At the 2018 New Product Symposium, Milwaukee announced “The Next Breakthrough” – a series of M18 Fuel tools that send higher power tools off to take advantage of the 12.0 Ah High Output battery and large frame motors. That’s great, but with Makita’s Rear-Handle Saw and DeWalt with both a sidewinder and Worm Drive Style saw on their FlexVolt platform, where exactly does the Milwaukee M18 Fuel Circular Saw fit?
Pros
- Fastest cutting circular saw we’ve tested
- Full feature set, including dust port attachment
- Solid ergonomics
Cons
- No major drawbacks
Key Features
Milwaukee isn’t missing anything with their new flagship cordless circular saw unless you’re really hoping for a One-Key version. Whether you’re just trying to keep your workspace cleaner or you’re cutting fiber cement board, the dust port attachment is a nice addition. There’s only one Phillips head screw to remove to swap it in.
Here’s the entire feature list:
- Blade right sidewinder design
- Brushless motor
- Rafter hook
- Dust port attachment included
- Electric brake
- Magnesium shoe and guards
- LED light
- Cutline blower
Ergonomics
The Milwaukee M18 Fuel Circular Saw seems like one of the heavier cordless options available, weighing in at 12.8 pounds with the battery and blade. That’s slightly more than Makita’s Rear-Handle (12.7 pounds) and nearly a pound lighter than DeWalt’s Worm Drive Style (13.7 pounds).
For sidewinder styles, Makita’s new XSH06 is right at 12 pounds fully loaded and DeWalt’s FlexVolt is just shy of 10.5 pounds. Realistically, the weight isn’t going to hurt your ability to make the majority of your cuts. It might even help stabilize the saw. It’s just in carrying it around the job site that you’ll notice it.
The handle design and push-down trigger safety are both to my liking, making it a very natural saw to pick up and use without overthinking it.
Performance
Power Source
As an M18 Fuel product, any Milwaukee M18 battery will work in the 2753, but the new High Output batteries are what it’s designed to use.
Cutting Speed
The big question is how this saw compares to the other high-performance cordless circular saws available. Our standard speed test is a series of full depth (2-1/2″) rip cuts through pressure-treated 4 x 4 pine. With our benchmark Diablo framing blade installed, Milwaukee sets the new speed record with a cut of 10.74 seconds, beating out both the Makita Rear-Handle Saw and FlexVolt Worm Drive Style from DeWalt.
To put that is even greater perspective, Milwaukee’s previous M18 Fuel Circular Saw finished the same test in 64.96 seconds.
Speed Test Runs
- Milwaukee 2732: 10.74 seconds
- DeWalt FlexVolt Worm Drive Style: 11.36 seconds*
- Makita 18V X2 XSH06 (new sidewinder style): 13.54
- Makita 18V X2 Rear-Handle Saw: 18.64 seconds*
- Skilsaw SPT77WM worm drive: 27.96*
This is really impressive and exciting data, but I do have to qualify it. We know that every piece of wood is different. Even though all of these tests are run in 4 x 4 pressure-treated pine, the saws marked with an * on this list cut through a piece that was wetter than this one in a previous test. The takeaway is that Milwaukee has an impressively powerful and fast-cutting saw, but we’re not ready to claim it the speed king until we put those top 3 through the same board head to head.
Additional Field Notes
The cutting depth and bevel knobs are easy to lock/unlock and adjust smoothly. The guard action is also very smooth.
Price and Value
Here’s a breakdown of pricing in this class:
- Milwaukee 2732: $249 bare, $449 (kit with 12.0Ah battery)
- FlexVolt DCS575 (Sidewinder): $179 (bare), $379 (kit with two 2.0/6.0Ah batteries)
- FlexVolt DCS577 (Worm Drive Style): $249 (bare), $399 (kit with 3.0/9.0Ah battery)
- Makita XSH06 (Sidewinder): $199.99 (bare), $369.99 (kit with two 5.0Ah batteries)
- Makita XSR01 (Rear-Handle): $199 (bare), $299 (kit with two 5.0Ah batteries)
Pricing is right in line for Milwaukee given the performance and feature set, though Makita’s Rear-Handle kit stands out as an excellent value in this group. As a premium cordless option, it’s a fair price.
The Bottom Line
The Milwaukee M18 Fuel Circular Saw stands out as one of the highest performing cordless circular saws available against all current competition – including Makita’s Rear-Handle and DeWalt’s FlexVolt Worm Drive Style. There aren’t any glaring drawbacks, making it an outstanding choice if you’re in the market for a premium option.
Milwaukee M18 Fuel Circular Saw Specifications
- Model: Milwaukee 2732
- Power Source: M18 RedLithium battery (12.0 Ah High Output included in kit)
- Blade Diameter: 7-1/4″
- No Load Speed: 5800 RPM
- Max Cutting Depth @ 90°: 2-1/2″
- Max Cutting Depth @ 45° 1-7/8″
- Bevel Capacity: 50°
- Weight: 9.2 lbs with blade, 12.8 lbs with battery and blade
- Warranty: 5 years
- Price: $249 bare, $449 kit
The magnesium alloy is so advanced that it even comes with artistic structural ribbing.
The structural ribbing looks like a great place to store my leftover sawdust.
I’ve been waiting a long time for yet another place to store my used, wet, caked sawdust on the saw itself and Milwaukee has that covered! :P
You’re always sending things about winning new stuff I never get any of it And I use a lot of Milwaukee tools
I have one of these saws and love it. With 2 -5 amp batteries we ran it most of the day while building my house. Not as much power as a corded saw but we had no power so this saw was excellent. Love just grabbing it and not have to worry about pulling a cord. Highly recommend !!!!!
Why not put the blade on the other side