Circular Saw vs Track Saw: Budget and Price Tiers
Last reviewed October 31, 2026. Prices were listed by the retailer as of Oct 30, 2026 and can change. Confirm the current price and availability on the retailer's page before you buy.
Budget is usually the first filter in this comparison, so it is worth starting with the numbers. Circular saws cover a far wider spread and include many lower-priced entries, while track saws cluster higher and the catalog has far fewer of them.
Both tool types are listed for straight cuts, but they are different designs, and the listings reflect that. Circular saws are all typed as a single category, and 46 of the 55 are cordless. Track saws are listed with a zero-clearance track system in at least one corded kit, and 10 of the 14 are cordless. Brushless motors are stated in 91 percent of circular saw listings and 100 percent of track saw listings. A brushless motor is a motor design that does without carbon brushes; the percentage here only tells you how many listings state it, not how any one saw performs.
Battery platform matters if you already own cordless tools. Circular saws are spread across several platforms in the catalog: M18 on 12 models, XGT 40V on 8, LXT 18V on 6 and 20V MAX on 5. Track saws are concentrated, with 9 of the 14 on M18 and 1 listed as 18V. A battery platform is simply the family of batteries a tool accepts, so a saw on a platform you already own can be bought as a bare tool. Configuration also varies. Among circular saws, 21 are listed as kits, 20 as bare tools and 14 do not state it. Among track saws, 5 are kits, 3 are bare tools and 6 do not state it. Only a bare tool listing means tool only; a kit is where a battery may be stated in the box.
At a glance
| Circular saws | Track saws | |
|---|---|---|
| Models listed | 55 | 14 |
| Price range | $203 to $1,409 | $269 to $997 |
| Median price | $319 | $658 |
| Battery platforms named in listings | M18 (12), XGT 40V (8), LXT 18V (6) | M18 (9), 18V (1) |
| Cordless models stating a brushless motor | 91% of 46 | 100% of 10 |
| Most common configuration | kit (21), bare tool (20) | kit (5), bare tool (3) |
| Listings stating batteries, charger or case | 27% | 14% |
| Tool types covered | Circular saw (55) | Track saw (14) |
Kit listings
Kit listings show the clearest price split. The circular saw examples run from $228.00 for a Ryobi ONE+ 18V 6-1/2 in. model with a 4 Ah battery to a Makita XGT 40V 6-1/2 in. kit starting at $284. Two Ridgid 4-1/2 in. kits sit at $238.00 and $278.00, each stating 1 battery. The track saw kit examples start at $506.77 for a corded DeWalt 12 A kit and reach $763.00 for an M18 kit with two blades. Only 27 percent of circular saw listings and 14 percent of track saw listings state kit contents.
Circular saws
Ryobi ONE+ HP 18V Brushless Cordless Compact 6-1/2 in. Circular Saw with ONE+ 18V 4.0 Ah Lithium EDGE Battery
$228.00 · Kit · Voltage: 18 V · Brushless motor: Yes (stated in the listing) · Battery platform: ONE+ 18V · Size / capacity: 6-1/2 in. · Battery capacity: 4 Ah
Makita 40V max XGT Brushless Cordless 6-1/2 in. Circular Saw Kit, AWS Capable (4.0Ah)
$284 to $489 · Kit · Voltage: 40 V · Brushless motor: Yes (stated in the listing) · Battery platform: XGT 40V · Size / capacity: 6-1/2 in. · Battery capacity: 4 Ah
Ridgid 18V NUKE SubCompact Brushless Cordless 4-1/2 in. Circular Saw w/ 18V 4.0 Ah EXP Lithium-Ion Battery
$238.00 · Kit · Voltage: 18 V · Brushless motor: Yes (stated in the listing) · Battery platform: 18V · Size / capacity: 4-1/2 in. · Battery capacity: 4 Ah
Ridgid 18V NUKE SubCompact Brushless Cordless 4-1/2 in. Circular Saw with 18V 4.0 Ah MAX Output Battery
$278.00 · Kit · Voltage: 18 V · Brushless motor: Yes (stated in the listing) · Battery platform: 18V · Size / capacity: 4-1/2 in. · Battery capacity: 4 Ah
Track saws
DeWalt 12 Amp Corded Track Saw Kit with 6-1/2 in. Blade, Zero-Clearance Track System and Anti-Splinter Edges
$506.77 · Kit · Size / capacity: 6-1/2 in. · Motor current: 12 A
Milwaukee M18 FUEL 18V Lithium-Ion Cordless Brushless 6-1/2 in. Plunge Cut Track Saw w/Compact Router
$658.00 · Kit · Voltage: 18 V · Brushless motor: Yes (stated in the listing) · Battery platform: M18 · Size / capacity: 6-1/2 in. · Max speed: 6,300 RPM
Milwaukee M18 FUEL 18V Lithium-Ion Cordless Brushless 6-1/2 in. Plunge Cut Track Saw w/Jig Saw
$658.00 · Kit · Voltage: 18 V · Brushless motor: Yes (stated in the listing) · Battery platform: M18 · Size / capacity: 6-1/2 in. · Max speed: 6,300 RPM
Milwaukee M18 FUEL 18V Lithium-Ion Brushless Cordless 6-1/2 in. Plunge Track Saw Kit W/Carbide Finish and General Purpose Blades
$763.00 · Kit · Voltage: 18 V · Brushless motor: Yes (stated in the listing) · Battery platform: M18 · Size / capacity: 6-1/2 in. · Max speed: 6,300 RPM
Bare tool listings (tool only)
Bare tool listings are stated as tool only, with no battery or charger. The circular saw examples are 7-1/4 in. One Makita example is described with a guide rail compatible base. The track saw examples are all 6-1/2 in. Listed battery capacities in the specs range from 4 Ah to 12 Ah.
