Best Circular Saw UK 2026: Cordless and Corded Picks
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Why a good circular saw matters
For ripping sheets, cutting joists to length, or working through stud timber on site, a circular saw is the most-used cutting tool a working carpenter or builder owns. The wrong saw — underpowered, badly balanced, or with a worn blade — turns straight cuts into wandering ones, splinters the board edge, and burns the timber as it labours through the cut.
This guide covers the best circular saws for UK trade and DIY use in 2026, focused on 165–190 mm cordless and corded models that handle 90% of what most jobs require.
What to look for in a circular saw
- Blade size: 165 mm is standard for cordless models and cuts ~55 mm at 90°. 190 mm cuts deeper (~65 mm) but is heavier — better for joists and sheet ply.
- Power source: Cordless 18V/20V models (Makita XGT, DeWalt XR, Milwaukee M18) handle most site work for 30–60 minutes per battery. Corded saws (Festool, Bosch GKS) deliver constant power for sustained ripping.
- Cut depth and bevel: Look for a smooth bevel mechanism (0–45° or 0–57°) with positive stops at common angles. The depth scale should be readable from above.
- Blade brake and dust port: An electric brake stops the blade in 1–2 seconds. A dust port that fits a Festool/Mirka extractor hose keeps the cut line visible and reduces lung exposure.
- Track compatibility: Festool, Mafell, Makita and DeWalt all make rail-compatible plunge saws. If you cut a lot of sheet material, a track saw is faster and cleaner than a freehand circular saw.
Top picks: best circular saws UK 2026
DeWalt DCS570N 18V Cordless Circular Saw
~£130 (bare) / £220 (5Ah kit)Best for: Most working chippies on 18V
DeWalt's DCS570 is the go-to 18V XR circular saw for most trades. Brushless motor, 184 mm blade, 67 mm cut at 90°. Magnesium shoe stays flat. Compatible with the entire DeWalt 18V XR battery system. The bare unit is what most chippies upgrade to once they have a few XR batteries already.
View on Amazon →Makita DHS680Z LXT 18V Brushless Circular Saw
~£160 (bare) / £310 (kit)Best for: Lightweight cordless ripping
Makita's brushless 165 mm saw is lighter than the DeWalt at 3.5 kg and runs longer per charge. The auto-speed control adjusts torque to load — useful when the blade hits a knot in soft pine. Dust port fits Makita's extractors. A solid all-round choice if you are already on the LXT 18V platform.
View on Amazon →Bosch GKS 190 Professional Corded Circular Saw
~£115–£145Best for: Heavy-duty corded ripping
When you need constant power for sustained ripping (joists, large ply sheets, repeated cuts on hardwood), a corded saw still beats cordless on duty cycle. The Bosch GKS 190 has a 1400 W motor, 70 mm cut at 90°, and a softgrip handle that does not vibrate your fingers numb after an hour. The blade is 190 mm, so a deeper cut than most cordless models.
View on Amazon →Festool TS 55 FEBQ-Plus Plunge Cut Track Saw
~£510–£620 (with rail)Best for: Sheet-material cutting and finished edges
If you cut a lot of sheet material — kitchen carcasses, MDF panels, sheet flooring — a Festool track saw is a different category of tool. The TS 55 plunges at the start of the cut, runs along a guide rail, and produces a finished edge straight off the saw. No need to oversize, then trim. Expensive, but transformative for second-fix carpenters and shopfitters.
View on Amazon →Buying advice and where to look first
If you already own DeWalt or Makita 18V batteries, stick with the same platform — the bare unit saves £90–£120 versus a fresh kit. If you are starting fresh, the Makita DHS680 kit is hard to beat for value and battery life.
Always replace the supplied combination blade with a job-specific one: 60-tooth fine for finished plywood, 24-tooth aggressive for ripping construction timber. The blade matters more than the saw — a good blade in a mid-range saw beats a worn blade in a premium model every time.
For finding a carpenter to handle larger second-fix jobs in Kent, see our how to choose a carpenter guide.
Frequently asked questions
What size circular saw blade do I need?
165 mm is the standard for cordless saws and cuts ~55 mm at 90 degrees, suitable for most stud timber and 18 mm ply. 190 mm corded saws cut ~65 mm and are better for joists and thicker sheet material.
Should I buy cordless or corded?
If you have an existing 18V battery platform (DeWalt XR, Makita LXT, Milwaukee M18), cordless makes sense for site mobility. For workshop or sustained ripping, corded delivers constant power without battery swaps.
Are track saws worth the extra cost?
If you regularly cut sheet material, yes — a track saw produces a finished edge in one pass and saves the time of oversizing then trimming. For carpenters working with kitchen carcasses, MDF panels or shopfitting, a Festool TS 55 or DeWalt DWS520 pays for itself within a few jobs.