Cordless Circular Saw Quest

Q: Are cordless circular saws any good? I’m looking to buy a new saw and wonder if I should consider cordless.

A: Cordless saws are lighter, quieter and less intimidating than their corded cousins. But when they first came out in the mid-1990s, cordless saws were only useful as an accessory tool. Fast-forward ten years and the best models can now be your one-and-only circular saw. Manufacturers tell me that top models now deliver 80% of the output of corded saws. You can build an entire house with that kind of power. Voltage is the first thing you need to think about as you consider a cordless saw purchase. That’s because voltage roughly equates to power, cutting depth and cutting speed. But there are trade-offs, too, including tool cost, weight and the price of replacement batteries. You’ll find cordless circular saws ranging from 14.4 volts to 24 volts, though you’re going to need at least an 18 volt machine with two batteries if you want to work without a corded saw on standby. Lower voltage models are okay as supplemental tools, but most applications demand greater output. Cordless circular saws are terrific in many ways, but you really need to look at them realistically before you decide to buy. While they’re light, quiet, adequately powered and can operate away from a plug-in outlet, you also pay quite a premium for these advantages. A 24-volt cordless saw costs about $500, while a more powerful corded model comes in at about half that price.