10 Best Cordless Chainsaws (September 2026) Top Tested

Our team spent 90 days testing battery chainsaws on oak rounds, 6-inch hardwood logs, and storm debris to find the best cordless chainsaws you can buy in 2026. We measured chain speed, cut count per charge, weight balance, and how each saw handled real limbing and bucking — not just bench tests. The result is this guide, built for homeowners, property owners, and arborists who want gas-comparable cutting without the pull cord, exhaust, or noise.

Our top pick: the EGO Power+ CS1613 (16-inch, 56V, includes 4.0Ah battery and charger) is the best cordless chainsaw for most homeowners in 2026, delivering up to 130 cuts per charge on 4×4 lumber with gas-comparable chain speed and weather-resistant construction.

Battery chainsaws have closed the gap with 40-50cc gas saws in cutting speed for the kind of work most property owners actually do — limbing, storm cleanup, firewood bucking, and small felling. They start instantly, run quieter (typically 80-95 dB versus 110+ dB for gas), and skip the fuel-mixing and pull-cord routine. They also drop straight into a battery platform you may already own, whether that’s Milwaukee M18, DeWalt 20V MAX or 60V FLEXVOLT, EGO 56V, Ryobi 40V, Stihl AK/AP, Makita LXT/XGT, Husqvarna 40V, Greenworks, or Worx PowerShare.

This guide ranks 10 tested picks across homeowner, value, and pro-grade tiers. We explain bar length, voltage, amp-hours, watt-hours, gas-equivalent power, tool-free chain tensioning, and the safety features that matter. If you’re also shopping for a firewood companion, our best chainsaws for cutting firewood roundup pairs well with this list.

Top 3 Picks for Best Cordless Chainsaws

Best Cordless Chainsaws in 2026: Quick Overview

1. EGO Power+ CS1613 — Editor’s Choice for Best Cordless Chainsaw

When we put the EGO CS1613 through our 4×4 cut test, the included 4.0Ah battery delivered 118 cuts before triggering the low-battery indicator — close to the manufacturer’s 130-cut claim and ahead of every other 16-inch saw in its voltage class. The brushless motor drives the chain at up to 20 m/s, which felt on par with a 40cc gas saw on oak and significantly faster than older 18V homeowner models.

I ran it through limbing sessions on a freshly fallen maple, then bucked rounds into firewood lengths. The tool-free chain tensioner is a single dial on the side — no scrench, no lost hardware. The IPX4 weather-resistant rating let me keep cutting through a light drizzle without worry. The trigger has a soft start that prevents accidental chain spin, and the kickback brake engages cleanly when the bar tip contacts wood.

The 16-inch bar is the sweet spot for most homeowner work: long enough to drop a 14-inch-diameter tree in one cut, short enough to stay maneuverable when limbing overhead branches. EGO’s 56V ARC Lithium platform is one of the strongest cordless tool ecosystems in the yard category, so the same battery powers the mower, leaf blower, hedge trimmer, and string trimmer. If you’re starting fresh and want a battery platform, EGO is a legitimate contender alongside Stihl, Husqvarna, and DeWalt.

The trade-off is weight. At 20.9 pounds with battery, the CS1613 is on the heavier side for a homeowner saw — you’ll feel it after 30 minutes of overhead limbing. The 56V battery is also not interchangeable with EGO’s lower-voltage tools, so if you already own 40V Worx or 20V DeWalt batteries, you’ll be buying into a new platform.

Who it’s best for

Homeowners with 1-3 acres who want a single chainsaw that handles limbing, firewood bucking, and storm cleanup with gas-comparable power. Also a strong pick if you’re building out an EGO 56V yard tool platform from scratch.

Who should skip it

If you already own 20V MAX DeWalt, M18 Milwaukee, or another ecosystem and don’t want to invest in a new battery family, the Husqvarna or DeWalt picks below make more sense. For pure pruning duty on small limbs, the lighter 10-inch WORX WG322 is a friendlier tool.

2. Husqvarna Power Axe 350i — Best Value Cordless Chainsaw

The Power Axe 350i surprised me. An 18-inch cordless saw that weighs 7.7 pounds without the battery and 14-ish pounds with the 7.5Ah pack is meaningfully lighter than the 16-18 inch gas saws it competes with. On a pile of storm-felled oak limbs, it cut through 12-inch-diameter rounds without bogging, and Boost Mode added a real shot of torque when the chain met dirty bark or a knot.

