The Stanley FatMax V20 18V Circular Saw is the best all-round pick for most New Zealand DIYers, combining a tool-free bevel adjustment with dust extraction and Stanley’s widely available V20 battery platform.
A circular saw is one of the most versatile power tools for cutting timber, sheet goods and trim to size, and cordless 18V and 20V models have become common enough that most DIYers no longer need to deal with a corded saw’s trailing cable.
This shortlist covers full-size 18V/20V bare tools from Stanley, Bosch, Black+Decker, WORX and Skil for anyone already on one of those battery platforms, plus complete TOPEX kits (both a full-size 165mm and two compact 85mm minis) that come with their own battery and charger. If you’re kitting out the rest of the workshop, our guides to the best wood chippers and best chainsaws cover the bigger outdoor jobs.
| Circular Saw | Best For |
|---|---|
| Stanley FatMax V20 18V Circular Saw | Best Overall |
| Bosch PKS 18 LI | Best for Precision Cuts |
| Black+Decker 18V 140mm Circular Saw Skin | Best Compact |
| TOPEX 12V Cordless Circular Saw with LED Torch | Best Complete Mini Kit |
| TOPEX 12V Max Mini Circular Saw | Best Compact / Mini |
| WORX WX530.9 EXACTRACK 20V Cordless Circular Saw | Best for Straight Cuts |
| Skil PWRCore 20V Circular Saw | Best Value Full-Size |
| TOPEX 20V Circular Saw with 4.0Ah Battery & Charger | Best Full-Size Complete Kit |
1. Stanley FatMax V20 18V Circular Saw – Best Overall
Stanley’s FatMax V20 circular saw runs up to 4,000 RPM and uses a tool-free bevelling shoe that pivots up to 50 degrees, so you can adjust cutting angles without reaching for a separate tool.
It includes a dust vacuum connection for hooking up to a compatible extractor, and is sold as a bare tool on the V20 18V battery platform.
It suits DIYers and light tradespeople who want a full-size saw for everyday rip and cross cuts around the house.
Pros
- Tool-free bevel adjustment up to 50 degrees
- Dust extraction connection keeps the cut line visible
- Runs on Stanley’s widely available V20 battery platform
Cons
- Sold as a bare tool, battery and charger not included
- Weight isn’t published by the retailer
Key specs: 18V (V20 platform), up to 4,000 RPM, bevel to 50°, dust extraction connection, bare tool.
2. Bosch PKS 18 LI – Best for Precision Cuts
The PKS 18 LI is one of Bosch’s 18V circular saws, built around a 150mm blade with a cut depth of 48mm at 90 degrees and 36mm at 45 degrees.
It includes Bosch’s CutControl guide for following a straight line accurately, a tool-free bevel adjustment and a spindle lock for quick, safe blade changes, and comes with one blade and a parallel guide.
At 2.6kg it is light enough for one-handed use on smaller jobs like skirting boards, laminate and general timber trimming.
Pros
- CutControl cutting-line guide for more accurate cuts
- Tool-free bevel adjustment and spindle lock for fast blade changes
- Light at 2.6kg for one-handed control
Cons
- Sold as a bare tool, battery and charger not included
- Not widely stocked through NZ or Australian retailers
Key specs: 18V, 150mm blade, cut depth 48mm at 90° / 36mm at 45°, weight 2.6kg, bare tool.
3. Black+Decker 18V 140mm Circular Saw Skin – Best Compact
Black+Decker’s 140mm circular saw runs on the brand’s 18V PowerConnect battery system and reaches up to 3,700 RPM, with a max cutting depth of 43mm at 45 degrees.
It has a metal shoe with a sight line for tracking your cut, an electric brake to stop the blade quickly once you release the trigger, and a thermal cutout to protect the motor.
This is a compact, lightweight option best suited to smaller cross, rip and bevel cuts rather than deep timber.
Pros
- Compact and lightweight, easy to control with one hand
- Electric brake stops the blade quickly for safety
- Thermal cutout protects the motor from overheating
Cons
- Sold as a bare tool, battery and charger not included
- Smaller 140mm blade means a shallower maximum cut depth
Key specs: 18V (PowerConnect), 140mm blade, up to 3,700 RPM, max cut depth 43mm at 45°, bare tool.
4. TOPEX 12V Cordless Circular Saw with LED Torch – Best Complete Mini Kit
This TOPEX kit is a compact 85mm circular saw that comes with everything included: a 2.0Ah battery, a fast charger, a blade, a hex key and a cutting guide ruler.
It adds a built-in 3W LED work light for cutting in low light or under benches, and runs at 1450 RPM with a cutting depth of 26.5mm at 90 degrees.
It suits light DIY jobs like trimming wood or thin non-ferrous metal sheet rather than framing or thick timber.
Pros
- Complete kit with battery, charger and blade included
- Built-in LED work light for low-light cutting
- Lightweight at 1.3kg for easy one-handed use
Cons
- Compact 85mm blade limits cutting depth to light material
- Not a substitute for a full-size saw on thicker timber
Key specs: 12V, 85mm blade, 1450 RPM, cut depth 26.5mm at 90°, includes 2.0Ah battery, charger and LED work light, 1.3kg.
5. TOPEX 12V Max Mini Circular Saw – Best Compact / Mini
This is the baseline version of TOPEX’s mini circular saw, sharing the same 85mm blade, 1450 RPM motor and 26.5mm cutting depth as the LED torch model above, but without the built-in work light.
It comes with a 2.0Ah battery, a fast charger, a hex key and a scale ruler for guiding straight cuts, and weighs 1.3kg.
It is a good pick if you want the same compact cutting capability as the LED version for a slightly lower price and don’t need the extra light.
