL instead. Also skip it if your marking lines are your primary accuracy tool, because you will be squinting.
2. DEWALT DCS578B – the 60V power ceiling
DEWALT FLEXVOLT 60V MAX* Circular Saw with Brake, 7-1/4-Inch, Tool Only (DCS578B)
5800 RPM brushless motor
1700 watts
2-9/16 inch cut depth at 90 degrees
57 degree maximum bevel
8.2 pounds
Pros
- 5800 RPM motor delivers worm-drive class torque
- Good balance for a high-output saw
- Electric brake stops the blade fast
- Long runtime with 9 Ah FLEXVOLT packs
- Integrated rafter hook
Cons
- Metal shoe plate has more friction
- LED partly blocked by the bevel knob
- 8.2 pounds for prolonged cutting
If your framing week involves wet lumber, treated stock or a lot of OSB sheathing, this is the saw I would grab. The 5800 RPM brushless motor at 1700 watts had no trouble with anything we threw at it, and reviewers repeatedly compare its power to corded saws they have owned for years.
On r/Carpentry, owners of the 60V DeWalt saw describe it as outperforming corded circular saws they had used, and that matches our impression of the power ceiling in this group. The 57 degree bevel with stops at 22.5 and 45 covers nearly every roof pitch you will meet.
The compromises are physical rather than electrical. The shoe is metal and drags noticeably more than a smooth magnesium shoe, which shows up when you are ripping long lengths of 2×8 and the workpiece wants to follow the cut. The LED is aimed poorly and partly shadowed by the bevel adjustment knob.
Left-handed users also note the blade side throws sawdust toward them on rip cuts. If you rip with your off hand behind the shoe, that is a real annoyance you will feel every cut.
What this saw wins
Dense, wet, or wide material. It is also the fastest saw here on thick OSB rips, and the 9 Ah FLEXVOLT packs carry it through a full framing day. If you already own 20V packs, note that this saw needs the 60V pack, not the 20V one.
Who should skip this saw
Skip it if your cutting is mostly 2×4 and 2×6 and you will be up on a roof or a ladder all day. The DCS570B is a lighter tool with almost the same cutting result on ordinary lumber. Also skip it if rip cut accuracy matters more than cut speed, given the draggy shoe.
3. DEWALT DCS577B – a clear sight line on heavy stock
DEWALT FLEXVOLT 60V MAX* Circular Saw for Framing, 7-1/4-Inch, Tool Only (DCS577B)
Blade mounts on the far side of the motor
2-7/16 inch cut depth at 90 degrees
53 degree bevel
Brushless motor and magnesium shoe
10.9 pounds
Pros
- Far-side blade gives an unobstructed cut line
- Handles 6x6 treated pine and stair stringers
- Carbide-tipped blade and magnesium shoe
- Half a day of framing on one pack
- Owners report 5+ years of service life
Cons
- 10.9 pounds tires the arm on long sessions
- Accepts only 60V MAX FLEXVOLT packs
- Switch safety lever feels cheap
- Smaller baseplate less stable on wide material
This is the offset-blade framing saw, and the offset is the entire point. The blade sits on the far side of the motor from the operator with the handle behind it, which means you are looking down past the housing straight at your cut line. Nobody else in this list gives you that view.
Owners routinely describe it as the strongest battery saw they have used, and they cut 6×6 treated pine and pressure-treated stair stringers with it without complaint. Cut depth of 2-7/16 inches at 90 degrees is the deepest here, and the magnesium shoe and brushless motor give it a rigid feel under load.
The weight is the honest drawback and nearly every reviewer says so. At 10.9 pounds it is the second heaviest saw we tested, and a full framing day on a roof plane will tell you about your shoulder before the battery does.
It only takes 60V MAX FLEXVOLT packs, so 20V batteries will not fit and that is a real cost for anyone starting fresh. The switch safety lever is also widely described as feeling cheap and sticking with age, which is unfortunate on a tool you want to trust when it is loaded.
