Best One-Handed Reciprocating Saws
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A one-handed reciprocating saw trades reach and weight for access. It is the saw you pick up when the cut is inside a wall cavity, under a sink, between joists or up a ladder, where a full-size saw needs both hands and room to swing. The usual jobs are cutting pipe, nails and metal straps, trimming studs and rough demolition work.
This guide covers six reciprocating saws. Only two of them, the Flex 24V One-Handed Reciprocating Saw and the Milwaukee M18 FUEL Hackzall, are listed as one-handed designs. The two DeWalt saws are compact models. We also include two saws that are not one-handed designs, so you can see what you give up and what you gain by going small. Everything here is based on manufacturer specifications, not on hands-on use.
Every saw below is sold as a bare tool, so a battery and charger are extra. That makes the battery platform you already own the first filter, ahead of any specification.
Our Top Picks
- For tight spaces and pipe work: Milwaukee M18 FUEL Hackzall One-Handed Reciprocating Saw
- For a one-handed saw with a longer stroke: Flex 24V One-Handed Reciprocating Saw
- For the brushless compact saw: DeWalt 20V MAX XR Brushless Compact Reciprocating Saw
- For a slim body between studs: DeWalt 20V MAX Compact Reciprocating Saw
- Full-size step up: Makita 18V LXT Reciprocating Saw
- Two-handed saw with orbital action: Metabo HPT 18V MultiVolt Reciprocating Saw
Comparison Table
| Product | Battery system | Stroke length | Price tier |
|---|---|---|---|
| Flex 24V One-Handed Reciprocating Saw | Flex 24V | 1 inch | $100–200 |
| Milwaukee M18 FUEL Hackzall One-Handed Reciprocating Saw | Milwaukee M18 | 7/8 inch | — |
| DeWalt 20V MAX XR Brushless Compact Reciprocating Saw | DeWalt 20V MAX | 1-1/8 inch | $100–200 |
| DeWalt 20V MAX Compact Reciprocating Saw | DeWalt 20V MAX | 1-1/8 inch | $100–200 |
| Makita 18V LXT Reciprocating Saw | Makita 18V LXT | 1-1/4 inch | — |
| Metabo HPT 18V MultiVolt Reciprocating Saw | Metabo HPT 18V and 18V/36V | 1-1/8 inch | $100–200 |
Stroke length is the distance the blade travels on each pass. A longer stroke generally removes more material per stroke, while a shorter one tends to feel smoother in small, controlled cuts. It is only one part of how a saw behaves, so use it alongside weight and size.
The Picks in Detail
Milwaukee M18 FUEL Hackzall One-Handed Reciprocating Saw
The Hackzall is Milwaukee's one-handed saw on the M18 18V platform. Milwaukee's product page lists a POWERSTATE brushless motor and a 7/8 inch stroke, and says the saw produces up to 4x lower vibration than traditional reciprocating saws. That is a manufacturer claim, and it is the kind of feature that matters when you are holding a saw overhead with one arm.
It is generally used for one-handed cutting of pipe, nails and metal in tight spaces. The stroke is the shortest in this group, so expect it to suit small, precise work better than long demolition cuts. It is a tool-only product, and it works only with M18 batteries.
- One-handed design for confined spaces
- Brushless motor
- M18 battery platform
- Tool only, battery and charger not included
- Works only with Milwaukee M18 batteries
- Shortest stroke in this group
Flex 24V One-Handed Reciprocating Saw
The Flex FX2241-Z is a bare 24V saw built for one-hand use. Its stroke is 1 inch, longer than the Hackzall's, it runs up to 3,000 strokes per minute, and its counterbalanced gearbox is designed to reduce vibration. A spring-loaded keyless blade eject lets you change blades without touching a hot blade, which is a practical point on a saw used on metal.
The trade-off is the platform. It runs only on Flex 24V batteries, so it makes the most sense if you already own Flex tools or are buying into that system. It is a bare tool in the $100–200 tier.
- Designed for one-handed use
- Counterbalanced gearbox to reduce vibration
- Keyless blade eject without touching hot blades
- 1 inch stroke
- Tool only, battery and charger not included
- Works only within the Flex 24V system
DeWalt 20V MAX XR Brushless Compact Reciprocating Saw
This DeWalt DCS367B is not sold as a one-handed design, but it is compact: 14.5 inches long and 5 lbs without battery. The trigger reaches up to 2,900 strokes per minute with a 1-1/8 inch stroke. DeWalt states up to 2.5x more runtime than its DC385, and the tool carries a three-year limited warranty.
