Best Cordless Reciprocating Saws: 11 Models Tested Head-to-Head

Introduction

We brought together 11 of the industry’s best cordless reciprocating saws from Milwaukee, Makita, DeWalt, Bosch, Flex, Hilti, Metabo HPT, Ridgid, Skil, Craftsman and Robi, then ran them through a full head-to-head test series. A bracket-style elimination round using a built “sandwich wall” test section narrowed the field before deeper speed and durability tests sorted out the podium. If you want a saw for demolition, plumbing cuts or awkward rennovation work, the results below give you a clear picture of where each tool stands.

How We Tested

The first elimination round used a 12-inch-wide mini wall section built from three kiln-dried 2x4s with 16D nails in the ends, 7/16 OSB plywood, and a layer of James Hardie panel board. Each saw made three cuts with only downward pressure from the tool’s own weight plus an attached 5 lb weight, and the average of three cuts was recorded. All saws ran a 9-inch Milwaukee carbide multi-material blade with 6 TPI, with a little rocking to help clear chips.

Only eight saws made the cut: Skil, Craftsman and Robi were too slow to stay competitive. Milwaukee edged out Hilti, Flex beat Ridgid, DeWalt narrowly eliminated Bosch, and Metabo HPT squeezed past Makita by half a second. In the semi-finals, Flex took out Hilti and Makita comfortably beat DeWalt. Milwaukee then edged Makita in the preliminary final, and Metabo HPT ran about 5 seconds faster than Flex. The grand final between Milwaukee and Metabo HPT came down to the wire, with Milwaukee winning by barely half a second.

Standout Performers Across the Tests

Three further tests filled out the picture. In a clean wood speed test cutting kiln-dried yellow pine 2x12 with a 9-inch Milwaukee Axe carbide wood blade at 5 TPI, Milwaukee was fastest at 8.18 seconds, with Metabo HPT right behind at 8.23 and Makita third at 8.29 seconds. Skil was the slowest at 14.0 seconds, and Milwaukee’s pace came at the cost of noticeably harsher vibration.

For plumbers’ work, we cut 4-inch schedule 40 PVC with a 9-inch Milwaukee Torch thick metal blade at 10 TPI. Makita glided through in 2.79 seconds, Metabo HPT matched that at 2.79 seconds, and Milwaukee followed at 2.96 seconds. The spread was tight, with even DIY-focused models finishing under 5 seconds and Ridgid slowest at 5.6 seconds.

The toughest test was ductile cast iron pipe, cut with an 8 TPI Milwaukee Torch carbide blade. Makita was fastest at 41.24 seconds, Milwaukee second at 41.54, and Hilti surprised with a quick 42.59 seconds. Robi was slowest at 101.25 seconds, and Skil did not finish the cut. Vibration made this a punishing test for operator and tool alike.

Third Place: Bosch GSA 18V-126

Bosch has quietly been leveling up its demolition saw game, and the GSA 18V-126 proves it. It brings kickback control, six speed settings and an end-of-cut detection system, delivering a lot of power and tech for demolition work. Testing used a Core 18V 8 Ah ProCORE battery. Its excellent vibration control set it apart from the mid-pack and made it one of the most comfortable saws to run for extended cutting. If you are already on the Bosch platform, this is a quality reciprocating saw that does a lot right and earned a podium finish.

Runner-Up: Metabo HPT CR36DA

Metabo HPT’s 36V MultiVolt went toe-to-toe with Makita throughout the wood cutting tests, finishing just fractions behind in clean wood, PVC and the wall sandwich cutting. It slipped down the rankings in cast iron speed but made up for it by matching Makita for the best vibration control in the group. Its MultiVolt flexibility is a genuine bonus: the CR36DA runs on a 36V MultiVolt battery or a plug-in 110V AC adapter, and it includes built-in user vibration protection. Testing used a 36V 4 Ah battery.

If you are looking for the best deal among pro-grade models, Metabo HPT gives you the most reciprocating saw for your money.

Best Overall: Makita GRJ02Z

The Makita 40V max XGT GRJ02Z was nothing short of dominant in the toughest tests. It took first place in both 4-inch PVC and cast iron cutting, proving it has the pure speed and muscle that demolition crews need, and it stayed within striking distance of the leader in every other test. Internal anti-vibration technology delivers top-tier vibration control, tying for the best score in the field and making it one of the smoothest, least fatiguing saws to operate under load. It ran on a 40V max 4 Ah XGT battery pack.

The trade-off is weight and price: it is heavier and more expensive than most of the category. But those concessions buy you the only model that checked off every single feature we look for in a flagship reciprocating saw.

Buying Advice

The rest of the field has plenty to offer depending on your platform. The Milwaukee 2722-20 M18 Super Saw won the bracket and the wood speed test, generating corded-level 15 amp performance from an 18V XC 8 Ah REDLITHIUM FORGE battery, though its speed came with harsher vibration. DeWalt’s DCS389 60V FlexVolt brings a beefy, no-nonsense build that fans love. Flex’s FX2271-Z offers vibration control, keyless blade eject and a sensor-free brushless motor, while Hilti’s SR 6-22 pairs advanced vibration reduction with a vacuum connection point and excellent balance.

On the value side, Ridgid’s R8647 packs pro features into a slim, nimble profile, Craftsman’s V20 brushless RP is compact enough for tight spaces, Skil’s PowerCore 20 RS5884 covers demolition basics well, and Robi’s PBL RS02P is the brand’s most powerful recip saw. Choose the platform you already own, then match the saw’s strengths to your most common cuts.

Conclusion

For pure cutting muscle with the best vibration control in the group, the Makita 40V max XGT GRJ02Z is our top pick. The Metabo HPT CR36DA is the smart money choice for pro-grade value, and the Bosch GSA 18V-126 rounds out the podium with standout comfort. Match the saw to the material you cut most often, and any of these three will serve you well.