The jigsaw has really evolved for the better over the years it’s now very common for them to be designed with a range of helpful features that make the users work much easier, some examples of improved features are cordless, low vibration motors, speed control, dust blower, adjustable base for beveled cutting, changeable blade angle for better curve control, LED and now they are available as very capable cordless tools.
In a Hurry? Here are the Best Jigsaws
There are hundreds of brands to choose from some of the best brands in the market are Bosch, Dewalt, Makita, Black and Decker, Worx, Ryobi, Taclife, Milwaukee, Porter-cable, Festool, Hitachi, Rockwell just to name some of the better companies who design and produce them.
They all have many different models meaning there are thousands of jigsaws to choose from making it difficult to work out which one you need.
The 10 Best Jigsaws
This guide will help anyone who is unsure of the best jigsaw to choose and what jigsaw is best for you and the work you intend to carry out with it.
Our choices have all been reviewed through unbiased eyes and we never accept any free tools for review as this would call in to question our neutral standpoint.
We have spent many hours going through these jigsaws to weed out the poor and unreliable ones and to bring the best products to the forefront.
We hope to help you get the right jigsaw for you at the right price for your budget.
This guide is split into 2 categories: cordless and corded jigsaws.
The 5 Best Cordless Jigsaws
1. Dewalt DCS335B 20V Max Jig Saw – Best Cordless Jigsaw
The Dewalt DCS335B has been created to be the next great jigsaw from Dewalt’s DCS range following on from its predecessors DCS332-DCS334 and the progression it has made really is impressive.
Also called the ‘Max Jig Saw’ is a cordless, barrel-grip machine that has a low center of gravity for more control over the maneuvers. A beefy Polyethylene casing with a molded surface gives you a firm grip even on a hot and sticky day.
Also, the barrel grip means that you are less likely to tip the saw or accidentally misdirect the cutting path. It’s powerful & accurate, a combination that’s hard to come by.
At 11.38” & 8.19” tall, it’s not the most compact saw you’ll come across. But the moment that brushless motor powers to life, you’ll start to appreciate the added heft. It’s a brute of a machine with tons of power. The heft makes it easier to control.
What we liked about it
- Barrel Saw for increased control
- Lots of power courtesy the brushless motor
- Variable speed operation with a top speed of 3200 spm
- Easily adjust the bevel angles at 0°, 15°, 30°
- Heft machine with low center of gravity
- Perfect for tasks that demand accuracy with power
- Integrated dust blower and LED light for dimly lit workshops
What we didn’t
- It’s a little pricey for a jigsaw, especially if you are a hobbyist. But that’s not a deal breaker for us because it’s completely worth the extra buck that you’ll spend for it.
Our thoughts – Highly recommended! If you are transitioning from a traditional jigsaw, this barrel saw will change your perspective forever.
Talking about control, the dials and triggers are perfectly positioned for one-handed access. There’s the variable speed dial that lets you control the speed up to 3,200 spm. You can adjust the angle of the bevel easily too. There are three detents, one each at 0°, 15°, 30°, and a positive stop at 45.
The blade clamp and the shoe bevel are keyless for effortless adjustments.
2. Makita XVJ03Z 18V LXT Lithium-Ion – Powerful Cordless Jig Saw
The XVJ03Z is part of Makita’s ever-expanding range of 18V Li-Ion cordless tools.
It’s a very compact and lightweight saw, almost uncanny for the kind of power and precision it brings to the table. Under that deceptive PE casing, lies a brushed motor with a top speed of 2600 spm.
This makes it fast enough to qualify as a primary choice for commercial woodworking tasks. Not a replacement which is generally how people look at cordless saws.
At 12.3” long and 9.1” tall, it’s only marginally bigger than the Dewalt. It weighs 6.1 lbs. with the battery inserted. That’s pretty light weight and can be used for all-day runs with minimal arm/wrist stress.
Controls are effortless. There’s a 2-finger speed control trigger embedded within the handle allowing you to add or reduce power on-the-go. An orbital-setting dial with 3 settings for bevels and locks from 0°- 45°, allows you to make easy angle changes. Also, this greatly expands the capabilities of the saw.
Just like most modern cordless saws, the Makita XVJ03Z offers tool less blade changes.
What we liked about it
- Compact & lightweight saw that weighs just 6.1 lbs. with the battery
- Part of Makita’s 18V Lithium Ion Battery tool range. If you own one of these tools already, there’s no need to buy a separate battery
- Brushed motor with a top speed of 2600 SPM
- Weighs 6.1 lbs. only
- Tough PE casing with rubber grip
- 2-Finger speed control trigger
- Orbital Setting dial with 3-settings
- Tool less blade and clamp changes
- Integrated dust blower and LED light
- Fast charging battery for enhanced runtime
What we didn’t
- May not be suited for heavy duty cutting tasks because of the SPM.
