Emerging in the 19th century, Jigsaw still continues to be a popular power tool. It works to saw off irregular parts from the materials such as metal, wood, or laminate. You’ll mainly find it including a saw blade that impresses you with straight or curvy cuts and even results.
But not all the jigsaws will give you the kind of cut you want. That’s why you need to know about the power tools that are dominating the world.
So to help you out, we’ve compiled our version of the 6 best jigsaws list.
3 Best Corded Jigsaw Reviews
Let’s look at the best 3 Corded Jigsaws available in the market. Assessing their features, you should be able to choose one if you want to get Corded Jigsaw.
Bosch JS572EK (Best Corded Jigsaw)
Bosch JS572EK can be an understanding work-mate for its low-vibration tendency. It minimizes the blade deflection to give you fine cuts thanks to its advanced counterbalancing mechanism.
Moreover, it comes with a 7.2-amp motor through which handling heavy loads can be an easy job for you.
Not just that, this best jigsaw features variable speed. You will get a dial and trigger to set maximum speed and control operation.
When it comes to the range, it can give you speed from 800 to 3000 no-load strokes per minute with a 1-inch stroke length. You can easily customize speed and enjoy sawing different materials with ease.
Furthermore, the corded jigsaw has a 4-position orbital action. Through this feature, you will get multiple settings that let you fine-tune sawing movement depending on the materials.
There will be a one-touch tool-less blade change system too. Using it can benefit you with time-saving since it will help you insert and eject the blade fast. Plus, you don’t have to touch the hot blade.
The big plusses are its LED light and dust blower. The LED lights up the jobsite and shows you the cutting line. And the dust-blower eliminates the saw-debris for the same purpose.
All these features help you get accurate cuts. However, one problem with the jigsaw is that it can be pretty loud.
You can learn more about this saw in my Bosch JS572EK review.
Pros:
- Vibration is low.
- Easy to change speed and movement depending on tasks.
- Changing the blade is easy.
- LED light illuminates the work area.
- Dust blower eliminates saw-debris to keep the cutting line
Cons:
- Slightly loud.
Black+Decker BDEJS600C Smart Select (Affordable)
You can get the best jigsaw for yourself even if your budget is limited. The affordable Black+Decker BDEJS600C can impress you with its powerful 5 amp motor. With the ¾-inch orbital action, the motor produces a variable speed of up to 3000 strokes per minute to handle different projects.
Plus, the corded jigsaw comes with a double-rotating adjustable shoe. You can use it to get a stable sawing platform and make beveled cuts of up to 45-degrees. The shoe further has a wire guard that can help enhance the clean line of sight.
The big plus of the Smart Select jigsaw is its Curve control technology. This tech refers to 4 curve settings that give you full control on round cuts. With this, you can enjoy easy maneuverability and handling.
Moreover, the brand has designed the power tool so that you may not have any fatigue. The reason is that the jigsaw comes compact and has a comfortable, rubberized handle with a nonslip grip.
Furthermore, the Smart Select jigsaw possesses a keyless blade clamp. It means you can change the blade without the tools.
The only downside with this power tool can be its short cord. It can give you movement limitations.
Pros:
- Variable speed helps deal with different projects.
- Tool-less blade
- Curve control tech gives you easy maneuverability and handling.
- No fatigue problems for compact size and design.
- Can enhance the clean line of site due to wire guard.
Cons:
- The short cord can limit movement.
PORTER-CABLE PCE345
Enjoy the versatility of a jigsaw with PORTER-CABLE PCE345. It comes with 7 position speed dial located at the trigger that lets you customize the speed easily. Speaking of which, its 6 amp motor produces a speed of up to 3200 strokes per minute for different uses.
Moreover, the jigsaw features a 4-position orbital setting that makes sawing through materials fast regardless of the type.
Not just that, you will find a lock-on button too for more privileges. It gives you easy control while you’re cutting the stuff and helps eliminate fatigue. Moreover, you can enjoy the convenience through its over-mold on the big handle and front too. It can make the saw-session more comfortable.
To add more, the jigsaw features a keyless blade changing system. So, you can easily insert or remove the t shank jigsaw blades without the tools.
Plus, the brand has added LED to the construction too. While it lights up the place to give clear visibility, you can make your cuts with ease.
The only con you may find is its lack of organized operation. It may scatter the sawdust all over the place, and the bits may hit your face or eyes.
