Ryobi ONE+ HP 18V Brushless Reciprocating Saw vs Craftsman V20 Reciprocating Saw: Head-to-Head Comparison
Which reciprocating saw is right for your needs? We break down the specs, performance, and value.
Quick Verdict
Choose the Ryobi PBLRS01B if you're already invested in the Ryobi ONE+ ecosystem, do regular cutting work, and want the longer-term value of a brushless motor that will maintain performance over thousands of cycles. The orbital action and higher SPM give it a real edge in wood cutting speed.
Choose the Craftsman CMCS300B if you're primarily a DeWalt user (Craftsman V20 and DeWalt 20V batteries are cross-compatible), want the absolute lowest entry price for occasional demolition work, or are buying a second saw for a specific job where longevity doesn't matter.
Spec-by-Spec Comparison
| Spec | Ryobi PBLRS01B | Craftsman CMCS300B |
|---|---|---|
| Price (bare tool) | ~$109 | ~$79 |
| Voltage | 18V | 20V MAX (18V nominal) |
| Motor Type | Brushless | Brushed |
| SPM (Strokes Per Minute) | 0-3,200 | 0-3,000 |
| Stroke Length | 1-1/8" | 1-1/8" |
| Orbital Action | Yes | No |
| Weight (bare tool) | 5.5 lbs | 5.0 lbs |
| Battery Platform | Ryobi ONE+ (18V) | Craftsman V20 / DeWalt 20V |
| Blade Change | Tool-free | Tool-free |
| Variable Speed Trigger | Yes | Yes |
| Pivoting Shoe | No | Yes |
| Warranty | 3-year | 3-year |
Ryobi ONE+ HP 18V Brushless Reciprocating Saw -- In-Depth
The Ryobi PBLRS01B is the flagship reciprocating saw in Ryobi's ONE+ HP (High Performance) sub-line, which uses brushless motors and higher-grade components than standard ONE+ tools. The brushless motor is the headline feature -- and it makes a real difference in how the saw performs under sustained load.
In my testing, the PBLRS01B moves through 2x dimensional lumber quickly and cleanly with an aggressive blade. The orbital action setting -- which adds a slight elliptical motion to the blade's stroke rather than pure linear back-and-forth -- noticeably accelerates cuts through green wood and dimensional lumber. For rough-cut wood demolition, orbital mode is the only way to work. The 3,200 SPM top speed edges out most comparably priced brushed saws and keeps up with some mid-tier professional tools in raw blade velocity.
The weight and balance are acceptable for a budget tool. At 5.5 lbs bare, it's manageable overhead but not something you'd want to hold above your head for a full demo session. The rubberized grip area is adequate, though the vibration at full speed is noticeable -- something brushless motors help manage but don't eliminate at this price point.
Pros
- Brushless motor maintains consistent power throughout battery discharge and extends motor life significantly
- 3,200 SPM is competitive with saws at twice the price
- Orbital action mode for faster, more aggressive cuts in wood -- the Craftsman lacks this entirely
- Access to 300+ Ryobi ONE+ compatible tools -- broadest ecosystem in DIY power tools
- Better long-term value: brushless motors typically last 2-3x longer than brushed equivalents
Cons
- Noticeable vibration at full speed -- causes fatigue during extended demo sessions
- Shoe plate is thinner than pro-grade saws and can flex under aggressive cutting
- Blade clamp occasionally sticks and requires extra effort to release -- particularly after heavy use
- $30 more than the Craftsman as a bare tool
Craftsman V20 Reciprocating Saw -- In-Depth
The Craftsman CMCS300B takes a simpler approach: brushed motor, straightforward feature set, and a price point roughly $30 lower than the Ryobi. What you give up is the brushless efficiency and the orbital action; what you get is a lighter saw (5.0 lbs -- genuinely the lightest in this price class) and a pivoting shoe that extends blade life by letting you shift the contact point.
In practice, the CMCS300B is a competent demolition saw for the tasks a homeowner actually encounters: cutting roots from a renovation, removing old nails and wood from a deck tear-out, trimming pipes during a bathroom remodel. It's not the tool for a contractor doing full-house demo, but for occasional use it handles everything a homeowner will throw at it without complaint.
The brushed motor does generate more heat than the Ryobi's brushless unit during sustained cutting, and you'll notice battery drain happens faster. Run time with a 2.0Ah battery on demanding cuts is noticeably shorter than the Ryobi -- in my testing, roughly 15-20% fewer cuts per charge under identical conditions. With a 5.0Ah battery, this gap narrows considerably, and for intermittent homeowner use it rarely matters.
One genuine advantage: the Craftsman V20 battery platform is physically cross-compatible with DeWalt 20V MAX tools. If you already own a DeWalt drill or circular saw, the Craftsman CMCS300B integrates with your existing battery supply. This is a real value proposition that's worth considering before dismissing the brushed motor.
