Compact, mini circular saws are optimal tools that are very easy to maneuver. Aside from taking up much less space than a full sized saw, they also come at a lower price. However, without knowing exactly what to look for, buying a mini circular saw can either be a hit or miss.
To help you get one that is worth your money, our experts have reviewed the best mini circular saws.
Reviews of the Top Mini Circular Saws
1. Genesis GCS445SE Compact Circular Saw
The Genesis GCS445SE is the most affordable option for users who want a compact saw but don’t want to spend a fortune. It may not have the powerful 5.8 amp motor of the Genesis GCS545C. Its 4.0 amp motor with a 3500 RPM[1] cuts through most materials easily. The carbide-tipped blade and the barrel grip provide excellent accuracy for long straight cuts with one-hand operation.
To add to the convenience of this 17-inch circular saw, the cutting depth gauge lever and bevel controls are right at your fingertips and adjustable on the fly. You can change different high-quality circular saw blades quickly and safely, thanks to the spindle lock, which the Genesis GCS545C 5.8 amp motor also has. The dust extraction is also effortless, owing to the vacuum adapter.
What We Like
- Vacuum adapter and built-in dust port for easy cleanup
- Powerful motor at 3,500 RPM
- Spindle lock for safe and quick blade changes
- Powerful yet lightweight circular saw
- Carbide-tipped blade
- Provides accuracy
- Barrel-grip for easy one hand operation
- 4 amp motor
- Affordable price
- 2-year warranty
- ETL tested and certified
- Adjustable depth and bevel cuts
What We Don't Like
- Only suited for straight cuts
- More suited for wood than other materials
2. Worx Worxsaw Compact Circular Saw
The Worx Worxsaw Compact Circular Saw is a very small and very lightweight design. If you are looking for a compact size first and foremost, then this saw is the product for you. It can still cut wood, metal, plastic and tile with ease thanks to the 3500 speed. The thinner blade size allows the saw to work for longer with less strain.
Since the mini saw is only 4.4 pounds, it makes it easy to operate it for an extended period without fatigue. The left-sided blade optimization gives you a direct view of the blade for excellent precision. The cutting edge technology with the Worxsaw WX429L compact saw makes this one of the most coveted circular saws on the market.
What We Like
- Very compact size and lightweight
- Clear view of the blade
- Easy to follow cut line
- Portable
- Adjustable cutting depth
- Thin saw blades
- Precise straight line cuts
- Simple to use
- Perfect for lumber
- Cuts 0-45 degrees with quick and easy adjustments
- Powerful
What We Don't Like
- Less power than other saws due to compact size
- Not very optimized for metal or tile
3. HYCHIKA Compact Circular Saw
If you are looking for speed and power, look no further than the HYCHIKA Compact Circular Saw. With 20 years of power tool manufacturing, this brand will ensure that the best quality and service are given to you.
Compact mini circular saws usually come with an RPM of around 3500 just like the TACKLIFE TCS115A, but this small circular saw from HYCHIKA has an impressive 4500 RPM. The 4 amp copper motor is powerful and reliable and this saw can cut through hard material with ease. This is possible due to its smaller 3 ⅜ inch blade size that rotates after.
You get three blades with this product and the small circular saw is a tool that brings versatility to your workshop. Of course, the cutting depth is adjustable and the circular saw also comes with a laser guide to improve precision.
Though it isn’t very heavy, the saw weighs 7lbs, the soft rubber handle will greatly reduce fatigue after long hours of use. Additional point is that this compact saw comes with a carrying case.
What We Like
- 4 amp powerful motor
- Comes with three blades
- 4500 RPM
- Versatile tool
- Relatively lightweight
- Compact and small design
- Accurate cuts every time
- Laser guide
- Adjustable cutting depth
- Soft rubber handle and ergonomic design
- Dust collection adapter
- Long power cord
- Safety switch
- Power indicator
- Quieter than a full size saw blade
What We Don't Like
- Less suited for left hand dominant people
- Corded
4. TECCPO Mini Circular Saw
The small and compact saw design has a 4.8 amp copper motor and an RPM of 3700. You can expect this circular saw to be able to cut line through through most materials with its blade size options, which is why it’s one of the best compact circular saw designs.
If you’re afraid of long cutting errors that are irreparable, the outfitted laser cutting guide will safely guide towards a flawless and straight line. For safety, this mini saw is constructed with a heavy gauge iron wraparound base and an aluminum cover. For more protection, the TECCPO Mini Circular Saw features a double safety button. It is suitable for straight cutting, plunge cutting, and flush cutting depth of 1 inch cutting capacity.
The best thing about investing in circular saws is the compact and ergonomic build, which you can also expect from this product.
For other compact and easy-to-use options, you can check our review of Versacut and Rotorazer here.
