Milwaukee vs Makita Circular Saws: Budget and Kit Guide
Last reviewed October 31, 2026. Prices were listed by the retailer as of Oct 30, 2026 and can change. Confirm the current price and availability on the retailer's page before you buy.
If you are shopping for a circular saw on a budget, the first thing to know is that both brands list saws across a very wide price span, and what you pay changes what you get. Milwaukee has 16 circular saw models in this catalog, priced from $238 to $778, with a median of $319. Makita has 20 models, priced from $203.28 to $1,409, with a median of $411.5. The lower median on the Milwaukee side and the higher ceiling on the Makita side mostly reflect which sizes and configurations each brand lists, so it pays to compare like for like rather than by brand name alone.
Platform and format matter as much as price. All 16 Milwaukee models are cordless: 12 run on the M18 platform and 4 on M12. Makita lists 14 cordless models out of 20, with 8 on XGT 40V and 6 on LXT 18V. A battery platform is the family of batteries and chargers a brand's tools share, so choosing a saw also means choosing which batteries you will use with future tools. Configuration differs too. A bare tool is listed as the tool only, so you would need to supply a battery and charger.
Brushless motors are stated in the listing for 88 percent of Milwaukee models and 100 percent of Makita models. A brushless motor uses electronic control rather than carbon brushes, which is a general design difference; it does not tell you how any single saw performs. Blade diameter is the other number to read closely, since it sets which blades fit and the size of saw you are buying. Keep in mind that many prices appear as ranges, so check the current figure on the listing before you decide.
At a glance
| Milwaukee | Makita | |
|---|---|---|
| Models listed | 16 | 20 |
| Price range | $238 to $778 | $203 to $1,409 |
| Median price | $319 | $412 |
| Battery platforms named in listings | M18 (12), M12 (4) | XGT 40V (8), LXT 18V (6) |
| Cordless models stating a brushless motor | 88% of 16 | 100% of 14 |
| Most common configuration | kit (10), bare tool (3) | bare tool (11), kit (3) |
| Listings stating batteries, charger or case | 38% | 10% |
| Tool types covered | Circular saw (16) | Circular saw (20) |
Kit listings
Kit listings are where the two brands look most different. Milwaukee has 10 kit models, with 38 percent stating their contents; Makita has 3 kits, with 10 percent stating contents. Milwaukee's example kit, model 2630-20-4X, is an 18 V M18 saw with a 6-1/2 in. blade, listed from $249, and its listing states 1 battery and a charger. Makita's GSH05M1 is a 40 V XGT 6-1/2 in. Makita's kits also reach larger blades, up to 16-5/16 in. at $1,049 and above.
Milwaukee
Milwaukee M18 18V Lithium-Ion Cordless 6-1/2 in. Circular Saw W/ M18 Starter Kit (1) 5.0Ah Battery & Charger
$249 to $489 · Kit · Voltage: 18 V · Battery platform: M18 · Size / capacity: 6-1/2 in. · Battery capacity: 5 Ah · Max speed: 3,500 RPM
Milwaukee M18 FUEL 18V Li-Ion Brushless Cordless Metal Cutting 5-3/8 in. Circular Saw w/Metal Saw Blade and 6.0 Ah Battery
$279 to $728 · Kit · Voltage: 18 V · Brushless motor: Yes (stated in the listing) · Battery platform: M18 · Size / capacity: 5-3/8 in. · Battery capacity: 6 Ah
Milwaukee M18 FUEL 18V Lith-Ion Brushless Cordless 7-1/4 in. Circular Saw with M18 18V REDLITHIUM FORGE XC 8.0 Ah Battery Pack
$482.00 · Kit · Voltage: 18 V · Brushless motor: Yes (stated in the listing) · Battery platform: M18 · Size / capacity: 7-1/4 in. · Battery capacity: 8 Ah
Milwaukee M18 FUEL 18V Lithium-Ion Cordless 7-1/4 in. Rear Handle Circular Saw w/ 8.0 Ah Battery & Charger
$559.00 · Kit · Voltage: 18 V · Brushless motor: Yes (stated in the listing) · Battery platform: M18 · Size / capacity: 7-1/4 in. · Battery capacity: 8 Ah
Makita
Makita 40V max XGT Brushless Cordless 6-1/2 in. Circular Saw Kit, AWS Capable (4.0Ah)
$284 to $489 · Kit · Voltage: 40 V · Brushless motor: Yes (stated in the listing) · Battery platform: XGT 40V · Size / capacity: 6-1/2 in. · Battery capacity: 4 Ah
Makita 40V Max XGT Brushless Rear Handle 10-1/4 in. Circular Saw Kit, AWS Capable (4.0Ah)
$599 to $808 · Kit · Voltage: 40 V · Brushless motor: Yes (stated in the listing) · Battery platform: XGT 40V · Size / capacity: 10-1/4 in. · Battery capacity: 4 Ah
Makita 40V max XGT Brushless Cordless 16-5/16 in. Circular Saw Kit, AWS Capable (5.0Ah)
$1,049 to $1,409 · Kit · Voltage: 40 V · Brushless motor: Yes (stated in the listing) · Battery platform: XGT 40V · Size / capacity: 16-5/16 in. · Battery capacity: 5 Ah
Bare tool listings (tool only)
Bare tool listings are stated as the tool only, with no battery or charger. Milwaukee's examples start at $238 for the M18 FUEL 6-1/2 in. model 2833-20 and sit around $299 to $300 for 7-1/4 in. rear handle saws. Makita's bare tools start at $249 for the 18 V LXT XSH03Z, with 40 V XGT 7-1/4 in. saws listed from $289 and $409. Makita has 11 bare tool listings against Milwaukee's 3, so the Makita side offers more tool-only choices, including a plunge saw whose listing mentions 2 batteries.
