The best battery powered chainsaws can now compete with gas-powered chainsaws for most homeowner uses. Cordless electric, battery powered chainsaws pack plenty of power to cut firewood, fell dying trees and prune branches. Plus, the best battery powered chain saws are easier to use, easier to start, quieter, and run cleaner with no fumes.
There are now many different models of battery-powered chainsaws, so it’s important to choose the right chainsaw for your needs. That’s why Home, Garden and Homestead looked at the best cordless electric chainsaws and ranked them according to power, cutting time, and price. Our favorite battery-powered chainsaw models are described below.
Editor’s note: A battery powered chainsaw is also known as a cordless electric chainsaw or cordless chainsaw. If you’re in the market for other cordless electric outdoor tools, read Best Cordless Leaf Blowers and Top Cordless Electric Lawn Mowers.
Battery Power and Convenience
How can a battery-powered chainsaw perform as well—or better—than a gasoline-powered chainsaw? It all comes down to the recent improvement in battery and electric motor technology.
The battery packs that power today’s cordless electric chainsaws are lithium-ion powerhouses. They store lots of energy. They provide an impressive amount of run time. And they recharge quickly. These modular batteries are also designed to fit all or most of a brand’s other power tools. For example, a Greenworks battery for a battery-powered chainsaw will fit into other Greenworks tools. The same is true for Stihl, Husqvarna, WORX, Makita, EGO Power, Dewalt, Milwaukee and other top outdoor power equipment brands.
Efficient Electric Motors
The new brushless electric motors deliver gas-like performance with lots of torque. These motors also last longer than the previous generation of electric motors. They run smoothly without maintenance, and they always start right up.
As you already know, electric motors are remarkably quiet. They give off no smelly fumes. In a suburban environment, battery powered lawn and garden tools are a welcome alternative to loud, polluting gas-powered equipment.
In a nutshell, cordless electric tools are the future. And you can buy a cordless chainsaw today.
Our Ratings of Battery Powered Chainsaws
Home, Garden and Homestead researched the top battery powered chainsaws. Then we classified them into three categories: Best Heavy Duty, Best Value, and Best Budget models. The chainsaws that we like best in these three categories are reviewed below.
Best Heavy-Duty Battery-Powered Chainsaws
The top-of-the-line battery powered chainsaws offer outstanding performance and 21st century technology. They are a pleasure to use and a breeze to maintain.
We love the three heavy-duty battery powered chainsaws reviewed below, and we think they are great choices for homeowners and homesteaders alike. You can’t go wrong with any of these models. These top-end cordless chainsaws sell for between $250 and $300.
If you don’t have that much money in your budget, see the Best Value Battery Powered Chainsaw section below.
Greenworks Pro 18-inch Battery Powered Chainsaw
Greenworks is a dependable brand in outdoor cordless electric power equipment. The Greenworks Pro 18-inch Chainsaw combines excellent cutting power with features that make it easy to cut trees and limbs up to 34 inches in diameter.
The new generation brushless motor provides two times more torque than older motors. The electric motor delivers the power and performance of a 45cc gas-powered chainsaw. Plus, the motor starts up every time with no priming or choking.
The metal wrap-around front handle and the comfort grip rear handle make it a pleasure to use this chainsaw. It has an engineered mechanical chain brake that provides excellent kick back protection. Side-mounted tooled tensioning offers quick and secure chain adjustments. Plus, the automatic chain oiler gives the chain continuous lubrication.
Greenworks says this model will deliver up to 100 cuts per battery charge on 4×4 inch pressure treated wood. Speaking of batteries, the 80-volt modular battery is the largest and most powerful available for a cordless electric chainsaw. The rapid charger completely recharges the 80-volt 2.0Ah battery in just 30 minutes.
We recommend that you buy the Greenworks Pro 18-inch Chainsaw as a kit that includes the battery and the charger. (Unless you already have a Greenworks 80-volt battery and charger for another Greenworks tool.) The chainsaw, battery and charger are available for about $300 on Amazon.
Husqvarna 14-inch 120i Cordless Battery Powered Chainsaw
Husqvarna made a name for itself in the world of outdoor power equipment long before battery-powered chainsaws were a thing. Because cordless electric models are the fastest-growing segment of the chainsaw market, this company has jumped in with both feet.
Husqvarna says the 120i Cordless Battery Chainsaw was designed for homeowners who need a tool for pruning branches and cutting down small trees. But we think they are under-selling the power and toughness of this tool. (Probably because Husqvarna sells larger, more powerful gas-powered chainsaws that can cut down an entire forest.) But at just 8.4 pounds, this is a lightweight chainsaw—and that’s a plus for many users.
