The 10 Best Jigsaws Reviews and Buying Guide – 2021

In this buying guide and reviews, we compare 10 of the best jigsaws currently available on the market to help you find the right option for your needs and budget. Whether you are looking for a corded and wireless model or an inexpensive puzzle, there is an option for you.

You can cut materials like wood, plastic, metals like aluminum or mild steel and it all depends on the type of blade you use. The saws listed below are very selective and can be used by homeowners, professional contractors, or hobbyists. We have selected these jigsaws based on all the important characteristics such as power, variable speed, bevel cuts, stroke length, with or without wire.

Top Best Jigsaws list 2021

A Comparison of our Favorite Jigsaws

Buyer’s Guide

When purchasing a jigsaw, there are a couple of things to keep in mind. Not all saws are the same, and they can differ quite a bit. More expensive does not always necessarily mean better.

Learning about the various features of jigsaws can help you figure out the best one for you. Here’s what you should know:

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How many amps does a Jigsaw use – Power?

Not all jigsaws are made with the same amount of power. The more power a jigsaw’s motor can produce, the more cutting power it will have. Typically, low powered saws will have a 5-amps or less motor, while higher-quality saws will be closer to 6-amps. What you need depends mostly on the project you’re going to be doing and how often you’re going to be using the saw. If you’re a professional, you’re likely going to need something with a little more oomph. But the average homeowner can likely get away with a bargain saw if they aren’t planning on using it much.

What is Orbital or Pendulum Action?

The best saws will have a slightly elliptical cutting action. Instead of simply moving up and down, the saw will move slightly forward on the upswing and then slightly backward on the downswing. While this specific movement might not seem like a huge deal, it can prevent excess wear-and-tear on the blade. It can also reduce the chattering sound that is sometimes common on cheaper blades.  This specific movement type also makes the cut more fluid and smoother.

Jigsaw Speed Settings

Most jigsaws have a speed setting, but how many settings they have can vary quite a bit. Furthermore, not all saws vary their speed that much, even if they do have different speed options. Having lots of different speeds is particularly useful if you work with many different materials. Most metals require slower speeds, for example. While different speed options might not be used a ton, they can be well worth the extra cost for some.

Corded vs Cordless Jigsaw

Cordless jigsaws are pretty new, but they have become popular very quickly. There is just something freeing and more practical about not having to lug a cord around. But many cordless jigsaws are less powerful than their corded counterparts. And, they can also be quite heavy thanks to the weight of an extra battery. Recent improvements to batteries have decreased the differences, but they are still very obvious in most models. A corded jig saw is almost always better. They’re more powerful and better equipped to handle most cutting problems.

How Important is Laser Guide Feature in a Jigsaw?

Many jigsaws now come with a laser guide to help you better visualize exactly where you’re going to be cutting. This feature can be particularly helpful for intricate work where accuracy is key. Unlike many features, this one is specifically tied to the price of the saw. You’ll be able to find many inexpensive saws with a laser guide, as well as exceedingly expensive saws without them. It isn’t absolutely necessary to choose a saw with this feature, but it can be helpful to have.

Tool-Free Blade Changing in a Jigsaw

Older and lower-quality jigsaws usually require the use of a hex wrench or other tool in order to mount a different blade. This is time-consuming and can really bite into your productivity if you change blades often. Luckily, most modern saws have a tool-less blade changing system. We particularly find this feature important. Continually changing out different blades can get very tiring very quickly.

Do we need Dust Blower in a Jigsaw:

Some jigsaws are designed to blow air over the work piece just above the blade. This prevents the cutting line from becoming covered with dust and debris. The point of this feature is to allow you to see the cutting line easier. However, we find this feature mildly helpful in some cases. It isn’t a required feature at all. And, there isn’t a point of choosing a more expensive saw just because it has a dust blower.

Buyer’s Guide Questions

How to use a Jigsaw?

A jigsaw is one of the easiest tools to use, making it perfect for even the most inexperienced DIYer. Luckily, it’s also one of the most versatile. With the right blade, a jigsaw is capable of cutting through various materials such as plywood, lumber, metal, and tile. And the added benefit of curve cutting capabilities makes it one of the best jigsaw options out there for cutting shapes in a wide variety of materials.

Whether you need to cut out a design in a woodworking project, make an opening in a countertop to install that farmhouse sink you purchased, or cut thin metal or tiles, the jigsaw is the perfect, compact tool for the job. If you’re looking to cut longer pieces of wood, we recommend a saw that slides for greater accuracy.

With just a little instruction, even a novice can safely operate a jigsaw and produce professional results. Once you master this dynamic saw, you can make perfect straight, bevel, and curved cuts in wood and other materials, allowing you to tackle a limitless number of projects.

