Reciprocating saws can be used to cut just about any type of building material such as wood, plastic, aluminum, fiberglass, steel, concrete and so on.
That’s why they’re mainly used for construction and demolition work, since they can cut through most of the materials used for these construction projects, provided the right blade has been installed.
A reciprocating saw cuts through materials due to the fast to-and-fro motion of its cutting blade. The blades come in different lengths from 3 inches to 13 inches.
Shorter blades are more rigid and aggressive and thus ideal for cutting through harder materials like steel. They’re also best for making plunge cuts through softer materials like wood.
Longer blades are more flexible, and thus are better for making flush cuts since the blade can bend flush with the material. They’re better for pruning tree branches, demolitions, automobile dismantling and more.
Longer reciprocating saw blades also dissipate more heat during use due to the larger surface area of the blade being used to make the cut instead of just a small part of it.
Apart from the type of blade, the amps rating of a reciprocating saw also determines how powerful it is and how fast it cuts through materials.
Choosing your first reciprocating saw can be quite tricky since you may not have used one before. That’s why we’ve put together this list and guide to help you choose the right one for your projects.
But first, here are the ones we recommend the most. Here are our top picks.
Our Top Picks
- BEST OVERALL: Makita JR3070CT
- BEST CORDLESS: Milwaukee 2720-21
- BEST FOR SIMPLE DIY PROJECTS: Craftsman CMCS300M1
- BUDGET PICK: Black+Decker BDCR20C
The Best Reciprocating Saws
We’ve taken a lot of time to research, find and test some of the best reciprocating saws out there, and we’ve compiled this list, showing only the best ones we recommend for construction projects.
During our review and selection, we took important consideration to how fast they cut through different types of materials, how much they vibrate during use, how easy it is to change their blades, and their overall build quality.
Here are the 8 best reciprocating saws we chose.
Dewalt DWE305 Corded Reciprocating Saw
Specifications:
Stroke Speed: 2,900 SPM, Stroke Length: 1-1/8 inch, Motor: 12 Amp, Power Source: Corded Electric.
If you need a corded reciprocating saw, the Dewalt DWE305 is one of the most budget friendly and trusted option you can go for. It’s got all the features you need.
It comes equipped with a powerful 12 amp motor for heavy duty tasks.
The stroke speed is variable from 0 to 2900 SPM and it has a good stroke length of 1-1/8 inches for faster cuts.
Changing blades is very easy because you don’t need any tool to do it. It features a keyless lever-action blade clamp.
The variable speed puts you in control, allowing you to vary your speed to match the job as you cut through different materials with it.
Overall, if you need a good corded reciprocating saw from a trusted brand with all the good features any reciprocating saw can have, then this Dewalt DWE305 is the one you need.
Pros
- Powerful operation
- Very easy to change the blade
- Buid quality is great
Cons
- It doesn’t come with blades. You have to get them separately
Related: The 10 Best Circular Saws for Woodworking
Black+Decker BDCR20C Cordless Reciprocating Saw
If you’re really for a really budget-friendly reciprocating saw, something to handle some light projects at home, like pruning some trees or cutting a few pipes, then this Black+Decker BDCR20C is exactly what you need.
The price is what really drew me to this saw. Trust me, you’ll hardly find any saw better than this at this price.
It works great, and it’s very lightweight and compact.
It’s also cordless. That means you don’t have to worry about electric wires or cables. Just charge the 20V battery, plug it in, and get to work.
The trigger is a variable speed trigger, so it won’t just jerk into a start as soon as you press it. You can gently ease into the cut by lightly pressing the trigger and increasing the speed as you get comfortable with it.
Overall, I really like this Black+Decker BDCR20C cordless reciprocating saw. If you’re looking for a budget-friendly unit, this is the one we recommend.
Pros
- You can’t beat the price
- Very lightweight and compact
- It’s cordless. You can use it anywhere without worrying about extension wires
Cons
- Build quality can be improved. But you should know, it’s a very inexpensive saw. So, you get what you’re paying for
Related: 9 Best Table Saws for Woodworking and Carpentry
Ingersoll Rand 529 Pneumatic Reciprocating Saw
If you need a pneumatic reciprocating saw that can withstand all day heavy duty/industrial use, this Ingersoll Rand 529 is the first one I recommend.
