The best jigsaws are powerful tools used for cutting several types of materials such as wood, ceramic, sheet metal, plastic, and more. With the right type of blade, a jigsaw can be handy to cut curves and different angles without much effort. The reciprocating motion allows them to produce impressive power to cut through thin aluminum sheets quite easily.
What you want to know is how to make an informed buying decision among the dozens of jigsaws out there. Whether you should go with a Corded Jigsaw or a Cordless Jigsaw. And how much should you spend on a Jigsaw tool?
I have compiled a list of 7 best-selling jigsaws you can try for your woodworking and DIY projects based on their efficiency, costs, and usability. Toward the end of this article, we'll go over some important points to consider before buying a jigsaw but for now, let's dive right into it.
PRICE: $229
The compact Dewalt 20V MAX Jig Saw is leading the market with its extraordinary performance. With a compact, easy-to-handle design, the product gives high runtime. Dewalt 20V MAX weighs 6 pounds and can cut steel without any hustle. It uses 20V batteries that justify its lengthy runtime, and the anti-slip grip helps with the controlled hold.
Dewalt 20V MAX comes with an easy blade change feature accompanied by an all-metal keyless shoe bevel with four detents that simplify bevel adjustments. The product comes with an automatic dust blower that helps with clear sight and a removable shoe cover that prevents scratches.
The jigsaw tool comes with a 4-position orbital action that helps with the cutting speed and quality. The lithium-ion battery of the product steals the show added with the cordless feature. The bottom line is to get it without hesitation because this is one of the best jigsaws you will ever own.
PRICE: $149
The hype of Bosch 18-Volt Lithium-Ion Cordless Jigsaw is worth it. The product is unmatched, where agility, strength, and convenience are in question. The jigsaw tool is compact, durable, lightweight, and has onboard bevel wrench storage. This compact jigsaw tool comes with unmatched features and stands out in the market
Its small grip diameter allows comfort and control while using the device for long hours. Bosch 18-Volt Lithium-Ion Cordless Jigsaw comes with a T-shank blade system that eliminates the need to touch the hot blade yourself.
The Bosch 18-Volt Lithium-Ion Cordless Jigsaw redefines comfort with its LED light dust blower that prevents any wrong cuts. The electronic motor protection and electronic cell protection built into the tool avoid overheating and overloading. With on-board bevel wrench storage as one of the practical features of the tool, the usage of the product becomes all the more convenient.
PRICE: $124 (Jigsaw only)
One of the best jigsaws in the market, the Dewalt Jig Saw Top Handle 5.5 Amp Corded steals the show with its speed and versatility. The tool supports a variable-speed control feature that helps with quick adjustments and speed utilization ranging from 0 strokes to 3,100 strokes per minute. The 5.5 amp motor gives enough power for tough applications and delivers a 1-inch stroke length.
The product comes with the promise of satisfactory durability and control. It weighs 6.2 pounds which augments comfort while using it for long hours. The all-metal gear case ensures durability for the longest time, while its comfortable grip reduces user fatigue for long working hours.
Dewalt Jig Saw Top Handle 5.5 Amp Corded ensures swift blade change when you are ready for sharper cuts. No more struggling with the blade change; just hold the clamp when you are prepared, and it's done. The product surprises you with a three-year warranty, a one-year free service contract, and a 90-day money-back guarantee.
PRICE: $90.81 (Jigsaw only)
The handy BOSCH JS260 is winning over other jigsaw tools with its unbeatable power and agility. It delivers 3100 strokes per minute which is hard to match. The speed of the jigsaw can be controlled with its variable speed control feature. The tool comes with a multidirectional blade clamp that ensures a good grip of T-shank blades, while its toolless blade-change system gives quick insertion and removal of the blade.
With the best BOSCH JS260 120-Volt Top-Handle Jigsaw 6.0 Amp, you need not worry about the speed as you move forward. The Four orbital action setting helps with seamless varied blade strokes for all types of cuts.
The precision-machined plunging mechanism and low-vibration feature enable smooth operation with accuracy and precision. The heavy-gauge steel footplate ensures sturdy working, and the dust blower feature keeps the cut line visible and clear.
