Certain tools always seem to deliver perfect results regardless of the skill levels of their operators and jigsaws fall firmly within this category. In this post, we bring you the best jigsaws UK 2020.
Jigsaws score top marks for versatility and ease of use, easily fitting into whatever role they’re made to play by whoever- seasoned professionals or homeowners just getting their feet wet in the DIY context.
They also increase productivity by cutting down on effort and time expended when you use manual tools.
Whether you’re looking to make simple straight cuts or more complicated designs on any wood, jigsaws can help you achieve the perfect cut with a minimum fuss.
They are also comfortable with other materials (composite and non-ferrous metal) and on other surfaces, as long as the right blades are used.
If you’re in the market for a new jigsaw, there’s a multitude of models and designs to choose from, which can be great, initially.
On the flip side, it can make your search more drawn out than it needs to be, quickly becoming confusing and tiring.
That’s why we’ve drawn up this list of the best jigsaws in the market. We’ve also included some of the things you need to look out for in a jigsaw when you’re ready to purchase one.
Let’s dive in.
- Power: 530W
- Stroke Rate: 500 to 3000 strokes/min
- Cutting Capacity: 80 mm of wood
- Warranty: 2 years upgradeable to 3
- Power: 18V
- Stroke Rate: 0 to 2600
- Cutting Capacity: 135 mm in wood
- Warranty: 3-year warranty
- Power: 400W
- Stroke Rate: 0-3000SPM
- Cutting Capacity: 55 mm in wood
- Weight: 1.8kg
Best Jigsaws in 2021 – Reviews
Jigsaws are extremely popular for the qualities they bring to the table. Reliable, versatile and powerful, they are also durable enough to be considered long-term investments. As a matter of fact, jigsaws are only second to power drills in the list of tools every handyman should possess.
Modern jigsaws offer features such as orbital action, variable tools control, dust extraction systems and metal or laser cutting guides and these are some of the things you need to look out for. Several safety and comfort features are also integrated into their design.
The choice of how much power to go for depends mostly on your needs and how regularly you plan to put the jigsaw to use.
For instance, occasional users may not need the same power as professional users. Jigsaws generally offer power ratings that range between 350 to 850 watts, which determines the materials they are suitable for.
Bosch PST 800 PEL Jigsaw
There’s something wildly inevitable about a Bosch product being the first on our list. The brand name has come to be synonymous with excellent and solid engineering. This jigsaw lives up to its billing, ticking all the right boxes for performance, comfort and durability.
It is not a stretch to suggest that you’ll be hard-pressed finding any other jigsaw that comes close to offering the same quality at the price it’s offered. And judging by the consistently excellent reviews this jigsaw receives, utmost satisfaction is its strong suit.
This jigsaw arrives in its case, which is undoubtedly a point for easy storage and mobility. The jigsaw itself is a marvel of solid engineering that belies its modest price.
One thing that counts instantly in its favour is its extremely lightweight feel and ergonomic handle, optimized for easy and comfortable cutting.
Yes, this jigsaw is compact but it still packs more than sufficient power in its little frame, with minimal vibration and noise.
Nevertheless, you may have to purchase separate blades to complement the ones that come with it, particularly if you’re planning to make it perform heavy tasks.
Performance-wise, the Bosch PST 800 PEL Jigsaw offers all the usual features and more. Its 530 watts motor with a cutting depth of 80 mm in wood makes it able to handle tasks with relative ease.
Four stages orbital pendulum action, in addition to Bosch’s trademark CutControl also place this jigsaw firmly in the top level when it comes to precision and control.
This jigsaw offers tool-less blade change, a perfectly balanced and ergonomic setup and a dust extraction port for comfort.
Other features such as a robust soleplate and switchable air blast function make working with this jigsaw an absolute pleasure.
You can store your blades for easy and quick retrieval in the integrated blade storage compartment. Above all, this jigsaw comes with a 2-year warranty, making it the complete package.
Common Features And Specifications:
- Power: 530 watts
- Stroke Rate: 500 to 3000 strokes/min
- Cutting Capacity: 80 mm of wood
- Warranty: 2 years upgradeable to 3
Final Verdict:
Of all the products, this particular one has the highest customer rating and satisfaction despite its price.
Makita DJV180Z 18 V Cordless Jigsaw
If you prefer having to work without the annoyance of power cords, cordless jigsaws might just be the way to go, and they don’t come much better than the Makita DJV180Z jigsaw. Robust and extremely solid, this jigsaw is loaded with features that will do wonders for your convenience and skyrocket productivity levels.
