Although jigsaws are most often used to cut circles and other non-straight lines, they can also be the only cutting tool small enough to fit into tight spaces and still perform as required. And with improvements in cordless technology providing smaller, more powerful saws, they are even easier to use in places that a circular saw or reciprocating saw will not go. Proper blade selection also allows cutting of most material.
Jigsaws are also getting quieter. The noise of the saw itself. No one has yet discovered how to make cutting a steel pipe quiet–regardless of what tool is being used. Here are 5 of the quietest cordless jigsaws on the market.
| Why It's Best | Rating | |
|---|---|---|
| Dewalt MAX Cordless Jig Saw Kit (DCS331M1) | 85 decibels of noise. Complete ready-to-go kit. Dust blower. Tool-less blade changes. 3 year warranty. | ★★★★★ |
| Makita DJV180Z 18V LXT Cordless JIG SAW | 84 decibels of noise. Little vibration. Dust blower. Tool-less blade changes. 1 year warranty. | ★★★★★ |
| Ryobi One+ P5231 Lithium Ion Cordless Jigsaw | Tool-less blades changes. Very little vibration. Dust blower. LED light. 3 year warranty. | ★★★★★ |
| Bosch Lithium-Ion Cordless Jig Saw JSH180B | One hand keyless blade changes. Light (4.1 lbs.). Dust blower. LED light. 1 year warranty. | ★★★★★ |
| Dewalt MAX Jig Saw, Barrel Grip (DCS335B) | Under 85 decibels of noise. Dust blower. Tool-less blade changes. 3 year warranty. | ★★★★★ |
Cordless Jigsaws – Basics
- Noise Level. Jigsaws are generally going to produce between 80 and 90 decibels of noise. (80 decibels is the sound of an alarm clock, 90 decibels-a lawnmower) Without a load.
- Cordless vs Corded. Cordless jigsaws are fairly powerful, but if you need lots of power for extended periods of time–such as cutting granite–you may want to get a corded saw.
- Power. Cordless jigsaws provide more flexibility of use. They are usually 5 -6 amp machines–enough for most jobs.
- Weight. Jigsaws are not terribly heavy but some of them will go as high as 10 lbs. That much weight over an extended time doing work that requires patience and accuracy can be a little hard on the wrist and hand.
Note: Use ear plugs or another form of hearing protection if using a jigsaw for long periods of time. According to the CDC (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention), damage to hearing is possible after 2 hours of exposure to 80 – 85 decibels.
5 Quietest Cordless Jigsaws of 2023
Anyone who has used an older jigsaw knows how much fun it is to blow the dust off cut lines to keep the cut straight while keeping the saw on the line. All of these quiet saws have blowers to do the job for you.
1) Dewalt DCS331M1 20 Volt Cordless jigsaw Kit
The Dewalt DCS331M1 Cordless jigsaw Kit comes completely ready to go to work with saw, battery, charger, blade, and kit bag. It puts out under 85 decibels of noise. Variable speed up to 3000 SPM (strokes per minute) provides the versatility to be used on various materials. This Dewalt is equipped with an adjustable dust blower to keep the cut line clean. Comfort grip ergonomic handle makes cutting easier and more comfortable.
All-metal keyless blade exchange is quick and easy to operate. Metal keyless shoe bevel with detents at zero, 15, 30, and 45 degrees make angle cuts easy to set up. The four-position orbital settings provide control of cut and speed for better cutting options.
The Good
- Produces under 85 decibels of sound
- Complete ‘ready to use’ kit
- Keyless blade changes for T-shank jigsaw blades
- Adjustable shoe for bevel cuts
- Virtually no vibration
- Dust blower
- 4 orbital settings
- 3 year warranty
The Not so Good
- A touch heavy at 6 lbs.
