Best Jigsaws Australia 2025: Corded vs Cordless Tested
Quick summary: The Makita DJV182Z 18V cordless jigsaw is our pick for best overall jigsaw in Australia, balancing cut quality, battery life and control. For heavy-duty corded power, the Bosch GST 150 CE corded jigsaw leads the pack. Budget shoppers should look at the Ozito PXC 18V jigsaw skin for under $100 body-only. Expect to pay $150–$400 for a quality cordless jigsaw with battery included, or $120–$250 for a solid corded model.
Jigsaws are one of those tools every home workshop eventually needs. They're brilliant for curved cuts, tight interior cutouts around sinks and vents, and general carpentry work that a circular saw simply can't handle.
We spent several weeks running a shortlist of the best power tools in this category through real cutting tasks — timber, plywood, laminate flooring and sheet metal — to work out which jigsaws actually earn their keep in an Australian workshop or ute toolbox.
How We Tested the Best Jigsaws in Australia
We tested nine jigsaws across three brands' cordless and corded lines, including Makita, Bosch, DeWalt, Ryobi and Ozito.
Each tool was run through the same set of cuts: straight rip cuts in 18mm pine, tight curve cuts in 12mm plywood, a laminate flooring cutout, and a pass through 1.2mm mild steel sheet.
Testing Criteria: Power, Cut Quality and Battery Life
We scored every jigsaw on four things: cutting speed, blade tracking accuracy on curves, vibration and comfort during extended use, and (for cordless models) how many cuts we could squeeze from a single 5.0Ah battery charge.
We also noted dust visibility — a jigsaw with a poor blower or no dust blower makes it hard to follow a pencil line, which matters enormously for cut quality.
Corded vs Cordless Jigsaws: Which Is Right for You
This is the first decision most buyers need to make, and it genuinely depends on how and where you'll use the tool.
Power and Performance Differences
Corded jigsaws still have an edge in raw power. A corded jigsaw pulling mains current, like the Bosch GST 150 CE, delivers consistent stroke speed even under load — great for thick hardwood or repeated cuts through sheet metal.
Cordless jigsaws have closed the gap significantly with brushless motors. The Makita DJV182Z, for instance, matched the corded Bosch almost stroke-for-stroke in 18mm pine, only falling slightly behind in dense jarrah.
Portability and Battery Runtime
Should I buy a corded or cordless jigsaw for home use? For most homeowners doing occasional DIY — shelving, flat-pack modifications, the odd cutout for a new power point — a cordless jigsaw is the better buy. You're not tethered to an extension lead, and modern batteries easily last through a weekend project.
On a 5.0Ah battery, the Makita gave us roughly 90 minutes of intermittent cutting in plywood before needing a recharge. That's plenty for most home projects.
Is a cordless jigsaw powerful enough for construction work? For tradies doing daily site work, especially cutting metal flashing or thick engineered timber all day, a corded jigsaw or a dedicated high-amp cordless like the DeWalt DCS334 (with a battery to match) is the safer bet. Battery anxiety is real on a busy job site.
Best Overall Jigsaw in Australia 2025
The Makita DJV182Z 18V cordless jigsaw takes the top spot. It's part of Makita's LXT 18V range, so if you already own Makita batteries, the tool itself costs around $249 body-only.
It handled every material we threw at it — clean curves in plywood, accurate straight cuts in pine, and even a slow, controlled pass through thin aluminium sheet. The variable speed dial and tool-less blade change make it a genuine pleasure to use.
Cut quality on curves was the standout. Blade tracking stayed true even on tight radius cuts, something cheaper jigsaws often struggle with.
Best Cordless Jigsaw for DIY Homeowners
If you don't already own an 18V battery ecosystem, the Ryobi ONE+ 18V Jigsaw RJS18-0 is our pick. Body-only pricing sits around $99, and it slots into Ryobi's huge ONE+ range of drills, blowers and mowers — handy if you're building out a shed full of tools on a budget.
It's not quite as refined as the Makita, with slightly more vibration on longer cuts, but for weekend projects it's more than capable and represents excellent value.
