Reasons to Buy<\/h4>\n\n\n\n\n- Most powerful cordless sidewinder we’ve tested<\/li>\n\n\n\n
- Accurate cutline notches and tracking<\/li>\n\n\n\n
- Best adjustability for setting depth and bevel<\/li>\n\n\n\n
- Handle design is my favorite among tested saws<\/li>\n\n\n\n
- Solid overall value<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n\n
Consider Another Model if You…<\/h4>\n\n\n\n\n- Don’t want to pay a premium<\/li>\n\n\n\n
- Want a lighter-weight saw<\/li>\n\n\n\n
- You want lower friction on the shoe<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n\nBuy on Amazon<\/a><\/div>\n\n\n\nBuy at Acme Tools<\/a><\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n
DeWalt FlexVolt 60V Circular Saw Cutting Power<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
DeWalt promised 47% more power than the first-gen DCS575. That moved the DeWalt FlexVolt 60V max circular saw from 1600 watts to an impressive 2456 watts of power. Four years after my first experience with this saw, it remains one of the most powerful cordless sidewinder circular saws on the market. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
From its first cut, I could feel the power of this saw, not dropping much in speed while cross-cutting 2x10s or ripping sheet goods. The 9.0Ah (3Ah) 60V FlexVolt battery supplies plenty of power and runtime for any jobsite application I can think of\u2014and we tested plenty here in the shop.<\/p>\n\n\n
\n![\"DeWalt](\"https:\/\/www.protoolreviews.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/06\/DeWalt-DCS578-cross-cutting-800x552.jpg\")
<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\nTo get an idea of power compared to other brands’ advanced circular saws, I ran the saw across the length of two stacked sheets of 3\/4-inch OSB subfloor using a 10-pound weight to pull the saw on a Kregg track.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Cut after cut, the DeWalt DCS578 proved it is in the upper tier with the most powerful cordless circular saws. In our full-depth cutting test we buried the blade in 4 sheets of OSB and used a series of pullies to pull the saw with 20 pounds of weight. The DeWalt absolutely smashed this test and had the fastest time across the board\u2014just 7.7 seconds. Some saws couldn’t make it all the way across. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
It’s also worth noting that the maximum cutting depth of 2-9\/16 inches lets it cut through 3x material in a single pass. We don’t use a ton of that on the East Coast, but you can also cleanly make it through 3 pieces of stacked 3\/4 ply. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Guard Action and Shoe Friction<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
DeWalt’s guard action is smooth, just like we expect. The design takes of most cuts extremely well. It tackled thin, thick, 45\u00ba miter, and 45\u00ba bevel cuts just fine.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Overall, the DeWalt cut confidently, as you might expect from a pro-grade saw. My only comment on the sightlines is that during both cross and bevel cuts, the upper blade guard extends a bit farther than I would like. This somewhat limits the sightline, forcing you to lean to the left to see the shoe’s 0\u00b0 and 45\u00b0 markings. The blade guard performed well during crosscuts but did hang up slightly during bevel cutting.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
One of the most difficult cuts for a blade guard is a compound 45\u00ba miter\/45\u00ba bevel. When making this cut with the DeWalt DCS578, the guard hung up slightly during the beginning of the cut, which also pulled me slightly left. The overall cut quality suffered compared to the two previous cuts. Part of this might be due to noticeably higher shoe friction. This saw doesn’t slide very well across the wood surface, forcing you to push pretty hard through each cut.<\/p>\n\n\n
\n![\"DeWalt](\"https:\/\/www.protoolreviews.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/06\/DeWalt-DCS578-bevel-cutting-800x522.jpg\")
<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\nI’m only seeing increased shoe friction on this model as the DeWalt rear handle slides more easily. However, I don’t consider it a deal-breaker.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Sightline and Chip Clearance<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
If you’re the kind of person who prefers to watch the blade against the cutline rather than the shoe notches, the DeWalt FlexVolt 60V max circular saw does fine in that department.<\/p>\n\n\n
\n![\"DeWalt](\"https:\/\/www.protoolreviews.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/05\/DeWalt-FlexVolt-Circular-Saw10-800x534.jpg\")
