DeWalt FLEXVOLT 60V MAX Brushless 7-1/4 in. Circular Saw with Brake (DCS578B, bare tool)

By DeWalt · Circular Saws · Power Tools

  • 60V MAX
  • 5,800 RPM no-load speed
  • 7-1/4 in. blade
  • 2-9/16 in. max cut depth at 90 degrees
  • 57 degree bevel capacity

Lowest price seen
~$269.00 (approx.)
from $269.00 at Amazon

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

Summary

A pro-grade 60V FLEXVOLT cordless sidewinder circular saw for framers and remodelers, rated at 2,456 unit watts out and a 5,800 RPM no-load speed for corded-level power. It is sold as a bare tool, so budget for a FLEXVOLT battery and charger before you buy.

Strengths

  • Independent testing rated it the most powerful cordless sidewinder it was tested against, at 2,456 UWO.
  • Fastest full-depth cut in Pro Tool Reviews’ four-sheet OSB test, at 7.7 seconds.
  • Accurate tracking with the depth and bevel adjustability that drew the highest marks in its test group.
  • Owners on Home Depot compare it to a corded saw and report long runtime on a 9.0Ah battery.
  • 3-year limited warranty with 1-year free service.

Weaknesses

  • Heavy: 8.2 lbs bare and about 11.5 lbs with a 9.0Ah battery, the most common owner complaint.
  • Higher shoe friction than DeWalt’s rear-handle saw, and the upper guard extends farther than ideal.
  • The guard hangs up slightly in compound 45°/45° bevel cuts.
  • Premium price, and the bare tool needs a FLEXVOLT battery and charger bought separately.
  • Independent test coverage is thin: only Pro Tool Reviews and ToolRev tested this exact model.
  • A standard 20V MAX battery will not run it.

Verified specifications

ModelDCS578B, bare tool; the kit versions are DCS578X1 and DCS578X2.
Voltage60V MAX FLEXVOLT system, nominal 18V/54V; standard 20V MAX batteries cannot power it.
MotorBrushless.
No-load speed5,800 RPM.
Blade7-1/4 in (184 mm), fitted with a 24-tooth carbide-tipped framing blade.
Max cutting depth2-9/16 in (65 mm) at 90°, 2 in at 45°.
Bevel capacity57°, with stops at 22.5° and 45°.
ShoeMagnesium.
Featureselectronic brake, LED work light and rafter hook.
Unit watts out2,456 UWO.
Claimed powerup to 47% more than the older DCS575 when run on a DCB609 9.0Ah battery instead of a DCB606 6.0Ah pack.
Weight8.2 lbs bare, about 11.5 lbs with a 9.0Ah battery.
Dimensions15.35 × 8.23 × 9.65 in.
In the boxthe saw, a 24-tooth carbide blade and a blade wrench; no battery or charger.
Warranty3-year limited, 1-year free service, 90-day satisfaction guarantee.
Full research notes and sources

Power and cutting performance

DeWalt rates the DCS578B at 2,456 unit watts out and a 5,800 RPM no-load speed, and markets it as corded-saw power in a cordless body. Pro Tool Reviews tested it in June 2024 and gave it 9.2/10, calling it the most powerful cordless sidewinder in that comparison; it finished a full-depth cut through four sheets of OSB with a 20-lb pull in 7.7 seconds, the fastest there, while some rivals could not finish the cut. ToolRev’s December 2022 test found it matched or beat the Milwaukee M18 FUEL 2732 and the corded Makita 5007MGA in every test and outran the Milwaukee on runtime, cutting 104 ft of 2x lumber against 98 ft. The 47% power claim is narrower than it sounds: it compares this saw on a DCB609 9.0Ah battery with the older DCS575 on a DCB606 6.0Ah pack.

Weight and handling

Weight is the tradeoff. DeWalt lists 8.2 lbs for the bare tool, and Pro Tool Reviews measured about 11.5 lbs with a 9.0Ah battery, ranking it near the bottom of the group. On Home Depot’s review page weight is the most common complaint, especially for overhead cuts and long days. Handling is otherwise a highlight: Pro Tool Reviews called the handle its favorite among the saws tested and found no tracking drift, but noted more shoe friction than DeWalt’s rear-handle saw and an upper guard that extends farther than ideal, which cost sightline during bevel cuts and hung up slightly in compound cuts.

Running costs and the bare-tool catch

There is no battery, charger or dust port in the box; all three are extras, and a DCB609 9.0Ah FLEXVOLT battery and charger kit adds cost on top of the tool. The saw runs only on FLEXVOLT 20/60V MAX batteries, so a standard 20V MAX pack cannot power it. For upkeep, the manual covers blade changes, depth and bevel adjustment and pocket cutting, and DeWalt publishes an exploded diagram (EA025536) for parts. The instruction manual is clear that the saw is for wood only: do not cut metal, plastic, concrete, masonry or fiber cement.

Is it worth it?

Under $270 the DCS578B is easy to recommend to someone already in the FLEXVOLT system: Pro Tool Reviews put the bare tool at $269 in June 2024, Burns Tools lists $299, Nail Gun Depot $309.95, BigR Online $269.99 and Adam’s Tarp & Tool $398, and Walmart advertised a sale at $197 from $299. Deal hunters have reported finding it near $149. Above about $310 it is hard to justify against 20V alternatives unless you need the peak power or already own the batteries. Remember that the battery and charger are not included.

Which model this is

This is the second-generation FLEXVOLT sidewinder, with the blade on the right of the motor; the worm-drive-style DCS577B is a different saw. The “B” suffix means bare tool, while DCS578X1 ships one 9.0Ah battery and charger and DCS578X2 ships two. It is compatible only with FLEXVOLT 20/60V MAX batteries.

The Amazon listing carries ASIN B086MF32GR. UPC: 885911690799.

Sources

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Independent reviews:

Owner reports:

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