Brand Marketing Manager - ONE KEY/Connectivity

Milwaukee vs Makita circular saw review: who's a cut above? Milwaukee and Makita are both top competitors in the premium cordless circular saw market, but they take different approaches to getting the job done. On paper, their flagship saws are very evenly matched in blade speed and cut capacity, but Pro Tool Reviews, LLC wanted to know who would take pole position in a head-to-head matchup. Pro Tool Reviews, LLC ran these saws through its standard set of circular saw tests so you can decide which is the best option for your tool arsenal. Milwaukee M18 Fuel vs Makita 40V max circular saw comparison. Milwaukee's 2834 is the latest generation of its M18 Fuel 7-1/4-inch sidewinder-style circular saw. Its brushless motor delivers up to 6,000 RPM, while the saw's 2 5/8-inch cutting capacity allows it to handle 3X material in a single pass. Milwaukee also increased the maximum bevel angle to 57°, compared to the previous generation, the 2732. * Blade Size: 7 1/4-inch * Blade Orientation: Right * No-Load Speed: 6,000 RPM * Bevel Capacity: 57o * Cutting Depth at 90o: 2 5/8 inches * Cutting Depth at 45o: 2 1/16 inches Key features. * Folding Rafter Hook: Easily hang your saw on 2x material in between uses * Electronic Blade Brake: Quickly brings the blade to a halt once the trigger is released * LED Work Light and Dust Blower: Helps keep your cut line clear and visible * Available with One-Key: The M18 Fuel 2835 is One-Key compatible for better tool tracking Makita's GSH01 leverages the power of the 40V max XGT platform. Its brushless motor also tops out at 6,000 RPM and offers a 2 5/8-inch max cutting depth at 90°. Moreover, this saw bevels up to 56° and includes positive-stop positions at 22.5°, 45°, and 56°, so it's easy to get accurate results with confidence. * Blade Size: 7 1/4-inch * Blade Orientation: Right * No-Load Speed: 6,000 RPM * Bevel Capacity: 56o * Cutting Depth at 90o: 2 5/8 inches * Cutting Depth at 45o: 1 13/16 inches\ * Rafter Hook: No * AWS Compatible: Pair this saw with a Bluetooth transmitter to remotely activate your compatible vacuum or dust extractor * Integrated Tether Point: Quickly tether your saw when working at height * Three-Position Bevel Dial: Make accurate bevel adjustments with confidence Milwaukee vs Makita circular saw: how Pro Tool Reviews, LLC tested. Circular saws make two basic types of cuts: crosscuts and rip cuts. From there, Pro Tool Reviews, LLC add bevel, miter, and compound cuts to see how each saw handles more demanding applications. For its testing, Pro Tool Reviews, LLC use a variety of 2x materials and OSB subflooring, which helps to minimize some of the variables. Rip cutting. The first thing Pro Tool Reviews, LLC wanted to find out was which saw could maintain its cutting performance under load. Both saws have plenty of power for everyday construction work, but its testing showed a noticeable difference when Pro Tool Reviews, LLC pushed them harder. In its double-stacked 3/4-inch OSB rip cut test, each saw was pulled for 7 feet on a custom sled by a 10-pound weight, and Pro Tool Reviews, LLC timed the results. The Milwaukee 2834 finished in 9.76 seconds, while the Makita GSH01 took 13.53 seconds. Pro Tool Reviews, LLC saw a similar result when Pro Tool Reviews, LLC moved to a full-depth rip cut. For this test, Pro Tool Reviews, LLC ran each saw through triple-stacked 3/4-inch OSB at full depth and timed the results. In this case, Milwaukee completed its test in 17.41 seconds, while Makita finished in 24.74 seconds - once again, falling behind its competitor, but not a full-on blowout either. Makita certainly isn't lacking power, and the GSH01 maintained RPMs well through these demanding cuts. But when Pro Tool Reviews, LLC put the two saws side-by-side, Milwaukee pulled ahead in raw cutting speed. For these reasons, Pro Tool Reviews, LLC has to award Milwaukee the win in this bout. Cross cuts. When it comes to basic crosscuts, both saws have more than enough power to make clean, controlled cuts. The 2834 and GSH01 both have the cutting capacity and blade speed to handle common 2x dimensional lumber without breaking a sweat. Neither saw gave Pro Tool Reviews, LLC a reason to question its ability during standard crosscuts. This is one of those categories where the differences between these two saws aren't nearly as important as they are when Pro Tool Reviews, LLC start pushing them through more challenging cuts. In this go-around, both saws are fairly evenly matched. Miter cuts. Like the standard cross cuts, both saws performed well while making miter cuts. The saws tracked smoothly and had enough power to maintain blade speed through the material. Moreover, both models received high praise concerning the lower blade guard action, which is a common pain point for circular saws. In