DeWalt DCS590 Raises Circular Saw Performance for the 20V Max Line
When it comes to tackling tough cuts on a framing job, having the right tool on hand makes all the difference in the world. Enter the DeWalt 20V Max 7 1/4-Inch Circular Saw. But what makes this saw stand out from the competition? In this review, I’m going to dive into the performance I experienced and how the features affect workflow so you can decide if it’s the best fit for your next project.
Pros
- Impressive cutting power
- Fast electronic braking system
- Generous bevel capacity
- Excellent cut depth
- Comfortable ergonomics
- Kit includes DeWalt’s PowerPack battery
Cons
- The aluminum shoe doesn’t glide across materials as well as other brands
DeWalt 20V Max Circular Saw Performance
- No-Load Speed: 5500 RPM
- Max Cut Depth: 2-9/16 in. (90°), 2 in. (45°)
- Max Bevel: 57°
Speed, Power, and Capacity
The DeWalt DCS590’s brushless motor produces 1,700 UWO (Unit Watts Out) and has a top blade speed of 5,500 RPMs.
This saw has a max cut depth of 2-9/16 inches at 90°, and 2 inches at a 45° bevel. This range lets you tackle a wide range of cuts you’re likely to encounter on the jobsite or during a framing job.
Additionally, it’s able to bevel up to 57°, which is a bit more than most circular saws on the market.
DeWalt tells us that the kitted PowerPack 8.0Ah battery can handle up to 368 cuts per charge in 2x material. That translates to a pretty full day’s work, all on one battery!
Hands-On Testing
During our testing, we conducted a series of common cuts to see how the DCS590 would perform under pressure. Unsurprisingly, 2×4 pine studs put up little resistance and the saw was able to fly through them like a hot knife in butter. Even when we really pushed the saw through the cut, the brushless motor showed an unrelenting spirit and never hesitated.
Stepping up the intensity, we set up for a 45° bevel cut in our 2×10 PT pine board. Once again, this saw powered through the cuts with ease.
We also noticed on these cuts that the blade guard lifted very smoothly and didn’t hang up at all. That’s a common pain point for circular saws, so kudos to the design team for addressing it!
We also set up a 4-foot rip cut in a sheet of 3/4-inch OSB subfloor. The DCD590 was able to cut faster than we could push the saw, even at rates we’d never attempt on a job.
Reflecting on all the cuts we made, the power level pushes very close to what 15-amp corded saws can produce. Given the torque the motor produced, I’d say it’ll give nearly any corded sidewinder a run for its money.
One thing we did notice while testing is that the shoe friction is a bit higher compared to some models that have a coating. This doesn’t impact the saw’s ability to cut, but it doesn’t slide as smoothly across the surface of your material. We’ve noted this before with other DeWalt circular saws, but as of right now, we don’t see any changes coming in the near future.
DeWalt 20V Max Circular Saw Design Notes
- Model: DeWalt DCS590
- Power Source: DeWalt 20V battery
- Weight: 8.3 lbs (bare), 10.5 lbs (with kitted 8.0Ah PowerPack battery)
- Length: 12.3 in.
- Shoe Material: Stamped Aluminum
Ergonomics
The DeWalt DCS590 weighs 8.3 pounds as a bare tool and 10.5 pounds with the kitted 8.0Ah PowerPack battery. It measures 12.3 inches from tip to tail.
Weight isn’t usually a big concern for circular saws, except when you’re carrying it to and from where you’re cutting. Still, the weight is distributed well and makes the saw easy to control during long rip cuts.
The grip is draped in a textured rubber overmold to improve the comfort and grip, but the front pommel grip is only bare plastic. However, there is some texturing on the underside that gives your fingers something to grab onto.
The spacing between these two handles is about as perfect as it gets, so your hands won’t feel crowded while you’re cutting.
Bevel and Cutting Depth Adjustments
You won’t find any major surprises when it comes to the bevel and depth adjustments. Both feature sturdy levers that are easy to manipulate, even while wearing work gloves. There are positive detents at 22.5° and 45°.
The depth gauge features stamped markings, but they can be a bit hard to see when they’re covered in sawdust. I guess that’s par for the course, and you’ll probably want to give it a quick wipe-down between adjustments.
Electric Brake
The electric brake is a wonderful safety feature that’s become a standard on modern cordless circular. saws. However, some still do it better than others. The DCS590’s electric brake brings the blade to a standstill in under a second. In fact, it’s half a second, based on a frame-by-frame analysis of our video footage! This is a massive safety advantage for DeWalt, especially for framers or contractors who are working at height.
Additional Features
- Folding rafter hook
- Tool-Connect ready
DeWalt Brushless Circular Saw Quick Comparison
| Max XR DCS590 | Power Detect DCS574 | FlexVolt Advantage DCS573 | FlexVolt DCS578 | |
| Blade Speed | 5500 RPM | 5500 RPM | 5500 RPM | 5800 RPM |
| Unit Watts Out | 1,700 UWO | 1,300 UWO | Not listed | 2,456 UWO |
| 90° Cut Depth | 2 9/16 in. | 2 9/16 in | 2 9/16 in | 2 9/16 in |
| 45° Cut Depth | 2 in. | 2 in | 2 in | 2 in |
| Bare Weight | 8.3 lbs | 7.9 lbs | 8.2 lbs | 8.2 lbs |
| Bare Price | $249 | $249 | $249 | $269 |
| Kit Price #1 | $349 (1 x 8.0Ah) | $329 (1 x 8.0Ah) | $498 (1 x 6.0Ah) | $369 (1 x 9.0Ah) |
| Kit Price #2 | N/A | N/A | N/A | $499 (2 x 9.0Ah) |
The real question on my mind is this—should you upgrade if you’re already on another DeWalt battery platform? Well, if you’re satisfied with your current 20V Power Detect, FlexVolt Advantage, or 60V FlexVolt saw, then maybe not. These flagship models are nearly identical in terms of capacity and design, though there are some differences in the power output.
The big argument for an upgrade in this situation is the advanced PowerPack battery. In the wake of our testing, it appears that DeWalt may have equipped the DCS590 with an upgraded electronics package. This would allow the saw to draw more power from the PowerPack battery than it could from a standard 20V battery, giving it a compelling performance advantage.
DeWalt 20V Max Circular Saw Price
The DeWalt DCS590 retails for $249 as a bare tool and $349 as a kit. The kit includes a charger, an 8.0Ah XR PowerPack battery, and a storage bag. DeWalt backs this saw with a 3-year limited warranty, 1 year of free service, and a 90-day money-back guarantee.
The Bottom Line
The DeWalt DCS590 is in an interesting position. Stronger than the 20V Max Power Detect model, it’s the highest-performing option for DeWalt fans who don’t want to manage FlexVolt batteries. The 60V Max DCS578 is still the right pick if having the highest possible performance is your top priority, though.
So, if you want to avoid bulkier FlexVolt batteries and use DeWalt’s most advanced 20V Max packs, I have no problem recommending the DCS590 for Pros who need a saw they can trust day in and day out.
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