Makita 18V X2 LXT XSH06 Circular Saw
Circular Saw
$259

Makita

Makita 18V X2 LXT XSH06 Circular Saw

4.7(523 reviews)

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.

Bare Tool
$259
Kit
$379
Platform
Makita 18V LXT
Weight
10.5 lbs (with 2 batteries)
Best for: Makita 18V LXT loyalists who want corded-class sidewinder power without buying into a new battery platform

Specifications

Category
Circular Saw
Battery Platform
Makita 18V LXT
Voltage
36V
Motor
Brushless
Model
XSH06Z
Weight
10.5 lbs (with 2 batteries)
Released
2018
Blade
7-1/4 in
No-Load Speed
6,000 RPM
Max Cut Depth (90°)
2-5/8 in
Bevel
56° (stops at 22.5°/45°/56°)

Features

Electric BrakeLED Light

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.
DeWalt FlexVolt DCS578 Circular Saw
$249
Circular Saw

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.

FlexVolt 60VCorded-killing power2-9/16 in cut
DeWalt 20V Max60V8.2 lbs (bare)Brushless
Best for: Framers on the DeWalt platform who want a cordless saw with nothing left on the table
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Circular Saw

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.

Track-saw compatible base6-speed HMI with Eco modeCuts 2x at any bevel angle
Bosch 18V18V9.5 lbs (bare tool)Brushless
Best for: Bosch 18V users who want one saw that doubles as a track saw, with electronic speed control for finish-grade work
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$279
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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).

Cuts 3x material in one pass6,000 RPM Powerstate motorReplaced the 2732 as the M18 flagship
Milwaukee M1818V7.9 lbs (bare)Brushless
Best for: Pro framers and remodelers already on the M18 battery platform who want corded-class 7-1/4 in. cutting speed in a compact top-handle saw.
Full Breakdown