The Makita 40V XGT Circular Saw Easily Cuts 3x Lumber in a Single Pass
The Makita XGT 40V Max tools are designed for demanding applications where a high-powered solution is necessary to get the job done right. Straight away, I see that the Makita 40V Max XGT 7 1/4-Inch Circular Saw has many of the features I’ve come to expect from a pro-grade tool and a few extras that have me pretty excited. I’m also going to dive a little deeper into this saw’s specs and then see how it stands up to our real-world test track in the Pro Tool Reviews shop.
Author’s Note: Be sure to check out our Best Cordless Circular Saw article for our top picks!
Makita 40V Max XGT Circular Saw Performance
- No Load Speed: 6000 RPM
- Blade Size: 7 1/4 in.
- Max Bevel: 0-56°
- Max Cut Depth at 90°: 2-5/8 in.
- Max Cut Depth at 45°: 1-13/16 in.
- Max Cut Depth at 56°: 1-5/16 in.
- Arbor: 5/8 in.
Right out of the box, it’s clear that the Makita GSH01 is built for more than simple weekend projects. Driving this saw is Makita’s brushless motor that produces up to 6,000 RPMs and it has a max cutting depth of 2-5/8 inches at 90°. This large cutting capacity allows it to cut 3X material in a single pass which makes it ideal for framers, roofers, and building contractors.
Makita performed consistently in each of our performance tests. Notably, Makita powered through our full blade depth test, placing fourth and completing the cut in just 8.72 seconds—only a second behind DeWalt. This is an all-around solid saw with capable features and above-average performance.
When it comes to making crosscuts, there’s more than enough torque behind the blade to maintain RPMs. It performed exceptionally well while making difficult 45-degree compound miter cuts in pressure-treated 2×10. The saw glided through the board with ease and stayed very true to our cut line with very little extra effort.
Hands-on Testing Results
| 4.0 Ah XGT | 5.0 Ah XGT | |
|---|---|---|
| Weight (w/batt) | 10.19 lbs (5th place) | 10.88 lbs (6th place) |
| Sightlines | 5/5 (1st place tie) | same |
| Blade Guard | 4/5 (8th place tie) | same |
| Rip 2 Sheets OSB | 21.86 sec (7th place) | 19.67 sec (2nd place) |
| Full Depth Blade Cut | Full rip, 10.5 sec (6th place) | Full rip, 8.72 sec (4th place) |
Makita 40V Max XGT Circular Saw Features
As you would expect from a modern Pro-level circular saw, the Makita GSH01 features tool-free depth and bevel adjustments. This saw has a max bevel of 56° and utilizes a unique three-position dial to adjust the positive stop location between 22.5°, 45°, and 56°. This allows you to make quick, hassle-free adjustments between these common angles on-the-fly without second guessing.
- Model: Makita GSH01
- Power Source: Makita 40V battery
- Weight: 7.9 lbs. (bare), 10.2 lbs. (with 4.0Ah battery)
- Length: 12 1/2 in.
The Makita GSH01 measures 12-1/2 inches from end to end and weighs in at 10.2 pounds with the kitted 40V 4.0Ah battery. The top handle is draped with a textured rubber and the front pommel is offset to the left so your arms won’t interfere with each other. This grip spacing allows your hands to naturally guide the saw during tricky cuts.
The blade is on the right side of the saw, which can present a slight challenge for right-handed users. However, Makita did a great job of creating an open sightline so the blade is still visible from the left side.
Another handy feature of this saw is it’s equipped with the Makita Auto-start Wireless System, AWS for short. This system utilizes a Bluetooth Transmitter Chip to establish wireless on-off communication between the tool and an AWS-compatible dust extractor. Simply put, this automatically activates your dust extractor when the tool is in use and shuts it down a few moments after the tool stops. This saves you trips back and forth, keeps your site clean, and lowers the overall noise level on the jobsite.
Additional Features
- Onboard tool storage
- Tether loop on handle for working at height
- Compatible with all Makita 40V batteries
CMT Zero Gravity – Our Preferred Testing Blade
CMT supplied us with enough of its Italian-made Zero Gravity saw blades to test every major manufacturer’s circular saws. We’ve been impressed with how well the blade stands up to our aggressive testing schedule. You’ll note the low-mass plate design and unique tooth geometry. Together, these reduce heat buildup while handling nail impacts. CMT claims its framing blades perform up to 5X more cuts on nail-embedded wood than competitors in its class. Large gullets also store chips while you work and eject them as the blade rotation stops, leading to reduced cutting effort and better tracking.
Makita 40V Max XGT Circular Saw Price
The Makita GSH01 circular saw retails for $279 as a bare tool and as a kit for $449. The kit includes a single-port charger, a 4.0Ah battery, and a large carrying case. Their prices are topped only by Hilti. That means you can get saws from Milwaukee, DeWalt, or Flex—who outperformed Makita in at least one of our performance tests—for less. Makita backs the tool and battery with a 3-year limited warranty.
Don’t forget to register your purchase for hassle-free support from Makita.
The Bottom Line
After everything we experienced during our testing, we can confidently recommend the Makita 40V Max XGT Circular Saw for professional framers and builders. This is an all-around solid saw with capable features and above-average performance. It offers a large cutting capacity with plenty of power from its brushless motor to back it up. Plus, it has some truly dynamic features, like the pre-set bevel control dial, that set it apart from the competition. We just (continue to) wish Makita had made their 40V Max XGT batteries backward-compatible with their 18V tools. If you’re already on the 18V LXT platform, switching to 40V XGT involves the exact same sacrifice as switching to another tool brand.
