Which is better for cutting metal?

The Milwaukee. Its brushless motor, 1-1/4 in stroke, and vibration control handle steel and pipe far better. The Ryobi works for thin metal but is slower and shakes more.

The Milwaukee. It is built for jobsite abuse with a wear-resistant blade clamp and metal-reinforced battery rails. The Ryobi is a homeowner tool with a brushed motor and no listed warranty.

Is the Milwaukee worth the extra $153?

Only if you cut often. For a few cuts a month, the Ryobi at $66 does the job. For daily trade use, the Milwaukee's speed and durability justify the price.

Do either include a battery?

No. Both are tool-only. The Ryobi needs an 18V ONE+ battery and charger; the Milwaukee needs an M18 pack such as the XC5.0.

Which is easier to use overhead?

The Ryobi. At 3.74 lb it is half the Milwaukee's 7.4 lb, which matters when cutting above your head.

The Milwaukee, despite lower SPM. Its 1-1/4 in stroke and brushless motor remove more material per stroke than the Ryobi's 1 in stroke at 3,400 SPM.

Ryobi ONE+ 18V PCL515 Reciprocating Saw vs Milwaukee M18 FUEL Gen-2 Sawzall Reciprocating Saw

Buy the Ryobi PCL515 if you want a light, cheap cordless recip saw for occasional cuts around the house. Buy the Milwaukee M18 FUEL Sawzall if you cut daily, need speed and durability, and already own M18 batteries. The Ryobi is $66 at Amazon as of November 4, 2026, against $219 at Amazon for the Milwaukee. That $153 gap buys a faster, tougher tool, but only pays off with heavy use.

Today the Ryobi ONE+ 18V PCL515 Reciprocating Saw costs $153.00 less at its best price.

Ask our shopping agent

It checks today's price at every store, compares the alternatives and answers in about a minute.