Last Updated on July 26, 2021 by James
Jigsaws are heavy-duty power tools that can perform a number of different functions which include: cross cutting, miter cuts and mitering, plunge cuts, bevel cuts and scoring or breaking materials. If you have the right blade, you can accurately cut a varied range of materials apart from wood. When looking for the best cordless jigsaw, chances are that you want something comparable to a corded model, but one that is battery powered.
Benefits of Cordless Jigsaws
2 handles: Cordless jigsaws typically feature two handles for better control when making cuts. The blade can rotate either clockwise or anti-clockwise at variable speeds.
Lighter: A cordless jigsaw is lighter than corded jigsaw due to the lack of a cord, giving the user greater freedom of movement around the work area. The smaller batteries used in cordless jigsaws mean they only have a limited amount of usage before they need to be recharged. This is much more cost effective than purchasing corded drills or corded saws, as cordless jigsaws only need to be charged between uses and the cord can be avoided altogether.
Easy use: Although cordless jigsaws use rechargeable batteries, they are a better alternative to corded power tools because they have no extension leads or wires to worry about when working near exposed electrical cables. Cordless jigsaws are also lighter in weight, which makes them easier for some users to handle; especially if using heavy cutting materials such as metals and thick wood.
Powerful: A cordless jigsaw is able to cut through a variety of different types of material without any problems: plastic, aluminium sheets, softwood , hardwood (birch, alder, pine, spruce etc.), MDF, plywood , thin sheets of metal and PVC.
Versatile and inexpensive: They are an excellent option for DIY enthusiasts due to their versatility and ease of use. The cordless jigsaw is relatively inexpensive when compared to corded power tools but still performs the same function; making it an ideal tool for professional tradesmen as well as amateurs looking for a low-cost solution.
Low maintenance: The cordless jigsaw requires little maintenance apart from charging the battery every now and then and ensuring that the blade stays sharp by replacing or adjusting if needed. The blades are usually made from tungsten steel which can be adjusted according to the type of material being cut in order to increase or decrease performance levels depending on what is being worked on.
Safer: Maintaining corded cordless jigsaws can be a simple task that requires little time and effort. Cordless jigsaws are known for having no cord to look after, making them very easy to handle and use without any problems. They have no cord to wrap around objects or people whilst in use which can be dangerous when working near exposed electrical cables or other power tools.
Best Cordless Jigsaw 2020
Here are the best cordless jigsaws ranked, in order:
1. Cordless Jigsaw of DEWALT: DCS331B
The model is of high quality which has a built-in dust blower. This feature is very essential when it comes to jigsaws, as the dust gets blown away from you while you are working on any kind of project. You do not need to wait and wipe the dust away. This helps you to do your work continuously with concentration without getting distracted.
You can easily do the DIY projects at your place with this tool. It comes with enough power which can be applied to cut all kinds of materials. The features are very adjustable, making it flexible for you to use it.
It is very lightweight, weighing only 6 pounds. The speed can be easily controlled according to your own needs. It can be done with the help of a trigger which can be pressed harder if you want a high-performance result. T
o maintain the variety and quality of cuts, you can use the 4-position orbital setting. It helps you in making the exact desired curve cut you need. It is cordless which allows you the flexibility of using it anywhere in your entire workplace. It has an anti-slip comfort grip, making it comfortable for the users to use it.
The speed range is very variable which is up to the range of 3000 SPM. It is very affordable. The only drawback it doesn’t come along with a charger or a battery.
Pros
- The dust blower is very adjustable making the cuts and project clean and clear,
- Very conveniently and easily you can change the blade
- The Shoe bevel can cut at 45, 30, 15, and 0 degrees.
- The grip is made in such a way that it is anti-slip.
Cons
- The blade might come out sometime.
- It can be heavy to use for beginners.
- No battery is present in the kit and needs to be bought separately.
- Only t-shank blades can be used in this machine.
2. Makita’s Lithium-Ion Jigsaw: XVJ03Z
It has the overall lowest weight which combines both power and precision, seamlessly. To achieve accurate jigsaw cutting performance, it comes with different comfort features as well as a varied range of precisions.
You can work in lower noise and lesser vibrations which is very essential when it comes to woodwork. The battery of this machine is slide styled and has 18-volt Lithium-Ion which enables the charger to get charged very quickly.
