When looking at saws for your home or professional workshop, nothing is quite as versatile or handy as a reciprocating saw. Whether working on demolition or projects that need agile cutting tools, these saws are going to make the work so much easier overall.
One of the most crucial elements of a reciprocating saw is its power source. Today, we’re going to be looking at cordless models, which are much more versatile because you can use them anywhere and anytime without being tied down (literally).
So, with that in mind, let’s take a look at what the best cordless reciprocating saws have to offer.
Table of Contents
5 Best Cordless Reciprocating Saws – Reviews
1. DEWALT DCS380B 20-Volt MAX Li-Ion
Whenever you’re shopping for and comparing different power tools, paying attention to the brand matters. While other factors like battery life, ease of use, and overall power are also essential, picking the right brand can make all the difference. In this case, DeWalt is one of the better options out there, so with everything being equal, you can be sure that you’re getting something high-quality.
The first thing that we like about this cordless reciprocating saw is the fact that you can hold the blade vertically and horizontally. In most cases, you can only keep the blade vertically, which means that you have to contort your body and your hands if you want to cut at different angles.
What makes this positioning even better is that you can have the blade face either direction as well. Thus, you can cut four different ways. Not only will this save you time, but it can reduce fatigue and ensure that you can cut flush against the material for a smoother, less jagged cut.
One element of reciprocating saws that you have to pay attention to is its speed. As a rule, you want to use slower settings for harder materials (i.e., sheet metal), and faster speeds for softer materials (i.e., wood or plastic). Fortunately, this tool comes with a variable-speed trigger, which can go from zero to 3000 strokes per minute instantly. Thus, no matter what you have to cut, you can do it really well.
Other features that help you out with this reciprocating saw include a front LED light to help you see in darker conditions, as well as a keyless blade changing system. Swapping out for new blades should be easy, and with this saw, it is.
Pros:
- Four-position blade clamp
- One ⅛-inch blade stroke for faster cuts
- Variable speed trigger
- Moves up to 3000 strokes per minute
- Pivoting adjustable shoe
- Expertly balanced for easier use
- Ergonomic soft grip handle
- Integrated LED light on the front
- Keyless blade changes for simplicity
- Lightweight design reduces fatigue
Cons:
- Battery and blades not included
- Battery life can be shorter than other tools
2. Bare-Tool Milwaukee 2620-20 M18 18-Volt
As we mentioned, the brand you choose can make a difference in the overall performance and reliability of the tools you buy. In this case, Milwaukee is a decent company, although these products are not usually the top of the line. That being said, if you need a lightweight cordless reciprocating saw for light cutting and construction (or demolition) work, this model will be suitable for your needs.
The first thing we like about this saw is that it uses a gear-protecting clutch to help protect the motor. Using these kinds of tools can mean that they wear out relatively fast, but with this kind of system, the saw will last a lot longer. Although this model doesn’t have a brushless motor to extend its life even further, a clutch is better than most other consumer-grade saws.
Another thing to help reduce the overall wear and tear on the saw (as well as user fatigue) is the anti-vibration design. With other saws, you have to worry about vibrations interfering with your work, meaning that you have to work harder to keep it stable. With this model, however, you don’t have to grip as tightly, which can help you cut more efficiently.
One element of reciprocating saws that you should look at is the length of the stroke. As a rule, the longer it is, the faster you can cut through materials since more of the blade will make contact. In this case, the stroke is one inch, which is about standard. Other models (like the DeWalt above) have slightly longer strokes, but a one-inch design is ideally suited for most projects.
Since you’re using batteries instead of plugging into an outlet, one issue that you’ll experience is power loss. Thus, you need to make sure that you always know how much battery life is left, particularly when cutting in the field. Fortunately, this saw comes with an onboard indicator so that you can maximize your efficiency and swap batteries when necessary.
Pros:
- Internal gear-protecting clutch
- Rugged 18-volt design
- Lever-action Quiklok blade system
- Onboard battery fuel gauge
- Variable speed trigger
- Max 3200 strokes per minute
- Anti-vibration system built-in
- One-inch stroke length
- Non-slip soft grip handle
- Pivoting shoe for easier cutting
Cons:
- No LED light built-in
- Doesn’t work with Milwaukee’s standard lithium-ion battery packs
3. Makita XRJ02Z LXT Lithium-Ion Cordless
As with DeWalt, Makita is another high-quality brand name that will make a huge difference when picking out the right tool for your needs. The distinct blue coloring helps you identify the Makita name and stands for quality assurance. Compared to most other consumer-grade reciprocating saws, something from Makita will last longer and work harder.
With most other models out there, you can only use one finger to pull the trigger. While there’s nothing inherently wrong with this design, it can get tiring after a little while, particularly if you have to cut for long periods.
Fortunately, to help with this problem, Makita has included a two-finger trigger on this saw. Not only does this setup mean that you can maintain more control while working, but it also helps prevent accidents since you can’t just pull the trigger back so easily.
