The 10 Best Corded Reciprocating Saws

Wired demo saws ranked from live Amazon data — endless power for cutting, pruning, and tear-out.

A reciprocating saw (a.k.a. Sawzall) rips a long blade back and forth through wood, metal, PVC, nail-embedded lumber, and tree branches — the go-to for demolition and rough cuts. Corded models give you full, sustained power for the least money and never run flat, which matters when you're tearing out a wall or bucking a pile of branches. Amps are the number to watch: 7-8 amps handles most jobs, and 10-13 amps is heavy demolition. Want to cut anywhere with no cord? See the cordless list.

Best Overall

CRAFTSMAN

CRAFTSMAN CMES300 7.5-Amp Corded Reciprocating Saw

SKIL 9206-02 7.5-Amp Variable Speed Reciprocating Saw

DEWALT DWE305 12-Amp Corded Reciprocating Saw

4.8 (3,900)

$129

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Side-by-side comparison

#	Tool	Price	Rating	Reviews	Power	Speed	Var. speed	Tool-free	Score
1	DEWALT DWE305	$129	4.8	3,900	12 amp	0-2,900 SPM	Yes	Yes	86
2	SKIL 9206-02	$54.99	4.6	1,900	7.5 amp	0-2,700 SPM	Yes	Yes	82
3	SKIL RAS900	$121.80	4.7	967	13 amp	0-2,800 SPM	Yes	Yes	81
4	SKIL 9216-01	$74.12	4.6	635	9 amp	0-2,700 SPM	Yes	Yes	79
5	CRAFTSMAN CMES300	$99.99	4.7	616	7.5 amp	0-3,200 SPM	Yes	Yes	79
6	WEN 3630	$52.99	4.5	408	10 amp	0-2,800 SPM	Yes	Yes	76
7	BLACK+DECKER BES301	$66.99	4.4	231	7 amp	0-2,800 SPM	Yes	Yes	73
8	Generic 7A	$47.69	4.3	55	7 amp	0-2,800 SPM	Yes	Yes	68
9	Makita JR3051T	$118.99	4.5	30	12 amp	0-2,800 SPM	Yes	Yes	68
10	BOSCH GSA12-30	$119	5.0	5	12 amp	0-2,700 SPM	Yes	Yes	68
✕	Ingersoll Rand 529	$246.99	4.5	235	It's a pneumatic AIR saw — needs a compressor, no wall plug				AVOID

The full ranking

Money No Object

DEWALT

DEWALT DWE305 12-Amp Corded Reciprocating Saw

4.8 3,900 reviews

Score 86/100

$129

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500+/mo

The most powerful, best-reviewed corded recip here — a 12-amp DEWALT with a 4-position blade clamp (cut flush or at angles) and 3,900 reviews at 4.8 stars. If price is no object and you want a demolition workhorse, this is it.

Type: Corded
Power: 12 amp
Speed: 0-2,900 SPM
Stroke: 1-1/8 in
Blade change: 4-position, tool-free

Pros

Big 12-amp motor, 4.8 stars over 3,900 reviews
4-position blade clamp for flush and angled cuts
1-1/8" stroke, tool-free

Cons

Priciest of the mainstream picks
Heavier than a 7.5-amp saw

Best Budget

SKIL

SKIL 9206-02 7.5-Amp Variable Speed Reciprocating Saw

4.6 1,900 reviews

Score 82/100

$54.99

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300+/mo

The value pick — a genuine 7.5-amp corded recip with variable speed and a tool-free blade change for around $55, backed by 1,900 reviews. Everything a homeowner needs to demo and prune, nothing they don't.

Type: Corded
Power: 7.5 amp
Speed: 0-2,700 SPM
Stroke: —
Blade change: Tool-free

Pros

7.5-amp motor for about $55
1,900 reviews at 4.6 stars
Tool-free blade change, variable speed

Cons

Basic build vs the DEWALT
No orbital action

SKIL

SKIL 13-Amp Reciprocating Saw with Buzzkill Anti-Vibration

4.7 967 reviews

Score 81/100

$121.80

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100+/mo

The most amps here (13) plus Buzzkill anti-vibration tech that noticeably reduces hand fatigue on long cuts. A smooth, powerful pick if you'll run it for hours.

Type: Corded
Power: 13 amp
Speed: 0-2,800 SPM
Stroke: 1-1/8 in
Blade change: Tool-free

Pros

Strongest 13-amp motor on the list
Buzzkill anti-vibration for less fatigue
4.7 stars, tool-free blade change

Cons

Heavier and pricier
Overkill for occasional cuts

SKIL

SKIL 9216-01 9-Amp Reciprocating Saw

4.6 635 reviews

Score 79/100

$74.12

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100+/mo

More motor than the budget saws for a small step up in price — a 9-amp SKIL with variable speed and a tool-free blade change. A smart middle ground under $75.

Type: Corded
Power: 9 amp
Speed: 0-2,700 SPM
Stroke: —
Blade change: Tool-free

Pros

9-amp motor, more power for the price
Tool-free blade change, 4.6 stars
Trusted SKIL build

Cons

Fewer reviews than the 9206
No orbital action

Best Overall

CRAFTSMAN

CRAFTSMAN CMES300 7.5-Amp Corded Reciprocating Saw

4.7 616 reviews

Score 79/100

$99.99

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200+/mo

The best all-around corded recip for most people. A balanced 7.5-amp CRAFTSMAN with a full 1-1/8" stroke, tool-free blade change, and 4.7 stars — enough power for pruning and remodeling without the weight of a demolition saw.