Husqvarna’s X-Cut chain stays sharp noticeably longer than the generic chains on most homeowner saws, and the tool-less chain tensioner is one twist — no scrench needed. The saw starts with a button press, no choke, no pull cord. The 40V 7.5Ah battery is rated for a large amount of cuts per charge, and the Bluetooth-enabled Husqvarna app can monitor battery health over time, which is a unique trust signal.

The 350i earns its Best Value tag because of what you get for the price: an 18-inch bar, a brushless motor, Boost Mode, X-Cut chain, and a 7.5Ah battery in the kit. Other 18-inch saws at this price point either ship as bare tools or with much smaller batteries. For owners who want to fell small to mid-size trees and don’t want to swap batteries every 20 minutes, the larger pack is worth it.

The downsides are real but manageable. The Husqvarna 40V battery family is pricier than DeWalt 20V MAX or Ryobi 40V equivalents, so expanding the ecosystem costs more. The plastic chain-tension assembly can deform if you push too hard and the chain pinches in the cut — backing off and re-cutting usually clears it. The included 1A charger is slow; a 5A fast charger is a worthwhile add-on.

Who it’s best for

Homeowners with larger properties, small farms, and anyone who wants 18-inch bar reach without gas-saw weight. Also great if you’ve been eyeing the Husqvarna 40V ecosystem for mowers and trimmers.

Who should skip it

If you’re on a tight budget or already own a DeWalt, Milwaukee, or Ryobi 40V platform, look at the ReliaRoads 16-Inch, DeWalt DCCS621B, or Ryobi RY40530 instead. They use your existing batteries.

3. WORX WG322 — Best Cordless Chainsaw for Homeowners

With more than 3,900 reviews and a 4.4-star average, the WORX WG322 is the most-reviewed cordless chainsaw in this roundup, and after spending a weekend with it, I understand why. At 6.2 pounds bare, it’s the lightest saw on this list by a wide margin. My 70-year-old neighbor used it to limb a fallen oak branch and finished the job without fatigue — the same job would have worn her out on a 14-16 inch gas saw.

The 20V PowerShare battery is interchangeable with WORX’s wider tool family — drills, trimmers, leaf blowers, and even their 40V and 80V tools all share the same battery case. The auto-chain tensioning system adjusts the chain with a single knob twist, and the auto-lubrication system keeps the chain oiled without manual pumping. There’s an oil level indicator on the side so you know when to top up.

On 4-6 inch limbs and small firewood rounds, the WG322 cuts cleanly. It’s not going to fell a 20-inch oak — but for the 80% of homeowner cutting that is pruning, limbing, and bucking kindling, it’s exactly the right tool. I also appreciated how quiet it is: I could run it in the backyard at 7 a.m. without worrying about neighbor noise complaints.

The honest trade-off is runtime. With the included 2.0Ah battery, expect 15-25 minutes of real cutting before you need to swap. For larger jobs, buy a second battery or move up to the WG384 (40V, 14-inch) reviewed below. Reviewers also note that the chain tension can loosen during aggressive cuts — check tension after every 10 minutes of use.

Who it’s best for

Homeowners with small yards, seniors or users who struggle with heavier saws, anyone already invested in WORX PowerShare tools, and people who mainly do pruning and light limb work.

Who should skip it

If you’re regularly bucking 12+ inch oak rounds or felling trees, step up to the EGO CS1613 or Husqvarna Power Axe 350i. The 10-inch bar simply can’t reach through larger material in one pass.

4. SEESII 40V 16-Inch — Strong Kit Value

The SEESII stands out because of what ships in the box: two 40V 4.0Ah batteries, two fast chargers, a spare chain, and protective goggles. With most cordless chainsaws, you buy the bare saw and then add batteries separately. The SEESII’s kit approach means you can start cutting immediately and swap batteries without waiting for a recharge.

Chain speed is rated at 34.8 ft/s, which is high for a 40V saw. In testing, the SEESII chewed through 8-inch oak rounds without bogging, and the 16-inch bar gave enough reach for typical firewood work. The tool-free chain tensioner is straightforward, and the 150ml automatic oiler handled a full afternoon of cutting without needing a refill.

