When it comes to power tools, the best jig saw is one of those must have items that you might should definitely consider. This will be a useful tool in making custom shapes and arbitrary curves, which are impossible to make with the use of any other saw. It will be instrumental in making accurate cuts while exerting minimal effort on your end. With this, if you are looking for the best jig saw that is available on the market, keep on reading and we will help you to make the right choice. We will also have the best jig saw reviews to help you evaluate the alternatives that you will be confronted with.
Types of Jig Saw
Generally speaking, the following are the two types of jig saws that you will be confronted with.
Corded Jig Saws
In this type of jig saw, there is a need to have it connected to a nearby socket, which will serve as its supply of power. The best thing about this type of jig saw is that they are more powerful compared to their counterparts, which is why it is a common choice amongst professionals who are looking for a dependable choice. You just have to make sure that the cord is long enough so that you can work without being restricted in terms of your movements.
Pros
- Powerful
- Perfect for professional applications
- Can deliver a high level of accuracy
Cons
- Can be too loud
- Your movements will be limited
Cordless Jig Saws
If you are looking for mobility, this is the perfect option that can be taken into account. They are normally powered by batteries, which is why you can use them anywhere, even without supply of electricity. You have to, however, make sure that the battery has exceptional quality. It must be able to hold charge for a long time. Some people consider investing in a spare battery so that they will be able to use the jig saw for an extended period of time.
Pros
- Portable
- Lightweight
- Operates quietly
Cons
- Can be limited in terms of power
- Function is limited to capacity of battery
Top Picks for the Best Jig Saw
In this section, we will take a quick look at the things that you can expect from some of the best options that are available in the market.
The mere fact that this is made by one of the most trusted brands within the product category is already a good reason to have it considered above other models. It is equipped with a 5-amp motor, which is powerful enough for most small and medium-duty tasks. It has a beveling shoe, which can make accurate cuts at an angle of up to 45 degrees, which is one of the reasons for its versatility. The best thing is that even if it is feature-rich and high-quality, it comes with a price tag that won’t hurt the wallet.
Curve Control Technology
This is one of the most innovative features that you can find in this saw. There are four orbit settings, which makes it flexible. You will be able to choose the specific orbit of the saw depending on the requirements of the project that you are completing.
Wire Guard
This is one feature that makes it exceptional when it comes to safety. With the latter, you will have a clear line of sight, which is also beneficial when it comes to accuracy. You will be cutting only the specific area that needs to be cut.
Tool-Free Blade Change
If you are looking for a jig saw that can be impressive when it comes to ease of use, this should definitely be part of the list. It is equipped with a key-less blade amp, which will make it a snap for you to change the shank blade as it will be required.
Pros
- Powerful motor
- Quick blade changes
- Easy to handle
Cons
- No case
- No dial adjustments
This is a lightweight and compact jigsaw that can be a promising choice for small tasks that you need to complete, which makes it an ideal choice for DIY enthusiasts who are looking for a dependable product. It has a variable speed with a maximum of 3,000 SPM. You can have it customized depending on what is required by a specific project. It is even made better by the fact that it can cut at an angle of up to 45 degrees. There are also different orbit settings, providing you with more options when it comes to its orbit.
4.5-amp Motor
The motor that is integrated in this unit may not be the most powerful within the product category, but it can deliver decent power for a wide array of tasks. It can effortlessly cut through a wide array of materials that you have to be dealing with.
Variable Speed Trigger
Are you looking for a jig saw that can prove to be excellent when it comes to versatility? This should be on your list. It comes with a strategically-positioned trigger. The pressure that will be applied on the latter will determine the speed of the saw.
Tool-Free Blade Adjustments
This is one feature that is commonly found in the jig saws from Black & Decker. As the name implies, this will allow you to change the blade without requiring any tool. This is not only user-friendly, but will also be quick as changing the blade lacks complications.
Pros
- Easy to use
- Can cut different materials
- Ergonomic design
Cons
- Can be a bit noisy
- Cord has limited length
This is another option that is made by a trusted brand in the market for power tools. It is battery-powered, which makes it impressive when it comes to portability. There are no wires that you have to be dealing with. With a weight of 6.2 pounds, however, it is slightly heavier than most of its competitors. Its weight, however, should not be too much of an issue since overall, it comes with an ergonomic design in order to optimize your comfort with its use. Whether you are a novice or a pro, this is one jig saw that you will surely love.
