Hilti Nuron Cordless Circular Saw Blows Away its Predecessors
Hilti has long made some of the highest-quality cordless tools. In the circular saw department, they were among the first to introduce a 7 1/4-inch model. However, the cutting speed has lagged a bit in recent years. The most recent Hilti Nuron cordless circular saw still lags in blade speed but appears to make up for it in torque. I grabbed the SC 30WR-22 7-1/4 inch model and ran it through the Pro Tool Reviews test track to see how Hilti performed against other professional circular saws.
Reasons to Buy
- Quick, powerful saw for cutting stacked sheet goods
- Excellent dust collection
- 2-5/8 in. cutting depth
- Excellent warranty
Consider Another Model if You…
- Require a rafter hook
- Get bothered by the fact that you can’t make a full-depth cut with their 12Ah battery
- Don’t want to pay premium pricing
Author’s Note: Be sure to check out our Best Cordless Circular Saw article to see our top picks!
Hilti Nuron Cordless Circular Saw Performance
The Hilti Nuron SC 30WR-22 includes a newer (to them) brushless motor promising up to three times the cutting speed of any of Hilti’s previous cordless saws.
It’s not just RPM, though. With a no-load speed of 4700 RPM, there’s more torque behind it to keep those RPMs high as the saw encounters more difficult loads.
In our testing of the Hilti Nuron circular saw, we learned a few things. First, the 12.0 Ah 22V battery is a beast. However, it doesn’t let the saw reach its full blade depth. That means that if you want the deepest possible cut of 2-5/8 inches, you need to use an 8.0 Ah battery. With the 8Ah battery, however, it managed to cut through the full sheet at its maximum depth. The buried blade made the cut in 13.67 seconds, putting it in 8th place.
For regular cutting, expect a bit more power-to-weight performance when using the 8Ah Nuron battery as opposed to the 12Ah pack. While the latter gives you more runtime and a bit more power, the 8Ah is possibly the best balance for most applications.
Crosscut, Bevel, and Compound Miter Cuts
When making a crosscut, sight lines are difficult as the upper blade guard extends almost completely down to the shoe. This makes it nearly impossible to see the notch directly in front of the blade. Hilti did include a 0° bevel marking on the front of the shoe as well as a notch to help you stay in line, but once the cut extends beyond the edge of the board, you’re pretty much flying blind.
Adjustability was top-notch on the bevel, but the depth gauge is located on the side of the upper blade guard. That means you need to set the saw down when making blade height adjustments. I also found that using the front pommel while making a 45° cut and maintaining a sightline to the blade is nearly impossible, so most of my cuts were made one-handed.
When making a full-depth cut with this saw, you cannot use a 3P battery (the Hilti 12.0 Nuron, for example). These larger batteries will hit the shoe, preventing the saw from achieving its maximum depth of cut. This should have been caught before release. Overall, Hilti makes a capable saw that emphasizes power above all else. Stick with the 8Ah battery for maximum flexibility.
Hands-on Testing Results
| 8.0 Ah Nuron | 12.0 Ah Nuron | |
|---|---|---|
| Weight (w/batt) | 11.04 lbs (8th place) | 12.20 lbs (13th place) |
| Sightlines | 3.3/5 (10th place) | same |
| Blade Guard | 3.7/5 (10th place tie) | same |
| Rip 2 Sheets OSB | N/A* | 32.46 sec (13th place) |
| Full Depth Blade Cut | Full rip, 13.67 sec (8th place) | N/A* |
Design Features of the Hilti SC 30WR-22
While we don’t have it on hand, the manual and Hilti indicate that the SC 30WR-22 works with the Guide Rail SC GR-1400 2B kit ($265).
As you pull the entire package together, it’s a cordless circular saw that’s on a completely different level than anything Hilti has put out previously.
Additional Highlights
- Electronic blade brake
- Rotating dust port
- 2-5/8 inch cutting depth (with 2P packs)
CMT Zero Gravity – Our Preferred Testing Blade
CMT supplied us with enough of its Italian-made Zero Gravity saw blades to test every major manufacturer’s circular saws. We’ve been impressed with how well the blade stands up to our aggressive testing schedule. You’ll note the low-mass plate design and unique tooth geometry. Together, these reduce heat buildup while handling nail impacts. CMT claims its framing blades perform up to 5X more cuts on nail-embedded wood than competitors in its class. Large gullets also store chips while you work and eject them as the blade rotation stops, leading to reduced cutting effort and better tracking.
Hilti Nuron Cordless Circular Saw Price
As a bare tool, the Hilti SC 30WR-22 runs $348 and you can build your kit out the way you want from there.
Battery Selection
- 2.50Ah (B 22-55): $84.00 each (not recommended due to short runtime)
- 3.95 Ah (B 22-85): $114 each (best balance of performance, runtime, and weight)
- 7.90Ah (B 22-170): $174 each (best for higher performance and longer duration applications)
- 11.85Ah (B 22-255): $204 each (not recommended due to higher weight and larger size)
Chargers
- C 4-22 (91W) Compact Charger: $39
- C 6-22 (241W) Fast Charger: $84
Hilti backs this circular saw with its 20-2-1 warranty program.
Specifications
- Model: Hilti SC 30WR-22
- Power Source: Hilti Nuron 22V battery
- Blade Diameter: 7 1/4 in.
- No-Load Speed: 4700 RPM
- Max Cutting Depth: 2 5/8 in. at 90°, 2 in. at 45°
- Max Bevel: 50°
- Weight: 8.1 lbs bare
