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We don't test reciprocating saws ourselves. We pull manufacturer specs, aggregate pricing from Home Depot, Lowe's, and Amazon (as of April 2026), and read through thousands of user reviews from people who actually own these tools. This guide compares eight cordless models across the price spectrum: pro-grade saws from DeWalt, Milwaukee, Makita, and Bosch, plus budget-friendly options from Ryobi, Craftsman, Ridgid, and Kobalt. Whether you're tearing out walls, pruning limbs, cutting pipe, or rough-framing, you'll find the stroke length, SPM, and power source that fits your work.
We started with the reciprocating saws that people actually buy: best-sellers at major retailers and tools that keep coming up in construction forums and owner reviews. Specs come straight from the manufacturers. Prices were checked across Home Depot, Amazon, and Lowe's, and we read through aggregated reviews looking for patterns in runtime, vibration, blade bite, and long-term durability.
What real owners care about: motor power under load, vibration on overhead work, how well orbital action performs in practice, battery runtime after the first year, and whether the tool holds up over time. We pay attention when users report motor strain on metal, vibration problems, or batteries dying faster than expected. Prices reflect the current market as of April 2026.
What we don't do: we haven't held these saws, cut lumber with them, or measured vibration on a bench. We work from published specs and aggregated owner feedback. When specs from different sources disagree, we say so.
Specs: 20V cordless Li-ion, 1.125-inch stroke, 3,000 max SPM, orbital action, 7.6 lbs with battery.
Price: $150–$200 bare tool (Home Depot, Amazon, Lowe's as of April 2026).
Reviews: 4.6 stars across 4,100 Amazon reviews. Homeowners and light-duty contractors like the balance of power and price. Users consistently report that orbital action cuts about 20% faster than non-orbital saws on wood and drywall. The 20V DeWalt ecosystem is everywhere, so finding batteries and chargers is never a problem. The weak spot: owners say the motor bogs down on metal cutting and thick hardwoods.
Pros: Strong value at $150–$200 bare tool. The 20V DeWalt platform has huge adoption, so batteries are affordable and available anywhere. Orbital action noticeably speeds up demo on wood and drywall. Variable trigger control feels responsive. Reasonable anti-vibration. A solid pick for residential demolition and tree trimming.
Cons: Cordless runtime is 30–50 minutes on a 5.0Ah battery, and heavy metal cutting burns through charge fast. The motor does not have the power for sustained hardwood and metal work. Vibration is acceptable but not class-leading. The bare tool price does not include a battery and charger ($80–100 extra). Not the right saw for 40+ hours a week of professional use.
Specs: 18V cordless Li-ion (M18), 1.125-inch stroke, 3,000 max SPM, variable speed, orbital action, 6.8 lbs with battery.
Price: $300–$400 bare tool (Home Depot, Amazon as of April 2026).
Reviews: 4.7 stars, 1,200 Amazon reviews. This is the saw professional framers, trim carpenters, and demo crews reach for. Users report strong power through hardwood and metal, noticeably better vibration dampening than competitors, and build quality that holds up to daily abuse. Variable-speed electronic regulation keeps performance steady under load. The M18 ecosystem is the professional standard. Owners who aren't using it daily note the price is hard to justify.
Pros: Best-in-class power and vibration control. Variable-speed electronic regulation (0–3,000 SPM) adapts to the material you're cutting. The M18 platform is the professional standard, and the batteries hold up for years. Built to last. Strong warranty support. This is the saw you want for all-day demolition and metal work.
Cons: The most expensive option at $300–400 bare tool. At 6.8 lbs with battery, overhead work gets tiring. Cordless runtime is 40–60 minutes per 5.0Ah battery. Locked into the M18 ecosystem. If you're doing light DIY trimming once a month, you don't need this saw.
Specs: 18V cordless Li-ion, 1-inch stroke, 2,900 max SPM, orbital action, 6.5 lbs with battery.
Price: $180–$220 (Amazon, Home Depot as of April 2026).
Reviews: 4.5 stars, 1,800 Amazon reviews. Carpenters and precision-focused users keep coming back to this one. Users consistently mention clean, controlled cuts, and the shorter stroke length is a big part of that. The 18V Makita platform has solid adoption. The tradeoff: it's not as fast as 1.125-inch-stroke competitors on rough demo work.