Pros:
- Speed customization according to the materials.
- Keyless blade changing for a quick job.
- Lock-on button helps you control the jigsaw easily and eliminate fatigue.
- LED light gives clear visibility.
- Over-mold helps make saw-session comfortable.
Cons:
- Scatters the sawdust all over the place.
3 Best Cordless Jigsaw Reviews
Now, let’s look at the 3 best Cordless Jigsaws available in the market and discuss their features. Choose one among these 3 if you’re looking for Cordless Jigsaws.
DEWALT DCS334B (Best)
Longer runtime and multiple productivities. These two are what you can get from DEWALT DCS334B. This best cordless jigsaw possesses a brushless motor that will adjust according to the project. As a result, it increases battery life. It’s the same as the DEWALT DCS335B. The only difference is that the DCS335B has a barrel grip whereas the DCS334B has a top handle.
To add more, the motor gives you a speed of up to 3200 strokes per minute. It has a variable speed dial and trigger that let you change the speed anytime, depending on the material.
Moreover, it comes with a no-mar shoe cover to offer safety. It works to protect your project from damages.
Its 4-position orbital setting action is a super useful feature. With this, you can quickly make smooth or aggressive cuts on different material surfaces.
Not just that, DEWALT ensures that you can operate DCS334B with comfort. It has rubber over-mold on the handle that features a firm grip.
Furthermore, this cordless jigsaw features LED light. It helps illuminate your jobsite in a dark ambiance to do your work peacefully. Additionally, it has a dust blower too that eliminates the sawdust to keep the cutting line clean.
Moreover, the power tool accepts T-shank blades, so you can change the blade fast without the tools.
However, you will not get the batteries and charger included with the jigsaw if you are buying the tool only.
You can learn more about this saw in my DEWALT DCS334B review.
Pros:
- Cuts consistently with variable speed.
- Orbital settings action can give you picture-perfect cuts.
- No-mar shoe cover makes sure scratch-free materials.
- LED light gives better view of the material’s surface.
- Dust blower helps you get rid of the sawdust.
Cons:
- Battery and charger not included with the tool-only model.
Makita XVJ02Z
Makita XVJ02Z is all about consistency. It features a proprietary motor that produces a speed of up to 2600 strokes per minute. With such a power, you can get cutting accuracy and smoothness. Plus, the power tool has a big 2-finger trigger for speed customization. This shows how much versatile the machine can be.
Additionally, there are 3 position orbital settings that let you cut through different materials fast. Not just that, it can cut straight to satisfy you. Furthermore, the jigsaw has a heavy-gauge base too that can give you accurate and smooth cutting.
One great thing about Makita XVJ02Z is its Star Protection Computer Controls. The feature helps protect the power tool against overheating, over-discharging and overloading.
Moreover, you will love its tool free blade change system. Not only you can insert the jigsaw T shank blades fast but remove them easily too.
Since it’s a kit product, you will get a solid 18V LXT Lithium-Ion battery and charger. They complement the power tool amazingly to keep it going.
Not just that, this best cordless jigsaw comes compact. So you can operate it all day without having aches or fatigue. It just weighs 6.4 pounds that indicates its lightness.
One problem with the jigsaw is its plastic guard. It may not stay on so you may need to fix it often.
Pros:
- Protects against overheating, over-discharging, and overloading.
- Cuts consistently with variable speed.
- Amazing for using over different materials thanks to orbital settings.
- Compact, hence comfortable.
- Tool free blade change
Cons:
- The plastic guard gets off track easily.
Bosch JSH180B
One of the lightest options is Bosch JSH180B. Coming in 1.7 pounds, the best cordless jigsaw from Bosch is compact. As a result, you won’t have fatigue and can use it for a prolonged period.
Moreover, the cordless jigsaw features a brushed motor that produces a speed of up to 2700 strokes per minute. To add more, it has a 4 position orbital action that quickly cuts through different materials with a 1-inch stroke length.
Also, it has t shank blade changing system that eliminates the need for the tools. Plus, you don’t have to touch the hot T shank blades either.
Not just that, the jigsaw combines electric cell and motor protection that protect them against overheating and overload. This way, you get longer durability from the power tool.