2) Metabo 18 Volt Cordless jigsaw
The Metabo M18 Fuel D-Handle jigsaw produces very little noise for a power tool. This is a ‘bare tool’ meaning that the battery and charger are sold separately. The integrated on/off blower along with an LED light keeps the cut line visible at all times. This brushless jigsaw is variable speed with a lock button, up to 2500 SPM (strokes per minute), which is an average speed than most corded jigsaws. Each battery charge will provide the right amount of lineal feet for cutting through laminated particleboard.
The saw has tool-less blade changing and tool-free bevel adjustment with detents at zero, 15, 30, and 45 degrees. It has a 4 position orbital setting knob and an optional dust bag can be purchased separately.
The Good
- Produces very little noise
- Keyless blade changes for T-shank jigsaw blades
- Adjustable shoe for bevel cuts
- Very little vibration
- On/off dust blower
- LED light
- Overload protection
- Easy to find green color
The Not so Good
- Battery and charger sold separately
3) Makita DJV180Z 18 Volt Cordless jigsaw
The Makita DJV180Z 18 Volt Cordless jigsaw has a soft rubber ergonomic handle that absorbs vibrations making for comfortable operation. It produces only 84 decibels of noise from a 5.1 lb. machine. The built in blower and LED light keeps the cutting area clean and well lit for more accurate cutting. The extra long cutting depth of 5 5/16″ when used on wood will almost cut through a 6 x 6.
The large 2 finger variable speed trigger will rev it up to 2600 strokes per minute and the orbital settings allow more aggressive cuts. It provides tool-less blade changes and the Lithium-ion battery (battery and charger sold separately) charges in a quick 22 minutes.
Note: The Amazon site states that the decibel level is 78 dB(A). Makita site says 84 dB(A). I went with the manufacturer’s number.
The Good
- Only 84 decibels of sound
- Keyless blade changes
- Adjustable shoe for bevel cuts
- Very little vibration soaked up by soft rubber handle
- Dust blower
- LED light
- 1 year limited warranty
The Not so Good
- Battery and charger sold separately
- Shorter warranty than competitors
4) RYOBI One+ P5231 18V Cordless jigsaw
The RYOBI One+ P5231 18V Lithium Ion Cordless jigsaw is a quiet, inexpensive saw with many of the features found in more expensive products. And the 4 orbital Speed Match settings allow you to match blade speed to the material being cut. Cuts at up to 3000 strokes per minute (SPM) with a speed dial at the top of the handle to adjust trigger speed and a trigger lock switch. A built in blower and LED light make it much easier to follow lines and patterns.
It has a tool-less blade clamp and an adjustable base to allow more use of the blade teeth.
The Good
- Keyless blade changes
- Vibrations soaked up by micro texture comfort grip
- Adjustable shoe for bevel cuts
- Dust blower
- LED light
- Orbital Speed Match
- 3 year limited warranty
The Not so Good
- Battery and charger sold separately
- Decibel level not available
5) BOSCH 18-Volt Cordless jigsaw
The BOSCH 18-Volt Cordless jigsaw is a compact lightweight saw with a small grip diameter which reduces user fatigue during continuous use. (Bosch claims up to 30% lighter and 10% smaller than its leading competitor.) The T-shank tool-less blade change system allows you to change blades without grabbing the hot old one and the baseplate bevels up to 45 degrees for angle cuts. The LED light and ‘always on’ dust blower provides clear visibility along the cut line.
Electronic motor protection and electronic cell protection help keep both the saw and batteries safe from overload. The variable speed trigger and locking button provide excellent speed control from 0 – 2700 strokes per minute. Four orbital settings allow various degrees of aggressive cutting.
The Good
- One hand keyless blade exchanges
- Light weight (4.1 lbs.) and small diameter handle reduces user fatigue
- Adjustable shoe for bevel cuts
- Dust blower
- LED light
- 4 orbital settings
- 1 year warranty
The Not so Good
- Battery and charger sold separately
- Decibel level not available
How We Chose Quietest Cordless Jigsaw
When making this list, these are the criteria I looked at. And for a personal reason, please see Barrel Grip Jigsaw at the end of this section.
