DeWalt FlexVolt DCS578 Circular Saw
Circular Saw
$249

DeWalt

DeWalt FlexVolt DCS578 Circular Saw

4.7(1,976 reviews across retail listings)

DeWalt's FlexVolt 60V worm-style-power sidewinder, the saw that made corded 7-1/4 in saws optional for framing crews. FlexVolt batteries auto-switch between 20V and 60V, so packs bought for this saw also run every 20V Max tool.

Bare Tool
$249
Kit
$549
Platform
DeWalt 20V Max
Weight
8.2 lbs (bare)
Best for: Framers on the DeWalt platform who want a cordless saw with nothing left on the table

Specifications

Category
Circular Saw
Battery Platform
DeWalt 20V Max
Voltage
60V
Motor
Brushless
Model
DCS578B
Weight
8.2 lbs (bare)
Released
2020
Blade
7-1/4 in
No-Load Speed
5,800 RPM
Power
2,456 UWO (DeWalt's unit)
Max Cut Depth (90°)
2-9/16 in
Bevel
57° (stops at 22.5°/45°)

Features

Electric BrakeLED LightRafter Hook

Pros

  • 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.

Cons

  • 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.

Common Questions

Will my regular DeWalt 20V Max batteries run the DCS578?
No — this is a FlexVolt-only tool, so it requires a 60V-capable FlexVolt pack (6Ah, 9Ah, 12Ah, or 15Ah). The compatibility runs the other direction: FlexVolt batteries auto-switch to 20V and run every 20V Max tool you own, which is why framers justify the expensive packs — they pull double duty across the whole yellow lineup.
Is it actually as powerful as a corded 7-1/4 in saw?
Owners consistently describe it as indistinguishable from a corded saw — it rips LVL and wet pressure-treated lumber without bogging, which is exactly the workload that exposes 18V-class saws. With 2,456 UWO and 5,800 RPM it's the saw that made corded sidewinders optional for a lot of framing crews.
Can it cut through 2x lumber at a 45-degree bevel?
Yes. The 2-9/16 in cut depth at 90 degrees is deep enough to clear 2x material even tilted to 45 degrees, where most 18V saws come up just short and leave a sliver to snap off. Bevel capacity tops out at 57 degrees with detents at 22.5 and 45.
Should I buy the bare tool or the kit?
If you already own FlexVolt packs, the bare tool is the move — deals routinely put it under $200, which is absurd value for the power class. The ~$549 kit is the most expensive entry in this comparison, but it's the sensible route for newcomers since the saw genuinely needs a 9Ah+ FlexVolt pack to shine.
Is the DCS578 overkill for DIY and trim work?
Honestly, often yes. At 8.2 lbs bare — more with a big FlexVolt pack aboard — it out-weighs every 18V sidewinder, and for sheet goods and trim a compact 20V saw is handier. This saw earns its weight when you're ripping framing lumber all day, not breaking down plywood occasionally.
Bosch 18V ProFactor GKS18V-25GC Circular Saw
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Track-saw compatible base6-speed HMI with Eco modeCuts 2x at any bevel angle
Bosch 18V18V9.5 lbs (bare tool)Brushless
Best for: Bosch 18V users who want one saw that doubles as a track saw, with electronic speed control for finish-grade work
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6,000 RPM2-5/8 in cut depthRuns two 18V LXT packs
Makita 18V LXT36V10.5 lbs (with 2 batteries)Brushless
Best for: Makita 18V LXT loyalists who want corded-class sidewinder power without buying into a new battery platform
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Circular Saw

Launched in fall 2024, the 2834 replaced the long-running 2732 as Milwaukee's mainstream top-handle M18 Fuel 7-1/4 in. saw, adding a deeper 2-5/8 in. cut (enough for 3x material in one pass), a 57-degree bevel, and a lighter magnesium build. Its Powerstate brushless motor holds 6,000 RPM under load and delivers up to 750 cuts per charge with a Forge HD12.0 battery. Framers who prefer a worm-drive-style layout can step up to Milwaukee's M18 Fuel rear-handle saws instead (the 7-1/4 in. 2830 and new 10-1/4 in. 3026).

Cuts 3x material in one pass6,000 RPM Powerstate motorReplaced the 2732 as the M18 flagship
Milwaukee M1818V7.9 lbs (bare)Brushless
Best for: Pro framers and remodelers already on the M18 battery platform who want corded-class 7-1/4 in. cutting speed in a compact top-handle saw.
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Flex 24V FX2141 Circular Saw
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Flex's 24V in-line sidewinder is one of the sleeper hits of the cordless saw world: 5,800 RPM, a 2-5/8 in depth of cut that clears 3x lumber in one pass, and Pro Tool Reviews' 9.5/10 'elite cutting performance' verdict. The balanced in-line design gives a clear view down both sides of the blade, and with a 10.0Ah Stacked Lithium pack Flex claims up to 610 cuts in 2x4 lumber. Magnesium footplate and guards keep it durable without the bulk.

5,800 RPMCuts 3x lumber in one passPro Tool Reviews 9.5/10
Flex 24V24V9.0 lbs (bare tool)Brushless
Best for: Pros and serious DIYers building on Flex's 24V platform who want top-tier sidewinder power with class-leading cut capacity
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$199
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Fastest OSB rip in Pro Tool Reviews' 12-saw 2026 shootoutTorque Boost button trades RPM for 40% more torqueRuns on MultiVolt battery or plug-in AC adapter
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2-9/16 in cut depthLifetime Service Agreement$249 kit with 4.0Ah battery
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Best for: Value-focused DIYers and remodelers who want near-pro performance plus Ridgid's registered lifetime service agreement covering batteries
Full specs & owner notes