Versatility of a circular saw depends on the efficiency of the blade. The right blade model helps to complete the cutting tasks – be it a metal, wood or other material. These saw blades are designed to work with various saw types like table saws, miter saws, cut-off saws and standard circular saws. Purchasing a right circular saw blade is not as easy as it looks. Because the quality of your cuts will be determined by the input, speed, sharpness and efficiency of the blade. If you are looking to invest in the best circular saw blades, then we recommend considering the below key factors. Blade Size – Different circular saw blades have different sizes for different applications. It is essential to purchase a blade that should fit correctly with their saw. A smaller blade won’t fit on a large saw and vice versa. Here is some suggestion on the selection of the blade size.
For metal cutting, the blade should be around 14-inches in size. For a handheld power saw, the blade size should be 7 – 10 inches. For general usage (both heavy-duty & lighter-duty applications), the size of the blade will be 6 ½-inch to 8 ¼-inch. For small special saws used to cut panels or thin materials, the blade should feature 4 ¼ – 4 ½ inches in size.
Tooth Count – Different sizes of blades have a different number of teeth and choose them based on your work. The teeth count is considered based on the diameter of a given blade. Blades with higher teeth count offer clean, sharper, and precise cuts, while blades with fewer teeth provide faster cuts with rough edges. Arbor Size – The arbor is defined as the hole in the middle of the saw blade, which should match with the saw’s shaft. This size will ensure that the blade is compatible with the saw. Most options include arbor size of 5/8 inch as standard size, while others include 7/8-inch arbor size. If the blade won’t fit the arbor properly, then the blade may wiggle and result in poor performance. Apart from these key factors, there is a lot more to consider, which you can find a detailed description in the “Buying Guide” mentioned in this article. Also, we have provided a list of top-selling 7 best circular saw blades for your reference after several hours of research.
Best Circular Saw Blades 2023 Table
7 Best Circular Saw Blades Reviews
1. Graff Circular Saw Blade
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Graff makes a wide range of circular saw blades that generally have a high user rating because these are quite affordable and offer a high value for money. This Graff circular saw blade is quite different from most other options out there. Unlike other options offering multiple teeth, this one only has 3 teeth. As for its blade size, it is quite small at just 4 ½ and makes an ideal option for compact circular saw blades. Despite being quite affordable and budget-oriented, you get a great build quality with this blade that offers TCT. Another great thing about this circular saw blade is that it comes with a lifetime warranty, which makes it highly durable and reliable. Best Features:
4 ½ inch blade size rating 3 teeth circular saw blade Lifetime warranty
Pros:
Great affordable option for users on a budget Highly durable and reliable model Decent cutting performance with TCT construction
Cons:
Only offers a total of 3 teeth
2. Dewalt Circular Saw Blade
If you are familiar with power tools, then you know about Dewalt because it offers a wide range of power tools, including circular saws as well as blades for it. The Dewalt DW3196 circular saw blade is present in the 1st position in this article as it is one of the cheapest and most affordable options present in this article. Despite the lower price tag, it offers great performance to the user for a high value for money thanks to its 7 ¼ inch blade size rating. As for the teeth count, you get a total of 60 teeth that is much higher than even some of the more expensive options out there. Another great thing about this circular saw blade is that, just like its power tools, it offers a 3-year long warranty to the user for peace of mind. Best Features:
7 ¼ inch blade size rating 60 teeth circular saw blade 3-year long warranty
Pros:
Comes at an affordable price tag Offers high value for money Great performance for given price and size
Cons:
Build quality could have been slightly better
3. Oshlun Circular Saw Blade
Oshlun is a highly popular brand of circular saw blades whose products are highly rated as they are quite durable and reliable due to certain reasons and features offered by it. Oshlun’s SDS-0842 circular saw blade is present in the 2nd position in this article as it is the most durable and reliable option present in this article. You get a highly durable and reliable TCT in this blade that can easily last long as you also get a lifetime warranty. Apart from being highly durable and reliable, you also get a decent 42 teeth count with it. While it is not the best, the given blade size of 8 inches is the same as most other options out there. It is a stack dado type blade that is slightly different than other options mentioned in this article due to its design. Best Features:
8-inch blade size rating 42 teeth circular saw blade Lifetime long warranty
Pros:
Most durable and reliable circular saw blade Offers an excellent build quality with TCT teeth Great performance along with a lifetime warranty
Cons:
Teeth count could have been slightly higher for the given price
4. Diablo Circular Saw Blade
