As one of the big names in the electric tool market, even new DIYers will have heard of Black & Decker, and for good reason. Its products are highly regarded and the Black & Decker BDECS300C Circular Saw is no exception.
This circular saw is a great budget option for DIY or intermediate woodworking, but if you’re looking for something a little more advanced, check out our full guide to the best circular saws.
Black & Decker BDECS300C Circular Saw: Pricing and value
The Black & Decker BDECS300C Circular Saw is commonly found at around $50 and, thanks to its performance and range of features, it’s one of the best value circular saws on the market. Higher-end models usually reach the $100+ mark, so it would be unwise to expect the Black & Decker BDECS300C Circular Saw to reach the same level of performance and features at half the price, but it’s still a great budget model.
At the same price point is the SKIL 5280-01 Circular Saw and, to be honest, there isn’t a huge amount of difference between the two. The SKIL does have the odd feature or two over the Black & Decker and, when push comes to shove, it may be a bit more reliable.
Black & Decker BDECS300C Circular Saw: Features
Ideal for budget-conscious buyers, the Black & Decker BDECS300C Circular Saw has a good, if not extensive, range of features. A 13 amp motor provides enough power for most cutting applications and the laser guide is a useful extra for precision cutting.
Weighing in at just 7 pounds, it’s even lighter than the SKIL 5280-01 Circular Saw. If you’re prone to sore joints or have a big job ahead of you, this lightweight saw could help you avoid aching muscles while staying in control of the job at hand. While this circular saw might be missing a carry case, the durable design along with its light weight means this doesn’t really pose much of a problem.
A spindle lock allows for quick and easy blade changes, fastening them tightly in place. You’ll find the 7.25-inch diameter blade located on the right hand side of the tool, with the ability to operate at a maximum rotating speed of up to 5300 RPM with a maximum cutting depth of 2.5 when used at 90-degree angles. Unfortunately, the blade does struggle when placed under a lot of pressure and sometimes sways a little towards the sides, which is a particular problem on precision cuts. A little practice with this circular saw does allow you to learn to adjust as you go.
Between the durable design and two-year warranty, the Black & Decker BDECS300C Circular Saw should see you nicely through a range of DIY jobs for years to come, but if you’re looking for a little more range in a circular saw, you should expect to splash a little more cash for something like the Makita 5007MG.
Black & Decker BDECS300C Circular Saw: User reviews
The Black & Decker BDECS300C Circular Saw is pretty popular with users, scoring an average of 4.4 out of five on Amazon. Reviewers were particularly impressed with the laser guide and found it especially useful.
While there were a number of complaints about saw pull and a few noted that the cut was out of line with the laser guide due to the blade wobbling, many reviews noted that such problems were solved by installing a better quality blade as the included one was flimsy. Those who did swap out the blade found the tool itself to be good value for money and able to work through a wide variety of jobs.
There were also a few concerns about the plastic guard, with one reviewer noting that it felt flimsy and didn’t think it would protect them from much.
Overall, users found it to be powerful, especially for the low price point, as well as easy to operate and suitable for a wide range of DIY work.
Should you buy a Black & Decker BDECS300C Circular Saw?
This Black & Decker Circular Saw is a popular budget option with many users and it has some good features, but expect to buy a replacement blade to really get the most out of this saw. It’s definitely more suited to DIY than professional jobs, where you’ll definitely be better served by a more expensive model, like the Makita 5007MG.
