There is a wide selection of circular saws available in the $120-to-$170 range, and the Worx WT430K sits comfortably on the affordable side of the pack. With its 13-amp motor, this saw offers a mid-range amount of power and a few noteworthy features that make it a good -- if basic -- option.

It's a relatively heavy-duty saw, with a durable, cast-aluminum base and guards that can stand up to the rigors of a job site. The design works fairly well. The combination of the nicely shaped front handle and soft-grip rear handle provides a good amount of control. We'd like to see a trigger guard on this model, though, to ensure that the power switch doesn't accidentally turn on.

The Worx WT430K circular saw comes with a 7-1/4-inch, thin-kerf, 24-tooth carbide-tipped blade that's equivalent to blades on competing models in the same price range. It's designed to cut through up to 2-1/16 inches of wood at 90 degrees and up to 1-13/16 inches at 45 degrees. The cutting angle can be adjusted to make bevel cuts up to 45 degrees. This model has a spindle lock button to make blade changing easier, but you still need to use a blade wrench to remove the blade bolt and outer flange. It uses an easy-to-operate depth-of-cut lever that's a breeze to set and lock.

The saw has a 10-foot cord, which isn't the longest on the market (some other models feature up to a 15-foot cord), but provides a moderate amount of work room. The Worx WT430K circular saw is covered by a 2-year limited warranty.


Pros: Comfortable, good price
Cons: No-frills design, mid-range power