One of the most versatile tools you can own, reciprocating saws save you time, money, and effort in achieving high-quality cuts through a variety of materials.
Reciprocating saws are a type of saw where the cutting action is achieved through a push-and-pull motion of the blade. They can be electric, battery-powered pneumatic and are a useful tool in cutting a variety of materials including wood, plastics, drywall, and metal, or to remove troublesome nails and screws.
Sometimes known as Sawzall or oscillating saws, reciprocating saws are powerful tools that take all the manual labor out of traditional cutting jobs. You don’t have to push and pull, rather just guide the saw – the motor will do the hard work!
For this reason, the best reciprocating saws will always be lightweight, compact, and offer you comfortable control throughout the cutting process.
Many come with additional accessories and blade choices to suit a variety of needs, and as such, they make great investments in your overall tool collection.
With so much choice, we’ve picked 10 of our favorite small reciprocating saws to share with you. Each one features an array of features that we think will solve all your DIY demands.
10 of the Best Reciprocating Saws
1. DEWALT Compact Reciprocating Saw
This compact and lightweight reciprocating saw is the perfect answer to all your cutting needs.
With a variable speed trigger of 0-2900 SPM, this saw offers a 1-1/8” stroke length which makes it a suitable tool to use when cutting wood, metal, and plastics.
It also has a pivoting shoe which helps stabilize as you cut and keeps the material in question close to the saw.
We love that a useful LED light is included, which ensures you are always working in a well-lit workspace. An anti-slip comfort grip ensures you always remain in control as you hold the saw, and a keyless 4-position blade clamp allows for quick, easy, and safe blade changes.
Lastly, this is a small reciprocating saw at 14” in length. It’s compact design also makes it incredibly lightweight, weighing only 5 lbs. which altogether allows for long, continued use without the risk of hand fatigue.
Things we love:
- A small reciprocating saw at 14” inches and weighing 5 lbs
- Variable speed trigger of 0-2900 SPM
- LED light included
- Suited especially for wood and metal cutting
Things to consider:
- Battery and charger sold separately
2. WORX 2-in-1 Reciprocating Saw and Jigsaw with Orbital Mode
Get any cutting job done faster and with less manual effort with this reciprocating saw from WORX.
Boasting 2 saws in one, a pivoting, push-button head turns your jigsaw into a reciprocating saw and back again in mere seconds.
This saw works with orbital cutting, which is a slight circular motion and is more efficient for most materials than the traditional back and forth stroke we think about with reciprocating saws.
At only 4.2 lbs, this saw is one of the lightest on the market, and so can be easy to hold and use for long periods, as well as reaching tightly enclosed spaces or for jobs that require intricate precision.
We love that there’s an integrated blower that helps keep dust and debris away from the surfaces of your cut, giving you better visibility at all times.
This saw is suitable for a variety of materials including wood, metal, ceramic, PVC pipe, thin steel, and more. With a 1.5Ah 20V battery and 0.4A charger included, you’ll have everything you need to start immediately.
However, if you do have other equipment, this saw is compatible with both jig and reciprocating saw blades from other popular brands.
Things we love:
- Lightweight at only 4.2 lbs
- Integrated blower to keep dust and debris away from the workspace
- You can fit both jig and saw blades with other popular brands
- The orbital motion is more effective than back and forth-motion
- Battery and charger included
3. KIMO Brushless, Cordless Reciprocating Saw with Battery
This reciprocating saw promises to remove 50% more material with each stroke, resulting in faster, more precise cuts every time. What’s not to love?
Using a brushless motor with an increased runtime of 2.5 times, this saw has an extended service life with reduced maintenance required.
Utilizing a ‘best in class’ 1-inch stroke length to deliver 0-3,300 SPM, this saw can cut through the toughest wood, metal, ceramics, and more at record speeds.
For specific materials, this saw comes with 6 wood blades and 2 metal blades. We particularly love the efficient battery-life of this tool, which provides 1,000 charge cycles and 33% more capacity over standard competitors.
This kit also comes with a rapid charger which can fully charge an empty battery in 60 minutes. An anti-vibration handle is specially designed to reduce user fatigue and increase comfort, letting you work longer and more accurately.
Lastly, it’s small, compact size makes it an ideal tool for both home users and professionals alike.
Things we love:
- Brushless motor for longer service and less maintenance
- Fast, efficient charger and battery included
- Wood and metal blades also included
4. PORTER-CABLE Reciprocating Saw
This compact reciprocating saw allows you to work in tight spaces with great results and would suit home DIY projects and professional users alike.
A high-performance drivetrain delivers 1” stroke length and 0-3,000 SPM for aggressively quick cutting speeds. Because of it’s compact design at 14.5” in length and weighing only 4 lbs, this saw can also reach tight spaces and be carried for long periods without the risk of hand fatigue.
A variable-speed trigger provides you with more control for cutting a variety of different materials, while the tool-free blade release allows you to change to a specific blade quickly and easily.
The pivoting shoe helps keep constant contact with the material. The result being precision and a high-quality cutting finish every time.