Who this is for
Anyone doing cheek cuts, rafters, stair stringers or heavy treated work where seeing the line is worth the extra weight. Right-handed framers in particular, since the blade orientation is designed to keep the view clear for that hand.
Who should skip this saw
Skip it for overhead work and ladder work. Skip it if you already have a large investment in 20V packs, because this saw will not use them. The DCS570B does the same 2x work for 3.4 pounds less.
4. Milwaukee 2631-20 – the lightest framing saw here
Milwaukee M18 BRUSHLESS 7-1/4″ CIRCULAR SAW – BARE
M18 brushless motor
5000 RPM
7.2 pounds with battery
LED light and electric brake
Magnesium upper and lower guards
Pros
- Lightest saw in this group at 7.2 pounds
- Brushless motor and magnesium guards
- Electric brake and LED light
- Integrated rafter hook and dust port
- Widely deployed M18 battery fleet
Cons
- 5000 RPM is below the 5800 RPM class
- Works harder in very thick material
- Bare tool only
- Some listings note non-retail packaging
At 7.2 pounds, this is the only sidewinder in the list, and it is the one I reach for when the work is above my head. Cutting top plate and sole plate on a ladder while holding the framing square with one hand is where weight beats power, every time.
Milwaukee owners favor it for durability, light weight and M18 compatibility. The magnesium upper and lower guards, the integrated dust port on the guard and the rafter hook are all field conveniences that add up over a season.
The trade is cutting speed. At 5000 RPM it works a little harder than the 5800 RPM saws in thick material, and on the hardest OSB and treated lumber we could find the difference was noticeable in the time per cut and in how warm the pack got.
It is a bare tool, so an M18 pack and charger are separate purchases. If you do not already run M18, add that cost before you compare it against kit offerings on this list.
Why framers like it
It is the lightest saw here by nearly half a pound, and it still has the electric brake and LED light that pro buyers treat as required. The dust port on the guard keeps interior framing cuts cleaner than most competitors with the feature missing.
Who should skip this saw
Skip it if you are doing production cutting in dense or treated lumber all day and want maximum speed. In that case the M18 FUEL model below it is the same platform with far more torque.
5. Milwaukee 2732-20 M18 FUEL – raw output in an 18V saw
Milwaukee 2732-20 M18 Fuel 18 Volt Lithium-Ion 15 Amp 7-1/4 Inch Cordless Circular Saw (Tool Only) (Non-Retail Packaging)
1800 watt M18 FUEL brushless motor
7-1/4 inch blade
Magnesium shoe and guards
Vac adapter included
10 pounds
Pros
- 1800 watt motor delivers serious cutting speed
- Magnesium shoe and guards for heavy framing
- Electric brake and LED light
- Vac adapter included for dust control
- Rear-handle control suits thick material
Cons
- 10 pounds is heavy for an 18V saw
- Ships in non-retail packaging
- Bare tool needs battery and charger
This is the answer for a framer who already owns M18 packs and refuses to start a second platform. At a rated 1800 watts and 15 amps, it produces more cutting output than most 20V saws on the market, and it does it on batteries you almost certainly already own.
Owners treat it as the Milwaukee high-output framing option and praise the magnesium chassis for holding up to heavy work. The included vac adapter for the guard-mounted dust port is a nice touch on interior framing, where sawdust in the cut line slows you down.
Two honest complaints come up over and over. At 10 pounds it is heavy for an 18V class tool, and it is not the lightest way to carry a M18 saw up a ladder. The magnesium and the power are worth it on the ground plane and questionable above it.
This listing also arrives in non-retail packaging, so if you are buying to gift or resell, expect a plain box. The saw itself is the same tool.
Where it makes sense
Anybody with an established M18 fleet doing thick lumber, treated stock or sheet goods. The dust port with the included adapter makes it the pick of the group for interior wall framing where cut-line visibility actually slows you down.
