Best DeWalt Cordless Skill Saws for Framing and Remodeling
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The best overall DeWalt cordless skill saw for framing and remodeling is the FlexVolt 60V Max 7-1/4″ model (DCS570 / DCS573) for full-depth cuts and true corded replacement power, while the 20V Max 6-1/2″ models (DCS565 and ATOMIC DCS512) are better picks for lighter remodeling, overhead work, and mobile punch-list use where weight matters more than maximum cut capacity.
If you already own DeWalt batteries, your platform makes the decision for you: FlexVolt batteries run on both 60V and 20V tools, but standard 20V Max batteries cannot power a 60V FlexVolt saw. That compatibility difference, plus blade size and how much depth you actually need, should drive your choice more than any other feature.
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DeWalt Cordless Skill Saw Lineup Compared
DeWalt currently splits its cordless circular saws into two distinct families. Understanding the split is the fastest way to narrow your options for a dewalt skill saw cordless setup.
FlexVolt 60V Max 7-1/4″ Saws (DCS570, DCS573): These are full-size framing saws. They use a 7-1/4 inch blade – the same size as a corded worm drive or sidewinder – and are designed to rip sheets, cut 2x lumber at any angle, and run all day on a 6.0Ah or 9.0Ah FlexVolt battery. They are the only DeWalt cordless option that cuts 2x material at a 45-degree bevel in a single pass.
20V Max 6-1/2″ Saws (DCS565, ATOMIC DCS512): These are compact saws built for the 20V Max battery system. The smaller blade reduces weight and overall length, making them easier to carry up ladders, use one-handed on trim, or pack in a remodel bag. The trade-off is reduced depth of cut and less power under heavy load.
| Model | Platform / Battery | Blade Size | No-Load Speed | Cut Depth @ 90° | Cut Depth @ 45° | Bevel Capacity | Bare-Tool Weight |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| DCS573 | FlexVolt 60V Max (also runs 20V Max batteries at reduced power) | 7-1/4″ | 5,500 RPM | 2-9/16″ (65mm) | 1-11/16″ (43mm) at 45° | 57° | 7.8 lbs (3.5 kg) |
| DCS570 | FlexVolt 60V Max | 7-1/4″ | 5,800 RPM | 2-9/16″ (65mm) | 1-11/16″ (43mm) at 45° | 57° | 8.0 lbs (3.6 kg) |
| DCS565 | 20V Max | 6-1/2″ | 4,950 RPM | 2-1/8″ (54mm) | 1-5/8″ (41mm) at 45° | 50° | 6.9 lbs (3.1 kg) |
| ATOMIC DCS512 | 20V Max | 6-1/2″ | 4,800 RPM | 2-1/8″ (54mm) | 1-5/8″ (41mm) at 45° | 50° | 6.0 lbs (2.7 kg) |
Weights are bare-tool without battery. Add 1.4 lbs for a 20V Max 5.0Ah pack, or 2.1 lbs for a FlexVolt 9.0Ah pack. That difference is significant when you are carrying the saw all day on a remodel.
How to Choose by Cut Capacity and Jobsite Work
For framing and remodeling, spec sheets only matter if they let you make the cuts you need without flipping or finishing with a handsaw.
When You Need a Full-Size 7-1/4″ Dewalt Cordless Skill Saw
Choose the FlexVolt DCS570 or DCS573 if you regularly do any of these:
- Framing walls with SPF or treated 2×10 and 2×12 joists – you need 2-9/16″ depth to crosscut at 90° without leaving a skin
- Bevel cuts for rafters, stair stringers, or compound miters where a 6-1/2″ saw’s 1-5/8″ depth at 45° will not clear a 2×4 (which is actually 1-1/2″ thick, but the diagonal thickness at 45° is 2-1/8″)
- Ripping 3/4″ plywood and OSB all day – the larger blade and higher torque keeps the saw from bogging on long rips
- Cutting engineered lumber (LVL, PSL) where sustained power matters more than portability
The DCS573 is the newer revision of the DCS570 with improved ergonomics and an electronic brake. Performance is nearly identical; buy whichever is available as a bare tool in your market range. Both typically run in the $279 to $349 bare-tool range, with kits including a FlexVolt battery and charger higher.
When a Compact 6-1/2″ 20V Saw Makes More Sense
The DCS565 and ATOMIC DCS512 are not underpowered toys, but they are purpose-built for mobile work:
- Remodel demo where you are cutting out subfloor, trimming door jambs, or notching existing framing overhead
- Punch-list, soffit, fascia, and siding work where you are on a ladder and every pound matters
- Finish carpentry where you are breaking down sheet goods on sawhorses and 2-1/8″ depth is plenty for 3/4″ material
- Crews already invested in 20V Max 4.0Ah or 5.0Ah packs who don’t want to add FlexVolt batteries and a separate charger
The ATOMIC DCS512 is about 0.9 lbs lighter and an inch shorter than the DCS565, which makes it the easiest to maneuver with one hand. The DCS565 offers a slightly more robust baseplate and dust port. Either typically falls in the $159 to $229 bare-tool range.
