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Last updated on September 27, 2021
The best cordless jigsaw has impressive low vibration despite delivering high strokes per minute, a LED light, and tool-less blade change is something to go for. Make sure it’s packed inside a light easy to handle powerful barrel grip or D-handle battery-powered machine.
There are 4 types of cordless jigsaws, a standard D handle for most common heavy-duty jobs, and a barrel-grip handle for finer control for light woodworking jobs.
If you don’t know yet a cordless jigsaw tool is the best portable tool to cut wood, metal, fiberglass, and plastic in a curved or circle, motion.
Best cordless jigsaw tool
#1 Best Makita cordless jigsaw
Makita XVJ03 cordless jigsaw kit
- Impressive low vibration and low noise considering its power.
- Has three orbital settings and a straight cut setting.
- Variable speed motor can be set from 0 to 2,600 strokes per minute.
- Sticking, and starting with cordless Makita gear is the best choice in my opinion.
- Has a tool-less blade change system for quick. and easy blade installation and replacement.
- Base adjustment requires a hex wrench.
#2 Best cordless bosch jigsaw
Bosch JSH180B 18-volt lithium-ion cordless jigsaw
- Much smaller and lighter than most other jigsaws.
- A small grip reduces hand fatigue.
- Has a T-shank blade change system for tool-less changes.
- Has a dust blower and an LED light.
- Has an adjustable footplate that lets you cut angles up to 45°.
- If you stick with bosch they have the best Jobsite radio.
- Doesn’t come with a battery or a charger.
#3 The Hitachi cordless jigsaw
Hitachi CJ18DGLP4 18v cordless lithium-ion jigsaw
- Has a convenient tool-less blade changing system.
- Takes all types of Hitachi 18V Lithium Ion slide-type batteries.
- The soft grip allows for comfortable handling for long periods.
- Has a three-mode orbital action.
- Doesn’t handle long cuts well due to its short battery life.
#4 The Milwaukee cordless jigsaw
Milwaukee MLW273720 cordless jigsaw
- The smooth and powerful cutting action.
- Has a convenient light and blower.
- Quick and easy angle adjustment with no tools necessary.
- Comes with a dust collector/vacuum attachment.
- Cuts faster than other models with fewer jumps.
- A bit costly.
#5 The Dewalt cordless jigsaw
Dewalt DCS331BR cordless jigsaw
- Solid and reliable performance.
- Long battery runtime.
- Quick and easy blade changes via a handy front lever.
- Hard to lose a bright yellow tool.
- A stay-on trigger lock would have been useful.
#6 Ok DIY cordless jigsaw tool
SKIL JS820302 cordless jigsaw includes 2.0ah battery and charger
- Can make straight cuts and a variety of curved cuts.
- The battery has a temperature management system that keeps it cool.
- Has a variable switch with a brake for smooth and even edges.
- Includes a battery.
- The battery doesn’t last very long.
Best cordless barrel-grip jigsaw
#1 Best barrel grip Festool cordless jigsaw
Festool Carvex jigsaw
- Features a carbide guidance system for precise cuts and minimal blade drift and wandering.
- The on and off button is conveniently located.
- Has a 4-LED stroboscopic light that illuminates the cut line for more precise cuts.
- The interchangeable base system allows you to swap bases quickly and easily
- the cut line for more precise cuts.
- Quick-lock for changing the base plate
- Has a one-piece splinter guard that minimizes splinters and tear-out.
#2 The Makita barrel grip cordless jigsaw
Makita XVJ01Z 18v LXT brushless barrel grip jigsaw
- Ergonomically-designed barrel improves control and handling for finishing work while being able to stick to Makita batteries.
- A Brushless motor and three orbital settings allow for a variety of precise cuts.
- Has a dual LED lighting system 6-speed control dial that goes from 800 to 3,500 SPM.
- The plastic blade guide could be more robust.
- Base requires a hex key to change.
#3 The Barrel-grip Milwaukee cordless jigsaw
Milwaukee M18 fuel barrel grip jigsaw tool
- Fits nicely in the hand.