When it comes to convenience, Bosch JSH180B has an adjustable footplate that can help you make bevel cuts of up to 45-degrees. Plus, it comes with on-board bevel wrench storage that helps keep your jobsite organized.
Apart from these, you will find LED light and dust blower attached to the power tool. Although both serve the purpose of clear visibility, you may find the former mediocre. It’s because the light is not strong enough to illuminate the bigger area, which can be annoying sometimes.
Pros:
- Compact and lightweight.
- Cuts consistently with variable speed.
- Tool-free blade change
- Comes with LED light and dust blower.
- Includes bevel wrench storage to keep the place organized.
Cons:
- Light may not illuminate the bigger area.
Buying Guide
After discussing the best Jigsaws, let’s look at the essential features you need to look for in a Jigsaw.
Corded or Cordless?
Both corded and cordless have their own upsides and downsides.
A corded jigsaw runs through an electrical connection. If you’re cutting thick and heavy materials, such an equivalent performs powerfully. Its speed can reach up to 3200 strokes per minute with a 6-7 amp motor. Moreover, it can benefit you with consistent and nonstop operation too. Not just that, corded jigsaw can be lighter than the cordless one to be less tiring to use.
However, the cord of the machine limits its portability. You can move to the point where the cord length allows you to. Speaking of which, the decent length of the cord should be 10ft.
Cordless jigsaw is popular nowadays since it is easy to carry around. So, you can use it anytime and anywhere. It runs through batteries and comes rated at 12V, 18V, 24V, or 36V. As for the power, its motor can produce a speed of up to 3500 strokes per minute. Such a jigsaw can be amazing if you’re cutting softer materials or working with light-duty tasks.
However, the problem with the cordless counterpart is that it doesn’t deliver nonstop operation. Since it runs through batteries, it can drain them, which can halt the operation.
Barrel Grip vs. Top Handle
Barrel grip is the newer addition to the jigsaw design. It provides the machine with better control and lets you keep your hands lower on your project material. This way, it reduces the tendency of slopping the jigsaw and skewing the path of the blade. Instead of a finger trigger, the barrel grip features thumb switches.
The top handle design includes a big, tall D-shaped handle. It comes with finger triggers and a big handle that you’ll find inside the hand loop. The feature lets you operate the jigsaw with ease while you firmly hold the handle. However, the height of the top handle can increase lateral leverage. This can result in tipping the saw and giving inaccurate results.
Orbital Action
The orbital action basically lets the blade follow a circular movement. With this, the jigsaw makes sure it saws fast in a straight line. Moreover, the feature helps move the jigsaw blade from one end to another.
You will find many brands that incorporate 4 position orbital settings with the jigsaws. If you want better performance, then look for such a feature. There is a dial for different orbital settings that you will find at one side of the power tool. This will let you control the feature with ease.
Moreover, many models come with a curve control technology. With this, you can change the orbit of the saw in 4 customized settings.
Just remember that if you go with more orbital action, you’ll get faster saw-operation. Contrariwise, if you go with less orbital action, you will get accurate cuts.
However, the feature may cause splintering if you work with fragile material. So, make sure you don’t use it for such a task.
Bevel Capacity and Adjustment
If you want to cut through materials from different angles, then bevel capacity and adjustment are perfect features. Instead of straight cuts, it makes bevel cuts that add versatility to the jigsaw’s application.
Moreover, you will find an adjustable shoe that lets you change the angles from 0-degree to 45-degree with ease. If you want to achieve angled curves and special cuts, look for this feature in the jigsaw.
However, remember that the saw-blade inclination may affect the sawing capacity of the power tool.
Variable Speed
The saw performance and ability of the power tool depend on 2 factors: Stroke per minute and stroke length. Ensure that your jigsaw features a variable speed dial that you can use to control the speed of the blade. It equals the stroke rate of the blade measured in SPM or strokes per minute. With this, you can work with different materials.
When it comes to the range, the motor can produce a speed of up to 3200 strokes per minute.
To enjoy more versatility, look for the jigsaw that possesses 7 position speed dial. It will enable you to work at 7 different speeds.
If you’re cutting tougher materials such as metals, then use a lower setting. And if it’s wood, then select the higher one.
Laser Guide
The laser guide is one of the new features that the manufacturers are adding to their jigsaws. The power tool uses the feature and emits a thin red-light from the front of the machine. The light projects a cutting line on the material so you can follow and be on track.
