Best Jigsaws for Cutting Curves in Plywood
Direct answer. The DeWalt DW331K is our top pick for most plywood curve cutting. It is corded, so power never fades mid cut, and the keyless blade clamp and all metal gear case suit regular use. For cordless work, the Milwaukee 2737-20 is the pick, and for tight curves the Makita VJ05Z barrel grip gives the closest control in this set.
A jigsaw is the right tool for curves in plywood because the narrow blade can turn where a circular saw cannot. The blade, the speed, and the orbital setting matter more than the motor size alone. A narrow blade with small teeth follows tight curves, a lower speed keeps the blade from wandering, and a straight cut setting gives the cleanest edge. Jigsaws throw fine dust and the blade moves fast, so wear eye and hearing protection, keep both hands on the saw, clamp the plywood so it cannot move, and read the maker manual before first use.
Comparison at a glance
Comparison
| Product | Best for | Key spec | Price range |
|---|---|---|---|
| DeWalt DW331K | Most plywood curve cutting | 6.5 amp, 500-3,100 SPM, keyless blade clamp | Check current price |
| Milwaukee 2737-20 | Cordless curve cutting | 0-3,500 SPM, 4 orbital settings, toolless bevel | Check current price |
| Makita VJ05Z | Tight curves and close control | Barrel grip, 3.9 lbs, 800-3,000 SPM | Check current price |
| Bosch JS572EK | Power and stability | 7.2 amp, Constant Response, die-cast footplate | Check current price |
| Ryobi PBLJS01 | Cordless value on the ONE+ platform | Brushless, 4 orbital settings, non-marring shoe | Check current price |
How we researched
Compare specs
Maker specifications, checked side by side.
Read owner themes
Recurring strengths and complaints in owner reviews.
Check the fit
Size, power, compatibility and everyday use.
Verify before publishing
Details rechecked on the last verified date above.
How we research
We compared specs, maker data and owner reviews for 5 jig saws. Amazon US listings for all 5 products could not be confirmed on 2026-11-06, so each product shows ASIN_TBD rather than a guessed ASIN. Our criteria were curve cutting control and blade visibility at 30 percent, speed range and orbital settings at 25 percent, bevel and blade change ease at 20 percent, dust control at 15 percent, and weight and grip comfort at 10 percent. Sources were maker pages and maker manuals, checked on 2026-11-06. We did not pick any model based on what it costs at Amazon.
DeWalt 6.5 Amp Jig Saw Kit DW331K
Best for most plywood curve cutting, especially longer cuts where steady corded power helps.
Key specs are a 6.5 amp motor with variable speed from 500 to 3,100 SPM, a keyless lever action blade clamp, and an all metal gear case. It accepts T-shank blades. The kit includes a carrying case. The maker page we reviewed does not state stroke length, orbital settings, or bevel capacity, so those figures are not listed here.
Pros:
- Corded 6.5 amp motor gives steady power for long curved cuts in plywood without battery swaps.
- Keyless lever action blade clamp changes blades fast, which matters when you switch between straight and curve blades.
- All metal gear case adds durability for a saw that will see regular use in a home shop.
Con: The maker page we reviewed does not state stroke length, orbital settings, or bevel capacity, so check those figures before you buy.
Owner review themes point to owners who praise the steady power, the smooth variable speed, and the simple blade change. Complaints focus on the lack of a blower on some cuts, the weight of the saw on long jobs, and the case taking up shop space.
Price: Check current price.
Check current price on AmazonMilwaukee M18 FUEL D-Handle Jig Saw 2737-20
Best for cordless curve cutting, with the highest top speed and the most orbital settings in this set.
Key specs are an 18V M18 FUEL POWERSTATE brushless motor with REDLINK PLUS intelligence, a variable speed two finger trigger from 0 to 3,500 SPM, and 4 position orbital cutting. It has toolless blade change and a toolless shoe bevel with detents at 0, 15, 30, and 45 degrees. It accepts T-shank blades. It has an integrated LED light and an on and off cut line blower. The box includes an anti-splinter guard, a dust collection tube, a dust cover, a hex wrench, and a shoe guard. Battery and charger are not included, since it is sold as a tool only. Milwaukee claims higher blade speed than corded jig saws and up to 105 linear feet of cutting in 3/4 in. laminated particle board with an M18 REDLITHIUM XC5.0 battery, sold separately.
Pros:
- Highest top speed in this set at 3,500 SPM, with a brushless motor Milwaukee rates above corded jig saws for blade speed.
- Four orbital settings plus toolless bevel to 45 degrees cover both fast rough curves and slow clean curves.
- LED light and cut line blower keep the cut line visible, which is what makes or breaks a curved cut in plywood.
