Best Jigsaw 2026: 5 Corded and Cordless Models Compared
WriterPickly Editorial
Updated 2026-10-05
A jigsaw cuts the shapes other saws cannot: sink cutouts, curves, notches around pipes. Cheap ones wander off the line and leave a slanted edge. What you pay for is a blade that stays vertical.
Quick answer
The Bosch JS470E is the jigsaw to buy for most workshops: a corded 7-amp motor, up to 3,100 strokes per minute, four orbital settings and a tool-free T-shank clamp, for about $209 with nothing else to buy. DEWALT's DCS334B is the cordless equal at 4.6 lbs for 20V MAX owners, Makita's XVJ04Z is the lightest at 3.8 lbs bare, and Milwaukee's 2737-20 is the fastest at 3,500 SPM. BLACK+DECKER's BDEJS600C at $59.99 handles occasional cuts in thin stock.
We did not run our own testing on these jigsaws. A fair comparison needs repeated cuts in matched hardwood with a square to check blade drift, plus a vibration meter, and we have neither. What we did instead: took motor rating, stroke speed, stroke length, weight and bevel stops from each manufacturer's product page, checked US retailer prices on October 4, 2026, and read owner reviews in volume. We kept only specific complaints that repeat, such as blades that deflect in thick stock, clamps that release blades and shoes that will not stay at zero degrees.
🏆 Best overall: The JS470E is a corded saw with a 7.0-amp motor, up to 3,100 SPM and four orbital settings. Bosch lists a 5-7/8-inch capacity in softwood and a weight of 5.6 lbs.
Top picks ↓Related articles
1★ Best Pick🏆 Best overallBosch 7.0-Amp Top-Handle Jig Saw (JS470E)
Top-handle version. JS470EB is the barrel-grip model with the same motor.
The JS470E is a corded saw with a 7.0-amp motor, up to 3,100 SPM and four orbital settings. Bosch lists a 5-7/8-inch capacity in softwood and a weight of 5.6 lbs. It was listed at $209 and needs no battery, which makes it cheaper to own than any cordless saw here. It takes T-shank blades only, and the cord is a nuisance when cutting installed countertops.
Pros
- ✓7.0-amp corded motor
- ✓Four orbital settings
- ✓Nothing extra to buy
Cons
- ✗Tied to an outlet
- ✗Heaviest here at 5.6 lbs
2🔋 Best cordlessDEWALT 20V MAX XR Cordless Jig Saw (DCS334B, Tool Only)
B means tool only. DCS334P1 is the kit with a 5.0Ah battery; DCS335B is the barrel-grip saw.
The DCS334B is a brushless saw with up to 3,200 SPM, a 1-inch stroke and four orbital settings. DEWALT lists it at 4.6 lbs, with bevel detents at 0, 15, 30 and 45 degrees, an LED and a dust blower. The all-metal lever clamp changes blades without tools. At $239 bare it is the most expensive saw in this group before you add a battery.
Pros
- ✓Brushless, 3,200 SPM
- ✓Bevel detents at four angles
- ✓Lever-action metal blade clamp
Cons
- ✗$239 without a battery
- ✗Costly unless you own 20V MAX packs
3🪶 LightestMakita 18V LXT Brushless Cordless Jig Saw (XVJ04Z, Tool Only)
Z means tool only. The older XVJ03Z is discontinued; XVJ05Z is the barrel-grip version.
Makita calls the XVJ04Z its most compact D-handle jigsaw in the LXT range, at 3.8 lbs bare and 5.2 lbs with a battery. It is brushless, runs from 0 to 3,000 SPM with a trigger and dial, and has a soft no-load mode that keeps speed down until the blade meets the work. It was listed at $219. The 7/8-inch stroke and 3,000 SPM top speed are the lowest of the cordless three.
Pros
- ✓3.8 lbs without battery
- ✓Soft no-load mode aids starts
- ✓Brushless motor
Cons
- ✗Shorter 7/8-inch stroke
- ✗Lowest top speed of the cordless saws
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4⚡ FastestMilwaukee M18 FUEL D-Handle Jig Saw (2737-20, Tool Only)
The -20 suffix is the bare D-handle saw. 2737B-20 is the barrel-grip version.
The 2737-20 has the highest stroke rate here, variable from 0 to 3,500 SPM, with a brushless motor. Milwaukee lists a tool-free shoe bevel with detents at 0, 15, 30 and 45 degrees. It was listed at $229 as a bare tool. Milwaukee's product page does not give the weight in the text we could read, and M18 batteries add noticeably to cost if you do not own them.
