In case you want to cut large sized wooden planks, then you will need to use a circular saw for the same.
But since most circular saws are quite large in size to be used at home, you might be looking for something smaller. For the same, you can consider going with something like the best compact circular saws mentioned down below in this list that have been picked as per these points:
- Blade Diameter: Since you are looking for a circular saw which is compact in size, checking its blade diameter is quite important. Not only does the blade size affect the form factor of your circular saw, but it also affects its cutting performance since larger blades are better for larger sized wooden planks. And to offer a great balance between cutting performance and form factor, most compact circular saws come with a 4 1/2 cutting blade.
- Motor Speed: Even if your compact circular saw has a large sized blade, it won’t be useful if its motor is not powerful enough. Thus, you should also check the motor speed rating as a faster motor with a speed rating like 4500 RPM or 5000 RPM will perform much better than a motor with a speed rating of 3000 RPM or similar.
- Motor Power: Other than the motor speed, you can also check the motor speed rating of your compact circular saw to get an idea of its performance. This motor power rating is given in amps where a higher rating like 5 amps or 6 amps will offer better performance than a lower motor power rating of 4 amps.
Apart from these points, there is still much more to consider while going with compact circular saws. Hence, all the best compact circular saws given here also have their important specifications and features explained along with them. You will even find a complete “Buying Guide” and the important FAQs for the best compact circular saws so that you can go with the right compact saw by the end of this list.
Best Compact Circular Saws
| Best Compact Circular Saws | Blade Diameter | Motor Speed | Warranty | Buy Now |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Worx Compact Circular Saws | 4.5 inch | Up to 3500 RPM | 3 year | Check On Amazon |
| Rockwell Compact Circular Saw | 4.5 inch | Up to 3500 RPM | 3 year | Check On Amazon |
| Genesis Compact Circular Saw | 4.5 inch | Up to 3500 RPM | 2 year | Check On Amazon |
| PowerSmart Compact Circular Saw | 4.5 inch | Up to 3500 RPM | 2 year | Check On Amazon |
| HYCHIKA Compact Circular Saw | 4.5 inch | Up to 4500 RPM | 2 year | Check On Amazon |
| Rotorazer Compact Circular Saw | 4.5 inch | Up to 4500 RPM | 1 year | Check On Amazon |
| WEN Compact Circular Saw | 4.5 inch | Up to 3500 RPM | 2 year | Check On Amazon |
| TECCPO Compact Circular Saw | 4.5 inch | Up to 3700 RPM | 2 year | Check On Amazon |
| WESCO Compact Circular Saw | 4.5 inch | Up to 5200 RPM | 2 year | Check On Amazon |
| ENVENTOR Compact Circular Saw | 4.5 inch | Up to 3500 RPM | 1 year | Check On Amazon |
Best Compact Circular Saws Reviews
1. Worx WX429L 4 Amp WORXSAW 4.5″ Electric Compact Circular Saw
Worx is quite a reputable brand of all kinds of power tools which also includes a great compact circular saw that offers great performance numbers despite being fairly small and compact.
The Worx WX429L compact circular saw is present in the 1st position in this list since this is the perfect option for those who don’t want to give up on performance for a small form factor. Starting with its form factor and performance, you get a 4.5 inch cutting blade with it. With this blade, you get a pretty good cutting depth rating of up to 2 inches. Because it is fairly affordable, you only get a single blade in the box which is to be expected.
Moving over to its electric motor, it is rated for maximum speeds of up to 3500 RPM which makes it fairly powerful for most. To make such speeds possible, it uses a highly efficient motor that is rated for a maximum current of up to 4 amps. But the best thing about going with this compact circular saw from Worx is that you get a 3 year long warranty with it for your peace of mind.
