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Corded vs Cordless Circular Saws – Which One’s Right for You?
Pete Ortiz
Last updated:
Deciding between corded or cordless does not just apply to circular saws but to all saws. Many favor battery-operated power, and others love dragging a cord around a job site all day. Each saw has its positives and negatives, but both should be able to get the job done. In this guide, we will give you a brief rundown of the differences between a corded and cordless circular saw and how to tell which one is the right saw for you.
Corded Circular Saw
Basic Functions
A corded circular saw is an electric saw with a spinning circular blade. A circular saw is mainly used to cut wood, but you can also cut other materials like plastic with a quick blade adjustment. A corded circular saw can be set up as left- or right-handed. It needs a power cord and an outlet to operate.
Types of Cuts
A circular saw has height, depth, and bevel adjustments. If you just need to make a notch in a piece of wood, the circular saw can help. If you need to cut through all the way, you can lower the blade and run your saw across.
Blades
Circular saw blades would come in several sizes and materials. Depending on the object you are cutting, you may need to replace the blade. Circular saws also come with varying numbers of teeth.
Safety
Corded circular saws have a blade cover that will be in place while cutting. The blade cover keeps your hands away from the blade while the saw is on. Corded circular saws are a bit more dangerous than cordless ones because of the risk of cutting the cord. You must always ensure the power cord to your circular saw is well out of the way while cutting.
If you have heavy-duty work to do, a circular saw that connects to your wall outlet will show its real value. It can keep cutting and cutting at the same power level for hours.
Price
Depending on the type of saw you buy, the corded circular saw can range from less than $50 to well over $100. This versatile piece of equipment should hold up for many years. It is considered to be one of the more economically priced saws available.
A cordless circular saw has all the same functions as a corded circular saw except that it runs on battery power instead of electrical power. Since it runs on batteries, it’s portable.
Types of Cuts
With a cordless circular saw, you can also adjust the saw’s height, depth, and bevel to get the desired cut. The only issue you can run into with the cordless saw is the power.
The power with any battery-operated tool will not match that of the electric-powered device. If you are cutting through a difficult piece of wood, your battery can drain quickly.
Blades
The blade selection for a cordless circular saw will be the same as that of a corded. You must match your blade selection to the material you want to cut.
Safety
Cordless circular saws can be a bit safer than the corded versions since they eliminate the potential to cut the cord while sawing.
Price
Generally speaking, cordless circular saws are more expensive than their corded counterparts. The reason the pricing adds up is that you need to buy a battery and a backup to ensure your saw functions for long periods.
It should not be too difficult to figure out if you will be better off with a corded or a cordless circular saw.
Portability
Edge: Cordless
If you need a saw that you can use while moving from one location to another with ease, the cordless is your best choice. If you work in an area with few power outlets, where you would need multiple extension cords to get the corded version to work correctly, the cordless will be much more convenient and efficient.
Power
Edge: Cordless
The cordless circular saw is not as powerful as a corded circular saw. If you have to make a few cuts here and there, this won’t be an issue at all. However, If you plan on running your circular saw all day, you will need the corded version.
In addition to the corded being a more powerful tool, it also allows you to work the entire day without stopping and recharging your tools.
Price
Edge: Corded
When you are looking at purchasing a circular saw, make sure you take into account that you will likely have to buy a battery or several batteries to run a cordless saw.
Weight
Edge: Corded
The cordless saw is much heavier than the corded saw. If you are a contractor who is using a circular saw many times a day, fatigue could start to set in with the cordless circular saw. A lightweight saw is ideal for prolonged and professional use, but it likely won’t make much difference for residential use.
Conclusion
There is no right or wrong regarding corded or cordless tools, but each type has advantages. Cordless circular saws are portable, but they’re heavier and less powerful than corded models. By carefully considering how often and how you use your circular saw, you should be able to use our guide to determine the right match for you.
Header image credit: Pixabay
Contents
Writer
Pete Ortiz
Pete has been working in the trades since high school, where he first developed a passion for woodworking. Over the years, he has developed a keen interest in a wide variety of DIY projects around the home. Fascinated by all sort of tools, Pete loves reading and writing about all the latest gadgets and accessories that hit the market. His other interests include astronomy, hiking, and fishing.
As the founder of House Grail, Pete's primary goal is to help consumers make educated decisions about DIY projects at home, in the garage, and in the garden.