A keyless four-position blade clamp and a built-in LED round out the features. At 14.5 inches it is a little longer than the standard compact model below, so it fits the buyer who wants a brushless motor and a small body, and who will use the saw with two hands when the job allows.
- Brushless motor in a 14.5-inch body
- Keyless four-position blade clamp
- Built-in LED for dark work areas
- Three-year limited warranty on the tool
- Tool only, battery and charger not included
- Works only with DeWalt 20V MAX batteries
DeWalt 20V MAX Compact Reciprocating Saw
The DCS387B is 14 inches long, and its slim body fits between studs for cuts in confined spaces. It has a 1-1/8 inch stroke, up to 2,900 strokes per minute, a bright LED and a pivoting shoe. The four-position blade clamp allows flush cuts.
It is the DeWalt option that suits remodelers who need to get into a stud bay and cut a nail or a pipe. Its motor is brushed; the brushless version above is the one to look at if run time matters to you.
- Compact 14-inch overall length
- Four-position blade clamp for flush cuts
- Variable-speed trigger up to 2,900 strokes per minute
- Battery and charger sold separately
- Brushed motor, not brushless
For Contrast: Two Saws That Are Not One-Handed Designs
If most of your cutting is demolition rather than access work, a saw with a longer stroke may suit you better. These two are not one-handed saws, and the specifications show the differences below.
Makita 18V LXT Reciprocating Saw
The XRJ04Z has a 1-1/4 inch stroke and runs from 0 to 2,800 strokes per minute. It is 19-1/8 inches long and weighs 8.3 lbs with the battery installed. That is a very different tool from the compact saws above: more stroke and more reach, but a saw you will want two hands on. Its motor is brushed, not brushless.
- 1-1/4 inch stroke length
- Tool-less blade change
- Variable speed up to 2,800 strokes per minute
- Battery not included, sold separately
- Brushed motor, not brushless
Metabo HPT 18V MultiVolt Reciprocating Saw
The Metabo HPT saw has a 1-1/8 inch stroke at up to 3,000 strokes per minute, an orbital cut mode for demolition and rough cutting, and a metal counter-balance housing. It weighs 6.6 lbs. It accepts 18V and 18V/36V MultiVolt batteries, which gives it a wider battery choice than the single-platform saws above.
- Orbital cut mode for demolition work
- Metal counter-balance housing for low vibration
- Tool-less blade change
- Tool only, battery and charger not included
How to Choose a One-Handed Reciprocating Saw
Start with the battery platform. All six saws are bare tools, and each one runs only on its own system, except that the Metabo HPT takes both of that brand's pack types (18V and MultiVolt 18V/36V). If you already own Milwaukee M18, DeWalt 20V MAX or Flex 24V batteries, the saw on your platform saves the most money.
Decide what you are cutting. For pipe, nails and small metal work in confined spaces, a one-handed saw is the right shape. For long demolition cuts, framing and thick material, a full-size saw with a longer stroke is easier to control and cuts more per pass.
Check the size and the stroke. A short body fits between studs and in cabinets. A longer stroke removes material faster per pass. Stroke length is shown for all six saws, but compare weight on the manufacturer page before you buy.
Look at the blade change and the lights. Keyless blade changes matter because you will swap blades often, and a built-in LED helps inside walls. The Flex has a blade eject and the DeWalt saws have a four-position clamp and an LED.
Remember the blade. A saw is only as good as the blade in it. Match the tooth count to the material, a coarse blade for wood and a fine one for metal, and replace dull blades rather than forcing the saw.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is a one-handed reciprocating saw strong enough for demolition?
It can handle light demolition, such as cutting nails and small pipe, but a full-size saw is generally more suitable for heavy, repeated cuts. The longer stroke and larger body of a full-size saw are built for that. A one-handed saw earns its place where access is the problem, not power.
What is the difference between brushless and brushed motors in a reciprocating saw?
A brushless motor has no carbon brushes to wear, runs cooler and generally uses battery power more efficiently. Manufacturers such as DeWalt cite longer runtime. A motor not listed as brushless can still do the job and may cost less.
Do these saws come with a battery?
No. All six saws in this guide are listed as bare tools or sold separately from the battery and charger. Check the battery platform before buying, and see our explainer on tool-only versus kit purchases.
Can I use a one-handed saw with two hands?
Yes. Most compact saws can be held with a second hand for stability, and doing so is sensible on thicker material. One-handed designs are shaped for the case when you cannot.