DeWalt DCS386 Reciprocating Saw vs Makita 40V XGT GRJ01 Reciprocating Saw
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Quick take: The Makita 40V XGT GRJ01 Reciprocating Saw costs $30 less bare; the DeWalt DCS386 Reciprocating Saw is lighter (7.7 vs 9.9 lbs); they live on different battery platforms (DeWalt 20V Max vs Makita 40V XGT), so the deciding factor is usually which batteries you already own.
| Spec | DeWalt DCS386 Reciprocating Saw | Makita 40V XGT GRJ01 Reciprocating Saw |
|---|---|---|
| Price (bare tool) | $279 | $249 |
| Kit Price | $399 | $429 |
| Rating | 4.7★ (992) | 4.3★ (12) |
| Category | Reciprocating Saw | Reciprocating Saw |
| Battery Platform | DeWalt 20V Max | Makita 40V XGT |
| Voltage | 20V | 40V |
| Motor | Brushless | Brushless |
| Weight | 7.7 lbs (bare) | 9.9 lbs (bare) |
| Released | 2021 | 2021 |
| Stroke Length | 1-1/8 in | 1-1/4 in |
| Strokes/min | 0-3,000 SPM | 0-2,300 / 0-3,000 SPM (2-speed) |
| Blade Change | Keyless lever | Tool-free |
Pros & cons
DeWalt DCS386 Reciprocating Saw
- ✓FlexVolt Advantage is real — with a 9Ah FlexVolt pack it cuts with the big 60V saws while staying a 20V tool.
- ✓The lever-action keyless clamp allows flush cutting and blade flips for upside-down work.
- ✓Tool Connect chip bay makes it fleet-trackable, a genuine differentiator for commercial crews.
- ✓Backward compatible with every 20V Max battery, so it slots into any existing yellow kit.
- ✓Owners praise the trigger's low-speed control for careful cuts around pipes and wires.
- ✓The 4-position blade clamp accepts blades in multiple orientations for flush and plunge cuts.
- ✗At 7.7 lbs bare it is the heaviest 18V-class recip saw here — nearly a pound over the Milwaukee 2821.
- ✗The ~$279 bare street price is also the highest in class, and you need a pricey FlexVolt battery to unlock the headline power.
- ✗1-1/8 in stroke is shorter than the 1-1/4 in Milwaukee, Makita, and Ryobi offer, so fewer teeth engage per stroke.
- ✗Without a FlexVolt pack the performance is merely mid-pack, which frustrates owners who bought on the headline spec.
- ✗No orbital action for faster wood demolition.
- ✗No rafter hook — a baffling omission owners fix with aftermarket clips.
Makita 40V XGT GRJ01 Reciprocating Saw
- ✓The XGT battery keeps power flat deep into the charge — owners report it doesn't fade under load the way 18V saws do.
- ✓Noticeably smoother than the Milwaukee 2821 in continuous cuts; the anti-vibration design earns consistent praise.
- ✓Two mechanical speed ranges give real control for metal versus wood instead of trigger feathering alone.
- ✓The electric brake stops the blade almost instantly, a safety touch rivals skip.
- ✓145 cuts per 4.0Ah charge is class-leading efficiency for a full-size recip saw.
- ✓Tool-free blade change works smoothly with gloves on.
- ✗At 9.9 lbs bare it is by far the heaviest saw in this comparison — overhead work wears you out fast.
- ✗XGT batteries are expensive, and this saw plus a 4.0Ah pack costs more than a Milwaukee kit with two batteries.
- ✗The XGT ecosystem is still much smaller than M18 or 20V Max, so this is a poor first tool on the platform.
- ✗No orbital action despite the demolition positioning.
- ✗Thin Home Depot stocking means most buyers order online and wait.
- ✗No LXT battery compatibility — longtime Makita 18V owners must buy into a second battery system.