5 Best Jigsaws (Enough Cutting Power and Universal Blades)

Last Updated on November 19, 2022 by Barry Gray

A jigsaw was one of the first power tools I ever used, so I have a certain fondness for them as a direct result of that moment. However, I am aware that there is a significant problem when it comes to picking up a new jigsaw.

You see, this is one of the most popular saws on the market, meaning every brand has its own version. The outcome? It just makes things so much harder when you are aware that you have so many options to choose from. After all, where do you even begin?

Well, I have a solution for you. Let me take you through five of the best jigsaws out there on the market right now for any DIY’er. Allow me to do the hard work for you, and all you need to do is look at the five I mention below and see which one best fits your individual needs.

I promise it’s going to make life so much easier.

• Best Jigsaw for Beginners – Black & Decker Jig Saw (BDEJS600C)
• Best Jigsaw for Power – Milwaukee 2737B-20 Jigsaw
• Best Jigsaw for Grip – DeWalt 20V MAX XR Jigsaw (DCS334B)
• Best Overall Jigsaw – Makita 4329K Top Handle Jigsaw
• Best Professional Jigsaw – Bosch Jigsaw JS470E

But I’m not going to stop there.

I will also offer you a few tips on what to look out for if you are new to buying a jigsaw. After all, you need to know the key components that influence how the jigsaw even operates. 

But don’t worry. I have your back with all of that, and the result is that I believe making your decision will become a whole lot easier.

How I Made My List

I’ve been using power tools for decades, and as I said at the outset, a jigsaw was one of the first things I used. I’m talking about when I was a kid, and I feel experience counts for so much when it comes to power tools.

But I do admit I’ve not only gone with my experience. Instead, I had specific criteria that I felt I had to apply when it came to choosing a jigsaw.

One of my big things was ensuring the tool was very easy to use. After all, nobody needs to make projects more complicated. They can be challenging enough already without a tool getting in the way.

Also, I wanted to know all about cutting power. You don’t want your jigsaw to come up short in that department, or it makes itself useless as a result.

And then there were the blades. Not every jigsaw allows you to use universal blades, which could be a deciding factor for some people.

Finally, there was another critical area: durability. I love when power tools last longer than you anticipate, and I certainly did not want to suggest a tool that will give up on you in next to no time.

After a lot of research into the options out there on the market, I was left with these five options.

Best Jigsaw for Beginners – Black & Decker Jig Saw (BDEJS600C)

• Power: 5 Amp
• Speed: 3000 SPM
• Stroke Length: ¾”

If it’s a jigsaw for a beginner, I recommend this model by Black & Decker. This brand has a tendency to produce tools that are very easy to use, and that’s why I think it’s the best one for people starting out with this power tool.

One thing I was very impressed with was the power. At 5 Amp, it packs more punch than some models on the market that cost a lot more. Also, you do have a pressure trigger that offers you a certain degree of control over the speed of the blade. I love this aspect because it does then mean you are less likely to make mistakes with those intricate cuts.

Also, it comes with a toolless blade change, which is always helpful. You have three orbital settings for cutting, but be aware that this model works better when you have better-quality blades. Inexpensive blades may rip the wood, and that’s not what you want.

Overall, this is a fantastic jigsaw, and it is easy to set up and use, making it perfect for beginners.

Pros

• It has more than enough power
• It’s quick and easy to change blades
• The pressure trigger is easy to use
• You can add a setting for curved cuts
• It’s very affordable

Cons

• I wish the bevel adjustment was also toolless

Best Jigsaw for Power – Milwaukee 2737B-20 Jigsaw

• Power: 7 Amp
• Speed: 3500 SPM
• Stroke Depth: 1”

If you know you are cutting through thicker material, then you need power behind you, and this model by Milwaukee is the perfect solution. It comes with a staggering 7 Amps of power, and that generates speeds of up to 3500 SPM. That’s higher than you usually see, which means it works better on hardwoods than less powerful options.

