Flex 24V Rear Handle Circular Saw Review: A Top-Tier Worm Drive Contender

Introduction

Rear handle circular saws have become the format of choice for framers and serious DIYers who want worm-drive-style power in a cordless package. Flex entered this conversation with its 24V Rear Handle Circular Saw, and after bringing it in and testing it against the best models we had on hand, it earned a place at the very top of the field. This review covers what it is like to use, where it excels, and the compromises you should weigh before buying.

Who This Product Is For

This saw is aimed at carpenters, framers, and renovation contractors who need a cordless rear handle saw that can hold its own all day on site. It also suits serious DIY users building a 24V Flex platform who want one saw that handles cross cuts, miters, bevels, and compound cuts without complaint. If you prioritize the absolute lowest weight above all else, however, there are lighter options to consider.

Build Quality and Design

Flex used magnesium for the cover, the guard, and the shoe, which reduces weight without sacrificing strength. That said, this is not a lightweight saw overall. It comes in at 10.1 pounds as a bare tool, and the 10 amp hour Stack Lithium battery included in the kit brings it up to 13.6 pounds. That is not a concern in practical terms, since comparable models from Milwaukee and DeWalt sit in the same range, but it is heavier than some competitors that saw lighter, such as Makita and Metabo HPT.

Around the body, the details are thoughtful. The main handle is ergonomically well shaped and comfortable, with aggressive over-mold texturing that helps channel sweat and maintain grip when your hands are sweaty or a little greasy. The battery compartment is large enough to fit any of Flex’s 24V batteries, including the included 10 amp hour pack, and it has room for the 12 amp hour battery as well. Flex recommends the Stack Lithium line to get the most performance out of the saw. There is also onboard storage for the hex wrench and a good, stout rafter hook for hanging the saw between cuts.

Bevel and Depth Adjustment

The depth adjustment works exactly as you would expect, with etched markings that show where you are as you set the cutting depth. The bevel side is where Flex does things a bit differently. You still get a typical locking clamp, but the actual bevel settings are made by pushing in and twisting through detents at 22.5 degrees, 45 degrees, and up to 56 degrees at the maximum.

The bevel mechanism is plastic, and there was initial concern it might feel chintzy, but in use it locks in really solidly with very little play, so it does not present a likely failure point. One small critique: the bevel angle markings are etched into the metal, and some white or black paint on them would improve visibility in low light.

Dust Port and Cut Line Visibility

The dust port does not run all the way across the body like some other saws, and it also does not eject toward the blade side as most do. Instead, it pivots with a stop so it can only travel so far. The intent is clear: you can aim dust away from yourself depending on wind direction, or connect a shop vac for dust collection.

In outdoor cutting, the simplest approach was to point the port down so debris comes away from the saw and away from your face, and the other positions make more sense when you are collecting dust with a vacuum.

Cutting Performance

Here is what you are probably most interested in. The brushless motor drives the blade at 6,200 rpm, faster than what we have seen from Makita, Milwaukee, and DeWalt. Speed alone is not enough, though; you need muscle behind it to keep that speed under load, and Flex delivers. We made a wide range of cuts, including cross cuts, miter cuts, bevel cuts, and compound cuts, but the saw was really pushed in stacked OSB. In that torture test, we could push it harder than any of the other saws we were testing against.

The stock blade also deserves mention. The usual advice is to toss the included blade and upgrade to a premium one, but the Flex stock blade did a genuinely good job as is. Feel free to use it up before buying replacements.

Things to Consider Before Buying

The main trade-off is weight. At 10.1 pounds bare and 13.6 pounds with the 10 amp hour Stack Lithium battery, this is not the lightest rear handle saw available, even though the magnesium construction keeps it in line with rival pro-class models. If you carry the saw up ladders all day, that difference matters more than it does for sawhorses-and-plywood work.

Second, this saw only makes sense within the Flex 24V system. If you are already invested in another battery platform, the cost of switching should factor into your decision. Finally, the etched bevel markings without paint fill are a small ergonomic nit worth knowing about.

Buying Advice

On pricing, the bare tool runs $249, while the kit with the 10 amp hour Stack Lithium battery is $399. The saw comes with a five-year warranty, and if you register it by December 31, 2022, you get the Flex Founder’s lifetime warranty instead, which is a strong incentive to register early.

For anyone already on the Flex 24V platform, this saw is an easy recommendation. For buyers starting fresh, the performance ceiling and warranty terms justify building a system around it if rear handle saw work is central to your trade.

Conclusion

After testing, there is no question this saw belongs in the top tier; in fact, it is the top performing rear handle circular saw we have tested. It is a little heavier than some alternatives, but thoughtful features and class-leading cutting power round out what we consider the best cordless rear handle circular saw currently available.