Most of the circular saw blade options offered by Freud have a high user rating as they are highly powerful and ideal for heavy-duty usage because of the various features that they offer to the user. This Freud D12100X circular saw blade is present in the 3rd position in this article as it is the best option for heavy-duty usage due to its performance number. As per its model name, you get a massive 12-inch blade size with it that is much higher than most other options out there. Not only is this blade quite large, but you also get a total of 100 teeth in it. These teeth ensure that you get sharp and precise cuts while working for it. You also get a great build quality with this blade that ensures that it can easily last for a long time. Even though you get a 1-year long warranty with it, it is not enough for a heavy-duty tool. Best Features:
12-inch blade size rating 100 teeth circular saw blade 1-year long warranty
Pros:
Largest blade size makes it ideal for heavy-duty usage Offers multiple teeth for sharp and precise cuts Comes with a great build quality for longevity
Cons:
Comes with just a 1-year long warranty
5. Mibro Circular Saw Blade
Mibro can be another great pick if you are looking for circular saw blades as it is quite unique due to the fact that you get multiple accessories and other things with this saw blade. The Mibro 416381 circular saw blade is one of the only options out there that comes included with multiple accessories. It includes a total of 14 pieces in this circular saw blade kit that can be quite handy for using a circular saw. You get a blade size of 8 inches with this stacking dado blade set. Another great thing about it is that it offers carbide construction for high reliability in the long run. Unfortunately, it only comes with a 3-year long warranty that can be an issue for some users out there. Best Features:
8-inch blade size rating Carbide stacked dado blade set 30-day long warranty
Pros:
One of the only options to include accessories Unique stacking dado blade design High strength carbide construction for longevity
Cons:
Offers only a 30-day long manufacturer warranty
6. Renegade Circular Saw Blade
When compared with other options available out there and the ones mentioned in this article, Renegade is a fairly new brand of circular saw blades that offers decently powerful options for the price. Renegade’s circular saw blade can be yet another great pick if you are looking for circular saw blades made out of carbide. This one offers a decent blade size of 8 inches for both of the blades included in the pack. These blades have a total of 56 feet that ensure that there is proper accuracy while cutting using this blade. Just like most other options out there, this circular saw blade offers a 1-year long warranty that is quite decent for the given price. But since Renegade is a smaller brand, the build quality offered by it is not the best and could have been better. Best Features:
8-inch blade size rating 56 teeth circular saw blade 1-year long warranty Includes 2 blades in a pack
Pros:
Decent performance numbers with the given size Includes 2 blades for high value for money Offers decent number of teeth for sharp cuts
Cons:
Build quality could have been slightly better
7. Irwin Tools Circular Saw Blade
Irwin Tools specializes in developing automotive, electrical, framing and drywall, plumbing, and woodworking products. The brand has been at the forefront of the industry in creating superior tools for the professional tradesman. Irwin Tools’ circular blade saw comes with 24 teeth that are perfect for framing, ripping, and deck jobs. The teeth are made of construction grade carbide that not just makes them sharp but also provides a long blade life. The blade is designed in such a way that the alternate tooth is thinner for faster cutting. Furthermore, the blade is coated with silicon that allows you to easily cut through pressure treated lumber by reducing pitch and resin. Even if you are a beginner, you can achieve precision cuts using this blade. There is an innovative heat expansion slot that reduces vibration which increases the product life and increases precision. Besides, the plate is hardened to make it run longer and avoid warping. The blade’s unique design provides more support behind each tooth that provides for consistent chip removal. Best Features
7 1/4 inches blade size rating Construction-grade carbide teeth Heat expansion slot
Pros
Easy to use Highly durable Less vibration and high precision
Cons
No information on warranty
How to Choose the Best Circular Saw Blades:
Using a circular saw quite often will make its blade get blunt over time. Replacing a new blade is the right option rather than sharpening it. There are so many aspects to consider while shopping for circular saw blades. This guide will help you to know what to consider and how to pick the right saw blade, as per your requirement. Let’s get into its details.
1. Blade Types:
It is essential to choose the circular saw blades depending on the type of material you are cutting, and the way you cut the material. Usually, manufacturers design blades for cutting specific materials like plywood, laminate, and aluminum, which is mentioned on the saw blade for easy identification. Here are some of the most commonly used circular saw blades in our daily life. Take a closer look at them and pick the right one as per your cutting requirements.
Metal –
The metal blades are meant to cut through metals, but they are not the same. It let you select the option between an abrasive blade that resembles closely what you use on the rotary cut-off tool (or) traditional design having teeth. Which one to choose is based on certain factors like the tool you’re using. However, the traditional type works well at lower operational rates, while abrasive blades are designed for machines producing high speeds.
