List Of The Best Reciprocating Saws [10 Updated List]

A reciprocating saw, commonly known as Sawzall is one of the most versatile tools today. Any job out there requires you to remove a bit of chunk of materials that may be in excess. Be it window installation, cutting tree branches, plumbing or anything else.

With the wide array of reciprocating saws in the market today, choosing the best one can be a hard task. Nonetheless, we have simplified the job for you by reviewing some top best reciprocating saw.

What Can You Do with A Reciprocating Saw?

Some of the best uses for a reciprocating saw include

In this reviews, you will get more than a glimpse of the best Reciprocating/sawzalls that will give you reliable performance. Also read about dewalt dws779 vs dws780.

Usually, the higher stroke count allows you to cut through tougher materials (as long as the blade you’re using is also rated for it).

While 2,900 spm is not the highest, it can still allow you to cut through both wood and metal. The ability to adjust the speed is also necessary to ensure that you don’t damage both your piece and the saw itself.

Changing the blades on this machine is super easy. It comes with a keyless clamp, allowing you to swap them quickly and without any specialized tools to remember. It can work with both wood and metal blades, and it has four positions to allow for the proper length.

Finally, this saw has an LED light in the front so that you can see where you’re cutting more easily. When working in tight or confined spaces, it’s vital to be able to see properly so that you don’t make a cut that’s too crooked or messy.

This unit comes with a blade already, but you can easily swap them out as needed. It has a tool-free blade change clamp, although it doesn’t offer a variety of positions to allow for better cutting.

Since this is a cordless saw, it weighs under five pounds and is easy to manage. While we would prefer for it to come with an LED, it does have a pivoting shoe. This feature allows you to work in a wider variety of angles to get the right cut every time.

Overall, this reciprocating saw is ideal for DIY enthusiasts who need something to work around the house. Also, if you plan on doing some light carpentry or metalworking projects, this is a Sawzall that can do it all. It even comes with a two-year limited warranty.

As with all cordless reciprocating saws, this thing is lightweight and easy to handle. The contoured molded grip makes it more comfortable to work with a variety of angles, and at four pounds you don’t have to worry about fatigue setting in.

There are a few other features that we liked about this saw. First, it has a pivoting shoe that enables you to work faster and with more stability. Second, it has a tool-free blade release for quick changes, and it has a one-inch stroke length, enabling you to cut through a wider variety of materials.

Finally, this particular saw has a three-year limited warranty.

You may also notice the name Hackzall. Although many people refer to reciprocating saws as Sawzalls (for their remarkable versatility), the fact is that it’s technically a proprietary name from this brand.

The stroke length of this saw is ¾ inches, and it operates at up to 3000 strokes per minute. These features allow you to cut through almost anything, from wood to metal to PVC. Just be sure to use slower speeds for harder material and faster speeds for soft pieces.

Another proprietary feature of this saw is the LED light. This enables you to see better while working, especially when you’re in cramped or tight positions. Having an LED ensures that you get a proper cut, no matter the circumstances.

The power and performance of the 305 are evident in how well it cuts. You can work through almost any material, from metal and wood to drywall and fiberglass. You will notice a significant difference if you compared this to the cordless DeWalt we saw above.

Otherwise, this machine comes with all of the standard features. It has a pivoting shoe to allow for better angling. It comes with a tool-free blade clamp with four positions so that you can get it just right. It offers up to 2900 strokes per minute with a length of 1 ⅛ inches for versatility.

Finally, as with all DeWalt products, you get a three-year warranty for this product.

When comparing performance specs, you’ll notice that this saw operates at up to 2800 strokes per minute. However, what makes it more versatile is the fact that it has a locking mechanism for the variable speed trigger, allowing you to work faster without getting tired.

One proprietary feature of this saw that is really neat is the fact that you can reposition the handle as you see fit. You can bend it up to 90 degrees in either direction, enabling you to work in tighter spaces. The handle is also ergonomic and helps you get a better grip on your project.

Another cool thing about this reciprocating saw is that it comes with a durable plastic carrying case. This allows you to keep the tool and all accessories handy without damaging anything in transit.

Compared to other saws we’ve seen, this one has the best spm rating. With a capacity of 3100 strokes per minute, you can power through a wider variety of materials. That being said, higher speeds will kill the battery faster, so plan accordingly.

Overall, this saw comes with all of the standard features. These options include tool-free blade changing, a soft grip handle, and a variable speed trigger. One critical distinction, however, is that it’s also designed to reduce vibrations while working. Fewer vibrations mean that you don’t get tired as quickly.

blade, with the longest option being 1 ⅛ inches. This customization allows you work on a wider variety of projects with ease.

Other features include a pivoting shoe to work at more angles, an LED light to see better while cutting, and a soft grip handle. Also, because it’s DeWalt, you can expect to get a remarkable three-year limited warranty.

Overall, this is a great cordless saw, but be prepared to buy all of the accessories for it (i.e., battery, charger, blades, etc.). This version is just a bare-tool product, not a full-service model. However, that shouldn’t be a deal breaker, since this is still a high-quality machine.

The high impact forces would in the absence of the clutch have no otherwise but cause the destruction of either the clutch or the gears. The clutch saves you much trouble in replacing the gears or the saw all together.

Some people are real fans of products from the USA. This is one such product. The variable speed allows for versatility in the application of the saw. The constant power tech maintains a constant speed for a fine finish cut.

The shoe is adjustable which further increases the versatility of this tool. It also allows for tool-less blade changes using the lever action blade clamp.

How To Choose The Best Sawzall For The Money

It is pretty easy to tell out the reciprocating saw theoretically. That is what I am doing presenting to you a theory of my practical experiments with the different reciprocating saws and these are the factors that I use a measuring gauge.

