Best Cordless Reciprocating Saw: Head-to-Head Testing Results

After testing dozens of options over the years and weighing them against our collective decades of experience, we’ve narrowed down the absolute best cordless reciprocating saws (AKA Sawzalls) from manufacturers we trust the most. We rounded up the newest, most advanced models and tested them head-to-head in a series of experiments to help you decide which model is the best or simply see how well your favorite brand competes.

Best Cordless Reciprocating Saws

Scoring

Note that the scoring is different from our normal rating system. The scores are based on how each reciprocating saw performed and compared in this specific group and this set of tests only. Our typical rating system offers a comparison of the tool to the entire range of what is available. Here’s how to interpret the scores from this test:

• 90 – 100: Outstanding. You’ll love using this reciprocating saw.
• 80 – 89: Excellent. There may be minor tradeoffs.
• 70 – 79: Very good, but there are more significant tradeoffs.
• 60 – 69: Good. Notable tradeoffs, but still earns our recommendation.
• < 60: Not recommended for Professional use, but good for DIYers.

Also In This Article

• How the Rest of the Field Fared
• Recommended Reciprocating Saw Blades
• More Cordless Reciprocating Saws We Recommend
• How We Tested Head-to-Head
• What to Look for When You’re Shopping
• Why You Can Trust Pro Tool Reviews

Best Cordless Reciprocating Saw Overall

Test	Result
4-inch PVC	2.79 seconds (1st place)
Clean Wood	8.29 seconds (3rd place)
Wall Sandwich	18.58 seconds (3rd place)
3-inch Cast Iron	41.24 seconds (1st place)
Vibration Control	1 out of 5 (1st place, tie)

It’s extremely rare that any tool manages a perfect score in our head-to-head tests, but Makita’s 40V max XGT reciprocating saw did just that. While it wasn’t in first place in every test, it was close enough to the leader to still earn full marks. Better still, it displayed the best vibration control of the group in a tie with Metabo HPT and is the only saw to check off every feature we were looking for.

Like you’ll see with all of the highest-performing models in our tests, it’s heavier than most. It’s also pricey. However, if you’re looking for the best overall cordless reciprocating saw, Makita claims the crown.

Best Cordless Reciprocating Saw Runner-Up

Test	Result
4-inch PVC	2.85 seconds (2nd place)
Clean Wood	8.23 seconds (2nd place)
Wall Sandwich	18.11 seconds (2nd place)
3-inch Cast Iron	54.54 seconds (6th place)
Vibration Control	1/5 (1st place, tie)

Narrowly coming in second place, Metabo HPT’s 36V reciprocating saw is an impressive demo tool. It went toe-to-toe with Makita in our wood cutting tests, though it slipped slightly when it came to cutting cast iron. Still, it shared the lead with Makita in vibration control.

An available AC adapter makes it the only hybrid corded/cordless option in our test group. Plus, Metabo HPT’s lower pricing and lifetime warranty add a tremendous boost to the value proposition. If you’re a Pro who wants the best cordless reciprocating saw for the money, this is it.

About the only thing we didn’t like was the shaft-mounted blade release. We greatly prefer having a lever on the outside of the housing.

Third Place Cordless Reciprocating Saw

Test	Result
4-inch PVC	3.62 seconds (5th place)
Clean Wood	9.46 seconds (6th place)
Wall Sandwich	29.70 seconds (7th place)
3-inch Cast Iron	44.71 seconds (4th place)
Vibration Control	2/5 (3rd place, tie)

Bosch’s last couple of cordless reciprocating saws stepped up their demo game significantly. The previous hawkbill-style GSA18V-125 was a favorite of ours since its launch, but the new GSA18V-126 boosted the performance even higher. Overall, its cutting performance is solid, and it earned top marks in our cast iron test. The saw’s excellent vibration control also makes it comfortable to use for longer durations.

