FIND THE PERFECT RECIPROCATING SAWS IN MINUTES
We have reviewed our top 12 choices below and also done in-depth reviews by brands, but if you are in a rush:
Here’s our top choice: DEWALT DC385K2 18-Volt Ni-Cad Cordless Reciprocating Saw Kit (Check Price on Amazon.com)
Reciprocating saws are completely unlike the heavier saws that you must use with a bench or table and come with a blade that moves in a back and forth manner to more quickly cut through wood or metal. Many now come with a blade that you can remove easily for using the same saw with more than one material. These saws are a must have for anyone who does DIY projects at home.
The DEWALT DC385K2 18-Volt Ni-Cad Cordless Reciprocating Saw Kit (Check Price on Amazon.com), which took our top spot, proves that you can get one of these saws at a great price. It features a longer stroke length that helps you get jobs done faster and an adjustable shoe for added comfort. You’ll also like the comfort grip on the handle that has an anti-slip design to keep your hands in place.
Top Reciprocating Saws On the Market
The 12 Best Reciprocating Saws
1. DEWALT DC385K2 18-Volt Ni-Cad Cordless Reciprocating Saw Kit
As a complete reciprocating saw kit, this DEWALT DC385K2 18-Volt Ni-Cad Cordless Reciprocating Saw Kit comes with two rechargeable batteries that provide lasting power, a charger that can charge either battery in just one hour and a kit box that safely stores all those parts in between uses. Balanced for lasting use, the saw also has an anti-slip grip on the back handle that keeps your hands in place. The 18V motor can cut through most types of wood and some types of metals, and the sawing motion that it produces reduces the time you spend sawing.
With a 1-1/8-inch stroke length, this saw operates faster than others, and it can produce up to 3,000 strokes per minute to ensure that you meet your deadlines. The included XRP batteries last up to 40% longer on a single charge than other similar batteries, and each battery will snap right to the bottom of the saw and snap off just as easily and quickly. DEWALT also added an adjustable shoe that pivots to reach the exact angle that you need.
2. Makita XRJ06PT Reciprocating Saw Kit
Another cordless saw kit that is a smart investment for those who like doing home improvement projects is this Makita XRJ06PT Reciprocating Saw Kit, which comes with a kit that has specially marked compartments inside for storing the battery, charger and saw. The variable-speed motor can produce less than 100 strokes up to 3,000 strokes per minute to give you control over where the saw goes and how fast it cuts, and as it comes with a 1-1/4 inch stroke length, this saw can cut just as fast as you need. This saw even has a built-in LED lights for cutting in darker areas.
Rubber grips on both the handle and the trigger help reduce fatigue in your hands and also absorb some of the vibrations produced by the saw to further cut down on fatigue. Makita uses a blade replacement system that lets you change the existing blade without using any extra tools. It also has a larger trigger that you can control with two hands to adjust the speed as you cut for even more control over the speed.
3. DEWALT DCS367B Reciprocating Saw Kit
Many of the DEWALT reciprocating saws that landed on our lists are kits that come with more than just the saw like this DCS367B 20-Volt Max XR Lithium-Ion Reciprocating Saw Kit, which comes with a handy travel and storage kit that lets you carry the reciprocating saw and all the things you need to operate that saw with you. This case has rugged sides that protect the saw from all kinds of accidents and a convenient carrying handle on top. The 1-1/8-inch stroke length cuts faster than shorter ones can, and it has a stroke per minute rating of up to 2,900 because of its variable-speed motor.
A blade clamp works with a small lever on the side to make blade switches easier and to help you install a new blade in minutes or less. The adjustable shoe has a pivoting design for more quickly reaching the angle you need to use and for getting you closer to the material you need to cut through. It also has an anti-slip grip and comes with a rechargeable battery and charger.
4. Milwaukee 2720-21 M18 FUEL SAWZALL Reciprocating Saw Kit with 1 Battery
Heavy-duty rubber cladding across the front of this Milwaukee 2720-21 M18 FUEL SAWZALL Reciprocating Saw Kit with 1 Battery absorb most of the vibrations produced as the motor runs to help you cut as long as you need without your hands feeling tired or sore. Similar cladding covers the back handle and the trigger to keep wet hands from slipping off the saw, which reduces the risk of accidents. Its brushless motor lasts for up to five times as long as other motors, and the saw cuts up to 30% faster than those other saws do too.
Included in this reciprocating saw kit is the saw itself, a battery pack, charger, carrying case and blade, and that carrying case helps you protect the blade from dust as well as accidents on the job site or at home. Built-in features actually extend the life of the motor and force the motor to shut down to protect against damage caused by overloads or overheating. A rafter hook helps you use the saw in various ways, and a built-in LED light can illuminate your work area.
