DeWalt
DeWalt DCS386 Reciprocating Saw
DeWalt's FlexVolt Advantage recip saw: it runs on any 20V Max battery but unlocks up to 50% more power when you snap on a FlexVolt pack. Tool Connect chip support adds jobsite asset tracking for fleets.
Specifications
Features
Pros
- ✓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.
Cons
- ✗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.
Common Questions
What does 'FlexVolt Advantage' mean — do I need special batteries?
Can it do flush cuts against a floor or wall?
What is the Tool Connect chip for?
How does the stroke compare to Milwaukee and Makita recip saws?
Is it heavy for an 18V-class recip saw?
Compare the DeWalt DCS386 Reciprocating Saw
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