Makita 18V Li-Ion LXT 165mm Circular Saw
A cordless power tool (18V), a capable pick for drilling and driving around the home and site.
The Best Cordless Saws in the UK (2026)
Cordless saws bring freedom from the cord to cutting jobs. Here's the difference between the main types and what to look for.
Quick answer
Choose the saw type for your job: a circular saw for straight cuts in timber and boards, a reciprocating saw for demolition and rough cuts, a jigsaw for curves. Then look for brushless power, sufficient battery (Ah) for sustained cutting, and the same platform as your other cordless tools.
Which cordless saw do you need?
- Circular saw - fast, straight cuts in timber, ply and boards.
- Reciprocating saw - demolition, pruning, cutting through mixed materials roughly and quickly.
- Jigsaw - curved and intricate cuts.
Match the saw to the work; many DIYers start with a circular saw and add others on the same battery platform later.
What to look for
- Brushless motor - sawing is power-hungry, so efficiency and runtime matter.
- Higher-Ah batteries for sustained cutting before a recharge.
- Blade size / cutting depth (circular) or stroke length (recip) suited to your material.
- Same battery platform as your drill and other tools.
- Safety features - guards, brake, lock-off.
Cordless vs corded saws
Cordless saws are now genuinely capable for most DIY and trade tasks, with the obvious benefit of no trailing lead. For all-day, heavy continuous cutting (e.g. Ripping lots of thick timber), a corded saw still has the edge on sustained power. For typical home and site work on a good battery platform, cordless is the convenient choice.
Common mistakes to avoid
- Buying the wrong saw type for the cut you need.
- Using low-Ah batteries that run flat mid-cut.
- Choosing a different platform from your other tools.
- Skipping brushless for power-hungry sawing.
Our top picks
#1
#2 
Bosch Professional 18V System Cordless Multi Tool GOP
A cordless power tool (18V, brushless), a capable pick for drilling and driving around the home and site.
#3 
Bosch Professional 18V System Cordless Circular Saw GKS
A cordless power tool (18V), a capable pick for drilling and driving around the home and site.
#4 
Makita 18V Li-Ion LXT 165mm Circular Saw
A cordless power tool (18V), a capable pick for drilling and driving around the home and site.
#5 
Bosch Professional 18V System Cordless Reciprocating Saw
A cordless power tool (18V), a capable pick for drilling and driving around the home and site.
#6 
Tti ONEPlus 18 V Cordless Circular Saw
A cordless power tool (18V), a capable pick for drilling and driving around the home and site.
#7 
Bosch AdvancedMulti 18 Cordless Multifunction
A cordless power tool (18V), a capable pick for drilling and driving around the home and site.
#8 
Einhell Cordless Circular Saw 18V Power X-Change
A cordless power tool (18V), a capable pick for drilling and driving around the home and site.
#9 
Einhell Cordless Circular Saw 18V Power X-Change
A cordless power tool (18V), a capable pick for drilling and driving around the home and site.
#10 
Einhell Cordless Circular Saw 18V Power X-Change
A cordless power tool (10V, brushless), a capable pick for drilling and driving around the home and site.
Frequently asked questions
Are cordless saws any good?
Yes - modern brushless cordless saws handle most DIY and trade cutting well, with no trailing lead. For all-day heavy ripping, a corded saw still has more sustained power.
What cordless saw should I buy first?
For general DIY, a circular saw (straight cuts) is the usual first choice; add a reciprocating saw for demolition or a jigsaw for curves later, all on the same battery platform.
What battery do I need for a cordless saw?
Higher amp-hour (Ah) batteries, since sawing is power-hungry and you want sustained cutting before recharging. Stick to the same brand platform as your other tools.
Bottom line
Our top pick is the Makita 18V Li-Ion LXT 165mm Circular Saw (our score 9.5/10) - A cordless power tool (18V), a capable pick for drilling and driving around the home and site..