Ridgid 18V Brushless Reciprocating Saw R8647 vs Craftsman V20 Brushless RP CMCS351 Reciprocating Saw
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Quick take: The Craftsman V20 Brushless RP CMCS351 Reciprocating Saw costs $20 less bare; the Craftsman V20 Brushless RP CMCS351 Reciprocating Saw is lighter (6.92 vs 8.3 lbs); they live on different battery platforms (Ridgid 18V vs Craftsman V20), so the deciding factor is usually which batteries you already own.
| Spec | Ridgid 18V Brushless Reciprocating Saw R8647 | Craftsman V20 Brushless RP CMCS351 Reciprocating Saw |
|---|---|---|
| Price (bare tool) | $169 | $149 |
| Kit Price | $268 | — |
| Rating | 4.6★ (300) | 5★ (76) |
| Category | Reciprocating Saw | Reciprocating Saw |
| Battery Platform | Ridgid 18V | Craftsman V20 |
| Voltage | 18V | 20V |
| Motor | Brushless | Brushless |
| Weight | 8.3 lbs (with 4.0Ah battery) | 6.92 lbs (bare tool) |
| Released | 2021 | 2022 |
| Stroke Length | 1-1/4 in | 1-1/8 in |
| Strokes/min | 0-3,200 | 0-3,200 SPM (2-speed: 0-2,300 / 0-3,200) |
| Blade Change | Tool-free side lever | Tool-free release |
Pros & cons
Ridgid 18V Brushless Reciprocating Saw R8647
- ✓Class-leading spec sheet — 1-1/4 in stroke at 3,200 SPM is one of the best stroke/speed combos of any 18V recip saw.
- ✓Absolutely shreds wood — beat Milwaukee's comparable model through a nail-embedded roofing sandwich in Pro Tool Reviews' testing (17.4 s vs 20+ s), earning a 9.2/10.
- ✓Orbital/linear selector dial speeds up wood demolition and switches off for clean metal cuts.
- ✓Outstanding value at $169 bare — $80-$120 less than Makita, Bosch, and Milwaukee flagship recips.
- ✓Lifetime Service Agreement: free parts and service for life when registered within 90 days — unique among major brands.
- ✓Owners consistently praise the comfortable grip, easy one-lever tool-free blade changes, and front LED.
- ✓Light for a full-size brushless recip at 6.7-6.8 lbs bare, with an integrated rafter hook for ladder work.
- ✓Compatible with every Ridgid 18V battery ever made; MAX Output packs unlock its full power.
- ✗No variable speed dial — only the trigger — which makes slow, controlled starts in thick metal harder than on Bosch's flagship.
- ✗PTR found it needed trigger finesse to get carbide-tooth blades started in thick metal — wood is its strong suit, metal merely adequate.
- ✗Some Home Depot reviewers report battery overheating and long-term reliability concerns.
- ✗Needs pricier MAX Output batteries for full performance — older/basic packs blunt its edge.
- ✗Ridgid 18V is effectively a Home Depot exclusive, so battery deals and service options are limited compared to multi-retailer brands.
- ✗Ships with a single wood blade — plan on buying a blade assortment immediately.
- ✗Lifetime Service Agreement requires registration within 90 days and excludes batteries after 3 years — miss the window and coverage drops to the standard warranty.
- ✗No advanced electronics (no kickback control or adaptive speed) that newer 2025-era flagships offer.
Craftsman V20 Brushless RP CMCS351 Reciprocating Saw
- ✓Up to 75% more power than Craftsman's brushed V20 saws, with a class-topping 3,200 SPM max speed.
- ✓Two-speed selector (0-2,300 / 0-3,200 SPM) gives better control for metal and PVC than single-range budget saws.
- ✓Light and compact — 6.92 lbs bare with a contoured overmolded grip that's easy to work into stud bays.
- ✓Owners love it: 5.0-star average across 76 reviews at Ace Hardware.
- ✓Aggressively discounted — Ace Rewards has run it at $99 (from $169 list), and Lowe's regularly promos the V20 line.
- ✓Tool-free blade release and bright LED cover the everyday conveniences.
- ✓V20 is one of the cheapest big-box battery ecosystems to expand, sold at Lowe's and Ace nationwide.
- ✓3-year limited warranty is solid for a value brand.
- ✗No orbital action — noticeably slower than orbital-equipped saws on wood demolition.
- ✗Shorter 1-1/8 in stroke moves less material per pass than the 1-1/4 in pro class.
- ✗No rafter hook, no electric brake, and no adjustable shoe refinements — the feature list is bare-bones.
- ✗DIY-grade output: it can't match 18V pro flagships (Milwaukee Fuel, DeWalt Elite) in sustained heavy demo work.
- ✗Craftsman recommends 4.0Ah+ batteries for full performance, which adds real cost to the bare tool.
- ✗No kitted version of this model — you must buy battery and charger separately (only the brushed CMCS300 comes as a kit).
- ✗ToolGuyd questioned the Brushless RP line's value at list price — the $169 non-promo price crowds pro-brand territory.
- ✗V20 packs are smaller than pro 18V lines, so runtime on long demo days is limited.