Makita 40V XGT GRJ01 Reciprocating Saw vs Milwaukee M18 Fuel Sawzall 2821
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Quick take: The Milwaukee M18 Fuel Sawzall 2821 costs $50 less bare; the Milwaukee M18 Fuel Sawzall 2821 is lighter (6.8 vs 9.9 lbs); they live on different battery platforms (Makita 40V XGT vs Milwaukee M18), so the deciding factor is usually which batteries you already own.
| Spec | Makita 40V XGT GRJ01 Reciprocating Saw | Milwaukee M18 Fuel Sawzall 2821 |
|---|---|---|
| Price (bare tool) | $249 | $199 |
| Kit Price | $429 | $299 |
| Rating | 4.3★ (12) | 4.8★ (1,884) |
| Category | Reciprocating Saw | Reciprocating Saw |
| Battery Platform | Makita 40V XGT | Milwaukee M18 |
| Voltage | 40V | 18V |
| Motor | Brushless | Brushless |
| Weight | 9.9 lbs (bare) | 6.8 lbs (bare) |
| Released | 2021 | 2020 |
| Stroke Length | 1-1/4 in | 1-1/4 in |
| Strokes/min | 0-2,300 / 0-3,000 SPM (2-speed) | 0-3,000 SPM |
| Blade Change | Tool-free | Tool-free |
Pros & cons
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.
Milwaukee M18 Fuel Sawzall 2821
- ✓Cuts at genuinely corded speed — the 'fastest in class' marketing holds up in side-by-side owner tests against DeWalt and Makita.
- ✓Nearly a pound lighter than the Gen 1 while gaining speed, which overhead demo users notice immediately.
- ✓The anti-corrosion tool-free blade clamp survives wet cast-iron and drain work that rusts other clamps shut.
- ✓Adjustable shoe extends blade life by letting you use fresh teeth sections.
- ✓Sawzall blades and parts are available literally everywhere, and a spare M18 battery is always around on a red crew.
- ✓Metal-reinforced battery rails fix the cracked-rail failure mode of earlier M18 saws.
- ✓The rafter hook is stout enough to actually trust on a ladder, not the decorative wire loop rivals fit.
- ✗No orbital action — aggressive wood demo is measurably slower than the 2822 Super Sawzall or orbital rivals.
- ✗Vibration control trails the Super Sawzall and Makita's XGT saw; long sessions leave your hands buzzing.
- ✗MSRP is $249 and street price hovers around $199 bare — a premium over comparable spec sheets.
- ✗It eats batteries fast under heavy load; owners recommend nothing smaller than a 5.0Ah High Output pack.
- ✗No variable-speed dial, only trigger control, which some finish-demo users miss.
- ✗Milwaukee sells four different M18 recip saws and the naming (Sawzall, Super Sawzall, Hackzall) confuses first-time buyers.