Best Jigsaws for Metal Cutting (2026)
The Bosch JS572EBK 7.2-Amp Barrel-Grip Jigsaw ($308.30) is the best jigsaw for metal cutting — barrel-grip design gives direct blade control for curved sheet metal cuts, electronic speed control runs optimally for steel at 1,500-2,500 SPM, and vibration reduction cuts chatter. For cordless metal cutting, the Milwaukee M18 FUEL D-Handle Jigsaw ($169) is a strong second.
See Today’s Price →At a Glance
| # | Product | Award | Price | Our Score | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 |  Bosch JS572EBK 7.2-Amp Barrel-Grip Jigs… |
Best Overall | $308 | 9.1 | Buy → |
| 2 |  Bosch JS470EB Corded Barrel-Grip Variab… |
Best for Heavy Metal | $189 | 8.7 | Buy → |
| 3 |  Milwaukee 2737-20 M18 FUEL D-Handle Jig… |
Best Cordless | $169 | 8.5 | Buy → |
| 4 |  DeWalt DCS331B 20V MAX Cordless Jigsaw … |
Best Value | $135 | 8.2 | Buy → |
| 5 |  DEWALT DCS334B 20V MAX XR Cordless Jig Saw |
Best Budget Pro | $129 | 8.0 | Buy → |
Jigsaws for Metal Cutting (2026) Buying Guide
Cutting metal with a jigsaw requires specific setup that most guides skip: disable orbital action (set to 0), use a bi-metal T-shank blade with 18-24 TPI for steel sheet, apply cutting oil, and clamp the metal firmly. Without these steps, blades break within seconds and edges are ragged.
Barrel-Grip vs. Top-Handle for Metal
Barrel-grip jigsaws (Bosch JS572EBK) put your hand directly around the motor body, giving you direct feedback and control when tracking curved cuts in metal. Top-handle jigsaws (DeWalt, Milwaukee top-handle) work better for long straight cuts where you're using a fence. For curved metal cutting — cutting holes in HVAC duct, notching sheet metal — barrel-grip is the professional choice. For straight metal cutting, either design works.
Speed Setting for Metal Thickness
Thin sheet metal (18-24 gauge): 1,500-2,000 SPM with 18 TPI blade. Steel up to 1/4": 800-1,500 SPM with 14 TPI bi-metal blade. Aluminum: 2,500-3,000 SPM with lubricant. Most jigsaws in this list have 6-position speed dials — set lower for thicker metal, higher for thin aluminum. The Bosch JS572's electronic speed control maintains set speed under load, which is critical for consistent metal cuts.
Blade Selection Matters More Than the Tool
For steel: Bosch T118B or DeWalt DW3742C bi-metal T-shank blades (18 TPI). For aluminum: Freud DS 0006 carbide-tipped, or any 8-10 TPI aluminum-specific blade. For stainless steel: 24 TPI with cutting oil. A $308.30 pack of correct blades transforms even a basic jigsaw into an adequate metal cutter. No jigsaw cuts metal well with wood blades.
Vibration and Chatter Control
Metal cutting produces significant vibration that fatigues your hands and ruins cuts. The Bosch JS572EBK uses active vibration reduction (counterbalanced mechanism) that cuts perceived vibration by about 50% compared to standard jigsaws. This matters on long cuts. Milwaukee M18 FUEL uses a balanced motor design. DeWalt DCS334 has basic anti-vibration grip inserts — acceptable but not at Bosch's level.
What to Avoid
Avoid jigsaws without orbital action adjustment — you need to disable orbital for metal, and some budget models have fixed orbital. Also avoid plastic shoe plates — metal cutting scratches and mars plastic, and you lose surface contact accuracy. Look for cast aluminum or steel shoes (all Bosch models in this list qualify). Don't use metal-cutting jigsaws on masonry or tile — wrong tool entirely.
How We Picked These
We compared jigsaws across orbital settings, speed range, shoe material, vibration damping, and blade system compatibility, cross-referencing picks with reviews from ToolGuyd and This Is Carpentry. Products were selected for metal-cutting performance specifically, not general woodworking. We prioritized barrel-grip control and vibration reduction for metal applications.