Wood –
As the name implies, the wood circular saw blades are designed to cut through wood, and there are a wide variety of options available. Depending on the type of cutting work you are performing will help to decide/select the blade for wood cutting. These blades are used to make cross cuts, rip cuts and a combination of both. If you don’t choose the right blade, then it will result in producing low-quality cuts and even ruin the workpiece.
Masonry –
There are various kinds of masonry saw blades designed to make dry or wet cuts on different materials. However, choosing the right type of blade is essential, which depends on the work you are performing and the environment. Specialized blades will deliver great results for recommended use compared to all-purpose blades, yet need to change blades quite often. Combination blades reduce the downtime due to blade changing but rip or crosscuts are of low quality than if used specialized blades for each cut you make. Also, there are standard circular saw blades (cut wood or wood composites or plastic), continuous-rim or diamond-edged blades (cut tiles and slate, can work on either dry or wet cutting applications), turbo-rim blades (same as diamond blades, cut concrete and brick), segmented blades (can handle tough materials like concrete or brick but leave rough finish), and abrasive blades (metal cutting, abrasive material like silicon carbide or aluminum oxide) available in the market.
2. Size of the Blade:
One has to check whether the blade size they purchase should fit properly to their circular saw or not. Since a small blade won’t fit on a large saw and a large blade doesn’t fit on a small saw. So, it has to fit properly to make it use effectively and effortlessly. However, most blades and saws have readily available dimensions. For instance, a saw using 7 ½-inch blades, then it is the exact blade size you need to buy. If you are looking to use a blade for metal cutting, then it should be around 14-inches in size. If using a handheld power saw, then the blade diameter will range from 7 – 10 inches. While a general-purpose circular saw blades come within 6 ½ to 8 ¼ inches, which works great for both heavy-duty and light-duty applications. There are some smaller special circular saws with a blade size of 4 ¼ – 4½ inches, which are mainly used for cutting woods, paneling and other thin materials.
3. Type of Saw:
Circular saws will come in various designs, styles, and types. So, you have to purchase the blades that are designed for your saw type. This means the blade and the saw should work together in a harmony. Thus, it provides the best cuts and ensures both the saw and blade will last longer. The arbor of your purchased blade should match with the shaft of the saw. Here the middle hole of a saw blade where the blade attaches to the saw is referred to as the arbor. While the shaft is referred to as the part of the saw where the blade attaches to. These two has to line up properly or it may cause damage to either your blade or saw. Also, you have to consider what the saw is meant to cut. In case, if you put a metal cutting blade on a wood cutting saw, then it won’t generate better cuts and may reduce the lifespan of the blade. So, it is a must to match the saw’s purpose to the blade you are using on it.
4. Arbor Size:
The arbor size will determine whether the blade is compatible with the saw or not. Most blades come with a standard arbor size of the 5/8-inch diamond- or round-shaped, while some other blades have a 7/8-inch arbor size. Always use perfectly fitting blades to your arbor or else the blade will wiggle, and thereby results in poor performance or accidents. Most saw blades feature a 5/8-inch circular hole with perforations that let you punch the middle to fit a diamond arbor. For an odd-sized arbor, it is better to invest in a bushing that allows you to adapt the saw’s arbor to fit common sizes.
5. Number of Teeth:
The diameter of the blade will determine the actual number of teeth it should possess. Different size blades feature a different number of teeth counts. Blades with fewer teeth generate larger gullets that quickly removes the material and prevent clogging. Thus, it aids in faster cuts with rough edges and it is quite essential for lengthwise cuts. While blades with higher teeth count deliver sharper, cleaner, and more precise cuts. So, for those planning to perform a lot of work requiring clean and sharp cuts, then pick the blades with more tooth counts. How do I know the required teeth count on my saw blade? This question arises while buying the saw blades. For this, you have to check the type of material you are working with. For instance, if you are dealing with softwood (or similar materials), then blades with fewer teeth will work well. While harder materials require a blade with more teeth. Generally, a higher tooth count per inch (TPI) will result in a smoother cut and can easily cut through materials like hardwood and sheet metal. Whereas, lower TPI delivers rougher cut and can cope with softer materials with less precise cutting. Usually, blades with 14 – 18 TPI are widely used for general-purpose projects. Here is a table that gives a clear idea on how to choose the TPI as per your requirement.
