DeWalt 60V MAX 7-1/4 in. Brushless Circular Saw with Electronic Brake (Tool Only)

60V MAX 7-1/4 in. Brushless Circular Saw with Electronic Brake (Tool Only)

Features

  • Brushless motor
  • Uses 7-1/4 in. circular saw blade
  • Maximum cut depth: 2-9/16 in. at 90°
  • Maximum bevel capacity: 57° (stops at 22.5° and 45°)
  • Electronic brake stops the blade after trigger release
  • Integrated LED for improved visibility and cut alignment
  • Integrated rafter hook for storage
  • Compatible with FLEXVOLT 20/60V MAX batteries
  • No-load speed: 5,800 RPM
  • Quoted as up to 47% more power vs the referenced DCS575 when used with specified FLEXVOLT battery

Specifications

Arbor Size 5/8 in
Blade Diameter 7-1/4 in
Disc Diameter 7-1/4 in
Battery Type Lithium Ion
Battery Voltage 60 V
Power Source Cordless
Power Input 1700 W
No Load Speed 5800 RPM
Bevel Capacity 57°
Maximum Cut Depth (90°) 2-9/16 in
Tool Weight 7.9 lb
Weight (Including Battery) 8 lb
Product Weight (Listed) 8.2 lb
Product Length 15.354 in
Product Width 8.228 in
Product Height 9.656 in
Number Of Pieces 3
Is Battery Included No
Uncertainty K1 (Vibration) 2.5
Warranty 3 Year Limited Warranty; 1 Year Free Service; 90 Days Satisfaction Guaranteed

Cordless brushless 7-1/4 in. circular saw. No-load speed 5,800 RPM. Compatible with FLEXVOLT 20/60V MAX batteries (battery and charger sold separately). Maximum cut depth 2-9/16 in. at 90° and maximum bevel capacity 57° with stops at 22.5° and 45°.

Model Number: DCS578B
View Manual

DeWalt 60V MAX 7-1/4 in. Brushless Circular Saw with Electronic Brake (Tool Only) Review

4.7 out of 5

Why I reached for this saw

Cordless circular saws have come a long way, and the 60V FlexVolt model from DeWalt—the DCS578 in my kit—feels like a full-on replacement for a corded sidewinder. I put it through framing, deck work, and a round of sheet goods cuts to see where it shines and where it asks for compromises. Short version: it’s the rare cordless saw that doesn’t make me think about the cord I left behind.

Build, controls, and first impressions

The DCS578 is a 7-1/4 in. sidewinder built around a brushless motor and a 5/8 in. arbor. Bare, it’s listed at 7.9 lb; with a big battery it isn’t the lightest package in a hand, but the contours and rubber overmold make it easy to steer one-handed on shorter cuts. The primary controls—trigger, safety, depth slider, and bevel release—are chunky and gloved-hand friendly. The rafter hook is stout and properly sized for standard joists; I used it constantly between cuts.

Out of the box, my shoe was flat and square to the blade. I checked the 90° and 45° with a machinist square and didn’t need to tweak anything. Bevel capacity tops out at 57°, with detents at 22.5° and 45°. Those detents are firm enough to trust without babying the adjustment. The depth scale is clear and easy to read; more importantly, the saw reaches a full 2-9/16 in. at 90°, so it eats through 2x lumber, structural 1-3/4 in. stock, and most deck framing without a second pass.

The LED worklight is well-placed. On dull days and in garages it makes a difference in tracking a line. In direct sun it’s small help, but the sightline is open enough that I didn’t miss it.

Power and cutting performance

No-load speed is 5,800 RPM, and the brushless motor has the torque to back it up across thicker material. I used the DCS578 for ripping and cross-cutting 2x12 PT, cutting stair stringers, trimming engineered lumber, and breaking down plywood off the tailgate. With a good 24-tooth framing blade, it powered through 2x material at a pace that felt on par with a strong corded sidewinder. The saw doesn’t bog easily; when I leaned on it hard in wet PT, it held RPM and kept the cut clean instead of tearing fibers.