We’re not crazy about the blade release being on the shaft, and there’s no kit option to add some extra value. But if you’re already on Bosch’s 18V battery system, this is a quality choice that does demo well.

More Cordless Reciprocating Saws We Tested

Test	Result
4-inch PVC	4.34 seconds (8th place)
Clean Wood	8.74 seconds (4th place)
Wall Sandwich	27.36 seconds (5th place)
3-inch Cast Iron	42.59 seconds (3rd place)
Vibration Control	3/5 (5th place, tie)

Despite not having orbital action to give a boost in wood cutting speed, Hilti notched a solid 4th place finish. Excellent wood cutting performance combined with top marks in our cast iron test proved it’s a worthy contender for general demo work. Of course, Hilti has made a name for itself in the commercial construction sector, and the tool’s 20-year warranty certainly is a nod to that.

You lose out on a couple of features, like speed selection and the aforementioned orbital action. However, it doesn’t seem to suffer too much from not having them. Plus, optional dust collection and material stabilization accessories offer some bonus opportunities other saws don’t.

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Test	Result
4-inch PVC	2.96 seconds (3rd place)
Clean Wood	8.18 seconds (1st place)
Wall Sandwich	18.05 seconds (1st place)
3-inch Cast Iron	41.54 seconds (2nd place)
Vibration Control	5/5 (10th place, tie)

Milwaukee’s M18 Fuel Super Sawzall was the only other saw to notch top marks in all of our performance tests alongside Makita. There’s no question it’s in a very small, very elite performance group.

Normally, that’s enough to get a tool on the podium. However, demo is a different animal, and Milwaukee’s weight and higher vibration made it more fatiguing to use as our testing days got longer.

You can mitigate some of the weight by going with an 8.0Ah Forge battery instead of the 12.0Ah that comes with the kit. With Milwaukee’s Super Charger, you can still cycle batteries effectively without having to stop and wait.

For Pros, the best bet is to pair this model alongside the M18 Fuel 2821 (or 2822 if you want One-Key). Use the Super Sawzall when you need the fastest, most aggressive cuts. Shift to the lighter Sawzall when you’re cutting overhead or trying to minimize vibration.

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Test	Result
4-inch PVC	3.08 seconds (4th place)
Clean Wood	9.31 seconds (5th place)
Wall Sandwich	22.32 seconds (4th place)
3-inch Cast Iron	66.45 seconds (8th place)
Vibration Control	3/5 (5th place, tie)

Flex’s 24V brushless reciprocating saw didn’t light the world on fire in our tests, but when you consider the whole package, it’s a compelling option. Competitive in wood cutting, it has a working weight under 10 pounds, making it a bit easier to use than the heavier models further up the list.

It’s just $279 for the kit, which is attention-grabbing for a Pro-targeted model. If you register your purchase, you also get a lifetime warranty, and that makes this the best value among professional saws.

The trade-off is that you have to give up selectable speed control and a lever blade release, and it cuts slower in thick metal. But it’s about half the price of Makita’s class-leading model, and there’s something to be said for saving money these days.

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Test	Result
4-inch PVC	4.59 seconds (9th place)
Clean Wood	9.98 seconds (7th place)
Wall Sandwich	28.97 seconds (6th place)
3-inch Cast Iron	51.92 seconds (5th place)
Vibration Control	4/5 (9th place)

DeWalt’s flagship cordless reciprocating saw offers solid cutting performance thanks to the boosted performance of its 60V max battery system. It’s a dependable workhorse that’s proven itself in the years since its launch.

However, it’s somewhat basic compared to other saws on this list. The lack of an orbital mode handicaps its wood cutting somewhat, and as we’ve noted with previous models, it really needs an update to its vibration control design. The rest of the missing features are arguably no big deal, but if DeWalt addresses orbital action and vibration control on the next model, it’ll certainly shake up our list.