In this way, you would be able to spend more time in your work than waiting for the battery to get charged up. For faster and efficient charging on the battery, it comes with a fan which is built-in. The Star Protection Computer Control created by Makita extends the battery life and improves the performance of the tool.
It helps in monitoring the working conditions during the use of the tool to protect it against overheating, overloading, and over-discharging. The motor it comes with has high torque which can produce till 2600 strokes which are 1″ in every minute. It makes cutting efficient and fast.
It has one straight and three orbital positions cut setting. To quickly change the blade, you can use the “tool-less” push-in locking system. For accurate bevel and straight cuts, the jigsaw’s workpiece is positioned with a blade roller guide.
For reducing operator’s fatigue it comes with a shape which is ergonomic in nature and a better design of 10-2/8″ long. Even if you are wearing gloves on your hand, the 2-finger speed variable trigger switch is very easy to operate and it is also an important safety control.
To illuminate your working area, it comes with a LED light which is built in. The weight of it is 6.1 lbs. The model’s built is solid making it strong & sturdy to use.
This means you can use this for a long time without having to buy a new one only after using it for four months. When it is used for heavy projects, a spare charged battery should be kept in handy.
Pros
- It is very efficient and fast.
- The machine is well built.
- It also comes with a guarantee of getting your money back if you do not like the product within 30 days.
Cons
- It does not come with a charger or a battery
- When you are using it for the first time, you might find it difficult to position the blade.
This one is a host to a lot of features which includes variable speed lever, easy blade change, speed match, and blade saver. Without depending on the steady trigger pressure, you can get the required speed with the help of variable speed lever.
Depending on the material you are cutting you can use the speed match feature to optimize the speed base and orbital action. The trigger can be easily locked in the “switched on” position with the help of trigger lock. The speed range varies from 1100 to 3000 SPM with the stroke length being one inch.
The bevel capacity lets you go 45 degrees both right and left. Universal shank blades or T-shank blades can be used on this machine and changing them can be a bit handful at times. If you are on a budget and you want the best jigsaw without making a hole in your pocket, then this is the ideal machine for you.
The graphics on the jigsaw shows you all the settings which are best suitable for your use. The cutting surface and the environment is kept clean and dust free by the dust blower which is built in the machine.
This allows you to work steadily without having to clean the dust from time to time. Now, working in different time and at different places can be quite handy when the area is not well lit. But, you do not have to worry about this as this tool comes with built-in LED lights.
The most important feature of all is that as the blade starts to scrape, the foot can be lowered down. This enables a more useful and longer lifespan of the blade and minimizes the wastage. With the press of a single button, you can easily lock the system into place.
Pros
- Minimum wastage of blade in use.
- It has inbuilt dust blower and LED lights. The framework of the tool is very strong and comes with an easy lock mechanism.
Cons
- Only specific types of blades can fit in.
- It takes time to understand the process of changing the blades.
4. Black and Decker’s Jigsaw Kit: BDCJS20C MAX
This tool is especially best for the beginners and the ones who are doing DIYs at their home. It has all the basic features and it is very easy to use and light to carry. 2500 SPM is the maximum speed for cutting.
The best thing about this tool is that it comes with a battery as well as a charger. There is a trigger for variable speed option which helps the cutting to be more precise.
The angle of your cuts can be in any of the direction with the help of the bevel capacity. The blades which can be used in this tool are U blades and T-shank.
To keep the sightline and the workplace clear, it comes with a built-in dust blower and the machine also has a good wire guard to keep your machine effective and efficient.
If you are a person who is interested in short projects and you do not want to buy a machine which is made for heavier projects and comes with a lot of extra unnecessary features, then you should definitely go for this one. It can be used on a variety of materials.
The tool being cordless helps you work anywhere you want. It comes with a limited two-year warranty. It also comes in multiple colors so that when you buy it, you can get the inner child out of you and get it on your favorite color.
Pros
- It comes at a very good price. The kit has charger and battery included in it. The tool is of good quality and durable.
- It has a limited warranty of 2 years.
Cons
- Even the maximum speed of this machine is very low.
- The quality of the battery is very low which gets drained quickly.
- It has no advanced features and has only basic minimum features. The major problem is that it does not come with a built-in light.
5. Milwaukee’s Lithium-Ion Jigsaw: 2445-20 M12
This jigsaw weighs only 4 lbs. The new Hybrid Grip design of this product has acquired it quite a lot of customers. To provide superior control of the cut, it has a better barrel grip and top handle grip. It is regarded as the most professional, compact and lightweight jigsaw in the market.
