A reciprocating saw, also known as a sawzall, is a tough, compact, versatile cutting tool. Whether you are cutting dead branches off a tree or removing an old roof, a reciprocating saw is a tool you can rely on to get the job done.
Like any saw, a reciprocating saw is only as good as its blade. There are various blades to choose from, some of which are more suitable for specific tasks. This can be very helpful but it also means you might struggle to choose which blade you need.
To help you find the right blade, we have reviewed five of the best reciprocating saw blades that are currently available. We chose these sawzall blades based on their material, size, and how many teeth they have.
- Pack of five
- High-carbon steel
- Five teeth per inch
- Various teeth per inch
- Durable and dulls slowly
- Makes neat, straight cuts
- Carbide-tipped
- Turbo-Teeth technology
- Rigid and heat-resistant
- Bi-metal
- Cuts straight lines
- Heat-resistant
- Carbon steel
- Low TPI
- American-made
Review Methodology: At Sensible Digs, we believe in providing you with the most accurate and trustworthy information. Our analysis is based on rigorous hands-on testing, thorough research, and professional experience. We evaluate each reciprocating saw blade from a user’s perspective, comparing important factors such as performance, design choices, and what sets each product apart from its competitors. Our reviews include quantitative measurements and data to help you make an informed decision. We rank and score each blade based on standard criteria and provide first-hand evidence to support our findings. Trust our assessment as we track, test, and review to ensure you get the best reciprocating saw blades.
The Best Reciprocating Saw Blades of 2023
Reciprocating saw blades are available in various sizes and thicknesses. The good news is that they are all universal, meaning they fit any saw brand. We examined dozens of blades to bring you our reviews of five of the best reciprocating saw blades that are currently available. We chose these blades for their durability, length, and teeth per inch.
Milwaukee 48-00-1301 9-Inch 5 Teeth Pruning Blades
Best Reciprocating Saw Blade for Roots
This 9-inch saw blade from Milwaukee is ideal for wet or green wood because it has just five teeth per inch. This means it will quickly tear through the wood at high speeds. It won’t leave a neat cut, but that won’t matter when you’re cutting roots. The deep teeth eat through the material quickly, reducing the effort required.
This blade is made of high carbon, so it will flex without snapping. If you want a saw blade that can reach tight spots and cut flush with the surface, this is an excellent option.
The only drawback of carbon blades is that they dull very quickly, but this is balanced by how cheap they are to buy. You are unlikely to have an issue with their toughness unless you encounter stone when cutting.
This Milwaukee product contains five saw blades, so you will have plenty of spares when they dull. Once you have cut through any roots, these blades will also make short work of any branches.
Pros
- Flexible
- High-carbon steel
- Five teeth per inch
- Comes in a pack of five
- Ideal for wet or green wood
Cons
- Dulls quickly
- Only useful on softwood
- Doesn’t leave a neat cut
Product Specs
Weight | 5.6 ounces |
Material | Carbon steel alloy |
Pack size | 5 |
Length | 9 inches |
TPI | 5 |
Other uses | Wet wood, lumber, softwood, tree limbs |
Our Ratings
Community Feedback
DeWALT Bi-Metal 12-Piece Reciprocating Saw Blades
Best Reciprocating Saw Blade for Metal
DeWALT is among the best reciprocating saw manufacturers in the world, so it is no surprise that the company also makes some of the best blades. This 12-piece set contains a range of bi-metal blades designed to cut through metal and wood.
This set includes two 6-inch 18-TPI metal cutting blades as well as three 8-inch 14-TPI metal cutting blades. DeWALT has even included a 9-inch 10-TPI demolition blade for the toughest jobs such as cutting through wood containing nails.
These saw blades are bi-metal, so they have all the attributes of carbon steel and high-speed steel including flexibility and durability. They cut very straight lines, which is crucial if you are slicing through copper pipes to add a joint or connector. You will need a neat connection to prevent leaks.
As they are bi-metal, they cost more than carbon steel blades. However, they should also last ten times as long, so you will likely save money in the long run despite the higher initial cost.
Pros
- High teeth count
- Durable
- Dull slowly
- Make neat cuts
- Cut straight lines
Cons
- Rigid
- Prone to snapping
- More expensive than carbon steel
Product Specs
Weight | 1.01 pounds |
Material | Bi-metal |
Pack size | 12 |
Length | 6-inch to 9-inch |
TPI | 6, 10, 18 |
Other uses | Wood, metal, plastic, concrete, masonry |
Our Ratings
Community Feedback
Bosch 5-Piece 12-inch Wood Cutting Saw Blades
Best Reciprocating Saw Blade for Wood
This Bosch 12-inch wood cutting saw blade uses the company’s Turbo-Teeth technology, which makes the blade dull slowly and increases its longevity. This blade should last as much as three times longer than similar wood-cutting blades.
These blades are carbide-tipped with tungsten to increase their cutting strength and make them more resistant to heat. This results in a saw blade that will stay sharper for longer.
With five teeth per inch, this blade meets the usual standard for wood-cutting blades. However, as it is carbide-tipped, it has increased rigidity that will help you make a straighter cut.
