Barrel Grip vs Top Handle Jigsaw
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A top-handle jigsaw has a handle that rises above the saw body, and you push down and forward on it. A barrel-grip jigsaw has a rounded body you wrap your hand around, so your hand sits lower and closer to the blade. For most people the choice comes down to what you cut. Choose a barrel grip for close, controlled work, such as curves, cutouts and cuts in tight spots. Choose a top handle for long straight cuts, thick material and general carpentry, where leverage and a flat, stable push matter more.
Neither style is better in every way. The grip changes where your weight sits and how much you can see, and it often comes with a different set of features. This guide explains the practical differences, then looks at five jigsaws we compare on this site, using the manufacturers' descriptions and the specifications they publish. Nobody here has used these tools; everything below is researched from specifications and general knowledge of how jigsaws work.
How the Two Grips Differ
Top handle
The top handle is the classic jigsaw shape. Your hand sits above the motor housing, so you push from above, and the downward force helps keep the shoe flat on the workpiece. That pressure matters when you are cutting thicker boards, because the blade tries to wander and the saw needs to be held steady against the surface. A top handle also leaves your hand clear of the table, which helps when you work at the edge of a bench.
The trade-off is height. Your hand is a long way from the blade, so the saw can feel tall and top-heavy on tight curves, and it is harder to sight the line closely.
Barrel grip
A barrel-grip saw puts your hand around the motor housing near the base. That brings your hand and forearm closer to the cut line and lowers the center of gravity. Makita describes its barrel-grip model as having an ergonomic barrel grip for close control, and the DeWalt barrel-grip model is described as a compact barrel grip. This is why barrel grips are popular for scribing a countertop cutout, trimming around a sink, or working overhead, where a low, compact saw is easier to hold.
The trade-off is leverage. You are not leaning your weight straight down over the blade, so heavy pushing through thick stock is less natural, and some people find the barrel shape less comfortable for long straight cuts.
What Matters More Than the Grip
Grip style is only one factor. Several other features change how a jigsaw cuts, and they matter in either style.
- Orbital action. Orbital settings tilt the blade forward on the upstroke so it cuts more aggressively. Higher settings cut faster in wood and leave a rougher edge; straight cutting leaves a cleaner edge and suits metal and fine work. Among the saws below, the DeWalt 20V MAX XR Jig Saw Kit has a four-position orbital action, the Bosch 18V Brushless Top-Handle Jig Saw offers four orbital-action settings, and both Makita saws offer three orbital settings plus straight cutting.
- Stroke rate. The manufacturer lists the Makita 18V LXT Brushless Jig Saw at 0 to 3,000 strokes per minute and the Bosch 18V Brushless Top-Handle Jig Saw at up to 3,500 no-load strokes per minute. A higher stroke rate cuts faster but does not make up for a poor blade choice.
- Blade changes. Tool-free blade changes are common now. The DeWalt saws use lever-action keyless changes, and the Makita and Bosch saws list tool-less or tool-free systems.
- Bevel adjustment. The DeWalt 20V MAX Barrel-Grip Jig Saw has bevel detents at 0, 15, 30 and 45 degrees, and the DeWalt 20V MAX XR Jig Saw Kit has a keyless bevel shoe with fixed detents at the same angles.
- Light and dust control. The DeWalt 20V MAX XR Jig Saw Kit has a light on the tool and an integrated dust blower, and both Makita saws have LED lighting.
- Battery platform. Every saw here works only with its own brand's battery system. If you already own DeWalt 20V MAX or Makita 18V LXT batteries, that usually settles the brand question before the grip does.
Comparison Table
| Jigsaw | Grip | Orbital action | Notable features |
|---|---|---|---|
| DeWalt 20V MAX Barrel-Grip Jig Saw | Barrel | Four positions | Brushless, variable speed dial, LED light, dust blower, bevel detents at 0, 15, 30, 45 degrees |
| Makita 18V LXT Brushless Barrel-Grip Jig Saw | Barrel | Three settings plus straight | Six-speed dial, 800 to 3,500 SPM, dual LED lights |
| Makita 18V LXT Brushless Jig Saw | Top handle (D-handle) | Three settings plus straight | 0 to 3,000 SPM, soft no-load start, LED, lock-on button |
| Bosch 18V Brushless Top-Handle Jig Saw | Top handle | Four settings | Up to 3,500 no-load SPM, cuts up to 4.9 in. in wood, aluminum footplate |
Barrel-Grip Examples
The DeWalt 20V MAX Barrel-Grip Jig Saw is a bare tool with a brushless motor, a variable speed dial and a lever-action keyless blade change for T-shank blades. It comes with a no-mar shoe cover. It is in the $100–200 price tier. Its main limits are the DeWalt 20V MAX-only battery system and the fact that battery and charger are sold separately.
The Makita 18V LXT Brushless Barrel-Grip Jig Saw is a Makita 18V LXT barrel-grip saw with a six-speed dial covering 800 to 3,500 strokes per minute, three orbital settings plus straight cutting, a tool-less blade change and dual LED lights. It is in the $200+ price tier.
Top-Handle Example
The Bosch 18V Brushless Top-Handle Jig Saw is a bare tool with a brushless motor that the manufacturer lists at up to 3,500 no-load strokes per minute. It has a die-cast aluminum footplate and a no-mar overshoe for stability, four orbital settings and a tool-free blade change. Bosch gives its cutting capacity as 4.9 inches in wood, which is a useful number if you cut thick lumber. It is in the $100–200 price tier.
The Makita 18V LXT Brushless Jig Saw is a bare Makita jigsaw with a brushless motor and variable speed of 0 to 3,000 strokes per minute. A soft no-load mode runs the blade at reduced speed until it meets the material, which helps you start a cut accurately.
Other Saws Worth Knowing
The DeWalt 20V MAX XR Jig Saw Kit is a kit with a brushless motor, one 5Ah battery and a charger, a four-position orbital action, a light and a dust blower. It is in the $200+ price tier, and its keyless bevel shoe has detents at 0, 15, 30 and 45 degrees.
How to Choose
- Think about your cuts. Mostly curves, cutouts and work in tight spots favors a barrel grip. Mostly long straight cuts in thicker boards favors a top handle.
- Match your batteries. A bare tool is cheaper if you already own the battery and charger. See our guide to bare tools and kits if you are unsure what that means.
- Look at orbital settings. If you cut both wood and metal, more settings give you more control over cut speed and finish.
- Consider the extras. A light, a dust blower and a soft start are small things that add up over many cuts.
- Check the blade type. Most current jigsaws take T-shank blades, so a good blade selection is available whichever saw you pick. Blade choice affects finish and speed as much as the saw does.
For a wider list, see our best cordless jigsaws roundup, or browse the jigsaw category.
FAQ
Is a barrel-grip jigsaw more accurate?
It can be easier to follow a tight line because your hand sits closer to the work and the saw is lower. Accuracy still depends mostly on blade choice, orbital setting and how steadily you feed the saw.
Which grip is better for straight cuts?
Most people find a top handle more natural for long straight cuts, because downward pressure keeps the shoe flat. A guide clamped to the workpiece helps with either style.
Can I use the same blades on both?
Many current saws accept T-shank blades regardless of grip, but confirm the blade type in the manual for the saw you choose.
Do I need a brushless jigsaw?
A brushless motor generally runs cooler, wastes less energy and removes carbon brushes as a wear part, so it gives longer run time per charge. It does not change how the saw cuts.