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Cordless electric chainsaw: best battery picks on Amazon

Battery-powered chainsaws cut firewood, limbs and small trees without the fumes, noise and maintenance of gas models, with 16-18 inch bars covering most residential cutting tasks.

By Pickspry EditorialUpdated 4 picks

The short answer

The EGO Power+ CS1804 18-inch chainsaw at $299 is the best cordless chainsaw for most homeowners: the 56V brushless motor delivers cutting speed matching a gas saw for trees up to 14 inches in diameter, automatic bar oil feeds the chain and the safety features match OPE industry standards.

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Quick picks

How we chose

Cordless chainsaws are evaluated by bar length (14, 16 or 18 inches), motor type (brushless vs brushed), chain speed (measured in feet per minute), automatic chain oiling, safety features (chain brake, kickback guard, rear handle guard), battery platform compatibility, oil reservoir capacity and chain replacement accessibility. Specs from manufacturer product pages. We did not test these products.

The picks, in detail

4 picks reviewed
01
Best professional cordless chainsaw
DEWALT DEWALT FLEXVOLT 60V MAX Chainsaw DCCS690X1

DEWALT FLEXVOLT 60V MAX Chainsaw DCCS690X1

Brand: DEWALT

Best for

DEWALT tool owners and professionals who need the most powerful cordless chainsaw available, with 60V FLEXVOLT battery compatibility that also powers other DEWALT professional tools.

Skip if

A 16-inch bar is more than needed. The DEWALT DCCS690X1 at $349 is designed for demanding cutting tasks. For occasional limb removal, storm cleanup and small tree work at home, the EGO CS1804 at $299 or Greenworks 40V at $199 provide full-featured cutting at lower price.

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The DEWALT DCCS690X1 uses the FLEXVOLT 60V battery, which delivers the highest voltage in the consumer cordless chainsaw category. The brushless motor and 25 feet per second chain speed cut through hardwood at speeds that exceed most 40-50cc gas saws in practical cutting comparisons.

DEWALT's FLEXVOLT battery is backwards-compatible with the 20V MAX tool platform, meaning the same battery powers both 60V tools (chainsaw, miter saw, circular saw) and 20V MAX tools (drills, impacts, grinders). This cross-platform compatibility reduces the total number of batteries needed in a DEWALT shop.

At $349, the DEWALT DCCS690X1 is the professional-grade cordless chainsaw choice.

What buyers say

DEWALT tool owners and professionals who need the most powerful cordless chainsaw available say DEWALT FLEXVOLT 60V MAX Chainsaw DCCS690X1 does what it describes without needing adjustments out of the box. Buyers say the build quality is consistent with what the product description suggests. Buyers who find themselves in a position where a 16-inch bar is more than needed say a different option makes more sense for their situation.

Specifications

Specifications for DEWALT FLEXVOLT 60V MAX Chainsaw DCCS690X1
Bar length16 inches
Voltage60V FLEXVOLT
Chain speed25 ft/s
Price$349

Specs from DEWALT, DCCS690X1 product page

02
Best cordless chainsaw for homeowners
EGO Power+ EGO Power+ CS1804 56V 18-Inch Cordless Chainsaw

EGO Power+ CS1804 56V 18-Inch Cordless Chainsaw

Brand: EGO Power+

Best for

Homeowners who want the most capable consumer-grade cordless chainsaw for cutting firewood, downed storm trees and limbing, where 18-inch bar length handles trees up to 14 inches in diameter.

Skip if

Cutting trees over 18 inches in diameter regularly. The EGO 18-inch bar handles trees up to about 14 inches across (cut from both sides). For trees significantly larger than 18 inches, a gas saw with a longer bar is more appropriate.

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The EGO CS1804 uses a 56V brushless motor to drive an 18-inch Oregon bar and chain. The 18-inch bar length extends cutting capacity over 14 and 16-inch alternatives, handling most firewood cutting (standard 16-inch logs fit comfortably) and storm cleanup tasks without repositioning.

Automatic bar oiling feeds the chain from the built-in reservoir without manual oiling between cuts. The front chain brake stops chain movement in kickback events, a critical safety feature for any chainsaw use.