Pros: The 1-inch stroke gives you the most control and cleanest cuts of any saw here. Lowest vibration in the group. 2,900 max SPM handles the work. Balanced, durable motor. Good dust collection. Light at 6.5 lbs. You can feel the build quality. A strong pick for trim and finish work.
Cons: The 1-inch stroke is noticeably slower on demolition and rough framing than 1.125-inch competitors. 2,900 SPM takes longer on thick material. The 18V Makita platform has less retail presence than DeWalt 20V or Milwaukee M18. Not the saw for high-volume demo.
Specs: 18V cordless Li-ion, 1.125-inch stroke, 3,000 max SPM, orbital action, 6.2 lbs with battery.
Price: $150–$200 (Home Depot, Amazon as of April 2026).
Reviews: 4.4 stars, 600 Amazon reviews. Fewer reviews than the big brands, but the owners who have it tend to like it. At 6.2 lbs, it's the lightest saw here, which matters when you're working overhead. Users report solid performance on drywall and wood. Metal cutting is where it falls short.
Pros: Lightest saw in the group at 6.2 lbs with battery, which makes a real difference on overhead pruning and ceiling demo. Compact enough for tight spaces. The 1.125-inch stroke and 3,000 SPM are pro-grade specs. Balanced vibration. Good for residential demo and framing.
Cons: Lower market adoption means fewer online reviews and less ecosystem support. Finding Bosch 18V batteries at a job-site supply store is harder than finding DeWalt or Milwaukee. Fewer blade options at retailers. The motor can strain on thick hardwood and metal. If you need widespread parts availability, this is a drawback.
Specs: 20V cordless Li-ion, 1.125-inch stroke, 2,800 max SPM, non-orbital, 6.5 lbs with battery.
Price: $80–$120 (Lowe's, Amazon as of April 2026).
Reviews: 4.0 stars, 2,100 Amazon reviews. This is the saw homeowners buy when they need a recip saw but don't want to spend $200+. Good for weekend tree trimming, light demo, and rough cutting. Lowe's warranty and support are easy to deal with. Where it falls short: the motor struggles on extended hardwood cutting, and the lack of orbital action slows you down on drywall demo.
Pros: Cheapest cordless option here at $80–120. The 20V Ryobi ecosystem at Lowe's is huge, and batteries are affordable ($50–70). 1.125-inch stroke and 2,800 SPM handle residential cuts. Light at 6.5 lbs. A solid pick for homeowners who use a recip saw a few times a year.
Cons: Non-orbital design is 10–20% slower than orbital competitors on wood and drywall. The motor strains on extended hardwood and metal cutting. 2,800 SPM is on the lower end. No variable-speed control. Build quality is not in the same league as DeWalt or Milwaukee. Vibration gets noticeable on overhead work. Not built for professional daily use.
Specs: 20V cordless Li-ion, 1.125-inch stroke, 2,800 max SPM, non-orbital, 6.8 lbs with battery.
Price: $100–$150 (Lowe's, Amazon as of April 2026).
Reviews: 3.9 stars, 900 Amazon reviews. If you already own Craftsman 20V tools, this makes sense. Solid for light demolition and occasional pruning. Performance is middle of the road. The lower review count reflects narrower distribution, so there's less long-term durability data out there.
Pros: Budget-friendly at $100–150. Lowe's support and warranty are easy. 20V Craftsman batteries are affordable and available at Lowe's. 1.125-inch stroke provides decent speed. Simple controls and setup. Gets the job done for DIY demolition and tree work.
Cons: Non-orbital design is slower than orbital models on wood and drywall. 2,800 SPM is on the lower end. Motor strain on extended hardwood and metal cutting. Vibration is moderate. Fewer online reviews means less durability data to draw from. Build quality is a step below DeWalt. Not the right saw for professional or sustained daily use.
Specs: 18V cordless Li-ion (brushless), 1.125-inch stroke, 3,000 max SPM, orbital action, 5.5 lbs with battery.
Price: $99–$129 (Home Depot exclusive, as of April 2026).
Reviews: 4.5 stars, 1,400 Home Depot reviews. This is the saw people overlook because Ridgid doesn't have the marketing budget of DeWalt or Milwaukee. That's a mistake. Brushless motor, 3,000 SPM, orbital action, and 5.5 lbs puts it right up there with the pro-grade saws on specs, at half the price. The Lifetime Service Agreement (free batteries, free service, free parts when you register through Home Depot) is a genuine differentiator. Owners consistently mention the lightweight feel and the value. The main knock: it's Home Depot only, so if your local store is far away, warranty service is less convenient.
