Best Reciprocating Saw Review

We really hope that you love the products that we recommend. Just so you know, ToolsReview may collect a share of sales or be compensated through the links on this page, but we think it’s a fair trade for the long hours of research that we put in.

Best Reciprocating Saw Review

Best Reciprocating Saw of 2022 Review

A reciprocating saw is such a useful tool to have around your home – there are so many jobs that they will be able to help you with and they massively reduce the amount of time and effort that you are going to need to put in. A reciprocating saw is a machine that moves a blade backwards and forwards, basically so that you don’t have to! It is important to mention at this point, that they aren’t going to complete as much of a professional finish as circular saws or jigsaws, but that doesn’t mean that they can’t be used to replace a traditional saw for everything else!

In our review of the best reciprocating saws on 2022 we have considered some of the models from the main manufacturers on the market, including Makita, Dewalt, Black and Decker and Bosch. We have also looked at the key features that you need to consider to help you compare the different models.

So whether you are a DIY enthusiast looking to make your life easier, someone suffering from joint pain and wanting to reduce the effort that you need to put in when you work or just looking for a tool to help speed up renovations around your home – we have a number of models that are here to help!

Our Top Pick of the Best

DeWalt 18V XR Lithium-Ion Body Only Reciprocating Saw

Sale
DEWALT DCS380N-XJ 18V XR Lithium-Ion Body Only Reciprocating Saw, Yellow/Black, 9.8 cm*46.8 cm*15.0 cm
  • Latest generation premium Reciprocating Saw featuring new XR Lithium Ion Technology
  • Part of the intelligent XR Lithium Ion Series designed for efficiency and making applications faster
  • Powerful & Highly efficient Dewalt PM47 fan-cooled motor with replaceable brushes
  • Delivers fast cutting action up to 3000 strokes per minute maximising user productivity
  • Reciprocating mechanism and magnesium gearcase offer the user optimised power to weight ratio

Last update on 2024-12-09 / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API / As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases

There is a reason that the DeWalt XR Reciprocating Saw has made our top pick in the category. It has a fantastic set of features, listed below. It comes with a 3 year warranty! In addition if you already have any of the DeWalt XR range of cordless power tools, you already have the batteries that work with this reciprocating saw!

It’s fan cooled motor allows it to be given the toughest of tasks, yet plow on without worrying about burning the motor out. It also features replaceable brushes, which allows for easy maintenance and keeps product replacement to a minimum.

Another benefit to the DeWalt XR reciprocating saw is it’s stroke length and speed of cut. It delivers a fast cutting action up to 2,950 strokes per minute and 28.6 mm in stroke length.

  • 3 Year Warranty
  • Replaceable brushes
  • 2,950 strokes per minute
  • 28.6mm Stroke length
Sale
DEWALT DCS380N-XJ 18V XR Lithium-Ion Body Only Reciprocating Saw, Yellow/Black, 9.8 cm*46.8 cm*15.0 cm
DEWALT DCS380N-XJ 18V XR Lithium-Ion Body Only Reciprocating Saw, Yellow/Black, 9.8 cm*46.8 cm*15.0 cm
Latest generation premium Reciprocating Saw featuring new XR Lithium Ion Technology; Powerful & Highly efficient Dewalt PM47 fan-cooled motor with replaceable brushes
£115.93 −3% £111.99 Amazon Prime

Last update on 2024-12-09 / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API / As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases

Quick Comparison of the best reciprocating saws of 2022

In this table we show some of the features side by side of each of the reciprocating saws on review.

