Makita
Makita XSH06Z 18V X2 LXT (36V) Brushless Cordless 7-1/4 in. Circular Saw
$259
Released 2018
Best Circular Saws · head-to-head
A sourced, side-by-side comparison. Ridgid R8654B 18V OCTANE Brushless Cordless 7-1/4 in. Circular Saw is cheaper at $169. Every spec and price links to its source.
Makita
$259
Released 2018
Ridgid
$169Cheaper
Released 2019
On the specs we track, they're closely matched. The Ridgid R8654B 18V OCTANE Brushless Cordless 7-1/4 in. Circular Saw is the cheaper at $169.
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✓ marks the stronger figure where "more" — or "less", for price and weight — is unambiguously better.
| Spec | | |
|---|---|---|
| US price | $259 | $169 |
| Brand | Makita | Ridgid |
| Released | 2018 | 2019 |
| Power source | cordless | cordless |
| Blade size (in) | 7-1/4 in | 7-1/4 in |
| Voltage or amps | 36 V (18V X2) | 18 V |
| Max (rpm) | 6000 | 5600 |
| Bevel capacity (°) | 56 deg | 56 deg |
| Brushless | Yes | Yes |
| Weight (lb) | 10.5 lb | 9.5 lb |
| Release | 2018 | 2019 |
Sources — Makita XSH06Z 18V X2 LXT (36V) Brushless Cordless 7-1/4 in. Circular Saw: makitatools.com (verified 2026-06-20). Ridgid R8654B 18V OCTANE Brushless Cordless 7-1/4 in. Circular Saw: homedepot.com (verified 2026-06-20).
Where the two actually differ on the specs we track (3 of 7). Matching specs are omitted.
Sourced tester consensus for each — the "what people who used it think" layer, not just specs.
Only one whitelisted hands-on tester, Pro Tool Reviews, covers this exact Makita XSH06 (36V) saw, scoring it 9.3/10 and praising unusually smooth cutting and strong value. In its 8-ft rip-cut test the saw finished in 13.54 seconds, the third-fastest PTR had tested at the time. Its sole real gripe: no standard rafter hook (optional add-on 199386-8). Non-whitelisted hands-on reviews were excluded. (1 sourced review, 1 lab-tested.)
Praised: Very smooth, refined cutting action; Fast cutting, third-fastest rip time in PTR's test pool; Strong value, especially the 4-battery kit.
Flagged: No rafter hook standard; only an optional add-on (199386-8).
Only one whitelisted tester, Pro Tool Reviews, published a hands-on head-to-head review of the exact R8654B; no other whitelisted hands-on reviews were found. Their verdict: a solid brushless upgrade over Ridgid's Gen5X with excellent blade sightlines and shoe glide, but middling raw power (lowest of three power tiers in their test), a guard that hangs on thin cuts, and heavy weight. (1 sourced review, 1 lab-tested.)
Praised: Excellent, unobstructed blade sightline aided by LED; Magnesium shoe coating glides smoothly over material; Comfortable, well-offset handle with Hex Grip overmold; included vac/dust port.
Flagged: Lower guard hangs on thin shave, miter and compound cuts; Shoe notches off ~1/8 in at 0° and 45°, plus slight crosscut tracking wander; One of the heaviest cordless sidewinders (9.5 lb bare, 12.0 lb with 9.0Ah pack).