Best Reciprocating Saw

The DEWALT DWE304 10-Amp Reciprocating Saw is our best reciprocating saw which has a variable speed trigger and also, the motor is very powerful at 10 amps that is perfect for industry grade applications and heavy duty work. The strokes per minute is from 0 to 2,800 and the stroke length is 1 1/8 inches to make cutting faster.

Top Pick: DEWALT DWE304 10-Amp Reciprocating Saw

Our step-up pick is the DEWALT Bare-Tool DCS380B 20-Volt Reciprocating Saw and it runs at 20 volts and it uses lithium ion battery so it lasts longer than most tools. It has a 4-position blade for convenience which makes it ideal for flush cutting and other needs for versatility and flexibility and do know that this is a bare tool only, battery is sold separately.

The budget pick is the Black & Decker Lithium Reciprocating Saw and the blade change mechanism is absolutely tool free. The voltage for the battery is 20 volts and the shoe has a pivoting feature mechanism. It uses MAX lithium battery to power it up.

A Little Background

A reciprocating saw is a valuable tool when it comes to DIY work and other repairs such as home improvement or even industrial work and plumbing such as cutting pipes and other metals other than wood or plastics. Most people resolve to buy a reciprocating saw that is powered by cordless mechanism which uses a battery to power it up so it is very portable to use at any given time while some depend on power and performance with a reciprocating saw that is corded and stays in place.

How We Picked

When we picked the best reciprocating saw, we chose using the following guidelines:
Is the reciprocating saw priced reasonably? Most reciprocating saws out there are priced from $50 to $200 and above and they all have various features that make them pricey. But do not depend on its tag value alone and you should always consider what features it offers to make your DIY or demolition job or home repair faster and more efficient.

Is the reciprocating saw light weight and ergonomically designed? The reciprocating saw should be very easy to carry, okay to grip and comfortable to handle all in all so that even when you sweat at your work, you will not have too much hassle with handling the tool to work on your project.

What are some of the features of the reciprocating saw? The reciprocating saw should be able to have safety features as well as handy features like movable and adjustable shoe so that it can make your work faster and more accurate and convenient in general.
Does the reciprocating saw have a variable speed control? Most will have variable speeds up to 3,000 strokes per minute more or less. With variable speed, you can work with your reciprocating saw on any kind of material.

What is the stroke length of the reciprocating saw? Most reciprocating saws have a stroke length of 3/4 inch to 1 inch, depending also on its size and variable speed specs.

What materials or applications can the reciprocating saw work on effectively? Most will be able to cut through not just wood and plastics but also basic metals and piping.

Is the warranty of the reciprocating saw reasonable for its price and features? Do know that you get what you pay for with the reciprocating saw. They usually have 2 to 3 years warranty for any reciprocating saw.

Our Pick

Top Pick: DEWALT DWE304 10-Amp Reciprocating Saw
Our best reciprocating saw is the DEWALT DWE304 10-Amp Reciprocating Saw in which the stroke length is 1 1/8 inches to make cutting faster. It also has a variable speed trigger so you can control your speed at your own pace without breaking the saw.
As for its speed, the strokes per minute are from 0 to 2,800 and the motor is very powerful at 10 amps that is perfect for industry grade applications and heavy duty work. The blade clamp has 4 positions to make it truly versatile and its lever action is also keyless so blade changing is almost hassle free.

With the DEWALT DWE304 10- Saw, you can instantly control your speed with this reciprocating saw as it weighs 9.2 lbs and runs on AC at 120 volts. It is a truly remarkable reciprocating saw.

In addition, the saw is very useful for flush cutting and for those who like a compact saw, it is indeed light weight but very powerful. It is also available in the version with a bag and has a fixed shoe so it’s not going anywhere.

Ideally, the DWE304 10-Amp saw is great for working on wood as well as wood with nail embedded, common plastics, fiberglass, rubber, composite materials, plaster, drywall and metals from light to heavy gauge. Do know that this is a bare tool only, battery is sold separately. It is a very solidly built machine overall and is backed by a 3 year limited warranty.

Flaws but Not Dealbrakers

The only known weakness of the DEWALT DWE304 10-Amp Reciprocating saw is that there are some issues with the clamp but it depends on the model or stock you get.

Step-up Pick

DEWALT Bare-Tool DCS380B 20-Volt Reciprocating Saw
The DEWALT Bare-Tool DCS380B 20-Volt Reciprocating Saw is our step-up pick which has a 4-position blade for convenience which makes it ideal for flush cutting and other needs for versatility and flexibility. As for its power, it uses lithium ion battery so it lasts longer than most tools as it runs at 20 volts. Do know that this is a bare tool only, battery is sold separately.