BLACK+DECKER Scorpion Handsaw, 400W, Corded, Tool Free Blade Change, Includes 3 Blades, KS890ECN-GB
Bosch Home And Garden Reciprocating Saw PSA 700 E (710 W, In Carton Packaging)
DEWALT DCS380N-XJ 18V XR Lithium-Ion Body Only Reciprocating Saw, Yellow/Black, 9.8 cm*46.8 cm*15.0 cm
Makita DJR186Z Reciprocating Saw, 18 V ,Blue
BLACK+DECKER Scorpion Handsaw, 400W, Corded, Tool Free Blade Change, Includes 3 Blades, KS890ECN-GB
Bosch Home And Garden Reciprocating Saw PSA 700 E (710 W, In Carton Packaging)
DEWALT DCS380N-XJ 18V XR Lithium-Ion Body Only Reciprocating Saw, Yellow/Black, 9.8 cm*46.8 cm*15.0 cm
Makita DJR186Z Reciprocating Saw, 18 V ,Blue
Cordless
Stroke Length (mm)
10
28
28.6
28
Strokes Per Min
5500
2700
2950
2900
Warranty (Years)
1
3
3
1
Rating
-
-
-
-
Reviews
-
-
-
-
Price
£50.40
£65.00
£111.99
£114.00
BLACK+DECKER Scorpion Handsaw, 400W, Corded, Tool Free Blade Change, Includes 3 Blades, KS890ECN-GB
BLACK+DECKER Scorpion Handsaw, 400W, Corded, Tool Free Blade Change, Includes 3 Blades, KS890ECN-GB
Cordless
Stroke Length (mm)
10
Strokes Per Min
5500
Warranty (Years)
1
Rating
-
Reviews
-
Price
£50.40
Read Reviews & Buy Now
Bosch Home And Garden Reciprocating Saw PSA 700 E (710 W, In Carton Packaging)
Bosch Home And Garden Reciprocating Saw PSA 700 E (710 W, In Carton Packaging)
Cordless
Stroke Length (mm)
28
Strokes Per Min
2700
Warranty (Years)
3
Rating
-
Reviews
-
Price
£65.00
Read Reviews & Buy Now
DEWALT DCS380N-XJ 18V XR Lithium-Ion Body Only Reciprocating Saw, Yellow/Black, 9.8 cm*46.8 cm*15.0 cm
DEWALT DCS380N-XJ 18V XR Lithium-Ion Body Only Reciprocating Saw, Yellow/Black, 9.8 cm*46.8 cm*15.0 cm
Cordless
Stroke Length (mm)
28.6
Strokes Per Min
2950
Warranty (Years)
3
Rating
-
Reviews
-
Price
£111.99
Read Reviews & Buy Now
Makita DJR186Z Reciprocating Saw, 18 V ,Blue
Makita DJR186Z Reciprocating Saw, 18 V ,Blue
Cordless
Stroke Length (mm)
28
Strokes Per Min
2900
Warranty (Years)
1
Rating
-
Reviews
-
Price
£114.00
Read Reviews & Buy Now

Last update on 2024-12-09 / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API / As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases

Best Budget Reciprocating Saw

BLACK+DECKER Scorpion Handsaw, 400W, Corded, Tool Free Blade Change, Includes 3 Blades, KS890ECN-GB
  • Highly versatile saw that can be used as a handsaw or a jigsaw. Stroke Length is 10.0 mm and Cable length is 3.0 meter
  • Ideal for cutting various materials: Wood, metal and plastic
  • Cutting mode can be switched between straight line and curved cuts for added versatility
  • Variable speed control trigger delivering 0 - 5500 strokes per minute for safe and accurate cutting
  • 3 blades included

Last update on 2024-12-09 / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API / As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases

Black and Decker KS890ECN Scorpion Reciprocating Saw

The black and decker scorpion reciprocating saw is the cheapest of the reciprocating saws we have on review. Having said that as you can see from our comparison table above the strokes per minute offered out rank every other power saw we have reviewed.

Strokes per minute isn’t everything and what it does lack is the stroke length, whilst 10mm isn’t bad by any means it is the least on offer across the range we have reviewed.

It has some great features including tool free blade changing, this is a big help, as you aren’t rummaging around trying to find the special tool to remove the blade, which is the case with some other reciprocating saws.

