At a glance
A cordless jigsaw is one of the most versatile tools you can own – capable of straight cuts, curves, plunge cuts and bevel cuts in timber, sheet material and metal. The UK market is well served across all price points, from the professional brushless tier at the top end to genuinely capable budget options for domestic use at half that price. We tested five of the most relevant tools for UK buyers back to back – cutting 18mm plywood, 45mm softwood, hardwood and mild steel – to produce a ranked comparison with honest scores and clear platform recommendations.
All five jigsaws were tested on a matched set of tasks using identical T-shank blades to isolate tool performance rather than blade choice. Scores across cut quality, battery life, build quality, ease of use, value for money and UK suitability were combined to produce an overall ranking. Individual reviews are available for each tool if you need deeper detail on a specific model: Makita DJV182Z, DeWalt DCS331, Milwaukee M18 BJS, Bosch GTS 18V-57 and Ryobi RJS18-0.
How we tested. Each jigsaw was tested on 18mm plywood (straight and curve cuts), 45mm softwood, 18mm hardwood and 3mm mild steel. All tests used matched T-shank blades – a Bosch T101B fine blade for timber finish cuts, a T119B coarse blade for softwood speed cuts and a T118A bi-metal blade for steel. Battery runtime was measured on identical 3.0Ah packs running the same cutting programme.
Quick verdict summary
All 5 cordless jigsaws ranked
The Makita DJV182Z leads our comparison through the combination of brushless motor efficiency, best cut precision and a class-leading anti-vibration handle that makes a perceptible difference on extended cutting sessions. At 0-2,600 spm with 4-stage orbital action and a tool-free blade change with zero blade play, it covers the full range of jigsaw tasks with a trigger feel and cut accuracy that the brushed rivals cannot quite match. The LXT platform’s depth – over 300 compatible professional tools – adds real long-term value.
The brushless motor delivers approximately 25% more cuts per charge than brushed rivals on equivalent tasks – a difference that compounds into a meaningful runtime advantage over a full working day. The body-only pricing adds battery cost for new LXT buyers, but for anyone already on the platform this is the straightforward recommendation at this price point.
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The DeWalt DCS331 finishes second with the highest stroke rate in the comparison at 3,000 spm and the most widely available battery platform in UK retail. XR batteries are stocked at B&Q, Screwfix and Toolstation as standard, which gives the DCS331 a genuine practical convenience advantage over rivals on less widely distributed platforms. Build quality is excellent and consistent with DeWalt’s professional XR standard throughout.
The brushed motor is the primary limitation versus the Makita – lower runtime per charge and shorter projected motor lifespan under heavy use. For an existing XR user the choice is simple. For a buyer starting fresh the XR battery availability advantage is a real consideration worth weighing against the Makita’s brushless efficiency.
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The Milwaukee M18 BJS sits just below the DeWalt on overall score but distinguishes itself with the best warranty in our comparison – 5 years versus 3 years for every other tool tested. For trade professionals who use a jigsaw daily, a warranty that is two years longer than any rival is a meaningful financial differentiator. It is also the lightest tool in the comparison at 1.7kg bare, which benefits overhead and extended cutting sessions.
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The Bosch GTS 18V-57 is the most expensive tool in our comparison, yet finishes fourth overall because the performance advantages it offers – best finish cut quality and the best SDS blade change system in the group – do not justify the premium over the Makita at this scale. Its finish cut quality in plywood and hardwood was the best recorded, and the SDS blade change is faster and more positive than any other system tested. For Bosch Professional platform users and for joiners who change blades constantly, it is a serious contender.
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The Ryobi RJS18-0 finishes last in the ranking but first on value – it is significantly more affordable than the nearest professional rival and handles all standard domestic cutting tasks competently. The ONE+ platform, covering over 180 tools and stocked at B&Q, is the broadest battery ecosystem in UK DIY retail and a significant advantage for homeowners already in the Ryobi world. Performance steps down clearly from the professional tier in precision and build density, but for occasional domestic use this is entirely acceptable.
