As an Amazon Associate, top7tools.au earns from qualifying purchases. Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on amazon.com.au at the time of purchase will apply.
Rankings reviewed weekly · Last reviewed 2 September 2026
·Prices updated daily· top7tools.au editorial team
The strongest cutter here: 26 mm stroke, 3,200 spm, 135 mm in wood and 10 mm in steel, brushless, four-position pendulum and twin LEDs. Sold by a third-party Australian seller with only three left, and it runs on the 18V XR packs many Australian sheds already own.
This is the jigsaw for a renovator who already owns DeWalt 18V XR batteries and wants the tool that will not bog down in a 40 mm laminate benchtop. The 26 mm stroke is the longest in this ranking, and paired with a brushless motor running to 3,200 strokes a minute it clears chips out of thick stock in a way the 18 to 20 mm tools cannot. DeWalt rates it to 135 mm in wood and 10 mm in steel. The four-position pendulum gives you a fast setting for pine and a straight setting for laminate and curves, the all-metal keyless shoe has detents at 0, 15, 30 and 45 degrees and supports up to 47, and the lever clamp takes T-shank blades without a tool. Twin LEDs and a dust blower keep the line visible. At a listed 2.1 kg it is one of the heavier picks, the price of an all-metal gearbox and aluminium base. Two cautions. It is sold by Endeavour Hills Tools, a third-party Australian seller, with only three in stock at the time of writing, so it may be gone by the time you read this. And the 869 ratings sit on a shared variant listing, so check you are ordering the bare skin, not a kit, and ask the seller whether it is Australian stock with DeWalt Australia warranty.
Cut Power & Speed
9
Precision & Control
8.6
Build & Features
8.8
Value
6.4
Tick marks show the category average
Pros
+ 26 mm stroke and 3,200 spm brushless motor, the most cutting power in this ranking for thick benchtops and decking
+ Rated to 135 mm in wood and 10 mm in steel with a four-position pendulum action
+ All-metal keyless shoe with bevel detents at 0, 15, 30 and 45 degrees, twin LEDs and a dust blower
+ Ships from within Australia and runs on DeWalt 18V XR packs that many Australian sheds already own
Cons
− Sold by a third-party Australian seller with only three in stock at the time of writing, so supply is thin
− A$329 as a skin is the highest price here, and DeWalt XR packs are not cheap if you are starting from nothing
− A listed 2.1 kg makes it one of the heavier picks for overhead or one-handed work
DeWalt 18V XRBrushless26mm Stroke135mm WoodSkin OnlyShips from AU
Makita's brushless LXT jigsaw: 23 mm stroke, 0 to 3,000 spm with constant speed control, 135 mm in wood, 20 mm in aluminium, 10 mm in steel. A Global Store import from Amazon UK, so it runs on Australian LXT packs but carries no Makita Australia warranty.
The Makita is the pick for anyone already on LXT, which in Australia is a lot of people. The DJV184Z is brushless, runs 0 to 3,000 strokes a minute on a 23 mm stroke, and Makita rates it to 135 mm in wood, 20 mm in aluminium and 10 mm in steel. The electronics are where it earns its place. Constant speed control holds the stroke rate under load, the soft no-load feature drops the speed when the blade is out of the work so the cut starts on the line instead of skittering, and an electronic brake stops the blade quickly. Three orbital settings plus straight cutting, a die-cast aluminium base that bevels 45 degrees each way, tool-less blade change, an LED and a blower round it out. Now the catch. This listing is a Global Store import shipped from Amazon UK. LXT batteries are the same worldwide, so your Australian packs will fit, and as a skin there is no plug to worry about, but Makita Australia only warrants tools bought from authorised Australian dealers, so you are relying on Amazon's returns window. It takes longer to arrive and only four were in stock at the time of writing. If a local warranty matters, buy it from a Makita dealer instead.
