The Best Cordless Reciprocating Saws, Tested
Reciprocating saws—power tools with long, thin blades that employ a back-and-forth motion to rip through material—have always been considered one of the most versatile saws around. And now, to increase their go-anywhere, cut-anything prowess, they’re available in battery-powered cordless models. There’s not much these saws can’t do when it comes to rough cutting.
In general, reciprocating saws are meant for demolition—tearing out walls, cutting away pipes, and severing nails and bolts from between floor plates. This saw is a top option for both contractors and DIYers who want to make quick, powerful cuts. Reciprocating saws have been popular since the Milwaukee Tool Company produced the first one of its kind—the legendary Sawzall—in 1951. Since then, many tool manufacturers have been making their own reciprocating saws, and with so many models available, we wanted to see which ones truly delivered on the promise of convenience and power.
We ordered the top reciprocating models on the market today and put them through their paces. We didn’t go easy on them—after all, a demolition tool needs to withstand a lot of use and abuse. We cut dimensional lumber, plywood, polyvinyl chloride (PVC), steel, and more. Our top spot went to DeWalt’s model thanks to its powerful battery and comfortable rubberized grip. Keep reading to learn more about choosing the best cordless reciprocating saw, and find out how the following models earned a spot on this lineup.
- BEST OVERALL: DeWalt 20V MAX Cordless Brushless Reciprocating Saw
Jump to Review - RUNNER-UP: Makita 36V LXT Brushless Cordless Recipro Saw Kit
Jump to Review - BEST BANG FOR THE BUCK: Skil PWR CORE 20 Brushless Compact Reciprocating Saw
Jump to Review - BEST ONE-HAND GRIP: Ryobi 18V One+ HP Brushless Reciprocating Saw
Jump to Review - BEST 12-VOLT: Bosch PS60-102 12V Max Pocket Reciprocating Saw Kit
Jump to Review - BEST JOBSITE PICK: Milwaukee M18 Fuel Sawzall Reciprocating Saw
Jump to Review - BEST SUBCOMPACT: Makita 18V LXT Sub-Compact Cordless Recipro Saw Kit
Jump to Review
Before You Buy a Cordless Reciprocating Saw
If there’s one area in which a cordless reciprocating saw does not excel, it’s precision. These saws have a lot of power, but the blades are long, relatively thin strips of metal that attach to the saw on just one end. As the saw pushes the blade back and forth, it will bow and bend, similar to a handsaw, but at greater speeds.
For this reason, it can be challenging to achieve consistent or square cuts on a stack of lumber. Users might be able to get each piece within ¼ inch of each other, but the discrepancy between pieces will likely make them unusable for building, and the cut end will rarely be square.
When straight, accurate cuts are crucial, go with a circular, miter, or table saw—all tools whose design allows them to make consistent, repeatable cuts at specific angles. But for all those other sawing jobs—especially demolition tasks—it’s tough to beat the power and versatility of a cordless reciprocating saw.
How We Tested the Best Cordless Reciprocating Saws
Putting together a list of the best cordless reciprocating saws to test was challenging work. We had to draw upon our contracting experience and DIY projects to pick out the features we felt were must-haves and those we could do without.
In the end, we selected reciprocating saws with a range of power from known manufacturers. DeWalt, Makita, and Milwaukee are top-of-the-line power-tool makers, so we had a good feeling about their products, and they didn’t let us down.
For the actual hands-on testing, we fitted each of the saws with blades designed to cut specific test materials. For example, before we cut metal pipes, we fitted the saws with metal blades. Before we cut tree limbs, we fitted the saws with arbor blades.
We noted how quickly the saw chewed through the material as we cut through plywood, dimensional lumber, steel pipes, PVC pipes, and limbs. We also noted how easy it was to operate the saw. We checked every function on each tool, including the blade-changing mechanisms and variable-speed trigger sensitivity (more sensitivity was better), and we scored each saw using a rubric.
The better a tool performed, the higher its score on that test. After testing was complete, we added and averaged all the scores and used them to help categorize the saws.
| Testing Stats | |
| Products tested | 7 |
| Time spent testing | 7 hours |
| Tests performed | 8 |
| Price range | $100 to $400 |
Our Top Picks
Adding the best cordless reciprocating saw to a tool chest might seem like a no-brainer, but choosing from among all the models on the market can be a challenge. While reciprocating saws don’t come with many bells and whistles, some are better suited to specific tasks than others. The results of our hands-on testing can help readers choose between the different models. Find out how each one of the following reciprocating saws performed in our testing, and learn the pros and cons of each model before investing in one of these tools.
