Comparison · 2026
SKIL 5280-01 vs Makita, SKILSAW, DeWalt, Milwaukee and Seesii: Circular Saws Compared
Researched by Dmitrii Pakhomov and Daria Govorina · SavingsHook editorial · Published October 16, 2026
The short answer
Verdict based on specifications, manufacturer documentation and owner reviews. We did not lab-test these products.
| Product | Key specs | Main drawback | Not for |
|---|---|---|---|
| SKIL 15 Amp 7-1/4 in. Corded Circular Saw with Laser (5280-01) | 15-amp corded motor, 2.5 horsepower, up to 5,300 RPM 7-1/4 in. carbide blade, 2-7/16 in. cut capacity Single-beam laser guide for accurate cuts | No electric brake, so the blade coasts after you release the trigger, and the 1-year warranty is short. | Framers and pros who need a brake or a magnesium build. |
| Milwaukee 2833-20 | No-load speed 6000 rpm Depth of cut 2-1/4 in at 90 degrees Depth of cut 1-5/8 in at 45 degrees | Bare tool with no battery included, and the blade-right layout blocks the sight line for right-handed users at 90 degrees. | Right-handed users who need a clear 90-degree sight line, or anyone without M18 batteries. |
| DeWalt FLEXVOLT 60V MAX Brushless 7-1/4 in. Circular Saw with Brake (DCS578B, bare tool) | 60V MAX 5,800 RPM no-load speed 7-1/4 in. blade | Bare tool that runs only on FLEXVOLT batteries and weighs about 11.5 lb with a 9.0Ah pack. | Anyone without FLEXVOLT batteries, or anyone cutting anything but wood. |
How we picked these products
We compare product identity, specifications, pros/cons and retailer links. Until approved retailer API access is available, current Amazon price, star-rating and review-count data are not republished here.
Prices at a glance
| Product | Price | Stores |
|---|---|---|
| SKIL 15 Amp 7-1/4 in. Corded Circular Saw with Laser (5280-01) | Price not listed | 5 stores |
| Makita 5007MG Magnesium 7-1/4 in. Corded Circular Saw (15 Amp) | Price not listed | 7 stores |
| SKILSAW SPT77WML-01 15-Amp 7-1/4 in. Lightweight Worm Drive Circular Saw | Price not listed | 4 stores |
| DeWalt FLEXVOLT 60V MAX Brushless 7-1/4 in. Circular Saw with Brake (DCS578B, bare tool) | Price not listed | 4 stores |
| Milwaukee 2833-20 | from $173.67 · eBay | 5 stores |
| Seesii 4.8A | Price not listed | 4 stores |
Prices are snapshots. Check the current price with the store.
The six saws span a 4-1/2-inch mini at 1-11/16 in of cut depth up to a 7-1/4-inch FLEXVOLT sidewinder at 2-9/16 in. Only the DeWalt DCS578B and Milwaukee 2833-20 are stated to have an electric brake; the SKIL, Makita and SKILSAW let the blade coast. Four are corded, two are bare-tool cordless on brand-specific batteries.
SKIL 5280-01 15-Amp 7-1/4 in. Corded Circular Saw with Laser
SKIL 5280-01 15-Amp 7-1/4 in. Corded Circular Saw with Laser
A 15-amp corded sidewinder: 2.5-hp direct-drive motor at 5,300 RPM, 7-1/4 in 24-tooth carbide blade, 51-degree bevel (stop at 45), 2-7/16 in cut at 90, steel shoe, 8.7 lb. TechGearLab scored 77/100 (#3 of 10). No brake, no rip fence or rafter hook, 1-year warranty.
Makita 5007MG Magnesium 7-1/4 in. Corded Circular Saw
Makita 5007MG Magnesium 7-1/4 in. Corded Circular Saw
15-amp corded magnesium sidewinder at 5,800 RPM: 2-1/2 in cut at 90, 56-degree bevel, 10.6 lb, dust blower, no brake. Makita publishes a numbered parts breakdown. Weaknesses: chamfered left-rear shoe corner can run out on a 45-degree speed-square cut, adhesive markings peel, dust blower weaker than expected; needs 14 AWG at 50 ft, 12 AWG at 100 ft. Warranty: one year limited plus 30-day satisfaction.
