If you are involved in interior and furniture finishing, there is no way around a plunge-cut saw. Thanks to the increasing battery capacities of modern lithium-ion batteries, cordless plunge-cut saws are a real alternative.
Meanwhile, all well-known manufacturers of plunge saws also offer battery-powered models. In addition to the corded version, there is usually an almost identical cordless diving saw with similar performance data.
We hope you find the right plunge saw with a battery.
How to choose a cordless circular saw on features
Plunge saws are special hand-held circular saws that plunge into the workpiece from above. You control or push the housing with the motor and saw blade, with the baseplate resting on the workpiece. You then guide the saw over the workpiece. After the cut, it retracts the saw blade.
Most of the time, you’ll use the plunge saw with a guide rail to cut as precisely as possible. The guide rail ensures that the workpiece does not fray or tear. Plunge saws thus achieve a cutting depth of 50 to 70 mm at a 90° angle. At a 45° angle, 35 to 50 mm are still possible. To make plunging easier for you, the plunge saws are equipped with electronics. The electronics allow you to regulate the speed of the saw blade.
With cordless plunge saws, the mode of operation is identical. Sometimes a thinner saw blade is used to increase the battery life. In terms of construction, weight, and dimensions, cordless saws are almost identical to corded versions.
Advantages and differences of cordless circular saws
Compared to classic hand-held circular saws, plunge saws and cordless plunge saws offer several advantages. By plunging into the workpiece, cutouts can be sawn. Of course, cuts from the side of the workpiece are also possible with the plunge saw. Plunge saws use a finer-toothed circular saw blade. Classic hand-held circular saws usually use a fast saw blade with 12 to 30 teeth. With plunge saws, however, the focus is on accuracy and cleanliness, which is why a blade with 36 to 60 teeth is most often used.
The cutting angle of plunge-cut circular saws can typically be adjusted from -1° to 47°. The negative angle of -1° is for the undercut function on plunge saws. You need an undercut function if you want to join two boards in furniture making. One workpiece is cut at 90°, the second at 89°. When the two pieces are joined, a perfect transition is created without a seam. The connection takes place at one edge, and the glue uses the remaining space.
With cordless plunge-cut saws, you also have the advantage of not having a cable in the way. If you work in a larger workshop or have to move around a lot, the advantage should not be underestimated. The high purchase costs for the cordless saw and the batteries have a disadvantage. In addition, you must always ensure that the batteries are charged.
| Advantages | Disadvantages |
| Flexible use without cables | High acquisition costs |
| Dipping function for recesses | Consider battery management |
| Adjustable speed | |
| Undercut function for joints |
What to consider before buying a cordless circular saw?
You want to buy a submersible saw that exactly fits your requirements. To do this, you need to know how the saws differ and what you need to look for in the individual criteria. The most important criteria:
- Batteries: capacities, voltage, how many batteries, charger,
- Motor: adjustable speed, power, motor brake, soft start, cutting depth, and cutting angle
- Cutting depth and cutting angle (undercut function)
- Saw blade: diameter, bore
- Equipment and accessories: guide rail, case, saw blade
Let’s take a closer look at the individual points.
The best cordless circular saw
SKIL Cordless Circular Saw
4,9 Rating
Make precise, fast and efficient cuts through wood with the SKIL 20V 6-1/2 Inch Cordless Circular Saw. From building new shelves to building a new deck, this is the ultimate power tool you want on your side. This cordless 20V circular saw comes with a 2.0Ah PWRCORE 20™ Lithium Battery and 20V Charger to keep it powered up, so you can get more done.
SKIL 20V 6-1/2 Inch Cordless Circular Saw – Video
How to choose a cordless circular saw?
Buyer’s guide for the cordless circular saw
This review and guide provide information on some best cordless circular saw you can find.
There are quite a few manufacturers of a cordless circular saw on the market, and the prices vary greatly. From a pure price point of view, the type of cordless circular saw can be priced from $70 to $300.
The best cordless circular saw for the money
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All our reviews are based exclusively on expert judgments or practical experience with most of the cordless circular saw we have tested. We strive to make our guide as independent and as detailed as possible.
Cordless circular saws in comparison
DEWALT Circular Saw
Delivers excellent performance
This Circular Saw gives you the power and depth-of-cut of a corded circular saw, but with the portability and convenience of cordless. DEWALT brushless motor technology delivers excellent performance and runtime when cross-cutting 2x material and ripping sheet goods.
