Jigsaws

Most jigsaws now offer variable speed, plus both straight and orbital action, which enable the user to adjust the jigsaw for cutting various woods, plastics and metals. Orbital action means the blade moves back out of the way on the downward stroke, letting the saw use its power for the upward cutting motion. Blade changing is now done with a knob or lever instead of an Allen wrench. Baseplates adjust from zero to 45 degrees to allow for beveled cuts, and quite a few jigsaws make this adjustment tool-less, as well. Some jigsaws incorporate a "scrolling" knob that turns just the blade to follow a curving line, which is easier on the wrist than turning the whole tool.

For relatively rough cuts or occasional use, reviews say a jigsaw that costs about $100 or less will get the job done. More expensive jigsaws vibrate less, are more comfortable and convenient to use, and they make far more accurate cuts -- including true perpendicular cuts, even on tight curves. Older and inexpensive jigsaws often let the blade deflect a bit as it goes around a curve, causing an unintentionally beveled cut. Jigsaws vary in power and thickness-capacity too, especially when cutting metals or thick hardwood. The best models provide adjustable blowers to keep the cutting line from getting obscured with sawdust. A few provide ports to direct sawdust into shop vacs.

Reviews say that cordless jigsaws are now a viable option, especially when powered by lithium-ion batteries that not only increase power without increasing weight, but also store well between uses. For curved cuts, especially, it can be convenient not to have to keep a cord out of the way. Corded jigsaws are still the best buy for most users, however, since most cordless jigsaws weigh more, have less power and provide fewer high-end features.

Choose your handle style: Top D-handle or barrel grip jigsaws

Owners and reviews are divided concerning the best jigsaw handle style. Europeans favor jigsaws without handles, so the user's hand grips the barrel of the tool. This style is now becoming more popular in the United States because it offers more control and precision, especially on curves. Since there's no trigger, there's no risk of "trigger finger fatigue," but heat and vibration are felt more, and the barrel grip can be uncomfortable for small hands. Since you need both hands to operate a barrel-grip jigsaw (one hand around the barrel and the other pushing from the back), the work piece has to be fixed in place. Although the barrel-grip (*est. $280) offers excellent dust collection, most barrel-grip jigsaws do not.

The D-shaped top handle is still more popular in the United States, especially when equipped with a variable-speed trigger. Some triggers can be locked in the on position to minimize "trigger-finger fatigue," using a dial to adjust the speed. Many D-handled jigsaws come with dust collection ports, (though reviews say dust collection actually works well on only a few models). Heat from the motor is not a problem, and some handles can be gripped comfortably in more than one position.

If you've never owned a jigsaw, you might want to test-drive a few models of each kind to see which feels better to you. Those with smaller hands will probably prefer a D-handled jigsaw. If you want a dust collection port, a D-handled jigsaw is more likely to have this. However, a lot of people like the feeling of control you get with a barrel-handled jigsaw. Many manufacturers make the same jigsaw with both types of handle. Cordless jigsaws, however, use only a D-handle.

Top-rated jigsaws

Reviews recommend two jigsaws more than any others. Tests show that both the Bosch 1590EVSK (*est. $150) and the (*est. $280) perform very well. Both carry one-year warranties and run on soft-start motors with variable speed. With such a big difference in price, most users will be very happy with the Bosch jigsaw, but the better choice depends on the features that matter most to you.

The Festool jigsaw excels in dust collection plus precise perpendicular cuts on thick wood. It's also almost a pound lighter (5.1 pounds), and reviews say it vibrates less than the Bosch. It's also smaller and thus better for those with small hands. When the jigsaw is equipped with the quiet Festool Cleantec CT 33 HEPA Dust Extractor (*est. $490), reviews say very little sawdust escapes. The Festool jigsaw is also designed to work with an optional circle-cutting guide (*est. $25) and with the main Festool guide rail system.

For extreme precision, reviews say the barrel-handled version of the Festool Trion is hard to beat. Festool even offers a 30-day exchange period during which you can change your mind about the type of handle you prefer.

