Best Jigsaws – Buyer’s Guide

Thanks to their versatile designs, jigsaws can cut wood, plastics, metals, and even ceramics. And you won’t be limited to straight cuts; you can make curves, bevels, and even intricate woodworking and sculpting. These features are what make jigsaws indispensable for any serious DIYer. 

Today, we’re reviewing five of the best jigsaws you’ll find on the market. Let’s get right to it!

The Best Jigsaws – Our Top Picks

IMAGE PRODUCT DETAILS
  • Blade speed: 500–3100 stroke/min
  • Stroke length: N/A
  • Maximum cutting depth: 70 mm in wood, 4 mm in steel
  • Power source: 500W corded
  • Weight: 1.7 kg
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  • Blade speed: 1100–3000 stroke/minute
  • Stroke length: 25 mm
  • Maximum cutting depth: 100 mm in wood, 6 mm in steel
  • Power source: 18V battery
  • Weight: 2.1 kg
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  • Blade speed: 800–3000 stroke/minute
  • Stroke length: 22 mm
  • Maximum cutting depth: 100 mm in wood, 10 mm in steel
  • Power source: 800W corded
  • Weight: 3.5 kg
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Best Jigsaws

Bosch PST 700 E Compact Corded Jigsaw

Our favourite corded jigsaw is the Bosch PST 700E. Bosch is one of the few brands that rarely disappoint. While this isn’t their beefiest jigsaw, it should be powerful enough for most personal DIY purposes. 

The thing you’ll like most about this jigsaw is the ergonomic handle. Thanks to its generous rubber padding, you’ll be able to finish your work with the least amount of vibration. You’ll also appreciate the sensitive trigger with which you can fine-tune the cutting speed as you work. 

Because this jigsaw isn’t designed for heavy-duty use, its build quality isn’t the best on the market. However, if you stick to the manufacturer’s recommendation, this jigsaw will provide years of satisfying performance. 

Although most, if not all, jigsaws feature tool-free blade change, Bosch’s design is our favourite. To change the blade, all you have to do is press the adjacent button, grab the unsuitable blade, and push the new one in place. After you release the button, the blade will be securely fixed and ready for action!

Specifications

  • Blade speed: 500–3100 stroke/min
  • Stroke length: N/A
  • Maximum cutting depth: 70 mm in wood, 4 mm in steel
  • Power source: 500W corded
  • Weight: 1.7 kg

We like

  • Affordable
  • Features a powerful sawdust blower
  • Comes with a plastic carrying case

We dislike

  • For once, nothing to say!

Final Verdict

With its affordable price, great performance, and light build, this jigsaw should be the ideal pick for personal use.

Tacklife PJS02A Corded Jigsaw

The Tacklife PJS02A comes at almost the same cost of the Bosch 700 E, but it’s way more powerful. Its 800W motor can cut up to 100 mm in wood and 10 mm in steel, making it an excellent choice for both DIYers and professional workers. 

Unlike the Bosch jigsaw, this one doesn’t feature a responsive trigger. However, you can still adjust the speed while cutting by rotating the small speed dial installed at the top. We love this position because you can easily reach it with your thumb while maintaining a secure grip. 

To promote safety, Tacklife placed a small plastic shield at the front of the jigsaw to block the sawdust from flying around the cutting area. 

Specifications

  • Blade speed: 800–3000 stroke/minute
  • Stroke length: 22 mm
  • Maximum cutting depth: 100 mm in wood, 10 mm in steel
  • Power source: 800W corded
  • Weight: 3.5 kg

We like

  • Affordable
  • Comes in a plastic carrying case
  • Features laser and LED for better accuracy

We dislike

  • Doesn’t handle bevel cuts optimally

Final Verdict

Are you planning to do lots of cutting on different materials? This jigsaw will satisfy your needs without breaking the bank.

Ryobi R18JS-0 ONE+ Cordless Jigsaw

With its 18V battery, the R18JS-0 should be ideal for personal projects that involve different materials in addition to wood. And although it weighs 2 kg, this extra weight is beneficial because it’ll dampen the cutting vibration, allowing you to finish your projects faster than before. 

Like most cordless jigsaws, Ryobi ships the R18JS-0 as “body only”, meaning that you have to pay more for the battery and charger. But the good thing here is that the ONE+ battery system is universal. 

In other words, if you already own the ONE+ drill, ONE+ circular saw, or any other tool from the ONE+ lineup, you can buy only one battery and use it for all of your tools. How’s that for convenience! 

Specifications

  • Blade speed: 1100–3000 stroke/minute
  • Stroke length: 25 mm
  • Maximum cutting depth: 100 mm in wood, 6 mm in steel
  • Power source: 18V battery
  • Weight: 2.1 kg

We like

  • Highly Stable
  • Reasonable Price
  • Works via a universal battery

We dislike

  • The shipped blades could be better.

