We update our initial review 6 years later with new testing data and conclusions!
I remember checking out the newest Milwaukee tools at their 2018 New Product Symposium (now called Milwaukee Pipeline). There, Milwaukee announced the “Next Breakthrough.” They released a series of M18 Fuel tools that took advantage of their 12 Ah High Output battery and large frame motors, producing more power. One of those products was the Milwaukee M18 Fuel 7-1/4 inch circular saw (model 2732). Given the Makita XSR01 rear-handle saw and DeWalt having both a sidewinder and worm drive style saw on their FlexVolt platform, I wanted to know exactly where the Milwaukee M18 Fuel circular saw fit.
Reasons to Buy
- Solid overall performance
- Best performer on most common jobsite cut
- Solid overall value
Consider Another Model if You…
- Want a cheaper, lighter tool
- Don’t have or intend to buy a Forge battery
Key Features
Milwaukee isn’t missing anything with their new flagship cordless circular saw unless you’re really hoping for a One-Key version. Whether you’re just trying to keep your workspace cleaner or you’re cutting fiber cement board, the dust port attachment is a nice addition. There’s only one Phillips head screw to remove to swap it in. In our testing, I did notice that you get slightly faster chip ejection (and better performance) if you remove the dust port when not using a dust extractor.
Here’s the entire feature list:
- Blade right sidewinder design
- Brushless motor
- Rafter hook
- Dust port attachment included
- Electric brake
- Magnesium shoe and guards
- LED light
- Cutline blower
Ergonomics
The Milwaukee M18 Fuel Circular Saw is one of the heavier cordless options available, weighing 12.6 pounds with the 12Ah battery and blade. That drops to 11.6 pounds if you use the XC6.0 Forge battery. That’s slightly less than the Makita rear-handle saw (12.7 pounds) and over a pound lighter than DeWalt’s rear-handle saw (13.7 pounds).
For sidewinder comparisons, the Makita GSH01 is nearly 11 pounds loaded with a 5Ah XGT battery, and the DeWalt FlexVolt DCS578 is just over 11.5 pounds. Realistically, the weight isn’t going to hurt your ability to make the majority of your cuts. It might even help stabilize the saw. You may notice it when carrying it around the jobsite.
The handle design and push-down trigger safety are both to my liking, making it a very natural saw to pick up and use without overthinking it.
Battery Options
As an M18 Fuel product, any Milwaukee M18 battery will work in the 2753, but kits typically include 12.0Ah high-output batteries. For even more power, add an XC6.0 Forge battery, and this tool really takes off.
Testing Cutting Speed and Power
The big question is how this saw compares to the other high-performance cordless circular saws available. After crunching the data, I was able to draw some very interesting conclusions.
Our standard speed test is a series of rip cuts through stacked OSB. We pull each saw on a sled using a 10-pound weight attached via a series of pulleys.
Our speed test has the saw ripping through two sheets of stacked OSB. This is a power-to-weight ratio test as it doesn’t push the saw to its limit but rather sees how well it performs under a realistic load. The combination of weight and power really affects this test, giving an edge to lighter-weight tools that couple that with sufficient performance. This real-world test saw Milwaukee taking the top spot among more than a dozen competitors.
We follow up that test with a full-depth (2-9/16 in.) “bury-the-blade” test on four layers of OSB pulled by a 20-pound weight. This gauges the true power of each saw. The Milwaukee churned out sawdust as it cut, making for an excellent time and coming in third place with the Forge battery.
Miter, Bevel, and Compound Cuts
On cross cuts the upper blade guard did obstruct my view of the blade more than it did during during beveling. With that said, it was much easier to maintain a clear line of sight during bevel cuts. If I wanted a clear view of the blade cutting during the crosscut, I had to use my right hand and cut one-handed while leaning out to the left to actually see the blade cutting. This often led to less accurate cuts.
The blade guard didn’t hang up at all during crosscuts but did slightly during bevel-cutting. This also caused my blade to want to move offline to the right. The bevel adjustment is really nice because it gives you every degree tick mark as you go. It’s a little bit slower than some of the preset detents we’ve seen on other saws. The depth adjustment works great but is slightly obstructed by your hand while you’re holding the saw. I put the saw down to ensure I got the most accurate depth adjustment possible.
The saw was able to breeze through compound miter cuts. While the blade guard didn’t really hang up, it did feel like the saw wanted to veer offline. With a little practice, I got it under control.
Hands-on Testing Results
| 12.0Ah Battery | XC6.0Ah Forge | |
|---|---|---|
| Weight (w/batt) | 12.6 lbs (14th place) | 11.26 lbs (9th place) |
| Sightlines | 4/5 (7th place) | 4/5 (7th place) |
| Blade Guard | 4.3/5 (3rd place) | 4.3/5 (3rd place) |
| Rip 2 Sheets OSB | 26.12 sec (11th place) | 19.23 (1st place) |
| Full Depth Blade Cut | 69.25 in. (9th place) | 8.47 sec (3rd place) |
Additional Field Notes
The cutting depth and bevel knobs are easy to lock/unlock and adjust smoothly. The guard action is also very smooth.
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.
Price and Value
Here’s a breakdown of pricing in this class:
- Milwaukee 2732: $199 bare, $399 (kit with 12.0Ah battery)
- FlexVolt DCS575 (Sidewinder): $179 (bare), $379 (kit with two 2.0/6.0Ah batteries)
- Makita XSH06 (Sidewinder): $199.99 (bare), $369.99 (kit with two 5.0Ah batteries)
Given the performance and feature set, Milwaukee’s pricing is right in line. While the Makita rear-handle saw used to stand out as an excellent value in this group, recent price increases have dropped that brand down a notch, in my opinion (Makita prices are often only topped by Hilti these days—and sometimes not even then). As a premium cordless option, Milwaukee offers an excellent value.
The Bottom Line
The Milwaukee M18 Fuel Circular Saw stands out as one of the highest-performing cordless circular saws available against all current competition. That includes Makita’s Rear-Handle and DeWalt’s FlexVolt Worm Drive Style. There aren’t any glaring drawbacks, making it an outstanding choice if you’re in the market for a premium option.
Milwaukee M18 Fuel Circular Saw Specifications
- Model: Milwaukee 2732
- Power Source: M18 RedLithium battery (12.0 Ah High Output included in kit)
- Blade Diameter: 7-1/4″
- No Load Speed: 5800 RPM
- Max Cutting Depth @ 90°: 2-9/16 in.
- Max Cutting Depth @ 45° 1-7/8 in.
- Bevel Capacity: 50°
- Weight: 9.2 lbs with blade, 12.6 lbs with 12Ah battery
- Warranty: 5 years
