A cordless jigsaw sits in the middle ground of power demand: you’re not running it as hard as some tools, but you’re not running it lightly either. Get the battery size wrong and you’ll either be swapping batteries mid-job on thick timber, or carrying more battery than you need for delicate sheet work. All three major platforms have options that work for jigsaws; the trick is matching capacity to the material and the length of the job.
We have not tested these batteries ourselves; the suggestions below are our editorial picks, and the battery details come from the makers.
Quick Recommendations
| Use Case | Makita 18V LXT | DeWalt 20V MAX | Milwaukee M18 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Best All-Round | BL1850B 5.0Ah | DCB205 5.0Ah | 48-11-1850 5.0Ah |
| Best for Heavy Use | BL1860B 6.0Ah | DCB206 6.0Ah | 48-11-1860 6.0Ah |
| Smaller pack | BL1830 3.0Ah | DCB204 4.0Ah | 48-11-1840 4.0Ah |
Starter packs by platform
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Before you buy: check that the size, fitting/bore and maximum-rated speed marked on the accessory match what your tool’s manual specifies. We have not physically tested these products; listings are compiled from published specifications. These are affiliate links.
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Which batteries fit which tools — cross-brand, adapters & Ah, decoded.
Why Battery Choice Matters for Jigsaws
Jigsaws are usually not run at full throttle continuously, unlike a reciprocating saw or angle grinder, so smaller batteries can work; thick timber or metal cutting will empty a pack faster. The makers do not publish runtimes for these tool and battery pairs, and we have not tested them, so we do not estimate them.
Weight matters with a jigsaw because you guide it by hand and keep the sole plate flat. Check real pack weights, though: Makita UK lists its 3.0Ah and 5.0Ah LXT packs at about the same weight (0.64 kg and 0.63 kg), and Milwaukee UK lists its 4.0Ah and 5.0Ah M18 packs at the same 0.7 kg. For thick hardwood and longer jobs we suggest 5.0–6.0Ah.
Best Batteries for Makita Jigsaws
Best All-Round: Makita BL1850B 5.0Ah
The BL1850B is our pick for most jigsaw work. Makita UK lists it at 0.63 kg, about the same as the 3.0Ah BL1830B, so the extra capacity costs little in weight. Makita does not publish a runtime for this pair, and we have not tested one.
Best for Heavy Use: Makita BL1860B 6.0Ah
The BL1860B has 20% more capacity than the BL1850B, and Makita UK lists it only 30 g heavier (0.66 kg vs 0.63 kg), so it suits production cutting or back-to-back jobs. Makita does not publish a runtime for this pair.
Smaller Pack: Makita BL1830 3.0Ah
The BL1830 is a 3.0Ah pack for short jobs and light duty. It does not save weight, though: Makita UK lists the BL1830B at 0.64 kg, about the same as the 5.0Ah BL1850B.
See all compatible batteries on our Makita 18V LXT Battery Compatibility page.
Best Batteries for DeWalt Jigsaws
Best All-Round: DeWalt DCB205 5.0Ah
The DCB205 is DeWalt’s 5.0Ah 20V MAX pack (US part number; DeWalt’s UK 5.0Ah 18V XR pack is the DCB184) and our pick for most jigsaw work. DeWalt does not publish a runtime for this pair, and we have not tested one.
Best for Heavy Use: DeWalt DCB206 6.0Ah
The DCB206 has 20% more capacity than the DCB205, for production work or when you need to minimise downtime. DeWalt US lists it at 2.25 lb against 1.54 lb for the DCB205, so expect a little more weight.
Best Lightweight: DeWalt DCB204 4.0Ah
The DCB204 is a 4.0Ah pack, slightly lighter than the 5.0Ah DCB205 (DeWalt US: 1.4 lb vs 1.54 lb), for jigsaw tasks where weight matters.
See all compatible batteries on our DeWalt 20V MAX Battery Compatibility page.
