Best Makita XGT 18 inch 40V Battery Chainsaw
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The best makita xgt 18 inch 40v battery chainsaw for most people is the one that already runs on batteries they own, because this model is sold as a tool only. This page covers one product, the Makita 40V max XGT 18-inch brushless chainsaw, model GCU06Z. Makita’s product page says the batteries and charger are not included, and it lists an 18-inch guide bar, a chain speed of 5,020 FPM and a 3-year limited warranty. The stored Amazon record gives a weight that does not match Makita’s figures, and its power field reads 550 watts under a horsepower label. Both gaps are shown below.
Quick answer
- Makita says this is a tool only: the batteries and charger are not included, so the saw needs 40V max XGT batteries and a charger you already own or buy separately.
- Makita states an 18-inch guide bar and saw chain, a chain speed of 5,020 FPM and a 3-year limited warranty.
- The weights disagree. The Amazon record gives 7.64 kg, while Makita gives 11.8 lb without a battery and 14.7 lb with one.
- Buy it if you already own Makita 40V max XGT batteries and need a battery chainsaw for storm cleanup. Skip it if you need a confirmed power rating, because the record’s power field is not a clear figure and Makita’s power statement is a comparison with a gas saw.
The product at a glance
The table uses only what the stored listing record and Makita’s model page state. Cells read “not stated” where neither source gives the item. Where the sources disagree, the cell shows both figures.
| Item | What the sources state |
|---|---|
| Brand and model | Makita, model GCU06Z (Makita page and listing model field) |
| Type | Cordless chainsaw with a brushless motor and rear handle (Makita page) |
| Battery system | 40V max XGT lithium-ion (Makita page, system field) |
| Included | Tool only; batteries and charger not included (Makita page; listing title says Tool ONLY) |
| Guide bar | 18 inch (Makita page; listing title) |
| Saw chain | 18 inch, 3/8 inch low profile pitch, .050 inch gauge, labeled Low Kickback (Makita page) |
| Chain speed | 5,020 FPM (Makita page) |
| Power | Makita says the motor delivers the power of a 42cc gas chain saw. The listing’s horsepower field reads 550 watts, which is not a clear rating. |
| Weight | 11.8 lb without battery and 14.7 lb with battery (Makita page). The listing’s item weight field reads 7.64 kg. The figures disagree. |
| Chain adjustment | Tool-less chain adjustment (Makita page) |
| Oiling | Adjustable automatic chain lubrication with a large oil reservoir and a view window (Makita page) |
| Engine and starting | No gas, emissions, oil mixing or pull starts (Makita page) |
| Runtime | Not stated with a figure. Makita’s page uses the phrase long run time without a number. |
| Warranty | 3-year limited warranty (Makita page) |
| Listing dimensions | 10.5 in long, 12.5 in wide and 21.6 in high (listing field, as stored) |
Product link: View on Amazon
Which weight to use
The listing gives 7.64 kg, which is about 16.8 lb. Makita’s figure with a battery is 14.7 lb, so the listing is about 2.1 lb heavier than that. Makita’s figure without a battery is 11.8 lb, so the listing is about 5.0 lb heavier. The record does not say whether its figure includes a battery. Use Makita’s two figures, and weigh the battery you plan to use if the weight matters for your cutting.
The dimension field
The listing’s three dimensions are close to the packaged depth, height and width on Makita’s page (10.51 in deep, 12.21 in high and 21.46 in wide). That suggests the listing field describes the box rather than the saw. The record does not say so, so this post does not use the field as the saw’s size.
Who it suits
This saw suits a person who already owns Makita 40V max XGT batteries and wants a cordless chainsaw for storm cleanup and cutting limbs. Oklahoma State University Extension says: “Some of that cleanup will require the use of a chainsaw for felled trees and other debris.” Makita lists the system as 40V max XGT, so the batteries in that system are the ones to check before you buy.