  • Tool free blade change
  • 5500 strokes per minute
  • 1 year warranty
  • 10mm stroke length
BLACK+DECKER Scorpion Handsaw, 400W, Corded, Tool Free Blade Change, Includes 3 Blades, KS890ECN-GB
BLACK+DECKER Scorpion Handsaw, 400W, Corded, Tool Free Blade Change, Includes 3 Blades, KS890ECN-GB
Ideal for cutting various materials: Wood, metal and plastic; Cutting mode can be switched between straight line and curved cuts for added versatility
£50.40 Amazon Prime

Last update on 2024-12-09 / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API / As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases

Overall Product Review

The Black and Decker KS890ECN Scorpion Saw is a great budget reciprocating saw packing plenty of punch and is suitable as a direct replacement for a manual saw. It also comes with the ability to do jigsaw like cuts, whilst this isn’t it’s primary function and we wouldn’t recommend replacing your jigsaw with one it is useful.

The stroke length of 10mm is a bit short, we would like to see a longer warranty than 1 year and a cordless version wouldn’t go a miss. However for a price point of less than £35 we feel these things can be over looked. It is a more than capable reciprocating saw and in the budget category we feel it’s perfect!

Best Tradesman Reciprocating Saw

Makita DJR186Z Reciprocating Saw, 18 V ,Blue
  • Tool-less blade change
  • Trigger switch with lock off lever
  • Variable speed control
  • High power
  • Capacity in wood 255mm

Last update on 2024-12-09 / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API / As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases

Makita DJR186Z Reciprocating Saw Review

The Makita DJR186Z Reciprocating Saw is an 18v Li-ION cordless reciprocating saw that goes along nicely with the rest of the 18v range from Makita.

This is a headless unit and so it makes perfect sense as an addition to your existing Makita collection. If you don’t already have Makita tools you can purchase a battery and charger to go with it at an additional cost.

  • Electric brake
  • Variable speed
  • Trigger switch with lock off lever
  • Tool-less blade change
Makita DJR186Z Reciprocating Saw, 18 V ,Blue
Makita DJR186Z Reciprocating Saw, 18 V ,Blue
Tool-less blade change; Trigger switch with lock off lever; Variable speed control; High power
£114.00

Last update on 2024-12-09 / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API / As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases

Overall Product Review

The Makita brand is one that we love at Tools Review, we find time and time again that their 18v cordless power tools perform well under any condition. Their price point is great and if you already have some of their tools in your collection you are saving a lot of money by just buying the bare units.

The Makita reciprocating saw features tool-less blade changing which is always a plus, as you can never find the tool that came with it in the middle of a job. Having said that it is also a very safe and sturdy hold on the blade once it is in place and there is no danger of it becoming detached.

The variable speed and electric brake that the Makita reciprocating saw has to offer allow for accurate and precision cuts. This is something that we don’t often associate with reciprocating saws, so it is a great added benefit. The unit itself just comes in a box with it’s manual. It doesn’t come with a carry case, battery or charger.

Best DIY Enthusiast Reciprocating Saw

Sale
Bosch Home And Garden Reciprocating Saw PSA 700 E (710 W, In Carton Packaging)
  • Bosch SDS 710 W reciprocating saw
  • Quick cuts in wood
  • Ergonomic softgrip handle
  • Machine weight: 3 kilograms
  • Bow design handle - for safe handling and easy working

Last update on 2024-12-09 / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API / As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases

Bosch PSA 700 E Sabre Saw Review

The Bosch PSA 700 reciprocating saw, is one of our favourites on review, for the DIY enthusiast nothing else comes close. It has a great price point at under £70, is versatile and is around for the long haul.

The Bosch PSA 700 E Sabre Saw comes as standard with a 2 year warranty, upgradeable to 3 years free of charge and comes with a blade capable of cutting through wood and metal.

  • Free blade
  • 3 Year warranty
  • Tool free blade changing
  • Electronic speed control
Sale
Bosch Home And Garden Reciprocating Saw PSA 700 E (710 W, In Carton Packaging)
Bosch Home And Garden Reciprocating Saw PSA 700 E (710 W, In Carton Packaging)
Bosch SDS 710 W reciprocating saw; Quick cuts in wood; Ergonomic softgrip handle; Machine weight: 3 kilograms
£89.99 −28% £65.00 Amazon Prime

Last update on 2024-12-09 / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API / As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases

Overall Product Review

The Bosch PSA 700 reciprocating saw does what it says on the tin, it is versatile and can be used for cutting most materials with relative ease thanks to it’s interchangeable cutting blades. Changing a blade is a breeze thanks to it’s tool-less design.

