The reciprocating saw or Sawzall is a tool that can double as a jigsaw, circular saw, and even as a chainsaw. Thus it isn’t surprising that it’s the most used saw in most job sites and is popular with DIYers.
A reciprocating saw would be a great addition to your power tools collection, in particular a cordless one. Cordless reciprocating saws are battery-powered. As such, they are more portable than their corded counterparts. Also, they weigh less than corded models.
The problem is, just about every power tool company makes cordless reciprocating saw. So finding one that best suits your needs is easier said than done. Therefore, before you break open the piggy bank to buy the best cordless reciprocating saw, there are some things to note.
Not every cordless Sawzall model is suited to your needs. Some are built for demolition works while others are made for pruning. Ultimately the best cordless Sawzall is one that can do what you need it to do.
Reviews Of The Best Cordless Reciprocating Saws AKA Best Cordless Sawzall
Cordless reciprocating saws are powered by batteries. As such, they are more portable than their corded counterparts. Also, they weigh less than corded models. However, they tend to be less powerful compared to corded saws.
So which is the best cordless Sawzall? It is hard to narrow down to only one, but there are several that I think to deserve this title in their own way. Here are my top cordless reciprocating saw picks.
Milwaukee 2719-20 M18 FUEL Hackzall
The original Milwaukee 18V hackzall was a fantastic piece of sawing equipment. Its predecessor, the M18 FUEL Hackzall, takes things up a notch. Milwaukee did an excellent job on this model, and its features speak for themselves.
The M18 retained the ergonomic inline design of the original. Thus you can still enjoy one hand cutting with this model. But it’s in the power department where the saw got a complete upgrade, with the adoption of a brushless motor.
This motor is able to drive the blade up to 3000 Strokes per Minute. Thus unlike its predecessor, it has no problems cutting through PVC 2x dimensional wood. Milwaukee also increased the length of the stroke of this model.
You get a stroke length of 7/8 inches up from the original ¾ inches. This is quite impressive and means you are able to cut more wood. While it offers plenty of cutting power, it has close to no vibrations, which means greater stability and control.
Two Thumbs Up For
- It is fitted with an LED light that lights up the area around the blade
- Weighing four pounds, it is relatively lightweight and easy to handle
- Its improved strokes per minute give it the power to cut larger pieces of wood and even PVC
- Has a longer stroke length and as such is able to a larger surface area
- The vibrations are very minimal
What’s Not To Like
- It is a bit harder to hold in some situations
Fast cutting and minimal vibrations earn this Milwaukee creation the title of the best cordless Sawzall. Its performance speaks of itself, and so does its ergonomic design. There is a lot you can do with this unit, especially with one hand.
Ryobi P517 18V Lithium Ion Cordless Brushless 2,900 SPM Reciprocating Saw
The Ryobi p517 is another that can stake a claim to being the best cordless reciprocating saw. But how does it compare to its competitors? Ryobi has done an excellent job of keeping up with the competition with this model
And one feature that demonstrates this is the adoption of a brushless motor instead of a brushed one. The brushless motor on this model drives the blade at 3200 SPM. Slightly more than what you get with the Milwaukee above.
Something that I liked about this saw was the orbital action. This is a feature that was once uncommon in cordless recip saws. And this Ryobi was one of the first cordless saws to introduce an orbital action. With a flip of the orbital tab, you can switch between straight and orbital cutting with ease.
The stay open blade clamp is another component meant to give this Ryobi model an edge over the competition. With this feature, it is easy to change blades, and you do not need any tools to do this.
Two Thumbs Up For
- You can get this saw at a minimum price, meaning it’s cheaper than many of its competitors
- It uses a brushless motor that delivers up to 3200 SPM which is enough for cutting a large piece of wood
- It is very easy to change the blade of this Ryobi Recip saw
- The anti-vibration handle does a great job of minimizing vibrations when cutting
- With its orbital action, it can be used for straight and orbital cutting
What’s Not To Like
- While the quick blade lock feature that allows for fast change of blades is great, it is could be of a better quality
- Compared to other saws its overall construction is not the best
This is definitely not a premium cordless device. It is an excellent pro-entry-level saw and is great with maintenance crews. Given its price, though, you cannot expect the same performance you get from a high end Dewalt or Milwaukee. This is an excellent sawing tool for its price.
DEWALT 20V MAX Cordless Reciprocating Saw Kit
Small compact saws have a reputation of being incapable of handling serious demo works. So I was eager to get my hands on the DEWALT 20V MAX Cordless Reciprocating Saw Kit. It promises power while being small and lightweight.
Weighing 5.0 pounds and measuring 14 inches in length it is one of the most lightweight and shorter options on the market. At first glance, it is a pretty basic saw with a pivoting shoe and a variable blade trigger.
One thing that I thought nice was the lock out switch. The latter prevents accidental engagement of the motor. There is also an LED light at the front of the saw for use in darker places. Something else I liked was the four positions that I can position the blade clamp.