Best Batteries for Milwaukee Jigsaws
Best All-Round: Milwaukee 48-11-1850 5.0Ah
The 48-11-1850 is Milwaukee’s US M18 REDLITHIUM XC5.0 pack (Milwaukee’s UK 5.0Ah M18 pack is the M18 B5) and our pick for most jigsaw work. Milwaukee does not publish a runtime for this pair, and we have not tested one.
Buy Milwaukee 48-11-1850 on Amazon
Best for Heavy Use: Milwaukee 48-11-1860 6.0Ah
The 48-11-1860 is Milwaukee’s US M18 REDLITHIUM XC6.0 pack (an XC pack, not a HIGH OUTPUT one), with 20% more capacity than a 5.0Ah pack, for production-level work or back-to-back cuts in thick timber.
Buy Milwaukee 48-11-1860 on Amazon
Smaller Pack: Milwaukee 48-11-1840 4.0Ah
The 48-11-1840 is Milwaukee’s US M18 REDLITHIUM XC 4.0 pack, for jigsaw work between the 3.0Ah and 5.0Ah sizes. It may not save much weight: Milwaukee UK lists its 4.0Ah and 5.0Ah M18 packs (M18 B4, M18 B5) at the same 0.7 kg.
Buy Milwaukee 48-11-1840 on Amazon
See all compatible batteries on our Milwaukee M18 Battery Compatibility page.
Full Comparison Table
| Battery | Platform | Capacity | Best For | Buy Link |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Makita BL1850B | 18V LXT | 5.0Ah | All-round jigsaw work | Amazon |
| Makita BL1860B | 18V LXT | 6.0Ah | Heavy cutting / production | Amazon |
| Makita BL1830 | 18V LXT | 3.0Ah | Detail work | Amazon |
| DeWalt DCB205 | 20V MAX | 5.0Ah | All-round jigsaw work | Amazon |
| DeWalt DCB206 | 20V MAX | 6.0Ah | Heavy cutting / production | Amazon |
| DeWalt DCB204 | 20V MAX | 4.0Ah | Lightweight / overhead | Amazon |
| Milwaukee 48-11-1850 | M18 | 5.0Ah | All-round jigsaw work | Amazon |
| Milwaukee 48-11-1860 | M18 | 6.0Ah | Heavy cutting / production | Amazon |
| Milwaukee 48-11-1840 | M18 | 4.0Ah | Detail work | Amazon |
Watch: Video Guide
Frequently Asked Questions
What size battery is best for a cordless jigsaw?
For most users, a 5.0Ah battery is the best all-round choice. It offers good runtime without excessive weight. For light sheet work, a 3.0–4.0Ah saves weight. For thick timber or production cutting, step up to 6.0Ah.
Does orbital action drain the battery faster?
Possibly, but we have no maker data on it and have not measured it, so we do not give a percentage.
Can I use a bigger battery in my jigsaw?
Yes. Within the same platform, packs of different capacities normally fit the same tools (check your tool’s manual). A 6.0Ah battery works in the same jigsaw as a 2.0Ah — it’s just heavier and lasts longer.
Can I use DeWalt FLEXVOLT batteries in a 20V MAX jigsaw?
Yes. DeWalt says its XR FLEXVOLT batteries are backwards compatible with its 18V XR (US: 20V MAX) tools, switching voltage automatically to suit the tool; check your jigsaw’s manual. See our DeWalt 20V MAX and FLEXVOLT compatibility guide.
Are Makita, DeWalt and Milwaukee batteries interchangeable?
No. Makita 18V LXT, DeWalt 20V MAX (UK: 18V XR) and Milwaukee M18 are separate battery systems, and each maker’s tools take its own packs. Stick within your platform.
How we compile this guide
We cross-reference compatibility details against manufacturer specifications where available, official tool manuals, and the physical standards that govern fitment (bore sizes, arbor diameters, voltage platforms, connector types). We prioritise primary sources over retailer listings, flag anything we can’t confirm, and re-verify the data on a regular cycle. Where we give a buying recommendation, we tell you the reasoning — not just the link. More on our method →
