The base on this Makita jigsaw is made from heavy-duty aluminium. The tool feels sturdy to use, whilst remaining relatively light in weight. The ergonomic rubberised handle makes it comfortable to use even for long periods. The large trigger switch makes the unit easy to operate even when wearing gloves. Stroke rate control –Adjust with the trigger switch to adapt to suit the material or for finishing your cuts in control and safety. This is an excellent choice if you need a cordless jigsaw, but beware: the R18JS-0 comes with neither the battery nor charger. This ruins any pretence it has of being a bargain, adding significantly to the price. The jigsaw tool should also feature variable speed control to manage the number of strokes per minute – typically 0-3,000 spm.

Similar in design to the corded Bosch PST 700 E, you get one of Bosch’s comfortable “low vibration” grips. It’s made from soft-touch rubberised plastic that feels good in the hand. It does seem to keep the vibrations down, especially at higher speeds. Low vibration –Keep a steady hold for ultimate control and more comfortable cutting, and reduce fatigue with this low vibration model thanks to sprung dampening rollers on the blade. While having the cord trailing behind you, perhaps to an extension lead, is a slight annoyance, the payoff is that a corded jigsaw will work all day without having to be recharged. Alternatively, if it’s you who’s working all day, make sure your rechargeable jigsaw has removable batteries so you can keep a set on the charger for the inevitable moment when it loses power. This is a smooth and powerful jigsaw designed to be used all day as part of a suite of tools, and as such may be overkill for someone who only needs to cut a few bits of wood every now and then. Achieve precise curves and straight lines with this easy-to-use jigsaw. With its lightweight, you can enjoy comfortable handling for ultimate control when cutting. It offers an impressive cutting depth on 70mm in wood and 4mm in steel, so it’s great for everyday DIY tasks around the home and in the workshop.

Delivered in one of Bosch’s quality blow moulded cases, it immediately feels like a proper tool. The build quality is what you’d expect from one of the best-known brands in the industry. The nicely rubberised handle helps to keep vibrations down to a minimum. A cheap little corded model, this VonHaus is notable for being more powerful than many thanks to its 800W motor. It doesn’t sacrifice accuracy either, thanks to the laser guide it projects ahead of it. The Makita 4329/2 orbital action jigsaw is probably one of the best budget jigsaws. It’s powerful, well put together and has an effective oscillating action. What makes this one of the best budget jigsaws is how simple and uncomplicated it is. It’s ideal for someone who might be new to DIY. There aren’t many fancy functions or speed settings, but it saws smoothly and it’s incredibly easy to change blades. Perfect for someone who would rather buy one tool than three separate devices, the Scorpion is perhaps not a complete master of any of its trades, but it makes up for it with sheer versatility. Blade-changing is achieved with a push-button rather than a screwdriver, but there are no fancy features such as dust extractors. It comes with a carry case, which helps prevent those different blades from going missing in the garage.

Dust Extraction port- For further dust reduction and management use the dust extraction port and attach to an industrial vacuum cleaner such as a Numatic Henry. Attaching a vacuum to the jigsaw can make for a much cleaner workplace since much of the sawdust is aspirated away as the power tool is doing the cutting. This is a very useful feature and these days almost every jigsaw has a vacuum port! Adjustable footplate A professional tool from a professional brand, this cordless jigsaw comes with neither battery nor charger, and without a case or anywhere to keep your blades. If you’re a pro, you’ll already have that sort of thing covered, of course.Jigsaws, like many power tools, come as both corded mains-powered machines and cordless battery-operated devices. So one of the first decisions to make when searching for an electric jigsaw is the type of power system one wants in the device.

There are two aspects to speed control: First, there is variable speed control that is controlled via trigger pressure - the harder you press on the trigger the faster the blade moves. Then there is variable MAXIMUM speed control. This is usually controlled via a dial with numbers which sets the maximum speed the jigsaw will go when you FULLY depress the trigger - this feature is useful when cutting different materials. Unfortunately, the difference between the two types of control is not always made clear on jigsaw marketing material so make sure you know which one they are referring to - the more expensive machines have both. Switchable air blast function –Makes sure you have a clear view of the cutting line at all times, by blowing air across the cutting area. Sheffield-based Evolution Power Tools are famous for their cutting equipment. The RAGE 7-S is one of their most versatile and best jigsaws that they’ve produced. Weighing in at less than 2 kg, you might think this is an underpowered tool. The 430 W motor puts out an impressive 500 – 3,100 strokes per minute (spm). That sort of power will help you cut through a whole range of materials. The rubberised grip is comfortable to hold, and there are six different cutting speed settings to choose from.This is one of the best jigsaws for providing smooth clean cuts across a variety of materials. It’s easy to produce a perfectly straight line almost every time. The saw also comes with 5 jigsaw blades, an anti-splintering device, a dust nozzle and a cover plate. Bosch SDS –Ensures effortless and safe saw blade changes within seconds – without the need for additional tools, and in safety.