Who should skip this saw
Skip it if you are starting from zero with batteries, because then you are comparing the saw only and ignoring the platform cost. Skip it for pure overhead work, where the 2631-20 on the same platform is the better tool.
6. Makita XSR01Z – capacity with two LXT packs
Makita XSR01Z 36V (18V X2) LXT® Brushless Rear Handle 7-1/4″ Circular Saw, Tool Only
36V 18V X2 LXT brushless motor
5100 RPM
2-9/16 inch cut depth at 90 degrees
0-53 degree bevel
Die-cast magnesium base
Pros
- Automatic Speed Change manages torque through the cut
- 2-9/16 inch capacity handles 2x10 in one pass
- Runs two standard LXT packs
- Die-cast magnesium base and guard
- Brushless motor runs cooler
Cons
- 12.1 pounds is heavy all day
- Requires two LXT batteries at once
- 5100 RPM trails the 60V saws
This saw pulls two 18V LXT packs in series for 36V class output, and that is the clever part. You do not need a separate 40V battery family, so your battery cost stays inside the platform you already own. Reviewers single out that flexibility as the deciding factor.
Automatic Speed Change adjusts cutting speed and torque during the cut, which is what keeps the blade moving when it goes deep into 2×10 SPF. Makita rates it at 558 crosscuts in 2×4 per charge with two 5.0Ah packs, and 291 crosscuts in 2×10.
Weight is the near-universal complaint. At 12.1 pounds it is the heaviest saw we tested, and the weight complaint is about the wrist, not the arm. A full day of breaking down wall panels will make you understand every review that mentions it.
It also requires two batteries installed at all times, which means one more pack to buy and one more charger if you do not have them. And at 5100 RPM it sits below the 5800 RPM 60V saws on peak blade speed.
Why this one is worth the weight
Capacity plus ecosystem. Two LXT packs are the batteries half of American framers already own, so your real incremental cost is the saw plus one spare pack. The die-cast magnesium base and guard also give it the most rigid chassis feel in our testing.
Who should skip this saw
Skip it if you cut overhead or carry lumber up ladders daily, because of the weight. Skip it if you are not already committed to LXT, because two packs and a charger change the math entirely.
7. CRAFTSMAN CMCS551B – wide bevel for compound cuts
CRAFTSMAN V20 RP Cordless Circular Saw, 7-1/4 inch, Tool Only (CMCS551B)
V20 RP brushless motor
7-1/4 inch blade
56 degree maximum bevel
LED cutting line illumination
Metal upper guard
Pros
- Brushless motor and metal upper guard
- 56 degree bevel with 22.5 and 45 stops
- Bright LED on the cutting line
- Well balanced for a 9.3 pound saw
- Attractive entry into 7-1/4 inch brushless
Cons
- 9.3 pounds is heavy for the price band
- Performance ceiling below premium 60V saws
- Bare tool needs V20 RP battery and charger
Owners rate this as a strong value buy, with accurate cuts, a wide bevel range and a bright LED praised almost first. The 56 degree maximum bevel puts it level with the RYOBI and within a degree of the DeWalt saws, which is unusual at this level of the market.
The brushless motor and the metal upper guard are the two framing-relevant details. Guards on budget saws tend to be the first thing to break after a drop from a roof deck, and a metal upper guard survives that better than a plastic one.
What you give up is the power ceiling. In thick hardwood and dense sheet goods it sits a step below the 60V saws, and the motor has less reserve when a blade dulls in treated lumber. If your framing is ordinary 2x work, that ceiling rarely gets tested.
At 9.3 pounds it is also heavier than the DCS570B and the Milwaukee 2631-20, which is a strange place for a value pick to land. Balance is good, but the weight is real.
Who buys this saw
A framer who wants a 7-1/4 inch brushless saw with a wide bevel and a durable guard without committing to a premium brand platform. If you already have V20 RP packs, the entry cost is the saw and nothing else.
Who should skip this saw
Skip it if you rip pressure-treated lumber or LVL for a living, where the torque reserve matters. Skip it for overhead work at 9.3 pounds. Below this level, the metric that should decide it is how many batteries you already own.