It has a very flexible control system and cutting power which allows you to work on a lot of materials. It can be used for creating small and quick cuts without much difficulty.
It is best of plumbers, cabinet installers, trim carpenters, and remodelers. During the time of making curved cuts, a low center of the gravity grip allows more precision. It has a stroke length of ¾” and SPM of 0 to 2800 which delivers betters cuts in various materials. To improve visibility, it comes with an attached LED light. It is designed in such a way that the counterbalanced mechanism helps to minimize the vibration by putting the weight on the cutting areas.
Pros
- It is very durable and easy to use.
- It helps in creating compact cuts.
- It comes along with good features
- The manufacturer provides a warranty of five years.
Cons
- It is very expensive.
- It does not come with a dust blower which makes it very difficult for you to work properly.
- Sometimes the blades will not get locked properly.
Things To Consider Before Buying Cordless Jigsaw
Going to the market and buying a jigsaw or opening a website and ordering a jigsaw is not the right way to buy a jigsaw. There are a lot of factors you should keep in mind before committing yourself to a jigsaw. Here are some cordless jigsaw features you need to consider:
1. Blade Type
There are particularly two types of blades when we talk about jigsaw blades. One of them is U shaped blades and the other one is T-shank blades. Since the T-shank blades can be changed easily, they are more popular in the market than the U shaped blades.
The most important thing you should consider before buying any blade is the type of material that is used to make the blade. If you do not choose the right blade, you might not be able to cut the material properly and it might damage the machine.
For example, the bimetallic blade is used for cutting metals and hardwood. For wood and light metal, steel blades are good to go. The tungsten carbide blade is used for ceramics.
Another important factor is the TPI (teeth per inch) number. When you are cutting hard metals or hardwood, you need a blade with high TPI and when you are working on something soft, you need a blade with low or medium TPI.
2. Speed
The speed we are talking about here is the motor’s speed which powers the jigsaw. It is measured as the number of times the blade will go in to and fro motion to cut any material in a minute. In most of the cases, if the speed or SPM is high, then more and heaver projects can be taken by its user.
New speed changing triggers are now attached to the handle of the machine which helps the user to change the speed quickly according to the need and in a hassle free manner without stopping the entire work to change the speed.
3. Orbital Setting
Just like a pendulum swings at a to and fro motion in a particular angle, the jigsaw’s blade also does the same thing. So the type of material you are working on will regulate the blade’s angle. You have to change the blade’s angle depending on it.
If it is not done then the blade might get damaged due to overheating. The fiction of the blade against the material can be reduced by using the orbital setting so that there are fewer chances of overheating and damage.
4. Good Price Point
You need to wise here. You should get a jigsaw which you need as well as which you can afford. There are many jigsaws out there. Some are basic while some are very advanced. Some are made for the beginners while some are made for the professionals.
You have to set your requirements first before you buy a jigsaw. You surely do not want to waste your money on a jigsaw which you are getting at a very cheap price and later it turns out to be useless.
Nor do you want to spend your money on an expensive jigsaw which has many unnecessary features which you will not use in the future.
5. Grip
A really steady and good grip is an essential feature of a jigsaw. It is needed for accuracy, comfort, and safety. It has to be ergonomically designed so that it is hassle-free for you to use it.
Whenever you are holding a jigsaw when you are working with it, it should feel good on your hands. It should be designed in such a way that it should not vibrate a lot while working on any kind of material.
6. Visibility
If there’s one thing that you cannot ignore, then it is the factor of visibility. If you want to produce something with an accurate and smooth finish, you must have good visibility while you are working.
That can be achieved with the help of a dust blower and a LED light. These are the two things you must see in a jigsaw when you are buying it. The blower blows away the dust particles which is very important and the light provides you with a clear sight in any environment.
7. Warranty
You have to carefully check the warranty period being offered by the manufacturer of the jigsaw you are buying. If the company is reputable and the product is of good quality, they at least give a warranty for a year.
Many companies also give warranty for more than three years. You should always buy a product which has a minimum warranty of one year so that if any problem arises, you do not have to spend any extra money on it.
How To Take Care Of a Jigsaw?
Checks
You should always check the cord which gives your jigsaw the power supply before using it. If any damage has happened, that is if it is frayed or nicked then it is not safe to use it. You also have to be careful while you are using the jigsaw.
