Intro
A circular saw is the workhorse of any timber project — the tool that turns rough-sawn boards and sheet materials into accurately dimensioned pieces ready for assembly. Whether you are cutting floorboards to length, ripping plywood sheets for cabinet carcasses, or trimming decking boards on site, a good circular saw makes fast, straight cuts that a jigsaw or handsaw cannot match for speed or precision. The cordless versions have come a long way in recent years: modern brushless motors and high-capacity battery platforms now deliver enough power and runtime to handle most cutting tasks without the cable. For DIYers, carpenters, and builders who already own batteries from a major brand, a compatible saw that accepts those existing batteries can be a smart way to expand the toolkit without paying for a new charger and battery ecosystem. The best cordless circular saws balance blade size and cutting depth, a sturdy base plate for accurate bevel cuts, and safety features like a dual-switch start that prevents accidental activation.
Generalities
Cotchen is a lesser-known brand producing power tools designed to be compatible with established battery platforms — in this case, DEWALT's 20-volt lithium-ion system. Their cordless circular saw accepts DEWALT 20V slide-type batteries, making it an interesting option for DEWALT users who want a budget-friendly second saw or a first saw without the premium brand price tag. When evaluating a compatible third-party circular saw, the key questions are whether the build quality and motor performance match the genuine article, how accurate the depth and bevel adjustments are, and whether the safety features are properly implemented.
This review examines the Cotchen cordless circular saw across real-world cutting performance in softwood, hardwood, and sheet materials, the accuracy of the 0 to 45-degree bevel adjustment, build quality and ergonomics, battery compatibility with DEWALT 20V packs, and whether it represents good value compared to a genuine DEWALT saw or other budget alternatives.
Description
The Cotchen cordless circular saw is powered by a brushless motor rated at 1,200 watts, spinning a 180 mm (7.1-inch) blade at up to 3,800 RPM. This gives it a cutting depth of 57 mm at 90 degrees and 41 mm at a 45-degree bevel — enough to cut through standard construction timber (typically 45 to 50 mm thick), floorboards, plywood sheets, and most common building materials in a single pass. The saw comes with two 40-tooth blades with a 20 mm bore, which are general-purpose blades suitable for cross-cutting and light ripping in softwood, plywood, and MDF. The brushless motor design runs more efficiently than brushed alternatives, extracting more cuts per battery charge and running cooler under sustained load.
The design takes clear inspiration from DEWALT's circular saw aesthetics — the yellow-and-black colour scheme is immediately familiar — and the saw is intended to look and feel like part of the DEWALT ecosystem. The body is built from durable plastic with a rubberised handle for grip, and it weighs 3.2 kg without a battery — comparable to similar cordless circular saws in this class. The base plate is metal and features depth and bevel adjustment levers, with the bevel ranging from 0 to 45 degrees. A spindle lock button makes blade changes straightforward: press it while using the included hex key to loosen the arbor nut. A guide rail slot on the base plate allows the saw to run along a guide track for perfectly straight cuts in sheet materials.
Safety is addressed with a dual-switch start system: both the main power switch and a protective trigger must be engaged simultaneously to start the blade — a design that prevents accidental activation if the saw is picked up or knocked. The retractable blade guard covers the blade when not cutting and retracts smoothly as the saw is pushed into the workpiece. In use, the saw's 3,800 RPM speed provides clean cuts in softwood and plywood, though the cutting performance will depend heavily on the amp-hour rating and condition of the DEWALT battery used — higher-capacity 4.0 or 5.0 Ah packs will deliver noticeably better sustained power and runtime than compact 1.5 or 2.0 Ah packs.
The saw is sold as a bare tool — no battery or charger included — which is standard practice for compatible tools targeting users who already own batteries. Compatibility is specifically with DEWALT 20-volt lithium-ion slide-type batteries, the same packs used by DEWALT's extensive 20V MAX range. If you already own DEWALT cordless tools, you can share batteries between them and this saw — a significant cost saving versus buying into another brand's battery platform. The package includes the saw, two 40T blades (180 mm diameter, 20 mm bore), a hex key for blade changes, and a user manual (French language not guaranteed, suggesting the product is sourced from international distribution).