What We Like
- 4.8 amp copper motor
- No load speed
- 3700 RPM
- Double safety button
- Laser guide included
- Adjustable cutting depth: 1 inch
- Lightweight compact saw
- 3 blade size options
- Saw comes with vacuum adapter and more
- 2-year quality guarantee
- Safety trigger
- Ergonomic design
What We Don't Like
- Blade switching can be confusing
- Lower visibility
5. Rockwell RK3441K Compact Circular Saw
The Rockwell RK3441K is a handheld compact circular saw that offers the maneuverability you wish you had with a full size circular saw. The rear motor location will help balance the weight of the saw in your hand, giving you more precise cuts.
How deep do you want to go with this mini circular saw? The depth adjustment is easily accessible as the cut adjustment lever and the bevel adjustment lever. The mini saw is designed more for right-handed people in mind with a clear view of the blade on the left hand side.
You will be able to see exactly where the blade lands for more precise cuts and less errors. Overall, it’s one of the best mini circular saws on our list.
What We Like
- Ultra compact circular saw
- Rear motor for weight balance
- Adjustable cutting depth
- Make bevel cuts adjustment available
- Visible left handed blade for precision
- Built-in vacuum port
- In-line grip
- Great for wood and lumber materials
- 4.5 inch blade diameter
- 3500 RPM
- Easy dust extraction
What We Don't Like
- Less suited for left-handed users due to visibility
- Arbor size can be an issue
6. TACKLIFE TCS115A Circular Saw
Many people are skeptical about mini circular saws due to the lack of power, but our experts are here to put those concerns to rest. The mini circular saw from Tacklife can offer a 3,500 RPM, which can match some full-sized options in the market.
The powerful motor can work with 6 different types of blades making the saw suitable to tear through wood, plastics, tiles and more. For versatility, the Tacklife TCS115A Circular Saw gives 45-degree cuts and 90-degree bevel cuts.
There is also a double protection switch that will keep you safe by preventing the handheld tool from accidentally opening.
What We Like
- Allows bevel cuts
- 3,500 RPM
- Powerful 5.8 amp motor
- Works with 6 different types of blades
- 2-year warranty
- Safety switch
- Laser guide
- Metal handle for less fatigue
- Balanced design
What We Don't Like
- Larger than most mini circular saw
- Not the best for one-handed operation
Compact Circular Saws Buyer’s Guide
There are many features for best compact circular saws on the market that our experts have yet to cover. These characteristics are important if you need a compact circular saws. Let’s take a closer look at some important features in this buying guide.
Corded or Cordless Compact Circular Saw?
There are both corded and cordless circular saws available. The best cordless circular saws bring more convenience and even more maneuverability and easy navigation. However, the downside is cordless saw such as the Makita SH02R1 12V max CXT with the weight 3.5 pounds and the 6 pounds lithium ion powered Black and Decker BDCCS20B runs on battery power(Lithium Ion).
Just when you thought a miniature handheld saw just like the Makita SH02R1 12V max 1,500 RPM handheld circular saw that has a maximum cutting of 1 inch at 90 degrees and 5/8 inch at 45 degrees, was the best the industry has to offer, a cordless circular saw comes along and gives you a new perspective. One thing to know about cordless compact circular saws is they will cost more than their corded counterparts.
It comes down to weighing the cost and benefits between the two product options. Corded circular saws have their benefits too, so don’t write them off just yet. Corded circular saws can come with a long power cable to still give you a wide range of movement. There is also no risk it will run out of power halfway through a cut.
You won’t need to make sure the corded compact saws are fully charged before engaging, which means it’s also a time-saving option. Our experts won’t sugar coat the fact that a power cord getting in the way and can be a tripping hazard, but if you’re careful, corded compact saws can offer their share of benefits too.
If you do opt for cordless circular saw options, our experts suggest finding compact battery-powered saws that have a long battery life to extend the length of the operation.
Using cordless circular saw on a wood is easy, you just need to know how to use circular saw in ripping a narrow wood here.
Motor Power
Circular compact saws are all about the motor power, right? Especially when you want to know how cut through tough and hardy wood materials, motor power is important. The power of circular saws consists of both the speed and the power of the blade. As you can imagine, a faster spinning blade, say with an RPM of 3500 on average to 4500 amount of power can help you cut through your pieces more quickly and much more easily.
When your mini saw cuts through the material like when you are using a circular saw in cutting a laminating floor, it will also lessen the strain on your arm and particularly your wrist. When purchasing a best small saw kit, the motor power and type of motor will be listed to give you a good idea if it can complete jobs with ease.
Since we are addressing the best compact circular saws, our experts remind you that if you need significant power, a regular sized saw will always be more powerful. With compact circular saws, you will mostly find motor amps, which is the equivalent of motor power. Sometimes you will even see a 3- 6 amp motor available in the market.
The higher the number of amps, the more powerful your motor is. Is it always better to go for a more powerful saw? it really depends on the material you are cutting.
Ease of Use
Cordless saws are small, lightweight and simple to navigate. Their ergonomic pattern makes them easy to use. However, we will say there are many saw options that aren’t the best for left-handed users.
