Black & Decker 20V MAX POWERCONNECT 5-1/2 in. Cordless Circular Saw

A small, handy cutter for light-duty jobs

I reached for the Black & Decker 20V circular saw because I wanted a compact, cordless option for quick cuts around the house—breaking down plywood, trimming shelf stock, and making the occasional cut on 2x lumber without dragging out a corded saw. After several weekends of use, I’ve got a clear picture of where this 5-1/2 in saw shines, and where it hits its limits.

Design and ergonomics

This saw is compact and easy to manage. At roughly 7.7 lb with the included 1.5 Ah battery, it’s light enough for one-handed positioning and overhead trimming, yet stable enough to track a line. The handle angle is comfortable and the trigger and lock-off are positioned well. Visibility to the cut line is decent; I can see the blade and the front-of-shoe notches without hunching over the workpiece.

The shoe is a pivoting design and gives the saw a reassuringly controlled feel when setting depth or making bevel cuts. Adjustments are straightforward, and the depth scale is legible. Materials are what you’d expect at this price—mostly molded housing with a stamped shoe—but nothing felt flimsy in use.

Setup and features

Out of the box, you get the saw, a 5-1/2 in blade, one 20V MAX Lithium Ion battery (1.5 Ah), and a charger. The tool-free blade change is genuinely convenient. Swapping to a higher-tooth-count or thin-kerf blade took me under a minute and encouraged me to actually use the right blade for the material—always a plus for cut quality.

Bevel and depth adjustments are intuitive. I appreciated that I could set the blade just a hair below the stock for cleaner, safer cuts. As for bevel capacity, it’s serviceable for trim and small furniture jobs; just plan your cuts—this isn’t the tool for lots of 45° rips through thick stock.

Cutting capacity and what it will actually cut

A 5-1/2 in blade puts the max depth at roughly 1-7/8 in at 90°, and around 1-1/4 in at 45°. In practical terms:

• 2x4s and 2x2s: one-pass cuts are fine at 90°, provided the blade is sharp and you use a steady feed rate.
• 3/4 in plywood and OSB: no issue for crosscuts and short rips.
• Sheet goods like MDF and particleboard: manageable with a fine-tooth/thin-kerf blade.
• Plastics (PVC, acrylic) and composite trim: the saw feels well-matched, with good control and minimal kick.

Dense hardwoods, thick ripping, or continuous framing tasks are not its forte. The 3700 RPM brushed motor favors control over speed, and pushing the saw too hard will bog it down.

Performance and cut quality

The saw’s personality is predictable: it rewards sharp blades, thin kerf, and patient feed rates. I got clean cuts on 3/4 in birch ply with a 40-tooth thin-kerf blade. On SPF 2x stock, a 24-tooth framing blade cut straight without burning, but I could feel the motor working, especially on longer rips.

Stall protection is conservative—if you bind the blade or force it, the saw will shut down rather than grind through. That’s frustrating mid-cut but saves blades, batteries, and wrists. Once I adjusted to a smoother, slower feed and lined the work with supports to prevent pinching, stalls were rare.

Vibration is moderate and the guard retracts smoothly. There’s no fancy electronic brake here, but the blade winds down quickly. Noise is typical for a brushed compact saw—nothing ear-splitting, but I still wore hearing protection.

Battery life and the case for bigger packs

The included 1.5 Ah pack keeps weight down, but runtime is short. I could do a handful of cuts on 2x lumber or break down a sheet of plywood into a few panels before reaching for the charger. If you have other tools on the 20V MAX POWERCONNECT system, a 2.0 Ah or 4.0 Ah battery makes a very noticeable difference. Larger packs reduce voltage sag, meaning fewer stalls and a steadier feed. With a 4.0 Ah pack installed, the saw felt more confident and turned a “one quick task” tool into something I could use for a small project without constant swapping.

The included jack-plug charger is basic. It gets the job done, but don’t expect rapid turnarounds if you’re cycling one battery. If you intend to use the saw regularly, budget for a second battery.

Accuracy and control

For a compact DIY-focused saw, accuracy is respectable. The shoe rides smoothly along a guide and the front notch lined up well with the kerf once I dialed in my blade. I’d still recommend using a straightedge for long rips in sheet goods. The saw tracks better with a light touch—white-knuckling the handle and forcing the cut leads to deflection and stalls.

Tear-out on veneered plywood was minimal with a fine-tooth blade and a shallow depth setting. On framing lumber, edges were square with minimal cleanup required.

Practical tips to get the most out of it

• Use thin-kerf blades. They reduce load and dramatically improve cut speed and battery life.
• Set blade depth just past the material thickness. You’ll get cleaner cuts and fewer hang-ups.
• Support the work on both sides of the cut to avoid binding.
• Upgrade the battery. A 2.0–4.0 Ah pack transforms the experience.
• Let the saw do the work. If the motor tone drops and the blade slows, back off the feed.

Durability and maintenance

The brushed motor and plastic-heavy build signal that this is a homeowner-grade tool. Treat it as such and it should last: don’t chew through wet PT lumber all afternoon, and keep the blade sharp. The 2-year limited warranty is a reasonable safety net. I didn’t encounter any alignment issues or loose adjustments over my test period.

Where it fits in a kit

If you’re already on Black & Decker’s 20V MAX POWERCONNECT platform for yard tools or drills, this saw is a convenient addition for light-duty cuts. It’s not going to replace a 6-1/2 in or 7-1/4 in contractor saw, but it plays a valuable role: grab-and-go convenience, compact size, and enough capability to tackle most quick DIY cuts without fuss.

If you’re starting from scratch and plan to build decks, frame walls, or rip a lot of sheet goods, a brushless 6-1/2 in saw with higher RPM and a larger battery will serve you better, albeit at higher cost and weight.

The bottom line

The Black & Decker 20V circular saw is a compact, approachable tool that excels at occasional, light-duty cutting. It’s comfortable to handle, straightforward to set up, and accurate enough for DIY furniture, shelving, and home repairs. Its limitations are equally clear: modest power at 3700 RPM, short runtime with the included 1.5 Ah battery, and a small blade that caps cutting depth and speed. Used within those boundaries—and with a thin-kerf blade and larger battery—it’s a handy, reliable helper.

Recommendation: I recommend this saw for homeowners and DIYers who need a lightweight, cordless cutter for small projects and already own POWERCONNECT batteries. It’s an easy-to-use, low-stress option for trim, sheet goods, and occasional 2x cuts. I don’t recommend it for heavy remodeling or frequent framing; if that’s your workload, step up to a more powerful, brushless 6-1/2 in model with higher RPM and larger batteries.