This unit has a tough 14-inch chain bar. The high-torque brushless electric motor is powered by a 40-volt battery that fits in other Husqvarna 40-volt cordless electric tools. The tool-less chain tensioning feature lets you adjust the chain tension quickly and easily. The chain brake is activated by inertia, for safe operation. The chain is automatically oiled for safe and effective use.
This is truly a 21st century chainsaw that can get the job done. The chainsaw, battery and charger are available on Amazon.
WORX Nitro Power Share Pro 16-inch
The Worx Nitro WG385 40V Power Share PRO 16″ is engineered to provide the performance and power needed for almost any cutting job. The 16-inch bar and chain, combined with the efficient brushless motor, can provide gas-like cutting capacity.
Worx Power Share PRO intelligent batteries deliver extended run times, plus heat and impact protection. The modular battery for this chainsaw is compatible with all Worx 20V and 40V tools, outdoor power and lifestyle products. Adjusting the chain tension is fast, easy and tool-less.
This battery powered chainsaw weighs 15.3 pounds, so it’s tough enough to handle big cutting jobs. The chain brake guard provides safety and peace of mind. Plus, the automatic chain lubrication ensures efficient cutting and increase bar and chain life. The Worx Nitro Power Share Pro 16-inch chainsaw is available as a kit that includes a dual-port charger and 2 batteries.
Best Value Battery Powered Chainsaw
Here is a battery powered chainsaw that offers high quality and lots of cutting power for less money than our Heavy Duty choices above.
Greenworks 40-volt 14-inch Chainsaw
This 14-inch Greenworks model is our favorite “value” model for many reasons. First, we love the Greenworks brand because they make high-quality cordless electric power equipment. Second, this tool has just the right combination of performance and price that offers a great bang for the buck.
The Greenworks 40-volt chainsaw with the 14-inch bar gives you plenty of length for cutting large logs. At a weight of 9.8 pounds, this tool is easier to use that some of the larger and heavier battery-powered chainsaws.
When it comes to cutting performance, this Greenworks model will give you up to 60 cuts on 4×4 lumber on a single battery charge. The Greenworks Pro 18-inch Chainsaw reviewed above gives you 100 cuts on a single battery charge. So, if you don’t think you’ll be needing the highest-performing battery powered chainsaw, buy this 40-volt 14-inch model and saw some money.
The price of this chainsaw is less than $200. It’s a sweet deal for all these features and lots of cutting power.
Best Budget Cordless Electric Chain Saw
Let’s say you need a chainsaw, but you won’t be using it very often. Plus, there’s no way you’re ever going to cut down an enormous tree and cut it up for firewood. If so, why buy a top-of-the-line chainsaw? Buy this one instead.
PowerSmart 12-Inch Electric Chainsaw
PowerSmart is not a well-known brand name. But this 12-inch battery powered chain saw is quite impressive for its price. It is compact and lightweight (10.3 pounds). Like the more expensive cordless chainsaws, it is easy to use.
Surprisingly, it has many of the features of the bigger, more powerful models. It has an automatic lubrication system. The cutting chain can be easily adjusted. The chain brake is similar to the other electric chainsaws. The handle is relatively ergonomic.
Most importantly, it comes with a battery and charge. Keep in mind that this is a 20-volt unit, so the battery can’t supply the same amount of power as the higher priced tools. The PowerSmart 12-inch battery powered chainsaw delivers the right price right for the right features.
Gocheer 6-Inch Mini Chainsaw
Mini cordless electric chainsaws are the newest type of chainsaw on the market. For light duty use, such as trimming branches and pruning trees and shrubs, a mini chainsaw can be very handy. These power tools are small and easy to handle.
The Gocheer mini chainsaw features a hardened metal chain and a brushless high-efficiency motor. The 6-inch cutting bar is perfect for cutting branches. But don’t try to cut down a large tree with this tool.
The Gocheer Cordless chainsaw comes with two 24-volt high capacity battery packs. You’ll get about 40-60 minutes of continuous cutting time. Recharging the batteries takes 1 .5 to 2 hours. Having two battery packs is nice because you can keep working longer.
The small, handheld chainsaw weighs just 1.54 pounds. It has a non-slip handle and safety lock, and this mini chainsaw is comfortable to hold. Even beginners can operate and control with ease, and it’s great for working in small spaces.
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