Last Updated on February 22, 2026 by Sharaj
You don’t need to overspend to get a reliable circular saw. Many of the best budget circular saws in the UK, mostly priced under £200, offer more than enough power for everyday DIY projects. From cutting timber and plywood to trimming decking boards and sheet materials, there are affordable options that deliver solid performance without moving into premium price territory.
In this guide, we’ve picked the best budget circular saws that offer good power, easy handling and solid value for money — so you can buy with confidence without overspending.
Top Picks
Makita 190mm Corded Circular Saw
We found it exceptionally well engineered with a smooth power delivery and accurate guides for clean, straight cuts. It feels durable in use and comes with a practical Makpac case for storage and transport.
Purpose and first impressions
If you want a reliable, well-built corded circular saw that delivers precise, repeatable cuts and solid value for money, this Makita is a top choice. We recommend it for serious DIYers and professionals who need a dependable everyday saw without moving to a larger 235mm class tool.
The Makita HS7601J/2 is a compact, corded circular saw that delivers performance beyond what its size suggests. It combines Makita’s well-known build quality with a practical, user-friendly design that suits both DIY enthusiasts and tradespeople carrying out frequent straight and bevel cuts.
Its robust construction, smooth cutting action and well-balanced handling make it a dependable choice for workshop or site use. The long, well-insulated power cable provides good working reach, while the included Makpac case adds convenience for transport and storage — particularly useful for professionals moving between jobs.
Overall, it’s a solid, no-nonsense corded saw built for consistent, reliable performance.
Design and key features
This saw is light but reassuringly solid, which helps when cutting doors, sheet materials or general timber. Notable features include:
We particularly liked the blade-change convenience and the included key storage. In real use, the power delivery feels even and effortless — users report making long, burn-free cuts when the blade is set correctly.
Practical benefits and limitations
The Makita is excellent for trimming doors, cutting melamine panels and tackling routine carpentry work. A couple of practical tips we learnt from tests and user feedback:
The main limitations are minor: the supplied guide fence isn't the heaviest and the internal case liner could fit better. None of these affect performance, but if you need an ultra-rigid fence for long rips you may want an aftermarket guide or track.
Bosch GKS 190 Professional Circular Saw
We found its 1,400W motor and deep cutting capacity excellent for heavy-duty carpentry and repetitive on-site tasks. Adjustments are precise and the saw stays stable even under demanding use.
Built for tradespeople and heavy work
The Bosch GKS 190 is targeted at professional users and serious DIYers who need a robust corded saw that copes with long runs and large timbers. Its 1,400W motor makes quick work of soft and hardwoods, and the high cutting depth gives us flexibility on thicker stock.
Precision, power and usability
The saw balances raw power with practical controls: spindle lock for quick blade changes, accurate bevel settings up to 56°, and a compact body that’s still solid under load. Key items we noticed include:
During our tests it sliced through door trimming, decking and framing tasks with minimal fuss. The sawdust collection bag is useful for keeping the work area tidy, although it needs frequent emptying during heavy use.
Limitations and buyer notes
The unit is heavier than entry-level saws, which is expected given the power. Also, the blade shield occasionally needs supporting briefly when starting thick cuts — a minor annoyance but not a performance issue. For anyone needing consistent heavy-duty performance, this Bosch is a reliable, precise option that will repay its slightly higher cost.
DEWALT 165mm XR 18V Cordless Circular Saw
We found it impressively light and easy to handle while delivering clean cuts for DIY and professional tasks. It’s ideal for users already invested in 18V XR batteries who want a portable, accurate saw.
Compact cordless power for site and home
The DEWALT DCS391 delivers the portability of an 18V cordless saw with enough capability for most trades tasks and serious DIY work. Being a bare unit makes it attractive to existing XR users it’s lightweight and easy to manoeuvre for trimming and bevel work.
