What is the Best Reciprocating Saw in 2020? Read to Find Out!
- 2 x 20 volt lithium ion batteries
- Variable speed trigger
- Can be used with one hand
- 12 inch cutting blade
- 12 month warranty
- Compact design
- 20 volt lithium ion battery
- Adjustable cutting blade length setting
- Well balanced
- Quick and easy blade change
- Compact design
- Overload charging protection
- 12 month warranty
- 12 volt battery
- Ergonomic design
Knowing which model is the best rated reciprocating saw is a difficult task given how much choice there is currently available on the market. It is for that very reason that we have taken it upon ourselves to do some research and present you with the below findings. These are four of the very best reciprocating saws that have all of the functions and features that you need to be able to perform a variety of cuts to the highest level of quality. This list has been compiled by industry experts who have years of experience of using these power tools so you can believe that they really are the best of the best.
For each of the reciprocating saw saw models that made it into the list of Our Top Picks, we have taken an in depth look at their various functions and features, how they perform, and so on. We also look into any cons and downsides that these power tools may also have. We use this information to form the basis of our final recommendation as to which of them is the best of them all. In addition to this, we also provide answers to some of the most frequently asked questions about different types of table saws. Armed with all of this information, you should have everything that you need to be able to purchase the right reciprocating saw for you.
The Best Reciprocating Saws: Our Top Picks
Table of Contents
#1 BLACK+DECKER BDCR20C 20V MAX Reciprocating Saw
NOTABLE FEATURES
- 2 x 20 volt lithium ion batteries
- Variable speed trigger
- Can be used with one hand
Coming with not one but two 20 volt lithium ion batteries, the BLACK+DECKER BDCR20C 20V MAX Reciprocating Saw has a really long run time, along with an impressive amount of power. With this you are able to tackle tough jobs, such as cutting through hardwoods and metals. Given the fact that it has all of this power, it represents really good value for money for how much it costs. There may be cheaper saws currently available on the market but not with the various functions and features that this particular model comes with.
The variable speed trigger that it has comes in handy as it provides you with a tremendous amount of control without the need to have to stop the power tool and manually change the settings yourself. Having this system in place works to prevent overkill from happening. This model takes a 12 inch cutting blade and so armed with that it can cut right through even the largest of branches quickly and easily. This makes it the ideal choice of saws for professional arborists or for those individuals who enjoy maintaining their yard and keeping it looking nice.
The power that it has is similar to that of the DEWALT DCS380B 20-Volt MAX Li-Ion Reciprocating Saw, making it great for light to medium cutting jobs. With it weighing just 5 pounds, it is comfortable to use for extended periods of time and because it is so well balanced, you can even use it with just one hand. The power tool comes with a 12 month manufacturers warranty, although this can be extended to two years should you want to at an additional cost. This means that you are fully protected should you ever have any problems with the saw saw.
PROS
- 2 x 20 volt lithium ion batteries
- Variable speed trigger
- Can be used with one hand
CONS
- Not suitable for larger jobs
#2 DEWALT DCS380B 20-Volt MAX Li-Ion Reciprocating Saw
NOTABLE FEATURES
- Compact design
- 20 volt lithium ion battery
- Adjustable cutting blade length setting
Boasting a four position cutting blade fixing, the DEWALT DCS380B 20-Volt MAX Li-Ion Reciprocating Saw lets you make pretty much any cut that you need to. Because of its compact design, it can get into the tightest of spaces and can even cut materials or branches flush completely flush. It has an impressive amount of power and so is capable of tackling pretty much any task that you put it up to. When it comes to needing to change the blade out or replacing it for a specialist one, then this process is quick and easy thanks to the quick blade change system that it has.
This system also works to prevent the cutting blade from snagging on the material when in operation. This makes tackling tougher jobs much smoother and free from frustration. Having to constantly free up the trapped cutting blade from out of the material can become really time consuming. The 20 volt lithium ion battery that powers this model is capable of delivering as much as 30 minutes of aggressive cutting through tough materials, such as thick decking or metal. Should you ever need it, there is a higher amperage battery available for this particular model that can be purchased additionally at an extra cost.
There is an adjustable cutting blade length setting on the DEWALT DCS380B 20-Volt MAX Li-Ion Reciprocating Saw that lets you pick from three different lengths, allowing you to get exactly what you need for the job that you are working on with it. Because it has been ergonomically designed, it sits nicely in your hand and is well balanced. It also produces very few vibrations when in operation and so this makes it really comfortable to use, even for extended periods of time. Even when tackling heavy duty jobs, there is no sign of the power tool becoming over heated or struggling at all.
