Top Saws You Should Know About

How we chose these saws (and what to expect)

These picks span the most useful DIY formats: compact 4-1/2 in and 5-1/2 in cordless circular saws for portability, a 7-1/4 in corded circular saw for full cut capacity and steady power, and a 20V reciprocating saw for tear-outs and rough cuts. Selection here is based on clear shopper criteria—not brand recognition—so you can match a saw to real jobs:

- Blade size and cut depth at 90° and 45° (will it handle 2x lumber, sheet goods, or both?)

- Corded power vs cordless convenience (where you work most often)

- Battery platform and what’s in the box (charger and pack size)

- Useful features (dust blower, bevel range) and published specs from manuals/product pages

Blade size and cut-depth: the quick guide

Depth-of-cut determines what you can do in one pass. Here’s what the manuals list for these models:

• 20V Mini Circular Saw Cordless with 4.0Ah Battery and Charger PS76138A (4-1/2 in): 1-11/16 in at 90°; 1-1/8 in at 45°. Can cut 2x material (1-1/2 in thick) at 90°, but not at 45°. 3/8 in arbor—verify blade fit.
• 20V Cordless 5.5" Circular Saw w/ Battery & Charger PS76410A (5-1/2 in): 1-3/5 in at 90°; 1-2/5 in at 45°. Also clears 2x at 90°; not at 45°. 1/2 in arbor.
• 7.25" 14Amp 5500RPM Circular Saw w/ Integrated Dust Blower PS4015 (7-1/4 in): 2-7/16 in at 90°; 1-13/16 in at 45°. Full-size capacity for framing and frequent bevel work.
• Rule of thumb: If you expect lots of bevel cuts in 2x, jump to a 7-1/4 in corded saw. If most cuts are square on sheet goods with occasional 2x, a compact cordless can be the nicer everyday tool.

Who each saw is for

• Mainly plywood, flooring, and trim with easy one-hand control: 20V Mini Circular Saw Cordless with 4.0Ah Battery and Charger PS76138A
• One cordless saw for sheet goods plus occasional 2x at 90°: 20V Cordless 5.5" Circular Saw w/ Battery & Charger PS76410A
• Frequent 2x work, deeper cuts, and consistent power near outlets: 7.25" 14Amp 5500RPM Circular Saw w/ Integrated Dust Blower PS4015
• Demolition, rough remodeling cuts, and pruning branches with the right blade: 20V Cordless Reciprocating Saw w/ 2.0Ah Battery & Charger PS76415A

Product snapshots and key specs

Use these at-a-glance details to confirm fit for your jobs and your setup. Pricing shown is current listing at publish time and can change.

• 20V Mini Circular Saw Cordless with 4.0Ah Battery and Charger PS76138A
• - 4-1/2 in blade, 0–4500 rpm; max cut 1-11/16 in (90°), 1-1/8 in (45°)
• - 3/8 in arbor (use compatible 4-1/2 in blades)
• - Kit: 4.0Ah 20V battery and charger included
• - Listed price: $99.99
• 20V Cordless 5.5" Circular Saw w/ Battery & Charger PS76410A
• - 5-1/2 in blade, 0–3800 rpm; max cut 1-3/5 in (90°), 1-2/5 in (45°)
• - 1/2 in arbor
• - Kit: 2.0Ah 20V battery and charger included
• - Listed price: $79.99
• 7.25" 14Amp 5500RPM Circular Saw w/ Integrated Dust Blower PS4015
• - 7-1/4 in blade, 14A motor up to 5500 rpm
• - Max cut 2-7/16 in (90°), 1-13/16 in (45°); bevel 0°–45°
• - Integrated dust blower to clear the cut line; listed weight ~6.8 lb
• - Listed price: $69.99
• 20V Cordless Reciprocating Saw w/ 2.0Ah Battery & Charger PS76415A
• - Variable speed 0–3000 spm; 7/8 in stroke length
• - Listed weight ~5.4 lb
• - Kit: 2.0Ah 20V battery and charger included
• - Listed price: $79.99

Corded vs cordless: which to start with?