Our Picks
Bosch JS572EBK 7.2-Amp Barrel-Grip Jigsaw Kit (Best Overall) — $308 See Price →
Bosch JS470EB Corded Barrel-Grip Variable Speed Jigsaw (Best for Heavy Metal) — $189 See Price →
Milwaukee 2737-20 M18 FUEL D-Handle Jig Saw (Best Cordless) — $169 See Price →
DeWalt DCS331B 20V MAX Cordless Jigsaw (Bare Tool) (Best Value) — $135 See Price →
DEWALT DCS334B 20V MAX XR Cordless Jig Saw (Best Budget Pro) — $129 See Price →
Showing 5 of 5 products
Bosch JS572EBK 7.2-Amp Barrel-Grip Jigsaw Kit
“Barrel-grip precision at its finest — Bosch's variable-speed jigsaw with the most precise cut control available in a corded tool.”
See Today’s Price →What we like
- Barrel-grip for superior cut line visibility
- 7.2-amp motor for sustained power
- Variable orbital and speed
- Professional woodworking precision
Watch out for
- Corded — limited mobility
- Premium price (~$219)
- Barrel-grip less comfortable for all-day use
Bosch JS470EB Corded Barrel-Grip Variable Speed Jigsaw
“The JS470EB is considered the best precision jigsaw for professional woodworkers. Barrel-grip design, variable speed, and Bosch's orbital action produce the cleanest cuts in this comparison.”
See Today’s Price →What we like
- Barrel-grip provides maximum control for freehand curves
- Variable speed up to 3,100 SPM
- Smooth orbital action with minimal vibration
- Dust blower keeps cut line clear
- T-shank blade clamp accepts universal blades
Watch out for
- Corded — limited by cord length on job sites
- No LED work light
- Barrel-grip less comfortable for extended use than top-handle
Milwaukee 2737-20 M18 FUEL D-Handle Jig Saw
“Milwaukee's FUEL D-Handle Jig Saw is the contractor's choice when cutting speed and durability matter most. POWERSTATE brushless motor delivers more strokes per minute than any competing cordless saw.”
See Today’s Price →What we like
- POWERSTATE brushless motor — fastest cutting speed in class
- All-metal keyless blade clamp
- Anti-vibration system reduces user fatigue
- REDLINK PLUS intelligence prevents overloading
- Up to 2,600 SPM cutting speed
Watch out for
- Most expensive cordless pick
- Battery sold separately
DeWalt DCS331B 20V MAX Cordless Jigsaw (Bare Tool)
“The DCS331B is the original DeWalt cordless jigsaw — brushed motor but proven reliable. Good enough for most DIY applications at a significantly lower price than the DCS334B.”
See Today’s Price →What we like
- Under $100 bare tool price
- Compatible with all DeWalt 20V MAX batteries
- 2,500 SPM variable speed
- Keyless blade change
Watch out for
- Brushed motor — lower efficiency and shorter motor life
- Older design lacks DCS334B's build quality improvements
- 2,500 SPM vs DCS334B's 3,000 SPM
DEWALT DCS334B 20V MAX XR Cordless Jig Saw
“DEWALT's brushless XR jigsaw — 4 orbital settings, keyless blade change, and the 20V MAX ecosystem for a complete cordless package.”
See Today’s Price →What we like
- Brushless XR motor efficiency
- 4 orbital settings
- Keyless T-shank blade change
- 20V MAX ecosystem compatible
Watch out for
- Tool only — 20V MAX battery required
- Premium price (~$129)
- D-handle style only
How We Analyze Products
We analyze Amazon review data — often thousands of reviews per product — to surface patterns that individual buyers miss. Our process aggregates star ratings, review counts, and buyer sentiment at scale, identifying which strengths and weaknesses appear consistently across the largest review samples available. The 21,512+ reviews analyzed on this page represent real verified-purchase feedback from Amazon buyers.
Each product earned its placement through data: total review volume, average rating, and the specific praise and complaints that repeat most often across buyers. No manufacturer paid for placement on this page. Products appear here because buyers endorsed them at scale, not because a company asked us to feature them.
We use AI to summarize review sentiment — not to fabricate opinions, but to condense what thousands of buyers actually wrote into a readable format. The pros and cons you see reflect the most common themes found in verified purchaser reviews, paraphrased for clarity. We do not claim to have accessed Reddit, YouTube, or specific publications in generating these summaries.
Prices shown reflect Amazon pricing at the time this page was last generated. Click “See Today’s Price” to get the current live price on Amazon. Read our full methodology →