DeWalt ATOMIC 20V MAX Brushless 4-1/2 in. Circular Saw (DCS571B, bare tool)

By DeWalt · Circular Saws · Power Tools

  • 20V MAX brushless motor
  • 4-1/2 in. blade diameter
  • 4500 RPM no-load speed
  • 5.5 lbs weight (bare)
  • Cuts up to 369 linear ft of 3/4 in. OSB

Lowest price seen
$199.00
from $199.00 at Coastal Tool · Checked Oct 9, 2026

Prices are snapshots. Check the current price with the store.

Summary

A compact, one-hand cordless circular saw for tight spaces, punch-list work and sheet goods, sold as a bare tool in the DeWalt 20V MAX system. Check the blade before you buy: its unusual 3/8-inch arbor makes 4-1/2-inch blades harder to find and more expensive than standard sizes.

Strengths

  • At 5.5 lb bare it is light enough to use one-handed and overhead.
  • Cuts 2x material and sheet goods while staying small enough for spots a full-size saw cannot reach.
  • Brushless motor with an electronic blade brake.
  • The built-in dust port works well with a vacuum.
  • Rip fence, blade key storage and a removable auxiliary handle are included.
  • Three grip positions, including two one-hand holds, help when the other hand is holding material.

Weaknesses

  • The 3/8 in. arbor rules out almost every standard circular saw blade and any masonry or diamond blade.
  • Replacement 4-1/2 in. blades are harder to find in stores, cost roughly 2x a full-size blade and last less than half as long, owners report.
  • It bogs down if pushed hard, and its 4500 RPM is 700 RPM slower than DeWalt’s 7-1/4 in. DCS570.
  • The bevel is marked at 15 and 30 degrees with no stops, and the stamped depth and bevel markings are hard to read.
  • The rear battery position can make the saw tilt, and one owner calls the trigger awkward.
  • There is no work light, and the blade guard is plastic.

Verified specifications

ModelDCS571B, bare tool; battery and charger sold separately.
Voltage20V MAX (nominal 18V).
Motorbrushless.
Blade diameter4-1/2 in., on a 3/8 in. arbor.
No-load speed4500 RPM.
Weight5.5 lb bare.
Bevel capacity45 degrees.
Cut depth1-9/16 in. at 90 degrees (2x material) and 1-1/16 in. at 45 degrees (1x material, measured by Pro Tool Reviews).
Runtimeup to 369 linear feet of 3/4 in. OSB on a DCB205 battery.
Blade brakeelectronic. Trigger: 1-1/2 in. finger trigger.
Included blade24-tooth wood-cutting blade.
In the boxsaw, wood-cutting blade, blade change key, dust port adapter, rip fence.
On boardblade key storage, removable auxiliary handle, left-side hang hook, friction-fit dust port.
Materialsplastic blade guard, metal blade cover, stamped-steel shoe.
Warranty3 year limited, 1 year free service, 90 day satisfaction guarantee.
Full research notes and sources

What it is and who it’s for

The DCS571B is the bare-tool version of DeWalt’s ATOMIC 4-1/2 in. cordless circular saw, part of the 20V MAX system, so it runs on any 20V MAX battery and charger you already own. It is built for one-handed work on thinner material: punch-list repairs, cutting sheet goods and OSB, HVAC and restoration work, and jobs where a 6-1/2 in. or 7-1/4 in. saw will not fit. Owners on ToolGuyd value it for exactly those tasks, including cutting inside cabinetry and on ladders.

Cutting performance

Pro Tool Reviews tested the saw cross-cutting 2x pressure-treated pine and found it held RPM and finished cuts well, but it can bog down if you push it hard; letting the blade and motor do the work gives better results. It cuts 2x material at 90 degrees (1-9/16 in. deep) and 1x material at 45 degrees (1-1/16 in., as measured). The bevel is marked at 15 and 30 degrees with no detents, and the stamped depth and bevel markings are tough to see. At 4500 RPM the motor turns 700 RPM slower than DeWalt’s 7-1/4 in. DCS570, and the smaller blade means much lower tip speed.

Blades and running costs

The 3/8 in. arbor is the saw’s defining limitation. Standard circular saw blades use 5/8 in. or diamond-knockout arbors, so almost none fit, and no masonry or diamond blade is made for this size. Owners report that 4-1/2 in. blades are hard to find locally, cost roughly 2x a full-size blade and offer less useful life. The most common complaint in ToolGuyd comments is blade availability; one owner returned the saw after failing to find a masonry blade.

Dust, handling and features

The friction-fit dust port works well with a vacuum, a feature owners call a big plus. The saw includes a rip fence that improves accuracy on smaller cuts, on-board blade key storage, and a removable auxiliary handle. There are three cutting positions: two-hand for longer cuts and two one-hand holds, one normal and one choked up. The blade guard is plastic and the cover is metal, and the hang hook installs on the left side only.

Is it worth it?

Pro Tool Reviews scored the DCS571B 8.6/10 in 2019 and called it a supplement to a full-size saw, not a replacement, recommending the 7-1/4 in. DCS570 at the same $149 bare-tool price if you need a primary saw. Launch pricing was $149 for the bare tool and $269 for the 5.0Ah kit. Buy it for the size and one-hand control, not for power or blade choice; the ongoing blade cost and limited selection are the price of that compactness.

Which model this is

This page covers the DeWalt ATOMIC 20V MAX brushless 4-1/2 in. circular saw, model DCS571B, the bare tool without battery or charger. A kit version, DCS571P1, adds a 5.0Ah battery and charger. The US listing is ASIN B07VYLSYQ6. The saw takes a 24-tooth wood-cutting blade on a 3/8 in. arbor and works with the 20V MAX battery and charger system. Pro Tool Reviews did not include it in its 2026 head-to-head test, which covered twelve 7-1/4 in. models.

Sources

Manufacturer:

Independent reviews:

Owner reports:

Buying guides for this category

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