If you’ll work mainly in a garage, shop, or renovation space with outlets, corded gives you steady power and full 7-1/4 in depth—the easiest path for frequent 2x framing and bevel work—making 7.25" 14Amp 5500RPM Circular Saw w/ Integrated Dust Blower PS4015 a straightforward starter.

If convenience matters more—quick rips on plywood or cuts in the driveway—cordless keeps you moving. For a single general-purpose cordless circular saw, 20V Cordless 5.5" Circular Saw w/ Battery & Charger PS76410A balances portability with enough depth to handle 2x at 90°. If you value lighter, more controlled cuts in trim/flooring and plunge work, 20V Mini Circular Saw Cordless with 4.0Ah Battery and Charger PS76138A is the nimblest option here.

Battery platform and runtime expectations

Both cordless saws and the recip saw run on PowerSmart’s 20V platform. The brand markets pack interchangeability across its 20V tools, and these kits include the following:

- 20V Mini Circular Saw Cordless with 4.0Ah Battery and Charger PS76138A ships with a 4.0Ah pack for longer cutting sessions between charges.

- 20V Cordless 5.5" Circular Saw w/ Battery & Charger PS76410A and 20V Cordless Reciprocating Saw w/ 2.0Ah Battery & Charger PS76415A include 2.0Ah packs (lighter, but shorter runtime than 4.0Ah).

Runtime depends heavily on material, blade sharpness, and cut type. For uninterrupted projects, many DIYers keep a second charged battery or step up to a higher‑capacity pack.

Common questions, answered

• Will a compact cordless circular saw cut a 2x4 in one pass? Yes at 90° for both compact options here: the 4-1/2 in 20V Mini Circular Saw Cordless with 4.0Ah Battery and Charger PS76138A lists 1-11/16 in max at 90°, and the 5-1/2 in 20V Cordless 5.5" Circular Saw w/ Battery & Charger PS76410A lists 1-3/5 in. Neither clears a 2x at a 45° bevel in one pass.
• What features help accuracy on a budget corded saw? 7.25" 14Amp 5500RPM Circular Saw w/ Integrated Dust Blower PS4015 includes a dust blower to keep the cut line visible and a 0°–45° bevel adjustment for common angles.
• Do I need special blades? Check arbor size. The 4-1/2 in 20V Mini Circular Saw Cordless with 4.0Ah Battery and Charger PS76138A uses a 3/8 in arbor; the 5-1/2 in 20V Cordless 5.5" Circular Saw w/ Battery & Charger PS76410A uses 1/2 in. Match blade diameter and arbor to the saw’s spec sheet.
• Are the 20V batteries interchangeable? PowerSmart markets its 20V batteries as one platform that works across its 20V tools. The kits here include either a 2.0Ah or 4.0Ah pack.
• What about reciprocating saw speed and stroke? 20V Cordless Reciprocating Saw w/ 2.0Ah Battery & Charger PS76415A lists 0–3000 spm with a 7/8 in stroke length—versatile for demolition and pruning when paired with the right blade.
• What’s the warranty? PowerSmart power tools list a 2‑year consumer warranty (90 days if used commercially/professionally).

If you’re comparing familiar brands

Shoppers often stack compact cordless circular saws like Ryobi ONE+ (18V 5-1/2 in) or BLACK+DECKER (20V 5-1/2 in) against value options. Expect similar 90° cut depths around the 1.6–1.7 in class for this blade size and the convenience of battery platform sharing. For full-size corded circular saws, mainstream 7-1/4 in models (e.g., SKIL at similar price tiers) set the baseline for power and capacity that 7.25" 14Amp 5500RPM Circular Saw w/ Integrated Dust Blower PS4015 aims to cover for DIY use. For reciprocating saws, 0–3000 spm with roughly 1 in or under stroke length is common in entry/value cordless; 20V Cordless Reciprocating Saw w/ 2.0Ah Battery & Charger PS76415A sits in that range.

Safety reminder

Always use the correct blade for the material, set depth properly, support the work, wear eye/ear protection, and follow the tool’s manual.