#1. DeWalt DCS331M1 20V Max Cordless Jigsaw

Editor's Rating:  (4.8 / 5)

Its 4-position orbital action setting allows for professional, clean and clip-free cuts with the ability to tune to the perfect cutting combination on the material you are working on.

The variable speed control lets you get more control and precision over your cutting. You can up it anywhere from 0 to a maximum of 3,000 SPM (Strokes per Minute).

Who should buy?

Buyers rate this DeWalt jigsaw as one of the best cordless jigsaw on the planet. Its portable form factor, power as well as all-metal alloy construction means it is a power tool that will mean business for years to come.

Best of all, it is backed by a solid 3-year warranty from DeWalt and delivered as a kit to your doorstep. It includes the jigsaw, a quick charger, a kit box and spare blades. You can easily swap the blades with your custom blades of choice.

#2. Porter-Cable PC600JS Orbital Corded JigSaw

Editor's Rating:  (4.6 / 5)

It also sports an intuitive 7-position speed dial for the optimal speed control as well as an ergonomic form factor with soft anti-slip rubber handles.

The familiar gray, black and red trademark of Porter-Cable shines on the PC600JS. It is a very attractive and professional looking jigsaw. But looks are not everything. It has the specs and features to match its good looks. The price is very reasonable. We absolutely love this model and think it is one of the best budget jigsaw on the market.

It even has a led light for working in a dim workshop. Not that we think it’s a good idea you work in poor lighting conditions. It’s just good to know the feature is there if you need it.

Who should buy?

The PC600JS sports many attractive features that makes it one of the best jigsaws for the money. The Lock-On button is a welcoming feature many will appreciate. It will lock on your current setting of blade speed and orbital setting to provide smooth sailing on this optimal setting with the push of a button. It’s just push and forget. It’s that easy with this model!

#3. Bosch JS470E 120V 7.0 Amps Top Handle Jigsaw

Editor's Rating:  (4.7 / 5)

We like how the SPM can rise from 0 to 3,100 in an instant, with the push of a button. It’s has a comfortable shape, size and ergonomic to limit hand fatigue. However, due to its weight, extended use of this power tool is not recommended. Take short breaks after every 15 minutes. Your hands will thank you.

It is also a big jigsaw, one of the biggest in this jigsaw review at 5.7 x 14.3 x 4.6 inches dimensions.

Who should buy?

The Bosch JS470E is not meant to be a portable device. It is a power hungry monster that will bite through everything you through at it. At 3,100 SPM, variable speed control and a lock-on button, this model is plenty to cut through wood, steel, aluminum with exceptional ease. This model is the best corded jigsaw if power is what you are after. Go get it!

#4. Makita 4350FCT Top Handle Jigsaw

Editor's Rating:  (4.7 / 5)

It has a thick, padded adjustable shoe that is also illuminated by a bright LED. It doesn’t offer a lock-on button; however, it is intuitive, light and powerful enough to make for this lacuna. In fact, at only 5.5 lbs, it is one of the lightest corded jigsaw out there. But despite being so light, it comes with a powerful 6.3 Amps motor. The SPM can rise from 800 – 2,800 in an instant. This is enough for most people and general use.

Who should buy?

Despite a few shortcomings here and there, the Makita 4350FCT is an exceptionally well-garnished jigsaw packed with modern and desirable features. It is also one of the most silent jigsaws on the market. If you work at night and don’t want to bother your neighbor while working in your workshop, this is the model to grab!

#5. Black & Decker Smart Select Orbital Jigsaw

Editor's Rating:  (4.7 / 5)

We like how the Smart Select jigsaw looks. We feel that it is mostly suitable for beginners, however, enthusiasts will have some great fun using it as well.

Black and Decker made a nice effort to stick a big level they call “Smart Select” to the side. Its purpose it to select the appropriate setting that matches the material you are working on. While the name can be erroneous, as it is still a mechanical switch that needs manual intervention, it is a good effort that will facilitate the life of many in the workshop.

The variable speed control can be adjusted anywhere from 800 to 3,000 and it has a good motor to match. Not the most powerful, but still plenty for any general purpose cutting. Along with a woodworking plan for beginners, this jigsaw is just perfect and one of the best jigsaws for woodworking!