Features that matter in practice
The saw comes with a 165mm carbide-toothed blade offering an ultra-thin kerf that reduces material waste and lowers cutting resistance. Other useful aspects include:
We found that, once paired with a fresh battery, the saw produces consistent, tidy cuts in sheet goods and timber. It’s particularly handy when you need mobility and quick set-up without running cables around a worksite.
Considerations and real world tips
If you don’t already own XR batteries, factor that cost into your decision. For most DIY users the 165mm blade provides ample depth, but professionals who regularly work with thicker timbers may prefer a larger, corded option. Overall, it’s a reliable, popular choice for anyone wanting cordless convenience and good cutting performance.
Bosch PKS 55 Compact Circular Saw
We found it to be an accurate, easy-to-control saw that gives good results for the price. It's light, straightforward to set up and cuts clean lines when used with a guide or clamp.
What it does well
The Bosch PKS 55 is designed for users who prioritise accuracy without paying a premium. It performs very well on joinery, kitchen worktops and general timber cutting where a steady, guided line is required. The Cut Control system helps us keep a visible, accurate cutting line.
Features and usability
We appreciated how intuitively the depth and bevel adjustments work — they’re easy to set and hold during repeated cuts. Key features include:
In practical use the saw feels stable and predictable. Clamping a straight edge yields spot-on long cuts, and the stock blade delivers tidy results on both softwood and laminated panels.
Limitations and tips
While it’s a great all-rounder, it's not the most powerful option in the line-up and the integrated guide is best suited for shorter, lighter rips. For consistent long rip cuts we recommend using a dedicated track or a sturdier aftermarket guide.
Who we’d recommend it to
This is an ideal choice for DIYers and occasional trades users who want an accurate, reliable circular saw at a sensible price. If you value neat cuts and ease of use over raw power, this Bosch delivers excellent value.
Evolution R185CCSX 185mm Track Saw Kit
We appreciated the multi-material capability: the TCT blade handles wood, metal and plastics where conventional blades struggle. The included 1,020mm track gives added control for straight, repeatable cuts.
What makes it different
The Evolution R185CCSX is ambitious: it’s built to cut a range of materials that normal circular saws avoid, thanks to its Japanese tungsten carbide tipped blade. We use it when a project mixes timber, steel and plastic — it removes the need for multiple specialised blades in many cases.
Kit contents and practical use
The saw comes with a three-piece 1,020mm track and a robust motor that feels substantial in the hand. Features we appreciated include:
In hands-on work it produced clean cuts in kitchen kickboards, nail-embedded timber and lightweight aluminium sections. The included blade is very capable, but we recommend choosing the right blade geometry for your frequent material to get the best finish.
Limitations and guidance
Some users report difficulty aligning or fitting the track to the saw initially — the mechanism is secure once understood but needs a little practice. The unit is also heavier than typical DIY saws, so for extended overhead work it can feel tiring. For straight-edge work, though, the track makes cutting repeatable and accurate, which we found excellent for cabinetry and shop projects.
INGCO 20V Brushless 165mm Cordless Saw
We found the brushless motor and included 4.0Ah battery give strong value for money, with good runtime and consistent cutting performance. It’s a sensible choice for DIYers who want modern cordless convenience without a high price tag.
Value-oriented brushless cordless option
The INGCO 20V CSLI16521 blends a brushless motor with a 4.0Ah battery to deliver impressive runtime and efficiency for a budget package. We found it well-suited to home projects, decking, and repeated cuts where portability and battery life matter.
Key specifications and real-world use
The saw offers a 165mm blade with a 55mm maximum cutting depth at 90°, and a brushless motor rated to 5,200 RPM. Highlights include:
In practice the saw cut through softwood and sheet materials confidently, and users noted long battery life on medium-duty runs. For those without an existing battery platform, the included battery is a clear advantage.
Considerations before buying
We advise buyers to check long-term local support and spare parts availability for lesser-known brands. The tool is slightly heavier with the battery fitted, but that’s an acceptable trade-off for the convenience of a complete kit. For budget-conscious buyers who want brushless efficiency and a ready-to-use cordless solution, this INGCO package performs very well.
