Related Reviews
What Is the Best Jig Saw? Read our Review to Find Out
Finding the right jigsaw can be a challenge if you have no idea what you’re looking for. It is good to know the kind of materials you’ll be using, as well as the nature of the curves you expect to cut, before choosing a jigsaw. There are various features, such as the type of blade, speed, and volts, among others, that you should check. Ultimately, the best jigsaw is one that will enable you to perform your tasks to perfection. With this guide, you now know the important features to check as you proceed to sift through our top selections.
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Our Top Choice
The Dewalt 20V Cordless Jigsaw has everything you need to make fine cuts like the adjustable bevel settings, orbital settings and variable speed. Looking to spend a little less? Try Dewalt's 6.5 Amp Corded Jig Saw. Looking for a corded jig saw? The
Dewalt DW317 Variable-Speed Orbital Jigsaw has a 5.5 Amp motor that delivers powerful cuts in the hardest materials.
DEWALT DCS331B 20V Max Handheld Jig Saw - Keyless Blade Change & 4-Position Orbital Action. Battery and Charger Sold Separately
Features
Dewalt is committed to delivering a professional level of quality in all their products. They strive to solve real jobsite problems and create new levels of efficiency for working professionals and casual users alike. One example of their modern innovation is their line of Bluetooth enabled products, which let you connect to your devices through your smartphone. You can easily play music and monitor vitals such as battery life and temperature.
This jigsaw is ideal for both professionals and casual DIY'ers. It's loaded with special features, so let's take a closer look:
- Keyless blade changing makes it easy to swap out the blade for a new one any time, using simple lever-action technology.
- The all-metal keyless shoe bevel lets you angle your cuts to 15, 30 and 45 degrees.
- 4 orbital action settings let you decide how aggressive a cut you want to use.
- The adjustable dust blower keeps wood shavings out of your cutting line.
- The comfortable anti-slip grip makes it easy to hold the saw firmly during tough cuts.
Best Value
The Porter Cable Bare Jigsaw is a reliable and inexpensive option that's great for beginners and seasoned craftsmen. Looking for a little more power in a corded jigsaw? Check out the
Porter Cable 6 Amp Orbital Jigsaw with 7 speed dial integrated right into the trigger for heavy duty jobs.
Porter Cable PCC650B 20V MAX Lithium Bare Handheld Jigsaw — 3 Orbital Settings & Tool-Free Blade Release
Features
Porter Cable excels in the value they provide. They’ve been in the business since 1906 and have been a long-trusted name for professional woodworkers and tradesmen alike. For a reliable addition to your workshop, it's hard to go wrong with Porter Cable.
This jigsaw includes the basic features you'll rely on for serious cutting. The controls you'll use to change settings are large and simple, making it ideal for craftsmen of all skill levels. Let's take a closer look:
- The variable speed trigger lets you ramp up the speed to 2,500 SPM for fast cutting.
- 3 orbital settings lets you choose a more aggressive cut.
- Tool-free blade release lets you easily swap the blade for a new one.
- The built-in dust blower keeps debris out of your cutting line so nothing gets in your way.
The Bosch Barrel-grip Jigsaw fits an impressive amount of power into a small and maneuverable design with plenty of added features. If you prefer a top handle for more control, check out the
Bosch JS572EK 7.2 Amp Corded Variable Speed Jig Saw Kit. In addition to adding more power, it also comes with a set of blades.
Bosch JS470EB 7-Amp Barrel-Grip Handheld Jigsaw —Tool-less Blade-Change, 4 Orbital Settings & Variable Speed
Features
Bosch excels in its rate of innovation, always improving on its classic power tool lines. In fact, Bosch releases over 100 new power tools each year. The Bosch Group is a global supplier of industrial and construction technology as well as consumer goods.
This top-of-the-line jigsaw offers superior maneuverability and ease of use due to its simple and compact design. Let's see what settings and features it offers:
- Tool-less blade changing makes it easy to quickly change the blade at any time. The built-in ejection lever does all the work for you.
- Four orbital cutting settings provide increasingly aggressive cutting strokes.
- The variable speed dial lets you choose the max speed while the trigger controls operating speed.
- The die-cast foot with a steel insert is incredibly sturdy and works to protect the jigsaw during operation.
- A built-in bevel wrench lets you cut at different angles.
- This jigsaw also features precision-machined plunging and a low vibration design, both of which make it easy to cut in a precise line.