Best Corded Jigsaw for Heavy-Duty Work
The Bosch GST 150 CE corded jigsaw is the one we reached for repeatedly during metal-cutting tests. Priced around $229 at Bunnings, it has a 780W motor, tool-free blade change, and Bosch's excellent pendulum action settings for fast, aggressive cuts in timber.
Can a jigsaw cut through metal sheeting properly? Yes, with the right blade and the right jigsaw. The Bosch's four-stage pendulum control let us dial back the aggression to almost zero for our steel sheet test, producing a clean edge with minimal burring. Cheaper jigsaws without pendulum control tended to grab and chatter on metal.
Best Budget Jigsaw Under $150
The Ozito PXC 18V Jigsaw Skin is genuinely impressive for the price — around $59 body-only, or roughly $139 as a kit with a 2.0Ah battery and charger from Bunnings.
It won't match the Makita or Bosch for finish quality on curves, and the dust blower is fairly weak, but for occasional home use — cutting a laminate benchtop cutout, trimming skirting, rough carpentry — it does the job without breaking the budget.
Choosing the Right Jigsaw for Your Material
What is the best jigsaw for cutting curves in timber? Any jigsaw with good blade tracking and a clear line of sight works well, but the Makita DJV182Z was the most accurate in our testing, holding tight curves without wandering.
Cutting Timber and Plywood
For general timber and plywood, use a T-shank blade with 6–10 TPI (teeth per inch). Coarser blades cut faster but leave a rougher edge — fine for framing, not for visible furniture edges.
Cutting Laminate and Flooring
What jigsaw blade do I need for cutting laminate flooring? Look for a down-cut or reverse-tooth blade, which cuts on the downward stroke to prevent chipping the laminate's top surface. The Bosch T101BR is a good option, widely stocked at Bunnings for around $12 for a two-pack.
Cutting Metal and Sheet Materials
For sheet metal, choose a fine-tooth blade rated 21–24 TPI, run at a slower speed setting, and use cutting lubricant or wax on thicker steel to reduce heat buildup and blade wear.
Essential Jigsaw Blades and Accessories
Good jigsaw blades matter more than the tool itself in many cases. We recommend keeping a small kit on hand:
| Blade Type | Best For | Approx. Price (AUD) |
|---|---|---|
| Coarse wood blade (6 TPI) | Fast rip cuts in timber | $8–$14 for 5-pack |
| Fine wood blade (10 TPI) | Clean curves, plywood | $10–$15 for 5-pack |
| Down-cut laminate blade | Flooring, benchtops | $10–$18 for 2-pack |
| Metal-cutting blade (24 TPI) | Sheet steel, aluminium | $10–$16 for 3-pack |
A splinter guard (usually a $5–$10 clip-on accessory) is also worth having for laminate and veneered plywood work.
Jigsaw Pricing Guide in Australia
How much does a good cordless jigsaw cost in Australia? Budget-conscious buyers can get into a capable jigsaw for under $100 body-only, but a genuinely good cordless jigsaw with battery, charger and case typically runs $200–$350.
| Tier | Price Range (AUD) | Example |
|---|---|---|
| Budget | $59–$150 | Ozito PXC Jigsaw Skin |
| Mid-range | $150–$300 | Ryobi ONE+ RJS18-0 |
| Premium | $250–$450 | Makita DJV182Z, Bosch GST 150 CE |
Remember that body-only pricing assumes you already own compatible batteries — factor in an extra $100–$150 if you're starting from scratch.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need a pendulum action jigsaw? For general home use it's not essential, but it significantly speeds up cuts in thicker timber and gives you finer control on delicate materials like laminate.
Can one jigsaw really do metal, timber and laminate well? Yes, provided you swap blades appropriately and adjust speed and pendulum settings for the material.
Are cheap jigsaws worth buying? For occasional light use, yes — a budget model like the Ozito is perfectly serviceable. For frequent or professional use, investing in a premium brand pays off in cut quality and longevity.
Bottom Line
For most Australian DIYers, a cordless jigsaw is now genuinely competitive with corded models, and far more convenient. The Makita DJV182Z is our overall winner for its balance of power, accuracy and battery life, while the Bosch GST 150 CE remains the choice for tradies who need consistent corded power for metal and heavy timber work. If you're just starting out or watching the budget, the Ozito PXC skin delivers surprising value for under $150 as a kit.