If you want to cut flush to a wall or make quite a few beveled cuts, however, the less expensive Bosch 1590EVSK has an advantage over the Festool, since the Bosch jigsaw's baseplate moves back for flush cuts. Reviews also praise the Bosch for its tool-free bevel changes (while the Festool requires a wrench for this). While owners surveyed by Fine Woodworking and Fine Homebuilding prefer the Festool jigsaw, editors prefer the Bosch for these features. Also, though both the Bosch and Festool jigsaws have tool-free blade changes, the Bosch actually pops out the hot blade in an especially convenient way. The Bosch jigsaw lacks dust collection, but it does have a blower to clear the cutting line. Reviews say the top-handled version of the Bosch is much better than its barrel-grip cousin, the Bosch 1591EVSK (*est. $205) . Testers say the Bosch barrel grip just isn't comfortable, even for those with larger hands.

Rather than the Bosch or Festool jigsaws, owners surveyed by Fine Woodworking and Fine Homebuilding give top ranking to the Hilti WSJ 850-ET (*est. $240), which has an even more powerful soft-start 8.4-amp motor. It connects to an ordinary tool-triggered shop vac, or to an optional dust-catching attachment. Tests show, however, that the big 6.9-pound Hilti jigsaw provides poor visibility of the cutting line.

Makita jigsaws are worth considering if you have small hands. Popular Woodworking ranks the barrel-grip Makita 4341FCT (*est. $160) on par with the Festool jigsaw for smooth vibration-free cutting. The D-handled Makita 4340FCT (*est. $160) also gets good reviews, though it ranks toward the bottom in the survey of readers of Fine Homebuilding and Fine Woodworking. Both Makita jigsaws can cut wood over five-inches thick and feature electronic speed control with soft start, a dust blower and an LED light to illuminate the cutting path. The baseplate slides back for flush cuts, but adjustment does require a wrench.

Budget jigsaws

Jigsaw reviews say that less expensive jigsaws lack the superb blade guides that make precise cuts easy, but are fine for rough cuts. For example, the 5-amp Bosch 1587 (*est. $100) lacks the new, improved blade-guide system available on the newer Bosch 1590EVSK (*est. $150) discussed above. Changing the bevel isn't as convenient on the Bosch 1587 either, requiring an Allen wrench. However, the Bosch 1587 jigsaw has acquired an excellent reputation over the years, earning near-perfect reviews from owners at Amazon.com and doing well in older comparison reviews, too. It even has one advantage over the newer Bosch model -- it accepts the Collins Coping Foot (*est. $30), which makes it easy to cut inside corners on curved moldings.

The 5.8-amp Hitachi CJ110MV jigsaw (*est. $100) is Fine Homebuilding's budget choice. Tests there show that it's comfortable to maneuver and cuts smoothly -- and at 4.9 pounds, it's even lighter than the Festool. As you might expect at this price, however, the Hitachi jigsaw does vibrate more than the top-ranked saws. Owners reviewing it at Lowes.com give it moderately high ratings, and it ranks higher than both the Ridgid 3121 (*est. $100) and DeWalt DW317K (*est. $100) in the survey of readers of Fine Homebuilding and Fine Woodworking. The Hitachi jigsaw has good features for the money: a dust blower, LED light and electronic variable speed. You can control the speed with the trigger or lock it on to avoid trigger-finger fatigue.

Sears sells a 5-amp dual-handle jigsaw, the Craftsman Pro 27245 Laser-Trac 2-in-1 jigsaw (*est. $95), which allows you to remove the top handle in order to use the saw in barrel-grip style. The laser guide only turns on when you want it to (eliminating a frequent complaint), and owners say you can adjust it. A 360-degree scrolling knob lets you cut sharp curves without having to move the whole jigsaw or the workpiece itself. Other conveniences include an LED light, dust blower and vacuum port. The kit also provides an edge guide, laser glasses and case. Owners reviewing this jigsaw at Sears.com give it mixed ratings -- "perfect" scores are mixed with some complaints about blades popping out and early breakdowns.

