Makita XVJ05Z 18V LXT® Lithium-Ion Brushless Cordless Barrel Grip Jig Saw, Tool Only
Best for
Best compact barrel grip
Amazon rating
Amazon aggregate, one input among many in the Verdict Score
Current price
$219.99
Updated Jun 27, 2026 · 1 min read
Sources behind this verdict
10 reviewers weighted by source trust
The consensus
What reviewers found
Synthesized across the trust-weighted source mix below.
Across the reviewers we read, the Makita XVJ05Z is the compact barrel-grip option for buyers who want Makita ergonomics in a control-focused body. High-trust source protoolreviews.com noted excellent visibility and a good LED across Makita's 18V jigsaws, and a Home Depot customer called it the best jigsaw they have owned, citing exceptionally clean wood cuts. Makita-community threads describe the barrel grip as accurate and powerful, with users valuing Makita's reputation for ergonomics and ease of operation.
What reviewers liked
- High-trust expert source praised visibility and LED
- Home Depot and community reviewers report very clean, accurate cuts
- Compact barrel-grip ergonomics favored for control
Where it falls short
- Most expensive pick and sold as a bare tool
- Community notes it feels heavy and less easy to hold than some saws
- Smaller review base than the DeWalt models
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Across the reviewers we read, the Makita XVJ05Z is the compact barrel-grip option for buyers who want Makita ergonomics in a control-focused body. High-trust source protoolreviews.com noted excellent visibility and a good LED across Makita's 18V jigsaws, and a Home Depot customer called it the best jigsaw they have owned, citing exceptionally clean wood cuts. Makita-community threads describe the barrel grip as accurate and powerful, with users valuing Makita's reputation for ergonomics and ease of operation.
The caveats are weight and price: community feedback notes the saw feels substantial and heavier than expected, which some find harder to hold than a lighter corded barrel grip, and it is the most expensive pick here as a bare tool. Review volume is also modest compared with the DeWalt models, so the consensus is built more on expert and community signal than sheer customer count.
The synthesis: a precise, well-built barrel grip with strong expert and community backing, best for committed LXT owners who prioritize control and visibility over price.
- Compact barrel grip design allows for control and more precise cuts
- Makita-built brushless variable speed motor delivers 800-3,000 strokes per minute for faster and more efficient cutting
- Cuts up to 135 ft. of 1" MDF on a single charge using 5.0Ah battery BL1850B (battery not included)
- Variable 5-speed control dial (800-3,000 SPM) enables user to match the speed to the application
- 3 orbital settings plus straight cutting for use in a wide range of materials
The first one seems to have a brushless motor, which immediately makes it the better one. More power at the same weight WITH less power consumption.
Makita, being Japanese, tends to be more about ergonomics, quality and ease of operation. There are some exceptions but in general I trust Makita far more for ...
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“The Makita 18v Barrel Grip Jigsaw” · YouTube
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