The Best Cordless Jigsaws
Looking for a cordless jigsaw to make precise cuts without the hassle of a cord? We've selected the best for you!
Jigsaws are an essential tool for woodworkers and home improvement fanatics. From basic cutouts to complex patterns, certain projects call out for the jigsaw’s maneuverability. Cordless jigsaws take that to another level by freeing you from needing to manage a power cord while you work.
I’ve put together a list of what I think are the best cordless jigsaws on the market today. I’ve included a variety of different models to suit different budgets and needs. Whether you’re a professional contractor or a DIY enthusiast, you should be able to find the perfect cordless jigsaw for your needs.
The full details are below, but here’s a quick look at my top choices:
If you want a more traditional corded model, we’ve also got a roundup of the best corded jigsaws!
Related: The Best Corded Jigsaws
The 10 Best Cordless Jigsaws
Let’s walk through my choices for the best cordless jigsaws on the market today.
DeWalt DCS334B 20-Volt MAX XR Cordless Brushless Jigsaw
The DeWalt DCS334B is my go-to jigsaw for my own projects. The DCS334B’s brushless motor reduces friction compared to brushed models. You’ll notice the saw runs cooler than much of its competition.
It’s got a standard top handle with a trigger to activate the blade. If you prefer a barrel grip, check out the almost identical DeWalt DCS335B below. The DCS334B’s speed controls are right on the handle for fast tweaking even while cutting.
You can replace blades in under five seconds using the lever mechanism at the front. Another lever lets you bevel the shoe up to 45°, with detents at 0°, 15°, 30° and 45°. I have seen customers report a problem where the shoe bevel can drift while cutting. This doesn’t seems to be common, but it’s something to watch for.
You can choose from four different orbital cutting settings (or none at all). At the most aggressive setting, it really chews through wood. But the cut is rougher, so dial it back to zero when precision matters.
There’s no built-in dust collection port, but you can buy the optional dust chute assembly. It fits both the DCS334B and the barrel-grip DCS335B.
The DeWalt DCS334B is my top pick for anyone looking for a cordless jigsaw. Its brushless design should give you years of maintenance-free service.
Positives
- Blade release lever makes changing blades easy
- Speed control dial is easy to change while cutting
- Brushless motor runs cooler and needs no maintenance
Negatives
- A few customers report trouble locking shoe bevel in
Makita XVJ03Z 18-Volt LXT Lithium-Ion Cordless Jigsaw
The Makita XVJ03Z is a workhorse jigsaw in Makita’s 18V tool line. It’s not the cheapest cordless jigsaw, but I do think it’s a terrific value.
The large trigger lets you press comfortably with two fingers for less strain. A soft-start feature limits the blade speed until it actually starts cutting. You may love that or hate that behavior, which you can disable.
The shoe can bevel up to 45° for cutting at an angle. It also comes with a removable plastic cover to avoid marring wood workpieces. You can choose from four different orbital cutting settings (including none at all). More aggressive orbital action will cut faster but leave a rougher cut.
The twin LED lights on the XVJ03Z do a great job of illuminating the work area. There’s no built-in dust collector, but you can buy one—it’s Makita’s part number 126331-0.
One drawback several customers have observed is the small plastic blade guard. It can break off if the saw jumps and hits the workpiece too hard, although the saw functions just fine without it.
The XVJ03Z has a brushed motor—less advanced, but cheaper, than the brushless motor in some competitors. If you’d prefer a brushless motor, the Makita XVJ02Z has similar specs with a brushless motor.
Positives
- Larger trigger for comfortable two-finger operation
- Easy speed control using trigger
- Comes packaged with high-quality blades
Negatives
- Plastic blade guard can break easily if saw jumps
Bosch JSH180B 18V Top-Handle Jig Saw
The Bosch JSH180B is a pretty standard jigsaw in most respects. It’s got a couple user-friendly features, and one less-than-friendly quirk.
Bosch’s “One-Touch” system lets you eject a blade by pressing a small lever. Then you just slide the new blade in until it locks in place.
A small plastic insert around the blade helps prevent splintering. It’s clear, so you can still see your cut line. The box includes one insert, and if it breaks you can buy five-packs from Bosch.
The shoe bevels up to 45°, but adjusting it requires an Allen wrench. That’s a little more cumbersome than the lever-based operation of some models. You can at least store the wrench on board the tool, so you won’t need to hunt for it.
If you need to cut right up flush with a vertical surface, you can move the shoe backwards and out of the way. You can’t use certain accessories (like the anti-splinter insert) in this mode.
The LED light does a good job, and a blower directs sawdust away to the right of the tool. You can also hook up Bosch’s vacuum attachment for better dust collection.
