Cordless circular saws are among the most power-hungry tools in any workshop. Unlike drills or impact drivers, they demand sustained, high current draw throughout a cut—which means battery choice directly impacts runtime, cutting performance, and whether your tool will throttle under load.
This guide covers the best batteries for leading circular saw models from Makita, DeWalt, and Milwaukee, with capacity recommendations.
Quick Recommendations
| Brand | Best All-Round | Best for Sustained Work | Minimum Capacity |
|---|---|---|---|
| Makita 18V LXT | BL1850 (5.0Ah) | BL1860B (6.0Ah) | 5.0Ah |
| DeWalt 20V MAX | DCB205 (5.0Ah) | DCB206 (6.0Ah) | 5.0Ah |
| DeWalt FLEXVOLT | DCB606 (6.0Ah @ 20V) | DCB612 (12.0Ah @ 20V) | 6.0Ah @ 20V |
| Milwaukee M18 | 48-11-1850 (5.0Ah) | 48-11-1860 (6.0Ah) | 5.0Ah |
Starter packs by platform
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Which batteries fit which tools — cross-brand, adapters & Ah, decoded.
Why Battery Choice Matters for Circular Saws
Circular saws draw heavy current continuously during a cut, so battery capacity has a big effect on how long you can cut between charges:
- High sustained draw: Unlike drills that pulse current, circular saws pull continuously during a cut.
- Smaller packs: 3.0–4.0Ah packs fit, but need swapping more often on a saw.
- Heat: resting packs between heavy cuts helps; Makita, for example, says its Star Protection guards against overload, over-discharge and overheating.
- Runtime: the makers do not publish runtimes for these saw and battery pairs, and we have not tested them.
Bottom line: Use 5.0Ah minimum for circular saws. For full-day cutting jobs, 6.0Ah is highly recommended.
Makita 18V LXT Circular Saws
Makita’s 18V LXT platform includes two primary cordless circular saw models, both designed for demanding applications:
Makita Circular Saw Models
- DHS680 – brushless, 165 mm blade, 5,000 min⁻¹ no-load speed (Makita UK)
- DSS611 – 165 mm blade, 3,700 min⁻¹ no-load speed, 2.4 kg (Makita UK)
Recommended Batteries
- Best all-round: BL1850 (5.0Ah) – a practical balance of runtime, weight and charge time.
- Best for sustained work: BL1860B (6.0Ah) – Makita describes it as “ideal for tools with a high power consumption.” Worth buying if you do full days of cutting.
- Minimum: BL1840 (4.0Ah) – Acceptable only for light, intermittent use. Not recommended for production work or longer sessions.
All compatible with the Makita 18V LXT battery platform.
DeWalt 20V MAX Circular Saws
DeWalt’s 20V MAX line includes purpose-built circular saws in standard configurations:
DeWalt 20V MAX Circular Saw Models
- DCS391 – 165mm (6.5″) blade, compact, ideal for site work
- DCS575 – a 60V MAX FLEXVOLT saw, which needs FLEXVOLT batteries (see the FLEXVOLT section below)
Recommended Batteries
- Best all-round: DCB205 (5.0Ah) – the standard recommendation.
- Best for sustained work: DCB206 (6.0Ah) – more capacity for longer sessions.
- Minimum: DCB204 (4.0Ah) – acceptable for light, intermittent use.
All compatible with the DeWalt 20V MAX battery platform.
DeWalt FLEXVOLT Circular Saws
The DCS575 is a DeWalt 60V MAX FLEXVOLT circular saw. DeWalt lists only FLEXVOLT packs for its 60V MAX (UK: 54V) tools, so it needs FLEXVOLT batteries.
FLEXVOLT Advantage for Circular Saws
FLEXVOLT batteries automatically detect the tool and deliver:
- 20V MAX mode – When paired with 20V MAX tools
- 60V mode – in 60V MAX tools; the amp-hour rating is a third of the 20V figure (for example the DCB606 is 6.0Ah at 20V and 2.0Ah at 60V).