- Power-state brush-less motor goes up to 3500 RPM.
- Can be switched for left- to right-hand operation.
- Tool-free bevel adjustment allows for cutting angles from 0° to 45°.
- Has an LED light and blower.
- The digital switch has to be held down for a few seconds before the motor starts up.
- The “On” button is placed at an awkward angle.
Best 12v cordless barrel-grip jigsaw
#1 The Milwaukee 12v woodworking jigsaw
Milwaukee 2445-21 M12 jigsaw w/1 bat
- Good build quality.
- Very light and handy and easy to control.
- Powerful for such a small and handy unit.
- Cuts through a variety of materials easily.
- A bit expensive.
- Battery life is a bit short.
#2 Best 12v barrel grip jigsaw tool
Makita VJ05Z 12v brushless cordless barrel grip jigsaw
- The variable 5-speed dial allows setting from 800 to 3,000 SPM.
- Has a soft-start feature for gradual startups.
- The no-load speed reduction feature reduces SPM for improved accuracy.
- BL Brushless motor prolongs battery runtime.
- Doesn’t come with an anti-splintering feature or a vacuum hose adapter.
- Get the 18V version I reckon, unless you are doing small touch-up work that requires accuracy VS power and battery life.
#3 The 12v Bosch cordless jigsaw tool
Bosch JS120BN 12-volt max cordless jigsaw
- Has a durable die-cast aluminum footplate.
- Plastic overshoe prevents the marring of the work surface.
- One-handed blade insertion and tool-less blade removal.
- A small grip handle reduces user fatigue.
- The battery doesn’t last that long.
- No case included.
- The handle isn’t as comfortable as others.
What is a jigsaw tool?
A jigsaw is a power tool, that combines an electric motor with a reciprocating saw blade. They may also be called bayonets or saber saws.
Cordless jigsaws can be used to cut through a wide variety of materials, including plywood, timber, plastics, tile, drywall, cement fiber boards, and even metal.
Although they can make straight cuts, they are usually better suited for cutting curves or shapes in wood like squares. They may also be fitted with a bevel and used to cut angles of up to 45°.
Unlike most other power tools, jigsaws can be used by almost anyone regardless of experience.
All you have to do is insert the appropriate blade, plug it in–or pop the battery in if it is a cordless model–and you can begin cutting immediately.
Jigsaws are so easy to use that even children can use them as long as an adult supervises them.
Because the saw typically rests on the work surface, you don’t need a lot of pressure to keep it in place. There is also little risk of injury because hands and fingers are positioned far from the blade.
Jigsaws are best used for cutting curves into various materials. In fact, jigsaws are among the few portable power tools that can cut curves and shapes efficiently.
For woodworkers that need to do a lot of curved cuts quickly, jigsaws are a better alternative to handheld coping saws.
Cordless jigsaws can be used to cut woods of various thicknesses. With the right blades, they can even cut through fiberglass, drywall, and steel.
Most jigsaws even allow angling of up to 45°, so you don’t necessarily need to have an adjustable table saw to make bevel cuts.
If however, you want a more powerful and cheaper jigsaw consider getting a Makita, or Milwaukee corded jigsaw alternative that runs on AC power.
Features to consider
- Tooth design. The performance of a jigsaw–particularly of the blade–depends a lot on the cutting angle and the spacing and shape of the individual teeth. These factors could affect the speed and cleanliness of the cut.
- Blade Material. Choosing the right blade according to the work you need to do ensures better results, improved performance, and longer blade life.
- Power. Jigsaws rated 600 watts should provide enough power for DIY work. For heavy-duty jobs or professional applications, consider getting a jigsaw rated at 720 watts or higher.
Before you buy a Jigsaw tool…
1. Research the brand.
Some of the best brands of jigsaws to buy are Makita, Festool, DeWalt, and Milwaukee.
The best models from these brands give you long runtimes and excellent performance and are powerful enough to cut through even hard and dense materials.
2. Consider blade combadablity.
Make sure that your jigsaw can accommodate a variety of blades. You will want to be able to use different types of blades for different jobs.
