DeWalt DCS386 Reciprocating Saw vs Milwaukee M18 Fuel Sawzall 2821
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Quick take: The Milwaukee M18 Fuel Sawzall 2821 costs $80 less bare; the Milwaukee M18 Fuel Sawzall 2821 is lighter (6.8 vs 7.7 lbs); they live on different battery platforms (DeWalt 20V Max vs Milwaukee M18), so the deciding factor is usually which batteries you already own.
| Spec | DeWalt DCS386 Reciprocating Saw | Milwaukee M18 Fuel Sawzall 2821 |
|---|---|---|
| Price (bare tool) | $279 | $199 |
| Kit Price | $399 | $299 |
| Rating | 4.7★ (992) | 4.8★ (1,884) |
| Category | Reciprocating Saw | Reciprocating Saw |
| Battery Platform | DeWalt 20V Max | Milwaukee M18 |
| Voltage | 20V | 18V |
| Motor | Brushless | Brushless |
| Weight | 7.7 lbs (bare) | 6.8 lbs (bare) |
| Released | 2021 | 2020 |
| Stroke Length | 1-1/8 in | 1-1/4 in |
| Strokes/min | 0-3,000 SPM | 0-3,000 SPM |
| 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.
Milwaukee M18 Fuel Sawzall 2821
- ✓Cuts at genuinely corded speed — the 'fastest in class' marketing holds up in side-by-side owner tests against DeWalt and Makita.
- ✓Nearly a pound lighter than the Gen 1 while gaining speed, which overhead demo users notice immediately.
- ✓The anti-corrosion tool-free blade clamp survives wet cast-iron and drain work that rusts other clamps shut.
- ✓Adjustable shoe extends blade life by letting you use fresh teeth sections.
- ✓Sawzall blades and parts are available literally everywhere, and a spare M18 battery is always around on a red crew.
- ✓Metal-reinforced battery rails fix the cracked-rail failure mode of earlier M18 saws.
- ✓The rafter hook is stout enough to actually trust on a ladder, not the decorative wire loop rivals fit.
- ✗No orbital action — aggressive wood demo is measurably slower than the 2822 Super Sawzall or orbital rivals.
- ✗Vibration control trails the Super Sawzall and Makita's XGT saw; long sessions leave your hands buzzing.
- ✗MSRP is $249 and street price hovers around $199 bare — a premium over comparable spec sheets.
- ✗It eats batteries fast under heavy load; owners recommend nothing smaller than a 5.0Ah High Output pack.
- ✗No variable-speed dial, only trigger control, which some finish-demo users miss.
- ✗Milwaukee sells four different M18 recip saws and the naming (Sawzall, Super Sawzall, Hackzall) confuses first-time buyers.