Makita GRJ02Z 40V max XGT Brushless AVT Orbital Recipro Saw (Tool Only) review

A full-size XGT saw, not an 18V LXT tool

The GRJ02Z is Makita's full-size, two-handed 40V max XGT brushless reciprocating saw. The exact U.S. page calls out Anti-Vibration Technology (AVT), a selectable on/off orbital setting, and a 1-1/4-inch stroke. Its speed dial spans 0–3,000 strokes per minute. Those details place it in the general demolition and rough-cut role rather than the compact one-handed class. The XGT battery interface is a separate platform from Makita's familiar 18V LXT packs; sharing a brand name does not make those batteries interchangeable.

Makita lists a maximum 10-inch wood capacity with a 12-inch blade and 5-1/8-inch pipe capacity. These are maker-stated limits under particular blade and setup conditions, not predictions that every cut will be clean, controlled, or practical. Blade selection, support, material thickness and clearance still determine whether the cut is safe and workable. The operating manual says orbital action is generally intended for faster cutting in softer materials, while also warning that material shape and hardness affect the choice. There is no independent cutting test behind the manufacturer's 15-amp-equivalent or “up to 40% faster” language.

The Z suffix means tool only

The exact GRJ02Z page identifies this configuration as tool only and expressly excludes the battery and charger. It links to the separately listed GRJ02M1 kit, but that kit's contents do not transfer to the Z package. Makita does not itemize a blade, storage bag or other accessory for the GRJ02Z page, so check the exact seller's offer rather than treating a product photograph or a related kit list as an in-box inventory. Owners need a compatible 40V max XGT battery and an approved charger; the manual lists supported battery and charger families and warns against unlisted combinations.

Makita's page reports 10.7 lb with a battery sold separately. The GRJ02 family manual gives a 10.1–12.8 lb net-weight range depending on battery and attachments. Neither source establishes a bare-tool weight for this exact Z package, and neither number is the weight of the complete carry setup. The site's strict bare-tool weight filter therefore cannot treat 10.7 lb as a pass. If the bare mass is a hard limit, compare models with an explicitly battery-free measurement instead.

Useful adjustments, with deliberate setup

The GRJ02 combines a variable-speed trigger with a separate five-step speed dial and a selectable orbital/straight action lever. Its tool-less blade-change lever avoids carrying a wrench for a routine blade swap, and the manual describes a six-position shoe that can be repositioned with its release lever. That is a real setup advantage for choosing a different contact point along the blade. Keep the shoe against the workpiece, check blade clearance beyond the material, remove the battery before maintenance, and confirm the blade is fully retained before starting. The built-in LED and electric brake are additional documented convenience features; they do not remove the need to secure the work and control the cut.

Makita's AVT description is a maker claim about its internal counterbalance system, not a vibration measurement made for this review. Likewise, its “power of a 15 AMP corded” statement and claimed faster cutting are not comparative test results here. Treat those claims as reasons to read the manual and compare features, not as quantified guarantees for a particular pipe, nail-filled board or demolition cut.

Who should compare the GRJ02Z

This configuration makes the most sense for someone who already owns compatible XGT batteries and chargers, wants a full-size saw with selectable orbital action, and values tool-less blade changes more than an included power kit. A buyer starting without XGT equipment should compare the same-body GRJ02M1 kit, which includes one 4.0Ah battery and charger. If controlled large-diameter pipe cutting is the main task, compare the different GRJ03Z pipe saw: its chain vise and package are not features of the GRJ02. Neither the platform label nor a listed capacity substitutes for exact blade, battery and workpiece checks. This is a source-based assessment; no hands-on operation, timed cut, vibration test, ownership or measurement was performed.