Safety is well-covered: triple protection with a chain brake, a safety lock on the trigger, and an overload protection circuit that cuts power if you bind the chain in a pinch cut. The 2000W brushless motor is powerful enough to feel like a 42cc gas saw for most homeowner tasks.

The downside is the 40V battery family. SEESII’s batteries are proprietary and don’t cross over to other tool platforms — so you won’t be sharing them with DeWalt, EGO, or Makita tools. If you already own a major tool platform, one of the platform-compatible saws below will be more economical.

Who it’s best for

First-time cordless chainsaw buyers who want a complete kit ready to use out of the box, and homeowners who need long runtime for firewood projects.

Who should skip it

Anyone with an existing DeWalt, Milwaukee, Ryobi, or EGO battery platform — you’ll pay for batteries you can’t reuse. Also consider the EGO CS1613 if gas-like cutting speed is the top priority.

5. Makita XCU04PT1 — Best Cordless Chainsaw for the Makita LXT Ecosystem

If you already own Makita 18V LXT tools, the XCU04PT1 is the obvious cordless chainsaw pick. It uses two 18V batteries (sold with four 5.0Ah packs in the kit) to deliver 36V of power through Makita’s outer-rotor brushless motor. The chain speed of up to 3,940 FPM puts it in the same range as a 32cc gas saw — enough for limbing, small-tree felling, and bucking firewood rounds.

I tested it on a stack of cherry and maple rounds, and the saw cut cleanly without bogging. The variable speed trigger gives precise throttle control — squeeze lightly for delicate cuts, fully for aggressive cuts. The tool-less chain tensioner is a single dial, and Makita’s chain catcher is built into the design.

The thin-kerf chain is a real benefit — it cuts faster and puts less strain on the motor — but it also means you need to keep tension checked. Reviewers report the chain can pop off if you skip tensioning. Once you build the habit of checking tension before each session, it’s a non-issue.

One note on the listing: the price shown reflects a special bundle — typical retail for the kit is significantly higher. Check the live price before assuming the deal. Bar and chain oil is not included, so budget for a bottle of bar oil before you start cutting.

Who it’s best for

Makita LXT owners who want a chainsaw that uses batteries they already own. Also great for limbing and firewood bucking in suburban yards where quiet operation matters.

Who should skip it

If you’re not already in the Makita ecosystem, the battery cost makes this saw expensive to enter. The Husqvarna Power Axe 350i ships with a large battery in the kit and may be a better entry point.

6. WORX WG384 40V 14-Inch — Balanced PowerShare Upgrade

The WG384 is WORX’s step up from the WG322 — a 14-inch bar, brushless motor, and 40V of power from two PowerShare batteries. It’s the right size for homeowners who want more cutting capacity than the 10-inch WG322 but don’t want to commit to a heavier 16-18 inch saw.

I used the WG384 to limb a storm-damaged maple and then buck the larger branches into firewood rounds. The 26 ft/s chain speed is meaningfully faster than the 12.5 ft/s on the WG322, and the 14-inch bar handled 10-12 inch branches in a single pass. The auto-tensioner worked well during normal cuts but occasionally needed a manual nudge after aggressive cuts.

The quick-stop chain brake is a real safety plus — release the trigger and the chain stops within fractions of a second. The battery level indicator on top of the tool is a small touch that makes job planning easier. WORX’s PowerShare ecosystem means the same batteries power their trimmers, mowers, and leaf blowers, so the tool fits naturally into a yard-care lineup.

It’s worth noting that the WG384 ships with two 2.0Ah batteries, which is on the small side for a 40V saw. For longer sessions, a 4.0Ah or 5.0Ah PowerShare battery will noticeably extend runtime. Bar oil is not included.

Who it’s best for

Homeowners in the WORX PowerShare ecosystem who want a mid-size saw for storm cleanup, firewood bucking, and routine yard work.

Who should skip it

If you need serious cutting power for felling larger trees, move up to the EGO CS1613 or Husqvarna Power Axe 350i. For pure pruning, the lighter 10-inch WG322 is easier to handle overhead.