Blades with a high teeth-per-inch (TPI) rating will have more teeth than lower TPI blades and can produce cuts with smoother edges. The best jigsaw blades have high TPI counts that will make it easier for you to cut angles and curves.
3. What’s the tool weight?
Get a jigsaw that strikes the ideal balance between weight and controllability. Heavier jigsaws will let you cut through dense materials more easily, but they can also be more difficult to control.
Some lighter jigsaws might be underpowered for certain jobs, so try to go for a model that provides controllability without compromising power.
4. Do you need a cordless version?
Cordless jigsaws are better suited for quick and portable cutting work, especially if you have to work in crowded areas or places where there isn’t a power outlet nearby.
But if you have to do a lot of cutting, make sure you have a spare battery on charge.
5. Is the tool durable enough for you?
Corded jigsaws tend to be more durable than their cordless counterparts.
If you have to do a lot of heavy-duty cutting work–particularly on timber or metal–it’s hard to argue with the ruggedness and reliability of a corded model.
But if your needs are more modest, you could certainly find many battery-operated models that are durable enough for most applications while not being tethered to an annoying cord.
6. Think about the price.
It’s always a good idea to shell out the cash for a heavy-duty model instead of settling for a budget jigsaw.
Spending on the best jigsaw for the money now will save you the cost of expensive repair and replacement later on. A common problem with DIY jigsaws is the metal attachment that holds the blade in place breaks.
Make sure you have a blade attachment that doesn’t rely on ln keys, but instead a quick release. These quick-release attachments are not only more durable but quicker to change your blades.
Cordless vs. Corded jigsaws
Early models of cordless jigsaws were severely underpowered.
This meant that you had no choice but to use a high-powered corded model if you wanted to cut through hardwoods, ceramic, or metal.
But newer cordless models are a lot more powerful and more reliable, so you could easily cut through most of those materials just as efficiently as you would with a corded jigsaw.
Newer models also have more efficient lithium-ion batteries that give you longer life and longer run-times than ever before.
Combined with faster charging times, these newer batteries made it possible for manufacturers to equip cordless jigsaws with motors that are powerful enough to handle heavy-duty jobs.
Of course, you do need to have one or two spare batteries handy if you need to do a lot of cutting.
With a corded jigsaw, the only thing you have to worry about is working close to a power outlet, keeping the cord out of the way, and keeping an eye on the motor to prevent overheating.
But if you don’t mind packing a couple of spare batteries, a cordless model is a good choice. For my review on the best-corded jigsaw tool, that has more power and a cheaper alternative click here.
D-handle vs. Barrel grip jigsaws?
The D-handle vs barrel grip jigsaw tool debate really does come down to nothing more than personal preference, many builders, YouTubers, and DIY’ers have their opinion on what is best for them and their work.
For more information on tools used to cut circles read my guide on how to cut a circle in wood.
Choosing the best cordless jigsaw
#1 Best value cordless jigsaw tool
The Makita XVJ03 is one of the lightest jigsaws you can buy with this much power. It is also remarkably precise, allowing you to cut curves and shapes without a lot of effort required.
It even handles straight cuts pretty well, definitely better than a lot of other jigsaws in this price range.
The XVJ03’s engine is designed for maximum comfort and control, with a lot less vibration and lower noise than expected.
The speed can be set from 0 to 2,600 strokes per minute, so you could make smooth cuts in a variety of materials.
There are also three orbital settings for added versatility. This model easily rivals the best Bosch jigsaws at a significantly lower price.
#1 Best barrel grip cordless jigsaw
The Festool has a few different jigsaw options, from the cordless to the corded model, that is better suited for workshops and factories that require constant cutting and use.
But for most applications I recommend the cordless tool hands down, the power button is located in a better spot, compared to the Makita barrel-grip and the Festool base plate can be changed with a quick-release rather than relying on a hex key.
The Festool 574716 CARVEX boasts of a carbide guidance system that combines triple-blade reinforcement with a solid support rod.
The carbide jaws result in virtually no wandering and drifting of the blade, which allows for precise and controlled cuts.