Had to Have
- Noise Level. Although no saw is quiet–especially when working–I wanted to stay below 90 decibels.
- Blower. Not having to use lung power to keep your cut line clean.
- Adjustable Shoe. Makes angle cuts easier.
- Tool-less Blade Replacement. Saves digging out the Allen wrench or screw driver to change broken blades.
- Orbital Settings. Allows for more aggressive cutting angles.
- Warranty/Reputation. Generally, the longer the warranty period, the better. Although both Bosch and Makita only have a 1 year warranty, I included them because of their reputation. (I have tools manufactured by both of them that have been problem free for better than 10 years.)
Nice to Have
- LED Light. A light compliments the dust blower to give an even better look at your lines.
- Vibration Suppressing Handle. Makes for a more comfortable grip during extended cuts.
Barrel Grip Jigsaw
You may have noticed that no barrel grip saws made this list. There are very good, and equally quiet barrel grip jigsaws available–made by the same manufacturers, with the same features and decibel levels. Many users prefer them. So it came down to a personal choice. My hands grew wide and thick with short, stubby fingers and I never feel like I have complete control of a tool I can’t get a good grip on.
Other than the style of grip, the biggest difference is the variable speed control. Barrel grip units use a dial that is set to the speed you want. (Generally, the saw must be stopped to change speeds.) Saws with handles have a variable speed trigger that controls blade Strokes Per Minute. If you are interested in a barrel grip, check out the Dewalt DCS335B Barrel Grip Jigsaw.
Quietest Cordless Jigsaw – Best of the Best
Although all of these quiet jigsaws will perform very well, the Dewalt DCS331M1 20 Volt Cordless jigsaw Kit stood out a little more than the others. I like the idea of getting a ‘turn-key’ operation–with the addition of a few more blades to complete the kit. At 85 decibels it is relatively quiet but still produces 3000 SPM. The adjustable dust blower is helpful if you are not just cutting straight lines. The all metal keyless blade changer, the tool-less shoe bevel with 4 preset detents, 4 orbital settings and an ergonomic vibration dampening handle along with a 3 year warranty from a reputable company make it a good choice for the jobsite or home handyman’s garage.
FAQs About Quietest Cordless Jigsaw
Why do I need a jigsaw?
You don’t need one unless you plan to do some intricate cutting–from a 4″ diameter hole in the wall for a vent pipe to wooden duck silhouettes. Jigsaws can also be used for quick straight cuts.
Are jigsaws only good for wood?
No. Jigsaws can be used for all types of material, such as wood, metal, PVC, granite, laminate and more. Just not with the same blade. You will have to buy the types of blades made for specific types of material. Blades can be purchased individually and in different sized packages–either for one type of material on as an assortment for different jobs.
I have heard a jigsaw called a reciprocating saw. Are they the same thing?
Yes and no. Technically it is a reciprocating saw because the blade moves in and out. But a jigsaw was named after jigsaw puzzles because of the intricate curves you can make with it. Generally, when someone talks about a reciprocating saw, they are describing a bigger, heavier, more powerful machine quite often used for demolition.
Will all jigsaw blades fit all makes of saw?
No, although most jigsaws use a T-shank blade (from Tang shank). Some use a U-shank blade (from Universal shank). When buying new blades you will have to know which your saw uses. That information is in the owner’s manual and quite likely printed on the blade that came with the saw.
End Notes
Although I consider having to purchase a battery and charger separately a ‘Not so Good’ mark against some of these saws, you may not feel that way if you already have cordless equipment by the same manufacturer with interchangeable batteries and a charger. It might be a good way of keeping costs down and still getting a quality item.
It is probably a personal quirk, but I do not believe one company makes the best of every type of tool. Or they do not make a tool to fit my needs. My tools range from Black and Decker jigsaw to Bosch, Dewalt, and Makita saws to Hitachi drills, etc. Each one works for me.