The 5-amp Craftsman 17255 (*est. $75) is simpler -- with no LED light or laser, and a regular D handle -- but at the time of this report, it gets perfect ratings from the few owners reviewing it at Sears.com. It has a new design, incorporating a bevel-assist handle. You still need an Allen wrench to change the bevel, but it's stored onboard, and owners say the handle does make bevel changes easy. There's a shop-vac port, but no dust blower. The less expensive Craftsman 4.5-amp 17235 (*est. $55) also gets high owner-written reviews and does have a blower. Its design looks similar to that of the discontinued Craftsman 27719 -- a good performer but with a tedious tool-free blade-changing system.

You can find even less expensive jigsaws made by quite a few other brands: Skil (owned by Bosch), Black & Decker Firestorm, Grizzly and Ryobi. Reviews say they're fine if accuracy and vibration don't matter. The 5.5-amp Ryobi JS550LK (*est. $70) receives good reviews at Woodworker's Journal, but it gets very low ratings from owners posting reviews at HomeDepot.com. The Black & Decker JS500K (*est. $30) runs on only a 4-amp motor and gets relatively low ratings from owners at Lowes.com, though even those ratings are higher than the very low ratings owners give the 5-amp Skil 4580-04 jigsaw (*est. $80) at Amazon.com. Owners say the Skil jigsaw just doesn't cut accurately and has a dangerous two-finger trigger design (that doesn't give enough control of the saw).

Cordless lithium-ion-powered jigsaws

Cordless jigsaws eliminate the problem of keeping the cord out of the way, which is a hassle on curves unless you have a scrolling knob. Lithium-ion batteries cost more initially than NiCd or NiMH batteries, but they're environmentally friendly, and experts say their longer life can make them a good financial investment, as well. Lithium-ion batteries are especially convenient for tools you use only occasionally, because they keep their charge well in storage. Lithium-ion-powered tools run at full power till the battery is completely depleted, instead of gradually running more weakly, and a "fuel gauge" lets you anticipate when the tool will stop. The main advantage, however, is their lighter weight. An 18-volt lithium-ion-powered tool weighs only about as much as an ordinary 12-volt cordless tool. For the first time, cordless tools can provide as much power as corded models, without exorbitant size or weight.

For example, the 36-volt Dewalt DC308K jigsaw (*est. $400) weighs only 7.5 pounds -- though this is still 1.5 pounds heavier than the corded Bosch 1590EVSK (*est. $150) . A review at Builder News says the DeWalt lithium-ion-powered jigsaw is noisy, but otherwise fine. It offers high-end features, including tool-free blade and bevel adjustments, an adjustable blower and detents (stops) at 0, 15, 30 and 45 degrees. A detachable baseplate cover protects fine finishes when needed, and experts say the one-inch stroke length and maximum speed of 2,700 strokes per minute (spm) are quite good.

Rob Johnstone, reviewing the lithium-ion-powered DeWalt jigsaw for Woodworker's Journal, reports that it in testing, it cut "like a corded tool and was very smooth ... a sure winner." DeWalt claims that its lithium-ion batteries can recharge to 90 percent capacity in only five minutes and last through at least 2,000 charging cycles. The battery warranty lasts two years, the tool three.

Most reviews favor lighter lithium-ion-powered tools. Bosch and Milwaukee have yet to release lithium-ion-powered jigsaws, but the 18-volt Makita LXT series has gotten good reviews, including the Makita BJV180 jigsaw (*est. $430). If you already have the charger and batteries, you can buy just the tool (*est. $300). Even with the battery, this cordless jigsaw weighs only 6.1 pounds -- only an ounce more than the corded Bosch 1590EVSK.

Reviews note that Makita lithium-ion tools use a newly designed motor that's especially efficient, so the 3-amp-hour (3Ah) batteries run a long time. They recharge in 25 minutes, and reviews note that Makita put the cooling system in the charger to save weight and last longer. Like the corded Makita jigsaw discussed earlier, the lithium-ion-powered Makita has an especially large capacity, able to cut wood up to 5.3 inches thick (and steel 3/8 inch thick). Maximum speed is 2,600 spm, and an LED light illuminates the cutting line.

