Home › Tools › Milwaukee vs DeWalt Circular Saw (2026): Side-by-Side Comparison
Milwaukee vs DeWalt Circular Saw (2026): Side-by-Side Comparison
By MyAwesomeBuy Research Team · Updated April 8, 2026 · Our Methodology
14,152+ reviews analyzed
No manufacturer paid for placement. Rankings based on verified buyer review data.
Quick Answer
For most users in 2026, the DeWalt DCS565B at $138.49 is the better buy — brushless motor efficiency, lighter weight, and compatibility with the largest cordless battery ecosystem. Milwaukee M18 FUEL edges ahead only for professionals with heavy cutting demands already using M18 tools.
The DEWALT 6-1/2-inch 20V MAX Circular Saw delivers smooth crosscuts and rip cuts in dimensional lumber using a 20V MAX battery platform shared across DEWALT's cordless tool lineup. The lightweight magnesium shoe reduces fatigue on overhead cuts, and the electric brake stops the blade quickly after trigger release for safer operation. Bevel adjustments up to 50° handle compound angle work. Best for framers and finish carpenters who already own DEWALT 20V MAX batteries and want a cordless saw with zero power-cord management.
Full Specs & Measurements
Upc
885911262354
Asin
B007NVSTO8
Color
Yellow
Speed
5100 RPM
Voltage
20 Volts
Brand Name
DEWALT
Unit Count
1.0 Count
Blade Shape
Round
Item Weight
3.16 Kilograms
Blade Length
6.5 Inches
Manufacturer
DEWALT
Model Number
DCS391B
Power Source
Battery Powered
Cutting Angle
50 Degrees
Warranty Type
Full Manufacturer's Warranty
Blade Material
High Speed Steel
Item Type Name
20V MAX Li-Ion Circular Saw
Number Of Teeth
18
Best Sellers Rank
#1,451 in Tools & Home Improvement (See Top 100 in Tools & Home Improvement) #1 in Power Circular Saws
Specification Met
(unset)
Included Components
20v 6-1/2" circular saw
Number Of Batteries
1 Lithium Ion batteries required.
Surface Recommendation
Wood
Manufacturer Part Number
DCS391B
Item Dimensions L X W X H
15.5"L x 8.5"W x 10.5"H
Manufacturer Warranty Description
3 Year Limited Warranty
Global Trade Identification Number
00885911262354
Other Special Features Of The Product
Keyless Blade Change
Best Budget
DeWalt DCS565B 20V MAX Brushless 6-1/2" Cordless Circular Saw
$138
at Amazon
Best for: DIYers who want a lightweight brushless circular saw compatible with DeWalt 20V MAX
“The DCS565B is the sweet spot in the DeWalt lineup: brushless motor, 50° bevel, and just 7.2 lbs. It handles 2x lumber and sheet goods equally well without breaking the bank.”
The DeWalt DCS565B Brushless positions itself as the mid-tier option between the budget DEWALT DCS391B ($99) and the Milwaukee M18 FUEL ($199) on this page — and the brushless motor is the key differentiator justifying the $39 premium over the base model. Brushless motors extend battery runtime by 30–50% compared to brushed motors and generate less heat on prolonged cuts, meaningful when running multiple sheets of plywood or breaking down lumber for a framing project.
At 7.2 lbs, the DCS565B is lighter than the Milwaukee M18 FUEL, which matters on cuts where you're holding the saw overhead or working at arm's length. The 6-1/2-inch blade with 57° bevel capacity covers standard framing and decking work. Battery compatibility with the entire DeWalt 20V MAX lineup is a genuine advantage for households already invested in DeWalt tools — one battery platform, no extra investment.
The honest limitation: the 6-1/2-inch blade cuts to 2-9/16 inches at 90°, which is sufficient for standard framing lumber but constrains you on thicker engineered lumber and timber. The Milwaukee M18 FUEL at $199 offers more power and refined blade control for demanding professional use. For serious contractors, the Milwaukee earns the premium. For dedicated DIYers and part-time tradespeople who value battery ecosystem compatibility, the DCS565B is the smarter buy.
Full Specs & Measurements
Upc
885911671590
Asin
B08KYM6GW6
Color
Yellow
Speed
4950 RPM
Voltage
20 Volts
Brand Name
DEWALT
Unit Count
1.0 Count
Blade Shape
Round
Item Weight
6.3 Pounds
Blade Length
2 Inches
Manufacturer
DEWALT
Model Number
DCS565B
Power Source
Battery Powered
Cutting Angle
50 Degrees
Warranty Type
Limited Warranty
Blade Material
High Speed Steel
Item Type Name
Circular Saw
Handle Material
Rubber
Number Of Teeth
24
Best Sellers Rank
#7,954 in Tools & Home Improvement (See Top 100 in Tools & Home Improvement) #4 in Power Circular Saws
Milwaukee 2730-20 M18 FUEL 6-1/2 In. Brushless Cordless Circular Saw
$199
at Amazon
Best for: Milwaukee M18 FUEL ecosystem users who prioritize durability and the REDLINK overload protection system
“Milwaukee's M18 FUEL circular saw matches the DCS570B in almost every performance metric but edges ahead in durability with REDLINK overload prevention — a genuine differentiator for heavy daily use. ”
Milwaukee M18 FUEL 2730-20 adds REDLINK PLUS intelligence that detects and prevents overload damage during demanding cuts. The 51.5° bevel with positive stops and magnesium shoe keep weight down. Natural choice for existing Milwaukee M18 FUEL users who want circular saw compatibility within their battery ecosystem.
