Best DeWalt Circular Saws Guide: XR, ATOMIC & FLEXVOLT

The DCS565B is one of DeWalt's most popular cordless circular saws, and for good reason. The 6-1/2" blade gives you a maximum cutting depth of 2-1/8" at 90 degrees while keeping the tool compact enough for all-day use. A brushless XR motor delivers 4,950 RPM for fast, consistent cuts through framing lumber and sheet goods. Built-in rafter hook, LED light, tool-free depth and bevel adjustments, and an electric brake round out an impressively complete feature set. This is a saw that professionals can rely on and woodworkers will appreciate for its versatility and portability.

Pros

• Brushless XR motor for efficient, high-performance cutting
• 6-1/2" blade — portable, versatile, great for most cutting tasks
• Built-in rafter hook and LED for job site convenience
• Tool-free bevel and depth adjustments
• Electric brake stops the blade quickly after trigger release
• Compatible with all DeWalt 20V MAX batteries

Cons

• No battery or charger included — additional cost if new to the platform
• 6-1/2" blade has less cutting depth than 7-1/4" models for heavy framing

When you need full-size 7-1/4" cutting power in a cordless package, the DCS590B delivers. The XR brushless motor provides up to 1,700 MWO of power — enough to rip through 2x lumber all day on a single high-capacity battery. A 57-degree bevel capacity covers virtually every compound cut you'll encounter on a framing job. The magnesium upper guard keeps weight down while maintaining durability. This is DeWalt's premier 7-1/4" cordless circular saw, and it earns that status with consistent, professional-grade performance from the first cut to the last.

Pros

• Brushless XR motor delivers maximum power — up to 1,700 MWO
• Full-size 7-1/4" blade, the professional standard for framing
• 57° bevel capacity with stops at 45° and 22.5°
• Magnesium upper guard for durability with reduced weight 
• Compatible with all 20V MAX batteries including POWERSTACK packs 

Cons

• Heavier than 6-1/2" models — less ideal for extended overhead work
• No battery included — requires existing 20V MAX battery or separate purchase

The DCS571P1 is DeWalt's ATOMIC compact circular saw packaged as a complete kit — including a 5.0Ah battery and charger. The 4-1/2" blade gives you a cutting depth of 1-5/8" at 90 degrees, which handles most finish carpentry and trim work with ease. The bevel gear design allows cuts through 2x material at 90 degrees and 1x material at 45 degrees. Despite its small footprint, the ATOMIC brushless motor cuts up to 369 linear feet of 3/4" OSB per charge. For woodworkers and finish carpenters who want a nimble, capable saw that's ready to work right out of the box, the DCS571P1 is a standout value.

Pros

• Complete kit — battery and charger included, ready out of the box
• Ultra-lightweight — under 4 lbs bare, ideal for extended use and overhead work
• Brushless ATOMIC motor with strong runtime per charge
• Compact size excels in tight spaces and overhead applications 
• On-board blade key storage for convenient blade changes 

Cons

• 4-1/2" blade limits cutting depth — not suitable for heavy framing
• Best as a finish/trim saw or secondary saw rather than a primary

Same ATOMIC brushless performance as the DCS571P1 Kit — just without the battery and charger. If you already own DeWalt 20V MAX batteries, the DCS571B is the smarter buy — you get identical performance for a lower price and you pair it with whatever battery capacity you already have. It includes a blade, rip fence, and dust port adaptor. An elongated handle optimizes reach for ripping OSB and plywood sheets. For woodworkers and finish carpenters already in the DeWalt ecosystem, this bare tool is a natural addition to the kit.

Pros

• Best value for existing DeWalt 20V MAX battery owners
• Identical ATOMIC brushless performance to the DCS571P1 kit
• Elongated handle improves control for ripping sheet goods
• Rip fence included for straight cuts along sheet edges 
• Ultra-compact and lightweight for finish and trim applications 

Cons

• No battery or charger — requires existing 20V MAX batteries
• Limited cutting depth compared to larger models

The DWE575SB is DeWalt's flagship corded circular saw and one of the best-selling circular saws in the industry — period. At just 8.8 lbs with a 15-amp motor, it strikes an impressive balance of power and portability that most corded saws don't achieve. The electric brake stops the blade in under 2 seconds after trigger release, a major safety and efficiency advantage for high-volume cutting. With a 57-degree bevel capacity and no battery management to worry about, this saw is the workhorse of choice for framers, deck builders, and shop woodworkers who have power access and want to cut all day without interruption.