Also noteworthy are two less expensive (but heavier) lithium-ion-powered jigsaws, with maximum speeds of only 2,200 spm. The 8.4-pound Ridgid R883 (*est. $120 tool only) can use either 24-volt lithium-ion or 18-volt NiCd batteries. The 3Ah lithium-ion batteries and charger come in the Ridgid R937 kit (*est. $200), which costs only $20 more than a NiCd kit.

Like other Ridgid tools, the Ridgid R883 cordless jigsaw carries a lifetime warranty. The jigsaw lacks a dust blower, but the base can be moved back for flush cuts, and both blade changing and bevel adjustment require no tools. A review of the Ridgid R883 jigsaw at Tools of the Trade finds it "very capable" but notes that the blade-changing system requires some practice, and dust often obscures the cutting line. Reviews of the preceding model, the R843, criticize its 7.73-pound weight, but find that it has plenty of power, easy battery changes and less deflection than an old standby, the corded Bosch 1581 jigsaw. Even using a 24-volt lithium-ion battery, though, the maximum speed of the Ridgid R883 is only 2,200 spm.

The less expensive 20-volt Craftsman Pro 28127 (*est. $200 with battery and charger, or $70 tool only) weighs in at 7.2 lbs -- over a pound less than the Ridgid R883 -- but is still heavier than the Makita. It has dual LED lights and a two-position dust blower. Consumers Digest recommends it, but it's not clear how much testing was done or how many cordless jigsaws were compared. At the time of this report, no owners had yet reviewed it at Sears.com.

Note that although Ryobi doesn't make a lithium-ion-powered jigsaw yet, its new 18-volt lithium-ion batteries are compatible with its regular 18-volt cordless tools. Since the cordless Ryobi P522 jigsaw (*est. $50) is sold without battery or charger, you could equip it with the new 2.4Ah Ryobi One+ Lithium-Ion battery and charger (*est. $100) and have another reasonable budget choice that weighs only about 5.5 pounds. The baseplate moves back for flush cuts, and the warranty is for two years. Bevel changes require an Allen wrench, but the main drawback is the low maximum speed of 2,100 spm. Tests at Tools of the Trade Online find that the earlier P520 jigsaw (using NiCd batteries) took over twice as long to make cuts, compared with Bosch, Makita or DeWalt cordless jigsaws (also using NiCd batteries).

Cordless jigsaws using NiCd and NiMH batteries

Cordless jigsaws using lithium-ion batteries are more environmentally friendly, with longer runtimes, but they are usually more expensive initially when compared to cordless saws using older battery types. Many say this initial expense is made up in time by the fact that lithium-ion batteries last longer.

To compare cordless jigsaws using regular NiCd or NiMH batteries, we found excellent reviews at Tools of the Trade Online and The Journal of Light Construction, plus an in-depth review at New Woodworking.com. Owner-written reviews published at Amazon, Lowes, Home Depot and Sears provide current ratings as well as information on durability over longer time spans. Woodworker's Journal eZine compares four cordless jigsaws at a woodworking tool show, where top rank clearly went to the Bosch cordless jigsaw over cordless DeWalt, Ridgid and Ryobi jigsaws.

In fact, for non-lithium-ion-powered cordless drills, a clear consensus among professional reviews gives top ranking to the D-handled, 18-volt Bosch 52318 jigsaw (*est. $215 with battery and charger) , primarily because it cuts more smoothly than other brands. At 6.4 pounds, it's also about a pound lighter than most cordless jigsaws, though heavier than the newer lithium-ion-powered Makita jigsaw discussed above. Maximum speed is only 2,000 spm, compared with 2,600 for the lithium-ion Makita saw. Runtime is shorter for the Bosch, too, since it uses 2.4-amp-hour batteries compared with 3 for the Makita. However, the Bosch is considerably less expensive.

The Tools of the Trade review praises the Bosch cordless jigsaw for ease of blade changes, especially since the Bosch ejects hot blades without the user having to touch them. Its "Constant Response" circuitry keeps the blade speed steady, no matter what density or thickness of wood is cut. Reviews praise the variable-speed trigger's smooth control and find the dust blower effective in keeping the cutting line clear. The Bosch jigsaw carries a two-year warranty on the batteries, plus free tool replacement for the first year, followed by free repair the second and third years, with a promise to return the repaired tool within five days. Bosch also makes the 24-volt Bosch 52324 (*est. $265) -- similar but weighing 7.5 pounds -- which is not covered in the comparison reviews we found.

