Chainsaws and Wood
Best Battery Chainsaws (2026): What Cordless Saws Can Really Cut
Quick answer
The best battery chainsaw is the EGO CS1815: an 18 inch bar, a 2500W motor EGO rates as a 50cc gas equivalent, and up to 330 cuts on a 4x4 per 6.0Ah charge. Battery saws realistically handle pruning, storm cleanup, small trees and moderate firewood up to about 14 to 16 inch rounds; heavy hardwood is still gas work.
A battery chainsaw is a brushless electric saw powered by a removable lithium-ion pack. The best ones now carry 16 to 18 inch bars and claim 40 to 50cc gas equivalence, which covers most of what homeowners cut: limbs, storm debris, fence-line trees and a season of fire pit or stove wood. They start with a trigger, run quietly between cuts and skip fuel mixing entirely.
Our top pick is the EGO CS1815 at $399.00. If you mainly prune and clean up branches, the EGO CS1613 or CRAFTSMAN V20 12 in. is lighter and cheaper. Confirm your bar length with the chainsaw bar length calculator and read the chainsaw safety guide before cutting.
On this page
- What can a battery chainsaw realistically cut?
- How many cuts per charge do battery chainsaws get?
- Beginner picks: light battery saws for pruning and cleanup
- Intermediate picks: 18 inch battery saws for firewood and small trees
- Expert picks: the strongest cordless saws
- How do the picks compare on specs?
- Are battery chainsaws as good as gas chainsaws?
- What gear and upkeep does a battery chainsaw need?
- What should I check before buying a battery chainsaw?
What can a battery chainsaw realistically cut?
Battery saws are limited less by bar length than by energy per charge and sustained power in large, dense wood. This is general guidance for 56V to 80V saws with 16 to 18 in. bars unless noted.
| Job | Battery saw realistic? | Suggested saw class | What to expect |
|---|---|---|---|
| Pruning limbs under 4 in | Yes | 12 in. 20V saw or a pole saw | Dozens of cuts per charge |
| Storm cleanup, branches 4 to 10 in | Yes | 16 in. 56V saw | A full cleanup session on one or two packs |
| Seasoned firewood rounds 8 to 14 in | Yes, with a spare battery | 18 in., 50cc-class | Fewer cuts than 4x4 ratings suggest |
| Green hardwood rounds 16 to 20 in | Possible but slow | 18 in., 50cc-class, sharp chain | Pack drains fast; gas is better for volume |
| Felling small trees under about 10 in, open area | Yes, for trained users | 16 to 18 in. | Plan escape routes; wear full gear |
| Large, leaning or storm-damaged trees | No | Certified arborist | Tension and falling hazards exceed homeowner scope |
| Several cords of firewood per year | Not ideal | 50 to 55cc gas saw | See best chainsaws for firewood |
Cuts-per-charge figures from makers use 4x4 lumber, which is far smaller than a firewood round.
How many cuts per charge do battery chainsaws get?
Here are the published figures. Watt-hours (volts times amp-hours) show why bigger packs matter; chain design also affects efficiency, since narrower low-profile chains remove less wood per cut.
| Saw | Bar | Battery in kit | Nominal energy | Rated cuts per charge | Chain |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| CRAFTSMAN V20 CMCCS630P1 | 12 in | 20V MAX 5.0Ah | About 90 Wh (18V nominal) | Up to 105 (conditions not stated) | Auto-oiling, bolt-lock tension |
| EGO CS1613 | 16 in | 56V 4.0Ah | 224 Wh | Up to 130 on a 4x4 | 3/8 in. pitch, .043 in. gauge, 56 links |
| EGO CS1815 | 18 in | 56V 6.0Ah | 336 Wh | Up to 330 on a 4x4 | 3/8 in. low profile, .050 in. gauge, 62 links |
| Greenworks 80V 18 in. | 18 in | 80V 4.0Ah | 320 Wh | Not listed | Automatic oiler, side-access tension |
| DEWALT DCCS672B | 18 in | Tool only (FLEXVOLT) | Depends on pack | Not listed | Brushless, bare tool |
| Milwaukee M18 FUEL 2727-21HD | 16 in | M18 kit battery | Depends on pack | Not listed | Brushless |
The EGO CS1613 listing headline also mentions up to 220 cuts per charge without stating conditions; the 130 cuts on a 4x4 figure with the included 4.0Ah battery is the specific claim.
Beginner picks: light battery saws for pruning and cleanup
For owners who trim limbs, clear fallen branches and cut small fire pit wood. Light weight keeps the saw controllable, which matters more than power for new users.
