Best Circular Saw Blades of 2021

The key to a successful woodworking or metalworking project lies in having the best circular saw blades for the job. You probably know that equipping your circular saw with a sharp, reliable blade can make a huge difference in the efficiency and quality of your cuts.

However, most of the time factory-installed blades are flimsy and have blunt teeth that won’t be any good at delivering good results, or will become useless after a few uses.

We’ve decided to create this guide to help you select the best circular saw blades and match them to the material you need to cut. You’ll find both affordable and premium options, and a variety of blades that can be used for cutting nail-embedded lumber, plywood, metal, and even masonry.

We’ve also included some sections on safety tips and factors to keep in mind when picking a circular saw blade.

So, let’s get started!

Best Overall Circular Saw Blade — DeWalt DW3191 7¼”

DeWalt is one of the most popular power tool manufacturers in the world, so it should be no surprise that one of their circular saw blades is at the top of our list.

The DeWalt DW3191 is a 7¼ inches blade that’s better suited for handheld circular saws, and it’s designed for rapid demolition cuts in nail-embedded framing lumber.

The reinforced shoulder is engineered to resist impact when chewing nails, and thanks to its 18 carbide-tipped teeth you can get clean rip cuts along the grain of the wood. Moreover, its large gullets (i.e. the space between the teeth) help extract wood chips and debris and draw out heat.

What’s more, the rim is reinforced with an anti-stick coating to reduce friction, so that you can speed up the blade without worrying about cracking it. While we’re on the topic of durability, the ribbed heat vents allow the blade to run cooler and provide it with more flexibility.

On the downside, this blade is not great for crosscuts and not suitable for heavy-duty applications.

However, the DeWalt DW3191 is the best circular saw blade because it’s a great nail cutter, and cheap enough for all the features it offers.

Runner-Up — DeWalt DWA171460 7¼” Circular Saw Blade

We have a DeWalt circular saw blade as the runner-up as well. This time, with the DWA171460 model that’s from the same series as the previous one.

This 7¼ inches blade can be used with both corded and cordless circular saws, so you shouldn’t have any problems fitting it on one of the latest circular saw models that feature a ⅝ inch arbor.

Thanks to a combination of 60 carbide-tipped teeth and a thin kerf, you can achieve accurate cuts with clean edges that will require almost no sanding. Working at a slow and steady pace will ensure that your cuts won’t chip the wood piece or leave a rough finish.

This blade has both a reinforced shoulder to withstand impact in nail-embedded wood, and a reinforced rim with an anti-stick coating to reduce friction.

The DWA171460 is one of the best circular saw blades because it offers quality, reliability, and durability at an affordable price. However, it’s the second-best because it can struggle when working with most metals.

Best Value Carbide Circular Saw Blade — Diablo D0724P 7¼”

In the Best Value category, you’ll find affordable packs that include a set of blades and, in some cases, other accessories as well.

At the top of the category is the Diablo D0724P, a product by another popular cutting tools manufacturer: Freud.

This pack includes two 7¼ inches of circular saw blades so you don’t have to worry about running to the store for a new blade in the middle of a demanding project. They’re optimized for use with both cordless and corded saws, delivering 65 % more cuts per battery charge than other types of blades.

With 24 durable carbide-tipped teeth, you can perform clean rip cuts and work on softer materials fast and easily. You can also use it on nail-embedded lumber, but keep in mind that the lower TPI means that it’s not suitable for crosscuts.

Featuring an Enhanced Anti-Vibration design and a Perma-Shield Non-stick coating on the rim, these blades offer stability, rigidity, and resistance to heat and corrosion.

On the downside, the thin kerf can be prone to bending, and the rim coating rubs off rather quickly, leaving the blade exposed to temperature.

All in all, the Diablo D0724P pack includes long-lasting, reliable, and accurate blades at an affordable price.

Runner-Up Best Value Circular Saw Blade — Mibro 416381 8”

The Mibro 416381 circular saw blade pack is one of the very few options on the market that includes multiple convenient accessories. In this 14-piece set, you get two blades, five two-wing chippers, seven metal shims you can use to make slight adjustments, and a durable case to store all the components safely.

Each blade is an 8 inches dado blade, which is required for carrying out specific woodworking tasks, such as creating dadoes, or grooves, in lumber.

A circular saw equipped with one of these blades can help you cut proper joinery with smooth and precise grooves, clean edges, square shoulders, and flat bottoms. You can get many different types of cuts, such as dado groove, fillet, rabbet, mortise, and lastly, tenon. You just have to follow the instructions on the guide that comes with the set.

The 24 carbide-tipped teeth can either be cut across or with the grain in all types of wood and plywood. They’re designed with an anti-kickback tooth profile that prevents the blade from being fed material too quickly and getting stuck.

Even though it might seem like an expensive option, the price is actually relatively low as far as dado blades go, and don’t forget this deal includes some accessories as well.

Best Circular Saw Blades for Cutting Metal

Irwin 4935560 7¼”  Metal Cutting Circular Saw Blade

So far we’ve seen the best circular saw blades for woodworking, but it’s time to move the spotlight onto the best blades for cutting metal.

The Irwin 4935560 is a fantastic option if your metalworking needs involve cutting thin sheet materials such a roofing and metal trim.

This blade is laser-cut and has anti-vibration vents, a design that ensures accurate straight cuts. It features a wear-resistant construction to withstand high impacts and increase durability and strength.