Best Features:
- Uses a 4.5 inch cutting diameter blade
- Rated for a maximum cutting depth of up to 2 inches
- Includes 1 cutting blade in the box
- Offers a maximum motor speed of up to 3500 RPM
- Powered by an electric motor of up to 4 amp current draw
- Backed by a 3 year long warranty for reliability
Pros:
- Fairly powerful compact circular saw for the given size
- Highly efficient motor with a low power draw
- Great build quality along with a superb warranty period
Cons:
- Only offers a single cutting blade in the box
2. Rockwell 4-1/2” Compact Circular Saw
You can also consider Rockwell and its power tools if you want something that is highly reliable and can last for a long time period similar to its compact circular saw mentioned here.
Rockwell’s RK3441K compact circular saw is present in the 2nd position in this listicle as this circular saw happens to be quite reliable while offering decent performance numbers. Taking a look at its cutting performance, this circular saw uses a 4.5-inch cutting blade. You can use this cutting blade for up to 2-inch deep cuts while working on wooden planks. And similar to the previous Worx compact circular saw, this one also comes with a single blade in the box.
Another similarity between this and the previous Worx compact circular saw is that this one also runs at a maximum motor speed of up to 3500 RPM. Unfortunately, this compact circular saw requires a higher power draw of up to 5 amps to run at the same speed. That being said, you do get a 3 year long warranty with this compact circular saw which still makes it a great pick for most.
Best Features:
- Uses a 4.5-inch cutting diameter blade
- Rated for a maximum cutting depth of up to 2 inches
- Includes 1 cutting blade in the box
- Offers a maximum motor speed of up to 3500 RPM
- Powered by an electric motor of up to 5 amp current draw
- Backed by a 3 year long warranty for reliability
Pros:
- Pretty good cutting performance with a sharp cutting blade
- Highly durable construction along with a long warranty period
- Compact and small form factor circular saw for on the go usage
Cons:
- Power draw can be a bit high for the given performance numbers
3. Genesis GCS445SE 4.0 Amp 4-1/2″ Compact Circular Saw
Genesis is a much cheaper and budget oriented brand of power tools that is most likely the best option for all those of you who are looking for an entry level and budget friendly compact circular saw.
This Genesis GCS445SE compact circular saw is present in the 3rd position in this article because this is the most affordable option given here which makes it perfect if you are restricted by budget. Similar to more expensive compact circular saw, this one also uses a 4.5 inch cutting blade. More importantly, it even offers a similar cutting depth of up to 2 inches with this blade. As you would expect from a budget friendly compact circular saw, it only offers 1 blade in the box.
Fortunately, Genesis has not compromised with its performance numbers as it uses a powerful motor that can go up to 3500 RPM speeds. Not only that but it is able to offer such speeds while having a power draw of up to 4 amps. While you do get a 2 year long warranty with this entry level compact circular saw, its build quality does reflect its lower price tag.
Best Features:
- Uses a 4.5 inch cutting diameter blade
- Rated for a maximum cutting depth of up to 2 inches
- Includes 1 cutting blade in the box
- Offers a maximum motor speed of up to 3500 RPM
- Powered by an electric motor of up to 4 amp current draw
- Backed by a 2 year long warranty for reliability
Pros:
- Excellent compact circular saw for buyers on a tight budget
- Solid performance numbers and cutting performance for the given price
- High quality cutting blade with sharp teeth
Cons:
- Build quality could have been a little better
4. PowerSmart Mini Circular Saw
PowerSmart is a fairly new brand of power tools and cutting tools that still manages to be a great option for most people out there since it offers much more than just a circular saw in the box.
The PowerSmart Mini compact circular saw is a great option for those who want a saw which comes with multiple blades in the box. And to ensure that you get a small and compact circular saw, all of the included blades have a diameter of 4.5 inches. As for the number of blades that you get in the box, this compact circular saw includes a total of 3 blades in the box. You can use any of these blades to get a cutting depth of up to 2 inches.
