Reciprocating saws are the demo tools. You run them through plaster, nails, conduit, HVAC sheet metal, tree limbs, and structural members without worrying about what the cut looks like — you're taking things apart, not building them. Both the Milwaukee 2722-20 and DeWalt DCS367 are full-size brushless reciprocating saws designed for that abuse. The Milwaukee is the heavier, more powerful option. The DeWalt is smaller and lighter, which matters more than you'd think when you're cutting above your head in a demo scene.

Specs Comparison

Stroke Length, SPM, and Cutting Speed

The Milwaukee 2722-20 has a 1-1/8-inch stroke length and runs at 0–3,100 SPM (strokes per minute). The longer stroke does more material removal per cycle, which translates to faster cutting in dimension lumber and structural members. Milwaukee's POWERSTATE motor maintains blade speed under load better than brushed competitors — a meaningful factor when you're cutting through a wall that might have a nail or pipe buried in it.

The DeWalt DCS367B runs a 1-1/8-inch stroke at 0–3,000 SPM — essentially identical to the Milwaukee on paper. In practice, published contractor tests show the Milwaukee pulling slightly ahead in 2x lumber cutting time, but the gap is small enough that both saws will feel roughly equivalent on a demolition site.

Variable speed control on both saws is trigger-operated. The Milwaukee adds a REDLINK kickback protection feature that cuts motor output if it senses a sudden bind condition — useful when you hit an embedded nail or pipe unexpectedly. DeWalt's electronics are less interventionist, which some pros actually prefer for pure cutting feedback.

Demo Performance: Where the Rubber Meets Lath

A reciprocating saw's real test is sustained cutting through mixed materials — demolition walls that contain plaster, metal lath, wood studs, and random debris. The Milwaukee FUEL handles this more comfortably because its motor temperature management keeps it cutting at full power through long sessions. REDLINK PLUS intelligence communicates between the battery and motor to prevent overloads that would slow a lesser saw.

The DeWalt DCS367B is notably lighter at 6.2 lbs (tool-only) versus the Milwaukee's 8.0 lbs — nearly two pounds difference. In horizontal demo cutting at waist height that gap is academic. In overhead work, cutting through ceiling joists or HVAC runs above your head for 20 minutes, two pounds matters. Your shoulders will let you know.

Both saws use tool-free blade changes. Milwaukee's QUIK-LOK system is one of the fastest in the industry — one hand, one motion. DeWalt's tool-free system is also fast and reliable. Neither will frustrate an experienced user; the Milwaukee is marginally faster to swap blades on.

Battery Platform and Runtime

Both saws are battery-platform creatures. A Milwaukee 2722-20 running on a 5.0Ah M18 pack will cut through roughly 80-100 cuts in 2x dimensional lumber before the battery warning kicks in — enough for most half-day demo tasks. The DeWalt DCS367 on a 5.0Ah 20V MAX pack performs comparably.

Where the platform difference emerges is in the available high-capacity packs. Milwaukee's M18 9.0Ah and 12.0Ah REDLITHIUM HIGH OUTPUT packs extend runtime dramatically for sustained demo work. DeWalt's 20V MAX 6.0Ah FlexVolt Advantage packs provide a similar extension path. Neither platform will strand you on a job if you plan your battery count appropriately.

Platform lock-in applies here just as it does with drill drivers. If you own M18 batteries from other tools, the 2722-20 runs off those packs directly — no incremental battery spend. Same logic applies to DeWalt 20V MAX owners considering the DCS367.

Weight, Ergonomics, and Warranty

The 1.8-pound weight advantage of the DCS367B (6.2 lbs vs 8.0 lbs tool-only) isn't trivial for overhead or vertical demo work. DeWalt also trimmed the tool's length — the compact form factor fits into tight ceiling chases and wall cavities where a full-size saw body would bind against framing.

Milwaukee's 2722-20 handle geometry is one of the better-designed in the category — the D-handle positions your wrist more naturally for sustained cutting, reducing the fatigue that comes from holding a heavy vibrating tool for extended periods.

Milwaukee's 5-year tool warranty applies here. DeWalt offers 3-year. For a demo saw that takes repeated abuse, that warranty gap is worth factoring into total cost of ownership — especially since reciprocating saws are prone to gearcase stress from the inherently punishing reciprocating motion.

Best For

• Milwaukee M18 FUEL SAWZALL 2722-20 Contractors running sustained demo work at waist height who prioritize motor longevity and warranty protection
• DeWalt DCS367B Remodelers and tradespeople who do significant overhead demo cutting and need to reduce arm fatigue

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