Makita GRJ01 XGT Reciprocating Saw Review: Two Years of Heavy Use

Introduction

The Makita GRJ01 reciprocating saw was one of the first tools available when the XGT platform launched, and after nearly two years of regular use it has proven to be a genuinely impressive tool. Used roughly once a week for demanding cutting work, it has held up remarkably well, with the batteries showing no noticeable degradation and the tool still performing like it did on day one.

This review covers the real-world trade-offs: the premium price, the heavier build, the loud operation, and the outstanding battery efficiency that makes the XGT platform so appealing for professionals.

Who This Product Is For

The GRJ01 is aimed squarely at pro-grade users who want the best tools available rather than the most compact ones. XGT is positioned as an industrial, high-end platform with better build quality across the board, and the reciprocating saw reflects that. If your priority is lightweight and compact, other options make more sense. If you want maximum performance and are willing to pay for it, this is the platform to look at.

Main Strengths

The standout strength of the GRJ01 is battery life. The 40V max 4.0Ah XGT battery is equivalent in total energy to two stacked 18V 4Ah batteries, which you can verify by comparing watt-hour ratings. That alone suggests strong runtime, but the real difference is smarter electronics and motors. Rather than wasting energy running at full throttle, the tool draws the power it actually needs at the time. In side-by-side use, the GRJ01 needed a battery change about half as often as comparable 18V tools on the same jobs, effectively doubling runtime.

Build quality is another clear win. The tool has a bigger motor, a more substantial construction, and it has handled heavy-duty work consistently without issue. The included charger has also been rock solid in this experience, though it is worth noting that some users elsewhere have reported chargers failing randomly, a concern that a future-generation charger would presumably address.

Things to Consider Before Buying

Price is the biggest hurdle. The kit, which includes the tool, one battery, and a charger, cost $347 at the time of purchase, which was the best price available. Other brands offer larger four- to six-tool combo kits for around $400, so XGT is considerably more expensive, especially for anyone considering a full platform switch from LXT or another brand.

Weight is the second trade-off. The GRJ01 is heavier than nearly every other reciprocating saw, a result of its larger motor and industrial-grade build. Anyone prioritizing compact handling will notice the difference immediately.

Noise is the third issue. The tool is loud, with a noticeable high-pitched wind to it, and it is likely one of the loudest reciprocating saws available. Conversation is simply not possible while it runs.

One caution from real-world use: this tool is not a pruning saw. Using a standard blade on palm trees caused fibrous material to jam into the blade area, requiring pliers and about twenty minutes of cleanup. That was user error rather than a tool flaw, but it is a reminder to match the blade to the material.

Long-Term Durability

Two years of weekly use have left their mark on the tool’s shoe plate, which shows visible wear, but that is the only cosmetic evidence of the workload it has handled. Functionally, the saw has been phenomenal. The XGT batteries have shown no runtime loss over time, still working exactly like they did out of the box, and the charger has performed without any noise or issues.

A second-generation version of this saw with orbital action now exists, but it is priced close to this entire first-generation kit, which is worth factoring into a purchase decision.

Buying Advice

For anyone already on the LXT platform or another battery system, upgrading to XGT means paying a hefty premium, but the performance, runtime, and build quality justify it for heavy users. Buying the first-generation GRJ01 kit remains a strong value compared with the more expensive Gen 2, since it delivers most of the same performance at a lower kit price.

Conclusion

After nearly two years, the Makita GRJ01 has earned its place as a heavy-duty daily driver. It is expensive, heavy, and loud, but its roughly doubled runtime, excellent battery longevity, and pro-grade build quality make the XGT platform a genuine step up. For professionals who want the best a reciprocating saw can offer, it is well worth the price.