Intro
Breaking down sheet materials is the starting point of almost every construction and woodworking project — cutting full 2,440 × 1,220 mm plywood sheets into manageable cabinet panels, ripping construction timber to width for stud walls, or trimming decking boards to length on site. A circular saw is the tool that makes this possible away from the workshop table saw, and a cordless circular saw removes the last constraint: the power cord. Being able to take the saw to the material — out in the garden for decking, up on scaffolding for roof work, or across a busy site — changes how efficiently you work. Modern brushless 18 V circular saws have closed the performance gap with corded machines so effectively that many tradespeople now reach for the cordless first, reserving the corded saw for all-day production ripping. A quality cordless circular saw combines a brushless motor for runtime efficiency, a blade brake for safety, and enough cutting depth to handle the most common site materials in a single pass — all while being light enough to use one-handed without fighting the tool.
Generalities
The cordless circular saw market splits broadly into two camps: 165 mm blade saws for general-purpose cutting and larger 190 mm saws for deeper cuts and heavier timber. For most tradespeople and serious DIYers, the 165 mm class hits the sweet spot: it cuts through 50 mm thick timber and sheet materials in a single pass, weighs significantly less than the larger saws, and costs less too. Brushless motors are now the standard at this level — they extract more cuts per battery charge, run cooler, and last longer than brushed equivalents. Automatic speed control is the next step up: the saw senses the load and adjusts motor speed to maintain cutting performance, which means it does not bog down mid-cut and does not waste battery running faster than needed on light cuts. Magnesium components — base plate, blade guard, housing — reduce weight without sacrificing rigidity, and a blade brake stops the blade within seconds of releasing the trigger, dramatically improving safety. Makita's LXT 18 V platform powers this saw, and the DHS680Z has become one of their most popular cordless models among both tradespeople and demanding home users.
This review examines the Makita DHS680Z — a brushless 18 V cordless circular saw with a 165 mm blade, sold as a bare tool for users already on the Makita LXT battery platform. We assess real-world cutting performance through sheet materials and construction timber, the effectiveness of the automatic speed control and air blower, ergonomics during extended use, and the value proposition of a bare-tool purchase at €200. For Makita users wondering if this saw earns its reputation, and for anyone considering entering the LXT ecosystem with one of its strongest tools, this review gives you the full picture.
Description
The Makita DHS680Z is an 18 V brushless cordless circular saw spinning a 165 mm blade at up to 5,000 RPM. The brushless motor is electronically controlled with automatic speed regulation — the saw monitors the load on the blade and adjusts motor output to maintain optimal cutting speed, which means it does not slow down mid-cut through dense material and does not waste battery running at full speed during light cuts. Maximum cutting depth is 57 mm at 90 degrees and 41 mm at 45 degrees, which covers 50 mm thick construction timber and standard sheet materials in a single pass. The saw takes standard 165 mm circular saw blades with a 20 mm bore — the most common size, available everywhere from builders' merchants to DIY stores. As a bare tool, it ships without battery or charger, designed for users who already own Makita 18 V LXT batteries.
Design-wise, the DHS680Z is built around weight reduction and durability. The base plate, blade guard, and main housing are all cast magnesium rather than pressed steel or plastic — magnesium offers the strength of metal at roughly two-thirds the weight, and Makita has used it extensively to bring the bare tool weight to just 3.3 kg. The result is a saw that feels noticeably lighter than many corded competitors while maintaining the rigidity needed for accurate cuts. The ergonomic rubberised main grip is positioned over the blade, giving you a natural push line through the cut. An electric blade brake stops the blade within approximately two seconds of releasing the trigger — a safety feature that prevents the still-spinning blade from grazing the workpiece or work surface when you set the saw down between cuts. An integrated air blower directs a stream of air across the cut line, clearing sawdust for better visibility of your pencil mark — a simple feature that makes freehand cuts noticeably more accurate.
In cutting performance, the DHS680Z confirms why it has earned nearly 7,000 reviews with a 4.6-star average. Through 18 mm plywood, the saw glides with minimal effort and the included or fitted 165 mm blade produces clean, splinter-free cuts on the top face. Through 50 mm thick construction softwood, the automatic speed control is noticeable: feed the saw at a steady rate and the motor adjusts to maintain blade speed rather than bogging down, so the cut progresses smoothly from start to finish without that mid-cut pause-and-push that characterises underpowered saws. On a 5.0 Ah battery, expect realistic runtime in the range of 40 to 60 metres of 18 mm plywood cutting, enough for most site tasks without a battery change. The magnesium base plate slides smoothly across sheet material without scratching, and the depth and bevel adjustments are tool-free with clearly marked scales. The saw is also guide rail compatible with an optional adapter — pair it with a Makita guide rail for perfectly straight, splinter-free cuts across full sheets without clamping a straight edge.
The bare-tool configuration deserves emphasis, especially at the €200 price point. Makita's LXT 18 V ecosystem is one of the largest in the industry with over 300 compatible tools, so the DHS680Z makes most financial sense for users who already own LXT batteries and chargers from other Makita tools. If this is your first Makita 18 V tool, you will need to budget for at least one battery (a 5.0 Ah is recommended for this saw) and a charger, which effectively doubles the entry cost. However, for existing Makita users, buying the bare tool avoids paying for batteries you do not need — and that is where the value proposition shines. The electric brake, magnesium construction, brushless motor, automatic speed control, and guide rail compatibility add up to a specification that competes with saws costing significantly more when bought as complete kits.
