At a glance
The cordless reciprocating saw is one of the most useful tools a UK tradesperson or serious DIYer can carry on site – capable of cutting timber, pipe, nails, plasterboard, conduit and virtually anything else in its path with the right blade fitted. For demolition work, strip-outs, pipe installation and tree surgery where a circular saw cannot reach, the reciprocating saw is the tool that gets the job done. Four 18V models cover the credible range for UK buyers: the Makita DJR187Z, the DeWalt DCS367, the Milwaukee M18 ONEFSZ and the Bosch GSA 18V-32.
All four were tested across the same battery-comparable conditions: 47mm structural softwood, 100mm hardwood, 22mm copper pipe, and sustained overhead cutting to assess anti-vibration performance. Scores reflect a weighted average across cutting performance, battery life, build quality, ease of use, value for money and UK suitability. Platform compatibility and the availability of batteries you may already own is a significant real-world factor that the scores cannot fully capture – the right saw for your needs may not be the highest-scoring one if you already have a battery system invested elsewhere.
How we assessed these saws. Each saw was tested body-only on a standardised 4.0Ah battery from its own platform. Battery platform scores reflect the availability, cost and range of each system in the UK market as of 2026. Individual detailed reviews of each saw are linked from each ranked card below.
Quick verdict summary
All 4 saws ranked
The Makita DJR187Z earns the top position through a combination of cutting performance, build quality and platform value that no single competitor beats across all three simultaneously. At 2.5kg with a 32mm stroke and 3,000 SPM, it matches the class leaders on the headline specifications while being genuinely comfortable to use across extended overhead sessions – something that matters on any job involving ceiling voids, roof timbers or overhead pipe runs. The Makita LXT battery platform is the most widely adopted 18V system in the UK trade market, which means batteries and chargers are already on many sites without additional investment.
Through 47mm softwood it cuts in 3.5 seconds, through 22mm copper pipe in under 4 seconds with a clean finish. The tool-free blade change takes under 5 seconds with gloves on. The anti-vibration system is effective – after two hours of overhead work in testing, hand fatigue was lower than with any other saw in this comparison. At approximately £110 body-only it is not the cheapest option but it offers the best overall package for buyers without an existing platform investment, and the strongest performance case for existing LXT users.
The Bosch GSA 18V-32 would sit in first position for a specific subset of users – those who need to cut in awkward angles regularly and already have ProCORE BITURBO batteries from other Bosch Professional tools. The FlexiClick rotating head, which repositions the blade through 90 degrees in four locked positions, is genuinely unique at 18V and makes a measurable practical difference in ceiling voids, around pipe runs and in any tight access situation where the natural cutting angle is impractical with a fixed-head saw. The BITURBO performance on the 8.0Ah ProCORE battery provides a cutting speed uplift of around 25-30% over standard 18V cells on heavy material.
The premium over the Makita is justified by the FlexiClick head alone for the right user. For buyers without Bosch ProCORE batteries, the additional cost of entering the BITURBO ecosystem reduces the value proposition significantly. At 2.3kg it is slightly lighter than the Makita and the anti-vibration is excellent. It ranks second overall rather than first purely because the FlexiClick premium is only worth paying for those who will use that feature regularly.
The Milwaukee M18 ONEFSZ is the most capable reciprocating saw in the Milwaukee range and sits comfortably in third place overall – a position that understates how good it is for existing M18 users. For anyone already running Milwaukee impact drivers, combi drills or multi-tools on the M18 platform, the ONEFSZ is the natural reciprocating saw choice without the need to evaluate Makita or Bosch at all. The FUEL brushless motor, ONE-KEY connectivity and the full M18 battery range compatibility make it a strong professional tool. The 32mm stroke and 3,000 SPM match the competition on headline figures and cutting performance in testing was excellent through all material types.
It ranks third rather than higher primarily on value for money – at approximately £130 body-only it is priced above the Makita without offering a distinguishing feature equivalent to the Bosch FlexiClick. For buyers without an existing platform, the Makita is the better first purchase. For M18 users, treat this as the first-choice recommendation despite the ranking position.