PROS
- Compact design
- 20 volt lithium ion battery
- Adjustable cutting blade length setting
CONS
- Difficult to source replacement parts
#3 Bosch 12-Volt Max Pocket Reciprocating Saw
NOTABLE FEATURES
- Compact design
- Overload charging protection
- 12 month warranty
The small and compact design of the Bosch 12-Volt Max Pocket Reciprocating Saws is what really sets it apart from the other models in this list. Despite its smaller size, the power tool still kicks out a large amount of power, which makes it highly capable and able to tackle a wide variety of tasks. Because it is so lightweight and with it having a compact design, it works well in tight spaces and is ideal for smaller cutting jobs, regardless of what the material is. Because of how well balanced it is and thanks to its ergonomic design, you are able to use the saw saw with just one hand.
Coming with a 30 minute long overload charging protection, the saw saw will not cut out during this time period even when it is being used for heavy duty tasks, such as cutting through strong materials. Because of these many different features and the fact that it will keep going and going, this model is highly popular with both home DIYers and professional tradesmen. It even has a cutting less blade brake that works to stop it from getting snagged when cutting through tougher materials. This is something that many other similar models come without.
Having a lower price tag, the Bosch 12-Volt Max Pocket Reciprocating Saw really is good value for money. Something that makes it even better value for money is the 12 month manufacturers warranty that comes with it. This covers it both the amp motor and the blade and means that should you ever have any issues with either of them you can have it rectified completely free of charge. If needs be, the entire product will be replaced with no expense to yourself. However, being made by such a well known power tool brand it is highly unlikely that you will experience any problems with it.
PROS
- Compact design
- Overload charging protection
- 12 month warranty
CONS
- Expensive price tag
#4 Milwaukee Reciprocating Saw
NOTABLE FEATURES
- 12 amp motor
- Produces very few vibrations
- Weighs just 10 pounds
Boasting a 12 amp motor, the Milwaukee Reciprocating Saw delivers an impressive amount of power, whilst producing very vibrations. This makes using it much more comfortable as it puts lets pressure on your wrists and arms, as well as being kinder on your ears. The working life of the 12 amp motor is seriously enhanced thanks to the gear protecting clutch that it has. This feature also works to stop the cutting blade from ever snagging, which can be a problem with this type of power tool. The saw saw has no trouble cutting through any material that you put it to work on and even makes light work of cutting through steel tubing.
This obviously makes it super versatile and loved by professional tradesmen who require a power tool that can cut through both wood and metal. Made in the United States of America, you can rest assured that this is a high quality product that has been manufactured in line with all of the necessary health and safety guidelines. As a result, it stands up to heavy and consistent use within a variety of different environments. With the saw saw only weighing 10 pounds it is not too heavy that it is uncomfortable to use and thanks to its ergonomic design, it sits nicely in your hand and feels well balanced.
The Milwaukee Reciprocating Saw has a variable speed trigger, which allows you to get it at just the right variable speed for the job that you are working on. At maximum variable speed, it produces 3,000 strokes per minute, which is highly impressive. Coming with a comprehensive 12 month warranty, the power tool is protected against poor workmanship or faulty parts and will be replaced free of charge if you have any major issues with it during that time period. Although this model does have lots of power, it is not quite as powerful as the DEWALT DCS380B 20-Volt MAX Li-Ion Reciprocating Saw.
PROS
- 12 amp motor
- Produces very few vibrations
- Weighs just 10 pounds
CONS
- Not as powerful as the Dewalt
FAQS – A Buyer’s Guide
In this section we provide you with answers to some of the most frequently asked questions about the various types of reciprocating saws that are currently available on the market for purchase. Being provided with all of this information should put you on a better standing when it comes to making a decision as to which specific model of reciprocating saw to purchase. To help us with this task and to ensure that all of the information that is provided to you here is accurate and up to date, we have enlisted the help of a number of experienced saw reciprocating saw users and professional tradesmen. If this does not help you make up your mind then keep reading as we make our own recommendation as to which one you should purchase.
Who makes the best cordless reciprocating saw?
With a cordless reciprocating saw saw you can tackle all of the same jobs you can with a corded one but do not have the inconvenience of being tethered to a mains power supply. This makes them the ideal choice for those individuals who need / want the freedom to be able to move around either their yard or a construction site to perform cutting jobs. With all of the major power tool brands, such as Milwaukee, Dewalt, and Bosch now producing models that are cordless reciprocating saw, it can be a difficult choice deciding on which one is the best one for you. The sheer amount of choice can be somewhat overwhelming.
