The reciprocating saw is a true staple of any DIYer’s shop. Whether you are just a beginner just starting out or an experienced woodworker with many years under your belt, sooner or later you will realize the importance of having a good reciprocating saw at your disposal.
We can help you with that—to save you some time and effort, we have taken a close look at the available options in the market and chose the best options for different uses. Below you will find the ten best units we have encountered. Take your time and study the most popular saws out there today and determine which one is the best option for you.
3 Best Reciprocating Saws – Comparison
| IMAGE | NAME | FEATURES | PRICE |
|---|---|---|---|
 | DEWALT DWE305 |
| Check Price |
 | Black And Decker |
| Check Price |
 | SKIL 9206-02 7.5-Amp |
| Check Price |
10 Best Reciprocating Saws – Review
1. Bosch RS7 1-1/8-Inch 11 Amp Reciprocating Saw
The first saw that we will be looking at is also our editor’s top pick. While it is one of the more expensive options that we will be going over today, it offers a good combination of quality and value that would be just about impossible to beat. But price aside, there is a lot to love about this saw, so let’s just get into it, shall we?
One of the first things you will notice about this saw is that it has a great motor—the 11-amps of power that is delivered by the Bosch make it suitable for pretty much any job that you could need a reciprocating saw for.
And not only is the motor powerful, but it is also versatile. It features a variable-speed trigger that will allow you to adjust the power simply through the touch of a button. This is a relatively basic component of any good reciprocating saw, but it’s also extremely useful which makes it nice to see. Built with an ergonomic handle, this unit is designed to be comfortable, which will make long hours on the job a little bit less taxing.
You’re also getting a good set of accessories with the Bosch. One of my favorite ones is the pair of LED lights mounted near the blade that will help to illuminate your workpiece. It’s a small touch, and frankly, one that you won’t always need, but it’s still a good addition that will definitely come in handy.
And last but not least, this unit also benefits from simple, tool-less blade changes. It’s another small feature that is going to save you some time and frustration in the long run.
The only flaw that I was able to detect is that the unit seems to get hot pretty quickly. This could be quite a big problem, because if it gets too hot, it can damage the hardware that could even ruin the saw—so you may need to take breaks if you plan on using the saw for extended periods of time.
- Variable-speed trigger
- Powerful motor
- LED lights
- Easy blade changes
- Unit is prone to getting warm
- A little pricey
2. TACKLIFE Reciprocating Saw
The next unit that we will be looking at has been selected as our top budget buy on the list. We chose the TACKLIFE saw because, in addition to being very affordable, it has a great set of features that the shopper looking for a bargain will surely appreciate.
While the features of this unit are not quite as flushed out as they are in the Bosch, you are still getting a saw that benefits from many of the same components that make our editor’s choice pick so appealing.
For one, this unit features a variable-speed component that will allow you to choose from speeds ranging from 0-2800 RPM—like I said earlier, this is a pretty standard component of a good saw, but given the friendly price of this unit it’s definitely not a given.
The TACKLIFE is also powerful—granted, you aren’t getting the eleven amps of power that made the last saw special, but the 7-amp motor featured on this unit will allow you to approach a good variety of jobs and materials with confidence.
It was a pleasant surprise to see that this saw even comes with a few comfort features that will make using it a breeze. It has an ergonomic handle and lightweight design that will make it easier to use for extended periods of time, two lights to illuminate your workspace, and a removable shoe system that simplifies blade changes for quick and easy maintenance.
Of course, this unit also has its weakness—it’s the motor, which is just not as powerful as that on some of the other saws. For many users, this isn’t going to be a big deal, but if you plan on using your saw for hard metals or even tougher wood stock, you may run into some difficulties.
- Affordable
- Easy blade changes
- Comfortable
- LED lights
- The motor may make it difficult to work through tougher materials
3. DEWALT DWE305 12 Amp Corded
I’m a big fan of DEWALT because they consistently make some of the best products on the market, and the DWE305 is a prime example of their quality craftsmanship.
This reciprocating saw has more power than the previous units we’ve looked at, though admittedly by a relatively small margin. The DWE305 comes with a 12-amp motor as opposed to the 11-amp motor featured on the Bosch—while an extra 1-amp may not sound like much, this additional power will make it more efficient when working through tougher materials.
