If you only tackle DIY jobs a few times a year, you probably don’t want to spend a fortune on power tools. The good news is there are some excellent cheap saws in 2026 that still cut cleanly, feel solid in the hand and come from trusted brands.
This guide focuses on saws that keep costs down while still being pleasant and safe to use, rather than the very cheapest options that feel like false economy. We’ve narrowed the list to a handful of budget-friendly circular and reciprocating saws that stand out for value.
Each recommendation has its own strengths. Some are all about the lowest possible price, while others cost a touch more but reward you with better performance or versatility. The aim is to help you spend as little as you reasonably can, without ending up with a tool you regret buying.
These recommendations are based on careful analysis of specifications, real-world owner ratings and the feature sets that matter most for DIY jobs, not just the lowest price tags. We focus on saws from established brands that have a track record for safe, dependable tools.
When we look at cheaper saws, we pay particular attention to build quality, ease of handling and how owners rate performance over time. A budget saw still needs to feel safe in use and powerful enough for typical household tasks, otherwise it’s money wasted.
Our goal is to highlight models that stretch your budget as far as possible while remaining sensible, durable purchases. Where a saw comes with clear compromises, we point them out so you can decide whether saving the extra cash is really worth it for the way you work.
We started by looking at some of the lowest-priced saws available from brands with a solid reputation, then filtered out models with weak feedback or obvious design flaws. That left us with a small group of tools that deliver decent power, usability and safety for their price.
From there, we compared the type of saw, typical use cases and owner ratings to make sure there’s something for a range of DIY needs. Circular saws are better for straight sheet cutting, while reciprocating saws are great for rough cuts, pruning and general demolition work, so both styles are represented.
We also considered how much extra value you get by stepping up a price bracket within the budget range. In some cases, spending a few pounds more can dramatically improve comfort, cutting speed or versatility. Where that’s true, we highlight it clearly, so you can decide whether to stick with the absolute cheapest or opt for a slightly better-equipped tool that may last you longer.
Below you’ll find our top cheap saw picks, ordered by how confidently we can recommend them for most people on a budget. The first option prioritises a low price while still coming from a respected brand, while later picks add features, stronger reviews or extra versatility for a little more money.
All of these are firmly in the budget end of the market, but each offers enough performance and quality to be genuinely useful around the home, rather than just a one-job wonder.
A no-nonsense Stanley Fatmax circular saw that keeps the price low while still offering a trusted name for occasional DIY and straight cuts in timber or sheet materials.
For around £90, this Stanley Fatmax circular saw is one of the most affordable ways to get a branded power saw for straight cutting tasks. Stanley Fatmax tools are generally known for solid, workmanlike build, which is reassuring if you’re wary of very cheap no-name saws. Being a circular saw, it’s well suited to trimming doors, cutting boards to size and tackling basic woodworking projects. The compact design should make it easier to handle than a big trade saw, which is helpful if you’re not using this kind of tool every day.
There are no published customer ratings yet, so you’re taking more of a leap of faith compared with better-reviewed options. As a lower-priced circular saw, it’s likely to lack the refinements, extra power and premium feel of more expensive models, so heavy or frequent cutting may push it to its limits. If you already know you’ll be using a saw regularly, stepping up to a slightly higher-priced, well-reviewed model could be the safer bet.
This Stanley Fatmax circular saw is ideal if you want the reassurance of a recognised name at the lowest possible price. It suits homeowners who tackle occasional straight cuts in wood, flooring or sheet materials and don’t need advanced features. If your main priority is keeping spend down while avoiding the very bottom end of the market, it’s a sensible starting point.
A well-reviewed Bosch corded circular saw that balances price, power and precision, making it a strong choice if you want reliable straight cuts without overspending.
With a 5 out of 5 rating from owners, the Bosch PKS 55 has an excellent track record for a budget-friendly saw. At around £99, it only costs slightly more than the very cheapest options but comes from a brand many DIYers trust for smooth, accurate cutting. As a corded handsaw, you get consistent power without worrying about batteries, which is ideal if you mainly work near mains sockets. The design is geared towards straight cuts in timber and sheet materials, making it a strong choice for flooring, shelving and general carpentry.