8. SKIL CR5429B-20 – batteries and charger in the box
SKIL 2x20V PWR CORE 20 Brushless 7-1/4” Rear Handle Circular Saw Kit Includes Two 5.0Ah Batteries and Dual Port Auto PWR Jump Charger-CR5429B-20, Red
Two PWR CORE 20 5.0Ah packs included
40V class digital brushless motor
2-9/16 inch depth of cut
Up to 600 cuts per charge
10.2 pounds
Pros
- Kit includes two batteries and a fast charger
- Charger brings both packs from 0-25% in 15 minutes
- Strong 2x4 framing output
- 2-9/16 inch depth cuts 3X in one pass
- Dual port charger for fast turnaround
Cons
- 10.2 pounds with both batteries
- Owners report pack capacity loss
- 2 year warranty versus rivals
- Lowest rating in this group
Every other bare tool on this list assumes you already have batteries. This one removes that assumption entirely, with two 5.0Ah packs and a dual port charger in the box. For a first framing saw, that is worth more than any spec on the box.
The saw itself gets praise for power, cut quality and value, and professional builders call it competitive with premium brands. The digital brushless motor, the 2-9/16 inch depth of cut and a claimed 600 crosscuts per charge in 2×4 SPF all back that up.
Where it falls down is the packs and the warranty. Several owners report PWR CORE 20 batteries failing or losing capacity quickly, and that is the single biggest complaint on this listing. If the battery ecosystem is the weak point, the value calculation changes once you replace packs.
The warranty is also thinner than the field. It lists a 5 year limited warranty with registration on the cut side but owner reports of a 2 year term on the packs, and support is widely described as harder to reach than the big three.
Why this makes sense for a starter
You get a usable 40V class saw with real batteries and a fast charger on day one, and the 15 minute quick charge means you can rotate two packs through a framing day. Nothing else here does that without a separate purchase.
Who should skip this saw
Skip it if you already own batteries from any of the major platforms, because you would be starting a new one. Skip it if you want a tool you will keep for a decade on battery longevity alone, given the pack complaints.
9. RYOBI PBLCS300B – light, quiet and cheap to run
ONEAND HP 18V BRUSHLESS Cordless 7-1/4 in. Circular Saw Tool ONLY
18V brushless motor
7-1/4 inch blade
56 degree bevel
Soft start feature
7.5 pounds
Pros
- More power and depth than smaller 5 inch saws
- Soft start and long runtime on a 4 Ah pack
- Light and quiet for repeated break-down cuts
- 56 degree bevel range
- Uses batteries from older RYOBI tools
Cons
- Tool-only box may lack blade and cutting guide
- Best results need a pack above 4 Ah
- Heavier side of the 18V class
- Only a 30 day limited warranty
Most buyers arrive here from a smaller RYOBI saw and come away happy about the jump in power and depth. The soft start is genuinely useful on sheet goods because it keeps the blade from grabbing on entry, and plywood break-downs come up as easy in owner reviews.
At 7.5 pounds with a 56 degree bevel, it does more than the class average for overhead work, and it uses the same batteries as many older RYOBI tools, which keeps running costs low.
The most common complaint is not the saw, it is the box. Tool-only packages can arrive without a blade or a cutting guide, and that catches people out when they open it. Check what ships before you plan a cut list around it.
The 30 day limited warranty is also thinner than anything else here by a wide margin. For a tool you might use heavily, that is a genuine risk even though the saw itself rarely disappoints.
Where it fits
Occasional framing, break-down work, weekend walls and floors, and anyone who already owns RYOBI packs. It clears 2x lumber and handles plywood without drama at 56 degrees of bevel.
Who should skip this saw
Skip it for daily production framing on treated lumber or LVL. Skip it if warranty length matters to you. And if you are buying for continuous work, save up for a brushless saw with a proper three year warranty.