Just like most other compact circular saws out there, this one also offers a motor speed rating of up to 3500 RPM. In fact, it even has the same motor power rating of 4 amps which is the same as most others. You will also be glad to know that this PowerSmart compact circular saw as well as all of the 3 included blades come backed by a 2 year long warranty.
Best Features:
- Uses a 4.5 inch cutting diameter blade
- Rated for a maximum cutting depth of up to 2 inches
- Includes 3 cutting blades in the box
- Offers a maximum motor speed of up to 3500 RPM
- Powered by an electric motor of up to 4 amp current draw
- Backed by a 2 year long warranty for reliability
Pros:
- Great value for money thanks to multiple included blades
- Quite powerful thanks to a high performance electric motor
- Decent cutting performance with all of the included blades
Cons:
- Changing the included blades can be a bit difficult
5. Mini Circular Saw, HYCHIKA Compact Circular Saw
In comparison to most other brands of compact circular saws, Hychika is much smaller which still happens to be viable for most because it usually offers a lot of accessories with its power tools like this compact circular saw.
Hychika’s compact circular saw can be a great pick for many since it offers a wide range of accessories in the box which includes rulers, guides, carrying case, and multiple blades. But taking a look at its cutting performance first, you get a 3 ⅜ inch cutting diameter with this compact circular saw. Since it has a slightly smaller blade size than others, it has a cutting depth of only 1 inch. That being said, you do get 3 different types of blades in the box which can be quite handy for many.
To make up for its smaller blade size, this compact circular saw does offer a higher motor speed rating of up to 4500 RPM. And the best part is that this circular saw is able to offer the same while having a motor power rating of up to 4 amps. Despite being a new and small brand of power tools, Hychika even offers a 2 year warranty with this compact circular saw which makes it fairly reliable as well.
Best Features:
- Uses a 3 ⅜ inch cutting diameter blade
- Rated for a maximum cutting depth of up to 1 inch
- Includes 3 cutting blades in the box
- Offers a maximum motor speed of up to 4500 RPM
- Powered by an electric motor of up to 4 amp current draw
- Backed by a 2 year warranty for reliability
Pros:
- Pretty high motor speed rating compared to others
- Offers a wide range of accessories including multiple blades in the box
- Fairly durable and reliable with given build quality and warranty period
Cons:
- Uses a slightly smaller blade size than others
6. Rotorazer Platinum Compact Circular Saw Set
Rotorazer is a highly premium and expensive brand of power tools that generally offers highly powerful tools which also includes a great option for those who are looking for a compact circular saw.
This Rotorazer compact circular saw is one of the higher end options for those who do not have any budget restrictions and want something powerful. For starters, this compact circular saw has a cutting blade diameter of 3.35 inches since it is made for harder materials. Similarly, you also get a cutting depth of just 1 inch with this compact circular saw which is common with saws made for harder materials. Although, you only get a single cutting blade in the box even though it is such an affordable option.
Fortunately, this compact circular saw is still able to offer superb performance thanks to its high end motor speed rating of up to 4500 RPM. Another great thing about this compact circular saw is that it offers this high end motor speed with a common motor power rating of up to 4 amps. And since this is a high end compact circular saw, its included 1 year long warranty is to be expected.
Best Features:
- Uses a 3.35 inch cutting diameter blade
- Rated for a maximum cutting depth of up to 1 inch
- Includes 1 cutting blade in the box
- Offers a maximum motor speed of up to 4500 RPM
- Powered by an electric motor of up to 4 amp current draw
- Backed by a 1 year long warranty for reliability
Pros:
- Amazing cutting performance for hard materials
- Premium construction along with a high quality cutting blade
- Decently power efficient for given motor speed rating
Cons:
- Extremely expensive compact circular saw for most
- Only offers a single blade in the box even at the given price tag
7. WEN 3625 5-Amp 4-1/2-Inch Beveling Compact Circular Saw
Wen and most of its power tool offerings can be another viable option for all those who are looking to get something powerful and practical without spending a premium for the same which also includes its compact circular saw mentioned here.