Pros

• Unlimited runtime — no battery management or charging required
• Electric brake stops the blade in under 2 seconds for safety and speed
• Remarkably lightweight at 8.8 lbs for a full-power 15-amp corded saw
• 57° bevel with stops at 45° and 22.5° 
• Consistent power output — no degradation as battery depletes 
• Lower overall cost — no battery investment required

Cons

• Corded — requires power access, limits mobility on open job sites
• Not compatible with the DeWalt 20V MAX battery platform

The DCS573B is DeWalt's full-size FLEXVOLT Advantage cordless circular saw — meaning it runs on standard 20V MAX batteries but is engineered to extract dramatically more power when paired with a FLEXVOLT 60V MAX battery. With a FLEXVOLT pack, this saw delivers up to 77% more power compared to a standard 20V MAX battery, approaching the cutting performance of a corded saw. A 5,500 RPM no-load speed and brushless motor make this one of the fastest and most powerful cordless circular saws in the 20V MAX lineup. For contractors who want to go fully cordless without giving up framing-grade power, the DCS573B is the answer.

Pros

• FLEXVOLT Advantage technology — up to 77% more power with 60V battery
• Fastest no-load speed in this roundup at 5,500 RPM
• Brushless motor for efficiency and extended motor life
• Full-size 7-1/4" blade with 57° bevel capacity 
• Works with existing 20V MAX batteries — FLEXVOLT is optional, not required 

Cons

• Best performance requires FLEXVOLT batteries — additional cost
• Bare tool only — no battery or charger included

The DCS391B is DeWalt's entry-level 20V MAX cordless circular saw, and it's a reliable starting point for anyone entering the DeWalt battery platform. The 6-1/2" blade handles a wide range of general cutting tasks — decking, sheathing, framing, and more — with a brushed motor that keeps the price accessible. It's not as efficient as the brushless XR or ATOMIC models for sustained professional use, but for general tool buyers and occasional users, it punches well above its weight class and carries the full DeWalt quality standard.

Pros

• Affordable entry point into DeWalt's 20V MAX circular saw lineup
• 6-1/2" blade handles most general cutting tasks comfortably
• Electric brake for safety and efficiency
• Compatible with all 20V MAX batteries 
• Solid build quality at a lower price point than brushless models 

Cons

• Brushed motor is less efficient and has shorter lifespan than XR/ATOMIC counterparts
• Lower max cut depth than 7-1/4" models
• Not ideal for sustained, heavy professional use

The DCS383B is a purpose-built metal cutting circular saw — and it's one of the most specialized and impressive tools in DeWalt's cordless lineup. Designed for cutting steel studs, conduit, threaded rod, sheet metal, and other metal materials, it features an XR brushless motor with electronic speed control that optimizes RPM for the material being cut. The result is clean, fast metal cuts without the noise, sparks, and mess of an angle grinder or abrasive wheel. If your trade involves regular metal work — HVAC, electrical rough-in, metal framing, or fabrication — this saw is a game-changing addition to your tool kit.

Pros

• Specifically designed for metal cutting — does it better than any general-purpose saw
• Electronic speed control optimizes RPM for clean metal cuts
• Brushless XR motor for power and extended motor life
• Significantly quieter and cleaner than abrasive grinders 
• Extends the DeWalt 20V MAX system into dedicated metal cutting 

Cons

• Specialized tool — not designed or appropriate for wood cutting
• Higher price point reflects its XR brushless, specialized design
• Most valuable for specific trades — may not suit a general-purpose tool kit

The DCS571E1 pairs the ATOMIC compact 4-1/2" saw with DeWalt's innovative POWERSTACK battery — a flat, lower-profile pack that delivers full 20V MAX performance in a smaller, lighter form factor than traditional battery packs. The result is the most compact and ergonomically refined circular saw kit in DeWalt's lineup. At under 4 lbs combined with the POWERSTACK battery, it's exceptional for overhead work, one-handed cuts, and tight-space applications. Woodworkers and finish carpenters who prize the ultimate in maneuverability will find this kit hard to match.

Pros

• POWERSTACK battery — lower profile, lighter, and full 20V MAX performance
• Complete kit — everything included, ready to work immediately
• Lightest and most compact saw kit in the DeWalt circular saw lineup
• Brushless ATOMIC motor with excellent runtime efficiency 
• Ideal for overhead and single-handed cutting applications

Cons

• POWERSTACK has lower overall capacity than standard packs — shorter runtime on large jobs
• 4-1/2" blade limits cutting depth — not a primary framing saw

The DCS570P1 is the all-in-one kit for those who want a full-size 7-1/4" cordless circular saw with everything needed to get to work from day one. The kit includes a 5.0Ah battery and charger alongside the DCS570 saw body, which features an electric brake and 57-degree bevel capacity. The 5.0Ah battery delivers strong runtime — easily a full day of cutting on most framing tasks. Compared to buying the battery and charger separately, this kit saves you meaningfully. For contractors building out their first 20V MAX tool collection or those upgrading from a brushed saw, the DCS570P1 represents outstanding value.

Pros

• Complete kit — 5.0Ah high-capacity battery and charger included
• Full-size 7-1/4" blade with 2-9/16" cutting depth at 90°
• Electric brake for safety and efficiency
• 57° bevel capacity for versatile compound cuts 
• Outstanding kit value — comparable battery bundles cost more elsewhere

Cons

• Brushed motor — less efficient and shorter lifespan than the brushless DCS590B
• Not as powerful as the XR brushless DCS590B for the heaviest sustained cutting