Milwaukee M18 FUEL Hackzall Review: Power and Precision in the Palm of Your Hand

Picture this: a compact reciprocating saw that delivers the raw cutting speed of a corded beast, but with the go-anywhere convenience of a cordless, one-handed design. It’s not a fantasy—it’s the Milwaukee M18 FUEL Hackzall, and it’s about to rewire your expectations of what a recip saw can do.

Whether you’re a seasoned Pro slicing through conduit on a commercial site or an ambitious DIYer trimming branches in your backyard, the Hackzall offers unrivaled control and relentless cutting power exactly where you need it. Let’s dive deep into the features and technologies that make it the undisputed champ of the compact cutting world. Trust us—this is one saw you’ll want to get your hands on.

Unboxing the Beast: Key Features Explained

At first glance, the Hackzall looks like your typical compact recip saw—albeit with a distinctly Milwaukee sense of style. But lurking beneath that trademark red housing is an arsenal of cutting-edge tech that propels this saw into a league of its own. Let’s crack open the proverbial hood and see what makes this beast tick.

PowerState Brushless Motor: The Heart of a Revolution

The cornerstone of the Hackzall’s beastly performance is Milwaukee’s state-of-the-art PowerState brushless motor. Now, you might be thinking, “Brushless motors are old news, what’s so special about this one?” Plenty, as it turns out.

Milwaukee’s engineers didn’t just settle for your run-of-the-mill brushless design. They fine-tuned every aspect of the PowerState motor to extract maximum power and efficiency specifically for recip saw applications. The result is a motor that chews through materials with a ferocity that belies the saw’s compact size.

Just how ferocious are we talking? Try up to 50% faster cuts compared to brushed models in the same class. Whether you’re slicing through metal conduit, demo-ing drywall, or pruning branches, the PowerState motor delivers relentless, fade-free power that never seems to run out of steam.

But it’s not just about raw speed. The PowerState motor also sports a serious efficiency upgrade over conventional designs. Without brushes to generate friction and heat, the motor runs cooler and wastes less energy, which translates to longer runtimes and extended tool life. It’s like having a marathoner’s endurance in a sprinter’s body.

REDLITHIUM Battery Tech: Leaving Corded in the Dust

What good is a motorsports-grade motor and space-age electronics if you’re constantly tethered to a wall outlet? Not much, which is why Milwaukee paired the Hackzall with their most advanced battery technology yet: REDLITHIUM.

Now, we know what you’re thinking. “Lithium-ion batteries are nothing new, what’s the big deal?” Well, much like the PowerState motor, Milwaukee’s REDLITHIUM batteries are a breed apart. They pack more power, run longer, and survive more charge cycles than your typical li-ion pack, all while maintaining the compact form factor that makes the Hackzall so nimble.

But the real magic of REDLITHIUM lies in its chemistry. Milwaukee’s engineers formulated these cells to deliver consistent power even under extreme conditions—think subzero temperatures, blistering heat, and heavy-duty vibration. It’s the kind of performance that leaves corded tools in the dust, both literally and figuratively.

And the best part? REDLITHIUM batteries are compatible with Milwaukee’s entire M18 lineup, which means you can swap the same pack between your Hackzall, drill, impact driver, and any other tool in the family. It’s the ultimate in cordless convenience and cost savings.

Stroke of Genius: Cutting Faster, Cutting Smarter

A recip saw lives and dies by the length of its stroke. In simple terms, the longer the stroke, the faster the cut. The Hackzall’s 3/4″ stroke may not sound like much on paper, but in practice, it’s a game-changer.

Consider this: most compact recip saws on the market today sport a 1/2″ stroke. The Hackzall’s 3/4″ stroke represents a 50% increase in blade travel, which translates directly to faster cuts and more material removed per pass. It’s like upgrading from a four-cylinder engine to a V6.

But it’s not just about raw speed. That extra stroke length also allows the Hackzall to maintain optimal cutting efficiency across a broader range of materials and blade types. Whether you’re using a long, aggressive demolition blade or a short, precise metal-cutting blade, the saw’s long stroke ensures that you’re always getting the most bang for your reciprocating buck.

Putting the Hackzall Through Its Paces

Of course, all the fancy features in the world don’t mean a thing if they don’t translate to real-world performance. To see how the Hackzall stacks up, we put it through a gauntlet of cutting tests designed to push the limits of what a compact recip saw can do.

First up, the lumber test. We tasked the Hackzall with chewing through a stack of 2×4 pine boards, and it didn’t disappoint. The saw’s 3/4″ stroke and aggressive 18 TPI blade made short work of the softwood, delivering clean, fast cuts with minimal vibration. Even after dozens of cuts, the saw’s REDLITHIUM battery showed no signs of slowing down.