With these four positions, it becomes easy to maintain a solid grip while cutting. Whether against walls or in an overhead position.
Two Thumbs Up For
- It is one of the shortest and lightweight reciprocating saws on the market and can thus be used in tight corners
- Installing or replacing the blades is easy thanks to the keyless blade change system
- Its cutting speed of 3000 strokes per minute is quite impressive for its size
- The grip has an anti-slip property that makes it easy to grip
- It has a variable speed trigger for adjusting the cutting to your needs
What’s Not To Like
- It is difficult to use with one hand due to its vibrations
- Does not have a trigger lock
So should you purchase this saw? For all intents and purposes, it does what a battery-powered reciprocating saw is supposed to do. The fact that it’s small and lightweight means it is also highly portable and can be used in tight corners.
Bosch 12-Volt Max Pocket Reciprocating Saw
Traditionally recip saws have always been perceived as being large and bulky. This is not the case today, however. When you have the likes of the Bosch 12-volt pocket, reciprocating saw. The latter is a small and slim saw.
So does Bosch compromise on quality to bring down the weight and size of this saw down? It offers 3000 SPMs, which is quite impressive for its size. It took me about 15.86 seconds to cut a 3-inch piece of PVC, not the best performance out there, but I have no complaints.
When tested on wood, I found it does well on wood that is ½ inches or thinner. Where it excels is in weight and size. Without the battery, it weighs a meager 2.3 pounds and with battery 2.7 pounds. This is incredibly lightweight for a reciprocating saw.
In terms of its overall length, it measures 10 inches long. Overall it has very basic features, including a variable speed trigger and a brushed motor. There is also an LED light that really helps when cutting in dimly lit areas.
Two Thumbs Up For
- It is one of the most lightweight and shortest reciprocating saws on the market
- Is capable of cutting wood, thin metal, and PVC
- Has a battery light indicator to help you know when the battery is low
- Comes with a metal cutting blade as well as a wood cutting blade
- It comes with a battery included in the package
What’s Not To Like
- The vibration control on this one is not great
- Essential features with no fancy or any special features
It might not have the fancy-schmancy features of some of its pricier counterparts, but for what it’s designed to do, it is superb. This is a lightweight and compact saw designed for average cutting tasks, and it does its job excellently.
KIMO Reciprocating Saws-20v Li-Ion Cordless Saw
When it comes to value for money, there aren’t many recip saws that offer better value for money than the KIMO Reciprocating Saws-20v Li-Ion Cordless Saw.
As with most of the other saws on the list, this one offers 3000 SPMs. It is suitable for cutting metal and wood. Towards this end, you get two wood cutting blades and two metal cutting blades.
Weighing about 3.7 pounds, it is one of the most lightweight saws out there. And being a cordless machine, it is portable. Given it’s suited to small and light cutting tasks, its battery life is pretty impressive compared to some of its competitors.
Included in the package is a 4.0h Ah lithium-ion battery. Also included is a fast charger that can charge the battery within an hour.
Two Thumbs Up For
- It is small and lightweight
- Comes with four different blades for cutting metal and wood
- It comes with a battery and charger included
- The tool-free blade change system makes it easy to change or install blades
- It comes ready to use with all the accessories required
What’s Not To Like
- Is not suited for cutting thicker wood or materials
- The battery pack may be a bit difficult to remove
Nowadays, there are very many compact reciprocating saws on the market, and this is among the best. It is a compact reciprocating saw that is ideal for general cutting tasks such as pruning. Also, considering what you are getting, it is quite affordable.
BLACK+DECKER 20V MAX Reciprocating Saw
At the price range, don’t expect anything fancy from the BLACK+DECKER 20V MAX Reciprocating Saw. However, this is not to say that it’s a waste of time. On the contrary, for what it is designed for, it is an exquisite tool.
So what is it built for? This is a compact and lightweight saw designed for low to medium difficulty tasks. It is not the saw to take on a demolition gig, but if you need a pruning saw, it is more than up to the task.
Its small and lightweight design allows it to get into narrow spaces that most other saws cannot. I love the positioning of the variable speed trigger. It is located on the handle making it easy to adjust your cutting speed on the job.
When it comes to performance, it is capable of 3000 SPMs and has a stroke length of 7/8 inches. This is definitely shorter than most saws, but it is ideal for cutting thinner materials. Its shorter stroke length allows it to handle delicate tasks where deep penetration is not required.
Two Thumbs Up For
- It is one of the most affordable reciprocating saws on the market
- A shorter stroke length allows for more delicate and accurate cuts
- You can control how aggressive you want to cut with the variable speed trigger
- Weighing about 6.7 pounds, it is lightweight and portable
- Changing or installing a new blade is super easy
What’s Not To Like
- The vibration control is not great at all
- It is designed for small to medium tasks, not heavy-duty cutting tasks.
