DeWalt Flexvolt 60V MAX 7 1/4″ Circular Saw (DCS578)

The DeWalt Flexvolt 60V MAX DCS578 7-1/4″ circular saw, DeWalt’s second-generation offering, is a cordless powerhouse built for smooth, heavy-duty cutting. We tested it against the Milwaukee M18 FUEL 2732-20 and the corded Makita 5007MGA 7-1/4″ circular saws. Here’s what we found.

Key Features of the DeWalt DCS578

Powered by DeWalt’s 60V Flexvolt battery (compatible with 20V tools), the DCS578 delivers 2,456 UWO and a no-load speed of 5,800 RPM. This translates to smooth, powerful cuts through 2x lumber and stacked OSB. Its 2-9/16″ max cutting depth at 90° and 2″ at 45° handles thick materials, while a 57° bevel capacity (with 22.5° and 45° stops) offers convenience for angled cuts.

With a 6.0 Ah battery and blade onboard the DCS578 weighed in at 10.6 lbs. Its features include an electric brake for quick blade stops, an LED light for enhanced visibility, and a durable magnesium shoe for smooth, reliable performance.

Performance

In our tests at ToolRev, the DCS578 ripped through 2x lumber and stacked plywood without bogging down and powered through 45° cross-cuts. In our testing at ToolRev (see video below) the DeWalt matched or beat the Milwaukee and Makita saws in every test.

One surprise was the 18V Milwuakee wasn’t that much slower than the 60V DeWalt. In fact they ran pretty close in multiple rip tests.

The biggest revelation was the 60V DeWalt beat the 18V Milwaukee in a runtime test using their respective 6 amp hr batteries.

For perspective, a 6 Ah FlexVolt battery is 6 amp hours on a 20V tool but only 2 amp hrs on a 60V tool. A 6 Ah Milwaukee battery is 6 amp hrs on an 18V tool.

And, because the 18V Milwaukee and 60V Dewalt circular saws ran closely in the speed tests, I figured the Milwaukee with its 6 amp hr battery would cut longer than the DeWalt with its 2 amp hr battery.

Instead, the DeWalt cut 104′ of 2x lumber vs the Milwaukee’s 98′. Not only that, but the Milwaukee timed itself out 3 times, while the DeWalt ran straight through with no overheating issues.

Bottom Line

The DeWalt Flexvolt DCS578 is a top-tier cordless circular saw for professionals needing power and depth. If you’re after a saw that competes with corded models and integrates with DeWalt’s battery platform, the DCS578 delivers.

Lets us know your thoughts in the comments and check out our video review to see these saws in action.

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