Best Reciprocating Saws: DEWALT, Milwaukee, Makita
Milwaukee M18 FUEL Sawzall is the best reciprocating saw for professionals — maximum cuts per charge, 4-speed trigger, and FUEL brushless motor power. DEWALT DCS380B is the best value for 20V MAX ecosystem users at $127 (tool only).
See Today’s Price →At a Glance
| # | Product | Award | Price | Score |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Also Excellent | $127 Buy → |
8.9 | |
| 2 |  Milwaukee 2720-20 M18 Fuel Sawzal…Milwaukee |
Best Overall | $347 Buy → |
9.2 |
| 3 | Best Value | $129 Buy → |
8.5 | |
| 4 | Best Budget | $62 Buy → |
8.2 | |
| 5 |  BLACK+DECKER 20V MAX* Cordless Re…BLACK+DECKER |
Budget Pick | $89 Buy → |
7.8 |
Reciprocating Saws Buying Guide
Photo by Los Muertos Crew / PexelsReciprocating saws are demolition tools first — designed for cutting through walls, removing windows, pruning tree limbs, and demolishing framing where precision doesn't matter and speed does. Stroke length and strokes-per-minute determine raw cutting speed; orbital action adds an aggressive digging motion for faster cuts through wood at the cost of control in metal or pipe. The Milwaukee 2720-20 M18 FUEL Sawzall ($347.80, tool only) is the professional benchmark: 1-1/8" stroke, up to 3,000 SPM, and tool-free blade changes a contractor can execute one-handed mid-demo without stopping for a hex key.
Our Top Pick: Milwaukee 2720-20 M18 FUEL Sawzall Reciprocating Saw (Tool Only) — The professional benchmark — FUEL brushless motor delivers maximum cuts per charge. At $347.80, it offers the best overall value. See today's price. Best Budget Pick: RYOBI PCL515B ONE+ 18V Cordless Reciprocating Saw (Tool Only) ($49.10) — Under $60 bare tool for ONE+ ecosystem users — adequate for light. Best for Also Excellent: DEWALT DCS380B 20V MAX Reciprocating Saw (Tool Only) — The most popular cordless recip saw on Amazon — reliable 3,000 SPM. ---How we picked these. We compared 9 reciprocating saws across stroke length, variable speed trigger responsiveness, and blade ejection system design, cross-referencing picks with ToolGuyd, r/Tools, and This Old House. Products were selected for demolition cutting speed and vibration dampening at each price point.
Reciprocating saws are demolition tools — they cut pipe, conduit, drywall, lumber with nails, and any material in rough applications. The key metrics are strokes per minute (SPM), stroke length, and orbital action capability.
SPM range: variable speed from 0-3,000+ SPM is standard. Higher top speed removes material faster; lower speed gives more control on pipes and metal.
Stroke length: 1-1/4" stroke is standard; longer strokes remove material faster in demolition applications. Milwaukee's FUEL achieves the highest stroke rate at full power.
Orbital action: some models offer orbital cutting (the blade moves in an elliptical path) for faster wood cutting. Straight action is better for metal and pipe.
Not sure whether a drill or impact driver pairs best with your saw platform? Our drill buying guide covers the full cordless tool ecosystem.
Quick Decision: If budget is the priority, go with the RYOBI PCL515B ONE+ 18V Cordless Reciprocating Saw (Tool Only); if you want the best overall, choose the Milwaukee 2720-20 M18 FUEL Sawzall Reciprocating Saw (Tool Only); if you need also excellent, the DEWALT DCS380B 20V MAX Reciprocating Saw (Tool Only) is your pick.
Watch: Best Sawzall (Reciprocating Saw)? by Project Farm
Watch Before You Buy
“Best value cordless recip saw — DEWALT 20V at under $100.”
See Today’s Price →What we like
- Under $100 (tool only)
- 3,000 SPM for efficient cutting
- 4-position blade clamp for versatility
- 20V MAX ecosystem compatible
Watch out for
- Tool only — 20V MAX battery required
- Brushed motor (less efficient than FUEL)
- Less anti-vibration than Milwaukee
Read Full Analysis
The DEWALT DCS380B 20V MAX Reciprocating Saw at $99 (tool only) is the value leader for homeowners and light trades use — a brushed 20V motor with 0-3,000 SPM and a 1-1/8-inch stroke that matches the Milwaukee's stroke length at less than half the price. The keyless blade clamp swaps blades without tools. Variable speed trigger provides low-speed control for accurate starting cuts and high speed for demolition. DEWALT's 20V MAX platform means the battery works with over 200 DEWALT tools. Against the Milwaukee M18 FUEL ($199), DEWALT uses a brushed motor (shorter brush life, more heat under sustained use) but at $100 less it's the correct choice for users who won't run the saw for 8+ hours weekly. Against the RYOBI PCL515B ($59), DEWALT costs $40 more for the 20V MAX platform's broader compatibility and better build quality. Best for homeowners and part-time contractors who need professional-grade hardware on a budget.
“Professional demolition benchmark — Milwaukee M18 FUEL Sawzall.”
