Best Reciprocating Saws – 2021 Tool-tailored Review

Best Overall:
DEWALT DWE305 12 Amp Corded Reciprocating Saw

The DEWALT DWE305 12 Amp Corded Reciprocating Saw is the industry leader when it comes to reciprocating saw. If you put something in front of this saw, it will chew through it, and it does not really matter what the material is – whether steel, wood, treated wood, pipe, nails, or even cast iron, users report this saw cuts through anything like butter!

But do not think that just because it is a high quality machine that it requires a high level of experience to operate – far from it.

This saw is simple and easy to use, thanks in part to its well designed rubber grip handle, and it is even easy to change out the blades quickly, so you can get right back to cutting. The blades can be aimed in four different directions to provide a wide variety of cuts, so you do not ever have to feel defeated when you are working with the DEWALT DWE305 12 Amp Corded Reciprocating Saw.

Bottom Line

The DEWALT DWE305 12 Amp Corded Reciprocating Saw is an ideal saw for pretty much everything you could ever imagine wanting to be able to cut. It strikes a great balance between efficiency and ease of use – and when we say strikes a great balance, what we mean is it does both to the very best level. It is a little heavy, so make sure you are ready to handle this beast of a saw.   

Best Cordless Reciprocating Saw:
DEWALT Bare-Tool DC385B

The DEWALT Bare-Tool DC385B is an ideal reciprocating saw that will definitely stand up to anything you put in its path, and all without the inconvenience of using a cord. You might think that because this saw is cordless, there is a compromise of convenience traded in for power.

You would certainly be wrong on that account, because there is not much this saw cannot take on: metal sheeting, bolts, nails, bars, pipes, wood, wiring, plumbing, flooring, roofing, roots, tree limbs, you name it, this saw can chomp through it.

Best of all, its amazing cutting ability lasts for pretty much forever – users report that this saw stands up to eight years of hard labor and continues to cut at the same level of efficiency as when it was fresh out of the box. If you are looking for an investment, you have found it in the DEWALT Bare-Tool DC385B saw, endorsed by professionals who work full time in construction.  

Bottom Line

The DEWALT Bare-Tool DC385B is a strong, steady, durable reciprocating saw that will chomp through anything, even if it has been used for years and years. Make sure you are ready to handle the vibration before you take this saw on, though.

Best Corded Reciprocating Saw:
Makita JR3050T 9 Amp Reciprocating Saw

The Makita JR3050T 9 Amp Reciprocating Saw is a fantastic reciprocating saw for use in Do It Yourself projects around the house. It can certainly stand up to heavier use as well, as this saw is fully recommended by full time carpenters, remodelers, and other construction professionals.  

But do not think that just because the professionals like this saw, it is difficult for your average Joe (or Joanna) to pick up on. This saw is simple and easy to use, even when going through blade changes. It can cut through a broad range of material, from pipe to pressure treated wood.

It has a number of factors that aid in convenience and use, such as a trigger locking mechanism and an adjustable shoe so you can make cuts of different lengths quickly and easily. You really cannot go wrong with the Makita JR3050T 9 Amp Reciprocating Saw.

Bottom Line

The Makita JR3050T 9 Amp Reciprocating Saw is a great reciprocating saw for the average homeowner to have on hand in case it is necessary for any projects. It will get the job done no matter what you throw at it and brings some great convenience features along with it. Just keep an eye on the trigger lock and make sure you do not activate it unintentionally.

Best Air Reciprocating Saw:
Ingersoll Rand 429 Heavy Duty Air Reciprocating Saw

If you are looking for the very best in air reciprocating saws, you will not be able to find one that will work better for you than the Ingersoll Rand 429 Heavy Duty Air Reciprocating Saw. This saw can do it all. It cuts basically anything, and is not slowed down by heavy duty materials – this saw can chew through it all quickly and efficiently.

But don’t think that just because it can eat up anything that it is some sort of sloppy monster: this saw is also able to make precise, clean cuts in some really fine toothed areas. It is able to accomplish this in part through its six included blades: two fine toothed blades, two medium toothed blades, and two coarse toothed blades.

You might think, with the kind of saw that can do it all, that it would be easy to accidentally angle it so that it cuts you, but the way the saw is designed prevents that and puts it at the forefront of safety.

Bottom Line

The branding on the Ingersoll Rand 429 Heavy Duty Air Reciprocating Saw does not lie – there is no doubt this saw is truly heavy duty. Just know that changing out the blades can be a bit of a process because it requires multiple tools.

Best Reciprocating Saw for the Money:
BLACK + DECKER BDCR20B

If you are looking for a saw that can always be counted on for a home improvement Do It Yourself project, you will not be able to go wrong with the BLACK + DECKER BDCR20B.  

For the price point and the value it provides, it can’t be beat. You may be thinking that with the lower price point, you probably lose a decent amount of power with this saw, but nothing could be farther from the truth.

Users report that this saw cuts through hardened bolts, branches, stumps, walls, sheet rock, wire mesh, plaster, metal beading, nails, studs, wood planks, car tailpipes, PVC pipe, and dry wall – what more could you possibly need? It is also on the smaller side, so it is easy to carry and manipulate into tight angles, and can even be operated with just one hand if necessary. Basically, if you want a saw you can keep on hand for projects without dropping a ton of money, go with the BLACK + DECKER BDCR20B.

Bottom Line

The BLACK + DECKER BDCR20B is a great saw that produces a lot of bang for our buck. Just make sure you remember to wear work gloves to handle the intense vibration this saw produces.