Portability, power, weight and depth of cut are all things to look for in a cordless circular saw and the DeWalt DCS391L1 20V MAX Lithium-Ion Circular Saw delivers on all these levels. Equipped with a thin kerf saw blade and a powerful 460 watt motor, this saw is able to power through most cuts much like a corded model. With a 6-1/2″ saw blade, cutting 2x material is not a problem, even when making 45 degree bevel cuts. The new 3.0Ah Lithium-Ion battery provides over 50 percent longer run time than the other DeWalt cordless models on the market, translate into less downtime and more productivity.
DeWalt DCS391L1 20V MAX Lithium-Ion Circular Saw Features
The DeWalt DCS391L1 20 V MAX Lithium-Ion Circular Saw features a lightweight magnesium shoe and optimized handle design that offers a more ergonomic profile. The new slimmed down handle design is more comfortable, thanks to the new slide pack batteries that fit below the handle rather than inserting into the base of the handle. The motor delivers 3,700 RPMs and is actually rated 10 percent more powerful than the current DeWalt cordless circular saws. This means that you can expect faster cut speeds and you will have the power needed to make difficult cuts with relative ease. The included 6-1/2″ thin kerf blade is a general purpose type that is good for both rip and cross cutting. Also included with the saw is one 3.0Ah Lithium-ion 20V MAX battery pack, universal quick charger and a heavy-duty plastic carry case. The universal charger will also charge the batteries for the DeWalt 12V MAX tools and fully charges the 3.0Ah Lithium-ion battery in only 30 minutes.
Where this saw really differs from other DeWalt 18V tools is that it has electronics built into the switch. These electronics are designed to provide maximum life for the tools and batteries by helping to protect them from overheating, overloading and deep discharge during use. The 20V MAX designation is because DeWalt wanted to eliminate the confusion with their 18V line which they will continue to manufacture. Unlike the 18V top post design, the new 20V MAX batteries are a slide-on style sled pack, much like the new 12V MAX compact cordless tools. The DeWalt DCS391L1 20V MAX Lithium-Ion Circular Saw comes with a three-year limited warranty, one-year free service contract and 90-day money-back guarantee. The included 3.0Ah lithium-ion battery pack comes with a three-year free service contract.
Testing and Use
DeWalt’s new 20V MAX Circular Saw is not only comfortable to hold, it also has good balance and is pretty lightweight. The magnesium shoe has a smooth bottom and allows it to glide over whatever material you happen to be cutting. The lower blade guard is plastic, but we found that even when making long angled cuts, that it never bound up or got caught on the material. The grip position is in a better place that puts your hand closer to the motor and the center of the saw. In our testing we found this to help in terms of both accuracy and control. Depth of cut and blade angle changes are very easy to achieve with large thumb nuts that are effortless to manipulate. The larger motor size was really evident when cutting 2x material. We were able to make rip, angled and cross cuts with ease and use the saw one a veritable ton of wood before having to recharge or change the battery.
Conclusion
If you are a contractor, carpenter, or a professional that has to do a lot of cross cutting, ripping, bevel cuts and plunge cuts on the fly, then the DeWalt DCS391L1 20V MAX Lithium-Ion Circular Saw is a compelling choice. This cordless circular saw demonstrated a significant increase in power and run time over its 18V predecessors we know, we have both. For our Performance rating we gave this saw a 9/10 because it is light-weight and gave nearly the same functionality and power as a corded circular saw. For our Value rating the saw earned a respectable 5/10 since it only includes one battery and its power and convenience comes at a price. If you are willing to sacrifice the magnesium shoe, a steel-shoed version, the DCS393, will be offered in a variety of different combo kits for just a little bit more than this single tool costs.