Who should buy?

They are not the same thing and are different (switches) buttons.Having said that, the Black and Decker Smart Select is a phenomenal buy for those with a low budget. This model is definitely one of the best bang for the buck purchase you can make this year! It does not pretend to be something it is not. For an entry-level jigsaw and its cheap price, we find that pound for pound it competes on equal footing with more premium and expensive jigsaws in many places. If this is your first jigsaw, it is a great buy that will not give you any buyer remorse!

#6. Makita 4329K 3.9 Amps Top Handle Jigsaw

Editor's Rating:  (4.6 / 5)

One nice addition to this jigsaw is the lock-on button. It is a feature that is often not seen even on more premium models. It’s nice to know that Makita chose to include it.

This model also uses a nifty counter weight mechanism that promises low vibrations. It actually works and add some even more value to this already cheap power tool. The base is not the sturdiest we have seen, but still usable. This is not a complaint, however, but merely an observation.

All the buttons in this model are in the right place. It is intuitive, light on the hands and it even has hand grips.

Who should buy?

The Makita 4329K is great value for money. Sure, it is not the most powerful jigsaw out there, but it doesn’t have to be. At its price and performance-ratio, it is a well-rounded jigsaw that obliterates most entry-level jigsaws in its category, including the SCS331M reviewed above. Most online jigsaw reviews rate this model 5 stars, and rightly so.

#7. DeWalt DC330B 18V Cordless Jigsaw

Editor's Rating:  (4.7 / 5)

It can quickly and easily rev from 0 to 3,000 SPM with the push of a button. We like how DeWalt was able to pack so much in the DC330B and yet make it so light – at only 5.8 lbs. Compared to other models reviewed, this one is certainly not the most powerful. However, what it lacks in power, it makes up for in control, precision and portability. It is otherwise a great little jigsaw you can discreetly slip in your bag and carry around anywhere. The 18V NiCAD batteries are popular and sold anywhere.

It even comes with an adjustable shoe that can do 0, 15, 30 and 45-degrees that does not feel flimsy or cheap.

Who should buy?

This model is perfect for DIYers. It doesn’t have great power but most DIY projects don’t need power. Instead, it offers versatility and precision. This jigsaw scores very highly in most jigsaw reviews online and is one of the best jigsaws for woodworking we can think of. Highly Recommended!

Which Jigsaw is Best for You?

As we have seen, to find the best jigsaw for woodworking, you need to consider many factors. If you take the tips in the buying guide above into account, the choice for a good jigsaw largely boils down to the job you are using it for. If you are involved in heavy duty work, and cut wood the whole day, it makes more sense to go for a powerful corded model like the PC600JS or even the Bosch JS470E. If you need portability, you can buy DeWalt Jigsaw with 2 options above. For anything else that involves occasional wood, plastic or metal cutting, any of the jigsaws reviewed above will fit the bill. It eventually all boils down to personal preference and budget.

How to Buy Jigsaw for Your Workshop

#1. Types of Woodworking Jigsaws

Corded Jigsaws – They are physically wired to your mains and deliver a lot of oomph. Corded Jigsaws provide much power for extended periods of time and are ideal for the heavy woodworking professional who needs to saw tons of wood on a daily basis.

Alternatively, the avid DIYer can equally choose a less powerful jigsaw and spare himself (or herself) the hassle of constantly recharging the power tool.

Cordless Jigsaws – Very polyvalent and versatile, cordless jigsaws are advantageous because of their small form factor and portability. You can easily carry them to work, discretely in your bag. They are also less cumbersome, for those who hate wires getting in the way while sawing.

Pneumatic Jigsaws – Pneumatic jigsaws are powered by an air compressor and are the most powerful jigsaws available. They are, however, overkill for general purpose wood cutouts.

#2. Power Source

Power is at the heart of every power tool, hence their name. The more power a jigsaw has, the more work it can potentially deliver at a faster rate. The most powerful jigsaws tend to be corded, however, there are many cordless models we will review below that are equally performing, albeit, for a shorter period of time.

