MakitaXSS03Z 18V LXT Lithium-Ion Cordless 5-3/8-Inch Circular Trim Saw (Tool Only, No Battery)

Mostly got this because it's impossible to get employees at Home Depot and Lowes to cut anything for you anymore. So I'm the doofus in the parking lot using this little beast to get everything to fit in my car. It is a wonderful little saw, easy to handle and maneuver, super portable. If you already have any Makita 18v tools, and ever need to cut stuff, this is a must have.

This little machine is outstanding. I researched the the smaller saws but found the specs to be limited in power, likely using a barrel grip, and using a different battery type or cord. The Makita lasers through 3/4 ply/osb and 2x4s, has familiar trigger and rear circular saw grips, and works with the LXT batteries I already own. It fits perfectly in with the LXT set and I keep the subcompact drill, impact, recipro, and circular saw together for tackling spontaneous jobs on-the-fly. The height and angle adjustments are easy and accurate and the levers lock tight. The blade in the photo (Bad Blade BB550) adds about 1/16 height above the included blade (also: Makita blade: 1/16th wide, Bad Blade: 3/32). I thought the clearance with the guard might cause a clogging issue but the ejection port works so well, that concern has been eliminated. You can read the virtues from all the other reviews but this is my top pro:- YES YOU CAN use the 2.0ah LXT batteries. The cuts in the photo were done without releasing the trigger and the battery did not drop a bar. At that rate, I figure it can go for about 200+ cuts with this battery. With this bettery, it's light enough to hang on a belt.And not so much a con as it is a wish:- Wish it had a belt hook (partially because I'm lefty and hanging it on my left hip would be the biggest win since they started making left-handed baseballs)I would get another, and another as long as they're made. A brushless version would reduce the motor protrusion, add even more battery efficiency, and reduce weight for that belt hook. I will get that one too. Great job, Makita!

All our cordless tools have become Makita and interchange our batteries. This little circular saw is great and handy anywhere. We work a lot of off-grid projects and the cordless is essential. My husband did burn one out when he sawed through a very naily project so be careful with something that may contain lots of screws or nails in the wood. We immediately replaced the saw though. Wouldn't be without it.

This saw is fantastic! It cuts like a dream and is easy to keep on line while cutting. I'd buy it again.

I'm a contractor and I have a Makita "stable" of cordless tools including a 36 v. circ saw that is great but just too big and heavy in certain instances. Picked this up to use where the big guy was just too big. I like it! I wish the table was a little nicer -- just stamped steel where the larger saw has a cast base. I also wish it had a better depth-of-cut indicator. The one moulded into the blade guard is pretty inaccurate. That said, I'm glad I got this guy. Plenty of power for 2x lumber and handy for small trim jobs.

I have the XSH06Z 36V (18V X2) 7‑1/4". It's very powerful, but it's heavy and kind of a pain if you just want to make quick cuts. This little XSS03Z 18V 5-3/8-Inch is perfect for at least 50% of typical construction work. It's lightweight, easy to carry and get into smaller spaces. I wish I would purchased this years ago.

This little saw has replaced my 36v makita that I love for about 90% of all my jobs. Live the power and weight!

I’m a lefty and I love this little saw, I’ve been wanting one for a while. Nowhere in the description does it say “left handed” but the way it’s designed, if you hold in your left hand you can see the line you’re cutting perfectly. Most saws are designed opposite of this one and a left handed person can’t see the damn line he’s trying to cut. It’s great to carry around a job site to take care of any cuts you need to do in awkward spots on an existing building... trim, fascia etc.. it’s very light and the best part is it still makes 2” deep cuts despite it’s size. It’s a strong motor too, I’ve been using it for a few months now and it always gets the job done