This is due to the visibility of the blade. Many design models have visibility on the left side of the saw, which makes it difficult for left-handed people to see.
Since most small circular saws have a one-hand operation, if you are a left-handed person using a chainsaw, keep in mind that the design of the tool is one that doesn’t discriminate between dominant hands. The position of the controls and placement of the levers will also affect the usability of the tool.
Don’t forget about the grip handle and the different materials used. For example, a rubber grip will greatly decrease operation fatigue and allow you to work for longer hours. Some even features an LED light to illuminate the cutting area. You can check the Makita SH02R1 with built-in LED light.
A thoughtfully designed product will be the embodiment of ease, versatility and convenience. It can also include the best circular saws with dust blower in the line.
Cutting Guide Depth & Bevel
You may have noticed we mention the maximum depth and the bevel cuts a lot in our reviews of the best mini circular saws. The cutting depth made by 6 ½ or 7 ¼ circular saw blade will impact the versatility, so pay attention to the maximum cutting depth.
What are you planning to cut through and what jobs are you going to undertake? If you are planning to cut hard glass, here are the simple ways on how to cut plexiglass with the use of a circular saw.
One drawback of deep cuts with a circular saw is the accuracy. In general, the deeper the cut, the less precision you will get if your blade isn’t fast or powerful enough.
Another factor that will influence the depth of cut is the blade design, such as a worm drive blade. The blade design encompasses the size and thickness of the blade.
Then there is the bevel cuts, which is ideal for more intricate work. This can also be adjusted, usually with a lever just like the depth of cut. To know if your saw is multifaceted enough to meet all your project needs, keep in mind the blade design and adjustments.
Blade options for circular saw here:
Versatility
Many of the above features we mentioned will impact the versatility of the best compact circular saw kit. Cutting through different materials will require different blades, so make sure your package comes with multiple blade options to switch in and out of. For instance, if you want to know how to cut concrete blocks with the use of circular saw, you should also know the right blade to use. It will make your work so much easier.
Saws such as a 150 RPM motor Dewalt DCS391B are for cutting, but many people forget about the clean up afterwards. No matter what you are cutting with your one-handed mini saw, whether it’s wood, plastic, metal or tile, there will be dust and debris.
Look for a tool that has accessories, such as TACKLIFE TCS115A, to help minimize cleanup and improve the overall use of the machine. Some of the circular saws come with a carrying case and some don’t. We’re talking about dust ports, a vacuum adapter, and more.
The price of these cutting tools are considered affordable. One thing is for sure, they are much more pocket-friendly compared to the regular size saws. The price range is usually under a hundred but can run past that. Our team says that the price tag won’t always dictate the quality of the tool.
The cuts it makes, ease of use, and many other considerations are what matter. We don’t advise choosing any product based solely on the price and since this cutting tool is considered a dangerous object, we advise to shell out a higher cost for the safety features.
Safety Features
Power tools like Dewalt DCS391B It’s great to have a tool that’s easy to use, but you definitely want it to be safe as well. When looking for the best mini circular saw, make sure it has a safety lock or electric brake.
A safety lock keeps the blade in place when the saw is not in use. While an electric brake will stop the blade in its tracks with one click of the trigger in case of emergencies.
Many accidents happen in the workshop due to accidental cuts whether you are using a circular saw or table saw tools. To ensure that the blade is aimed accurately, a laser guide will come in handy. A laser cutting guide will help you cut along and make straight lines with clean precision. You can check DEWALT 7-1/4-Inch since it it has a better laser cutting guide.
The laser will be projected in front of your blade to form a cutting line and guide the blade along. Many of our product options on our list come with a laser guide. For something that’s a bit harder to cut through tile compared to wood, the laser guide will really come in handy.
Then you have a shaft lock, which is essential for blade replacement. You will need a compact size circular saw with different blades to make cuts on separate materials, and a shaft lock will allow you to switch between blades quickly and easily. This way, it will minimize the accidents than potentially happen when you’re trying to change blades.
Another important feature that isn’t a physical or performance aspect of the saw is the manufacturer warranty or guarantee. The longer the warranty term and the more it encompasses the better.
Since there are so many components to these electrical tools, when one part fails, the whole machine can fall apart. This is why a parts warranty is so important.
If the saw doesn’t do the job you expected or arrives damaged or faulty, you want a satisfaction guarantee to kick in for a no-hassle return or exchange.
FAQ
What is a mini circular saw used for?
A mini circular saw is used for small projects and is perfect for confined spaces. They are handheld, compact, lightweight and can harness enough power and speed to cut through materials such as sheet metal, tile and wood among others.
Can a mini circular saw cut a 2x4?
Yes, mini saws can cut a 2×4. For example, the Worx Worxsaw is the prime example of a circular saw that can cut 2x4s in one go. The compact size of the circular saw allows for a single pass with minimal effort.