A jigsaw is a common power tool that can help with an endless number of tasks. A normal jigsaw is comprised of a reciprocating saw blade powered by an electric motor. They are versatile, lightweight, and great for jobs big or small.
We have read the reviews and gone into detail on each product to find you the very best jigsaws on the market.
What to Consider When Choosing a Jigsaw
Power Supply
When picking a jigsaw think about where you are going to use it the most. If it is in your workshop then a corded version will often be ok. However, having the freedom of a battery-operated jigsaw is very useful on a job site or when making intricate cuts.
Motor Power
The number of strokes per minute a jigsaw can deliver determines how fast it will be at cutting through the material. Often jigsaws will have a dial to be able to adjust the power and reduce the strokes according to the material you are cutting.
Weight
As you will be moving a jigsaw around by hand you don’t want anything too heavy. We would suggest that anything over 7 pounds would get quite tiring to use after a while
Grip Type
There are two main grip types with jigsaws, top handle grips and barrel grips. Top handle grips are more common and many people find them easier to use. Barrel grips give you more control on your cutting path.
Top 10 Jigsaws of 2021
Best Overall Jigsaw
1. DEWALT 20V Max Jig Saw DCS331B
Key Features
Weight – 5.4 pounds
Grip Type – Top Handle
Power Source – Battery (Not Included)
Cord Length – Cordless
Motor Power – 3000 Strokes Per Minute
Stroke Length – 1 inch
Our Rating
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Our Take
The DEWALT DCS331B comes in as our best overall jigsaw without a doubt. The main feature that really makes it stand out is its rechargeable battery while still having the same amount of power as a corded version.
DEWALT is a highly respected brand across the power tool industry and is known for their tool build quality. We always find that they produce products at a good price point, excellent design, and suitable for a range of applications. The DEWALT jigsaws stand out for us due to their constantly positive reviews and high specification.
Even though the DEWALT DCS331B is a battery powered jigsaw this doesn’t mean that the power is any less. With up to 3000 strokes per minute, it really packs a punch with a 20-volt battery. One thing that lets it down is not including a battery, however, if you are like us and have multiple DEWALT tools already then you can use a battery from another device.
It comes with a T shank blade that is easy to swap out with its keyless tool changing. Even with a hot blade, you can remove it without touching the blade. The foot or base plate angle is simple to change, a metal lever is used to release and lock it into the desired bevel angle.
Some people have found it to be a little heavy to use over longer periods of time. If this is the case for you then it might be worth looking at the lighter, but slightly more premium DC334B. You can also change out the battery you are using to a smaller lighter version if needed.
Overall this is a great jigsaw that won’t let you down, recommended by carpenters and builders alike. It is well built and provides a reliable cut even through thicker materials.
Best Value Jigsaw
2. Bosch 120 Volt Top Handle Jigsaw JS365
Key Features
Weight – 5.35 pounds
Grip Type – Top Handle
Power Source – Cord
Cord Length – 10 foot
Motor Power – 6.5 Amp
Stroke Length – 1 inch
Our Rating
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Our Take
The Bosch JS365 is our best budget jigsaw for a number of reasons. First of all, we have to talk about the Bosch brand. Bosch is a brand founded in Germany back in 1886. It is dedicated to building excellent engineering solutions and consumer tools. As a German brand you know that the quality is going to be very high and this can be by the many positive reviews of this product.
Secondly, it is at a great price point, you really won’t find a better jigsaw at this kind of price. It is built well to the highest of Bosch standards and has an excellent ergonomic feel to its grip and overall handling.
It uses T shank jigsaw blades for a quick and simple tool-less blade changing system. One of our essential requirements for any jigsaw. It offers variable speed settings plus an orbital action should you need it. Therefore, you can achieve different cuts depending on the finish you require. A dust blower is also included that helps remove the sawdust from in front of the blade, allowing you to see your cutting path clearly.
The Bosch JS365 is the perfect power tool for any beginner or professional woodworker. It can be used in various different ways depending on what is required. It is, unfortunately, a corded device, however, we made an exception due to its power and brilliant construction at a low price point.
We have to mention its sister jigsaw, a barrel grip version, the Bosch JS470EB, which we also mention later on in this review.
