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Ridgid R8653B Review

This tricked-out saw has every ease of use feature but it lacks a bit in cutting power
Ridgid R8653B
Credit: amazon.com
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Price:   $139 List
Pros:  Great adjustment and setting features, decent battery life, cutting light
Cons:  Inconsistent cutting performance, slightly underpowered motor, heavy
Manufacturer:   Ridgid
By Nick Miley and Austin Palmer  ⋅  Dec 19, 2019
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72
OVERALL
SCORE

RANKED
#2 of 11
  • Ease of Use - 50% 7
  • Cutting - 30% 7
  • Battery - 20% 8

Our Verdict

The Ridgid R8653B is a suped-up saw. It checks every box in our ease of use evaluation including positive bevel stops, easy blade removal as well as accommodating simple and effective adjustments. Heck, this saw even has an LED cutting light. The only thing that kept this saw from earning an award is its touchy motor which tends to shut off if pushed too hard in a cut. That said, this is a sweet saw with a long-lasting battery and a manageable price.

Compare to Similar Products

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Ridgid R8653B
This Product
Ridgid R8653B
Awards  Editors' Choice Award Editors' Choice Award   
Price $139 List$179 List$130 List
$126.00 at Amazon		$179 List
$169.00 at Amazon		$119 List
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Pros Great adjustment and setting features, decent battery life, cutting lightPowerful motor, long-lasting battery, good shoe designSuper long-lasting battery, easy to adjust shoe, powerful motorPowerful, great blade changing system, positive bevel stopsDecent cutting power, straightforward blade changing, simplistic design
Cons Inconsistent cutting performance, slightly underpowered motor, heavyHeavy, expensive, so-so bevel designNo positive stops, imprecise sightlines, so-so blade removalLimited battery life, heavy, expensiveDifficult to adjust bevel, so-so battery life, unclear setting marks
Bottom Line This fully-loaded saw makes cut adjustments a breeze, but the motor power leaves something to be desiredThis 7 1/4" saw boasts professional level power and accuracy in a cordless formatIf you need to make lots of cuts on a single charge, then the Kobalt is the ticketA professional level 7 1/4" saw with slick adjustments but a little short in the battery departmentThis mediocre mid-sized circular saw is at best uninspiring
Rating Categories Ridgid R8653B Milwaukee M18... Kobalt KCS 6524B-03 DeWalt 20V MAX... Bosch CCS180
Ease Of Use (50%)
7
6
5
6
5
Cutting (30%)
7
10
8
9
7
Battery (20%)
8
8
10
6
6
Specs Ridgid R8653B Milwaukee M18... Kobalt KCS 6524B-03 DeWalt 20V MAX... Bosch CCS180
Blade Side Right Right Right Right Left
Blade Size (inches) 7.25 in 7.25 in 6.5 in 7.25 in 6.5 in
Brushless Motor? Yes Yes Yes Yes No
Blade Brake? Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes
Bevel Positive Stops? Yes No No Yes No
Linear Feet of 3/4" Plywood Cut per Charge 304 ft 298 ft 360 ft 242 ft 228 ft
Measured Weight w/o Battery 8.4 lbs 7.7 lbs 6.6 lbs 8.2 lbs 6.9 lbs
Measured Max Depth of Cut w/ Framing Blade (inches) 2-3/16 in 2-9/32 in 2-3/16 in 2-5/16 in 1-13/16 in
6x12" Cross Cutting Time 6.3 sec 4.2 sec 4 sec 6.4 sec 5.8 sec
Rafter Hook? No Yes No Yes No
Battery Used in Testing (Amp hours) 5 Ah 5 Ah 4 Ah 5 Ah 4 Ah

Our Analysis and Test Results

The Ridgid R8653B sets the bar for stacking the most convenience features into a single saw. These conveniences include positive bevel stops, an LED cutting lamp, and some of the best adjustment levers we've seen. Far from being gimmicky, these features actually go a long way to improve the accuracy of cuts and make the saw more enjoyable to use. Our only critique is that, given that the Ridgid is a 7 1/4" saw, it could benefit from an increase in power to make the most demanding cuts more smoothly.

Performance Comparison


Credit: Austin Palmer

Likes


Ridgid did a lot to solve, or at least to address the complaints that we have in the user interface of other saws. Above all, we like the bevel and depth adjustments on this model. The bevel adjustment is easy to operate as it is lever-actuated, and the lever can be disengaged from the set-screw to slide into any position. This makes tightening/ loosening much easier. The lever can then be moved again to hide it from view. The cutting depth lever uses the same system to the same effect.


We also like the effectiveness of the sightlines on the saw. Two open-end notches — one for the 90˚ blade position and another for 45˚ bevel — at the front of the shoe make guiding the blade into a cut very easy. Finally, the positive stops for the common bevel angles are really nice. Just release the set lever, rotate the bevel until you feel the click and then set the lever. That's it.

This saw has amazing attention to detail, especial in the shoe. The...
This saw has amazing attention to detail, especial in the shoe. The bevel design is among the best we've seen.
Credit: Ian Pearman

Dislikes


The main problem with the Ridgid is that it lacks power, or at least it acts like it's underpowered. When pushed into a deep cut, the saw will often shut itself off. This response is the product of the motor's limiter — an overload prevention device that is common to all the saws we have reviewed.

Despite the 7 1/4" blade suggestive of a powerful motor, it is...
Despite the 7 1/4" blade suggestive of a powerful motor, it is relatively sluggish when cutting.
Credit: Ian Pearman

However, the Ridgid seems a bit more touchy in this regard. Additionally, the saw seems more labored when cutting than other 7 1/4" saws that we've tested. These power issues — as well as the saws hefty weight — kept the Ridgid from claiming any awards.


Value


While this saw has tons of great design features that make working with it straightforward and effective, we feel that the lack of power to drive its 7 1/4" blade makes it a so-so value. For the same price, one can get a cordless circular saw with some real cutting power.

Conclusion


The Ridgid R68553B has numerous ease of use features that make it a good saw for the uninitiated. In particular, the adjustments for depth and bevel are effortless to get right. However, the Ridgid lacks power, and that is a real problem on a 7 1/4" saw. This model should have been equipped with a motor that would drive its big blade through the toughest of cuts. That said, the saw is still quite capable and worth a look if the ease of use features outweigh the somewhat underpowered motor.

— Nick Miley and Austin Palmer