Top 5 compared
The best jigsaws
Curves, cut-outs and boards trimmed to fit, for the shapes a straight saw can’t manage.
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The top 5 at a glance
A jigsaw is the saw for shapes: a curve in plywood, the hole for a sink in a new countertop, a notch around a pipe or a shelf trimmed to fit a closet. Its narrow blade cuts on the upstroke and changes in moments for wood, laminate, plastic or metal. Simpler saws keep a straight up-and-down stroke; orbital ones also swing the blade forward on each stroke, for faster cuts in lumber.
Every saw here plugs in, and each has a blower that keeps sawdust off the pencil line. Orbital action is best switched off for laminate, plastic and metal, where a straight stroke chips less. Some come with blades, a bag or a fence, while a saw sold alone needs a pack of blades with it.
What matters
- A speed dial or trigger, to slow down for metal and plastic.
- A tool-free blade clamp, for quick changes.
- A light or laser to follow the line.
- The blade shank type, T or U, so new blades fit.
#1SKIL 6 Amp Corded Jigsaw (JS314901)
$50–$75
Four orbital settings, a tool-free blade clamp and a halo light SKIL says gives ten times the light of a standard LED, so the pencil line stays clear in a garage or basement. It cuts wood up to about 3-3/8 inches, and the shoe bevels without a wrench.
What owners say: Owners say it goes through 2x4s and decking boards with ease and follows curves as well as straight lines, and some have had theirs for years. The speed control and the light on the cut line get special praise.
A closer look: Set the orbit to zero for laminate and good-faced plywood, where a straight stroke chips less, and turn it up for fast cuts in 2x4s. The blower can be switched off when you’d rather not send dust across the room, such as indoors near fresh paint.
- Tool-free blade clamp
- Shoe bevels without a wrench
- Halo light over the line
- Cuts wood about 3-3/8 in
Best for: Weekend projects in lumber and plywood
- Motor
- 6 amp
- Strokes a minute
- –
- Orbital action
- 4 settings
- Dust clearing
- Blower (on/off)
- Laser guide
- No
- Weight
- 4.6 lb
- In the box
- Wood and metal blade
#2Bosch JS260 Top-Handle Jigsaw (6.0 Amp)
$100–$150
A top-handle saw with a heavy-gauge steel footplate, a precision-machined plunger and low vibration, so cuts stay true in thick hardwood. A dial sets the top speed and the trigger feathers it, and it comes in a bag with an anti-splinter insert for clean edges on veneer.
What owners say: Owners describe smooth, powerful cutting, with one going through 2-inch mahogany planks easily, and like the sturdy build and balance. The blade release divides them.
Heads up: It takes T-shank blades only, so U-shank blades from an older saw won’t fit.
A closer look: Clip in the anti-splinter insert for laminate, veneered plywood and countertops, where it stops the top face chipping along the cut. Set the dial a little lower for metal and plastic, then use the trigger to ease into the cut.
- Dial sets the top speed
- Tool-free blade change
- Heavy-gauge steel footplate
Best for: Thick hardwood and finer work
- Motor
- 6 amp
- Strokes a minute
- 500–3,100
- Orbital action
- 4 settings
- Dust clearing
- Always-on blower
- Laser guide
- No
- Weight
- 5.3 lb
- In the box
- Blade, bag, anti-splinter insert
#3BLACK+DECKER Smart Select 5 Amp Jigsaw (BDEJS600C)
$50–$75
A dial on the side sets the orbit for the cut, from straight lines to tight curves, so you needn’t know how orbital action works to get it right. Tool-free blade changes, a wire guard for a clear sightline and a built-in blower round it out.
What owners say: Easy to use and strong for small jobs, owners find, with a handy variable-speed trigger. A few had the part that holds the blade in line break.
A closer look: Use the straight setting along a line and the tight-curve setting for scrolls and circles, and ease off the trigger as the blade comes around a bend. The shoe tilts to 45 degrees for beveled edges on shelves and frames.
