Which 20V Reciprocating Saw Suits Your DEWALT Setup?

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If you already keep a shelf of yellow 20V MAX batteries in the garage or utility closet, adding a reciprocating saw is one of the most practical upgrades you can make. It is the tool you reach for when a shelf bracket needs cutting out, a fence post has to come down, or an overgrown shrub needs thinning before the weekend. Many people search for a “DEWALT 20 volt Sawzall”, but Sawzall is actually a Milwaukee trade name that has become shorthand for any reciprocating saw. DEWALT calls its version a reciprocating saw, and that is the term we use here.

The six saws below all run on DEWALT 20V MAX batteries, but they fall into two clear groups. Two are genuine DEWALT tools: the compact DCS387 as a bare tool and the same saw sold as the DCS387P1 kit with a 5Ah battery. The other four are third-party saws sold as compatible with DEWALT 20V batteries, from CAMXTOOL, MELLIFTOOLS, 1797 and BDJHMP. They are not made or supported by DEWALT, and we say so in each section so you can weigh that against the brushless motors and bundled blades they advertise.

DEWALT 20V Reciprocating Saw Lineup at a Glance

The Models in Detail

01 DEWALT 20V MAX Cordless Reciprocating Saw Bare tool design compatible with Dewalt 20V lithium battery platform

Check price on Amazon Our score: 9.6/10

Best for: Bare-tool buyers who want blades included

Pros

• Brushless motor
• Up to 3,500 strokes per minute
• 8 wood and metal blades

Cons

• Third-party, not made by DEWALT
• Stroke length not specified

Best for: DEWALT owners with spare 20V batteries

Pros

• Genuine DEWALT tool
• 4-position blade clamp
• 1-1/8-inch stroke
• LED work light

Cons

• Battery and charger sold separately
• Brushed motor not stated as brushless

The DEWALT 20V MAX Cordless Reciprocating Saw is the bare-tool version of the DCS387, and it is the one most DEWALT owners mean when they ask about a compact DEWALT recip saw. The listing describes a compact, lightweight body about 14 inches in total length, which is short enough to fit between studs when you are cutting out an old electrical box or trimming blocking inside a wall. It pairs a 1-1/8-inch stroke length with a variable-speed trigger running from 0 to 2,900 strokes per minute.

The standout feature is the keyless, lever-action four-position blade clamp. You can mount the blade facing up, down or sideways, which is what makes flush cutting possible, for example trimming a pipe or nail close to a floor or wall. A pivoting shoe and a bright LED round out the package. Note that the battery and charger are sold separately, and the listing does not say whether the motor is brushed or brushless, so do not assume the latter.

This model suits anyone who already has at least one 20V MAX battery and wants a genuine DEWALT tool with DEWALT’s limited warranty. If you have no batteries yet, the kit version further down makes more sense.

02 Cordless Reciprocating Saw Compatible with Dewalt Delivers up to 3,000 SPM with 1" stroke length

Check price on Amazon Our score: 8.8/10

The Cordless Reciprocating Saw Compatible with Dewalt is made by CAMXTOOL, not DEWALT. It is sold as a bare tool that fits the DEWALT 20V battery platform, with no battery or charger in the box. The listing highlights a brushless motor and a top speed of up to 3,500 strokes per minute, which is higher on paper than the DCS387.

What sets it apart is the blade bundle: two 150mm bi-metal blades for metal and six carbon-steel blades from 150 to 200mm for wood, branches, PVC and plastic. It also has a tool-free quick-release clamp and a rubberized grip. The listing does not specify stroke length, weight or warranty length, and at 17 inches long it is the longest saw in this group, which matters if you work in tight cavities. It suits a homeowner who wants a saw and a starter set of blades in one order and is comfortable with a third-party tool.

03 Brushless Reciprocating Saw Compatible with Dewalt Delivers up to 3,000 SPM with 1" stroke length

Check price on Amazon Our score: 8.8/10

Best for: One-handed cuts and pruning

Pros

• 60-degree adjustable frame
• 5-year limited warranty
• Stated cutting capacities

Cons

• Third-party, not affiliated with DEWALT
• Shorter 1-inch stroke

The Brushless Reciprocating Saw Compatible with Dewalt comes from MELLIFTOOLS, and the listing states plainly that it is not affiliated with DEWALT. It is a one-handed style saw with a brushless motor rated up to 3,000 strokes per minute and a 1-inch stroke, slightly shorter than the DEWALT saws’ 1-1/8 inches. A built-in chip is described as protecting the tool and battery against over-voltage and over-current.

This is the only listing here that gives cutting capacities: wood up to 7 inches, soft steel up to 0.6 inches and aluminum up to 0.8 inches. It also has a 60-degree adjustable frame for angled cuts, an LED, a variable-speed trigger and a quoted weight of 1.75kg without battery. The 5-year warranty from Mellif is the longest stated in this comparison. It suits yard pruning and lighter remodeling where one-handed control matters more than maximum stroke length.

04 DEWALT 20V MAX* Cordless Reciprocating Saw With the compact and lightweight design, the cordless reciprocating saw

Check price on Amazon Our score: 8.4/10

Best for: First DEWALT 20V saw with battery

Pros

• Includes DCB205 5Ah battery
• Same compact DCS387 saw
• 4-position blade clamp

Cons

• Charger not listed in kit
• Speed specs in listing conflict

The DEWALT 20V MAX* Cordless Reciprocating Saw is the DCS387P1 kit. The saw itself matches the bare DCS387: compact body, 1-1/8-inch stroke, variable-speed trigger up to 2,900 strokes per minute, four-position keyless blade clamp, pivoting shoe and LED. The difference is that the set contains a DCB205 battery, rated at 5 amp-hours.