Final Verdict

This is the best cordless jigsaw on the market. Despite being affordable, it packs lots of cool features, adorned with a robust build that promotes impeccable stability.

Makita DJV180Z Cordless Jigsaw

Even though the Makita DJV180Z works via an 18V battery just like the Ryobi R18JS-0, it’s equipped with a superior design that allows for a bigger stroke length. This way, you can use it with a broader range of materials, which explains the extravagant price tag. 

We absolutely like its highly sensitive trigger. When you press gently, the blade will slow down, allowing you to make curved cuts with better precision. 

As you might’ve expected, this jigsaw comes with neither a battery nor a charger. Although Makita supplies universal LXT batteries, it regularly updates the designs, which might leave some users confused about which battery would fit. 

Specifications

  • Blade speed: 0-2600 stroke/min
  • Stroke length: 26 mm
  • Maximum cutting depth: 135 mm in wood, 10 mm in steel
  • Power source: 18V battery
  • Weight: 2.3 kg

We like

  • Removable cover plate to protect workpieces against scratches
  • Powerful LED light
  • Durable build

We dislike

  • The sawdust blower could’ve been stronger

Final Verdict

If money isn’t an issue, investing in this jigsaw will mean that you won’t fall short of performance during any project. But make sure you’re buying the correct battery.

Hychika JS-100C Corded Jigsaw

Although the Hychika JS-100C is the most affordable option on our list, it has all the features you’d expect to see on pricier models. You’ll have a laser guide, orbital action, tool-free blade change, and a sawdust blower.  

On the downside, since Hychika isn’t a big name, you can’t expect a top-notch quality assurance. Some users reported receiving faulty jigsaws that have either poorly aligned laser or malfunctioning speed dial. Then again, if you were unlucky enough to receive such products, you’ll be eligible for a hassle-free return.

Specifications

  • Blade speed: 800-3000 stroke/min
  • Stroke length: N/A
  • Maximum cutting depth: 110 mm in wood, 10 mm in steel
  • Power source: 800W corded
  • Weight: 4 kg

We like

  • Comes with a carrying case
  • Features a blade storage box
  • Features a laser guide for optimum accuracy

We dislike

  • Doesn’t have an LED light

Final Verdict

This jigsaw is one of the few models that combine excellent performance with an economical price tag.

Jigsaw Buying Guide

Corded vs Cordless Jigsaws 

Determining the power source comes to your intended use. If you’re planning to use the jigsaw in occasional DIY projects around your home, you should get a cordless model to make use of its high manoeuvrability. 

By the nature of the beast, most cordless tools won’t stand against the demanding nature of heavy-duty work. Plus, their puny batteries would be unduly limiting if you’ll work on a consistent basis. That’s why professional workers should opt for a corded model. 

Pay Attention to the Power

Whether you’re buying a corded or cordless jigsaw, you must ensure that the power is high enough for what you have in mind. 

The measurement of power varies according to the power source. Cordless jigsaws are evaluated with volts (V), whereas corded models are categorised based on wattage (W). 

If you’ll mainly cut through wood, aim for a model that has a power of 350 W or 12 V. If your work will involve thick sheets of tough materials, you’ll need a power of 700 W or 20 V. 

Stroke Rate

The power rating should give you a general idea about what the jigsaw can and can’t do. But if you want to guarantee an ideal performance, consider the blade stroke rate. Here’s a quick rundown of the most common materials you may want to cut next to the recommended stroke rate.

  • Ceramics: 500 stroke/min
  • Wall tiles and glass: 1,000 stroke/min
  • Plastics and steel: 1,500 stroke/min
  • Aluminium: 2,000 stroke/min
  • Wood: higher than 2,000 stroke/min

Almost all jigsaws feature a speed dial that quickly adjusts the blade speed. Of course, you’ll have to stop the tool before rotating the dial.

Some brands go the extra mile by providing a mechanism for “smooth” speed adjustment. Some models feature an interactive trigger button (the softer the press, the slower the blade), while other devices have a secondary speed dial installed over the handle for convenient access. 

Orbital Action

When you enable the orbital action feature, aka pendulum or elliptical action, the jigsaw’s blade will move forwards and backwards instead of just up and down. This feature should be handy if you want to cut thick workpieces, such as laminate worktops, in the fastest time possible. 

Because the orbital motion is more aggressive, it provides better removal of sawdust and swarf, decreasing the overall friction — this effect will keep your blades cooler on large projects, prolonging their lifespan. 

Is orbital action always useful? No. If you’re aiming for precise, curved cuts, you’d better turn off that feature since it disrupts the jigsaw balance to a great extent. Also, it won’t be ideal if you want smooth cuts with the least amount of splintering. 

Just like the stroke rate, you can adjust the orbital action degree with a dial that’s usually installed on the tool’s side. 

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