The interchangeable base system is a nice touch, as it allows for quick and easy changes from a butterfly-style angled base to the circle-cutting base.
This gives you enough versatility to handle different jobs with a single tool.
I also liked the addition of a 4-LED stroboscopic light that illuminates the cut line and keeps it perfectly aligned with the blade. I find that this feature lets me do precise cuts with fewer errors.
#1 Best small 12v cordless jigsaw
The Milwaukee 2445-21 M12 is one of the easiest to use and easiest to control jigsaws.
The small footprint and lightweight allow for easy handling, which is all the more impressive considering how much power is available on tap. It can cut trim, wood, and even fiberglass with excellent results.
The (2445-21) is a bit expensive considering that it only comes with a single battery and is rated at only 12 volts.
That being said, having this much power in such a compact package makes it great for small finishing jobs.
What materials can be cut with a jigsaw tool?
Jigsaws can make different types of cuts in a variety of materials. But they are especially useful for cutting curves and circles in thin wood, plastic, or metal.
They are more effective for making curved cuts than coping saws and are easier to use as well, which makes them a good choice for woodworkers of all experience levels. For small circles, less than 5 inches you can cut out a perfect circle quicker using a hole drill bit.
1. Cut plywood.
Few tools are better suited for cutting into plywood than jigsaws. They can easily make straight and curved cuts, and can even cut at different angles easily if the plywood is thick enough.
Tooth orientation is an important concern when using jigsaws to cut plywood. With an upward cutting blade, the edges on the upper side of the wood will come out smoother. With a downward cutting bladed, the edges of the bottom side will be smoother.
2. Cut timber boards.
You can use your jigsaw to cut thicker slabs of timber, but you do have to keep a few things in mind.
Jigsaws have thin blades with a lot of flex to them, so they tend to follow the easiest route through the grain. This makes it difficult to cut square on a straight line, even if you use a straight edge on thicker materials.
You could get better results when cutting timber by using the correct blade, making sure that it’s sharp, and combining a higher speed setting with a slower pushing action.
3. Cut even metal.
With the right blades [1], jigsaws can even cut through thin sheets of metal such as steel, iron, and aluminum. They can cut broad curves or straight lines, without the problems associated with cutting through thick slabs of timber.
Jigsaws with powerful motors can even be used to cut through thicker metal, such as steel sheets up to 2/3” thick and aluminum sheets up to an inch thick.
If you want to cut sheets of metal even faster consider a more dedicated metal cutter.
4. Cut through plastic.
Of course, cutting through plastic is a cinch for practically all jigsaws. For most plastics–including fiberglass–you could usually get the best results by setting the speed to the lowest possible setting.
You should also fit your saw with a blade that is intended specifically for cutting plastic. Blades designed for cutting wood will generate too much heat, and possibly cause the plastic to melt.
When to “not” use a jigsaw tool
Making perfectly straight cuts with a jigsaw is very challenging, especially if you do it freehand. Even if you use a straightedge guide, you will probably struggle to keep the blade on course.
This makes a jigsaw tool probably not the best choice if you need to do a lot of straight cutting, particularly into thick slabs of timber. For those kinds of jobs, you would get better results with a Makita, Dewalt, or Milwaukee cordless circular saw.
For ripping thick-timber get AC power on your best circular saw. Here’s the right time when you can use a circular saw.
The same goes for cutting into thick metal. Although you could drill a hole in the steel or aluminum to feed the blade into, you could do the job a lot quicker with a Makita or Milwaukee cordless grinder using a steel cut-off disk.
Can I cut drywall with a jigsaw?
You could use a jigsaw to cut through drywall if you drill a few pilot holes into the material beforehand.
A much better option would be to use a sharp knife and then snap the plasterboard by hand. For areas that can’t be snapped, you would be better off using a hand gib-saw.
If you do insist on using a jigsaw, make sure that plasterboard dust doesn’t fall into the motor. Gib dust particles are tiny, and they could cause your jigsaw to malfunction over time.
When using a jigsaw, there is also a risk of cutting into wires or pipes that may be concealed behind the wall.