Best Overall
DeWalt 20V MAX Cordless Brushless Reciprocating Saw
This Bob Vila Approved product carries our brand’s highest level of recommendation.
Bob Vila Approved recognizes the household and DIY products that impressed us most in our real-world testing and that exemplify core values of the Bob Vila brand, including craftsmanship, innovation, and value for the dollar. Winners of this designation come recommended by our professional review team and are personally approved by Bob Vila.
Our Ratings: Ease of Use 4/5; Performance 5/5; Build Quality 5/5; Value 5/5
Product Specs
- Model: DCS386
- Cutting speed: 0 to 3,000 SPM
- Stroke length: 1⅛ inch
What We Like
- Rubberized overmold grip allows users to get a firm grasp during use
- Comes with a powerful 6Ah battery; suitable for most tasks
- Brushless motor means less wear out of internal parts
What We Don’t Like
- A hefty 11.5 pounds with the battery installed
- Pricey compared to similar options
We’re familiar with the high quality of DeWalt power tools, but we were still impressed at the beefiness of the 20-volt (V) MAX reciprocating saw. This is a full-size saw—it weighs in at a hefty 11.5 pounds with the battery installed. The rubber overmold on the handle and barrel allowed us to get a firm grasp, which is crucial on such a powerful saw. Like most reciprocating saws, it’s wholly symmetrical and can be used just as easily by a left-hander as a right-hander. It boasts a brushless motor—which means less friction in the motor and fewer internal parts to wear out.
We tested this saw on plywood, dimensional boards, steel pipes, screws, and nails, and it cut through all of them with power to spare. We really liked its variable trigger. With just a light pull on the trigger, it started nice and slow (some variable-speed triggers start at too quick a pace), and we were able to increase the speed incrementally just by pulling harder. At top speed—3,000 strokes per minute (SPM)—the DeWalt is a monster of a saw. Users will need to keep a firm grip on this tool at high speeds.
The stroke length of 1⅛ inches was plenty long enough for sawing through boards and pipes, and the blade clamp on the front made it easy and quick to swap out the various blades we used for testing (metal, arbor, wood, steel). This powerful saw cut through all our test materials with ease.
This reciprocating saw uses the same 20V MAX batteries as other DeWalt 20V MAX power tools, so users can swap them back and forth if desired. The kit comes with a 6Ah FlexVolt battery and a battery charger. This top-performing reciprocating saw features a handy LED guide light that turned on automatically when we pulled the trigger.
Get the DeWalt cordless reciprocating saw at Ace Hardware (tool only, no battery), The Home Depot (tool only, no battery), or Acme Tools (tool only, no battery).
Runner-Up
Makita 36V LXT Brushless Cordless Recipro Saw Kit
Our Ratings: Ease of Use 4/5; Performance 5/5; Build Quality 5/5; Value 5/5
Product Specs
- Model: XRJ06Z (tool only)
- Cutting speed: 0 to 3,000 SPM
- Stroke length: 1¼ inch
What We Like
- Accommodates 2 lithium-ion batteries; ideal for extended use
- Longer blade stroke than most of its competition (1¼ inches)
- Brushless motor great at providing extended battery life
What We Don’t Like
- Fairly heavy; operating for long periods can be tiresome
Makita’s 36V reciprocating saw is worth checking out for anyone hunting for a long blade stroke and speed control. It offers speed adjustment via its two-speed selection switch. When we selected the lowest speed option, the saw topped out at 2,300 SPM. When we chose the high-speed option, the blade cut at a robust 3,000 SPM. However, on either setting, we could use light trigger pressure and bring the speed down, thanks to its sensitive variable-speed trigger.
In addition to holding two 18V lithium-ion batteries for extended run time, the Makita features a brushless motor for making the most of the batteries and for less wear on the motor. This is a heavy-duty tool—it weighs in at a beefy 10.2 pounds with batteries installed—but its rubberized grip and ergonomic design reduce fatigue.
This model also features a lengthy 1¼-inch blade stroke, which provides several more cutting teeth per stroke than shorter blades. It made quick work of cutting through our testing materials (plywood, dimensional lumber, steel, and PVC pipes).
