Corded vs Cordless Circular Saws – Which One’s Right for You?

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.

Cordless Circular Saw

Basic Functions

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.

Which Saw is Right for Your Needs?

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.

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