Best Pick: Echo 16 Inch Cordless Chainsaw with Battery

We already mentioned one of the big selling points on this chainsaw, it comes with a battery and charger. Of course, the added value of not having to buy a separate battery is only a bonus with this chainsaw.

Compared head to head with other similar battery-powered chainsaws the Echo performs better both in cutting power and in battery life. It’s a high energy-efficient machine, able to cut more cookies in a single charge than other chainsaws with high powered or longer-lasting batteries.

Its trigger is well designed as well. A poorly designed trigger can make the muscles in your hands and forearm tense and cramp. Sore hands are one of the main complaints of chainsaw users, and drastically reduce the amount of effective work-time you can get with the tool.

Echo’s trigger is wide plastic and sits flush with the handle when in use. Since it sits truly flush it’s easier on your hands, letting you work longer comfortably.

The brushless motor also helps extend the life of the tool. While a standard motor can be expected to wear down and lose efficiency after only a few years’ use, a brushless motor is likely to last significantly longer.

Reducing the stress on the motor is also part of what makes Echo’s 16-inch chainsaw so energy efficient.

The one downside with this tool is the bucking spikes. On a standard gas-powered chainsaw, you would expect to see long steel bucking spikes for better grip on heavy-duty jobs. While this Echo offering is more than up to those heavy-duty tasks, the bucking spikes are smaller and made of plastic instead of steel.

Runner Up: DeWalt 20V Max Lithium-Ion Battery 12 Inch Chainsaw

The DeWalt 20V battery-powered chainsaw is another powerful and flexible option for a cordless chainsaw.

While it’s one of the shorter chainsaws on our list, it’s still plenty powerful enough for most users. This is a good chainsaw for yard work, and it can handle some larger tasks like cutting firewood but wouldn’t be suitable for larger tasks or professional use.

It’s also a lighter chainsaw, only 9 lbs. That makes it great if you aren’t accustomed to using heavy power tools or are looking for something easier to handle to get started.

This chainsaw is also easier for beginners with a tool-free tensioning system that makes keeping your chain tight and your saw cutting smoothly, simple.

Both the chain and bar are self-lubricating, so all you have to worry about is keeping the oil reservoir full.

The chain brake system also protects you in the case of kick-back. The brake system will automatically stop the chain, giving you a chance to regain control without having to worry about a moving blade.

This 12-inch chainsaw also has a brushless motor, which reduces internal wear and tear and makes the battery last longer on a single charge. While it’s only rated for approximately 90 cuts on a single charge, slightly less than other high-performance chainsaws on our list, that’s still a lot of work you can do with one battery.

Plus, since it’s part of DeWalt’s 20V tool line, it’s well worth the money to keep several batteries on hand. A second or third battery significantly extends your effective work time, while quick-charge functions will keep you going all day.

Budget Pick: Oregon Chainsaw

The Oregon 8-amp corded chainsaw is our best bargain pick for this list. Being a corded chainsaw limits the extra costs in the battery, spare battery, and charger.

The cord also makes this one of the more dependable chainsaws on our list. You don’t have to worry about a battery running out in the middle of an important or difficult cut.

However, a corded chainsaw is limited by the length of the cord and any extension cord you use. For safety reasons, make sure that any extension cord is approved for outside use.

It’s lower price also means one other significant difference from most of the chainsaws on our list. Instead of a self-lubricating system, this chainsaw requires you to press a button to oil the chain and bar at intervals while you’re working with it.

It’s easy enough to use the oiling button, the biggest trick is remembering to do it, and figuring out how often you need to press. Err on the side of too much oil rather than too little. Too much friction between the bar and the chain causes significant damage, and it adds up quickly.

However, this model has been in active production for a long time, and there’s a reason. It’s an incredibly dependable, long-lasting tool.

The user’s manual that comes with this chainsaw is extensive, working through all the basics of care and maintenance (including a warning to take out your bar and chain oil if you’re leaving it unused for a long time).

It’s a good option for users who are looking for a durable and effective tool on a budget, or who prioritize long working times over portability.

Snapper XD 82V Cordless 18 Inch Chainsaw – Best Cutting Action

The Snapper 18 Inch Cordless Chainsaw is easy to use and offers surprising cutting power in an electric chainsaw. It’s also one of only two chainsaws on this list that can boast 18 inches of cutting space.