The more expensive 18-volt Makita 4334DWD (*est. $300) has a higher maximum speed of 2,800 spm and uses 2.6Ah NiMH batteries, which are considered more environmentally-friendly than NiCd batteries. The Makita can cut wood over five-inches thick, compared with 2.75-inch maximum on the Bosch, but reviews say the Bosch jigsaw makes smoother cuts. Tools of the Trade's jigsaw review likes the Makita bevel adjustment and finds that the Makita jigsaw vibrates less than the Bosch, but editors say its handle is uncomfortably small for all but users with small hands.

The Makita 4334DWD jigsaw lacks a blower, but a shop-vac port is an option. The baseplate adjusts with a lever and can be slid back out of the way for flush cutting right up against a wall. Speed is controlled by a dial, so the trigger can be locked on to prevent hand fatigue -- but some users find full-speed starts uncomfortable, and professional reviewers prefer a variable-speed trigger. The Makita warranty is for only one year compared to Bosch's more comprehensive plan.

Reviews and owners reported problems with the 18-volt DeWalt DW933K cordless jigsaw (*est. $375), but its replacement, the DeWalt DC330K (*est. $245) , gets perfect ratings from owners reviewing it at Amazon.com. Owners say it makes nice perpendicular cuts, even on tight curves. This newer DeWalt jigsaw has a maximum speed of 3,000 spm that’s comparable to corded jigsaws and higher than its predecessor, which Tools of the Trade editors found slow.

The new DeWalt cordless jigsaw has an adjustable dust blower (but no shop vac attachment), and you can adjust the baseplate with a lever. Its main drawback is its 7.5-pound weight. Comparing it with the Bosch 52318 at a woodworking show, users found the DeWalt nice, but just too heavy. (Note that this 18-volt NiCd DeWalt jigsaw weighs the same as the 36-volt lithium-ion-powered DeWalt DC308K (*est. $400) discussed above.)

Reviews say that even though the Bosch 52318 lacks dust collection and requires an Allen wrench for baseplate adjustment, it's still the best cordless jigsaw available. It doesn't come with the latest Bosch Blue-Core batteries with longer run-time and faster charging, but you can get the same cordless jigsaw (plus the improved batteries) by buying a Bosch cordless combo kit. The six-piece Bosch CPK60-18 (*est. $570) includes the jigsaw, two Blue-Core batteries and the 30-minute charger, plus a hammer drill/driver, 6.5-inch circular saw, reciprocating saw, planer, work light and canvas case.

Budget cordless jigsaws

As discussed earlier, several lithium-ion-powered jigsaws can be considered budget models. The 18-volt Ryobi P522 (*est. $50) can be equipped with either a NiCd or lithium-ion battery kit. The NiCd option is least expensive ($60 for one 1.6Ah battery plus charger) -- but two 2.4Ah lithium-ion batteries and charger (*est. $100) will last longer and provide longer runtimes. The lithium-ion batteries hold their charge much longer in storage, too, which is especially relevant since reviews recommend jigsaws this inexpensive only for occasional use. However, owners complain that the Ryobi lithium-ion batteries don't work well in cold weather.

The 20-volt lithium-ion Craftsman Pro 28127 (*est. $200 with battery and charger, or $70 tool only) is fairly heavy at 7.2 pounds, but as noted earlier, it gets good marks from owners. The Ridgid R883 ($120 tool only) is over a pound heavier, and the Ridgid R937 24-volt lithium-ion battery kit (*est. $200) makes it inexpensive for a lithium-ion jigsaw, but expensive overall. Buying NiCd batteries saves only about $20. Both these cordless jigsaws have maximum speeds of only 2,200 spm and are discussed in more detail above.