Next, we turned our attention to metal. Using Milwaukee’s The Torch with Carbide Teeth blade, we put the Hackzall up against a variety of metal stock, including 1/2″ rebar, 3/4″ black pipe, and 2″ angle iron. Once again, the saw proved its mettle (pun intended), slicing through the metal with a smooth, almost effortless motion. The Torch blade left a remarkably clean edge, with minimal burring or distortion.

But the Hackzall’s true shining moment came when we took it to the jobsite for some real-world abuse. Over the course of a week, we used the saw for everything from plunge-cutting sheetrock to pruning tree limbs to demolishing an old deck. Through it all, the Hackzall never missed a beat. Its compact size and one-handed operation made it easy to maneuver in tight spaces, while its raw cutting power made even the toughest tasks feel like a breeze.

Leaving the Competition in the Dust

Of course, the Hackzall isn’t the only compact recip saw on the block. To see how it measures up to the competition, we put it head-to-head with some of the biggest names in the business.

Specification	Milwaukee M18 Fuel Hackzall	DeWalt DCS387	Makita XRJ07	Bosch GSA18V-125
Stroke Length	3/4″	1/2″	9/16″	0.83″
Weight	4.2 lbs	5.3 lbs	6.8 lbs	5.3 lbs
Length	14.2″	15.9″	18.75″	16.34″
Vibration Control	Yes	No	No	No
One-Handed Operation	Yes	No	No	No

As you can see, the Hackzall more than holds its own against the heavy hitters. Its 3/4″ stroke is best-in-class, while its compact size and weight make it the most maneuverable and user-friendly saw of the bunch.

But it’s not just about specs on paper. In head-to-head cutting tests, the Hackzall consistently outperformed its rivals in both speed and vibration control. The DeWalt DCS387’s short stroke made for noticeably slower cuts, while the Bosch and Makita saws transferred significantly more vibration to the user’s hands, leading to fatigue over extended use.

Battery Bliss and Accessory Essentials

One of the biggest advantages of the Hackzall is its place in Milwaukee’s ever-expanding M18 cordless ecosystem. If you’re already invested in M18 tools, adding the Hackzall to your arsenal is an absolute no-brainer, as you’ll be able to share batteries and chargers across your entire collection.

Even if you’re new to the M18 platform, the Hackzall is an excellent place to start. The saw is commonly sold as a bare tool, meaning you can choose the battery and charger combo that best fits your needs and budget. And with literally hundreds of other tools in the M18 lineup, you’ll have no shortage of options for expanding your cordless arsenal down the road.

Speaking of accessories, Milwaukee offers a full range of blades and attachments designed specifically for the Hackzall. From basic wood and metal-cutting blades to specialty blades for pruning, demolition, and more, there’s a Hackzall-compatible accessory for virtually any cutting task you can imagine.

• Teeth: The go-to blade for cutting ferrous and non-ferrous metals, with Carbide Teeth for longer life and a cleaner cut.
• The Wrecker with Carbide Teeth: A hybrid blade that combines the speed of a wood-cutting blade with the durability of Carbide Teeth, perfect for nail-embedded wood and general demolition.

But perhaps the most essential accessory for any Hackzall owner is a good dust extractor. While the saw’s compact size and cordless convenience make it easy to use in occupied spaces, all that cutting power can generate a serious amount of dust—especially when cutting sheetrock, wood, or fiber cement board.

Pairing your Hackzall with a compatible dust extractor like Milwaukee’s M18 FUEL Compact Vacuum (0940-20) is an easy way to keep your work area clean and your lungs happy. The vacuum’s HEPA filter captures 99.97% of dust particles down to 0.3 microns, while its compact size and cordless design make it as easy to maneuver as the Hackzall itself.

Final Verdict: The Ultimate One-Handed Wonder

At the end of the day, what really sets the Milwaukee M18 FUEL Hackzall apart is its unparalleled combination of power, control, and portability. No other saw on the market can match its cutting speed, vibration control, and one-handed maneuverability in such a compact package.

Whether you’re a professional tradesperson, a serious DIYer, or just someone who appreciates a well-made tool, the Hackzall is an absolute must-have. It’s the kind of saw that will quickly become your go-to for everything from quick clean-up cuts to heavy-duty demolition and beyond.

But don’t just take our word for it. Head down to your local Milwaukee dealer and get your hands on a Hackzall today. Feel the raw power, the surgical precision, the effortless control. Once you experience it for yourself, you’ll wonder how you ever got by without one.

And if you’re still on the fence, consider this: the Hackzall isn’t just a tool, it’s an investment in your productivity and your craft. It’s a saw that will pay for itself time and time again, whether you’re using it to streamline your workflow, tackle jobs that were previously out of reach, or simply make your workday a little bit easier.