Best Reciprocating Saws for DIYers
The demolition and remodeling workhorse: it cuts through wood, nails, pipe, and embedded fasteners that stop other saws. Cordless is the standard now; the blade you load decides what it cuts.
What to look for
- ·Match the blade to the job: wood-with-nails (demolition), metal, or pruning. The blade matters more than the saw for clean, fast cuts.
- ·Orbital action and a longer stroke cut faster in wood; turn orbital off for metal and pipe.
- ·Brushless cordless models give the runtime and power most DIYers want. A tool-free blade clamp saves real time.
Quick comparison
| Product | Tier | Price | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|
| Milwaukee M18 FUEL Sawzall (2821) | Editor's pick | $200 to $350 (kit) | The most cutting power and endurance |
| Makita 18V LXT Recip Saw (XRJ05) | Editor's pick | $150 to $220 (tool or kit) | Smooth power on the LXT system |
| DeWalt 20V MAX XR Recip Saw (DCS388) | Editor's pick | $160 to $230 (tool or kit) | Heavy demo for DeWalt owners |
| DeWalt 20V Atomic Compact Recip (DCS369) | Best value | $100 to $150 (tool or kit) | Compact value for tight spots |
| Metabo HPT 36V MultiVolt Recip Saw | Best value | $150 to $200 (kit) | Strong demo value with warranty |
| Ryobi ONE+ HP Brushless Recip Saw | Best value | $90 to $140 (tool or kit) | Value cutting on ONE+ |
| Bosch RS428 Corded Recip Saw | Budget pick | $90 to $130 | Smooth corded power |
| DeWalt 12-Amp Corded Recip Saw (DWE305) | Budget pick | $90 to $120 | Affordable corded reliability |
| WEN 10-Amp Corded Recip Saw | Budget pick | $35 to $60 | A one-time demo on the tightest budget |
Editor's pick
Milwaukee M18 FUEL Sawzall (2821)
$200 to $350 (kit)
The top pick after extensive testing: outcut every rival for sheer number of cuts, with a comfortable grip and strong speed. The demolition benchmark.
Best for: The most cutting power and endurance
Typically available at Home Depot, Acme Tools, Amazon.
Makita 18V LXT Recip Saw (XRJ05)
$150 to $220 (tool or kit)
A top-rated cordless recip with smooth power and good runtime on the durable LXT platform. The pick for Makita owners who want a refined demo saw.
Best for: Smooth power on the LXT system
Typically available at Home Depot, Amazon.
DeWalt 20V MAX XR Recip Saw (DCS388)
$160 to $230 (tool or kit)
A powerful, high-stroke cordless saw for heavy demolition on the big DeWalt platform. Strong and durable for serious remodeling.
Best for: Heavy demo for DeWalt owners
Typically available at Home Depot, Lowe's, Amazon.
Best value
DeWalt 20V Atomic Compact Recip (DCS369)
$100 to $150 (tool or kit)
A short, light one-handed saw that reaches places full-size saws cannot, and the bang-for-buck cordless pick for DIYers. Great for tight spaces.
Best for: Compact value for tight spots
Typically available at Home Depot, Amazon.
Metabo HPT 36V MultiVolt Recip Saw
$150 to $200 (kit)
An impressive demo tool with lower pricing and a lifetime tool warranty that boosts the value. Formerly Hitachi, strong performance for the money.
Best for: Strong demo value with warranty
Typically available at Amazon, Lowe's.
Ryobi ONE+ HP Brushless Recip Saw
$90 to $140 (tool or kit)
Brushless cutting power at a friendly price on the giant ONE+ battery system. The best value for a DIYer building a tool family.
Best for: Value cutting on ONE+
Typically available at Home Depot, Amazon.
Budget pick
Bosch RS428 Corded Recip Saw
$90 to $130
A 14-amp corded saw with serious power and notably low vibration. No batteries to manage, and a smooth, controllable cut for heavy work.
Best for: Smooth corded power
Typically available at Amazon, Home Depot.
DeWalt 12-Amp Corded Recip Saw (DWE305)
$90 to $120
Excellent value corded power for demolition without battery worries. A dependable, affordable workhorse for occasional heavy cutting.
Best for: Affordable corded reliability
Typically available at Home Depot, Lowe's, Amazon.
WEN 10-Amp Corded Recip Saw
$35 to $60
About the cheapest recip saw worth owning for a one-time demo job. Basic and a bit rough, but it cuts with the right blade for very little.
Best for: A one-time demo on the tightest budget
Typically available at Amazon.
Frequently asked
What is a reciprocating saw used for?+
Demolition and rough cutting: removing studs, cutting pipe and conduit, pruning branches, and slicing through nail-embedded wood. It is not a finish tool, it is for fast, aggressive cuts where appearance does not matter.
Corded or cordless reciprocating saw?+
Cordless is now the standard for the freedom to cut anywhere, and brushless models have plenty of power. Corded saws still offer unlimited runtime and steady power for heavy, all-day demolition at a lower price.
What blade do I need?+
Use a coarse wood or demolition blade for framing and nail-embedded wood, a fine metal blade for pipe and conduit, and a pruning blade for branches. Keeping a small assortment on hand is the key to good results.
What does orbital action do?+
Orbital action moves the blade in a slight oval, cutting faster and more aggressively in wood. Turn it off for metal, pipe, and cleaner cuts where you want control over speed.
Is one tool enough for demo?+
A reciprocating saw plus a pry bar covers most demolition. For heavy material removal you might add an oscillating tool for flush and detail cuts, but the recip saw is the core demo tool.