Best Premium Jigsaw
3. DEWALT 20V MAX XR Jig Saw DCS334B
Key Features
Weight – 5.2 pounds
Grip Type – Top Handle
Power Source – Battery (Not Included)
Cord Length – Cordless
Motor Power – 3200 Strokes Per Minute
Stroke Length – 1 inch
Our Rating
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Our Take
Our second DEWALT jigsaw and the slightly better of the two is the DEWALT DCS334B. This is the MAX XR version and is the upgraded version. We have made this our best premium jigsaw due to a number of reasons, including its numerous extra features.
DEWALT is a very well-known brand in the building and woodworking industry. It is a trading name of Black and Decker that also produce jigsaws. They are known for their good quality tools and manufacture some of their tools in the USA. It is a truly trusted brand and backs this up with a 3-year limited warranty on all many of its tools.
The DEWALT DCS334B is at a slightly higher price point compared to the DCS331B. This is because it comes with many upgrades that you may find particularly useful depending on your work. The first point is that it is lighter which makes it much easier to use for continuous cutting or cutting in a vertical position.
It comes with a smooth brushless motor, unlike the DCS331B, that allows for increased performance and much longer run time. Brushless motors are great performers in tools that use batteries as you can spin much faster given the same Amps. The trigger is also an upgrade as this model has a variable speed control. This is useful when going through tougher materials.
The LED light and dust blower are the final two essential features on the DEWALT DCS334B. With these features, you are able to clearly see your cutting line even in low light conditions. This highly recommended jigsaw is perfect for someone looking for a tool they plan to use often. It is slightly more expensive, but its extensive features will help in many situations.
4. SKIL PWRCor 20V Jigsaw JS820202
Key Features
Weight – 6.92 pounds
Grip Type – Top Handle
Power Source – Battery – Included
Cord Length – Cordless
Motor Power – 20V
Stroke Length – 1 inch
Our Rating
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Our Take
The Skil JS820202 jigsaw is a battery-powered 20-volt woodworking machine, coming in as our runner up the overall reviewed jigsaw. Skil, once part of the Bosch family, is a Chinese electric power tool manufacturer. Their heritage goes all the way back to 1924 with their first tool the circular saw. Skil is well known for its cutting power tools so we had to include their jigsaw.
As with most of our jigsaws, the Skil JS820202 is a top handle or D handle jigsaw, with the battery mounted onto the rear of the handle. The placement of the battery at the back helps to balance out the jigsaw. Not only does it come with a battery but also a charger, if you run other 20V Skil portable power tools you can quickly interchange the batteries.
The lithium battery and brushless motor give this jigsaw long-lasting power and performance. If needed there is a jump charger to charge quickly in just 5 minutes! The brushless motor controls the orbital cutting function that has 4 different settings depending on your material.
It comes with a metal cutting and a wood cutting blade in the box that are easily swapped in and out with the tool-free blade changing. Another tool less feature is the foot bevel adjustment. Make sure the jigsaw is off and easily move to 5 set angles.
There is even a mobile charging port to use in case your phone runs out of power when you are at the job site. Blower speed is also controllable should you need this feature. Overall a well-built cordless jigsaw with many positive reviews.
5. Makita XVJ03Z 18V Cordless Jig Saw
Key Features
Weight – 6.4 pounds
Grip Type – Top Handle
Power Source – Battery (Not Included)
Cord Length – Cordless
Motor Speed – 2600 strokes per minute
Our Rating
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Our Take
The Makita XVJ03Z is a cordless jigsaw that has many of the features that we look for in a good product. Mikata is a brand that is sold globally in over 40 countries around the world. It offers many great products including power tools, its cordless series is well regarded and can swap batteries between products. Unlike many brands, Makita has run with 18 volts across their cordless series.
The rear-mounted battery is a great feature of the Makita XVJ03Z, unfortunately, the 18 V battery doesn’t come included in that standard package. The jigsaw is controlled by a large variable speed trigger that makes it easy to adjust the speed on the go.
A large machined baseplate offers a solid surface for smooth cutting. The base plate comes with a plastic protector for use on surfaces where chip out may be an issue. It comes with three orbital cutting settings plus a straight cut option for use with different materials.
However, there are a handful of factors that brought our rating for this jigsaw down. It is the heaviest jigsaw in our review coming in at 6.4 pounds, it is built from strong materials but this might be too heavy for some users. With only an 18 V battery it doesn’t quite have the same power as some of the other models. This is shown by is slightly lower strokes per minute maximum of 2,600.
