You don't have to be a professional contractor or woodworker to benefit from having a JigSaw in your tool kit. These versatile tools are small, easy to use, and highly effective. They'll cost you less than a band saw (and take up less space), while still making home improvement and other DIY projects much easier.
You should always make sure you have one of the best JigSaws, not a cheap alternative. But a cheaper alternative from a less trusted brand is more likely to break and will wear out more quickly. Not to mention that cheap alternatives won’t cut as many kinds of materials.
Fortunately, there are plenty of good alternatives that are reasonable for almost anyone to own. We’ve gone through and selected some of the best JigSaws in this list, doing the research so you don’t have to
Table of Contents
A quick glance of JigSaws
The Best JigSaws on the Market of 2020
1. DEWALT 20V Max JigSaw (Our Top Recommended)
Dewalt is a favorite among DIY enthusiasts and professional contractors alike. There’s a reason for that reputation, high quality, consistent, and durable tools. You’ll see their name on our list several times.
This JigSaw offers keyless blade change, meaning you’ll have one less thing to keep track of. Blade change is quick and easy, and the mechanism is made of metal, not plastic. More durable metal components mean this tool will last through more blade changes.
It’s compatible with Dewalt’s rechargeable batteries, so you only need a couple of batteries for all your tools.
The 4 position orbital action means that you’ll be able to cut a wider range of materials. Not to mention that you’ll also get a longer life out of each blade as the saw automatically cuts down on return action wear and tear.
However, we did notice that the blower on this model isn’t quite as powerful as we’d expect. There is some air pressure, but often not enough to clear sawdust out of your work area.
But, in terms of power and performance, this cordless JigSaw performs just as well as the corded version. That makes it easily one of the best cordless JigSaws you can get.
- Reasonable weight.
- Compatible with Dewalt rechargeable standard battery.
- Keyless, metal component, blade change mechanism.
- Comfortable rubber grip.
- Ergonomic trigger.
- Blower feature doesn’t always clear sawdust away from your cut line.
- Doesn’t come with the battery.
2. BLACK+DECKER JigSaw (Best for the Money)
Black and Decker is another brand you'll see several times on this list. Like DeWalt, they're known for producing high-quality tools for all uses. This JigSaw is no exception.
The dust blower will keep your line of sight clear and make precise cuts significantly easier. The shoe is also designed to let you see your cut line immediately in front of the blade. Additionally, the shoe adjusts with the blade to accommodate up to 45-degree bevel cuts in both directions.
That means you'll be able to put a fine finish on the edges of your work, cut important angles with precision, all with stability and a good line of sight. That keeps you safer and means less wasted wood and repeat cuts.
Like most of the best JigSaws, it has a keyless blade change. That means you won’t need an extra tool, or to spend valuable project time on a lengthy blade change.
This saw also offers curve control. That means it’s more accurate than previous models for tricky curved cuts. Added precision means your final product will look a lot more like you planned.
One flaw we noticed was that the blade lock does lose some tension over time. That isn’t a big problem, as long as you buy T-shank blades. If you notice your blade seems a little loose, it’s time to switch to a new blade type.
- Effective sawdust blower.
- Keyless blade change.
- Beveling shoe.
- Clear lines of sight.
- 4 curve control settings.
- Blade lock loses tension over time.
- No safety trigger or trigger lock function.
3. DEWALT 20V MAX XR JigSaw
This Dewalt offering is a similar 20V JigSaw to the one we’ve already discussed. However, it has some notable differences that make it one of the best JigSaws, just like the first one on our list.
Among the differences are a LED work light and both a variable speed trigger and a variable speed dial. The light makes it significantly easier to see your workspace.
The variable speed trigger also gives you greater control over the saw’s performance. That way you can power through a tough wood knot. You’ll also be able to adjust the speed for the delicacy of the cut.
Combined with the speed dial, you’ll have a high degree of control over the saw. That makes this a good JigSaw for experienced users who want a lot of precision and control.
This saw is also slightly more compact. That means it will need less storage space in your shop or garage. It can also be a good choice for projects with a lot of tight cuts, or where you need your JigSaw in a small area.
Designed for T-shank blades, this saw makes blade changes easy.
However, the saw does pull and dance a little while cutting. You’ll need to be more careful with this saw if you’re looking for straight clean cuts.
- Bright LED work light.
- Lots of speed control.
- Optional orbital action to save on blade wear and tear.
- Brushless motor increases runtime.
- Durable design.
- Comfortable grip.
- Takes more effort to get a straight cut.
- Doesn’t come with the rechargeable battery.
4. DEWALT JigSaw 6.5-Amp (DW331K)
There are times when a cordless JigSaw simply isn’t a good option. It could be that you have a lot of material to cut through, or just that you happen to have a workshop that makes using a corded machine more convenient than a rechargeable one.
Whatever the reason, this is one of the best JigSaws you can get if you’re looking for a corded version.
The 6.5 amp design is powerful enough to handle most materials and tasks. Corded power is also significantly more reliable since you don’t have to worry about batteries losing capacity, or connectors getting damaged in the shop.