Powered by NiCd rather than lithium-ion batteries, the 18-volt Black & Decker Firestorm FS18JS (*est. $45 without battery) has a much higher maximum speed of 2,500 spm, closer to that of corded jigsaws. Like the Ridgid R883, the Firestorm cordless jigsaw provides tool-free blade and bevel changes, but the Firestorm also has a shop vac adapter for dust collection. A 360-degree scrolling knob is designed to make intricate curves easier. It weighs 5 pounds without the NiCd battery, but the NiCd battery, despite its low 1.2Ah capacity, adds 2 or 3 pounds to the tool’s weight. This is typical for a NiCd-powered cordless jigsaw in this price range, though, and owners give the Firestorm cordless jigsaw relatively high ratings at Lowes.com. It comes with a two-year warranty.

At Sears.com, the 19.2-volt Craftsman 11569 jigsaw (*est. $60 without battery, $135 with twin-battery kit) comes with a laser guide and also gets mostly good reviews from owners. It weighs 7 pounds with the battery. However, the maximum speed is only 2,100 spm, and changing the bevel requires an Allen wrench. Owners criticize the 1.3Ah batteries for their low runtime -- better cordless-tool batteries are at least 2.6Ah and run twice as long per charge. We found no comparison tests that include either the Craftsman or the Black & Decker Firestorm cordless jigsaws -- but based on features, price and warranty, the Black & Decker Firestorm FS18JS looks like a better buy.

Important Features: Jigsaws

Reviews say that laser guides are the least helpful extra feature on jigsaws. Built-in LED lights, however, do help illuminate the cutting line. Nearly all jigsaws now offer variable speed, orbital action settings and baseplate adjustments from 0 to 45 degrees for beveled cuts. While most jigsaws include cases, some of the least expensive saws do not. An expensive jigsaw that includes a lot of accessories may cost less in the long run than a stripped-down jigsaw, since expenses for add-on accessories such as good blades, a fence for straight cuts or a dust collection attachment can add up quickly.

• Switches are important safety features. Reviews say the safest type is a rocker switch that just takes a touch to turn the saw off, and this type is usually found only on barrel-grip jigsaws. Safest placement is in the middle rather than on the side, so it's easy to reach whether you're right- or left-handed. A convenient switch for right-handed users may be a safety hazard for left-handed operators. Note that some switch locks keep the tool turned off even if the trigger is pulled, while other locks keep the tool turned on to prevent hand fatigue for long cutting sessions. Both lock types have safety advantages, but you have to choose the one that will best meet your individual needs.

• Variable speed is important for cutting different materials. Reviews are mixed as to which type is best, but the most recent reviews recommend a separate speed dial rather than trigger-controlled variable speed. A speed dial can allow for a lock-on option, so you don't have to keep the trigger depressed for long cuts. This is especially useful on curves where it helps keep the speed steady for more accurate cutting.

• How much power and cutting capacity do you need? A low-powered, lightweight jigsaw may cut everything you want to cut, but if you’re planning to cut thick wood, be sure the jigsaw is rated for that task. Some jigsaws cut wood up to about 2-inches thick, while others cut over five-inch-thick wood. If you want to cut metal, be sure the saw can cut the thickness you have in mind. Most of the metal ratings are for mild steel, so a jigsaw will cut thicker aluminum than that, but only thinner stainless. For cutting metal, be sure you can turn off the blower.

• Ease of blade changing is emphasized in all the reviews we found. Steady improvements in blade-changing mechanisms have been made over the years, but reviews say that some tool-less blade changing systems are more trouble than using a screwdriver.

• Orbital action settings are important for cutting a range of materials. You can choose a high orbital action for fast, rough cuts, but it's important to be able to shut off orbital action completely (for the smoothest cuts in materials that might otherwise chip or splinter). Reviews say that orbital action works much better on some jigsaws than on others.

• Anti-splinter inserts help when cutting materials such as plywood and melamine with minimal splintering. Since a jigsaw cuts on the upward motion of the blade, splintering can be a persistent problem. Good splinter inserts can minimize this problem. They also keep splinters from flying up into the tool itself, where they could clog up the works. These are considered disposable items, so buy a jigsaw whose replacement parts are easy to get.

