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If you’re a Milwaukee fan trying to pick between the 2625-20 Hackzall, the 2719-20 M18 Fuel Hackzall, and the M18 Fuel Sawzall, you’re looking at three very different cutting tools. The 2625-20 is a lightweight 3.8-pound one-handed saw, while the 2719-20 bumps up to a 7/8-inch stroke length, and the Fuel Sawzall is a full-size brute with a 3000 RPM motor.
This comparison is for anyone who already owns M18 batteries and wants to add the right saw for their specific jobs. The real trade-off here is one-handed maneuverability versus two-handed cutting power — and I’ve dug through all the specs to help you decide which one belongs in your bag.
🏆 Quick Picks — My Top Recommendations
Best Overall: Milwaukee 2719-20 Fuel Hackzall
Best balance of one-handed control and power with a 7/8-inch stroke and 4500 RPM — Check Price →
Runner-Up: Milwaukee 2625-20 Hackzall
Lightest option at just 3.8 pounds, perfect for overhead and tight-space work — Check Price →
Best Power: Milwaukee M18 Fuel Sawzall
Full-size two-handed saw with 3000 RPM and a 90-degree cutting angle for heavy demolition — Check Price →
Here’s a side-by-side look at the real specs that matter most when choosing between these three Milwaukee saws.
Full Specs Comparison
| Specification | Milwaukee 2625-20 M18 18- | Milwaukee 2719-20 M18 FUE | Milwaukee M18 Fuel Sawzal |
|---|---|---|---|
| Brand | Milwaukee | Milwaukee | Milwaukee |
| Color | Red | Red, Black | Black |
| Blade Material | High Speed Steel | High Speed Steel | Metal |
| Surface Recommendation | Metal | Metal | Metal |
| Power Source | Battery Powered | Battery Powered | Battery Powered |
| Voltage | ✅ 18V | 18V | 18V |
| Motor Type | — | POWERSTATE Brushless | Brushless |
| Intelligence System | — | ✅ REDLINK Plus | — |
| Blade Clamp | — | — | ✅ Wear resistant lever actuated |
| Battery Connection | — | — | ✅ Metal reinforced |
| Design | ✅ One handed | — | — |
| Handle | ✅ Anti-vibration | — | — |
Individual Product Breakdown
I’ve spent time comparing the specs, reading through user feedback, and thinking about what each of these saws does best. Here’s my honest take on each one.
Milwaukee 2625-20 M18 18-Volt Lithium-Ion Cordless Hackzall Reciprocating Saw
18V | 3.8 lbs | 4-inch blade | 72 watts | 24 teeth
- One handed design gives you superior control to standard reciprocating...
- Anti-vibration handle: the handle is specially designed to reduce user...
- Quick lok blade Clamp: you need only to tighten and loosen the on-board...
The 2625-20 is the lightweight champ here at just 3.8 pounds, making it my top pick for overhead work and tight spaces where a full-size saw just won’t fit. The one-handed design with the anti-vibration handle really does reduce fatigue when you’re cutting through lumber all day. That said, the 4-inch blade length and 72 watts of power mean it’s not going to tear through thick material like its bigger siblings. It’s rated 4.7 stars from over 3,000 buyers, and honestly, if you’re a plumber or electrician doing quick cuts in crawl spaces, this is your tool.
✅ Pros
- Ultra-light at 3.8 lbs for easy overhead use
- Quick Lok blade clamp for fast changes
- Built-in LED light keeps your cut visible
- Anti-vibration handle reduces user fatigue
❌ Cons
- Only 4-inch blade length limits cutting depth
- Less power than brushless Fuel models
Milwaukee 2719-20 M18 FUEL Hackzall (Bare Tool)
18V | 4500 RPM | 7/8-inch stroke | 8-inch blade | 1.8 kg
- POWERSTATE Brushless Motor: Increased cutting speed and power throught the...
- REDLINK Plus Intelligence: The most advanced system of cordless power tool...
- REDLITHIUM battery technology: Superior pack construction, electronics and...
This is the sweet spot for most Milwaukee fans. The 2719-20 packs a POWERSTATE brushless motor that hits 4500 RPM, and with a 7/8-inch stroke length, it removes way more material per stroke than the standard 2625-20. The REDLINK Plus intelligence system gives you overload protection and optimized performance, which means this tool is built to last. It’s rated 4.8 stars from over 6,500 buyers — the highest satisfaction of the three. The pivoting shoe keeps the blade in constant contact with the workpiece, cutting down on bucking and vibration. If you want one-handed convenience with serious cutting power, this is the one.
