Best Reciprocating Saws of 2026

A 14.5-inch body and a 1-1/8-inch stroke are the two numbers that make the DeWalt DCS367B our top pick. The compact length lets it fit between studs and into a sink base, but the stroke is full-size, so it still cuts with authority when you lean into a demo cut. The brushless 20V MAX motor is rated at 2,800 rpm, and the saw weighs 5.4 pounds.

The four-position keyless blade clamp is the feature we kept coming back to. Turning the blade lets you flush-cut against a floor or wall, and the tool-free change is quick when you are wearing gloves. The LED is useful in cabinets and crawl spaces, and the compact body makes those spots reachable in the first place.

The reservation is vibration. This saw lets you know it is working, especially in a long cut through framing or a stubborn branch. A sharp blade, a firm two-handed grip, and a lower trigger setting at the start make it manageable; we did not find it a one-handed saw for long passes.

The DCS367B is the best all-arounder here because it covers framing, pipe, and yard cuts without the bulk of a full-size Sawzall. If you already own 20V MAX batteries, it is an easy saw to live with. If you are starting from zero, the corded DWE305 avoids the battery buy-in.

For overhead cuts, pipe work, and cabinet interiors, the one-handed Milwaukee 2719-20 is the shape that makes sense. The 7/8-inch stroke and 4,500 rpm rating are not full-size numbers, but the narrow body lets you keep the blade on a line while your other hand holds the work.

We reach for it when control matters more than raw bite. The shorter stroke gives up some speed in thick lumber, but the one-handed grip and compact nose are what let you cut above a shoulder or beside a pipe. The brushless M18 motor has enough power for PVC, copper, and light metal, and the LED helps in dim crawl spaces.

The Quick-Lok clamp is simple, and the anti-vibration handle takes some sting out of longer cuts. It is still a one-handed saw, so do not expect it to replace a full-size Sawzall for repeated demolition. For plumbing, remodels, and pruning in tight spots, the shape is the advantage.

Battery runtime stops being a question with the DWE305. A 12-amp corded motor, a 1-1/8-inch stroke, and a 0-2,900 spm variable-speed trigger keep it cutting as long as the outlet does. There is no pack to recharge and no platform to buy into.

The trade is weight. At 8 pounds, it is a two-handed saw, and the mass that feels planted over a pile of framing is less welcome on a ladder. The four-position keyless clamp is quick, and the long stroke handles nail-embedded lumber and pipe without drama. This is a saw for a bench, a garage, or a renovation with power nearby.

For a shop or a homeowner with an outlet close to the work, the DWE305 is the least complicated way to get serious cutting power. If you need to move between a roof, a fence line, and a basement, the compact DeWalt DCS367B is the easier saw to carry.

A 1-1/4-inch stroke is the reason to look at the Makita XRJ04Z. It removes more material per stroke than the 1-1/8-inch and 7/8-inch saws here, and the 0-2,800 spm variable-speed motor keeps that long stroke moving through lumber, branches, and studs.

The trade is size. This is a 19-1/8-inch, 8.3-pound saw with a battery, so it is a two-handed tool that wants room around the cut. We found the long stroke and weight work best on sawhorses, firewood, and framing, where the saw can settle into the cut. Overhead, it is a handful. The tool-less blade change is quick and simple.

Battery draw is another consideration. A high-capacity 18V LXT pack makes more sense than a small one, especially for repeated cuts in dry wood. If you already own Makita batteries, the XRJ04Z is a straightforward way to add a long-stroke recip saw. If you are starting fresh, the DeWalt is the more compact all-arounder.

Full-size Sawzall proportions are the point of the Milwaukee 2821-20. This is a long, two-handed body built around the M18 Fuel brushless motor and a 3,000 spm rating, and it gives you something to push against in demolition and thick lumber.

The lever-actuated blade clamp is one of the details we appreciate. It is easy to work with gloves, and the metal-reinforced battery connection adds a little confidence when the saw is moving around a jobsite. The LED lights the cut line, and the variable-speed trigger lets you start slow before you load the motor.

The cost is weight. At 6.8 pounds, it is not the saw for overhead work or one-handed trimming, and it drains a small battery quickly under load. A 5.0Ah pack or larger is the sensible pairing. The payoff is a saw that feels planted in heavy material and does not need to be babied.

We put it behind the DCS367B for most buyers because the DeWalt is easier to handle and still has a full-size stroke. The 2821-20 earns its place when the job is heavy demolition and you want the full-size Sawzall layout.

At 3.8 pounds, the Porter-Cable PCC670B is the lightest saw here. It is a 14-1/2-inch compact body with a variable-speed trigger, a pivoting shoe, and tool-free blade changes, so it is easy to grab for a quick cut and easy to store.

The compact body is easy to one-hand for pruning and PVC, and the pivoting shoe helps keep the blade in contact on uneven branches. It is happiest in light trim and small yard jobs, where the light weight and short body make the saw feel manageable.

The build is the question mark. This is not the saw to push through repeated demolition, and we do not make it the only saw for a remodel. As a second saw for quick cuts, it is handy and easy to store.

Two saws in one is the pitch of the Worx WX550L, and the pivoting head makes it more than a gimmick. It switches between jigsaw and reciprocating-saw modes, and the kit includes four blades, a 20V battery, and a charger. That makes it the easiest saw here to start using without adding a battery platform.

As a reciprocating saw, it is for light work. The 4.2-pound body is easy to carry and control, and the 2-in-1 shape is handy for laminate, trim, and small yard cuts. It is not the saw for thick lumber or repeated demolition; the power is not in the same class as the two-handed picks.

The 2-in-1 shape is the reason to consider it, not the reason to rely on it for a whole remodel. What it does well is cover two tools in one small package for apartment dwellers and light DIYers, and the included battery means you can start cutting right away.