- Dial from straight to curves
- Tool-free blade change
- Wire guard, clear sightline
- Shoe tilts to 45°
- 2-year warranty
Best for: Curves, and first-time users
- Motor
- 5 amp
- Strokes a minute
- Up to 3,000
- Orbital action
- 4 settings
- Dust clearing
- Blower
- Laser guide
- No
- Weight
- 4.6 lb
- In the box
- 1 blade
#4BLACK+DECKER 4.5 Amp Jigsaw (BDEJS300C)
$30–$50
The lightest saw here at 4.4 lb, with a quick-clamp for tool-free blade changes, a base that tilts to 45 degrees and a blower to keep sawdust off the line: a simple saw for trimming boards, cutting shelves and small household jobs.
What owners say: Beginners find it easy, especially the blade changes, and owners say it cuts 1x4s cleanly with enough power for most household jobs. Some think the base could be sturdier.
Heads up: It comes as the saw alone, so buy a pack of jigsaw blades with it.
A closer look: With no orbital action it cuts with the same steady stroke throughout, which suits laminate, thin plywood and plastic. Let the blade reach full speed before it meets the wood, and keep the shoe flat on the board so the cut stays square.
- Tool-free quick-clamp
- Base tilts to 45°
- Wire guard
- 2-year warranty
Best for: Small jobs and a light saw
- Motor
- 4.5 amp
- Strokes a minute
- Up to 3,000
- Orbital action
- No
- Dust clearing
- Blower
- Laser guide
- No
- Weight
- 4.4 lb
- In the box
- Saw only
#5WEN 33606 6.6 Amp Orbital Jigsaw with Laser
$30–$50
The most motor here at 6.6 amps, with a laser line and LED to follow, four orbital positions and a 1-1/2-inch dust port as well as a blower. WEN rates it for wood up to 4-1/4 inches thick, and the box adds a wood blade, a metal blade and a parallel fence bracket.
What owners say: Owners like how easily it cuts through wood and metal and how the laser and light help keep straight lines straight. Some had blades work loose, and durability and speed control get mixed reports.
A closer look: Fit the parallel fence for rips along a board’s edge, such as cutting a shelf to width, and use the laser for freehand lines. The hex wrenches store on the saw, and the lock-on button saves holding the trigger through a long cut.
- Lock-on button for long cuts
- Bevels 45° both ways
- Cuts wood 4-1/4 in thick
- Wrenches store on the saw
- Shoe won’t scratch surfaces
Best for: Cutting shelves to width
- Motor
- 6.6 amp
- Strokes a minute
- 0–3,300
- Orbital action
- 4 positions
- Dust clearing
- Blower + 1-1/2 in port
- Laser guide
- Yes
- Weight
- 5.4 lb
- In the box
- 2 blades, fence bracket
How they compare
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| Feature | #1SKIL JS314901 | #2Bosch JS260 | #3BLACK+DECKER BDEJS600C | #4BLACK+DECKER BDEJS300C | #5WEN 33606 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Best overall | Best premium | Best budget | |||
| Picked Rating | 9.4 | 9.3 | 9.3 | 9.1 | 8.8 |
| Price | $50–$75 | $100–$150 | $50–$75 | $30–$50 | $30–$50 |
| Motor | 6 amp | 6 amp | 5 amp | 4.5 amp | 6.6 amp |
| Strokes a minute | – | 500–3,100 | Up to 3,000 | Up to 3,000 | 0–3,300 |
| Orbital action | 4 settings | 4 settings | 4 settings | No | 4 positions |
| Dust clearing | Blower (on/off) | Always-on blower | Blower | Blower | Blower + 1-1/2 in port |
| Laser guide | No | No | No | No | Yes |
| Weight | 4.6 lb | 5.3 lb | 4.6 lb | 4.4 lb | 5.4 lb |
| In the box | Wood and metal blade | Blade, bag, anti-splinter insert | 1 blade | Saw only | 2 blades, fence bracket |
| Best for | Weekend projects in lumber and plywood | Thick hardwood and finer work | Curves, and first-time users | Small jobs and a light saw | Cutting shelves to width |
| Buy now | Amazon | Amazon | Amazon | Amazon | Amazon |
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