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Makita XSS02Z Review

This 6 1/2" saw is mighty when it comes to cutting power
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Makita XSS02Z Review
Credit: amazon.com
Price:  $119 List
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Manufacturer:   Makita
By Nick Miley and Austin Palmer  ⋅  Jan 25, 2023
67
OVERALL
SCORE


RANKED
#6 of 13
  • Cutting - 50% 7.6
  • Ease of Use - 30% 5.6
  • Battery - 20% 6.0

Our Verdict

The Makita XSS02 is a capable 6 1/2" saw with ample cutting power and average battery life. What hurt this saw in the rankings is its lack of both a higher quality battery and user interface features. For instance, while the bevel adjustment is secured with a lever — a definite plus — the lever obstructs the view of the angle marks. It also lacks a blade brake and positive bevel stops. On the upside, the saw has one of the best blade-swapping systems that we have evaluated. See our full review of the best cordless circular saws to see how it stands up to the competition.
REASONS TO BUY
Easy to change blade
Reliable cutting power
Lever actuated shoe adjustments
REASONS TO AVOID
Average battery life
Poor sightlines
No positive stops

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Price $119 List
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Bottom Line The Makita XSS02 is an average 6 1/2" saw with lean features but plenty of cutting powerIf you need to make lots of cuts on a single charge, then the Kobalt is the ticketThis fully-loaded saw makes cut adjustments a breeze, but the motor power leaves something to be desiredA competent, affordable saw that is a great choice for non-professional usersThis saw will appeal to the novice DIY crowd due to its modest price tag and ease of use features
Rating Categories Makita XSS02Z Kobalt KCS 6524B-03 Ridgid R8653B SKIL CR540601 Ryobi P507
Cutting (50%)
7.6
8.3
7.4
5.3
5.3
Ease of Use (30%)
5.6
5.6
7.6
5.9
7.0
Battery (20%)
6.0
10.0
8.0
9.0
5.0
Specs Makita XSS02Z Kobalt KCS 6524B-03 Ridgid R8653B SKIL CR540601 Ryobi P507
Blade Side Left Right Right Left Left
Blade Size 6-1/2" 6-1/2" 7-1/4" 6-1/2" 6-1/2"
Brushless Motor? No Yes Yes No No
Blade Brake? No Yes Yes Yes No
Bevel Positive Stops? No No Yes No No
Estimated Linear Feet of 3/4" Plywood Cut per Charge 220 ft 360 ft 304 ft 324 ft 202 ft
Measured Weight w/o Battery 6.0 lb 6.6 lb 8.4 lb 5.8 lb 5.0 lb
Measured Max Depth of Cut w/ Framing Blade 2-1/16" 2-3/16" 2-3/16" 1-15/16" 1-7/8"
Average 6x12" Cross Cutting Time 5.3 sec 3.9 sec 6.3 sec 6.6 sec 7.6 sec
Rafter Hook? No No No No No
Battery Used in Testing 5 Ah 4 Ah 5 Ah 5 Ah 4 Ah

Our Analysis and Test Results

For those users that like power tools with lots of bells and whistles, the Makita XSS02 will not impress. The Makita is a pared-down machine in the vein of a traditional plug-in circular saw. Its adjustments lack positive stops, there isn't a cutting light, and the sightlines are hard to follow. However, it has plenty of power, levers securing bevel and depth adjustments, and one of the better blade replacements systems that we have tested.

Performance Comparison


makita xss02z - looking good and ready to rip.
Looking good and ready to rip.
Credit: Austin Palmer

Ease of Use


One of the most frustrating things about circular saws is changing the blade. With this in mind, one can make the argument that the blade changing system on the Makita is it's best feature. The blade lock is easy to depress while maintaining a good grip on the motor housing. Moreover, the locking points occur every few degrees, so you don't have to rotate the blade around and around searching for one. Additionally, the Allen key is conveniently located in a flush slot next to the battery, so it'll be available when you need it.

makita xss02z - in the top of the frame (center left) is the black blade lock...
In the top of the frame (center left) is the black blade lock button. It's easy to depress while gripping the saw. In the cent of the frame we see the bevel guage nad hte leve that locks it. When in the lock position (down), the lever obstruct the setting arrow.
Credit: Ian pearman

While we like the blade swapping ease of the Makita and, of course, that it is cordless, it is best described as a bare-bones machine. What this means is that the saw requires the user to double-check depth and bevel adjustments with a tape measure and square. Additionally, the saw lacks a cutting light, positive stops on the bevel, and blade brake — modern features of which we are quite fond. Moreover, the sightlines are off about a quarter inch.

It's not all bad with the Makita, however. The cutting depth adjustment lever is silky smooth and its 2 1/16" cutting depth is among the deepest in the class including the 7 1/2" saws. Lastly, the saw is relatively light at 7.4 pounds with a 5 amp hour battery.

Cutting


The Makita is literally (and figuratively) a cutting machine. The motor surprised us with the amount of power it can kick out for a 6 1/2" saw. The Makita can handle full depth cross cuts of both soft and hardwood. And, it does a pretty good job ripping planks and sheeting, too.

To test a saws cutting capability we ran it through some demanding cuts and timed the machine in each task. First, we ripped a 10 foot 2 x 12" plank. We repeated this task multiple times and it averaged a respectable 54 seconds while showing few signs to struggle to boot. Next, we made full blade depth crosscuts of a 6 x 12" header — the saw averaged 5.6 seconds which is about a second slower than the class leaders. Finally, we made crosscuts of dense laminated veneer lumber (LVL). Here, too, the Makita delivered results comparable to the 7 ½" framing saws.

makita xss02z - the makita makes demanding cuts with the ease of a plug-in saw.
The Makita makes demanding cuts with the ease of a plug-in saw.
Credit: Ian Pearman

Battery


Battery life is a big deal in cordless tools, especially those tools like a saw that is power-hungry. To be frank, we were less than impressed with the battery life of the Makita's 5 amp hour cell. While it wasn't terrible, its performance was below average for the class.

To derive a practical measure of a saw's battery life we set the saws to ripping an 8-foot sheet of 3/4 inch plywood. We used a guide so that the saws wouldn't walk and produce added friction thus throwing-off the results. The Makita made 27 rips plus 4 feet before its battery kicked the bucket. That's 220 humdrum linear feet, which isn't so good for a 5 amp hour battery. To put this in context, the class average was 252 linear feet.

makita xss02z - the saw in action during the battery test.
The saw in action during the battery test.
Credit: Ian Pearman


Value


While no reasonable person would say that the Makita is anything less than a reliable saw, it is a bit overpriced in our estimation. The fact is, one can get a saw with longer battery life or greater ease of use for about the same amount of money. While this saw is certainly not a rip-off, we can't say that it's a great value either.

Conclusion


The Makita XSS02 has some laudable design features such as a fantastic blade swapping system, adjustment levers, and ample power. However, the battery life is middle of the road, and the shoe adjustments are old school — meaning that they'll require some double-checking. For those used to older circular saws, this won't seem like a big deal. As for greenhorns, the lack of these features could be problematic.

Nick Miley and Austin Palmer