DeWalt DCS386 Reciprocating Saw vs Bosch PROFACTOR 18V GSA18V-126 Reciprocating Saw
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Quick take: The DeWalt DCS386 Reciprocating Saw is lighter (7.7 vs 10.25 lbs); they live on different battery platforms (DeWalt 20V Max vs Bosch 18V), so the deciding factor is usually which batteries you already own.
| Spec | DeWalt DCS386 Reciprocating Saw | Bosch PROFACTOR 18V GSA18V-126 Reciprocating Saw |
|---|---|---|
| Price (bare tool) | $279 | $279 |
| Kit Price | $399 | — |
| Rating | 4.7★ (992) | 5★ (3) |
| Category | Reciprocating Saw | Reciprocating Saw |
| Battery Platform | DeWalt 20V Max | Bosch 18V |
| Voltage | 20V | 18V |
| Motor | Brushless | Brushless |
| Weight | 7.7 lbs (bare) | 10.25 lbs (with 8.0Ah battery) |
| Released | 2021 | 2025 |
| Stroke Length | 1-1/8 in | 1-1/4 in |
| Strokes/min | 0-3,000 SPM | 0-3,000 (6 speed settings) |
| Blade Change | Keyless lever | Tool-free |
Pros & cons
DeWalt DCS386 Reciprocating Saw
- ✓FlexVolt Advantage is real — with a 9Ah FlexVolt pack it cuts with the big 60V saws while staying a 20V tool.
- ✓The lever-action keyless clamp allows flush cutting and blade flips for upside-down work.
- ✓Tool Connect chip bay makes it fleet-trackable, a genuine differentiator for commercial crews.
- ✓Backward compatible with every 20V Max battery, so it slots into any existing yellow kit.
- ✓Owners praise the trigger's low-speed control for careful cuts around pipes and wires.
- ✓The 4-position blade clamp accepts blades in multiple orientations for flush and plunge cuts.
- ✗At 7.7 lbs bare it is the heaviest 18V-class recip saw here — nearly a pound over the Milwaukee 2821.
- ✗The ~$279 bare street price is also the highest in class, and you need a pricey FlexVolt battery to unlock the headline power.
- ✗1-1/8 in stroke is shorter than the 1-1/4 in Milwaukee, Makita, and Ryobi offer, so fewer teeth engage per stroke.
- ✗Without a FlexVolt pack the performance is merely mid-pack, which frustrates owners who bought on the headline spec.
- ✗No orbital action for faster wood demolition.
- ✗No rafter hook — a baffling omission owners fix with aftermarket clips.
Bosch PROFACTOR 18V GSA18V-126 Reciprocating Saw
- ✓Genuinely fast — placed third of 11 saws in Pro Tool Reviews' head-to-head cutting tests (9.46 s clean wood, 3.62 s PVC), right behind the class leaders.
- ✓KickBack Control stops the blade the instant it detects binding — a real safety edge over rivals when a blade catches overhead or in pipe.
- ✓Switchable orbital action speeds up wood demolition, while inline mode keeps metal cuts smooth — plus six speed settings to match the material.
- ✓Dual vibration dampening system earns praise for low fatigue in extended demo sessions.
- ✓Adaptive speed control and end-of-cut detection tame the saw at cut breakthrough, reducing blade whip.
- ✓Tool-free quarter-turn blade release and an adjustable shoe make blade swaps and depth management quick.
- ✓Folding rafter hook and LED work light are standard.
- ✓5-year warranty (with registration) is among the longest in the category, and it runs on any Bosch 18V/AMPShare pack.
- ✗No kit option in the US — bare tool only, so newcomers to Bosch 18V must buy CORE18V batteries and charger separately.
- ✗Needs high-output CORE18V (8.0Ah+) packs to unlock full BITURBO performance — older slim packs leave power on the table.
- ✗At 8.1 lbs bare / 10.25 lbs with an 8.0Ah battery, it's as heavy as some dual-battery 36V saws.
- ✗Street price of $279-$295 in mid-2026 is more than faster-selling rivals' bare tools.
- ✗Bosch's 18V ecosystem is much smaller at US home centers than DeWalt/Milwaukee/Makita, so batteries and deals are harder to find.
- ✗Very thin retailer review base (a handful of reviews at Lowe's) since its 2025 launch — long-term durability is unproven.
- ✗Electronics-heavy design (kickback, adaptive, end-of-cut sensors) is more that can go wrong out of warranty.
- ✗18.5 in length is on the long side for between-stud and tight-quarters work.