Cut Power & Speed
8.7
Precision & Control
8.8
Build & Features
8.6
Value
6.2
Tick marks show the category average
Pros
+ Brushless 23 mm stroke to 3,000 spm, rated to 135 mm in wood, 20 mm in aluminium and 10 mm in steel
+ Constant speed control, soft no-load start and an electronic brake, the most refined electronics in this group
+ Three orbital settings plus straight cut, 45 degree bevel each way on a die-cast aluminium base, LED and blower
+ Runs on Makita LXT packs, which are the same worldwide and already sit in a great many Australian sheds
Cons
− Global Store import from Amazon UK with no Makita Australia warranty, only Amazon's returns policy
− Longer delivery than a local listing and only four in stock at the time of writing
− A$285.60 for an imported skin is close to what a Makita dealer charges with a local warranty attached
Makita 18V LXTBrushless23mm Stroke135mm WoodSkin OnlyGlobal Store Import
The sweet spot — solid performance without breaking the bank.
3
Bosch
Bosch Professional GST18V-50BN 18V Brushless Barrel-Grip Jigsaw (Skin)
Bosch Professional 18VBosch BlueBarrel Grip
Best Value
Rank #3
Bosch Professional GST18V-50BN 18V Brushless Barrel-Grip Jigsaw (Skin)
Our Verdict
The only 18V barrel grip here, and it is Bosch Professional blue: brushless, 500 to 3,500 spm, 25.4 mm stroke, about 125 mm in wood and 10 mm in steel, four orbital settings. An American-coded model sold by Amazon AU with only four left.
If you fit kitchens or cut a lot of curves in ply, this is the one to look at, because it is the only 18V barrel grip on the page. You hold the motor body low and close to the blade, which makes following a scribed line easier and upside-down work under a benchtop far less awkward than with a top handle. It is Bosch Professional, the blue trade range, not the green Home & Garden line the AdvancedSaw and EasySaw belong to, and the two do not share batteries. The model code is the American one: Bosch USA sells it on CORE18V packs, which use the same interface as the Bosch Professional 18V packs sold in Australia, so blue packs from a local dealer will fit. The spec is strong. Brushless, a dial from 500 to 3,500 strokes a minute, a 25.4 mm stroke, four orbital settings, a large die-cast aluminium footplate that bevels 45 degrees each way, tool-free T-shank clamp, LED and dust blower, at about 1.9 kg. Bosch rates it to roughly 125 mm in wood and 10 mm in steel but publishes no aluminium figure. It ships from Amazon AU but only four were in stock, and because it is a US-market code, confirm with Bosch Australia before assuming a local warranty.
Cut Power & Speed
8.5
Precision & Control
9
Build & Features
8.4
Value
7.3
Tick marks show the category average
Pros
+ Only 18V barrel grip in this ranking, with the hand close to the blade for curves and upside-down benchtop work
+ Brushless motor with a 500 to 3,500 spm dial, 25.4 mm stroke and four orbital settings
+ Large die-cast aluminium footplate with no-mar overshoe, 45 degree bevel each way, LED, blower and dust hood included
+ Bosch Professional blue 18V packs sold in Australia fit, and it ships from Amazon AU
Cons
− American model code sold locally, so confirm with Bosch Australia before assuming a local warranty
− Only four in stock at the time of writing, and the 86 ratings are a thin sample
− Barrel grip has a lock-on switch rather than a trigger and needs two hands for control, which not everyone likes
Bosch Professional 18VBosch BlueBarrel GripBrushlessSkin OnlyShips from AU
The best green Bosch jigsaw: brushless, 3,000 spm, 23 mm stroke, 140 mm in wood, 20 mm in aluminium, 10 mm in steel, four-stage pendulum, 1.6 kg bare. Home & Garden POWER FOR ALL, ships from Amazon AU, currently A$199 against a A$255 RRP.
For a homeowner on Bosch green POWER FOR ALL packs, or someone with no platform yet who wants a serious tool without trade pricing, this is the pick. The AdvancedSaw 18V-140 is Bosch Home & Garden, the green DIY range, and it will not take a blue Bosch Professional pack. That said, the spec reads like a trade tool: brushless, 0 to 3,000 strokes a minute on a 23 mm stroke, rated to 140 mm in wood, the deepest wood capacity on the page, plus 20 mm in aluminium and 10 mm in steel. Four-stage pendulum action, an aluminium footplate, one-hand SDS blade change, an LED and a dust extraction nozzle Bosch says removes up to 85 percent of dust at the blade, which matters when you are cutting a laminate benchtop in a kitchen you still live in. It is made in Europe, weighs 1.6 kg without a battery, and three T144D blades, an anti-splinter insert, a CutControl line guide and a protective shoe come in the box. Bosch recommends at least a 1.5 Ah pack. It ships from Amazon AU at A$199 against a A$255 RRP. The only real caution is the review pool: 50 ratings is thin, and the listing shares a variant parent with the EasySaw 18V-70 below, so check the model name on the page before you order.