This is also a variable speed jig-saw, which means you have a lot more control over the quality of your cuts. Variable speed can also make cutting other materials, like metal and tile, much easier. You'll have power when you need it. But you can also be a little gentler to avoid cracking or damaging other more delicate materials.
It also offers 4 orbital action settings, which means you can spare your blades when you want to, and get precise curved cuts when that’s the task of the hour.
- Variable cutting speed.
- Consistent, reliable, power.
- Shoe bevels with the blade.
- Vibration-dampening grip.
- Keyless blade change.
- Blade grip loses tension over time.
- Shoe lock can be too weak to hold the shoe in place.
5. TACKLIFE Advanced 6.7 Amp 3000 SPM Jigsaw
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This is a good option is you’re looking for a saw that will help guide you on perfectly straight cuts. While the laser sight won’t make your job easier when you’re cutting along a curve, it does help make straight cuts more precise.
You’ll also get additional control with the 4 different orbital settings. Save your blade when cutting straight lines through hard materials. Or reduce unnecessary movement in your blade to make curved cuts smoother.
This saw also saves on hand fatigue. The rubber grip reduces some of the vibration carry through. More importantly, though, the trigger lock also works in the active position. That means that you can lock the trigger on without having to constantly press the grip.
You’ll know how important hand fatigue is after taking on a big home improvement project with a lot of cutting required.
This saw also takes a slightly different approach to sawdust management. Instead of blowing the sawdust away from the blade, a suction system captures it and releases it behind the saw. While it doesn’t do much to make cleanup easier, you’ll be able to see your work area much more clearly.
- Sawdust suction.
- Laser guidance for straight lines.
- 4 different orbital blade settings.
- Cuts down on hand fatigue.
- Corded power.
- The wide shoe makes curved cuts more difficult.
- Can only use LED light Or the laser, not both.
6. BLACK+DECKER JigSaw, 4.5 -Amp (BDEJS300C)
If you’re looking to save a little on your energy bill, this Black and Decker JigSaw might be a good option for you. A corded JigSaw, this saw has the cutting power of the best JigSaws, but only draws 4.5 amp to deliver that power.
That’s a combination of good design principles and cutting out some of the unnecessary frills. That way, all the power of the saw is focused on what you need it to do.
That doesn't mean that useful features, like the dust blower, have been eliminated. You'll still have a good amount of air pressure to deal with sawdust, which is critical to see your cut line.
The quick-clamp design also allows for quicker blade changes. That's important anytime you're doing a lot of cutting since you never want to push a dull blade to do what a newer, sharper blade should.
The stroke length on this saw is ¾ of an inch, which can be a bit of a limiting factor. You might need a different style of saw for thicker cuts since this is a fairly standard length for JigSaw cutting action.
The base handles beveling well. The adjustable shoe on this JigSaw also gives you a little more performance customization.
- Low power consumption.
- Sawdust blower for a clear work area.
- Adjustable base and shoe.
- Quick blade change design (toolless).
- Improved wire guard.
- Blade grip is fairly loose, blades may need to be re-seated occasionally.
- Does not have variable speed options.
7. Bosch JS260 120-Volt Top-Handle Jigsaw
This JigSaw might look more like something you’d see in a high-school shop class than in the hands of the pros, but don’t let that fool you. This is one of the best JigSaws you can get. If the retro functional design reminds you of your old shop tools, that’s because schools buy tools for durability and ability to handle high volumes of work, not for aesthetics.
This JigSaw is only compatible with t-shank blades. But, since t-shank blades are generally more stable and effective, we don’t see that as a downside. If you accidentally buy the wrong blade type, the saw won’t accept it. That will save you time and effort in the long run, and you can usually just return or exchange the blades.
The dust blower on this model is always-on. That means you don’t have to worry about accidentally switching it off mid-cut.
The heavy-gauge steel footplate also adds significant stability to this saw. That extra weight might tire your arm out a little sooner, but it will also help your hand by absorbing some of the vibration and making guiding the saw much easier.
Variable orbital settings also make it easier to go from fast and aggressive cuts to more precise and smooth cutting action.
- Weight distribution improves control.
- Rejects incompatible blades, improving safety.
- Always-on dust blower.
- Heavy base place for improved stability.
- Cuts vibration to your hand.
- The blade lock is plastic.
- Blade change mechanism can shift inside the saw, making it more difficult to use.
8. TECCPO Professional 3000 SPM JigSaw
This JigSaw is a slightly more advanced version of the Teccpo saw we’ve already discussed. They’ve made several small improvements that lead to a more durable design, as well as including several starter blades of different types.
That means you’ll get to experience the saw’s cutting power with different blade designs, 1 each for soft and hard metals, and several designed for cutting wood.
Depending on how you use the saw, that will give you a little more experience with how the blades work and will let you dial in on what kind of blade you need before you have to start buying your own.
Like the other Teccpo saw we’ve discussed, this one comes with a laser guide to make straight cuts easier. Similarly, it also has an LED light that will make it easier to see your workspace. However, the two lights are not compatible, so you can only use one or the other at any given time.
