Best Cordless Band Saw (2026): 5 Picks Compared
Five cordless band saws for cutting metal, pipe and conduit, compared by cut capacity, blade speed, voltage, weight and warranty.
On this page
Top picks at a glance
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- 1
Top PickMilwaukee M12 Fuel9.6/10View on Amazon - 2
Largest Cut CapacityMakita XBP02Z9.6/10View on Amazon - 3
Highest Blade SpeedEcarke 20V Band Saw9.5/10View on Amazon - 4
Most PowerfulDEWALT DCS378B9.5/10View on Amazon - 5
Compact 18V PickRYOBI P5909.4/10View on Amazon
A Saturday brake job turns into a plumbing detour when a rusted section of pipe has to come out before the new line goes in, and the cutoff wheel throws sparks across a garage full of cardboard and old rags. A portable band saw makes that cut without the shower of sparks, and the best cordless band saw does it anywhere the job sits, with no cord to drag across the floor.
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Quick picks
- Top Pick Milwaukee M12 Fuel: 12V compact saw at 6.0 lb with a 5 year warranty and 570 FPM blade speed. Check price on Amazon
- Largest Cut Capacity Makita XBP02Z: 4-3/4 in cutting capacity with variable speed from 275 to 530 ft/min. Check price on Amazon
- Highest Blade Speed Ecarke 20V Band Saw: 630 SFPM with a 6-speed dial and a brushless motor, for DeWalt 20V batteries. Check price on Amazon
- Most Powerful DEWALT DCS378B: Brushless motor rated 535 MWO at 570 SFPM with a 3-3/8 in cut capacity. Check price on Amazon
- Compact 18V Pick RYOBI P590: 18V ONE+ compact saw with a 2-1/2 in cut capacity at 9.3 lb. Check price on Amazon
Picks for the garage
Milwaukee Electric - M12 Fuel Compact Band Saw
A 12V compact band saw with a 2.5 in throat, 570 FPM blade speed, a 6.0 lb body and a 5 year manufacturer warranty.
Pros
- 5 year manufacturer warranty, the longest term stated here
- 6.0 lb, the lowest weight in this roundup
- 570 FPM blade speed with electronic speed control
- One blade included, with a 30.5625 in blade length
Cons
- Battery and charger not included
- Listing says both Variable Speed: No and Electronic Speed Control: Yes
- 2.5 in throat depth limits the size of stock it cuts
- No safety listing stated
Makita XBP02Z 18V LXT Lithium-Ion Cordless
An 18V LXT portable band saw with a 4-3/4 in cutting capacity, a 44-7/8 in blade and variable speed from 275 to 530 ft/min.
Pros
- 4-3/4 in cutting capacity, the largest here
- Variable speed from 275 to 530 ft/min with a dial
- Trigger switch with lock-off needs two actions to start
- 3-year limited warranty
Cons
- 15.0 lb, the heaviest saw here
- Tool only, battery and charger not included
- No work light stated on the listing
- No safety listing stated
2-1/2" Cordless Band Saw Compatible with Dewalt
A 20V brushless portable band saw that runs on DeWalt 20V batteries, with a 2-1/2 in cut capacity, 630 SFPM and a 6-speed dial.
Pros
- 630 SFPM, the highest blade speed stated here
- 6-speed dial for matching speed to material
- Runs on DeWalt 20V batteries owners may already have
- 5 year manufacturer warranty
Cons
- Battery not included, tool only
- No weight stated on the listing
- Made by Ecarke, not by the battery brand it fits
- No safety listing stated
DEWALT 20V MAX XR Bandsaw, Brushless Motor
A 20V MAX XR brushless band saw with a 3-3/8 in cut capacity, 535 MWO at 570 SFPM, a variable speed trigger and dial, and a built-in LED.
Pros
- Brushless motor rated 535 MWO at 570 SFPM
- 3-3/8 in cut capacity, the second largest here
- Variable speed trigger and dial for blade speed control
- Integrated blade guard and built-in LED
Cons
- No warranty term stated on the listing
- Bare tool only, battery and charger not included
- Tool Connect chip sold separately
- No safety listing stated
RYOBI ONEAND 18V Cordless 2-1/2 in. Compact Band
An 18V ONE+ compact band saw with a 2-1/2 in cut capacity, sold as a tool only at 9.3 lb.
Pros
- 18V ONE+ platform, for owners with RYOBI batteries
- 2-1/2 in cut capacity for conduit and pipe
- Compact size at 9.3 lb
- 30 day limited warranty stated
Cons
- Listing bullets describe replacement parts, not this saw
- No blade speed stated on the listing
- Battery and charger sold separately
- 30 day warranty, the lowest term stated here
Compared on paper
| Model | Shop Score | Type | Cut capacity | Blade speed | Voltage | Battery | Warranty |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Milwaukee M12 Fuel | 9.6/10 | Compact band saw | 2.5 in throat | 570 FPM | 12V | Not included | 5 year |
| Makita XBP02Z | 9.6/10 | Portable band saw | 4-3/4 in | 275 to 530 ft/min | 18V | Not included | 3-year limited |
| Ecarke 20V Band Saw | 9.5/10 | Portable band saw | 2-1/2 in | 630 SFPM | 20V | Not included | 5 year |
| DEWALT DCS378B | 9.5/10 | Portable band saw | 3-3/8 in | 570 SFPM | 20V | Not included | Not stated |
| RYOBI P590 | 9.4/10 | Compact band saw | 2-1/2 in | Not stated | 18V | Not included | 30 day limited |
Specifications are manufacturer rated, as published on each listing and collected 8 November 2026. Where a listing contradicts itself, both figures are shown.