6. Blade Material:
There are various materials like carbon steel, HSS, carbide-tipped, or cobalt-steel are used to construct the blade. So, here is a detailed explanation that one has to know before buying the circular saw blades.
Carbon Steel –
Carbon steel blades are widely used to cut through plastics and soft materials, and these blades are a cheaper option due to their soft teeth, which makes them dull quickly. So, avoid expecting these blades to stand for frequent usage. The carbon steel is flexible and makes the blade less likely to snap.
High-Speed Steel (HSS) –
HSS blades are durable and won’t get dull easily than carbon steel blades. They retain the cutting edge effectively and can perform at high temperatures (withstand up to 600°C and score between 62 – 66 on the Rockwell Hardness Scale). Usually, they operate at a higher speed that makes them easily cut through hardwood and MDF.
Cobalt Steel Blades –
In general, cobalt steel alloy contains 5 – 8% cobalt, which makes it durable, robust, last longer, and can sustain higher temperature and more punishment compared to HSS blades. This makes it dull-resistant, and hard-wearing. The main drawback is that they are brittle and prone to snap.
Carbide-Tipped Blades –
These blades are incredibly robust, strong, durable and expensive options compared to other blades. They score 65 – 80 on a Rockwell Hardness Scale, which makes these blades the hardest wearing option. They can easily cut through aluminum, steel, and sheet metal. The downside of this blade is that they are brittle.
7. Kerf:
Kerf indicates the cutting width that is directly related to the thickness of the cutting edge. We notice two types of kerfs – a thin kerf with an edge measuring 0.094 inches, while a full kerf has 0.125 inches. Full Kerfs – They are durable and suits perfectly for cutting tougher materials. However, it requires more power and thereby more strain is kept on the saw motor while using full kerf blades. If the motor of your saw is underpowered, then it wears out the saw. Thin Kerf – It creates less wastage and is better suited for finer detail work. They need less power and thereby put less strain on the saw motor. The main drawback is that they are less durable and prone to great damage.
8. Coating:
The saw blade coating will provide a protective layer to the blade against regular wear and tear upon daily usage. To protect their saw blades from gum-up and friction, manufacturers apply a coating level to the blade. Also, it ensures not to build-up corrosion on the blade over a period and thereby increases its lifespan to make it useful for several years.
9. Other Features:
There are some additional features that allow you to use the circular saw blades with ease and effectively. Choose them as per your project requirements. Expansion Slots – These slots will let the metal expand and cool down easily when it is hot, and thereby prevent the blade from warping. Tooth Hook – It is the attack angle of the tooth, either positive, negative or neutral. For instance, an aggressive positive tooth hook generates quicker cuts yet tends to rise to tear out. Laser-Cut Features – It enhances accuracy and performance in cutting and thereby provides more precise results than stamping. So, it is essential to check for laser-cut bodies, expansion slots, and arbors on saw blades for high-quality cuts before buying the blades. Vents – Reduction in vibration and noise pollution will aid in a steady cut and for this, manufacturers add vents throughout the surface. They enhance proper air circulations and reduce air friction, which let you work easily without much noise.
10. Reliability:
Irrespective of the blade model you purchase, it should be reliable and can easily be available its spare parts at any time. Usually, a circular saw blade can hold its edge for a decent time and is capable to perform plenty of cuts before it is replaced. However, blades that quickly wear down are not worthwhile and make you get frustrated with their usage. So, it is a must to pick a durable and expensive blade rather than a cheaper blade. Though they are various ways to check its reliability before making its purchase. One of the best ways to determine its reliability and quality is to check the customer reviews on the particular blade model.
11. Bevel Angle:
Generally, the higher the bevel angles, the smoother and clearer the cuts are. So, the high bevel angles blades will let you cut easily through composite materials, such as melamine and veneer.
12. Gullet Size:
It is referred to as the space between the blade teeth. The depth and size of the gullet will let you know the number of materials that clears while spinning the blade.
13. Quality Construction:
Irrespective of your circular saw, you have to purchase the best quality blade at your affordable price range. For instance, a top-tier machine with a bad blade will quickly wear out and cause more harm. While a budget saw will work well with a top tier blade. So, the build quality of the blade is essential to check before buying these saw blades.
14. Price:
The price range of these circular saw blades will vary a lot, from $10 – $150 (or above). Usually, expensive blades offer features that enhance the blade’s performance and extend its lifespan to use several times. Whereas, inexpensive blades get dull quickly or generate rougher cuts. So, ensure to check the benefits and features offered by each blade along with their price.
