Have you tried looking for a cordless Makita jigsaw and thought... "There are so many, which one should I go with?"
It Happened To Me!
I wanted to see which models were best and what the real difference were between the different models.
I threw together this article (more of a detailed buying guide) to compare all of the different cordless Makita jigsaws out there to try and find the absolute best one.
I found that there is really not one that is the best overall, in fact they all will suit a specific need better (weight, functionality, power, features, etc.), depending on what the need is.
I compared all of the different models out there and made it as easy as I possibly could to compare my findings. I included everything I came across (features, specs, price, availability, etc.) and put it into the article. Hope you find it useful!
* Pricing legend located at bottom of table
IMAGE | MODEL | FEATURES | PRICE | USER FEEDBACK (ONLINE RATINGS) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
 | VJ05Z | * 12 volt * 7/8" stroke * 800 - 3,000 SPM * 3.9 lbs. * T-Tang shank * wood capacity: 3-1/2" * steel capacity: 3/8" * alum. capacity: 13/16" * bevels from: 0° - 45° * variable speed dial * brushless * soft-start feature * tool-less blade change * 3 orbital settings * LED lights * dust blower | $$$ | (0+ Ratings)  N/A |
 | VJ06Z | * 12 volt * 7/8" stroke * 800 - 3,000 SPM * 4.1 lbs. * T-Tang shank * wood capacity: 3-1/2" * steel capacity: 3/8" * alum. capacity: 13/16" * bevels from: 0° - 45° * variable speed dial * brushless * soft-start feature * tool-less blade change * 3 orbital settings * LED lights * dust blower | $$ | (0+ Ratings) N/A |
 | VJ04Z | * 12 volt * 11/16" stroke * 0 - 2,900 SPM * 3.8 lbs. * T-Tang shank * wood capacity: 2-9/16" * steel capacity: 1/16" * alum. capacity: 5/32" * bevels from: 0° - 45° * electric brake * variable speed (trigger) * 3 orbital settings * dust blower | $ | (17+ Ratings)  4.0/5 |
 | XVJ03Z | * 18 volt * 1" stroke * 0 - 2,600 SPM * 6.4 lbs. * T-Tang shank * wood capacity: 5-5/16" * steel capacity: 3/8" * alum. capacity: 25/32" * variable speed (trigger) * LED lights * tool-less blade change * 3 orbital settings | $$$$$ | (80+ Ratings)  4.5/5 |
 | XVJ02Z | * 18 volt * 1" stroke * 800 - 3,500 SPM * 5.8 lbs. * T-Tang shank * wood capacity: 5-5/16" * steel capacity: 3/8" * alum. capacity: 25/32" * variable speed dial * brushless * tool-less blade change * 3 orbital settings | $$$$$ | (74+ Ratings) 4.5/5 |
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$80 - $124
$125 - $149
$150 - $174
$175 - $200
$200 and up
1. The Makita VJ05Z - A Barrel Shaped 12 Volt Makita Jigsaw
The Makita VJ05Z is probably one of the top 12V models out there and it's barrel shaped is becoming more popular among users.
This is a brushless model and has nearly all of the features that Makita offers in their cordless jigsaw lineup.
A speed dial control, led light, a built-in dust blower and the ability to orbit are also features that can be found.
There are currently no reviews (at the time) but it was released in Oct. 2017, so I didn't expect to see many reviews, if any. This is also the lightest model in the lineup, weighing in at 3.9 lbs., with the battery.
PROS
CONS
What Stood Out Above Other Models
The main thing that stood out was the fact that it was the lightest saw out of all of the rest. This is in part, due to the 12V model but even with the battery, it weighs less than 4 lbs.
The other advantage the VJ05Z had over the other models is it's barrel shape. A lot of reviewers like the shape and prefer it over other styles due to the added comfort and control that is gained.
What I Noticed That I Didn't Like...
The fact that it was a newer tool, meant that there weren't any reviews to look through to see if it was reliable and to get an overall feel for the tool.
Another disadvantage I noticed was that it is a 12V tool. This can go both ways though, it will not have the power that an 18V model would but it is probably a little lighter and jigsaws are usually used for lighter duty cutting applications, so 12V is probably fine for most materials.