Pros
- Same 85mm cutting capability as the LED torch model, at a lower price
- Includes battery, charger and a scale ruler for straight cuts
- Lightweight and easy to handle at 1.3kg
Cons
- No built-in work light for low-light cutting
- Compact 85mm blade limits it to light-duty cuts
Key specs: 12V, 85mm blade, 1450 RPM, cut depth 26.5mm at 90°, includes 2.0Ah battery and charger, 1.3kg.
6. WORX EXACTRACK Cordless Circular Saw – Best for Straight Cuts
WORX’s EXACTRACK saw uses a patented guide-rail design built into the base plate that keeps the blade flush against any straight edge, so you get an accurate cut without clamping on a separate guide.
It runs on WORX’s 20V PowerShare batteries, shared across the brand’s other tools, has an aluminium base for durability and a brake function that stops the blade quickly once you let go of the trigger.
It bevels from 0 to 50 degrees, making it a solid choice for sheet goods, MDF and general timber where straight-line accuracy matters most.
Pros
- Built-in EXACTRACK guide keeps cuts straight without a separate rail
- Bevels to 50 degrees for angled cuts
- Runs on WORX’s widely shared 20V PowerShare battery platform
Cons
- Sold as a bare tool, battery and charger not included
- Premium price compared to the other bare tools here
Key specs: 18V/20V MAX, 165mm blade, up to 4,900 RPM, cut depth 55mm at 90° / 39mm at 45°, 0-50° bevel, aluminium base, 2.3kg with battery, bare tool.
7. Skil PWRCore 20V Circular Saw – Best Value Full-Size
Skil’s PWRCore saw pairs a 165mm, 24-tooth carbide-tipped blade with a built-in cutting guide and an LED light that illuminates the cutline, useful in sheds or under benches.
It bevels from 0 to 50 degrees, has a lock-off safety lever to prevent accidental starts, and runs on Skil’s 20V PWRCore battery system.
It is a straightforward, no-frills full-size saw for general timber cutting around the house at a lower price than the premium bare tools in this lineup.
Pros
- LED cutline light for better visibility in low light
- Wide 0-50 degree bevel range for angled cuts
- More affordable than the other full-size bare tools here
Cons
- Sold as a bare tool, battery and charger not included
- Fewer independent reviews available than the bigger brand names
Key specs: 20V, 165mm 24-tooth carbide blade, up to 4,500 RPM, cut depth 54mm at 90°, 0-50° bevel, bare tool.
8. TOPEX 20V Circular Saw – Best Full-Size Complete Kit
This is TOPEX’s full-size 165mm circular saw, and unlike the brand’s 85mm mini saws above, it comes as a complete kit with a 20V 4.0Ah battery and charger included, ready to cut straight out of the box.
It runs at 4,300 RPM with a cutting depth of 52mm at 90 degrees, and adds a laser guide alongside the usual cutting-guide ruler to help keep longer cuts straight.
It suits anyone wanting a genuine full-size saw for general home and light trade timber work without having to buy a separate battery platform.
Pros
- Complete kit with a full-size 165mm blade, battery and charger included
- Laser guide plus cutting-guide ruler for straighter cuts
- No existing battery platform required to get started
Cons
- Carbon brush motor rather than brushless
- Bevel range tops out at 45 degrees rather than 50
Key specs: 20V, 165mm blade, 4,300 RPM, cut depth 52mm at 90° / 36mm at 45°, 0-45° bevel, includes 4.0Ah battery and charger.
How to Choose the Best Circular Saw for You
The right circular saw comes down to matching the blade size and power platform to the jobs you’ll actually be doing.
Blade size and cutting depth
Full-size 140mm to 165mm blades handle general timber, sheet goods and framing, while compact 85mm mini saws are better suited to light trimming and thin material.
Bare tool vs complete kit
A bare (skin only) saw is cheaper if you already own a compatible battery, while a complete kit with a battery and charger included is the simpler option if you’re starting from scratch.
Bevel and guide features
A tool-free bevel adjustment and a built-in cutting guide, sight line or laser make angled and straight cuts easier and more accurate, especially for less experienced users.
For the rest of the workshop, the guides to table saws, cordless drills and ladders are worth a look.
Verdict
The Stanley FatMax V20 is the best overall pick for general DIY cutting, while WORX’s EXACTRACK suits anyone who values straight-line accuracy above all else, and Skil’s PWRCore is the best value full-size bare tool. If you’d rather not buy a separate battery, the TOPEX 165mm kit gets you a genuine full-size saw ready to go, while the compact 85mm TOPEX minis suit lighter jobs, with the LED torch version worth the small premium for anyone cutting in sheds or under benches.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need a corded or cordless circular saw?
Cordless 18V and 12V saws now cover most home DIY jobs without a trailing cable, while corded saws still make sense for continuous heavy-duty cutting where battery runtime would be a limitation.
What blade size do I need?
Full-size 140mm to 165mm blades handle general timber and sheet goods, while compact 85mm mini saws like the TOPEX minis here are best for light trimming, thin boards and non-ferrous metal sheet.
Is a bare tool a good buy?
Yes, if you already own a compatible battery and charger from the same brand’s other tools. If not, a complete kit like the TOPEX 165mm or 85mm kits here, which include a battery and charger, is the simpler choice.
Can a circular saw cut metal?
Only with the correct blade fitted. The compact TOPEX saws here are rated for thin non-ferrous metal sheet with the right blade, but a standard wood-cutting blade should never be used on metal.
How do I get a straight cut?
Use the saw’s built-in sight line, laser guide or cutting guide ruler where fitted, or for longer or repeated cuts, clamp a straight edge or dedicated cutting guide to the material to run the saw’s base plate against. WORX’s EXACTRACK model builds this guide directly into the base plate.