this case, the guard rose smoothly up and over the edge of the board and didn't hang up. This led to cleaner and more accurate cuts during its testing. Once again, the 2834 and GSH01 are at a stalemate in terms of performance. Bevel cuts. Just like its miter cut tests, both saws handled bevel cuts with ease. The Milwaukee offers a slightly higher maximum bevel angle, while Makita's three-position stop system makes it quick to move between 22.5°, 45°, and 56°. Regardless, the lower blade guards literally rose to the occasion, offering no resistance as these saws made passes through its 2x10 pressure-treated board. This keeps these saws pretty evenly matched through the competition. Personally, I think Milwaukee's lower guard action is a little smoother than Makita's based on the design of the leading edge. It's a small detail, but it made a difference during its tests. Compound cuts. Compound cuts are where a circular saw's overall design starts to matter more. These cuts combine bevel with the rigors of a miter cut, potentially creating a perfect storm for lower blade guard hang-ups. Fortunately, the Milwaukee 2834 and Makita GSH01 handled its compound cuts without issue. Both models delivered excellent sightlines and worked through the demanding 45° compound miter cuts with ease. Much like during its standard cross-cut tests, these saws earned top praise from its testing team, and for that, Pro Tool Reviews, LLC tip its caps to the design teams. Shoe friction. Shoe friction is one of those small details that becomes more noticeable the more you cut. A smooth shoe takes less effort to push through long cuts. Fortunately, both of these saws feature die-cast magnesium shoes, which help cut down on overall weight and allow them to glide across the workpiece with ease. During its testing, both the 2834 and GSH01 scored high praise from its team for their shoe design...once again leaving these competitors at a near stalemate. Ergonomics. Okay, so Pro Tool Reviews, LLC has covered performance...but what about design? Weight isn't everything with a circular saw because most cuts are made on a level, flat surface. Still, you're carrying the saw around the jobsite all day, and a lighter tool is generally easier to live with. The Makita GSH01 has the advantage here. It sports a bare tool weight of 8.0 pounds, while the Milwaukee 2834 comes in around 8.43 pounds. With the batteries used in its testing, the Makita jumps up to 10.09 pounds compared to 10.81 pounds for Milwaukee. This isn't too shocking when you look at the Pro category as a whole, but lighter typically leads to lower overall fatigue. One factor that does make a notable difference is size. The Makita GSH01 is noticeably more compact. It measures 12 1/2 inches long, while Milwaukee stretches to about 14 inches. While it doesn't make a meaningful difference in performance, Makita's lower weight and smaller profile make it a more favorable option if storage space is at a premium. Personally speaking, I opt for the Makita due to its smaller form factor. But with that said, Milwaukee's stretched out frame leaves plenty of room for folks making two-handed cuts to comfortably use both the main grip and forward pommel. Sightlines. During normal cross cuts and rip cuts, both saws had near-perfect sightlines down to the guide notches on the leading edge of the shoe. Makita's taller design decreased sight-line quality a little, but Milwaukee's flatter profile provided an unobstructed view. Final results. Pricing and final thoughts. The Milwaukee 2834 and Makita GSH01 are both capable of handling serious construction work, but they emphasize different strengths. Milwaukee's biggest advantage is cutting performance, while Makita counters with a lighter, more compact design and a strong feature set. The interesting part is how close the two are once you move beyond raw cutting speed. Both provide excellent cut capacity, solid ergonomics, accurate tracking, and the kind of features Pro Tool Reviews, LLC expect from premium-grade cordless circular saws. For someone already invested in the M18 battery platform, the 2834 makes a compelling case with its cutting performance. The same goes for the GSH01 if you're already invested in Makita's 40V max XGT ecosystem. Plus, its lighter design and advanced safety features make it a strong competitor. At this level, you're not choosing between a capable saw and an underpowered one. You're choosing which combination of performance, weight, features, and battery platform fits your work. For me, I'm inclined to go with Makita for the simple reason that it's lighter and more compact than the 2834. If size and weight are key factors in your buying decision, you really can't go wrong with the GSH01. However, if maximum cutting power is what you're after, then the Milwaukee 2834 is the obvious choice.