The electronic speed control makes it easy to get started on a cut and very easy to get used to the reciprocating saw the first time you use it. Once you have started your cut and are used to handling and manipulating the reciprocating saw you can up the speed and fly through the cut!

As with a lot of Bosch tools the PSA 700 reciprocating saw comes with a 2 year warranty as standard, if you register the product online within 28 days of purchase you will get this upgraded to 3 years free of charge! We think a 3 year warranty with a tool such as this says a lot for the build quality and backing that Bosch is giving it. This is a tool that you can depend on time and time again to get the job done.

Whilst we like the convenience of cordless tools more than corded, the Bosch PSA 700 does have the edge when it comes to power over the cordless solutions.​

Conclusion

In this review we have looked at reciprocating saws from Bosch, VonHaus, Makita, Black & Decker and DeWalt. Some are cordless, some corded. There is a convenience factor with cordless tools, but sometimes depending on the toughness of the job at hand corded can be just the ticket. If it is specifically a cordless model that you are looking for then why not check out our additional buyer’s guide which looks specifically at cordless reciprocating saws.

All of the tools we have reviewed in this reciprocating saw review have come in at a great price. Meaning not only are you getting a fantastic tool, but also not breaking the bank in the process.

The key statistics we have considered when rating the reciprocating saws in this guide for you are stroke length, stroke’s per minute and what sort of warranty you get with the product. The first two are obvious, depending on the job at hand dictates whether or not you want something that is quick and has a long enough stroke length. However, the warranty is so important to us, something such as this is going to get a bit of abuse, whether it’s in your van or at home as a DIY enthusiast. We have laid out the warranties for each in our handy table above.

Top Pick of the Best Reciprocating Saw

Sale
DEWALT DCS380N-XJ 18V XR Lithium-Ion Body Only Reciprocating Saw, Yellow/Black, 9.8 cm*46.8 cm*15.0 cm
DEWALT DCS380N-XJ 18V XR Lithium-Ion Body Only Reciprocating Saw, Yellow/Black, 9.8 cm*46.8 cm*15.0 cm
Latest generation premium Reciprocating Saw featuring new XR Lithium Ion Technology; Powerful & Highly efficient Dewalt PM47 fan-cooled motor with replaceable brushes
£115.93 −3% £111.99 Amazon Prime

Last update on 2024-12-09 / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API / As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases

The DeWalt XR range, crops up time and time again. They really do make some fantastic tools with a great price point. This beauty comes with a 3 year warranty, is cordless and has a fan cooled motor allowing it to be put to work all day long and not even flinch.

Best Budget Reciprocating Saw

BLACK+DECKER Scorpion Handsaw, 400W, Corded, Tool Free Blade Change, Includes 3 Blades, KS890ECN-GB
BLACK+DECKER Scorpion Handsaw, 400W, Corded, Tool Free Blade Change, Includes 3 Blades, KS890ECN-GB
Ideal for cutting various materials: Wood, metal and plastic; Cutting mode can be switched between straight line and curved cuts for added versatility
£50.40 Amazon Prime

Last update on 2024-12-09 / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API / As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases

The Black & Decker reciprocating saw is the cheapest of our tools on review. This is reflected in the shorter stroke length and only a one year warranty. It does however, offer one of the faster stroke speeds and is certainly not to be sniffed at. For it’s price this reciprocating saw is great value for money and one that we would definitely consider if you seldom use it.

Best Tradesman Reciprocating Saw

Makita DJR186Z Reciprocating Saw, 18 V ,Blue
Makita DJR186Z Reciprocating Saw, 18 V ,Blue
Tool-less blade change; Trigger switch with lock off lever; Variable speed control; High power
£114.00

Last update on 2024-12-09 / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API / As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases

The Makita DJR186Z is our tradesman’s choice of reciprocating saw. The range offered by Makita, most of it headless is second to none. If you are a tradesman and already use Makita tools this is a no-brainer. The tools are dependable, easy to maintain, backed by a great warranty and really do last the test of time. This one features a tool-less blade change and electric brake.