Penn State Extension describes the wider group of users: “Chainsaws are indispensable tools for a variety of professionals, from arborists to landscapers to forestry workers.” The Oklahoma State column notes the choice of saw type: “There are several types of chainsaws on the market, including gas-powered, electric and battery-powered.” This model falls in the battery group, so the battery platform is the first purchase question.
A gas-free design
Makita’s page describes the design as “No gas, emissions, oil mixing or pull starts with reduced maintenance.” That is the manufacturer’s description of the saw. The page gives no upkeep figures that we could check against a second source, so the maintenance benefit is Makita’s statement and not a result this post confirms.
Chain speed and adjustment
Makita lists “Variable speed trigger and high chain speed (0-5,020 FPM) for improved cutting performance” as a feature of this saw. The page also describes “chain adjustment for convenient operation and maintenance,” which Makita calls tool-less. These are the seller’s design statements. The 5,020 FPM figure is the top of the trigger range, and the page gives no cutting rate for any wood, so do not read the figure as a cutting result.
Oil and chain
The saw still uses bar oil. The Makita page says: “Large oil filling port with view window allows operator to easily add and check bar oil level.” Plan for bar oil refills, and check the level through the view window as you work.
Kickback and the chain
The Makita page lists the included chain as “Low Kickback (E-18225).” The Oklahoma State column gives the technique side of kickback: “To prevent kickback, keep the saw moving at a fast speed when entering or leaving a cut.” The same column adds: “Also, keep the chain properly sharpened.” The low kickback label describes the chain as shipped. The technique advice still applies. The Penn State page adds: “A dull chain requires more force to cut and is more likely to cause kickbacks.” That matches the sharpening advice above, from a second source.
Power: two claims, neither measured
Makita says its brushless motor “delivers power of a 42cc gas chain saw.” The Oklahoma State forestry specialist, in a general comparison, said: “A battery-powered saw is just as powerful as a gas-powered saw.” Neither statement is a measured result for this model, and the listing’s 550 watt field does not settle the question.
Skip it if
- You do not own Makita 40V max XGT batteries. The page says the batteries and charger are not included.
- You need a confirmed power rating. The record’s power field reads 550 watts under a horsepower label, and Makita’s only power figure is a comparison with a 42cc gas saw.
- You need one weight figure. The listing and Makita disagree, and the record does not say which includes a battery.
- You want the stored feature bullets. The one bullet in the record describes replacement parts and not this saw, so this post does not use it.
If you are weighing a battery saw against a pole model, read our EGO Power+ vs Autubin pole saw comparison. If you need a cordless pruning tool for higher branches, see our DeWalt 20V MAX pole hedge trimmer review.
What the listing does not say
The stored record is short on performance. It gives the model, the tool-only status and the weight and dimension fields. It does not state a runtime, a cutting capacity or a charger model, and the one feature bullet it holds does not describe this saw.
- Runtime: no figure in the listing or on Makita’s page.
- Cutting capacity: not stated in either source.
- Chain brake: the Makita text we opened does not mention a chain brake. The AgSafety page describes the chain brake as a feature of gas chainsaws.
- Charger: not included, and the charger model is not named in the record.
- Stored bullet: the one bullet describes replacement parts and not this saw.
What the safety sources say before you cut
The AgSafety page says: “in the hands of an untrained operator, a chainsaw is extremely dangerous.” It also advises: “If you have never used a chainsaw, seek the guidance of a qualified mentor before using the chainsaw.” On gear, it says to “Wear all personal protective equipment (PPE) recommended for chainsaw use while operating the chainsaw.” For the legs it describes “Leg chaps: Protective leg chaps made from ballistic nylon or Kevlar protect the legs from the running chain saw.”
The Penn State page defines the main hazard: “Kickback occurs when the tip of the chainsaw blade comes into contact with an object or is suddenly stopped.” It adds that “Kickback is a leading cause of chainsaw-related injuries.” The Oklahoma State column recommends “Eye protection such as goggles or safety glasses with wrap-around lenses.” and “Long sleeves and gloves made from Kevlar, woven nylon or other similar material.”