Top Handle Design
This is one of the features that will be instrumental towards making it a user-friendly jig saw. Handling it, even for a prolonged period, will not lead into discomfort. This is made even better by the presence of an anti-slip grip that will also be contributory towards making it comfortable to use.
Variable Speed
With this jig saw, you will have the freedom to choose the speed that is desired to a maximum of 3,000 SPM. This means that it is going to be versatile for different applications. Regardless of the material that will be cut, you can expect reliable performance from this model.
Dust Blower
The adjustable dust blower that is incorporated in this jig saw is another feature that is worth commending. This will keep the work area free from dust, which is also vital in providing you with clear vision, and hence, resulting into being able to make more accurate cuts.
Pros
- Makes accurate cuts
- Easy to use
- Impressive motor
Cons
- Battery is not included
- A bit heavy
Among other things, the practical price of this jig saw is one of the things that will make it worth being considered if you are on the lookout for the best within the product category. It should be noted, however, that this is sold as a bare tool only. You will need to buy the blade separately. It has an all-metal and lever action, providing the saw with the power that it will need to tackle a wide array of projects, although it would be best to limit its use to small tasks to avoid frustration. From the grip to the motor, you can expect that this will be worth every dollar that you will be spending. To top it all, it is made by a brand that has already been established globally when talking about power tools.
4-position Orbital Action
This is one of the reasons why you can expect this model to be an excellent choice when talking about versatility. It will optimize the quality of the cut and will also provide you with complete control on how the unit can be used depending on what will be required by a particular task.
Variable Speed Control
Like most of the models that we mentioned in this post, it also offers users the opportunity to adjust its speed anywhere from 0 to 3,000 SPM, which is another reason why you will love the versatility of this jig saw. You can control how fast it will cut, depending on the material that you will be working on.
Ergonomic Grip
To be assured about your comfort, it is important to pay attention to the design of the grip. In the case of this model, it comes with an anti-slip grip, which will allow you to hold it in a manner that is stable. There is no problem even if your hand is sweaty. It is also ergonomically-shaped, which will be instrumental towards being able to lessen fatigue that is associated with its use.
Pros
- Various orbital settings
- Economical price
- Easy blade change system
Cons
- Tool only
- A bit heavy
The slim profile of this jig saw is one of its best assets, which will allow you to handle it easily. This is a corded model, which is why you can expect that it is going to be powerful. Being corded, however, can also be a drawback, since this means that its portability is going to be compromised. Compared to the previous models from the same brand, it sports an improved design, with one of the changes being the generous padding on the top handle, which will be effective towards minimizing vibration and improving your comfort.
7-amp Motor
With this, it is more powerful compared to most of its direct competitors. It allows it to deliver dependable performance on wide array of materials. It can cut aluminum with thickness of up to 7/8 inch. On the other hand, for mild steel, it can cut thickness of up to 3/8 inch.
Internal Precision Control
This is one of the reasons why you can expect it to deliver dependable performance across a wide array of tasks. Regardless of the job that will be completed, you can expect that this will be able to deliver accurate cuts.
Constant Response Circuitry
This is another feature that will ensure the consistent performance of the unit in different materials. It can deliver smooth cuts when dealing with softer materials. For harder ones, meanwhile, you can expect that it will be able to deliver power that is hard to match.
Pros
- Ergonomic handle
- Powerful motor
- Cuts precisely
Cons
- Movements will be limited because of cord
- Can be noisy
The three orbital settings and high-quality blade are just some of the things that will make this an option that is worth being taken into account. It will offer versatility, allowing you to complete a wide array of jobs. One of the main problems, however, is that the speed is quite limited compared to most of its competitors. It is only up to 2,500 SPM as against many others that can deliver speed of up to 3,000 SPM. For most small-scale applications, on the other hand, this can prove to be more than enough.
Dust Blower
When cutting different materials, dust can be a big problem. This can limit your visibility, which will most probably have a negative impact on the precision of cuts that are made. With this, one of the best things about this jig saw is its ability to keep the dust out of the way for improved accuracy.
Tool-Free Blade Change
When looking for the best jig saw that is available in the market, ease of use is one of the most important considerations. You will love this model because changing the blade can be accomplished in a snap, allowing you to do so without requiring any complicated tool.