15. Durability and Warranty:
It is quite common that blades upon regular or frequent usage will wear out quickly and has to be replaced. Although you may get an easy replacement, yet the cost spent on its replacement will be an extra burden. So, it is best to pick a durable option that lasts longer without any issue. The warranty offered by the manufacturer on their product is the best way to check the reliability and durability of a product. Few models offer a minimum of a 1-year warranty, while other models come with a lifetime warranty. Choose the blades that offer a longer warranty period, even if its costs initially.
How Do We Change the Circular Saw Blades?
Here is the detailed step-by-step procedure that let you know how to change the blade easily. Take a look at them and follow the process whenever you need to change the blade of your circular saw.
Power Disconnection – It is a must to follow safety measures to disconnect the power at the wall electric socket or take out the battery before starting the process. Engage Locking Mechanism – Press on the arbor lock button and then rotate the blade till the locking mechanism is engaged. Using Blade Wrench – To take out the arbor nut, you have to use the blade wrench. All you need is to turn the wrench in the same direction as the blade spins to loosen and remove it. Retract the Blade Guard – To extract the old blade, you have to remove the blade guard. Even though the teeth are dull, still it can cause some severe cuts. Insert a New Blade – Place a new blade on the arbor in such a way that teeth must face the way it turns. However, the arrow on the blade guard will help you to insert the blade properly. Tighten Arbor Nut – Finally, you need to tighten the arbor nut but be careful that not to overtighten, why because it becomes difficult to loosen the nut for changing blades next time. Plug-in the Saw – After performing all these steps, you have to plug in the saw and start using it for saw actions.
How to Clean a Circular Saw Blade?
Separate the blade from the saw by following the above steps. Then here are some of the steps to be followed for cleaning a circular saw blade.
Keep the blade in a bowl of warm soapy water. If you want, you can use an all-purpose cleaner or detergent to this water. Immerse the blade in this water and allow it to soak for about 5 – 10 minutes. Take a soft brush and scrub it gently to remove stubborn marks or blemishes. Ensure to hold the blade by its center hole and offer a shake in the water to remove any last dirt remnants. Take it out from the water and dry it thoroughly with a soft cloth. Ensure that the blade surface is dry or else it starts corrosion, and thereby the blade will be destroyed eventually. After doing all these steps, you have to follow the above-detailed steps to re-insert the blade into the saw for performing your sawing activities.
Safe Measures:
One has to be careful while dealing with saw blades, and it is essential to follow some crucial safety tips to save yourself and to have safe and effective saw usage.
Eye Protection – Before you turn on the machine, put on the goggles to prevent any dust and splinters from getting into the eyes. It protects the eyes from not to get allergies, irritation, and blindness. Hands Protection – Wearing hand gloves will protect you in two ways. Touching a hot machine will burn your skin and leaves scars. It saves your fingers and hands from getting injuries while using the blade. Inspect the Tool – Check the tool for any wobbly places, especially near the blade part. Take a thorough look for loose bolts, cracks or any other insecure details. Fix it quickly before you start using the tool/blade. Maintenance – It is vital to clean the blade and guard every time you use the tool to remove dust and debris. Also, sharpen the blade whenever required, and ensure that it has a stable guard that conjoins firmly to the saw handle. Adjustments – Always make required adjustments when the machine is off. For setting the bevel angle or depth, you need to unplug the machine and allow it to cool down completely. Hide Cords – Strap all the cords and move them aside to hide from the blade, and thereby prevents it from electrocution.
Conclusion
There are a lot of circular saw blades out there that are made for different saws and applications that can make picking one a bit difficult. Hence, we have mentioned some of the best circular saw blades up above in this article. Not only that, but differentiating between these models should be quite easy as you can find their major features and options. This is alongside the detailed buying guide that will take you through various factors and aspects related to these saw blades. But if you still cannot choose the perfect saw blade, here are our recommendations:
You can go with the Oshlun circular saw blade if you want a highly durable and reliable option. It offers a great build quality along with a lifetime warranty for its 8-inch blade size, and a total of 42 teeth count for decent cutting performance. The Diablo circular saw blade is the best pick in this article for heavy-duty usage. This one offers a large 12-inch blade size that is much higher than other options while offering a high teeth count of 100 teeth. It also offers a decent 1-year long warranty to the user. If you are on a budget, then the Dewalt circular saw blade can be a great pick as it is the cheapest option in this article. Even then, you get a large 7 ¼ inch blade size and a total of 60 teeth so that you get sharp cuts with this blade that comes with a 3-year long warranty.
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