Top Makita 40V max XGT Tools of 2022: Five Standout Picks Worth a Look

Introduction

Sorting a year of Makita 40V max XGT releases down to a handful of favorites turned out to be harder than expected. The 40V line grew across woodworking, metalwork, yard work, and site cleanup, and several tools could easily have swapped places in any ranking. What follows is a rundown of the standouts: the tools that proved genuinely handy in daily use rather than just impressive on a spec sheet. These five picks, plus one honorable mention, each solve a distinct problem, and together they show how far cordless tooling has come.

Number 5: Makita LS003G Miter Saw and VC004G Vacuum Combo

The LS003G is a 305mm (12 inch) miter saw that cuts boards up to 380mm wide and slices through a 100 by 100mm (four by four) post in a single pass. It is a solid, capable saw for framing and general site work.

The real magic happens when you pair it with the VC004G dust vacuum. The vac takes two 40V batteries but only needs one to run, so it is a 40V tool rather than an 80V one, delivering roughly 40 minutes of runtime at full power on a pair of 8Ah packs. Thanks to the AWS chip, pulling the trigger on the saw automatically starts the vacuum, and it shuts itself off after a short delay. That hands-free dust extraction is why this pairing earns its spot.

Number 4: Makita UC004G Top Handle Chainsaw

Makita released several chainsaws this year, including a pole saw and a large rear-handled model, but the UC004G top handle is the one that stands out. It carries a 350mm bar, though bar lengths range from 250mm to 350mm depending on your region.

It is light enough to use one-handed in a pinch, has plenty of grunt, and pairs a high chain speed with the torque to back it up. For home and garden use, it will handle most tasks you would ever ask of a chainsaw, short of felling timber commercially. That balance of weight, speed, and power is what makes it such an easy recommendation.

Number 3: Makita AS001G Dust Blower

The AS001G is a four-speed handheld dust blower, and it is remarkable how quickly it becomes one of the most-reached tools in the kit. You can lock it on, it is light, and it hangs easily on a tool belt.

Its uses pile up fast: blowing down tools and yourself at the end of the day, cleaning out filters, clearing pipes and hoses, and blasting dust out of anchor holes drilled into concrete. A range of accessories extends its reach further. It is the kind of low-cost, high-utility tool you end up wondering how you managed without.

Number 2: Makita DG001G Earth Auger

The DG001G earth auger is effectively the Makita 40V right-angle drill fitted with a large handle, and with the adapter installed it becomes a genuine hole-digging machine. It is light, quick, and needs no petrol, and unlike a traditional two-person post-hole borer it will not throw you around when the bit bites.

Makita also released three auger bits specifically for this tool and its 18V equivalent: 100mm, 150mm, and 200mm sizes. Each bit is 800mm long with a double spiral, two replaceable cutting edges, and a corkscrew tip to get you started. An 800mm extension is available if that is not deep enough. For fence posts and garden projects, it is a genuine lifesaver.

Number 1: Makita HS011G Circular Saw

The HS011G is a 270mm (10 and 5/8 inch) circular saw, and its size is the whole point. It cuts 104mm of timber in a single pass, slices through fence posts with no trouble, and rips through two 50mm boards at once. At 45 degrees the cut depth is impressive, and it still managed 75mm at 60 degrees in testing.

It bevels to 60 degrees with a reverse bevel of -1 degrees, includes AWS for automatic dust extraction, and takes a removable sub base that doubles as a rip guide when flipped. The base is also track compatible, a feature appearing on more and more Makita saws. Big, deep-cutting, and fully cordless, it is about as close to the perfect saw as the 40V line gets.

Honorable Mention: Makita C002G Metal Cutting Saw

The C002G metal cutting saw earns a mention of its own. The difference between this and the earlier model comes down to a small handle that controls the guard movement, and beyond that it cuts metal with ease. It looks good doing it, too. The one gripe is blade life: the included Makita blade wears out a bit sooner than you would like. Still, it is a great piece of kit for cutting metal.

Buying Advice

Choosing between these tools comes down to what your work actually demands. If dust control and clean indoor cuts matter most, the LS003G and VC004G pairing is the smartest combination here. For garden and property maintenance, the UC004G chainsaw and DG001G auger cover a huge range of jobs without petrol or pull cords.

If you want a single do-it-all saw, the HS011G circular saw is the standout of the entire year, and the AS001G blower is the cheapest way to add everyday convenience to any kit. Metalworkers should keep the C002G on their radar as well. Matching the tool to the task, rather than buying by ranking alone, is the surest way to be happy with any of them.

Conclusion

The Makita 40V max XGT line had a strong year, with a deep-cutting circular saw, an automatically syncing dust extraction combo, a light and punchy top handle chainsaw, a genuinely useful dust blower, and an earth auger that makes hole digging almost fun. Any of these five, plus the metal cutting saw, would be a confident addition to a workshop or site kit.