The one thing to remember about this saw is that it is what it is designed for. It is designed for small to medium cutting tasks. Tasks that it excels at thanks to its shorter stroke length and variable speed trigger. This battery-operated Sawzall is small but not inefficient.
How To Buy cordless reciprocating saws For The Money
As already stated, not every cordless reciprocating saw is worth your time and money. To find out which one is, there are some features to look out for. Below are the most important features to consider before settling on a cordless reciprocating saw.
Power
Some years ago, cordless reciprocating saws were considered inferior to their corded counterparts in the power department. But thanks to advancements in technology, modern cordless saws can be as powerful.
When shopping for a saw, it is important to consider power. The kind of reciprocating saw that is at its best when pruning roses will struggle when dealing with concrete. The power of a saw should match the projects you will be handling.
For large scale demolition works, you need a saw with a powerful motor. The same cannot be said for pruning tasks where a low power budget model will do fine.
Variable speed
The cutting speed is how fast the reciprocating saw moves in a forward and backward motion. A high cutting speed translates to a quick cut. However, for a more precise cut, you may want to reduce the speed.
That being said, it is wise to select a saw that gives you the ability to adjust the cutting speed. This way, you can adjust the speed based on the cutting task at hand. Some of the best cordless reciprocating saws allow you to adjust the speed using the trigger.
This is important as it makes the saw more ergonomic as you don’t have additional switches or knobs to tinker with when cutting.
Battery
You need batteries to power your cordless reciprocating saw. Thus the other important factor to consider is how long the batteries last before requiring a re-charge. It is pretty annoying when you in the middle of a task and the saw turns off due to the battery being dead.
Check the battery power of a saw to know whether it can serve your needs. Also, it is advisable to get a spare battery. Some reciprocating saws allow for a spare battery. These are the best as you can work for longer with such a saw.
Ease of blade changing
The blade of a reciprocating saw is responsible for the actual cutting. As such, there are different blades for cutting diverse materials. The type of blade that is used to prune roses is not the same as that used to cut metal.
As such, you will have to change the blade of your saw from time to time. How easy it is to change the blade is another critical factor. Changing the blade of a reciprocating saw should be easy and toolless. This way, you can swap out the blade when you need to at any time.
Weight
When it comes to reciprocating saws, cordless or corded, you will want something with a bit of heft for a smooth cutting experience. However, a cordless recipro saw should not be too heavy. Also, a compact saw will be ideal for cutting in compact or hard-to-reach spaces.
For general purposes works, a 12-inch blade saw will be an ideal choice. However, for cutting in hard-to-reach spaces, you will want a smaller and more compact machine. Thus, the size and weight of the machine you get will depend on your needs.
Comfort and design
How comfortable a saw is will determine a lot. Having a firm grip on a saw’s handle will be crucial to how easy it is to cut anything with it. The best tools offer rubber padded handles that provide a firm grip without feeling rough and uncomfortable.
Frequently asked questions
Should I stick to well-known brands of reciprocating saws only?
There is no harm in choosing reciprocating saws from a well-known brand. However, there some pretty amazing brands that you probably have never heard of. So while a big name brand offers the peace of mind that reputation brings, there is no harm in looking for alternatives.
This is especially since big name brand products sometimes come at a premium. With enough time, you can find affordable models from little-known brands.
What can I use a cordless reciprocating saw to do?
Reciprocating saws have many applications. For starters, you can use this type of saw for a remodeling project to cut PVC pipes, window frames, and even tiles. Additionally, you can use the same saw for demolition works to through most materials.
Reciprocating saws are also used for tree removal as well as pruning of hedges or limb trimming. Mostly, reciprocating saws can be used in almost all cutting applications.
Are cordless reciprocating saws less powerful compared to corded saws?
In the past, it was fair to say that corded reciprocating saws were more powerful. However, thanks to advancements in technology, modern cordless models have become pretty powerful. Cordless models of today offer plenty of power.
Nonetheless, corded models are still slightly more powerful compared to cordless models of the same level.
Are cordless reciprocating saw blades universal?
There are three main types of blades you can purchase for your saw, wood, metal, and bi-metal. There are other specialized blades as well. Therefore there is no one blade that fits all when it comes to reciprocating saws.
The type of blade you use should match the material being cut. It is for this reason that reciprocating saw blades are interchangeable. When cutting metal, you can swap out your saw’s default blade for one suited to cutting metal.
Conclusion
Reciprocating saws are tools whose use cut across industries. They are used by firefighters, in demolition works, and in gardening. Indeed they are among the most versatile power tools on the market. As such, investing in a good quality reciprocating saw reaps benefits.
Obviously, the best cordless reciprocating saw is the one that best suits your needs. There are many options available in the market today. The above reviewed are some of the best and offer the right balance of power, performance, and ease of handling.