Positives
- One-touch blade insertion and removal
- Anti-splinter guard helps preserve your workpiece
- Blower keeps cut line visible
Negatives
- Beveling shoe requires using an Allen wrench
DeWalt DCS331B 20-Volt MAX Cordless Jig Saw
The DeWalt DCS331B has spent around a decade on the market, but it remains a popular seller. Its top-handle design has a large variable-speed trigger.
You’ll notice right away that much of its body is metal rather than plastic. The extra metal adds about a pound of weight compared to some of its competition. If you’ll use it in an elevated position, you might want to look at a lighter model. But some people like the extra weight, which helps hold the saw flat on a workpiece and resists vibration.
You can replace blades without any extra tools using the large release lever on the front. Beveling the shoe also relies on a lever rather than a separate tool. The shoe has detents at common bevel angles: 0°, 15°, 30°, and 45°. For faster—but rougher—cuts, you can dial up one of three orbital action settings.
The DCS331B’s dust blower helps keep your cut line clear of sawdust. But it seems a little underpowered and doesn’t always do such a great job. That, plus the lack of a built-in light, keep it from getting top marks in my book.
Positives
- Less vibration-prone at the expense of heavier weight
- Easy blade changes without tools
- Toolless adjustment of shoe bevel
Negatives
- Less powerful than more modern competitors
- No LED light
Porter-Cable PCC650B 20-Volt MAX Cordless Jigsaw
Porter Cable offers a great budget choice in the PCC650B. Despite its lower price, the build quality is still solid. It’s a bit lighter than its competition, which can make it easier to use in an elevated position. But the lighter weight also makes it more susceptible to vibration.
The PCC650B has a top-handle design with a comfortable rubber grip. Its maximum speed is 2500 spm, controlled via pressure on the trigger. Three orbital settings (including none) let you control how aggressive the cutting action is.
You can change blades without a tool, but you need a hex key to adjust the shoe bevel. The key can be stored on the tool so you won’t misplace it. The shoe is stamped metal rather than cast, so it’s a bit flimsier than on similar tools. You’ll want to take care not to drop the tool or otherwise bend the shoe.
A dust blower does a good job of keeping your cut line visible. But the lack of a light to illuminate the cut line is a drawback. Nonetheless, this is a quality tool at a good price.
Positives
- Toolless blade changes
- Lighter than many competitors
Negatives
- No LED light
- Shoe is stamped metal and can be damaged easily
Black+Decker BDCJS20C 20V MAX POWERCONNECT Cordless Jig Saw
This would be a budget-friendly choice if you’re already invested in the Black+Decker 20V MAX line of tools. It’s a pretty basic tool, better suited to occasional use than heavy DIY or woodworking.
The top handle grip has a pressure-sensitive trigger that controls speed up to 2500 spm. Blades can be changed without a tool using the lever on the front. But beveling the shoe (up to 45°) requires a hex key, which you can store right on the tool.
Like the Porter Cable saw above, the shoe is a relatively flimsy piece of stamped metal. You’ll need to be careful not to bend or damage it.
The BDCJS20C has a dust blower to keep sawdust off of your cut line. But it lacks other common features such as an LED light or orbital cutting action. Once again, I think this tool is best viewed as a budget option for occasional use.
Positives
- Lower price than many competitors
- Blade changes are toolless
Negatives
- Changing shoe bevel requires a hex tool
- Lacks orbital action and LED light
Metabo HPT CJ18DAQ4 18V MultiVolt Jig Saw
Metabo HPT (formerly Hitachi Power Tools) has a reputation for quality mid-range power tools. The CJ18DAQ4 is just such a tool, with all the features you expect in a cordless jigsaw.
Its top-handle design has a pressure-sensitive trigger to control speed up to 2500 spm. An orbital action switch offers 3 levels of aggressiveness (besides “off”).
Switching blades is straightforward using the lever on the front. You need a hex tool to bevel the shoe plate, though. As with similar models, the hex key stores on the tool body so it doesn’t get lost.
The LED light on the CJ18DAQ4 is bright and does a good job of illuminating your work. It flashes to let you know your battery is dying, which is a handy warning. And the dust blower is effective at moving dust out of the way.
The Metabo HPT CJ18DAQ4 is a great mid-range tool for all but the most demanding uses.
Positives
- Blade changes are toolless
- Effective dust blower for clearing sawdust
Negatives
- Tool required for adjusting shoe bevel
Ryobi P5231 One+ P5231 18V Cordless Jigsaw
This Ryobi jigsaw packs a lot of features into a moderately-priced tool.
