The 9 best cordless jigsaws for 2021 and a detailed buyer’s guide

A cordless jigsaw is an excellent addition to any workshop, giving you the freedom and flexibility to cut materials without searching out power points and connecting long extension cords.

In this article, I test and review the best cordless jigsaws on the market, looking at how they perform on different materials. I’ll describe the pros and cons of each so that you can select the one that best suits your needs.

In the detailed buyer’s guide, I’ll take you through all the things you need to look for when choosing the best cordless jigsaw. Armed with this information, you will feel confident to evaluate different jigsaws and decide which one has the best combination of features to suit you.

Pro Tip: if you are a lover of cordless tools, then think about buying them all from the same manufacturer so that the rechargeable batteries are interchangeable between devices.

TLDR:

1. Most Versatile Cordless Jigsaw: Dewalt 20v Max Jigsaw, Tool Only (Dcs331b)
2. Best Budget Cordless Jigsaw: Black+Decker 20v Max Jigsaw With Battery And Charger (Bdcjs20c)
3. Best-Featured Budget Cordless Jigsaw: Wesco 20v Cordless Jigsaw Tool (Ws2305u)
4. Best Mid-Price Cordless Jigsaw: Popoman 20v Jigsaw With Led Light (Mtw500b)
5. Best Lightweight Cordless Jigsaw: Makita Vj04r1 12v Max Cxt Lithium-Ion Cordless Jigsaw Kit
6. Overall Best Cordless Jigsaw: Makita Xvj01z 18v Lxt Brushless Barrel Grip Jigsaw
7. Best Upper Midrange Cordless Jigsaw: Milwaukee M18 Fuel D-Handle Jigsaw
8. Best Designed Cordless Jigsaw: Dewalt 20v Max Jigsaw, Barrel Grip, Tool Only (Dcs335b)
9. Best Combination Cordless Jigsaw/Reciprocating Saw: Worx Wx550l Axis Convertible Jigsaw To Reciprocating Saw

Let’s dive in.

1. Most Versatile Cordless Jigsaw: Dewalt 20v Max Jigsaw, Tool Only (Dcs331b)

Features

• Weight: 6 pounds
• Dimensions: 11.25 x 11 x 3.9 inches
• Motor: 20 volts
• Accessories: Optional
• Batteries/Charger: Optional
• Cutting Speed: 0 – 3,000 SPM
• Dust Control: Yes
• Grip Positions: 1

This Dewalt jigsaw has a series of well thought out features that make it a delight to use. One of the best ideas is the keyless shoe bevel which allows you to easily angle the blade at increments of 15 degrees for quick and convenient angle cutting.

The dust blower is another nice touch, ensuring that any dust that escapes the dust tray gets blown away from the work surface.

As with all cordless tools, battery life can be an issue. Although the Dewalt can get a lot done on a single battery charge, make sure you keep a spare battery fully charged.

At 5.6 pounds, this jigsaw may seem a little heavy but it has a comfortable grip position and sits nicely on the cutting surface.

Dewalt offers this tool in a variety of packages including, variously, blade sets, batteries and chargers. This is an excellent idea that more manufacturers should follow since you can pick and choose exactly what you need and avoid paying for accessories that you may already have.

PROS

• This jigsaw accepts both U and T-Shank blades.
• The variable speed trigger lets you control the cutting speed with ease.
• The toolless blade change and shoe bevel make adjusting the jigsaw quick and straightforward.

CONS

• This jigsaw doesn’t have an LED, which makes it a little harder to see the cutting area.

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2. Best Budget Cordless Jigsaw: Black+Decker 20v Max Jigsaw With Battery And Charger (Bdcjs20c)

Features

• Weight: 5 pounds
• Dimensions: 11 x 3.5 x 9 inches
• Motor: 20 volts
• Accessories: 1 Blade
• Batteries/Charger: Included
• Cutting Speed: 2,500 SPM
• Dust Control: Yes
• Grip Positions: 1

This Black & Decker jigsaw is an excellent budget choice, offering a powerful 20 V motor that comes with batteries and a charger at a very affordable price.