5. DEWALT DCS367P1 20V Max Lithium Ion Reciprocating Saw Kit
Another reciprocating saw kit from DEWALT that can help you with home improvement projects is this DCS367P1 20V Max Lithium Ion Reciprocating Saw Kit, which is a cordless reciprocating saw that comes with its own 20V rechargeable battery and a charger that you can use in your home or garage. An included blade clamp adjusts to four different positions for cutting flush with the surface of the material, and the saw features a sealed shaft that blocks dust and debris from entering the motor. You can swap out the blade with a new one without any tools.
A non-slip material added to the trigger keeps your hands from coming off when you squeeze it, and this trigger works with the variable-speed motor and adjusts based on how hard you squeeze to produce between zero and 2,900 strokes per minute. The pivoting shoe adjusts to different angles to extend the life of the blade, but this pivoting shoe also gives you more control over how deep the blade cuts. Thanks to the included charger, you can charge the battery in as little as an hour.
6. Makita JR3070CTZ AVT Recipro Saw
A 15 amp motor that uses electronic speed control is just one reason to like this Makita JR3070CTZ AVT Recipro Saw, and that electronic speed control lets you maintain a higher or lower speed for an extended period of time without the motor overheating. Its built-in clutch brings the motor to a stop when the blade encounters something it cannot cut through to keep the blade from breaking and to stop the motor from overheating too. A variable-speed dial just below the trigger lets you decide on the speed that you want to use and keeps the motor running at that speed as you pull the trigger.
As an orbital reciprocating saw, this saw can run in a more traditional back and forth sawing motion, but you can also use it as an orbital saw, which will make the blade move up and down as it cuts to help you saw through thicker metals and wood boards faster. Makita also gives you a carrying case for storing the saw safely and a longer power cord that helps you move easily while sawing.
7. PORTER-CABLE PCE360
Corded saws like this PCE360 from PORTER-CABLE are great for those who need to do projects around the home and will have an electrical outlet nearby. This saw features an 7.5 amp motor and one blade that can cut through both wood and PVC as well as some forms of metal and a variable-speed design that can do up to 3,200 strokes per minute. The trigger on the back has a design that lets you wrap your hand around the handle and squeeze the trigger with one finger without feeling any discomfort in your hands, and a non-slip coating added to this handle adds to your safety.
The front shoe has a quick change feature that lets you adjust that shoe for using the saw with another blade or for exposing more of the teeth on your current blade to cut faster. It also comes with a clamp that holds the blade in place and comes off easily for changing the blade and slides back into place for securing the new blade.
8. Metabo ASE18 LTX LiPower 18V Cordless Reciprocating Saw
This ASE18 LTX LiPower 18V Cordless Reciprocating Saw from Metabo is one of the most affordable cordless power saws that you can buy, but because it comes with an 18V motor, it gives you more power than you might expect from a reciprocating saw in this price range. It has a slimmer profile that lets you get closer to your surface for flush cutting and a lighter weight that helps you use it in almost any position without feeling uncomfortable or tired. The saw blade itself rotates up to 180-degrees for more easily getting to the angle you want.
The 1-3/16-inch stroke length that this reciprocating saw features is long enough for most applications, and it has a cutting guide that you can adjust to easily see where you need to cut. Air cooled charging technology designed by Metabo helps the included battery charge faster without the charger overheating. It also comes with a patented blade changing design that helps you change the saw blade in minutes without any unique tools.
9. Bosch CRS180K 18-Volt Lithium-Ion Reciprocating Saw Kit
When you need to cut pipes or other things in tight and cramped spaces, you'll love having the Bosch CRS180K 18-Volt Lithium-Ion Reciprocating Saw Kit in your hands because its compact size helps you reach more places and areas with ease. Bosch also designed this reciprocating saw to weigh less than its competitors, which will reduce the fatigue that you would otherwise experience. It comes with a Lock Jaw blade holder designed by Bosch that keeps the blade in place inside the saw and makes it easier for you to remove and replace that blade.
Though the battery pack attaches to the saw just beneath the trigger, Bosch designed the saw end to weigh a little more to give the tool a nice and balanced weight that further reduces fatigue. Though it doesn't feature a variable-speed motor, it does come with a two-speed motor that lets you pick the speed you want to use based on the material you need to cut. Bosch gives you both a rechargeable battery and a charger as well as a blade.
10. DEWALT DW311K 13-Amp Reciprocating Saw
DEWALT makes our list one last time with this DW311K 13-Amp Reciprocating Saw, which is one of the most powerful and durable of all the corded reciprocating saws made by the company. Its 13 amp motor makes it great for use in heavy-duty jobs like cutting through plumbing pipes, and it uses an orbital design that moves the blade up and down as it moves side to side to more quickly cut through those materials. The 1-1/8-inch stroke length provides more efficient cutting, and you can adjust its cutting speed up to 2,700 strokes per minute.