Since you should only cut objects up to a couple of inches shorter than your chainsaw, when possible, having a longer chainsaw will give you more flexibility. This chainsaw is up for cutting down most small to medium trees and is more than up to your usual yard work.

It also has a built-in blue LED light to indicate when the chainsaw is powered on. Having an LED indicator is an important safety feature, and LED lights are bright and easy to spot.

The Snapper also has a blade lock-out handle for additional security.

You can also count on the Snapper chainsaw to last a long time. It has a brushless motor, which helps reduce wear and tear on the internal mechanisms.

In addition, the Snapper also has an auto-oil mechanism that will keep your bar and chain lubricated. Properly oiling your chain also increases its durability, namely by reducing wear and tear. The clear window for the oil well also makes it easier to be certain you don’t run out without noticing.

The forward handle is extra-durable. It’s made of metal with comfort rubber grip points for maneuverability and control.

You don’t have to worry about the tension, either. It comes with an easy to use tensioner, and onboard storage, so you can re-tension as needed at the job site.

Craftsman V60 16 Inch Cordless Chainsaw – Best Precision

The craftsman 16-inch chainsaw is another excellent, affordable, option yard work, home improvement, and yes, even some professional applications.

The 60V 2.5Ah hour battery is designed to work with the brushless motor for long run times and even performance. And the chainsaw performs well under most conditions.

Some users do report that the runtime on this chainsaw isn’t what they’d prefer, but battery wear and tear is normal, and likely the main culprit.

You should expect to replace your batteries every few years or deal with the corrosion and limited battery life that comes from extended use.

However, the brushless motor will keep the chainsaw itself running well. Planned maintenance on items like new batteries and new chains are unavoidable and will need attending to once in a great while.

With the Craftsman chainsaw, as with the other selections on our list, you’ll know that the machine will be with you through many rounds of maintenance. That saves you time, money, and hassle in searching for, and paying for, a replacement tool.

Plus, Craftsman backs this tool with a 4-year warranty for extra security.

This model also features auto-oiling, a tool-free tensioner, and comes with its first battery and charger.

The real standout feature for this chainsaw, however, is the precision bubble level.

Most chainsaw tasks, like chopping firewood, and trimming trees, don’t require clean lines and precision cutting.

However, if you’re planning to replace a fence or do contract work with your chainsaw, precision is key to success.

The bubble level is placed so that it’s easy to see and check while you’re working with the machine, although you’ll likely have to stop the saw to let the bubble settle and show you how your cut is turning out.

Rubber grip points also help reduce vibration levels on this model.

Black and Decker 20V Max 10 Inch Cordless Chainsaw – Best Compact Saw

The Black and Decker 10-inch chainsaw is small, but it packs a serious punch. Powered by a top of the line Lithium-Ion Battery, this chainsaw is more than able to hold up to household tasks, although the smaller bar size makes it less suitable for professional work.

One of the best testaments to this compact little chainsaw’s power is its ability to cut green wood and aged hardwood with ease. Both the sap and texture of green wood and the hardened knots of hardwood logs can be tricky for a chainsaw to manage.

But this little saw will rip through both with ease, making it a great choice if you’re looking to maintain a solid stock of aged and aging firewood.

The smaller size of this chainsaw also makes it a good option for arborists and those looking to trim and care for their own trees.

While you may sometimes need a larger bar for sizeable branches on the most mature trees, this smaller version is suitable for most branches. It’s also easier to maneuver through the branches, letting you make precision cuts and remove tangled close-grown branches.

Black and Decker adds a primer to this chainsaw’s self-oiling feature. The primer increases the effectiveness of the oil, working to preserve the bar and chain even longer than standard oiling techniques alone.

Black and Decker boast that this chainsaw can easily cut through 10-inch logs, and it does. But, that sort of heavy use will drain even the lithium-ion battery more quickly than lighter use.

Worx 20V Cordless Chainsaw with Auto-Tensioning – Best Ergonomics

Worx 20V Cordless Chainsaw is another small offering. Its 10-Inch bar is a good size for home use, yard maintenance, and small arboreal tasks, but it’s not a great choice for a professional chainsaw in other capacities.

This chainsaw’s auto-lubrication feature is particularly easy to use. The oil reservoir fills from the top of the saw, making it easier to balance while you refill. It also provides a generous level of lubrication, passing the oil splatter test with ease.

However, Worx does not include bar and chain oil in with this chainsaw, so you should plan on purchasing the oil separately, and before you use the saw for the first time.

