Milwaukee M18 Fuel Sawzall 2821 vs Ryobi ONE+ HP PBLRS01 Reciprocating Saw
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Quick take: The Ryobi ONE+ HP PBLRS01 Reciprocating Saw costs $100 less bare; the Ryobi ONE+ HP PBLRS01 Reciprocating Saw is lighter (5 vs 6.8 lbs); they live on different battery platforms (Milwaukee M18 vs Ryobi ONE+), so the deciding factor is usually which batteries you already own.
| Spec | Milwaukee M18 Fuel Sawzall 2821 | Ryobi ONE+ HP PBLRS01 Reciprocating Saw |
|---|---|---|
| Price (bare tool) | $199 | $99 |
| Kit Price | $299 | $179 |
| Rating | 4.8★ (1,884) | 4.6★ (1,753) |
| Category | Reciprocating Saw | Reciprocating Saw |
| Battery Platform | Milwaukee M18 | Ryobi ONE+ |
| Voltage | 18V | 18V |
| Motor | Brushless | Brushless |
| Weight | 6.8 lbs (bare) | 5.0 lbs (bare) |
| Released | 2020 | 2021 |
| Stroke Length | 1-1/4 in | 1-1/4 in |
| Strokes/min | 0-3,000 SPM | 0-3,200 SPM |
| Blade Change | Tool-free | Easy-release lever |
| Shoe | Adjustable | Pivoting |
Pros & cons
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.
Ryobi ONE+ HP PBLRS01 Reciprocating Saw
- ✓At around $99 bare it delivers most of the pro saws' cutting speed for half the money — the classic Ryobi value story.
- ✓3,200 SPM is nominally the fastest stroke rate in the class, and owners confirm it moves through studs and PVC quickly.
- ✓Five pounds bare makes it the easiest saw here for overhead and cramped-position cuts.
- ✓The ONE+ ecosystem spans 300+ tools on one battery — unmatched breadth for a homeowner platform.
- ✓Direct Tools outlet and Home Depot promos regularly put the kit near $100.
- ✓The pivoting shoe and easy blade lever are genuinely well-executed, not cost-cut.
- ✗Under sustained heavy load it bogs where the pro saws power through — thick hardwood and cast iron expose the gap.
- ✗Vibration damping is minimal; extended demo sessions are noticeably harsher than on the Makita or Milwaukee.
- ✗Build plastics and the shoe feel less durable, and pro users report shorter service life under daily abuse.
- ✗No rafter hook and no orbital action.
- ✗Ryobi's 3-year warranty requires registration and its service network is thinner than the pro brands'.
- ✗Lime-green tools hold resale value poorly compared to Milwaukee and DeWalt.