Kits For The VJ05Z...
I was able to find one kit for the Makita VJ05Z and it uses the model number VJ05R1J.
This was roughly around $240 for the kit, compared to about $170 for the bare tool alone. Not that bad and an overall difference of $70, or so.
The VJ05R1J (kit) came with the VJ05Z jigsaw, a 12V battery (2.0Ah), a charger and a hard case.
2. The Makita VJ06Z - Another 12 Volt Jigsaw That Uses A More Familiar Design
The Makita VJ06Z was nearly identical to the VJ05Z, the only exceptions were the fact that it was slightly lighter and has a different design on the handle.
Again, there were no reviews online anywhere for the tool but it came out in October of 2017, like the VJ05Z so not enough time to build any type of reviews yet, but I am confident it will.
This was a brushless model, it had a speed dial and all of the other elements that the VJ05Z had but was around $130, so it was a little cheaper. The VJ06Z is also a 12V model.
PROS
CONS
What Stood Out Above Other Models
The main thing that stood out to me regarding the VJ06Z was the feature and value mixture. It was around $130 (at the time) and you get all of the best features that Makita offers in their cordless jigsaws.
What I Noticed That I Didn't Like...
This was also a 12V model, which will have less power than an 18V model, like the other 12V Makita jigsaws.
Again, having no reviews was a little disappointing because I didn't get the feedback I wanted to do a thorough comparison.
The cutting capacity for wood, steel and aluminum was significantly less than the 18V jigsaws and I can't help but wonder if this was due to the 12V of power.
Any Kits For The VJ06Z?
The VJ06Z was available in a kit, that was identical to the VJ05Z and it was labeled under the model number
The VJ06R1J had the VJ06Z jigsaw, the 2.0Ah battery, a hard case and a charger. Like I said, it was identical to the kit that came with the VJ05Z.
The price was around $235 for the kit, very comparable to the kit for the VJo5Z. If you are considering a 12V Makita jigsaw, then weigh out the two models because there is such a small price difference between them.
3. The Makita VJ04Z - The Most Affordable Cordless Jigsaw Makita Makes
The VJ04Z was the most affordable cordless jigsaw in the lineup, coming in at under $100 but does not have the features that some of the other models share.
This is a basic jigsaw that does not have a brushless motor, the smallest cutting capacity out of all of the other models and a smaller stroke length.
I would recommend the VJ04Z for those who want a basic cordless jigsaw for cutting wood primarily. The capacity to cut steel is only 1/16", so it is not recommended for thicker gauged steel.
The VJ04Z did not have a ton of reviews but it did have nearly 20 (at the time) from Amazon and Home Depot. Overall, it is a good cordless jigsaw at a value price and would work for someone who wouldn't use it on a daily basis.
PROS
CONS
What Stood Out Above Other Models
The price is the biggest thing that stood out to me because it is the most affordable jigsaw in the lineup and is an ideal "entry level" tool.
This had a little bit of feedback from users that stated it is great for thinner materials and is a great light duty type of tool that would suit people basic "jigsaw" needs.
The weight was another great additional feature that stood out and is more important than you might think.
What I Noticed That I Didn't Like...
The biggest thing I didn't like was the fact that it didn't use a tool-less blade changing mechanism, like all of the other models had.
You would have to use an allen wrench (comes with the tool) to remove and install the blade instead. It takes more time and the bolt can be over-tightened, leading to a stripping or shearing issue.
The other thing that really stood out was the cutting capacity of the VJ04Z. It can barely cut through a 2x piece of lumber and can only cut steel that is 1/16" thick.
Does The VJ04Z Come In A Kit?
The VJ04Z did come in a kit and it was the most affordable kit out there and is exactly the same as the kits for the VJ05Z and the VJ06Z, just with different jigsaws, of course.
The kit was model number VJ04R1 and it came with the 2.0Ah battery, charger, the VJ04Z jigsaw and a hard carrying case.
The price was the most notable difference, coming in at around $150 (at the time) and would make a good package deal for someone who wants a basic jigsaw with a 12V Makita battery and charger.