<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\nThe framing doesn’t fully block your sightline, though it’s not as wide open as I found with the Milwaukee 2732<\/a>. A cutline blower and LED light help to keep the line visible while you cut.<\/p>\n\n\n\nIf you’d rather follow the notches, you’re in even better shape. With a CMT Orange Tools Zero Gravity<\/a> framing blade installed, I found both the 90\u00ba and 45\u00ba notches were perfectly in line with the blade as I cut.<\/p>\n\n\n\nThe saw also does a great job of clearing chips out of the way. It ejects them powerfully through the guard and down toward the floor. Even though some of the debris might end up on (and in) your shoes, that’s a trade-off I’ll gladly make for a clean site line.<\/p>\n\n\n
\n![\"CMT](\"https:\/\/www.protoolreviews.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/06\/CMT-Orange-framing-blade-cross-cutting-800x551.jpg\")
<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\nWhile it doesn’t come in the kit, you can get an optional dust port to vacuum up the dust and leave a much cleaner work area.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Tracking<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
Tracking isn’t usually an issue for most cordless circular saws unless you have a bent arbor. You can run into occasional issues if the handle design encourages you to push right or left slightly as you cut.<\/p>\n\n\n
\n![\"DeWalt](\"https:\/\/www.protoolreviews.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/06\/DeWalt-circ-saw-bevel-cutting-800x558.jpg\")
<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\nNo one on our team had that issue at all when using the DeWalt DCS578. In fact, the large front handle design\u2014the angle and its distance from the rear handle\u2014was my favorite of all the saws I tested.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Even though the weight is really on the material, the handle position helps balance the saw well and cut lighter than its 11.5-pound weight (with a 9.0Ah battery).<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Hands-on Testing Results<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<\/th> 9.0Ah FlexVolt Battery<\/th><\/tr><\/thead> Weight<\/strong> (w\/batt)<\/td>11.5 lbs (11th place)<\/td><\/tr> Sightlines<\/strong><\/td>4\/5 (7th place)<\/td><\/tr> Blade Guard<\/strong><\/td>4\/5 (8th place)<\/td><\/tr> Rip 2 Sheets OSB<\/strong><\/strong><\/td>22.19 sec (9th place)<\/td><\/tr> Full Depth Blade Cut<\/strong><\/td>Full rip in 7.7 sec (1st place)<\/td><\/tr><\/tbody><\/table><\/figure>\n\n\n\nAdditional Features<\/h3>\n\n\n\n\n- Electric brake<\/li>\n\n\n\n
- Rafter hook<\/li>\n\n\n\n
- 57\u00ba max bevel with stops at 22.5\u00ba and 45\u00ba<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n
CMT Zero Gravity<\/a> – Our Preferred Testing Blade<\/h3>\n\n\n\n![\"CMT](\"https:\/\/www.protoolreviews.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/06\/CMT-Orange-framing-blade-cross-cutting-300x207.jpg\")
<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n
Consider Another Model if You…<\/h4>\n\n\n\n\n- Don’t want to pay a premium<\/li>\n\n\n\n
- Want a lighter-weight saw<\/li>\n\n\n\n
- You want lower friction on the shoe<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n\nBuy on Amazon<\/a><\/div>\n\n\n\nBuy at Acme Tools<\/a><\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n
DeWalt FlexVolt 60V Circular Saw Cutting Power<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
DeWalt promised 47% more power than the first-gen DCS575. That moved the DeWalt FlexVolt 60V max circular saw from 1600 watts to an impressive 2456 watts of power. Four years after my first experience with this saw, it remains one of the most powerful cordless sidewinder circular saws on the market. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
From its first cut, I could feel the power of this saw, not dropping much in speed while cross-cutting 2x10s or ripping sheet goods. The 9.0Ah (3Ah) 60V FlexVolt battery supplies plenty of power and runtime for any jobsite application I can think of\u2014and we tested plenty here in the shop.<\/p>\n\n\n
\n<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\nTo get an idea of power compared to other brands’ advanced circular saws, I ran the saw across the length of two stacked sheets of 3\/4-inch OSB subfloor using a 10-pound weight to pull the saw on a Kregg track.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Cut after cut, the DeWalt DCS578 proved it is in the upper tier with the most powerful cordless circular saws. In our full-depth cutting test we buried the blade in 4 sheets of OSB and used a series of pullies to pull the saw with 20 pounds of weight. The DeWalt absolutely smashed this test and had the fastest time across the board\u2014just 7.7 seconds. Some saws couldn’t make it all the way across. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
It’s also worth noting that the maximum cutting depth of 2-9\/16 inches lets it cut through 3x material in a single pass. We don’t use a ton of that on the East Coast, but you can also cleanly make it through 3 pieces of stacked 3\/4 ply. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Guard Action and Shoe Friction<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
