Milwaukee M18 Fuel Sawzall 2821 vs Metabo HPT 36V MultiVolt CR36DA Reciprocating Saw
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Quick take: The Milwaukee M18 Fuel Sawzall 2821 is lighter (6.8 vs 10.8 lbs); they live on different battery platforms (Milwaukee M18 vs Metabo HPT MultiVolt), so the deciding factor is usually which batteries you already own.
| Spec | Milwaukee M18 Fuel Sawzall 2821 | Metabo HPT 36V MultiVolt CR36DA Reciprocating Saw |
|---|---|---|
| Price (bare tool) | $199 | $199 |
| Kit Price | $299 | $399 |
| Rating | 4.8★ (1,884) | — |
| Category | Reciprocating Saw | Reciprocating Saw |
| Battery Platform | Milwaukee M18 | Metabo HPT MultiVolt |
| Voltage | 18V | 36V |
| Motor | Brushless | Brushless |
| Weight | 6.8 lbs (bare) | 10.8 lbs (with 4.0Ah MultiVolt battery) |
| Released | 2020 | 2019 |
| Stroke Length | 1-1/4 in | 1-1/4 in |
| Strokes/min | 0-3,000 SPM | 0-3,000 SPM (4-stage: 1,700/2,000/2,500/3,000) |
| Blade Change | Tool-free | Tool-less |
Pros & cons
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.
Metabo HPT 36V MultiVolt CR36DA Reciprocating Saw
- ✓Genuine Super Sawzall rival — trailed Milwaukee's M18 Fuel by only 0.05-0.06 seconds in Pro Tool Reviews' wood and mixed-material tests.
- ✓Class-leading vibration control: the dual-counterweight UVP system tied Makita's 40V XGT for the best vibration marks in the test field.
- ✓Unique hybrid power — the optional ET36A AC adapter (~$119) plugs it into 120V for all-day corded work; no other major brand offers this.
- ✓4-stage speed selector (1,700/2,000/2,500/3,000 SPM) lets you match speed to blade and material instead of feathering the trigger.
- ✓Full 1-1/4 in stroke with selectable orbital action puts it in the big-demolition class.
- ✓At $199 bare it significantly undercuts Milwaukee's Super Sawzall while staying about a pound lighter with battery.
- ✓Lifetime tool-body warranty — the strongest coverage in the category (2-year battery, 1-year charger).
- ✓MultiVolt batteries auto-switch between 36V and 18V, powering Metabo HPT's 18V line too.
- ✗Heavy at 10.8 lbs with a 4.0Ah MultiVolt pack — above the class average, even if lighter than Milwaukee's equivalent.
- ✗Shaft-mounted blade release is less convenient than the external side levers on Milwaukee and DeWalt saws.
- ✗Fell noticeably behind Milwaukee in cast iron (54.5 vs 41.5 seconds in Pro Tool Reviews' test) — not the pick for heavy pipe-cutting days.
- ✗The $399 kit price is steep, and the AC adapter is another $119 on top.
- ✗MultiVolt's dealer network and accessory ecosystem are much smaller than DeWalt/Milwaukee — mostly Lowe's and online specialty dealers.
- ✗The design dates to the 2019 MultiVolt launch with no refresh since.
- ✗No electric brake — blade coasts down after trigger release.
- ✗Retailer pages don't surface a large aggregate review count, so long-term owner data is thinner than legacy-brand saws.