See Today’s Price →What we like
- Fuel brushless motor sustains maximum cutting power through extended demolition — drives through framing lumber, embedded nails, and copper pipe without the power drop non-Fuel motors exhibit mid-cut
- 0 to 3,100 SPM with 4-speed trigger covers fine-speed copper pipe cutting and aggressive full-speed demo from the same trigger without a separate speed selector
- Anti-vibration technology reduces hand fatigue over extended demo sessions — measurably lower vibration than standard reciprocating saws after an hour of continuous cutting
- Quik-Lok blade clamp releases and accepts blades tool-free in under 5 seconds — no wrench required for blade changes during a multi-material job
Watch out for
- Premium price (~$199 tool only)
- M18 battery required separately
- Overkill for occasional DIY
Read Full Analysis
The Milwaukee 2720-20 M18 FUEL Sawzall at $199 (tool only) is the professional benchmark for reciprocating saws — a brushless motor pushing 0-3,000 SPM with a 1-1/8-inch stroke length, the maximum on this page. POWERSTATE brushless technology maintains consistent speed under load, preventing the blade from bogging down in dense wood or steel pipe where cheaper motors stall. The REDLINK PLUS intelligence monitors motor and battery temperature to prevent overheating during extended demo work. Anti-vibration from the ORBITAL setting keeps hands less fatigued during all-day use. Against the DEWALT DCS380B ($99), Milwaukee costs $100 more for brushless vs. brushed motor, meaningfully better sustained power, and Milwaukee's M18 ecosystem advantage for contractors already on M18. Against the RYOBI ($59), Milwaukee delivers 3x the performance at 3x the price — justified for daily professional use, not for the homeowner cutting a branch quarterly.
“Best compact Makita recip saw — sub-compact LXT for tight access.”
See Today’s Price →What we like
- Sub-compact body for tight access
- Brushless motor efficiency
- 18V LXT ecosystem compatible
- Lightweight (3.7 lbs without battery)
Watch out for
- Tool only — LXT battery required
- Less aggressive cutting than full-size Milwaukee FUEL
- Sub-compact limits large blade use
Read Full Analysis
The Makita XRJ07ZB 18V LXT Sub-Compact Brushless Reciprocating Saw at $119 (tool only) offers brushless motor performance at a lower price than the Milwaukee, in a notably shorter and lighter package. The 'sub-compact' designation means the saw body is 2-3 inches shorter than full-size models — critical for cutting in tight spaces like wall cavities, between studs, and plumbing access holes. Brushless motor delivers 0-3,000 SPM with less heat than the DEWALT's brushed motor. The LXT battery platform covers 260+ Makita tools. Against the Milwaukee ($199), Makita costs $80 less with comparable brushless efficiency in a smaller footprint — the better choice for users who prioritize maneuverability over raw power. Against the DEWALT ($99), Makita adds brushless for $20 more. For plumbers, electricians, and finish carpenters who cut in tight spaces daily, the sub-compact format is often the deciding factor.
“Best budget RYOBI recip saw — ONE+ compatible under $60.”
See Today’s Price →What we like
- ONE+ ecosystem compatibility works across 300+ Ryobi 18V tools on the same battery — no separate battery purchase for existing platform owners
- Variable speed trigger from 0 to 3,100 SPM controls cutting speed for different materials — slower for metal pipe and conduit, faster for wood demolition
- Under $60 bare tool is the lowest-cost cordless reciprocating saw in this comparison for ONE+ users with an existing battery
- 4-position blade mount enables flush cutting close to a wall or floor surface for material removal in tight spaces
Watch out for
- Less powerful than Milwaukee/DEWALT
- Brushed motor shorter lifespan
- Not for heavy demolition
Read Full Analysis
The RYOBI PCL515B ONE+ 18V Cordless Reciprocating Saw at $59 (tool only) is the entry-level price point for battery-powered reciprocating saws — $40 less than the DEWALT and $140 less than the Milwaukee. The 18V ONE+ motor delivers basic 0-3,000 SPM variable speed for pruning, occasional demolition, and standard home maintenance cuts. ONE+ platform compatibility means the battery works with all Ryobi ONE+ tools (200+ tools). The tool weighs slightly more than competitors at this spec level. Against the DEWALT ($99), RYOBI saves $40 with a narrower ecosystem and slightly less torque under heavy loads. Against the BLACK+DECKER ($79), RYOBI saves $20 with a comparable feature set — both are budget-tier units for light household use. Best for homeowners already on the ONE+ platform or those doing infrequent cutting who can't justify $99-199 for occasional use.
“Most affordable complete recip saw kit with battery under $70.”
See Today’s Price →What we like
- Complete kit includes battery and charger so you can use it the day it arrives — no separate accessories to purchase before you start
- Black+Decker 20V MAX battery is interchangeable with other Black+Decker tools you may already own in the lineup
- Handles trimming tree branches, cutting PVC pipe, and light demolition work that homeowners encounter in typical yard and renovation tasks
- Compact and lightweight design is manageable for users who find full-size reciprocating saws unwieldy or difficult to control
Watch out for
- Less powerful than premium options
- Not for heavy demolition or pipe cutting
- Short battery runtime
Read Full Analysis
The BLACK+DECKER BDCR20C 20V Max Reciprocating Saw at $79 is the cheapest entry into the 20V Max battery format — a platform that includes some DEWALT compatibility depending on the specific batteries. The BDCR20C delivers 0-2,900 SPM (slightly below the 3,000 SPM of the other models), adequate for standard pruning, window and door demolition, and occasional renovation cuts. The lightweight design suits users who find full-size saws heavy. Against the RYOBI ($59), BLACK+DECKER costs $20 more for the 20V platform — potentially better battery ecosystem value if you own other BLACK+DECKER 20V tools. Against the DEWALT ($99), BLACK+DECKER saves $20 with slightly lower SPM, brushed motor, and narrower professional tool selection on the platform. Best for light home maintenance users who want an affordable cordless saw in the 20V format.
Frequently Asked Questions
What blades do I need for a reciprocating saw?
Can a reciprocating saw cut through concrete or masonry?
What is the difference between a Sawzall and a reciprocating saw?
Is cordless reciprocating saw powerful enough for demolition?
What is a shoe on a reciprocating saw?
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