Makita
Makita 18V X2 LXT XSH06 Circular Saw
Makita's answer to 36V-class saws without a new battery ecosystem: the XSH06 gangs two 18V LXT packs for a 6,000 RPM brushless motor with a class-leading 2-5/8 in depth of cut. Magnesium base, blade guard, and dual LEDs round out a saw that Pro Tool Reviews scored 9.3/10 for its unusually smooth, fast cutting.
Specifications
Features
Pros
- ✓Genuinely corded-class power — Pro Tool Reviews clocked it third-fastest in an 8 ft rip through 4x pressure-treated lumber, smoother even than Makita's rear-handle saw.
- ✓2-5/8 in cut depth at 90° is the deepest of the mainstream 7-1/4 in sidewinders — it clears stacked 2x material other saws can't.
- ✓6,000 RPM blade speed matches Makita's XGT flagship and leaves cleaner edges on finish-grade material.
- ✓Runs on the two 18V LXT batteries you already own — no new platform buy-in for the huge LXT ecosystem.
- ✓Die-cast magnesium base and guard keep weight reasonable for a dual-battery saw while shrugging off jobsite drops.
- ✓Excellent runtime — Makita rates it at up to 610 crosscuts in 2x4 SPF per charge on two 5.0Ah packs.
- ✓Electric brake, dust blower, and dual LEDs lighting the cut line from both sides are all standard.
- ✓56° bevel with positive stops at 22.5° and 45° covers rafter and stair work.
Cons
- ✗Needs two charged 18V packs to run — one dead battery sidelines the whole saw, and it ships with a dual-port charger for a reason.
- ✗10.5 lbs with batteries is noticeably heavier than single-battery rivals like Milwaukee's 2834 (~9 lbs loaded).
- ✗The rafter hook is an optional accessory rather than standard equipment — an odd omission at this price.
- ✗The design dates to 2018; there's no AWS dust-extractor link (that's the XSH07) and no guide-rail base like Makita's own XGT GSH02.
- ✗Bare-tool street price has crept from $199 at launch to about $259.
- ✗The side-by-side battery tower makes the saw wide, which can foul against the fence in tight crosscut jigs.
- ✗X2 tools drain packs in pairs, doubling how many batteries you cycle through on a framing day.
Common Questions
Why does it take two batteries?
Is it actually as powerful as corded saws?
What kind of runtime should I expect?
What are the practical downsides?
Should I buy this or step up to Makita's XGT saw?
Compare the Makita 18V X2 LXT XSH06 Circular Saw
Related tools
More from Makita →
DeWalt's FlexVolt 60V worm-style-power sidewinder, the saw that made corded 7-1/4 in saws optional for framing crews. FlexVolt batteries auto-switch between 20V and 60V, so packs bought for this saw also run every 20V Max tool.
Bosch's flagship ProFactor sidewinder pairs a BiTurbo brushless motor with an onboard HMI offering six speed settings (2,500-5,000 RPM) and an Eco mode that stretches runtime up to 30%. Its party trick is a base that rides Bosch and select third-party guide rails with no adapter, and it keeps full 2x cut capacity across the entire 0-50° bevel range. One-touch depth adjustment, an electronic brake, and a 360° pivoting dust port round out a genuinely corded-class package.
Milwaukee
Milwaukee M18 Fuel 2834 Circular Saw
Launched in fall 2024, the 2834 replaced the long-running 2732 as Milwaukee's mainstream top-handle M18 Fuel 7-1/4 in. saw, adding a deeper 2-5/8 in. cut (enough for 3x material in one pass), a 57-degree bevel, and a lighter magnesium build. Its Powerstate brushless motor holds 6,000 RPM under load and delivers up to 750 cuts per charge with a Forge HD12.0 battery. Framers who prefer a worm-drive-style layout can step up to Milwaukee's M18 Fuel rear-handle saws instead (the 7-1/4 in. 2830 and new 10-1/4 in. 3026).
Flex's 24V in-line sidewinder is one of the sleeper hits of the cordless saw world: 5,800 RPM, a 2-5/8 in depth of cut that clears 3x lumber in one pass, and Pro Tool Reviews' 9.5/10 'elite cutting performance' verdict. The balanced in-line design gives a clear view down both sides of the blade, and with a 10.0Ah Stacked Lithium pack Flex claims up to 610 cuts in 2x4 lumber. Magnesium footplate and guards keep it durable without the bulk.
Third generation of Metabo HPT's MultiVolt sidewinder (superseding the award-winning C3607DA), "The Stud" spins at 6,000 RPM and adds a Torque Boost button that drops to 4,300 RPM while redirecting power into 40% more torque for LVL and dense engineered lumber. It was the fastest of twelve saws through double-stacked 3/4-in OSB in Pro Tool Reviews' 2026 shootout, and like all MultiVolt tools it can run corded via the ET36A AC adapter.
Ridgid's flagship 18V sidewinder replaced the Octane version in 2022 with a brushless motor that Pro Tool Reviews found genuinely capable of replacing a 15-amp corded saw — 35% faster cutting than its predecessor at 5,400 RPM. It checks every feature box (electric brake, LED with dust blower, rafter hook, vacuum-ready shoe) and undercuts the big pro brands at $179 bare, with Ridgid's registered Lifetime Service Agreement sweetening the deal.