Skip to content

Head to head

Milwaukee 2737-20 vs DEWALT DCS334B (2027)

The two cordless jigsaw flagships compared: Milwaukee M18 FUEL 2737-20 against DEWALT 20V MAX XR DCS334B on speed, grip, visibility and platform, 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
Milwaukee 2737-20 vs DEWALT DCS334B (2027) featured graphic

What owners report

Most praised
  • D-handle grip gives a confident hold for one-handed plunge-style starts.
  • Brushless motor holds speed in hardwoods without the bog-down corded users expect from battery saws.
  • On/off blower plus LED keeps the line visible even in dusty framing work.
Common complaints
  • Bare-tool cost plus M18 battery investment makes the first purchase steep.
  • Body balance shifts with larger packs, which shows on bevel cuts where the saw tilts.
  • Dust tube and cover add steps when switching between extraction and free cutting.

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.

Our recommendation

Choose the platform first; both of these saws deserve flagship status. The Milwaukee posts the higher top speed, 3,500 SPM against 3,200, and its D-handle suits plunge starts better. The DEWALT answers with the guide's best visibility pairing, LED plus blower working together, and an all-metal keyless clamp that owners praise on every mixed-material job. If your fastest hardwood cuts define the purchase, take the Milwaukee. If following the line on dim boards defines it, take the DEWALT. If you own neither platform, the tiebreaker is the rest of the catalog you will buy into.

Top speed and how it is delivered

Milwaukee rates the 2737-20 at up to 3,500 SPM against the DEWALT's 3,200 SPM, both brushless with four orbital positions and a 1 inch stroke class. The 300 SPM gap shows on thick hardwood and framing lumber, not on plywood curves, where trigger control matters more than ceiling speed. Both motors hold speed under load well; neither saw wins a curve-cutting contest on its top number.

Grip shape and cut style

The Milwaukee's D-handle wraps one hand around a closed grip with the trigger under the fingers, which suits plunge-style starts and confident one-handed control. The DEWALT's top handle is the conventional shape, familiar and easy for general cutting from above. For cutouts that start with a plunge, the D-handle has the edge; for all-day general cutting, the difference is habit, not capability.

Visibility, clamps and platform

DEWALT's LED plus blower pairing is the most praised visibility setup in this guide, while Milwaukee pairs its LED with an on and off blower that the operator controls. The DEWALT's all-metal lever-action clamp is the slicker blade-change system of the two. Platform decides most real purchases before any of this: M18 against 20V MAX, with both brands' catalogs behind their saws.

Choose Milwaukee M18 FUEL D-Handle Jig Saw, Bare Tool (2737-20) if…

  • You already own M18 batteries and tools
  • Maximum cordless top speed matters for your hardwood and framing work
  • Plunge starts and cutouts are a regular part of your job list
  • You prefer a D-handle grip for one-handed control

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

  • You already own 20V MAX batteries and tools
  • A clear cut line on dim boards matters most to your work
  • Fast, tool-free blade changes across mixed materials are a daily need
  • You prefer the conventional top-handle shape

Questions, answered

Which cuts thick hardwood faster?

The Milwaukee, on its 3,500 SPM ceiling and brushless speed holding. The gap is real but modest; on plywood and trim work the two saws are indistinguishable in practice.

Which is better for a beginner on either platform?

The DEWALT, slightly, because the LED plus blower visibility pairing helps new users follow lines, and the clamp is the simplest in the guide. A beginner already on M18 should still buy the Milwaukee rather than switching platforms for a marginal ease advantage.

Do these saws need special blades?

No. Both use standard T-shank blades, so the full range of wood, metal, laminate and scroll blades fits either saw. Buy blades by material and tooth count, not by saw brand.

Every guide on Jigsaws15 pages