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Test	Result
4-inch PVC	3.78 seconds (6th place)
Clean Wood	11.47 seconds (9th place)
Wall Sandwich	31.65 seconds (9th place)
3-inch Cast Iron	101.25 seconds (10th place)
Vibration Control	3/5 (5th place, tie)

Finishing a point in front of Ridgid, it’s clear that the HP Brushless line has bridged the gap to Ridgid in some tool classes. The HP Brushless reciprocating saw offers a nice boost in performance from previous models and performed admirably in most of our tests, though it struggled cutting cast iron. The big highlight is how light this model is—just over 8 pounds with a battery.

This is an excellent choice for handymen and building maintenance crews who are willing to tackle some demo as they handle repairs, or for serious DIYers going after remodeling projects. As long as you’re not demoing a structure with cast iron pipes, it’ll handle other materials just fine.

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Test	Result
4-inch PVC	5.60 seconds (11th place)
Clean Wood	10.71 seconds (8th place)
Wall Sandwich	29.28 seconds (7th place)
3-inch Cast Iron	92.95 seconds (9th place)
Vibration Control	3/5 (5th place, tie)

While Ridgid and Ryobi may be close in the results, they’re targeting different users. Focused on value-minded Pros, Ridgid’s flagship reciprocating saw has an advantage in wood cutting thanks to its selectable orbital action. It didn’t fare so well in our cast iron test, but as a lightweight option, we’re not surprised. Most of the fastest cutting models in that test are significantly heavier.

As it stands, Ridgid is still a value leader that’s perfectly capable of getting the job done. While it doesn’t challenge the top performers, it’s also nowhere near their prices. Plus, Ridgid’s Lifetime Service Agreement means they’ve got your back if anything happens.

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Test	Result
4-inch PVC	4.32 seconds (7th place)
Clean Wood	14.07 seconds (11th place)
Wall Sandwich	41.7 seconds (11th place)
3-inch Cast Iron	DNF (11th place)
Vibration Control	2/5 (3rd place, tie)

Skil offers DIYers a lot of bang for their buck, and we were curious how their flagship reciprocating saw would compare to the top brands. Unsurprisingly, it didn’t challenge the leaders, but it did prove it can handle the majority of cuts you’ll need to make if you’re doing your own home repairs or remodeling.

What’s great about using this saw is how light it is and how low the vibration is. Whether you’re cutting a stud overhead or working on a plumbing repair in a crawlspace, it’s a lot easier to use to than the heavier models we tested. There’s no question it cuts slower, and I’d advise against cutting thick metal with it, but for DIYers, it’s a good pick that carries an excellent value.

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Test	Result
4-inch PVC	4.78 seconds (10th place)
Clean Wood	12.98 seconds (10th place)
Wall Sandwich	34.32 seconds (10th place)
3-inch Cast Iron	55.91 seconds (7th place)
Vibration Control	1/5 (10th place, tie)

Craftsman doesn’t pack many bells and whistles on its Brushless RP reciprocating saw, but that’s okay if you’re targeting a DIY user base. Given its lightweight and compact design, it’s a lot less intimidating than most of the other models we tested.

Realistically, Craftsman’s biggest downside is its vibration. The saw was able to complete all of our tests, including cutting through cast iron at a very reasonable pace. But the higher vibration makes it fatiguing to use, and in the case of less-experienced users, a rather frustrating experience. Still, it’ll get the job done—just take your time and use good technique.

Best Reciprocating Saw Blades

We heartily recommend Milwaukee Sawzall Blades and used them exclusively in our testing. From basic bi-metal to cutting-edge Nitrus Carbide, Milwaukee has a broad range that meets the needs of every cutting application you’ll run into on the job. Here’s a quick look at the blades we like to keep on hand:

• Carbide Ax for Clean Wood/Pruning: Long-lasting blade we use for clean wood that won’t dull like a chainsaw when you’re cutting tree roots in the dirt
• Nitrus Carbide Ax for Nail-Embedded Wood: Our go-to super-durable, high-performance demo blade for wood when there’s a risk of hitting nails or screws (which is most of the time)
• Nitrus Carbide Wrecker for Multi-Materials: Perfect long-lasting, high-performance blade for demo cuts when you don’t know what’s behind the wall, or you know there’s a mix of wood, metal, and/or cement board
• Bi-Metal Torch: Affordable, fast-cutting blade for cutting plastics, like PVC, and thin metal, like EMT
• Nitrus Carbide Torch for Medium Metal: An outstanding general-purpose metal-cutting blade that makes a ton of cuts while maintaining high performance
• Nitrus Carbide Torch for Thick Metal/Cast Iron: The blade we lean on for the toughest cuts in cast iron and other thick metal

Did You Know… Milwaukee manufactures many of their Sawzall blades and hole saws in the USA—more than 1.5 billion to date!

More Cordless Reciprocating Saws We Recommend

Festool is steadily making its way deeper into general construction, and the RSC 18 reciprocating saw is one of the most refined models we’ve seen. Plus, it’s packed with features. Here’s a quick list of the highlights:

• Two-speed selection switch
• Variable orbital intensity
• Shoe-mounted dust port adapter
• Lever blade release with active ejection
• Advanced vibration control

Of course, it’s Festool, so the ergonomics are dialed in to the highest level. However, all that refinement comes with a higher price tag than most brands. You’ll want to make sure you’re committed to the Festool platform before you pull the trigger.

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Greenworks offers a lightweight, affordable option for DIYers who are ready to tackle their own repairs and remodeling projects. While I’d avoid some of the toughest cuts we ask of our Pro saws, basic demo in wood, metal, PVC, cement board, and other materials are no problem.

Best of all is the price tag. As of the time I’m writing, the kit is just under $100, including a 4.0Ah battery, charger, and blades to get you started. You’ll have a hard time finding a brushless model from another reputable brand anywhere near that price.

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Kobalt launched its XTR line of high-performance brushless tools more than five years ago, and it’s still a go-to option for Pros and serious DIYers. The reciprocating saw in the line is solid, sporting excellent performance stats and a solid feature set to go with it.

It needs to be impressive, though. With a price tag creeping up near brands like Metabo HPT and a limited number of XTR products available, it’ll make some folks consider stepping up to a brand with a broader Pro-focused portfolio. Also, note that you’ll need to pair this (and other XTR tools) with Kobalt’s advanced Ultimate Output batteries to achieve the best performance.

How We Tested Head-To-Head

Battery Selection

For each saw, we chose the battery that offered the best performance without getting too heavy or out of balance. Here are the batteries we paired with each model:

Model	Tested Battery
Bosch GSA18V-126	8.0Ah Core18V
Craftsman CMC5351	6.0Ah V20
DeWalt DCS389	12.0Ah/4.0Ah FlexVolt
Flex FX2271	6.0Ah Stacked Lithium
Hilti SR6-22	7.9Ah 22V Nuron
Makita GRJ02	4.0Ah 40V max XGT
Metabo HPT CR36DA	4.0Ah T-PWR MultiVolt
Milwaukee 2722	8.0Ah M18 Forge
Ridgid R8647	8.0Ah Max Output EXP
Ryobi PBLRS02	4.0Ah High Performance Edge
Skil RS5884	5.0Ah PWRCore 20

PVC Pipe

Kicking things off with a relatively easy test, we cut through 4-inch Schedule 40 PVC pipe. Each saw had a 5-pound weight hanging from it for consistency, and we ensured control and proper engagement with the pipe without adding additional downforce.

To cut, we used Milwaukee’s 9-inch Torch Thick Metal Sawzall blades. Obviously, PVC isn’t thick metal, but the 10 TPI tooth configuration and bi-metal design is good when you want to make quick cuts through PVC.

The result is the average speed of three cuts.