AgSafety also tells the operator to “Read the device’s instruction manual and safety manual, and then follow all recommended guidelines for the use of the chainsaw.” Penn State adds that “Maintaining the correct body position is critical for controlling the chainsaw and avoiding kickback or recoil.” It advises that “Operators should stand with their feet shoulder-width apart, ensuring stability and balance.” These points apply to any chainsaw, including this one.
How we chose
This saw is in the post because the stored record and Makita’s model page describe the same model number, GCU06Z, and the same tool-only status. ASIN B0BTRXDR22 is the only product in this post. We did not compare it with other chainsaws, so this post makes no ranking claim. The listing data comes from the stored scan record dated 2026-10-23. Makita’s page was opened on 2026-10-28. The three university and AgSafety texts were opened on 2026-10-22 for earlier posts, and we reuse them here with those original dates. We did not use retail, blog or review pages for any fact.
What we could not verify
We could not confirm a power rating for this saw, because the listing’s horsepower field reads 550 watts and Makita gives only a comparison with a gas saw. We could not settle which weight applies, because the listing and Makita disagree. The sources we opened give no runtime and no cutting capacity for this model. We could not confirm whether the saw has a chain brake. We did not check how the saw cuts any wood, so this post does not describe its cutting results.
FAQ
Does the Makita GCU06Z come with a battery and charger?
No. Makita’s page says it is a tool only, and the batteries and charger are not included. The listing title says Tool ONLY as well.
What bar and chain does it come with?
Makita’s page lists an 18-inch guide bar and an 18-inch saw chain, with 3/8 inch low profile pitch and .050 inch gauge. The chain is labeled Low Kickback.
How much does it weigh?
Makita gives 11.8 lb without a battery and 14.7 lb with one. The listing shows 7.64 kg as its item weight. The two sources disagree, and the record does not say which figure includes a battery.
Is it as powerful as a gas chainsaw?
Makita says its brushless motor delivers the power of a 42cc gas chain saw. In a general comparison, an Oklahoma State forestry specialist said a battery saw is just as powerful as a gas saw. Neither statement is a measured result for this model.
Does it need bar oil?
Yes. Makita describes a large oil filling port with a view window for adding and checking bar oil. The saw has no engine, so there is no engine oil or fuel mix, but the bar still needs oil.
What safety gear should I wear?
AgSafety says to wear all the personal protective equipment recommended for chainsaw use, and it describes leg chaps made from ballistic nylon or Kevlar. The Oklahoma State column recommends goggles or safety glasses with wrap-around lenses, and long sleeves and gloves made from cut-resistant material.
Bottom line
Buy this Makita GCU06Z only if you already own Makita 40V max XGT batteries and want an 18-inch cordless saw for storm cleanup. If you need one confirmed weight or a power rating before you order, ask the seller for both first, and choose a different saw if they cannot give them.
Sources
- XGT 18 in. 40V MAX BRUSHLESS Electric Battery Chainsaw Tool ONLY, Amazon listing (opened 2026-10-23) https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0BTRXDR22
- 40V max XGT Brushless 18-inch Chain Saw, Tool Only, Makita USA product page for model GCU06Z (opened 2026-10-28) https://www.makitatools.com/products/details/GCU06Z
- Chainsaw safety is vital during storm cleanup, Oklahoma State University Extension (opened 2026-10-22) https://extension.okstate.edu/articles/2023/chainsaw_safety
- The Dangers of Using Chainsaws, Penn State Extension (opened 2026-10-22) https://extension.psu.edu/the-dangers-of-using-chainsaws
- Chainsaw Safety, Safety, Health and Wellness in Agriculture (opened 2026-10-22) https://ag-safety.extension.org/chainsaw-safety/