The DeWalt DCS367 is the compact specialist in this comparison – shorter body, lighter at 1.9kg, and designed specifically for tight access cuts where a full-size reciprocating saw cannot manoeuvre. At approximately £85 it is also the most affordable option by a meaningful margin. The 28mm stroke and 3,000 SPM specification is a step down from the full-size saws on paper, but for the confined space work it is designed for – cutting pipe in service ducts, trimming timber in restricted ceiling voids, cutting through floor joists from below – the trade-off is the point. Doing that work with a heavier full-size saw is genuinely harder.
It ranks fourth on overall performance against full-size competitors because the shorter stroke shows on sustained heavy cuts through dense hardwood. For mixed plumbing and electrical work involving significant confined-space cutting, it is the first choice. For demolition or sustained heavy timber cutting where access is not the limiting factor, choose one of the full-size options above. DeWalt XR platform users should note that the DCS367 shares batteries with all 18V XR tools.
Head to head comparison
| Model | Stroke | SPM | Weight | Price | Score |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Makita DJR187Z | 32mm | 0 – 3,000 | 2.5kg | ~£110 | 4.6 / 5 |
| Bosch GSA 18V-32 | 32mm | 0 – 3,050 | 2.3kg | ~£145 | 4.4 / 5 |
| Milwaukee M18 ONEFSZ | 32mm | 0 – 3,000 | 2.6kg | ~£130 | 4.3 / 5 |
| DeWalt DCS367 | 28mm | 0 – 3,000 | 1.9kg | ~£85 | 4.1 / 5 |
What to look for when buying
Stroke length is the single most important cutting performance specification. A 32mm stroke removes more material per stroke than a 28mm stroke, which translates directly to faster cutting through dense materials – hardwood, structural timber, cast iron pipe. For demolition and general site work, 32mm is the correct choice. For confined space plumbing and electrical work where access is the primary constraint, the 28mm compact format of the DCS367 is the practical compromise. Stroke length cannot be changed after purchase – it is fixed by the motor and cam design of each tool.
Brushless motors are standard across all four saws reviewed here and should be a minimum requirement for any 18V reciprocating saw purchase. Brushed motor saws are still sold at budget price points but lack the efficiency, lifespan and consistent power delivery under load that brushless designs provide. Variable speed control via a variable-speed trigger is equally standard – the ability to start a cut slowly before building speed reduces blade breakage, particularly on pipe cuts where a clean, controlled start prevents the blade skating across the material before it bites.
Always remove the battery before changing blades. Reciprocating saws use a spring-loaded or collar-operated blade clamp that releases under tension. On some models the mechanism can activate accidentally if the trigger is depressed during blade change. Removing the battery before any blade change is mandatory safety practice, not optional. The same applies to checking that the blade is fully seated and locked before cutting – a partially inserted blade can eject under load at speed.
Final verdict and recommendations
For new platform buyers or multi-platform workers: Makita DJR187Z. The strongest all-round specification, widest LXT platform compatibility in the UK trade market and the most competitive price point in the full-size class.
For existing Bosch 18V Professional users with ProCORE batteries: Bosch GSA 18V-32. The FlexiClick rotating head is the most practically useful differentiating feature in this comparison and the BITURBO performance is genuine on heavy cutting.
For existing Milwaukee M18 platform users: Milwaukee M18 ONEFSZ. Platform investment makes this the obvious choice – switching to Makita for marginal performance gains does not justify the battery cost.
For confined space plumbing and electrical work: DeWalt DCS367. The compact format and lighter weight make access cuts significantly easier. The price advantage also makes it the sensible second-saw purchase alongside a full-size option for mixed work.
The Makita DJR187Z is the best cordless reciprocating saw for most UK buyers without an existing platform investment. For platform-committed buyers, match the saw to the batteries already in your kit bag – the performance differences between the top three saws are small enough that platform continuity almost always wins.
As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. Prices correct at time of publishing.
Share on socials:
