As a handyman, you probably never leave home without your reciprocating saw. Commonly called a sawzall or recip saw, they’re all the same thing. The name Sawzall is actually simply the trademarked name given to the first reciprocating saw, made by Milwaukee in 1951.

It can be confusing sort through all the different reciprocating saws available. Somethings to look out for are:

  • Long battery life
  • High amperage
  • Good ergonomics and lightweight
  • Long stroke length and high SPM
  • Quick change adapter

Let’s look at the top 5 reciprocating saws of 2018.

1. Milwaukee M18 FUEL SAWZALL Reciprocating Saw

The Milwaukee 2720-21 is a full-sized reciprocating saw. This powerful sawzall has a variable speed trigger, allowing smooth control. There is less chance of it overheating with prolonged use thanks to the brushless motor. The storage case has an ergonomic handle, making it easy to transport to, from and around the jobsite. There’s even a space in the storage case for the spare battery.

The only problem with this sawzall is that the battery does take a long time to charge. To compensate, you may want to keep a charged spare battery handy so that you don’t get stuck waiting for it to charge.

2. Ryobi P514 Cordless One+ Cordless Reciprocating Saw

Ryobi is known for decent, low-cost power tools. If you’re just getting started and need to get some basics, Ryobi could be a great choice for you. Especially since all of their tools use the same battery and are interchangeable, so it’s easy to have a spare battery on hand.

The Ryobi P514 reciprocating saw features tool-free blade changing and a variable speed trigger. It has a capacity of 3,100 strokes per minute. Do note that the higher the speed, the quicker your battery will die, so make sure that you have a spare one available.

3. Bosch RS428 14 Amp Reciprocating Saw

You can handle any cutting job on steel, plastic, wood, or ceramic with the Bosch RS428. This reciprocating saw saw is powerful and efficient, while weighing only 8 pounds. The keyless blade change makes it easy to adjust. It can also handle all types of cuts with the constant orbital action.

One downside to this Bosch, however, is that it doesn’t have a hard case. Instead, it has a carry bag, which doesn’t protect as well.

4. Milwaukee M18 18-Volt Hackzall Reciprocating Saw

With this Hackzall, you no longer need to use two hands when cutting. You can use this saw with only one hand, while still working in many different positions and cutting almost anything.

However, you do need to use faster speed for soft material and slower speeds for harder materials. This specific reciprocating saw operates up to 3,000 strokes per minute. Some of the features include a LED light, Quik-Lok blade clamp, and soft grip handle.

5. DeWalt DW311K 13 Amp Reciprocating Saw

Comfortably sitting at the top of the line, DeWalt offers durability and quality in all their products. The DW311K has an orbital action for speeding up woodcuts. Its toolless clamp makes changing the blade and adjusting the shoe length a breeze. With up to 2,700 stroke per minute, you can quickly cut through all types of material, from metal tubing to wood and conduit. The anti-slip handle makes it easy to control on all heavy-duty jobs.

Unfortunately, there’s no anti-vibration system, so this guy can be tough on your hands. If you tend to rely on your recip saw for a lot and for long cutting jobs, this might not be the best choice for you.