The Makita Top Handle Jigsaw is a highly reliable machine built for easy use, featuring soft starting and electric variable speed control. For a more straight-forward barrel grip in a cordless model, check out the
Makita XVJ01Z 18V LXT Brushless Barrel Grip Jig Saw. It's available with or without the battery pack.
Makita 4350FCT Top Handle Jigsaw with LED Light — Orbital & Straight Cut, Tool-less Blade Change & 40% Less Vibration
Features
Makita is a highly respected brand in the power tool industry. They know how to fit a lot of power in a small design, which makes sense – they've been doing it for over a hundred years! Their products are known to last long and deliver professional-level power for frequent jobsite use.
This jigsaw is a great choice for professionals and beginners alike, since it's both easy to use and powerful. Let's take a closer look:
- 3 orbital settings so you can choose a more aggressive blade stroke.
- The design is made to reduce vibration and noise, delivering 40% vibration than jigsaws in its class.
- A built-in LED light lets you work just as well in the dark or in low-light areas.
- Tool-less blade change for easy blade swapping.
- Electronic speed control lets you maintain a consistent speed during long, arduous cuts.
- Soft-start technology makes it easy to ease into your cut, which is especially useful for beginners.
Black+Decker 5 Amp Jigsaw with CurveControl — Top Handle, Keyless Blade, Does Bevel Cuts, Wire Guard & Variable Speed
Features
Black+Decker is a household name when it comes to power tools and construction, but most people don't know it started out as a small machine shop in Baltimore. From the beginning, Black+Decker focused the most on customer needs and learned to adapt to new challenges in the workshop and on the jobsite.
This jigsaw is inexpensive and reliable, making it an ideal choice for beginners – but it's also a good choice for professionals. Let's take a closer look at the features you'll get with this corded jigsaw.
- CurveControl technology lets you adjust the saws orbit for different cuts.
- The powerful 5 amp variable speed motor allows up to 3,000 SPM of cutting power.
- Easily make 45 degree bevel cuts with the adjustable shoe for added stability and versatility.
- Key-less blade changing for convenience when swapping out the blade.
This jigsaw is available with blades included so you can get started on your new project right away.
Best Jigsaw Buying Guide — Cordless vs Corded Jig Saws: Which is Better?
Our homes need all kinds of wood and metal equipment. It can be quite an expensive undertaking if you have to buy everything. There are those times when we should test our skills and try making some of our furniture, or home and garden tools like hoes and rakes. We should also do some repairs and save some bucks that we would otherwise pay others to do the jobs.
If you’re one of those DIYers, then you need a stock of tools to work with when the need arises. Tools like pliers and hammers would come in handy for very basic tasks like hanging pictures on your living room wall, while jigsaws would be appropriate for more specialized projects.
Working with either metal or wood materials will definitely require you to use some sharp power tools that can be a bit dangerous. For instance, when using a jigsaw, it’s a good idea to wear a pair of anti-vibration gloves to protect yourself from injuries. These saws also produce chips and fine dust that can easily get into your eyes, so wearing safety glasses is advisable.
Video: Jigsaw Orbital Blade Settings | Tricks of the Trade
Learn about the orbital settings for your jigsaw. | Courtesy of Popular Woodworking
Price
A jigsaw is a tool that you can use for a variety of curves, in addition to cutting straight lines. While it’s important to consider price, especially if you’re working on a tight budget, don’t compromise on the features you need. Simple jigsaws with less advanced features cost as low as $20, but if you want a machine with advanced functions, such as high orbital variations, a straight-edge guide, or the ability to cut both wood and metal, then you’ll have to spend a bit more. Advanced saws cost anywhere from $100 to a little over $300. You’ll also find some really cheap jigsaws that you should avoid, since they are not as efficient.
Features
If you want smooth, precise and beautiful wood and metal cuts, then you need a jigsaw with a blade that has fine teeth. For rugged cuts, consider one with a blade that has bigger teeth. The blade, thus, is an important factor to consider when buying a jigsaw, but it’s not the only one.
Here are some more things that you should check before committing your cash:
- Voltage - This can be as low as 18 Volts to as high as 120 Volts. Choose a saw based on the task you’ll use it for.
- Power - A jigsaw can be corded or cordless. Those that are cordless use batteries, while you have to connect the corded ones to a power source.
- Orbit Modes - This is the direction in which the blade turns while cutting. Some have higher modes than others (meaning you can cut tighter curves with them), which you can adjust depending on the material you’re working with.