Cut Power & Speed
8.3
Precision & Control
7.9
Build & Features
8.2
Value
8.4
Tick marks show the category average
Pros
+ Brushless 23 mm stroke to 3,000 spm and rated to 140 mm in wood, the deepest wood capacity in this ranking
+ Four-stage pendulum, aluminium footplate, LED and a dust nozzle Bosch rates at up to 85 percent extraction at the blade
+ 1.6 kg bare with three blades, anti-splinter insert and CutControl guide in the box, made in Europe
+ Ships from Amazon AU at A$199 against a A$255 RRP on green 18V POWER FOR ALL packs shared with a wide garden range
Cons
− Bosch Home & Garden green, so blue Bosch Professional packs will not fit, and it is a skin
− Only 50 ratings, and the listing shares a variant parent with the cheaper EasySaw, so check the model name before ordering
− Green POWER FOR ALL is a DIY platform with fewer trade tools than LXT or XR if you plan to build out
18V Power For AllBosch GreenBrushless140mm WoodSkin OnlyShips from AU
A compact 12V Bosch Professional barrel grip at 1.5 kg: 1,500 to 2,800 spm, 18 mm stroke, 70 mm in wood, 3 mm in aluminium and steel, three pendulum stages, LED. Global Store import from Amazon Germany with nearly 2,000 ratings.
This is the jigsaw for plasterboard, laminate flooring, cabinet backs and anything you cut overhead or one-handed. The GST 12V-70 is Bosch Professional blue on the 12V system, so it runs the same GBA 12V packs as the Bosch 12V drills sold in Australia and nothing from the 18V ranges. It is a barrel grip at 1.5 kg, and that combination is the point: hand low and close to the blade, light enough to hold under a benchtop, and Bosch says it is optimised for upside-down cutting, with an LED you can switch off. The motor is brushed and the numbers are modest, 1,500 to 2,800 strokes a minute on an 18 mm stroke, rated to 70 mm in wood and 3 mm in aluminium and unalloyed steel. Three pendulum stages, a 45 degree bevel, tool-free SDS blade change and Electronic Motor Protection are all present, and two blades, a glide shoe and an anti-splinter guard come in the box. Do not buy it for benchtops or decking: an 18 mm stroke in 40 mm laminate is slow and prone to deflection. It is a Global Store import from Amazon Germany, so expect a longer wait and no Bosch Australia warranty. Buy the 12V charger locally, not from the German store.
Cut Power & Speed
5.8
Precision & Control
8.2
Build & Features
7.6
Value
7.8
Tick marks show the category average
Pros
+ 1.5 kg barrel grip built for one-handed, overhead and upside-down cuts in plasterboard, laminate and cabinetry
+ Three pendulum stages, 45 degree bevel, switchable LED, tool-free SDS clamp and Electronic Motor Protection
+ Two blades, glide shoe and anti-splinter guard included, and it runs Bosch Professional 12V packs sold in Australia
+ Nearly 2,000 ratings at 4.6, the deepest review pool in this ranking
Cons
− Global Store import from Amazon Germany, so a longer wait and no Bosch Australia warranty
− Brushed motor, 18 mm stroke and 70 mm wood capacity make it the wrong tool for benchtops and decking
− Bosch Professional 12V is a separate battery system from both the 18V blue and the green ranges
Bosch Professional 12VBosch BlueBarrel Grip1.5kgSkin OnlyGlobal Store Import
Tight on cash? These still do the job and then some.
