Circular Saw vs Jigsaw: Which Saw Is Right for You?

Circular saws and Jigsaws are two very common woodworking power saws. Both saws are beginner friendly and afforable, however, they come with their benefits and limitations. In this article, I will go over the pros and cons of the circular saw and jigsaw. Afterwards, I will go over the differences between the two saws and the ideal user for the circular saw and the jigsaw.

In short, Jigsaws should be purchased over circular saws if you need a saw to cut irregular shapes and curvature. Circular saws should be purchased over jigsaws if you only need to cut straight lines and you want a saw with more power

Directory

1. The circular saw
2. The jigsaw
3. Differences between the circular saw and jigsaw
4. Ideal circular saw user
5. Ideal jigsaw user

The circular saw

Circular saws are woodworking saws that are very portable and ideal for creating straight ripcuts and crosscuts

Circular saw Pros

Versatility

Due to the circular saws portability, powerfulness, and ability to cut through various materials, it makes the circular saw very versatile. The handheld saw can be taken to jobsite locations easily and be used to cut materials like wood, steel, and plastic.

Portability

Circular saws are handheld saws that are very portable. The average circular saw ranges from 4 and 11 pounds in weight and 8 to 14 inches in height.

Affordability

For the power and versatility that you get, the circular saw is very affordable. Circular saws range from $50 – $200 with the more expensive saws generally being more powerful and having more features. Now I said generally, because the price of the saw is not a direct correlation to the quality, power, and ease of use. To learn more about circular saws and which saw is the best value for your buck, then you should check out my article “Circular Saw Purchase Guide”.

Ideal for straight cuts

The circular saw blade is designed to create straight rip-cuts, cross-cuts, and beveled cuts.

Ability to cut through various materials

Circular saws can cut through various materials. This feature is highly dependent on the blade and the power of the motor. Circular saws with stronger motors can cut through harder material, like concrete. To cut through harder materials, you will need a stronger motor, no matter which circular saw blade you use. Moreover, the circular saw blade will specify which type of material that you can cut with the saw. Some saws are wood or steel specific, and other blades are more versatile with the ability to cut through wood, steel, and plastic.

Powerful

Circular saws are a very powerful woodworking power saw. You can efficiently and effectively cut through various materials.

Beginner friendly

Even though circular saws has safety precautions, it is still a beginner friendly saw.

Circular saw cons

Not efficient with repeated cuts

Circular saws are not ideal for creating repetitive cuts of the same dimensions. The ideal saw to create repetive cuts is the table saw. A slightly less effienent way to do it with a circular saw is the use a circular saw ripcut jig. To learn about circular saw jigs, check out my article “Circular saw jigs”.

Not ideal for curved cuts

Circular saws can only cut very broad curves. This is because the blade is not designed to cut curvature at all.

Cut thickness limitation

Most 7 1/4 inch circular saws can only cut wood up to 2.5 or 3 inches, depending on the make and model. Circular saws cannot cut 4×4 dimensional lumber.

The jigsaw

Just like circular saws, jig saws are also a very portable powersaw. However, jigsaws are better at cutting curves and irregular shapes

Pros

Portability

Jigsaws are very portable with the average saw weighing between 2 and 7 pounds. Cordless jigsaws are the most portable with the ability to use the saw at virtually any jobsite location.

Versatility

Jigsaws can be used on various projects and to cut various materials.

Affordableness

Jigsaws are an affordable woodworking powersaw and ranges from $50 to $150.

Cutting Curves

Depending on the jigsaw blade, jigsaws can be used to perform straight and curves cuts. Thinner, more flexible blades are ideal for cutting curvature and irregular shapes.

Cutting various materials

Depending on the jigsaw blade, the jigsaw can cut various materials like wood, metal, and plastic.

Beginner friendly

Jigsaws are very easy to use and handle, thus making them beginner friendly.

Cons

Cutting straight difficulty

Jigsaws can be more difficult to cut straight with, in comparison to the circular saw. Additionally, jigsaws may not create as clean of a cut

Lack of power

Jigsaws are generally not as powerful as circular saws. This makes it difficult to cut thicker and tougher materials and it less efficient in cutting materials.

Cut thickness limitation

Just like the circular saw, the average jigsaw has a cutting thickness capacity of 2 – 2.5″. So 4×4″ wood is not ideal in being cut with a jigsaw.

Lack of repeated cut efficiency

Just like the circular saw, a jigsaw is not efficient in creating repeated cuts of the same dimensions.

Differences between the circular saw and jigsaw

In short, Jigsaws should be purchased over circular saws if you need a saw to cut irregular shapes and curvature. Circular saws should be purchased over jigsaws if you only need to cut straight lines and you want a saw with more power

	Circular saw	Jigsaw
Cutting Straight	★★★★✰ Circular saws are very good at creating straight cuts, but it is difficult to cut perfectly straight without the help of jigs	★★✰✰✰ Jigsaws are a little more difficult to cut straight with
Efficiency	★★★★✰ Circular saws have more power and can cut material quicker	★★★✰✰ Jigsaws are still effiecient, just not as efficient as the circular saw
Cutting thick lumber	★★★★✰ The circular saw can cut wood up to 2 or 2.5″ thick	★★★✰✰ The jigsaw can cut wood up to 2″ thick
Cutting long lumber	★★★★★ Since the circular saw is handheld, it can cut lumber of any size	★★★★★ Since the jigsaw is handheld, it can cut lumber of any size
Cleaness of cuts	★★★★✰ Circular saws create cleaner and smoother cuts than the jigsaw	★★★✰✰ Jigsaw cuts tend to be more rough than circular saw cuts

Ideal circular saw user

1. Creating straight only cuts
   • The ideal circular saw user will need to cut only straight lines. This is because circular saws are not designed to cut curves and they can only cut very broad curves
2. Creating furniture
   • Most furniture will be created by cutting straight lines. For examples, beds, tables, and bookcases all have straight edges and 90 degree angles.
3. Needs to work at a remote jobsite
   • Since the circular saw is very protable, it is ideal for users who need to work at remote jobsites
4. Needs a powerful tool
   • Circular saws are very powerful and can cut material quickly.

Ideal jigsaw user

1. Needs to cut medium to broad curves
   • Jigsaws are ideal for cutting medium to broad curves. Jigsaws are however not ideal for cutting very tight curves.
2. Cutting irregular shapes
   • Jigsaws can also cut irregular shapes and perform cutouts, unlike the circular saw
3. Needs to work at a remote jobsite
   • Since the circular saw is very protable, it is ideal for users who need to work at remote jobsites

Conclusion

In this article, we learned about the diffeneces between the jigsaw and circular saw. We learned that you should purchase a jigsaw if you intend on cutting any form of curvature or irregular shapes and you should purchase a circualr saw if you will only cut straight lines and if you want a very powerful tool.

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