Milwaukee M18 Fuel 2834 Circular Saw vs DeWalt FlexVolt DCS578 Circular Saw
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Quick take: The DeWalt FlexVolt DCS578 Circular Saw costs $30 less bare; the Milwaukee M18 Fuel 2834 Circular Saw is lighter (7.9 vs 8.2 lbs); they live on different battery platforms (Milwaukee M18 vs DeWalt 20V Max), so the deciding factor is usually which batteries you already own.
| Spec | Milwaukee M18 Fuel 2834 Circular Saw | DeWalt FlexVolt DCS578 Circular Saw |
|---|---|---|
| Price (bare tool) | $279 | $249 |
| Kit Price | $449 | $549 |
| Rating | 4.7★ (930) | 4.7★ (1,976) |
| Category | Circular Saw | Circular Saw |
| Battery Platform | Milwaukee M18 | DeWalt 20V Max |
| Voltage | 18V | 60V |
| Motor | Brushless | Brushless |
| Weight | 7.9 lbs (bare) | 8.2 lbs (bare) |
| Released | 2024 | 2020 |
| Blade | 7-1/4 in | 7-1/4 in |
| No-Load Speed | 6,000 RPM | 5,800 RPM |
| Max Cut Depth (90°) | 2-5/8 in | 2-9/16 in |
| Bevel | 57° | 57° (stops at 22.5°/45°) |
Pros & cons
Milwaukee M18 Fuel 2834 Circular Saw
- ✓Noticeably faster than the outgoing 2732 — Pro Tool Reviews cut three stacked sheets of 3/4 in. OSB in one pass without the motor losing RPM.
- ✓Class-leading 2-5/8 in. depth of cut for a top-handle 18V saw lets owners cut 3x lumber in a single pass.
- ✓At 7.9 lbs bare it is lighter and more compact than the 2732 it replaced, which owners appreciate for overhead and all-day cutting.
- ✓Positive depth detents at 1/2, 3/4, and 1-1/2 in. plus bevel detents at 22.5 and 45 degrees make repeat setups fast on site.
- ✓Owners say it genuinely feels like a 15A corded saw and doesn't bog in wet pressure-treated lumber or LVL with a high-output battery.
- ✓Electric brake stops the blade almost instantly after the trigger is released, which reviewers call out as a real safety win.
- ✓Slimmer main grip and wider front pommel give better two-handed control on bevel and plunge cuts than the previous generation.
- ✓Integrated rafter hook, LED cutline light, and onboard blade-wrench storage cover the jobsite conveniences pros expect.
- ✗Multiple Home Depot reviewers report the shoe/depth lock not staying locked, letting the depth setting slip mid-cut.
- ✗Some owners complain the trigger safety lock rides against the hand in normal operating grip.
- ✗At $279 bare it is priced well above the outgoing 2732 and most 18V/20V competitors.
- ✗Needs a High Output or Forge battery to hit its rated performance — it runs noticeably weaker on compact and standard packs.
- ✗With the 12.0Ah Forge battery the kit setup weighs over 11 lbs, which owners find fatiguing for trim-level work.
- ✗The included 24T thick-kerf framing blade is rough for finish cuts, so most owners budget for a better blade immediately.
- ✗The $449 kit only comes with the big HD12.0 battery — there is no cheaper kit option with a mid-size pack at launch.
- ✗A handful of buyers report it can bog momentarily on light scoring cuts, and 2732 owners note the upgrade is incremental if you already own the older saw.
DeWalt FlexVolt DCS578 Circular Saw
- ✓Rips LVL and wet PT lumber without bogging — owners consistently describe it as indistinguishable from a corded saw.
- ✓The 2-9/16 in cut depth clears 2x material at 45° where 18V-class saws come up short.
- ✓FlexVolt batteries back-feed the whole 20V Max ecosystem, so the big packs pull double duty.
- ✓Electric brake stops the blade fast enough to trust setting the saw down mid-rhythm.
- ✓The rafter hook and blade-left sightline get called out as framer-friendly details.
- ✓Deals routinely put the bare tool under $200, absurd value for the power class.
- ✗FlexVolt batteries are heavy and expensive — the saw is only as cordless as your budget for 9Ah+ packs.
- ✗At 8.2 lbs bare (more with the big pack) it out-weighs every 18V sidewinder here.
- ✗Overkill for trim and sheet-good work where a compact 20V saw is handier.
- ✗The kit at ~$549 is the most expensive way into this comparison.
- ✗No Tool Connect tracking on this model.
- ✗FlexVolt-only tools fragment the yellow lineup — this saw won't run on your regular 20V packs.