The motor provides up to 3000 spm. You can’t control the speed with the trigger, instead using a four-setting dial on the top handle that lets you choose a preset speed. A trigger lock button allows you to take your finger off the trigger if you find it tiring.
Blades are changeable without a tool by rotating a lock mechanism. Beveling the shoe requires the use of a hex key that has a storage compartment on the tool itself. Positive stops are provided at 0°, 15°, 30° and 45°. The base also adjusts up and down, so you can get a little extra life out of a blade by using a portion that has seen less wear.
The build quality is decent enough, but it’s not the most rugged cordless jigsaw out there. This would make a better choice for occasional use rather than on a jobsite.
Positives
- Adjustable base height allows using full length of blades
- Toolless blade changes
Negatives
- No variable speed from the trigger
- Beveling the shoe requires a tool
Skil JS820202 PWRCORE 20-Volt Lithium-Ion Cordless Jigsaw
The Skil JS820202 accepts both T- and U-shank blades, unlike most of the others on this list. While T-shank blades make up the majority of the market, you may want the flexibility to use either style.
Skil originally made their name with circular saws (hence the term “Skil saw”). But they’ve come out with a wide range of high-quality cordless tools such as this jigsaw. It has a brushless motor with a 3000 spm maximum speed.
Blade changes don’t require any tool, and neither does beveling the shoe. The shoe has positive stops every 15 degrees up to 45. And the Skil JS820202 has 3 orbital action levels besides the default of none.
One interesting feature of the included battery: It has a USB port so you can charge your phone or other device. That could come in handy for anyone using the tool on a jobsite or remote location without ready access to power.
The included battery charger can charge a dead battery to 25% in just 5 minutes. If your battery died just short of the finish line, a quick boost could let you complete the job.
Positives
- Accepts both T- and U-shake blades
- Battery has USB port for charging mobile devices
Negatives
- Heavier than some competitors
DeWalt DCS335B 20-Volt MAX XR Cordless Barrel Grip Jigsaw
Compare the DeWalt DCS335B to the DCS334B above and you’ll note similarities. Their specs are nearly identical, but the DCS335B has a barrel grip handle as opposed to a top handle grip. Some prefer the lower center of gravity and more direct control the barrel grip gives you. If possible, you should try both types of handle to see which you prefer.
The barrel grip is a little thicker than the top handle. If you don’t have large hands, it might be a bit awkward to grip.
The DCS335B has an on/off switch rather than a trigger. Some people just don’t like it, though you can certainly get used to it. It’s a matter of personal preference, since when it comes to performance the two jigsaws are identical.
There’s no built-in dust collection port, but you can buy an optional dust chute assembly. It fits both the DCS335B and the top-handled DCS334B.
This is one of the most popular and best-reviewed barrel grip jigsaws on the market. I’d recommend it if you know (or suspect) you prefer a barrel grip to a top handle.
Positives
- Barrel grip provides great control when cutting
- Dual LED lights brightly illuminate workpiece
- Dust blower effective at clearing sawdust
Negatives
- Barrel grip might be uncomfortable especially for smaller hands
- Lack of trigger might be hard to get used to
Cordless Jigsaw Buying Guide
If you’ve never shopped for a cordless jigsaw before, you might wonder what features matter when choosing one. I’ll walk through some of the things to keep in mind as you compare products.
Batteries
In the past, battery-powered jigsaws weren’t up to the same tasks as their corded cousins. Battery technology has advanced a lot over the past couple decades. Pretty much every cordless tool has enough power for common woodworking or DIY projects.
Battery and charger systems aren’t standardized across tool manufacturers. You’ll need batteries and chargers specific to your brand of tool. If you’ve already invested in a particular cordless system, you may want to stick with that brand. The expense and inconvenience of having more than one set of chargers and batteries can be significant. Unless you truly need some feature from another manufacturer, it’s probably not worth changing brands.
You can buy most cordless jigsaws either in a “bare tool” configuration or with batteries and charger included. If you want more batteries for your current system, you might save money buying the bundle rather than buying batteries separately.
Motor: Brushed vs. Brushless
You’ll find two types of motors on cordless tools like these jigsaws: brushed and brushless. Brushed motors rely on small carbon brushes to keep in electrical contact with spinning electromagnets. Brushless motors have electromagnets that don’t move, so they don’t need brushes.
Brushed motors tend to be cheaper but run hotter and wear out faster. That’s primarily due to the friction from the brushes. Brushless motors run cooler and last longer, but are more expensive. They’re found mostly in higher-end tools.
Blades
All jigsaws have removable blades. That lets you use the appropriate blade for the job as well as replace dull blades with sharp ones. Most jigsaw blades are compatible between manufacturers.
