Makita 40V XGT GSH02 Circular Saw vs Milwaukee M18 Fuel 2834 Circular Saw
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Quick take: The Milwaukee M18 Fuel 2834 Circular Saw costs $130 less bare; 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 GSH02 Circular Saw | Milwaukee M18 Fuel 2834 Circular Saw |
|---|---|---|
| Price (bare tool) | $409 | $279 |
| Kit Price | $519 | $449 |
| Rating | — | 4.7★ (930) |
| Category | Circular Saw | Circular Saw |
| Battery Platform | Makita 40V XGT | Milwaukee M18 |
| Voltage | 40V | 18V |
| Motor | Brushless | Brushless |
| Weight | 7.9 lbs (bare) | |
| Released | 2021 | 2024 |
| Blade | 7-1/4 in | 7-1/4 in |
| No-Load Speed | 6,000 RPM | 6,000 RPM |
| Max Cut Depth (90°) | 2-3/8 in | 2-5/8 in |
| Bevel | 56° (stops at 22.5°/45°/56°) | 57° |
Pros & cons
Makita 40V XGT GSH02 Circular Saw
- ✓The guide-rail-compatible base is unique in this class — clean sheet-good cuts without buying a separate track saw.
- ✓6,000 RPM is the highest blade speed here and it shows in cut quality on finish-grade material.
- ✓AWS auto-starts a Makita extractor when the trigger pulls, which dust-conscious remodelers love.
- ✓XGT power delivery stays flat as the battery drains rather than fading like 18V saws.
- ✓Dual LEDs light the cut line from both sides of the blade.
- ✓Triple bevel stops (22.5/45/56) are machined accurately enough to trust without a square.
- ✗At $409 bare it costs more than a DCS578 kit's street deals — XGT's price premium at its bluntest.
- ✗2-3/8 in cut depth is the shallowest of the flagship saws, occasionally short on stacked 2x cuts.
- ✗The guide rails and AWS extractor that justify the saw are each their own significant purchase.
- ✗XGT batteries remain expensive and the US ecosystem thin next to M18 and 20V Max.
- ✗Sparse big-box stocking means try-before-buy is rarely possible.
- ✗No LXT compatibility — Makita 18V loyalists start from zero on batteries.
Milwaukee M18 Fuel 2834 Circular Saw
- ✓Noticeably faster than the outgoing 2732 — Pro Tool Reviews cut three stacked sheets of 3/4 in. OSB in one pass without the motor losing RPM.
- ✓Class-leading 2-5/8 in. depth of cut for a top-handle 18V saw lets owners cut 3x lumber in a single pass.
- ✓At 7.9 lbs bare it is lighter and more compact than the 2732 it replaced, which owners appreciate for overhead and all-day cutting.
- ✓Positive depth detents at 1/2, 3/4, and 1-1/2 in. plus bevel detents at 22.5 and 45 degrees make repeat setups fast on site.
- ✓Owners say it genuinely feels like a 15A corded saw and doesn't bog in wet pressure-treated lumber or LVL with a high-output battery.
- ✓Electric brake stops the blade almost instantly after the trigger is released, which reviewers call out as a real safety win.
- ✓Slimmer main grip and wider front pommel give better two-handed control on bevel and plunge cuts than the previous generation.
- ✓Integrated rafter hook, LED cutline light, and onboard blade-wrench storage cover the jobsite conveniences pros expect.
- ✗Multiple Home Depot reviewers report the shoe/depth lock not staying locked, letting the depth setting slip mid-cut.
- ✗Some owners complain the trigger safety lock rides against the hand in normal operating grip.
- ✗At $279 bare it is priced well above the outgoing 2732 and most 18V/20V competitors.
- ✗Needs a High Output or Forge battery to hit its rated performance — it runs noticeably weaker on compact and standard packs.
- ✗With the 12.0Ah Forge battery the kit setup weighs over 11 lbs, which owners find fatiguing for trim-level work.
- ✗The included 24T thick-kerf framing blade is rough for finish cuts, so most owners budget for a better blade immediately.
- ✗The $449 kit only comes with the big HD12.0 battery — there is no cheaper kit option with a mid-size pack at launch.
- ✗A handful of buyers report it can bog momentarily on light scoring cuts, and 2732 owners note the upgrade is incremental if you already own the older saw.