It’s also a very easy and comfortable saw to use, with an over-molded handle that is optimized to help support your hand at all times. More comfort equals more control.
Things we love:
- 0-3,300 SPM of speed for quick cuts
- 14.5” length and weighing 4 lbs ensures it’s lightweight and easy to hold
- Tool-free blade release
Things to consider:
- Battery sold separately
5. HYCHIKA Cordless Reciprocating Saw
Easy to carry and with a powerful motor, this reciprocating saw from HYCHIKA is a great tool to use for cutting everything from wood, PVC, and metal to pruning trees and small projects around the house.
It also holds a very high-quality motor which reaches up to 2,800 RPM. You can add pressure on the trigger to increase the cutting speed, allowing you to adjust depending on the material you are working with.
With a 2.0Ah dual battery pack, this saw can be fully charged within 1 hour which makes it a tool that won’t stay idle for long. A useful power indicator will always let you know when it needs a further power top-up.
We love how there 4 gears on the bottom plate, which can be adjusted to control the cutting position of the saw blade. This allows for more precision to your cuts, even in tight areas and hard-to-reach areas.
Weighing just 7.58 lbs, this saw is also very lightweight. A rubber molded grip and body effectively decrease vibration and ensures a consistently comfortable grip throughout your job.
Lastly, this saw comes with an LED light, which is very convenient and allows you to work in low-light areas. It also comes with a multitude of blade accessories for versatile work.
Things we love:
- Includes a variety of accessories including blades for wood and metal
- Includes a faster charger and two 20V 2Ah batteries
- The LED light offers convenience
6. BLACK+DECKER 20V MAX Reciprocating Saw
This reciprocating saw is versatile, lightweight, and incredibly easy to use – the total package for all your cutting needs.
With a variable speed trigger, this saw can reach 0-3,000 SPM and a stroke length of 7/8”. A pivoting shoe helps you to keep constant contact with the material you are working on, resulting in improved precision and easiness of use.
We love the safety features of this saw. For example, a switch lock-off feature prevents unintentional use, simply press the lock-off button and squeeze the on/off switch.
Lastly, this saw weighs only 3.9 lbs making it one of the lightest tools on the market. And with dimensions of 15.63 x 3.44 x 7.13 inches, it’s compact and easy to hold for long periods.
Things we love:
- Pivoting shoe for precise cutting
- 0-3,000 SPM and a stroke length of 7/8”
- Safety-use switches ensure no accidental power-on
Things to consider:
- Only the tool is included, battery and charger sold separately
7. DEWALT Reciprocating Saw
With a powerful 10,0 Amp motor, this saw is ideal for heavy-duty applications with control and precision assured.
We especially love the keyless, lever-action 4-position blade clamp which allows for quick and easy blade changes in 4 different directions, for a variety of uses including flush cutting.
With a variable speed trigger, this saw can reach from 0-2,800 SPM with 1-1/8” stroke length, which is longer than many other competing tools. The result is faster, more in-depth cuts per minute.
This is a multipurpose saw which is ideal for a variety of different materials (weak and strong), including wood, nail embedded wood, light to heavy gauge metals, drywall, plastics, and more.
Things we love:
- Variable speed trigger
- Speeds of 0-2,800 SPM
- 4-position blade clamp
Things to consider:
- Corded, which may limit portability
8. VonHaus Compact Reciprocating Saw Kit Electric Saw with 8 Blades
Compact and lightweight, this reciprocating saw is ideal for clearing material to get to easy access spaces, e.g. treetops, thick branches, and shrubs.
A rigid die-cast aluminum gearbox and ergonomically positioned over-mold will provide additional comfort and ensures a high-quality finish to the tool. Not only that but it will have extra durability and longevity.
A 5-amp motor and ½ inch stroke length provide strength and control during any use. A pressure-sensitive trigger switch allows you to adjust the speed of the cut depending on what material you’re working on.
Reaching 3,000 SPM, this saw features a locking switch to maintain continuous maximum speed throughout your work. Its compact size together with 16.4ft power cable allows for greater flexibility in where you can sue the saw.
Lastly, this saw comes with 8 quality wood cutting and metal blades to get you started straight away. A tool-free blade change system allows for quick, easy changing in seconds.
Things we love:
- Can reach a speed of 3,000 SPM
- A locking switch maintains a continuous maximum speed throughout
- 16.4ft power cord gives great flexibility in where you can use the saw
- Comes with 8 additional blades for versatile use
Things to consider:
- Corded (although it comes with a very long cable)
9. GALAX PRO Cordless Li-ion Reciprocating Saw with Fast Charger
With an ergonomic design, this reciprocating saw is all about easy-use with great power and precision.
Firstly, let’s talk about speed. With the help of a 20V battery, this saw can reach 0-3,000 SPM for strong, controlled cutting every time.
This saw also features a variable speed trigger to cut through a variety of different materials, including fiberglass, PVC, metal, and masonry, allowing you to change the speed to suit the material.
A speed lock-on button also means you don’t need to press the trigger switch all the time during use.
A soft rubber handle is specially designed for comfortable use and improved control with minimal vibration and is suitable for both right and left-handed use.