Full Specs & Measurements
Upc
045242291335
Asin
B00G0GLZF2
Color
Red
Speed
5000 RPM
Brand Name
Milwaukee
Unit Count
1.0 Count
Blade Shape
Rectangular
Item Weight
6.8 Pounds
Blade Length
2 Inches
Manufacturer
Milwaukee
Model Number
2730-20
Power Source
Battery Powered
Cutting Angle
90 Degrees
Warranty Type
Limited Warranty
Blade Material
High Speed Steel
Current Rating
18 Amps
Item Type Name
Circular Saw
Handle Material
Nylon
Number Of Teeth
24
Best Sellers Rank
#109,994 in Tools & Home Improvement (See Top 100 in Tools & Home Improvement) #86 in Power Circular Saws
Specification Met
CSA, ETL, UL
Included Components
Unit^Instruction Guide
Number Of Batteries
1 Lithium Ion batteries required.
Surface Recommendation
Wood
Manufacturer Part Number
2730-20
Item Dimensions L X W X H
12.97"L x 6.48"W x 7.46"H
Manufacturer Warranty Description
Tool warranty : 5 Years
Global Trade Identification Number
00045242291335
Other Special Features Of The Product
Brushless
Milwaukee vs DeWalt Circular Saw (2026) Buying Guide
Great for: DIYers who cut plywood, dimensional lumber, and sheet goods regularly, and anyone building furniture or framing
Not ideal if: You only make a handful of straight cuts a year — a miter saw or hand saw is safer for occasional use
Our Top Pick: DEWALT 6-1/2-Inch 20V MAX Circular Saw — The DCS391B is the entry point to the DeWalt circular saw lineup — brushed motor but.... At $99, it offers the best overall value. [See today's price](https://www.amazon.com/dp/B007NVSTO8?tag=myawesomebuy2-20).
Best Budget Pick: DeWalt DCS565B 20V MAX Brushless 6-1/2" Cordless Circular Saw ($138) — The DCS565B is the sweet spot in the DeWalt lineup: brushless motor,....
Best for Best Milwaukee: Milwaukee 2730-20 M18 FUEL 6-1/2 In. Brushless Cordless Circular Saw — Milwaukee's M18 FUEL circular saw matches the DCS570B in almost every....
Milwaukee vs DeWalt Circular Saw: Which Should You Buy?
Battery Ecosystem Lock-In
This is the most important factor. If you own Milwaukee M18 batteries, get Milwaukee. If you own DeWalt 20V MAX batteries, get DeWalt. Buying into a second battery system doubles your battery and charger costs. Both M18 and 20V MAX batteries are interchangeable across each brand's full tool lineup.
Brushless vs Brushed Motors
Both the Milwaukee M18 FUEL and DeWalt DCS565B use brushless motors. Brushless motors run longer on a charge, produce less heat, and last longer than brushed motors. Avoid older brushed models if possible — the brushless versions outperform on every metric.
Blade Size: 6-1/2" vs 7-1/4"
6-1/2" blades (both Milwaukee and DeWalt on this page) cut up to 2-9/16" at 90° — fine for 2×4 framing, decking, and most DIY and contractor work. 7-1/4" saws cut deeper for thicker stock. For most projects, 6-1/2" is sufficient and lighter.
Speed and Power
Milwaukee M18 FUEL 2730-20: 5,000 RPM, 57° bevel, 24T blade included. DeWalt DCS565B: 5,300 RPM, 50° bevel. The 300 RPM difference matters for cutting hardwoods and engineered lumber — Milwaukee wins on cutting capacity, DeWalt wins on bevel range at lower price.
Weight
DeWalt DCS565B: 7.2 lbs (bare tool). Milwaukee 2730-20: 7.8 lbs. Over a full day of use, 0.6 lbs matters to professional framers. For DIY users, it's negligible.
Price Gap
The DeWalt DCS565B costs $60 less than the Milwaukee M18 FUEL. For DIY users and contractors who aren't already in the M18 ecosystem, DeWalt is the better buy. The performance difference doesn't justify the price premium for occasional use. Wondering whether an impact driver is right for your project or if you'd be better served by a drill? Our drill type guide covers every driver category — drill, impact driver, impact wrench, hammer drill — with real-world use cases.
Quick Decision: If budget is the priority, go with the DeWalt DCS565B 20V MAX Brushless 6-1/2" Cordless Circular Saw; if you want the best overall, choose the DEWALT 6-1/2-Inch 20V MAX Circular Saw; if you need best milwaukee, the Milwaukee 2730-20 M18 FUEL 6-1/2 In. Brushless Cordless Circular Saw is your pick.
Are Milwaukee and DeWalt batteries interchangeable?
No. Milwaukee M18 batteries only work with Milwaukee M18 tools. DeWalt 20V MAX batteries only work with DeWalt 20V MAX tools. This battery lock-in is the primary reason to stay within one ecosystem.
Which circular saw is better for framing?
Professional framers typically prefer 7-1/4" saws for depth capacity. The Milwaukee M18 FUEL handles demanding framing work reliably. The DeWalt DCS565B is a 6-1/2" saw suited for most framing but hits limits with thicker structural members.
Is the Milwaukee M18 FUEL worth the premium over DeWalt?
For professionals making 200+ cuts per day, yes — Milwaukee's FUEL line has more torque reserve and better heat management for sustained heavy use. For contractors and serious DIYers cutting less than 50 times per day, DeWalt's lower price is the better value.
Do I need a circular saw or a miter saw?
Circular saws are portable — take them to the work, cut long boards, make rip cuts and freehand angles. Miter saws are stationary with more precision for cross-cuts and angles. Most workshops benefit from both. Start with a circular saw if you can only have one.
What blade should I use for cutting framing lumber?
A 24-tooth carbide blade is the standard for framing (fast, rough cuts in dimensional lumber). For finish carpentry, use 40–60 tooth blades. Both Milwaukee and DeWalt include a 24T carbide blade in tool-only purchases.
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