The reciprocating saw has a variable speed trigger can be adjusted from 0 to 3,000 strokes per minute so you get more control over the speed of your blades and adjust as needed for what you are working on to get faster cuts. In addition, the shoe is adjustable and pivoting and can extend the blade life as well as control the depth of your cut.

As for its cutting capability, the stroke length is at 1 1/8 inches to give your cutting a faster power and speed. As for its comfort, it has a rubber grip that is over molded to keep you in control of your reciprocating saw. As for its safety and mechanical build design, the shaft is sealed and double oil to keep the contamination to a minimum and keep your saw alive for a long time.

With this reciprocating saw, you can make easy blade changes which do not require additional tools. The DEWALT Bare-Tool DCS380B saw is made in the USA and weighs 6.4 lbs. For battery information, adding a 1 to 2 Ah battery gives it an additional 12 oz and with a 3 to 4 Ah battery it adds 5.5 oz.

Budget Pick

Black & Decker Lithium Reciprocating Saw
Our budget pick is the Black & Decker Lithium Reciprocating Saw in which the shoe has a pivoting feature mechanism. As for convenience, the blade change mechanism is absolutely tool free and as for the battery, it uses MAX lithium battery to power it up and the voltage for the battery is 20 volts.

When it comes to the design, it is coated in black and orange finish. Do know that the battery and charger are not included, as this is a bare tool only. It only weighs 4.05 lbs but it has a variable speed trigger that can range from 0 to 3,000 strokes per minute.

For its cutting ability, the stroke length of this reciprocating saw is 7/8 inches. Its nominal voltage of the saw is 18 volts and its blade size is about 5 inches.

Ideally, the Black & Decker saw is great for those who want a cordless convenience when it comes to sawing things and is also ideal for cutting most backyard and forest trees. The package includes the saw itself as well as the reciprocating blade when you order and it is backed by a 2 year limited warranty.

Best Reciprocating Saw with Anti Vibration

Ryobi P515 ONE Plus 18V Cordless Lithium-Ion Reciprocating Saw
The Ryobi P515 ONE Plus 18V Cordless Lithium-Ion Reciprocating Saw is an anti-vibration reciprocating saw that is a bare tool only. It goes as fast as 3,100 strokes per minute or SPM for its no load speed to keep the cutting smooth with an easy start.
As for its visual appeal and comfort, the handle’s design is anti vibration to keep you as comfortable as possible using GripZone overmold for its handling ability and relaxation and it can also reduce the instances of user fatigue during longer uses.

For its convenience, you can change your blades without the worry for injury due to its quick and easy tool less blade clamp for changing blades. For power information, it runs on 18 volts and the weight of the tool is 4.6 lbs. For its mechanism, the shoe is pivoting and can be used for more flexibility and depth.

The Ryobi P515 Reciprocating Saw is great for use on any scale of work with its great ergonomic features and outside, it has been colored in a lime green finish. For battery power, it is powered by a lithium ion battery that lasts for a long time.

When you order, the package comes with the reciprocating saw, blades and user’s manual. The battery and charger are sold separately, as it is a bare tool only. For battery and charger, it is recommended that you get P128 kit which includes the P102 battery and P117 fast charger and for bigger battery life, you can get the P107 or P108 batteries. Additionally, the P118 charger is also a good and cheaper option for a charger for the P515 ONE Plus Reciprocating Saw.

Best Compact Reciprocating Saw

DEWALT DCS387B 20-volt Compact Reciprocating Saw
The DEWALT DCS387B 20-volt Compact Reciprocating Saw is a reciprocating saw that has a very compact design and is very light weight. For its capability of cutting, it has a variable speed trigger with a range of 0 to 2,900 strokes per minute or SPM and it is ideal for flush cutting due to the blade clamp that has 4 positions. In addition, the speed of the cutting is fast due to the long 1 1/8 inch stroke length.

For its flexibility, it easily fits in confined spaces so you can work between studs and make your cuts and for battery information, it runs on 20 volts battery. As this is a bare tool only, it requires you to purchase battery separately. The DCS387B weighs 4.9 lbs and the total length of the tool is 14.5 inches.

In addition, for easy workability, it comes with an LED work light that is bright enough to illuminate dark areas – perfect for working in the night shift. For your convenience, the blade changing is tool free. Being made in Mexico, it accommodates for all types of Sawzall blades so you have hassle free finding blades.