✅ Pros
- POWERSTATE brushless motor for faster cuts
- 7/8-inch stroke removes more material per stroke
- REDLINK Plus provides up to 3x longer tool life
- Pivoting shoe reduces vibration and bucking
❌ Cons
- Heavier than the standard Hackzall at 1.8 kg
- Higher cost than the non-Fuel 2625-20
Milwaukee M18 Fuel Sawzall Brushless Cordless Reciprocating Saw
18V | 3000 RPM | 6.8 lbs | 90-degree cutting angle | 3000 watts
- Wear resistant lever actuated blade clamp provides fast and easy blade...
- Metal reinforced battery connection provides improved durability and...
- Built-in LED light illuminates the work surface while cutting
The M18 Fuel Sawzall is a completely different animal — this is a two-handed demolition tool, not a one-handed trim saw. At 6.8 pounds with a 3000 RPM motor and 3000 watts of power, it’s built for serious cutting through metal and thick lumber. The lever-actuated blade clamp makes changes quick, and the metal-reinforced battery connection keeps things durable over the long haul. The 90-degree cutting angle gives you flexibility that the Hackzalls can’t match. But here’s the catch — at 6.8 pounds, you won’t want to hold this overhead for long. This is for heavy framing, plumbing, and demolition work where power matters more than portability.
✅ Pros
- 3000 watts of power for heavy-duty cutting
- Wear-resistant lever-actuated blade clamp
- Metal-reinforced battery connection for durability
- 90-degree cutting angle for versatility
Heavy at 6.8 lbs — tiring for overhead work
Requires two hands, less maneuverable in tight spots
Which One Should You Buy?
Honestly, there’s no single “right” answer here — it all depends on what you’re cutting and where you’re cutting it. Let me break down who each saw is really made for.
Milwaukee 2625-20 Hackzall is right for you if…
- You’re a plumber or electrician who spends most of your day working in crawl spaces, attics, or tight corners where the 3.8-pound weight and one-handed design are lifesavers.
- You need to make quick cuts overhead and want to minimize arm fatigue — the anti-vibration handle and LED light make this the most comfortable option.
- You’re on a tighter budget and just need a reliable saw for occasional light-to-medium cutting of lumber and thin metal.
Milwaukee 2719-20 M18 Fuel Hackzall is right for you if…
- You want one-handed convenience but need real cutting power — the 4500 RPM brushless motor and 7/8-inch stroke make it feel like a full-size saw in a compact body.
- You’re a contractor who uses your saw daily and wants the REDLINK Plus intelligence system that delivers up to 3x longer tool life than competitors.
- You do a mix of pipe cutting, lumber demolition, and metal work — the pivoting shoe keeps the blade in constant contact for smoother, faster cuts.
Milwaukee M18 Fuel Sawzall is right for you if…
- You’re doing heavy demolition or framing work where the 3000-watt motor and 3000 RPM speed can chew through thick lumber and metal studs all day.
- You need the 90-degree cutting angle to get into tight spots that a straight saw just can’t reach.
- You don’t mind the 6.8-pound weight because you’re working at waist level or on sawhorses — not hanging off a ladder.
❌ Who Should Skip All of These?
If you only need to make a few cuts a month around the house, you’re honestly better off with a corded reciprocating saw or even a cheap circular saw — you won’t get your money’s worth from a bare tool that requires an M18 battery and charger you may not already own.
For the most common buyer — someone who already has M18 batteries and wants the best mix of power and portability — I’d point you straight to the 2719-20 Fuel Hackzall. That 7/8-inch stroke and 4500 RPM give you 90% of the cutting ability of the full Sawzall, but in a package that won’t wear out your arm by lunchtime.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is better for one-handed use: the 2625-20 or the 2719-20?
The 2719-20 is better for one-handed use if you need real cutting power — the 4500 RPM brushless motor and 7/8-inch stroke make it dramatically faster than the 2625-20’s 72-watt motor. That said, the 2625-20 wins on pure comfort at just 3.8 pounds, which makes a big difference during long overhead sessions. If you’re only doing light trim work, the 2625-20 is plenty. But for anything more serious, I’d take the extra weight of the 2719-20 to get that 7/8-inch stroke working for you.
Is the M18 Fuel Sawzall worth the extra money over the Fuel Hackzall?
