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Makita 5377MG 7-1/4" Magnesium Hypoid Saw

By Makita · Circular Saws · Power Tools · More from Makita

  • 15 AMP motor
  • 4,500 RPM
  • 7-1/4 inch blade
  • 13.2 lbs weight
  • 2-3/8 inch cut at 90 degrees

Lowest price seen
$239.00
from $239.00 at Toolmarts · Checked Oct 14, 2026

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Summary

A corded 7-1/4 inch rear-handle hypoid circular saw with a 15 amp motor, 4,500 RPM blade speed and a sealed oil-bath gearbox that needs no oiling. Check whether you actually need a framing-class saw before buying: Popular Mechanics advises against buying a 15 lb saw on speculation for occasional home projects.

Strengths

  • Popular Mechanics tested the saw in 2026 and named it Best Overall circular saw for torque, balance and the sealed gearbox.
  • The sealed hypoid gearbox needs no oiling and is expected to extend service life.
  • Light for a framing saw at 13.2 lbs, with good balance in long rips.
  • Depth and bevel adjustments are accurate, with clearly marked stops at 22.5°, 45° and 51.5°.
  • The rear-handle layout gives right-handed users a clear view of the cut line.
  • Owners describe it as powerful and well built, even through LVL and pressure-treated lumber.

Weaknesses

  • Heavier than a sidewinder; some owners prefer the lighter 5007MGA.
  • Blade speed is 4,500 RPM against the 5,300–6,000 RPM class of sidewinders, so crosscuts are slower.
  • The depth and bevel levers are plastic, and Popular Mechanics calls their long-term durability an open question.
  • Corded design: no battery portability.
  • Hypoid gear replacement appears expensive; the claim that it costs most of a new saw comes from forum chatter and is unverified.
  • No instrumented cut-speed, torque, noise or vibration data, and no public failure-rate data exists.

Verified specifications

Model5377MG (US); the same model number is sold in Canada with metric specs; a renewed 5377MG-R variant is sold by third-party renewed-tool retailers.
Region and electricalUS 120 V, 15 A, corded.
MotorMakita-built 15 amp industrial motor.
No-load speed4,500 RPM.
Blade7-1/4 in (185 mm) diameter, 5/8 in arbor.
Cut capacity2-3/8 in (60 mm) at 90°, 1-3/4 in (44 mm) at 45°, 1-9/16 in (40 mm) at 50°.
Bevel capacity0–51.5°, with positive stops at 22.5°, 45° and 51.5° per Makita USA (at least one retailer lists only 22.5° and 45°).
Gear driveprecision-machined hypoid steel gears in a sealed oil bath with a built-in fan; no oil maintenance required.
Power output2,300 W (retailer specification).
Weight13.2 lbs (6.0 kg) per Makita USA and Makita Canada; the instruction manual lists 5.9 kg (13.0 lbs).
Length17-3/4 in (450 mm).
Dimensionsoverall dimensions listed by one retailer as 21.75 × 11.75 × 12.5 in.
Materialsmagnesium base plate, blade case and motor housing; plastic depth and bevel adjustment levers.
Cord10 ft reinforced, three-conductor grounded plug.
In the box7-1/4 in, 24T Ultra-Coated carbide framing blade (A-94530-A) and a 6 mm hex wrench (783204-6) stored on the saw; rip fence (Makita 199249-8) sold separately; no carrying case listed by the retailers checked.
Warranty1-year limited warranty per Acme Tools; the renewed 5377MG-R warranty terms could not be verified from a Makita source.
Full research notes and sources

Hypoid drive and maintenance

The 5377MG is a maintenance-free design: the hypoid gears sit in a factory-sealed oil bath, so there is no gearbox oil to change, and the on-board hex wrench handles blade swaps. Makita USA publishes an official parts breakdown that lists the hypoid gear (part 227504-9), blade case set, fan, bearings and spindle, and the full instruction manual is publicly archived. Repairability is therefore documented but expensive in practice, given the forum claim about hypoid gear replacement cost. The hypoid drive is a variation on a worm-drive layout rather than a fundamentally different performance class.

Weight, handling and use

Makita rates the saw at 13.2 lbs (6.0 kg), while the instruction manual says 5.9 kg (13.0 lbs); Makita Canada lists 6.0 kg. The 17-3/4 in length and rear handle make the weight and length an advantage for framing, long rips, dense or wet lumber and demolition, but a liability for overhead or occasional use. Owners split by task: the same power that excels in LVL and pressure-treated stock is overkill for shelves and plywood breakdown, and the 5007MGA wins fans who want a lighter saw with LED lights. The retractable rafter hook is a small convenience noted in testing.

Which model this is

This page covers the Makita 5377MG, a corded 7-1/4 in (185 mm) rear-handle circular saw with magnesium base plate, blade case and motor housing, a 15 amp motor and 4,500 RPM. Do not confuse it with the visually similar sidewinder 5007MG (direct drive, 5,800 RPM, different gearbox) or the aluminum 5477NB hypoid. The renewed 5377MG-R is sold by third-party renewed-tool retailers, though its warranty terms from Makita could not be verified here. The Amazon listing identifier is ASIN B000N5UR5A. UPC 088381-076944, shipping weight 17.35 lbs. Accessories include the rip fence 199249-8; no carrying case is listed for the new 5377MG by the retailers checked.

Is it worth it?

At ~$165 (renewed 5377MG-R territory), it is strong value for a corded framing saw with a sealed hypoid gearbox and Popular Mechanics’ Best Overall recognition, assuming the renewed unit’s condition and warranty are acceptable. At $165–195, it is competitive against new sidewinder and worm-drive rivals (Popular Mechanics lists the best-value worm drive at $200–229 and the best corded sidewinder at $194–219). At $195–239 (current new retail: Walmart $195, Home Depot $239 per the August 2026 Popular Mechanics comparison; Global Industrial $239.95, Acme Tools $239), it is fair to good for pro users who want the hypoid oil-bath drive and rear-handle layout. Above $240, value is weak: the buyer pays a premium over Popular Mechanics’ own recommended alternatives with no offsetting test-proven advantage. Recent price drift matters: the May 2026 Popular Mechanics review showed ~$179 at big-box retailers, while the August 2026 comparison showed $195/$239. Ownership cost is otherwise limited: corded (no batteries), user-replaceable blades, no gearbox oil.

Sources

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Independent reviews:

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