Pros: Brushless motor at $99–129 is a standout value. Lightest orbital saw here at 5.5 lbs. Full 3,000 SPM and 1.125-inch stroke match the pro-grade models. The Lifetime Service Agreement covers batteries, parts, and service for free. Orbital action speeds up demo work. The 18V Ridgid platform has a loyal following.
Cons: Home Depot exclusive, so you can only buy it (and get warranty service) there. Smaller battery ecosystem than DeWalt or Milwaukee. Less aftermarket blade selection at non-Home-Depot retailers. The Lifetime Service Agreement requires registration within 90 days of purchase, and some owners report inconsistent store-level support. Not as widely carried on job sites as Milwaukee M18.
Specs: 24V MAX cordless Li-ion (brushless), 1-inch stroke, 2,800 max SPM, non-orbital, 5.0 lbs with battery.
Price: $79–$99 (Lowe's exclusive, as of April 2026).
Reviews: 4.1 stars, 800 Lowe's reviews. The cheapest cordless recip saw in this guide, and lighter than anything else here at 5.0 lbs. Kobalt's 24V MAX platform has been quietly building out at Lowe's, and if you already own Kobalt batteries, this is an easy add. The brushless motor is a nice touch at this price. Where it falls short: the 1-inch stroke and non-orbital design mean it's slower on demo work, and the motor isn't built for heavy or extended cutting. This is a saw for occasional use, yard work, and light residential projects.
Pros: Cheapest saw in this guide at $79–99. Lightest at 5.0 lbs, which is great for overhead work and longer sessions. Brushless motor at this price point is unusual. 24V MAX platform is growing at Lowe's. Good for light residential projects and tree trimming. Simple, no-frills design.
Cons: 1-inch stroke is slower on demolition than 1.125-inch competitors. Non-orbital design means no speed advantage on wood and drywall. 2,800 SPM is on the lower end. The 24V Kobalt ecosystem is still smaller than Ryobi or DeWalt. Lowe's exclusive, so availability depends on your local store. Motor will strain on extended hardwood and metal cutting. Not for professional use.
DeWalt DCS382B — $150–$200
20V cordless with orbital action. Balances power and value well. The safe pick for residential demolition and tree trimming.
Milwaukee 2821-20 — $300–$400
18V variable-speed, strong power, professional-grade build. The saw framers and demo crews actually use.
Kobalt KRS 124B-03 — $79–$99
24V MAX brushless at the lowest price here. Lightest saw at 5.0 lbs. Good for homeowners and occasional use.
Ridgid R8643B — $99–$129
Brushless, orbital, 3,000 SPM, and only 5.5 lbs. The Lifetime Service Agreement is a real bonus.
Bosch CRS180B — $150–$200
Lightest orbital saw at 6.2 lbs with compact design and pro-grade specs. Your arms will notice the difference on ceiling demo.
Makita XRJ05Z — $180–$220
1-inch stroke gives you the cleanest cuts. Lowest vibration in the group. The choice for trim and finish work.
| Spec | DeWalt DCS382B | Milwaukee 2821-20 | Makita XRJ05Z | Bosch CRS180B | Ryobi PBLRS01B | Craftsman CMCS300B | Ridgid R8643B | Kobalt KRS 124B-03 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Power Source | 20V Cordless | 18V Cordless | 18V Cordless | 18V Cordless | 20V Cordless | 20V Cordless | 18V Cordless | 24V MAX Cordless |
| Stroke Length | 1.125" | 1.125" | 1" | 1.125" | 1.125" | 1.125" | 1.125" | 1" |
| Max SPM | 3,000 | 3,000 | 2,900 | 3,000 | 2,800 | 2,800 | 3,000 | 2,800 |
| Orbital Action | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | No | No | Yes | No |
| Weight | 7.6 lbs | 6.8 lbs | 6.5 lbs | 6.2 lbs | 6.5 lbs | 6.8 lbs | 5.5 lbs | 5.0 lbs |
| Price Range | $150–$200 | $300–$400 | $180–$220 | $150–$200 | $80–$120 | $100–$150 | $99–$129 | $79–$99 |
Best for: Tree trimming, light demolition, remote job sites, and anywhere you don't want to drag a cord.