What I appreciate most is the consistency under load. The electronic control keeps the motor from surging and fluttering when the grain gets dense or the board pinches. That makes the finish cleaner and the cut more predictable, especially when following a guide. The guard action is smooth right out of the box, and the brake snaps the blade to a stop quickly after releasing the trigger—fast enough to set the saw down without that uneasy pause while the blade coasts. Once you get used to an electronic brake, it’s hard to go back.

Does it feel stronger than older 60V saws I’ve used? Yes. DeWalt quotes a power bump over the previous generation with the right FlexVolt battery, and in the cut the DCS578 has that extra “headroom” where you can maintain feed rate without flirting with a stall. It’s also notably stable during plunge cuts and toe-kicks in subfloor, thanks to a rigid shoe and a confident start-up.

Bevels, depth, and accuracy

The 57° bevel capacity is genuinely useful for roof work and finish framing, and those stops at 22.5° and 45° hit their marks. The bevel mechanism has minimal play; if you lock at a degree, it stays put through the cut. I liked the feel of the bevel lever—long throw, positive engagement, no slop. Depth adjustment is simple and stays where you set it. Being able to bury the blade past 2-1/2 in. at 90° expands what you can do in a single pass, and it helps keep cuts square because the blade rides deeper in the kerf.

On sheet goods, paired with a straightedge, I was able to make clean, splinter-minimized rips with a higher-tooth blade. The shoe tracks true, and I didn’t see flex that would telegraph into the cut. If you swap blades regularly, the spindle lock is easy to reach and it’s a standard 5/8 in. arbor, so any quality 7-1/4 in. blade you already trust will fit.

Runtime and battery considerations

You’ll need a FlexVolt 20/60V MAX battery, as this is a 60V tool and doesn’t run on DeWalt’s 20V-only packs. With a large-capacity FlexVolt battery, runtime is a strong point. On framing days with a 9Ah pack, I got through a lot of dimensional cuts and ripping without hunting the charger. The brushless motor helps stretch runtime, and because the saw holds speed instead of bogging, you’re not stuck re-cutting slow, rough edges.

There is a trade-off: go with a big pack for long runtime, and the tool gets heavier. For overhead or ladder work where weight really matters, a medium-capacity pack keeps things more manageable; for ripping and deck-building at waist height, I prefer the bigger battery and the staying power it brings. Either way, this is a high-output saw; pair it with FlexVolt batteries in good health to get the best performance.

Ergonomics and usability details

The handle geometry keeps your wrist in a neutral position during long rips. Vibration is well-controlled; the saw feels planted in a cut rather than buzzy. The shoe’s front edge registers nicely against a guide, and the line of cut indicators are accurate once you match them to your blade kerf. I appreciate the integrated rafter hook more than I expected—on a ladder or working off sawhorses, it saves trips to the ground.

Visibility at the cut is good, helped by the LED and an open-front guard. The safety and trigger are intuitive, and the e-brake makes setting the saw down between repeated cuts a natural motion. There’s no onboard dust collection port on this model, so expect typical sidewinder chip ejection; outside that’s fine, but indoors you’ll want a vac nearby for cleanup. Blade changes are quick and straightforward, and with the standard arbor you’re not locked into proprietary blades.

Durability and maintenance

Between site work and shop tasks, the DCS578 has held its settings. The shoe stayed straight, the fence edge hasn’t dinged out of square, and the levers haven’t loosened up. As with any high-output cordless saw, keep the motor vents clear and blow out dust after a day of cutting, especially if you’re working in composite or wet PT that sheds corrosive fines. The brushless motor means fewer wear parts and less frequent maintenance overall.

DeWalt backs it with a 3-year limited warranty, a year of free service, and a 90-day satisfaction window. It’s a nice safety net for a tool that’s going to see hard use.

