Best reciprocating saw | DeWalt or Makita Sawzall?

Best electric reciprocating saw

• The power saw landscape was forever changed when Milwaukee Electric Tool Co. introduced the right-angled saw in 1949.
• A heaven-send for plumbers, this invention allowed workers to easily make cuts in tight corners for demolition work.
• When Milwaukee introduced the Sawzall [1] in 1951, they set what would be the standards for all reciprocating saws to come.
• Not much has changed with the reciprocating saws in the last 5 decades except the improvement of portability and cordless technology.

Though it’s not my favorite tool or one that everyone fancies, many professional construction workers and even rescue workers call this essential in their kit for the convenience provided.

Whether you’re building a house (or tearing one down), fabricating workpieces, or just plain looking for something to gift a tool-savvy friend or relative, consider getting them one of these.

Crude-looking and multi-purpose, but totally reliable, this guide will let you peek at the best reciprocating saw.

What to consider when looking at a reciprocating saw for the first time

• Power. Most cordless models run on a single 18V lithium-ion battery. The corded version can either be plugged into 110/120V AC outlets for more grunt.
• Stroke length. This determines how far the blade travels with each cycle. Stroke length affects control, reach, and cutting speed.
• Shoe. The shoe helps hold the blade in place and, whether or not it’s adjustable,  it makes the saw more versatile and augments cutting depth.
• Size. This one is on a lighter note. Reciprocating saws come in two-handed and one-handed variants; pick whichever you feel more comfortable using, and if you plan to do large or small demolition jobs. 

Versatility.

Reciprocating saws can be used on a number of tasks. As a tool that is primarily used in construction, but also has applications in gardening, such as pruning, and even in the food industry – used as a tool in processing meat and bone.

Efficiency.

Reciprocating saws are both mechanically powered and precise. Not only do they offer faster completion rates, but also allow you to perform more calculated work.

1. Know your brands.

The prestige and track record of a particular brand will already tell loads about the potential performance of a tool before we even start to test.

Milwaukee, the pioneer, and other big names like DeWalt and Makita, all have the experience and expertise to ensure the delivery of proven quality products time and time again.

2. Blades types.

One of the most, if not the most, important components of any saw are the blades that are used in the tool.

Keep in mind blade factors such as Teeth-per-inch (TPI), length, width, and thickness as they determine a blade’s level of stress tolerance, flexibility, material compatibility, and lifespan. Literally different strokes for different folks.

3. Tested the durability.

When checking for durability, we considered the tool and the blade installed. You’d want the tool and the teeth on the blade to last you a long time, as both are expensive to replace.

You can also look at other reviews before purchasing unheard-of blades to lessen the risk of getting a blade or motor that easily clunks out and/or which blades can break early.

4. Affordablity?

Just because some reciprocating saws are more expensive than others, doesn’t mean we found that they’re automatically better or worse than others.

When factoring in price, consider what you’ll use a saber saw for and how often.

It’s better to invest in a tool that you’ll use for the long-term, otherwise, get the lower-priced models for one-off uses. 

Corded reciprocating saws are absolute powerhouses, capable of removing entire walls.

They are generally larger and stronger but do tend to cut more roughly.

Given the heavy-duty nature of their applications, corded saws are more suited for demolition work and are less safe and practical for beginners. 

Cordless reciprocating saws have decent power, are more accurate and portable, and are generally safer.

They are light and can be handled with fair ease even by untrained hands.

They’re ideal for small jobs, given their compactness and limited power.

An exception to this is Makita’s line of 2-battery models that experience the best of both worlds – longer run time with 2 battery packs and almost the same amount of power as corded models thanks to Makita-brand engineering and design.

Brushed motors were a big thing at least back in the 1800s. Brushless motors have since then gained increasing popularity, especially as alternative engines for power tools.

Both make use of components called rotators and magnets that harness electricity and convert electricity into mechanical energy. 

However brushless motors have a more sophisticated design, reducing maintenance requirements and allowing for more efficient power management.

If you’re wondering about the motor type, go with a more efficient brushless motor over an older outdated brushed one.

Thickness

Thicker blades are sturdier but less flexible. In some cases, flexibility offers a smoother cut but tends to falter with thicker and denser material.

Familiarize yourself with these standard blade thicknesses.

0.035” – Standard-duty

0.042” – Light heavy-duty

0.050” – Heavy-duty

0.062” – Ultra heavy-duty 

What determines the grade of application is usually material thickness and density, so refer to the thickness depending on the composition of materials you are to work with.

It’s a good idea to have at least 2 to 3 types of blades with you in order to really work with a wide array of materials.

