Best Milwaukee Reciprocating Saws of 2026

The Milwaukee 2625-20 Hackzall earns Best Overall for delivering one-handed reciprocating saw capability on the M18 platform at the lowest price in this lineup. The Hackzall form factor — compact, pistol-grip, single-handed operation — is the right tool for plumber and electrician rough-in work, pruning branches, demolition in tight spaces, and any situation where a full-size Sawzall is too large or two-handed operation is impractical. At $85 bare tool, it is the M18 entry point to reciprocating saw capability. The brushed motor is the cost reduction that enables the $85 price point. For occasional use and light cutting, brushed performance is fully adequate. For daily professional use or extended cutting sessions, the M18 FUEL Sawzall (rank 2, $149) or FUEL Hackzall variant are the better long-term investments. The brushed 2625-20 is the correct buy for M18 users adding reciprocating saw capability without budget for the full FUEL premium. Against the M18 FUEL Sawzall (rank 2, $149), this trades full two-handed Sawzall power for one-handed convenience at $64 less. The M12 Hackzall (rank 3, $149.80) offers an even more compact 12V form factor. The 2720-20 M18 FUEL Sawzall (rank 4, $347.80) is the professional sustained-cutting platform. For M18 users who need a versatile compact reciprocating saw for mixed use without the full Sawzall investment, the 2625-20 is the correct starting point.

The Milwaukee M18 FUEL brushless Sawzall delivers FUEL-class brushless performance for M18 ecosystem users who already own compatible batteries. The POWERSTATE brushless motor produces higher SPM and better cuts-per-charge efficiency than standard non-FUEL Milwaukee reciprocating saws, with less heat buildup during extended demolition work where sustained cutting generates significant motor heat. At $149.00 tool-only, M18 battery and charger are needed if not already in the platform ($80-120 additional). For existing M18 trades users, this is the direct step up to brushless performance without a platform change. The Milwaukee 2720-20 at $347.80 provides a more advanced FUEL configuration with 4-speed trigger control and ANTI-VIBRATION for all-day professional use — $198 more for heavy daily trade applications. For regular professional use without maximum-demand daily applications, the $149.00 M18 FUEL provides professional cutting performance at a significantly lower cost.

The Milwaukee M12 Hackzall's one-handed design enables cuts in spaces where a full-size reciprocating saw body cannot fit — under-sink plumbing, cuts in wall cavities with limited clearance, attic and crawl space work where two-handed operation is physically impossible. This access capability is what distinguishes it from every other saw on this page; no full-size model replaces it in confined-space applications. The kit includes battery and charger, making it immediately functional without additional investment for buyers new to M12. At 3.5 lbs it is significantly lighter than full-size reciprocating saws, reducing fatigue for overhead and vertical cuts. The 3/4" stroke length limits cutting speed versus full-size saws — this is a specialist access tool, not a replacement for a full-size Sawzall on open demolition work. At $149.80 it is the right secondary purchase for trades users who own a full-size reciprocating saw and need one-handed compact access capability as a complement. Plumbers, electricians, and finish carpenters working in finished spaces regularly encounter the confined-cut scenario that makes the Hackzall irreplaceable. For a buyer who owns only one reciprocating saw, a full-size M18 FUEL at $149.00 covers more applications — the Hackzall is best as a purpose-specific addition to an existing saw kit.

The Milwaukee 2720-20 4-speed trigger (0-3,100 SPM) provides control that single-speed and basic variable-speed triggers cannot match — low speed for controlled cuts through nail-embedded lumber where a fast stroke binds and kicks; high speed for efficient demolition through open framing. This precision is the specification that separates professional from basic reciprocating saw capability and determines cut quality in mixed-material applications. ANTI-VIBRATION technology uses mass dampening to reduce resonance that causes operator fatigue during all-day demolition work. For a framing contractor or renovation specialist using a reciprocating saw for 4-6 hours per day, vibration reduction directly affects productivity and long-term joint health. The FUEL brushless motor maximizes cuts per charge, reducing battery rotation interruptions during sustained production cutting. At $347.80 tool-only, the 2720-20 costs $198 more than the M18 FUEL basic at $149.00. The premium is the 4-speed trigger precision, ANTI-VIBRATION system, and higher-grade FUEL specification. For occasional DIYers and homeowners, the $149.00 M18 FUEL covers professional cutting needs without the anti-vibration premium. For contractors and heavy daily trade users where vibration fatigue and cut control across a full work week matter, the 2720-20 is the correctly specified tool and the $198 premium is justified by accumulated daily professional use.