Makita XSL01Z LXT Miter Saw Review

Makita XSL01Z LXT

Editor Rating: 3.6/5

Great Product

Makita XSL01Z LXT Miter Saw

Reviewed by: Timothy Henderson

Last modified: Nov 27, 2022 @ 4:05 am

  • Design
  • Functionality
  • Price

Makita XSL01Z Review Summary:

Nine positive stops, a generous 7.5-inch blade, and a unique quad smooth-glide rail system — features that make the 2200 rpm Makita XSL01Z cordless miter saw a worthy option for the precision-demanding professional woodworker.

Specifications:

  • Weight – 27 pounds
  • Dimensions – 27 x 14 x 21 inches
  • Power source – Lithium Ion battery
  • Voltage – 18 Volts

Makita XSL01Z LXT – The Basics


Many people have the same problem when it comes to power tools – they don’t know which one fulfills their requirements. This model is an all-around cordless miter saw suitable for both big and small projects. Its portability makes it desirable for people who are often moving from one place to another. In simpler words, if you’re bound to move, make sure you purchase a compact and lightweight unit or else you’ll end up with back problems, fatigue, and more.

The safety of this model is at a satisfactory level. It may not be the best on the market, but it’s definitely as safe as the other more expensive ones. However, if you’re an absolute beginner, it would be a good idea to check the user manual before operating with this unit. If you’re looking for a decent miter saw, this might be the one.

The Features


The design


As most Makita power tools, this one also has a pretty good design. You can instantly tell it’s constructed by Makita due to the characteristic blue color and great build quality. Speaking of quality, the materials used in production are sturdy, reliable, and most importantly – durable. Therefore, you don’t have to worry about the overall integrity of the unit. There are some plastic parts, but it’s all hard plastic meaning there’s no danger of breaking.

The motor is able to deliver up to 2200 RPM. While it doesn’t seem like a big number, it’s more than enough for many different applications, especially crown molding and cutting peculiar angles. When it comes to accuracy, the steel rails do the job perfectly. The sliding system increases the overall precision of this unit by a lot.

The blade will lean 0-47 degrees to the left and 0-57 degrees to the right. It bevels 0-45 degrees left, and 0-5 degrees right. As you can tell, tough angle cuts are a piece of cake if you have the XSL01Z beside you.

Safety


As we said, there is no need to worry about safety when Makita is in question. They are present on the market for years, and they’ve perfected the production of most of their components. Therefore, safety elements are at a satisfactory level. However, make sure you read the manual and get familiar with the mechanism before you turn it on for the first time.

Dust collecting


Dust-collecting capabilities are underwhelming but expected. The included bag is okay, but it could use more capacity, to say the least. In simpler words, get ready for frequent emptying of the bag.

Makita XSL01Z LXT blade
Makita XSL01Z

Pros:

N

Affordable

N

Easy to use

N

Lightweight

Cons:

N

Lacks power

N

Battery life is underwhelming

N

Batteries are NOT included

R

Things we liked about it

There are plenty of things to like when it comes to Makita’s power tools. The first and most obvious advantage of this particular model is its affordable price. Albeit one cannot say it’s cheap, but it’s definitely a worthy investment, especially if you use the full potential of it. The cutting capacity is also quite good, which is a pretty rare occasion in nowadays cordless miter saws. Most of the other models struggle with the cutting capacity, but this one has no issues with it whatsoever. It’s a perfect piece of equipment for smaller jobs, but it doesn’t thrive in professional projects.

Q

Things we didn’t like

As with all other battery-powered units, this one lacks power and continuity. As we said, it’s a good tool for small projects and angled cuts, but it’s far from a professional one. Therefore, if you’re planning on using it for more than a couple of hours a day, you might want to keep looking, this one won’t cut it.

Many people have a problem with max RPM. Truth be told, this model isn’t foreseen to cut particularly dense wood. Also, lower RPM saves a lot of battery power. In simpler words, this model is more about efficiency and less about the sheer power.

What Users Say About The Makita XSL01Z


DIY-ers love the XSL01Z due to its affordable price, decent accuracy, and ease of use. As we said, some people complained about the overall RPM output, but it’s not really a valid argument because it’s noted in the specifications. Therefore, make sure you read the whole review together with the specifications so that you know what you are buying before clicking the ” Purchase” button. It saves a lot of time and especially money.

Makita XSL01Z

Conclusion


We cannot say this is the best miter saw on the market because it isn’t. However, it’s great for a certain group of people who aren’t planning on stressing the machine 24/7 for days. Occasional crown molding, cutting laminate, and more are a piece of cake for this unit. However, it tends to struggle with dense and large wood. The battery life is okay, but it could have been better. With only around 200 cuts per charge, it doesn’t stand out at all. In fact, it’s subpar in comparison to some other models within the same category. In conclusion, it’s a good tool for most DIY-ers, but not a recommended one for devoted professionals.

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