Choosing The Best Cordless Jigsaw
Whether you enjoy spending your days in the wood shop or appreciate versatile tools, jigsaws are a fan favorite. The tool has seen a massive uptick in popularity in recent years as well thanks to improved tech and one key feature.
Looking for the best cordless jigsaw? Well, you have come to the right place as cordless jigsaws allow you to get into areas you couldn’t otherwise reach with a corded model. After much deliberation, our experts have chosen a model for every price point. We’ve also put together a quick guide to help you concentrate on the important areas if you become stuck between two different models.
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Considerations before buying a Cordless Jigsaw
Power and Speed
Are you purchasing a cordless jigsaw for small projects?
If so, you won’t need to worry about as much as you would in other instances. A contractor would want a heavy-duty jigsaw with a big battery pack and a rugged build.
Consumers that only plan to use their saw on occasion may want to dial things down to a lower voltage, which in turn decreases the price and weight. That’s in most cases, as there are a few exceptions to this particular rule.
With speed, you will want a tool that allows you to adjust the strokes per minute. This is how speed is measured, and the best cordless jigsaw will always have a variable speed control system. If a saw has this feature, you can start off as slow as you’d like, and kick the motor all the way up to 3,000 SPM.
Bevel Adjustments
Need to cut at an angle? You can do that easily with a quality jigsaw provided it has an adjustable bevel. Most do, and the ones on our list are certainly no exception.
This feature lets you move the base anywhere between 45 to 90-degrees, but the way you make adjustments varies across the board. As we live in modern times, all of the top models are “keyless” now so setting the angle only takes a matter of seconds.
Handy Features to Look For
Saws have a few features we consider “standard,” and you will find a few of the handy features below on jigsaws, circular saws, and even band saws.
Auto-Stop Brushes
When a saw has this feature, it will lead a longer life. That’s because auto-stop brushes “stop” your saw from spinning whenever the brushes wear down too much. While useful, it’s not something you have to worry about with brushless motors.
Laser Line
Laser lines have been found on tools for a few decades now, and they have made their way to the jigsaw world as well.
A jigsaw with a laser line allows you to follow your cut line and is an amazing feature to have on hand if you are new to this type of tool or have unsteady hands.
Orbital Action
Just like reciprocating saws, a jigsaw can have orbital action.
This is a feature that adds a circular motion to the cutting action. It’s ideal when you need to make aggressive cuts and a common feature on top-tier models with all the bells and whistles.
Dust Port & LED Lights
While jigsaws produce far less waste than a circular saw or even a reciprocating saw, they can still be messy. If dust is an issue for you, there is a solution.
That would be a dust port, something that is not commonly found on jigsaws. It is an option on some models, however, and those allow you to connect to a shop vac for dust collection.
LED lights are another nifty feature that is like the dust ports. It’s nice to find a model that has one, but it’s not something you necessarily need. Unless you plan on working in the dark or frequently work in dimly lit situations, you should be fine sans a light.
Cordless Jigsaw Reviews
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Top pick: DeWalt DC330B
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If you follow our site, you know we are fans of tools produced by DeWalt. There’s a good reason for that as the company cranks out some powerful tools at affordable prices. The DeWalt DC330B is our choice for the best cordless jigsaw and a portable option for contractors and homeowners alike.
The DeWalt DC330B is an 18-volt jigsaw which runs on the company’s MAX battery lineup. Your runtime will vary depending on how hard you use the tool, but trust us when we say you’ll have plenty of juice.
You will also get a 4-position orbital feature for when you need a bit more power behind the stroke. We’re big fans of the keyless bevel system on this saw as well. DeWalt made things all-metal, and it provides you with four positions at 0, 15, 30, and 45-degrees.
The build quality is impressive with the DeWalt DC330B, and it feels good in the hand with an anti-slip grip built to keep your hands fresh. Other flagship features of note include an adjustable dust blower, variable speeds, and a metal keyless blade changing system.
Verdict
We feel confident in saying there is no weak point with this jigsaw. The build quality is superb, and it has every feature you could want from a portable jigsaw. It also sports a great warranty with the company’s 3-year, 1-year, and 90-day guarantees.
On the downside, this is a “bare” tool, so you will need to have an 18v DeWalt battery on hand or pick one up. That same goes for the charger, so prepare to pony up an extra Franklin if necessary.
You also can check our review for DeWalt DW331.
Click here to read user reviews on Amazon.
Runner-up: Hitachi CJ18DGLP4
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Hitachi is another brand with plenty of fans, and it’s hard to miss their Green and Black tools in the shop. They’ve been in the cordless game for quite some time, and the Hitachi CJ18DGLP4 is a jigsaw that puts all of their tech on display.
This tool uses “slide” batteries which are handy if weight or space is a concern. They have a low profile, slip into a slot on the tool, and don’t fit in the handle. That battery powers the motor along with an LED light.
Need to cut a bevel? That’s no problem with the Hitachi CJ18DGLP4, and it can get through thicker stock with some help from the orbital action feature. The tool-less blade system ensures you won’t have to shut down or deal with lost keys.
Keeping downtime to a minimum is of the utmost importance when you are on the job or in the shop.
On that note, the CJ18DGLP4 also sports an onboard accessory holder that can hold a total of six blades. It’s a minor feature, but a welcome one nonetheless.
Verdict
If our top choice was a little too pricey or too powerful, the Hitachi CJ18DGLP4 is well worth a look. It’s lighter than the DeWalt, but still has an 18V battery and is extremely easy to use. As you can see from the rubberized grip, it is also quite comfortable.
This is another bare tool, so you will need to pick up a charger and battery if you’re not already loaded down with gear from Hitachi. If you’re interested in picking up a matching tool, the company also has a Grinder and Circular Saw available.
Click here to read user reviews on Amazon.
Budget option: Ryobi One+ P523
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Ryobi’s entry onto our best cordless jigsaw list is the One+ P523. It can hang with our top two choices in terms of voltage, but there are some major differences under the hood and on the exterior.
The Ryobi One+ P523 is not exactly what we would call streamlined, but is still comfortable to use. The ergonomic grip helps in that regard as does the large trigger. Worried about dust covering your work area? Don’t be concerned as the built-in blower is going to keep your area free of debris.
A few of the standout features of the Ryobi One+ P523 include a trigger lock button, an LED light and an orbital function with four settings. It’s actually labeled on the side of the saw right above the dial which is ideal for beginners. We also like the “blade saving” base which lets you drop the foot and use new teeth.
Verdict
We think the Ryobi One+ P523 is a great tool for beginners or homeowners that don’t want to break the bank buying a new tool. As for the construction site, there are better options available considering durability is key when you’re on the job.
As you might suspect, you will not receive a battery or charger with this model. On the bright side, both of those accessories are affordable compared to our top options or other jigsaws in this class.
Click here to read user reviews on Amazon.
Conclusion
Buying a bare tool is a great way to save a few bucks, especially if you already own tools from a company’s system. With jigsaws, we felt these three models provided enough power for light to medium-duty usage.
If you want something beefier, you may want to consider a corded model. You can also look at industrial units with large battery packs if you’re willing to deal with the weight.