How a Jigsaw Works?

Jigsaws are versatile, hand-held power tools that cut by making swift up-and-down movements. Jigsaws are capable of being used in a variety of projects, but the secret to professional results is to choose a blade that is specifically designed to tackle the material you’re planning to cut. With blades made for wood, plastic, metal, and tile, the utility of this tool is amazing. and they come in different variable speed control motors so you can control have fast you want your jigsaw to cut your material.

• Strokes Per Minute ( SPM )

Cutting Wood

With its smooth up-and-down sawing motion and the benefits of curve and plunge cutting, the jigsaw is one of the most widely-used tools in woodworking. In order to cut clean, smooth curves in wood, first press the shoe of the saw down firmly onto the workpiece, keeping the blade an inch or so away from the wood’s edge. Slowly pull the trigger to activate the motor and then simply trace the curve, guiding your blade along the outside of your cut line.

Never force your tool; you want the blade to do the work—not you. Advance the saw at a pace that will let the blade cut without bouncing back or straining the motor. On very tight curves, the blade has a tendency to bind. In order to prevent this, simply use some relief cuts (cuts that are made to remove large scraps from the workpiece) to remove excess waste and allow better mobility. You can also make a plunge cut into the wood. Plunge cuts allow you make an entry cut into the middle of the wood.

To perform a plunge cut, simply tip the jigsaw so that your blade is parallel to the workpiece. Pull the trigger to achieve maximum speed and then tilt the saw’s shoe slowly, lowering the blade and allowing it to stab into the wood.  If concerned about damaging the wood, you can also use a drill to make a small ½ starter hole that will allow you to work from

While jigsaws are perfect cutting curves and shapes into wood, you can also use in a variety of other applications. Jigsaws can make quick crosscuts of lumber and even clean up inside corner cuts for a more finished product.

Woodcutting jigsaws use blades that come with a few options. You can choose between course or fine blades. Fine blades will cut slowly but will produce cleaner, smoother finished work. A course blade is capable of cutting faster but will give you slightly rougher edges that will require more sanding.

Tackling Metal

While a jigsaw is one of the most popular tools in woodworking projects, it can also be used in a variety of metal-cutting applications. Features found in some jigsaws such as high saw power, long blade stroke, variable speeds, orbital cutting, vacuum hose connection, and dust blowers action make these versatile tools ideal for cutting sheet metal, mild steel, thin pipe, aluminum, and even pesky embedded nails (click here for nail gun reviews).

The most important thing to remember if you have a metal project is that these tools need a fine, metal cutting blade rather than one designed for use with wood. Without the right blade, you risk damaging the blade and the workpiece. For cutting through sheet metal, you should choose a finer blade with around 21 to 24 TPI (teeth per inch).

In order to prevent damaging the sheet metal or creating burrs, simply place the sheet between two thin layers of plywood. Then simply drill a pilot hole, rather than trying to make a plunge cut through metal, outside of your curved cut line and get to work.

For thin applications, you can choose a higher speed setting but for thicker materials like a pipe, you should remember to set your saw to a lower setting for more control and precision.

And if you are planning on cutting through thick materials, make sure you have quite a few extra blades because the blade will wear out quick and you’ll be making good use of your tool’s quick blade-release feature.

Tile Work

You can also use your jigsaw to perform light tile work instead of having to use a dedicated tile-cutting wet saw. Jigsaws are much easier and faster at cutting curves, cut-outs, and shapes than nippers or rod saws and usually results in a lot less breakage.

Simply purchase a few toothless, carbide-grit blades that are designed specifically for tile cutting. First, apply masking tape on the shoe of the saw to prevent marring. Then, you just clamp the tile down and press the saw down firmly onto the tile to minimize vibrations and prevent unnecessary breakage.

Keep in mind that due to the heat involved in cutting tile, you need to mimic the functions of a wet saw. For thin tile, simply apply water frequently to the tile as you proceed. For thicker tiles, you should lubricate the saw blade with cutting oil.

What’s the Best Corded Jigsaw?

While there are plenty of jigsaws available, you might consider spending a little bit extra on the best jigsaw available. Why? Because paying a little bit more up-front will help you buy one that will last longer than some cheaper jigsaws on the market. But which corded saw is the top of its class for 2020? We’ve reviewed tons of jigsaws and are confident that you’ll be as impressed with the Bosch JS470E 120V Top-Handle Jigsaw as we were.

It stands toe-to-toe with the top power tools in its price range while delivering more power than the competition. Let’s discuss why we are so sold on this product. About the Bosch JS470E 120V Top-Handle Jigsaw.You can tell that the Bosch JS470E is well-designed as soon as you pick it up. Sturdy and comfortable, it is constructed with a large die-cast aluminum footplate with a steel insert, an aluminum gearbox with insulated cover, and ergonomic soft-grip handles.

This is a powerful tool that is perfect for everyday use in even the toughest industrial environment. But a great design doesn’t mean much if the tool doesn’t perform well, so let’s see what’s under the hood. The JS470E is perfect for anyone whether they are a DIYer, a finish carpenter, metal worker, or even a kitchen and bath installer. With a best-in-class 7 amp motor capable of putting out a no-load speed between 5oo-3,100 SPM, it is ideal for making quick, clean cuts through any workpiece.

Thanks to four orbital-action settings, you can choose between a variety of blade strokes for smooth or aggressive cuts depending on your intended application. A variable-speed control with a dial for max speed and an accelerator trigger, make sure that you have more than enough speed for any project. This power tool also features a terrific range of useful features. A multi-directional blade clamp gives the saw superior blade gripping strength.

The easy blade-change system and blade-ejection lever lets you quickly replace blades while eliminating the need to touch discarded hot blades. A built-in dust blower ensures that no debris or sawdust blocks your cutting line and a lock-on button provides added steadiness for long cuts. The Bosch JS470E provides superior cut precision.

With a Constant Response internal precision control, a precision-machined plunging system, and low-vibration, it’s guaranteed to provide amazing accuracy and smooth operation. Priced at around $150, the JS470E is one of the best jigsaw purchases that you can make. It provides exceptional, best-in-class power and precision.

It is designed with the stability and durability to ensure it will withstand years of heavy use. And with a large collection of built-in features, it is simply one of the most versatile and impressive corded jigsaws on the market today.

What’s the Best Cordless Jigsaw?

You’re on the market for a new jigsaw but might be wondering if a cordless one is as efficient as the electric jigsaws that are on the shelves. In the past, you might have been right in thinking that battery-operated tools simply weren’t as good as their corded siblings. But the good news is that these highly portable power tools have come a long way since then. In fact, many tools that are powered by rechargeable batteries now receive higher reviews than their electricity-powered rivals.

If you are interested in purchasing the best cordless jigsaw, we highly recommend buying the DEWALT DCS331M1 20V Max Jigsaw Kit. Commonly rated as one of the best jigsaws on the market, this power tool doesn’t just beat out its battery-operated peers but many of its corded competitors as well. DEWALT is renowned for engineering durable, high-quality power tools and the DCS331M1 is no exception. About the DEWALT DCS331M1 20V Max Jigsaw Kit.

Clad in DEWALT’s famous yellow and black color scheme, this power tool is a true beast and is powerful enough to tackle virtually any job. And thanks to its solid, all-metal construction, this impressive battery-operated power tool is built to last. Combine this durability with an ergonomic, anti-slip comfort grip that prevents fatigue and increases control and you have an amazing hand-held tool that you’ll be using for years.

Powered by a 2.5 Amp 20V lithium ion battery, this power tool offers a variable speed control from 500 to 3,000 SPM. This means you have more control and can make fast cuts with perfect precision. A 4-position orbital action setting lets you make clean cuts with the ability to choose the perfect cutting action for the material you’re working on. This power tool comes loaded with useful features that only succeed in increasing its efficiency and versatility.

The DCS331M1 comes with an all-metal, lever-action, keyless blade change feature that allows for quick and easy blade changes. It also features an all-metal, keyless shoe bevel with detents at 0, 15, 30, and 45 degrees so you can adjust for bevel cuts in a matter of seconds. Plus, a built-in dust blower feature ensures the accuracy of your work by keeping your sight line free of dust and debris.

With the ability to change blades, you can easily swap out your standard wood blade for any number of specialized blades expanding the versatility of this tool by allowing it to cut through tile, metal, countertop, and plastic.  This means that you can use this tool for almost any project. Plus, DEWALT is so confident that they are offering one of the most reliable, high performance jigsaws on the market today that they are backing it with a 3 year limited warranty.

The DEWALT DCS331M1 is simply one of the best cordless jigsaws of 2020. With solid design, impressive power, and terrific features, this is a powerful tool that you’ll never regret purchasing. Capable of cutting through a variety of materials with accuracy, speed, and precision, you’ll be using this saw for years to come.

Can a Jigsaw Cut Through Metal?

While a jigsaw is one of the most popular woodworking tools available, it doesn’t stop there. In fact, these versatile specialty saws can cut through a wide variety of materials, including metal. They are ideal for cutting mild steel, sheet metal, non-iron pipes, aluminum, and even nail-embedded wood. All you need is the right blade for the job and you’ll be getting smooth, clean cuts in no time. To use one of these tools for metalworking projects you should first make sure that the one you purchased has a few key features.

