Clash of the Titans: Milwaukee vs Makita Reciprocating Saw

We just wrapped up testing eleven flagship reciprocating saws from brands you know and trust. Today, we’re comparing two of the top Pro-grade contenders: the Makita 40V max XGT GRJ02 and the Milwaukee M18 Fuel 2722 Super Sawzall. Both saws are powerful, and packed with features that allow it to thrive on the jobsite. But the question is this: Which saw will come out on top in a head-to-head challenge? Let’s break it down and find out!

Curious who makes the best cordless reciprocating saw? Full head-to-head results are coming on December 8th!

Makita VS Milwaukee Reciprocating Saw Specifications

Here’s a quick look at the key specs to know before we jump into testing:

As you can clearly see, these saws are identical on paper when it comes to performance, so this should prove to be an interesting matchup!

Makita vs Milwaukee Reciprocating Saw: How We Tested

Clean Wood Cut

This test involves making three cuts in a pressure-treated 2×12 board. These cuts are timed, and the results are then averaged to find out how fast each saw can make the cut.

Nail-Embedded Wood Cut

Our nail-embedded wood test amps up the intensity a little bit compared to the clean wood cut. It involves each saw making three cuts in a simulated wall comprised of Hardie board, plywood, and three 2×4 studs with nine total framing nails driven into them. While this may seem excessive, it’s meant to highlight each saw’s capabilities in a very common demo scenario.

PVC Pipe Cut

For this test, we set up a 4-inch schedule 40 PVC pipe and made a series of three cuts with each saw. This isn’t a very demanding task for a reciprocating saw, but it’s well within the scope of duty.

Cast Iron Cut

This is far and away the most challenging task for any reciprocating saw. Cast iron is extremely hard to cut, so for this test, we opted to make one cut in our 3-inch pipe and timed our results.

Testing Results

Overall, these reciprocating saws are very evenly matched, and they earned their keep when it comes to performance! In spite of their similarities in the head-to-head challenges, there’s more to the story.

The biggest difference between these saws is their respective levels of vibration. Reciprocating saws are violent by nature, but some companies mitigate this factor better than others.

In this case, Makita is the clear winner in this department, scoring the highest possible rating for vibration control among the 11 models we tested. It offers a smoother cutting experience with less felt vibration in your hands, leading to less overall arm fatigue. Conversely, Milwaukee’s 2722 vibration level was noticeably higher.

Bare in mind, this doesn’t even begin to disqualify Milwaukee as a genuine Pro competitor. As you can see from the test results, the 2722 is an effective tool and will power through your workpiece much better than other competitors we tested, but you will have to contend with higher levels of vibration.

Makita vs Milwaukee Reciprocating Saw Key Features

Makita GRJ02

• Brushless Motor: Better performance, longer runtime, longer service life, and no carbon brushes to change
• Selectable Orbital Action: Flip to more aggressive, faster cutting in wood
• Adjustable Speed Modes: Optimize cutting speed based on the material
• Adjustable Shoe: Helps extend the life of your blades by exposing unused teeth
• Folding Rafter Hook: Offers a convenient hanging option
• Blade Change Lever: Releases blades more easily than shaft-mounted designs

Milwaukee 2722

• Brushless Motor: Better performance, longer runtime, longer service life, and no carbon brushes to change
• Selectable Orbital Action: Flip to more aggressive, faster cutting in wood
• Adjustable Speed Modes: Optimize cutting speed based on the material
• Adjustable Shoe: Helps extend the life of your blades by exposing unused teeth
• Folding Rafter Hook: Offers a convenient hanging option

Pricing and Final Thoughts

After all of our hands-on testing, the clear winner for me is the Makita GRJ02. The test results are nearly identical, the ergonomics are sound, and the vibration management is top-notch. While it is more expensive, I’m willing to pay a little more for comfort when it comes to the fatiguing job of demo.