Milwaukee Tool joins Alliance for America's Skilled Trades. October 1, 2026 Milwaukee Tool has announced it has joined the Alliance for America's Skilled Trades, a national effort bringing together companies committed to strengthening the skilled trades workforce and expanding pathways into rewarding careers. Milwaukee Tool joins the Alliance with a longstanding commitment to the people and organizations building the skilled trades workforce across the United States. For more than 100 years, the company has built its business around serving the professional trades, including investing in workforce development initiatives that support skilled trades education, training and career pathways. Based on investments made since 2010 and those planned through 2030, Milwaukee Tool expects its total investment in U.S. skilled trades workforce development to exceed $200 million. "Milwaukee Tool has built our business around the skilled trades, and we believe America grows when the trades grow," said Shane Moll, group president of Milwaukee Tool. "Joining the Alliance gives us another opportunity to build on the work we've been doing alongside the organizations that train and support the next generation of skilled tradespeople. We're proud to bring those relationships, our experience, and our continued investment to this effort." "When we launched the Alliance, our focus was to help people get the training and support they need to build great careers in the skilled trades," said Lisa Gevelber, founder of Grow with Google. "Milwaukee Tool has long walked the walk, supporting thousands of apprentices each year and investing deeply in local training centers across the country. Having them join this collective effort allows us to do even more for working people, including expanding access to training and opportunities they can be proud of." Today, Milwaukee Tool supports more than 16,000 apprentices annually who are actively enrolled in skilled trades programs, working alongside more than 1,300 training centers and 25 national union and non-union partners across the United States. That work is grounded in longstanding relationships with organizations throughout the skilled trades. "Developing the next generation of skilled professionals requires a sustained commitment from across our industry. Milwaukee Tool has demonstrated that commitment through its longstanding partnership with MCAA and its direct engagement with the mechanical trades. By listening to the people who perform this work every day and investing in education, training and workforce development, Milwaukee Tool is helping strengthen the skilled trades for the future," said Curtis Harbour, president, Mechanical Contractors Association of America. "Milwaukee Tool has been a longstanding and valued partner to NECA because they understand that supporting the skilled trades means investing in the people who power our industry," said David Long, CEO of the National Electrical Contractors Association. "Their commitment to listening directly to electrical contractors and the workforce, while continuing to invest in education, training and career pathways, is exactly the kind of sustained industry partnership we need to develop the next generation of skilled professionals." Through the Alliance for America's Skilled Trades, Milwaukee Tool will work alongside companies and organizations focused on increasing awareness of skilled trades careers, expanding access to training, and helping strengthen the workforce needed to support America's infrastructure and economy. Milwaukee Tool's commitment to the skilled trades is part of the company's broader investment in the United States. Over the past decade, Milwaukee Tool has invested more than $2 billion in its U.S. operations and added more than 4,000 American jobs in the past five years. All Milwaukee Tool global innovation originates from the company's headquarters in Brookfield, Wisconsin, where the company leads the development of solutions for professional tradespeople around the world. Today, Milwaukee Tool employs more than 11,000 people nationwide and operates 34 facilities across the United States, spanning manufacturing, research and development, engineering, distribution, service and corporate operations. To learn more about Milwaukee Tool's impact in the United States, visit milwaukeetool.com/company/usa-impact.

