Three New Makita Releases Worth a Look: Microwave, Blower Vacuum, and Circular Saw

Introduction

Makita keeps pushing into product categories nobody else covers, and the latest round of announcements is a good example. This time it is a genuinely unusual trio: a 40V cordless microwave, an 18V brushless blower vacuum mulcher, and a new 40V 6-1/2 inch circular saw. One of these is a curiosity with a very steep price, one is priced sensibly, and one rounds out the 40V cutting lineup. Here is what each one offers and who it actually makes sense for.

Makita 40V Cordless Microwave

The 40V cordless microwave is the most unusual release in the batch, and Makita deserves credit for trying something competitors like Milwaukee and DeWalt have not done. It runs on two 40V batteries with an auto-switching battery system that draws them down one at a time for roughly twice the run time, and the compact body weighs just under 20 pounds, which is surprisingly light for what it is.

The feature list is solid for a cordless microwave: two-mode power selection between 500W and 350W, a durable water-resistant design, a dust-resistant inlet port, a tempered glass door, and a built-in USB port for charging a phone. The 1.5 cubic foot interior holds about 2.1 gallons, so it is compact rather than full-size, but a large carrying handle makes it easy to move between the truck and the site.

Controls are familiar: an LED display panel and a rotary knob that can be pressed in 10-second increments up to 20 minutes, just like a countertop model. Makita also backs it with a three-year warranty. The sticking point is price: at $929 for the microwave only, with no batteries included, it is a hard sell unless you genuinely need hot food off-grid. Some buyers may find a portable power station plus any cheap microwave does the same job for less. Still, if you live on job sites or camp a lot, nothing else quite does this.

Makita 18V Brushless Blower Vacuum Mulcher

Unlike the microwave, this one is priced reasonably. The tool-only version costs $199 if you already have Makita 18V batteries, while a kit with a 4.0Ah battery and charger runs $299. If you already own the batteries, the tool-only route is the obvious choice.

It is a brushless three-in-one design that converts between blower, vacuum, and mulcher, with zero emissions and a rated noise level of only 62 dB(A). In blower mode the motor delivers speeds up to 143 MPH and 148 CFM, which is adequate rather than impressive. In vacuum mode it delivers up to 215 CFM with 13 inches of water lift suction power.

Where it gets more useful is cleanup: the bag holds 6.6 gallons of collected leaves, and the 10-to-1 mulching ratio reduces up to 10 bags of leaves down to one. For light yard cleanup on an 18V platform, that is a practical combination, and the price makes it one of the more approachable tools in this announcement.

Makita 40V 6-1/2” Circular Saw

The third release is a new 40V 6-1/2 inch circular saw. Makita already had larger 40V saw options, so this looks aimed at filling out the lineup with a more compact cutting size rather than replacing anything.

It is sold as a kit that includes the saw, a bag, a charger, and a 40V 4.0Ah battery. If you are already invested in Makita’s 40V XGT platform, adding a compact 6-1/2 inch option is a straightforward decision, and the kit packaging means it is ready to work out of the box.

Overall Buying Advice

These three releases speak to very different buyers. The microwave is a niche product at $929 tool-only, and it only makes sense if cordless hot food on demand is worth that much to you. The 18V blower vacuum mulcher is the value pick of the group, especially at $199 tool-only for existing Makita 18V users. The 40V circular saw kit is the easiest one to justify if you already run XGT batteries and want a compact saw with a battery and charger included.

One extra note: Makita is also running a sweepstakes for a Can-Am side-by-side themed around its 40V and 80V systems, with details on makita.com for anyone interested.

Conclusion

Makita’s latest batch shows a brand willing to experiment where others will not. The microwave is innovative but priced for a narrow audience, the blower vacuum mulcher is sensibly priced and practical for yard cleanup, and the 40V 6-1/2 inch circular saw is an easy add-on for XGT users. Match the tool to the job you actually have, and each one makes a clearer case.