You can use it to work on all sorts of materials including sheet metal, fiberglass, aluminum, and even composite materials.
First thing you’ll notice when you get it, is that it’s very compact and streamlined. It’s also very ergonomic. It fits into your hands like a glove when you hold it. It also got almost no vibration.
The inlet connector for the air compressor hose rotates 360 degrees so you can use it to work on really intricate patterns. You can use it to work on both curved and flat surfaces, and you can use it in really tight spaces.
For safety, there’s a lock-out lever that engages the throttle every time you release it, so you don’t accidentally turn it on.
All in all, I really like this Ingersoll Rand air reciprocating saw. It’s compact, it’s powerful, and it’s very easy to handle. Although it’s a bit pricey compared to similar air saws, and you need an air compressor to run it.
Pros
- Easy to use
- Little to no vibration
- Ideal for tight spaces
- For heavy duty projects. You can use it all day without overheating it
Cons
- You need an air compressor to use it
Makita JR3070CT AVT Reciprocating Saw
The Makita JR3070CT is one of the best reciprocating saws we recommend if you’re tackling really tough jobs.
If you want a reciprocating saw that can handle tough heavy duty jobsite use, this is one of the best ones you get.
It’s a 15 amp unit. That should tell you all you need to know. It’s got the power, and the build quality really did not disappoint.
In terms of performance, it cuts really fast, and it holds up well. There’s little to no vibration when cutting through materials. It’s got a variable speed of 0-2800 SPM and a stroke length of 1-1/4 inches.
The speed can be varied right from the trigger button, and you can choose from 6 preset speed settings to match whatever type of material you’re cutting.
One of the most important feature of this Makita JR3070CT is its AVT (Anti Vibration Technology). This does exactly what the name implies. It reduces the vibration produced when you switch on the tool, and trust me, it reduces it a lot.
Use this reciprocating saw, and try using another one without AVT, and you’ll feel the huge difference. It’s a lot.
If the blade binds during use, you don’t have to worry about the gears getting damaged. It’s got a built-in clutch that disengages the gears, thus protecting them from any type of wear and prolonging the tool life.
Overall, I really like this Makita JR3070CT and we can’t recommend it enough.
Pros
- Very powerful
- Fast cutting
- Has vibration control
- Very good build quality
Cons
- It’s quite heavy
Related: The Dremel Ultra Saw Review
Milwaukee 2720-21 Cordless Sawzall Kit – Best Cordless
Specifications:
Stroke Speed: 3000 SPM, Stroke Length: 1-1/8 inch, Battery: 18V, Power Source: Cordless.
Milwaukee first introduced the Sawzall or reciprocating saw as we all know, and thus it’s not surprising that they still produce some of the best ones in the market today.
It’s a cordless sawzall and it comes equipped with a brushless motor for better power, efficiency and a longer tool life.
The saw is powered by Milwaukee’s tried and trusted M18 feul batteries, the M18 REDLITHIUM XC 4.0 Extended Capacity Battery Pack.
With this battery, you get 2X more runtime and 30 percent faster cutting than other models.
The 2720-21 M18 Fuel saw features Milwaukee’s redlink plus intelligence system which optimizes the saws performance and provides overload, overheating and over-discharging protection.
It comes equipped with a bright LED light which illuminates your work when it’s getting dark. It has a stroke length of 1-1/8 inches and a stroke speed range of 0-3000, which is good for quickly cutting through materials.
Pros
- Very powerful and efficient
- The battery lasts for a long time
- Build quality is great
Cons
- It doesn’t come with blades
Related: 10 Best Compound Miter Saws for Woodworking Projects
SKIL SPT44-10 Buzzkill – Value Pick
Specifications:
Stroke Speed: 2900 SPM, Stroke Length: 1-1/4 inch, Motor: 15 Amp, Power Source: Corded Electric.