With 68 carbide-tipped teeth, this Irwin model is capable of slicing sheets of aluminum, steel, and other non-ferrous metals and staying sharp for longer.

As regards safety features, the shoulders boast an anti-kickback design to reduce the amount of debris and sparks typically produced while cutting metal.

The main downside to this blade is the price. It can be expensive if you’re on a budget, but in reality, it’s one of the most cost-effective options in the market. The Irwin 4935560 is a professional-grade circular saw blade designed to reduce wear and provide longer life.

Oshlun SBNF-0725650 Circular Saw Blade

If you’re looking for a more affordable alternative that can still chew through aluminum and other non-ferrous materials you might come across in your woodworking projects, like copper and bronze, then the Oshlun SBNF-0725650 can be a solid choice.

This 7 ¼ inch blade features laser-cut expansion slots and heat vents for overheating reduction, resulting in a cooler operation.

With 60 teeth with specially formulated carbide tips and a triple tooth configuration, you get a long-lasting blade that can achieve burr-free cuts in all types of non-ferrous metals and even most plastics.

Best Heavy-Duty — DeWalt DWA161240 6½” Circular Saw Blade

In the Heavy-Duty section, we have a DeWalt blade once more. The DeWalt DWA161240 is the best heavy-duty circular saw blade because of its outstanding performance, strength, precision, and admirable features.

Professional woodworkers that need to tackle concrete forms, roofing, or installation of siding will find themselves quite pleased with this blade.

With a combination of 40 carbide-tipped teeth, a tooth structure that offers a sharper tip, and thin kerfs, you get a wear-resistant and long-lasting attachment that can deliver the smoothest cuts.

It has all the features you might need, starting with a plating technology that aids in the reduction of vibrations and improves cutting performance. It also offers an anti-stick rim that minimizes friction and boosts durability, and an anti-knock design to help resist kickback.

Moreover, the DeWalt DWA161240 has sturdy and durable frames that help you achieve clean and precise cuts.

And you know what the best part is? It’s quite affordable!

Even though this blade is optimized for use on both corded and cordless circular saws, it fits a bit loosely on some models, so you might want to keep that in mind.

Buying Guide for the Best Circular Saw Blades

When you go shopping for the best circular saw blade, these are the things you should consider:

Types of Circular Saw Blades

• General-purpose blades: also called “combination blades”, these blades present a balance between tooth count and tooth size to allow it to make all kinds of cuts.
• Finishing blades: these blades have extremely fine teeth that deburr and remove the rough edges from cuts.
• Metal-cutting blades: are available in two designs: the traditional one with teeth that’s better suited to lower speeds, or an abrasive blade with a solid edge instead of individual teeth that’s meant for high-speed saws.
• Ripping blades: are intended to be used for cuts that run parallel to the wood grain. They usually have few large teeth with wide gullets between them to extract wood chips and debris. They aren’t very precise, but they can remove a lot of material in a short time.
• Crosscutting blades: are engineered to cut against the grain. They have a higher TPI and smaller gullets.
• Masonry-cutting blades: heavy-duty blades designed to cut concrete, brick, and other general masonry.

Features

• Blade size: the blade has to match the size of your saw. If it’s too big, it obviously won’t fit, and if it’s too small it will fit too loosely and might cause injury.
• Arbor size: another important thing to check to ensure compatibility between the blade and the saw. The standard size is ⅝ inch, but there are some models that feature a ⅞ inch arbor size, so keep it in mind.
• Number of teeth (TPI): the number of theet directly affects performance and determines the type of material that can be cut.

Blades with fewer teeth cut faster but leave a rougher finish, so they’re best suited for softer materials. On the other hand, a higher TPI means that the blade is slower but delivers a cleaner finish, so it’s better for materials like sheet metal and hardwood.

• Coating: as you’ve seen, some manufacturers offer anti-stick coatings that reduce friction and increase longevity.
• Intended use: blades are specifically designed to work with certain materials, so make sure you get the right one to fit your needs.

Frequently Asked Questions

How often should circular saw blades be replaced?

The replacement frequency will depend on use, care, storage conditions, and blade quality. There are certain signs that can let you know when it’s time to consider purchasing a new blade or sharpening it.

The most common indicators of a dull edge are a decrease in the quality of your cuts, visible blade damage, burnt wood, the considerable effort required to move the saw along the workpiece, among others.

If you wish to try sharpening your blade the DIY way, keep in mind that this is no easy task and that there’s a high risk of permanently damaging or ruining your blade if not done properly.

What is the best size for a circular saw blade?

This will depend on the intended use and the size of your saw. Bigger blades are required for heavy-duty applications, whereas smaller blades are made for lighter tasks and more compact circular saw blades. The typical blade size is 7¼ inches in diameter.

Are more teeth on a circular saw blade better?

Having more or fewer teeth (a higher or lower TPI) is neither better nor worse. More teeth simply mean a cleaner cut, whereas fewer teeth translate into a rougher, but faster cut. Which teeth count is best for you will depend on the type of work you’re performing and your personal preference.

Conclusion

Investing in the best circular saw blade on the market will be for nothing if you don’t get the right blades to go with it. What’s more, the quality of the blade will determine the quality of your cuts.

We’ve given you a list of the best circular saw blades for different applications and budgets, and we’ve included some tips to help you decide which option fits your needs better.

Now you can go shopping for your new circular saw blade with confidence!