That’s why I suggest you use your hand plasterboard saw instead, so you can feel any obstructions behind the wall and avoid cutting into them.
Who uses a jigsaw tool the most?
1. Tradies like plumbers electricians and builders.
Jigsaws are a good alternative to circular or band saws, for cutting around corners, or touch-ups on skirting, trim, and weatherboards, particularly for builders.
They can handle a pretty good variety of jobs, including cutting plywood and even pine boards for walls and flooring. Jigsaws can even cut from the middle of a board with a pilot hole, which is difficult with a circular saw or impossible with a band saw.
2. DIY’ers.
Jigsaws are small enough to carry around and can be easily stashed into a tool bag, shelf, or toolbox.
They can also make a variety of cuts, so even less experienced DIYers can begin using them without too much trouble. In fact, jigsaws are a great introduction to more advanced power tools.
Starting with a cordless jigsaw kit, including a charger and batteries allows you to get other tools from the same brand in the future without having to get later get a second charger or battery.
This is known as buying a “bare tool” this can save you a bit of money buy avoiding owning multiple chargers and batteries throughout your toolkit.
Pro tools can last a lifetime for Builders and DIY’ers, and being that trades-people use Makita, Festool, Dewalt, and Milwaukee even in the far future replacement batteries should be available, genuine and aftermarket.
3. Cabinet Makers and joiners.
Jigsaws can be used to make straight cuts with the help of a good straightedge guide or two.
Cabinet makers can also use them to make curved cuts for decorative purposes.
And if you need to make bevel cuts but don’t have an adjustable table saw, you will find that most jigsaws let you cut at angles of up to 45°.
Tips for using a cordless jigsaw
If this is your first time using a jigsaw, make sure to load the blade with the teeth facing the front.
Look for a lever at the front of the tool, known as a “quick release” which you will have to turn to get the blade’s base in the correct position. Releasing this lever will lock the blade securely into place.
Always check the condition of the blade every time you use it. Replace the blade if you see any dull or broken teeth. A blunt blade can burn your work instead of cutting your workpiece.
Go for a jigsaw that has a variable-speed control. This lets you adjust the speed at which the blade cuts up and down. Always start the motor before you touch the saw to the workpiece to prevent splitting the cut edges.
If you plan on cutting a lot of different angles, look for a jigsaw that has a bevel adjustment feature. This lets you cut at different angles without having to do a lot of guesswork.
Also look for an orbital blade action feature, which is especially useful for making cuts into hardwood timbers.
If you have to make a square-edge cut, make sure that the blade is positioned perpendicular to the base and that the blade is perfectly straight.
If the blade is bent, throw it out or save it for jobs where having a clean, square cut isn’t absolutely necessary, like plaster-board for example.
Comparing the top jigsaw tools
| Festool 574716
|
Makita XVJ03
|
Milwaukee 2445-21
|
|
|---|---|---|---|
| Volts: | 18V | 18V | 12V |
| SPM (strokes-per-minute): | 500 - 3,800 | 0 - 2,600 | 0 - 2800 |
| Weight: | 0.16 ounces | 0.16 ounces | 6.81 pounds |
Conclusion
A good jigsaw is a joy to have in the workplace or building site. The best value jigsaws are the Makita XVJ03, the Festool 574716 CARVEX, and the Milwaukee 2445-21 depending on the type of saw you think is best for your work.
Any of these models will give you excellent performance and reliable results. The cordless options offer a pretty good battery life and will provide you with power that rivals the best-corded jigsaws.
It doesn’t make much sense these days to get a corded jigsaw. I think when deciding the Festool barrel grip jigsaw tool is pretty hard to beat.
Makita XVJ03 cordless jigsaw review
Pros:
- Best cordless Makita jigsaw kit to easily expand with other high-quality. Makita tools when ready.
- Long-lasting, great power, and portability.
Cons:
- None.
#1 Best value cordless jigsaw
More information:
- More info on choosing jigsaw blades can be found at, https://www.woodmagazine.com/tool-reviews/jigsaws/choosing-jigsaw-blades
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