This set contains five blades. Given how carbide-tipped blades can last 20 times longer than bi-metal blades, this set should keep your reciprocating saw sharp for a long time
Pros
- Carbide-tipped
- Straight cuts
- Turbo-tooth technology
- Increased rigidity
- Heat-resistant
Cons
- High initial cost
- Lack of flexibility
Product Specs
Weight | 9 ounces |
Material | Carbide-tipped steel |
Pack size | 5 |
Length | 12 inches |
TPI | 5 |
Other uses | Wet wood, lumber, softwood, tree limbs |
Our Ratings
Community Feedback
DeWALT DW4856 Reciprocating Saw Blades 6-Piece Set
Best Budget Reciprocating Saw Blade
If you want a versatile pack of saw blades without spending much money, this is a great option. They carry the DeWALT name, so they are good blades despite their budget-friendly price.
This pack contains an assortment of blades for various materials and hardness. While all the blades are 6 inches long, the tooth count includes 6, 10, 14, 18, and 24 TPI blades.
Having so much variety means this product will allow you to tackle the hardest materials such as concrete and steel, as well as softwood and green wood. The only downside is that the blades are quite short, so they probably won’t be suitable for pruning.
These blades provide excellent value for money, but they are still made of bi-metal, which is more durable than carbon steel and heat-resistant. This all adds up to a set of blades that costs very little but will last a long time.
Pros
- Bi-metal
- Cuts straight lines
- Long-lasting
- Increased rigidity
- Heat-resistant
- Excellent price
Cons
- 6-inch blades
- Lack of flexibility
Product Specs
Weight | 2.4 ounces |
Material | Bi-metal |
Pack size | 6 |
Length | 6 inches |
TPI | 6, 10, 14, 18, 24 |
Other uses | Metal, plastic, wood, lumber, drywall, nails |
Our Ratings
Community Feedback
Caliastro 9-Inch Pruning Saw Blades 5-Pack
Best Reciprocating Saw Blade for Pruning
At 9 inches, these are very versatile multi-purpose pruning blades. This means that they can cut through most branch sizes without forcing you to switch to a 12-inch blade. They are made of carbon steel, making them flexible enough to cut at awkward angles and robust enough to cope with the strain.
This also means you can get tight to the base of the branch you want to cut. Like most wood-cutting blades, these ones have five teeth per inch, which is ideal for ripping and shearing through wet and green wood.
These blades are American-made by a small independent company called Caliastro in Chicago. Although the brand isn’t a household name like DeWALT or Bosch, the company still makes excellent reciprocating blades for pruning.
The only downside is that these blades are carbon steel, which means they are softer and prone to dulling quickly. That is less of a problem as you will probably only be cutting softwood, but keep in mind that carbon steel is less robust than bi-metal blades.
Pros
- Flexible
- Carbon steel
- Five teeth per inch
- Affordable
- American-made
Cons
- Blades dull quickly
- Not versatile
- Makes rough cuts
Product Specs
Weight | 6.4 ounces |
Material | Carbon steel alloy |
Pack size | 5 |
Length | 9 inches |
TPI | 5 |
Other uses | Wet wood, lumber, softwood, tree limbs |
Our Ratings
Community Feedback
Product | Best | Weight | Material | Length | TPI | Other uses |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Milwaukee 48-00-1301 Pruning Blades | Roots | 5.6 oz | Carbon steel alloy | 9″ | 5 | Wet wood, lumber, softwood, tree limbs |
DeWALT Bi-Metal Saw Blades | Metal | 1.01 lbs | Bi-metal | 6 to 9″ | 6, 10, 18 | Wood, metal, plastic, concrete, masonry |
Bosch Wood Cutting Saw Blades | Wood | 9 oz | Carbide-tipped steel | 12″ | 5 | Wet wood, lumber, softwood, tree limbs |
DeWALT DW4856 Saw Blades | Budget | 2.4 oz | Bi-metal | 6″ | 6, 10, 14, 18, 24 | Metal, plastic, wood, lumber, drywall, nails |
Caliastro Pruning Saw Blades | Pruning | 6.4 oz | Carbon steel alloy | 9″ | 5 | Wet wood, lumber, softwood, tree limbs |
Do Reciprocating Saw Blades Fit All Saws?
Reciprocating saw blades have a universal shank and fit all reciprocating saws. Blade brands such as Milwaukee (which gave Sawzall its name) and DeWALT are interchangeable with all makes of saws, so you won’t be limited to the same manufacturer as your saw.
What Size Reciprocating Saw Blade Do I Need?
The size of the blade you need will vary depending on the task. The longest blades are 12 inches and are designed to cut small limbs from trees and bushes as well as perform tasks in the construction industry. A 12-inch blade is also great for cutting through tough materials during demolition jobs.
At the opposite end of the scale, a 6-inch blade is perfect for cutting smaller objects such as pipework or sheet metal. This is because the decreased size increases the rigidity of the blade, which will help you cut straighter lines. 6-inch blades also cut through lumber and plastic with ease.
If you want a versatile blade, the best length is 9 inches. This blade will be suitable for most tasks and will be easier to control than the largest models.
Check Your Saw
How Do I Choose a Reciprocating Saw Blade?
Reciprocating saws are versatile, largely due to the shape of their blades and the different sizes that are available. With many blades to choose from, it is important to choose the right one if you want a job to go smoothly.
Quick Tip