6
STANLEY FATMAX
STANLEY FATMAX V20 18V Brushed Cordless Jigsaw (Skin)
Stanley V20 18VBrushed55mm Wood
BudgetOn Sale
Rank #6
STANLEY FATMAX V20 18V Brushed Cordless Jigsaw (Skin)
Our Verdict
A brushed 18V top handle at A$99 that ships from Amazon AU: 0 to 2,500 spm, 19 mm stroke, 55 mm in wood, 8 mm in metal, three pendulum settings, 45 degree bevel, and it takes both T and U-shank blades. V20 packs only.
The Stanley is the sensible budget pick if you already own STANLEY FATMAX V20 batteries, the platform its drills and circular saw run on, which does not share packs with DeWalt despite the shared parent company. The SFMCS600B-XJ is a brushed top-handle jigsaw with a variable speed trigger from 0 to 2,500 strokes a minute on a 19 mm stroke, rated to 55 mm in wood and 8 mm in metal. That is enough for plasterboard, laminate flooring, MDF shelving and 19 mm ply, and marginal for a 40 mm benchtop, where the short stroke will slow down and the blade will want to wander. It has three pendulum settings, a shoe that bevels to 45 degrees for compound mitre cuts, tool-free blade change and an over-moulded handle. Unusually it accepts both T-shank and U-shank blades, which only matters if you inherited a tin of old U-shank stock. Stanley does not publish a weight we could verify, and there is no LED or brushless claim on the listing. It ships from Amazon AU at A$99 against a A$129 RRP, with 136 ratings at 4.5, and V20 batteries are stocked by Australian tool retailers. If you have no batteries at all, weigh it against the Bosch EasySaw below, which is cheaper and has an LED.
Cut Power & Speed
5.6
Precision & Control
6.2
Build & Features
6
Value
8
Tick marks show the category average
Pros
+ A$99 for an 18V top handle with three pendulum settings, a 45 degree bevel and tool-free blade change
+ Takes both T-shank and U-shank blades, the only pick here that does
+ Ships from Amazon AU, and V20 packs are stocked by Australian tool retailers
+ Variable speed trigger from 0 to 2,500 spm with a contoured over-moulded handle
Cons
− Brushed motor, 19 mm stroke and 55 mm wood capacity, the shallowest cut in this ranking
− No published weight we could verify, and no LED or brushless claim on the listing
− V20 is Stanley's own platform and does not share packs with DeWalt 18V XR
Stanley V20 18VBrushed55mm WoodT and U ShankSkin OnlyShips from AU
The cheapest way in at A$93: a 1.3 kg brushed green Bosch top handle with 0 to 2,600 spm, 20 mm stroke, 70 mm in wood, 15 mm in aluminium, 6 mm in steel, LED and dust blower. Home & Garden POWER FOR ALL, made in Europe, ships from Amazon AU.
The EasySaw 18V-70 is the jigsaw for a first-time buyer with a short list of jobs: laminate flooring, plasterboard, a plywood shelf, a hole in a cabinet back. It is Bosch Home & Garden green on the 18V POWER FOR ALL system, the same packs as the AdvancedSaw at rank 4 and a long list of Bosch garden tools, and a blue Bosch Professional pack will not fit. At 1.3 kg without a battery it is the lightest pick on the page, and that is the spec that decides whether a beginner keeps the cut on the line. The motor is brushed and the numbers are honest for A$93: 0 to 2,600 strokes a minute on a 20 mm stroke, rated to 70 mm in wood, 15 mm in aluminium and 6 mm in steel, with a 45 degree bevel, a soft-start variable speed trigger, an LED, a dust blower and a vacuum connection. Bosch makes no pendulum action claim for it, so it cuts slower in thick pine than the AdvancedSaw, and the footplate is steel rather than aluminium. One coarse T144D wood blade is in the box, so buy a mixed pack. It is made in Europe, ships from Amazon AU at A$93 against a A$110 RRP, and carries 295 ratings at 4.6. This listing shares a variant parent with the AdvancedSaw, so check the model name before you order.