Model	Average Cut Time
Makita GRJ02	2.79 seconds
Metabo HPT CR36DA	2.85 seconds
Milwaukee 2722	2.96 seconds
Flex FX2271	3.08 seconds
Bosch GSA18V-126	3.62 seconds
Ryobi PBLRS02	3.78 seconds
Skil RS5884	4.32 seconds
Hilti SR6-22	4.34 seconds
DeWalt DCS389	4.59 seconds
Craftsman CMC5351	4.78 seconds
Ridgid R8647	5.60 seconds

Clean Wood

Stepping up in effort, our clean wood test involved cross cutting 2 x 12 dried yellow pine lumber. We used Milwaukee’s 5 TPI, 9-inch Carbide Ax for Wood with Nails for the blade, and fit each saw with a 5-pound weight for consistent downforce.

The result is the average of three tests.

Model	Average Cut Time
Milwaukee 2722	8.18 seconds
Metabo HPT CR36DA	8.23 seconds
Makita GRJ02	8.29 seconds
Hilti SR6-22	8.74 seconds
Flex FX2271	9.31 seconds
Bosch GSA18V-126	9.46 seconds
DeWalt DCS389	9.98 seconds
Ridgid R8647	10.71 seconds
Ryobi PBLRS02	11.47 seconds
Craftsman CMC5351	12.98 seconds
Skil RS5884	14.07 seconds

Wall Sandwich

To demonstrate a common real-world demo application, we made a 12-inch wall sandwich consisting of:

• Three 2 x 4 studs with three nails in each (nine nails total)
• 7/16-inch OSB
• Hardie board siding

We used Milwaukee’s 6 TPI, 9-inch Nitrus Carbide Wrecker for Multi-Material as our blade and used 5 pounds of weight for consistent downforce.

The result is the average of three cuts.

Model	Average Cut Time
Milwaukee 2722	18.05 seconds
Metabo HPT CR36DA	18.11 seconds
Makita GRJ02	18.58 seconds
Flex FX2271	22.32 seconds
Hilti SR6-22	27.36 seconds
DeWalt DCS389	28.97 seconds
Ridgid R8647	29.28 seconds
Bosch GSA18V-126	29.70 seconds
Ryobi PBLRS02	31.65 seconds
Craftsman CMC5351	34.32 seconds
Skil RS5884	41.70 seconds

Cast Iron Pipe

One of the toughest cuts you’ll ever have to make on a demo job is cast iron pipe. While it’s not a common material in new construction, you’ll still come across it often in older structures. We used a 3-inch cast iron pipe in our testing.

Because of the tough nature and long duration of the cut, it wasn’t practical to control the blade by using a weight for downforce, so we shifted to cutting freehand on this one. Downforce wasn’t as consistent because some of the saws clearly don’t have as much muscle to keep the blade moving, so we cut at the most efficient rate we could for each saw.

The result is the time it took to complete one cut using a Milwaukee 8 TPI, 9-inch Nitrus Carbide Torch for Thick Metal and Cast Iron blade.

Model	Cut Time
Makita GRJ02	41.24 seconds
Milwaukee 2722	41.54 seconds
Hilti SR6-22	42.59 seconds
Bosch GSA18V-126	44.71 seconds
DeWalt DCS389	51.92 seconds
Metabo HPT CR36DA	54.54 seconds
Craftsman CMC5351	55.91 seconds
Flex FX2271	66.45 seconds
Ridgid R8647	92.95 seconds
Ryobi PBLRS02	101.25 seconds
Skil RS5884	DNF

Vibration

Quantifying vibration is tough without expensive equipment that we don’t have access to. Instead, we rate vibration on a 1 – 5 scale, with 1 being the best and 5 being the worst.

As we make our initial cuts, we’re able to start determining which saws have the lowest and highest vibration. We continue to evaluate vibration throughout our tests as the extended use helps us group them accordingly.

The important thing to note here is that we’re evaluating vibration during active cuts, not under no-load situations.

