Makita XRJ04Z 18V LXT Recipro Saw (Tool Only) review

Makita · 18V LXT cordless reciprocating saw · tool only · XRJ04Z

The XRJ04Z is the bare-tool version of Makita’s full-size XRJ04 reciprocating saw. The exact U.S. page labels this SKU “tool only,” lists one saw blade, and says the battery and charger are not included. That distinction is decisive for a first-time LXT buyer: the saw is not a ready-to-run kit, even though a battery appears in some images of related configurations. This is a source-based assessment of the documented model, not a hands-on test or a claim about current retailer inventory.

Full-size form and published cutting specifications

Makita describes a conventional two-handed reciprocating saw rather than a compact one-handed body. The listed overall length is 19-1/8 inches, with a 1-1/4-inch stroke and variable trigger speed up to 2,800 strokes per minute. The maker also gives maximum-capacity labels of 10 inches in wood when using a 12-inch blade and 5-1/8 inches in pipe. Those are specification limits tied to the stated setup, not a promise that every blade, material, cut angle or operator will achieve the same result.

The linked XRJ04 manual describes the battery system and safe operating steps. It says to secure and support the workpiece, check clearance beyond the cut, keep the shoe firmly against the material and verify that the blade is fully inserted and retained. The tool-less clamp is a convenience, not a reason to skip battery removal before changing a blade. The manual also describes starting a pilot groove at slower trigger pressure before increasing speed. That guidance is more useful than treating the maximum SPM figure as a universal cutting-speed score.

What the exact Z package does—and does not—contain

The XRJ04Z page names one reciprocal-saw blade and explicitly excludes both battery and charger. Makita lists the XRJ04T kit separately; its two 5.0Ah packs, rapid charger and case must not be transferred to the Z suffix. A buyer who already owns compatible LXT equipment may prefer a bare tool, but should check the battery’s exact markings and manual compatibility instead of assuming that any nominally 18-volt pack or third-party adapter is acceptable. Someone building a system from scratch should compare the complete cost and contents of a kit rather than comparing the Z tool price alone.

There is a distinct, discontinued XRJ04M package as well. Its model-named flyer records two 4.0Ah packs and a charger, while Makita identifies XRJ04T as the replacement. Those packages are not simply different photos of one box: amp-hour rating, SKU and lifecycle differ. The XRJ04T review covers the newer 5.0Ah kit, and the XRJ04M review treats the earlier package separately.

Weight and controls: keep the unknowns visible

The exact page lists 8.3 pounds with a battery, and the family manual gives battery-dependent installed weights. Neither source establishes the bare saw’s mass. Therefore, 8.3 pounds cannot answer a strict bare-tool weight ceiling, nor does it describe the weight of the battery-free Z, a fully equipped tool with a different pack, or a complete kit with charger and case. Do not mistake package shipping weight for an operating measurement.

Makita documents a brushed motor, a variable-speed trigger, an electric brake and tool-less blade change. The exact specification table explicitly says orbital settings: no. The reviewed product page and manual do not establish an adjustable shoe-position feature, a work light, an included hang hook or a lock-on running switch. The manual’s lock-off button is a trigger-safety control, not a lock-on. Those distinctions matter if one of those functions is essential; this assessment does not count an unlisted feature as present.

Who should shortlist this version?

Consider the XRJ04Z if a full-size two-handed format, Makita 18V LXT operation and a long 1-1/4-inch stroke suit the work, and you already have a compatible battery and charger or have budgeted for them. It is a weaker match when the package must include power equipment, when an adjustable shoe or orbital selector is required, or when a verified bare-tool weight limit decides the purchase. For the kit route, compare the exact in-box list and battery capacity on the T page; for an older 4.0Ah package, read the M assessment and treat its discontinued status seriously.

Before selecting any reciprocating saw, identify the material and inspect the cut path for hidden wiring, pipe and nails. Choose a blade rated for the job, clamp the workpiece where practical, keep the shoe supported, wear suitable eye protection and follow the exact manual. Makita’s page offers a three-year limited warranty, but that does not substitute for checking the exact model, local terms or package.

Makita XRJ04Z exact U.S. product page · Makita XRJ04 instruction manual