Our thoughts – If your work settings demand a portable jigsaw with a reasonable amount of power, the Makita fits the bill. You are not going to miss a corded saw anymore, unless you are looking to cut through thick stock.
Our thoughts – If your work settings demand a portable jigsaw with a reasonable amount of power, the Makita fits the bill. You are not going to miss a corded saw anymore, unless you are looking to cut through thick stock.
3. BOSCH 18 Volt JSH180B – Compact Cordless Jigsaw
For years & years, Bosch’s corded saws have been the gold-standard for professionals. But given the demands of the modern workplace, here’s the JSH180B. This is the cordless version, which has big shoes to fill. It’s a smaller & lighter machine as compared to its corded predecessors. Bosch even claims that it is up to 30% lighter than the competition.
Well, at 7.48” tall and 10.24” long, it certainly is smaller than the other two. To top it off, it weighs just 4.1 lbs. without the battery. So, if portability rates high on your priority list, the JSH180B certainly fits the bill.
That doesn’t take anything away from the performance or the build quality though. The JSH180B is built like a tank. Tough polymer casing, rubber handle with a very small diameter for an easy grip and one-touch operation.
It has a top speed of up to 2700 SPM. It’s not a variable speed saw though. But most commercial tasks and almost all hobby tasks, can be completed reasonably well with a single speed saw. It has a machined footplate that’s bevel-adjustable up to 45-degrees. The T-shank blade can be removed and installed with one-hand, which completes a well-rounded feature list.
What we liked about it
- Bosch’s reliability in a compact and portable saw
- Smallest saw in this list. Very easy to maneuver and handle
- Machined base for precision
- Bevel adjustable
- Top speed of 2700 SPM
- Easy one-handed operation
- Light weight
What we didn’t
- It’s not a variable speed saw. This may not necessarily be a deterrent for a lot of woodworkers.
- The package does not include the charger and the battery
Our thoughts – It’s hard to go wrong with Bosch’s jigsaws. They have reliability written all over it in bold. The JSH180B’s no different. It’s very compact, lightweight and has ample power for most hobbyist tasks.
4. Milwaukee M18 Fuel Kit – Professional Cordless Jigsaw
The M18 Fuel was Milwaukee’s foray into the booming market for jigsaws that feature an integrated dust collection port. But it also bought some sparkling new features. For instance, the D-Handle. Now, this is a hit or a miss with some folks. There are people who swear that this is the most comfortable handle they’ve ever used on a jigsaw.
Others find it meh. So we won’t harp too much on it. If you prefer the old barrel grip, you can get the same saw with a barrel grip too.
This is a complete kit that includes the saw, an M18 Lithium Ion battery, a multi voltage charger & a carrying case.
Let’s talk about more interesting stuff. This is part of Milwaukee’s popular ‘Fuel’ range of tools. The USP of these tools are a brushless motor, an 18V Li-Ion battery & a proprietary technology that Milwaukee calls ‘RedLink Plus intelligence’.
Powering the saw is a brushless motor with a top speed of 3,500 RPM. The saw is very comfortable to grip and maneuver for cuts. The footplate can be adjusted to bevel stops at 0, 15, 30, and 45 degrees. We would have preferred clearer markings though.
It weighs 6.5 lbs. with the battery, which is reasonable enough. A neat addition is the cutline blower that can be switched off when you attach the vacuum. So, you won’t have one interfering with the other.
What we liked about it
- Sturdy unit with a D-Style handle
- LED light, blower and the option to attach a Shop vac
- From Milwaukee’s Fuel Range of 18V battery powered tools
- Bevel adjustable foot plate
- Weighs 6.5 lbs. with the battery
- Cutline blower can be switched off when attaching the vacuum
- Comfortable saw with loads of power
What we didn’t
- No lock-on switch. So, you’ll have to keep the trigger engaged while you cut. It’s a minor quibble really. But one worth mentioning for sure.
Our thoughts – If you seek more power for your cutting tasks without compromising on portability, Viola! Here’s the Milwaukee M18 Fuel Kit for you.
5. RYOBI One+ P5231 18V Lithium Ion Cordless – Best Budget Cordless Jigsaw Tool
The Ryobi One+ is at the budget-end of the overcrowded jigsaw marketplace. But it’s certainly no muck with the bat. This is a feature-rich cordless orbital jigsaw which boasts of variable speed, an integrated dust blower, an LED light and a trigger lock system.
In a nutshell, it ticks all the important boxes that one looks for, in a commercial tool.
Powering the saw is an orbital motor with a top speed of 3000 SPM. That’s a lot of power for a saw at this price point.