CRAFTSMAN V20 RP CMCCS630P1 12 in. Cordless Chainsaw Kit
$181.36A brushless 12 in. saw with auto-oiling, bolt-lock tensioning and up to 105 cuts per charge on the included 5Ah battery. CRAFTSMAN says it is 40 percent lighter than a 42cc gas saw and delivers up to 80 percent more peak horsepower than its earlier model.
Best for: limbing and small branch cleanup
Check price on Amazon
EGO Power+ CS1613 16 in. Chainsaw Kit with 4.0Ah Battery
$299.00EGO rates the brushless motor as a 40cc gas equivalent with chain speeds up to 20 m/s, on a 16 in. bar. Tool-free tensioning, IPX4 weather resistance and a low-profile dial for flush cuts come with a 4.0Ah battery.
Best for: pruning, storm cleanup and occasional firewood
Check price on AmazonIntermediate picks: 18 inch battery saws for firewood and small trees
For homeowners who want 18 in. bars for fire pit and stove wood, small tree removal and bigger storm debris without a gas engine.
Greenworks 80V 18 in. Chainsaw Kit with 4.0Ah Battery
$408.49A brushless 18 in. saw that Greenworks rates as a 50cc gas equivalent with twice the torque of brushed motors, plus an automatic oiler, mechanical chain brake and side-access tensioning. The 4.0Ah battery and charger are included.
Best for: storm cleanup and firewood on Greenworks 80V
Check price on Amazon
DEWALT 60V MAX DCCS672B 18 in. Brushless Chainsaw (tool only)
$289.54A bare 18 in. brushless saw for owners who already have DEWALT 60V FLEXVOLT batteries. Buying the tool only makes it one of the lower-cost ways to an 18 in. battery bar.
Best for: DEWALT FLEXVOLT owners cutting firewood
Check price on AmazonExpert picks: the strongest cordless saws
For owners who cut often, already maintain chains and want the most runtime and power available without gas.
EGO Power+ CS1815 18 in. Chainsaw Kit with 6.0Ah Battery
$399.00A 2500W brushless motor rated as a 50cc gas equivalent with chain speeds up to 22 m/s and up to 330 cuts on a 4x4 per 6.0Ah charge. An adjustable LED work light and a display showing cut speed, charge and brake status add useful feedback.
Best for: battery users felling small trees and bucking firewood
Check price on Amazon
Milwaukee M18 FUEL 2727-21HD 16 in. Chainsaw Kit
$499.00A Milwaukee M18 FUEL 16 in. saw sold as a kit with battery, aimed at tradespeople and landowners already running M18 tools. It suits owners who cut regularly and want to share batteries with jobsite tools.
Best for: M18 platform users who cut regularly
Check price on AmazonWho should not buy this tier: Skip this tier if you only prune a few limbs a year, since a lighter 12 to 16 in. saw is easier and safer to handle. Skip battery saws entirely if you heat with wood, cut several cords per year or buck large green hardwood; a 50 to 55cc gas saw such as those on best chainsaws for firewood does that work faster without a stack of batteries.
How do the picks compare on specs?
| Model | Price | Bar length | Voltage | Battery | Battery included |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| CRAFTSMAN V20 RP CMCCS630P1 12 in. Cordless Chainsaw Kit | $181.36 | 12 in | 20V | 5 Ah | Yes |
| EGO Power+ CS1613 16 in. Chainsaw Kit with 4.0Ah Battery | $299.00 | 16 in | 56V | 4 Ah | Yes |
| Greenworks 80V 18 in. Chainsaw Kit with 4.0Ah Battery | $408.49 | 18 in | 80V | 4 Ah | Yes |
| DEWALT 60V MAX DCCS672B 18 in. Brushless Chainsaw (tool only) | $289.54 | 18 in | 60V | - | No |
| EGO Power+ CS1815 18 in. Chainsaw Kit with 6.0Ah Battery | $399.00 | 18 in | 56V | 6 Ah | Yes |
| Milwaukee M18 FUEL 2727-21HD 16 in. Chainsaw Kit | $499.00 | 16 in | 18V | - | Yes |
Are battery chainsaws as good as gas chainsaws?
Battery chainsaws are as good as gas for most homeowner cutting under about 14 inches, and better in convenience: no pull cord, no 2-cycle fuel, less noise and no idling engine. Gas saws remain better for sustained cutting in big hardwood, long days far from a charger and bars over 18 inches. The full comparison is on gas vs battery chainsaw.
- Power claims: "50cc equivalent" is a manufacturer rating, not a standard test. Treat it as a class, not a promise.
- Runtime: firewood rounds use far more energy than 4x4 cuts; a second battery, or a larger pack such as the EGO 7.5Ah, is the usual fix.