Milwaukee Tool joins Alliance for America's Skilled Trades. Based on investments made since 2010 and those planned through 2030, Milwaukee Tool expects its total investment in U.S. skilled trades workforce development to exceed $200 million. September 30, 2026 Milwaukee Tool announced it has joined the Alliance for America's Skilled Trades, a national effort bringing together companies committed to strengthening the skilled trades workforce and expanding pathways into rewarding careers. Milwaukee Tool joins the Alliance with a longstanding commitment to the people and organizations building the skilled trades workforce across the United States. For more than 100 years, the company has built its business around serving the professional trades, including investing in workforce development initiatives that support skilled trades education, training and career pathways. Based on investments made since 2010 and those planned through 2030, Milwaukee Tool expects its total investment in U.S. skilled trades workforce development to exceed $200 million. "Milwaukee Tool has built our business around the skilled trades, and we believe America grows when the trades grow," said Shane Moll, group president of Milwaukee Tool. "Joining the Alliance gives us another opportunity to build on the work we've been doing alongside the organizations that train and support the next generation of skilled tradespeople. We're proud to bring those relationships, our experience, and our continued investment to this effort." "When we launched the Alliance, our focus was to help people get the training and support they need to build great careers in the skilled trades," said Lisa Gevelber, founder of Grow with Google. "Milwaukee Tool has long walked the walk, supporting thousands of apprentices each year and investing deeply in local training centers across the country. Having them join this collective effort allows us to do even more for working people, including expanding access to training and opportunities they can be proud of." Today, Milwaukee Tool supports more than 16,000 apprentices annually who are actively enrolled in skilled trades programs, working alongside more than 1,300 training centers and 25 national union and non-union partners across the United States. That work is grounded in longstanding relationships with organizations throughout the skilled trades. "Developing the next generation of skilled professionals requires a sustained commitment from across our industry. Milwaukee Tool has demonstrated that commitment through its longstanding partnership with MCAA and its direct engagement with the mechanical trades. By listening to the people who perform this work every day and investing in education, training and workforce development, Milwaukee Tool is helping strengthen the skilled trades for the future," said Curtis Harbour, president of Mechanical Contractors Association of America. "Milwaukee Tool has been a longstanding and valued partner to NECA because they understand that supporting the skilled trades means investing in the people who power our industry," said David Long, CEO of the National Electrical Contractors Association. "Their commitment to listening directly to electrical contractors and the workforce, while continuing to invest in education, training and career pathways, is exactly the kind of sustained industry partnership we need to develop the next generation of skilled professionals." Through the Alliance for America's Skilled Trades, Milwaukee Tool will work alongside companies and organizations focused on increasing awareness of skilled trades careers, expanding access to training, and helping strengthen the workforce needed to support America's infrastructure and economy. Milwaukee Tool's commitment to the skilled trades is part of the company's broader investment in the United States. Over the past decade, Milwaukee Tool has invested more than $2 billion in its U.S. operations and added more than 4,000 American jobs in the past five years. All Milwaukee Tool global innovation originates from the company's headquarters in Brookfield, Wisconsin, where the company leads the development of solutions for professional tradespeople around the world. Today, Milwaukee Tool employs more than 11,000 people nationwide and operates 34 facilities across the United States, spanning manufacturing, research and development, engineering, distribution, service and corporate operations. To learn more about Milwaukee Tool's impact in the United States, visit milwaukeetool.com/company/usa-impact. Your Business Success Starts Here! Get the most important news and insights impacting your business.