The Cotchen saw measures 32 × 18 × 24 cm, weighs 3.2 kg, and holds a 3.8 out of 5 stars rating from 23 customer reviews — a modest but honest score that suggests reasonable performance with some compromises typical of budget tools. It ranks #445 in the Circular Saws category. As a relatively unknown brand, Cotchen does not offer the same warranty, spare parts, or service network as DEWALT, Makita, or Bosch — this is a consideration for anyone relying on the saw for professional or frequent use. At around €77, it is priced significantly below a genuine DEWALT bare-tool circular saw, which can cost two to three times as much. For the DIYer who already owns DEWALT batteries and wants a circular saw for occasional projects, the value proposition is clear — provided expectations are calibrated to the price.
Pros and cons
Pros
- DEWALT 20V battery compatible — ideal for existing DEWALT users who can share batteries across tools without investing in a new platform.
- Two 180 mm 40T blades included — you have a spare ready to go, and the general-purpose tooth count handles both cross-cutting and light ripping.
- Brushless motor for efficiency — longer runtime per battery charge and cooler operation compared to brushed motors at this price point.
- 57 mm cutting depth at 90 degrees — handles standard construction timber, floorboards, and sheet materials in a single pass.
- Bevel capacity from 0 to 45 degrees with adjustable depth — capable of mitre cuts for skirting, framing, and angled joinery.
- Affordable entry price — costs a fraction of a genuine DEWALT circular saw, making it accessible for occasional DIY use.
Cons
- Unknown brand with limited track record — only 23 reviews and no established service network, making long-term reliability and spare parts availability uncertain.
- Battery and charger not included — while expected for a bare tool, first-time buyers without DEWALT batteries face significant additional cost.
- 3.8-star average rating suggests mixed user experiences — some reviewers may have encountered quality control issues or performance limitations.
- No included guide rail — the base plate has a guide rail slot but the rail itself is sold separately, meaning perfectly straight long cuts require an additional purchase.
- User manual may not include French or other languages — instructions could be in English or Chinese only, which may be a barrier for some users.
Use cases
The Cotchen cordless circular saw is a budget-friendly bare tool for DEWALT 20V battery owners who need a capable circular saw for occasional timber cutting, sheet material sizing, and general DIY construction — offering brushless performance at a fraction of the DEWALT brand price.
Sheet Material Sizing
Cutting plywood, MDF, OSB, and chipboard sheets down to size for shelving, cabinet carcasses, and flooring underlayment is the circular saw's core job. The 180 mm blade cuts through standard 18 mm and 22 mm sheet materials easily at full depth, and the guide rail slot means you can achieve factory-straight cuts with an optional track. The cordless design lets you cut sheets in the garage, garden, or on site without running extension leads.
Decking and Garden Timber Projects
Building a deck, pergola, raised beds, or fencing involves cutting dozens of structural timbers to length. The 57 mm depth capacity covers standard 47 mm (2×4 equivalent) construction timber in one pass. The DEWALT battery compatibility means your existing drill or impact driver batteries power the saw — one less charger to carry to the garden.
Flooring Installation
Laying laminate, engineered wood, or solid wood flooring means trimming boards to length at the end of each row. A cordless circular saw is faster than a jigsaw for these repetitive straight cuts, and the bevel adjustment handles the angled cuts needed where flooring meets a sloping threshold or stair nosing. The included 40T blade produces a clean enough edge that end cuts can be hidden under skirting or trim.
Framing and Stud Work
Building stud walls, partition frames, and roof structures involves cutting large quantities of timber to consistent lengths. The circular saw's speed advantages over a handsaw become dramatic at scale — a day of framing with a circular saw versus a handsaw is the difference between finishing and barely starting. The brushless motor handles repetitive cutting without overheating, and DEWALT 5.0 Ah batteries provide meaningful runtime.
DIY Home Renovation and Odd Jobs
From trimming a door to height after laying new carpet to cutting access panels in floorboards or notching shelving to fit around pipes, a circular saw earns its keep across dozens of renovation tasks. The Cotchen's low entry price makes it a justifiable purchase even for homeowners who only tackle one or two projects a year — particularly if they already own DEWALT batteries from a drill or impact driver kit.