BLACK+DECKER Cordless Circular Saw
- High torque motor.
- 5-1/2″ fast-cutting blade.
- Bevel adjustment with detents at 45 and 90 degrees.
4,9 Rating
Compact design for ease of use
Powered by a high-torque motor, this compact cordless circular saw features a 5-1/2-inch circular saw blade for a variety of cuts. A tool-free depth of cut allows for easy adjustments. Bevel adjustment with detents at 45 and 90 degrees. Works with the entire BLACK+DECKER 20V MAX* System
Makita cordless circular saw
- 6-1/2”.
- Powerful built electronically-controlled BL motor delivers 5, 000 RPM.
- 18 Volts.
4,8 Rating
Circular Saw has a compact and ergonomic design
Makita created a new class in cordless with 18V LXT Sub-Compact tools. Makita Sub-Compact gives users 12V handling with 18V performance, and compatibility with the world’s largest 18V cordless tool system. The XSH04RB is engineered for cutting and ripping applications and is ideal for any contractor seeking a more compact cutting solution for framing, roofing, formwork, and more.
What to look for when choosing a cordless circular saw
- Batteries
The most powerful cordless plunge-cut saws are currently Dewalt hand-held circular saws, which are powered by a 54-volt battery and up to 12 Ah. Two 18-volt batteries are used by the Makita models. You’re best equipped with that, too. For saws that only take one 18-volt, you’ll need batteries with 5.0 Ah or more to make decent progress. You need at least four powerful batteries and a fast charger to be able to work continuously with the cordless plunge saw. Two batteries are sufficient for the 54 volt batteries.
- Motor
Corded saws achieve an input power of 1200 to 1400 watts. Battery-operated submersible saws cannot quite keep up here yet, as the batteries do not yet deliver enough power at present. Nevertheless, the motors are already designed for this.
With the motor, you should therefore pay attention to the speed range. The diving saw should use electronics and be able to regulate the speed. The electronics ensure that the speed remains constant even under load. The speed preselection ensures that your cuts are always clean.
A motor brake protects you if the saw blade gets jammed. Equally helpful is a soft start. The motor starts at low power and speed.
- Cutting depth and cutting angle (undercut function)
The cutting depth and cutting angle are self-explanatory and are related. The depth of cut is always specified at 90° (vertical) and at 45°. In addition, the depths of cut are often offered with and without a guide rail. The cutting angle is typically specified as a range, such as -1° to 47°. Undercuts are possible with a cutting angle of -1°.
- Saw blade
With a plunge saw, you’ll often be sawing harder woods, So that you saw precise and clean cuts in boards and harder woods, the cordless plunge saws are equipped with finer-toothed blades. A 48-tooth saw blade is a typical equipment.
Thinner saw blades are also offered for cordless plunge-cut saws. The somewhat thinner blades save the battery a bit, and you saw longer with one battery.
- Equipment and accessories: guide rail, case, saw blade
You certainly want to work as effectively as possible with your plunge saw. The right accessories and equipment will help you to do so:
- Guide to rail: with the guide rail, you can saw long cuts and plunge cuts with millimeter precision. Do you have a recoil stop and screw clamps?
- Transport case: Light plastic box with handle and space for saw and accessories.
- Saw blade: Diameter, number of teeth, tooth position, and thickness
- Other accessories: Rip fence, Allen key
Cordless circular saws Price:
Under $100
- BLACK+DECKER Cordless Circular Saw
- SKIL Cordless Circular Saw
Under $200
- DEWALT Circular Saw
Under $300
- Makita Cordless Circular Saw
FAQs- Cordless circular saw
✅ Why are most cordless circular saws left-handed?
The placement of the cordless saw blade, on the left side, gives you a clearer line of sight when you cut. The reason for this is because the main bulk of your circular saw is not blocking your view. Cordless circular left-handed saws provide you better movability.
✅ Should I buy a jigsaw or circular saw?
If you’re constantly needing to rip through boards, you know a jigsaw won’t cut it, so a circular saw is a more preferred option for you. If you’re doing intricate shapes and complex number cutting – a circular saw won’t help you there!
✅ Should I get a corded or cordless circular saw?
Still, a DIYer who owns only one circular saw will likely want a plug-in corded model, which will offer more sustained power. But for DIYers who can afford two saws, adding a cordless saw will let you work where there is no plug-in outlet available.