It also comes with the assurance of quality that the Makita brand offers, which is a compelling reason in and of itself to choose this jigsaw.
Sporting a look of timeless elegance, this jigsaw also features a lightweight, ergonomic design that fits comfortably in your hand, significantly reducing user fatigue if you’re working for long periods.
It also features a sturdy and durable build that marks it out as a long-term investment, brings vibration to a minimum and improves precision and accuracy. The die-cast base sports a heavy-duty aluminium finish for added strength and longevity.
Fitted with a powerful 18V motor, this jigsaw can take everything thrown at it in its stride. It boasts a variable speed dial coupled with 3 orbital settings that give precision and control a massive boost and supports cutting speeds of up to 2,600 strokes/minute. The motor is powered by Lithium-ion batteries which support greater runtime and take less time to charge.
User comfort is enhanced by the toolless, push-in lock blade change feature offered by this jigsaw.
It also provides a bevel that cuts up to 45 degrees left or right, promoting quick and accurate cuts. We particularly like the LED work light. It makes it easier to trace outlines, even in low light conditions.
The dust blowing feature is also great, even though it tends to struggle with thicker materials. All things considered, the Makita DJV180Z jigsaw boasts a wide range of impressive performance and comfort features that stands it out among its peers.
Common Features And Specifications:
- Power: 18V
- Stroke Rate: 0 to 2600
- Cutting Capacity: 135 mm in wood
- Warranty: 3-year warranty
Final Verdict:
Rid yourself of the hassles associated with power cords and open yourself up to a world of comfort and peace of mind offered by this jigsaw.
Meterk 400W 0-3000SPM Jigsaw
The most impressive thing that can be said about the Meterk 400W jigsaw is that it is the best offer at its price point. Frankly, this jigsaw boasts features and qualities that are comparable to other far more expensive ones.
We gave it a careful examination to look for areas where quality might have been compromised but nothing was out of place.
When you purchase this jigsaw, you get a consummate device that meets up with the highest standards for quality, performance, and comfort.
At 1.8kg, this jigsaw is a real lightweight. Design-wise, it comes in aesthetically pleasing hues of black and orange that infuse it with a sense of simple sophistication. Although, beauty is not all it’s got going for it.
It’s been designed to put in the hard yards, while its ergonomic design ensures that fatigue will not become an issue even during prolonged periods of use. If you’re looking for the perfect blend of beauty and functionality, this is it.
If you’re looking to cut soft and hardwood, or other materials such as metal, steel, plastic or ceramics, then take this jigsaw along with you. Powered by a potent 400W motor, this jigsaw can deliver cutting speeds of up to 3000SPM, which is enough for most tasks. It offers six-speed variations and a lock-on switch that keeps the motor running and frees up your hands for improved grip and control. This particular feature is convenient as we noticed that the motor vibrates quite a bit.
This jigsaw is very easy to use, making it perfect for both seasoned workmen and beginner DIYers. Its tool-less blade change feature makes it easy to adapt your jigsaw to suit various materials and surfaces.
It’s also equipped with a dust removal duct to which a tube can be attached for effective dust removal.
Common Features And Specifications:
- Power: 400W
- Stroke Rate: 0-3000SPM
- Cutting Capacity: 55 mm in wood
- Weight: 1.8kg
Final Verdict:
This jigsaw offers incredible value for money, is powerful and easy to use, making it suitable for everyone, regardless of skill or experience levels.
HYCHIKA Electric Jigsaw
The most impressive feature of the HYCHIKA Electric Jigsaw is its remarkably powerful motor, or maybe it’s its handy laser sight or perhaps even its highly versatile cutting capacity.
The truth is that this jigsaw boasts such a wide array of high-end features, it’s difficult to point out which particular one stands out ahead of the others.
We’ll just leave that decision up to you. This jigsaw is fully capable of handling any tasks you earmark for it and to underline this fact, it comes equipped with six different blades.
To say that this jigsaw is sturdy is to state the obvious. It sports a metal finish that practically guarantees longevity and comes in a hard case that promotes effective storage and space optimization. For such a robust device, this jigsaw is very lightweight and easy to set up and use.
The brand itself is not very popular but in terms of design, it stands up to the best of them. It’s also a relative lightweight at 2.5kg, but don’t be taken in by that. This tool can definitely take a beating.
Speaking of power, the HYCHIKA Electric Jigsaw is equipped with a handy 800W purchase copper motor capable of making light work of even the toughest of tasks. It supports speeds of 800-3000SPM and six-speed levels give you the freedom to fine-tune, streamline and adjust the jigsaw to suit the material that needs to be cut.