4. The Makita XVJ03Z - The Highest Rated Cordless Jigsaw From Makita...
The XVJ03Z was the highest rated jigsaw on the list with roughly around 80 reviews from a wide range of sources online.
This jigsaw is an 18V model so it will have a little more power over the 12V models. The Makita XVJ03Z had the lowest SPM range at 2,600 max. This does not have a brushless motor and no dial speed control.
This was the most expensive Makita jigsaw, coming in at around $240 (at the time) and was pretty competitive among many different retailers. The XVJ03Z was also the heaviest model, weighing roughly 6.4 lbs. (with a battery).
PROS
CONS
What Stood Out Above Other Models
The fact that the XVJ03Z is an 18V model is a reason that stands out on it's own. It has much more power over a 12V tool and is much more versatile.
The ratings were really helpful and being the best rated model in the list, I had to look through the user reviews. People liked the power, even though it is cordless and they swore by the quality of the tool.
The XVJ03Z also had the longest stroke length and the best cutting capacity (only shared by the XVJ02Z). The cutting capacity for wood was nearly 6"!
What I Noticed That I Didn't Like...
This was the most expensive jigsaw in the list but was also the highest rated, so I wouldn't consider that a negative thing but it did stand out.
The XVJ02Z was another 18V model that was a little bit less in price and uses a brushless motor so I was confused as to why the XVJ03Z was more money.
Keep in mind that this is the heaviest jigsaw out there and that is a consideration for many people, especially when it comes to cordless tools, so I wanted to mention it.
Any Kits For The XVJ03Z?
There was a kit available for the XVJ03Z and it was what you would expect to see. The XVJ03 was the model number for the kit.
The kit included a 3.0Ah battery (unlike the 12V models), a charger, the XVJ03Z jigsaw and a soft carrying case.
The price was one of the highest (nearly $425 at the time) out of all of the other kits but worth the investment for some people (stated by reviewers).
5. The Makita XVJ02Z - This is What A Longer Title Will Look Like
The Makita XVJ02Z had nearly as many ratings as the XVJ03Z but, in my opinion is a much better tool and is a little bit less too!
This is nearly identical to the Makita XVJ03Z but has a brushless motor and a variable speed dial (used in conjunction with the trigger).
The XVJ02Z is also a little bit lighter, weighing in at around 5.8 lbs. compared to the XVJ03Z's 6.4 lbs.
The other metrics were nearly identical between the two, including the large cutting capacity and the longer 1" stroke. The XVJ02Z did have a higher SPM range (at 800 - 3,500 SPM) though. The XVJ02Z came in at around $230 in price, a little less than the XVJ03Z.
PROS
CONS
What Stood Out Above Other Models
This was probably the most powerful model that also used a brushless motor. This makes the tool more efficient by saving battery life and by making smoother cuts as well.
The other advantage the XVJ02Z had over the other models (besides the XVJ03Z) was that it is an 18V model.
This was probably the most feature-rich model out of all of the 18V models, even though there were only 2. It was less than the other non-brushless model too.
What I Noticed That I Didn't Like...
The biggest thing I found in the reviews was the fact that the soft start feature is not something everyone likes. There is no way to disable it, so that is a problem but for most it wasn't an issue.
This was one of the more expensive models, compared with the 12V tools. It is worth the extra investment, especially if a jigsaw is going to be used on a regular basis, like they are for professionals.
Again, the weight is much more than some of the 12V models and something that you should consider.
Kits For The XVJ02Z:
The XVJ02Z did not have complete kits that included the tool, a charger and batteries.
All I found was the tool and a battery or two batteries but no charger and no case. This is a let down but batteries and a charger can be bought separately, if needed so not a deal breaker.
You can find battery kits (with a charger) online or in stores and since it uses the 18V batteries, they are easy to find. I would recommend either a 3.0Ah or 4.0Ah battery, minimum.
AN OVERVIEW OF THE FEATURES I NOTICED:
Variable Speed Controls For Cordless Makita Jigsaws:
There were two different variable speed controls for Makita's cordless line of jigsaws and they used a dial or used the trigger to control the speed.
