Metabo HPT C3670DB 36V Rear Handle Circular Saw Review: Power and Quiet, With Trade-Offs

Introduction

Metabo HPT has been rolling out a lot of new MultiVolt tools lately, and the C3670DB 36V rear handle circular saw is one of the more interesting arrivals. It packs a 10-1/4-inch blade, serious cutting capacity, and a lifetime tool warranty, all at a price that undercuts many premium corded-class competitors. But it also comes with real compromises worth understanding before you buy.

This review walks through what the saw does well, where it falls short, and who it actually makes sense for.

First Impressions: A Very Big Rear Handle Saw

The first thing you notice is sheer size. This is a massive top handle saw, and it can feel even bigger than comparable 36V rear handle saws from other brands. Measured end to end with the shoe, it stretches to roughly 12 inches, with the battery extending things even further. Width with the shoe comes in just under 10 inches thanks to an oversized motor housing, and height with the blade is about 12 inches as well.

The design leaves a lot of empty space at the back of the tool. Placing the battery on the side rather than behind the handle would likely have made the whole package noticeably more compact, and that is one of the more curious design decisions here.

Weight is part of the same story. Metabo HPT lists the saw at 9.7 pounds bare, and on the scale with a battery it came in at 10 pounds 7.4 ounces. For reference, a much smaller 18V brushless 6-1/2-inch saw weighs around 7 pounds 8 ounces. This is a tool you will want to pair with the larger MultiVolt batteries and accept that it is built like a heavyweight.

Things to Consider Before Buying

A few practical details are worth checking before committing, because they affect daily use more than the spec sheet suggests.

Bevel stops are minimal. There is only one bevel stop, at 45 degrees. On a saw this size, the bevel mechanism is also on the tight side and not the easiest to adjust.

The depth scale is hard to read. The cut depth markings are very small, barely engraved, and then painted over with the same dark finish. Even in good lighting, reading the scale takes effort; a white paint pen in the engravings helps. The mode indicator has the same problem, positioned on a small component that is genuinely difficult to see.

The rafter hook gets in the way. Unlike some competitor designs where the hook sits over the handle and clears the grip, this one can end up in front of the handle or awkwardly off to the side. If you make cuts where your hand wraps around the body, you can find yourself bumping into it, and there is no great position for it.

None of these are deal-breakers on their own, but together they add friction to a saw that is already bulky.

Silent Mode: The Quietest Saw in Its Class

Here is where the C3670DB genuinely stands apart. Flip on the silent mode button and the saw runs at a slightly lower RPM, dropping it into a noticeably quieter sound class. The difference is easy to hear, roughly 10 to 20 percent quieter than a comparable brushless saw, and it is one of the quietest saws of this type available.

Two caveats: you can feel the lack of power when silent mode is active, and the button itself clicks with a surprisingly loud mechanical switch sound. The mode concept is also not well labeled on the tool itself, so expect to read the manual the first time. Think of it like a low-speed versus high-speed mode on an impact driver.

Another quirk: the soft start is slow to reach full speed, and the electric brake is also slow to stop the blade after the trigger is released. Both are noticeably slower than what Makita tools typically deliver, and if you use those tools regularly, the difference is obvious.

Power and Cutting Performance

On paper, this saw has plenty of it. In practice, cutting feels restrained. Whether in the low-speed or high-speed mode, there is a sense that something is holding the tool back. It delivers a lot of cuts per charge, but it is not the fastest saw through wood.

Compared against a Makita 18V brushless 6-1/2-inch saw, a much smaller tool with a much smaller blade, the Makita still cut significantly faster through lumber. The Metabo HPT simply takes its own sweet time. That patience is arguably part of the brand’s philosophy: rather than pushing motors to their limits like some competitors, Metabo HPT aims for reliability and longevity. The tools are known for dependable, durable operation and a fantastic warranty, and this saw fits that mold. It is a comfortable tool to use despite the heft, and the weight is what the saw needs to move through big material.

One easy upgrade: swap in a Diablo blade as soon as you can. The included blade is fine, but a quality aftermarket blade makes any saw cut noticeably better.

Buying Advice

At under $200, this saw is a strong value on paper, though it sits at the expensive end of what that money usually buys in this category. The lifetime tool warranty is a genuine differentiator and adds real long-term confidence.

Choose this saw if quiet operation, big cut capacity, and long-term warranty backing matter more to you than raw cutting speed. Skip it if you want the fastest cuts available or a compact, maneuverable framing saw; this is not class-leading in either.

Conclusion

The Metabo HPT C3670DB is a quietly excellent tool with a quietly disappointing side. It is one of the quietest rear handle saws you can buy, backed by a lifetime warranty and a reputation for reliability. Against that, it is heavy, bulky, slow on the brake, fussy in its depth scale, and not the fastest cutter through wood. If you can catch it on sale and its strengths match your priorities, it is a solid buy; otherwise, it is not the first choice for a rear handle saw.