This jigsaw has an excellent molded grip that lets you use it one or two-handed, efficiently controlling the speed with the variable speed trigger. The wire guard offers a clear line of sight, and precision curved cuts didn’t present any problem.

The dust blower does an excellent job of keeping the work surface clear, and this helps when making precise cuts and following curved lines.

While this jigsaw doesn’t offer you quite as much control of cutting angle as some of the more expensive machines, you can still easily adjust the bevel shoe to make 45° angled cuts in both directions.

PROS

• An entry-level cordless jigsaw with a great range of features.
• A light, compact, and easy to control machine.
• The dust blower makes it easy to see what you’re doing.

CONS

• This jigsaw has a relatively short battery life, so make sure to purchase spares.

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3. Best-Featured Budget Cordless Jigsaw: Wesco 20v Cordless Jigsaw Tool (Ws2305u)

Features

• Weight: 83 pounds
• Dimensions: 12.09 x 9.02 x 4.33 inches
• Motor: 20 volts
• Accessories: 10 cutting blades
• Batteries/Charger: Batteries Included
• Cutting Speed: 0 – 2,500 SPM
• Dust Control: Yes
• Grip Positions: 1

The Wesco WS2305U is an impressive budget jigsaw providing you with a selection of cutting blades, batteries, and a charger, which is all you need to get to work. It’s great that this jigsaw ships with ten blades in five types, allowing you to cut materials like laminates, wood, and nonferrous metals.

You can change the jigsaw settings for straight cuts or use one of three different orbital settings, each allowing you to cut various materials with ease.

The battery life is very good, giving you hours of continuous use.

PROS

• The simple base plate adjustment system allows you to cut at custom miters ranging from 0 to 90°.
• The special pendulum action control allows you to adjust the forward cutting angle of your blade to maximize efficiency.
• As well as straight cutting, this tool offers you three orbital settings making it versatile when cutting a wide variety of materials.

CONS

• While Wesco isn’t a particularly well-known brand name, this tool enjoys excellent user reviews and offers plenty of handy features at a great price.

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4. Best Mid-Price Cordless Jigsaw: Popoman 20v Jigsaw With Led Light (Mtw500b)

Features

• Weight: 94 pounds
• Dimensions: 14.76 x 8.86 x 3.62 inches
• Motor: 20 volts
• Accessories: 1 Wood Blade, 1 Metal Blade
• Batteries/Charger: Battery included
• Cutting Speed: 0 – 2,200 SPM
• Dust Control: Yes
• Grip Positions: 1

This Popoman tool is one of the best priced cordless jigsaws in this review, but it’s packed with useful features like a simple tool-free blade changing system that lets you switch in and out in just a few seconds. The bevel angle adjustment is well-designed to allowing you to adjust the angle of the jigsaw and lock it firmly into place.

Although this jigsaw weighs in at around 6 pounds, it doesn’t feel heavy at all with a comfortable grip and easy-to-operate variable cutting speed switch.

The ability to switch between straight-line cutting and different orbital actions makes this a very versatile tool. You can cut nonferrous metal up to 4 mm thick and wood up to 40 mm thick. The small orbit position is for aluminum, mild steel, and hardwood. The medium orbit handles wood, plywood, and fast cutting in metals. Then the large orbit action is ideal for fast cutting in wood and plywood.

PROS

• The stepless speed switch is easy to operate to control cutting speed as required.
• A simple to adjust (with a hex key) bevel system allows cutting at 15°, 30°, and 45°.
• The fast-change battery charge time is just one hour.

CONS

• Some buyers have reported line-of-sight issues since the cutting blade is recessed.

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5. Best Lightweight Cordless Jigsaw: Makita Vj04r1 12v Max Cxt Lithium-Ion Cordless Jigsaw Kit

Features

• Weight: 8 pounds
• Dimensions: 5.1 x 16.8 x 13.1 inches
• Motor: 12 volts
• Accessories: 1 Blade and Tool Case
• Batteries/Charger: Included
• Cutting Speed: 0 – 2,900 SPM
• Dust Control: Yes
• Grip Positions: 1

This Makita Jigsaw is the lightest and most compact product tested, so it’s a breeze to use. The first thing that struck me was the motor, which at just 12 volts is the least powerful in the review. I expected diminished performance but was pleasantly surprised. For a start, the adjustable cutting speed control gives you complete control over what you’re doing. The tool has three orbital settings as well as straight cutting. These let you cut straight through the hard stuff and loosen up the action a little to blast through softer materials.

