Milwaukee
Milwaukee M18 Fuel Sawzall 2821
The Gen 2 M18 Fuel Sawzall, Milwaukee's mainstream cordless recip saw since late 2020. Marketed as the fastest-cutting saw in its class and lighter than the generation it replaced. The 2822 Super Sawzall sits above it for all-day demolition with orbital action.
Specifications
Features
Pros
- ✓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.
Cons
- ✗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.
Compare the Milwaukee M18 Fuel Sawzall 2821
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Makita's full-size 40V XGT recip saw, rated for 145 cuts in 2x10 SPF per 4.0Ah charge. Two speed ranges, an electric brake, and Makita's crank-balanced drivetrain aimed at all-day demolition.
DeWalt's FlexVolt Advantage recip saw: it runs on any 20V Max battery but unlocks up to 50% more power when you snap on a FlexVolt pack. Tool Connect chip support adds jobsite asset tracking for fleets.
Ryobi's brushless ONE+ HP recip saw — the highest stroke rate in this comparison at 3,200 SPM and the lightest tool in it at 5 lbs, for roughly half the price of the pro flagships. Runs on the same ONE+ batteries as 300+ other Ryobi tools.