The Wen 3625 compact circular saw is most likely the best value for money option given here as despite being an affordable one, it still features additional tools and a carrying case in the box. Taking a close look at the compact circular saw itself, it features a cutting blade diameter of 4.5 inches. You can use this blade to get a cutting depth of up to 2 inch which is pretty good. And since it offers other handy accessories in the box, it only features 1 cutting blade in the box which is to be expected.
Coming to the motor speed of this compact circular saw, it is rated for up to 3500 RPM of maximum motor speeds. Unfortunately it requires a slightly high motor power draw of 5 amps to achieve its maximum motor speed. Thankfully, Wen and its compact circular saw is still quite durable and reliable thanks to its included 2 year long warranty period.
Best Features:
- Uses a 4.5 inch cutting diameter blade
- Rated for a maximum cutting depth of up to 2 inches
- Includes 1 cutting blade in the box
- Offers a maximum motor speed of up to 3500 RPM
- Powered by an electric motor of up to 5 amp current draw
- Backed by a 2 year long warranty for reliability
Pros:
- Amazing value for money compact circular saw with multiple included accessories
- Great cutting depth performance with its sharp cutting blade
- Fairly great build quality along with a good warranty period
Cons:
- Requires a higher power draw for maximum motor speeds
8. Mini Circular Saw, TECCPO 4.8Amp Compact Circular Saw
You can also consider Teccpo and its power tool offerings if you are in the market for something versatile in terms of the included accessories that you get with a given compact circular saw.
Teccpo’s TAPS22P compact circular saw is yet another viable option in case you also want your circular saw to offer additional accessories in the box like tools and additional blades. But taking a look at the circular saw itself, it is fairly small in size thanks to its given blade size of 3.3 inch which is definitely on the smaller side. That being said, you do get a decent cutting depth of 1.06 inch with it which is quite decent for the given blade size. More importantly, you get 3 different cutting blades in the box for various materials.
To ensure that you get the most out of these cutting blades, Teccpo offers a slightly higher motor speed rating of up to 3700 RPM with this saw. In order to achieve a higher motor speed, it does use a higher motor power of up to 4.8 amps which is to expected. Thankfully, just like most other compact circular saws, this one also comes with a 2 year long warranty.
Best Features:
- Uses a 3.3 inch cutting diameter blade
- Rated for a maximum cutting depth of up to 1.06 inches
- Includes 3 cutting blades in the box
- Offers a maximum motor speed of up to 3700 RPM
- Powered by an electric motor of up to 4.8 amp current draw
- Backed by a 2 year long warranty for reliability
Pros:
- Quite a practical option thanks to various included accessories
- Fairly high motor speed for great cutting performance
- Standard warranty period for your peace of mind
Cons:
- Cutting blade diameter is pretty small
9. Mini Circular Saw, WESCO 4-1/2″ 6.0A Compact Circular Saw
Wesco and its power tools are known to offer the best possible performance numbers for the given price which makes its compact circular saw perfect for all those who want something for heavy duty usage.
This Wesco WS3454U compact circular saw is the most powerful option given here which makes it perfect for heavy duty and industrial usage. To be more exact, this compact circular saw uses a standard blade size of 4.5 inches. You can use this included cutting blade to achieve a maximum cutting depth of up to 2 inches which is pretty great. That being said, you only get 1 cutting blade in the box which is to be expected.
Coming to the key feature of this compact circular saw, it has a maximum motor speed of up to 5200 RPM which happens to be much higher than others. However, to make such a high motor speed possible, it uses a pretty high motor power rating of up to 6 amps. Fortunately, this compact circular saw is definitely highly reliable thanks to its included 2 year long warranty.