Dial Control: The models that use a dial control also have a variable speed trigger.
The dial is used in conjunction with the trigger for a more controlled cutting speed which will increase effectiveness when cutting (especially more delicate materials) and overall control.
Trigger Control: If the jigsaw doesn't use a dial speed control, then it will still be a variable speed model but it will be controlled by the trigger instead.
The triggers usually have a long stroke, in order to control the speed better and most of the cordless Makita jigsaws use a two-finger trigger for increased control of this variable speed.
The Tool-Less Blade Change Mechanism, Handy Feature...
The tool-less blade changing system is equipped on most of the jigsaws in the lineup except for the VJ04Z and makes it so much easier than using an allen wrench.
The black mechanism (shown on the right) is pushed over and the blade is insertered or removed. The mechanism is then released and the blade is locked into place.
The VJ04Z uses an allen wrench instead of the tool-less mechanism. It takes a little more time to use an allen and is more of a personal preference type of thing for people. Some people like being able to manually tighten the blade with an allen wrench and others like the convenience and efficiency of the tool-less system.
The Jigsaw's Orbiting Capabilities Explained:
All of the Makita cordless jigsaws have a 3 setting orbital action switch that turns the feature on and off.
Most of the time, the blade's stroke will go straight up and down (at a 90° angle).
The orbiting motion will add a bit of a circular motion to the blade and the amount of this circular motion will be set by the switch on the tool (shown in the image above).
The orbiting action is made to take out more material, in a shorter amount of time and is essentially how "aggressive" you want to cut the material. It will speed up the process quite a bit and is better suited for rougher cuts, whereas the non-orbiting blade motion is better designed for finish type of cutting (cleaner cut lines).
Some Models Have LED Lights That Illuminate The Work Area:
Not all of the models had an LED light and, to be honest, they weren't that necessary for a jigsaw but do come in handy for some people (according to reviewers).
It provides a much better illumination for your work surface which can be helpful on some darker materials.
Some models actually had the ability to turn the light on and off, which I think is a great idea. An LED light on, when needed and the option to turn it off when you don't need it.
PRICING AND AVAILABILTY
Overall Pricing Structure For The Cordless Makita Jigsaws:
Prices always changes though and "sales" were not taken into account when I was doing this price comparison.
Overall: I always like to give an "overview picture" of the different prices for all of the models I have listed to get a much better overall comparison. These cordless jigsaws ranged in price from about $90 (bare tool), all the way up to around the $250 mark (bare tool).
The kits ranged from about $150, all the way up to the $430 range. A huge difference in price, for sure! The price difference should be noted that two models are 18V tools and the other three are 12V ones. Some kits included one battery and a charger and others contained two batteries and a charger.
Price Comparison At Different Retailers: The pricing was pretty straight across the board, as far as most of the models were concerned. I did notice a little bit of fluctuation between some of the models (bare tools) between Amazon and Home Depot and was about $10 - $30 on two separate occasions.
Availability (Are These Available Everywhere)?
I think it is important to note that not all of these jigsaws were available at every retailer, not all of the models anyways. Three models were available at Amazon, Home Depot and CPO (VJ04Z, XVJ03Z and the XVJ02Z) and two of the models (VJ05Z and VJ06Z) were only available on Amazon, at the time.
I'm not sure if these will become more available as time goes on but I will update this post accordingly...
Amazon: Had all of the jigsaws available at the time and were all prime items too. This may change over time but availability was the best at Amazon, overall.
* Prices were hidden because they are always changing
Home Depot: It was really a "hit and miss" situation for me at my local Home Depot and surrounding stores. Most of the jigsaws were not in stock and had to be shipped to the store or my house. Some were not available in stores and could not be shipped either (not available at all). Check your local Home Depot before going down, just in case.
* Prices were hidden because they are always changing
Lowes: I couldn't find anything at lowes, at all. I just did a simple search for "makita jigsaws" and got no results. Not sure if it is just my store, if Lowes doesn't carry them at all, or what but check for yourself if you really are set on getting one from them.
