Makita XSR01PT Review: 36V Rear-Handle Circular Saw

The Makita XSR01PT is a cordless circular saw that wants to be mistaken for a corded one. It runs on two 18V LXT batteries at once, carries a 7-1/4-inch blade, and puts the motor behind the handle instead of under your wrist. That last part matters more than the spec sheet suggests, because rear-handle saws cut differently than the sidewinder most people grew up with.

This review covers what the XSR01PT actually is, where the design helps, where it creates friction, and whether the kit price makes sense against the tool-only version or a corded alternative.

What 18V X2 Actually Means

Makita’s LXT platform runs on 18V batteries. The X2 system lets a tool draw from two of them in series, which produces 36V of power without requiring a separate 36V battery line. The saw accepts the same 18V packs you’d use in a drill or impact driver.

You do not get double the runtime from two batteries, and that trips people up. Two 5.0Ah packs give you the voltage of a 36V system, but the amp-hour capacity behaves like a single 5.0Ah pack at that higher voltage. Runtime lands somewhere in the neighborhood of a decent corded saw, not twice as long. If you already own several LXT batteries, the practical benefit is that you can rotate packs and keep cutting. If this kit is your entry into the platform, you now have two batteries tied up every time you pick up the saw.

The motor is brushless, which is standard across Makita’s higher-end cordless tools. Brushless designs run cooler and more efficiently than brushed motors, and there’s no set of carbon brushes to replace down the road.

The Rear-Handle Difference See Today’s Deal on Amazon

Most circular saws sold in the U.S. are sidewinders, with the motor to the side of the blade and the handle on top. Rear-handle saws, sometimes called worm drives even though this one is direct-drive, put the motor behind the handle. The blade sits on the left of the body, so a right-handed user can see the cut line without leaning over the tool.

That layout comes from framing crews, and it shows. The grip position gives you more leverage pushing through thick material, and the weight sits behind your hand rather than on top of the cut. On long rips through wet lumber or repeated crosscuts in framing, the balance tends to feel steadier than a top-handle saw.

It also changes how the saw feels in your hand. The body is longer front to back than a sidewinder, and the blade-left orientation is the opposite of what many casual users expect. If you’ve only used a $99 big-box sidewinder, plan on a few cuts before the saw stops feeling backwards.

Cutting Capacity and Blade

The 7-1/4-inch blade is the standard framing size, and it gives you the depth of cut needed for 2x material at common angles. Makita rates this saw for cutting through 2x4s and 2x6s at 45 degrees without flipping the workpiece, which is the practical benchmark for framing work. Exact depth-of-cut figures vary by angle, so check the current spec sheet if you need a precise number for a specific bevel.

The blade that ships with the kit is a general-purpose framing blade, not a finish blade. It will leave tearout on plywood and melamine. If you’re doing trim or cabinet work, budget for a fine-tooth blade separately.

What Works Well

The kit arrives ready to cut. You get the saw, two 5.0Ah LXT batteries, a rapid charger, and a case — no separate battery purchase, which is the main reason to buy the PT version instead of the bare tool.

The dual-battery setup means the saw pulls serious power without a cord. For anyone working on a site without convenient outlets, or on a roof or deck where dragging an extension cord is a hassle, that’s the whole point.

Brushless motor plus Makita’s LXT platform means you’re buying into a battery system with an enormous tool lineup. Those same 18V packs run drills, impacts, recip saws, and dozens of other tools, so the batteries don’t become dead weight if you expand.

The 4.7 out of 5 rating across 810 ratings on the current Amazon listing suggests the design holds up for most buyers. That’s a strong average for a power tool, though it doesn’t tell you which specific complaints show up repeatedly — Makita doesn’t publish review breakdowns by category.See Today’s Deal on Amazon

What Could Be Better

Weight is the obvious trade-off. Two 5.0Ah batteries plus a rear-handle body makes this one of the heavier cordless circular saws in its class. For overhead work or one-handed cuts, that weight is noticeable. It’s not a saw you’ll want to use on a ladder all day.

The rear-handle layout has a learning curve. Users coming from a top-handle sidewinder often describe the first few cuts as awkward, especially when the blade is on the opposite side from what they’re used to. This isn’t a defect, but it’s a real adjustment period.

Battery management is a genuine annoyance. You need two charged packs before you start, and if one dies mid-cut the saw stops. On a job site with multiple tools competing for the same batteries, that’s a planning problem, not a technical one, but it’s still friction.

The included blade is mediocre for anything beyond rough framing. Expect to spend $30-50 on a decent finish blade if your work needs clean edges.

Finally, the kit is not cheap. At the time of writing, pricing fluctuates, so check the current listing. If you already own a stack of LXT batteries, the tool-only XSR01Z version is the smarter buy. The PT kit makes sense mainly if you’re starting from zero on batteries.

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How It Compares

Two obvious alternatives come up when people shop this saw: the Makita XSH06PT, which is also an 18V X2 7-1/4-inch saw but in a top-handle sidewinder layout, and a corded saw like the [Makita 5007F].

The XSH06PT is the better pick if you want cordless convenience but don’t want to relearn a rear-handle saw. The 5007F wins on price and never runs out of power, but you’re tethered to an outlet. For trim and lighter cordless work, a smaller saw like the XSS02Z 6-1/2-inch model is easier to handle.

Who It’s For

This saw suits framing carpenters, deck builders, and remodelers who cut a lot of dimensional lumber and want cordless freedom without giving up power. It also fits anyone already invested in Makita’s 18V LXT platform who wants a heavy-duty cordless saw and can share batteries across tools.

It’s a reasonable choice for serious DIYers doing major structural work — sheds, additions, large deck projects — where a cord would be a constant obstacle.

Who Should Skip It

If your cutting is mostly trim, plywood sheets, and occasional 2x4s, this is more saw than you need. A lighter 6-1/2-inch cordless model or the cheaper corded 5007F will do the job with less weight and less money.

If you’re brand new to circular saws, the rear-handle layout is a harder place to start than a conventional sidewinder. Learn on a top-handle saw first, then move up if you find yourself wanting the rear-handle balance.

If you already own LXT batteries, skip the kit and buy the bare tool. Paying for a second set of 5.0Ah packs you don’t need is wasted money.

Final Thoughts

The Makita XSR01PT is a well-built cordless saw that behaves like a corded one, with the weight and battery juggling that implies. The rear-handle design is a genuine advantage for framing work and a genuine obstacle for casual users. The 4.7/5 rating across 810 ratings supports the idea that it does its job well for the people who buy it, though the saw’s specific strengths and quirks are what should drive your decision, not the star average.

Buy it if you cut a lot of framing lumber and want cordless power with real leverage. Buy the bare tool if you already own batteries. Otherwise, a lighter cordless saw or a corded model will likely serve you better for less money.

Check the current price on Amazon before deciding, since kit pricing shifts.