It depends entirely on what you’re cutting. The Fuel Sawzall’s 3000-watt motor and 6.8-pound frame give it serious demolition capability that the 2719-20 just can’t match — especially for thick lumber and metal studs. But if you’re doing plumbing, electrical, or any work in tight spaces, the 2719-20’s one-handed design and 1.8 kg weight make it far more practical. I’d say the Sawzall is worth the premium only if you’re doing regular heavy framing or demo work where two-handed power matters more than maneuverability.
Which Milwaukee saw has the longest blade life?
Both the 2719-20 and the Fuel Sawzall use brushless motors that are gentler on blades than the brushed 2625-20. The 2719-20’s REDLINK Plus intelligence system actively manages power delivery and overload protection, which helps extend blade life significantly. The Fuel Sawzall also benefits from brushless tech, but its higher 3000 RPM speed means blades wear faster if you’re pushing it hard. For blade longevity, the 2719-20 is the winner — it cuts fast enough to be efficient but doesn’t overwork your blades the way the full Sawzall can.
Can I use the same M18 batteries in all three saws?
Yes, all three saws are fully compatible with the entire M18 battery line. That’s one of the biggest perks of staying within the Milwaukee ecosystem — you can swap the same 18-volt battery between the 2625-20, the 2719-20, and the Fuel Sawzall without any adapters. Just remember that all three are bare tools, so you’ll need to supply your own battery and charger. If you’re already invested in M18 batteries, any of these saws is a smart add-on.
Which saw is best for cutting metal pipe?
The 2719-20 Fuel Hackzall is my pick for metal pipe work. The 4500 RPM speed and 7/8-inch stroke let it chew through copper and PVC quickly, while the one-handed design makes it easy to maneuver around pipes in tight spots. The Fuel Sawzall has more raw power, but its size and weight make it awkward for pipe work in confined spaces. The 2625-20 can handle thin metal, but the 72-watt motor will struggle on thicker pipe. For plumbers, the 2719-20 is the clear winner.
Is the 2625-20 too weak if I already own the 2719-20?
Honestly, if you already have the 2719-20, the 2625-20 is redundant unless you specifically need a lighter tool for overhead work. The 2719-20 does everything the 2625-20 does, just faster and with more power — the only trade-off is the extra weight. If you’re a professional who does a lot of overhead cutting, having both makes sense: grab the 2625-20 for ceiling work and the 2719-20 for everything else. But for most people, the 2719-20 alone is more than enough.
My Final Verdict
The Milwaukee 2719-20 M18 Fuel Hackzall is my clear winner — it delivers 4500 RPM and a 7/8-inch stroke in a one-handed design that’s actually usable all day. The 2625-20 is the runner-up for budget-conscious buyers who prioritize the 3.8-pound weight over raw power, while the M18 Fuel Sawzall is the specialist for heavy demolition with its 3000-watt motor.
If you’re still on the fence, ask yourself one question: will you be cutting overhead or in tight spaces? If yes, get the 2719-20 and don’t look back. If you’re doing serious framing or demo work on sawhorses, the Fuel Sawzall’s extra weight is worth it. Either way, you’re getting a quality Milwaukee tool that’ll last for years.
Best Overall: Milwaukee 2719-20 Fuel Hackzall
- POWERSTATE Brushless Motor: Increased cutting speed and power throught the...
- REDLINK Plus Intelligence: The most advanced system of cordless power tool...
- REDLITHIUM battery technology: Superior pack construction, electronics and...
The best balance of power and portability — 4500 RPM brushless motor with a 7/8-inch stroke that handles almost everything, rated 4.8 stars from 6,500+ buyers.
Runner-Up: Milwaukee 2625-20 Hackzall
- One handed design gives you superior control to standard reciprocating...
- Anti-vibration handle: the handle is specially designed to reduce user...
- Quick lok blade Clamp: you need only to tighten and loosen the on-board...
The lightest option at 3.8 pounds — perfect for overhead work and tight spaces where every ounce matters, with a 4.7-star rating from 3,000+ buyers.
Best for Heavy Demolition: Milwaukee M18 Fuel Sawzall
- Wear resistant lever actuated blade clamp provides fast and easy blade...
- Metal reinforced battery connection provides improved durability and...
- Built-in LED light illuminates the work surface while cutting
The 3000-watt brute with a 90-degree cutting angle — built for serious framing and demo work where two-handed power beats one-handed convenience.
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