Power

When selecting the power you will first need to understand what you need from your tool. What you need depend on the materials that you will be working on. If it is heavy grade metals then you need a best reciprocating saw that has the amperage on the upper ratings say 15 Amps.

If you need a best  Sawzall saw to work on metals that will not offer much of resistance, then you can choose a lower amperage as the ones with upper ratings will just cost you more probably for nothing.

Vibration

When working with any reciprocating machine, you better expect some vibrations. These vibrations are allowable just to a certain degree. There is a level of vibrations that will just stand between you and a perfect job. You should check for the measures put in place to counter vibrations. Such measures are the counter weight balance mechanism and the user vibrations protection.

Performance

When it comes to performance, you should not judge a certain saw unfairly. A fine example, you cannot put the 15 Amps saw on the same scale with a 7.5 Amps saw. We gauge the different saws sometimes depending on the best in that category. From above the PORTER-CABLE PC75TRS 7.5, Amp is a best reciprocating saw in that category.

Durability

Materials will always determine the durability of a best Sawzall. Check to see that all the sensitive components are from durable materials. Some manufacturers use plastic on components that require the use of metal. That will be a downside on the construction of that saw.

Also on durability, we also consider the durability of the gear and the motor. I give accolades to manufacturers who include the gears and motor protection features. The clutch has the capability to protect both the gears and the motors. The motor overload specifically protects the motor.

Comfort

Comfort is an important thing to consider especially when working for log hours. I would recommend that before you commit to pay for a saw at least get a feel of how comfortable it is.

You could say the money guarantee has got you but that is also a process that will waste time. A soft grip handle that fits the size of your hand will do you a lot of good. The weight of the reciprocating also plays a role in determining the comfort and ease of use. Sometimes you will have to make a compromise between the weight and the tasks that a saw can handle.

Versatility

There are obvious things that allow for versatility. One is the multiple clamp positions. You will find that the standard clamp positions are four which allows you to make flush cuts. Out of the box, the manufacturer can allow you to get some versatility by including blades for the different tasks. These blades should not be just blades but quality blades that ensure for durability.

Budget

In life, you will most likely find yourself caught between what you can afford and what you want. There is nothing wrong with that just stick to what you can afford, with time you will be in a position to acquire what you want. Just do not give away too much regarding quality.

Length of power cord

There are two versions of these best saws, the corded and the cordless. Each of them has their advantages and disadvantages. For the corded ones, it is important you check the length of the power cord so you can get some free movement around the work area.

Manual

This seems like the least of considerations, but it also has great significance. Most people find how to stuff on YouTube and the internet but what happens if you cannot get that? You need a clear instructions manual not to end up disliking a saw for not knowing how to fix could be a petty thing.

How to Use a Reciprocating Saw

Adjusting the Orbital Action

The first and most important thing that you need to keep in mind about orbital saws is that they can cut through just about anything. Before you start sawing though, you need to adjust the orbital action of your saw. The first and one of the most important things that you should do is adjust the orbital action of the saw for the type of material that you are going to be cutting.

Attach the Blade

Next, you need to position your saw blade against the guide roller. Flip the blade change lever so that you can insert the blade, and use the lever to adjust, secure, and tighten the blade so that it fits perfectly into the saw.

Mark Your Line

Before you get started with the saw, you may want to make sure that you mark the lines that you are going to cut into your material. Use a wood pencil or some kind of utensil that lets you mark the path that you want to cut in the desired material, just so that you don’t have to do any guesswork while you are sawing.

Start Cutting

After you have selected the correct orbital action for what you are sawing and you have attached the blade, you are ready to start cutting. You want to be sure that the very front edge of the base plate of your saw is touching the edge of the material that you are about to be sawing into.

Make Adjustments As You Go

You can do this before you start sawing and then adjust the settings as you go to get the best cut possible for the material that you are working with. Feel free to adjust the rotary action and speed of the blade to make sure that you can get the desired cut. Then, keep sawing along the line that you drew, and feel free to make more adjustments as you go.

How to Cut a Shape in the Middle of A piece of Material?

Make Your Line

Now that your blade and your saw is set up and adjusted, you want to once again make sure that you have drawn the line that you are going to cut along for your circle. If you want it to have a perfect circular curve, make sure that you use some kind of perfectly cylindrical object that you can draw around to make your line. If you want to use a different shape, use an object that has the shape and dimensions that you need.

Drill a Hole

Before you actually start cutting, you need to make sure that you drill a hole into the inside edge of the shape that you are about to cut. This will give you your access point of where you are going to insert your reciprocating saw.

Insert the Blade and Start Sawing

If you are cutting an object in the middle of the material you are using, you probably want to use a jigsaw blade. A jigsaw blade will give you the ability to cut the shapes and the angles that you need to cut. Trace your saw along the line that you just drew so that you get the perfect cut.

Changing Your Saw Blade

Different materials and sawing situations may require different kinds of blades. For instance, if you are cutting wood, you are going to need a different saw than if you are cutting through metal. To change the saw blade, all you will need is the blade itself and typically an Allen key to release the blade that’s already in your saw.

Final Verdict

Because there is such a difference between cordless and corded reciprocating saws, we can’t tell you that one particular model is the best of all of them. Instead, we’re going to break it down based on power options, so choose according to your needs.

Best Cordless Reciprocating Saw : Milwaukee Hackzall. This is a fantastic piece of machinery that enables you to cut through a wide variety of materials with ease. Not only that, but the one-handed design ensures that you have both flexibility and power at your fingertips, all without getting too tired in the process.

Best Corded Reciprocating Saw : DeWalt DWE305. We already love the DeWalt brand, but this corded model is the epitome of reciprocating saws. Although it doesn’t have the fastest speed, it has one of the better motors out there and will get the job done, regardless of time constraints or the material you’re using.