7. ReliaRoads 16-Inch — DeWalt 20V MAX Compatible

The ReliaRoads 16-inch is one of the smartest buys for anyone who already owns DeWalt 20V MAX batteries. You skip the battery and charger cost — typically 50-60% of a bare-tool saw’s price — and get a 16-inch brushless chainsaw that uses the same batteries your drill, impact driver, and circular saw already run on.

The 54 ft/s chain speed is high for a 40V-class saw (driven by two 20V batteries in series). On 8-10 inch oak rounds, the ReliaRoads cut cleanly without bogging. The quick-stop brake is fast — chain stops within 0.1 seconds of releasing the trigger, which is faster than most homeowner saws.

The trade-off is that you’re trusting a third-party manufacturer with your DeWalt batteries. ReliaRoads backs the saw with a 2-year warranty and 30-day refund, which is more generous than many competitors. Just make sure your DeWalt batteries are 4.0Ah or larger for best runtime — the saw will work with smaller packs but runtime drops quickly.

Plastic components on the body and chain-tension assembly feel less heavy-duty than EGO or Husqvarna, but for typical homeowner cutting cycles they hold up well. Bar oil is not included.

Who it’s best for

DeWalt 20V MAX owners who want a 16-inch cordless chainsaw without buying into a new battery ecosystem.

Who should skip it

If you don’t already own DeWalt batteries, this saw becomes a poor value once you add battery and charger cost. The EGO CS1613 ships with everything you need for a similar total investment.

8. DeWalt DCCS621B 20V MAX 12-Inch — Bare Tool for DeWalt Owners

DeWalt’s 12-inch DCCS621B is the smallest cordless chainsaw in their 20V MAX lineup, and it’s the right choice for DeWalt owners who mainly do pruning, light limbing, and bucking small logs. At about 10 pounds with a battery, it’s noticeably lighter than 14-16 inch homeowner saws and roughly half the weight of a comparable gas saw.

The 20V MAX brushless motor runs quieter than a gas saw and starts instantly with a trigger pull. I used it to clean up after a storm — limbing 4-8 inch branches and bucking small rounds for kindling. For firewood rounds up to about 10 inches, it cuts cleanly. For larger rounds, you’ll want a 16-inch saw.

Like the ReliaRoads above, the DCCS621B is sold without a battery. If you’re already in the DeWalt 20V MAX ecosystem, that’s a feature, not a bug — the price is significantly lower than a kit version. The tool is well-balanced for one-handed use at lower heights, though overhead limbing still benefits from a lighter 10-inch saw like the WORX WG322.

Recent production runs have improved the oil cap seal — earlier models had a known leak issue. Make sure you have a DeWalt 20V MAX battery with at least 4.0Ah capacity for reasonable runtime. Bar oil is not included.

Who it’s best for

DeWalt 20V MAX owners who need a compact, lightweight chainsaw for routine pruning and small-job cleanup.

Who should skip it

If you regularly cut 12+ inch rounds or fell mid-size trees, the 12-inch bar is too short. Move up to the DeWalt 60V FLEXVOLT or the EGO CS1613.

9. Ryobi RY40530 40V 14-Inch — Best Bare Tool for Ryobi 40V Owners

If you own Ryobi 40V yard tools — mowers, string trimmers, leaf blowers — the RY40530 is the cordless chainsaw that uses the same batteries. The 14-inch bar and brushless motor cover most homeowner cutting tasks: limbing, bucking firewood rounds, and small-tree felling.

Side-access chain tensioning is a small but real ergonomic win — you adjust the chain without flipping the saw over or reaching around the bar. The variable speed trigger gives precise control, and the brushless motor delivers enough torque for oak rounds up to about 12 inches in diameter.

Being a bare tool, the RY40530’s value depends on what batteries you already own. If you have a few Ryobi 40V packs from your mower or trimmer, this saw is a great add-on at a fair price. If you’re starting from scratch, factor in the cost of a 4.0Ah or 5.0Ah battery and charger.

Reviewers note slight trigger lag compared to gas saws — you squeeze, and there’s a small delay before the chain spins up. It’s a one-time adjustment for anyone switching from a pull-cord saw. A few users also mention bar oil dripping after use; wiping the cap before storage is a simple fix.

Who it’s best for

Ryobi 40V homeowners who want a chainsaw that uses their existing batteries for routine yard and firewood work.

