Makita XSH06PT 36V Circular Saw Review: Worth the Kit?

The Makita XSH06PT is the company’s 7-1/4 inch cordless circular saw that runs on two 18V batteries at once. Makita calls that arrangement 18V X2, and markets the combined output as 36V. It’s a full-size framing saw without a cord, sold as a kit with two 5.0Ah batteries, a charger, and a case.

That combination is the whole pitch. A 7-1/4 inch blade with enough power to cut framing lumber, but no extension cord to drag across a roof or through a half-finished addition. The question is whether the X2 setup actually delivers enough power to replace a corded saw, and whether the kit price makes sense compared to buying the bare tool or a cheaper 6-1/2 inch model.

How the 18V X2 system actually works

Makita’s LXT platform is built around 18V batteries. The X2 tools take two of them and wire them in series, so the motor sees roughly 36V instead of 18V. Same batteries you’d use in a drill or impact driver, just two at a time.

The practical upside is that you don’t need a separate 36V battery ecosystem. If you already own Makita 18V tools, you own the fuel for this saw. The practical downside is that every cut consumes two batteries, and the saw is dead weight the moment you run out.

This model uses a brushless motor, which is the main reason it can get away with battery power at this blade size. Brushless motors run cooler and squeeze more runtime out of a charge than the older brushed designs. Makita rates the no-load speed around 5,000 RPM, which is in the same neighborhood as several corded 7-1/4 inch saws. Treat that as a spec sheet number rather than a promise about how it cuts in wet pressure-treated lumber.

What the kit includes and what you’re paying for See Today’s Deal on Amazon

The XSH06PT is the full kit: the saw, two 18V 5.0Ah batteries, a rapid charger, and a hard case. That’s a meaningful part of the price. If you already have a stack of Makita 18V batteries, the bare tool version is the smarter buy, and the kit premium is money you don’t need to spend.

There’s also an electric brake, which stops the blade quickly after you release the trigger. On a saw this size that matters more than it sounds — a 7-1/4 inch blade takes a while to spin down on its own, and the brake shortens the window where you’re standing next to a moving blade.

The base plate is aluminum, with bevel detents at common angles. Depth and bevel adjustments are the standard Makita arrangement: a lever for depth, a knob and quadrant for bevel. Nothing exotic, and nothing that requires a manual to figure out.

Real-world use considerations

Without a cord, this saw is aimed at people working away from outlets: roof framing, decks, fencing, punch-list work in finished houses, anywhere a cord becomes a trip hazard or a nuisance.

The trade-off is weight and balance. Two 5.0Ah batteries plus a 7-1/4 inch saw body adds up. It’s heavier than a comparable corded magnesium saw, and the weight sits toward the rear where the batteries live. For overhead work or long rips, that’s noticeable by the end of a day.

Runtime is the other variable. Two 5.0Ah packs give you a reasonable number of cuts in dimensional lumber, but a full day of framing will empty them. Realistically you need four batteries and a charger running between them, or a corded backup saw on site. This is a saw that works best as part of a larger Makita battery investment, not as a standalone purchase.

Blade changes use the standard arbor lock and wrench. The blade guard is the usual retracting lower guard, and it’s worth checking that it moves freely before each use, since sawdust and pitch buildup are the usual culprits when a guard starts sticking.

What works well

The core appeal is the combination of a real 7-1/4 inch blade and cordless operation. Most cordless saws in this class are 6-1/2 inch, which limits you to 2x material at shallow depths and makes 45-degree cuts on 2x4s awkward. A 7-1/4 inch blade cuts 2x4s at 45 degrees in one pass, which is the whole reason framers prefer this size.

The brushless motor and electric brake are the two features that separate this from older cordless saws. The brake in particular is a safety feature you notice every single cut.

Battery compatibility is the other strength. If you’re already in the Makita 18V system, this saw slots in without buying a new platform. That’s worth more than any single spec.

What could be better

The biggest limitation is that this saw depends on the batteries you feed it. With two 5.0Ah packs, runtime is finite, and there’s no corded option to fall back on. For heavy production framing, a corded saw or Makita’s rear-handle XSR01PT is the more sensible tool.

Weight is the second issue. The rear-mounted batteries make the saw balance differently than a corded saw, and some users find the front end feels light until the blade bites. That’s a preference thing, but it’s real.

Dust collection is minimal. Like most circular saws, it throws sawdust out the side, and the small dust port on the upper guard only helps if you connect a vacuum, which adds a hose and defeats some of the cordless convenience.

Finally, the price. The kit is not cheap, and a large part of that cost is the two batteries and charger. If you don’t need them, you’re paying for hardware you won’t use.

How it compares

The most obvious comparison is Makita’s own rear-handle saw, the Makita XSR01PT 36V rear handle 7-1/4 inch circular saw kit. Same battery system, different format. The rear-handle design puts the motor and handle behind the blade, which many framers prefer for control and for cutting at eye level. It’s heavier and more expensive, but it’s the saw a lot of professionals reach for first.

If you want something lighter and cheaper, the [Makita XSH03Z 18V brushless 6-1/2 inch circular saw] runs on a single 18V battery. It’s more compact and easier to handle, but the smaller blade limits what you can cut at bevel. That’s the trade-off: one battery and less weight, versus the ability to cut 2x material at 45 degrees.

If you’re comparing against corded options, the [Makita 5007F 7-1/4 inch circular saw] is the classic corded alternative. It’s cheaper, lighter, and never runs out of power, but it needs an outlet. For a shop or a job site with reliable power, it’s the more practical tool.

Who it’s for

This saw makes sense if you’re already invested in Makita 18V batteries and you want a full-size circular saw without a cord. Deck builders, remodelers, and homeowners doing a major project where dragging a cord is genuinely annoying will get the most out of it.

It also makes sense if you want one saw that handles both framing and finish work. The 7-1/4 inch blade covers more ground than a 6-1/2 inch saw, and the battery system is shared with the rest of the Makita line.See Today’s Deal on Amazon

Who should skip it

If you already own several Makita 18V batteries, buy the bare tool instead of the kit and save the money. The batteries and charger in the kit are only worth paying for if you need them.

If your work is mostly indoors, near outlets, or you’re framing all day every day, a corded saw is cheaper, lighter, and more powerful. There’s no reason to pay a battery premium for a tool that never leaves the shop.

And if you’re not already in the Makita 18V system, this kit is an expensive way to enter it. Compare the total cost of the batteries and charger you’ll need across your tool lineup before committing.

Final thoughts

The Makita XSH06PT is a well-executed cordless framing saw. The 18V X2 setup gives it enough power for real work, the brushless motor and electric brake are genuine improvements over older cordless designs, and the 7-1/4 inch blade keeps it useful for framing rather than just trim.

The compromises are the ones inherent to cordless: weight, finite runtime, and a kit price that’s largely batteries. None of those are dealbreakers if you’re already on the Makita 18V platform, but they’re all reasons to think carefully if you’re not.

For someone with a stack of Makita batteries who wants to cut framing lumber without a cord, this is one of the more sensible options in the category. For everyone else, a corded saw or a bare-tool purchase is likely the better financial call.

If you buy through the links here, I may earn a small commission — it doesn’t cost you anything extra. You can check the current price on Amazon to see how the kit compares to the bare tool at the time you’re buying.