Best Cordless Jigsaws
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A good cordless jig saw cuts curves and straight lines in wood, plywood and, with the right blade, thin metal and plastic, with no cord to catch on the work. This guide compares eight cordless jig saws using published specifications. Nobody here has tested these tools, so the comparison rests on stated specifications and on how each design is meant to be used.
The differences that matter are the handle style, the stroke rate and orbital settings, how the bevel works, and above all which battery system the saw belongs to. Most of these saws are sold as bare tools, so the battery platform decides the real cost. Price tiers are ranges, not exact prices.
If you are unsure about handle style, read barrel-grip vs top-handle jigsaws first. For the broader battery question, see 2Ah vs 4Ah vs 5Ah battery size.
Our Top Picks
- For detailed, curved and plunge cuts at a lower price tier: Black+Decker 20V MAX Jig Saw
- For adjustable cut aggressiveness: Craftsman V20 Jig Saw
- For a top-handle saw with four orbital settings: Bosch 18V Brushless Top-Handle Jig Saw
- For compact, close-in control: DeWalt 20V MAX Barrel-Grip Jig Saw
- For slow-speed control on delicate material: Makita 18V LXT Brushless Barrel-Grip Jig Saw
- For M18 owners who want a D-handle: Milwaukee M18 FUEL D-Handle Jig Saw
- For ONE+ owners moving to a brushless saw: RYOBI 18V ONE+ HP Brushless Jig Saw
- For a kit with battery and charger: Skil PWRCore 20 Brushless Jig Saw Kit
Comparison Table
| Product | Price Tier | Battery System | Notable |
|---|---|---|---|
| Black+Decker 20V MAX Jig Saw | $50–100 | Black+Decker 20V MAX | Detailed, curved, angled and plunge cuts |
| Craftsman V20 Jig Saw | $50–100 | Craftsman V20 | Adjustable orbital action |
| Bosch 18V Brushless Top-Handle Jig Saw | $100–200 | Bosch 18V | Top-handle design |
| DeWalt 20V MAX Barrel-Grip Jig Saw | $100–200 | DeWalt 20V MAX | Barrel grip |
| Makita 18V LXT Brushless Barrel-Grip Jig Saw | $200+ | Makita 18V LXT | Barrel grip, slow-speed dial |
| Milwaukee M18 FUEL D-Handle Jig Saw | — | Milwaukee M18 | D-handle |
| RYOBI 18V ONE+ HP Brushless Jig Saw | — | RYOBI 18V ONE+ | Variable speed dial |
| Skil PWRCore 20 Brushless Jig Saw Kit | $100–200 | Skil PWRCore 20 | Kit with USB-port battery |
The Picks in Detail
Black+Decker 20V MAX Jig Saw
The specifications describe a bare saw built for detailed, curved, angled and plunge cuts. The motor is brushed. The variable-speed trigger reaches up to 2,500 rpm, the blade change is tool-free, and the shoe bevels to 45 degrees. A built-in dust blower keeps the cut line visible.
It takes both U and T shank blades, which matters if you already own a box of older blades. The catch is the battery: it is part of the Black+Decker 20V MAX battery system and no battery or charger is included, so the real cost depends on whether you already own that system.
- Takes both U and T shank blades with a tool-free change
- 45-degree bevel shoe and built-in dust blower
- Plunge cuts are listed among its uses
- Battery and charger sold separately
- Brushed motor, not brushless
Craftsman V20 Jig Saw
The Craftsman V20 saw runs up to 2,500 strokes per minute from its variable-speed trigger and has three orbital settings. Orbital action moves the blade slightly forward on the upstroke, so a higher setting cuts faster in wood and a lower one leaves a cleaner edge. A beveling shoe cuts angles up to 45 degrees.
It accepts both T and U blades and has a dust blower. It is a bare tool, so you need V20 batteries and a charger. The motor is brushed.
- Three orbital settings
- Accepts both T and U blades
- Beveling shoe cuts up to 45 degrees
- Tool only, battery and charger not included
- Brushed motor, not brushless
Bosch 18V Brushless Top-Handle Jig Saw
This Bosch top-handle saw is rated for up to 3,500 no-load strokes per minute. It has a die-cast aluminum footplate with a no-mar overshoe, four orbital-action settings and a tool-free blade-change system.
Its cutting capacity in wood is 4.9 inches. A top-handle design puts your hand above the saw, which many people find steadier for long straight cuts on a bench or a cut line you can see clearly. It is a bare tool, so battery and charger are extra.
- Up to 3,500 no-load strokes per minute
- Die-cast aluminum footplate adds stability
- Four orbital-action settings
- Bare tool, battery and charger sold separately
DeWalt 20V MAX Barrel-Grip Jig Saw
The DeWalt barrel-grip saw has a brushless motor and a compact body that lets you hold the saw low, close to the work. A variable speed dial sets the stroke rate and a lever-action keyless mechanism changes T-shank blades. Bevel detents sit at 0, 15, 30 and 45 degrees.
