A good jigsaw can make easy work of almost any project. It can cut through a variety of materials, and a cordless one is amazingly versatile. Still, not all the models are the same. To help you make the correct buying decision, we put together five reviews of our favorite cordless jigsaws.
All the information you’ll need to make the best purchasing decision is included in this guide. We’ve scrutinized each cordless jigsaw carefully and tested it to make sure you only spend your hard-earned money on the best. We even broke down what features you need and answered some commonly asked questions.
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Here’s a list of the 5 best cordless jigsaws we found:
This DEWALT DCS331B 20-Volt jigsaw is our number 1 choice. For a battery-operated saw, it is quite powerful. It has the same cutting power as most of the corded jigsaw we’ve used, which we found very surprising considering the infamous low-power most jigsaws have.
Out of all the cordless jigsaws we looked at, the simple fact that this one was just as powerful as a plug-in made us easily boost it to first place. However, there were also a variety of other features we liked. This saw comes with a variable speed range of up to 3000 SPM.
It is compatible with all Dewalt 20V batteries. If you already have cordless Dewalt tools, then you already have a few extra battery packs for this saw on hand. It is slightly heavier than some of the other top-rated products. However, it is still lighter than most other models out there.
Plus, this cordless jigsaw also has a keyless blade change system that allows you to easily swap out the edge without the use of any tools. We found this feature particularly useful since it saved us time and allowed us to cut more.
Of course, bot everything about this tool is perfect. The built-in dust blower was not as strong as we would have liked. The machine also does not come with a battery or charger. However, as we previously stated, it is compatible with all Dewalt 20V batteries.
This cordless jigsaw may not be our no.#1 pick but it is definitely a high-performance cutting power tool. If you don’t know that stroke length in jigsaw determines how fast it cuts. Luckily for faster cuts, this Makita jigsaw provides a stroke length of 1 inch.
With the 18V Lithium-Ion slide-style battery, the heavy-duty brushless motor on this saw can easily cut through any material at a speed of 0 to 2600 SPM. The large 2 finger variable speed trigger is added for fast and efficient cutting. Many users appreciated the speed is very easy to control which is an important factor while cutting. Also, it has good visibility of the cut due to built-in LED light.
Now we know that the jig saw cuts very well but its battery lasts long too. Moreover, with the ergonomic handle, you can work on the job longer without any fatigue while low vibration chassis helps you get the most from the saw while improving its performance. Due to the vibration-less design and quiet motor you can use for indoor work too.
We also liked the tool-less blade change. Being able to change the blade easily without tools whenever you need to allows you to cut more and get your project done faster.
This cordless jigsaw cut accurately and allows for precision and control as you cut. The 3 orbital settings and straight cutting features provide versatility to cut through a wide range of materials.
Overall it’s a good jig saw for the money but SPM is a little lower than other models.
If you need a cheaper option, the Ryobi P523 is your best option. It has four orbital speed options, which allows you to precisely choose the speed you want the saw to cut. We found this feature useful because it allows you to cut through a variety of materials.
This quality cordless jigsaw also comes with an LED light and good dust blower. Not even our higher ranking saws came with these features, so this is something we particularly took note of. Both these features combine to let you see where you’re cutting more easily, resulting in more precise cuts.
We also really enjoyed that you could lower the foot of your blade with this saw. This allows you to use the whole blade, making each blade last longer and saving you money in the process
Of course, this saw was not perfect. Changing the blade takes far longer than we would like and not all standard blades fit into this machine. These features made us drop it down to third place. However, for a good budget option, this cordless jigsaw really can’t be beaten.
If you are looking for a robust design and high-quality performance in a jigsaw, then PORTER-CABLE PCC650B is made for you. Its robust design allows cutting a vast range of materials, which makes it ideal for those who want professional cuts.
The tool-free blade changing mechanism provides fast and smooth blade changes. It also offers tool-free bevel adjustments. The beveling shoe allows making bevel cuts from 0-45 degrees. Moreover, you can also make straight scroll cuts out of wood or metal piece.
Also, the handle offers a firm grip when working with this tool. This comfortable grip helps prevent any accidents, such as slipping of the tool, due to the vibrations created by it.
This battery powered jigsaw also features a variable speed trigger from 0-2500 SPM according to the material you are working on and the type of cut you want. And the integrated dust blowers help in removing the debris for clear visibility.
This jigsaw contains a large slide switch at its side, making changes to the tool’s orbital position. It’s also easy to carry this tool from one workplace to another as it is relatively light in weight.
One problem is that you have to buy the batteries separately so you can buy the jigsaw and the batteries together for your convenience.
Black+Decker is a very popular company that makes many wonderful products. However, their cordless jigsaw could be a lot better. It isn’t bad, but it isn’t the best either. The maximum cutting speed is only 2500 strokes per minutes, which is far lower than many of the other, better cordless options. We were very disappointed by this cutting speed and felt that our projects took a lot longer than they would have with a different saw.
This saw does come with a battery and charger, which prevented us from having to buy them separately. However, the battery life did not last as long as we would have liked. It can only sustain about 30 minutes of actual cutting. Still, you are never cutting for 30 minutes non-stop with a saw. So, it should be able to last through most short or medium length projects. If you choose this cordless jigsaw, we recommend purchasing a few extra batteries and having them on hand, especially for longer projects.
This saw also comes with a few high-quality features such as it comes with a tool-free blade changing mechanism, bevel from 0 to 45 degrees. This saw has a stroke length of 3/4′. The built-in dust blower was also high-quality and prevented us from having to blow the dust away constantly.