- Extras - Other extra features include the dust blower, soft start, tool less blade change and anti-slip grip, among others.
With this in mind, let’s now get into the details to see what we are really talking about.
Construction and Design
Design
Like many power tools, a jigsaw comprises of a handle that has a strategically placed switch and a head that holds on to the cutting blade. The handle is placed on top of the head, which holds the blade facing downward. This blade passes through a base or a shoe, a flat metal surface that helps you move the saw along your working surface. Also consider if the handle has a good grip. Other controls, such as the speed dial, are placed strategically on the saw, depending on its overall design.
Type of Blade
There are two types of blades – the U-Shank and the T-Shank. The difference lies in the manner in which each of these blades attaches to the head. The U-Shank requires some technique and tools to attach, while the T-Shank simply sinks in with little ado. Most woodworkers prefer the T-Shank. Blades also have different types of teeth based on size. There are those with smaller teeth for fine cuts and some with big teeth for rough or rugged edges.
Power Source
Cordless jigsaws come with a battery casing for holding the batteries, while the corded ones have extension wires and a plug at the end to connect to a power source. Check also the dust blower that is attached on the side. A few saws come with a straight edge guide, attached below, and others have LED light.
Video: How to Use a Jigsaw
How to use a jigsaw. | Courtesy of Woodie's TV
Performance and Ease of Use
Cutting precise and smooth curves in wood or metal can be a herculean task if you don’t have the right tool to carry out the job properly. With a jigsaw, this task becomes as easy as ABC, as long as you know how to handle the tool effectively.
Handle
The position of the handle and the head allow you to twist and turn the tool for tight and angled cuts. Since the blade faces downward from the shoe, you can give it proper direction as it moves in an up and down motion. The shoe provides a firm base to ensure that you follow the line of your cut with precision, while a handle with a firm grip prevents the tool from slipping. In addition, the dust blower not only blows chips and sawdust away from you, but also clears the path of your cut so that you can see it clearly.
Power Switch and Speed Control
The switch is usually located on the handle, to give you better control, while the speed dials are placed strategically on the blade to allow you to adjust the orbital modes and the speed. If you want fine cuts in soft wood, you may want to increase the speed of the blade, and decrease it for the rough cuts. In all cases, you should move the tool slowly without forcing it, as you let it cut through your working material.
Voltage
You may want to consider the number of volts of any given jigsaw, as well as its power source. Those with higher voltage are ideal for harder materials like metals. When it comes to power, the battery-powered jigsaws are portable and can be used outdoors, while you can only use the corded ones inside your workshop or anywhere where you can get a walled connection.
Extra Features
A few saws come with straight-edge guides that enable you to cut more precisely, and LED lights that allow you to see your work surface, especially when working in dimly lit rooms.
Get the Best Jigsaw of 2023!
We expect that by now you’ve already chosen the right tool. If you have yet to find the best jigsaw for your needs, you can take a second look to ensure that you’ve not overlooked anything. In the rare case that you fail to find one from this list, you can always check out other options that these top brands have.
Our Top Choice
Dewalt 20 V Portable Cordless Jig Saw
Best Value
Porter Cable 20V MAX Cordless Jig Saw
Bosch Variable Speed Corded Jig Saw
Makita Top Handle Corded Jig Saw
Black + Decker CurveControl Jig Saw
Jigsaw FAQs
What is a jigsaw?
A jig
saw is a
saw with a reciprocating blade for cutting irregular curves in wood, metal, and so on. It is excellent for making stencilled designs, curves, and so on. The entire device consists of a narrow blade, a motor, and a handle. When the
saw is turned on, the blade moves up and down, cutting through the material.
How to use a jigsaw?
You can use a jigsaw by drilling a hole through which you will fit the blade. Then, press the saw shoe firmly into place before you start using the tool. After starting the mortar, guide the blade slightly outside the cutting line. Later on, you can refine the piece of wool using sandpaper. Slowly and steadily push the blade forward so that it cuts without deflecting and doesn’t overburden the mortar. Use relief cuts to get rid of waste and to avoid bending the blade on tight corners.
How to cut Plexiglas with a jigsaw?
To safely cut Plexiglas with a jigsaw, use a painter’s tape to prevent splintering. A clamp-on guide will also help you to keep the blade steady without moving to the left or right. If you have never done it before, practice with a scrap Plexiglas until you can do it.
