Milwaukee Vs Makita Circular Saw Review: Who’s A Cut Above?

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Pro Tool Reviews compared Milwaukee’s M18 Fuel 2834 and Makita’s 40V max XGT GSH01 in crosscuts, rip cuts, bevels, miters and compound cuts. Both handled routine cuts well, but Milwaukee was faster in the two timed, heavy OSB rip tests.

Pro Tool Reviews tested Milwaukee’s M18 Fuel 2834 and Makita’s 40V max XGT GSH01 cordless circular saws, finding Milwaukee faster in two timed, heavy-duty rip-cut tests. The comparison found the saws broadly similar on routine crosscuts, miters, bevels and compound cuts, giving buyers a performance-based point of comparison between two premium cordless models.

Both saws have a 7 1/4-inch blade, a brushless motor rated at up to 6,000 RPM, and a maximum 90-degree cutting depth of 2 5/8 inches. Milwaukee’s 2834 has a maximum bevel angle of 57 degrees; Makita’s GSH01 reaches 56 degrees and includes stops at 22.5, 45 and 56 degrees. At 45 degrees, the listed cutting depths differ: 2 1/16 inches for Milwaukee and 1 13/16 inches for Makita.

The clearest separation came in the report’s timed rip tests. In a double-stacked test using 3/4-inch OSB, Milwaukee finished in 9.76 seconds, compared with Makita’s 13.53 seconds. In a separate full-depth test through triple-stacked 3/4-inch OSB, Milwaukee took 17.41 seconds and Makita took 24.74 seconds. Pro Tool Reviews said Makita maintained its speed well under load, while Milwaukee led in raw cutting speed in these tests.

For standard crosscuts and miter cuts, the reviewers described the saws as closely matched, with enough power for common dimensional lumber. Both also handled bevel and compound cuts without reported problems. The report praised the smooth movement of both lower blade guards, while describing Milwaukee’s guard action as slightly smoother during testing. That observation is the reviewers’ assessment, rather than a measured performance figure.

Where Milwaukee Gained Cutting Time

The results matter most to people who regularly make long or demanding rip cuts, where the test showed a repeatable time advantage for Milwaukee across two OSB setups. The times do not establish that Milwaukee will be faster in every material, with every blade, or under every working condition; they report performance in the specific tests described by Pro Tool Reviews.

For everyday crosscuts and angled cuts, the comparison points to a closer contest. Tool choice may then depend on factors beyond the reported cutting times, including the battery platform a buyer already owns, desired features, and the work setting. Milwaukee lists a folding rafter hook, electronic blade brake, LED light and dust blower. Makita lists AWS compatibility when paired with a Bluetooth transmitter, an integrated tether point and its three-position bevel stops. The source does not compare price, battery runtime or ownership costs.

Two 7¼-Inch Cordless Flagships

The report compares the latest generation of Milwaukee’s M18 Fuel 2834 sidewinder saw with Makita’s 40V max XGT GSH01. Both are cordless, right-blade-orientation models with the same listed no-load speed and 90-degree cutting depth. Milwaukee’s listed 57-degree bevel capacity is one degree more than Makita’s, while Makita offers defined bevel stops at three angles.

Pro Tool Reviews says it used a standard set of saw tests, including crosscuts and rip cuts, then added miter, bevel and compound cuts. The report describes using 2x materials and OSB subflooring to limit some testing variables. Its published comparison is a product test, not an announcement from either manufacturer, and the supplied source does not give a publication date.

“Milwaukee pulled ahead in raw cutting speed.”

— Pro Tool Reviews

Limits of the Saw Comparison

The supplied report does not include test dates, prices, battery configurations, battery charge levels, blade specifications beyond size, or repeated-run averages. Those details could affect how readers apply the results to a purchase, and the available material does not establish how either saw performs across different blades, battery states or job-site conditions.

The excerpt also ends partway through the report’s compound-cut discussion. It says both saws completed those cuts without issue and delivered good sightlines, but does not provide the rest of that passage or a complete final scoring breakdown. The timed results are confirmed as figures reported by Pro Tool Reviews, not independently verified measurements in the supplied material.

Compare Fit, Features and Platform

Buyers weighing the two models can use the reported rip-cut times alongside their own work needs and existing battery systems. Before making a decision, they may want to check current pricing, kit contents, battery requirements and the full manufacturer specifications—details not provided in the source excerpt.

No follow-up test or manufacturer response is identified in the supplied material. The comparison’s available conclusion is narrower: Milwaukee recorded faster times in the two reported heavy OSB rip tests, while the reviewers found the saws broadly comparable across several other cut types.

Key Questions

Which saw was faster in the reported rip-cut tests?

Milwaukee’s 2834 was faster in both timed OSB tests reported by Pro Tool Reviews: 9.76 seconds versus 13.53 seconds in the double-stacked test, and 17.41 seconds versus 24.74 seconds in the triple-stacked, full-depth test.

Were the saws evenly matched on ordinary cuts?

The reviewers described Milwaukee and Makita as closely matched on standard crosscuts and miter cuts. Both also completed the reported bevel and compound cuts without issue.

What are the main listed specification differences?

Milwaukee lists a 57-degree maximum bevel and a 2 1/16-inch cutting depth at 45 degrees. Makita lists a 56-degree maximum bevel, a 1 13/16-inch depth at 45 degrees, and stops at 22.5, 45 and 56 degrees.

Does the test prove Milwaukee is the better saw for every buyer?

No. It reports Milwaukee’s faster times in two particular OSB rip-cut tests. The supplied comparison does not cover price, runtime, every material or job-site condition, and it found the saws similar in several other cut types.

Source: rss