Ryobi ONE+ 18V Cordless 150mm Saw
We found it versatile and convenient for mobile jobs where a cable is impractical. Performance is very respectable for an 18V model, especially when paired with a good-capacity ONE+ battery.
Mobility and practical use
The Ryobi R18CSP ONE+ is aimed at users who already own ONE+ batteries or want a compact cordless saw for occasional cutting tasks. We used it to trim doors, cut plywood and make mitre cuts up to 56°, and it performed well for these duties. The convenience of cordless operation really shines when working around a house or garden without easy access to mains power.
Key features and performance
The saw offers a brush motor tuned for 18V operation and a 150mm blade which keeps the tool light and manoeuvrable. Highlights include:
For typical DIY jobs the saw produces neat edges and is very user-friendly. We noted that pairing it with a fresh high-capacity battery markedly improves throughput for longer cutting sessions.
Limitations and real-world tips
The primary trade-offs are blade size and battery dependence: the 150mm blade reduces maximum depth to a DIY-friendly range and you’ll need spare batteries for extended tasks. Our practical tips:
This Ryobi is a solid pick if cordless convenience, ease of use and compatibility with an existing ONE+ battery ecosystem are priorities.
Final Thoughts
Our top pick for most people is the Makita 190mm Corded Circular Saw. It delivers the best balance of power, build quality and accuracy in this line-up. The smooth power delivery, accurate guides and robust feel make it ideal for workshop use and regular site work. If you need reliability for longer sessions and deeper cuts, the Makita is the most capable budget saw here.
If you want cordless freedom without sacrificing professional-level results, we recommend the DEWALT 165mm XR 18V Cordless Circular Saw. It’s lightweight, easy to handle and produces clean, predictable cuts — perfect for mobile jobs, renovation work and anyone already invested in 18V XR batteries. For multi-material or track-guided ripping, consider the Evolution R185CCSX track saw as a specialist option, but for everyday cutting the Makita and the DEWALT cover the widest range of needs.
FAQ
Choose corded (Makita or Bosch GKS 190) if you want consistent power for long, repetitive cuts, heavier timber or site work. Go cordless (DEWALT, INGCO, Ryobi) for mobility, working in tight spots or quick jobs — especially if you already own compatible batteries. We find cordless wins for convenience; corded wins for endurance and raw cutting depth.
Match the blade to the motor and job. 190mm blades (Makita, Bosch GKS 190) give deeper cuts and suit structural timber. 165mm–150mm (DEWALT, Ryobi) are lighter and easier to control. For general woodworking choose a fine-tooth TCT blade for clean crosscuts; for multi-material work (metal, plastics) a specialised TCT or multi-material blade like the one supplied with the Evolution works best.
Some budget saws can, but you must use the right blade and feed rate. The Evolution R185CCSX stands out for cutting multiple materials because of its multi-purpose TCT blade. For laminate or thin metal, pick a blade designed for that material and go slow, with proper clamps and PPE. Never assume a wood blade is fine for metal.
If you want consistently straight, repeatable long cuts, yes — a guide rail is a game-changer. The Evolution kit includes a 1,020mm track which immediately improves accuracy. For other saws, use a simple straight-edge clamped to the workpiece. Tracks are especially useful for sheet goods and cabinetry work.
Clamp a straight-edge guide, use a sharp blade suited to the cut, and keep a steady feed speed. Check shoe alignment before you start and make small test cuts. Lightweight saws like the Bosch PKS 55 are easy to control; combine them with a guide and you’ll get surprisingly professional results.
Keep blades clean and sharp, check bevel and depth settings before each job, and clear dust from motor vents. For cordless models, maintain battery health by storing batteries cool and partially charged for long-term storage. We find a quick daily wipe-down and occasional blade change extend tool life more than fancy upkeep.