Milwaukee
Milwaukee M18 FUEL 18V Lithium-Ion Brushless Cordless 6-1/2 in. Circular Saw (Tool-Only) with 24-Tooth Carbide Framing Blade
$238.00 · · Voltage: 18 V · Brushless motor: Yes (stated in the listing) · Battery platform: M18 · Size / capacity: 6-1/2 in. · Max speed: 6,000 RPM
Milwaukee M18 FUEL 18V Lithium-Ion Cordless 7-1/4 in. Rear Handle Circular Saw (Tool-Only)
$299 to $691 · · Voltage: 18 V · Brushless motor: Yes (stated in the listing) · Battery platform: M18 · Size / capacity: 7-1/4 in. · Battery capacity: 12 Ah
Milwaukee M18 FUEL 18V 7-1/4 in. Rear Handle Circular Saw (Tool Only) with 7-1/4 in. 24T Framing Blade
$300.00 · · Voltage: 18 V · Brushless motor: Yes (stated in the listing) · Battery platform: M18 · Size / capacity: 7-1/4 in. · Max speed: 6,300 RPM
Makita
Makita 18V LXT Lithium-Ion Brushless Cordless 6-1/2 in. Circular Saw with Electric Brake and 24T Carbide Blade (Tool-Only)
$249 to $587 · · Voltage: 18 V · Brushless motor: Yes (stated in the listing) · Battery platform: LXT 18V · Size / capacity: 6-1/2 in.
Makita 40V Max XGT Brushless Cordless 7-1/4 in. Circular Saw, AWS Capable (Tool Only)
$289 to $678 · · Voltage: 40 V · Brushless motor: Yes (stated in the listing) · Battery platform: XGT 40V · Size / capacity: 7-1/4 in. · Battery capacity: 4 Ah
Makita 40V Max XGT Brushless Cordless 7-1/4 in. Circular Saw with Guide Rail Compatible Base, AWS Capable (Tool Only)
$409 to $609 · · Voltage: 40 V · Brushless motor: Yes (stated in the listing) · Battery platform: XGT 40V · Size / capacity: 7-1/4 in. · Battery capacity: 4 Ah
Makita 18V X2 LXT Lithium-Ion (36V) Brushless Cordless 6-1/2 in. Plunge Circular Saw (Tool Only) with 55T Carbide Blade
$479 to $699 · · Voltage: 18 V · Brushless motor: Yes (stated in the listing) · Battery platform: LXT 18V · Size / capacity: 6-1/2 in. · Battery capacity: 5 Ah
Which one fits you
Choose Milwaukee if...
- You want a lower median price, since Milwaukee's listings have a median of $319 and start at $238.
- You want kits with a battery and charger, since 10 of its 16 models are listed as kits.
- You prefer a platform focused on M18 and M12, which cover all 16 of its models.
- You are comfortable with 88 percent of models stating a brushless motor, and want to check the remainder individually.
Choose Makita if...
- You want every listed model to state a brushless motor, which the listings do for 100 percent of Makita models.
- You already own or plan to buy into LXT 18V or XGT 40V batteries and want saws on those platforms.
- You want a wide price span, from $203.28 up to $1,409, including larger blade sizes.
- You are happy to buy a bare tool and supply your own battery and charger, as 11 of 20 listings are tool-only.
Frequently asked questions
Which brand is cheaper, Milwaukee or Makita?
By median listed price, Milwaukee is lower at $319 against Makita's $411.5. Makita's range runs from $203.28 to $1,409, while Milwaukee's runs from $238 to $778. Prices often appear as ranges, so compare the same blade size and configuration on the listing.
Does a kit include a battery and charger?
Only when the listing says so. Milwaukee's 2630-20-4X states 1 battery and a charger. A bare tool is listed as the tool only, with no battery or charger.
Are these saws corded or cordless?
All 16 Milwaukee models are cordless. Makita lists 14 cordless models out of its 20, so a smaller share of its saws is described differently. Check each listing for its power source before ordering.
What does a brushless motor mean?
A brushless motor uses electronic control in place of carbon brushes. Listings state it for 88 percent of Milwaukee models and 100 percent of Makita models.