DeWalt 6-1/2-Inch Circular Saws: Cordless Kits, Track Saw and Blades

Best for
First cordless saw, ready out of box

Best for
Existing 20V MAX battery owners

The DEWALT 20V MAX Circular Saw in its DCS391B form is the bare tool, so battery and charger are sold separately. If you already have 20V MAX packs from a drill or impact driver, this is the leanest way into a cordless 6-1/2 circular saw. The features list a 5,150 rpm motor, while the spec table lists 5,100 rpm, a small discrepancy that will not change how it cuts.

It has a lightweight magnesium shoe, a rubber overmolded grip, a 0-50 degree bevel, keyless blade change and a spindle lock. The included 18-tooth carbide-tipped blade is aimed at speed, with maximum cut depth of 2-1/8 inches at 90 degrees and 1-5/8 inches at 45 degrees. DeWalt lists a three-year limited warranty. For desk builds, plan to swap to a higher-tooth blade for visible edges. If you have no batteries yet, the DCS391P1 kit makes more sense.

• 5,150 rpm motor (spec table lists 5,100)
• 0-50 degree bevel capacity
• 2-1/8 in depth at 90 degrees, 1-5/8 in at 45 degrees
• Keyless blade change with spindle lock

The DEWALT 20V MAX 6-1 2-Inch Circular saw kit, model DCS391P1, pairs the same saw design with a 20V MAX 5.0Ah battery and a charger for out-of-the-box use. The features mirror the bare tool: 5,150 rpm, magnesium shoe, overmolded grip and a 0-50 degree bevel with a carbide-tipped blade.

The spec table lists a 24-tooth blade and names “Brushless” as a special feature, yet the feature bullets and description never describe a brushless motor, so treat that spec line with caution. If a brushless motor is a priority, the DCS565P1 states it clearly. This kit suits someone starting a cordless tool collection who wants one box to cover the first build.

Best for
Makers wanting brushless power and a brake

The DEWALT 20V MAX* Circular Saw, model DCS565P1, is the DeWalt brushless circular saw in this group. Its brushless motor runs at 4,950 rpm, a touch lower than the DCS391, but brushless designs are generally more efficient with battery power. It adds an electric brake that stops the blade quickly after you release the trigger, a bright LED, a built-in rafter hook and tool-free depth and bevel adjustments.

Maximum depth is 2-1/8 inches at 90 degrees and the bevel lever adjusts from 0 to 50 degrees (the spec table oddly lists the cutting angle as 90 degrees). The kit is the most complete here: the saw, a DWA161218 blade, a blade wrench, an optional dust chute, a charger, a 5.0Ah DCB205 battery and a kit bag. For makers cutting indoors, the dust chute and brake are worthwhile. Choose it over the DCS391P1 if you want those extras.

• Brushless motor at 4,950 rpm
• Electric brake and LED
• Tool-free depth and 0-50 degree bevel
• Kit includes 5.0Ah battery, charger, dust chute and bag

Best for
Cleaner cross-cuts on shelves and trim

Best for
Splinter-free sheet goods for desktops

Best for
General wood cutting and spares

The DEWALT Circular Saw Blade DWA1612CMB is a 6-1/2 inch DeWalt wood-cutting blade built from high-density tungsten carbide with ToughTrack tooth design, a ToughCoat anti-stick coating, a thin kerf and a reinforced shoulder for nail-embedded wood. The title mentions 18 and 24 tooth, suggesting a combo, but the specs list 24 teeth and a unit count of one, so check the listing before assuming you get two blades.

It is listed as compatible with DeWalt circular saws and weighs 11.52 ounces. Use it as a general replacement when your stock blade dulls; for the cleanest edges on visible desk surfaces, the 40-tooth blade below is the better match.

The DEWALT Circular Saw TrackSaw Kit, DWS520K, is corded and built for precision. DeWalt promises table saw precision with panel saw capacity: a zero-clearance track system with dual anti-splinter edges for straight, splinter-free cuts in both directions. For a gaming desk made from a full sheet of plywood or MDF, this is how you get factory-looking edges without a table saw.

A 12A, 1,300W motor runs at 4,000 rpm with a 48-tooth blade, and on-track depth is 2-1/8 inches at 90 degrees and 1-5/8 inches at 45 degrees, with a depth scale that accounts for track thickness. A continuous anti-kickback mechanism, a riving knife and a low-profile guard add safety, and with a vacuum attached DeWalt claims up to 90 percent dust collection. It also handles plunge and bevel cuts. The listing does not itemize track lengths in the kit. It trades cordless freedom for precision.

• Zero-clearance track with dual anti-splinter edges
• 12A, 1,300W motor, 48-tooth blade
• Riving knife and anti-kickback mechanism
• Up to 90 percent dust collection with a vacuum

The DEWALT Circular Saw Blade DWA161240 has 40 teeth, which generally means smoother cross-cuts than an 18- or 24-tooth blade at the cost of a slower feed rate. DeWalt describes it for framing and cross-cutting, with patented body slots to reduce vibration, a thin kerf, high-density tungsten carbide, ToughCoat and a reinforced shoulder.

It is optimized for both corded and cordless circular saws, so it pairs with any of the 20V MAX saws above. For shelves, monitor risers and trim, this is the blade to fit.