Whether you are a professional or a DIY enthusiast, you’re going to need a reliable jigsaw sooner or later. A good jigsaw should be seen as one of the most useful power tools a person can own, mainly due to its versatility and ease of use. With a jigsaw, you can cut straight or curved lines into any type of wood with great speed and precision, thus the need to own one if you’re a fan of woodworking or at least enthusiastic about it. With this in mind, let us find out what are the ten best jigsaws the market has to offer at this point in time.
10. Makita JV0600K
The Makita JV0600K is without a doubt, one of the best jigsaws available today. Its low-profile, well-balanced design ensures greater control and efficiency in hard-to-reach angles and reduced user fatigue. Its die-cast aluminum casing is durable, while integrated dust blower helps clear the line of cut to ensure high cutting accuracy. An ergonomic rubber grip plus 2-finger trigger offers greater comfort, control for easier, more efficient performance.
9. Makita 4329K
With a robust 3.9-amp motor, Makita’s 4329K jigsaw has an adjustable speed control dial, delivering optimal cutting efficiency through different materials. Its aluminum base bevel makes 45-degree cuts right and left, stopping at 90 degrees for solid, smooth cutting. Three orbital and straight cutting settings are integrated. Moreover, ergonomic and rubberized grip offer added control, comfort. It also delivers proper dust management and has a large trigger and lock-on buttons for easy and extended use.
8. PORTER-CABLE PCE345
This 6-amp orbital jig saw by Porter-Cable boasts trigger-integrated 7-position speed dial for providing various speed settings to deliver optimal cutting efficiency. Its 6-amp motor provides greater power in demanding tasks, while its four orbital settings offer the best cut performance in different materials. At the same time, its lock-on button offers easier control over prolonged use, helping reduce user fatigue, complemented by a convenient front handle for added comfort and control.
7. Bosch JS470EB
Another one by Bosch, this is a 7-amp barrel-grip jigsaw that features tool-less blade change mechanism for quick insertion, while a blade ejection lever keeps your hands safe from the hot blade. A lock-on button allows for steady long cutting as a large and strong foot plus integrated bevel wrench offer stability and convenience. Moreover, it has all the high-performance features for accurate, powerful and smooth cutting, as well as an ergonomic handle for your comfort.
6. SKIL 4495-02
If you need high precision and reliable power in woodworking tasks, the SKIL 4495-02 is your ideal jigsaw. It boasts a 4-position orbital cut control that allows you to accurately set your desired cut type—smooth to quick. The cut lines are made more precise thanks to an integrated laser guide. A special, stable foot design ensures greater control as you begin a cut to deliver only smooth results. Furthermore, it has a 6-amp motor for a greater power reliability and an increased precision.
5. DEWALT DW331K
DEWALT’s DW331K is a top-handle design jigsaw that delivers excellence in power and precision with innovative features for detailed projects and smoothly curved cuts. Its variable speed control makes an accurate and fast task of tough jobs. For extra versatility, it has a positive bevel and built-in dust management. It further features a rubberized handle and anti-vibration mechanism for added comfort and control.
4. DEWALT DCS331M1
The DEWALT’s DCS331M1 is another high-efficiency jigsaw by today’s standards. It is a 20V power tool that combines cordless flexibility with a highly impressive speed of up to 3,000 SPM. With a sturdy, versatile design, it is capable of delivering excellent cutting on various materials and different applications. Furthermore, fast blade change features plus a terrific bevel function makes it cut precisely up to 45-degree angle.
3. Bosch JS470E
Bosch is one of the most reputable power tools manufacturers and their JS470E Jig Saw is a good example why that is. The 7-amp tool offers power, precision, and durability. At the same time, its sturdy cast aluminum footplate and the heavy-duty design make it endure the rigors of workshop use. Overall, this jigsaw is an ideal choice for any professional or DIYer, mostly because of its remarkable versatility.
2. PORTER CABLE PCC650B
Running on a durable, rechargeable 20V MAX Li-Ion battery, the PCC650B is PORTER CABLE’s cordless jigsaw providing an up to 2,500 SPM cutting speed and three orbital settings, allowing easy adjustment of the cut aggressiveness according to your specific application. With its tool-less blade release and beveling shoe, it provides high versatility, making it ideal for cutting different wood and even metal to some extent.
