RYOBI 18V ONE+ HP Compact Brushless Barrel-Grip Jigsaw (PSBJS01B) review

This is a document-based assessment of RYOBI's US PSBJS01B tool-only package and PSBJS01 saw body, not a hands-on test. The exact product page and the saw's own manual support the operating details below; neither substitutes for trying a grip or checking a particular cut in your material.

Barrel grip, battery system, and speed control

The PSBJS01B is an 18V ONE+ cordless, brushless jigsaw with a compact barrel-grip body. That format places the hand around the motor housing rather than on a raised D-handle. Whether that position helps a particular user's wrist, sightline, or control is personal; the product page's precision language is a manufacturer claim, not an independent result from this review. If you already own compatible RYOBI 18V ONE+ packs, the tool-only suffix may avoid another battery purchase. Otherwise, compare the separate PSBJS01K1 kit and check its exact box list.

The manual gives a 900–3,200 SPM no-load range and a one-inch stroke. Its variable-speed dial sets the speed ceiling, while setting A starts more slowly until the blade engages the workpiece and then increases speed. That slower start is relevant to a controlled entry, but it does not by itself guarantee a straighter or cleaner cut. The manual cautions against running for long periods at low speed because the saw may overheat. RYOBI's page lists 3.85 lb for the saw-body specification group; it does not clarify whether that weight includes a battery, so treat it as a manufacturer listing rather than a bare-tool measurement.

Blade fit and material-specific action

The PSBJS01 clamp is specified for T-shank blades only. The package list names one 10 TPI blade, but does not identify its shank in that list; the manual supplies the T-shank-only rule. Do not assume a U-shank blade will lock in simply because it looks close. Blade tooth pattern and length still need to suit the material, and the manual calls for a metal-cutting blade in metal.

There are four orbital positions, and the manual ties them to different work. It recommends no orbit for laminate and thin sheet metal; minimal orbit for plastics and PVC; position 0 again for scrolling or curving wood; medium orbit for plywood, decking, and hardwood; and maximum orbit for general lumber and softwood. This distinction matters more than a generic “four settings” feature count: the saw is not a reason to use the most aggressive setting on every job. RYOBI says larger orbital movement favors faster cutting but a rougher finish. For metal, the manual explicitly requires no-orbit mode and advises suitable blade selection, secure work support, and speed adjustment as heat or chatter demand. The sources provide no maximum cut depth or material-thickness table, so this review does not assign one.

Dust control and bevel setup

The PSBJS01 has a selector for two different dust routes. In blower mode, it directs air toward the cutline; in vacuum mode, the line-of-sight vent is closed and a rear port takes the supplied dust adapter and a connected vacuum hose. The PSBJS01B page lists an adapter sized for 1-7/8- to 2-1/2-inch hose connections. That is more specific than simply saying “dust collection,” but it still leaves the user's hose fitting and vacuum capacity to check. The blower and vacuum are alternate switch positions, not simultaneous extraction methods.

The shoe can bevel to 45 degrees left or right, with 0- and 45-degree positive stops; the manual recommends a protractor for accurate intermediate angles. It tells the user to remove the vacuum attachment while shifting the base, then also says the adapter can be used with the base in its bevel position. In practical terms, plan to detach it for the adjustment itself and reconnect it for the cut if needed. That small sequence check avoids mistaking setup clearance for a permanent conflict.

Choose the exact package, not just the saw name

The B suffix matters. RYOBI's US PSBJS01B page lists the saw, blade, vacuum adapter, and operator manual, with battery and charger sold separately. The separate PSBJS01K1 kit page lists the same PSBJS01 saw, a 10 TPI blade, the vacuum adapter, one PBP006 18V 2Ah battery, one PCG002 charger, and operator manuals. The second photo below is from that exact kit page; it shows the saw, battery, and charger, not the listed blade or adapter. Verify the suffix and included items on the actual seller carton rather than transferring kit contents to a bare-tool listing.

The practical strengths here are specific: a barrel-grip 18V ONE+ saw, a documented T-shank-only clamp, clear material-by-setting guidance, and a blower-or-vacuum choice with the adapter listed in both packages. The tradeoffs are just as concrete: you need a suitable T-shank blade for each task, the orbital chart calls for different settings across materials, the dust modes are mutually exclusive, and the tool-only PSBJS01B does not include a battery or charger. Neither the product pages nor the manual gives a rated maximum cutting depth, and this assessment claims no ownership, measured vibration, cut quality, runtime, or personal test result.