Reciprocating saws vibrate a lot. And so if a particular tool brand makes an effort to reduce that vibration in their unit, we appreciate it. That is one of the main reasons we recommend this Skil SPT44-10.
It includes a built-in vibration suppression system that really reduces the tool’s vibration during use, and makes it a lot more comfortable to hold it while cutting through materials. Skilsaw calls it BUZZKILL.
The Skil SPT44-10 also features a powerful 15 amp motor which produces a maximum stroke speed of 2900 SPM with a stroke length of 1-1/4 inches, allowing you to cut quickly through even the toughest materials you have at your disposal.
It also features a variable speed trigger which allows you to adjust the speed according to the material you’re cutting.
You can use it to cut a whole range of construction materials such as steel, cast iron, engineered wood, drywall, non-ferrous metal, plastics and heavy duty pipes.
Just remember to match the application with the right type of blade.
Pros
- Quality build, looks very durable
- Very powerful
- It includes Buzzkill tech that reduces vibration during use
Cons
- It’s a bit heavy
Related: 9 Best Bandsaws for Woodworking Projects
Craftsman CMCS300M1 – Best for Small Projects
Specifications:
Stroke Speed: 3000 SPM, Stroke Length: 1 inch, Battery: 20 Volts, Power Source: Cordless.
Talking about cordless reciprocating saws, this Craftsman CMCS300M1 is one of the toughest and most reliable ones I’d recommend to tackle simple construction or demolition work, whether in the workshop or on the jobsite.
With it, you can cut through wood, nail-embedded wood, screws, epoxy materials, both PVC and metal pipes, and even rebars.
This will be suitable for plumbers, framers or builders, DIYers, electricians, who need a portable reciprocating saw to tackle simple projects here and there, without dependence on the availability of a power outlet.
Performance / Features:
The Craftsman CMCS300M1 has a stroke length of 1 inch, and produces a maximum speed of 3000 RPM, allowing it to power through cuts with ease.
It’s very compact in size, with a total length of 14.5 inches, making it suitable for making cuts in tight spaces.
It features a variable speed trigger, allowing the user to match the speed of the blade to the material being cut.
A tool-free blade release clamp makes it very easy and simple to swap out old blades with new ones. To change the blade, just twist the spring clamp at the front which reveals a little slot for the blade to be inserted. Insert it and let go to secure the blade.
It comes equipped with a 20V Max 4Ah Lithium Ion battery, which takes at least 45 or more minutes to charge depending on how drained it is. How long the battery lasts will depend on the amount of use it gets.
Handling it is easy and comfortable because it features a contoured over-molded handle, both for the main handle and the auxiliary handle close to the blade.
Pros
- It’s very compact
- It comes with a 4 Ah battery which provides a lot of runtime to for small projects
- Power is decent
Cons
- It’s quite bulky and heavy
Related: The 10 Best Plunge-Cut Track Saws For Woodworking
Ryobi PCL515B
Specifications:
Stroke Speed: 3400 SPM, Stroke Length: 1 inch, Battery: 18 Volts, Power Source: Battery.
If you’re looking for a relatively inexpensive reciprocating saw you can use to cut materials around the home or in the yard, this Ryobi PCL515B should surely be one of the first you should consider.
It’s very compact, it’s lightweight, and the price is great. And did I mention it’s cordless. You don’t have to worry about wires with this one. Just plug in the battery and you’re good to go.
In terms of performance, this thing will cut through anything you throw at it. Wood, metal, plastic, aluminum and more.
You can use it as a pruning saw to trim tree branches and shrubs in your yard. As for specs, it’s got a stroke length of 1 inches and a stroke speed of 3400 strokes per minute.
The Ryobi PCL515B has all the important features you need to take care of all your small projects at home. The blade can be change easily without any tools with a quick release lever, it’s got a pivoting shoe, a variable speed trigger, and it’s cordless.
When I say it’s got everything, I really mean everything.
Pros
- Very easy to use
- Price is great
- It’s lightweight and compact
- Easy blade change
Cons
- Not for heavy duty all day use
How to choose a reciprocating saw
If you’re trying to purchase a new reciprocating saw, there are few factors you need to consider before you choose anyone, especially if it’s your first time of owning one.
