Jig Saw or Reciprocating Saw: Start With the Battery
Last reviewed October 31, 2026. Prices were listed by the retailer as of Oct 30, 2026 and can change. Confirm the current price and availability on the retailer's page before you buy.
Before you compare cutting styles, look at the power source. Almost every model on both sides of this page runs on a battery platform, and the platform you pick decides which batteries, chargers and later tools you can share. That choice tends to outlast any single saw, so it makes sense to settle it first and treat the saw itself as the second decision.
In the catalog, jig saws and reciprocating saws are listed quite differently. The medians sit close together, but the reciprocating range stretches much higher.
Platforms differ too. The jig saw listings are spread across LXT 18V (4 models), 20V MAX (2), NURON 22V (2) and XGT 40V (2), with Makita accounting for 9 of the 20 models. The reciprocating listings lean heavily on one system: M18 appears on 25 models, followed by M12 (5), 18V (4) and ONE+ 18V (3), and Milwaukee accounts for 32 of the 53.
Configuration is the other thing to watch. On the jig saw side, 10 listings are bare tool, 6 are kits and 4 do not state a configuration. On the reciprocating side, 38 are kits, 7 are bare tool and 8 do not state one. A bare tool is listed as the tool only, so a battery and charger would be a separate purchase unless the listing says otherwise. Brushless motors are stated on 81 percent of jig saw models and 83 percent of reciprocating models. A brushless motor is a motor design without carbon brushes; the listings state it, but this page makes no claim about what it means for any specific saw.
At a glance
| Jig saws | Reciprocating saws | |
|---|---|---|
| Models listed | 20 | 53 |
| Price range | $209 to $508 | $209 to $1,998 |
| Median price | $295 | $302 |
| Battery platforms named in listings | LXT 18V (4), 20V MAX (2), NURON 22V (2) | M18 (25), M12 (5), 18V (4) |
| Cordless models stating a brushless motor | 81% of 16 | 83% of 47 |
| Most common configuration | bare tool (10), kit (6) | kit (38), bare tool (7) |
| Listings stating batteries, charger or case | 20% | 53% |
| Tool types covered | Jig saw (20) | Reciprocating saw (53) |
Kit listings
Kit listings are where the two sides separate most. Only 20 percent of jig saw models are stated as kits, against 53 percent of reciprocating models. The jig saw kits shown run from $234.00 for a Makita 12V max CXT top handle model, with 2 batteries stated, to $425.00 for a Milwaukee M18 FUEL barrel grip kit. The reciprocating kits start at $218.00 for a Ridgid 18V model with 1 battery stated and climb to $880.00 for a Milwaukee Super SAWZALL kit listed with 2 batteries and a polisher. Battery capacities in these examples range from 2 Ah to 12 Ah.
Jig saws
Makita 12V max CXT Lithium-Ion Brushless Cordless Top Handle Jig Saw Kit (2.0Ah)
$234.00 · Kit · Voltage: 12 V · Brushless motor: Yes (stated in the listing) · Battery platform: CXT 12V · Battery capacity: 2 Ah · Weight: 4.1 lb
Milwaukee M12 12V Fuel Lithium-Ion Cordless Jig Saw with M12 XC 4.0 Ah Battery Pack
$283 to $508 · Kit · Voltage: 12 V · Brushless motor: Yes (stated in the listing) · Battery platform: M12 · Battery capacity: 5 Ah
Ryobi ONE+ HP 18V Brushless Cordless Jigsaw with ONE+18V 8.0 Ah Lithium EDGE Battery
$358.00 · Kit · Voltage: 18 V · Brushless motor: Yes (stated in the listing) · Battery platform: ONE+ 18V · Battery capacity: 8 Ah
Milwaukee M18 FUEL 18-Volt Lithium-Ion Brushless Cordless Barrel Grip Jig Saw w/5.0Ah Battery Starter Kit
$425.00 · Kit · Voltage: 18 V · Brushless motor: Yes (stated in the listing) · Battery platform: M18 · Battery capacity: 5 Ah
Reciprocating saws
Ridgid 18V NUKE SubCompact Brushless Cordless One-Handed Reciprocating Saw w/ 18V 4.0 Ah EXP Lithium-Ion Battery
$218.00 · Kit · Voltage: 18 V · Brushless motor: Yes (stated in the listing) · Battery platform: 18V · Battery capacity: 4 Ah · Weight: 3.8 lb
Milwaukee M18 FUEL 18V Lith-Ion Brushless Cordless Super SAWZALL Reciprocating Saw with M18 REDLITHIUM FORGE HD 12.0 Ah Battery
$569 to $578 · Kit · Voltage: 18 V · Brushless motor: Yes (stated in the listing) · Battery platform: M18 · Battery capacity: 12 Ah · Motor current: 15 A
Milwaukee M18 FUEL 18V Lith-Ion Brushless Cordless Super SAWZALL Reciprocating Saw w/(3) High Output Battery Pack 6.0Ah
$757.00 · Kit · Voltage: 18 V · Brushless motor: Yes (stated in the listing) · Battery platform: M18 · Battery capacity: 6 Ah · Motor current: 15 A
Milwaukee M18 FUEL 18V Lith-Ion Brushless Cordless Super SAWZALL Reciprocating Saw w/Polisher & (2) High Output 6.0Ah Battery
$880.00 · Kit · Voltage: 18 V · Brushless motor: Yes (stated in the listing) · Battery platform: M18 · Battery capacity: 6 Ah · Motor current: 15 A
Bare tool listings (tool only)
Bare tool listings suit anyone who already owns batteries on a given platform. The jig saw examples are priced from $219.00 for a Makita 18V LXT model to $339.00 for a Hilti 22V NURON orbital model, all listed as tool only. The reciprocating examples start at $208.94 for a Ryobi ONE+ 18V one-handed model, which the listing says includes a case or bag, and include Milwaukee M18 saws at $256.00 and from $299 to $848. One Makita reciprocating saw is listed at 36 V from two 18V LXT batteries, priced from $294 to $469. None of these listings states a battery or charger.