Cut Power & Speed
5.9
Precision & Control
6.4
Build & Features
6.3
Value
8.8
Tick marks show the category average
Pros
+ A$93 is the lowest price in this ranking, for a made-in-Europe Bosch with an LED and dust blower
+ 1.3 kg bare, the lightest pick here, which suits beginners and overhead plasterboard cuts
+ Rated to 70 mm in wood, 15 mm in aluminium and 6 mm in steel with a 45 degree bevel and tool-free SDS clamp
+ Ships from Amazon AU on green 18V POWER FOR ALL packs shared with the AdvancedSaw and Bosch garden tools
Cons
− Brushed motor with no pendulum action claim and a steel footplate, so it is slower in thick timber
− One coarse T144D blade in the box, which will tear laminate, so budget for a blade pack
− Bosch Home & Garden green, so blue Bosch Professional packs will not fit, and it is a skin
18V Power For AllBosch GreenBrushed1.3kgSkin OnlyShips from AU
We score jigsaws across four category-specific dimensions. Cut Power & Speed looks at stroke rate, stroke length, the manufacturer's rated cut depth in wood, aluminium and steel, whether the motor is brushless, and how many orbital or pendulum settings are offered. Precision & Control covers what decides whether a curve comes out on the line: grip style, weight and balance, variable speed range, soft start or constant speed electronics, footplate material and bevel detents, LED lighting and dust blowing. Build & Features weighs housing and gearbox quality, blade change, included accessories, dust extraction and the depth of the review pool. Value compares all of that against the current Amazon AU price and, because every pick is a skin, counts the battery and charger you still need to buy. Scores come from manufacturer specification sheets, retailer listings and the pattern in buyer reviews. We do not physically test tools. Where a spec is not published we describe it qualitatively rather than invent a number.
Scored 0–10 on Cut Power & Speed, Precision & Control, Build & Features, Value
Stroke Length, Strokes per Minute and Orbital Action
Three numbers do most of the work on a jigsaw spec sheet. Stroke length is how far the blade travels each cycle, and it matters more than speed: the 26 mm DeWalt and the 23 mm Makita and Bosch AdvancedSaw clear chips out of a 40 mm benchtop far better than the 18 mm Bosch 12V, which is why the trade tools are rated to 135 or 140 mm in wood and the small ones to 70 mm. Strokes per minute, 2,500 to 3,500 across this group, decides how fast the cut progresses in thin material. Orbital action, sold by Bosch as pendulum action, swings the blade forward on the up-stroke so it takes a bigger bite. Three or four settings is the norm on the mid and upper picks, and the EasySaw makes no pendulum claim at all. Use the highest setting for rough cuts in pine and framing, and switch it off for laminate, plasterboard, metal and tight curves, where it only makes the cut rougher and the blade wander.
Blue Bosch, Green Bosch and the Platform Decision
Every pick here is a skin, so the battery you already own should decide the ranking for you. Bosch is the trap. Bosch Professional is the blue trade range with GST codes, and its 18V packs use the same interface worldwide, which is why the American-coded GST18V-50BN runs on Bosch Professional 18V packs sold in Australia. Bosch Home & Garden is the green DIY range, with names like AdvancedSaw and EasySaw, and it runs POWER FOR ALL packs that do not fit a blue tool. The GST 12V-70 is Bosch Professional 12V, a third and separate system. Makita LXT packs are the same worldwide, so an imported DJV184Z runs on Australian packs, and DeWalt 18V XR likewise. Stanley FATMAX V20 is its own platform and does not share packs with DeWalt, despite the shared parent company. If you own none of these, buy a local battery-and-charger starter pack, not a Global Store charger with a European plug.
Top-Handle or Barrel Grip
Six of the seven picks are top-handle, or D-handle, jigsaws: you hold the tool by a handle above the motor, the trigger sits under your index finger, and the saw is easy to steer one-handed on a benchtop or a sheet on trestles. The Bosch GST18V-50BN and the compact GST 12V-70 are barrel grips, where you hold the motor body itself, low and close to the blade. Barrel grips are the choice of most cabinetmakers because your hand is nearer the cut line, which makes it easier to follow a scribed curve and to work upside down under a benchtop for a sink cut-out. They are usually a two-handed tool for control, they have a lock-on switch rather than a trigger, and they are harder to use with gloves. If you mostly cut decking, framing and sheet goods, buy top-handle. If you fit kitchens or cut a lot of curves in ply, try a barrel grip.