Now, this jigsaw is massive. It’s almost 12” long and weighs over 4lbs, so keep that in mind. Also, going back to the power aspect, the motor is brushless, so there is no need to worry about regular maintenance.

I do love how this model comes with a variable speed dial. That does allow you to effectively line up your cuts and start off slow to ensure you are indeed on the correct line. When you are happy, simply up the speed and the job is done in no time.

I find this tool to be easy to operate, but I accept that the speed and power could be too much for people starting out. That’s why I think only experienced hobbyists should consider this tool.

Pros

• It has a crazy amount of power
• It can easily cut through thicker material and harder woods
• The variable speed dial works well
• It cuts without chipping
• The soft start improves your accuracy

Cons

• It’s heavier than most jigsaws

Best Jigsaw for Grip – DeWalt 20V MAX XR Jigsaw (DCS334B)

• Power: 20V
• Speed: 3200 SPM
• Stroke Depth: 1”

DeWalt always makes fantastic tools, and this jigsaw is another example of that. In this instance, I love this tool because DeWalt has gone big on the ergonomic design of the entire tool. That does translate into it coming with a fantastic grip that is not only supportive but also extremely comfortable in your hand.

But that’s not all. It does have a huge 20V of power, pushing things out to a maximum speed of 3200 SPM. That’s more than enough for most projects, and yet DeWalt has also designed this jigsaw to ensure you can keep an eye on the blade at all times.

Changing blades, and making bevel adjustments, is toolless, and that’s something I would always suggest you check out. It speeds everything up and allows you to get on with your projects with minimal fuss.

The shoe on this model also has angle detents ranging from 0 degrees up to 45 degrees. I find this easy to use as well, and then there’s the blower to keep the dust away. That means this jigsaw keeps your line clear making it easier to maintain accuracy.

Overall, it’s just a classic DeWalt tool made to the highest standards, just as you would expect.

Pros

• The grip is probably the best on the market
• The power and cut speed are outstanding
• The dust blower does an excellent job of keeping things clear
• Changing bevel and blades is straightforward
• The ability to always see the blade is great

Cons

• You cannot attach a vacuum to it

Best Overall Jigsaw – Makita 4329K Top Handle Jigsaw

• Power: 3.9 Amp
• Speed: 3100 SPM
• Stroke Length: 11/16”

I’ve opted for this jigsaw by Makita as my best overall because it perfectly balances power, speed, and usability. I also love that it’s lighter than most, as some people simply need a more lightweight tool, especially for extended use.

I know this jigsaw is not as powerful as others out there at just under 4 Amps, but it will still easily cut through most materials, even if it takes a bit longer. Also, the 3100 SPM is sufficient from a speed perspective, so you should get a relatively clean cut.

Do be aware that the stroke length falls short of 1”. That means this saw works best for thinner material, but then you would use a circular saw or table saw for certain cuts with thicker material anyway.

This saw is also perfect for a beginner. It comes with a slide-down guard that protects you from dust without obstructing your view. It also has more of a counterbalanced design that helps reduce vibrations meaning there’s less fatigue when using this jigsaw.

It’s those types of things that make this one of the best jigsaws out there. You just feel you can use it for extended periods, and the saw will not let you down. That’s why I’ve selected it as the best overall.

Pros

• It is exceptionally light to use
• The slide guard is a great addition
• It doesn’t create too many vibrations
• It feels balanced in the hand
• It makes life easier for guiding the blade through tricky cuts

Cons

• The power is down on other models, so be aware of that

Best Professional Jigsaw – Bosch Jigsaw JS470E

• Power: 7 Amp
• Speed: 3100 SPM

This Bosch jigsaw is corded, but don’t let that put you off. It does come with a 10ft long cord, so moving around a bit should still not be too much of a problem. Also, this jigsaw is packed with a whole lot of power. Actually, you get 7 Amps of power pushing out speeds of up to 3100 SPM, and that’s pretty substantial.