A no-mar shoe cover is included. It works only with DeWalt 20V MAX batteries, sold separately.
- Brushless motor with variable speed dial
- Barrel grip in a compact body
- Bevel detents at 0, 15, 30 and 45 degrees
- Works only with DeWalt 20V MAX batteries
- Battery and charger sold separately
Makita 18V LXT Brushless Barrel-Grip Jig Saw
Makita pairs a barrel grip with a six-speed dial whose strokes start at 800 SPM, a low starting point that suits materials that melt or chip at high speed. It has three orbital settings plus straight cutting, a tool-less blade change and dual LED lights.
It is in the $200+ tier, the highest tier shown in this group, and it works only with Makita 18V LXT batteries. If you already own LXT batteries it is a natural fit; if not, factor in the cost of the battery system.
- Six-speed dial starting at 800 SPM
- Dual LED lights illuminate the work area
- Tool-less blade change
- Works only with Makita 18V LXT batteries
- Three orbital settings plus straight cutting only
Milwaukee M18 FUEL D-Handle Jig Saw
Milwaukee lists this saw at up to 3,500 strokes per minute with variable speed from zero. It uses T-shank blades, offers toolless bevel adjustment with positive stops at 0, 15, 30 and 45 degrees, and has four-position orbital cutting. Milwaukee rates it at up to 105 linear feet of cutting in three-quarter-inch laminated particle board on an M18 REDLITHIUM XC5.0 battery.
The box holds an anti-splinter guard, a dust collection tube, a dust cover, a hex wrench and a shoe guard. It is a bare tool that works only with M18 batteries.
- Up to 3,500 strokes per minute
- Toolless bevel with stops at 0, 15, 30 and 45 degrees
- Four-position orbital cutting
- Tool only, battery and charger not included
- Works only with Milwaukee M18 batteries
RYOBI 18V ONE+ HP Brushless Jig Saw
RYOBI lists a variable speed dial from 800 to 3,400 strokes per minute, four orbital settings, a tool-free bevel adjustment with locking detents at 45 degrees left and right, an easy-release blade lever and an on-board LED worklight. The base is die-cast metal with a non-marring shoe.
It is the ONE+ HP brushless line, sold as a tool-only option or in a kit with a 2Ah battery and charger.
- Variable speed from 800 to 3,400 strokes per minute
- Four orbital settings and an LED worklight
- Fits the 18V ONE+ battery system
- Tool only, battery and charger not included
- Works only with RYOBI 18V ONE+ batteries
Skil PWRCore 20 Brushless Jig Saw Kit
The Skil kit is the only saw here sold with its power supply: a 2.0Ah battery with a USB port and a PWRJump charger. The saw has a 1-inch stroke, a digital brushless motor, a four-stage orbital function, a dust blower and a tool-free blade clamp.
Because the battery is a compact 2.0Ah pack, expect shorter run time on long cuts. For someone starting from nothing, though, a complete kit in the $100–200 tier can cost less than a bare saw plus a separate battery and charger from another system.
- Battery with USB port and charger included
- 1-inch stroke and four-stage orbital function
- Tool-free blade clamp
- Compact 2.0Ah battery limits run time
- Orbital function limited to four stages
How to Choose a Cordless Jig Saw
Start with the battery system. Most saws in this list are sold bare, and each works only with its own brand's batteries. If you already own batteries from one platform, the cheapest good saw is usually the one that uses them. If you own none, the Skil kit and the kit options some brands offer show up in a different light, since the battery and charger often cost more than the saw.
Pick a handle style. Our explainer on barrel-grip and top-handle jigsaws covers this in more depth. In short, a top-handle saw, such as the Bosch here, puts the hand above the tool and tends to suit long straight cuts. A barrel-grip saw, such as the DeWalt and Makita here, keeps your hand low and close to the blade, which suits tight curves and work above or beside you. A D-handle, like the Milwaukee, is a variation of the top-handle idea.
Look at orbital settings and speed range. Orbital action makes the blade move slightly forward as it rises, which speeds cutting in wood but roughens the edge. Saws with several settings let you pick; the lowest or straight setting is the one to use for clean cuts in laminate. A low minimum speed, like the Makita's 800 SPM, helps with plastic and thin metal.
Check the blade fit. Most current saws take T-shank blades. The Black+Decker and Craftsman saws here also take U-shank blades, which can matter if you inherited an assortment. Tool-free blade change is listed on most of the saws above and is worth having.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need a brushless jig saw?
A brushless motor generally runs cooler, wastes less energy and lasts longer than a brushed motor. For occasional household cuts a brushed saw is workable, but if you cut often or want more runtime per charge, brushless is the better fit.
What does orbital action do?
It adds a small forward-and-back motion to the blade. More orbit cuts faster but leaves a rougher edge; no orbit gives a cleaner cut in plywood or laminate. Saws with three or four settings let you choose per job.
Can I use a bare saw with any battery?
No. Each bare saw here works only with its own brand's battery platform, so check that the platform matches what you own before buying.