For power information, this will work on a 110 volts charger and also, you can use 1.5 amp batteries or 2.5 amp batteries for this reciprocating saw. As for its power design, the switch style is a trigger switch. Being colored in black and yellow finish, the DEWALT Reciprocating Saw has a 3 year limited warranty.

Reciprocating Saw with Kit and Case

Dremel SM20-02 120-Volt Saw-Max Tool Kit
The Dremel SM20-02 120-Volt Saw-Max Tool Kit is an all in one kit that comes with a case. It is perfect for almost all types of materials such as wood, metal, plastic, masonry and tiles in which the motor is at 6 amps for super powerful and tough jobs.

Doing flush cutting is a breeze due to its second wheel position. In addition, it has an ergonomic design and is only 1/3 of the size of usual saws. For its uses, it is ideal for drywall and other DIY such as gutters and flooring and woodwork.

In design, the grip has an optimized diameter and the switch has been placed strategically for comfort. It weighs 6.4 lbs and comes with a trigger lock out feature. For its key features, the depth has an adjustable control and has a high quality and precise line of sight and you can easily cut through many types of materials.

Adding to that, there is a guide for the variable depth and also, a shaft lock button can make change out easier. With the Dremel SM20-02, you can keep your work area clean and organized due to its dust extraction port as the front end guard is made from sturdy plastic and the blade diameter is 3 inches and the cut depth is 3/4 inches.

All in all, the Dremel 120-Volt Saw-Max is applicable for straight cutting, plunge cutting and flush cutting and is coated in gray and black color combination finish. When you order, the kit includes the reciprocating saw, a 2 x 4 cutting guide, a dust port adapter, a multi-purpose carbide wheel, a multi-purpose flush cut carbide wheel, a user’s manual, a tile diamond wheel, a metal cut-off wheel and a tough and durable storage casing. It runs on 120 volts at 60 Hz in which the speed is up to 17,000 RPM. It is backed by a 2 year warranty.

Reciprocating Saw with Long Stroke Length

PORTER CABLE PCC670B Bare Reciprocating Tigersaw
The PORTER CABLE PCC670B Bare Reciprocating Tigersaw is a bare tool only, requires battery sold separately but has a considerable stroke length. It uses 20 volts of battery power and has a stroke length of 1 inch. The variable speed allows you to choose from 0 to 3,000 strokes per minute.

In addition, it has an incredibly space fitting compact design for small spots and for your convenience, the blade release does not require for additional tools. The PORTER CABLE PCC670B Tigersaw uses lithium ion battery for longer lasting power and performance. Being coated in finish of black and gray and red, the PCC670B Reciprocating Tigersaw weighs 3.75 lbs and the tool measures 14.5 inches in length. Anyone can easily cut through a variety of material types and in addition, this tool is backed by a hassle free 3 year limited warranty.

Best Air Powered Reciprocating Saw

Ingersoll Rand 429 Air Reciprocating Saw
The Ingersoll Rand 429 Air Reciprocating Saw is a different kind of reciprocating saw as it is an air powered reciprocating saw which has a feature that reduces the vibration to keep you free from user fatigue. For its speed, it can work as much as 10,000 strokes per minute and is built with heavy duty work in mind.

For its flexibility, it can cut both curved and flat surfaces without a problem and also, it has a blade retainer that is positive as well as a blade guide that is adjustable. It is ideal for auto repair such as body shops, for exhaust repair and muffler repair as well as installations of sunroof.

The Ingersoll Rand 429 Air can cut a variety of materials such as fiberglass, plastics, composites, sheet metal and aluminum and it has a shiny silver finish. It weighs 1.3 lbs and the air saw comes with 2 hex wrenches and 6 additional cutting blades. The air consumption is at 8 CFM and during load is at 7 CFM and the minimum air compressor PSI you will need for this tool is about 80 to 90 PSI.

With the Ingersoll Reciprocating Saw, you can make super thin cuts without messing up the material and you will have less back side burning leading to a cleaner cut and less requirement for smoothing. It also gives less heat to the material you are working on and has 1/8 inches thick blades. The tool is backed by a 1 year warranty.

One Handed Reciprocating Saw

Bare-Tool Milwaukee Cordless One-Handed Reciprocating Saw
The Bare-Tool Milwaukee Cordless One-Handed Reciprocating Saw runs at 18 volts. It has a red and black coat finish and very durable and easy to use. It uses lithium ion batteries and compatible with high capacity M18 XC or compact batteries.

It comes with a built in work light LED to light up your working area while cutting to get more precision and has a one handed design so you can operate without much hassle. It is very light weight design allows for easy operation and also great for overhead work and it comes with a Quik-Lok blade clamp so that you do not need additional tools to change the blades.

