By Estelle | HerWorkshop.co.uk
If you’ve never used a jigsaw before, it can feel like an intimidating piece of kit. It’s loud, it vibrates, and that blade moves fast. But here’s the truth: a jigsaw is actually one of the most beginner-friendly power tools you can own. Once you get comfortable with it, you’ll wonder how you ever managed without one.
I’ve been using jigsaws for years — cutting curves for shelving, trimming laminate flooring, shaping wood for fitted furniture. My current go-to is the DeWalt DCS334N-XJ 18V XR Brushless, and it’s genuinely changed how I work. But it’s not the right starting point for everyone.
In this guide, I’ve rounded up the best jigsaws for beginners at every price point — so you can find the one that suits you, your projects, and your budget.
What to Look for in a Beginner’s Jigsaw
Before we get into the picks, here’s what actually matters when you’re starting out:
- Weight — You’ll be holding this tool while guiding it through material. Lighter is better for beginners. Aim for under 2.5kg if possible.
- Corded vs Cordless — Corded jigsaws are cheaper and never run out of power. Cordless give you freedom of movement. For beginners doing occasional DIY, corded is often the smarter starting point.
- Variable Speed — Essential. Different materials need different speeds. Wood is fast, metal is slow. A variable speed dial or trigger makes this easy to control.
- Orbital Action — This rocks the blade forward as it cuts, making it faster and more aggressive. For beginners, keeping this on a low setting gives you more control.
- Tool-Free Blade Change — Trust me, you don’t want to be hunting for an Allen key every time you need to swap blades. Look for a keyless system.
- Stroke Rate (SPM) — Strokes per minute. Higher = faster cutting. Most beginner jobs are well served by anything between 2,500–3,100 SPM.
Our Top Picks
🥇 Best Overall for Beginners — Bosch PST 700 E
💰 Price: ~£50–£60 | Corded | 500W
If I were recommending one jigsaw to a complete beginner, this would be it. The Bosch PST 700 E is lightweight at just 1.7kg, which makes a real difference when you’re learning to guide a cut. It’s compact, comfortable to hold, and produces clean, accurate cuts.
The stroke rate goes up to 3,100 SPM — impressive for the price — and the SDS tool-free blade change system means swapping blades takes seconds. There’s also a built-in dust blower that keeps your cutting line visible while you work, which is genuinely useful when you’re trying to follow a pencil mark accurately.
It’s a corded model, so you’ll need to be near a socket, but for most home DIY projects that’s not a problem. It cuts up to 70mm of wood and 10mm of aluminium, which covers the vast majority of beginner jobs.
Best for: First-time jigsaw users who want a reliable, lightweight tool without spending a lot.
✅ Lightweight & easy to handle
✅ Fast blade change
✅ Great value
❌ Corded (less freedom of movement)
❌ Can vibrate a little at high speeds
🥈 Best Budget Pick — Ryobi R18JS-0 ONE+ 18V
💰 Price: ~£60–£80 body only | Cordless | 18V
If you already own any Ryobi ONE+ tools, this is a no-brainer. The battery system is interchangeable across the entire Ryobi range, so if you have a Ryobi drill, you can use the same battery here — no extra cost.
The R18JS-0 has variable speed up to 3,000 SPM, a keyless blade clamp, and a built-in LED light that illuminates your cut line. It cuts up to 101mm in wood, which is more than enough for most DIY jobs. The bevel adjusts to +/- 45 degrees for angled cuts.
One thing to be aware of: it’s sold as a body-only tool, meaning no battery or charger included. Factor that into your budget if you don’t already have Ryobi batteries.
Best for: Beginners who already own Ryobi tools, or who want to start building a cordless tool ecosystem.
✅ Cordless freedom
✅ Shares batteries with other Ryobi ONE+ tools
✅ LED work light
❌ No battery included
❌ Can drain batteries quickly on heavy cuts
🥉 Best Mid-Range — Bosch PST 18 LI Cordless
💰 Price: ~£80–£100 | Cordless | 18V
Bosch’s cordless entry in the Power4All range is a great step up from the basic PST 700 E, giving you the freedom of cordless with the reliability of the Bosch name. The Power4All system means the battery works across other Bosch garden and home tools, which is a real bonus if you’re building up a toolkit.
It’s light, well-balanced, and delivers clean cuts with minimal vibration. The tool-free blade change is quick and the variable speed trigger gives you good control, especially when starting a cut.
Best for: Beginners ready to invest a little more in a cordless tool from a trusted brand.
✅ Lightweight & easy to handle
✅ Fast blade change
✅ Great value
❌ Corded (less freedom of movement)
❌ Can vibrate a little at high speeds
⭐ Best Premium Pick (Estelle’s Choice) — DeWalt DCS334N-XJ 18V XR Brushless
💰 Price: ~£130–£160 body only | Cordless | 18V Brushless
I’ll be honest — this is not a beginner’s first jigsaw. But if you’re serious about DIY and want to buy once and buy well, the DeWalt DCS334N is the one I’d point you towards.