Jig saws
Makita 18V LXT Lithium-Ion Brushless Cordless Jig Saw (Tool Only)
$219.00 · · Voltage: 18 V · Brushless motor: Yes (stated in the listing) · Battery platform: LXT 18V
Milwaukee M18 FUEL 18V Lithium-Ion Brushless Cordless Barrel Grip Jig Saw (Tool Only)
$229.00 · · Voltage: 18 V · Brushless motor: Yes (stated in the listing) · Battery platform: M18
Makita 18-Volt LxT Lithium-Ion Brushless Cordless Barrel Grip Jig Saw (Tool Only)
$229.00 · · Voltage: 18 V · Brushless motor: Yes (stated in the listing) · Battery platform: LXT 18V
Hilti 22-Volt SJD 6 AVR NURON Lithium-Ion Cordless Brushless Orbital Jig Saw (Tool-Only)
$339.00 · · Voltage: 22 V · Brushless motor: Yes (stated in the listing) · Battery platform: NURON 22V
Reciprocating saws
Ryobi ONE+ HP 18V Brushless Compact One-Handed Recip Saw (Tool Only) w/ LINK Standard Tool Box & Recip Blade Set (35-Pc)
$208.94 · · Voltage: 18 V · Brushless motor: Yes (stated in the listing) · Battery platform: ONE+ 18V
Milwaukee M18 FUEL 18V Lithium-Ion Brushless Cordless Super SAWZALL Orbital Reciprocating Saw (Tool-Only)
$299 to $848 · · Voltage: 18 V · Brushless motor: Yes (stated in the listing) · Battery platform: M18 · Motor current: 15 A
Milwaukee M18 FUEL GEN-2 18V Lithium-Ion Brushless Cordless SAWZALL Reciprocating Saw (Tool-Only) with 1 Sawzall Blade
$256.00 · · Voltage: 18 V · Brushless motor: Yes (stated in the listing) · Battery platform: M18
Makita 18V X2 (36V) LXT Lithium-Ion Brushless Cordless Reciprocating Saw (Tool Only)
$294 to $469 · · Voltage: 36 V · Brushless motor: Yes (stated in the listing) · Battery platform: LXT 18V
Which one fits you
Choose Jig saws if...
- You want a choice among several platforms, since the listings span LXT 18V, 20V MAX, NURON 22V and XGT 40V rather than concentrating on one.
- You already own batteries and want a bare tool, which is how 10 of the 20 models are listed.
- You prefer a motor stated as brushless, which 81 percent of the jig saw models carry in their listings.
Choose Reciprocating saws if...
- You want a deep bench on one platform, since M18 alone covers 25 of the 53 models and M12 adds 5 more.
- You want a battery included, because 38 of the 53 listings are kits, though contents should be read in each listing.
- You prefer a motor stated as brushless, which 83 percent of the reciprocating models carry in their listings.
Check each listing for what is included before you decide.
Frequently asked questions
Which has more battery platform options?
The jig saw listings span four named platforms: LXT 18V on 4 models, 20V MAX on 2, NURON 22V on 2 and XGT 40V on 2. The reciprocating listings list M18 on 25 models, M12 on 5, 18V on 4 and ONE+ 18V on 3, so they concentrate more on one platform.
How do prices compare?
The medians are close, but the reciprocating side includes much higher-priced listings.
Do these saws come with a battery?
Only when the listing says so. A bare tool is listed as the tool only, with no battery or charger stated.
Are the motors brushless?
The listings state a brushless motor on 81 percent of jig saw models and 83 percent of reciprocating models. A brushless motor is one that does not use carbon brushes; this page does not claim any specific saw performs better because of it.