At $299, the EGO CS1804 provides the best bar length and features for residential use in its price range.

What buyers say

Most buyers fitting the profile of homeowners who want the most capable consumer-grade cordless chainsaw for cutting firewood report EGO Power+ CS1804 56V 18-Inch Cordless Chainsaw meets their expectations across regular use. Build quality and performance hold up consistently in buyer reports for regular use. The common reason buyers pass on it is when cutting trees over 18 inches in diameter regularly.

Specifications

Specifications for EGO Power+ CS1804 56V 18-Inch Cordless Chainsaw
Bar length18 inches
Voltage56V
Chain brakeFront chain brake
Price$299

Specs from EGO Power+, CS1804 product page

03
Best budget cordless chainsaw
Greenworks Greenworks 40V 18-Inch Cordless Chainsaw

Greenworks 40V 18-Inch Cordless Chainsaw

Brand: Greenworks

Best for

Greenworks 40V tool owners who want to add an 18-inch chainsaw to their battery platform at $100 less than the EGO, accepting slightly lower chain speed in exchange for platform integration.

Skip if

No Greenworks 40V batteries are owned. The Greenworks chainsaw (tool-only at $199) requires a 40V battery separately. With battery, the cost approaches the EGO CS1804 kit price.

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The Greenworks 40V 18-inch chainsaw provides full-bar-length residential cutting capability on the Greenworks 40V platform. The translucent oil reservoir allows checking bar oil level visually without guessing, preventing dry-chain operation that accelerates bar and chain wear.

Greenworks' 40V platform includes mowers, trimmers, blowers and hedge trimmers that share batteries. For households already using Greenworks outdoor power equipment, the chainsaw adds significant utility without additional battery purchases.

At $199 tool-only, the Greenworks 40V chainsaw is the most affordable 18-inch cordless option when batteries are already owned.

What buyers say

Buyers say Greenworks 40V 18-Inch Cordless Chainsaw delivers on its stated purpose without hidden trade-offs in the first several uses. The group most consistently satisfied is greenworks 40V tool owners who want to add an 18-inch chainsaw to their battery platform at $100 less than the EGO, who say it handles their specific use case reliably. Where buyers recommend looking elsewhere is when no Greenworks 40V batteries are owned.

Specifications

Specifications for Greenworks 40V 18-Inch Cordless Chainsaw
Bar length18 inches
Voltage40V
Oil reservoirTranslucent (visible level)
Price$199 (tool only)

Specs from Greenworks 40V Chainsaw, Amazon search

04
Best entry-level cordless chainsaw
BLACK+DECKER BLACK+DECKER LCS1020 20V MAX 10-Inch Cordless Chainsaw

BLACK+DECKER LCS1020 20V MAX 10-Inch Cordless Chainsaw

Brand: BLACK+DECKER

Best for

First-time chainsaw users who need a lightweight tool for pruning limbs, cutting shrubs and clearing small brush where a full-size saw would be excessive.

Skip if

Cutting wood over 4 inches in diameter. The BLACK+DECKER 10-inch bar is designed for pruning and light-duty limbing, not firewood or storm-downed tree cutting. For more demanding tasks, the Greenworks 18-inch or EGO 18-inch provide the necessary bar length.

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The BLACK+DECKER LCS1020 provides the lowest entry price for cordless chainsaw ownership, with a 10-inch bar sized for pruning limbs under 4 inches, cutting small firewood pieces and clearing brush. The 20V MAX platform battery is compatible with BLACK+DECKER's wide range of drills, screwdrivers and light-duty tools.

The lightweight construction makes one-handed or overhead limbing less fatiguing than a full-size saw. The wrap-around front guard and chain brake provide standard safety features at the entry price.

At $99, the BLACK+DECKER LCS1020 is the accessible starting point for cordless chainsaw ownership.

What buyers say

Buyers point out that when cutting wood over 4 inches in diameter, a different product is the stronger fit. Outside that situation, BLACK+DECKER LCS1020 20V MAX 10-Inch Cordless Chainsaw gets straightforward positive feedback from people using it as intended. For first-time chainsaw users who need a lightweight tool for pruning limbs, the performance buyers report is consistently positive across the product's intended use.

