When it comes to choosing the best jigsaw, corded or cordless, there are many brands and options to choose from and so to save you time we’ve done the research and compiled reviews to bring you a list of top picks for the best jigsaw for contractors, hobbyists and DIY enthusiasts. We looked at safety, ergonomics and design, vibration and cutting speed performance.
Our top pick, the Black + Decker BDEJS600C, is a 5-Amp model with a variable speed motor and Curve Control technology, making it a great choice for precise work. Keep reading to see more of our top choices including the best cordless jigsaw. But before we go into that, here is our list of other quality tools you may consider buying today!
Top 5 Best Jigsaw
#1 Black+Decker BDEJS600C Jigsaw
Award: TOP PICK
WHY WE LIKE IT: Precise and ergonomic controls including four orbital action settings for varied blade strokes and Black+Decker’s unique Curve Control make this the best jigsaw for curves.
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- Best for curves
- Makes 45º bevel cuts
- Variable speed motor
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- Less powerful than the Bosch jigsaw (our #2 pick)
- Less portable than a cordless jigsaw
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A new high-precision backing plate, with improved sightlines compared to the previous model, along with variable speed controls operated by a simple, intuitive rotary knob on the side of the device makes this Black+Decker jigsaw one of the best for ease of use. Its wire guard and backing plate don’t block your view, and its trigger is simple and not fatiguing to operate. It uses T-shank jigsaw blades and offers a convenient, keyless blade clamp.
Related: Learn why most people prefer using the best heat guns in the market.
A rubber molded cover makes the handle more comfortable. A slick and well designed beveling shoe lets you tilt the tool both ways and makes this a good choice for the best jigsaw for cutting curves if you’re a beginner or looking to get into some DIY woodworking projects. The best hacksaw also comes in handy for projects.
#2 Bosch JS260 120-Volt Jigsaw
Award: HONORABLE MENTION
WHY WE LIKE IT: A well-designed heavy gauge steel footplate and always-on dust blower make this professional jigsaw a reliable tool for precise, beautiful cuts every time, and a powerful 6-Amp motor lets it cut ceramic, laminate flooring and all kinds of wood.
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- Most powerful
- Convenient tool-less blade change
- Always-on dust blower
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- More expensive than the Black+Decker
- Baseplate calibration can be challenging
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This powerful Bosch jigsaw is often considered the best corded jigsaw in its price range. It uses a 6 Amp motor to deliver up to 3100 strokes per minute, making it slightly more powerful than the Black+Decker jigsaw (our top pick.) Like the Black+Decker, the Bosch JS260 jigsaw uses a tool-less blade clamp and features four selectable orbital controls for faster or slower cuts.
Related: If you are a mechanic, we highly recommend our list of the best mechanic tool set.
It also features a backing plate that allows the tool to tilt in either direction for beveling cuts, but in order to set the jigsaw’s angle you have to use a tool, making it slightly less convenient to use than some other beveling jigsaws. However, this Bosch jigsaw cuts with noticeably less vibration than any of the other corded jigsaws on our list. Another one of the best jigsaws on the market today is the SKIL 4495-02 6.0 AMP Orbital Action Laser Jigsaw. It features a variable speed trigger and built-in laser guide to give you an accurate cut line. For your larger projects, you’ll want the best sliding miter saw.
#3 Dewalt DCS331B 20V Max Jigsaw
Award: BEST CORDLESS
WHY WE LIKE IT: Our pick for best cordless jigsaw, this 20V orbital jigsaw offers good battery life, has a solid, all metal lever action keyless blade clamp and a convenient keyless shoe bevel.
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- Smooth beveling action
- Rugged metal blade clamp and shoe
- Four orbital position settings
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- Weighs 5.8 lbs, heavier than the corded jigsaws
- Battery and blades not included
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Often named the best jigsaw for contractors on the go and for home woodworking enthusiasts looking for a convenient cordless jigsaw, this 20V Li-Ion powered Dewalt jigsaw offers all the precision of a corded jigsaw and nearly the same cutting power, making it an easy recommendation for best jigsaw, cordless or corded.
Like the Bosch JS260 jigsaw (our #2 pick) this model uses a tilt feature to allow you to make smooth beveled cuts, but unlike the Bosch it has a keyless shoe bevel, meaning it doesn’t require you to use a special tool or allen wrench to adjust the angle, saving time on some projects. As with our top two picks, this cordless jigsaw also has a four position orbital switch. Speaking of cutting power, if you have trees in your yard, the best electric chainsaw is another great helper. Another product similar in weight is the GALAX PRO 5-Amp Orbital Jigsaw with Laser Guide that weighs 5.09 lbs. This powerful jigsaw runs at up to 3,000 SPM with a 19mm stroke length and has a fast and easy-to-use blade change system.
