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Repair common Windows errors and clear accumulated junk for a smoother, more stable PC - no reinstall needed.Free scan · no reinstallThere is no defensible single “best” Makita cordless circular saw for every job: blade size, saw format, battery platform and kit contents all change what makes sense. This user-review-informed shortlist compares six models surfaced in Makita’s regional catalog, Home Depot customer ratings and an individual user discussion. Home Depot ratings below were captured on October 8, 2026; they are dynamic retailer scores, not independent performance tests. The available reviews do not establish a universal ranking, and some models are supported by very few ratings.
How to read this shortlist
The six models are examples to compare, not a ranking of the six highest-rated current Makita saws. Home Depot’s displayed rating and review count are included where the retailer listing supplied them. A high score from only a few customers is less informative than a score backed by a larger review count, and ratings across different products are not controlled comparisons. The user discussion offers individual preferences, not a representative poll. Regional names, SKUs and availability can differ, so confirm the exact model and specifications for your market.
Six cordless Makita saws to compare
| Model | Platform and format | Retailer review evidence | What distinguishes it |
|---|---|---|---|
| XSR01Z | 18Vx2 (36V) LXT; brushless rear-handle; 7-1/4-inch blade; tool-only | Home Depot: 4.8/5 from 182 customer reviews, captured October 8, 2026 | A rear-handle option for buyers comfortable with a two-battery LXT setup. |
| GSH01Z | 40V max XGT; brushless; 7-1/4-inch blade; tool-only | Home Depot: 4.9/5 from 17 customer reviews, captured October 8, 2026 | A single-platform XGT alternative in the 7-1/4-inch class. One commenter in the cited discussion said they liked XGT saw design and battery placement; that is an individual account. |
| GSR02M1 | 40V max XGT; brushless rear-handle; 10-1/4-inch blade; kit; AWS capable | Home Depot: 4.9/5 from 53 customer reviews, captured October 8, 2026 | The larger blade and kit configuration set it apart from compact general-purpose saws. Check the live listing for the kit’s included items. |
| GSH05M1 | 40V max XGT; brushless; 6-1/2-inch blade; kit; AWS capable | Home Depot: 5.0/5 from 3 customer reviews, captured October 8, 2026 | The three-review sample is too small to treat the displayed score as strong evidence of broad customer satisfaction. Makita U.S.A. announced the bare GSH05 model on August 16, 2023, describing its design as lightweight and durable; those are manufacturer characterizations. |
| GSH02Z | 40V XGT compact circular saw; user discussion identifies rail compatibility, but current regional SKU and specifications should be verified | Not stated in the cited Home Depot rating evidence. | One commenter liked its relatively modest size and rail compatibility, and noted blade-side preference. This is anecdotal, not a broad review finding. |
| HS012GZ | 40Vmax XGT brushless 165 mm saw listed in Makita New Zealand’s catalog results | Not stated in the cited Home Depot rating evidence. | One participant praised its lightness, right-handed layout and usefulness for formwork. Verify that the model and details apply to your market. |
Home Depot’s displayed scores and counts can change. See the Home Depot Makita cordless circular saw listings for current listing details. For official regional model comparisons, Makita New Zealand provides a cordless circular saw comparison.
Choose by the work, not just the star score
Start with the battery platform
Makita’s cordless range spans 12Vmax CXT, 18V LXT, 18Vx2 (36V) LXT and 40Vmax XGT. If you already own batteries and a charger, platform fit may matter more than a small difference in retailer ratings. The XSR01Z uses two 18V LXT batteries; one commenter specifically disliked the need for two batteries in LXT saws, but that is one person’s preference, not a general verdict. Moving to XGT may mean buying into another battery system. In a May 5, 2025 announcement, Makita U.S.A. said the GSH06’s batteries are compatible with more than 170 XGT products; that is a manufacturer statement about the platform, not a saw-performance test. Makita’s GSH06 announcement also identifies that model as a 16-5/16-inch saw, a much larger format than most users need for everyday cuts.