You have to make sure that you do not let it fall off your hand as the shoe alignment can get affected by it. Minor damage can be rectified by using mole grips to flatter the shoe. You would not be able to make précised cuts if the saw blade has damaged baseplate or bent.
Since you would use it for different types of projects, you should oil it from time to time to keep it effective and efficient. The handle should be dry, clean and oil free when you are using it and after you have used it.
You also have to keep it clean by removing any kind of debris or dust which is getting accumulated in the ventilation slots. If you do not do this, the jigsaw will get damaged due to overheating. The body of it can be easily cleaned with the help of mild soap and a damp piece of cloth.
You have to make sure that there is no dust built up near the blade guide. It seriously hampers the quality of the blade by making it blunt after some time of use. To clean the parts of the jigsaw which cloth cannot clean, it can be easily done with the help of a toothbrush.
When you are not using the jigsaw, you should keep it in the case or box it comes in from the company. It protects it from any kind of harm when you are not using it.
Even if the tool doesn’t have a box or case then you should make or buy one so that you can keep it safe far away from any kind of moisture. As it runs on electrical power, contact of the jigsaw with any moisture is the doom of it.
Replacement of Carbon Batteries
To transport the electricity to the motor, most of the jigsaw these days has only 2 carbon brushes. Due to regular use, the friction gradually starts affecting the brushes and it has to be changed. There are times when you can change these brushes by your own hands.
The operating manual will have information regarding this. If it is present in the manual then you have to follow the exact steps of replacing which is mentioned in the manual. The instructions are generally given by professionals in a detailed form and easy to follow.
Although in most of the cases, where the machine is used occasionally, the carbon brush usually lasts the entire lifetime of the machine.
Battery Recharge
Depending on the capacity of your battery and the type and amount of work you need to complete, you should charge the jigsaw’s battery according to it.
Since these days most of the jigsaws are cordless, you should always get good quality batteries and charger for your jigsaw. Most of the manufacturers provide batteries and charger with the jigsaw tool kit but some of them do not. In that case, you need to buy it separately.
When you are buying a charger and batteries for your jigsaw, you should always go for products of good quality and has a good customer review.
Benefits Of Using Cordless Jigsaw
Hassle Free
If you are materials with the help of a normal blade, it is a very hectic process. Jigsaws run on motors which make the work super easy to do. It can cut through any material. The pressure you want to exert on the material can also be controlled and maintained during the entire process.
If you are worried about the process of changing the jigsaw’s blade, do not worry. All the manufacturers provide a user manual with the product so that anyone can use it without any trouble.
Moreover, there are different types of jigsaws. Some are made for professionals and some are made for beginners to use for their DIY projects. It also comes with a lot of features which helps you to do your work smoothly.
Safety
When you are using a normal saw to cut material, it can be very dangerous. But jigsaws these days come with a lot of safety measures. It can be used by children too under an adult’s supervision. The safety guide provided in the kit has all the information about all the safety precautions.
The blade is kept properly in place so that the work can be done without any risk. The weight of the jigsaws is also not much so that people can safely and easily carry it anywhere they want to.
Efficiency
The jigsaw does your work in the most perfect way possible. It also saves a lot of your time. All the cuts and curves can be properly made with the right amount of pressure, the right material of blade and correct angle of the blade.
The inbuilt lights and dust blower of the jigsaw help the user to use it without any complications. It can help you cut any type of material in any desired way you want.
Portability
Jigsaws these days have becoming wireless and light-weight which has made it easy for anyone to carry it anywhere they want. You can easily carry it at the back of your car or carry it in your hand to different corners of your workplace.
This will help you increase the productivity of your work. The fast charging batteries are also of good quality, making it easier for you to complete your work quickly.
Conclusion
DEWALT: DCS331B is clearly the top pick. It has a good power, is efficient, and has many features, and is affordable. Ryobi One+ P523 is very cost effective. You now know a lot of things about a jigsaw and you also know about the top five jigsaws which are available in the market.
There are lots of advantages to using a jigsaw. Not only does it help you to do your work easily but in a better and safer way. The work it does and the features many of it provides has made it very essential for any person who is related to the construction of materials to own one jigsaw.
You should always consider the reputation of the company, the features it is providing, the requirements you need to complete your work before buying any kind of jigsaw. Things have become super easy these days. So, do not wait up. Go and get that best cordless jigsaw and start making wonderful projects of your choice.
