DeWalt DCS386B FLEXVOLT Advantage Reciprocating Saw Review
| voltage | 20V MAX (compatible with 60V MAX FLEXVOLT) |
|---|---|
| motor | Brushless |
| stroke Length | 1-1/8 in. |
| spm | 0–3,000 SPM (variable trigger) |
| orbital Action | None |
| weight | 7.7 lbs (bare tool) |
| blade Clamping | Keyless lever-action |
| shoe Adjustment | 4-position adjustable shoe |
| warranty | 3-year limited |
Pros
- At 7.7 lbs bare it is the lightest full-size brushless cordless reciprocating saw in this comparison — noticeable over a long overhead demo session
- Keyless lever-action blade clamp releases and locks with a single finger motion; mid-cut blade swaps are faster here than on the Milwaukee 2722-20
- FLEXVOLT Advantage technology boosts output up to 50 percent when paired with a 60V MAX FLEXVOLT battery, bridging some of the gap to Milwaukee's larger motor
- Backed by the massive 20V MAX platform — one of the two broadest cordless ecosystems in the US market alongside M18
- Variable trigger delivers 0–3,000 SPM across the full range; smooth acceleration control without a secondary dial is adequate for most switching tasks
Cons
- No orbital action at any setting — a genuine disadvantage in wood-heavy demolition where orbital mode meaningfully accelerates framing cuts
- 1-1/8-inch stroke is shorter than the Milwaukee 2722-20's 1-1/4-inch stroke, which reduces material removal rate in thick lumber
- No rafter hook included; owners frequently cite this omission when comparing to the Milwaukee which ships with one standard
- FLEXVOLT performance boost requires buying a 60V MAX battery, which adds significant cost for buyers starting fresh on the 20V platform
The case for the lighter saw
The DeWalt DCS386B occupies a specific and defensible position in the reciprocating saw market: it is the lightest full-size brushless cordless saw in its class at 7.7 lbs bare, it carries DeWalt's excellent lever-action blade clamp, and it sits on the 20V MAX platform that millions of tradespeople already own. For contractors who spend significant time with a reciprocating saw overhead — cutting between joists, trimming studs at shoulder height, removing old plumbing from wall cavities — that weight reduction has genuine ergonomic value over a full shift.
The saw also brings FLEXVOLT Advantage, a dual-voltage motor circuit that accepts both 20V MAX and 60V MAX FLEXVOLT batteries, delivering up to 50 percent more power on the FLEXVOLT pack. Whether that capability justifies the premium over a standard 20V brushless saw depends entirely on how often you have a FLEXVOLT battery on hand.
Stroke length and the orbital omission
The 1-1/8-inch stroke and 3,000 SPM ceiling are competitive but not class-leading. The Milwaukee 2722-20 has a 1-1/4-inch stroke and 3,100 SPM. In isolation these numbers look minor; across thousands of strokes cutting through a demo wall or ripping through framing, the Milwaukee's longer stroke removes more material per cycle and the gap in cutting time accumulates.
More significant is the complete absence of orbital action on the DCS386B. The Milwaukee 2722-20 and Bosch RS428 both offer orbital cutting modes that accelerate blade travel through wood by adding an elliptical component to the stroke. DeWalt chose not to include this feature. For metal pipe cutting and PVC this is irrelevant — orbital action causes blade chatter on hard materials. For wood demolition and framing cuts it is a real productivity disadvantage. Crews whose primary task is gutting framed walls will find the Milwaukee meaningfully faster here.
The FLEXVOLT Advantage in practice
DeWalt's 60V MAX FLEXVOLT batteries are designed primarily for the FLEXVOLT 60V tool line — circular saws, miter saws, demolition tools that demand high sustained power. The DCS386B can use these same packs and extract extra performance from them, which is useful if your crew already carries FLEXVOLT batteries for other tools. The selector electronics in the saw automatically detect the battery voltage and adjust motor output accordingly.
For buyers starting fresh, the calculation is different. A FLEXVOLT 6.0Ah battery costs significantly more than a standard 20V 5.0Ah pack. The performance boost is real but the DCS386B running on a standard 5.0Ah pack already cuts most demo materials quickly; the extra investment in FLEXVOLT batteries returns the most value on very heavy-duty tasks like cutting through thick structural lumber all day.