Read through carefully in order to make the best decision.
Corded Vs Cordless Reciprocating Saw
When choosing your first reciprocating saw, the first decision you have to make is whether you want a corded or a cordless one.
Obviously, a corded one is one with an extension cord for connecting it to a power source, while a cordless one is one that uses batteries.
The decision to choose either one of them will depend on the type of work you want to do, where you want the job done and how long you will be doing the job. Though, it will largely depend on the latter two.
A cordless reciprocating saw will allow you the freedom to get work done anywhere. It is the option you need when you don’t have access to a power outlet.
For example, in a remote jobsite where you don’t have access to electricity or even around your home, when you want to prune some trees in the garden, a cordless unit is your best bet.
Normally, when you talk about a cordless tool, most people usually associate it with less power and less run time because of limited battery power.
However, recent technological advancements in the motors used in cordless tools and batteries have leveled the playing field to some extent.
For instance, manufacturers now use brushless motors which are more energy efficient. Coupled with that, innovations in batteries such as the Dewalt Flexvolt Battery Technology has totally revolutionized how batteries integrate with tools, and made it possible to get more run time from cordless tools.
So on this note, if your work will take you where there is no electricity, don’t be afraid to invest on a cordless tool.
On the other hand, if you will have continuous access to electricity, then by all means, get a corded reciprocating saw. Then, there is no need to get a cordless one.
Motor / Power
When shopping for a cordless reciprocating saw, you’re going to come across several amp ratings on these saws.
You must note this because, it is very important. The greater the amp, the tougher the work it can do. So, you are going to see 7.5 amps, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13 up to 15 amps.
For light-duty tasks around the home, you can get a 7.5 to 10 amps reciprocating saw, depending on how light-duty the task is.
Task such as pruning little trees around your home can easily be handled with a 7.5 amp model.
On the other hand, when you need to get more done and handle really tough tasks in the jobsite, then you need to start your selection from 11 amps upwards.
Like I said, the tougher the job is, the greater amps you need. So, a 15 amp reciprocating saw will pack all the muscle you need around the job site. But don’t be afraid choose the 12 and 13 amp ones either.
As for cordless reciprocating saws, the ratings that you will see on it is voltage. You’ll see 18 Volts and 20 Volts Max tools.
Now, you may think that the 20 volts tools are more powerful than the 18 volts tools.
Well, if that’s what you think, you’re wrong. When it comes to battery powered tools, they’re not. Rather, they are the same.
If you check the 20 Volts cordless tools, you’ll notice that it is labelled 20 Volts Max. That means 20 volts is just the voltage of the battery when fully charged.
When it begins to discharge, it will likely settle to 18 volts, which is the nominal voltage of the tool, making it equal with the other 18 volts tools.
So take note of this, and provided all other factors are considered, feel free to buy any cordless reciprocating saw, or any other cordless tool, whether it’s labeled 18 volts or 20 Volts Max.
Variable Speed
Some reciprocating saws come with a variable speed trigger that allows you to control the speed or strokes per minute SPM of the saw depending on how far back you pull the trigger. While others have a variable speed dial that also allows you to vary the speed of the saw with just the turn of the dial.
Having this feature is very important because sometimes, in order for the blade to cut effectively, you need to vary the speed to match the type of material you are cutting.
Not all materials require the same speed to cut through them effectively. For instance, when cutting through metal, you want to cut with a slower speed, because it is denser and stronger. So going full throttle may break the blade or something worse. Though you may gradually increase your speed as the cut progresses.
On the other hand, when cutting through wood, you need to go fast in order to cut through quickly and effectively.
So, when choosing a reciprocating saw, it is important that you get one that allows you to adjust the speed to suit the work you have at hand.
Blade Change
Changing your blades is inevitable when working on your project. There are several reasons why you might need to change your reciprocating saw blade.
You may need to change it when it gets dull, or you may need to change it if you intend to cut another material that requires a different type of reciprocating saw blade.
Hence it is important that swapping the blades of your reciprocating saw is not only simple, but quick as well, to reduce tool downtime.
