Makita XSL02Z 18V X2 LXT Review

Makita XSL02Z

Editor Rating: 4.7/5

Excellent

Makita XSL02Z 18V X2 LXT Saw

Reviewed by: Timothy Henderson

Last modified: Nov 27, 2022 @ 11:33 am

  • Design
  • Functionality
  • Price

Review Summary:

Targeting the relentless trade pro, the cordless Makita XSL02Z miter saw incorporates twin 18-volt cells — delivering extended running time and driving the eye-watering 5700 rpm blade.

Specifications:

  • Weight – 29 pounds
  • Dimensions – 25.7 x 17 x 17.5 inches
  • Power source – Battery
  • Voltage – 18 Volts

Makita XSL02Z – The Basics


As we already said, Makita is the right choice for many people, especially the ones looking for affordable power tools. This particular model is able to deliver up to 5700 RPM for fast and precise cuts. Apart from that, it also features a large cutting capacity of 2” x 12&” at 90 degrees and 2” x 8” at 45 degrees. One of the most noticeable advantages is the 4-steel rail sliding system which further increases the overall precision of this unit.

Safety is okay, but not impressive. One can say it’s a safe unit, but there is still room for some improvements in the safety department. The miter tilts 0-47 degrees to the left and 0-57 degrees to the right. The level of vibrations is decent, but the lack of a cushioned hand grip poses a problem under full load. However, it’s nothing you can’t get used to within a couple of minutes or hours. The battery is pretty good, and the new dual-battery system is great for saving power when it’s not needed.

The Features


The design


Once you see the unit in person, it’s immediately evident that it’s made by Makita. The characteristic colors and design are Makita’s strong points. As far as this model goes, it has everything you’ll ever need for a small to mid-sized project. It can process wood of any density without too many issues, and can also perform angled cuts on the go. In simpler words, it’s efficient, easy to use, and most importantly – precise.

The measuring instruments are well-made. The thing that separates these measuring components from the others is the materials used in production. The XSL02Z consists of sturdy, reliable, and durable materials such as steel and aluminum. There are some plastic components on this model, but they are made of special hard plastic meaning you don’t have to worry about integrity and durability.

Safety


Safety is good, but not impressive. The blade guard is transparent meaning you’ll always be aware of the blade’s position. It helps with precision, but it also helps a lot when it comes to the general safety of the operator. Other than that, all the other safety features are pretty much the standard ones.

Other features


The sliding rail is a major advantage of this particular model. Instead of fine-tuning the unit whenever you want to change the angle, all you have to do is slide it in the right position, and that’s it.

Dust collecting isn’t the greatest on the market, but you shouldn’t expect it to be in the first place considering the affordability of the model. However, it does feature a dust-collecting port, so it extracts some of the dust at least.

Detail of Makita XSL02Z
Detail of Makita XSL02Z

Pros:

N

Great price

N

Reliable design

N

Easy to use

Cons:

N

Tends to vibrate under full load

R

Things we liked about it

There are plenty of things to like when it comes to Makita. Their quality control department is great, and there’s little to no chance that you’re going to get a faulty unit. Furthermore, the customer support is polite and quite responsive, which is a rarity nowadays, especially in massive corporations such as Makita.

The thing people like the most about this cordless miter saw is its price. As we all know, this company always tries to indulge both the people with and without too much money. Therefore, you don’t have to worry if you’re on a strict budget, there’s something for everyone. In fact, this particular model can be regarded as budget-friendly.

Q

Things we didn’t like

Even though we didn’t expect a miraculous performance in the dust-collecting department, they should have designed it a bit better. The port is functional and effective, but the capacity of the included bag is underwhelming, to say the least. Frequent discharges of the dust bag are pretty common; therefore, you can expect a great deal of stress if you’re planning on eliminating as much dust as possible.

The hand grip isn’t cushioned which means there are some vibrations present, especially under higher RPM. It’s not a big deal, but it’s worth mentioning so that you know what to expect if you ever opt for this particular model. The solution for decreasing vibrations is pretty simple – work gloves.

General user impressions


DIY-ers love this product. It’s one of the easiest to use, while still retaining the professional aspect. In other words, even if you’re an inexperienced individual, you won’t need much time to get used to this unit due to its simplicity and straightforwardness.

On the other hand, even though the professionals say it’s quite good, most of them avoid cordless units due to battery-related issues. However, this particular one comes with a dual-battery system meaning the output is 36V instead of 18V.

Makita XSL02Z

Conclusion


If you’re looking for a high-end miter saw with a ton of great features, take a moment and check this one out. As far as we are concerned – it’s a worthy investment. One cannot say it’s a cheap piece of equipment, but it’s definitely affordable and cost-efficient, especially if you’re a professional. It will pay itself out within a job or two, and you will be left with a free high-end miter saw that’s capable of making angled cuts without breaking a sweat.

In case this is not the thing you’re looking for, feel free to check our other reviews out, you might find the ideal machine for your future projects.

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