You can also choose from six saw blades to suit the material. With adjustable cutting angles and 0-3 orbital sets, control and precision of cuts are practically guaranteed.
Switching blades is easy and tool-less and this jigsaw offers pockets on its sides for easy storage and retrieval of sawblades. It also offers a built-in laser guide and scale ruler for enhanced accuracy.
A lock-on button maintains motor speed and frees up your finger for greater comfort, especially during lengthy jobs.
Common Features And Specifications:
- Power: 800W
- Stroke Rate: 800-3000SPM
- Cutting Capacity: 110 mm in wood
- Weight: 2.5kg
Final Verdict:
Although not one of the most popular brands in the market, this jigsaw comes packed with several wonderful features. Definitely a hidden gem, you may find yourself pleasantly surprised.
BLACK+DECKER KS501-GB Compact Jigsaw
BLACK+DECKER is one of the most established names in this niche. Trusted by generations of homeowners, DIYers and casual workers, this brand has crafted a solid name for themselves. And they deliver the goods again with this jigsaw.
The KS501-GB jigsaw is a powerful little device that does what is required of it extremely well, without any fuss. Its compact size ensures that you won’t experience hiccups with storage, which is great for small spaces.
This jigsaw scores top marks for practicality and functionality, but that does not suggest that it does not offer its charms.
It sports a pretty striking and vivid orange and black design, and its lightweight and compact shape make for easy control and comfortable use. User comfort is one of the primary considerations of this jigsaw, and its ergonomic design and low profile serve to maximize control and ease.
The KS501-GB jigsaw is designed to handle the lighter DIY projects.
It is equipped with a 400W motor that supports straight-line cuts, curved cuts and bevelled cuts at 45 degrees for materials such as wood, aluminium and steel.
This makes the machine ideal for general maintenance tasks and other light DIY tasks. This jigsaw also boasts a counter-balanced internal mechanism that brings vibration to manageable levels, thereby reducing fatigue and increasing accuracy.
Precision is further aided by the lock-on feature and in-built dust blower. The lock-on feature keeps the motor locked-on and running, negating the need to hold down the trigger switch continuously while the dust blower ensures that your line of cut is clear at all times. This jigsaw does not, however, support tool-less blade change.
Common Features And Specifications:
- Power: 500W
- Cutting Capacity: 65 mm in wood
- Weight: 1.3kg
- Cord Length: 2 m
Final Verdict:
If you’re in the market for a jigsaw that you can use to perform delicate tasks in the home, and you can look beyond the absence of a tool-less blade change feature, then, by all means, go for this jigsaw and the value for money it offers.
TECCPO 800W 3000RPM Jigsaw
The TECCPO 800W 3000RPM Jigsaw perhaps may not boast the same pedigree as its more traditional rivals, but it offers features that can rival the best of them.
Equally capable of domestic cutting tasks and professional jobs, this jigsaw is the ultimate DIY tool and if the rave reviews it’s been receiving across multiple platforms is anything to go by, this jigsaw is definitely the real deal.
Coming in at 2.5kg, this jigsaw is one of the heaviest on our list. It’s been designed to survive adversity, made with high-quality materials that promote durability and solidity.
The advantage of this is that the machine almost never veers off course and obviously, barring a bomb attack, it can survive almost anything. It’s also very easy to set up and use.
With its 800W motor, this jigsaw offers enough power to tackle a wide variety of tasks efficiently, with a speed of up to 3000SPM.
It also offers six-speed controls depending on the material that needs cutting, while its 4-position orbital action enhances precision and accuracy irrespective of the material.
Speaking of which, this machine comes with six blades, for cutting a wide variety of materials. It also offers a lock-on button that helps reduce fatigue and improve accuracy.
As you might expect, this jigsaw offers tool-less blade change feature, for easier and faster switching of saw blades.
A built-in laser and the attached metal scale ruler also improve precision, while its dust removing feature effectively keeps your jigsaw and working environment in pristine condition.
Common Features And Specifications:
- Power: 800W
- Stroke Rate: 0-3000SPM
- Cutting Capacity: 100 mm in wood
- Weight: 2.5kg
Final Verdict:
This jigsaw comes loaded with features that make it one of the standout models. It is quietly impressive and a real steal at the price it’s offered.
