Updated Ridgid Brushless Circular Saw Leaves Octane In The Dust
Ridgid has been a reliable option for Professionals needing quality tools that are hard on the job and easy on the wallet. I ran the most recent Ridgid 18V Brushless 7 1/4-inch circular saw (R8657) on our test track to see how well it stacked up against other professional brands. I also wanted to know how it compared to the older Octane model and if the changes produced better results.
Pros
- Faster cutting speed and better power
- Fairly lightweight for a full-size saw
- Improved guard action on compound bevel and miter cuts
- Vacuum-ready
- Excellent blade sightline
Cons
- Less cushion on the overmold grip
- Plastic blade guard seems flimsy
Author’s Note: Be sure to check out our Best Cordless Circular Saw article to see our top picks!
Ridgid R8657 Circular Saw Performance Testing
After successfully completing a series of cross, miter, bevel, and compound cuts, I ran the saw through the Pro Tool Reviews test track. This includes a power-to-weight speed test through double-stacked 3/4-inch OSB sub-floor. The Ridgid R8657 blazed through the sheets in 22.06 seconds, placing 8th out of about 15 saws.
I then dropped the blade all the way down and ran the saw through a full-depth cut in 4 sheets of stacked OSB subfloor. Unfortunately, Ridgid only made it 5.5 inches before the overload protection kicked in and stopped the blade. Of our tested saws, only 6 Pro models could pass this test. This is a challenging cut for any circular saw, especially a sidewinder, but since it was cutting with so much more confidence than the Octane model, I wanted to give it a shot. It’s still a strong saw, but you’ll need to slow it up on tougher materials.
Crosscuts, Bevel, and Compound Miter Cuts
I next ran the saw through a series of miter and bevel angles to test tracking, ergonomics, and the guard. The Ridgid saw cut remarkably well overall, and shoe friction was barely noticeable. The crosscut sightline was slightly obscured by the blade guard, but on bevel cuts, it was wide open. The front cutouts on the shoe show a very clear line and led to some very accurate cuts. I didn’t notice any hangups on crosscuts or bevel cuts from the blade guard. Positive detents in both the bevel and depth adjustment make it really easy to adjust.
The blade guard hung up two out of the four times I made a compound miter cut and actually stopped the saw in its tracks. I was able to power through the cut regardless, but this could prove problematic if you try to cut too quickly.
Ridgid performed very consistently overall and exhibited no real drift while cutting.
Hands-on Testing Results
| 8.0Ah Max Output | |
|---|---|
| Weight (w/batt) | 11.03 lbs (7th place) |
| Sightlines | 4.7/5 (3rd place tie) |
| Blade Guard | 4.3/5 (2nd place tie) |
| Rip 2 Sheets OSB | 20.06 sec (8th place) |
| Full Depth Blade Cut | 5.5 inches (13th place) |
Weight and Additional Features
On our scale, the tool without the battery weighs 8.75 pounds—about 0.7 pounds less than the Octane model that preceded it. With the 8.0Ah Max Output battery we used for testing, the total weight is 11.03 pounds.
Perhaps most importantly, we discovered several things. Ridgid’s updated brushless circular saw isn’t reaching the same power levels as the Milwaukee M18 Fuel 2732 and others in that performance tier. On the other hand, the power level is much better than Octane’s and is more than capable of meeting the performance expectations of professional work. For those of you making the switch from corded models, this has the power to replace your 15-amp circular saw.
The adjustability of the bevel and blade depth functions very easily. I found I could switch back and forth effortlessly from one task to the next.
Ridgid 18V Brushless 7 1/4-Inch Circular Saw Additional Highlights
- Improved cutting speed over the previous Octane R8654 despite having lower RPMs (5400 RPM vs 5600 RPM)
- Cutting depth of 2 9/16 inches allows you to complete cross cuts in 3x
- Electric brake stops rotation in a matter of seconds
- Positive detent stops at common cut depths and bevel positions with a max bevel of 56°
- Heavy-duty aluminum shoe easily glides across the cutting surface
- LED light works in tandem with the integrated dust blower to keep your line clean and visible
- Removable vacuum hose attachment accepts 1-1/4 inch and 1-3/4 inch hoses
- Compatible with all Ridgid 18V batteries and gets the best performance from Max Output packs
- Rubber overmold grips are very comfortable, though we prefer Octane’s more aggressive overmold texturing
Ridgid 18V Brushless 7 1/4-Inch Circular Saw vs Octane
We grabbed the Octane R8654 to see how it compares to the updated Ridgid R8657 in real-world testing. As a quick history lesson, Octane was Ridgid’s first “smart” tool line. It combined advanced brushless motors with upgraded batteries, giving tools access to higher total watts than the previous brushless lines. Unfortunately, they were also bulky in both size and weight.
These two saws are not too different side by side, aside from some light aesthetic touches. It was easy to tell the difference when I started making cuts. The improved Ridgid 18V Brushless 7 1/4-Inch Circular Saw made pass after pass in 2×10 lumber with noticeably more confidence than Octane. I did manage to stall the motor, but that was only when pushing the saw faster than I would typically cut.
| Ridgid R8657 | Ridgid Octane R8654 | |
|---|---|---|
| Blade Diameter | 7-1/4 in. | 7-1/4 in. |
| Cutting Depth at 0° | 2-9/16 in. | 2-11/16 in. |
| No-load Speed | 5,400 RPM | 5,600 RPM |
| Bare Weight | 8.8 lbs. | 9.5 lbs. |
| Max Bevel | 56° | 56° |
CMT Zero Gravity – Our Preferred Testing Blade
CMT supplied us with enough of its Italian-made Zero Gravity saw blades to test every major manufacturer’s circular saws. We’ve been impressed with how well the blade stands up to our aggressive testing schedule. You’ll note the low-mass plate design and unique tooth geometry. Together, these reduce heat buildup while handling nail impacts. CMT claims its framing blades perform up to 5X more cuts on nail-embedded wood than competitors in its class. Large gullets also store chips while you work and eject them as the blade rotation stops, leading to reduced cutting effort and better tracking.
Ridgid 18V Brushless 7 1/4-inch Circular Saw Price
This Ridgid 18V brushless 7 1/4-inch circular saw retails for $169 as a bare tool and $249 as a kit with a 4.0Ah Max Output battery and charger. Rigid backs this saw with a 3-year limited warranty as well as their lifetime service agreement when you register.
Oddly enough, Home Depot is still selling Octane saws for $149 as a bare tool. For professional use, we think the difference in performance is worth spending a tiny bit more.
The Bottom Line
After putting the Ridgid R8657 up against its Octane predecessor and our test track, it’s clear the changes go far beyond looks. Despite having lower RPMs, the updated model powered through tough cuts much easier than the Octane version. Compared to other Pro saws, it falls in the middle of the pack but saves a lot of money compared to premium names.
Ridgid 18V Brushless 7-1/4-Inch Circular Saw Specifications
- Model: Ridgid R8657
- Power Source: Ridgid 18V battery (Max Output recommended)
- No-Load Speed: 5,400 RPM
- Blade position: right
- Max cut depth: 2 5/8 in.
- Max cut depth at 45°: 1 7/8 in.
- Motor type: brushless
- Max bevel: 56°
- Dimensions (L x W x H): 13in. x 8in. x 11in.
- Weight: 8.81 lbs (bare), 10.5 lbs (with Max Output 6.0Ah battery)
- Warranty: 3-year limited
