The Bosch JS470E is the jigsaw I have been using in my shop for almost two years. It replaced a 12-year-old Bosch 1590EVS that finally lost its bearings to old age. The new JS470E has the same family DNA: a smooth-running motor, accurate blade tracking, and a die-cast aluminum gear case that stays square through years of use. After two years and roughly 200 cuts of curved trim, custom shelves, and cabinet plywood scribes, the saw has not lost a measurable degree of accuracy.
Why you should trust this review
I am a hobbyist woodworker and a homeowner with a roughly 1500-square-foot shop. I bought the JS470E at retail to replace a long-running Bosch jigsaw of the previous generation. The saw has been used for cabinet plywood scribes, custom curved shelves, decorative arches, and the steady stream of curved cuts a small shop generates. None of this testing was sponsored by Bosch.
How we tested the JS470E
- Cut a 12-inch radius curve in 3/4 inch Baltic Birch plywood, six cuts averaged for tracking accuracy.
- Cut 1-3/4 inch hard maple stock to evaluate motor power on hardwood.
- Cut 1/2 inch sheet acrylic with a fine-tooth blade to check vibration and edge quality.
- Cut 1/8 inch aluminum sheet with a metal-cutting blade.
- Bevel-cut at 45 degrees through 3/4 inch poplar to verify bevel accuracy.
- Verified blade square (perpendicular to shoe) using a precision square at month 0 and month 22.
- See our methodology page for the standard procedure.
Who should buy the Bosch JS470E?
Buy this jigsaw if you are a serious woodworker, finish carpenter, or trim installer who values smooth cutting and accurate blade tracking. Buy it if your old jigsaw has lost accuracy or vibrates more than it used to. Buy it if you appreciate tools that hold their tune across many years.
Skip this jigsaw if you only need a jigsaw twice a year (a $40 jigsaw works fine), if you need a cordless saw for jobsite work (the DEWALT DCS334B is the cordless equivalent), or if you specifically prefer a barrel-grip body for fine curve work (the JS470EB is the same internals in barrel-grip form).
Cut smoothness: the headline feature
The vibration-control system on the JS470E keeps the saw stable across the speed range. On 3/4 inch plywood at full speed, the saw vibrates noticeably less than my previous 1590EVS at the same task, and meaningfully less than budget jigsaws I have tried. Cut quality is consequently smoother. The edge of a 12-inch radius curve in Baltic Birch comes off the saw with the kind of tear-out that needs only a light sanding to be ready for finish.
Orbital action
Four orbital settings (0, 1, 2, 3) tune the aggressiveness of the cut. Setting 0 is straight up-and-down for fine veneer work and tight curves. Setting 3 is the most aggressive, for ripping plywood quickly. Setting 1 or 2 is the daily setting for most cabinet work. The orbital adjustment lever is on the side of the saw and is easy to reach without putting the saw down.
Accuracy and blade tracking
The blade stays square to the shoe across the cut. Tested with a precision square at month 0 and month 22, the deviation is within 0.5 degrees. That is well within the tolerance any jigsaw cut needs. The bevel detents at 0 and 45 degrees are accurate within 1/4 degree on my unit.
Blade clamp and changes
The tool-free blade clamp is the best in the field. Pull the lever, the blade ejects, no contact required with a hot blade. New blade slides in until you feel the click. Total time per blade change is under 5 seconds. After two years of use, the clamp has not lost grip.
Build quality
The die-cast aluminum gear case is the part of this saw that earns its price. After two years of regular use, the saw has not lost its tune, the bearings still feel smooth, and the motor still hits its rated 3100 SPM under no-load conditions. The 1-year warranty is on the short side, but Bosch jigsaws traditionally outlast their warranty by 10+ years.
Verdict context
Against the DEWALT DCS334B cordless and the barrel-grip JS470EB, the JS470E is the corded woodworking standard. It is the saw to buy if your work is shop-based and you want a tool that holds its accuracy.
Bosch JS470E 7-Amp Top-Handle Corded Jigsaw vs. the competition
| Product | Our rating | Power | Orbital | Bevel | Price | Verdict |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Bosch JS470E | ★★★★★ 4.6 | 7 amp | 4 settings | 45 deg | $169 | Editor's Choice Corded |
| DEWALT DCS334B 20V Cordless | ★★★★★ 4.5 | Brushless | 4 settings | 45 deg | $169 | Top Pick Cordless |
| Bosch JS470EB Barrel-Grip | ★★★★★ 4.6 | 7 amp | 4 settings | 45 deg | $179 | Top Pick Barrel-Grip |
| Black+Decker BDEJS600C | ★★★★☆ 3.8 | 5 amp | 1 setting | 45 deg | $39 | Skip for Pro Use |
Full specifications
| Power | 7 amp / 120V AC |
| Strokes per minute | 500-3100 SPM |
| Stroke length | 1 inch |
| Cut depth wood | 5-1/2 inches |
| Cut depth aluminum | 3/4 inch |
| Cut depth steel | 3/8 inch |
| Bevel range | 0 to 45 degrees |
| Orbital settings | 4 (0, 1, 2, 3) |
| Weight | 5.7 lb |
| Warranty | 1 year limited |
Should you buy the Bosch JS470E 7-Amp Top-Handle Corded Jigsaw?
The JS470E is the corded jigsaw woodworkers should buy. The 7-amp motor delivers 3100 SPM smoothly, the four-position orbital action lets you tune cut aggressiveness for the material, and the precision-machined die-cast aluminum gear case keeps blade tracking square through the entire cut. After two years of regular use, the saw has not lost its accuracy.
Frequently asked questions
Is the Bosch JS470E worth $169 in 2026?+
Yes for any serious woodworker or finish carpenter. The cut smoothness, blade tracking, and four-position orbital action put this saw in a tier above $50 jigsaws. After two years of use, mine has not gone out of tune. For occasional DIY use, a $40 jigsaw is fine.
JS470E vs DCS334B cordless: which jigsaw should I buy?+
The Bosch is corded, slightly smoother, and never runs out of battery. The DEWALT is cordless and runs on the 20V MAX platform. For shop use, choose the Bosch. For jobsite cabinet installs, choose the cordless DEWALT. Many pros own both.
Top-handle vs barrel-grip: which is better?+
Top-handle is better for vertical cuts (cutting plywood on sawhorses, cutting trim from above). Barrel-grip puts your hand closer to the blade for finer control on intricate curves. Choose by the type of work you do most. The JS470E top-handle is the more common pick for general work.
How accurate is the bevel adjustment?+
The factory-set bevel detents at 0 and 45 degrees are accurate within 1/4 degree on my unit. After two years of use, the detents have not loosened. For better-than-detent accuracy on a specific angle, set the bevel manually with a digital angle gauge.
📅 Update log
- May 9, 2026Confirmed pricing and current availability.
- Aug 14, 2024Initial review published after 22 months of shop use.
Alex Patel
Alex Patel writes for The Tested Hub.