Rank #5 in Best Reciprocating Saw 2026: 10 Ranked, and Why the Spec Table Lies
BLACK+DECKER BDCR18N 18V Cordless Saw, Bare Unit
Price and rating as shown on Amazon when we collected them. Both change.
The BLACK+DECKER 18V Cordless Reciprocating Saw sits at number 5 in our guide to the best reciprocating saws. At £35.00 it is the cheapest thing in the running, and it is sold as a bare unit: no battery, no charger, just the tool. That price only makes sense if you already own BLACK+DECKER 18V batteries, which is exactly what the reviewers below say they did.
Its own listing is where it gets interesting. The spec table claims 750 watts, but the same table gives the power source as battery powered at 18 volts and mentions no mains supply. It also says one lithium ion battery is required, while the Included Components field says "Bare Tool". The numbers that actually describe how it cuts — a variable speed trigger of 0–3,000 rpm and a 20 mm reciprocating stroke — sit in the bullet points rather than in the table, and the table has filed that same 20 mm under "Blade Length". Everything on this page comes from the Amazon listing and the reviews left on it, not from any test of our own.
How those 1,089 ratings break down
An average hides its own shape. This is the spread behind the 4.5 stars.
Specification
Exactly as published on the Amazon listing, field for field.
| Price | £35.00 — bare unit, battery and charger not listed as included |
|---|---|
| Rating | 4.5 out of 5 from 1,089 ratings |
| Speed (bullet point) | Variable speed trigger, 0–3,000 rpm |
| Speed (spec table) | 3,000 RPM |
| Stroke length | 20 mm from the bullet points; the spec table lists the same 20 Millimetres as "Blade Length" |
| Wattage (as listed) | 750 watts, from a power source listed as an 18V battery |
| Power source | Battery powered, 18 volts — no mains supply listed |
| Batteries (as listed) | 1 Lithium Ion battery required, while Included Components says "Bare Tool" |
What buyers actually say
Quoted from customer reviews on Amazon
Verified purchase“I'm really pleased with the BLACK+DECKER 18V Cordless Reciprocating Saw. One of the biggest advantages for me is that it works with a battery I already have, so I didn't need to buy another battery and charger just to use it.It has plenty of power for the jobs I've used it for and makes cutting through materials much quicker and easier than doing it manually. Being cordless is also really convenient, as there's no cable to worry about when working around the house or garden.For the price, I think it offers excellent value. You get a useful, powerful tool without having to spend a fortune, particularly if you already own other compatible BLACK+DECKER 18V equipment.Overall, I'm very happy with it and would definitely recommend it. The combination of good power, cordless convenience and battery compatibility makes it a great addition to my tools.Pros- Works with my existing 18V battery- Good amount of power- Cordless and convenient- Makes cutting jobs much quicker- Excellent value for money- Great addition to a BLACK+DECKER tool collectionCons- You need a compatible battery if you don't already own one- Can be a little bulky for smaller jobs”
Verified purchase“Sits nicely in your hands when operating. Easily cut through 5 CMS branches and more if you cut both sides of branch. Safer than a chainsaw. Comes with blade to get you started.”
What it is up against
The rivals it was ranked against in Best Reciprocating Saw 2026: 10 Ranked, and Why the Spec Table Lies.
Questions people ask
Does the BLACK+DECKER 18V Reciprocating Saw come with a battery?
The listing's Included Components field says "Bare Tool", so no battery or charger is supplied — yet the same table says one Lithium Ion battery is required. You need an 18V BLACK+DECKER battery to run it.
How many strokes per minute does it make?
The bullet points give a variable speed trigger of 0–3,000 rpm, and the spec table's Speed field says 3,000 RPM. The stroke length that goes with it is 20 mm.
Is it mains powered?
No. Power source is listed as Battery Powered at 18 volts, and no mains supply is mentioned anywhere in the listing, even though the same table claims 750 watts.
What is the stroke length?
20 mm, given in the bullet points. The spec table gives the identical figure of 20 Millimetres under the label "Blade Length", which is a different thing from stroke.
How much does the BLACK+DECKER BDCR18N-XJ weigh?
1.74 kg. The listing gives item dimensions of 15.4L x 3.5W x 7.1H centimetres, and the colour as Black/Orange.
What blades does it take?
The listing says tool free blade change, 2 positions of the blade, and lists "Number of Teeth: 6". It does not name a blade type or fitting.
Comments
Reader comments are not checked against the manufacturer's claims above.
No comments yet
Be the first to add something we missed — a price change, a spec that turned out wrong, or how one of these held up.
Leave a comment
No account needed. Own one of these? Tell other readers how it actually performed.