As a bonus, it comes with a bright LED guide light and a fold-out rafter hook for hanging the saw over a rafter or joist while working. We really liked this feature because it allows the user to hang the saw safely when working at heights rather than setting it somewhere it could fall.
Get the Makita 36V cordless reciprocating saw at Amazon or The Home Depot (tool only).
Best Bang for the Buck
Skil PWR CORE 20 Brushless Compact Reciprocating Saw
Our Ratings: Ease of Use 4/5; Performance 3.5/5; Build Quality 4/5; Value 4/5
Product Specs
- Model: RS5825B
- Cutting speed: 0 to 3,000 SPM
- Stroke length: 1 inch
What We Like
- Affordable price point compared to similar models
- High top speed can cope with most cutting jobs
- Onboard LED work light helps with visibility in tight, dark spaces
What We Don’t Like
- Variable-speed trigger not sensitive enough
- Included battery had short runtime; not ideal for extended use
Those looking for an affordable option for projects around the house might be interested in the Skil. This kit comes with a compact saw (model RS5825B), a 2.0 Ah 20V lithium-ion battery, one wood blade, and a charger, allowing users to get to work straight away.
In testing, it proved to have enough power to complete moderate demolition tasks, including cutting through plywood, steel pipe, and even green tree limbs, when fitted with the corresponding blades. A compact model, it weighs about 7 pounds with the battery attached (the battery weighs in around 3 pounds), and we found it lightweight enough to use for overhead cutting without a lot of arm fatigue. We liked its bright LED guide light, which clearly illuminated the material being cut. Its variable trigger, unfortunately, wasn’t as sensitive as those on higher-priced models. We found it challenging to slow it down without stopping altogether, and it goes from 0 to 3,000 SPM with just slight pressure on the trigger.
The stroke length is 1 inch, which isn’t aggressive but is typically more than enough for DIY demolition projects. We found it comfortable to grip and easy to use, although we would suggest purchasing an additional battery with a higher Ah rating to extend runtime. The included 2Ah battery started to run down after 30 minutes of use.
Get the Skil cordless reciprocating saw at Amazon or Lowe’s.
Best One-Hand Grip
Ryobi 18V One+ HP Brushless Reciprocating Saw
Our Ratings: Ease of Use 4/5; Performance 4/5; Build Quality 5/5; Value 4/5
Product Specs
- Model: PSBRS01K
- Cutting speed: 0 to 3,000 SPM
- Stroke length: ⅝ inch
What We Like
- Tool feels balanced and is easy to run one-handed
- Good variable-speed trigger helps tackle a variety of tasks
- LED guide light is strong and clear
- Brushless motor helps with tool longevity
What We Don’t Like
- Rather short blade-stroke length; can struggle cutting dense green wood
- Battery not as powerful as some
For quick cutting of wood, plywood, and pipes where a free hand is necessary to grasp the material, we’re happy to recommend the Ryobi 18V, model PSBRS01K. This reciprocating saw, which has a brushless motor, weighs less than 6 pounds with the battery installed, and we found it easy to grip and maneuver with just one hand. This allowed us to steady the materials while we were testing to ensure smoother cuts.
We cut a variety of materials (using material-appropriate blades). The PSBRS01K did a fine job on all materials except green tree limbs. We’d inserted a new arbor blade, so that wasn’t the issue, but in testing it felt as though the dense green wood was bogging down the saw blade. We lightened up on the pressure and eventually cut through the limb, but it took about twice as long as the other saws did. This may have been partially due to its relatively short ⅝-inch blade stroke. However, the Ryobi saw comes with a mediocre 18V 1.5Ah lithium-ion battery—that’s less than a third of the power of the 6Ah battery our top pick provides. A more powerful battery might make a big difference.
The Ryobi reciprocating saw has some definite upsides, though. Its design and light weight didn’t cause arm and hand fatigue, and the variable-speed trigger was just as sensitive as the more expensive tools—it will still generate 3,000 SPM at top speed. Its guide light is also strong and clear. In the end, we liked this saw for the ability to use it with just one hand. It is suitable for light-duty demo uses, but its battery could stand to be more powerful.
Get the Ryobi cordless reciprocating saw at Amazon or The Home Depot.
Best 12-Volt
Bosch PS60-102 12V Max Pocket Reciprocating Saw Kit