TACKLIFE 570W 3000rpm Jigsaw
TACKLIFE prides themself as a company that tries to provide its customers with a better quality of life. To do this, they invest considerable detail in developing their products to ensure that they are of the highest quality. That commitment to perfection manifests itself quite clearly in this jigsaw.
Crafted with incredible attention to detail, this jigsaw boasts a myriad of handy features. It does all the things you’d expect pretty well, even retaining the capacity to surprise from time to time. It’s one of the best you can get at the price.
Weighing just 1.9kg, it’s not the lightest on this list, yet it is still pretty lightweight. This lightweight shape coupled with its ergonomic design is intended to greatly minimize fatigue and prolonged usage of the jigsaw.
It boasts a pure copper 570W motor that delivers cutting speed of up to 3000SPM. The 4-position orbital action provides control of cut quality and it also offers 6-stage variable cutting speeds to adapt your jigsaw to suit different cutting assignments and materials.
A lock-on button helps keep the motor running and saves you from the bottom stress of keeping the torque button depressed at all times.
Switching blades to suit particular cutting tasks is pretty easy with this jigsaw’s tool-less blade change feature. It also boasts a dust extraction feature that helps keep your work area clean, when you connect a vacuum cleaner.
Common Features And Specifications:
- Power: 570W
- Stroke Rate: 0-3000SPM
- Bevel Cutting: 0° to 45°
- Weight: 1.9kg
Final Verdict:
This jigsaw boasts all the desirable qualities you’d expect in jigsaws and none of the undesirable ones. Efficient, unfussy, highly recommended.
Jigsaws In The UK 2021 – Buyer’s Guide
The market is filled with jigsaws of various shapes and sizes, offering several features. The truth is that some of these features may be unnecessary for the purpose you intend to use your jigsaw. Here are some of the more important features you need to look out for in a jigsaw.
Power
The decision about how much power to go for in a jigsaw should depend heavily on how often you intend to use it and for what purpose.
If you’re going to be using it only occasionally, choose a 500W jigsaw with a depth of cut of 60 mm. If you’re going to be putting it to regular use, opt for a 700W jigsaw with a depth of cut of 90mm in wood.
Other features such as variable speed settings, orbital or pendulum action and a 45° blade setting can also come in handy. For professional users who need something that can cope with heavy-duty usage, jigsaws that boast power ratings of at least 700W I recommended.
The power ratings of a jigsaw have a direct bearing on the type and thickness of the materials it can cut. What this means is that higher-powered jigsaws will cut through materials easier and faster.
Variable Speed Control
Jigsaws that are equipped with variable speed settings give you the option to adjust the cutting speed of the machine to suit various materials.
Cutting speed determines what type of materials can be cut and it’s necessary to match materials with their appropriate cutting speeds. Also, try to make use of the right jigsaw blades. A few points to note about cutting speed include:
Slow Speed: From 500 to 1000 strokes per minute, suitable for glass, ceramics and wall tiles.
Medium Speed: From 1500 to 2000 strokes per minute. Perfect for plastics and non-ferrous materials.
Fast: More than 2000 strokes per minute. Ideal for wood.
Orbital Action
Orbital action is necessary for improved cutting accuracy. It also facilitates more efficient extraction of sawdust and reduces the wear rate of blades.
On the flip side, orbital action is one of the major causes of splintering, so if you’re sawing fragile materials, it may be best to avoid making use of this particular feature.
Corded or Battery Operated
The decision on which one of these models to choose should depend on the volume of work you’re planning to do, and where this work is to be done.
Generally, corded jigsaws are more solid and powerful than battery-operated ones, although a few later models have started to feature comparable and even superior power ratings.
Corded jigsaws have had to trade increased power for mobility; they are a nightmare to haul over long distances. There’s also the issue of convenience with them.
Their long cords do get in the way sometimes. Battery Operated jigsaws do not experience any of these drawbacks, but it also means that they cannot be used for sustained periods, unlike their corded counterparts.
Comfort
As you’ll likely be using the jigsaw for prolonged periods, check that any jigsaw you choose offers these comfort features:
- Tool-less blade change system
- LED light
- Blade storage compartments
- Top handle or barrel grip handle
- Laser guide
- Chip guard
- Integrated dust blower
- Dust extraction system
- Steel baseplate
- Tilting baseplate
Conclusion
Jigsaws are handy, versatile tools. They can definitely make your cutting tasks smoother and easier, and the best part is, practically anyone can operate them. Due to the fact that they’re built to last, purchasing one of these tools can often feel like important moments in the home. Understanding how they work can help you make a purchase that everyone can be satisfied with.