Top tools: Circular saws
Our pick for a corded upgrade with a blade brake
Safety first: read the safety notes before you use one.
DeWalt 15 amp 7-1/4 in. lightweight circular saw with electric brake
Model DWE575SB
Why we picked it
- Our corded step up if you'll use a circular saw often: a 15 amp, 8.8 lb saw with an electric brake that stops the blade sooner after you release the trigger.
- In TechGearLab's test it cut about as fast as the Skil, and the testers liked its easy-to-read bevel scale, quick-release levers, bevel stops at 22.5° and 45° and its easy blade changes.
- In a 2013 review, Pro Tool Reviews used it on remodeling jobs for six months and found the base square out of the box and the lower guard hard to snag, even on thin cut-offs.
Specs (from the maker)
- 7-1/4 in. blade, 15 amp corded motor; 8.8 lb
- Cuts up to 2-9/16 in. deep
- Bevels to 57°, with stops at 22.5° and 45°
- Electric brake, ball-bearing lower guard, aluminum base and dust blower
- 3-year limited warranty
Keep in mind
- It costs nearly three times as much as the Skil at today's prices. The brake and better adjustments are the main things that extra money buys.
- TechGearLab noted there's no trigger safety button.
Where to buy
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Photo credits
- DeWalt 15 amp 7-1/4 in. lightweight circular saw with electric brake: Image: DEWALT product image
Before you use one
Read the manual and wear eye and hearing protection. Kickback happens when the blade pinches or binds, so support the board so the cut doesn’t close, keep the blade just deeper than the board, and stand to the side of the saw’s path. Never pin or tie back the lower guard. Unplug the saw or take the battery out before changing the blade. Our shop safety essentials cover the basics.
More on DeWalt 15 amp 7-1/4 in. lightweight circular saw with electric brake
Keep in mind
- TechGearLab found the depth scale hard to see and called the aluminum base on the soft side.
- There's no laser or LED, and it comes with a contractor bag rather than a hard case.
- If you'd rather stay under $145, the Ryobi CSB144LZK, a 15 amp corded saw with a laser guide and no electric brake (per Ryobi's specs), was $99.00 at Home Depot with 4.5 stars from 1,290 Home Depot reviews (checked Oct 26, 2026). We haven't tested it. Prices change; check the store before you buy.
What the sources found
- TechGearLab: The best circular saws (external site, opens in a new tab) (independent test, Updated Feb 16, 2026; checked ): Tested the DWE575SB alongside nine other saws. Its cutting times were close to the Skil's. Testers liked its readable bevel scale, quick-release levers, bevel stops, easy blade changes and brake, but found the depth scale hard to see, the aluminum base soft and no trigger safety.
- Pro Tool Reviews: DeWalt DWE575 circular saw review (external site, opens in a new tab) (independent review, Jul 22, 2013; checked ): In 2013, a carpenter used the DWE575SB on remodeling jobs for six months, cutting framing lumber, plywood, LVL and roofing. The base was square out of the box, the brake stopped the blade within a couple of seconds and the lower guard never snagged. His only complaint was the bag instead of a case.
- Popular Science: The best circular saws (external site, opens in a new tab) (independent guide, Updated Jan 27, 2025; checked ): Buying guide based on the author's own use and research, not a side-by-side test. Picks the DWE575SB as the best corded saw for its durability, 57° bevel, brake and ball-bearing lower guard, noting it's pricey for a corded saw and has no LED or laser.
- Pro Tool Reviews: Best circular saw reviews (external site, opens in a new tab) (independent guide, Jan 4, 2024; checked ): Buying guide that leans toward cordless saws. Among DeWalt's saws it singles out the corded DWE575SB for value: a light saw with an electric brake that has held up on jobsites for years.
- DeWalt: DWE575SB lightweight circular saw (external site, opens in a new tab) (maker spec page; checked ): Lists 8.8 lb, a 15 amp motor, an electric brake, a 57° bevel with stops at 45° and 22.5°, 2-9/16 in. depth of cut, a ball-bearing lower guard, an aluminum base, a dust blower and a 3-year limited warranty.
How we picked
We didn't hands-on test these. We picked them by reading independent tests, reviews and guides (TechGearLab, Popular Mechanics, Pro Tool Reviews, Popular Woodworking, Popular Science and Project Farm), checking each maker's spec page, and looking at review counts at Home Depot. Every pick has at least three independent sources from at least two different outlets, including at least one independent test or review. They're all linked with each pick, along with what each one found. Most of the hands-on testing of our cordless pick comes from Pro Tool Reviews, so we've also linked TechGearLab's and Project Farm's own tests of its predecessor for context. We looked for a budget cordless pick too, but the strongest candidate had hands-on testing from only one outlet, so we've left that slot out for now. Prices, review counts and links were last checked on ; prices and stock change, so check the store before you buy.
No paid links. Every link on this page is a plain link: no affiliate codes or tracking, and no company paid or asked to be listed (disclosure). Links open in a new tab.
Some outlets we cite get review samples from tool makers; we don't use pieces a maker paid for or sponsored.
We pick tools from independent tests and reviews, not our own testing.