Sidewinder, or inline, saws are the most common, traditional saws. The motor is located along the same axis as the blade. A shaft runs directly from the motor to drive the blade. Sidewinder saws are more compact and lightweight than worm-drive saws and are well-suited to most circular saw applications.

Worm-drive saws have their motors positioned at a right angle to the saw blade. The motor uses gears to increase the torque transferred to the blade, which makes the saw well-suited for heavy-duty use. Worm-drive saws are longer than sidewinder saws and tend to be quieter.

Corded circular saws don't depend on batteries for power and are better suited for tough cutting jobs like masonry, steel, and continuous woodcutting. These models are available in many sizes, but the most common is 7 1/4 in. A corded circular saw requires a suitable extension cord.

Cordless circular saws are convenient when working in areas where extension cords are difficult to use. And, since they are smaller than most corded saws, they work well in confined spaces. Cordless saws are best suited to cutting wood and wood products, due to the limitations of their batteries. They typically range in size from 5 3/8 to 6 1/2 in.

These are harder than steel blades and stay sharper longer.

Carbide tips are attached to the teeth. They are more expensive than other blades, but stay sharp much longer than steel or high-speed steel blades.

These are specially designed for cutting ceramic tile. Better tile-cutting blades have diamond-tipped blades.

This style is made of abrasive material for cutting concrete, brick, cinder block, and other masonry materials.