Milwaukee M18 FUEL SAWZALL 2721-20 with ONE-KEY (tool only) review

A full-size One-Key saw from the earlier M18 generation

The Milwaukee 2721-20 is the tool-only M18 FUEL SAWZALL with ONE-KEY. Its page identifies the 18-volt cordless platform and describes configurable performance profiles plus tool tracking. The model-matched manual lists 0 to 3,000 no-load strokes per minute and a 1-1/8-inch stroke. Milwaukee's Gen 2 announcement names 2822 as the replacement for 2721, so this is useful as an assessment of an earlier exact model or offer, not as a claim about current stock. The same-brand, same-platform label does not make it identical to the newer 2822-20.

What the ONE-KEY feature means—and what it does not prove

Milwaukee says the saw can connect wirelessly to a smartphone for customization, tracking and management. The page describes adjustable output settings and up to four saved profiles that can be stored in the tool's memory after configuration. That can matter to a buyer who wants repeatable preset behavior or tool-management functions; it is distinct from the mechanical cutting stroke, battery voltage, or an orbital mechanism. The review does not claim that a phone connection improves cut quality or that tracking locates an unpowered saw in every circumstance.

The page does not establish a selectable orbital feature. It does describe profile and trigger/output customization through ONE-KEY. Do not translate a programmable motor response into an orbital selector: those are different functions. If orbital cutting is essential, check the exact manual for the model you are considering; the current 2722 SUPER SAWZALL has a separate documented orbital control, but that is not the feature basis for this saw.

Manual-listed stroke, shoe and blade information

The exact 2721-20 manual specifies the M18 battery type, 18 V DC, the 0–3,000 no-load rate and a 1-1/8-inch stroke. It also describes a forward/back adjustable shoe and a lever-operated Quik-Lok clamp for universal 1/2-inch Sawzall blades. Milwaukee warns not to use blades shorter than 3-1/2 inches. The manual calls for battery removal before blade changes, a positive tug check after insertion and enough blade length to extend past the shoe and workpiece throughout the cut.

These instructions are more useful than the generic promise of a “quick” clamp: keep chips and sawdust out of the clamp, confirm the blade is actually retained and wait for the blade to stop before setting the saw down. Keep the shoe against the workpiece as directed and support the material securely. The manual's blade rule is model-specific; newer 2822-20 and 2821-20 manuals specify a four-inch minimum, so do not assume the shorter 2721 limit applies across the family.

Tool-only means the battery stays separate

The 2721-20 page lists a single saw and identifies the package as tool only. It says the M18 battery pack is not included; the charger is not part of this package either. That may be suitable for a Milwaukee M18 owner who wants another tool without duplicating power gear, but the bare tool is not a complete working setup for someone without compatible batteries and charging equipment. Its page and manual do not establish a tool-only weight, so it cannot pass the site's strict weight ceiling by assumption.

For a buyer starting a cordless platform, compare the true contents of the bundle rather than adding a guessed battery or charger value. A product photo with a pack attached would not change the one-item -20 box list. Retailer kits may also combine items; verify that the listing's model suffix and box contents correspond to the manufacturer assessment.

Compare generations by documented differences

The current 2822-20 retains ONE-KEY but its manual lists a 1-1/4-inch stroke, eight shoe positions, three saved profiles and a selectable Cut Brake. The 2721 manual lists a 1-1/8-inch stroke and the product page describes four custom profiles. Those are meaningful paper differences; they do not establish which saw cuts faster under a particular load. For a non-ONE-KEY Gen 2 option, the 2821-21 kit lists the 2821-20 saw with one XC5.0 battery and an M18/M12 charger.

The 2721-20 belongs on a shortlist when the earlier model itself is relevant and its documented ONE-KEY functions matter more than an unknown weight or the newer generation's package choices. It is not a compact one-handed saw and not a battery-and-charger kit. This is a research-based assessment only: I have not used, tested, owned or measured the saw, and the maker's performance statements are not independent test results. Use the exact manual for blade fit, work support, electrical hazards and protective equipment.