Compared to other reciprocating saws we’ve seen so far, this model isn’t the most versatile, but it can get the job done well. The highest speed is 2900 strokes per minute, which is more than enough for most projects, although you can’t cut through some plastics or metals as well, so keep that in mind.
One element that we like about this saw is that it comes with a retractable hook on the side. This hook lets you hang the unit when not in use, which is much better than just setting it somewhere, as you have to do with any other reciprocating saw.
Overall, this model from Makita is relatively lightweight, powerful, and easy to use. A built-in LED light helps you see what you’re doing, and a high-torque motor (coupled with a longer stroke length) keeps you working faster and more efficiently.
Pros:
- Two-finger trigger for better stability
- Variable speed trigger
- 0-2900 strokes per minute
- One ⅛-inch stroke length
- Ergonomic handle with a soft grip
- Retractable tool hook for easy storage
- Relatively lightweight and compact
- High-torque motor for more power
- Integrated LED light for better visibility
Cons:
- May not be available
- Not as powerful as other reciprocating saws
4. DEWALT DCS387P1 20-volt MAX Lithium Ion
When looking at different cordless reciprocating saws, the size and length of the model you choose can make a significant difference in its performance. So far, we’ve seen standard length saws, which are useful for most projects. However, if you have to squeeze into tighter spaces, then you’ll want something like this saw from DeWalt.
When looking at this saw compared to the other DeWalt model above, the size is much shorter. This saw almost looks more like a nail gun with the way it’s set up, meaning that you can work in virtually any area without any problems.
Otherwise, this saw comes with all of the high-quality features that help make DeWalt products so well-respected among artisans and other workers.
First, the four-position clamp makes cutting so much easier and more efficient. Being able to cut in four different directions ensures that you can work faster and not strain yourself. Also, since this saw is much more compact, you can fit into almost any space with ease, making this one of the most agile reciprocating saws you can find.
If you’re doing demo work or you know that you need to cut in tight quarters, then this is by far the best model you can find.
Another reason we like DeWalt cordless reciprocating saws is that they are 20-volt, not 18. Although both settings are almost the same, having those two extra volts can make a huge difference when it counts. Overall, with everything else being equal, having more power is going to be a better investment.
Other features that we appreciate with this saw include a built-in LED light to see what you’re doing, as well as a pivoting shoe. If you’re not familiar with this term, the shoe is the part where the saw touches the surface of your material. Being able to pivot the shoe ensures that you can work smarter while cutting since you can position it at an angle if necessary. Also, you can extend the shoe so that you don’t wind up cutting too deep.
Pros:
- Shorter design for fitting into tight spaces
- Ergonomic handle with soft grip
- Four-position blade clamp
- One ⅛-inch stroke length
- Variable speed trigger
- Max speed of 2900 strokes per minute
- High-quality 20-volt design
- Pivoting shoe for flush cutting
- Built-in LED light
Cons:
- In rare cases, the tool may vibrate a lot
- On rare occasions, the pin holding the blade may break under pressure
5. Makita XRJ07R1B 18V LXT Lithium-Ion
We’ve already seen the power and performance of Makita, but like DeWalt before it, we’re looking at both a full-size and a compact version from this brand. Thus, if you know that you’re working in tight spaces, buying this saw will be a much better investment overall. In fact, this is one of the smallest, lightest, and most versatile models we’ve seen.
When comparing this saw to other, full-size units, you’ll notice the difference right away. Thus, this model is perfect for different professionals, including electricians and contractors. Whenever you need to make quick, tight cuts, this is the saw that can help you.
Although the stroke length is shorter than everything else we’ve seen (just under one inch), that is part of its charm as a compact model. You usually don’t need to cut as quickly when working in smaller spaces, so the stroke length is less of an issue. That being said, the variable speed trigger still goes up to 3000 spm, so it’s even better.
This cordless reciprocating saw is ideal for most situations, thanks to the standard features offered by Makita. First, you have a built-in LED light so that you can see better in low-light conditions. Second, you get a pivoting shoe to help you be more efficient while cutting. Finally, the motor comes with Extreme Protection Technology to help protect it from wear and tear, as well as dust and other environmental elements that could impact its performance.
Overall, if you’re looking for the best compact reciprocating saw, this is it.
Pros:
- Highly compact design fits into tight spaces
- Variable speed trigger up to 3000 spm
- 13/16-inch stroke length for tighter cuts
- Much lighter than other reciprocating saws
- Tool-free blade changing system
- Pivoting shoe for easier cutting
- Integrated LED light
- Extreme protection technology extends tool’s life
Cons:
- Not ideal for high-powered jobs
- Compact design can be hard to hold in some positions
Final Verdict
All of the reciprocating saws on this list are decent quality and will be suitable for a wide array of projects. However, if you want the best of the best, then we highly recommend buying the DCS380B from DeWalt.
Both DeWalt reciprocating saws are well-built, but the 380 makes cutting so much easier with higher speed settings and more ergonomic design. Also, since you can position the blade in one of four different directions, cutting is so much more efficient since you don’t have to contort your body to make it work in tight spaces.