#3. Speed

Who does not like speed? Jigsaws love em! There used to be a time where jigsaws were only single speed. A one-speed jigsaw can accomplish some decent sawing, however, one that has a variable speed control provides more accuracy and control over the job. If you have pinpointed the optimal sawing speed, you can always press on the lock-on button as most model make provisions for this mode.

Note: Refer to SPM below

#4. Blade Saws

The blade plays a determining factor in delivering a quality cut finish. One that is too big or too small for the job will always underperform.

Jigsaw blades are sold with the TPI unit (Teeth per Inch). The more teeth a blade has, hence a greater TPI, the smother and slower the cut. The lower the TPI, the coarser and faster.

There are, however, many types of blades for jigsaws from splitting wood to cutting metal. Generally, cobalt steel grit blades are the best as they are extremely hard and can cut both wood and metal with an excellent cutting finish. There are also bi-metallic blades and, even carbide grit blades that can cut concrete like butter.

>> Read More: How to choose Jigsaw Blade

#5. Pendulum Motion

The pendulum motion or action is a nifty feature of woodworking jigsaws. When the blade performs a up to down motion, it moves away from the material and then into the material again on its down to up motion. This slight forward oscillating movement is optimal for cutting materials and prevents the blade from getting “stuck” in the middle of sawing. It is also a nice feature that makes using a jigsaw relaxed and comfortable provided that you have a blade of an appropriate TPI.

#6. Strokes Per Minute (SPM)

The jigsaw speed is expressed in strokes per minute, instead of the familiar RPM (rotation per minute). Kinda a peculiar name. The most common SPM value for most jigsaws in the ecosystem is a max speed of 3000 SPM. Which is plenty, and frankly, more than enough for most sawing tasks.

#7. Orbital Setting

The orbital setting is an important aspect to keep an eye on when buying a jigsaw. While noted above, that jigsaws move in a slanted forward and backward manner, the orbital setting allows the user to make the saw move in a slightly circular fashion. This makes cutting tough material even easier and the whole sawing process even more rewarding to the hand.

The major benefit, however, of the orbital setting is in aiding to prevent material chipping. Indeed, the cutting finish is more smooth with less chips, especially on material like plywood when the orbital setting is switched on.

The best jigsaws for woodworking have a setting that will allow you to lock the SPM as well as the orbital setting in place so as to deliver the perfect combination for the material you are working on.

#9. Angle Base Plate

The base plate in a good jigsaw is adjustable and will slant in any angle to deliver angled cuts.

#10. Laser-Guided Assistance

Some jigsaws go even further and include a laser guide pointer for more precision cutting. Although, this is more of a gimmick in our opinion than anything else. You can equally achieve good and precise cutting with just using the eye.

#11. Safety

A woodworking power tool is not a toy. Look for jigsaws that have a safety mechanism in place. This instantly locks the jigsaw blades and literally switches it off. This feature can be real lifesaver (hand-saver?) if you find your hands or arm in the wrong place and the wrong time. Ouch!

Tips to Use Jigsaw

• The jigsaw can be used to cut all sorts of design in wood, plastic or thin metal. Most jigsaws have a trigger that will perpetually switch the tool on without you having to keep your finger on the switch. This provides you with more control and maneuverability over your work. This press-and-forget mechanism allows you to hold the jigsaw in a more comfortable position and concentrate on your work.
• Play around with the speed setting. Curves, for example require a different slower speed than core material cutting. Experimentation is key as the speed will depend on the material you are working on.
• The orbital setting will deliver smooth and professional cuts.
• You can do angled cutting by adjusting the base bevel plates.
• Experiment with difference blades of varying TPI. A keyless blade switch mechanism is a lifesaver in this situation.
• ​The jigsaw is not meant to cut through thick wood. It might damage the motor if it is forced to cut thick or hard material. Refer to your jigsaw manual for material depth it is most suitable for.
• ​Perform regular maintenance and well as sharpen the blades (or replace them altogether) often.
• ​Never apply force to your jigsaw for cutting. It might snap the blade or burn the motor. Instead, use your hand to gently guide the jigsaw through the cutting process.

Hope you like this jigsaw review!