Pros: No cord tangles. Set up anywhere in seconds. Lightweight models available. Battery ecosystems keep growing. Quieter than corded.
Cons: 30–90 minutes per battery depending on what you're cutting. Batteries cost $50–80 each. Motors can strain on metal and hardwood. Batteries degrade after 2–3 years. Generally heavier than comparable corded saws.
Real-world runtime: Continuous softwood cutting at full speed: about 60 minutes on a 5.0Ah battery. Metal cutting or sustained high-RPM work: 30–40 minutes. Buy two batteries and keep one charging.
Best for: All-day demolition, sustained high-speed cutting, unlimited runtime, and shops with outlet access.
Pros: Power never drops off. Cheaper upfront ($100–250). Simpler design with fewer parts to fail. No battery management. Still the professional standard for long sessions.
Cons: You need a 120V outlet and an extension cord. Cord management on job sites is annoying. Heavier when you factor in the cord. Less portable.
Real-world power: A 12-gauge 50-foot cord delivers full power on residential circuits. For runs over 75 feet, step up to 10-gauge or use a shorter cord.
How it works: The blade swings in a slight elliptical pattern instead of pure back-and-forth. This clears material and reduces binding.
Best for: Wood and drywall demolition, speed-focused work, framing.
Pros: 10–20% faster on wood and drywall. Reduces binding. Less force needed from you. Cleaner cuts on wood than non-orbital.
Cons: More vibration. Harder to control on metal and fine cuts. Rougher finish on some materials. Louder.
Models with orbital: DeWalt DCS382B, Milwaukee 2821-20, Makita XRJ05Z, Bosch CRS180B, Ridgid R8643B.
How it works: Pure back-and-forth linear blade motion. Maximum control.
Best for: Metal cutting, trim work, precision cuts, anything requiring fine control.
Pros: Best control and precision. Better on metal and hardened material. Cleaner finish on tile and stone. Less vibration. Quieter.
Cons: 10–20% slower on wood and drywall. Requires more force from you. Not the right choice for high-volume demo.
Models without orbital: Ryobi PBLRS01B, Craftsman CMCS300B, Kobalt KRS 124B-03.
Speed advantage: Covers 1.125 inches per cycle. Faster overall cutting speed.
Best for: Demolition, framing, thick lumber, aggressive cutting.
Pros: 10–15% faster than 1.0" stroke models. More aggressive cut. Good for rough work.
Cons: Harder to control on precision cuts. More vibration. Rougher finishes on fine work.
Models: DeWalt DCS382B, Milwaukee 2821-20, Bosch CRS180B, Ryobi PBLRS01B, Craftsman CMCS300B, Ridgid R8643B.
Control advantage: Covers 1.0 inch per cycle. Maximum precision.
Best for: Precision cuts, metal work, fine finishing, tight control.
Pros: Best control and accuracy. Cleaner finishes. Less vibration. Better for metal.
Cons: About 10% slower than longer-stroke models. Takes longer on rough demo.
Models: Makita XRJ05Z, Kobalt KRS 124B-03.
| Model | Platform | Typical Runtime* | Battery Cost | Ecosystem Breadth |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| DeWalt DCS382B | 20V DeWalt | 40–60 min | $50–80 | Excellent (Lowe's, Home Depot) |
| Milwaukee 2821-20 | 18V M18 | 40–60 min | $60–90 | Excellent (Professional standard) |
| Makita XRJ05Z | 18V Makita | 40–60 min | $50–80 | Good (Home Depot, Amazon) |
| Bosch CRS180B | 18V Bosch | 30–50 min | $60–90 | Fair (Limited availability) |
| Ryobi PBLRS01B | 20V Ryobi | 30–50 min | $40–70 | Excellent (Lowe's exclusive) |
| Craftsman CMCS300B | 20V Craftsman | 30–50 min | $50–80 | Good (Lowe's) |
| Ridgid R8643B | 18V Ridgid | 40–60 min | $50–80 | Good (Home Depot exclusive) |
| Kobalt KRS 124B-03 | 24V MAX Kobalt | 30–50 min | $40–70 | Fair (Lowe's exclusive) |
*Runtime varies with material (wood vs metal), blade type, speed, and battery capacity. Estimates based on 5.0Ah batteries at max SPM cutting 2" softwood.
