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For making intricate cuts in materials like wood, metal, or ceramic, a jigsaw is absolutely necessary. Although there are many corded tools of this sort, a cordless or battery-powered jigsaw brings a lot of convenience to the table.
The two main benefits are reduced safety hazards and freedom of movement. With this in mind, here’s more about cordless jigsaws.
Snapshot! Best Cordless Jigsaws
In a hurry? Here are our top picks:
Best Overall | |
Runner-up | |
Best for the Money |
Comparison Chart of the Best Cordless Jigsaws
Product | Our Rating | Price |
|---|---|---|
Festool 561690  | Best Overall | |
Skil JS820202  | Runner-up | |
G Laxia DC-20V Cordless Jig Saw  | Best for the Money | |
Dewalt DCS334B  | Best Dewalt Cordless Jigsaw | |
Makita XVJ03Z  | Best Makita Cordless Jigsaw | |
Milwaukee MLW273720  | Best Milwaukee Cordless Jigsaw | |
Ryobi P5231  | Best Ryobi Cordless Jigsaw |
When Would a Cordless Jigsaw Come in Handy?
Jigsaws are generally used to cut curves and other more complex shapes in a piece of wood or other material. Cordless jigsaws are used for the same thing, save for they run on batteries.
Professional Use
As a professional that travels to job sites, you can be severely limited by corded jigsaws. Sure, some material-cutting tools simply don’t have a cordless alternative, but a cordless jigsaw is one that will work anywhere.
A Lot of Backyard Work
If you do a lot of work in your backyard and have to move around a lot, a cordless jigsaw is a no-brainer. Instead of using a bulky extension cord, you can simply walk around with your saw for more efficiency.
No Free Sockets
Plugging in and unplugging tools isn’t fun. At least avoid having to do this with your jigsaw. Most 18 volt batteries pack more than enough power!
What to Look for When Buying a Cordless Jigsaw
It depends on what you need. Before anything else, you need to consider how frequently you’ll be using the jigsaw. If you’re an occasional user, a 500W jigsaw with a 60mm cut depth is just about good enough.
If you are an advanced user who expects to take on projects like kitchen fittings, custom wardrobes, laying flooring, and so on, you’re going to need a 700W tool with at least 90mm cut depth. Additionally, consider getting one that can cut 30mm into non-ferrous metals and 10mm into sheet steel.
If you expect to be using the jigsaw frequently in a professional or semi-professional capacity, we suggest anything 700W or higher. You may also want to look for ergonomic handles and extraction systems, as well as the pendulum action, stroke rate, and more. A professional jigsaw can handle at least 135mm for wood, 20mm aluminum, and 10mm steel.
These are the primary categories of cordless jigsaws that you should consider. Above all, ask yourself, “What am I going to use the cordless jigsaw for?”
Review of the Best Cordless Jigsaws
Finding a perfect cordless jigsaw isn’t as straightforward as getting a manual tool like a hammer or a screwdriver. Take a look at some of the best cordless jigsaws that are currently available.
Best Overall:
Festool 561690
PROS
CONS
Our Review
The Festool 561690 is one of the best cordless jigsaws on the market. It has high strokes per minute, which is ultimately one of the most important factors in a jigsaw. This number alone blows away most of the competition. Beyond that, you also get cool features such as stroboscopic LED lights for excellent blade visibility in all conditions, in addition to the triple guidance for blades. This means that you’ll be able to cut at various angles with the Festool.
And then there’s the motor’s brushless technology. While not exactly cutting edge any longer, this means that the rotor uses magnets to turn the coiled stator. There is no friction and high heat like a regular motor and life is extended.
What Makes This Product Stand Out?
That would definitely be the 3,800 strokes per minute. This blade speed is exceptionally efficient and can cut through the vast majority of materials. You may not need this high an SPM, but if you do, you won’t find too many tools on the market that can get up there. Don’t forget that you can always use it at lower speeds.