Shank Type
The shank is the part of the blade that mounts inside the jigsaw. You’ll come across two common shank styles:
- T-shanks have small protrusions that stick out on either side near the end.
- U-shanks have straight sides with a semicircular cutout on their ends.
Most modern jigsaws accept T-shanks. You’ll need to buy the right style blade for your jigsaw. A handful of manufacturers make hybrid blades that can fit either kind of saw. But in general you’ll want T-shank blades for any of the saws in our list.
Blade Changing
U-shank blades are manually mounted in the jigsaw. You need to use an allen key to loosen the old blade and tighten the new one.
Most modern jigsaws that use T-shank blades have tool-free blade mounts. You typically flip a lever to release the blade, let it drop out, then insert the new blade and flip the lever closed.
Cutting Performance
You want a jigsaw that will accurately follow your cut line, whether it’s curved or straight. And you’d like to do it as fast as possible without giving up that accuracy.
Cutting Speed
Most jigsaws have a top speed of between 2500 and 3200 strokes per minute (spm). One stroke is a complete up-and-down motion of the blade. You typically either set a dial or use variable pressure on the trigger to control the jigsaw’s speed.
Typically you’ll use a higher speed on softwoods and a lower one on hardwoods or metal. A lower speed helps avoid high temperatures that could damage the blade or your workpiece. Your owner’s manual should tell you what speed to use for different materials.
Fixed-speed jigsaws do exist. If you only ever cut one sort of material, they’ll work fine. But I strongly recommend a variable-speed model for the flexibility it provides.
Orbital Action
By default, a jigsaw blade moves straight vertically up and down. That makes it easier to follow a curved path and to end a cut precisely where you want. But cutting can be slow due to the small amount of material removed with each stroke.
Many jigsaws let you add orbital action to the blade. This moves the blade in a small circular pattern forward and backward as you cut. Jigsaws commonly offer 3 or 4 different orbital settings. You can choose how aggressive you want it, or turn the orbital motion off.
The more aggressive motion speeds up your cuts. But the edges it leaves are often not as clean, so you may have cleanup to do afterwards. It can be trickier to stop precisely at a particular line since the blade moves forward and backward. You may want to stop just a little short and finish the cut without orbital action.
Blade Tracking (Deflection)
A jigsaw blade can bend or deflect as it moves up and down. Thicker material is more likely to deflect the blade so the cut isn’t 100% vertical.
If the blade deflects, you might need to clean up wood that wasn’t removed as intended. Or worse, you could ruin a piece of wood by taking out chunks you didn’t intend to.
The best jigsaws have guides that help keep the blade vertical as you cut. Even so, you shouldn’t force the jigsaw through the cut. Let it do the work while you guide it using as little force as possible.
Grip Style
Top-handled jigsaws have a handle on top for you to hold. The handle’s design makes it comfortable to hold on to. But it does make the saw quite a bit taller, which can obstruct your view of the line you’re trying to cut.
Barrel-grip saws don’t have a separate handle. Instead, you grip the rear part of the body of the saw itself. You might find it less comfortable to hold for long periods of time. But some people find it easier to follow a cut line than with a top-handled saw.
This choice just comes down to personal preference—what feels best to you. Some manufacturers offer saws with the same specs in both styles. If you have the chance, try one of each to see which feels most comfortable to you.
Other Features
A few other features can make using a jigsaw a bit more convenient.
Tiltable Shoe Plate
You might not want to limit yourself to just 90° vertical cuts. Most jigsaws let you tilt the shoe plate up to 45° for beveled cuts. You can adjust some models without using any tools. Others require an allen key to loosen and then re-tighten the shoe plate.
LED Light
LED lights help illuminate the line you’re cutting. Most jigsaws these days have a light, but some make it more useful than others.
Some models let you activate the light with slight pressure on the trigger. That helps you ensure you’re lined up before starting a cut. With other models, the light won’t activate until the blade starts moving.
Dust Collection
Jigsaws generate a lot of sawdust. And since they cut on the upstroke, the dust tends to land right where you’re cutting. This makes it hard to follow your cut line.
Some jigsaws have a dust collection port built in. You can attach your shop vac or other dust control system to help clear away the sawdust. Other models offer the dust collection port as an optional add-on.
To be honest, no jigsaw does a perfect job of removing all the sawdust. But the dust collection option can make a big difference.
Conclusion
Any of the jigsaws listed above will get the job done. They vary mostly in the ruggedness of their build and secondary features like an LED light or toolless shoe adjustment.
But my pick for the best all-around cordless jigsaw is the DeWalt DCS334B. If you’ll want to use U-shank blades in addition to T-shank ones, then I’d look at the Skil JS820202.