1. BLACK+DECKER BDEJS600C
From Black & Decker, a highly popular manufacturer of power tools, this 5-amp jigsaw integrates a Curve Control technology for easy adjustment of its orbit in 1 of its 4 customized settings for your different projects. Interestingly enough, its variable speed motor provides a high cutting power that you will undoubtedly find useful. Not only that but this saw can deliver precise bevel cuts up to 45 degrees. It also has an easy-adjusting shoe for cutting stability and an integrated wire guard to help with its precision.
Jigsaw Buying Guide
Jigsaws are essential tools for anyone who wants or needs to cut complex shapes or curves into pieces of wood, plastic or light metal. That’s why you’ll find them in garage workshops, the studios of wood craftsmen and just about anywhere else a precision tool is needed for creating woodworking or art projects. Unfortunately, it can be difficult for the average consumer to find the best jigsaw for their projects, so we decided to go ahead and talk about what to look for when buying one of these tools.
DIY Projects Or Professional Projects?
A lot of jigsaw buying guides bore the reader with technical specifications of some of the more common jigsaw types. We know that consumers don’t want to have to sort through a bunch of technical information to find the best jigsaw for them, so we decided to keep this guide simple and straightforward. As a result, consumers only need to ask themselves one question: Do they need a light or mid-duty jigsaw or a professional-quality jigsaw? Once this question has been asked and answered, the consumer will know exactly what type of tool they’re going to need. Now, let’s took at the difference between these different jigsaw types, so everyone can understand the capabilities and limitations of each type of tool.
Light-Duty & Medium-Duty Jigsaws
These jigsaws are designed for DIY projects or home art projects, and as a result, don’t have the power of professional-level jigsaws. Typically, these tools can cut through softwoods such as pine, spruce or red cedar up to 2.25-inches thick. They can also cut through hardwoods such as walnut, maple or oak up to 1-3/8-inch thick. These tools can also cut through aluminum up to 1/2-inch thick or light steel up to 3/16-inch thick. These tools tend to also have single-bevel capabilities and a trigger controlled or dialed in speed control.
Power: On average, these tools are available in both corded and cordless models with power wattages around 3 to 4-amps per model.
Construction: These tools usually have plastic housing, a universal blade, and a stamped-steel foot.
Professional-Duty Jigsaws
As their name suggests, these tools are designed for heavy-duty professional jobs. That means that they can cut through softwoods at a depth of 3-3/8-inches, hardwoods at a depth of 3-3/8-inches, mild steel up to 3/8-inch thick, and aluminum up to 3/4-inch thick. These tools also tend to have dual bevel capabilities, trigger or dial controlled speeds, a precision roller guide, and a footplate insert that doesn’t mar the surface being worked on. Below are some additional characteristics of these tools.
Power: The average professional jigsaw uses about 5+ amps for best results. Although these tools are available in both corded and cordless models, corded models tend to be more powerful.
Construction: These tools are made with all-metal gearboxes that may be covered by the plastic housing, T-shank blades, and die-cast aluminum feet.
Additional Buying Tips For The Best Jigsaw Performance
Now that we’ve covered the basics between DIY and professional jigsaws, it’s time to provide a few extra tips for consumers who are looking for tools that provide the best performance. Below are some things to consider before purchasing your next jigsaw.
Corded Jigsaws
As a general rule, if a person needs the maximum amount of cutting power, then they should choose a corded jigsaw instead of a cordless one. These jigsaws provide anywhere from 5 to 8-amps of power and are quite useful for heavy-duty use.
Aggressive Cuts
If a person needs aggressive cutting action, then they may want to look for a jigsaw that has orbital action. All jigsaws provide up and down blade movement, but only ones equipped with orbital action also provide back and forth action for cuts that are more aggressive.
Scroll Cuts
Anyone who needs scroll cuts, for either making crosscuts or for ripping wood, is going to want to look for an auxiliary handle that has a knob on it. This allows for 360-degree rotation of the blades and for precision steering that allows the user to perform detailed cuts effectively.
Scroll Cuts
Consumers who need straight cuts are going to want to get a model that has laser line sighting for best results.
Quick-Change Blades
Models that allow for blades to be quickly changed out without having to use tools makes using the jigsaw a lot easier to use.
Built-In Lighting
Built-in lights on the jigsaw allow the consumer to keep the work area well-lit, even in poorly lit workshops.
Dust-Collection Ports
Dust-collection products allow sawdust to be cleared away as the person cuts, and this not only keeps the mess down but also allows for better sightlines.
Comfortable Grips
The last thing to consider is the handle of the jigsaw. D-shaped or barrel grip jigsaws are generally easier to hold and use. Consumers should look for models that offer cushion-grips for additional comfort.