Even with these minor points, it is a very well-reviewed jigsaw, it comes with a few different blades that are quick to swap in and out. And even though this isn’t a brushless motor it performs smoothly and isn’t too loud.
Runner Up Value Jigsaw
6. TECCPO Jigsaw TAJS01P
Key Features
Weight – 5.51 pounds
Grip Type – Top Handle
Power Source – Corded
Cord Length – 10 foot
Motor Speed – 3000 Stroke Per Minute
Our Rating
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Our Take
The TECCPO TAJS01P jigsaw stands out from the others in our review for its very good price. We have to mention that it is a corded jigsaw, so you don’t have the freedom that a battery gives you. However, at this price we can’t complain too much, an extension cord will give you some added freedom if needed.
TECCPO is a new brand to the power tool market, designing and producing their tools in China they are able to make very affordable products. The quality isn’t always the best from the Chinese own brand tools, however, TECCPO breaks this trend with a large number of very positive reviews.
If you are just starting out in woodworking or have the odd project to do around the house then this is a great jigsaw to get you started. It is the only jigsaw to come with a laser guide to help align yourself to the cutting line. It can be used with its dust blower feature or attached to a shop vac to remove any build-up of sawdust. This is as simple as switch a switch from forward to back to change the direction of the blower.
The base plate or base foot has a full 45-degree range either left or right for easy bevel cuts. With 6 included interchangeable saw blades, 4 woodworking blades, and 2 metal cutting blades, you will be cutting in no time. It even comes with its own storage box so you can neatly pack it away and not lose any parts.
7. PORTER CABLE 20V MAX Jig Saw PCC650B
Key Features
Weight – 5 pounds
Grip Type – Top Handle
Power Source – Battery (Not Included)
Cord Length – Cordless
Motor Speed – 2500 Strokes Per Minute
Stroke Length – ¾ inch
Our Rating
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Our Take
The Porter-Cable PCC650B is a 20-volt top handle jigsaw built with professional use in mind. It is part of the standard Porter-Cable 20V lithium-ion battery family meaning you can interchange batteries between tools.
Porter-Cable was founded in 1907 and is now a subsidiary of the Stanley Black and Decker group. It is an American company that makes power tools and starting by producing lathes. It is now regarded as a middle of the road brand, with well-priced tools and good build quality, but not quite up there with the best brands in the market.
With this jigsaw, Porter-Cable has produced a very good tool that has been seen to perform well over and over again. It has a comfortable top handle grip with an integrated trigger mechanism. The trigger has a locking setting to allow you to lock the tool on and concentrate on making the perfect cut. Located just above the saw blade is the oscillation controls, three different settings depending on your requirements for speed and accuracy.
With over 500 five star reviews the Porter-Cable PCC650B is a highly regarded jig saw and has seen to perform well in both demanding and simple tasks. Don’t forget to make sure you have a battery that you can use, it should fit with other Porter Cable cordless tools. A great jigsaw for sink cut-outs, scroll cuts, straight cuts, metal pipes, and much more.
8. Ryobi One P523 18V Jigsaw
Key Features
Weight – 4.9 pounds
Grip Type – Top Handle
Power Source – Battery (Not Included)
Cord Length – Cordless
Motor Power – 3000 Strokes Per Minute
Our Rating
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Our Take
The Ryobi One P523 is a consumer-level jigsaw that has proven to perform well for its level. Ryobi is a Japanese brand that manufactures most of its power tools in China. Their One cordless line of power tools has received a lot of praise for its wide product selection and ease of integration between tools. It’s battery packs are considerably cheaper compared to other top-end brands, making them much better value.
For all-round woodworking jobs, the Ryobi One P523 jig saw is a very suitable tool. Even though it only has an 18-volt battery it still gives up to 3000 strokes per minute from its orbiting motor. The motor speed and power are fully adjustable by the well-positioned switch at the top of the handle.
An LED light plus a dust blower help to make sure you can always see where your cutting line is. Plus, the trigger locking system allows you to concentrate on the cut and direction of the blade rather than maintaining trigger pressure. Always be careful when using a trigger lock and keep your hands and fingers clear of the blade at all times.