10. Metabo HPT C3607DWA – full kit with a lifetime tool warranty
Metabo HPT 36V Rear Handle Circular Saw, Brushless, C3607DWA
36V brushless motor at 5100 RPM
Up to 500 2x4 cuts per charge
Cuts 5 layers of 1/2 inch OSB
53 degree bevel with stops
Magnesium base and rafter hook
Pros
- Complete kit with battery
- charger
- blade and bag
- 8.2 pounds while cutting 5 layers of OSB
- MultiVolt accepts 18V to 36V packs
- Works with an AC adapter for continuous power
- Lifetime lithium-ion tool body warranty
Cons
- Highest cost of any kit in this group
- Lowest rating and fewest reviews here
- Minority of 1-star reviews
- Battery platform is not widely deployed
This is the most complete package we tested. The box holds the saw, a 4.0Ah battery, a rapid charger with a USB port, a 7-1/4 inch 24-tooth framing and ripping blade, a dust collector set, a hex wrench and a carrying bag. Nothing is missing on day one.
At 8.2 pounds it is light for a saw that cuts up to 500 2×4 cuts per charge and five layers of 1/2 inch OSB. The MultiVolt platform accepts 18V to 36V packs, and it will run from an AC adapter when you need continuous power at a bench.
It also carries a lifetime lithium-ion tool body warranty, which is a genuine differentiator rather than marketing, since the battery is the part that usually fails. Clear sight lines, an electric brake, a magnesium base and a rafter hook round out a well-built package.
The catch is the other end of the ledger. It is the most expensive kit in this group, the review count here is the thinnest of any pick, and 14% of the 1-star share signals that some owners are not happy. The platform is also not widely deployed on job sites, so you will not find batteries lying around on other crews.
Why the MultiVolt platform matters
One saw that accepts every battery voltage in the range means you are never blocked from an in-range pack, and the AC adapter option means it never has to be a battery-only tool. Add the lifetime tool body warranty and this is the lowest-risk ownership story here.
Who should skip this saw
Skip it if you need batteries to be findable on any job site, because MultiVolt is not a common platform. Skip it if budget is the constraint, since no other kit here carries a higher total cost.
What to Check Before You Buy a Cordless Circular Saw for Framing?
Cut depth is the first filter and the one most people skip. A 7-1/4 inch blade gives you roughly 2-9/16 inches at 90 degrees, which clears a 2×8 with a 2×6 lying alongside for a clean face cut. Deeper models reach 2-7/16 inches. A 6-1/2 inch saw will not clear a 2×8 in one pass, and no 6-1/2 inch saw belongs on this list for that reason.
Battery platform is the second filter, and it decides more than the saw. On r/Makita, owners describe keeping an 18V saw in service for six years of framing and general construction, which is the honest counterweight to a bigger saw on a bigger platform. r/MilwaukeeTool users similarly push M18 FUEL saws as the default purchase. If your platform already matches, buy within it.
Brushless versus brushed matters far less than most buyers think. Every saw on this list is brushless, so the question is already answered. What actually changes your day is whether your blade is sharp, because a dull blade makes the motor work harder, shortens runtime and heats the pack.
Bevel capacity and sight lines matter most on roof work. Anything from 53 to 57 degrees covers common roof pitches, and positive stops at 22.5 and 45 keep repeated cuts identical. For cheek cuts and rafters, the offset-blade layout on the DCS577B gives the clearest view of the line.
Rear handle versus sidewinder is a balance decision. Rear-handle saws put two hands on the tool and help with thick material, but they weigh more and eat more deck space. Sidewinders are lighter and easier to control overhead. Left-handed framers should also know the blade-side question is a live one; if you rip with your non-dominant hand behind the shoe, a far-side blade throws sawdust at you instead of away.
Finally, bare tool versus kit. A bare tool only makes sense if you already own compatible packs and a charger. If you are starting from zero, a kit that includes two batteries removes the largest hidden cost, which is why the SKIL kit and the Metabo HPT kit both earn a place on this list despite middling ratings.