Being a corded tool, you’re tied to a mains socket and extension lead, which isn’t ideal if you often work outdoors or in awkward spots. As a budget-oriented circular saw, it probably won’t match the raw power or cutting depth of pro-grade models, so it’s best suited to standard DIY thicknesses rather than heavy structural timbers. Also, while the rating is excellent, the number of reviews is still modest, so there’s less long-term feedback than on some established classics.
The Bosch PKS 55 is a great fit for DIYers who value clean, straight cuts and brand-backed reliability more than shaving every last pound off the price. It’s especially well suited if you mainly work in a garage or workshop with easy access to mains power. Choose this if you want a dependable all-round circular saw for regular home projects without stepping up to professional prices.
The same Bosch PKS 55 electric handsaw in an alternative listing, giving you another route to a proven budget circular saw at a similar price.
This listing of the Bosch PKS 55 electric handsaw effectively gives you the same well-regarded saw as product 2, with the same strong 5 out of 5 rating from owners. You’re still getting that Bosch balance of reasonable price, reliable performance and straightforward controls that suit occasional DIYers. Having an alternative listing can sometimes help you find better availability or a sharper deal at the time you’re buying. All the benefits of a solid corded circular saw—consistent power, clean straight cuts and simple setup—apply here too.
Because this is essentially the same saw as product 2, there’s no real difference in features or performance, so you’re not getting extra choice in terms of capabilities. The modest number of reviews means there’s limited long-term reliability data, even if the rating itself is very strong. As with the other corded circular options, you’ll still need access to mains power and a suitable extension lead for most jobs.
This alternative PKS 55 listing is a smart choice if you’re set on Bosch’s budget circular saw and simply want to compare stock levels or offers. It suits buyers who like to shop around but still want the same straightforward, corded circular saw experience. If you see a better deal on this entry than the other PKS 55, it’s effectively a like-for-like swap.
A Bosch reciprocating saw that offers plenty of cutting versatility for DIY demolition and pruning jobs, without straying far from the budget end of the market.
The Bosch PSA 700 E brings reciprocating-saw versatility into the budget realm, giving you a tool that can cut wood, metal and plastic with the right blade. Owners rate it very highly, at around 4.8 out of 5 from several reviews, which is encouraging if you want something that feels robust without a premium price. At about £109, it’s still relatively affordable for a big-brand reciprocating saw, especially considering how useful they are for renovation, pruning and general demolition work. Being corded means you get steady power for longer cutting sessions without worrying about draining a battery.
At around £109 it’s a little more expensive than the very cheapest reciprocating saws, so if budget is extremely tight you may be tempted by lower-cost alternatives. Reciprocating saws are inherently rough-cut tools, so you won’t get the clean, straight finish of a circular saw on sheet materials. Being corded also limits where you can work comfortably, especially for outdoor pruning or jobs far from a socket.
The PSA 700 E is ideal if you need a versatile rough-cut tool for renovation work, cutting back garden branches or trimming pipes and battens. It’s well suited to homeowners doing occasional refurb jobs who want more reach and flexibility than a circular saw can offer. Pick this if you value versatility and demolition power over fine, accurate cuts.
A cordless Stanley Fatmax reciprocating saw that costs more than basic corded models but rewards you with flexibility, strong reviews and battery-powered convenience.
The Stanley Fatmax V20 reciprocating saw stands out for its excellent owner feedback, with around 4.8 out of 5 from a large number of reviews, which is impressive for a budget-conscious cordless tool. At roughly £130, it costs more than the corded models here, but you gain the freedom to work anywhere without trailing leads, perfect for pruning in the garden or jobs away from sockets. The V20 platform is designed to share batteries across other Stanley Fatmax tools, which can make this very good value if you already own, or plan to own, more from the range. Strong reviews suggest it feels powerful, comfortable and dependable in real DIY use.
The higher upfront cost of around £130, plus the need for a compatible battery and charger if you don’t already have them, means this is a bigger investment than our corded picks. Cordless tools inevitably have limited run-time, so long cutting sessions may require pauses to recharge or a spare battery. It’s also overkill if you only need to make a few occasional cuts near mains power and don’t plan to build a cordless tool collection.
The Stanley Fatmax V20 reciprocating saw is best for anyone who wants cordless freedom and plans to use a saw regularly around the house and garden. It’s particularly appealing if you’re already invested in, or planning to build, a Stanley V20 cordless tool collection, as you can share batteries. Choose this if you’re happy to spend a bit more upfront for convenience, strong owner feedback and the flexibility to cut almost anywhere.