This is the jigsaw I use myself, and it’s transformed how I work. The brushless motor delivers up to 3,200 SPM and handles everything I throw at it — thick hardwood, laminate, sheet metal. It weighs just 2.1kg despite its size, and the tool-free bevel adjustment goes beyond 45 degrees in both directions, which is genuinely useful for more advanced cuts.
The twin LED lights are bright and well-positioned, keeping your cut line clearly visible even in poor light. The dust blower is effective, and the overall build quality is exactly what you’d expect from DeWalt.
It’s sold as body only (no battery), so factor in the cost of an 18V XR battery if you don’t already own one. But if you have other DeWalt tools, the battery is interchangeable.
Best for: Beginners who want to invest in a professional-grade tool that will last for years and grow with their skills.
✅ Brushless motor — more power, longer battery life
✅ Exceptional build quality
✅ Works with all DeWalt 18V XR batteries
✅ Twin LEDs and effective dust blower
❌ Premium price
❌ No battery included
💡 Best Versatile Pick — Black+Decker 500W Scorpion
💰 Price: ~£40–£55 | Corded | 500W
A slightly unusual pick, but worth mentioning for beginners who want more flexibility from one tool. The Black+Decker Scorpion works as a jigsaw, a pruning saw, and a general reciprocating saw depending on which blade you fit. It automatically adjusts speed based on the blade inserted.
It’s not the most precise jigsaw on this list, but for someone doing a variety of light DIY and garden tasks who doesn’t want multiple tools, it’s a practical and affordable option. The 3-metre cable gives decent reach, and blade changes are push-button simple.
Best for: Beginners who want one versatile tool for a variety of light cutting tasks.
✅ 3-in-1 versatility
✅ Very affordable
✅ Simple push-button blade change
❌ Heavier than dedicated jigsaws
❌ Less precise than single-purpose jigsaws
Comparison Table
| Model | Type | Price | Weight | Max SPM | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Bosch PST 700 E | Corded | ~£55 | 1.7kg | 3,100 | Overall beginner pick |
| Ryobi R18JS-0 ONE+ | Cordless | ~£70 | 1.8kg | 3,000 | Ryobi battery owners |
| Bosch PST 18 LI | Cordless | ~£90 | 1.9kg | 2,600 | Mid-range cordless |
| DeWalt DCS334N-XJ | Cordless | ~£150 | 2.1kg | 3,200 | Premium / long-term investment |
| Black+Decker Scorpion | Corded | ~£48 | 2.4kg | N/A | Versatility on a budget |
My Honest Advice as a Beginner
When I bought my first jigsaw, I went straight for a mid-range cordless model and wished I’d spent a bit more. That said, I’ve seen plenty of people buy the cheapest option, learn on it, and then upgrade once they knew what they actually needed.
Here’s my rule of thumb: if you’re going to use it more than a handful of times a year, don’t go for the cheapest option. The difference between a £40 jigsaw and a £80–£100 one is enormous in terms of cut quality, ease of use, and how long it lasts.
And if you’re nervous about using a jigsaw for the first time — you don’t need to be. Start on scrap wood, go slowly, and let the tool do the work. You’ll be confident within an hour, I promise.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is a jigsaw safe for beginners?
Yes — a jigsaw is one of the safer power saws to start with. Keep your fingers away from the blade path, clamp your workpiece down so it doesn’t move, and let the saw do the work without forcing it.
Corded or cordless for a first jigsaw?
For occasional home DIY, corded is a perfectly good choice and saves money. If you already own cordless tools from a particular brand, consider matching the battery system.
What wood thickness can a beginner jigsaw cut?
Most beginner jigsaws handle up to 70–100mm of wood, which covers virtually all home DIY tasks including timber, MDF, plywood and laminate flooring.
Do I need to buy blades separately?
Most jigsaws come with one or two blades. For versatility, pick up a mixed blade pack — you’ll want different teeth for wood, metal and laminate. A pack costs around £5–£10 and is well worth having.
What’s orbital action and should I use it as a beginner?
Orbital action rocks the blade forward as it cuts, making it faster but less precise. For beginners, set it to 0 or 1 until you’re comfortable, then increase it for faster straight cuts through thick wood.
Final Verdict
For most beginners, the Bosch PST 700 E is the sweet spot — reliable, lightweight, affordable, and from a brand you can trust. If you’re ready to invest in something that will last you years, the DeWalt DCS334N-XJ is what I use personally and wouldn’t swap for anything.
Whatever you choose, a jigsaw will open up a whole new range of DIY projects. It’s one of those tools that, once you own it, you can’t imagine not having.
This post contains affiliate links. If you buy through my links, I may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you. I only ever recommend tools I genuinely believe in. Read my full affiliate disclaimer.
Have questions about choosing a jigsaw? Drop them in the comments below — I’m happy to help!
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