Blades Are Half the Tool
Every jigsaw here takes T-shank blades, the industry standard with a tab at the top that clicks into a tool-free clamp. The Stanley also takes older U-shank blades, which almost nothing else does now, and you should not buy U-shank stock on purpose. Blade choice decides cut quality more than the saw does. A coarse T144D wood blade, which is what Bosch packs with both green picks and the 12V, is fine for pine and framing but tears the top face of laminate and melamine. For benchtops and laminate flooring use a downcut or reverse-tooth blade so the chipping happens on the underside, or run masking tape along the line. For aluminium and mild steel use a fine-tooth metal blade, turn the speed down, switch orbital action off and add a drop of oil. Buy a mixed pack of quality blades with the saw; the one or three blades in the box will not last a kitchen.
Imports, Warranty and the Brands You Will Not Find Here
Two of the seven picks are Global Store imports, the Makita from Amazon UK and the Bosch 12V from Amazon Germany. They take one to three weeks to arrive and are covered by Amazon's returns policy, not an Australian manufacturer warranty: Makita Australia only warrants tools bought from its authorised local dealers. As skins there is no plug issue, but buy the charger locally, not from the same overseas store. The DeWalt is sold by Endeavour Hills Tools, a third-party Australian seller, with only three in stock at the time of writing, so confirm it is Australian stock before assuming DeWalt Australia warranty. The brands most Australians expect, Ryobi ONE+ and Ozito PXC, are Bunnings-exclusive here, and the Ryobi jigsaws that surface on Amazon AU are US-spec PCL525B units shipped from the Global Store, which is why they are not on this page. If you want a Ryobi or Ozito, go to Bunnings.
A jigsaw is the saw you reach for when the cut is not a straight line. The sink cut-out in a laminate benchtop, the hole for a new cooktop, the notch where a deck board meets a post, the curve on a plywood shelf, the last piece of laminate flooring that has to wrap around a door frame. A circular saw will not do any of those. The better tools cut timber to 135 mm or more, and aluminium and mild steel with the right blade. The catch is that a jigsaw blade is a thin strip of steel held at one end, so it is the least accurate saw in the shed on thick stock.
The one thing to get right before you buy is the battery platform, because every pick here is cordless and sold as a skin with no battery or charger in the box. Bosch sells two 18V systems in Australia that do not share a battery: Bosch Professional, the blue trade range with GST model codes, and Bosch Home & Garden, the green DIY range with names like AdvancedSaw and EasySaw running POWER FOR ALL packs. This ranking has two blue Bosch picks and two green ones, and a blue pack will not run a green tool or the reverse. After the platform, look at stroke length and orbital action. A longer stroke, 23 to 26 mm on the 18V trade tools against 18 to 20 mm on the smaller ones, clears chips faster and cuts thick stock without bogging. Orbital action pushes the blade forward on the up-stroke for speed in timber, and you switch it off for laminate, metal and any curve you care about.
This ranking covers the seven cordless jigsaws Australians can actually buy on Amazon AU in 2026, from the A$329 DeWalt DCS334N-XJ down to the A$93 Bosch EasySaw 18V-70. The Makita is a Global Store import from Amazon UK and the Bosch 12V is a Global Store import from Amazon Germany, so both take longer to arrive and neither carries an Australian manufacturer warranty. The DeWalt is sold by a third-party Australian retailer with only a handful in stock; the other four ship from Amazon AU. Ryobi ONE+ and Ozito PXC are the jigsaws most Australians would expect to see here, but both are Bunnings-exclusive, and the Ryobi listings that do appear on Amazon AU are US-spec PCL525B units imported through the Global Store, so this page skips them. We have not physically tested any of these tools, and prices move daily, so confirm price and stock on the live Amazon AU page before you buy.
Compare Top Picks
Can't decide between our top two? See how they stack up head‑to‑head.