Most units are equipped with a tool-less blade change mechanism which consist of a simple lever by the side, which you can simply pull-up with your finger to swap out the blade. Put another blade and push it down to secure the blade firmly in position.
So, make sure the one you choose has this feature. Never purchase a reciprocating saw that requires a tool for you to change the blade.
Also, for safety reasons, always unplug the saw or remove the battery if you’re using a cordless reciprocating saw before attempting to change the blade. Always think about safety first when handling power tools. A lost finger is lost forever.
Size / Tool Length
What do Dewalt’s DC387B, Bosch’s GSA and Ridgid’s Feugo reciprocating saws have in common? They are all compact.
These reciprocating saws are smaller in size than the standard units. Hence, they are able to fit into tight spaces like in between studs, or when you’re working under a car.
With a compact one, you can access tight spaces which you can’t normally access with the large units because of their size.
Also, truth be told, you may not really need those reciprocating saws if all you need to do is do some tree pruning in your garden. A compact one like the ones I mentioned above might just be what you need.
A plumber will also find these very useful, because of the compact size, able to fit into tight spaces for cutting pipes. These compact models are not only small in size, but are also lightweight as well.
So, depending on where you want to use it for, you might consider looking at the compact ones like the Dewalt DC387B or the Bosch GSA compact reciprocating saws to know if they suit your needs.
Vibration Control
Reciprocating saws are all about the to and fro motion of the saw blade. The mechanism inside it causing this motion causes a lot of vibration from inside as soon as you switch it on.
Because of this, some manufacturers include vibration stabilizers to help reduce this vibration.
A good example of a saw with vibration control is the SKILSAW SPT44A which is equipped with Skilsaw’s Buzkill technology to help suppress the vibration produced when during use.
Milwaukee also equipped the Milwaukee 6519-31 with an internal counterweight mechanism that helps to reduce its vibration.
A vibration controlling mechanism is not actually a necessary feature in a reciprocating saw, and no anti-vibe control will remove all the vibrations from it.
Nonetheless, the vibration control included in the saws mentioned above is important, and helps makes it a little bit more comfortable to use.
So, if you dig the vibration control feature, you might well note it down, and take it into consideration when making your choice.
Stroke Speed and Stroke Length
The speed of the reciprocating saw expressed in strokes per minute and the stroke length are two factors that directly affect how fast the saw is going to cut through a material
The stroke is not the length of the blade but how far the saw pushes the blade forward or backward after it has pushed it forward.
With all other factors being equal, a reciprocating saw with a greater stroke length will cut faster than one with a lesser stroke length. Like I said, all other factors need to be equal between the two for this to be true.
So, the greater the stroke length, the faster the saw will cut through the material.
Stroke length of reciprocating saws normally range from 1 to 1-1/4, but the most common stroke lengths you’ll come across is 1-1/8.
When it comes to compact units, you may find some with stroke length up to 1-1/8 like the Dewalt DCS387B while other compact ones may have lower stroke length.
In this case, it really does not matter because they are not really meant to have the greatest stroke length, but instead to fit into tight spaces, and they do cut fast as well as long as they have a good stroke speed.
Talking about stroke speed, it usually range from 2700 to 3000 strokes per minute (SPM). One with a stroke speed of 2900 and above is okay.
Conclusively, how fast a reciprocating saw will cut a material depends on both the stroke speed and the stroke length. Not just one of them.
So, take both of them into consideration when making your choice.
Battery
If you’re getting a cordless reciprocating saw, then the kind of battery you choose to power it will determine how much run time you get from the tool.
The most common cordless units you’ll see are the ones with 18 volts and 20 volts Max voltage ratings.
Like I mentioned earlier, the two voltage ratings are mostly the same. So, you can power them with your 20 Volts batteries.
Ergonomics
The overall design of a reciprocating saw should also be considered. You may not have the chance to hold it before purchase, especially if you are making the purchase online like on Amazon.
However, if you’re are buying it from your local hardware store, then you should definitely hold it in your hands and get a feel of how it is.
One with a rubberized handle will definitely feel more comfortable in your hands. So, check out for features like that when purchasing online.