#4 WORX WX550L Axis 2-in-1 Reciprocating Saw and Jigsaw
Award: BEST VERSATILE
WHY WE LIKE IT: A versatile cordless tool, this 20V combination reciprocating saw and jigsaw lets you use it as a regular reciprocating saw or as a jig saw.
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- Doubles as a reciprocating saw
- Accepts universal blades
- Weighs only 4 lbs
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- Lacks shoe tilt for beveling
- Less ergonomic as a jigsaw than the Dewalt cordless
- More expensive than the Black+Decker corded jigsaw
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This combination tool is a reciprocating saw and jigsaw in one, letting you use it for precise cuts in woodworking tasks and also for everyday sawing of small tree limbs, plastic pipe, ceramics and more.
A true dual purpose power tool, the WORX axis demands few compromises when used as either a reciprocating saw or jigsaw.
As a jigsaw, it has a slim wire guard that gives you a clear view of the cut ahead. It also has a dust blower that clears away dust while cutting, preserving visibility and getting the job done quicker. This makes it a very usable jigsaw, though it lacks a tilting shoe for easy beveling. Also, check out the versatile PORTER-CABLE PCE345 Orbital 6.0 Amp Jigsaw, which has 4 orbital settings for different materials. It has a lock-on button and 7 position speed dial as well to provide multiple speed settings. For your smaller projects, you’ll want the best scroll saw.
#5 Black+Decker BDEJS300C Jig Saw, 4.5 -Amp
Award: BEST BUDGET
WHY WE LIKE IT: This bargain priced jigsaw runs at a competitive 3000 strokes per minute and features an integrated dust blower to keep your work area clear.
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- Tilting base plate for beveled cuts
- Less expensive than the other jigsaws on our list
- Wire guard sight guide for visibility
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- Less powerful than the Black+Decker BDEJS600C
- Lacks multi-position orbital control
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A budget friendly jigsaw with plenty of cutting power for DIY woodworking, decorative woodcutting and many home improvement tasks, the 4.5 amp Black+Decker BDEJS300C is among the best corded jigsaws in terms of value for the money. It even includes some advanced features like its wire guard sight line channel and an integrated dust blower. It also features a true tilting shoe so you can make beveled cuts easily.
While the motor isn’t as powerful as the 6-Amp motor of the Black+Decker BDEJS600C, our top pick for best jigsaw, corded or not, this 4.5-Amp model is more than adequate for most home DIY woodworking tasks. Those looking for the best professional jigsaw, however, might be better advised to go with a model that features orbital action with at least four different positions for working with different materials. Of course for the tougher jobs in the yard, the best gas chainsaw will be perfect. Another jigsaw worth adding to your collection of power tools is the PORTER-CABLE PCE341 Variable Speed Jigsaw. This efficient tool runs at 3,100 SPM and has a two-setting orbital action for quick cutting, an adjustable shoe, and bevel adjustment detents at 0 and 45 degrees. You also don’t need a wrench to make blade changes.
How We Decided
In order to bring you our selections for the best jigsaw for cutting curves, decorative woodworking and basic home improvement tasks, we only considered jigsaws with secure, all metal blade clamps and base plates. Jigsaws using high strength or heavy gauge steel for their base plates were given a bonus. A full wire guard and a chip guard as well as a dust blower were considered a must.
We limited our search to jigsaws with a true orbital function and at least some angle adjustability, as the orbital feature is really what sets a good jigsaw apart. Almost always, an orbital action jigsaw delivers a smoother cut. This smooth cut will make projects with your best cordless drill simple.
We also looked at cutting performance, only considering jigsaws that could deliver at least 2500 strokes per minute. Typically this means a motor rated at least 5 amps. For the sake of versatility, we only selected jigsaws with variable speed options.
Best Jigsaw Buying Guide
Features to Consider
- Orbital Action
An orbital jigsaw moves the blade slightly back and forth at an angle as well as up and down, compared to a “regular” jigsaw which just moves the blade up and down this greatly reduces vibration and saves wear on the blade, while giving you a smoother and more precise cut. - Variable Angle
With orbital action jigsaws, look for ones that have at least four different orbital angle settings possible; this lets you vary the blade’s angle relative to the workpiece, since different angles work better for different types of wood and allow you to make faster, rougher cuts or slower, smoother cuts. - Tilt Shoe
If you’re looking for the best jigsaw for cutting curves with beveled edges, look for a jigsaw with a tilting shoe. - Tool-less blade clamp
Many jigsaws using T-shank blades have secure blade clamps that still let you change blades on the go, without recourse to a blade clamp key as on older models. This is a recommended feature if you’re looking for the best jigsaw for completing wood shop projects quickly. - Dust blower
Any candidate for the best professional jigsaw or jigsaw for serious DIY-ers will have a good, always-on dust blower; this feature automatically clears away the sawdust as you work, preserving your view of the cutting path and saving you from costly mistakes.
