Our method
Battery jigsaws are suitable for precise work with a wide range of materials, but they are primarily used for cutting wood, plastic or metal. They are not too difficult to operate, so even amateur do-it-yourselfers can work with this tool.
The advantage of a cordless jigsaw is that it does not require a cable and therefore offers a high degree of mobility. Our big battery jigsaw test 2021 should help you find the best battery jigsaw for you. We have compared different types of jigsaws, including corded and cordless, and listed the advantages and disadvantages of each. This should make your purchase decision as easy as possible.
Contents
- 1 Weekly newsletter with the best personal finance tips
- 2 Summary
- 3 The Best Battery Jigsaw: Our Picks
- 4 Guide: Questions you should ask yourself before buying a cordless jigsaw
- 5 Decision: What types of jigsaws are there and which is the right one for you?
- 6 Buying criteria: You can use these factors to compare and evaluate cordless jigsaws
- 7 Facts worth knowing about cordless jigsaws
Summary
- The cordless jigsaw is a hand saw with a narrow saw blade guided on one side and enables precise cuts due to its low weight.
- It is mainly used for cutting curves and round shapes, as well as for enlarging existing openings in materials such as wood, plastic or metal.
- With cordless jigsaws, it is possible to work outside the workshop without any cables.
The Best Battery Jigsaw: Our Picks
Guide: Questions you should ask yourself before buying a cordless jigsaw
What is a cordless jigsaw?
Furthermore, curved cuts are possible. What makes the cordless jigsaw special is that it enables mobility thanks to the rechargeable battery. You can work cordlessly outside your workshop and do not necessarily have to sacrifice performance.
(Image source: unsplash.com / greysonjoralemon)
Compared to other sawing machines, cordless jigsaws have low purchase costs, but this does not mean that they perform less well.
What can a cordless jigsaw do?
For this reason, they are also ideal for DIY enthusiasts as well as craftsmen. The rapid work progress, which is guaranteed thanks to the use of a cordless jigsaw, also saves the user valuable time.
Sawing from above offers an excellent overview.
What should be considered before buying a cordless jigsaw?
Furthermore, you should consider beforehand how long you will be working on the move; depending on this, the battery life should also correspond to the project. In principle, battery runtimes of over 4 hours are considered good; runtimes of less than 3 hours are not recommended. As far as power is concerned, the cordless jigsaw should be able to deliver at least 18 V.
(Image source: pixabay.com / jade87)
How much does a cordless jigsaw cost?
| Type | price range |
|---|---|
| Battery jigsaw | approx. 90-350€ |
| Cable jigsaw | approx. 50-150€ |
Compared to other sawing machines, the cordless jigsaw is relatively cheap.
What are the alternatives to a cordless jigsaw?
| Alternative | advantages | disadvantages |
|---|---|---|
| Cable jigsaw | cheaper | poorer performance, workshop-bound |
| Circular saw | thicker, more robust saw blade | cuts roughly, inflexible |
| Scroll saw | most flexible cuts | thin saw blades, does not cut hard materials |
Decision: What types of jigsaws are there and which is the right one for you?
If you want to buy a jigsaw, there are two alternatives to choose from:
| type | advantages | disadvantages |
|---|---|---|
| cordless jigsaw | can be used outside the workshop, there is more choice of spare parts should parts be damaged | useful life is tied to the capacity of the battery, purchase is comparatively higher than alternatives without a battery |
| corded jigsaw | is cheaper, very suitable for beginners | cannot be transported outdoors, inflexible |
What are the features of a cordless jigsaw and what are its advantages and disadvantages?
A cordless jigsaw is, as the name suggests, transportable and can therefore be used outside the workshop.
What are the features of a corded jigsaw and what are its advantages and disadvantages?
A cable jigsaw must be used stationary and is bound to a cable connection.
Buying criteria: You can use these factors to compare and evaluate cordless jigsaws
In the following, we will show you which aspects you can use to decide between the many possible cordless jigsaws. The criteria you can use to compare the cordless jigsaws with each other include:
In the following paragraphs, we will explain what is important in the individual criteria.
Weight
Good saw quality is the top priority for jigsaws. The weight plays a not insignificant role here. The lighter the cordless jigsaw, the longer it can be used for precise work. Especially as you have to operate it with your muscle power.
The faster you tire, the slower projects progress. With cordless jigsaws, weight also plays a role in transport. Here, too, lighter models have a big advantage over heavier ones. Battery jigsaws usually weigh between 2 and 5 kilograms.
Power
It is important to know what you want to cut with your cordless jigsaw. Depending on this, different saws come into question. For example, if you only want to process thick wood or softer materials, cordless jigsaws with a cutting depth for wood of 120 mm are best suited, as already mentioned above.
However, if you are working with harder materials than wood, you will need a cordless jigsaw with high power that can also cut metal at least 30 mm deep. The hand-held circular saw should also have a voltage of at least 18 V.
The higher the power, the easier it is to cut through the materials. If the power is not high enough for the material being worked on, the process can take a very long time and sawing can quickly become a test of nerves.
Dimensions
A handy plunge-cut circular saw is a great advantage. Handling comfortably shaped saws facilitates and speeds up the work in a similar way as a light weight. Comparable here is the large cardboard box that has to be transported when moving house, but does not fit through the door: Unhandiness can therefore be a decisive disadvantage even with light objects.
It is important to find a cordless jigsaw that is the right size for you and that you feel comfortable with. One tip would be to look at saws in your nearest DIY store and pick up different sizes to get a feel for measurements.
Handle type
It is important that the handsaw fits comfortably in your hand so that you can work without any problems. The 2 most common handle types on the German market are the bow handle and the knob handle.
Knob handle models have advantages for curved cuts, which are more likely to be made by professionals. Ultimately, however, the type of jigsaw is a matter of personal preference, as there is no universal formula for comfort.
(Image source: pixabay.com / skeeze)
Facts worth knowing about cordless jigsaws
What can I do with a cordless jigsaw?
With a cordless jigsaw, you can tinker with anything that is technically feasible for the person doing the work. It should be noted, however, that it takes a lot of time and work to improve one's skills to the point where the complexity of a project is no longer an obstacle. In addition, jigsaws are primarily suitable for sawing round shapes.
For example, you could saw round slabs of wood and then creatively decorate them using a soldering iron. This would make a great decoration for young and old alike. If you are more experienced with the jigsaw, you could try your hand at making wooden ashtrays. If you polish them properly, they will be a real eye-catcher.
How does a curved cut with the jigsaw work?
This technical subtlety often poses a major problem, especially for beginners. However, with the right instructions, this should no longer be the case in the future. The following video explains the exact process in more detail and should help you.
Being able to make a curved cut is a prerequisite for successful work with the cordless jigsaw.
How do I make a straight cut?
In addition to curved cuts, straight cuts are often required when sawing. This is especially the case when cutting parquet or laminate. How this works is explained in the following video.
You should note that straight cuts by hand alone are not possible and are not recommended.
Is the cordless jigsaw dangerous?
As with almost any machine, it is important to approach the work with caution. Especially with sawing machines, as they are, after all, there to cut things up. And for this reason, you must always be careful not to cut yourself or others.
Gloves and eye protection should also always be worn. Also, as saws can be enormously noisy, wearing noise protection is necessary to protect the ear canal. It should be noted, however, that the number of accidents associated with using a cordless jigsaw is extremely low. So: caution is advised, but you should not be afraid to use this saw.
Image source: fedorkondratenko/ 123rf.com