The tool-free blade release on this JigSaw is reactive, meaning that it will notice what you're doing within approximately 2 seconds of starting the process. That makes the whole blade switch much easier to accomplish.
- Laser straight line for guidance.
- Bright LED light.
- Two direction sawdust blower.
- Comes with sample blades.
- Aluminum gearbox protects the motor for longer durability.
- Saw tends to pull to the left.
- The power cable is relatively short.
9. SKIL 4495-02 6.0 Amp Orbital Action Laser Jigsaw
This 6 amp JigSaw not only deserves its place on the list of best JigSaws, it's a workhorse. Capable of producing clean curved cuts, but without the higher skill requirements of some of the best JigSaws, this is a good option for DIY enthusiasts and professionals alike.
You’ll also be able to expand your list of possible home crafts for hobbyists and those just learning to use a JigSaw for the first time.
This saw comes with a variable speed trigger. That feature is both important for professionals, who need a lot of control and precision from your tools, and hobbyists who can benefit from a slightly less aggressive setting while you learn.
The 4 position orbital blade action lets you save wear on your blades, select more or less aggressive cutting settings, and cater to your material and cut type. Between that and the variable speed trigger, you have superior control over the type of cut you produce.
This saw also comes with a laser guide. Having a clear guide makes straight lines straighter. It can also improve the visibility of your guideline on the material.
- Lots of direct control.
- Variable speed trigger.
- 4 orbital blade actions.
- Powerful cutting.
- Always on button can get stuck after use.
- Develops more of a blade wobble with extended use.
10. BLACK+DECKER 20V MAX JigSaw with Battery And Charger
This saw might be the last on our list of the best JigSaws, but that doesn’t mean that it’s the worst of the bunch. Far from it. This battery-powered saw is part of Black+Decker’s 20V line, which means that you can use one or two rechargeable batteries for several different tools.
With consistent power, you don't have to worry about the batteries giving you an inferior performance as the battery starts to run low. This saw also delivers the same level of cutting power you would expect from a similar corded alternative.
The built-in dust blower makes it easier to see what you’re cutting. At the same time, an improve wire guard system makes this saw a safer and more flexible option than previous models in the same line.
This saw also has the advantage that it comes with the battery and charging station, unlike the DeWalt models that sell the battery separately.
This model also has the standard 45-degree bevel cut flexibility. It also has a variable speed trigger, so you can take your time on precise cuts and quickly power through rough cuts.
- Comes with its battery and charging station.
- Precise bevel cutting action.
- Built-in dust blower.
- Absorbs a lot of the vibration.
- Cutting is smooth .
- The battery needs to be seated properly, or it will burn out.
- Improperly seated battery can also be a significant safety risk.
Buying Guide
While we’ve looked at some of the best JigSaws on the market, there are still a few things you should consider before you decide which one will be your new tool.
Corded or Battery Powered:
This is one of the first considerations you need to make. It used to be true that battery-powered tools were less powerful and less consistent than their corded competition. However, those flaws have largely been addressed over time.
That means that the main weakness of battery-powered options is that they do eventually run out of power and need a fresh battery.
But, while corded tools are better for longer use times, they come with downsides of their own. Cords require an outlet and can be a tripping hazard in a busy shop. That tripping risk gets worse if you regularly work with someone else in your shop.
Corded tools are also less portable than battery-powered options.
Keyless Blade Locks:
Keyless blade locks are pretty much the standard anymore, but it’s still worth talking about them. While keyed blade locks are rarer, they’re also usually more durable.
If you choose the convenience of a keyless lock, know that you’ll probably have to replace the part, or the whole JigSaw, slightly sooner.
Orbital Blade Action:
Orbital blade action basically moves the blade forward or backward depending on the blade setting and whether the blade is moving up or down. It’s a good feature for experienced users, but if you’re using a JigSaw for the first time, you probably won’t use it much.
This feature gives you more control over your cutting power, but more aggressive cutting settings are worse for curves. You’ll also notice that some settings make a big difference with some materials, and is less effective with others.
Most saws will have a 4-setting orbital blade action, and we do recommend that option. Saws that don't have this feature are usually cheaper and less durable.
Locking Shoe:
Another feature you should look for is a locking shoe. Most saws will support bevel cuts, which means that the shoe needs to move to accommodate the angle. But, if your shoe doesn’t lock in place firmly enough you may end up with wavy edges on your project, and a lot more broken blades in the process.
A solid lock will save you blade money and will result in a more consistent and professional-looking final project.
Conclusion – The Best JigSaw, Our Choice
Hopefully, after reading this article you have a better sense of the best JigSaws. We’ve discussed some of the best models, across a range of brands, styles, and prices. After looking at the competition, the DEWALT 20V Max JigSaw is a clear winner.
It’s a battery powered JigSaw, which means that it’s easily portable for job away from an outlet. It’s easy to change the blade on your saw, and it’s compatible with a wider set of blade options many alternatives.
This is a versatile and durable tool. While we stand by all the JigSaws in this list, the DEWALT 20V Max JigSaw is a clear standout.
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