• Air blowers push sawdust and chips away from the cutting path for better sightlines. Not all jigsaws have this feature, and adjustable blowers are best. If you always use a vacuum attachment to suck dust away from the saw, however, the dust blower doesn't matter as much. When a saw has a blower, it's important to be able to turn it off when cutting metal. (Airborne metal chips are dangerous -- don't use a vacuum for these either, since hot metal can ignite sawdust in the vacuum.)

• Some baseplates slide back for flush cuts, so you can get the blade right up to a wall or post. Reviews say this adjustment is much easier on some jigsaws than on others.

• Dual-bevel capacity adds convenience. This means you can change the cutting angle from one direction to the other without flipping the board over.

• Tool-free bevel adjustment is a nice feature, especially if you often need to make angled cuts. However, reviews say that some tool-less systems work much better than others.

• A soft baseplate cover can protect vulnerable surfaces. This is handy for protecting surfaces that might be scratched by the basic metal base. The most convenient covers snap on and off without tools. Many woodworkers just cover the plate with masking tape -- a low-tech solution that also works.

• For corded jigsaws, a long cord is a plus.

• Consider dust collection. Dust collection is more standard in safety-conscious Europe than in the United States, but the best jigsaws come with standard ports for attaching a small shop vac hose -- though reviews say this requires using guards that can obscure the sightline. Some jigsaws offer this only as an optional accessory. Festool has a superior system, and the Hilti WSJ 850-ET jigsaw has a built-in dust container that gets high marks. (For more on dust collection from portable power tools, see our report on shop vacs .)

The Collins Coping Tool is a curved baseplate that makes it possible to cut accurate inside corners on molding. It can fit on most jigsaws made by Bosch, DeWalt, Makita, Milwaukee and several other manufacturers, but not on Porter-Cable jigsaws or on the Bosch 1590 or 1591. If using this attachment is important for your work, you may want to check with the Collins Tool Company (888-838-8988) to verify compatibility.

Note that while a jigsaw's quality and features certainly affect how well it makes accurate cuts, all jigsaws take some practice to use well. In addition, the choice of blade makes a big difference in the quality of the cut. It's important to select the best blade for the material and thickness being cut. Bosch blades usually get excellent reviews. See the Best Research section below for helpful articles on blade selection.

Our Consensus Report shows how many times products are top-ranked by reviewers included in our
All The Reviews Reviewed chart.

# of Picks	Corded Jigsaw	Details from Amazon.com
9	Festool Trion PSB 300 EQ (*est. $280)	-
8	Bosch 1590EVSK (*est. $150)	details
2	Milwaukee 6268-21 (*est. $170)	details
2	Hitachi CJ110MV (*est. $100)	details
2	Bosch 1587AVSP (*est. $120)	details
2	Ryobi JS550LK (*est. $70)	details
1 each	Bosch 1591EVSK (barrel-grip) , Craftsman 17255, DeWalt D317K , Hilti WSJ 850-ET , Makita 4341FCT , Skil 4230
# of Picks	Cordless Jigsaw	Details from Amazon.com
5	Bosch 52318 (*est. $215 with battery and charger)	details
4	Makita BJV180 LXT (*est. $430 with charger and two batteries)	-
2	DeWalt DC308K (*est. $400)	details
2	Ridgid R883 (*est. $130, tool only)	-
2	Ryobi P520 (*est. $50, tool only)	-
1 each	Craftsman Professional 28127, 18-volt DeWalt DC330K , DeWalt DC6401 lithium-ion kit , Black & Decker Firestorm FS18JS, Porter-Cable 643

Bosch jigsaws draw the most attention in tests, but reviews also top-rank two more expensive jigsaws -- the Festool Trion PSB 300 EQ for superior dust collection and the cordless Makita BJV180 LXT jigsaw for the advantages of lithium-ion batteries. For occasional use on rough cuts, budget jigsaws such as the Hitachi CJ110MV (corded), Black & Decker Firestorm FS18JS (cordless) and the Ryobi JS550LK (corded) or P520 (cordless) are reasonable choices.

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