Best Mini Circular Saws | UK Guide | 2023
Circular saws are a go-to power tool for many heavy-duty jobs, but they’re heavy and cumbersome, limiting the freedom to carry out more precise jobs. If you’re lacking experience with such a tool, they can severely restrict application. Mini circular saws, however, are an appealing compromise for the less experienced or the average DIY enthusiast. Easier to handle and get to grips with, the best mini circular saws make quick work of cutting jobs. Compact and more lightweight in nature than their clunkier cousins, they can be used to make swift cuts with high levels of precision.
Best Mini Circular Saws
Looking to invest in one of these compact marvels? Our go-to guide has everything you need to know to ensure you’re getting the best mini circular saw to meet your requirements.
User-Friendly Design
If you’re looking to invest in a mini circular saw, chances are you’re looking to undertake some serious DIY work. Even if you’re relatively experienced in using power tools, don’t make the mistake of overlooking user-friendliness when investing in compact circular saws. To ensure you produce as close to professional-level results as possible, pick a compact saws that’s both ergonomic in design and user-friendly in nature.
It’s easy to overlook these features when it comes to compact circular saws, with many models appearing quite similar on the surface. However, delve deeper and you’ll notice there’s a great variety in design. First and foremost, you’ll want to ensure you’re investing in a model that’s easy to handle and comfortable to work with. What’s crucial is that you’re working with a model that fits comfortably in your hands. Picking too bulky a model or one that’s too heavy to handle for long periods of time will ultimately affect your cutting ability, producing results that are subpar. A lightweight bulk and compact design aren’t the only credentials to keep in mind, however. To make life as simple as possible, pick a compact circular saw that allows for quick and easy adjustments.
Motor Specifics
Bear in mind that picking a circular saw with a powerful motor won’t necessarily yield the best results for your individual requirements. As a rule, compact circular saws are less powerful than conventional models. Generally speaking, you’re looking at motors rated from 3 to 6 amps. To ensure you’re picking the right power rating for you, you need to consider what kind of jobs you’ll be putting your saw to task on.
Amps, volts and torque will all factor into determining the overall power potential of a circular saw. To make life simple, remember that the amp dictates how much electrical power you require for blades to operate efficiently, while the volt can be understood in much the same way as horsepower. A higher voltage suggests a more powerful motor. Torque is rated differently and is ultimately affected by the specific working conditions of a circular saw and the materials you’re cutting. Determining the overall power efficiency of your circular saw motor requires you to carefully weigh up all three of these factors.
Blade Size
When buying a mini circular saw, you’ll want to bear in mind the depth of cut. In an ideal world, you want to be looking at mini circular saws that allow for cuts ranging from one inch to two inches in depth. This is determined by the blade size you’re using. Most compact saws will only allow for a depth of an inch in depth, but you won’t struggle to find models allowing or a greater depth of two inches or more.
A quality compact circular saw will also allow you to achieve angled cuts or bevel cuts on the edges of the wood you’re working with. Make sure you pick a model that allows for this cutting ability to ensure you’re getting a piece of machinery that’s as versatile as possible. Pay special attention to the overall size of the blade when buying a compact circular saw. For best results, you want to be purchasing a saw that boasts a diameter of approximately four inches.
To learn more about saws, see our guide on the different types of saws on the market.
Cordless Mini Circular Saws
Although they’re generally more expensive than mains-powered models, cordless circular saws are the better option. The nature of a compact circular saw is its versatility and flexibility, which is further enhanced by going for a quality cordless model. That being said, you’ll want to bear in mind power efficiency limitations when looking at cordless models. Additional costs need to be considered when buying cordless options, with extra batteries the biggest surplus investment that will affect your budget. A further detriment of cordless models is that battery packs can add extra bulk to the overall handling weight.
As such, a conventional corded circular saw may be the way to go. There are some important things to bear in mind in determining whether or not a corded model is the right fit for you. For starters, consider your main working environment. If your workshop has ready access to mains power, leaving you with plenty of freedom to move around your work area, a corded option is an obvious choice. What’s more, a corded model is usually a more lightweight option than a cordless one. The biggest benefits of a corded circular saw include no worries about restrictions of motor efficiency and performance. You’ll also never need worry about keeping an eye on battery levels and recharging of battery replacements.
Safety Features and Additional Factors to Consider
As with any power tool, safety features play an important part of the overall design. A reliable safety lock is one such feature to look out for. What’s more, an electric brake is a must if you’re prone to mistakes and want the ability to immediately halt operation. Such a feature allows for an easier time of things, both in carrying out cuts and negating the chance of you sustaining an injury while working.
Further features that will make your life easier include a shaft lock. This is particularly useful for those who might be looking to work with various types of material that will require the use of various types of blade in the cutting action. A shaft lock allows you to make these regular changes quickly and easily. Finally, a laser guide is well worth considering. A laser guide will help the less experienced user make more precise cuts as a standard. Even the more proficient user will appreciate the benefits a laser guide can bring, allowing you to work at pace, without worrying about cutting accuracy.
Product Reviews
By now you should have plenty of things to keep in mind when picking out your next mini circular saw. If you still need some further inspiration, check out our breakdown of some of the best mini circular saw models you can currently find on the UK market. Our line-up includes models from some of the most reputable manufacturers around, with compact saw models to suit every requirement and budget.
