
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.
Compare the Makita 18V X2 LXT XSH06 Circular Saw
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