Best Jigsaws For The Money

Last Update: October, 2023

Many times, the first step in making or fixing anything is cutting. When it comes to cutting material like wood or metal, your two best options are a circular saw or a jigsaw. A circular saw is great for cutting straight lines. If you need to cut in any fashion other than a straight line, the circular saw will not get you very far and you will quickly realize a jigsaw is much better suited for the job.

Jigsaws are better suited for cutting curves, circles, inside openings and other unique cuts because of their flexible and narrow ¼-inch to ½-inch blade width. While jigsaws are typically used for cutting wood, with the right blades, they can also be used for materials such as metal and stone.

If you are shopping around for a new jigsaw, you want the best because you deserve the best in reliability and functionality. Anything less than the best will not help you get a job done with ease, comfort, certainty and precision. Nothing beats the feeling of enjoying the power of a great tool and completing a job well done.

With so many great options to choose from, it can be tough to determine which company has the best jigsaw. We have narrow down your options, so picking the best of the best can simply come down to personal preference.

More About The TECCPO 3000SPM Jigsaw

This jigsaw absolutely has the potential to meet, if not exceed, expectations of quality performance from a jigsaw. TECCPO Jigsaw is equipped for superior accuracy with 4-position orbital settings and 6-stage speed dial that can be combined in various way to meet your needs.

It comes with so many useful and helpful features including an exhaust direction changer for precision cutting and safety, a 45° bevel, quick release blade feature, a sturdy bottom plate with locking positions, and more. This is a jigsaw that can help you cut any ideal curve like a pro.

>> Related Content: Best Scroll Saw, Best Circular Saw

More About The Dewalt DW331K

The Dewalt jigsaw can be compatible with other brand blades, which is convenient and gives you more options. This high-performance tool can cut anything it is intended to with beautiful accuracy thanks to the 6.5 Amp motor, 4-position orbital action, and dust blower for precision.

>> Related Content: Best Cordless Circular Saw, Best Table Saw

More About The Bosch 7.0 Amp Jigsaw

This well-known and trusted brand has made a jigsaw with an incredibly comfortable barrel-grip that is great for working with a relatively tight space. Its 7 Amp muscle makes it a perfect choice for installers, carpenters and cabinet maker.

It’s designed with a counterbalancing mechanism for low vibration and has a variable-speed dial so you can cut through what you need with ease. With its long cord you get the convenience of distance almost comparable to that of a cordless jigsaw without the concern of not being able to complete longer, time-consuming jobs.

>> Related Content: Best Miter Saw, ​Best Battery Chainsaw

More About The Black + Decker JS670W Orbital Jigsaw

While this brand is known for its affordability, it does not sacrifice performance quality. It is equipped a line finder that illuminates your cut line, giving you clearer visibility and accuracy. With multiple speeds and blades, you can tackle any type of job a jigsaw should be able to do.

For convenience and quick access to blades, there is an onboard blade storage unit and a tool free blade change feature. Its Accu-Bevel Angle Adjustment has a quick action lever and indicator window to increase accuracy. It is made to last and never quit with ease and simplicity making it a perfect choice for beginners and DIYers.

>> Related Content: Best Reciprocating Saw, Best Hybrid Table Saw

More About The Ryobi One+ Cordless Jigsaw

This jigsaw goes above expectation in quality of materials, comfortable grip, compatibility with other blade brands, convenient speed control, and more. Its performance matches that of a corded jigsaw in capability and consistency.

It has a variable-speed dial and a speed match selector for a wide array of materials to improve the quality of your cut. Ryobi’s innovative blade saver allows access to otherwise unused teeth by adjusting the base so your blades can last as long as possible.

Factors to consider when buying a Jigsaw

The best jigsaw depends on the person. Any one of these five options can be perfect for you, but which type you pick largely depends on what you plan on doing with it. If you want to do heavy-duty projects all the time, you’ll need a different jigsaw than if you only plan on using the jigsaw every now and again.

You also don’t want to get an option that has all the best features, but that’s too powerful for you to use. Before you buy your jigsaw, keep these factors in mind first.

Blade Type and Power

You want to consider power and blade type when choosing the perfect jigsaw. The decision depends on the type of job you need done. If you are a professional in need of using a jigsaw frequently. You may want to consider getting a few different models so you have a well-suited jigsaw for any project.

 A 3-4 Amp corded or cordless jigsaw is great for smaller DIY type work involving cutting softwoods up to 2-¼”, hardwoods up to 1-⅜”, and steel up to 3/16”. For professional or construction grade work, a 5 Amp or stronger jigsaw can get the job done. Keep in mind, a jigsaw with low vibrations is great for smoother finishes and causes less fatigue when operating for long periods of time.

As for the blades, you want to make sure you are using one that can meet the job requirements.

Main types of Blades:

High Carbon Steel (HCS): Perfect for cutting softer materials, however the blades are weaker and wear out the fastest.