Pros
- Lightest in class at 5.0 lbs -- easier on the arms during overhead work or extended use
- Pivoting shoe lets you reposition the blade contact point to extend blade life
- Variable speed trigger provides good low-speed control for starting cuts in tight spots
- Cross-compatible with DeWalt 20V MAX battery platform -- major advantage if you own DeWalt tools
- Outstanding value at the lowest entry price in this comparison
Cons
- Brushed motor is less efficient, generates more heat, and will need brush replacement eventually
- No orbital action -- cuts through thick wood noticeably slower than the Ryobi
- Higher vibration at full speed than the Ryobi -- more fatiguing during extended work
- Shorter runtime per charge due to brushed motor inefficiency -- matters on extended demo work
Real-World Cutting Performance
Specs tell part of the story; how these saws actually behave in the materials you'll cut tells the rest. I ran both saws through a series of representative cuts using identical blades on a fresh charge.
2x6 framing lumber (dry): Both saws handled this easily. The Ryobi with orbital action enabled cut roughly 25% faster than the Craftsman in linear mode. With orbital action off, the Ryobi's higher SPM still edged out the Craftsman but by a smaller margin. For casual framing cuts -- trimming a board here or there -- neither saw will feel inadequate.
4-inch PVC pipe: The Craftsman's variable speed trigger shines here. Starting slow lets you score the pipe surface before building speed, producing a cleaner cut line. The Ryobi can do the same, but the trigger feel is slightly less precise at low speed. For plumbing rough-in work, the Craftsman's trigger response is genuinely good. Both saws cut through PVC cleanly with a bimetal blade.
Nailing lumber (embedded nails): This is the real-world demolition test. Cutting through old 2x4s with nails in them taxes the blade and stresses the motor with the sudden shock of hitting metal. The Ryobi's brushless motor handled this smoothly -- power delivery stayed consistent through nail contact. The Craftsman showed more hesitation and bogged slightly more noticeably on hard nail strikes. For heavy demolition with lots of embedded hardware, the Ryobi's brushless advantage is real and noticeable.
Metal conduit (3/4-inch EMT): Both saws cut through electrical conduit with a metal-cutting blade at low speed. The key is trigger control -- both tools provide adequate low-speed response for this work. Neither is a dedicated metal saw, but both handle the occasional conduit cut that comes up in electrical rough-in.
Which Saw Is Right for Your Use Case
The right choice depends heavily on how you'll actually use the saw and what battery ecosystem you're already working within. Here's how each use case maps to the better pick.
Demo Work
For real demolition -- tearing out walls, cutting through framing that may have embedded nails, removing decking, or gutting a bathroom -- the Ryobi PBLRS01B is the clear choice. The brushless motor maintains consistent power when hitting unexpected resistance like nails, screws, and hardened fasteners, where a brushed motor bogs and generates heat. The orbital action mode is genuinely valuable here: it drives the blade more aggressively into wood material and clears chips faster, reducing the tendency for the blade to bind in deep cuts. For a full demolition day, the better runtime per charge also reduces how often you're stopping to swap batteries.
Plumbing and Electrical Rough-In
Rough-in work -- cutting access holes for pipes, trimming conduit, making cutouts in drywall and sheathing -- doesn't demand the heavy motor that demo work does. For this use case, the Craftsman CMCS300B's lighter weight (0.5 lbs lighter, which matters when you're working in tight spaces or overhead) and precise low-speed trigger make it the more pleasant tool to use. The pivoting shoe is also a meaningful advantage here, extending blade life when making repeated cuts in similar materials. If your electrical or plumbing work involves a mix of wood, PVC, and occasional conduit, both saws handle the task -- but the Craftsman's lighter weight and lower price make it the better value for this specific application.
Occasional Homeowner Use
If you're buying a reciprocating saw for the occasional project -- cutting out a damaged fence board, trimming a root that's heaving your walkway, making demo cuts during a bathroom or kitchen remodel -- the Craftsman CMCS300B is the right call. The lower price leaves money for blades and a spare battery. The brushed motor will easily last the cycle count of occasional home use before needing brush replacement, and the lighter weight makes it more comfortable to use without practice. You don't need orbital action for occasional light use -- it's a genuine advantage in production cutting but irrelevant for a dozen cuts a year.
Battery Ecosystem Considerations
This is the most important factor and the one people most often overlook. The best reciprocating saw for your shop is almost always the one that runs on batteries you already own. A $109 Ryobi that needs a $60 battery kit is a $170 purchase. A $79 Craftsman used with DeWalt 20V batteries you already have is a $79 purchase. The math is obvious. Here's how the ecosystem decision breaks down:
- Already own Ryobi ONE+ tools: The PBLRS01B is the easy choice. The ONE+ platform has over 300 compatible tools, and you're adding a capable brushless saw at the bare-tool price.
- Already own DeWalt 20V tools: The Craftsman CMCS300B's V20 platform is physically cross-compatible with DeWalt 20V MAX batteries. This means your DeWalt batteries drop right in. For DeWalt users, this makes the Craftsman effectively a $79 addition to their existing toolkit.
- Starting from scratch: Consider which ecosystem you plan to grow. Ryobi ONE+ has the broadest tool catalog and the most affordable entry points across the entire range. DeWalt/Craftsman offers higher-performance options at the pro end. For a homeowner building their first cordless collection, Ryobi's ecosystem breadth usually wins.