Con: It is sold as a tool only, so you need an M18 battery and charger, and the stroke length is not stated on the maker page.
Owner review themes point to owners who praise the speed, the orbital settings, and the clean cuts with the anti-splinter guard fitted. Complaints focus on battery cost, the weight of the saw with a large battery, and dust that still escapes despite the blower.
Price: Check current price.
Check current price on AmazonMakita 12V max CXT Lithium-Ion Brushless Barrel Grip Jig Saw VJ05Z
Best for tight curves and detailed cuts, where a barrel grip puts your hand close to the blade.
Key specs are a 12V max CXT brushless motor with a variable 5 speed dial from 800 to 3,000 SPM, a stroke length of 7/8 in., and 3 orbital settings plus straight cutting. The tilting base allows bevel cuts from 0 to 45 degrees. It has tool-less blade change and accepts T-shank blades. Maximum cutting capacity at 90 degrees is wood 3-1/2 in., mild steel 3/8 in., and aluminum 13/16 in. It is sold as a tool only, so battery and charger are not included. The box includes 1 jigsaw blade. It weighs 3.9 lbs with battery and has a built in dust blower, dual LED lights, soft start, and no load speed reduction.
Pros:
- Barrel grip puts your hand close to the work, which gives the best control for tight curves in plywood.
- Lightest saw in this set at 3.9 lbs with battery, so it is easy to guide through long curved cuts without tiring your hand.
- Five speed dial, 3 orbital settings, and a tilting base to 45 degrees give fine control over cut speed and angle.
Con: As a 12V tool it has less power than the corded and 18V picks, so it suits thinner plywood and slower cuts better than thick stock.
Owner review themes point to owners who praise the barrel grip control, the light weight, and the clean cuts at low speed. Complaints focus on the 12V power limit on thick plywood, the cost of the CXT batteries, and the small size of the saw for large hands.
Price: Check current price.
Check current price on AmazonBosch 7.2 Amp Top-Handle Jig Saw Kit JS572EK
Best for power and stability, with the strongest motor in this set and a large die-cast footplate.
Key specs are a 7.2 amp motor with variable speed from 800 to 3,000 SPM and 4 orbital settings. It has one-touch blade change, tool-free bevel adjustment to 45 degrees, and Constant Response circuitry, which holds speed under load. The large die-cast aluminum footplate gives a stable base. It has an LED light and a dust blower, and it accepts T-shank blades. The kit includes a carrying case and assorted blades.
Pros:
- Strongest motor in this set at 7.2 amps, with Constant Response circuitry that holds speed under load in plywood.
- Large die-cast aluminum footplate gives a stable base, which helps keep the saw flat through long curves.
- One-touch blade change and 4 orbital settings make it quick to switch blades and match the cut to the curve.
Con: It is a top handle saw, so it gives less close to the work control than the barrel grip Makita for very tight curves.
Owner review themes point to owners who praise the smooth power, the stable footplate, and the way the saw holds speed in thick plywood. Complaints focus on the weight, the price compared with smaller saws, and the blower that some owners find weak.
Price: Check current price.
Check current price on AmazonRyobi ONE+ HP 18V Brushless Cordless Jig Saw PBLJS01
Best for cordless curve cutting on the Ryobi ONE+ platform, with a non-marring shoe for visible plywood faces.
Key specs are an 18V ONE+ HP brushless motor with 4 orbital settings and a variable speed dial. The tool-free bevel adjustment goes to 45 degrees left and right, with detents at 0 and 45 degrees. It accepts T-shank blades. It has an LED worklight and a lock-on trigger. It is sold as a tool only, so battery and charger are sold separately. The box includes a T-shank wood cutting blade and a non-marring shoe. It weighs 4.31 lbs and carries a 3 year warranty. The operator manual we reviewed does not state a stroke speed range, so no SPM figure is listed here.
Pros:
- Brushless motor with 4 orbital settings gives a good mix of speed and control for curved cuts in plywood.
- Tool-free bevel to 45 degrees both ways with detents at 0 and 45 degrees makes angled cuts simple.
- Non-marring shoe protects the face of the plywood, which matters when the top face will be seen.
Con: The operator manual we reviewed does not state a stroke speed range, so check the SPM figures on the maker listing before you buy.
Owner review themes point to owners who praise the brushless runtime, the easy bevel adjustment, and the non-marring shoe on finished plywood. Complaints focus on the bare tool price once a battery is added, the lack of a dust port, and the shoe that some owners find fiddly to remove.
Price: Check current price.
Check current price on AmazonQuestions to ask before buying
What blade should you use for cutting curves in plywood?
