Best Jigsaw UK 2026: Cordless and Corded Picks
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When you need a jigsaw, no other tool does the same job
For curved cuts, cutouts in worktops, scribing boards to a wavy wall, or rough-cutting plywood when a circular saw is overkill, the jigsaw is the tool of choice. A good jigsaw cuts straight and smooth; a bad one wanders, splinters the surface and rattles your hand off the trigger after ten minutes.
This guide covers the best jigsaws for UK trade and DIY use in 2026 — cordless and corded, with picks for kitchen fitting, scribing and general site work.
What to look for
- Brushless motor (cordless models): Brushless saws run cooler, cut more per charge, and last 2–3× longer than brushed equivalents. Worth the £30–£50 premium.
- Pendulum action: Three or four settings (0–3) control how much the blade moves forward on the upstroke. Higher settings cut faster in soft material; setting 0 is for clean cuts in hardwood and metal.
- Tool-less blade change: A lever-release blade clamp saves time when you swap blades 15–20 times a day. Universal T-shank blades fit all major brands.
- Variable speed and trigger lock: Dial speed control on the top of the body lets you set a specific speed for the material; trigger lock keeps it there for long cuts.
- Dust blower and LED: A good dust blower keeps the cut line visible. An integrated LED is useful inside cabinets and in poor light.
Top picks: best jigsaws UK 2026
Bosch GST 18V-LI S Professional Cordless Jigsaw
~£130 (bare) / £240 (kit)Best for: Cordless jigsaw on Bosch Professional
Bosch's 18V brushless jigsaw is the standard for kitchen fitters and second-fix joiners on a Bosch Professional battery platform. Smooth bow handle, four pendulum settings, tool-less blade change, integrated dust blower. Cuts 80 mm in wood, 10 mm in steel. Battery life is excellent — about 200–300 cutouts per 5Ah charge in 18 mm worktop.
View on Amazon →Makita DJV182Z 18V Brushless Cordless Jigsaw
~£180 (bare) / £320 (kit)Best for: LXT users / D-handle preference
Makita's brushless 18V LXT jigsaw is built around a D-handle that some prefer for vertical scribing work. Brushless motor, three pendulum settings, ~135 mm cutting depth in wood. Slightly heavier than the Bosch but holds its line very well in long curved cuts. The LXT battery system is the most widely used in UK trade.
View on Amazon →DeWalt DCS334N 18V Brushless Cordless Jigsaw
~£145 (bare) / £260 (kit)Best for: DeWalt XR users / overhead work
DeWalt's brushless 18V XR jigsaw uses a top-handle (barrel-grip) format, preferred for fine scribing and overhead work. Tool-less blade change, four pendulum settings, dust blower with on/off control. About 110 mm cutting depth in wood. The XR platform is the right pick if your existing tools are DeWalt.
View on Amazon →Bosch PST 800 PEL Corded Jigsaw
~£55–£75Best for: Occasional DIY / budget option
If a cordless saw is overkill for occasional DIY, the Bosch PST 800 PEL is the budget-friendly pick. 530 W motor, 80 mm wood cutting capacity, three pendulum settings, integrated dust blower. Build quality is a step down from the Professional range, but good enough for occasional kitchen fitting and renovation cuts.
View on Amazon →Buying advice and blades
The blade matters more than the saw. Stock at least three types: a fine T101AO for clean curves in worktop, a coarse T244D for fast cuts in construction timber, and a bi-metal T118AF for steel up to ~5 mm. Cheap blades wander; quality Bosch or Makita blades cost £3–£5 each but save more time than they cost.
For kitchen worktop cutouts, mark the cut on the underside, drill a 12 mm starter hole at each corner, and cut from underneath with the saw running at full speed and zero pendulum. A jigsaw used carefully will leave you a finish that needs no sanding.
For finding a kitchen fitter or carpenter in Kent, see our bathroom fitter and carpenter guides.
Frequently asked questions
What is the difference between bow-handle and barrel-grip jigsaws?
Bow-handle (D-shaped) saws are faster to control with one hand and better for general work. Barrel-grip (top-handle) saws are preferred for fine scribing, overhead cuts and detailed cutouts where your guiding hand is closer to the blade.
Do I need a brushless jigsaw?
For occasional use, no — a brushed cordless or corded saw does the job. For daily trade use, brushless is worth the £30–£50 premium: longer runtime per charge, motor lasts 2–3× longer, and the variable speed is smoother.
What pendulum setting should I use?
Setting 0 (no pendulum) for clean cuts in finished hardwood and metal. Setting 1 for plywood and MDF. Setting 2 for construction softwood. Setting 3 for fast rough cuts where finish is irrelevant.