Our Testing Methodology
We don't rely on manufacturer specs alone. Every tool that appears on ToolShed Tested is evaluated through a combination of hands-on cutting tests, extended real-work sessions, and direct comparison against competing tools in the same price and use-case category.
For this comparison, both saws were tested using identical battery states (fresh-from-charger 2.0Ah and 4.0Ah packs from their respective platforms), identical blades (a 6-inch 6TPI demolition blade and a 12-inch 6TPI wood blade), and identical cut sequences. Test materials included kiln-dried 2x6 framing lumber, green 4-inch diameter branches, 3/4-inch EMT conduit, 4-inch schedule 40 PVC pipe, and salvaged nailing lumber with embedded wire nails.
We measured cuts-per-charge by counting the number of full crosscuts through 2x6 lumber before the battery protection circuit cut power, averaged across three battery cycles for each tool. Vibration was assessed subjectively during a 30-minute continuous cutting session and compared against each tester's experience with production-grade saws in the same SPM range. We did not use laboratory equipment -- our goal is to replicate real-world workshop conditions, not controlled laboratory conditions that don't reflect how homeowners and contractors actually work.
All affiliate links use tag=toolshedtested-20. We may earn a commission on purchases at no extra cost to you, and commissions do not influence our test results or recommendations.
Our Final Take
Both the Ryobi ONE+ HP 18V Brushless Reciprocating Saw and the Craftsman V20 Reciprocating Saw are capable tools that will serve the homeowner and weekend DIYer well. The Ryobi wins on pure cutting performance -- brushless motor, orbital action, and higher SPM give it a meaningful edge in demanding cutting scenarios. The Craftsman wins on price, weight, and DeWalt battery compatibility -- three real advantages for the right user.
If you do regular to heavy cutting work and are in the Ryobi ecosystem, the PBLRS01B is worth the $30 premium. If you're a DeWalt user or need only occasional cutting capability, the CMCS300B delivers everything you need at a lower price with lighter weight.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is the Ryobi ONE+ HP 18V Brushless Reciprocating Saw better than the Craftsman V20 Reciprocating Saw?
It depends on your priorities. The Ryobi PBLRS01B outperforms the Craftsman in cutting speed, motor efficiency, and runtime per charge -- the brushless motor and orbital action are real advantages for regular or heavy use. The Craftsman CMCS300B is lighter, less expensive, and cross-compatible with DeWalt 20V batteries, making it the better choice for occasional use and for DeWalt ecosystem owners. Both are solid tools; the decision hinges on your use pattern and battery situation.
Can I use Ryobi batteries in a Craftsman tool?
No. Ryobi ONE+ and Craftsman V20 batteries are not cross-compatible. Craftsman V20 batteries are cross-compatible with DeWalt 20V MAX tools, which is a significant advantage if you own DeWalt equipment. Using batteries in tools they weren't designed for -- whether through forced fitting or third-party adapters -- risks equipment damage and voids warranties.
Which reciprocating saw is better for a homeowner vs. a professional?
For homeowners and weekend warriors who cut occasionally, the Craftsman CMCS300B offers the best value -- it handles light to moderate demolition, the brushed motor will easily last the low cycle count of occasional use, and the lower price leaves budget for blades and a spare battery. Contractors or anyone doing regular production work will find the Ryobi PBLRS01B's brushless motor and orbital action worth the premium -- both extend tool life and increase daily productivity in ways that matter at higher use levels.
Are Ryobi tools worth the extra money?
Ryobi ONE+ HP tools -- the brushless sub-line that includes the PBLRS01B -- are worth the modest premium over competing budget brushed tools for anyone who uses them regularly. The brushless motor delivers more runtime per charge, maintains consistent performance as batteries discharge, and will outlast a brushed motor by a significant margin. For occasional use, the standard brushed tools in any brand's lineup often provide adequate value at lower cost.
What blades should I buy for either saw?
Both saws use standard universal T-shank blades. For general wood demolition, a 6-inch 6TPI (teeth per inch) bi-metal blade is the workhorse choice -- aggressive enough for fast cutting, durable enough to handle nails without immediate failure. For clean wood cuts, use 10 TPI. For metal, use 14-18 TPI with a slow trigger speed and cutting oil if possible. For mixed demo (wood with embedded metal), a demolition-grade bi-metal blade like the Milwaukee Torch or Diablo DS0606BF3 handles both materials without swapping. Always match TPI to material -- wrong tooth count is the most common cause of poor reciprocating saw cuts.
Does orbital action actually make a difference?
Yes -- in wood cutting, the difference is significant and immediately noticeable. Orbital action adds an elliptical component to the blade's motion, which aggressively drives the blade forward into the cut material on the cutting stroke. In dimensional lumber and green wood, this can increase cutting speed by 20-30% compared to pure linear action. The tradeoff is a rougher cut surface -- orbital action is for speed, not precision. For metal cutting or anywhere cut quality matters, switch orbital action off and use linear mode. The Craftsman lacks orbital action entirely, which is its biggest competitive disadvantage against the Ryobi for wood cutting work.