Decision Matrix: Match Your Situation to the Right Saw
Use this matrix instead of chasing the most powerful spec:
| Your Situation | Best Pick | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Building new framing, decks, or additions 3+ days per week. You own or will buy FlexVolt batteries. | DCS573 / DCS570 7-1/4″ | Full depth, true bevel capacity, maintains speed under load |
| Remodeling kitchens/baths, patching floors, working in occupied homes where you move room to room | DCS565 6-1/2″ | Lighter, excellent for 2×4 and plywood, runs on common 20V packs |
| Service work, electrical/plumbing cut-ins, or overhead work on ladders | ATOMIC DCS512 6-1/2″ | Lightest bare weight, most compact, easiest to control overhead |
| Tight budget, already have 20V Max batteries, occasional 2×10 cuts | DCS565 or DCS512 + borrow or flip-cut method | Saves cost of new battery platform; accept two-pass bevel cuts on thick stock |
| You need one saw to do everything and can only buy one battery system | DCS573 with 9.0Ah FlexVolt | FlexVolt battery also powers your 20V Max tools, future-proofs the kit |
Runtime Worked Example: How Many Cuts Per Charge?
Runtime is not listed as minutes, but you can estimate cuts per amp-hour to plan battery needs for mobile work. DeWalt does not publish exact cut counts because wood species and blade sharpness change results, but this calculation shows the principle using typical jobsite figures:
Assume a 20V Max 5.0Ah battery (100 watt-hours) on a DCS565 cutting 3/4″ OSB with a sharp 24T thin-kerf blade. A 6-1/2″ saw draws roughly 900-1100 watts under ripping load.
- Usable energy: 100 Wh x 0.80 efficiency = 80 Wh
- Average cut: 8-foot rip in OSB takes about 12 seconds at load
- Energy per cut: 1,000W x (12/3600) hours = 3.33 Wh
- Estimated cuts: 80 / 3.33 = ~24 full 8-foot rips per 5.0Ah pack
Switch to a FlexVolt 60V Max 6.0Ah battery (120 Wh) on a DCS573 under the same cut: 120 Wh x 0.80 = 96 Wh usable. At 1,400W load for the larger blade, a cut takes about 10 seconds: 1,400W x (10/3600) = 3.89 Wh per cut. 96 / 3.89 = ~24-25 rips, but with less slowdown in dense material.
The takeaway: a 5.0Ah 20V pack and a 6.0Ah FlexVolt pack yield a similar number of sheet-good cuts, but the FlexVolt setup maintains speed on 2x framing where the 20V saw will labor. For a full day of framing, plan on two 9.0Ah FlexVolt packs or three 5.0Ah 20V packs per saw.
Durability and Ownership Realities
Cordless skill saws fail from the same issues regardless of voltage, and most are avoidable.
What wears first: The blade, the baseplate, and the lower guard. Thin-kerf carbide blades dull quickly if they hit nails, staples, or concrete. A dull blade forces the motor to work harder, drains batteries 30-40% faster, and causes burning on rips. Keep at least two blades: a 24T framing blade and a 40T+ plywood/trim blade. The aluminum baseplate bends if the saw is dropped, which then ruins square cuts. Check for square with a speed square after any drop.
Brushless motor maintenance: All four of these models are brushless, so there are no brushes to replace. The main enemy is dust. Blow out the motor housing and battery contacts with low-pressure air at the end of each week, not with a high-pressure compressor against the vents. Keep the lower guard pivot clean and lightly dry-lube it; sawdust packed with wet pressure-treated lumber residue will make the guard stick open.
Common mistakes that shorten life:
- Using a 20V 2.0Ah compact battery on the DCS565/DCS512 for framing – it overheats the pack and triggers thermal shutdown. Use 4.0Ah or larger packs with 21700 cells for continuous cutting.
- Running a FlexVolt saw on a standard 20V Max battery when you need full power – it will spin but will stall easily and can trip the battery’s overload protection.
- Over-tightening the blade bolt with a large wrench – hand-tight plus a quarter turn with the included wrench is enough; over-torque warps the blade flange.
- Storing batteries on the charger in a hot trailer – heat degrades lithium cells faster than cycles. Store packs at 40-60% charge if not used for weeks.
Consumables to budget: Expect to replace blades every 1-3 months of steady framing use, sooner if you cut reclaimed lumber. Guard return springs and rubber base bumpers are inexpensive but worth keeping as spares if the saw lives on scaffolding.
Final Picks for Framing vs. Remodeling
For a dedicated framing dewalt cordless skill saw that can replace a corded 7-1/4″ saw without compromise, get the FlexVolt DCS573. If you are building a lightweight remodeling kit where the saw is carried more than it is buried in lumber, the ATOMIC DCS512 gives you 90% of the capability at 25% less weight and cost. The DCS565 sits in the middle as the best all-around 20V Max option if you want a sturdier shoe than the ATOMIC without moving to FlexVolt.
Whichever you choose, match the battery to the workload – large-capacity packs for production, compact packs only for trim – and your cordless saw will keep up with mobile jobsite demands without dragging a cord.
FAQ
Can I use my 20V Max batteries in a FlexVolt 60V saw?
Yes, but with a major caveat. FlexVolt 60V saws will run on a 20V Max battery at reduced power. You can make light cuts in plywood or 2x4s, but the saw will bog and stall on deep or beveled cuts. For full performance, use a FlexVolt battery.
Can FlexVolt batteries power my 20V Max tools?
Yes. FlexVolt batteries automatically step down to 20V when attached to 20V Max tools, so one battery system can run both. That is why many remodelers standardize on FlexVolt even if they only own one 60V saw.
Is a 6-1/2″ blade enough for framing?
For walls framed with 2×4 and 2×6 and for sheet goods, yes. It will not crosscut a 2×10 in one pass at 90° (which needs ~2-9/16″ depth) and it will not bevel-cut a 2×4 at 45° in one pass. If you regularly cut 2x10s, 2x12s, or LVLs, stay with 7-1/4″.
