Greenworks 24V Pro Cordless 7 1/4-Inch Circular Saw Review

The Greenworks 24V Pro cordless circular saw is next up in our deep dive into the emerging line of Greenworks 24V Pro power tools. As a core tool, this 7 1/4-inch circular saw helps set the tone for the type of person the entire system is a good fit for. We’re taking a closer look at what makes this saw stand out so you can decide if it’s the best option for you.

Pros

Excellent value
Confident cutting power
Good sightlines and tracking
Fast blade speed
Comfortable ergonomics

Cons

Not available as a kit

Buy at Walmart

Greenworks 24V Pro Cordless Circular Saw Performance

Speed and Cutting Power

While this saw isn’t the most powerful model we’ve ever had our hands on, it’s not hanging out with the cellar-dwellers, either. The brushless motor drives the blade at 6,000 RPM, which is right up there with the top performers from Makita, Metabo HPT, and Milwaukee. The main difference here is that Greenworks has the RPMs, but the power level while cutting is more akin to Ryobi’s R8657. Now, don’t get me wrong, this is a very capable saw, but the trick is to let the motor keep those RPMs up, and don’t attempt to force the saw through the cut. That’s how we achieved our best results during our hands-on testing (more on this later).

Looking at the specs, you get a max cutting depth of 2-5/8 inches at 90° and up to 1-3/4 inches at 45°. This falls right in line for us since most of the 7 1/4-inch saws we test top out at 2-1/2 inches. What’s great about this is that it gives you the ability to cut triple-stacked 3/4-inch plywood in one pass, which is certainly impressive on its own merit.

When you are making those deeper cuts, you can certainly tell the difference in power compared to Pro-grade saws. On the other hand, it cuts well compared to saws in the Prosumer class and is a nice step up from pure DIY models. It also tracks your cutline very well.

The saw’s electric brake is impressively fast, even by Professional standards. When you take your finger off of the trigger at the end of a cut, there’s not even close enough time to set the saw down before the blade’s movement stops.

Depth and Bevel Adjustment

Greenworks’ design team didn’t stray too far from the norm with their depth and bevel adjustment levers. To adjust the cut depth, simply flip the metal lever located between the grip and upper guard and move the shoe to your desired depth. While there are stamped depth markings on the upper blade guard, they’re a little hard to read. It’s not a major inconvenience, but it may take a little more time to dial in precise adjustments.

Moving to the front, you have the bevel adjustment. Just like the depth adjustment, all you need to do is flip the lever and pivot the shoe. There is a positive stop at the 22.5° and 45° marks, but this saw has a max bevel of 57°, which is pretty impressive for a sidewinder.

Hands-On Impressions

Recently, our resident Pro, Tom Gaige, put the CR5185 to work while building a pergola and deck at his home. During this time, he employed this saw for a variety of cross-cuts and even a few rip cuts.

Tom described this saw as very capable for most tasks. It delivered excellent power, smooth guard action, and the lightweight design was easy on his arms while working overhead. According to his claims, the CR5185 delivered near-equivalent power to his trusty Makita 18V X2 XSH08 circular saw, which has been a key member of Tom’s arsenal for years.

With that said, it does have some limitations. For instance, Tom mentioned that runtime was a mild issue during his project, which spanned a few days. This is a high-draw tool, so if you need all-day performance, I’d advise keeping a few extra batteries on hand. Moreover, he noted that the power level, while good, ultimately fell short of that of the premium saws we’ve covered in the past. This isn’t a major surprise, though.

Greenworks has been very intentional in their messaging—the updated 24V Pro line isn’t meant to dethrone Pro models. Rather, these tools are intended to fill a gap by providing quality, power, and a price tag that’s easy on the bottom line…and that’s a winning combination in my book.

Greenworks 24V Pro Cordless Circular Saw Design Notes

Ergonomics

The Greenworks 24V CR5185 weighs 8.2 pounds as a bare tool and 9.9 pounds with a 4.0Ah battery. This is a little below average for this type of saw, which is welcome, but you can always pair it with Greenworks’ smaller 2.0Ah battery to lighten the load even more.

The main grip is a bit fuller in the hand than most 7 1/4-inch circular saws we use, but no one on our team felt it negatively affected our ability to cut accurately and comfortably. In fact, I actually prefer Greenwork’s design because it makes me feel like I have a better grasp on the tool. The front pommel grip is also the perfect size and width, filling your hand and offering excellent control through difficult cuts.

Blade Changes

Blade changes on this circular saw are pretty standard. Press down on the blade lock, rotate the blade until you feel the lock fall in place, then use the included hex key to loosen the arbor bolt. You may also use a 1/2-inch socket or wrench if that’s easier for you.

Dust Port

Greenworks includes a vacuum port preinstalled on the saw. If you’re going to use a vac, keep it on there. If not, use a Phillips-head screwdriver to remove it so the dust deflects down and away from you instead of straight back at you.

Additional Features

LED Work Light: Illuminates your work piece for improved accuracy and safety
Integrated Dust Blower: Helps keep your sightline clear while cutting
Folding Rafter Hook: Easily hang the saw on 2x material in between uses

Greenworks 24V Pro Cordless Circular Saw Price

The Greenworks 24V Pro Cordless Circular Saw retails for $119.00 as a bare tool, and Greenworks backs this saw with a 5-year limited warranty.

The price is notably lower than even many entry-level models, and certainly a far cry from those premium Prosumer models. Overall, it rates as a high-value pick from our team.

Should You Buy It?

After getting some hands-on experience with the Greenworks 24V cordless 7 1/4-inch circular saw, it’s a good fit for most medium-duty cutting applications and even homeowners who enjoy those weekend projects. While it is a good step up from your average entry-level saw and has a solid feature set, we noticed a clear difference between the CR5185 and other legitimate Pro-focused models in terms of cutting power.

With those factors in mind, Greenworks has absolutely nailed it in terms of value, and at $119.00 for the bare tool, it outpaces value leaders like Ryobi and Skil by $20. Sure, you miss out on some of that top-end power, but that’s perfectly fine if you’re just tackling common cuts across your project.

If you’re on the hunt for a competent saw for your next project, I’d highly suggest giving the Greenworks CR5185 a serious look before you hit the aisles at your local hardware store.