Bosch Home and Garden PSA 700 E Review

There comes a point in almost every renovation, demolition, or garden clearance project where a standard handsaw simply will not do the job. The timber is too thick, the angle is too awkward, the material is a mix of wood and nails, or you need to cut flush against a wall or floor. This is the moment a reciprocating saw earns its place in the toolbox. Unlike a circular saw that needs a clear, straight path, or a jigsaw that excels at curves but struggles with thick demolition work, a reciprocating saw is the tool of controlled aggression — it plunges into materials, cuts in tight spaces, and handles the kind of rough, improvised cutting that renovation projects constantly demand. Whether you are removing old window frames, cutting through plasterboard and studwork, pruning thick garden branches, or breaking down pallets and scrap timber, a quality reciprocating saw turns a physically exhausting task into something that takes seconds. The best models combine enough power to cut without bogging down, a quick-change blade system to switch between materials instantly, and an ergonomic design that keeps you in control even during overhead or one-handed cuts. For the renovator, landscaper, or serious DIY enthusiast, this is the tool you reach for when precision matters less than getting the job done — cleanly, quickly, and without breaking your back.

Choosing a reciprocating saw comes down to a few practical considerations. Power is the first — measured in watts for corded models, around 700 to 800 watts gives you enough grunt for demolition work and thick timber without the tool being unreasonably heavy. Stroke length and speed determine how quickly the saw cuts, and variable speed control is essential because different materials need different speeds: slow and controlled for metal and plastic, faster for wood and plasterboard. The blade changing system matters enormously in practice — a tool-free SDS (Bosch's quick-change system) lets you swap from a wood blade to a metal blade in seconds without reaching for an Allen key. Weight and balance affect how long you can work comfortably, particularly during overhead cuts where a heavy saw quickly becomes punishing. Bosch's green Home & Garden range sits in the sweet spot between professional blue tools and budget alternatives, offering well-engineered products for the serious home user and occasional professional. Their PSA series of reciprocating saws has earned a reputation for combining effective power with the kind of ergonomic design that makes a long day of cutting feel manageable.

In this review we examine the Bosch PSA 700 E, a 710-watt corded reciprocating saw with electronic variable speed control and the SDS quick-change blade system. We test its cutting performance across wood, metal, and plastics, evaluate handling during extended use, and assess whether the bundled Keo pruner blade set adds genuine value.

The PSA 700 E is built around a 710-watt motor running on standard 240-volt mains power, delivering enough cutting force to make fast work of timber, metal, plastics, rubber, and plasterboard. The electronic variable speed control — a Bosch feature denoted by the 'E' in the model name — lets you adjust the blade speed precisely to match the material, from a slow, controlled stroke for cutting through steel pipe or sheet metal to maximum speed for ripping through studwork and demolition timber. The compact body design keeps the overall size manageable, which matters when you are working in confined spaces like inside a cupboard, between floor joists, or up against a wall where a longer saw body would limit your cutting angle. The tool uses standard reciprocating saw blades with a universal shank, so you are not locked into proprietary consumables — blades from Bosch, Dewalt, Milwaukee, and third-party manufacturers all fit, giving you an enormous range of options for every material and application.

The standout design feature is the SDS quick-change blade system. Rather than the traditional method of loosening a setscrew with an Allen key — fiddly at the best of times and infuriating when you are wearing gloves or the screw is caked in sawdust — the SDS mechanism lets you eject and insert blades with a simple lever action. This genuinely changes how you use the saw: you will find yourself switching from a coarse wood blade for demolition to a fine metal blade for cutting through a nail you encountered in the timber, then back again, without it feeling like an interruption. The ergonomic design features a comfortable grip surface and a balanced weight distribution that makes the saw feel secure in one-handed or two-handed operation. The green Bosch body is compact enough to fit into tight spaces while still providing the leverage needed to control the cut. A protective front shoe stabilises the saw against the workpiece and can be adjusted to use different sections of the blade, extending blade life.

In everyday use, the PSA 700 E performs exactly as a well-designed reciprocating saw should: it cuts quickly, handles a variety of materials without fuss, and does not exhaust you in the process. The variable speed trigger gives progressive control — squeeze gently for a slow start that prevents the blade from jumping and scratching the surface, then increase pressure for full-speed cutting once the blade is established in the material. The 710-watt motor has enough power for the vast majority of home renovation tasks: cutting through 100 mm studwork takes seconds, pruning branches up to 100 mm in diameter is quick and clean, and even cutting through metal pipe and bar stock is achievable with the right blade and a steady hand. The compact body makes overhead cuts — removing old ceiling joists, for example — less fatiguing than with longer, heavier saws. The corded power delivers consistent performance without the power fade that afflicts cordless saws towards the end of a battery charge, making this the natural choice for workshop or site-based work where a power outlet is available.

The PSA 700 E bundle includes a wood saw blade fitted to the tool and a set of five replacement blades for the Bosch Keo cordless pruner — model F016800307. The Keo blade set is a thoughtful addition for gardeners who already own the Keo pruner and want spare blades, though it is worth noting these blades are not compatible with the PSA 700 E itself. For the reciprocating saw, the included wood blade gets you started, and you will likely want to build a small collection of additional blades for metal, plastic, and fine woodwork. The adjustable front shoe is a practical feature that lets you control cutting depth and use the full length of the blade, avoiding premature wear on the teeth nearest the shoe. The straightforward design means there is little to go wrong — this is a mechanically simple tool built around a reliable electric motor.

The PSA 700 E is a compact reciprocating saw powered by 240-volt mains electricity. Bosch Home & Garden manufactures the tool and provides a limited warranty. The 4.6 out of 5 stars rating from 19 customer reviews, while a relatively small sample, reflects positive user experiences. At €89.45 including the bonus Keo blade set, the price positions the PSA 700 E in the accessible mid-range — more expensive than basic budget reciprocating saws that lack variable speed and quick-change blades, but significantly less than professional-grade models aimed at daily trade use. For the home renovator who needs a reliable saw for demolition, pruning, and general cutting tasks, this represents a sensible balance of capability and cost. The Bosch name brings peace of mind in terms of spare parts availability and build quality, and the SDS blade system is a genuine quality-of-life upgrade over traditional tool-required blade changes.

The Bosch PSA 700 E is the practical reciprocating saw for home renovators and serious DIY enthusiasts who need reliable corded cutting power for demolition, pruning, and general material cutting, with the convenience of SDS quick-change blades and electronic variable speed.