Pros
- ✓3,500 SPM top speed
- ✓Tool-free bevel with detents
- ✓Brushless motor
Cons
- ✗$229 without a battery
- ✗Weight not confirmed from the product page
5💰 Budget pickBLACK+DECKER 5-Amp Jig Saw with CurveControl (BDEJS600C)
Corded. One starter blade is typical; buy a T-shank assortment with it.
The BDEJS600C costs $59.99 on BLACK+DECKER's site. It has a 5.0-amp corded motor, up to 3,000 SPM and CurveControl, a dial that sets the orbital action. That is enough for shelf notches, thin plywood and craft cuts. Owner reviews of budget jigsaws repeatedly mention blade drift in boards thicker than an inch, so do not expect square edges in 2x lumber.
Pros
- ✓$59.99, no battery needed
- ✓CurveControl orbital dial
- ✓Adjustable shoe for bevels
Cons
- ✗Less blade support in thick stock
- ✗5.0-amp motor is the weakest here
What separates a good jigsaw from a frustrating one
The blade is held at one end only, so it bends. In a 2x board, a weak blade guide lets the cut drift out of square even when the top follows the line. Better saws support the blade close to the work with a roller guide and a rigid shoe.
Orbital action swings the blade forward on the up-stroke. High orbit cuts fast and rough, which suits framing lumber. Zero orbit cuts slowly and cleanly, which suits laminate, metal and tight curves. Four settings, as on the Bosch and DEWALT, cover both.
All five saws take T-shank blades, the current standard. Older U-shank blades do not fit the Bosch, and you should not plan around them for any of these.
Corded or cordless, with the numbers
A jigsaw draws far less power than a circular saw, so cordless models work well even on mid-size batteries. The benefit is real when you cut a countertop in place or work on a ladder. The cost is also real: the three cordless saws here are sold bare for $219 to $239.
The table shows the makers' figures and the prices we saw on October 4, 2026.
| Model | Power | Max speed | Price seen |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bosch JS470E | Corded, 7.0 A | 3,100 SPM | $209 |
| DEWALT DCS334B | 20V, tool only | 3,200 SPM | $239 |
| Makita XVJ04Z | 18V, tool only | 3,000 SPM | $219 |
| Milwaukee 2737-20 | 18V, tool only | 3,500 SPM | $229 |
| BLACK+DECKER BDEJS600C | Corded, 5.0 A | 3,000 SPM | $59.99 |
Top speed differs by under 20 percent across the group. Stroke length matters as much: DEWALT lists 1 inch and Makita 7/8 inch, and a longer stroke clears sawdust better in thick wood.
Weight, bevels and blade changes
Makita lists the XVJ04Z at 3.8 lbs without a battery, DEWALT lists 4.6 lbs for the DCS334B, and the corded Bosch is 5.6 lbs. Extra mass damps vibration on a bench. A lighter saw is easier when you cut overhead or one-handed.
Bevel detents save setup time. DEWALT and Milwaukee both list stops at 0, 15, 30 and 45 degrees. A shoe that locks firmly at zero matters more than any angle, and it is the most common complaint on budget saws.
Tool-free blade clamps are now normal. Blades come out hot after a long cut. Lever-action clamps, as on the DEWALT, eject the blade so you do not have to touch it.
How these picks were chosen
We chose top-handle (D-handle) jigsaws from brands widely sold online in the US. Barrel-grip versions exist for most of these and cut the same way; the choice is about hand position. Makita's older XVJ03Z is marked discontinued on Makita's US site, so the current XVJ04Z takes its place.
Recommendations are editorial. No brand paid for placement, and the links on this page are affiliate links that may earn Pickly a commission at no extra cost to you.
Frequently asked questions
Can a jigsaw cut a straight line?▼
Which blade should I use for laminate countertops?▼
How thick a board can a jigsaw cut?▼
T-shank or U-shank blades?▼
Is orbital action needed for metal?▼
Top handle or barrel grip?▼
Do cordless jigsaws need a large battery?▼
Check the details of the products in this article
- Bosch 7.0-Amp Top-Handle Jig Saw (JS470E)$209Reference price
- DEWALT 20V MAX XR Cordless Jig Saw (DCS334B, Tool Only)$239Reference price
- Makita 18V LXT Brushless Cordless Jig Saw (XVJ04Z, Tool Only)$219Reference price
- Milwaukee M18 FUEL D-Handle Jig Saw (2737-20, Tool Only)$229Reference price
- BLACK+DECKER 5-Amp Jig Saw with CurveControl (BDEJS600C)$59.99Reference price
Prices change. Check the retailer for the current price.
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