For fine work, irregular corners, and stencil cutout’s in metal and wood, nothing beats a jigsaw. Modern jigsaws are small but powerful and very user-friendly. They are a must for small home projects or tough corner cuts on a job site.
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For jigsaws, the critical part is the trigger electronics. They are not click-go, release-stop type triggers. Jigsaw triggers more resemble those seen on power drills. Finger pressure dictates how fast the blade moves for better control and finer work. Here we break down and present our picks for the best one’s out there in 2019.
Our Best Jig Saw Reviews and Comparisons
| PRODUCT | FEATURES | |
|---|---|---|
TOP PICK | 1. Bosch JS470E
| Check Price |
RUNNER UP | 2. DeWalt DW317K
| Check Price |
  | 3. Porter-Cable PCE345 – Best Buy
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  | 4. Hitachi CJ90VST
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  | 5. Black & Decker BDEJS600C
| Check Price |
1. Bosch JS470E
Product Highlights
The Bosch JS470E is one of the best jigsaws on the market. It is a little expensive (it retails for a little over $150), but as they say, you get what you pay for. The saw features a 7-amp motor for plenty of power and will cut through 5 7/8” wood or up to 3/8” steel with a good blade.
The blade release is tool-less for easy changes and the saw head is a multidirectional mount. Four orbital-action allows for tight turns and the motor can operate as slow as 500 sfpm or as high as 3100 sfpm.
This can be limited with the variable speed dial. This saw has an adjustable dust blower to clear the cut line, and a smooth shoe that will not leave marks which includes an optional anti-splinter plate. The trigger is smooth.
Features
- Powerful motor
- Four Orbital-action
- Tool-less blade release and multidirectional mount
- Adjustable dust blower
The Good
Users typically comment on the power of this little saw and its blade speed range. It can swing from a very gentle 500 sfpm all the way up to an aggressive 3100 sfpm. The die-cast shoe is very firm and reflects the quality of this saw.
It is the best all-around jigsaw available. The JS470E uses Constant Response Circuitry to maintain blade speed under differing loads, such as during a turn.
The Bad
It is only capable of a 45° bevel cut. There is no LED illumination of the cutting area.
Pros
- Powerful motor
- Fine trigger control
- Four Orbital-action
- Constant Response Circuitry
Cons
- Only can bevel cut at 45°
2. DeWalt DW317K
Product Highlights
If you want an alternative to Bosch in the form of a corded, professional jigsaw, the DeWalt DW317K is for you. It is not as powerful as the Bosch with its 5.5-amp motor.
It features tool-less blade change, an all-metal gear case for added durability, and four orbital-action. The glide shoe also will allow bevel cuts from 0°-45°. The DeWalt has a smooth trigger with a speed adjustment knob (which is awkwardly placed on the trigger). It retails for about $100.
Features
- Bevel cuts from 0°-45°
- Four orbital-action
The Good
This is a sturdy saw and is well-built. The motor, despite being smaller than other jigsaws, is powerful enough for most jobs.
The saw can bevel cut up to 45°, which is a feature lacking in the Bosch. Tool-free blade change is a convenient feature and the all-metal gear housing is a plus on the jobsite.
The Bad
This saw does not feature a dust blower, which some consider a very important feature when making fine cuts.
There is no LED illumination of the cutting area and the DW317K is reported to vibrate at higher speeds. For 90° cuts, the blade guide has been reported to release the blade under load.
Pros
- Can do bevel cuts up to 45°
- Tool-free blade change
- Comfortable handle
- Smooth trigger with additional speed control knob
Cons
- No dust blower
- No LED illumination
- Vibration at higher sfpm
3. Porter-Cable PCE345 – Best Buy
Product Highlights
If you are looking for a jigsaw with quality features somewhere in the $50 range, we consider the Porter-Cable PCE345 a best buy for all-around quality and dollar value.
It retails for under $60. It sits in between the Bosch and DeWalt in terms of power (6-amp motor) and has several features seen typically on more expensive saws. It has four orbital-action and can go through wood, although metal is a challenge for the saw.
The PCE345 has 7 fixed speed limiting settings controlled by a knob on the trigger. It can bevel cut at fixed angles (0°, 15°, 30°, 45°). So, what about the bonus features we mentioned? It has a dust blower and a laser cutting guide.
Features
- Seven-position speed dial
- Four orbital-action
- Tool-free blade change
- Dust blower
- Laser cutting guide
The Good
For only $60, you get a lot in this little saw. Besides fine control and speed limiter control, it can perform bevel cuts at common angles, has tool-free blade changing, four orbital-action to adjust cut aggressiveness when needed, a dust blower, and a laser cutting guide.
The Bad
It cannot cut bevel except at fixed angles. The saw also cannot handle cutting metal. But what do you want for $60?
Pros
- Four orbital-action
- Dust blower
- Laser cutting guide
Cons
- Cannot cut metal
4. Hitachi CJ90VST
Product Highlights
Despite having a smaller motor (5.5-amp) than the Porter-Cable saw above, the CJ90VST can cut through wood (up to 3 ½”) and softer metals (aluminum and sheet steel up to 5/16”).
The motor works in the 850-3200 sfpm range with low vibration. The CJ90VST features a dust blower, tool-free blade change, three orbital-action, and will bevel cut up to 45°. It retails for about $115
Features
- Three orbital-action
- Tool-free blade change
- Dust blower
- Bevel cuts up to 45°
The Good
The handle has a gel pad the aids grip comfort and reduces vibration. The CJ90VST glide shoe can be adjusted to bevel cut up to 45°. The saw features a dust blower, which is a critical feature for most users.
The Bad
This saw only has a three orbital-action setting, which may not be an issue for casual users. It only uses T-shank type jigsaw blades and will not fit U-shank blades.
Pros
- Dust blower
- Bevel cuts up to 45°
- Tool-free blade change
Cons
- Three orbital-action
- Only takes T-shank blades
5. Black & Decker BDEJS600C
Product Highlights
Black and Decker has been making what we consider budget jigsaws for quite some time. We won’t say these saws will do the job, but they will do some jobs. Saws in this bracket are intended for the occasional user. The BDEJS600C has a 5-amp motor that can generate 3000 sfpm.
The blade housing vibrates quite a lot, so cuts are rough and require sanding. The saw features a dust blower, four orbital-action, tool-free blade change, and can perform 45° bevel cuts. Variable speed is controlled exclusively by trigger pressure. It retails for $30.
Features
- Four orbital-action
- Bevel cuts at 45°
- Dust blower
The Good
The BDEJS600C is a very affordable, basic jigsaw. It has a dust blower and four orbital-action to control cutting aggressiveness.
The Bad
No speed limiter control, other than trigger pressure. Considerable vibration requires sanding cuts. Limited to 45° bevel cuts.
Pros
- Inexpensive
- Dust blower
Cons
- Rough cuts