Longevity

A saw blade’s lifespan is greatly affected by stress and frequency of use. Ideally, a quality blade, given the premise of heavy and daily use, should last you about 3 months before starting to become dull or break.

Depending on how well you use the tool and how well you take care of the blades, some can last you for years!

The Makita XRJ06PT is hands down the best cordless reciprocating saw. With two 18V lithium-ion batteries, you get twice the amount of power and performance.

The brushless motor further lengthens runtime by up to 50% as the crank mechanism reduces vibration and blade deflection, allowing for deep, smooth cuts even with heavier applications. 

The 1 ¼” stroke length gives you fast and efficient cutting and, coupled with a tool-less blade change helps save a lot of time.

With a patented computer control system, not only does Makita have efficient power management, but this machine also offers up to 3x faster charging with auto-overcharge prevention.

I like how two batteries are better than one for helping endurance under more demanding pressure!

The best value cordless reciprocating saw goes to the Makita XRJ05Z.

The variable 2-speed brushless motor gives a considerable and lasting performance, able to reach an astonishing rate of up to 3,000 strokes per minute (SPM)! 

It’s a lighter and more compact alternative to the Makita XRJ06PT, weighing in at only 8.2lbs with a fully charged battery.

While this Makita Sawzall may lose out to the more expensive brother in terms of up-time. But performance-wise this beauty holds its own for completing smaller jobs.

This is what I have used the XRJO5Z for over 10 years, however, I find it to be underpowered considering other options now available.

When the day comes to needing the best corded reciprocating saw, the DeWalt DWE305 stands on top as the man for the job.

It’s perfect for heavy-duty applications given the ample amount of power capabilities this unit has chugging out 12 amps of power. The 4-position blade clamp lets you flush cut with ease and allows for some nice versatility.

The 1 ⅛” stroke length allows for some clean and precise cuts, despite what may be a little heftiness of the tool.

The variable speed control trigger also allows you to work at your own pace and helps maintain the consistency of results. Robust DeWalt manufacturing lets you take on tougher materials with this saw.

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The Bosch RS428 is the best value-corded reciprocating saw. The thing that really stands out with this tool is the fact that it only weighs 8lbs despite having an insanely powerful 14-amp motor.

It’s outfitted with a vibration control system to allow for efficient and controlled work.

With raw power, you can literally go down on any material you see fit, just be sure to equip the right blade type to avoid overbearing this option with the motor’s outputs limitations.

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If it’s affordability that you want, then look no further than the Black + Decker RS500. This DIY option has pretty much everything that you would need for a fully functional and work-ready reciprocating saw.

Variable speed, tool-free blade change, adequate power, and of course a nice price tag all make the RS500 a decent choice. It’ll get the job done for what it’s worth, just don’t go industrial-level with it.

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Should you consider using other tools? That really depends on what job you’re taking on.

For demolition, no not really, a reciprocating saw will do you just fine. If you mainly want to engage in straight cutting, then use a Skilsaw for straight and accurate cuts. 

You can pair using reciprocating saws with other tools for especially large-scale demolitions, such as with a wrecking bar or Estwing hammer , for when you need a claw hammer to rip apart what you are cutting.

While these saws make quick work of wood and nails, packed and dense materials such as bolts are not so easy.

Combo this with an alternative metal cutting tool that can cut bolts for demolition work faster, like a Makita 18V angle grinder .

Finally, if you’re looking into cutting a variety of tree and branch cutting and trimming jobs, you may opt for a Makita cordless chainsaw.

Dos

• Always use sharp blades. Sharp blades tear through material easier.
•  Hold your tool with both hands [2] (unless your model is one-handed). Holding with both hands allows for better control and stability.
• Unplug the saw when changing blades, regardless of how under control you think you are.

Don’ts

• Don’t use near flammable material as these can potentially cause sparks when cutting.
•  Do not immediately touch the blades [3], especially after long use, as they can get hot and cause some serious burning.

If you want the best cordless saw, get the Makita XRJ06PT with the power and lifespan to get you through most jobs during a long day.

A bit pricey, at first but you receive a well-engineered and efficient tool.

A good alternative to the Makita XRJ05Z is a lighter, single-battery version that shares the same tool-free blade change and stroke length. 

For the best-corded saw, the DeWalt DWE305 is undisputed, one with its powerful motor and durable manufacturing.

Tackle heavy-duty applications easily with its 4-position blade clamp and precise stroke length.

The Bosch RS428 nets the best value, mainly for a bit of lightness and versatility, but it doesn’t perform the best from our experience.

If you’re looking for a decent enough tool that gets the job done without having to throw a great deal of money, then the Black + Decker RS500 is your best bet.