We were very disappointed in this cordless jigsaw overall performance. It does not come with a dust blower but comes with a LED light that highlights the cutting area for improved visibility. It is hard to make accurate cuts when you can’t see where you’re cutting. This lack of someway to blow the dust away makes this saw very difficult to use with any sort of accuracy. It is pretty much like cutting in the dark – you just have to cross your fingers and hope you’re close to the cut line.
The blade locking mechanism also isn’t very well designed. We had a very hard time getting the blade to mount accurately to the saw. Even when we did get it incorrectly, it would move on to us and start cutting inaccurately. This made the blade cut inaccurately, which we were already having a hard time with.
Still, everything is not bad with this battery-powered saw. It is quite durable and we have no doubt that it would last quite a long time. It is quite easy to use, even for beginners. It is also quite strong and can cut through nearly anything. As we said, it isn’t necessarily a bad saw by any means. It just has quite a few features that could be improved, especially for the cost.
Want a jigsaw with continuous high performance during the job? Ridgid R8832B Cordless Brushless Jig Saw is the one. This jigsaw works on a no-load speed of 3500 strokes per minute, which leads to accurate and clean cuts.
The lock-on button on Rigid Octane helps you to make longer or complex cuts. So you don’t have to worry about keeping the trigger down, and you can concentrate on directing the saw.
This jigsaw comprises a speed dial that allows you to adjust the speed settings. You will also get a dust port that removes the debris and helps get excellent finish cutting.
Moreover, this rigid jigsaw features a unique line-start mode that helps you control the blade’s movement. In starting, the blade will move slowly and then increases the speed after engaging the workpiece. This saw allows you to choose from any of the four orbital settings for a customized cutting.
You can easily make blade adjustments without using any tools, and it also allows tool-free bevel adjustment. The jigsaw base has a broad surface, which makes it easy to maneuver—one more thing to keep in mind that you have to buy the batteries separately.
A battery-powered jigsaw is only as good as its blade. Even the best saw will perform poorly with a bad edge. Because of this, it is vital that your saw has a good blade on it. Many saws we have listed above come with jigsaw blades, but they are not always the best quality. If a saw comes with a great edge, that is less you have to buy separately.
If a saw doesn’t come with a good edge, it is not necessary the end of the world. You can always buy a new blade separately. Still, your saw should be compatible with a wide variety of blades or you will undercut your chances of acquiring a decent blade.
You should also keep in mind how difficult it is to change the edge on a particular machine. Some saws have very easy toolless blade changes, while others require a very complicated process that requires tools. In most cases, the simpler the better.
A saw should go fast enough to easily cut through whatever material your project requires. Preferably, it will also have a variable speed trigger so you can adjust the speed to fit your needs. Slower speeds will allow you to cut more accurately, while faster speeds will cut faster. Different materials also require different speeds, so speed control really is vital.
A saw with an orbital setting cuts in a circular motion with the blade cutting slightly into the material. Orbital settings allow you to control how forward an edge goes, which affects the speed at which the edge cuts. The more orbital action an edge has, the more circular motion it produces. Higher orbital settings will cause the blade to cut faster, but the finish will be rougher. A lower movement the blade should be used for more accurate cuts, while higher settings will allow you to cut quicker.
No one wants to spend more than they need to on anything. Tools can get very expensive, so it is vital that any machine you pick is listed for a good price. All of our top-rated products are listed for fair prices and are a good option to spend your hard earned money on. For a budget option, the Ryobi P523 cordless jigsaw is a great choice. In general though, when it comes to saws, you usually get what you pay for. If you can afford to spend more, feel free too. Just make sure what saw you’re getting is worth the money.
A saw’s grip should be comfortable and functional. You’re going to be holding onto the saw for a while, so the grip should be as comfortable as possible. The last thing you want is for you to get fatigued you or make your hand hurt. A good saw can be made nearly unusable by a bad grip.
To cut accurately with a saw, you have to see where you’re cutting. Otherwise, you’ll accidentally cut off your line. Dust and poor lighting can quickly decrease your visibility. Your measurements don’t mean much if you can’t see where you’re cutting, to begin with.
Most saws counter this problem in a number of ways. Firstly, many jigsaws come equipped with a dust blower, which blows the dust off your cut line so you can see what you’re cutting. Of course, not all dust blower is made equal. Some don’t really work at all while others do a wonderful job.
Secondly, some saws have LED lights that can help you better see the cutting line in dim lighting. If you commonly work in badly lit areas, this feature can be helpful. Otherwise, though, it doesn’t help much. Mostly, it’s a good add on but not necessarily a must-have.
Many jigsaws come with warranties. However, these warranties differ a lot from company to company and machine to machine. In most cases, the longer the warranty, the better. It shows that the company stands behind the product and is willing to replace it if necessary. Be sure to read the warranty so you know exactly what it covers. It is common for certain saw parts to not be covered.
Choosing the best cordless jigsaw tool is always difficult. There are so many different options out there and it can be nearly impossible to sort through them all – purchasing a cordless jigsaw is not different.
To help you make the best decision, we wrote a complete guide to help that includes everything from features to reviews. We hope our reviews were enlightening and helped you make an educated buying decision.
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David has been a woodworker for most of his life — in his dad’s cabinet shop. After using the tools himself, he decided to share it his woodworking and power tools knowledge with DIYers. Read more about him