What's the best concrete saw for a contractor?

The Stihl TS 500i and Husqvarna K 770 are the industry standards for handheld gas-powered concrete saws. For battery power, the Husqvarna K 1 PACE leads the market.

Should I buy a gas or electric concrete saw?

Gas saws offer more power and portability. Electric/battery saws produce zero emissions and less noise — ideal for indoor work and noise-restricted job sites. Choose based on where you'll use it most.

How deep can a handheld concrete saw cut?

A 14-inch handheld saw cuts approximately 5 inches deep. For deeper cuts, you need a walk-behind flat saw with a larger blade.

Concrete Saws: The Complete Buying Guide

Concrete saws come in many forms — from hand-held gas saws to walk-behind flat saws to specialty wall saws and wire saws. This concrete saw buying guide covers every major type, explains the power source options, and helps you match the right saw to your application.

The saw you choose determines the blade size, depth of cut, and whether you’re cutting wet or dry. Understanding the equipment is just as important as choosing the right diamond blade.

Hand-Held Cut-Off Saws

Hand-held cut-off saws (also called concrete saws or quick-cut saws) are the most widely used concrete cutting tools. They’re portable, powerful, and handle concrete, asphalt, masonry, pipe, and metal with the right blade.

Gas-Powered

Gas saws are the industry standard. The Stihl TS 420 and TS 500i are arguably the most popular concrete saws in the world. Husqvarna’s K 770 and K 1270 serve the same market. Gas saws take 12” or 14” blades with 1” or 20mm arbors. Maximum cutting depth with a 14” blade is roughly 4.5” to 5”.

Drawbacks: emissions (can’t use indoors), noise, fuel costs, and regular maintenance. For blade recommendations, see our guides for Stihl and Husqvarna.

Battery-Powered

The fastest-growing category. Husqvarna’s K 1 PACE, Stihl TSA 300, and Milwaukee MX FUEL represent the current state of the art. Zero emissions, less noise, minimal maintenance. Trade-off is limited runtime per charge and higher upfront cost. For many applications — indoor work, noise-restricted sites, shorter cuts — battery saws are now preferred. See Best Diamond Blades for Milwaukee and Best Diamond Blades for DeWalt.

Electric (Corded)

Requires a power cord and 15-20 amp circuit. Less common in the field but excellent for indoor cutting where emissions are a concern and battery runtime isn’t sufficient.

Hydraulic and Pneumatic

Specialty tools for professional concrete cutting contractors. Powered by external hydraulic power packs or compressed air. Used for underwater cutting, hazardous environments (no sparks), and situations requiring very high power.

Walk-Behind Saws (Flat Saws)

Walk-behind flat saws roll along the surface while the blade cuts downward. Used for cutting joints, utility trenches, removing damaged sections, and road repair. They take much larger blades — typically 14” to 36” — allowing full-depth slab cuts.

Available in gas, diesel, electric, and hydraulic. Almost all walk-behinds run wet. Key brands include Husqvarna, Multiquip, Wacker Neuson, and Diamond Products. Standard arbor is 1”.

Table Saws and Masonry Saws

Stationary saws for repetitive, precise cuts on pavers, bricks, blocks, and stone. Typically 14” or 20” blades with 1” arbors, run wet. The iQ Power Tools iQMS362 has become popular for dry-cutting with integrated dust collection.

Ring Saws

Ring-shaped blades cut from both sides simultaneously, allowing nearly full-diameter depth — roughly twice the depth of a conventional blade. The Husqvarna K 6500 Ring is the dominant model. Excellent for plunge cuts and door/window openings.

Wall Saws

Track-mounted saws for precise cuts in vertical, horizontal, or overhead surfaces. Blades from 24” to 72”. Specialty contractor equipment — not general contractor gear.

Wire Saws

Diamond-embedded cable loops that cut through anything regardless of size. Used for demolition of massive structures, underwater cutting, and applications where no other method works. Exclusively a specialty contractor service.

Concrete Saw Buying Guide: Gas vs. Electric vs. Battery

Choose gas when you need maximum power, all-day runtime, and are working outdoors.

Choose battery when you need zero emissions — indoor cutting, noise-sensitive sites. Ideal for shorter tasks.

Choose electric when you have reliable power, need zero emissions, and need longer runtime than batteries provide.

Choose hydraulic for the most demanding professional applications — underwater, explosive atmospheres, or maximum power from a portable tool.

Matching Blade Size to Saw

Never use a larger blade than the saw is designed for. For blade specifications by saw type, see our Diamond Blade Buying Guide. For brand-specific blade recommendations: Stihl, Husqvarna, DeWalt, Milwaukee, Makita.

For safety requirements including PPE and dust control, see our Silica Dust Safety Guide and Concrete Saw Safety Checklist.

Recommended Blades for Your New Saw

Blade	Best For	Link
VA 14-inch Ultra Value	Best all-around for cured concrete, block, and general masonry	Check price on Amazon
VA 14-inch BD Asphalt/Green Concrete	Hard bond for asphalt, green concrete, and soft materials	Check price on Amazon
VA 14-inch Premium Sparkie	Premium blade for high-volume production cutting	Check price on Amazon
VA 9-inch Ultra Value	For 9-inch angle grinders and cordless cut-off saws	Check price on Amazon

Browse the full Virginia Abrasives lineup on Amazon →