Having used these kinds of power tools for many years, we can confirm that some of the best ones include the Ryobi 18 Volt Cordless Reciprocating Saw One+ Variable Speed Reciprocating Saw, the PORTER-CABLE 20 V MAX Reciprocating Saw, the BLACK + DECKER BDCR20C 20 V MAX Reciprocating Saw, the Milwaukee 2620-20 M18 18 Volt Sawzall Cordless Reciprocating Saw, and the DEWALT 20V Max Reciprocating Saw. With these models coming at various price points you should be able to find one that sits within your budget, as well as having all of the functions and features that you require of it.
Our favorite from all of these is the Milwaukee 2620-20 M18 18 Volt Sawzall Cordless Reciprocating Saws. This is because it has a powerful 18 volt battery that generates cutting variable speed of up to 3,200 strokes per minute strokes per minute. Should this amount of variable speed be too much then do not worry, as the power tool has a variable speed setting that allows you to select the right speed for the job that you are working on. Coming with a handy battery gauge, you can always see how much charge it has left in it and means that you should never run out of juice whilst in the middle of a job.
What is the best brand of Sawzall?
As previously mentioned all of the big power tool manufacturers are now making reciprocating saws. This means that you are completely spoilt for choice when it comes to high quality versions. However, with them all being so different and having varying functions and features, knowing which brand or even which model is the best is a difficult choice. Because of this, the answer is very much subjective, as it really comes down to what you need from this type of power tool. This is what determines what the best one is for you personally.
Some of our own personal favorite models of reciprocating saw saw (other than those that made it into the above list of Our Top Picks) include the Skil 9206-02 7.5-Amp Variable Speed Reciprocating Saw, the Ryobi P519 18V One+ Reciprocating Saw, the PORTER-CABLE PCC670B 20V MAX Recipro Saw, the TACKLIFE 12V MAX Reciprocating Saw, the Milwaukee 2719-20 M18 FUEL Hackzall, the Makita JR3051T Reciprocal Saws, the WORX WX508L 20V Reciprocal Saw, the CRAFTSMAN CMCS300B V20 Reciprocating Saws, and the RIDGID 6 Amp Pro Compact Reciprocating Saws.
From these our favorite is the Ryobi P519 18V One+ Reciprocating Saw. What we like about this particular model is that it is battery powered, which means that you have the freedom to use it wherever you want, rather than having to be tethered to a mains power supply. Also, because it is part of the 18V One+ series it means that the battery is compatible with any other Ryobi power tool from this range. This is a great way of saving money if you already own several other Ryobi products. It is capable of producing cutting variable speed of up to 3,400 strokes per minute, which is much faster than most other models out there.
What is the reciprocating saw used for?
With reciprocating saws being so versatile, they are a must for any home DIYer or professional tradesman. Because they can cut through pretty much any material, they can be used for light work, such as pruning trees and bushes, all the way through to nail ridden hardwood and even metal. Using any other power tool to perform these kinds of jobs will likely damage the cutting less blade and may even cause damage or harm to yourself. However, unlike most other cutting power tools, a best reciprocating saw saw is highly mobile and easy to manoeuvre, meaning that you can attack the cuts at various different angles.
Jobs such as cutting shaped into wood that are typically the domain of jigsaws can actually also be done by reciprocating saws as well. This is because they are just so easy to manoeuvre. Other things that reciprocating saws can be used for include cutting in tight spaces, for making plunge cuts, and for various overhead applications.
Which is better jigsaw or reciprocating saw?
Both of these power tools have their own individual benefits and are actually used for different jobs. Whilst reciprocating saw saw have more power, they are less precise than jigsaws and so lends themselves to rougher, heavier work, such as demolition jobs. With a jigsaw you can do more detailed and precise work such as cutting out shapes in wood.
The Best Reciprocating Saw Of Them All
So there you have it, we have reviewed each of the above models of reciprocating saw in depth and answered some of the most frequently asked questions about them. For those of you who at this stage know which one of the above power tools they want to purchase then great. However, for those who do not know, then we are about to reveal our favorite and, thus, the one that you should purchase. However, before doing that, we must state that all of those that made it into the list of Our Top Picks are really good products that will do a great job in cutting various materials.
That being said, we can state that our favorite, the best reciprocating saw saw, and the one that those individuals who are yet undecided should purchase is the DEWALT DCS380B 20-Volt MAX Li-Ion Reciprocating Saw. This is because it has a compact design that allows it to be used in the tightest of spaces, comes with a highly powerful lithium ion battery, and even has an adjustable cutting less blade length setting that lets you get the exact length required for the job that you are working on. The only slight problem with it is that when it comes to sourcing replacement parts, it is not the easiest thing to do.