A few listing details are inconsistent. The feature list quotes 14.5 inches of total length while the bare tool listing says 14 inches, and the specification table shows a speed of 1,450 rpm even though the description says up to 2,900 strokes per minute. We would rely on the description figure, which matches the bare tool. The set contents also do not mention a charger, so check that before buying if this is your first DEWALT 20V purchase.

For someone building a battery collection from scratch, this is the most straightforward route into genuine DEWALT gear. The 5Ah pack will also run other tools on the platform, such as a DEWALT 20 volt leaf blower for clearing the cuttings afterward.

05 Brushless Cordless Reciprocating Saw for Dewalt Weighing just 2.2 lbs without the battery, this cordless reciprocating saw is

Check price on Amazon Our score: 8.2/10

Best for: Fast cutting with safety extras

Pros

• Up to 3,800 strokes per minute
• Glasses, gloves and case included
• Lists compatible DEWALT batteries

Cons

• Third-party brand
• Stroke length not specified

The Brushless Cordless Reciprocating Saw for Dewalt is made by a brand called 1797. It is tool only and lists compatibility with specific DEWALT batteries, including the DCB200, DCB201, DCB203, DCB204, DCB205 and DCB206. Its headline figure is up to 3,800 strokes per minute from a brushless motor, the highest in this comparison.

The box is the most complete of the third-party options: four blades, safety glasses, gloves, a storage box and a manual. The listing quotes a weight of 2.2 lbs without battery, a safety lock against accidental starts, an LED, and overheat and overcurrent protection. Stated cutting capacity is 7.1 inches for wood and 3.9 inches for plastic, while the metal figure is cut off in the listing. Stroke length is not specified. It suits a DIYer who wants protective gear and storage included, but it is not a DEWALT product.

06 For Dewalt 20V Max Battery Cordless Features a safety lock to prevent accidental activation

Check price on Amazon Our score: 9.0/10

Best for: Yard trimming with many spare blades

Pros

• 10 saw blades included
• Safety lock
• 500W brushless motor listed

Cons

• Third-party brand
• Stroke length and warranty terms vague

The For Dewalt 20V Max Battery Cordless saw is sold by BDJHMP and, like the others in this group, is a third-party tool with no battery or charger. The listing names the same DEWALT battery models as the 1797 saw and describes a 500W brushless motor with a speed range of 0 to 2,800.

It ships with ten saw blades, the largest blade count here, plus a carry box. The listing mentions a safety lock, a cooling system, an LED and a weight of 2.55 lbs. Stroke length and warranty length are not specified. It suits occasional garden work such as trimming branches, where a pile of spare blades is more useful than advanced blade-clamp positions.

Matching a Model to Your Setup

• You already own several DEWALT 20V MAX batteries and want to stay with DEWALT: choose the DEWALT 20V MAX Cordless Reciprocating Saw bare tool.
• You are starting the DEWALT 20V platform and need a battery: the DEWALT 20V MAX* Cordless Reciprocating Saw kit with its DCB205 pack.
• You cut close to floors and walls, such as trimming pipes flush: either DEWALT model, because of the four-position blade clamp.
• You prune shrubs and small branches one-handed: the Brushless Reciprocating Saw Compatible with Dewalt from MELLIFTOOLS.
• You want safety glasses, gloves and a case in the same box: the Brushless Cordless Reciprocating Saw for Dewalt from 1797.
• You go through blades quickly on mixed yard debris: the For Dewalt 20V Max Battery Cordless saw with ten blades, or the CAMXTOOL saw with eight.

Before You Buy

None of the listings for the third-party saws give a stroke length except MELLIFTOOLS, and several leave out warranty length and weight with battery. Speeds are quoted as strokes per minute on some listings and rpm on others, so treat the numbers as rough guides rather than direct comparisons. The genuine DEWALT listings do not state whether the DCS387 motor is brushless, and the kit listing contains a speed figure that conflicts with its own description.

Compatibility claims on third-party tools come from the sellers, not DEWALT. Using a non-DEWALT tool will not change how your batteries charge, but DEWALT will not support that tool under its warranty. If you mix platforms, remember that DEWALT also sells a separate 12V range, covered in our guide to 12 volt DEWALT tools, and those batteries do not fit any saw in this list.

FAQ

Is a DEWALT Sawzall the same as a DEWALT reciprocating saw?

Yes in practice. Sawzall is a Milwaukee trademark that people use generically. DEWALT sells its equivalent as a reciprocating saw, such as the DCS387.

What is the difference between the DCS387B and DCS387P1?

The saw is the same. The DCS387B is the bare tool, while the DCS387P1 kit adds a DCB205 5Ah battery. The kit listing does not mention a charger.

Are the compatible saws made by DEWALT?

No. The CAMXTOOL, MELLIFTOOLS, 1797 and BDJHMP saws are third-party tools designed to accept DEWALT 20V batteries. MELLIFTOOLS states outright that it is not affiliated with DEWALT.

Which saw has the fastest listed speed?

The 1797 saw lists up to 3,800 strokes per minute, followed by CAMXTOOL at 3,500. Speed is only part of cutting performance, and stroke length is missing from most third-party listings.

Which saws include blades?

CAMXTOOL includes eight blades, 1797 includes four, BDJHMP includes ten, and the MELLIFTOOLS listing refers to an 18TPI blade. The DEWALT listings do not mention included blades.

Can I cut metal with these saws?

Most listings mention metal with the right blade. The DEWALT kit lists wood and metal as recommended surfaces, and MELLIFTOOLS gives a soft steel capacity of 0.6 inches. Use a bi-metal blade for metal work.