What could be better

  • Weight with a high-capacity FlexVolt battery can be fatiguing in overhead or extended one-handed use. That’s the cost of big power and long runtime.
  • Chip ejection is typical for a sidewinder and not easily managed indoors. If you need dust collection, you’ll be improvising.
  • As a tool-only purchase, budget for at least one FlexVolt battery and a charger if you’re not already in the system; the total buy-in can be significant.

None of these are dealbreakers for me, but they’re worth knowing before you pick one up.

Who it’s for

If you frame, build decks, cut stair stringers, or routinely work through 2x and engineered lumber, this saw feels purpose-built for you. Remodelers and carpenters who want a cordless primary saw with corded performance will appreciate its punch and stability. For light punch-list work or occasional DIY, it may be more saw (and battery) than you need, but the control and cut quality still make it a pleasure to use.

Recommendation

I recommend the DCS578 for anyone who needs a cordless circular saw that can truly replace a corded sidewinder on heavy cuts. It combines high, sustained power (5,800 RPM brushless motor), generous capacity (2-9/16 in. at 90° and 57° bevel with solid detents), and thoughtful features (electronic brake, LED light, rafter hook) in a package that feels accurate and dependable. Pair it with a proper FlexVolt battery, and it rips, crosscuts, and bevels with the confidence of a corded saw, minus the cord management. The price and weight with big packs are the main trade-offs, but if your work demands performance, this saw delivers it without excuses.



Project Ideas

Business

Mobile Sheet-Goods Breakdown Service

Offer on-site plywood/MDF breaking to size for DIYers, artists, and contractors who lack space or tools. Use a straightedge track with the cordless saw for cabinet-grade accuracy, deliver labeled parts, and charge per sheet plus cut-list complexity.


Flat-Pack Furniture Kits

Design and sell modern flat-pack desks, shelves, and planter boxes with pre-cut, beveled components and hardware. The 22.5° and 45° stop points ensure consistent joinery. Sell kits online and offer local pickup or delivery.


Custom Deck Planters and Privacy Screens

Build and install cedar planters, benches, and slatted privacy walls sized to clients’ decks and patios. The saw’s 2-9/16 in. depth handles 2x lumber cleanly, and cordless power is ideal for apartment roofs and backyards without outlets.


Event Backdrops and Signage

Create rentable photo backdrops, freestanding arches, and branded bar fronts from sheet goods with crisp bevel details. The LED aids long, straight rips for panel seams. Rent per weekend and upsell custom vinyl graphics.


Van/Garage Storage Build-Outs

Offer budget-friendly van modules and garage organization from plywood: cabinets, drawer boxes, and tool walls. Cut on-site to fit odd walls and wheel wells; the electronic brake and cordless design make tight-space work safer and faster.

Creative

Faceted Plywood Bookshelf

Build a modern bookshelf with angled sides and shelves using the 22.5° and 45° bevel stops for repeatable, clean bevels. Rip plywood with a straightedge guide, then bevel the edges to create a faceted, architectural look. The integrated LED helps align long rips and the electronic brake makes frequent adjustment safer.


Octagon Side Table or Planter

Cut eight identical panels with 22.5° bevels to form an octagon, then add a bottom and optional legs. The 2-9/16 in. depth handles 2x stock, and the 22.5° stop speeds consistent cuts. Finish in cedar for outdoors or plywood for a living room accent.


Live-Edge Coffee Table with Splayed Legs

Flatten the live-edge slab’s ends and cut tapered, splayed 2x legs using 10–15° bevels for a mid-century stance. The cordless power lets you work in the driveway, and the electronic brake helps during precision fitting of the leg angles.


Tournament-Grade Cornhole Set

Make two regulation boards from plywood and 2x framing. Use the saw to rip the frames, bevel the edges slightly for comfort, and cut the hand slots. The LED guides long edge cuts, and the 2-9/16 in. depth is perfect for 2x material.


Cedar Adirondack Chair Pair

Cut angled back slats, seat slats, and wide armrests from cedar. The 57° bevel capacity covers the chair’s steep back angles, while the cordless setup makes backyard builds easy and clean.