Mini Circular Saw, HYCHIKA Circular Saw with 3 Saw Blades, Laser Guide, Scale Ruler, 500W Pure Copper Motor, 4500RPM Ideal for Wood, Soft Metal, Tile and Plastic Cuts
There’s a great deal to applaud about this heavy-duty mini circular saw. For starters, there’s a highly robust and powerful 500W motor, delivering high cutting speeds of up to 4,500 rotations per minute. This will make quick work of cutting through all manner of materials such as wood, tile, plastics, PVC and more. The overall durability of this saw is further enhanced by the metal gearbox housing and base plate. Included with the main circular saw body are three blades, granting you a wide variety of cutting capability. You can make quick work of wood cuts and metal cuts with designated blades, while the grit diamond blade is ideal for more precise tile cutting jobs.
Thanks to the handy laser guide included, you can also enjoy very precise cutting performance along a straight line. There’s also a parallel guide to further refine your cutting speed and levels of accuracy. Cutting depth can be adjusted from between zero to 25mm with ease, depending on your exact requirement. This circular saw is a very ergonomic choice, with the soft rubberised handle making it easier to handle and reducing vibration when working. Easy to use and very affordable, it’s hard to say no to this standout mini circular saw model.
Mini Circular Saw, Meterk 750W 3500RPM Compact Circular Saw with Laser Electric Saw with 6 Saw Blades Cutting Depth 90° (48mm), 45° (32mm) Ideal for Wood, PVC Pipe, Soft Metal, Tile, Plastic
You’ve got plenty to play with when you invest in this mini circular saw from Meterk. A powerful motor that enables speeds of up to 3,500 rotations per minute makes it a heavy-duty hero, with no load speeds to slow down your overall working pace. In total, there are six blades included to accommodate cutting of all types of material. You’ll find two diamond blades for handling cuts to tile and cement, along with two diamond blades that are specifically manufactured for making cuts to plastic and soft metal materials. What’s more, there are two TCT blades thrown in for cutting wood with ease.
There’s plenty of handy extra features included to make life even easier, including the laser guide and scale rule to ensure the utmost in precision when cutting. Straight line cutting functionality is also complemented by bevel cutting ability, with the freedom to make 45-degree bevel cuts should you require. Particularly impressive here is the deeper cutting potential of the saw, with depths of up to 32mm achievable.
HERZO Compact Circular Saw 710W 3500 RMP Include Laser Guide Compact Mini Saw with 3 Wood Cutting Blades Adjustable Cutting Depth 0-45mm and Bevel Angle (0-45 °) GB
Here’s another great mini circular saw that won’t break the bank. A powerful 710W motor provides you with all the cutting efficiency you could want for most jobs, with speeds of up to 3,500 rotations per minute achievable to deliver a highly efficient power tool. Laser guide technology is also included as standard, allowing you to cut straight lines with ease and deliver professional results with minimal effort. Adjustments can be made with a single hand, with the slim design of this saw making it a very user-friendly and ergonomic option.
An adjustable cutting angle allows you to make quick changes to carry out bevel cuts simply. Maximum cutting depth here is an impressive 42.8mm (at 90 degrees) and 28.55mm at 45 degrees. Included along with the main saw body itself are three robust wood cutting blades, a 3-metre cable, edge guide and blade change tool. Safety features are also accounted for, with a lock button and start button on hand to ensure no injuries or mishaps while working.
Circular Saw, Ginour 710W 3500RPM Mini Circular Saw with Laser, Cutting Depth 28mm(45°), 42.8mm(90°), 3 Saw Blades 115mm(24T, 60T, Diamond Saw Blade), Dust Extraction Pipe, Cutting Wood, Metal
Get the quality cuts you’re after with this Ginour Circular Saw. With a powerful 710W motor and speeds of up to 3,500 RPM, this saw is perfect for cutting all types of material, including wood, metal, tile, plywood and plastics. No matter what you’re cutting, you count on comfort and a user-friendly experience thanks to a soft rubber handle and a body that’s been designed with one-handed operation in mind. Laser guide technology allows for precise cutting, with the scale ruler further enhancing your accuracy while working. You can enjoy cutting depths of up to 42.8mm when cutting at a 90-degree angle, with depths of up to 28mm when cutting at a 45-degree angle. Those after impressive results and user-friendly functionality will be pushed to find a model that outdoes this beauty from Ginour.
Dremel DSM20 Compact Saw 710 W, Mini Circular Saw with 3 Attachments, 4 Accessories, Edge Cutting Guide, 20 mm Cutting Depth and Abrasive Technology for Straight Cuts, Plunge Cuts, Flush Cuts
The Dremel DSM20 is a good choice for those seeking something very compact and manageable. This mini circular saw is the definition of handheld efficiency, with its ergonomic design not stealing away from a powerful 710W motor that delivers quality cuts through all manner of materials. You’ll be able to effectively cut through metal, wood and tile alike with this model. The more compact nature of this saw makes it a good option for those working in very confined spaces, with the ergonomic body easy to handle and operate in cramped conditions and along awkward areas. An adjustable depth guide and fine line of sight also ensure high levels of cutting precision are maintained, with adjustments easy to carry out with one hand. The superior design of this handheld circular saw does come at a higher price than other models on this list, but with all the benefits it will bring to your workflow, it’s well worth the investment.