You’ll need a wrench to change blades, which is a bit of a hassle compared to the tool-free changing systems on other jigsaws. However, the wrench is stored onboard so at least you don’t need to go looking for it.

I took advantage of the dust port vacuum connection, which did a great job removing dust and keeping the work surface clean.

This Makita comes in a comprehensive package that includes two batteries and a charger. The batteries have a helpful LED monitor to show how much charge is remaining. Then there’s one of Makita’s excellent rigid carry cases, too, just perfect for the safe storage of the tool and blades.

PROS

• A light, compact, and very well-designed jigsaw.
• Comes with a carry case, spare battery, and charger.
• This tool enjoys overwhelming customer satisfaction.

CONS

• A less powerful 12V motor is the price you pay for a compact and light machine. But happy reviewers stress that the jigsaw is plenty powerful for most materials.

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6. Best Cordless Jigsaw: Makita Xvj01z 18v Lxt Brushless Barrel Grip Jigsaw

Features

• Weight: 5 pounds
• Dimensions: 87 x 13.19 x 3.94 inches
• Motor: 18 Volts Brushless motor
• Accessories: 1 Blade
• Batteries/Charger: Not Included
• Cutting Speed: 800 – 3,500 SPM
• Dust Control: Yes
• Grip Positions: 2

Probably the first thing you’ll notice about this Nikita Corliss jigsaw is the price since it’s the most high-range tool in this review. So what do you get for your money? Well, a lot is the answer. For a start, there is a brushless motor that cuts way down on noise and vibration. I found that this made the jigsaw extremely comfortable to operate.

Another good thing about brushless motors is that since they don’t have carbon brushes, they are less energy-hungry than non-brushless motors. So batteries last on average 50% longer with this brushless motor, saving you the inconvenience of frequent changes.

The jigsaw is light too, meaning it’s easy to operate in a barrel-style grip that gets you closer to the cutting surface, and you can add a second hand in a palm grip for extra control.

Everything about the tool is rugged and built to last, like the sturdy base plate made from heavy grade aluminum and steel plate.

This Makita has three orbital settings giving you the freedom and control to cut quickly and less accurately, or more slowly and precisely.

This was the best jigsaw I tested, winning out for control, helpful design features, and length of battery life. My findings are backed up by customer reviews which award this jigsaw a very impressive unprecedented 4.8 out of 5.

PROS

• A six-speed control system lets you choose cutting speeds between 800 and 3,500 SPM.
• The toolless blade changing system is quick and straightforward.
• The dual LED lights do a great job of illuminating the work surface.

CONS

• There’s no getting around the fact that this tool will put a hole in your pocket. But if you like to work with absolute top quality equipment then it’s a price worth paying.

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7. Best Midrange Cordless Jigsaw: Milwaukee M18 Fuel D-Handle Jig Saw

Features

• Weight: 75 pounds
• Dimensions: Not specified
• Motor: volts
• Accessories: N/A
• Batteries/Charger: Not Included
• Cutting Speed: 0 – 3,500 SPM
• Dust Control: Yes
• Grip Positions: 2

Here is another cordless jigsaw that uses an 18 volt brushless motor for smooth running and long battery life. The bright red design looks rugged and tough right out of the box. This jigsaw has a faster cutting speed than most reviewed, running smoothly at up to 3,500 SPM. The tool uses Milwaukee’s special Redlink Plus intelligence system to optimize performance and protect from overload. This is probably why this jigsaw felt like one of the most powerful tools in the test, cutting quickly through 1”-thick wood without any trouble.

The Milwaukee has excellent battery performance. They claim that the jigsaw can cut up to 105 linear feet of 1 inch laminated particleboard per charge. I wasn’t able to prove this claim but the battery got through my limited testing without needing a recharge.

The toolless shoe bevel allows you to quickly adjust the blade angle with detents at every 15° locking the angle in firmly.