Should I buy a top-handle or a barrel-grip jigsaw?+
Top-handle, or D-handle, is the familiar shape: a handle above the motor with a trigger under your finger, easy to steer one-handed on a benchtop or a sheet on trestles, and the right choice for decking, framing and general renovation. Five picks here are top-handle. A barrel grip has you holding the motor body itself, low and close to the blade, which is why cabinetmakers prefer it for scribed curves and for upside-down work under a benchtop. It uses a lock-on switch rather than a trigger and usually needs two hands for control. The Bosch GST18V-50BN and the compact GST 12V-70 are the barrel grips in this ranking. If you are unsure, buy top-handle.
What is the difference between T-shank and U-shank jigsaw blades?+
The shank is the end of the blade that goes into the saw. T-shank blades have a tab at the top and click into a tool-free clamp, and they are the standard on every jigsaw in this ranking and almost every saw sold in Australia today. U-shank blades have a U-shaped notch and were held by a screw clamp on older saws. The Stanley FATMAX accepts both, but there is no reason to buy U-shank stock now. What matters far more is the blade itself: a coarse wood blade for pine, a downcut or reverse-tooth blade for laminate and melamine so the top face does not chip, and a fine-tooth metal blade at low speed with orbital action off for aluminium and steel.
Why does my jigsaw cut on an angle instead of square?+
Because a jigsaw blade is a thin strip of steel held only at the top, and in thick or hard stock it bends away from the line, so the cut is square on top and angled underneath. Three things cause most of it; a footplate not locked at zero causes the rest. Feed pressure: pushing harder than the blade can clear chips bows it, so slow down and let it cut. Orbital or pendulum action: it swings the blade forward for speed and makes deflection worse, so switch it off for anything thick, hard or curved. The blade: a worn, thin or too-fine blade wanders, so fit a fresh, stiffer one. A longer stroke helps too, which is why the 26 mm DeWalt handles a 40 mm benchtop better than the 18 to 20 mm tools.
Is a 12V jigsaw enough, or do I need 18V?+
It depends on what you cut. The 12V Bosch GST 12V-70 here weighs 1.5 kg, runs an 18 mm stroke and is rated to 70 mm in wood and 3 mm in aluminium and steel. For plasterboard, laminate flooring, cabinet backs, thin ply and anything held overhead or upside down it is genuinely the nicer tool, because it is lighter and the barrel grip sits close to the cut. For a 40 mm laminate benchtop, decking notches, treated pine and steel you want an 18V tool with a 23 to 26 mm stroke and a brushless motor, which is what the DeWalt, Makita, Bosch GST18V-50BN and AdvancedSaw offer. Bosch 12V and 18V packs are separate systems, so the 12V saw suits those who already own Bosch 12V drills.
Why are there no Ryobi or Ozito jigsaws in this ranking?+
Because you cannot properly buy them on Amazon Australia. Ryobi ONE+ and Ozito PXC are both Bunnings-exclusive here, and Bunnings does not supply Amazon. The Ryobi jigsaws that do show up on Amazon AU are the US-spec PCL525B shipped through the Global Store from the United States, which means a longer wait, no Ryobi Australia warranty, and a tool sold in a market Ryobi Australia does not support. That is not a knock on the tools; the PCL525B is a reasonable saw and the Ozito PXC jigsaw is popular for good reason. If you want either, buy it from Bunnings. Amazon AU is a strong channel for DeWalt, Makita, Bosch and Stanley skins, and this ranking reflects what is actually stocked.
Are the imported jigsaws covered by an Australian warranty, and when is the best time to buy?+
Two picks here are Global Store imports: the Makita DJV184Z from Amazon UK and the Bosch GST 12V-70 from Amazon Germany. They run on Australian batteries, since LXT and Bosch Professional packs are the same worldwide, but Makita Australia only warrants tools bought from authorised Australian dealers and Bosch Australia will not automatically cover a German import, so Amazon's returns policy is your only cover. Buy the charger locally. The DeWalt is sold by a third-party Australian seller, so ask whether it is Australian stock. On timing, the scarce listings will not last until Father's Day on 6 September 2026; Black Friday on 27 November 2026 usually brings the best skin prices.
Found this useful? Share it with fellow Aussies.
Share:
Weekly tool deals, in your inbox
We check prices on every tool we cover daily. Once a week we send the biggest genuine price drops we spot - the ones worth adding to your kit.