Beveling Shoe
This is one feature that will make this option excellent when it comes to versatility. It will make it possible for you to make bevel cuts to an angle of up to 45 degrees. This will make it more useful in a wide array of applications.
Pros
- Easy to handle
- Lightweight
- Long-lasting
Cons
- Minimal speed settings
- Bare tool only
This is a corded electric jig saw. With this, you can expect that it will be able to deliver power that is more than what you will need in most basic tasks. Nonetheless, while it is powerful, this can have a negative impact on mobility. You need to have a power source nearby where the unit will be plugged and your movements can be limited. It can also produce a more audible noise compared to their cordless counterparts. These drawbacks, however, should not be that significant, especially given the fact that its power will be second to none.
6-amp Motor
With the powerful motor that you can find in this jig saw, it will be perfect for completing a wide array of projects. Even if you are a pro, you will surely be impressed with its consistent performance, which will be true regardless of the material that will be cut.
7-Position Speed Dial
You can also be impressed with the versatility of this model, especially when it comes to speed. The dial is strategically-positioned, making it easy for you to select the speed that is appropriate for a specific task. You can change the speed from 0 to 3,200 SPM depending on what is required by a particular job.
4 Orbital Settings
Many of the competing models have three orbital settings, but this one has four. This will allow it to deliver optimal cutting performance in a variety of materials, providing you with the guarantee that the outcomes will be impressive all the time.
Pros
- Produces accurate cuts
- Delivers dependable power
- Easy to handle
Cons
- Corded
- Can be noisy
This is one model that is highly-recommended for people who are looking for a jig saw that can be perfect for light-duty tasks. The 3.9-amp motor is smaller compared to most of the models that have been mentioned above, which makes it important to limit its use to small jobs. It is simple to operate, which makes it a top pick for an entry-level model. If you are new in the world of jig saws, you will definitely enjoy this model as it lacks complications.
Die-cast Aluminum Base
Aluminum is an excellent material of choice for the base of the unit basically because it is lightweight and more importantly, it is durable. Even through the years, you can expect that the quality of the base will remain superior.
Variable Speed Control
Versatility is one of the most important things when it comes to a jig saw since it will allow it to handle a wide array of applications. With this, one of the best things about this model is the variable settings for speed, which can be adjusted from 500 to 3,100 SPM.
Ergonomic Grip
The design of the handle is another thing that is worth noting, which is one reason why it is ranked well in terms of being user-friendly. It comes with a rubber wrap-around, which will help to minimize vibration that is transferred from the unit to your hand.
Pros
- Lightweight
- Excellent blade
- User-friendly
Cons
- Minimal power
- Corded
Essential Factors to Consider
As you try to differentiate the different options for the best jig saw, make sure that the following factors are given careful thought:
- Performance: Generally speaking, this will refer to the power of the jig saw. If you are a DIY enthusiast looking for one that can be used occasionally and in small tasks, minimal power will be enough. On the other hand, for professional applications, you should choose one that is more powerful, which will be able to effortlessly handle even the most demanding tasks. Take a look at the amps and the wattage of the jig saw in order to determine its performance.
- Speed: This is one of the technical specifications that will be reflective of the performance of the jig saw. Its speed is expressed as SPM, which is short for strokes per minute. Most of the models will have a speed of 3,000 SPM. You should also choose one that comes with a variable speed setting, which will allow you to have it customized depending on the requirements of a specific task.
- Comfort: Using a jig saw can be exhausting, which is why it is important to pay attention to the features that will ensure its ability to deliver the highest level of comfort. One of the most important is for it to be lightweight, which will help to minimize fatigue even if it is going to be used for an extended period. The design of the grip will also be vital. It should have an ergonomic shape and should be padded to lessen the vibration that you will feel in your hand.
- Cut Quality: You should also determine the ability of the jig saw to make accurate cuts. See to it that it can be used even in angled positions, which is indicative of its versatility. Another thing that is important is its ability to make precise cuts in different kinds of materials. It must also be able to demonstrate optimal quality, whether you are making straight or curved cuts.
Conclusion
Indeed, searching for the best jig saw will not be an easy undertaking. With the abundance of the brands and models that are available, some people may just decide in haste, picking one product that comes with the cheapest price. However, it would be best if you will take time to go through the best jig saw reviews to differentiate the possibilities. You should take a look at their technical specifications and consider their ease of use. With a little time and effort to exert, you can be assured of picking one option that can deliver the best value for your money.
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