Runner-up:
Skil JS820202
PROS
CONS
Our Review
The Skil JS820202 is a one-of-a-kind cordless jigsaw in its advanced portability. In addition to this, the battery life is pretty solid too. Whenever the battery runs out, you only have to charge it for 5 minutes and you’ll have enough juice to finish whatever you have to get done for now.
The Skil jigsaw also features a quick release for the blades, although they sit firmly when the release isn’t used. This may not seem like much, but having to screw/unscrew blades to change them can become tedious. Unfortunately, the stock blades could be a bit longer.
What Makes This Product Stand Out?
First of all, the PWR Assist mobile charger and the heavy-duty PWR Jump charger may put other cordless tool systems to shame. When it comes to portability, this tool is an ideal choice. Another highlight is the dust blowing system that leaves a clear line of sight for cutting.
Best for the Money:
G Laxia DC-20V
PROS
CONS
Our Review
The G Laxia DC-20V jigsaw is very affordable, despite all that it has to offer. You may not have heard of the brand, but it’s here because it’s incredibly versatile. With this cordless jigsaw, you get a high capacity 4.0Ah Li-ion battery. Thanks to this battery, you get more runtime to finish your tasks.
The 45-degree cutting angle is a neat feature that isn’t seen on all jigsaws. Admittedly, you will have to use an Allen wrench to adjust the angle, but you get this wrench with the package. The built-in LED work light also helps to avoid making mistakes, which are often irreversible with a jigsaw.
There is a push safety button that you need to press to get the tool to operate. This can be annoying after a while, but as said, it’s a safety feature.
What Makes This Product Stand Out?
Versatility is what makes this tool special, especially at this price. Usually, cordless jigsaws are either simplified for home use or feature-packed for the pros. The G Laxia DC-20V is an exception in that it can be used by both target groups. That’s assuming that you can look past the fact it’s not by one of the big names.
Best Dewalt Cordless Jigsaw:
Dewalt DCS334B
PROS
CONS
Our Review
Among the several Dewalt cordless jigsaws, the DCS334B8 sits in the sweet spot. It has a brushless motor (which Dewalt doesn’t right nowadays?) that ensures longer life and smoother performance. It has a Dewalt LED light that will adequately illuminate those dim workspaces.
It’s also pretty compact for a jigsaw of that caliber, but of course not at the cost of comfort. The sure-handed grip enables maximum control and comfort.
Unfortunately, if you want to use the Dewalt DCS334B, you either have to be a Dewalt faithful that has a few extra batteries lying around or pay extra for a charger and battery.
What Makes This Product Stand Out?
There is a fantastic feature on the DCS334B that not many other jigsaws offer – it’s got a dial that allows you to adjust the blade’s speed. This might not be that important for your impromptu home project, but for serious projects where precise cuts are needed, the speed control comes in handy.
Best Makita Cordless Jigsaw:
Makita XVJ03Z
PROS
CONS
Our Review
There are jigsaws that can go above 2,600 strokes per minute but Makita fans know that specs are not important. In any event, you may agree that 2,600 SPM is more than enough. You also get three orbital settings with this jigsaw.
The tool-less blade switching system isn’t a new thing, but it’s certainly nice to have. This one is for the bare tool only but it works with all Makita 18V XLT batteries.
What Makes This Product Stand Out?
The Makita is a heavy professional-grade jigsaw. This is mostly due to the heavy-duty base. You’d also have the base to thank for this jigsaw’s smooth and accurate cutting experience. Furthermore, the base enhances the durability of this jigsaw.
Best Milwaukee Cordless Jigsaw:
Milwaukee MLW273720
PROS
CONS
Our Review
The MLW273720 is a state-of-the-art cordless jigsaw that uses a number of The Milwaukee Electric Tool Corporation’s proprietary technologies. At 3,500 strokes per minute, this jigsaw is very powerful. Furthermore, you get the Redlithium tech that squeezes more power out of each battery charge. The tool also feels very nice in the hand for better control and comfort.
What Makes This Product Stand Out?