One unique feature that I love about this saw is the 4-position blade clamp that gives users the ability to more easily make flush cuts. While you won’t always need this feature, it will definitely be nice to have when situations that require it come about. The DEWALT comes with a variable-speed trigger that delivers a range of 0-2,900 strokes per minute with a 1-1/8″ stroke length. And finally, it also features tool-less blade changing that will make maintaining your saw a breeze.
If you have some time, you can see DEWALT DWE305 on action mode. This great Video created by Danhi’s Electrical Services.
The only problem I have with this unit is that for some reason DEWALT has decided to forgo the carrying case that has been included with other older models. It’s a pretty small issue, but if you need the travel case that is an additional cost that you will have to incur with this purchase.
It’s also a little bit pricier than most of the other units on this list. But if you can get past the price and the lack of case, you’re in for an excellent saw.
- Great motor
- Variable speed
- Tool-less blade change
- 4-Position blade clamp
- A little pricey
- No carrying case
4. BLACK+DECKER BDCR20B 20V Max
Hopefully, Black and Decker need no introduction—they have a long history of making powerful and reliable power tools just like this reciprocating saw.
This great saw, surprisingly, is actually the most affordable option on the list—the only reason it’s not listed as our value buy is that the battery and charger are sold separately. But if you want a good deal and don’t mind making those small additional purchases after you pick up this tool, this is a very good saw to consider.
The unit has a variable-speed trigger that offers 0-3,000 strokes/minute and a stroke length of 7/8″. Additionally, just like most of the saws on this list, this one also features an easy blade change. The motor isn’t the most powerful in the world, but with 20 volts of power, it can still hold its own against a wide variety of work materials.
There isn’t a lot about this tool that distinguishes it from some of the other entries on the list, except for the fact that it is available at a very affordable price—of course, this is a pretty significant one, especially if you are on a tight budget.
- Very affordable
- Easy blade changes
- Variable-speed trigger
- Relatively basic saw
- No accessories included
5. Ryobi P514 18V Cordless One+
Ryobi packed its reciprocating saw with a variety of unique features that really make it stand out.
The first thing I noticed about this unit was how well it was constructed—particularly in regards to the handle. The grip features a high-quality, non-slip rubber material that will keep your hands firmly planted on the tool when you’re using it. The handle is even designed to be resistant to vibration to further improve the accuracy and consistency of your work.
The Ryobi also comes with all of the standard features that you would hope to see in a good reciprocating saw: a good motor, a variable-speed trigger (0 – 3,100 strokes per minute), and a simple blade changing system to make your life easier.
In terms of unique features, this unit is backward compatible, meaning if you have other Ryobi products you will be able to swap out batteries amongst the different units without encountering any problems—this could be super convenient, especially if you have some Ryobi batteries lying around.
It’s worth noting, however, that the motor on this unit may struggle to work through harder stock quickly, which may be a bit of a drag if that is what you plan to use it on.
- Non-slip grip
- Vibration-resistant handle
- Backward compatible
- This unit may struggle with harder materials
- Battery not included
6. SKIL 9206-02 7.5-Amp Variable Speed
This next unit is relatively basic, but it is also pretty affordable and has a number of features that make it very user-friendly.
For starters, the body of this tool is very well-built—the casing itself features a rugged design that will help ensure that it stands up well to even extensive use.
The unit is also counter-balanced which makes it as resistant to vibration as possible, and it even features a pivoting foot that will give the tool more stability when you are working with tough materials.
The SKIL comes with all the standard features you would expect of a good saw—it has a pretty good motor, a variable-speed trigger, as well as a simple blade changing system that will save you plenty of time.
One thing that I noticed is that the unit does heat up fairly quickly, which means you may need to take breaks with it depending on how long you plan on using your saw. Other than this, it is a nice and affordable option to consider.
- Durable
- Counterbalanced
- Pivoting foot adds stability
- Heats up quickly
7. Vonhaus 7.1 Amp Corded Reciprocating Saw
The Vonhaus is something of a no-frills saw—what you’re getting is a basic but reliable package here. As much as we like LED lights and other bonus features, there is something nice about a basic tool, right?
