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Head to head

DEWALT DCS334B vs DCS335B (2027)

Same DEWALT system, two grips: the top-handle DCS334B against the barrel-grip DCS335B, compared on control, fit and curve work for 2027 buyers.

TGBy TrueGear Research TeamIndependent editorial teamLast updated How we researchResearch-based assessment · Jigsaws
Specs verified against manufacturer docs
No paid placements
Independently funded by readers
Updated 2026-10-29
DEWALT DCS334B vs DCS335B (2027) featured graphic

What owners report

Most praised
  • Cut line stays easy to follow because the LED and dust blower work together on dim boards.
  • Blade swaps feel fast with the lever clamp, so switching between wood and metal blades does not break the rhythm of a job.
  • Variable speed dial plus trigger gives fine control on curves without lunging into the cut.
Common complaints
  • Bare-tool pricing stings for anyone who does not already own 20V MAX batteries and a charger.
  • The compact body can feel nose-heavy once a larger battery is fitted, which shows up on long overhead or vertical cuts.
  • Shoe bevel adjustment, while keyless, takes a firm hand and a recheck before angled cuts stay true.

What owners report

Most praised
  • Barrel grip puts the hand low and close to the work, which helps steady tight radius cuts.
  • Same 20V MAX platform as the top-handle sibling, so existing batteries carry straight over.
  • Speed dial on the body is easy to reach mid-cut when the material changes thickness.
Common complaints
  • Barrel shape suits smaller hands better; larger hands can feel cramped on long sessions.
  • Tool-only box means first-time buyers face the extra battery and charger purchase.
  • Dust tends to collect around the barrel housing and needs clearing to keep the line visible.

Our recommendation

This is the purest comparison in the guide, because the cutting system does not change: same brushless motor, same 3,200 SPM ceiling, same four orbital settings, same batteries. The only question is grip, and it is a real one. Take the DCS334B top handle for general cutting, plunge starts and one-handed control from above. Take the DCS335B barrel grip for scroll work, tight radii and detailed cutouts, where a hand low over the blade steadies the line. Buyers who cut both ways seriously end up owning the pair; buyers who cut one way should buy for that way.

Hand position and curve control

The barrel grip drops the guiding hand to blade level, shortening the lever between hand and cut, which steadies tight radii and small circles. The top handle keeps the hand above the saw, which suits generous curves, straight work and plunge starts better. On open curves the two feel similar; as the radius tightens, the barrel grip's advantage grows.

Speed control placement

The top-handle saw pairs a variable speed dial with a trigger, the familiar combination for general cutting. The barrel-grip saw puts the speed dial on the body, easy to reach mid-cut when material thickness changes without repositioning the guiding hand. Both give fine control; the barrel layout suits continuous curve work where the hand never leaves the grip.

Fit, balance and housekeeping

The top-handle body stays balanced with larger packs and feels familiar to most users, while the barrel shape suits smaller hands better and can feel cramped for larger hands on long sessions. The barrel housing also collects dust around itself and needs clearing to keep the line visible, and the top-handle body can feel nose-heavy with a big battery on vertical cuts. Each shape has one handling quirk; neither has a cutting disadvantage.

Choose DEWALT 20V MAX XR Jig Saw, Top-Handle (DCS334B) if…

  • General cutting, trim and framing curves are your main work
  • Plunge starts and one-handed control matter to you
  • You have larger hands or long sessions in mind
  • You prefer the conventional top-handle shape

Choose DEWALT 20V MAX Jig Saw, Barrel Grip (DCS335B) if…

  • Scroll work and tight radii are your main work
  • You want your guiding hand low over the blade
  • Mid-cut speed changes without repositioning appeal to you
  • You already own 20V MAX batteries and want the curve specialist

Questions, answered

Can I share batteries between the DCS334B and DCS335B?

Yes. Both are 20V MAX tools, so every battery and charger in the system works on either saw, which is why DEWALT owners can choose purely on grip.

Which is better for a first jigsaw?

The top-handle DCS334B, because its grip is the conventional shape most beginners already understand, and it handles plunge starts more naturally. Buy the barrel grip first only if you already know your work is mostly scroll and tight-radius cutting.

Is one more powerful than the other?

No. Both are brushless 20V MAX saws rated to 3,200 SPM with four orbital settings. Any cutting difference you feel between them is grip and handling, not motor output.

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