What we deliberately left off: 4-1/2 inch and 6-1/2 inch saws, which are trim tools, and 10-1/4 inch big-saw class models, which need a second platform and cost more than most framing saws earn back. Plunge and track saws are worth a look if cut quality on sheet goods matters more than mobility. If you want the broader context, our general circular saw guide covers all the classes side by side.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the best circular saw for framing?
For most framers the DEWALT DCS570B is the best cordless circular saw for framing. It weighs 7.5 pounds, has 2-9/16 inches of cut depth at 90 degrees for 2×8 lumber in a single pass, and it has an electronic blade brake and a work light. If you cut dense or treated lumber all day, step up to the DEWALT DCS578B in 60V.
What brand makes the best cordless circular saw?
DeWalt, Milwaukee and Makita account for most of the framing saws worth owning, and the honest answer is that the best brand is the platform you already own. DeWalt 20V MAX is the most widely deployed, Milwaukee M18 has the strongest high-output option in the 2732-20, and Makita LXT is the cheapest to enter if you use two packs in a tool.
What is the best cordless circular saw for the money?
The CRAFTSMAN V20 RP CMCS551B is the best value in this group, with a 7-1/4 inch blade, a 56 degree bevel with stops at 22.5 and 45 degrees, a metal upper guard and an LED on the cut line. If you have no batteries at all, the SKIL CR5429B-20 kit is cheaper overall because two packs and a fast charger are included.
Does DeWalt or Milwaukee make a better circular saw?
Both are strong and the answer usually comes down to your existing batteries. DeWalt offers the wider range, from the light 20V DCS570B to the offset-blade 60V DCS577B. Milwaukee offers a lighter 7.2 pound sidewinder at 2631-20 and a high-output 1800 watt M18 FUEL at 2732-20. If you own neither platform, DeWalt 20V has more packs in circulation.
Is a 6-1/2 inch or 7-1/4 inch circular saw better?
A 7-1/4 inch saw is the right choice for framing. It gives roughly 2-9/16 inches of depth at 90 degrees, which clears a 2×8 in one pass, while a 6-1/2 inch saw tops out well under that. A 6-1/2 inch saw is a trim tool for 2×4 and sheet goods, and it will not cut a 2×8 without a second pass.
Can a cordless circular saw really replace a corded one?
For most framing work it can. A 60V saw or an M18 FUEL saw produces enough power for dense lumber and sheet goods, and removing the cord removes the setup time between cutting stations. Experienced framers still argue for a corded saw on full production schedules, which is a fair point, so a crew that never leaves the cut station may still favor one.
Should I buy the bare tool or the kit?
Buy the bare tool only if you already own compatible batteries and a charger, since those two items cost more than most buyers expect. Buy the kit if you are starting from zero. The Metabo HPT C3607DWA and SKIL CR5429B-20 kits are the two complete packages on this list, and both remove the hidden starting cost entirely.
Final Verdict: The Best Cordless Circular Saws for Framing
The DEWALT DCS570B is the best cordless circular saw for framing for most people reading this. It is light, it cuts a 2×8 in one pass, it has a brake and a light, and it runs on the most common battery family in the trade. Nothing else on this list balances those four things as cleanly.
Move to the DCS578B if your framing is heavy, wet or wide, and to the DCS577B when seeing the cut line on cheek cuts and stringers matters more than the weight. Go Milwaukee with the 2631-20 for overhead work and the 2732-20 for raw output. Go Makita with the XSR01Z if LXT packs are already in your truck.
For the CRAFTSMAN CMCS551B if you want a wide bevel cheaply, the SKIL or Metabo HPT kits if you have no batteries at all, and the RYOBI PBLCS300B if you are cutting a few walls rather than a house. Keep a fresh 24-tooth carbide framing blade on whichever you pick, and the saw will feel better than the spec sheet promised. For the wider saw field, our cordless circular saw model guide and miter saw picks for framing cover the rest of a framing day.