Coming in at only 4.9 pounds the Ryobi One is one of our lighter jigsaws. This makes it easy to use for long periods of time and control the cutting action. Overall the tool is powerful and with the addition of the LED light, it makes it easy to use. Quickly swap blades in and out with its tool-less blade changing feature and always fit the right saw blade for your job.
9. BLACK DECKER 20V MAX JIGSAW BDCJS20C
Key Features
Weight – 5.5 pounds
Grip Type – Top Handle
Power Source – Battery – Included
Cord Length – Cordless
Motor Power – 2500 Strokes Per Minute
Stroke Length – ¾ inch
Our Rating
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Our Take
Black and Decker are an American Brand that makes a huge range of power tools, hardware, accessories, and home improvement products. They are known for their subsidiary brands as well as their own brand products. Established in 1910 they have a long history of producing professional and consumer-grade products.
Their 20V BDCJS20C jigsaw comes in at the consumer end of the market. This competitively priced jig saw is designed for cutting versatility, portability, and sawing power in one. Delivering up to 2500 SPM from its motor it is a respectably powered portable power tool.
The Black Decker jigsaw has a built-in dust blower to keep your cutting area and saw blade free of sawdust or other debris. Equipped with a 45-degree bevel shoe capacity in either direction it can make perfect angle cuts as needed. This is great for making miter joints where you need to hide the joint completely.
The package contains a battery and charger as well as your first saw blade. The included blade is a standard T shank type that can be quickly be changed without the need for a tool. It has variable speed control from the trigger depending on what material you are cutting. It doesn’t come with any orbital settings, but as this is focused on consumer use this shouldn’t be an issue for the average user. If you already have some Black and Decker tools then the BDCJS20C is a great addition to your collection. Otherwise, we would suggest looking at some of the more powerful tools such as the DeWALT.
Best Barrel Grip Jigsaw
10. Bosch Barrel-Grip Jig Saw JS470EB
Key Features
Weight – 5.9 pounds
Grip Type – Barrel Grip
Power Source – Corded
Cord Length – 10 ft
Motor Power – 3100 Strokes Per Minute
Our Rating
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Our Take
The Bosch JS470EB is a barrel grip version of the ever-popular jigsaw series by Bosch. Widely regarded as the best jigsaw brand for your money this is a variation on the classic design.
The jigsaw barrel grip is preferred by some users because it gives you more control over the jigsaw. By lowering your grip towards the material and the cutting blade you can make more precise adjustments, useful when following a curved line or pattern. A barrel grip can also help if you prefer to rest more of your arm on the material at the same time. It just depends on your cutting technique.
The Bosch JS470EB is a corded jigsaw which does mean you need to be close to a power outlet when using it. The cord is 10-foot-long giving you good range, but for a job site a battery-operated jigsaw would be better suited.
The barrel grip handle is made from a soft grip plastic that gives a good ergonomic feel. This allows for a comfortable and precise grip throughout cutting and reduces vibrations to your hand.
With up to 3,100 strokes per minute from its variable speed-controlled saw blade you can adjust to suit whatever you are cutting. Plus, the saw blade uses the T shank to make sure that no tools are needed in swapping out the blade. The Bosch Js470EB comes with one blade and an anti-splinter insert to help reduce the chance of the wood ripping. Another great addition is the plastic overshoe for the baseplate that can be attached to stop scratches on veneered surfaces.
If you are looking for increased control then this is the jigsaw for you. Make sure to be extra careful as your hands are closer to the blade than a standard top handle device.
Jigsaw Buyers Guide
If you are struggling with which jigsaw to buy check out our buyer’s guide that will help you find the jigsaw that will slot right in.
Saw Control
It is important to work out what effects your tool control when picking a jigsaw. Think about where you like to hold a tool to make an accurate cut.
Some people want to be up high above the blade, while others prefer to be low and in-line with the saw blade.
The most common form of grip is the D grip or top handle grip that allows the user to keep their hand above the saw. This grip also commonly uses a trigger for power control.
The second grip type is a barrel grip that is much lower on the body of the jig saw. It gives a slightly different type of feedback to the user that some uses believe gives them more control.
Compatibility
Think about the batteries you have for other tools and any blades you may already have. If you already use one brand of cordless power tools then it is often a good idea to stick with that brand as the batteries are often interchangeable.