DeWalt’s guard action is smooth, just like we expect. The design takes of most cuts extremely well. It tackled thin, thick, 45\u00ba miter, and 45\u00ba bevel cuts just fine.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Overall, the DeWalt cut confidently, as you might expect from a pro-grade saw. My only comment on the sightlines is that during both cross and bevel cuts, the upper blade guard extends a bit farther than I would like. This somewhat limits the sightline, forcing you to lean to the left to see the shoe’s 0\u00b0 and 45\u00b0 markings. The blade guard performed well during crosscuts but did hang up slightly during bevel cutting.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
One of the most difficult cuts for a blade guard is a compound 45\u00ba miter\/45\u00ba bevel. When making this cut with the DeWalt DCS578, the guard hung up slightly during the beginning of the cut, which also pulled me slightly left. The overall cut quality suffered compared to the two previous cuts. Part of this might be due to noticeably higher shoe friction. This saw doesn’t slide very well across the wood surface, forcing you to push pretty hard through each cut.<\/p>\n\n\n
\n<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\nI’m only seeing increased shoe friction on this model as the DeWalt rear handle slides more easily. However, I don’t consider it a deal-breaker.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Sightline and Chip Clearance<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
If you’re the kind of person who prefers to watch the blade against the cutline rather than the shoe notches, the DeWalt FlexVolt 60V max circular saw does fine in that department.<\/p>\n\n\n
\n<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\nThe framing doesn’t fully block your sightline, though it’s not as wide open as I found with the Milwaukee 2732<\/a>. A cutline blower and LED light help to keep the line visible while you cut.<\/p>\n\n\n\nIf you’d rather follow the notches, you’re in even better shape. With a CMT Orange Tools Zero Gravity<\/a> framing blade installed, I found both the 90\u00ba and 45\u00ba notches were perfectly in line with the blade as I cut.<\/p>\n\n\n\nThe saw also does a great job of clearing chips out of the way. It ejects them powerfully through the guard and down toward the floor. Even though some of the debris might end up on (and in) your shoes, that’s a trade-off I’ll gladly make for a clean site line.<\/p>\n\n\n
\n<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\nWhile it doesn’t come in the kit, you can get an optional dust port to vacuum up the dust and leave a much cleaner work area.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Tracking<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
Tracking isn’t usually an issue for most cordless circular saws unless you have a bent arbor. You can run into occasional issues if the handle design encourages you to push right or left slightly as you cut.<\/p>\n\n\n
\n<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\nNo one on our team had that issue at all when using the DeWalt DCS578. In fact, the large front handle design\u2014the angle and its distance from the rear handle\u2014was my favorite of all the saws I tested.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Even though the weight is really on the material, the handle position helps balance the saw well and cut lighter than its 11.5-pound weight (with a 9.0Ah battery).<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Hands-on Testing Results<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<\/th> 9.0Ah FlexVolt Battery<\/th><\/tr><\/thead> Weight<\/strong> (w\/batt)<\/td>11.5 lbs (11th place)<\/td><\/tr> Sightlines<\/strong><\/td>4\/5 (7th place)<\/td><\/tr> Blade Guard<\/strong><\/td>4\/5 (8th place)<\/td><\/tr> Rip 2 Sheets OSB<\/strong><\/strong><\/td>22.19 sec (9th place)<\/td><\/tr> Full Depth Blade Cut<\/strong><\/td>Full rip in 7.7 sec (1st place)<\/td><\/tr><\/tbody><\/table><\/figure>\n\n\n\nAdditional Features<\/h3>\n\n\n\n\n- Electric brake<\/li>\n\n\n\n
- Rafter hook<\/li>\n\n\n\n
- 57\u00ba max bevel with stops at 22.5\u00ba and 45\u00ba<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n
CMT Zero Gravity<\/a> – Our Preferred Testing Blade<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n
DeWalt FlexVolt 60V Circular Saw Cutting Power<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
DeWalt promised 47% more power than the first-gen DCS575. That moved the DeWalt FlexVolt 60V max circular saw from 1600 watts to an impressive 2456 watts of power. Four years after my first experience with this saw, it remains one of the most powerful cordless sidewinder circular saws on the market. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
From its first cut, I could feel the power of this saw, not dropping much in speed while cross-cutting 2x10s or ripping sheet goods. The 9.0Ah (3Ah) 60V FlexVolt battery supplies plenty of power and runtime for any jobsite application I can think of\u2014and we tested plenty here in the shop.<\/p>\n\n\n