You want it to offer high saw power, variable speed, a long blade stroke and orbital cutting options. These features will allow it to produce clean, burr-free cuts. Once you are confident in your saw’s ability, it’s onto the blade. For the blade, you need to remember that all blades are not created equal. A wood cutting blade is specifically designed to slice through that specific material easily.  Trying to use one of these blades on metal will only damage the blade, slow the cutting process, and potentially ruin the material you are working on.

Instead, you simply swap out that wood cutting blade with a fine, metal cutting blade. These blades with have smaller, finer teeth than their wood-eating counterparts, making them perfect for cutting through metal quickly and cleanly. Now that you have the correct blade, it’s time to get to work. With a variable speed setting, you can pull the trigger and adjust to the ideal cutting velocity. If you’re tackling thin materials like sheet metal, the best results will be achieved by using a high speed.

Just keep in mind that in order to avoid tearing the metal, you should clamp it down and try to sandwich it between two thin sheets of plywood. This will allow you to make precise, burr-free cuts. For thicker materials like pipe and thick steel, you simply lower the speed of your blade. This will give you more control and precision and will prevent the blade from bouncing off the workpiece.

A word of advice if you are attempting to cut thick pieces of metal: have extra blades on hand because cutting solid, heavy metal tends to wear blades out a lot faster than thin sheets. With a quality jigsaw and a few metal cutting blades, you can easily expand the versatility of this great power tool, allowing it to replace the use of circular saws and chops saws in numerous metalworking projects.

What Jigsaw Blade for Laminate Flooring?

You can use your jigsaw for a variety of projects including cutting laminate flooring. The jigsaw is one of the most popular power tools to use to cut laminate floors for several reasons. First, it’s light. This is important because you’ll be using it all down and you want to prevent fatigue as much as possible. Second, quality blades are cheap. Dense materials like laminate will ruin any saw blade quickly.

You’re much better off going through a few packs of blades that are specifically designed to work with laminate flooring compared to wearing down your carbide-tipped chop saw blade and having to spend close to $100 on another one. To cut through laminate you can use a multipurpose blade but it’s recommended to buy one specifically designed to cut through laminate flooring.

These blades are made of high strength materials that will reduce blade wear and are capable of making clean, fast cuts in dense laminate material. The two most common blades used for laminate flooring are made of either high carbon steel or bi-metal. Both of these alloys excel at slicing through laminate without splintering or damaging the workpiece.

Additionally, laminate blades are designed to cut on the down stroke in order to prevent chipping. Ideally, you want these blades to have between 10 to 20 TPI (teeth per inch), which will allow them to make quick work of even the most difficult flooring project.

What Jigsaw Blade to Cut Kitchen Worktop?

If you are looking to install a new kitchen sink and need to cut through your countertop, jigsaws are the perfect tools for the task. They offer superior mobility and allow you to make smooth, curved cut-outs in these sorts of projects. While there are many blades on the market, the most common blade to use for this type of application is a laminate cutting blade.

When purchasing a pack of blades, you should look for a special down-cutting laminate blade with around eight teeth per inch.  These blades are made from flexible, strong metal alloys such as high carbon steel or bi-metal, providing great strength and versatility. They are also designed to cut on the down stroke, allowing you to cut through the countertop without having to worry about chipping the surface.

What Jigsaw Blade for Plastic?

To cut through plastic with a jigsaw, all you need is the right blade. You should use a very fine, metal-cutting blade for these applications. Ones that are made of a strong alloy such as high carbon steel or bi-metal are a few dollars more expensive than the more basic blades on the market but would be perfect for the job. When cutting plastic with this power tool, there are a few things to keep in mind.

The first thing is that to prevent chips on the surface, you should try to cut through the bottom of the workpiece instead of through the top. This will help make sure that any rough edges are on the hidden side of the material and you can feel free to lightly sand those rough edges once you are finished cutting.

The second step is to use painters tape and stick it over the area that you intend to cut. Then trace the cut line on the tape and cut through that, this can help minimize the risk of damaging the plastic material. The final note is to make sure you use your tool at a low speed.

Plastic is a very soft material. Jigsaws operating at high speeds can create too much heat and potentially cause the plastic edge to melt or fuse together. By cutting at a slower speed, you minimize the heat build-up while producing clean, smooth cuts.

Conclusion

The jigsaw is one of the easiest tools to learn how to use. By mastering simple basics such as how to make a plunge cut, pressing the shoe of the tool firmly down onto your workpiece, and how to choose the right blade for any given material, it will quickly become one of the most reliable tools in your workshop.