Best Features:
- Uses a 4.5 inch cutting diameter blade
- Rated for a maximum cutting depth of up to 2 inches
- Includes 1 cutting blade in the box
- Offers a maximum motor speed of up to 5200 RPM
- Powered by an electric motor of up to 6 amp current draw
- Backed by a 2 year long warranty for reliability
Pros:
- Excellent performance numbers with the best in class motor speed
- Highly sharp blade with excellent build quality
- Standard cutting blade size for a high cutting depth
Cons:
- Quite a high power consumption rating
10. Mini Circular Saw,ENVENTOR 5.8A Compact Circular Saw
Enventor is quite a new brand of power tools which might not be as well known as others but still manages to be a viable pick for many especially if you want something versatile while looking for a compact circular saw.
The Eneventor compact circular saw is the best value for money option given in this list as it offers the largest accessory bundle including all sorts of tools and blades. To be exact, you get a total of 6 cutting blades in the box which is definitely higher than most others. And the best part about this compact circular saw is that all of these cutting blades have a blade size of 4.5 inches. With these cutting blades, you can cut wooden plans of up to 2 inch thickness if needed.
Just like most other compact circular saws out there, this one also has a motor speed rating of up to 3500 RPM which is fairly decent for most. Unfortunately, it has a very poor motor power rating of 5.8 amps which results in high power consumption. That being said, despite being a new brand of power tools, Eneventor still manages to offer a 1 year long warranty with this compact circular saw.
Best Features:
- Uses a 4.5 inch cutting diameter blade
- Rated for a maximum cutting depth of up to 2 inches
- Includes 6 cutting blades in the box
- Offers a maximum motor speed of up to 3500 RPM
- Powered by an electric motor of up to 5.8 amp current draw
- Backed by a 2 year long warranty for reliability
Pros:
- Highly versatile compact circular saw thanks to various included accessories
- Standard blade size along with good cutting performance
- Great build quality along with a solid warranty
Cons:
- Pretty high motor power usage for the given motor power speed
Buying Guide for the Best Compact Circular Saws
If you are looking for power tools that are ideal for cutting wooden planks, then going with a circular saw is highly important. And because there are various circular saws out there to choose from, you can even find small sized options out there.
As a result, you can go with one of the best compact circular saws listed up above if you are looking for something powerful yet portable. To help you in picking the perfect compact circular saw, all of these options also have their major aspects and factors given along with them. Moreover, we have also given the following detailed buying guide for the best compact circular saws to help you go with the right one:
1. Blade Diameter
Starting with one of the most important factors to keep in mind while going with the best compact circular saws, we have the blade diameter. By checking the blade diameter of your compact circular saw, you can get an idea of its form factor as well as the cutting performance.
This is due to the reason that while a larger blade does offer better cutting performance, it also results in a larger sized circular saw. Thus, to keep a viable balance between the form factor and cutting performance, almost all of the compact circular saws given above come with a 4 1/2 cutting blade diameter or blade size.
2. Motor Speed
Moving over to another highly important factor which directly affects the performance of your compact circular saw, we have the motor speed. As you would expect, if your compact circular saw has a faster motor, it will be able to cut into wood quite easily.
In other words, if you want a high performance compact circular saw, you should go with a high motor speed rating. Talking about the motor speed ratings that you can find while going with a compact circular saw, it can include options like up to 3000 RPM, up to 4000 RPM, and even up to 5000 RPM. When compared with each other, the higher motor speed of up to 5000 RPM will offer the best performance when it comes to cutting wood.
3. Motor Power
Another factor to keep in mind while going with a high performance compact circular saw is the motor power rating. Similar to the motor speed rating, going with a compact circular saw which offers a higher motor power rating will result in better performance in most cases.
Coming to the motor power ratings that you can find while going with a compact circular saw, you can find options like up to 4 amps, up to 5 amps, and even up to 6 amps. And as you would expect, the higher motor power rating of up to 6 amps will offer the best cutting performance with your compact circular saw.
