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Is it just us or do you also think worm drive circular saws are amazing tools? We love their ability to make cuts in even the most confined spaces. And best of all, you can take them to any job site since the only thing they require is a battery.
If you are wondering what the best worm drive circular saw is you came to the right place! We tested the most popular saws on the market and made a list of our favorites.
What makes the best worm drive circular saw?
Before we compare the best worm drive circular saws we need to know what exactly it is you should look for. Here is a list of the key features that the best worm drive circular saw should have:
- Power – Obviously a word drive circular saw should have a lot of power. We want a saw that can make cuts in light wood as well as in heavy hard wood.
- Build quality – There is a big difference in price between various worm drive circular saws. Ultimately we want to find the best price/quality power tool.
- Battery life – Even though this is not really saw specific, batteries vary a lot in power and quality.
- Price – Worm drive circular saws are known to be a bit more expensive than regular circular saws. Therefore finding one with the best value for money is a must.
The best worm drive circular saws
Here is a list of our favorite worm drive circular saws:
Hphtools’ Choice
DEWALT 7-1/4-Inch Worm drive Circular Saw (DWS535B)
- Very durable magnesium bottom plate
- Powerful 15 AMP motor with electic brake
- Adjustable 53º bevel
Pros and cons
According to our experts
This worm drive circular saw is made from aluminium and magnesium. This makes it light and very durable.
Like all other DEWALT power tools this saw also comes with a 3-year limited warranty.
Eventhough the bevel of this saw is adjustable it only has 2 detents at 22.5º and 45º. Not a dealbreaker but something you should keep in mind.
DEWALT is known for making some of the best power tools on the market today. This worm drive circular saw is definitely no exception!
The body is made from high-quality aluminum and rubber making it strong and practically unbreakable. The baseplate of the DEWALT DWS535B is made from magnesium. This makes the bottom of the saw very durable.
If you are looking for the best worm drive circular saw this is probably the best saw to get.
Makita 7-1/4 inch Hypoid Saw (5477NB)
- Lightweight Hypoid saw
- Powerful 15 AMP motor
- Adjustable 53º bevel
Pros and cons
According to our expertsPerfect balance between price and quality. Eventhough you pay less this saw still performs really well.
The bottom plate of this saw is lighter than other worm drive circular saws.
We would’ve loved to see an electric brake on this saw like the DEWALT has.
This Makita 5477NB Hypoid saw has the perfect balance between price and functionality. It clearly is not the best worm drive saw but it certainly also isn’t the least performing.
The base plate of this saw is made of high-quality steel instead of magnesium. This makes the saw a bit lighter but in turn, makes it a bit less durable as well. Over time we’ve found that the steel on this saw will last a very long time. So it isn’t really something to worry about.
Overall we think the Makita 5477NB is a great choice if you are looking for the best worm drive circular saw on a budget!
Are you looking for a more affordable alternative to a worm drive saw? Maybe a regular circular saw is a better option for you! Here is our guide on the best cordless circular saws.
SKILSAW 7-1/4-Inch worm drive circular saw (SPT77WML)
- Very light magnesium construction
- Powerful 15 AMP motor
- Adjustable 53º bevel
Pros and cons
According to our expertsThis worm drive saw is build with high-quality magnesium. This makes the saw lighter and easier to operate.
Large 7 1/4 inch saw blade size. This is great if you need to make deep cuts.
Eventhough it can be a pro for many we did not like the weight of the SKILSAW SPT77WML.
If you are looking for a worm drive circular saw on a budget the SKILSAW SPT77WML might be the best for you. This saw is cheaper than the other saws on this list and still performs very well.
The only downside of the SKILSAW SPT77WML is the build quality and weight. We’ve found that after some use things feel a bit cheap. Of course, this is what you can expect from a budget saw but in our eyes, it’s not the best value for money.
Worm drive circular saws overview
| Circular saw | Power | Speed | Score | Bevel |
|---|---|---|---|---|
DEWALT DWS535B | 15 AMP | 4800 RPM | 9.5 | 53º |
Makita 5477NB | 15 AMP | 4500 RPM | 9.2 | 51.5º |
SKILSAW SPT77WML | 15 AMP | 4300 RPM | 8.3 | 53º |
Final thoughts
If money would not be a factor while buying a worm drive circular saw definitely go for the DEWALT DWS535B. This saw offers the best performance and feels the most durable.
The Makita 5477NB is a great alternative if you are looking for a saw on a budget!