At first, I found it a bit suspicious that this saw is available at such an affordable price. I thought it was probably because it doesn’t come with a lot of the extra features that we saw on some of the other units.
But, especially for a budget buy, the Vonhaus does come with a decent amount of accessories and features—you even get several blades with your purchase so you can use your tool right away. It also features a variable-speed trigger, a decent motor, and a simple-to-use adjustable handle. In short, you get everything that you need with this saw—nothing more, nothing less.
Something to look out for is that this unit doesn’t hold up very well against vibration, which means you will need to take extra care when using it.
- Affordable
- Adjustable handle
- Starter blades
- Lightweight
- Doesn’t hold up very well to vibration
8. PORTER CABLE PCC670B 20-volt
There is a lot to like about this Porter Cable reciprocating saw—my favorite aspect about it is its intuitive design. The body of the saw itself is designed to be compact so that you will have no trouble accessing tighter spaces as you work.
This is another saw that benefits from just keeping things simple. In that way, it allows its solid design and impressive motor a chance to shine the way that they deserve to. If you’re looking for a no-nonsense saw that delivers consistently good results, this is a great unit to consider.
Despite being bare-bones, it’s a very powerful tool that features a 20-volt motor which, with the help of a variable speed trigger, is able to deliver between 0-3,000 SPM. Moreover, it is also lightweight to further improve the possibilities of using the blade in unique positions, and it will help to ensure that you don’t get fatigued while you work. And like many other saws on this list, this one also features a keyless blade changing system.
One thing I didn’t like about the Porter-Cable is that the battery life does leave a little bit to be desired—it’s definitely not terrible, but if you plan on using the saw extensively, you will probably want a backup battery.
- Great motor
- Variable speed
- Intuitive design
- Short battery life
9. VonHaus 5-amp Compact Reciprocating Saw
The penultimate unit we’ll be looking at today is what you might call a “starter kit.” I will put it out on front street that this unit is not extremely powerful, which might eliminate it as an option for industrial or even heavy use. On the other hand, for the DIYer that is just starting out, however, this saw could be a great buy.
This set comes with a set of eight changeable blades of varying lengths and purposes. The extensive blade options should serve as a great way for you to experiment with different variations and really get the feel for how this tool works.
It’s a very compact unit, which means that you’ll be able to access a wider variety of areas with it. The compact, lightweight design will also help you to resist fatigue as you work. The design of this unit is also pretty rugged, so you won’t even have to worry about it getting beaten up as you work.
The only drawback of the VonHaus is that its lack of power does limit what you can use it for—of course, if you are just starting out, that might not matter.
- Lots of saw blades
- Compact
- Rugged design
- Lack of power may limit what you can do with this saw
10. WORX WX550L 20V AXIS 2-in-1
The final unit that we will be looking at also happens to be one of my favorites—the WORX saw really stood out to me because it is extremely versatile. Besides serving as a traditional reciprocating saw, this tool can be easily converted to function as a jigsaw, with a slight adjustment that takes only seconds to execute.
This unit also features a nice, streamlined design that places the motor to the side of the unit which will help you to get more accurate, efficient cuts. To top it off, this saw also benefits from a built-in blower that continuously removes dust from your workpiece so you can just focus on the job at hand.
An unfortunate setback with this unit is that, like the Porter-Cable, it is a little bit lacking in terms of battery life, meaning you will probably want to invest in some backup WORX batteries.
- Jigsaw conversion
- Streamlined design
- Built-in blower
- Mediocre battery life
Conclusion:
As you hopefully noticed, all of the reciprocating saws on this list are of really high quality. It would be hard to beat any of them, really. That being the case, you’re going to be in good shape no matter which option you decide to go with.
Is money no object? You might do well with the Bosch saw a great product, and our pick for the top option on the list.
Want a really affordable saw that will still deliver quality results? Consider the TackLife saw.
The good news is that, in addition to all of these options being of very high quality, they are also all at least relatively affordable, so there truly is no going wrong regardless of what you decide upon.
Just pick the reciprocating saw that you like and enjoy a tool that will change the way you work!