Type: Corded
Power: 7.5 amp
Speed: 0-3,200 SPM
Stroke: 1-1/8 in
Blade change: Tool-free

Pros

7.5-amp motor, 3,200 SPM, 1-1/8" stroke
Tool-free blade change, 4.7 stars
CRAFTSMAN build, plug-and-go

Cons

Less amps than heavy-demo saws
Mid-range price

WEN

WEN 3630 10-Amp 8-Position Reciprocating Saw

4.5 408 reviews

Score 76/100

$52.99

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100+/mo

WEN's value formula — a real 10-amp motor and an 8-position rotating handle for cutting at awkward angles, all for around $53. A lot of power per dollar from a known value brand.

Type: Corded
Power: 10 amp
Speed: 0-2,800 SPM
Stroke: —
Blade change: Tool-free

Pros

10-amp motor for about $53
8-position handle for angled cuts
Tool-free blade change

Cons

4.5 stars, smaller review base
Basic build

BLACK+DECKER

BLACK+DECKER 7-Amp Corded Reciprocating Saw

4.4 231 reviews

Score 73/100

$66.99

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100+/mo

A simple, light 7-amp corded recip from a trusted home brand, with a removable tool-free blade clamp. Fine for pruning, PVC, and light demolition around the house.

Type: Corded
Power: 7 amp
Speed: 0-2,800 SPM
Stroke: —
Blade change: Removable, tool-free

Pros

Light and easy for a corded saw
Tool-free removable blade clamp
Trusted BLACK+DECKER name

Cons

7 amps is light for heavy demo
4.4 stars, fewer reviews

Generic

7-Amp Corded Reciprocating Saw (with blades)

4.3 55 reviews

Score 68/100

$47.69

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100+/mo

The budget floor for a full-size corded recip — a 7-amp saw that ships with blades for under $50. No brand pedigree, but for occasional wood, PVC, and tree pruning it does the job.

Type: Corded
Power: 7 amp
Speed: 0-2,800 SPM
Stroke: —
Blade change: Tool-free

Pros

Full-size corded saw under $50
Comes with blades, tool-free change
Variable speed

Cons

Generic brand and support
7 amps, light-duty only

Makita

Makita JR3051T 12-Amp Corded Reciprocating Saw

4.5 30 reviews

Score 68/100

$118.99

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50+/mo

A pro-grade Makita with a big 1-1/4" stroke and a tool-less blade clamp — a longtime favorite of tradespeople for tearing through framing and metal. Sold here in a renewed listing.

Type: Corded
Power: 12 amp
Speed: 0-2,800 SPM
Stroke: 1-1/4 in
Blade change: Tool-free

Pros

12-amp motor, aggressive 1-1/4" stroke
Pro Makita durability
Tool-free blade change

Cons

Renewed listing, few reviews
Priced with the pro saws

#10

BOSCH

BOSCH GSA12-30 12-Amp Corded Reciprocating Saw

5.0 5 reviews

Score 68/100

$119

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50+/mo

Bosch pro build in a 12-amp corded package, with a long 1-3/16" stroke for aggressive cutting. Newer to Amazon, but Bosch's reputation and stroke length make it a serious demo saw.

Type: Corded
Power: 12 amp
Speed: 0-2,700 SPM
Stroke: 1-3/16 in
Blade change: Tool-free

Pros

12-amp motor, long 1-3/16" stroke
Bosch pro-grade build
Tool-free blade change

Cons

Few reviews on Amazon yet
Priced with the pro saws

How we rank

Every tool gets one score from 0 to 100, weighted 50% on its star rating, 35% on how many people have reviewed it (more reviews = more confidence the rating is real), and 15% on the features that matter for the job. The list is ordered by that score. Best Overall is our pick for the best all-around, ready-to-use tool; Best Budget the best value at or under $60; and Money No Object the one to buy if price is no object.

Buyer's guide

What's a reciprocating saw for?

It pushes a blade back and forth for fast, rough cuts through wood, metal, PVC, drywall, and nail-embedded lumber, plus pruning branches. It's the demolition and remodeling saw — not for fine straight cuts (that's a circular saw).

Why corded over cordless?

A corded saw gives full, sustained power for the least money and never runs out of charge — best for tear-outs, long cutting sessions, and a keep-forever demo saw. The trade is the cord and needing an outlet.

How many amps?

7-8 amps handles most home demolition and pruning. 10-13 amps is heavy-duty for tearing through framing, thick metal, and long jobs. More amps means more power and usually more weight.

Does stroke length matter?

Yes. A longer stroke (1-1/8 to 1-1/4 inch) uses more of the blade and cuts faster and more aggressively — better for demolition. Shorter strokes are smoother and easier one-handed.

Tool-free blade change and orbital action?

Tool-free blade change lets you swap blades without a wrench — get it; every pick here has it. Orbital action adds an oval blade motion for even faster wood cutting; it's a nice extra on higher-end saws but not essential.

Tools to avoid

Not everything in the cordless-drill search results deserves your money. This one would rank dead last on our scale — here's the listing to walk past, and exactly why.

✕ Avoid

Ingersoll Rand

Ingersoll Rand 529 3/8" Reciprocating Air Saw

4.5 235 reviews $246.99

A quality pro saw — but it's pneumatic. It doesn't plug into a wall outlet; it runs on compressed air and needs a good-sized shop compressor. Buy it only if you already have one.

Why we'd skip it

It runs on compressed air, not electricity. There's no cord to plug in — you need an air compressor and hose to use it at all.
It wants real CFM, so a small hobby compressor won't run it; the true cost is the saw plus a capable compressor.
If you want to plug into a wall outlet and start cutting, buy the DEWALT DWE305 or the SKIL 9206 above instead.
It's on this 'avoid' list only because it's the wrong category for someone shopping electric reciprocating saws — in a shop with air, it's fine.

See the listing on Amazon (so you recognize it)