PROS

• The easy-to-use variable speed control allows you to run the jigsaw at anywhere between zero and 3500 SPM.
• This jigsaw uses a unique ‘redlithium’ battery that offers more work per charge and more work over pack life than any of its competitors.
• The LED lights and optional dust blower ensure an uninterrupted line of sight of the cutting area.

CONS

• This jigsaw is priced in the upper midrange and for the money you would expect batteries and charger to be included.

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8. Best Designed Cordless Jigsaw: Dewalt 20v Max Jig Saw, Barrel Grip, Tool Only (Dcs335b)

Features

• Weight: 5 pounds
• Dimensions: 11.38 x 3.75 x 8.19 inches
• Motor: 20 volts
• Accessories: N/A
• Batteries/Charger: Not Included
• Cutting Speed: 0 – 3,200 SPM
• Dust Control: Yes
• Grip Positions: 2

The first thing you’ll notice when you use this excellent midrange Dewalt cordless jigsaw is how close the barrel grip is to the cutting blade, making it really easy to control especially when making curved or precision cuts. The built-in dust blower does a great job of clearing the work surface, giving you an excellent line of sight, and the bright LED light helps further.

The ergonomics of this tool are excellent and it’s light, maneuverable, and very well balanced. Also, it has a Powerful 20 V brushless motor that runs smoothly and efficiently.

You can choose whether to cut straight or use one of three different orbital actions that give an extra kick to the blade on hard materials or when you need to cut through the soft stuff quickly. You can also easily manage the cutting speed using a dial that runs from 0 to 3,200 SPM.

As I’m sure you know, blade changing is one of the great annoyances of using jigsaws. But this Dewalt has you covered with a super quick blade-changing system that uses tight clamps.

PROS

• The unique grip is different from most jigsaws and may disturb traditionalists, but I found that it gave me precise control and was very comfortable to use.
• It seems like a simple thing but the removable shoe cover does a great job of protecting the jigsaw when not in use.
• The 20 V brushless motor is smooth and very powerful.

CONS

• The on-off switch was a little tricky to control during use.

https://amzn.to/3CihvD6

9. Best Combination Cordless Jigsaw/Reciprocating Saw: Worx Wx550l Axis Convertible Jigsaw To Reciprocating Saw

Features

• Weight: 6 pounds
• Dimensions: 9 x 5 x 6.5 inches
• Motor: 20 volts
• Accessories: Blades Included
• Batteries/Charger: Included
• Cutting Speed: 3,000 SPM
• Dust Control: No
• Grip Positions: 1

I’m a sucker for combination tools. When they’re designed well, they give you two or more tools in one machine, saving money and letting you do different kinds of work without switching devices. This Work combination cordless jigsaw and reciprocating saw is an excellent example of a combination tool done well. I’d particularly recommended it for home workshops where you need to get the most from your power tool budget.

So what do you get? This tool is a lightweight and fully-featured saw that you can switch between reciprocating and jigsaw setup using a sturdy push-button control. This saw is extremely lightweight; at just over 4 pounds, you hardly even know you’re holding it. Nevertheless, there’s a powerful 20 V motor that drives the cutting blade at up to 3000 SPM.

PROS

• Two tools for the price of one, what’s not to like?
• The tool is lightweight and easy to operate.
• The battery and charger are included with the purchase price, making this an excellent value-for-money package.

CONS

• It’s a good idea to get a four amp hour battery to make sure you can work for a long time without changing batteries.

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What’s Included With Your Purchase?

A cordless jigsaw is a versatile tool, and if you buy one that ships with several types of blades included then that saves you the time, effort, and cost of buying them separately.

Batteries are also crucial with cordless tools. Check whether rechargeable batteries and a charger are included with a particular jigsaw. If not, you’ll need to order those separately, too, adding cost and inconvenience.

Other added extras that are nice to have include bags or carry cases that help you care for the jigsaw, increasing its working life.

Blade Type

Jigsaws typically use one of two kinds of blades. The U-shank blade is an older blade type that isn’t found so often in modern jigsaws. It’s a perfectly good blade system, but it isn’t as convenient to change out as a T-shank blade, which you can change without using tools.