Best choice: DeWalt DCS382B or Milwaukee 2821-20. You want orbital action, high SPM, and a 1.125-inch stroke for demo. The Ridgid R8643B is worth considering here too, especially at its price point. Corded saws have unlimited runtime, but cordless is faster to set up and move around a site.
Best choice: Milwaukee 2821-20 with variable-speed control. Drop the SPM to 2,400–2,600 on hardened steel. Crank it up on aluminum and thin sheet. Use fine-tooth metal blades. The Makita XRJ05Z is also strong for precision metal work.
Best choice: Bosch CRS180B, Ridgid R8643B, or Kobalt KRS 124B-03. Weight matters when you're working overhead, and all three of these are under 6.2 lbs. Use specialized pruning blades. Battery runtime of 40–60 minutes covers a typical residential pruning session. Corded pruning saws are lighter, but managing an extension cord overhead is miserable.
Best choice: Makita XRJ05Z. The shorter 1-inch stroke and lower vibration give you the most control and cleanest finishes. The go-to for trim carpenters and fine cutwork. Bosch CRS180B is a close second.
The Ryobi PBLRS01B is hard to beat at $80–$120. It handles weekend demo and yard work without pretending to be a pro tool. If you need something tougher, the DeWalt DCS382B ($150–$200 bare tool) holds up to heavier use and the 20V battery ecosystem is everywhere. The Kobalt KRS 124B-03 ($79–$99) is worth a look too, especially if you already own Kobalt 24V batteries from Lowe's. For demolition on a budget, the Craftsman CMCS300B ($100–$150) gets the job done for residential work.
The Milwaukee 2821-20 is what you'll find on job sites. 18V cordless, variable speed (0–3,000 SPM), anti-vibration, and it holds up to daily abuse. You'll pay $300–$400 for the bare tool. For corded all-day demolition, the DeWalt DWE305 (12A) and Makita JR3070CT both have strong reputations. The Ridgid R8643B ($99–$129) is a sleeper pick: brushless motor, 3,000 SPM, and the Lifetime Service Agreement is genuinely useful if you register through Home Depot. A lot of pros keep both a corded saw for long sessions and a cordless one for portability.
Corded (12–15A) saws give you unlimited power. They're the right call for all-day demolition and heavy professional work. Cordless (18V/20V Li-ion) give you portability and no cord management, which matters on remote sites and overhead pruning. Price-wise, corded runs $100–250 and cordless runs $150–450 before batteries. If you're cutting for hours every day, go corded. If you need to grab a saw and go, cordless wins.
Orbital action swings the blade in a slight ellipse instead of straight back and forth. This clears material faster and cuts 10–20% quicker through wood and drywall. The tradeoff: more vibration, more noise, and less control on metal or fine cuts. If you're doing demo and framing, orbital is worth the $30–50 premium. If you're cutting metal or need precision, skip it.
It depends on what you're cutting. Variable speed lets you run 2,400 SPM on metal (less chatter, less heat) and crank up to 3,000+ on wood. Electronic speed regulation keeps the blade from bogging down under load. If you cut different materials regularly, variable speed makes a real difference. If you only cut wood for demo, a fixed-speed saw works fine and costs less.
With a 5.0Ah battery, expect about 60 minutes cutting 2-inch softwood at full speed. Drop that to 30–40 minutes on hardwood or metal. Smaller batteries (2.0Ah) cut that time roughly in half. The practical answer: buy two batteries and keep one on the charger. A spare battery runs $50–80 and a charger is $30–60.
Absolutely. Swap in a fine-tooth metal-cutting blade and drop your speed to 2,400–2,600 SPM. High speed on metal just overheats the blade and dulls the teeth. Use steady, even pressure. Don't force it. Corded saws handle extended metal work better because they don't lose power. Cordless saws manage sheet metal, thin pipes, and aluminum fine, but they struggle on thick steel.
Anti-vibration is the big one. Your hands will thank you after an hour of cutting. Beyond that: electronic speed regulation (keeps SPM steady under load), an electric brake (stops the blade fast when you release the trigger), and a good variable-trigger with soft start. Blade guards help prevent accidental contact. For corded saws, make sure it has a 3-prong grounded plug. And wear eye protection and gloves every time, no exceptions.