Milwaukee just announced its largest cordless circular saw: the M18 FUEL 10-1/4″ Rear Handle Circular Saw (3026-20), and it’s built for framers who want to cut through 4× dimensional lumber without dragging a cord across the jobsite. Launch is set for July 2026, and the product is currently at “Notify Me” status on Milwaukee’s website.
Update June 9, 2026: Pricing is locked in. The largest cordless circular saw in Milwaukee’s catalog now has confirmed MSRP and a shipping window.
- Bare tool (3026-20): $429
- Kit (3026-21HD): $599 (FORGE HD12.0 tabless battery, rapid charger, 10-1/4″ thick kerf framing blade, tool bag)
- Shipping: July 2026, Home Depot exclusive at launch
That’s lower than most framers expected for a 10-1/4″ rear handle on the M18 platform. The kit lands at $599 with the HD12.0 pack, which is the same capacity battery Milwaukee bundles with its flagship M18 FUEL grinder and rotary hammer kits.
What Makes the 3026-20 Different
The 10-1/4″ blade is the key. Most cordless circular saws top out at 7-1/4″, which cuts 3× material but requires two passes on 4× lumber. The 3026-20 hits 3-13/16″ depth of cut at 90° and 2-3/4″ at 45°, meaning it handles 4×4s and 4×6s in a single clean pass with bevel cuts included. That’s the same capacity as traditional worm drive saws that have been standard on framing sites for decades.
Milwaukee claims it’s the lightest 10-1/4″ cordless saw available, coming in at 10.3 lbs bare and 13.6 lbs when paired with the M18 REDLITHIUM FORGE HD12.0 battery. For context, gas-powered framing saws or corded worm drives often exceed 15 lbs, and cordless alternatives at this blade size have typically been heavier.
Key Specs
- Blade size: 10-1/4″ (comes with 28T thick kerf framing blade with diamond venting pattern)
- No-load speed: 3,250 RPM
- Depth of cut: 3-13/16″ at 90° / 2-3/4″ at 45°
- Bevel range: 0-57° with detents at 22.5° and 45°
- Weight: 10.3 lbs bare / 13.6 lbs with HD12.0 battery
- Removable auxiliary handle: Yes, for two-handed control on heavy cuts
- Battery life: Up to 250 cuts per charge in 4×4 lumber (M18 FORGE HD12.0)
- Safety: AUTOSTOP Advanced Kickback Protection, shuts off power on severe kickback detection
- Construction: All-magnesium guards and shoe
- Extras: Electric blade brake, LED work light, multi-sized rafter hook
- Warranty: 5-year limited
- Models: 3026-20 (bare tool, $429) / 3026-21HD (kit with FORGE HD12.0 battery + rapid charger, $599)
Who This Is For
This isn’t a DIY saw. Framers, production carpenters, and remodelers cutting heavy structural lumber all day are the target. If your work involves headers, posts, beams, or anything thicker than standard 2× dimensional lumber, this fills a real gap in the cordless lineup.
It runs on the M18 platform, so anyone already invested in Milwaukee batteries can add this without buying into a new system. The 250-cut-per-charge figure on the HD12.0 battery is enough for a full morning of framing before you need to swap. Milwaukee says application speed “surpasses all major competitors” in their internal testing, though the only third-party head-to-head we’ve seen so far is against the Makita 40V XGT GSH04Z (10-1/4″ rear handle, $599 bare) and the older Skil Sawsquatch 10-1/4″.
Where It Fits in Milwaukee’s Lineup
Milwaukee already offers the M18 FUEL 7-1/4″ Rear Handle Circular Saw (2930-20) for standard framing work. The 3026-20 steps above it for high-production framing where a single pass through thick material saves significant time over the course of a day. Even with that upgrade, the 7-1/4″ rear handle still hits 700 cuts per charge on a 12.0Ah pack, making it the better pick if you rarely cut 4× stock. Our full circular saw roundup covers the 7-1/4″ class in depth, but this 10-1/4″ model stands alone in the cordless space.
Availability and Pricing
The 3026-20 launches in July 2026 exclusively through Home Depot and authorized Milwaukee dealers. The bare tool runs $429 and the kit (3026-21HD) with the FORGE HD12.0 tabless battery, rapid charger, framing blade, and tool bag runs $599. Both are Home Depot exclusive at launch, with broader dealer availability expected later in the year. Sign up for notifications at milwaukeetool.com to get alerted when it’s available.
If you’re shopping the M18 platform now, our Milwaukee vs. Makita 2026 head-to-head breaks down how the two flagship ecosystems stack up for total platform value, worth reading before you commit to a system for the long haul.
For more on Milwaukee’s framing and circular saw lineup versus the competition, check our Milwaukee vs. DeWalt head-to-head.