Ridgid
Ridgid R8654B 18V OCTANE Brushless Cordless 7-1/4 in. Circular Saw
$169Cheaper
Released 2019
Best Circular Saws · head-to-head
Ridgid R8654B 18V OCTANE Brushless Cordless 7-1/4 in. Circular Saw vs Skilsaw SPT77WML-01 15-Amp 7-1/4 in. Lightweight Magnesium Worm Drive Circular Saw
A sourced, side-by-side comparison. Ridgid R8654B 18V OCTANE Brushless Cordless 7-1/4 in. Circular Saw is cheaper at $169. Every spec and price links to its source.
Skilsaw
Skilsaw SPT77WML-01 15-Amp 7-1/4 in. Lightweight Magnesium Worm Drive Circular Saw
$219.99
Released 2013
Which is better: the Ridgid R8654B 18V OCTANE Brushless Cordless 7-1/4 in. Circular Saw or Skilsaw SPT77WML-01 15-Amp 7-1/4 in. Lightweight Magnesium Worm Drive Circular Saw?
On the specs we track, they're closely matched. The Ridgid R8654B 18V OCTANE Brushless Cordless 7-1/4 in. Circular Saw is the cheaper at $169.
See Ridgid R8654B 18V OCTANE Brushless Cordless 7-1/4 in. Circular Saw on Amazon See Skilsaw SPT77WML-01 15-Amp 7-1/4 in. Lightweight Magnesium Worm Drive Circular Saw on Amazon
As an Amazon Associate we earn from qualifying purchases. Prices verified at capture; live price may differ.
Full spec sheet
✓ marks the stronger figure where "more" — or "less", for price and weight — is unambiguously better.
| Spec | Ridgid R8654B 18V OCTANE Brushless Cordless 7-1/4 in. Circular Saw | Skilsaw SPT77WML-01 15-Amp 7-1/4 in. Lightweight Magnesium Worm Drive Circular Saw |
|---|---|---|
| US price | $169 | $219.99 |
| Brand | Ridgid | Skilsaw |
| Released | 2019 | 2013 |
| Power source | cordless | corded |
| Blade size (in) | 7-1/4 in | 7-1/4 in |
| Voltage or amps | 18 V | 15 A |
| Max (rpm) | 5600 | 5300 |
| Bevel capacity (°) | 56 deg | 53 deg |
| Brushless | Yes | No |
| Weight (lb) | 9.5 lb | 11.5 lb |
| Release | 2019 | 2013 |
Sources — Ridgid R8654B 18V OCTANE Brushless Cordless 7-1/4 in. Circular Saw: homedepot.com (verified 2026-06-20). Skilsaw SPT77WML-01 15-Amp 7-1/4 in. Lightweight Magnesium Worm Drive Circular Saw: skil.com (verified 2026-06-20).
What's the difference between the Ridgid R8654B 18V OCTANE Brushless Cordless 7-1/4 in. Circular Saw and Skilsaw SPT77WML-01 15-Amp 7-1/4 in. Lightweight Magnesium Worm Drive Circular Saw?
Where the two actually differ on the specs we track (6 of 7). Matching specs are omitted.
- Power source: Ridgid R8654B 18V OCTANE Brushless Cordless 7-1/4 in. Circular Saw cordless vs Skilsaw SPT77WML-01 15-Amp 7-1/4 in. Lightweight Magnesium Worm Drive Circular Saw corded
- Voltage or amps: Ridgid R8654B 18V OCTANE Brushless Cordless 7-1/4 in. Circular Saw 18 V vs Skilsaw SPT77WML-01 15-Amp 7-1/4 in. Lightweight Magnesium Worm Drive Circular Saw 15 A
- Max (rpm): Ridgid R8654B 18V OCTANE Brushless Cordless 7-1/4 in. Circular Saw 5600 vs Skilsaw SPT77WML-01 15-Amp 7-1/4 in. Lightweight Magnesium Worm Drive Circular Saw 5300
- Bevel capacity (°): Ridgid R8654B 18V OCTANE Brushless Cordless 7-1/4 in. Circular Saw 56 deg vs Skilsaw SPT77WML-01 15-Amp 7-1/4 in. Lightweight Magnesium Worm Drive Circular Saw 53 deg
- Brushless: Ridgid R8654B 18V OCTANE Brushless Cordless 7-1/4 in. Circular Saw true vs Skilsaw SPT77WML-01 15-Amp 7-1/4 in. Lightweight Magnesium Worm Drive Circular Saw false
- Weight (lb): Ridgid R8654B 18V OCTANE Brushless Cordless 7-1/4 in. Circular Saw 9.5 lb vs Skilsaw SPT77WML-01 15-Amp 7-1/4 in. Lightweight Magnesium Worm Drive Circular Saw 11.5 lb
What reviewers say
Sourced tester consensus for each — the "what people who used it think" layer, not just specs.
Ridgid R8654B 18V OCTANE Brushless Cordless 7-1/4 in. Circular Saw
Only one whitelisted tester, Pro Tool Reviews, published a hands-on head-to-head review of the exact R8654B; no other whitelisted hands-on reviews were found. Their verdict: a solid brushless upgrade over Ridgid's Gen5X with excellent blade sightlines and shoe glide, but middling raw power (lowest of three power tiers in their test), a guard that hangs on thin cuts, and heavy weight. (1 sourced review, 1 lab-tested.)
Praised: Excellent, unobstructed blade sightline aided by LED; Magnesium shoe coating glides smoothly over material; Comfortable, well-offset handle with Hex Grip overmold; included vac/dust port.
Flagged: Lower guard hangs on thin shave, miter and compound cuts; Shoe notches off ~1/8 in at 0° and 45°, plus slight crosscut tracking wander; One of the heaviest cordless sidewinders (9.5 lb bare, 12.0 lb with 9.0Ah pack).
Skilsaw SPT77WML-01 15-Amp 7-1/4 in. Lightweight Magnesium Worm Drive Circular Saw
Only one whitelisted tester—Pro Tool Reviews—had accessible review prose for this exact model, naming the Skilsaw SPT77WML its best corded worm-drive circular saw for its 77-series 15-amp power and lightweight magnesium build. No other whitelisted source with accessible measurements was available, so no cross-source comparison exists. (1 sourced review.)
Praised: Named Pro Tool Reviews' best corded worm drive circular saw; 77-series 15-amp motor delivers ample wood-cutting power; All-magnesium housing (motor, shoe, gear housing) keeps it lightweight (~11.5 lb without blade) for a worm drive.
Flagged: Premium price positioning ($199, or $219 for twist-lock cord).