High-Speed Steel (HSS): Great for cutting harder materials. They are harder than HCS so they are less flexible, and they are prone to heat damage from cutting.

Bimetal: HCS (the body of the blade) and HSS (the teeth of the blade) fusion creating a blade that can perform well for heavy duty jobs with flexibility and last up to 10 times longer.

Tungsten Carbide: Best for cutting the hardest materials, often the most expensive kind, and leaves a very clean cut.

Also consider the blade TPI (teeth per square inch) because a higher TPI is better for harder materials. Plus, the teeth count makes a difference in the cut. More teeth gives you a smoother cut, while less will give you a rougher cut. However, you can always sand the cut to smooth it out.

Corded or Not? 

Think about if you’d like a corded option for your jigsaw. It might not have even crossed your mind to look for an option using Lithium-ion batteries, but these stronger batteries allow you to use the jigsaw for longer without needing to recharge it. You can use a battery-powered option anywhere, making it incredibly useful if you think you’ll be away from a power source. There’s no need to mess with a cord when you’re maneuvering to make cuts.

Then again, there’s a reason why people prefer the corded option. Corded jigsaws are lighter and will cost less too, not to mention that they’re more powerful and will give you unlimited cutting time. You’ll never have any batteries that will run out.

What option you choose, however, depends partially on your habits. If you’re an experienced jigsaw user and you’re used to using a corded option, it will likely be awkward for you to adjust to a battery-powered jigsaw. Your personal preferences are important to ensure any jigsaw you pick will feel comfortable in your hand.

Blade Action

You’ve picked your blade, but you need to be sure you know how it moves. This is the orbital action. The orbital action will change the path of the blade while cutting, moving in a small sort of loop when you have it turned on.

This lets you cut more quickly, although it does leave behind more tear-out. Having no orbital will produce cleaner cuts overall.

Variable Speed

The speed may not seem all too important, but it can make a huge difference when you’re able to change the speed of your blade depending on how hard you squeeze the trigger. If you’re less skilled, this is a great feature to have to be sure that you have control of the saw. This helps too when you hit a tricky cut, although this feature is dependent on the user.

LED Light

The ability to shine a light to see exactly where you’re cutting is an invaluable option. You can shine an LED light to see your cut, making it much easier to work in any place that isn’t super well lit. This is especially perfect if your shadow happens to fall over your work while you’re turning to make a cut.

Vibration Reduction

Every power tool makes a vibration of some sort, although the amount varies depending on the tool. If you’ve ever used a jigsaw before, you’ll remember the intense vibrations. Luckily, however, there are options that include vibration reduction, making them more comfortable to use in the long run. Check out the grip to see how it handles vibrations to help you cut easier and keep you from knocking your teeth together while you’re working.

Trigger Lock

Save your hands by looking for a jigsaw with a trigger lock. Instead of squeezing down on the grip for a prolonged amount of time, a trigger lock will hold the trigger into the “on” position so you don’t need to hold it down yourself. Think of it like a mixer that continues to work until you turn it off. The trigger lock will mean that you can adjust the way you hold the saw when you’re cutting, so you don’t need to strain yourself so much.

Jigsaw maintenance tips

Before Use: 

Check to make sure the power cord is free of nicking and fraying because a damaged power cord is unsafe to use.

Do not drop the Jigsaw:

Dropping the jigsaw can throw off the alignment of the shoe making it incapable of making accurate and precise cuts. If you do drop it and minimal damage occurs, you can use mole grips to flatten the shoe. Severe damage to the shoe will merit a replacement of the shoe or the jigsaw.

Lubricate: 

Every now and then you want to apply a drop of oil to the blade roller guide to prevent jamming.

Cleaning: 

Ensure your ventilation slots are free of dust to prevent the tool from overheating while in use. Keep the handle clean with mild soap and a damp cloth before and after use so you can maintain a safe grip on the jigsaw. You can clean the blade guide with an old toothbrush to maintain the accuracy of your tool.

Storage: 

If your jigsaw does not come with a storage case, be sure to find a safe and dry place to store the jigsaw.

Replace the carbon brushes: 

Many jigsaws come with two carbon brushes that power the motor. Over time they will wear from friction and need to be replaced. Read your jigsaw manual for instructions on how to replace them.

This is typically only the case if you use your jigsaw on a regular basis, otherwise the brushes usually last for the lifetime of the tool.

Recharge the battery: If your jigsaw is cordless, make sure you charge the battery after each use so it is ready for you the next time you need it. At least recharge the battery in advance because a battery without juice is useless for you.

A fully charged battery ensures you can complete your task without interruption. Also, knowing your battery life or how often you need to recharge your battery lets you know what you can use your tool for and for how long.

Conclusion

Regardless of how well-known or recognizable the brands listed above may be to you, each option comes with its perks in performance and versatility. Each of these jigsaws would be a great buy depending what you need done and any preferences you may have. All that matters is you pick a jigsaw that meets your needs and you use it responsibly with care.