For the DCS575, choose a FLEXVOLT pack by capacity:
Recommended FLEXVOLT Batteries
- Best all-round: DCB606 (6.0Ah @ 20V) – a good all-round FLEXVOLT pack.
- Best for extended work: DCB612 (12.0Ah @ 20V / 4.0Ah @ 60V) – the larger pack for long sessions.
Learn more about compatibility in our DeWalt FLEXVOLT battery compatibility guide. Also see 20V MAX and FLEXVOLT cross-compatibility details.
Milwaukee M18 Circular Saws
Milwaukee’s M18 platform includes high-performance circular saws built for rigorous jobsite use:
Milwaukee M18 Circular Saw Models
- 2731-20 – 165mm (6.5″) blade, compact and lightweight
- 2735-20 – 190mm (7.5″) blade, higher torque, suitable for hardwoods and construction
Recommended Batteries
- Best all-round: 48-11-1850 (5.0Ah) – widely available and reasonably priced.
- Best for sustained work: 48-11-1860 (6.0Ah) – more capacity; recommended for full-day jobs, especially with the larger 2735-20.
- Minimum: 48-11-1840 (4.0Ah) – acceptable for light use only.
All compatible with the Milwaukee M18 battery platform.
Full Comparison Table
| Brand | Saw Model | Blade Size | Recommended Battery | Capacity | Published runtime | Best Use |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Makita | DHS680 | 165mm (6.5″) | BL1850 | 5.0Ah | Not published | General work, light production |
| Makita | DSS611 | 165mm | BL1860B | 6.0Ah | Not published | Sustained cutting, framing |
| DeWalt | DCS391 | 165mm (6.5″) | DCB205 | 5.0Ah | Not published | Site work, general carpentry |
| DeWalt | DCS575 (FLEXVOLT) | 190mm (7.5″) | DCB612 | 12.0Ah at 20V / 4.0Ah at 60V | Not published | Full-day cutting, high-volume |
| Milwaukee | 2731-20 | 165mm (6.5″) | 48-11-1850 | 5.0Ah | Not published | Compact applications, light use |
| Milwaukee | 2735-20 | 190mm (7.5″) | 48-11-1860 | 6.0Ah | Not published | Framing, hardwoods, production |
Watch: Video Guide
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I use a 3.0Ah or 4.0Ah battery in a circular saw?
Yes, they fit. Smaller packs simply need swapping more often on a saw, so for regular cutting we suggest 5.0Ah or more. The makers do not publish runtimes for these saw and battery pairs, and we have not tested them.
Will a 20V MAX battery work in a 60V FLEXVOLT DeWalt saw?
No. DeWalt lists only FLEXVOLT packs for its 60V MAX (UK: 54V) tools, so the 60V DCS575 needs a FLEXVOLT battery. A FLEXVOLT battery does work in 20V MAX tools, where DeWalt says it operates as an 18V (20V MAX) battery.
What’s the runtime difference between a 5.0Ah and 6.0Ah battery on a circular saw?
A 6.0Ah pack holds 20% more charge than a 5.0Ah pack, so expect roughly that much more runtime from the same saw and material. We have not tested it. For occasional use a 5.0Ah is enough; for long sessions, 6.0Ah.
Can I use a Makita battery in a DeWalt circular saw?
No. Makita 18V LXT, DeWalt 20V MAX and Milwaukee M18 are separate battery platforms, and their batteries are not cross-compatible.
Are FLEXVOLT batteries worth the extra cost?
For DeWalt’s 60V FLEXVOLT saws you need FLEXVOLT packs anyway. A DCB612 has twice the 20V capacity of a DCB206 (12.0Ah against 6.0Ah) and also runs 60V tools; it costs more. Homeowners and light-duty users will find a 6.0Ah 20V MAX battery enough for 20V saws.
How we compile this guide
We cross-reference compatibility details against manufacturer specifications where available, official tool manuals, and the physical standards that govern fitment (bore sizes, arbor diameters, voltage platforms, connector types). We prioritise primary sources over retailer listings, flag anything we can’t confirm, and re-verify the data on a regular cycle. Where we give a buying recommendation, we tell you the reasoning — not just the link. More on our method →