Just be aware of the two blade types and determine whether a particular cordless jigsaw fits one or the other, or both.

Dust Collection

Dust isn’t just inconvenient; it’s downright unhealthy. You’ll probably need a mask and goggles anyway, but if your cordless jigsaw doesn’t have adequate dust collection or removal, then you’ll have to spend more time cleaning up afterward. And more importantly, it’s going to be harder for you to see the cutting surface well enough to make accurate cuts.

Most cordless jigsaws help you remove dust using a dust-blowing system, which clears the workspace or by offering an attachment for a vacuum hose to remove dust entirely.

LED Lights

While LED lights can feel a bit gimmicky on some power tools they are a godsend in a jigsaw. Tools with one or more well positioned LED lines do a great job of illuminating the cutting surface allowing you to cut with control and precision.

Cutting Speed

Generally speaking, the faster the blade speed, the quicker your cordless jigsaw can cut material. We all want to get the job done in good time, so a jigsaw with a high cutting speed is definitely a good thing.

Adjustable Speeds

You won’t always need to use your cordless jigsaw at the top cutting speed. If you’re cutting curves or doing high-precision work, it sometimes better to dial down the speed and focus on getting a perfect cut.

Many cordless jigsaws have adjustable speed settings that give you the control you need for precise detail work and high-speed straight-line cutting.

Orbital Settings

Many jigsaws offer one or more orbital settings as well as straight cutting. These settings vibrate the tool allowing the blade to cut through materials more efficiently. Obviously the vibration moves the blade around more so you pay a price in the accuracy of the cut but you are compensated by easier and faster cutting.

Voltage

Since you’re going cordless, you need to measure the power of your jigsaw in volts. Note that the power is quite distinct from cutting speed since a jigsaw’s power also represents its ability to cut through harder materials.

In general, you should be looking for a cordless jigsaw in the range of 18 to 20 volts. But it’s important to consider what materials you’ll be cutting with your saw. If you do most of your work on materials like soft wood, then you probably don’t need the most powerful saw.

Motor Type

The more expensive jigsaws have brushless motors that run more smoothly and efficiently than motors with carbon brushes. If you can afford it, a brushless motor will make your jigsaw much easier to operate and use with precision. Often brushless motors have longer battery life too, so they give you a double win.

Quick Blade Changing

You’ll need to change jigsaw blades as you move between different materials. You’re looking for a quick and straightforward tool-free blade exchange system. Most modern jigsaws have this covered, but it’s always a good idea to check user reviews to make sure your jigsaw’s blades switch in and out easily.

Grip, Weight, and Form Function

You want to work in comfort, and there are a few things to look for to make sure you buy a tool that’s easy to work with. Weight is important, especially with a cordless drill, because batteries can be heavy. You will already know your own preferences but generally speaking, a jigsaw that’s less than 6 kg is pretty easy to use for long spells. Remember that you won’t be carrying the tool’s weight all the time since you’re guiding it along, not above, the work surface.

It’s not all about the weight, though; good form function is important too. This simply means that the tool needs to be well designed for everyday use. The grip position is a big part of this. It’s good to have more than one way to hold and control a jigsaw since it gives you flexibility. You can usually work more accurately when the distance between the tools grid and the blade is smaller.

Design and form function is particularly important if you’re left-handed, and you should make sure that all of the switches and controls on your jigsaw are ambidextrous.

Battery Life

Going cordless gives you extra control, but short battery life can be the Achilles’ heel of cordless power tools. Check the capacity of the jigsaw’s batteries and their average use time before needing a charge. Also, consider how long it takes to recharge batteries.

I hate waiting, so with cordless tools, I usually buy one or even two spare sets of batteries and keep them fully charged. Consider how long you expect to use your cordless jigsaw and make sure the tool and batteries you buy can cope with your requirements.

Pulling it all together

If you can afford it and you appreciate quality tools, then buy the Makita XVJ01Z. If you’re on a budget then the Black & Decker BDCJS20C gives you plenty of bang for your buck. Jigsaws with brushless motors cost more, but they outperform the competition in ease-of-use and battery life, so buy one if you can. But all the tools reviewed did an excellent job for the price, and they all enjoy very positive customer feedback.