The model also comes with a variable speed dial, so you are not stuck with going full speed. Instead, you can quickly start off slow as you line up your cut before that confidence kicks in.

It also comes with a substantial footplate, and that stops the jigsaw from moving around too much when in use. This stability does then translate into an accurate cut.

Overall, it’s the power and even the ability to reduce vibration that makes this model stand out. It has too much from a power perspective for the average hobbyist, and that’s why I suggest it’s perfect for professionals.

Pros

• It has more than enough power to cut any type of wood
• The lack of vibration is a huge bonus
• The footplate does give more stability
• It’s easy to line up your cuts with this model
• The variable speed dial is straightforward to use

Cons

• It does have a cord, and that could put some people off

How to Choose the Perfect Jigsaw

The five models above are all brilliant, but it still leaves you with the question of how you even choose the perfect jigsaw for your needs. So, here are some tips on what to look out for.

The Type

You have different types of jigsaws to choose from including orbital and straight reciprocating. This refers to how the blade moves.

The straight reciprocating blade moves up and down. It doesn’t move around, making it the perfect blade for those tighter cuts, as you have absolute control over how it cuts. 

In the case of the orbital version, the blade does move forward just slightly when it’s making the cuts. Also, the blade tilts slightly, making it cut away more of the wood in a single stroke. That means it works faster, but you have less accuracy and control than you do with the straight-cut version.

The Handle

You also have two options with the handle: top handle and barrel handle.

The top handle is the most common, and you grip the jigsaw via the handle on the top and guide it through the cut. The barrel grip has you holding the jigsaw to the rear, and even though it may sound strange, it has been shown to deliver better control.

I do find the barrel handle to be the most accurate. However, I get that other people feel more confident with the grip on offer via a top handle.

Power

For power, you have the usual two options, and that’s either corded or cordless. I personally prefer cordless to give me that sense of movement, but if you know you will always work in the same spot in your workshop, then a corded version is more than adequate.

Amps and Speed

You need more than 3 Amps of power to allow your jigsaw to cut through any type of material. However, the higher the amps, then the harder the material you can still work on.

But speed is also key. The speed measurement refers to strokes per minute, which is the number of times the blade moves up and down. The higher the number, the faster the cut, but that’s not always going to be the most accurate.

Also, I find it easier when a jigsaw has a variable speed dial of some kind. It offers you greater control over proceedings and means you can really take your time with those more intricate cuts or where you want to know you are starting off your cuts on the correct line.

Blades

Finally, you have the blades, and here there are a couple of options to be aware of. The two options are known as T-shank and U-shank. 

Try to choose a jigsaw that uses a T-shank. It means you can change blades more efficiently as it’s toolless. The U-shank is an older version, which can become very annoying and tricky when changing the blades.

For material, then I would opt for a tungsten carbide blade. It’s the most durable and easiest to use, and you will have no problem getting your hands on them for any brand.

High-carbon steel is another option if you cannot buy tungsten carbide. These blades are inexpensive, but they do dull faster than other options. However, they could be the ideal solution if you use your jigsaw infrequently.

Aside from those points, you should also look out for how the jigsaw deals with dust, if it has a guard to protect you, and also if there’s a light to make it easier for you to keep an eye on the line you are cutting. Any other features will only be an added bonus.

Overall Conclusion

And those are my top five jigsaws available to buy right now, and I’ve tried to cover different options depending on requirements and even budget. 

I think a jigsaw is such a fantastic tool to have at your disposal. It allows you to make intricate cuts and do so with absolute accuracy. You can instantly see how this could prove highly effective with a number of projects.

But do remember that if you are struggling to identify the best jigsaw, that I’ve included several tips to make life easier. 

Ultimately, I think any individual who plans to work with wood regularly needs to have a jigsaw available. It just makes such a difference and considering they do not have to cost the earth to own one, I don’t see any excuse for you not having one in your workshop.