PRICE: $64.52 (Tool only)
The product stands by the hype and delivers unbeatable performance making it one of the best jigsaws out there. It emerges as one of the best inventions for fieldwork that supports tool-free blade release for quick blade change without stopping the cutting process. The product is launched with three orbital settings that help with the change in power required for aggressive cuts. With unbeatable agility, the product has a variable speed trigger that increases your control over its speed.
The size (12.19x3.75x10 inches) and weight (5 pounds) made it so comfortable to use the tool for long hours and deliver precision in work. The integrated dust blower helps with clarity and visibility while working. Porter-cable 20V MAX Jig Saw has a contoured over-molded handle for comfort and agility. The product comes with a 3-year warranty and is priced at $51.99(only tool), $64.97(Tool and Jigsaw blades), and $110.64(Tool and reciprocating saw).
PRICE: $30.48 (Jigsaw only)
Here we have a high-performing jigsaw with 4.5 amp power in the motor, capable of completing tough tasks. The prime focus remains on cutting accuracy since BLACK+DECKER Jigsaw comes equipped with an improved wire guard sightline that helps with better visibility of the cut line. Moreover, an adjustable shoe maintains great cutting stability. An easy-to-hold handle paired with the lightweight form factor makes it a perfect at-home usage machine.
The jigsaw has a quick-clamp option for a tool-free blade change. A small but effective dust blower never allows users to take their eyes off the cutting line. A tilting base plate allows cutting at up to 45 degrees. Get this item in your toolbox if you like spending time creating amazing wooden items.
PRICE: $315
This is by far the most precise jigsaw and best dust extraction machine. It's only last on the list because it's more expensive. If money is no issue the Festool is a great way to go. It has one of the most compact jigsaw designs out there with a perfectly placed blade perpendicular to the shoe and holding its position firmly even in thick stock. No doubt, this alone makes it one of the best jigsaws you should consider buying.
Dust extraction channels present in the base plate of the Festool jigsaw ensure a cleaner work area and the zero-clearance splinter guard assists with a splinter-free, clean cut. With most Jigsaws, the first touch contributes to a start-up jolt that you can’t do anything about. Not in this one, though, it has a smooth soft start. The Fast Fix mechanism ensures quick blade change and contributes to a cleaner cut on the substrate.
Things to Consider Before Buying Jigsaws
Working Mechanism
We all know how a traditional saw works in a reciprocating movement. The traditional jigsaw replicates this motion using an electric motor and a gear reducer. A pendulum stroke may add more complexity to the jigsaw since it will start moving forward or backward when using it upwards or downwards, respectively. This additional stroke is facilitated by a unique pin pushing the saw forward with the swing. This separates the best jigsaws from the rest of the crowd.
Apart from that, modern jigsaws (top 7 listed below) also allow users to control the pendulum motion rate. Using the jigsaw at full throttle, you may have a blistering cutting speed, but it won’t be a smooth and accurate ending.
Power
Power decides how powerful a jigsaw can be in front of different materials with varying thicknesses. Domestic jigsaws have simple applications and range anywhere from 350 watts to 700 watts, whereas professional jigsaws have to penetrate through thick material and have a power of up to 1500 watts. We recommend that a 700watts jigsaw can be perfect for most domestic applications.
Stroke Rate
Another important factor that most professionals look for is stroke rate control. Old models do not come with an option to change their stroke rate. New-age jigsaws have an impeccable stroke rate of around 3500 strokes per minute. While checking on the spot helps you better cut through a material, the general stroke rate rules state that:
Wood sawing requires a high stroke rate
Plastic and aluminum can be easily cut through with an average stroke rate
You can easily penetrate through steel using a low stroke rate
Ceramics require an extremely low blade rate
Rundown on the 7 Best Jigsaws for 2023
Conclusion: Jigsaws Makes Woodworking A Breeze
Having a portable yet powerful jigsaw in your shop is one of the best investments you will ever make and these are some of the best jigsaws in the market today. The portability allows you to use it for almost any project in and out of your shop. This makes woodworking projects a little easier to finish with ease. The list above hopefully helps you make the decision on the type of jigsaw you need.
Disclaimer on Affiliate Links: Some of the tools mentioned in this article are affiliate links, but please know I only recommend tools I truly believe in and trust. There's absolutely no additional cost to you.