Blade clamping: the genuine advantage
The keyless lever-action blade clamp is where the DCS386B clearly beats the Milwaukee 2722-20. Flipping the lever takes half a second and allows one-handed blade swaps. The clamp sits in a convenient position and does not require reaching around or behind the shoe. On a job site where you swap between a coarse wood blade and a fine metal blade frequently, this speed difference adds up.
The clamp accepts T-shank and universal-shank blades from any manufacturer — full compatibility with Lenox, Diablo, Bosch, and Milwaukee blade sets.
Platform value on 20V MAX
The 20V MAX ecosystem is one of the two largest cordless platforms in the US market. Circular saws, jig saws, miter saws, oscillating tools, grinders, and drills all share the same batteries. A contractor or serious DIYer already carrying 20V MAX batteries adds the DCS386B at bare-tool cost and immediately has a capable reciprocating saw. The platform's breadth and the availability of FLEXVOLT Advantage batteries for extra punch when needed make the DCS386B a sensible addition to an established 20V tool fleet.
Where the DCS386B fits
This is not the best reciprocating saw for production wood demolition — that remains the Milwaukee 2722-20. It is the best cordless option for users who prioritize lighter weight during extended use, who value fast blade changes, and who already work on the DeWalt 20V MAX platform. Plumbers cutting pipe runs, electricians trimming conduit and cutting access holes, and remodelers doing varied mixed-material work will appreciate what this tool does well. Demo crews whose work is primarily framing and wall demolition should look at the Milwaukee first.
Final assessment
The DCS386B scores 4.3 out of 5 rather than a higher mark primarily because the omission of orbital action is a real functional gap in a tool at this price point, and the rafter hook absence is a minor but consistent inconvenience cited across owner reviews. Neither shortcoming prevents the saw from being a productive, capable tool on a 20V MAX job site. It earns its place in any DeWalt-platform kit — particularly for users who spend meaningful time in overhead or confined-space cutting where the weight advantage is felt every session. Pair it with a 5.0Ah 20V MAX battery for best all-day performance, or a FLEXVOLT DCB606 battery when maximum output on demanding structural cuts is required.
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Frequently asked questions
- Does the DeWalt DCS386B have orbital action?
- No. The DCS386B operates exclusively in straight-line reciprocating mode. This makes it well-suited for metal pipe, conduit, and PVC cutting where orbital action would cause blade chatter, but it is a disadvantage versus the Milwaukee 2722-20 and Bosch RS428 for high-speed wood demolition where orbital mode accelerates cuts.
- What is the FLEXVOLT Advantage on the DCS386B?
- FLEXVOLT Advantage means the tool's motor circuit can accept a 60V MAX FLEXVOLT battery (like the DCB606) in addition to standard 20V MAX packs. When running on a FLEXVOLT battery the saw delivers up to 50 percent more power — reaching power levels closer to full-size corded tools. With a standard 20V pack the saw runs at normal 20V MAX output.
- Is the DCS386B better than the older DCS367 compact?
- Yes, for full-size demolition work. The DCS386B has a longer 1-1/8-inch stroke versus the DCS367's shorter stroke, higher maximum SPM, and the FLEXVOLT Advantage capability. The DCS367 is smaller and lighter — a better choice for tight-space access cuts where reach trumps raw cutting speed.
- What battery comes with the DCS386B?
- The DCS386B is sold as a bare tool without a battery or charger. DeWalt designates this with the 'B' suffix. For buyers starting without 20V MAX batteries, DeWalt sells the saw bundled with a DCB205 5.0Ah battery and charger, or it can be added to any existing 20V MAX or FLEXVOLT starter kit.
- How does the DCS386B's weight compare to the Milwaukee 2722-20?
- The DCS386B weighs 7.7 lbs bare, compared to the Milwaukee 2722-20's 8.8 lbs bare — a difference of 1.1 lbs. That gap is meaningful during extended overhead demolition work, where arm fatigue accumulates with every pound of tool weight. Add a 5.0Ah battery to each and the DCS386B remains lighter by a similar margin.
- Will a 20V MAX battery deliver full performance on the DCS386B?
- A standard 20V MAX battery powers the DCS386B at its rated 20V MAX output, which is strong enough for most demolition and cutting tasks. Maximum FLEXVOLT-boosted performance requires a 60V MAX FLEXVOLT battery. For everyday demo work — cutting pipe, framing lumber, drywall assemblies — a quality 4.0Ah or 5.0Ah 20V MAX pack is fully adequate.