#1 Best Overall
- Powerful Makita-built electronically controlled BL Motor delivers 5,000 RPM for faster cutting and ripping
- Automatic Speed Change technology adjusts cutting speed and torque during cut for optimum performance
- The BL Brushless Motor eliminates carbon brushes, enabling the BL Motor to run cooler and more efficiently for longer life
- Efficient BL Brushless motor is electronically controlled to optimize battery energy use for up to 50% longer run time per charge
- The electronically-controlled BL Brushless Motor efficiently uses energy to match torque and RPM to the changing demands of the application
Match blade size and cut capacity to the material
A 6-1/2-inch saw is not a direct substitute for a 7-1/4-inch or 10-1/4-inch saw when cut depth is critical. Blade diameter alone does not tell you the maximum cut at 90 degrees or a bevel angle. Check the model-specific manual or official product page for those figures before buying, and compare them with the stock thickness and bevels your work requires. The New Zealand comparison spans listed blade diameters from 85 mm to 415 mm across the wider cordless range, underscoring that “Makita circular saw” covers very different capacities and applications.
Pick the format for the cut
Sidewinder saws are common general-purpose choices for crosscuts and rips; rear-handle models appeal to some users for larger framing work; plunge and rail-compatible saws can help guide long, repeatable sheet-goods cuts. These are format distinctions, not a universal hierarchy. Confirm rail compatibility and intended applications from the exact model’s official details rather than assuming that every circular saw fits a guide rail. In the cited user thread, commenters discuss rail use, balance, handling and work type, but their opinions differ.
Rank #2
- Powered by two LXT batteries; X2 LXT technology delivers more power, speed and run time without the hassles of a cord
- Makita built electronically controlled brushless motor delivers 5,100 RPM for maximum performance and 50% longer run time per charge
- The brushless motor eliminates carbon brushes, enabling the motor to run cooler and more efficiently for longer life
- Automatic Speed Change technology adjusts cutting speed and torque during cut for optimum performance
- X2 LXT technology delivers up to 558 cross-cuts per charge in 2x4 SPF lumber and up to 291 cross-cuts per charge in 2x10 SPF lumber using two 5.0Ah batteries (batteries not included)
Check handling details and the exact kit
Before choosing between models with suitable capacity, assess weight with battery installed, blade-side visibility, balance, shoe stability, bevel adjustment, brake and guard behavior. User reports can flag what owners notice, but they cannot establish comparative accuracy, runtime or durability. Also distinguish a bare tool from a kit: the examples include tool-only and kit listings, and an included battery, charger, blade or guide rail should never be assumed. Verify the suffix, included items and current availability on the live listing for your region.
Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.What the user-review evidence can—and cannot—tell you
Among the four models with Home Depot aggregates in the captured listings, the XSR01Z had the largest review count (182), while the GSH05M1 had just three. That makes the XSR01Z rating a larger customer sample, but it does not prove the saw cuts better or suits more buyers. A separate r/Makita discussion titled “Circular saw recommendations” illustrates why fit is personal: one commenter wrote, “The 6 1/2” saws do most of what you need,” while others focused on platform, rail compatibility or handling. Those are useful clues about questions to ask, not proof of consensus. Read the user discussion.
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- Compact and ergonomic blade-right design at only 10-5/8" Long
- Weighs only 6. 4 lbs. With 2. 0Ah battery (battery not included) for operator comfort
- Powerful Makita built electronically controlled BL motor delivers 5, 000 RPM for faster cutting and ripping
- The BL Brushless motor eliminates carbon brushes, enabling the BL motor to run cooler and more efficiently for longer life
- Large cutting capacity (2-1/4” at 90°) and bevel capacity (0°- 50°)
For context on newer XGT models, Makita U.S.A. announced the 6-1/2-inch brushless GSH05 on August 16, 2023, and the 16-5/16-inch GSH06 on May 5, 2025. The manufacturer described the GSH06 as the “world’s largest cordless circular saw” and claimed cutting speeds up to 30% faster than its corded 5402NA model. Those are dated manufacturer claims, not independent comparative results; the GSH06 is included here only as context for the breadth of the lineup, not as one of the six review-backed examples.
Quick Recap
A practical way to narrow the choice
- Set the platform: Decide whether you want to use batteries you already own—18V LXT, two-battery 18Vx2 LXT, or 40Vmax XGT—or accept the cost and logistics of another system.
- Set the required cut: Identify the material thickness and bevels you need, then verify the model’s maximum depth at those angles in its manual or official product information.
- Choose the saw style: Compare sidewinder, rear-handle and rail-compatible/plunge formats against your typical crosscuts, framing work or sheet-goods cuts.
- Check ergonomics and accessories: Confirm weight with battery, sightline, controls, rail fit and whether the listing is a bare tool or kit with the specific items you need.
- Use reviews as supporting evidence: Compare score and count from the same retailer, note the capture date, and give greater caution to high scores based on very few reviews.
Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon at the time of purchase will apply.