In addition, it is compatible for most Sawzall blades and Hackzall blades and it is an extremely versatile as a reciprocating saw. It is also great for cutting auto exhaust pipes and also has a fuel gauge for its battery life. The Milwaukee One-Handed Saw weighs 4.4 lbs and the variable speed operations gives you 0 to 3,000 strokes per minute with a stroke length of 3/4 inch.

It is ideal for cutting through a lot of materials such as PVX, metal and wood and the system uses anti-vibration technology and is dual gear to increase accuracy and flexibility as well as user comfort. This is a bare tool only, battery is sold separately.

Reciprocating Saw with Dust Blower

Makita JR3050TZ Recipro Saw
The Makita JR3050TZ Recipro Saw runs at 11 amps as it has a dust blower that is built in to keep your work surface clean and organized. It is colored in blue green finish. It weighs 7.3 lbs so it is quite light weight and reduces fatigue for the user.

All in all, it is very accurate in cutting power and the variable speed trigger is applicable for a lot of work conditions and you can choose from 0 to 2,800 strokes per minute. In addition, the stroke length is 1 1/8 inches which is incredibly long and applicable for bigger operations and provides faster cutting.

The shoe can be adjusted and its blade change does not require any additional tools. It is ideal for remodelers, builders, roofing, contractors, metal fabricators and more. The Makita JR3050TZ has a super durable body design and is made in Japan.

The Competition

Reciprocating saws should be build for heavy duty use and most of the models that were not included in our list did not meet the expectations given above for the price and features especially in the variable speed feature.

Other Frequently Asked Questions

Q: What are the uses of a reciprocating saw?
A: According to Family Handyman , it is great for demolition when it comes to cutting walls, windows and plumbing as well as doors and recommended use for plywood, wall and ends of the roof. It is an important tool for most DIY enthusiasts or those who look forward to remodeling their homes and ideal for use in very tight spaces because of the fact that the blade is exposed with a back and forth motion of the blade stroke.

It is very ideal for working on overhead projects and most people use reciprocating saws for cutting ceilings, pipes and other hard to reach areas. Different blades work for different types of material and most reciprocating saws offer a tool less blade changing so you can work at a faster and safer pace. In fact, some saws also have nail cutting blades to get the job done faster.

Q: How do you choose the best reciprocating saw from the market?
A: According to Ebay , choose between a corded reciprocating saw or a cordless one. The corded ones pack a lot of power compared to cordless ones but they cannot be moved easily as compared to cordless ones, so it depends on where you work and what are your common power needs. However, cordless saws should come with extra battery supply if you intend to bring them to the field so that they will not fail. It is recommended that you have cordless saws that run on lithium ion battery because it gives them a longer and more energy efficient running time in general.
Most cordless saws are not just portable but are also equipped with variable speeds so you can choose to work at your own pace without breaking delicate materials and you can cut faster through very thick materials and the stroke depth is enhanced and better with cordless saws and they can cut both in horizontal and vertical positions.

All in all, cordless reciprocating saws give comfort to the user even during tough field work. Some great features to consider when choosing a reciprocating saw is the tool less change of blade as well as the adjustable shoe. Orbital action is a great thing to consider for the saw and a sturdy storage case should be the reciprocating saw’s home. Do know that some saws also have an auto stop feature to keep the motor from being damaged. Some also have a dust blower to keep your work area as neat as possible and in general, reciprocating saws are a big help in any industrial work to speed up time constraints with high quality performance.

Q: What are the things you need to watch out for when working with reciprocating saws?
A: According to Do It Yourself , although they speed up work in general, since most reciprocating saws are cordless, they have limited battery life and if you want a lot more power, you can choose a corded reciprocating saw, but keep in mind that they are not meant for portability as compared to cordless designed ones out there.

Q: What are some of the well-recommended accessories you should own if you have a reciprocating saw?
A: According to Popular Mechanics , you should have scraper blades for use on flooring and linoleum tiles. A wood rasp is much like a file but it can help you shape wood with your reciprocating saw. A grout rake is also handy because it helps you pull out grout between the tiles you are working on. Also, wire brushes are great tools for brushing away corrosion, flaking paint and other debris from any surface. If you are working on grease filled surfaces such as tiles, stone, stainless steel, concrete or others, you should have a scouring pad ready.

Wrapping It Up

To conclude, the DEWALT DWE304 10-Amp Reciprocating Saw is our best reciprocating saw for its price and good variable speed as well as other neat features.