It’s similar to the laser lines that you’ll find in many modern circular saws. So, to achieve straight cuts, look for the jigsaw that has a laser guide.
LED Light
Many jigsaws feature inbuilt LED light that illuminates the work-zone with its bright light. With this, you get a better view of the materials and have accurate cuts. Most of the time, the LED comes attached to the jigsaw blade. It is a convenient feature, particularly for working around low-light ambiance.
Moreover, you will get an on and off switch too with the power tool, so you can use the feature when it’s important.
One great thing about the LEDs is that they’re amazingly energy efficient. It means, they’ll have tiny impact on the machine’s battery life.
So, ensure your jigsaw has the feature.
Dust Blower
The power tools should definitely include a dust bower. The feature emits a stream of air over the material ahead of the jigsaw blade to blow the saw-debris away. It’s a fantastic feature to help keep the base’s cutting line clean so you can enjoy accurate results.
Many jigsaws with this feature include an and off switch for it too. This way, you can use the dust blower when it’s necessary. If you add more bucks to the budget, then we will recommend you get one with an adjustable blower. With this, you can adjust the air stream too.
Vibration Reduction
You may expect the power tool to start vibrating particularly when you’re working with tougher materials. However, many brands have added vibration reduction feature to the jigsaw to eliminate such problems. Not only it ensures a smooth sawing experience but keeps you from feeling fatigued and experiencing sore muscles too.
Moreover, you will love using the jigsaw for a prolonged period that can multiply your productivity.
Trigger Lock
Trigger lock or lock on button helps you lock the particular speed while you work on your base. If you hate to continuously hold the on-off trigger button, then opt for the jigsaw that has a trigger lock.
After you set the speed, you’ll just press the lock-in button. With this, you can operate the power tool at a consistent speed while taking your hand off the speed trigger.
Not just that, the trigger lock helps you prevent hand pain and fatigue too.
Tool-less Blade Changes
Tool-less blade change system lets you replace the jigsaw blade without using hex wrench or any tool. With this, you can insert or remove the T shank blades easily.
T-Shank Blades vs. U-Shank Blades
Shank blades refer to a piece of blade that stays into the power tool’s clamp. You will find 2 types of jigsaw blades: T shank blades and U shank blades.
T shank blade is compatible with majority of the new jigsaw models due to its multidirectional design. It’s easy to insert and remove from the tool. Because of these advantages, such blades became popular.
Contrariwise, U shank blades come with a retaining screw. You’ll need to use it every time you want to replace a blade. Since blade changing with extra tools is a hassle, it has lost its popularity.
Safety Considerations
Jigsaw is a heavy duty power tool. It can lead to several hazardous and life-threatening incidents. So, you must be always careful while operating the machine.
Make sure you follow the safety precautions we’ve give below. They will save you from disaster incident.
- Wear goggles and a dust mask so you can protect your eyes and face during saw-session.
- It doesn’t matter if the jigsaw operates loud, we suggest you use hearing protection.
- For long hair, always tie your hair back. Plus, wear fitting clothes too.
- Don’t put your fingers closer to the saw blade. Ensure to keep them at least 2 inches away from it.
- Never place your hands in line with the saw blade directly when you’re operating it.
- Wear Kevlar-lined gloves if possible to protect your hands against the power tool.
- Never forget to lubricate the saw blade and the surrounding components. Ensure proper lubrication so that they don’t get jammed in the mid of the operation.
- Never force your jigsaw to cut through tough or hard materials. In case the saw blade fails to cut through the work-piece, retract the blade and try again.
- Be careful when you’re working around the extension cord of the power tool. Otherwise, you may trip over.
- Don’t operate the jigsaw on wet surfaces. It can lead to electric shocks.
- Use Residual Current Circuit Breaker to absorb the excessive electrical-flow. It helps prevent spark or fire.
Conclusion
When it comes to the power tools, you should consider different factors and features before purchasing one. Otherwise, a bad machine won’t wait to ruin your day. That’s why we’ve explained our top list.
These 6 best jigsaws have all the features to help you have consistent saw-session and desired results. Since we’ve added other details apart from the list, it’ll be easy for you to know about the jigsaw on the whole. This way, you can get yourself the one that will best suit you or your project.
Don’t worry about the durability and performance too. It’s because these 6 best have them both.
Related Articles