How the points were given
Each saw is scored on performance, build, value, safety and warranty, with the weights published on the How We Pick page. None states a UL, ETL or CSA listing, so all score zero on safety, and one gives no warranty term at all.
| Product | Shop Score | Perf. /35 | Build /25 | Value /25 | Safety /10 | Warranty /5 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Milwaukee M12 Fuel | 9.6 | 29 | 21 | 21 | 0 | 4 |
| Makita XBP02Z | 9.6 | 30 | 22 | 20 | 0 | 3 |
| Ecarke 20V Band Saw | 9.5 | 28 | 19 | 21 | 0 | 4 |
| DEWALT DCS378B | 9.5 | 33 | 22 | 19 | 0 | 0 |
| RYOBI P590 | 9.4 | 26 | 19 | 20 | 0 | 1 |
Scores run from 9.2 to 9.8: each product’s point total is placed on that range, so more points always means a higher score.
What the listings tell you
Five band saw listings make up this roundup. Four stated a warranty term, four stated a blade speed, and four stated a weight. One listing’s bullets describe replacement parts instead of the saw, and one listing contradicts itself on speed control. None stated a safety listing.
Buying guide: choosing the best cordless band saw
Cut capacity
Cut capacity is the largest stock the saw takes in one pass. A 2-1/2 in capacity covers conduit, threaded rod and small pipe, while a 4-3/4 in capacity takes larger stock and deeper cuts. Match the capacity to the thickest stock you cut, not the average piece.
Blade speed and control
Blade speed is stated in feet per minute, and the saws here run from 275 to 630 SFPM. A variable speed dial lets you slow down for hard metal and speed up for softer stock. The highest figure on a listing is a no-load figure, so treat it as a ceiling, not a cutting speed.
Battery platform
Every saw here is sold as a tool only, with the battery and charger sold separately. Buy into the platform you already own: a 12V saw stays light, an 18V or 20V saw brings more power, and a third-party saw that fits your batteries can stretch a platform further. Check the listing for which batteries fit before you order.
Weight and one-hand work
The saws here run from 6.0 lb to 15.0 lb. A lighter saw is easier to hold overhead and in tight spots, while a heavier saw stays steadier on a bench cut. A hook, a lanyard point and a lock-off switch all help when the saw is up a ladder or under a car.
Blade changes and guards
Look for a tool-free blade change and a blade guard that adjusts to the stock. A built-in LED helps when the cut sits in shadow, and a lock-off switch that needs two actions keeps the saw from starting by accident in the toolbox.
Use rated jack stands on solid ground, wear eye protection with power and air tools, keep fuel-burning equipment out of a closed garage, and follow the manual for every tool. Read our Safety Disclaimer.
Garage Fit Check
- Space: a portable band saw needs a clear bench or floor spot for the stock plus room to feed it through; the largest saw here measures 14.0 in by 22.4 in by 10.7 in.
- Power: every pick runs on its own battery platform, so check that you own a matching battery and charger before the first cut.
- Storage: hang the saw by its hook or set it blade-down on a shelf, with the blade guard in place and the lock-off switch engaged.
- Blades: confirm the blade length your saw takes, from 30.5625 in on the compact Milwaukee to 44-7/8 in on the Makita, before ordering spares.
- First job: read the listing’s stated cut capacity and blade speed, and match both to the stock you plan to cut.
FAQ: garage tools
What does a portable band saw do?
A portable band saw cuts metal, pipe, conduit and threaded rod with a continuous loop blade, in a handheld tool you carry to the stock. The saws here cut metal, steel, aluminum, plastic, conduit and composite cable with clean, spark-free cuts.
What size cordless band saw do I need?
Match the cut capacity to your stock. A 2-1/2 in capacity covers conduit and threaded rod, while a 4-3/4 in capacity handles larger pipe and stock. Check the throat depth too: the compact Milwaukee lists a 2.5 in throat.
Do cordless band saws come with batteries?
None of the five saws here includes a battery or charger; all are sold as a tool only. Buy the saw that fits the batteries you already own, or add a battery and charger to the order.
Can a cordless band saw cut metal pipe?
Yes. The listings here state cutting for metal, steel, aluminum, plastic and conduit, with a brushless motor and variable speed to match the material. Use the speed dial to slow down for hard metal.
Related: the best band saw for home shop, the best cordless reciprocating saw dual battery kit and our cordless tools hub.