Circular saws
Ridgid 18V Brushless Cordless 7-1/4 in. Rear Handle Circular Saw (Tool Only)
$234 to $498 · · Voltage: 18 V · Brushless motor: Yes (stated in the listing) · Battery platform: 18V · Size / capacity: 7-1/4 in. · Battery capacity: 8 Ah
Makita 40V Max XGT Brushless Cordless 7-1/4 in. Circular Saw, AWS Capable (Tool Only)
$289 to $678 · · Voltage: 40 V · Brushless motor: Yes (stated in the listing) · Battery platform: XGT 40V · Size / capacity: 7-1/4 in. · Battery capacity: 4 Ah
Milwaukee M18 FUEL 18V Lithium-Ion Cordless 7-1/4 in. Rear Handle Circular Saw (Tool-Only)
$299 to $691 · · Voltage: 18 V · Brushless motor: Yes (stated in the listing) · Battery platform: M18 · Size / capacity: 7-1/4 in. · Battery capacity: 12 Ah
Makita 40V Max XGT Brushless Cordless 7-1/4 in. Circular Saw with Guide Rail Compatible Base, AWS Capable (Tool Only)
$409 to $609 · · Voltage: 40 V · Brushless motor: Yes (stated in the listing) · Battery platform: XGT 40V · Size / capacity: 7-1/4 in. · Battery capacity: 4 Ah
Track saws
Ridgid 18V Brushless Cordless 6-1/2 in. Track Saw (Tool Only)
$399 to $707 · · Voltage: 18 V · Brushless motor: Yes (stated in the listing) · Battery platform: 18V · Size / capacity: 6-1/2 in. · Battery capacity: 6 Ah
Milwaukee M18 FUEL 18V Lithium-Ion Cordless Brushless 6-1/2 in. Plunge Cut Track Saw (Tool-Only)
$429 to $738 · · Voltage: 18 V · Brushless motor: Yes (stated in the listing) · Battery platform: M18 · Size / capacity: 6-1/2 in. · Battery capacity: 8 Ah
Milwaukee M18 FUEL 18V Lithium-Ion Cordless Brushless 6-1/2 in. Plunge Cut Track Saw (Tool-Only) & 6-1/2 in Blade
$469.00 · · Voltage: 18 V · Brushless motor: Yes (stated in the listing) · Battery platform: M18 · Size / capacity: 6-1/2 in. · Max speed: 6,300 RPM
Which one fits you
Choose Circular saws if...
- You want the widest choice of battery platforms, since the catalog lists circular saws across M18, XGT 40V, LXT 18V and 20V MAX.
- You want a brushless motor stated in the listing, which applies to 91 percent of circular saw models.
- You want the option of a kit or a bare tool, with 21 kit listings and 20 bare tool listings, though 14 do not state which.
Choose Track saws if...
- You already own M18 batteries, since 9 of the 14 track saws in the catalog are listed on that platform.
- You want a brushless motor stated in every listing, as 100 percent of track saw models do.
- You want a kit that bundles extras, such as the Milwaukee listings that pair the saw with a compact router or jig saw, while accepting that only 14 percent of listings state kit contents.
Check each listing's contents before you decide.
Frequently asked questions
Which costs less, a circular saw or a track saw?
The ranges overlap, so a track saw can cost less than some circular saws.
Which battery platforms are listed for each tool?
Circular saws are listed on M18 (12 models), XGT 40V (8), LXT 18V (6) and 20V MAX (5). Track saws are concentrated on M18 with 9 models, plus 1 listed as 18V. If you already own a platform, check that the listing matches before buying.
Do these saws come with a battery?
Only where the listing says so. Bare tool listings are tool only, with no battery or charger stated. Some kit listings state 1 battery, such as the Ryobi and Ridgid circular saw kits. Many listings do not state their configuration, so read the in the box details first.
Are the saws brushless?
Brushless motors are stated in 91 percent of circular saw listings and 100 percent of track saw listings. Both sides are mostly cordless, with 46 of 55 circular saws and 10 of 14 track saws listed as cordless. The corded DeWalt track saw kit is listed at 12 A.