Like other DEWALT reciprocating saws, the SW311K uses a tool-less blade design that you can use for changing and replacing your current blade with the blade holder rather than any tools. That blade clamp is easy to reach and features stainless steel that will last longer than clamps made from other materials. This saw weighs just nine pounds and comes with its own carrying case.
11. Makita RJ03R1 12V Max CXT Lithium-Ion Cordless Recipro Saw Kit
When you need strength and power but cannot afford the high price of other reciprocating saws, this Makita RJ03R1 12V Max CXT Lithium-Ion Cordless Recipro Saw Kit is a great choice because it measures less than 15-inches long. Despite costing less than other cordless saws, the RJ03R1 has a variable-speed motor that produces up to 3,000 strokes per minute and a 1/2-inch stroke length that works well on smaller jobs. A power switch that is exclusive to Makita saws lets you operate it via the trigger or the paddle based on which method feels more comfortable.
The handle has an ergonomic design that increases the comfort you feel when sawing, and this handle also has a rubberized grip and areas made from a similar form of rubber that will absorb some of the motor's vibrations. You'll also like the tool-less blade system that lets you change the blade faster and that the saw will work with blades from two different Makita lines.
12. Hitachi CR13VBY 12-Amp Reciprocating Saw with User Vibration Protection Technology
One of the best reciprocating saws for those worried about the vibrations produced by those saws is this Hitachi CR13VBY 12-Amp Reciprocating Saw, which comes with the manufacturer's patented User Vibration Protection Technology. This technology works with a counterweight placed inside the saw that brings more balance to the tool and decreases the vibrations that you feel by up to 65% when compared to other reciprocating saws. A variable-speed motor can cut through different materials, and you can completely control the speed used by how you squeeze the trigger to cut down on waste and reduce accidents.
A triple seal added to this saw reduces the risk of dust and other debris from getting inside the motor, and that seal also makes this a suitable saw for use around water lines because it will keep water from penetrating the motor. The CR13VBY has grips on the handle that are resistant to both moisture and heat to ensure that you get the solid grip you need.
Our Winner for Reciprocating Saw
After comparing amps, stroke lengths and various other features, we picked the DEWALT DC385K2 18-Volt Ni-Cad Cordless Reciprocating Saw Kit as the best reciprocating saw. Not only does it come with the durable warranty offered by DEWALT, but it also comes with two rechargeable batteries that give you more power and let you keep a charged backup battery on hand when working on longer projects. DEWALT also gives you a kit box that can hold the saw and all included components.
Designed with balance in mind, the anti-slip grip on one end helps you hold onto the saw while your hands are wet, but you won't worry about the saw leaning to one end because one area weighs more than another. You get a three-year warranty and a satisfaction guarantee that lets you return the whole saw within 90 days. It features an adjustable shoe and a variable-speed motor for faster sawing.
How to Choose the Ultimate Reciprocating Saw
Amps
Most reciprocating saws use around nine amps of power, but you'll find some saws designed for contractors and professionals that use up to 15 amps. As a DIY enthusiast working at home, you can get most jobs done with a saw that uses 10 to 11 amps. Professionals may require a little more power.
Blade Lock Mechanism
If you get the chance, look at the blade lock mechanism to find out how easily you can change the blade. Some companies still make reciprocating saws that require you have an allen wrench on hand to change out the blade, but big name manufacturers like DEWALT and Craftsman now let you change that blade without any extra tools.
Cord or Cordless Saw
A corded saw is good for those working close to outlets. With a corded reciprocating saw, you must be close to an outlet or a generator to use the saw. Most weigh less and come with a long cord made from rubber that will move as you move.
Cordless saws often weigh more because these saws come with a heavy battery pack. Using a cordless model though lets you work wherever you want to work, even if you don't have access to an electrical outlet. Make sure that you see how long the battery will last on the job and between charges.
Saw Action
A traditional reciprocating saw will use a standard forward and back motion. Some manufacturers now make reciprocating saws that use an orbital action. This forces the blade to move in different directions to cut through material quicker.
Metal or Wood Blades
You need to look at the type of blade that comes with the saw and whether it will work on metal or wood. Wood blades have teeth that are spaced out across the blade and longer, while metal blades have teeth placed close together that are a shorter. If you need to cut through both wood and metal, you need to look for a reciprocating saw with a blade that you can easily switch out.
Stroke Length
The distance that the blade can move in one single sweep or motion of the saw is its stroke length. This lets you know how many passes you need to make to cut through different materials. Most reciprocating saws have a stroke length of just below and just above one inch.
Hand Grips
Always look at the hand grips that come on each reciprocating saw to see how easily you can handle the tool. Though most have a handle on the back, you'll want to ensure that the handle feels comfortable in your hand and that it won't slow you down as you use it.
Vibration Protection
The speed of the motor or the amount of amps can produce quite a lot of vibrations as you saw, which can make your arms feel tired and limit how long you can use the saw. Look for reciprocating saws that come with some protection against those vibrations for extended use.