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Head to head comparison
| Model | Motor | Max spm | Orbital | Max cut | Warranty | Score |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Makita DJV182Z | Brushless | 2,600 | 4 stage | 135mm | 3 yr | 4.5 / 5 |
| DeWalt DCS331 | Brushed | 3,000 | 4 stage | 135mm | 3 yr | 4.3 / 5 |
| Milwaukee M18 BJS | Brushed | 2,700 | 4 stage | 130mm | 5 yr | 4.2 / 5 |
| Bosch GTS 18V-57 | Brushless | 2,600 | 5 stage | 135mm | 3 yr | 4.1 / 5 |
| Ryobi RJS18-0 | Brushed | 2,800 | 3 stage | 100mm | 3 yr | 3.8 / 5 |
What to look for when buying a cordless jigsaw
The most important factor in choosing a cordless jigsaw is existing battery platform. If you already own cordless tools – a drill, a circular saw, an angle grinder – they almost certainly run on one of four major 18V platforms: Makita LXT, DeWalt XR, Milwaukee M18 or Bosch Professional 18V. Buying a jigsaw on the same platform means existing batteries work immediately, which reduces effective cost significantly and removes the need to manage a second charging ecosystem. The performance differences between professional-tier jigsaws from different brands are real but not large – the platform decision is usually the right one to make first.
If you have no existing platform, the choice comes down to use case. For trade professionals who will use a jigsaw daily, a brushless motor is worth the extra cost – the runtime advantage and longer motor lifespan compound into meaningful savings over a working life. The Makita DJV182Z is the natural first recommendation in this scenario. For serious DIY users who cut regularly but not every day, any of the three brushed professional tools deliver excellent performance at a slightly lower price. For homeowners who cut occasionally, the Ryobi RJS18-0 handles domestic tasks competently at half the professional price.
Body-only jigsaws require a compatible battery and charger. All five tools in this comparison are sold body only as standard. Budget for a battery and charger if you are new to the platform – a quality 3.0Ah battery and charger starter kit adds to the effective purchase price. If buying into a new platform, factor the full ecosystem cost rather than just the tool body price when comparing options.
Orbital action is a frequently misunderstood feature. Setting 0 – no orbital movement – produces the cleanest cut in hardwood and fine finish work but cuts more slowly. Higher orbital settings move the blade in a slight elliptical pattern on each stroke, cutting faster in softwood and sheet material but producing a rougher exit edge. For most UK DIY tasks – kitchen worktops, sheet material, softwood – orbital setting 1 or 2 produces the best combination of speed and quality. The difference between 3, 4 and 5 orbital stages is genuinely small in everyday use.
Final verdict and recommendations
For most UK buyers the Makita DJV182Z is the right choice – brushless motor, best cut precision and anti-vibration handle in one package, backed by the deepest professional battery platform available. For platform users the answer is simpler: buy your own brand’s offering and you will not be disappointed. The DeWalt DCS331 is the natural choice for XR users, benefiting from the most widely available battery support in UK retail. The Milwaukee M18 BJS earns its recommendation for M18 users and for trade professionals who value the 5-year warranty above all else. The Bosch GTS 18V-57 is the right tool for Bosch Professional users and for anyone who changes blades constantly and values finish cut quality. For budget buyers, the Ryobi RJS18-0 handles domestic cutting at half the professional price with the broadest battery platform in UK DIY retail.
For LXT platform users or the best overall tool regardless of platform: Makita DJV182Z.
For XR platform users or buyers prioritising battery retail availability: DeWalt DCS331.
For M18 platform users or buyers prioritising warranty cover: Milwaukee M18 BJS.
For Bosch Professional users or joiners prioritising blade change speed and finish quality: Bosch GTS 18V-57.
For homeowners, ONE+ users or budget-first buyers: Ryobi RJS18-0.
The Makita DJV182Z is the best cordless jigsaw for most UK buyers – brushless motor, best cut precision and anti-vibration handle in one package. For platform users the answer is simpler: buy your own brand’s offering and you will not be disappointed. For budget buyers, the Ryobi RJS18-0 handles domestic cutting at half the professional price with the broadest battery platform in UK DIY retail.
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