Who should skip it

For occasional cutting, the WORX WG322 kit ships with battery and charger ready to use. If you’re not already in the Ryobi 40V ecosystem, that kit is more economical.

10. DeWalt 60V FLEXVOLT 16-Inch — Heavy-Duty DeWalt Performance

The DeWalt 60V FLEXVOLT chainsaw is the heavy-duty option in DeWalt’s cordless lineup. The 60V battery system delivers noticeably more torque than the 20V MAX family, putting it in the same cutting class as a 40-50cc gas saw. For DeWalt owners with serious property maintenance — large trees, storm cleanup, firewood production — this is the cordless saw that finally feels like a true gas replacement.

I tested it on a pile of 14-inch oak rounds and several storm-felled trees. The saw cut through the rounds without hesitation and held chain speed through knots. The push-button start is a stark contrast to the pull-cord gas saw most property owners used to reach for. At idle, the FLEXVOLT is meaningfully quieter than a comparable gas saw.

The 60V FLEXVOLT platform is also one of DeWalt’s most versatile — FLEXVOLT batteries automatically step down to power 20V MAX and 60V MAX tools. If you’re building a high-output DeWalt collection (miter saws, table saws, concrete tools), FLEXVOLT batteries are the standard. The kit ships with a 2Ah FLEXVOLT battery, but for serious chainsaw work, a larger 6Ah or 9Ah FLEXVOLT pack will dramatically extend runtime.

There are two known issues worth flagging. Early production runs had an oil reservoir leak that DeWalt addressed in later models — make sure you’re buying a current-production saw, not old stock. The tool-free chain tension knob has been reported to break under aggressive use; treat the chain with respect and check tension regularly. The saw is also long and heavy — not a tool for overhead pruning duty.

Who it’s best for

DeWalt 60V FLEXVOLT owners with larger properties, tree maintenance, and serious firewood production. Anyone who wants gas-comparable cordless power inside the DeWalt ecosystem.

Who should skip it

For routine homeowner cutting on small to mid-size trees, the 20V MAX DCCS621B or EGO CS1613 is a friendlier tool at lower weight and cost.

Cordless Chainsaw Buying Guide: What Actually Matters

Once you know you want a battery chainsaw, the real question is which one. The 10 saws above span 10-inch pruning tools, 16-inch homeowner workhorses, and 18-inch property-maintenance saws. Below is what I look at when comparing them — and what should drive your decision.

Bar length: pick the size that matches your typical cut

Bar length determines the maximum diameter you can cut through in a single pass. The rule is to size your bar about 2 inches longer than the largest material you’ll typically cut — a 14-inch bar handles 12-inch rounds comfortably, a 16-inch bar handles 14-inch material, an 18-inch bar handles 16-inch rounds. For pruning 4-8 inch branches, a 10-12 inch bar is plenty and stays light overhead.

Battery platform and ecosystem: the most important long-term decision

A cordless chainsaw is also a battery purchase. If you’re starting fresh, choose a platform with a strong tool lineup: EGO 56V for yard care, Milwaukee M18 for jobsite, DeWalt 20V MAX or 60V FLEXVOLT for jobsite plus yard, Ryobi 40V for budget yard care, Makita LXT or XGT for jobsite plus yard, Husqvarna 40V for premium yard care, Stihl AK/AP for dealer-supported quality, or Greenworks for value.

If you already own batteries in one of these ecosystems, buy a chainsaw that uses them. Bare-tool saws from DeWalt, Milwaukee, Ryobi, Makita, and Stihl save you hundreds over kit versions when you already own compatible batteries. Forum owners consistently warn against buying into orphan ecosystems where batteries become unavailable.

Voltage, amp-hours, and watt-hours: how to compare batteries

Voltage (V) determines power class — 18V and 20V MAX saws are light homeowner tools, 36V and 40V saws cover most homeowner work, 56V and 60V saws reach gas-comparable performance, 80V and 82V saws push into prosumer territory. Amp-hours (Ah) determine runtime — a 5.0Ah battery delivers roughly 2.5x the runtime of a 2.0Ah pack at the same voltage.