- Cost: batteries are the long-term cost. The gas vs battery cost calculator compares that against fuel, oil and tune-ups.
- Maintenance: both types need a sharp chain, correct tension and bar oil. Battery saws skip carburetors, spark plugs and fuel stabilizer.
For limbs overhead, a pole saw is the safer tool; see pole saw vs chainsaw.
What gear and upkeep does a battery chainsaw need?
The same protective gear as a gas saw, plus bar oil and a way to sharpen. The full list is on best chainsaw safety gear.
- Chaps: Husqvarna apron chaps certified to ASTM F1897.
- Helmet system: the NoCry 6-in-1 chainsaw helmet combines an ANSI Z89.1 hard hat, mesh and clear Z87.1 visors and ear muffs.
- Bar and chain oil: Husqvarna X-Guard; check the oil window every time you swap batteries.
- Sharpening: the Oregon 12V Sure Sharp handles round-ground 3/8 in. low profile and 3/8 in. chains; a file kit costs less.
- Spare battery: for firewood days, a second pack matters more than a bigger bar.
What should I check before buying a battery chainsaw?
- Platform first. A bare saw on batteries you own, such as the DEWALT DCCS672B for FLEXVOLT users, costs far less than a new kit.
- Battery size in the kit. The EGO CS1815 ships with 6.0Ah; smaller kit batteries mean fewer cuts.
- Chain brake and tensioning. A mechanical chain brake and tool-free or side-access tensioning make safe upkeep easier.
- Weight with battery. Big packs add weight at arm's length; hold the saw with the battery installed before buying if you can.
- Warranty. EGO lists 5 years on the saw and 3 years on the battery.
- Cold weather. Lithium packs deliver less in cold; keep spares warm indoors until use.
Considering several battery tools? See choosing a battery tool platform.
How we chose
We did not test these products in person. Picks are researched from manufacturer specifications and owner manuals, engine and safety certifications where they apply, warranty terms, public recall records, and the recurring themes in verified owner reviews. We favor established brands with large review counts and parts support, match each pick to a real yard size or task, and place it in the tier where its price and capability actually belong.
Frequently asked questions
Can a battery chainsaw cut down a tree?
A quality 16 to 18 inch battery chainsaw can fell small trees, generally under about 10 inches in diameter in an open area, when used by someone trained in felling cuts and escape routes. Large trees, leaning trees and storm-damaged trees under tension are dangerous regardless of the saw and should be handled by a certified arborist. Wear chaps, a helmet with a face screen and eye and hearing protection.
How long does a battery chainsaw battery last?
Per charge, it depends on the pack and the wood. EGO rates the CS1815 for up to 330 cuts on a 4x4 with a 6.0Ah battery and the CS1613 for up to 130 with 4.0Ah. Firewood rounds use much more energy per cut. Over its life, a lithium pack typically lasts several seasons; EGO backs its batteries for 3 years.
Is an 18 inch battery chainsaw worth it?
An 18 inch battery chainsaw is worth it if you cut firewood rounds up to about 14 to 16 inches or fell small trees, because it finishes those cuts in one pass. If you mostly prune limbs and clear storm branches under 8 inches, a 12 to 16 inch battery saw is lighter, cheaper and easier to control, and the extra bar length adds little.
Do battery chainsaws need bar oil?
Yes. Battery chainsaws need bar and chain oil exactly like gas saws, because the chain still runs at high speed along the bar. Most have automatic oilers with a see-through reservoir. Check the oil level every time you swap or charge a battery, use a tacky bar and chain oil, and never run the chain dry, which ruins the bar and chain quickly.
Which is better, EGO or Greenworks battery chainsaws?
Both brands rate their 18 inch saws as 50cc gas equivalents. The EGO CS1815 publishes more detail, including 330 cuts on a 4x4 per 6.0Ah charge, a status display and a larger battery in the kit. The Greenworks 80V 18 in. kit is a solid alternative for Greenworks 80V owners. Choose the platform that runs your other tools.
Are battery chainsaws safer than gas chainsaws?
Battery chainsaws remove some hazards, such as fuel spills, hot mufflers and exhaust, and they are easier to start without awkward pull-cord positions. They do not remove kickback, chain contact or falling-limb hazards, and because they are silent until the trigger is pulled, it is easy to forget they are live. Use the same protective gear and remove the battery whenever you handle the chain.
Researched, not professional advice. This page is compiled from published specifications, manuals, labels and owner-review consensus, not hands-on testing. Follow the manufacturer's instructions and product label, and consult a qualified professional where safety, chemicals, fuel or structures are involved. As an Amazon Associate we earn from qualifying purchases.