SKILSAW SPT77WML-01 15-Amp 7-1/4 in. Lightweight Worm Drive Circular Saw
SKILSAW SPT77WML-01 15-Amp 7-1/4 in. Lightweight Worm Drive Circular Saw
15-amp worm drive, magnesium gear housing and foot, claimed 11.5 lb, 53-degree bevel, 2-3/8 in cut at 90. No dust blower or brake. Arbor spec reads “Diamond” (data error; sibling publishes 5/8 in); RPM not published (5,300 in dealer copy). Warranty contradictory: SKIL 180-day money-back plus one-year limited; Acme Tools lists five years. No independent instrumented test.
DeWalt DCS578B FLEXVOLT 60V MAX Brushless 7-1/4 in. Circular Saw
DeWalt DCS578B FLEXVOLT 60V MAX Brushless 7-1/4 in. Circular Saw
Bare-tool 60V FLEXVOLT sidewinder: 2,456 UWO, 5,800 RPM, 2-9/16 in cut at 90, 57-degree bevel, magnesium shoe, electronic brake, LED, rafter hook. FLEXVOLT batteries only. Weight 8.2 lb bare, about 11.5 lb with 9.0Ah battery; shoe friction and upper guard extend too far. Wood only. Warranty 3-year limited with 1-year free service.
Milwaukee 2833-20 M18 FUEL 6-1/2 in. Circular Saw
Milwaukee 2833-20 M18 FUEL 6-1/2 in. Circular Saw
Bare-tool M18 FUEL 6-1/2 in brushless sidewinder: 6,000 RPM, 2-1/4 in cut at 90, 50-degree bevel, magnesium shoe and guards, electronic brake, LED, rafter hook, dust port. Weight 6.3 lb bare (6.7 lb PTR) or 8.75 lb with Forge XC6.0Ah. Milwaukee claims up to 20% more power and 40% faster cutting than the 2730-20. Caveats: blade-right layout blocks sight line for right-handed users at 90 degrees; inline front pommel feels cramped; no spindle lock or variable-speed trigger. Battery packs carry separate 2- or 3-year warranties; tool 5-year limited.
Seesii 4.8A Mini Circular Saw
Corded mini saw: 4.8-amp motor at 4,000 RPM, 4-1/2 in blade, 1-11/16 in cut at 90 and 1-1/8 in at 45, 0-45 degree bevel, laser, rip guide, dust port. Kit includes three blades (TCT, HSS, diamond). Double-switch safety. No established tool-testing review; weight and warranty not published; arbor size not stated.
Power, blade size and cut depth
Blade diameter sets cut depth: Seesii 4-1/2 in reaches 1-11/16 in, Milwaukee 6-1/2 in reaches 2-1/4 in, four 7-1/4 in saws reach 2-3/8 in (SKILSAW) to 2-9/16 in (DeWalt). RPM: 4,000 (Seesii), 5,300 (SKIL), 5,800 (Makita, DeWalt), 6,000 (Milwaukee); SKILSAW’s RPM not published. Brushless only on DeWalt and Milwaukee; Makita uses a brushed 15-amp universal motor.
Weight, brakes and handling
Corded weight 8.7 lb (SKIL) to 10.6 lb (Makita); SKILSAW claims 11.5 lb without blade, cord and wrench. Cordless: 6.3-6.7 lb bare (Milwaukee), 8.2 lb bare or about 11.5 lb with 9.0Ah battery (DeWalt). Only DeWalt and Milwaukee stop the blade on trigger release; SKIL, Makita and SKILSAW coast; Seesii’s weight and brake not stated. Handling: Makita’s chamfered left-rear shoe can run out on a 45-degree speed-square cut; DeWalt has more shoe friction and an over-long upper guard; Milwaukee’s blade-right layout blocks sight line for right-handed users at 90 degrees.
Corded, cordless and batteries
Four saws need a wall outlet: SKIL and Makita on 6 ft cords, SKILSAW on 8 ft, Seesii at 120 V; Makita needs 14 AWG at 50 ft and 12 AWG at 100 ft for full power. Milwaukee and DeWalt are bare tools with no battery or charger: Milwaukee runs on any M18 REDLITHIUM pack, DeWalt needs FLEXVOLT 20/60V MAX packs. Add battery cost before comparing bare-tool prices.
Who should buy which
FLEXVOLT owners needing corded-level power: DeWalt DCS578B at 2,456 UWO and 5,800 RPM, accepting 11.5 lb with a 9.0Ah battery and wood-only use.
Prices and specs collected from manufacturer/retailer listings and public reviews; always confirm current price and stock on the linked page before buying.