<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\nTo get an idea of power compared to other brands’ advanced circular saws, I ran the saw across the length of two stacked sheets of 3\/4-inch OSB subfloor using a 10-pound weight to pull the saw on a Kregg track.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Cut after cut, the DeWalt DCS578 proved it is in the upper tier with the most powerful cordless circular saws. In our full-depth cutting test we buried the blade in 4 sheets of OSB and used a series of pullies to pull the saw with 20 pounds of weight. The DeWalt absolutely smashed this test and had the fastest time across the board\u2014just 7.7 seconds. Some saws couldn’t make it all the way across. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
It’s also worth noting that the maximum cutting depth of 2-9\/16 inches lets it cut through 3x material in a single pass. We don’t use a ton of that on the East Coast, but you can also cleanly make it through 3 pieces of stacked 3\/4 ply. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Guard Action and Shoe Friction<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
DeWalt’s guard action is smooth, just like we expect. The design takes of most cuts extremely well. It tackled thin, thick, 45\u00ba miter, and 45\u00ba bevel cuts just fine.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Overall, the DeWalt cut confidently, as you might expect from a pro-grade saw. My only comment on the sightlines is that during both cross and bevel cuts, the upper blade guard extends a bit farther than I would like. This somewhat limits the sightline, forcing you to lean to the left to see the shoe’s 0\u00b0 and 45\u00b0 markings. The blade guard performed well during crosscuts but did hang up slightly during bevel cutting.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
One of the most difficult cuts for a blade guard is a compound 45\u00ba miter\/45\u00ba bevel. When making this cut with the DeWalt DCS578, the guard hung up slightly during the beginning of the cut, which also pulled me slightly left. The overall cut quality suffered compared to the two previous cuts. Part of this might be due to noticeably higher shoe friction. This saw doesn’t slide very well across the wood surface, forcing you to push pretty hard through each cut.<\/p>\n\n\n
<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\nI’m only seeing increased shoe friction on this model as the DeWalt rear handle slides more easily. However, I don’t consider it a deal-breaker.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Sightline and Chip Clearance<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
If you’re the kind of person who prefers to watch the blade against the cutline rather than the shoe notches, the DeWalt FlexVolt 60V max circular saw does fine in that department.<\/p>\n\n\n
<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\nThe framing doesn’t fully block your sightline, though it’s not as wide open as I found with the Milwaukee 2732<\/a>. A cutline blower and LED light help to keep the line visible while you cut.<\/p>\n\n\n\n If you’d rather follow the notches, you’re in even better shape. With a CMT Orange Tools Zero Gravity<\/a> framing blade installed, I found both the 90\u00ba and 45\u00ba notches were perfectly in line with the blade as I cut.<\/p>\n\n\n\n The saw also does a great job of clearing chips out of the way. It ejects them powerfully through the guard and down toward the floor. Even though some of the debris might end up on (and in) your shoes, that’s a trade-off I’ll gladly make for a clean site line.<\/p>\n\n\n While it doesn’t come in the kit, you can get an optional dust port to vacuum up the dust and leave a much cleaner work area.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Tracking isn’t usually an issue for most cordless circular saws unless you have a bent arbor. You can run into occasional issues if the handle design encourages you to push right or left slightly as you cut.<\/p>\n\n\n No one on our team had that issue at all when using the DeWalt DCS578. In fact, the large front handle design\u2014the angle and its distance from the rear handle\u2014was my favorite of all the saws I tested.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Even though the weight is really on the material, the handle position helps balance the saw well and cut lighter than its 11.5-pound weight (with a 9.0Ah battery).<\/p>\n\n\n\n<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\nTracking<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\nHands-on Testing Results<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
<\/th> 9.0Ah FlexVolt Battery<\/th><\/tr><\/thead> Weight<\/strong> (w\/batt)<\/td> 11.5 lbs (11th place)<\/td><\/tr> Sightlines<\/strong><\/td> 4\/5 (7th place)<\/td><\/tr> Blade Guard<\/strong><\/td> 4\/5 (8th place)<\/td><\/tr> Rip 2 Sheets OSB<\/strong><\/strong><\/td> 22.19 sec (9th place)<\/td><\/tr> Full Depth Blade Cut<\/strong><\/td> Full rip in 7.7 sec (1st place)<\/td><\/tr><\/tbody><\/table><\/figure>\n\n\n\n Additional Features<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
\n
CMT Zero Gravity<\/a> – Our Preferred Testing Blade<\/h3>\n\n\n
<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n