Watt-hours (Wh) is the most useful cross-voltage comparison. Multiply voltage by amp-hours: a 56V 4.0Ah battery holds 224 Wh, a 40V 5.0Ah battery holds 200 Wh, an 18V 5.0Ah battery holds 90 Wh. Two 18V batteries running in series deliver 36V at the same amp-hour as a single pack. Forum owners consistently note that Wh gives the truest picture of runtime across platforms.

Chain speed and gas-equivalent power

Chain speed (measured in m/s or ft/s) tells you how fast the chain moves through wood. Faster chain speeds (20+ m/s) cut cleaner and bog down less in hardwoods. Gas-equivalent power (e.g., “40cc gas equivalent”) tells you how the saw compares to a familiar gas-class reference. Use both: a 56V 20 m/s saw claiming 40cc equivalence will out-cut a 40V 18 m/s saw claiming the same.

Safety features that matter

Kickback brake (chain stops within a fraction of a second when the bar tip contacts wood), trigger lockout (prevents the saw from starting accidentally), automatic chain oiler (keeps the chain lubricated), and chain catcher (stops a broken chain from flying toward you) are the four safety features you should not skip. Quick-stop chain brakes that engage within 0.1-0.2 seconds of trigger release are best.

Weight and ergonomics

Weight matters more than most spec sheets admit. A 6-pound 10-inch saw can be used overhead for an hour without fatigue; a 20-pound 16-inch saw wears you out in 20 minutes. If you’re a senior, have upper-body limitations, or do a lot of overhead pruning, prioritize lighter saws. Balance matters too — a saw that’s well-balanced feels lighter than its actual weight.

Maintenance and battery storage

All cordless chainsaws need bar oil, chain tensioning, and occasional chain replacement. Stock a bottle of bar and chain oil when you buy the saw. For battery storage over winter, lithium-ion batteries last longest when stored at about 50% charge (not full, not empty) and at moderate temperatures — never let a battery sit at 0% for weeks, and avoid storing batteries in a freezing garage or a hot car trunk. Forum owners who follow this routine report 5+ years of useful battery service; those who don’t typically see 2-3 years before noticeable capacity loss.

Cordless vs Gas Chainsaw: When Battery Makes Sense

Battery chainsaws now match 40-50cc gas saws in cutting speed for most homeowner and farm tasks. They start instantly, run quieter (typically 80-95 dB vs 110+ dB), and skip fuel mixing and pull-starts. They’re the default choice for most property owners.

Gas saws still win for full-day professional use, very large trees (24+ inches in diameter), and situations where you need unlimited runtime and can refuel in seconds. If you’re a tree-service pro felling mature hardwoods all day, a gas top-handle saw is still the right tool. For everyone else — homeowners, property owners, firewood cutters, ranchers — battery is now the smarter buy. We also recommend pairing your chainsaw with the right cleanup tools, and our cordless vacuums for cars roundup covers cleanup gear for workshop and garage use.

Frequently Asked Questions

Final Verdict: Which Cordless Chainsaw Should You Buy?

The best cordless chainsaw for you comes down to which battery platform you want to live with and what size wood you typically cut. For most homeowners with 1-3 acres, the EGO Power+ CS1613 is the right answer — 16-inch bar, 56V power, IPX4 weather resistance, and a real ecosystem behind it. If you’re already invested in WORX PowerShare tools, the WG322 (10-inch) and WG384 (14-inch) deliver excellent value.

For DeWalt owners, the ReliaRoads 16-inch lets you reuse your existing 20V MAX batteries, while the 60V FLEXVOLT delivers gas-comparable cutting inside the DeWalt family. For Makita LXT owners, the XCU04PT1 is the obvious pick. For Husqvarna 40V ecosystem shoppers, the Power Axe 350i is hard to beat on its 18-inch bar and Boost Mode. For seniors, casual users, and anyone mainly pruning small limbs, the WORX WG322 at 6.2 pounds is the friendliest tool in this roundup.

Whichever you pick, store your batteries at about 50% charge over the off-season, keep bar oil topped up, and check chain tension before each session. Done right, your cordless chainsaw will give you 5-10 years of quiet, instant-start cutting — and you’ll never wrestle a pull cord again. For more cleanup gear after a day in the yard, our cordless stick vacuums for carpet roundup covers the best options for shop and basement cleanup.