The saw also has an impressive cooling function, which effectively reduces the temperature of the motor and extends the tool’s life. And with a lever-actuated blade changing mechanism, you can quickly swap out blades without using any extra tools
Lastly, along with the saw, you will also get a host of useful accessories including 3 wood saw blades, 2 metal saw blades, a battery, and a charger. The fast-charger in particular is an impressive add-on and will power your tool up in only one hour.
Things we love:
- Comes with battery and fast-charger
- Comes with additional wood and metal saw blades
- Tool-free blade change
10. POPOMAN Brushless Reciprocating Saw
With a brushless fine copper motor, this saw can reach a speed of 0-2,500 SPM. Together with a stroke length of 1-1/8”, it can cut through a variety of materials with ease, including wood, piping, and metals.
An LED light allows you to work conveniently in darker areas or enclosed spaces, and a metal auto-lock chuck on the clamp ensures a tool-free blade change in just 3 simple steps.
This saw is ergonomically designed and as such has improved control and comfort throughout any use. The soft rubber handle for example reduces vibration and hand fatigue.
A safety button design reduces the chance of accidental start-ups. This saw comes with a 20V 4.0A lithium-ion battery which delivers long and lasting power, and also features a useful indicator light that shows remaining power levels.
Things we love:
- Comes with charger and battery
- Comes with two blades for wood and metal cutting
- Lightweight at 7.6 lbs. (including battery)
- Variable speed between 0-2,500 SPM
Reciprocating Saw Buying Guide
With so much choice, how can you decide on what the best reciprocating saw / Sawzall is? There are several factors to keep in mind.
We’ve made a list of some essential things you should think about when choosing the best reciprocating saw.
Corded vs Cordless
Across all our reviews, we’ve picked a variety of both corded and battery-powered saws, which aims to offer you a solid choice across the board.
You might be asking, though, which one is best? That depends.
Corded reciprocating saws are powered through an electric cable. This means your saw will have a constant source of power which ensures it an indefinite run-time for as long as you need it. These saws tend to be lighter.
One of the limits to being corded is that you need to be near a power source to work, and so they may not be as flexible to work with, especially if you want to work in tight, enclosed spaces. However, many saws come with impressive lengths of cord to counter this, so again you will need to identify your needs.
On the other hand, cordless reciprocating saws are battery-powered and as such are a lot more portable than corded competitors. Many of our recommended saws in this category come with lithium-ion batteries which charge quickly and keep running for a long time. Others can also be charged through a USB cable, making them practical and easy to charge, including in your car or on the move.
A downside to cordless saws is that often because of the attached battery, they tend to be heavier to hold – something to consider if you will be holding the tool for long periods.
SPM
You will have seen SPM throughout each of our reciprocating saw reviews. SPM stands for strokes per minute and essentially measures how often the saw goes back and forth per minute.
The higher the number, the fast the saw moves through the material. A lot of reciprocating saws have variable speed controls meaning you can adjust the speed to whatever material you are working on.
That being said, often the more strokes a blade performs, the more chance it has of blunting or breaking.
Stroke length
The stroke length can also affect the speed of a saw, as the longer the saw the more cut it will produce per stroke. As a general rule of thumb, the thicker the material you are cutting the longer the stroke blade you should use.
Pivoting shoe
A shoe is a very important and useful feature in many reciprocating saws. The pivoting shoe helps the saw keep in constant contact with the material, resulting in higher precision and a higher-quality finish.
Weight
As mentioned before, generally reciprocating saws are designed to be quite light. Corded saws are often lighter because they don’t have a battery attached.
Weight is an incredibly important factor to consider as you may be holding the tool for potentially long periods. The best reciprocating saws will have ergonomically designed handles which often reduce vibrations. They may also allow for multiple grip positions or can rotate for added functionality and a reduction in hand fatigue.
Safety
As with any DIY tool, safety is paramount when working a reciprocating saw.
Whilst it’s always essential you read the instructions of an individual product, here are some general tips to ensure safety and confidence.
- Always wear protective gear, including goggles, a mask in case of dust, gloves, and if the saw is noisy then hearing-protection.
- Never change the blades of the saw when the tool is powered on.
- Use appropriate blades for each cutting task.
- The blade will be extremely hot after use – be careful not to touch it.
- Make sure and keep the power cord away from the workspace!
- Never use excessive force on the saw.
- Always keep two hands on the saw when in use.
Conclusion
Reciprocating or Sawzall saws are essentially an all-around powerhouse tool that can perform the role of several other tools.
As we’ve learned, the best reciprocating saws are lightweight, compact, and are suited to cutting a wide variety of different materials.
Whether you pick corded or battery-powered, a reciprocating saw saves you so much time and energy by automating the push-and-pull motion of traditional sawing, whilst still getting the same high-quality finish.
Many of the saw reviews we’ve included come with a host of DIY accessories that will help flesh out your collection and make the saw itself a multipurpose tool.
Despite its power, the key to using a reciprocating saw is to always put your safety first, and consult instructions and manuals before every use.
After that, there’s nothing left to do but enjoy spending less time achieving better results for all your cutting jobs!