Also, there’s a variable speed lever which is perfectly positioned, next to the trigger lock allowing you to control the speed on-the-go, without compromising on your grip. You can adjust the orbital settings without a tool, just like the blade changes. Adjusting the bevel cuts will require a wrench though.
Sadly, there’s no onboard storage for the wrench, which is kind of a minor let down? Well, we can’t expect the moon at this price, can we?
What we liked about it
- Most feature rich cordless saw at this price point
- Orbital motor with a top speed of 3000 SPM
- Trigger lock for easy, continual operation
- LED light
- Line-of-sight blower
- Comfortable to grip with a rubber overmold
- Easy variable speed dial
What we didn’t
- Bevel adjustments require a tool
- The line of sight blower is slightly clunky
- No on-board storage for the wrench
Our thoughts – Despite the miniscule quibbles, the Ryobi One+ P5231 is a terrific budget-priced saw for hobbyists. You’d be hard pressed to find a more feature rich option at this price point.
Now, The 5 Best Corded Jigsaws
1. BOSCH JS470E – Best Corded Jigsaw Overall
What better choice than the Bosch JS470E to start our list of recommendations. This is one of Bosch’s bestselling corded saws that features a top handle with a soft, rubber grip. Club that with the low vibration design, and the die cast foot and you have smooth & accurate cuts.
It weighs 10.1 lbs., which is pretty close to similar jigsaws from competitors. Operation is extremely easy, just as you’d expect from Bosch. The speed trigger is positioned on the handle, for one-finger access. You can accelerate the cutting speed easily on-the-job. The speed dial though is positioned on the foot of the saw. So, you’ll have to set the limit with the dial and then use the trigger to accelerate to that speed.
There’s an ambidextrous lock on button for prolonged use without finger strain.
This is a 120V saw with a top motor speed of 3100 SPM. So, there’s no dearth of power for the more strenuous cutting tasks. It comes with a 10-foot-long cord, which should suffice for most home workshops.
What we liked about it
- Tried and tested corded saw
- 120V power with 3100 SPM
- 10-foot-long cord
- Convenient finger accelerator for speed
- Speed dial for manual acceleration
- Bevel adjustments
- Ambidextrous lock on button
- Top Handle design with rubber overmold
- Low vibration for accurate cuts
What we didn’t
- No LED light which can be a deal breaker for some people who work in very low light settings
- You cannot attach a shop vac to this
Our thoughts – The Bosch JS470E is powerful and precise, with an easy-to-use design. White Oak, Walnut, no matter what you are trying to cut, it will go through it like a knife through butter. Enough said!
2. Makita 4350FCT – Powerful Corded Jigsaw
The Makita 4350FCT is a top-handle, variable speed jig saw from the Japanese brand.
It features a dynamically-balanced 6.3 AMP motor which reduces vibrations by as much as 40%. The motor also powers it to a top speed of 2800 RPM.
Not as high as the Bosch, we know. But at that speed and power, you can easily cut through most commonly used stock without the saw buckling under pressure. Also, the saw features electronic speed control, which is an automatic feature that auto-adjusts the power depending on the task at hand.
The 4350FCT has an ergonomic top handle with a finger trigger for speed control. There’s a separate variable speed dial which lets you adjust the top speed from 800-2800 RPM. You can adjust the bevel up to 45-degrees to the right or left, for added control over the cuts.
By the way, this jigsaw uses Tang Shank blades, which are ubiquitous with modern saws. So, if you own another jigsaw, chances are that you can swap the blades if need be.
Overall, this is an excellent saw. Lots of power, low vibration and an inbuilt dust collection port to connect your vac. Oh, an LED light as well.
What we liked about it
- Top handle design for balance and control
- Variable speed from 800-2800 RPM
- Dynamically balanced 6.3 AMP motor
- Soft start
- Bevel adjustable
- One click speed control
- Tang Shank blades
- Tool less blade swap
- Built-in LED lights
- Integrated dust collection port to connect a vacuum
- Built in blower
What we didn’t
- No speed lock-on button
3. DEWALT DW317K Variable-Speed Orbital Jigsaw – Low Price But High Quality
The Dewalt DW317K is a budget-priced corded saw powered by a 5.5 AMP motor. That’s almost on par with the big boys of the jigsaw universe. So, you get loads of power with a compact, form factor.
It is a top-handle saw with excellent sight lines. The variable speed trigger is positioned for easy one-finger access, allowing you to accelerate on-the-job. But the dial is also positioned on the trigger, which makes it a little tricky to get right.
It has an impressive top speed of 3100 SPM, which is excellent for a saw at this price point.