Best DIY Enthusiast Reciprocating Saw

Sale
Bosch Home And Garden Reciprocating Saw PSA 700 E (710 W, In Carton Packaging)
Bosch Home And Garden Reciprocating Saw PSA 700 E (710 W, In Carton Packaging)
Bosch SDS 710 W reciprocating saw; Quick cuts in wood; Ergonomic softgrip handle; Machine weight: 3 kilograms
£89.99 −28% £65.00 Amazon Prime

Last update on 2024-12-09 / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API / As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases

The Bosch reciprocating saw is a close second to our best pick. It doesn’t quite pack the punch of the DeWalt and it’s a corded solution. However, for the money this thing is fantastic! A 3 year warranty included, free blade, fantastic stoke length and speed, tool-less blade changing. The list goes on! You really could do a lot worse than having this in your tool collection.

Like this review? You may like some of our other reviews too, we have a great review on the best Angle Grinders around which you might want to have a read of.​

Our Top Pick of the Best

Sale
DEWALT DCS380N-XJ 18V XR Lithium-Ion Body Only Reciprocating Saw, Yellow/Black, 9.8 cm*46.8 cm*15.0 cm
  • Latest generation premium Reciprocating Saw featuring new XR Lithium Ion Technology
  • Part of the intelligent XR Lithium Ion Series designed for efficiency and making applications faster
  • Powerful & Highly efficient Dewalt PM47 fan-cooled motor with replaceable brushes
  • Delivers fast cutting action up to 3000 strokes per minute maximising user productivity
  • Reciprocating mechanism and magnesium gearcase offer the user optimised power to weight ratio

Last update on 2024-12-09 / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API / As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases

DeWalt 18V XR Lithium-Ion Body Only Reciprocating Saw

There is a reason that the DeWalt XR Reciprocating Saw has made our top pick in the category. It has a fantastic set of features, listed below. It comes with a 3 year warranty! In addition if you already have any of the DeWalt XR range of cordless power tools, you already have the batteries that work with this reciprocating saw!

It’s fan cooled motor allows it to be given the toughest of tasks, yet plow on without worrying about burning the motor out. It also features replaceable brushes, which allows for easy maintenance and keeps product replacement to a minimum.

Another benefit to the DeWalt XR reciprocating saw is it’s stroke length and speed of cut. It delivers a fast cutting action up to 2,950 strokes per minute and 28.6 mm in stroke length.

  • Replaceable brushes
  • 2,950 strokes per minute
  • 28.6mm stroke length
  • 3 Year warranty

Alternative Options

If you are unsure whether a reciprocating saw is going to be right for you then there are loads of other options available to you that may be better suited to the jobs that you are trying to complete:

Frequently Asked Questions

What materials can a reciprocating saw cut through?

Reciprocating saws can cut through a wide range of materials including various types of wood, metal, drywall and plastics. Just make sure that you have a model that comes with the correct blade and enough power to get through tougher materials so that you can avoid any damage to the material or the machine!

Can you use a reciprocating saw in the garden?

Believe it or not – you can use a reciprocating saw in the garden! They will be perfect for cutting smaller branches and shrubs that may be getting in your way! Just don’t get too “scissor happy”! It is worth mentioning that they won’t give as good of a finish as specific gardening tools will though!

  • Performance
  • Features
  • Ergonomics
  • Value
About Thomas Paxton 368 Articles
Hey there, I'm Thomas Paxton, your Tool Guru with a Twist! I've been knee-deep in the world of tools since I was a little tinkerer in my dad's shed. Now, I'm running my own website where I share my passion for tools and gardening products through buyers guides and insightful tips. I've got the knowledge and experience to break down complex concepts into simple, easy-to-understand language. I purchased Tools Review from Mike Jones at the start of 2023, he has done a sterling job of building the site and I hope I can continue in his success! When I'm not writing guides, you'll find me in my garden or garage, putting my skills to work and pushing the boundaries of creativity. So, whether you're a pro or just starting out, join me on this adventure, and let's conquer DIY projects together!

Be the first to comment

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published.


*


This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.