Worx has done a great job creating an ergonomic, easy to use, chainsaw. The handles are durable and comfortable, with grips that reduce vibration and other stress on your hands.

Most chainsaws provide a good grip, and many are easy to maneuver, but few feel truly comfortable in your hand while they are in operation. The Worx chainsaw is truly comfortable, extending your worktime.

You also have the choice of purchasing this chainsaw with or without its battery. If you use other Worx battery-powered tools, you may already have a couple of these batteries on hand. It’s nice not to have to clutter your workshop with an unnecessary battery.

However, if you do need the battery, it’s cheaper to buy it with the chainsaw than separately.

The one major drawback with this chainsaw is that it doesn’t have a kickback brake. There is a handguard, but kickback can be a serious risk to your upper body even with a brake and is more of a problem without.

Fortunately, Worx has an extensive user’s guide that comes with this chainsaw, including tutorials for the most common tasks, and a section on reducing the chance of kickback and protecting yourself.

Earthwise 4 in 1 Multi-Tool – Best Total Package Tool

The Earthwise 4 in 1 toolset is ideal for homeowners with an extensive yard or property that needs regular maintenance. It combines a chainsaw, a pole saw a hedge trimmer and a pole hedge trimmer.

It’s the total package for caring for your trees and shrubs.

Both the chainsaw and the hedge trimmer have good battery lives. The chainsaw offers 10-amp power, while the hedge trimmer’s motor sits at 4.5 amps.

Between the two of them, you have the greater power you need for branch removal, cutting firewood, and other household tasks and the control to trim and shape your shrubs with ease.

The blades both have protective covers included in the main package.

Importantly, this set is also fully equipped with a chain brake system. The chain brake will keep you safer in the case of kickback from the chainsaw.

The pole saw maxes out at 8 feet, more than enough to tend to most common tree trimming.

If you need to change tools on the job transitioning is quick and easy.

Greenworks 18 Inch 14.5 Amp Corded Electric Chainsaw – Best Environmental

The Greenworks 18 inch chainsaw is one of only two chainsaws on our list with that impressive bar length. It’s a saw made for handling all the chainsaw duties on a large property, from felling trees, regular maintenance and trimming, to removing roots and chopping firewood.

This is another corded chainsaw. The cord is possibly the biggest drawback of this model. It’s up to handling the demands of a large property with many trees, but you need to have an extension cord or other power option available to reach your workspace.

However, the 14.5-amp motor offers impressive cutting power. The extra power in this chainsaw will save you time and energy. It cuts faster and will remove deadfall and chop through wood faster, because of the impressive motor.

Both the bar and the chain on this chainsaw are Oregon products. Oregon is one of the most prestigious and trusted names when it comes to chainsaw components. They’re designed to last and to hold up to wear and tear safely.

This is also an environmental consumer choice. By avoiding gas, this chainsaw contributes less to greenhouse emissions (and prevents your clothes from smelling like gasoline).

Avoiding a battery also prevents the use of rare earth metals and other environmentally costly components.

Greenworks also prioritizes environmentally sound, sustainable production techniques, making this a good choice for a greener planet at all stages.

Remington 8 Amp Electric 2 in 1 Pole Saw & Chainsaw – Best Reach

Remington’s 2 in 1 chainsaw and pole saw is a good option for users who need the extra height of a pole, but who don’t need the hedge trimmer in the 4 in 1 offering earlier on our list.

This is another corded chainsaw, with a slightly more moderate amp motor. The motor is 8 amps, more than enough to power through most branches and wood types, but moderate enough to offer a little more control.

This is a good chainsaw for first-time chainsaw owners because of that more moderate pace. You’ll have more time to get used to the action of the saw, and you’re less likely to cut something you don’t mean to by accident.

The pole on this chainsaw is also 2 feet longer than the other pole on our list, a full 10 feet rather than 8. Figuring that the user’s height adds to the total reach of the pole, you can reasonably trim tree branches up to 15 feet high, without extending to unsafe heights.

This is also a lighter chainsaw, making it easier to use and maneuver overhead as a pole saw.

Moreover, it’s easier to use on the ground as well. A lighter weight can make tasks like chopping firewood and branches less draining.

Both the chainsaw and the pole have comfortable and secure grip points. The pole also offers anti-twist technology, making it easier to use than a standard pole. It won’t move in an unexpected direction, keeping you, your trees, and your roof, that much safer.