Where Your Jigsaw is To Be Used?
We have mentioned this again and again because it is very important. If you are just using your jigsaw in your workshop then a corded type will be perfect for your needs and you will never have to worry about charging.
However, a cordless battery operated jigsaw is great for around the house or on the job site where mobility is key.
Baseplate
An adjustable baseplate or shoe is essential for a more professional user. Bevel cuts can be quick to make and the plate will often have positions of common angles already set.
Other attachments can be bought for aligning along a straight edge at a certain distance. Make sure you buy a plastic cover if cutting along a surface that can be easily scratched.
Orbital Stroke
An orbital setting on a jigsaw makes it stand out from a consumer product to a professional level. An orbital cut means that the saw blade will cut in and forward on the downstroke and rotate backward on the upstroke.
This provides the quickest cutting method for most materials as it cuts into the material at an angle rather than straight on. Specific saw blades may be required depending on your orbital setting.
Jigsaw Blades
Blade type and locking method are two of the most important things to consider when using a jigsaw. There are different types of jigsaw blades that result in different finishes and for cutting different materials.
An easy way to remember the types is to look at the teeth. The bigger the teeth the faster the cut, but the cut is rougher. If you use a saw blade with smaller teeth then you can make finer more intricate cuts but it will also be slower to cut with.
When fitting or changing blades you want to make it as quick and as safe as possible. T shank blades make this simple and require no tools to be installed. All of the jigsaws that we reviewed used a tool-less blade installation. This stops your hands from getting burnt or cut on a saw blade.
FAQ’s
We often get asked the same questions in our reviews and have answered them here for everyone to benefit.
What is the Best Jigsaw to Buy?
We recommend the Bosch JS365 top handle jigsaw as our best overall reviewed jigsaw. It has a good cutting action, feels well built in your hands. The grip is ergonomic and soft to touch, if you are looking for more control then you can always go for the barrel version. For the price point and its overall versatility, we would recommend the Bosch JS365 above the rest in our extensive review.
What is the Difference Between a Jigsaw and an Orbital Jigsaw?
There are two main cutting types of a jigsaw, standard action jigsaw, and orbital action jigsaw. An orbital jigsaw cuts with its saw blade at an angle forward into the material on the upstroke. Then it switches to a backward angle on the downstroke. This helps to cut faster and works well in soft materials such as plastic or softwood.
A standard action jigsaw blade moves the blade directly up and down. There is no change in the angle of attack of the saw blade on either stroke. A standard action jigsaw is a bit slower but the cut is neat and smoother than an orbital cut.
Why Does My Jigsaw Not Cut Straight?
There can be a number of reasons for your jigsaw not cutting straight. The most common causes are trying to cut wood that is too thick and applying too much forward pressure.
When working with a jigsaw check that the material you are cutting isn’t outside of the range your jigsaw can handle. There should be approximately 1 inch of the saw blade on the other side of the material on the downstroke.
If you are applying a lot of forwarding pressure you will cause the blade to bend and drift off the intended path. This is accentuated by using a dull saw blade and can be another reason why your jigsaw doesn’t cut straight. Make sure you are allowing the cutting action to remove the material chips and gently move the jigsaw forward.
How Do I Choose a Jigsaw Blade?
The type of jigsaw blade you choose depends on what you are cutting. As mentioned already, you need to think about the type of material, the thickness of the material, and finally the finish you want.
More teeth per inch provide a slower but cleaner cut and are great for cutting laminates. Fewer teeth per inch are faster but will leave a rougher edge. There is always a balance to be found.
Also, make sure to check whether your jigsaw requires T shank blades or U shank.
How Thick Can You Cut with a Jigsaw?
There are two factors that determine how thick you can cut with a jigsaw. The first is the jigsaw specifications, some are capable of using long saw blades up to 6 inches, while others can only handle 1 ½ inch blades.
Secondly, depending on the material density you are attempting to cut will determine the maximum thickness you can cut. If you have a hardwood or hard plastic then the saw will have to work harder to cut through it, this means it may be struggling with anything over ¾ inch thick.
However soft materials such as polystyrene or softwoods are much easier to cut through so you can cut up to 6 inches. Always take care and wear the proper protective equipment when you are cutting any materials with a jigsaw.