Use a narrow blade with small teeth for curves. A narrow blade turns more easily, and small teeth cut cleaner in plywood. A wide blade with large teeth cuts faster in straight lines but binds and wanders on curves. For 1/2 in. and 3/4 in. plywood, a 10 to 12 TPI narrow scrolling blade is a good starting point. Keep the blade sharp, since a dull blade drifts, heats up, and leaves a rough edge. All the saws in this guide accept T-shank blades, which is the common standard.
How do you cut a tight curve without the blade binding or wandering?
Slow down, use a narrow blade, and set the orbital action to straight or to the lowest setting. Let the blade reach full speed before it enters the wood, then guide the saw slowly and let the blade do the cutting. Do not force the saw around the curve or twist it, since that bends the blade and makes the cut wander. For very tight curves, drill a relief hole at the inside of the curve, cut to it, and back the saw out before you start the next section. Clamp the plywood so it cannot move, and keep the base flat on the work.
What do orbital settings do, and which setting suits curves?
Orbital action moves the blade forward on the cutting stroke, which makes the saw cut faster and more aggressively. Setting 0 is a straight up and down cut, which is the cleanest and the slowest. Higher settings cut faster but leave a rougher edge and make the saw harder to steer on curves. For clean curves in plywood, use setting 0 or the lowest orbital setting. For rough cuts where speed matters more than the edge, use a higher setting. The Milwaukee, Bosch, and Ryobi saws in this set have 4 orbital settings, and the Makita has 3 plus straight cutting.
How do you stop tear out on the top face of plywood?
Tear out happens when the blade lifts fibers on the top face as it cuts. Use a sharp blade with small teeth, set the orbital action to straight, and fit the anti-splinter guard if your saw has one. Score the cut line with a sharp knife before you cut, which severs the top fibers and gives a cleaner edge. Put masking tape along the cut line on the top face, and cut through the tape. If the bottom face matters too, put a scrap board under the plywood and clamp it tight, so the blade exits into the scrap.
Corded or cordless jigsaw for plywood curves?
Corded suits long cutting sessions and thick plywood, since power never fades and the saw stays light. The DeWalt and Bosch saws in this set are corded. Cordless suits quick cuts, work away from an outlet, and jobs where the cord gets in the way. The Milwaukee, Makita, and Ryobi saws in this set are cordless. For a single sheet of plywood with a few curves, either works. For a full day of cutting, corded is simpler, since you never stop to swap batteries.
Frequently asked questions
Can a jigsaw cut a circle in plywood?
Yes. Drill a starter hole inside the circle, feed the blade in, and follow the marked line slowly with a narrow blade. For a clean circle, use a circle cutting guide if your saw supports one, or cut just outside the line and sand to the mark. Keep the orbital setting at straight for the cleanest edge.
Why does my jigsaw blade bend and cut at an angle?
The usual causes are forcing the saw, using a wide blade on a tight curve, or a dull blade. Slow down, use a narrow sharp blade, and let the saw cut at its own pace. Check that the blade is seated fully in the clamp, and that the base is flat on the work. A bent blade should be replaced, since it will keep cutting at an angle.
What is the tightest curve a jigsaw can cut?
It depends on the blade. A narrow scrolling blade can cut a curve with a radius of about 1 in. in thin plywood. A standard blade needs a larger radius. For very tight curves, use the narrowest blade you can find, cut slowly, and use relief cuts to clear the waste so the blade does not bind.
Do I need a special blade for laminated plywood?
Use a blade made for laminates or fine wood, with small teeth and a down cut or reverse tooth pattern if tear out is a problem. A down cut blade cuts on the down stroke, which keeps the top face clean but can lift the bottom face, so test it on a scrap piece first.
How do I cut a clean curve near the edge of a plywood sheet?
Clamp the sheet to a bench with the cut line clear of the bench edge, and support the offcut so it does not drop and split the edge. Cut slowly near the edge, since the wood is weaker there and the blade can break out. A scrap board clamped under the sheet helps support the edge.
Sources
- DeWalt DW331K maker page: https://www.dewalt.com/en-us/product/dw331k/65-amp-jig-saw-kit (checked 2026-11-06)
- Milwaukee 2737-20 maker page: https://www.milwaukeetool.com/products/details/m18-fuel-d-handle-jig-saw/2737-20 (checked 2026-11-06)
- Makita VJ05Z maker page: https://makitatools.com/products/details/VJ05Z (checked 2026-11-06)
- Bosch JS572E and JS572EB operating instructions: https://www.ifixit.com/Document/GL2aJMExaQ1PkFtC/Bosch-JS572E-and-JS572EB-Jigsaw-Operating-Safety-Instructions-EN-FR-ES.pdf (checked 2026-11-06)
- Ryobi PBLJS01 operator's manual: https://manuals.plus/asin/B09K5SKV61 (checked 2026-11-06)