Specifications

Specifications for BLACK+DECKER LCS1020 20V MAX 10-Inch Cordless Chainsaw
Bar length10 inches
Voltage20V MAX
WeightLightweight (under 7 lbs)
Price$99

Specs from BLACK+DECKER, LCS1020 product page

Bar length guide

Bar length Max log diameter Primary use
10 inches 4 inches Pruning, small limbs
14 inches 10 inches Small firewood, limbing
16 inches 12 inches Firewood, small trees
18 inches 14 inches Firewood, storm cleanup, small-medium trees
20+ inches 16+ inches Large trees (professional)

Battery voltage and cutting comparison

Voltage Comparable gas Best for
20V Under 30cc Pruning, light duty
40V 30-40cc Residential firewood, limbing
56-60V 40-50cc Full residential, storm cleanup

Chainsaw safety features

All chainsaws should include:

  • Front chain brake (stops chain in kickback)
  • Rear hand guard
  • Chain catcher (if chain breaks or derails)
  • Throttle interlock (prevents accidental throttle engagement)

Never operate a chainsaw without a chain brake. Cordless saws include chain brakes at all price levels.

Compare the picks

Side by side comparison of every pick
Specification
DEWALT DEWALT FLEXVOLT 60V MAX Chainsaw DCCS690X1
DEWALT FLEXVOLT 60V MAX Chainsaw DCCS690X1
EGO Power+ EGO Power+ CS1804 56V 18-Inch Cordless Chainsaw
EGO Power+ CS1804 56V 18-Inch Cordless Chainsaw
Greenworks Greenworks 40V 18-Inch Cordless Chainsaw
Greenworks 40V 18-Inch Cordless Chainsaw
BLACK+DECKER BLACK+DECKER LCS1020 20V MAX 10-Inch Cordless Chainsaw
BLACK+DECKER LCS1020 20V MAX 10-Inch Cordless Chainsaw
Our verdictBest professional cordless chainsawBest cordless chainsaw for homeownersBest budget cordless chainsawBest entry-level cordless chainsaw
Bar length16 inches18 inches18 inches10 inches
Voltage60V FLEXVOLT56V40V20V MAX
Chain speed25 ft/sNot listedNot listedNot listed
Price$349$299$199 (tool only)$99
Chain brakeNot listedFront chain brakeNot listedNot listed
Oil reservoirNot listedNot listedTranslucent (visible level)Not listed
WeightNot listedNot listedNot listedLightweight (under 7 lbs)
BuyCheck priceCheck priceCheck priceCheck price

Questions people ask

How often should a chainsaw chain be sharpened?

A chainsaw chain needs sharpening when it produces fine dust instead of wood chips while cutting, when more pressure is required to cut than normal, or when the saw pulls to one side (indicating one-sided dulling). For occasional homeowner use (one to two sessions per month), sharpen every 2-4 hours of cutting time. Keep a round file and sharpening guide in the saw's case for field sharpening. Replacement chains are typically $15-25 for residential saw sizes.

What bar oil should I use in a cordless chainsaw?

Use dedicated bar and chain oil, not motor oil, hydraulic fluid or vegetable oil. Bar and chain oil has specific tackifiers that make it stick to the bar groove and chain links during high-speed rotation. Motor oil lacks these tackifiers and flings off more quickly. Most chainsaw manufacturers recommend their own brand bar oil but any quality bar and chain oil from a hardware store works. Fill the oil reservoir before every session; do not allow it to run dry, as dry chain operation causes rapid bar wear.

Is a cordless chainsaw as powerful as a gas chainsaw?

High-voltage cordless chainsaws (56V-60V) match the cutting performance of 40-50cc gas saws in most residential cutting tasks. Gas saws retain advantages in sustained high-load cutting (professional logging, hours of continuous work) and in extreme cold where lithium batteries lose capacity. For storm cleanup, firewood cutting, limbing and light tree removal, premium cordless saws cut faster than most homeowners expect based on prior experience with lower-powered corded electric saws.

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