Model	Vibration Under Load (Lower is Better(
Makita GRJ02	1 out of 5
Metabo HPT CR36DA	1 out of 5
Bosch GSA18V-126	2 out of 5
Skil RS5884	2 out of 5
Hilti SR6-22	3 out of 5
Flex FX2271	3 out of 5
Ridgid R8647	3 out of 5
Ryobi PBLRS02	3 out of 5
DeWalt DCS389	4 out of 5
Milwaukee 2722	5 out of 5
Craftsman CMC5351	5 out of 5

What to Look For When You’re Buying a Cordless Reciprocating Saw

Motor: A brushless motor offers significantly better performance, longer runtime, and tool life than brushed. The trade-off is a higher price tag. While DIYers can get away with a brushed motor, professionals (and those who want Pro performance) need a brushless motor.

Stroke Length: A longer stroke length means faster material removal. We prefer full-size saws to have 1 1/8-inch to 1 1/4-inch stroke lengths.

Stroke Speed: Measured in strokes per minute, a higher stroke rate offers faster cutting. Full-size saws we recommend range from 2800 to 3200 SPM.

Pro Tip: Stroke speed and length are great numbers to know, but it’s the motor’s ability to keep the stroke rate up that determines how fast you can cut. Some of the DIY and Prosumer saws have specs that match or exceed some of our Pro saws, but they still cut slower head-to-head.

Orbital Action: This feature introduces an elliptical motion to the stroke, increasing the aggressiveness and speed of the cut. We prefer this to be a selectable feature you can turn on or off. It’s usually on professional saws, but something that’s not as common at the Prosumer and DIY levels.

Length: The length of the saw helps you determine how small of a space you can cut in. There’s a direct correlation between the size of the saw and its performance level. Larger motors, vibration control mechanisms, and other components dictate that high-performance cordless reciprocating saws are larger. Typical lengths are 17 to 19 inches for full-size models.

Weight: We want to work with as light of a saw as possible to reduce fatigue. Finding the right balance of weight, performance, and vibration control is key to doing the job efficiently. Professional saws can have a working weight (saw and battery) in the 9 to 12-pound range, while Prosumer and DIY models tend to drop below that.

Additional Features to Consider

Blade Changes: Virtually all modern cordless reciprocating saws now have tool-free blade changes. Models that include a lever release on the outer housing a much easier to change than those with a twist lock directly on the shaft. Spring-loaded active ejection and automatic locking when you insert the blade are also nice features to have.

Vibration Control: Advanced vibration control greatly reduces the amount of fatigue your arms experience while you’re cutting with a cordless reciprocating saw.

Speed Dial: This feature adjusts the maximum speed of the saw when a lower speed is advantageous, especially when cutting hard metals.

Pivoting Shoe: A reciprocating saw shoe’s ability to pivot helps you keep it in contact with the cutting surface on long cuts or round materials. It’s critical to keep the shoe engaged with the material to minimize vibration; a pivoting shoe makes it much easier.

Adjustable Shoe: Having the ability to adjust the length of the shoe allows you to engage unused teeth and get more life from the blade. It’s most helpful when you’re cutting material 1 1/2 inches or less so you can get a full set of unused teeth in play. The best cordless reciprocating saws will have a tool-free adjustment.

Rafter Hook: Having a rafter hook enables you to hang your saw in a variety of places, including rafters. Most models have one, and it’s a must-have feature for professional saws.

Dust Collection: Having the option to connect a dust extractor can reduce the amount of debris that collects around your workspace or becomes airborne. It’s especially helpful when you’re cutting cement board, concrete, and masonry products.

Smart Connectivity: Connecting to an app can add the ability to track your cordless reciprocating saw as part of a larger inventory management program. In some cases, it can open up customizable controls.

Related Content

• Best Reciprocating Saws and Sawzalls
• What is a Reciprocating Saw Used For?
• Sawzall vs. Reciprocating Saw: Are They the Same?
• What to Look for in a Reciprocating Saw

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