REASONS TO BUY
Super long-lasting battery
Easy to adjust shoe
Powerful motor
REASONS TO AVOID
No positive stops
Imprecise sightlines
So-so blade removal
Kobalt KCS 6524B-03 Review
Like the Energizer bunny, this efficient, mid-sized model has a battery that just won't quit
Credit: Ian Pearman
By Nick Miley ⋅ Senior Review Editor ⋅ December 19, 2019
Contributions From: Austin Palmer
RELATED: Best Cordless Circular Saws of 2025
Our Verdict
The Kobalt KCS is one of our favorite battery-operated circular saws. It's not because it's the most powerful saw in the class or because it has the best ease-of-use features. It's because it has outstanding battery longevity. Given its 6 1/2" blade diameter, this saw falls outside of the “professional” framing saw category. However, that doesn't mean that it isn't capable of doing some heavy lifting on the job site or in the backyard. If you're looking for a saw that will be ready whenever you reach for it, this is an excellent option at a reasonable price.
Our Analysis and Test Results
What sets the Kobalt KCS apart from other cordless circular saws is the extraordinary battery life that its 4 amp-hour power cell delivers. It's no slouch in the cutting department either. The machine will make long rips and full depth cross cuts with the best of its peers. The saw has a simplistic design, too. Notably, bevel and depth adjustments are smooth and straightforward to operate. Our only complaints are that the saw lacks positive stops and a 22.5˚ mark on the bevel, as well as precise sightlines. However, these shortcomings are minor when compared to the saw's battery life.
Credit: Austin Palmer
Ease of use
Unfortunately, the Kobalt does not fare well in this category. It's not that the saw is particularly difficult to use; quite the contrary. It's just missing a few of the features that promote seamless interactions with the saw.
The features that the Kobalt lacks are few but significant. We like to see positive bevel stops at common cut angles such as 45˚ and 90˚. We also like to see a marker for the important, though less common 22.5˚. The Kobalt lacks all of these details. Additionally, the sightlines are slightly off. On the upside, the saw's adjustments for bevel and depth are clearly marked and are easy to set. Moreover, the sightlines are visible throughout a cut.
Cutting
Cutting is an important part of any saw review. However, the cutting tests that we run are primarily a measure of the power of the motor driving the saw blade. Despite its smaller 6 1/2" blade associated with medium power saws, the Kobalt is a leader in the class. The Kobalt performed more like the leading 7 1/4" saws rather than its 6 1/2" peers.
During cutting tests, we wouldn't say that the cuts were effortless, but they certainly impressed us, as this model isn't billed as a framing saw. However, if one were to use this saw for framing and the like, they wouldn't be missing much except 3/4" of blade and a framing hook.
The Kobalt is wicked fast at making crosscuts.
Credit: Ian Pearman
Battery
This is the evaluation where the Kobalt really shines. Despite its 4 amp-hour battery (some models were tested with 5 amp-hour batteries), this saw just couldn't be stopped. This saw ripped 360 linear feet of 3/4" plywood, or 45 full lengths of 8' sheeting before the battery finally conked out!
Value
The Kobalt is priced slightly above average. However, it performs at a level that outstrips similarly priced products and matches the performance of larger, more expensive saws. As such, we consider this saw to be a fantastic value.
After cutting 360 linear feet of sheeting on a charge, it was clear that the Kobalt can make more rips than the testers cared to execute.
Credit: Nicholas Miley
Conclusion
The Kobalt KCS is a mid-sized saw that has ample cutting power, outstanding battery life, and well-laid-out bevel and depth adjustments. The ease of use functions are mostly satisfactory. However, the lack of positive stops in the bevel and precision in the sightlines are notable oversights. That said, this is one heck of a saw that will satisfy all but the most demanding users.
Side-by-Side Comparison
Compare Kobalt KCS 6524B-03 versus top competing products:
—Nick Miley and Austin Palmer
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