DeWalt 12V MAX 5-3/8 in Brushless Cordless Circular Saw Kit

A compact circular saw I actually reach for

I’ve been carrying a full-size cordless circular saw in my kit for years, but on a recent cabinet install I swapped it for DeWalt’s 12V compact saw—and I kept reaching for it all week. At 4.9 pounds with a 5-3/8 in blade, it hit that sweet spot of small enough to maneuver one-handed, yet capable enough to handle real jobsite cuts without feeling like a toy.

Build, balance, and ergonomics

The first thing that stood out was the balance. With the 12V 5.0Ah pack, the saw feels centered and neutral, not nose-heavy. The handle angle and grip are comfortable, and I could steer the shoe along a speed square with precision. The rafter hook is a thoughtful touch that saves you a set-down when you’re working off a ladder or staging cuts between joists.

DeWalt put the blade on the left, which improves sight lines to the cut for right-handed users and makes it easy to track the blade-to-kerf relationship. The LED is bright and correctly aimed; it casts a useful light on the front of the shoe and the cut line without glaring off the blade.

The shoe is flat and true on my sample, and the bevel mechanism is tool-free with a positive lock. There are no hard detents, but the scale is easy to read and, more importantly, the clamp holds without drifting. Depth adjustment is quick and secure. Blade changes are straightforward with the onboard wrench, and the electric brake brings the blade to a stop quickly—one of those quality-of-life features you miss once you get used to it.

Power and cutting performance

This is a 12V saw with a 3600 RPM brushless motor, so I didn’t expect it to rival a 6-1/2 in 18V/20V saw. Even so, it surprised me. With a decent thin-kerf blade, it crosscuts 2x SPF cleanly in a single pass at 90°, and it rips plywood and 1-by stock without drama. On site, I used it for scribing filler strips, trimming toe kicks, cutting down closet shelving, and breaking down sheet goods in tight spaces. It never felt underpowered for those tasks.

Where it shows its limits is in long rips through dense lumber, wet pressure-treated stock, or thick composites. You can get there with a measured feed rate, but the motor will let you know when you’re pushing your luck. It’s happiest doing short, controlled cuts in framing, finish carpentry, and install work. That’s exactly where a compact saw should excel.

At 45°, the 1-1/4 in depth means you won’t be beveling 2x in a single pass. That’s a realistic trade-off for the size; I worked around it by flipping stock or reaching for a larger saw when needed. At 90°, the 1-3/4 in depth easily covers typical 2x crosscuts.

Vibration is low, the guard action is smooth, and because the blade is smaller and the motor speed modest, the saw is quieter than full-size sidewinders—a nice bonus in finished spaces.

Accuracy and visibility

The left-blade layout delivers excellent visibility on the cut line, and the shoe runs true against a square or fence. The included rip guide is basic but useful for quick, repeatable rips under 6 inches. With a higher-tooth-count thin-kerf blade, cut quality on veneer plywood and melamine was better than expected for a jobsite circular saw—less tear-out than many larger saws I’ve used. If you regularly work in sheet goods, a quality blade upgrade is worth it.

The sight window and LED do their job well indoors where lighting can be poor. Outside, the markings are still easy to read, and the brake helps with repeated trim-to-fit cuts since the blade stops fast enough to set the saw down without waiting.

Dust control and cleanup

The optional dust chute is more useful than most on compact saws. It interfaces with DeWalt’s AirLock system and standard 32 mm extractors, and when paired with a vac it keeps a surprising amount of dust out of your face and off the line. For cabinet installs and punch-list work in occupied homes, that matters. Without a vac, the chute still directs chips away from you and off the cut line better than an open guard.

Battery platform and runtime

The kit includes a 5.0Ah 12V MAX pack and charger. On stop‑and‑go install days, that single pack typically carried me through the bulk of my cutting. Runtime obviously drops when you start ripping thick stock, but for the saw’s intended tasks—crosscutting 2x, trimming shelving, making notches—runtime felt generous. The brushless motor is efficient, and the lower blade diameter translates to less energy per cut than a larger saw.

If you’re already on DeWalt’s 12V MAX platform, this saw slots in naturally. If you’re not, the included charger gets you going, and the overall size/weight benefit of 12V is real for carry-heavy work.

Features that matter on site

• Electric brake: Stops quickly and safely, speeding up repetitive cuts.
• Tool-free bevel to 50°: Easy to set and it stays put.
• LED light: Genuinely useful, not just marketing.
• Rafter hook: A practical perk that I used constantly.
• Dust chute: Meaningfully reduces mess with a vac attached.
• Left-blade orientation: Excellent sight line for most users.
• Kit extras: The rip guide, blade wrench, and bag make it genuinely “ready to work” out of the box.

What I’d improve

• Bevel depth at 45°: The 1-1/4 in capacity is a limitation by design. It’s fine for trim and sheet goods, but framing bevels on thicker stock require a different saw or a flip cut.
• Speed through dense material: It will get there, but it’s not a bulldozer. A sharper, thin-kerf blade helps.
• No detents on bevel: The clamp holds well, yet a positive stop at common angles (22.5°, 45°) would speed setup.
• Accessory ecosystem: The included rip fence is handy, but I’d love to see a more robust fence or shoe accessories for repeatable narrow rips.

None of these are deal-breakers; they’re the expected trade-offs of a small, light platform.

Best uses

• Cabinet installs, trim work, and remodel punch lists
• Crosscutting 2x and ripping plywood on site
• Overhead and ladder work where weight matters
• Anyone who values precision and control over raw speed

If your day revolves around framing walls, cutting wet PT all afternoon, or chewing through LVL, step up to a larger 18V/20V saw. If you live in finish carpentry and installation tasks, this compact 12V saw is a joy to use.

Durability and warranty

After weeks bouncing around in a jobsite bag, the adjustments still lock tight, and the shoe stayed true. The brushless motor and electronic brake inspire confidence. DeWalt’s 3‑year limited warranty, 1‑year free service, and 90‑day satisfaction policy add a layer of reassurance that matches the pro feel.

Recommendation

I recommend this 12V DeWalt saw for pros and serious DIYers who prioritize portability and control without giving up the ability to cut real lumber. It’s not a replacement for a full-size framing saw, and it doesn’t pretend to be. What it does offer is a well-balanced, compact package that cuts cleaner than you’d expect, fits into tight spaces, keeps the cut line visible, and packs enough power to handle 2x crosscuts and everyday jobsite tasks. If your work involves lots of install and finish work—or you simply want a smaller saw you’ll actually carry—this one earns its spot in the bag.