The saw measures 350 × 170 × 238 mm and weighs 3.3 kg as a bare tool. Makita provides a 1-year manufacturer warranty (extendable to 3 years upon online registration within 30 days of purchase) with a 1-year spare parts availability commitment. Customer satisfaction is outstanding: 4.6 out of 5 stars from 6,972 reviews on Amazon.fr, with a bestseller rank of #165 in Circular Saws. At €200.00, the DHS680Z as a bare tool represents strong value within the Makita ecosystem — it delivers professional-grade cutting performance with the convenience of cordless operation and a build quality that tradespeople have trusted for years. For Makita users adding a circular saw to their kit, or upgrading from an older brushed model, it is one of the strongest choices in the 165 mm cordless category.
Pros and cons
Pros
- Brushless motor with automatic speed control adapts power output to the cut — maintains blade speed through dense material without bogging, and conserves battery on light cuts
- Magnesium base plate, guard, and housing reduce weight to 3.3 kg without sacrificing rigidity — noticeably lighter than steel-bodied competitors while remaining rock-solid during cuts
- Electric blade brake stops the blade in approximately two seconds — dramatically improves safety when setting the saw down between cuts and reduces the risk of accidental contact
- Integrated air blower clears sawdust from the cut line — a simple but genuinely useful feature that improves freehand cut accuracy by keeping your pencil mark visible
- Guide rail compatible with optional adapter — transforms the saw into a precision track saw for perfectly straight, splinter-free cuts across full sheet materials
- 57 mm cutting depth at 90 degrees handles 50 mm construction timber and standard sheet materials in a single pass — covers the vast majority of site and workshop cutting tasks
- Bare-tool configuration at €200 makes financial sense for existing Makita LXT users — no paying for batteries and chargers you already own across the 300+ tool ecosystem
- Exceptional user satisfaction with 4.6 stars from nearly 7,000 reviews — one of the most proven and trusted cordless circular saws on the market
Cons
- Bare tool only — if this is your first Makita 18 V tool, the true entry cost doubles when you add a battery and charger; not the right choice for users starting from scratch
- 165 mm blade with 57 mm depth cannot fully cut through 75 mm and thicker posts in a single pass — larger 190 mm saws are needed for heavy timber framing and sleeper work
- No dust extraction port — the air blower clears the cut line effectively but also disperses fine dust into the air; connecting a vacuum is not an option, so indoor cutting requires good ventilation
- Guide rail adapter sold separately — the saw is rail-ready but the adapter is an additional purchase, unlike some competitors that include it or have integrated rail grooves
- Makita's 1-year base warranty requires online registration within 30 days to extend to 3 years — missing that registration window leaves you with shorter coverage than some competitors offer as standard
Use cases
Built for tradespeople and serious DIYers already invested in Makita's LXT 18 V battery system who need a cordless circular saw for breaking down sheet materials, cutting construction timber, and general site work — a proven professional tool that rewards ecosystem loyalty with bare-tool value.
Breaking Down Plywood, MDF, and OSB Sheets
Reducing full 2,440 × 1,220 mm sheets into cabinet panels, shelving components, or flooring underlay on site is the circular saw's core task. Paired with a guide rail and the optional adapter, the DHS680Z produces perfectly straight, splinter-free cuts across full sheets — eliminating the need to manhandle heavy sheet goods onto a table saw. The brushless motor on a 5.0 Ah battery handles an entire kitchen's worth of cabinet panels before needing a swap.
Construction Timber Cross-Cutting and Ripping
Cutting 100 × 50 mm studs, 150 × 50 mm joists, and 50 mm thick sawn timber to length on a building site. The 57 mm depth of cut handles all standard construction timber thicknesses in a single pass, and the saw's 3.3 kg weight makes repetitive cuts less fatiguing than heavier corded saws. The electric brake adds safety when working on scaffolding and between stud bays.
Decking Board and Fence Panel Installation
Installing decking, fencing, and landscaping timber outdoors means bringing the saw to the material — often far from a power socket. The cordless design eliminates extension leads trailing across wet grass, and the magnesium base slides smoothly across pressure-treated timber without marking. A 5.0 Ah battery cuts dozens of decking board ends to length on a single charge.
Roof Timber Cutting and Loft Conversion Work
Cutting rafters, trimmers, and plywood decking during roof work or loft conversions means working at height and in confined spaces. The cordless design removes the trip hazard of a power cord on scaffolding, and the lightweight magnesium body means one-handed operation is manageable when you need the other hand to steady yourself. The blade brake is particularly valued when setting the saw down on angled roof surfaces.
Precision Panel Cutting with Guide Rail
Fitted with the optional guide rail adapter and a fine-tooth blade, the DHS680Z transforms into a track saw capable of glue-ready cuts on veneered panels, laminated boards, and worktop material. The anti-splinter edge of the rail prevents tear-out on the visible face, producing results comparable to a dedicated plunge saw at a fraction of the cost if you already own the DHS680Z.