DCS391 vs DCS565
DeWalt took its sweet time—6-8 years after Makita and Milwaukee dropped their brushless, rafter-hooked 6.5″ 18V saws—but the DCS565, a 20V brushless circular saw, is finally here. So, is it worth upgrading from the brushed DCS391? I’ve tested both head-to-head and used the 565 for 18 months now. Let’s cut to the chase
Power: Brushed Grit vs. Brushless Finesse
In my tests, the DCS391 outmuscled the 565 under load. Ripping 2x4s, the 391’s brushed motor sliced faster. On 45° crosscuts through dense pine, it powered through with less bog-down, while the 565 held steady but lagged a hair. DeWalt specs the 565 at 4,950 RPM (no-load) vs. the 391’s 4,800 RPM, but in real strain, the older XR-rated 391 feels beefier. If you’re framing or cutting thick stock all day, the 391’s got the edge.
Runtime:
The DCS565 flips the script on runtime. Its brushless motor sips power—after 18 months, I’m getting more cuts per charge than the 391.
In our initial review, with fully charged 5 Ah batteries, the brushless DCS565 cut 18 feet more board feet than the brushed DCS391. I ran the test twice, switching batteries between runs to ensure both saws used the same battery—which wasn’t new, so this isn’t a measure of a fresh 5 Ah battery’s max capacity. In both tests, the DCS565 showed better runtime.
DCS565 Features:
- Rafter Hook: A lifesaver for hanging it on joists—no more bench juggling.
- LED Light: Bright enough for dusk cuts, trumping the 391’s weak glow.
- Dust Port: Sucks up most sawdust—huge for indoor jobs. This alone sold me.
Both saws share a 6.5″ blade, 50° bevel max, and similar heft (565 at 6.7 lbs bare, 391 at 7.0 lbs), but the 565’s magnesium shoe feels tougher than the 391’s steel.
Price Tag
The DCS565 runs ~$149 (bare, March 2025), or $249 with a 5.0Ah kit. The DCS391? Cheaper at $129 bare, $229 with battery—sometimes less on sale. That $20-30 gap buys you brushless perks, but the 391’s a steal for power.
Bottom Line: Brushed Power or Modern Edge?
The DCS391 has more grunt and a lower price—but its runtime drags. The DCS565 trades some power for efficiency, a dust port, and we finally get a hook. After 18 months, the 565’s runtime and indoor dust control won me over—I’m keeping it as my main saw. But the 391’s no slouch and a great backup saw.
Verdict: Pick the 565 if you cut often and value runtime and features. Stick with the 391 for budget power. Either way, you’re getting a solid DeWalt workhorse.
Tested these? Tell me below—did the dust port sway you, or is the 391’s muscle still your pick?
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DeWalt 20V 6-1/2″ Circular Saw (DCS391B)
DeWalt 20V 6-1/2″ Circular Saw (DCS565B)
See the tools in action here:
To learn more about the DeWalt shop vac adapters I use check out this article.
Great review! Thank you Alex. Like you I have been using the 391 for a couple of years. But it’s time for the upgrade!
As you say, the dust extraction is a big plus point. I managed to find one at Toolstation (UK store) for £169.00.
They aren’t normally the cheapest retail outlet for Dewalt so I reckon they’ve bought a bulk buy!
DWV9000 also ordered. Thanks to ToolRev.