The Redlink Plus Intelligence system is definitely not something that you get with all jigsaws. It actually enables system communication between the battery, charger, and the tool itself. This not only optimizes battery usage but the performance as well.
Best Ryobi Cordless Jigsaw:
Ryobi P5231
PROS
CONS
Our Review
The Ryobi P5231 is a great tool for hobbyists and pros alike. It has a number of good features, but you don’t have to use them if you don’t want to. The built-in dust blower definitely helps with the debris that obscures your line of sight and the red lighting system will give you a better visual of what you’re cutting.
There are also four orbital settings, which gives you more leeway when selecting the cutting speeds. The trigger lock is great if you have to make cuts after cuts.
What Makes This Product Stand Out?
Here’s how the blade-saving base works. once a part of the blade that you’re using starts to wear out, just drop the base and you’ll be able to use up the remaining blade. This is very convenient and it will allow you to get the most out of each blade that you use.
Quick Recap: Best Cordless Jigsaws
In summary, here are the best cordless jigsaws:
- Best Overall: Festool 561690
- Runner-up: Skil JS820202
- Best for the Money: G Laxia DC-20V Cordless Jig Saw
Corded vs. Cordless Jigsaws – What's the Difference?
For one, corded jigsaws tend to be cheaper. There is a good reason for this in that you also have to pay for a battery with any cordless tool.
Still, both corded and cordless jigsaws remain pretty much the same tools. Outside of all the battery options, the two offer similar if not identical properties and features.
They share similar SPM numbers (although certain corded jigsaws can go higher as you get up to 120V plugged in), base design, and so on. Both corded and cordless jigsaws do the same thing at the end of the day.
Can You Really Find a Quality Cordless Jigsaw That’s Affordable?
Due to the battery, cordless jigsaws are always more expensive than corded jigsaws of the same quality. However, there is a common misconception about the prices of these tools. It turns out that, yes, you can find a reliable cordless jigsaw at a relatively affordable price.
Cordless jigsaws have limited runtime. This means that you may also have to keep several batteries on hand if you have to use it for a long time. But you can also start with one. And the point is that there are many affordable cordless jigsaws that are precise and capable of cutting into various materials.
Pros and Cons of Cordless Jigsaws
Should I get a corded jigsaw? Or a cordless jigsaw? Perhaps these pros and cons can help answer your questions!
Cordless Jigsaw Pros
Cordless Jigsaw Cons
Conclusion
Finding the best cordless jigsaw for your needs is a journey of its own. Unless you need something for immediate one-off use, you need to carefully consider the options at hand. Start with one of the jigsaws reviewed above and find one that satisfies all your jigsaw needs.
People Also Ask
You may still have some questions about cordless jigsaws. Well, we’ve rounded up a few that may answer whatever you’re wondering about cordless jigsaws.
How Long Does the Battery Last on a Cordless Jigsaw?
It depends on the jigsaw’s battery capacity and the jigsaw’s motor in general. As a rule of thumb, the more powerful jigsaws are going to use up the battery quicker. You can compensate by going with higher capacity batteries, which are more expensive and add weight to the tool.
Are Cordless Jigsaws Less Powerful?
Not necessarily, but corded jigsaws can attain higher power. This is owing to the power supply – you can get 120V from the wall but not so much out of a battery. And power (W) is voltage (V) multiplied by current (A). Still, for most amateur and professional uses, 3,500 SPM is more than enough, and some cordless jigsaws go even higher than that.
Are Cordless Jigsaws More Expensive?
They do tend to be, at least when compared to a corded jigsaw of the same quality. The cordless feature, though, is a big bonus. And you have to pay for the battery, so this is to be expected.
Can Cordless Jigsaws Cut Through Hardwood?
Although usually used on softwood, more powerful cordless jigsaws with the right blades can cut through hardwood, laminate, metal, even steel sheets.
Are Cordless Jigsaws Good for Cutting Through Laminate Flooring?
Absolutely! As long as they’re powerful enough. Cutting through laminate flooring is one of the perks of using cordless jigsaws, as opposed to corded models.