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A good reciprocating saw should have enough muscle to cut through wood, metal, and plastic quickly, but without producing so much vibration that it leaves your arm feeling numb after an afternoon of demolition. I’ve tested dozens of reciprocating saws over the years, and know the feeling well. That’s why I’ve been so impressed with the Flex’s flagship reciprocating saw, the FX2271, and why it was my top pick after testing seven reciprocating saws in our recently updated best reciprocating saws guide.
Best Overall
Photo: Tony Carrick for Bob Vila
What We Like
- Excellent cutting performance
- Smooth low vibration operation
- Rugged pro worthy build quality
What We Don’t Like
- Heavy 24-volt system
Product Specs
- Cutting speed: 3,000 SPM
- Stroke length: 1¼ inch
- Weight (bare tool:) 7.4 pounds
Is the Flex recip saw powerful?
Flex has a reputation for making some of the most powerful cordless power tools, owing to the fact that it uses a 24-volt system over the 18-volt systems most cordless tools use. So, it’s not surprising that its reciprocating saw is among the most powerful, putting out 3,000 strokes per minute (SPM) with its long 1 ¼-inch stroke length.
As if that weren’t enough, the Flex FX2271 also has orbital controls. This option adds an elliptical motion to the blade that allows it to cut more aggressively when making rough cuts through softer materials, like pine 2x4s, enabling it to slice through wood up to 40 percent faster.
Not surprisingly, in side-by-side testing with six other reciprocating saws, it sliced through wood, metal, and plastic faster than any other saw we tested.
How does the Flex saw perform?
While the Flex’s cutting speed is impressive in itself, what I really like about the FX2271 is how smoothly it accomplishes this feat. It uses a dampening system, so very little vibration gets transferred from the motor or blade to your arm. This doesn’t just reduce arm fatigue but also makes it very easy to control cuts.
There is a trade-off for the Flex’s power and vibration dampening, and that’s with weight. At nearly 10 pounds when loaded with a battery, it’s a heavy tool, even by reciprocating saw standards. So, while it operates smoothly, it takes a little more upper-body strength to wield.
Along with its outstanding power and smooth operation. There are other useful features on the Flex reciprocating saw. A keyless blade eject that allows you to dump hot blades without having to touch them, which is a nice feature given how hot blades can get with the Flex’s fast cutting speed. There’s also a super-bright LED worklight.
Is the Flex FX2271 worth its price?
The Flex FX2271 retails at $279, which is steeper than budget-priced reciprocating saws but significantly more affordable than other premium reciprocating saws that offer similar performance. While it may not make sense for more casual DIYers, it’s a great option for pros and more serious home workshops.
Where to Buy
Photo: Tony Carrick for Bob Vila