The Best Jigsaws of 2026

Four jigsaws, four distinct use cases

A jigsaw is the saw people reach for when the cut is not a straight line — curves, scrollwork, interior cut-outs, notches, and bevel profiles that a circular saw cannot handle. That flexibility makes the category unusually broad: the same tool type serves a finish carpenter cutting curved stair brackets, a homeowner cutting a sink opening, and a sheet-metal worker notching ductwork. The four saws in this guide cover the full range, from a $100 corded workhorse to a professional M18 FUEL platform tool.

Every pick has been reviewed in depth. The rankings reflect what matters most in daily use: cut capacity, orbital action quality, base rigidity, weight, and how the cost equation changes once you factor in battery platform ownership.

The specs that separate a jigsaw from the competition

Strokes per minute (SPM) sets the speed ceiling. Variable-speed triggers on all four saws here let you work at any speed up to the maximum, but the ceiling determines how fast you can drive through thick material at full power. The Milwaukee 2737-20's 3,500 SPM is the fastest; the Ryobi PCL525B's 3,000 SPM is the slowest — a gap that matters more in thick lumber than in plywood.

Stroke length is the depth-of-cut multiplier. All four saws here use a 1-inch stroke length, which is the standard for full-size jigsaws and allows them to cut well beyond the published softwood capacity in softer materials. Compact jigsaws with shorter strokes trade capacity for size; none of the picks here makes that trade.

Orbital action quality is about feel, not just positions. A 4-position orbital system appears on all four saws, but the transition between positions — whether they click cleanly, whether position 1 is subtly different from position 2 — varies by manufacturer. Bosch's system is considered a benchmark for progression; the Milwaukee and DeWalt are close behind.

Base material affects bevel accuracy. A die-cast aluminum base like the Bosch JS365's resists flexing under the clamping pressure of a bevel lock, which keeps the cut face square to the intended angle. Stamped-steel bases are lighter and cheaper but can deflect slightly at steep bevel angles, introducing error in compound cuts.

Blade clamping systems differ between saws. The T-shank blade standard is universal across all four picks here, meaning any T-shank blade fits any of the four saws. The clamping mechanism — whether it requires a tool, a key, or is truly toolless — determines how quickly you change blades mid-cut. The Milwaukee 2737-20 and the DeWalt DCS334B are both toolless; confirm the Bosch and Ryobi clamping mechanism matches your preference before buying.

Best overall: Bosch JS365

The JS365 earns the top spot not because it is the most powerful or the most feature-laden, but because it is the most complete out-of-the-box solution for a buyer without a battery platform. A 6.5-amp motor, the deepest softwood capacity in this guide at 3-1/2", a die-cast aluminum base, and a carrying case — all for $100–130 — represent genuine value.

The aluminum base is the standout detail. At steep bevel angles, the rigidity prevents the kind of subtle deflection that makes a stamped-steel base imprecise. For finish work, that matters: a door saddle bevel or a stair-nosing bevel cut needs to hit the specified angle repeatably, not approximately.

The 7/8" aluminum and 3/8" steel cutting capacity is also a real differentiator. Most people who own a jigsaw eventually need to cut thin metal — a duct opening, a rusted bracket, a steel threshold plate — and the JS365's published metal ratings mean it handles those jobs with the right blade, not just in theory.

The corded connection is the only substantive limitation. If the job site lacks power, or if you move enough that a cord is a genuine nuisance, one of the cordless picks is a better fit.

Best cordless: DeWalt DCS334B

For the buyer already invested in 20V MAX, the DCS334B is the most efficient way to add a jigsaw. The brushless motor runs longer per charge than the Ryobi's brushed alternative and requires no brush replacement over the tool's life. At 4.62 lbs bare it is the lightest tool in the guide, which shows in long curved cuts where fatigue accumulates.

The 3,200 SPM top speed edges the Bosch JS365 by 100 SPM — a narrow margin, but the DeWalt is faster. The 4-position orbital system and bevel stops at the four standard angles (0, 15, 30, 45°) cover the vast majority of practical cuts without measuring.

The 2" softwood capacity is where the DCS334B trails the field. For occasional cuts in thick lumber it requires more passes and slower feed rates. For the typical cordless jigsaw use case — plywood panels, trim work, sink and countertop openings — 2" is sufficient, but it is worth noting if your work involves thick material regularly.

Bare-tool pricing at $105–160 is the lowest of the three cordless options, making it an easy add-on for an established 20V MAX collection.

Best for pros: Milwaukee 2737-20

The 2737-20 M18 FUEL is the jigsaw for M18 platform users who put a jigsaw through serious daily use. The 5-1/2" softwood capacity is the number that stands out — it clears through glued-up stair stringers, thick floor sheathing, and wide framing members in single passes that smaller saws cannot manage. The 3,500 SPM top speed is the fastest in the guide, which keeps cut rates high even in demanding material.

Toolless bevel adjustment at the four standard stops is a quality-of-life feature that professionals appreciate — swapping between a square cut and a 45° bevel takes seconds rather than minutes with a wrench.

The M18 platform is the context the 2737-20 lives in. Milwaukee's 5-year tool warranty and the depth of the M18 tool library mean this jigsaw is an investment in an ecosystem, not just a standalone purchase. For M18 owners, that changes the value calculation significantly: a bare tool at $170–220 drops into an existing infrastructure of batteries and chargers.

The 5.8 lbs working weight with a 5Ah pack is the trade-off. For overhead work or intricate scroll cutting, the mass becomes apparent. The 2737-20 is optimized for capacity and speed, not for light maneuverability.

Best budget: Ryobi PCL525B

At 2 lbs bare, the PCL525B weighs less than half of the Milwaukee's working weight with a battery. That is a remarkable figure for a full-stroke jigsaw and makes it the most comfortable pick for extended overhead cuts or sustained scrollwork. The bevel system adjusts left and right — not just to fixed stops — which is a genuine advantage for non-standard angles.

The 3,000 SPM and 4-position orbital action are specs that would be considered respectable at any price point. The brushed motor is the real trade-off: it draws more current per task than brushless alternatives, which means shorter runtime per charge and a gradual decline in performance over the motor's lifespan. For occasional users, that trade-off is invisible in practice.

For a Ryobi ONE+ owner adding a jigsaw to the ecosystem, or for a first-time jigsaw buyer, the PCL525B at $69–99 bare is the straightforward recommendation.

Getting the most from any jigsaw

Three practical notes apply regardless of which saw you choose.

Blade selection changes the result more than saw selection for most cuts. Use a fine-tooth blade for clean cuts in veneered plywood and melamine. Use a coarser, faster-cutting blade for framing lumber when surface quality matters less than speed. Never cut metal with a wood blade — the teeth strip immediately and the blade can bind dangerously.

Feed rate is the most common source of blade deflection. Pushing faster than the blade can clear chips causes the blade to flex away from the cut line, resulting in a beveled cut face even on a 0° bevel setting. Slowing down on thick material produces straighter cuts.

A guide fence or straight edge clamped to the work transforms a freehand rip into a repeatable, accurate cut. Jigsaws are not designed for long straight rips, but with a clamped guide they perform reasonably well — a useful capability when a circular saw is not at hand.

The right saw for you is the one that matches your battery platform, your cut-capacity needs, and your budget. All four picks here are quality tools; the rankings are a map to the right fit, not a hierarchy of quality.