I struggled when I was trying to find the best corded Sawzall. Only a few of the corded reciprocating saw reviews I came across looked at the features of multiple products with the same scrutiny.

To begin with, I am not a construction worker by trade. I do a lot of renovations to my home, though. That made me feel a bit intimidated when I started to shop for the best reciprocating saw, as I was not sure what I should prioritize when it came to features.

My top concern was finding something that was affordable. Cordless products were not an option, as I just could not justify to my wife the extra price for a battery-powered tool when I could get the same results with a corded model for a lot less money.

If you plan on going to a store to compare power tools, don’t make the mistake of asking to look at the best corded Sawzall they have. The name Sawzall is actually a product name for Milwaukee Tool’s saw. Just have them direct you to the reciprocating saws.

I had glanced at a few corded reciprocating saw reviews before I went shopping, but I should have paid closer attention to the details that these authors were providing. When I started browsing the products in stock at the time, I was overwhelmed by the specs described on the side of the boxes.

These things are great for making rough cuts, and I was planning on using mine to help demolish a couple of walls that I planned to replace. For me, power was an important feature to consider. The electric motors ranged from 7 to 15 amps, but I settled on a rating of 10 amps for the limited amount of work I had at the time.

One thing I had not considered was what manufacturers call stroke length. That represents the distance that the blade moves up and down during a cycle. The reciprocating saw I purchased has a 1-1/8 inch stroke length, which seems about average when I look at reviews covering the best corded reciprocating saw designs.

A power tool’s stroke speed is usually listed as well. It is rated in Strokes Per Minute (SPM). Higher speeds will cut more quickly, but I have noticed that higher SPMs come with a bigger price tag.

Another feature that I was not aware of until I began to research was something called orbital action. It allows you to cut through wood faster than a reciprocating saw with similar features that lacks the orbital motion. That is due to the extra elliptical path the blade takes as it cuts.

There are a lot of extras beyond this that might be worth considering. Brushless motors are known to last longer, and many tradespeople say that variable speed controls are a must. If you are a DIYer or woodworking hobbyist like me, then you might consider electronic circuitry that protects against surges and extends the lifespan of your power tool.

Remember that what someone else considers the best reciprocating saw may not be the same selection that you will make. Find a saw that allows you to make rough cuts on loose or fastened lumber without breaking the bank!