Our pick for a cordless circular saw (for M18 battery owners): Milwaukee M18 Fuel 7-1/4 in. circular saw (tool only)

Milwaukee M18 Fuel 7-1/4 in. circular saw (tool only)

Model 2834-20

Why we picked it

Our cordless pick if you already own, or plan to buy into, Milwaukee's M18 batteries. There's no cord to drag across the deck or snag on the sawhorses, and Pro Tool Reviews found that today's top cordless saws can keep up with a 15 amp corded saw.

Pro Tool Reviews timed 12 cordless saws on a test rig and ranked this one first overall. It was fastest in the stacked-OSB rip, second in the full-depth rip, and got top marks for sight lines, guard action and dust collection.

Its predecessor, the 2732-20, did well in independent tests too: TechGearLab's top cordless pick and a close second in Project Farm's test. The 2834 is a newer design, so treat those as context.

Specs (from the maker)

7-1/4 in. blade; brushless motor, up to 6,000 RPM; runs on M18 batteries

Cuts up to 2-5/8 in. deep

Bevel detents at 22.5° and 45°; depth detents at 1/2, 3/4 and 1-1/2 in.

Electric brake, LED light, rafter hook, magnesium shoe and guards

Dust port with vacuum adapter included

Keep in mind

The price is for the saw alone. If you don't already have M18 batteries, budget for a battery and charger, and use only Milwaukee's M18 batteries and chargers. If you own another brand's batteries, start with that brand's top saw instead.

Where to buy

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 Milwaukee M18 Fuel 7-1/4 in. circular saw (tool only)

Keep in mind

In Pro Tool Reviews' head-to-head, DeWalt's DCS590 was lighter and shorter, and the reviewer preferred its handle.
Most of the timed testing of this exact model comes from one outlet, Pro Tool Reviews, so we've linked the older 2732-20's independent tests below as context.

What the sources found

Pro Tool Reviews: Best cordless circular saw head-to-head 2026 (external site, opens in a new tab) (independent test, Aug 12, 2026; checked October 15, 2026): Timed 12 cordless sidewinder saws on a custom rig, all with the same blade. The 2834 ranked first overall and was the only saw above 90 points. It was fastest in the two-layer OSB rip and second in the full-depth rip, with top marks for dust collection, guard action, sight lines and shoe friction.
Pro Tool Reviews: DeWalt 20V Max vs Milwaukee M18 Fuel circular saw (external site, opens in a new tab) (independent test, Mar 31, 2025; checked October 15, 2026): Head-to-head with DeWalt's DCS590. Milwaukee won on power, compound cuts, sight line, guard action, shoe friction and warranty. DeWalt was lighter, shorter, more comfortable to hold and cheaper as a kit.
Pro Tool Reviews: Milwaukee M18 Fuel 7-1/4 in. circular saw review (2834) (external site, opens in a new tab) (independent review, Sept 24, 2024; checked October 15, 2026): Ripped three stacked sheets of 3/4 in. OSB and cut bevels, miters and compound miters in pressure-treated 2x10. The saw kept its speed, beat the older 2732 on the same rip, and felt better in the hand than most pro saws the reviewer had used.
Popular Woodworking: Milwaukee 7-1/4 in. circular saw review (external site, opens in a new tab) (independent review, Mar 21, 2025 (April 2025 issue); checked October 15, 2026): Short hands-on review of the 2834 in its battery kit. Sees it as a framing-class saw that will cut any wood and notes the brake, LED light, rafter hook and magnesium guards. It describes features more than it reports test results.
TechGearLab: The best cordless circular saws (previous model) (external site, opens in a new tab) (independent test, Updated Nov 24, 2024; checked October 15, 2026): Tested 13 cordless saws for cutting, ease of use and battery life. The previous-generation 2732-20 was best overall for cutting power, cut depth and fast crosscuts, but heavy and expensive. Context only: it's not the 2834 we pick.
Project Farm: Best circular saw (cordless)? (previous model) (external site, opens in a new tab) (independent test, Apr 10, 2022; checked October 15, 2026): Measured cutting speed, torque, blade speed, blade-stop time, vibration and weight for 10 cordless saws he bought himself. Milwaukee's previous-generation 2732-20 finished a close second overall. Context only: it's not the 2834 we pick.
Milwaukee: M18 Fuel 7-1/4 in. circular saw 2834-20 (external site, opens in a new tab) (maker spec page; checked October 15, 2026): Lists a brushless motor at 6,000 RPM, 2-5/8 in. cut capacity, bevel detents at 22.5° and 45°, depth detents at 1/2, 3/4 and 1-1/2 in., an electric brake, LED light, rafter hook, magnesium shoe and guards, and a dust port with an included vacuum adapter.

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 October 15, 2026; 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.