Circular saws · For framers
Best Cordless Circular Saw for Framing in 2026
The best cordless circular saw for framing in 2026 is the DeWalt DCS570 20V MAX XR 7-1/4". It cuts 2-9/16" at 90° (enough for 2x lumber), runs on standard 5.0Ah packs, and costs $100 less than its FlexVolt rear-handle cousin. Milwaukee's 2732-20 M18 FUEL is the platform alternative.
Opinionated, in order
DeWalt DCS570 20V MAX XR 7-1/4" Circular Saw
Same blade depth as a rear-handle saw, 2 lbs lighter, runs on the batteries you already own.
- +~180 cuts per 5.0Ah XR pack
- +2-9/16" at 90° (enough for 2x)
- +Electric brake
- +Standard 20V MAX compatibility
- -Sidewinder handle feel vs. a real worm drive
- -No rafter hook on base model
Milwaukee 2732-20 M18 FUEL 7-1/4" Circular Saw
Milwaukee's sidewinder — same cut capacity, ONE-KEY tracking, slightly heavier.
- +ONE-KEY asset tracking
- +M18 platform depth
- +Magnesium shoe
- -Heavier by ~0.6 lb
- -Higher price point
DeWalt DCS577 FlexVolt 60V 7-1/4" Rear-Handle Saw
If you have FlexVolt packs already and prefer a worm-drive feel, the DCS577 is the pro choice.
- +Rear-handle worm-drive style
- +Eats wet lumber
- -Requires 60V FlexVolt packs for best performance
- -$100+ premium
- -2 lbs heavier
What to know before you buy
- 1
2-9/16" cut depth at 90° is the framing minimum — you need to cut 2x lumber in a single pass.
- 2
Sidewinder vs. rear-handle is personal preference. Framers who came from corded Skilsaws prefer rear-handle; everyone else adapts to sidewinder in a day.
- 3
FlexVolt runtime is marketed hard but in real framing use the 20V MAX DCS570 lands more cuts per dollar-hour of battery.
- 4
Blade quality matters more than tool. A $40 Diablo blade on a mid-tier saw beats a $12 bulk blade on the best tool every time.
- 5
Buy two batteries minimum — one on charge, one in the tool, rotate.
FAQ
How many studs can I cut per charge?+
On a DeWalt DCS570 with a 5.0Ah XR pack, expect about 180 cuts through 2x4 lumber with a sharp blade. A 9.0Ah FlexVolt pack pushes that to ~350.
Do I need a rear-handle worm-drive saw?+
No, for most framing crews. Modern 20V MAX sidewinders have the same cut depth and weigh less. Pick rear-handle only if you're coming off a corded worm drive and prefer the feel, or you're cutting heavy wet beam lumber all day.
FlexVolt vs 20V MAX for framing?+
FlexVolt wins on sustained runtime for wet lumber and large beams. 20V MAX wins on weight, cost, and battery flexibility across your other tools. Most framers are fine on 20V MAX.
What blade should I use?+
A 24-tooth framing blade (Diablo D0724A or similar) for general framing, a 40-tooth for cleaner finish cuts. Skip the stock blade that ships with the saw — it's a break-in blade, not a production blade.