4. Cutting Depth
While we have already discussed how the cutting blade size or diameter of your compact circular saw can affect the size of the wooden plans that you can cut, checking the cutting depth rating tells you about the same more precisely.
This is due to the reason that the cutting depth rating is the exact thickness of the wooden plans that you can work on using your compact circular saw. Some of the common cutting depth ratings that you can find while going with a compact circular saw includes 2 inch, 4 inch, and even 8 inch depending on the saw that you are going for. And if you want to work on large sized wooden plans, then you should go with a cutting depth as high as possible.
5. Number of Blades
Even though you only need one blade at a time to use your compact circular saw, the blade of your saw will wear out with time. And since you will eventually need to buy more blades for your compact circular saw, some of them even come included with multiple blades in the same.
Not only does this result in a better value for money, but such compact circular saws also ensure that you can keep working on your carpentry projects even if one of your blades gets damaged or worn out. While some compact circular saws may come with 2 blades, others might even offer 4 or 6 blades which is much better for practicality and a high value for money.
6. Warranty
When you are using a power tool like a compact circular saw, the last thing that you would want is your saw failing to function during one of your carpentry projectors. Because of this, it is highly important that you go with a highly durable and reliable compact circular saw. To ensure that you are going with a compact circular saw made for long-term usage, you can simply check its included warranty period. For the same, you can find compact circular saws with a 1 year, 3 year, and even a 5-year warranty where a longer warranty period is always better if you want something that offers great longevity.
Best Compact Circular Saws – FAQs
Ans: Similar to a full-size circular saw, a compact circular saw will also allow you to cut almost any wood of your choice with ease. But if you want to be sure that you are able to cut a given type of wood, you can simply check the compatibility list of your compact circular saw to know about all the wood types that you can work on.
Ans: In order to replace the blade of your compact circular saw, you will have to first enable its arbor lock. Then, you need to move the blade to its unlock position and continue removing the arbor nut. Once that’s done, the blade will come out which can then be replaced with any cutting blade of your choice.
Ans: Even though there are a few compact circular saws out there that are cordless and function on battery power, most high-performance ones will be corded compact circular saws. This simply means that all of the compact circular saws given above need to be plugged into a wall socket before you can use them.
Conclusion
Those of you who work on carpentry projects quite often must know that a circular saw is the go to option when it comes to cutting large sized wooden plans. Although, since circular saws are fairly large, some of you might be looking for something smaller like the best compact circular saws discussed earlier in this list. Along with all these compact circular saws, you can also discover their significant features and options. Not only that but we have also explained a complete buying guide and the primary FAQs for the best compact circular saws. Although, if you are still confused and not able to choose the right one, you can simply go with one of our favorite recommendations for the best compact circular saws:
- Taking a look at one of the most affordable compact circular saws out there, the Genesis GCS445SE is the perfect option for those who are on a tight budget. Despite being the cheapest option given above, it still uses a 4.5 inch cutting blade. When combined with its 4 amp motor that offers a motor speed of up to 3500 RPM, it offers a cutting depth of 2 inches. You also get a 2 year long warranty with this compact circular saw which is always great to have.
- But if you primarily want a high performance compact circular saw, then you should go with the Wesco WS3454U compact circular saw. Thanks to its given motor speed of up to 5200 RPM and a motor power rating of 6 amps, you can expect superb cutting performance from its 4.5 inch cutting blades. Similar to most other compact circular saws out there, this one also offers a 2 year long warranty.
- When compared with most other compact circular saws, the Enventor compact circular saw is perfect if you want additional accessories like 6 blades and other tools in the box. Each of these cutting blades has a cutting diameter of 4.5 inches which is on par with others. While it does have a high motor power rating of 5.8 amps, you do get a decent motor speed rating of up to 3500 RPM which makes this compact circular saw quite powerful. Enventor also features a 1 year long warranty which makes it quite practical for most.