There’s a 4-position orbital setting for woodworkers who seek more control. To add to this, the shoe bevels from 0° to 45°, for angled cuts. Blade changes are effortless thanks to the keyless blade clamp. All you need to do is push the lever to detach and attach blades. It accepts both U-Shank & T-Shank blades by the way.
What we liked about it
- Budget-priced corded saw from Dewalt
- Top handle design
- Variable speed with trigger control
- 5 Amp motor
- Top speed of 3100 SPM
- Shoe Bevels from 0° to 45°
- Tool less blade changes
- Comes with an all-metal case
What we didn’t
- No line-of-sight blower. So, you might find it a little tough to find your way in all the sawdust it produces.
- No LED light
Our thoughts – While it’s not the most feature-rich option out there, the Dewalt DW317 can cater to the discerning hobbyist who seeks reliability and precision with their machines.
4. Milwaukee 6268-21 6.5 Amp Top Handle Jig Saw – Variable Speed
The Milwaukee 6268-21 is a mid-range orbital saw with a top-handle design. It features a 6.5-amp motor, which translates into more cutting power while dealing with denser stock. Also, we like that it features a Precision roller blade guide.
You’ll encounter fewer blade deflections, which unfortunately is a problem with budget-priced jigsaws.
The 6268-21 is very comfortable to use, when operational. The rubberized overmold, which they call ‘Cushion grip’ reduces wrist strain. Add to that the low center of gravity and the inbuilt counter balance, and you have a saw that’s stable and easy to maneuver.
The sight lines are top notch, there’s a tachometer that shows you what speed you are operating at and a 12.8’ long cord ensures that there are no messy tangles to deal with.
This is a variable speed saw that goes from 0-3,000 Spm. Speed acceleration is positioned on the trigger, while there’s a speed dial for repetitive speed control.
Lastly, there’s an inbuilt LED light, which can be godsend for craftsmen who work in poorly lit workshops.
What we liked about it
- Top handle design
- 5-amp motor
- Trigger on the handle for speed control
- Separate speed dial
- 0-3000 SPM
- Inbuilt LED light
- Counter balance for low vibration
- Tool less blade changes
- Tachometer to keep track of cutting speed
- Keyless shoe adjustment
- Precision roller blade guide for accuracy
What we didn’t
- No built-in blower
Our thoughts – The Milwaukee 6268-21 is a powerful jigsaw. It can cut through a variety of thick material without getting bogged down. The variable speed dial takes guesswork out of repetitive tasks. It does lack a blower, but with the LED light, you should have no problems with visibility.
5. SKIL JS313101 – Best Budget Corded Jigsaw
The Skil JS313101 is the cheapest jigsaw in this list. We mentioned this upfront so that you’d be prepared for some tradeoffs. What you need to decide is whether any of these tradeoffs are severe enough to be deal breakers.
Let’s discuss the pros first. The JS313101 is a variable speed saw with a top-handle design. It has a beefy PE construction with an ergonomic handle, perfectly positioned triggers and dials, and weighs just 4.52 lbs.
It is powered by a 5 AMP motor with a top speed of up to 3000 SPM. There’s a 4-stage orbital selector that expands the capabilities of the saw, beyond a hobby tool. Also thrown in are an LED light and a blower to remove the chips from the line-of-sight.
Now for the tradeoffs. The trigger does not allow you to accelerate the speed. You can only use it to power on and off the saw. The speed is controlled through the rotary dial instead. So, you set it at 3000 SPM and press the trigger to power the motor to that speed. There’s no option to ramp up slowly, or adjust on-the-go.
Is that a deal breaker? That depends on the intended use. For some woodworkers, this is. But at this price point, you will not find a saw that’s as feature rich as this one.
What we liked about it
- Top angle design
- Variable speed saw
- 5 Amp motor with a top speed of 3000 SPM
- 4-Stage orbital setting
- LED light and inbuilt blower
- Weighs just 4.5 lbs.
- Ergonomic design with sturdy handle
What we didn’t
- Cannot use the trigger to accelerate the speed.
Our thoughts – Most hobbyists will be willing to overlook the minor quibble. The Skil JS313101 is powerful enough to be used for most commercial woodworking tasks. Besides, it has all the features that one expects from much higher-priced units. Hard to complain really!
Our Final Thoughts
There are many features we have discussed in this review but the ones that should be considered the most beneficial when buying a jigsaw are low vibration, power, dust removal, a speed controller and the ability to cut bevels these will be the most important factors for a nice clean and accurate cut no matter what material you are working with and less effort will be needed which is also important if you are working for long periods cutting with the best jigsaws.
Always play it safe and wear safety goggles while cutting.
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ABOUT JOHN LEWSAM I am a 40-year-old qualified electrician with many years experience in the trade and many more years in trades that have required me to use a massive variety of power tools. I have over 20 years of power tools experience. Read more about me
