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Buying Guide

Best Battery Chainsaws: 5 Cordless Saws Compared

Five current battery chainsaw kits for different jobs and battery ecosystems, from an 18-inch all-around property saw to heavier 20-inch options. The goal is not to crown the biggest specification—it is to match the saw, battery and bar size to the cutting you actually do.

Manufacturer performance figures are useful comparison points, not guaranteed real-world results. Wood species, diameter, chain sharpness, technique, temperature and battery condition all change cutting performance.

Our shortlist

Five battery chainsaws for five different buyers

These labels describe the use case we think each kit fits best. They are not claims that one saw is universally superior.

Some product links below are affiliate links. Green Battery Tools may earn a commission from qualifying purchases at no additional cost to you.

02HEAVIER CUTTING
Best heavy-duty value

RYOBI 40V HP RY405110

20-inch Brushless Chainsaw Kit

20 in.40V 8AhRYOBI 40V

RYOBI moves into a larger 20-inch bar class with an included 8Ah battery. The manufacturer says the saw delivers more power than a 52cc gas chainsaw, can tackle cuts up to 36 inches and makes more than 100 cuts per charge under its test conditions.

Why it is here: The larger bar and battery make more sense when felling, bucking and larger-diameter wood matter more than minimum carrying weight.
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03PLATFORM LOYALTY
Best for FLEXVOLT owners

DEWALT FLEXVOLT DCCS677Y1

60V MAX 20-inch Chainsaw Kit

20 in.DCB612 FLEXVOLTDEWALT FLEXVOLT

The DCCS677Y1 combines a 20-inch bar, brushless motor, auto-oiling and tooled chain tensioning. The current kit uses a DCB612 FLEXVOLT battery, rated 4Ah in 60V MAX use, and DEWALT lists up to 3.49 peak horsepower with that pack.

Why it is here: Most compelling when FLEXVOLT batteries already have value in your saws, grinders, outdoor equipment or other high-demand DEWALT tools.
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04COMPACT PLATFORM FIT
Best for M18 owners

Milwaukee M18 FUEL 2727-21HD

18V 16-inch Chainsaw Kit

16 in.M18 12.0AhMilwaukee M18

Milwaukee keeps this saw on the broad M18 platform and pairs the 16-inch saw with a 12.0Ah battery and rapid charger. Milwaukee states up to 150 cuts per charge and positions it for demanding landscape and utility work.

Why it is here: A strong ecosystem choice when you already own M18 batteries and want a 16-inch saw without adding a separate outdoor-voltage family.
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05OUTDOOR ECOSYSTEM
Best alternative outdoor ecosystem

Greenworks Pro 80V 18-inch

Brushless Chainsaw 4Ah Kit

18 in.80V 4.0AhGreenworks 80V

Greenworks pairs an 18-inch bar with a 4.0Ah 80V battery and rapid charger. The manufacturer lists a 2.5kW brushless motor, 50cc gas-equivalent claim and up to 200 cuts through 4×4 pressure-treated lumber for this configuration.

Why it is here: Worth considering when you want the same 80V batteries to support a broader Greenworks outdoor-equipment lineup.
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Side-by-side

Battery chainsaw comparison

Cut counts and power-equivalent claims come from manufacturer test descriptions and are not directly interchangeable between brands. Use them as context, then prioritize the bar size, battery system and workload that fit your property.

ModelOur fitBarIncluded batteryManufacturer claimPlatform
EGO POWER+CS1804Best all-around homeowner pick18 in.56V 5.0AhUp to 300 cuts on a 4×4EGO 56V
RYOBI 40V HPRY405110Best heavy-duty value20 in.40V 8AhOver 100 cuts per chargeRYOBI 40V
DEWALT FLEXVOLTDCCS677Y1Best for FLEXVOLT owners20 in.DCB612 FLEXVOLT3.49 peak HP with DCB612DEWALT FLEXVOLT
Milwaukee M18 FUEL2727-21HDBest for M18 owners16 in.M18 12.0AhUp to 150 cuts per chargeMilwaukee M18
Greenworks Pro80V 18-inchBest alternative outdoor ecosystem18 in.80V 4.0AhUp to 200 cuts per chargeGreenworks 80V
How we narrowed it

The differences that actually matter

A battery chainsaw decision is a mix of cutting class, battery weight, runtime, chain maintenance and ecosystem value. Bigger is useful only when your work needs it.

01

EGO CS1804: the balanced 18-inch property saw

EGO's CS1804 sits in a useful middle ground: an 18-inch bar, 5.0Ah 56V battery, automatic oiling, chain brake and LED work lights. EGO claims performance comparable to a 45cc gas saw and up to 300 cuts on a 4×4 with the recommended 5.0Ah pack.

02

RYOBI RY405110: step up when the wood gets bigger

The RYOBI moves to a 20-inch bar and an 8Ah 40V battery. That makes it more relevant for felling and bucking than a compact cleanup saw. RYOBI states more power than a 52cc gas chainsaw, over 100 cuts per charge and capacity for cuts up to 36 inches under its stated conditions.

03

DEWALT DCCS677Y1: 20-inch cutting for FLEXVOLT users

The DCCS677Y1 is a 60V MAX 20-inch brushless saw with auto-oiling and tooled chain tensioning. Its included DCB612 FLEXVOLT pack is rated 4Ah in 60V use, and the listing specifies up to 3.49 peak horsepower with that battery. The larger ecosystem question is whether FLEXVOLT already supports other tools you own.

04

Milwaukee 2727-21HD: keep the chainsaw inside M18

Milwaukee's 16-inch saw is attractive because it stays on M18 rather than forcing an outdoor-only voltage platform. The kit includes a 12.0Ah battery and rapid charger, while Milwaukee claims up to 150 cuts per charge. For existing M18 users, battery interoperability may matter more than adding two inches of bar.

05

Greenworks Pro 80V: another full outdoor ecosystem

The Greenworks Pro 80V 18-inch 4Ah kit combines an 18-inch bar with a 2.5kW brushless motor. Greenworks states a 50cc gas-equivalent power claim and up to 200 cuts through 4×4 pressure-treated lumber for this configuration, while the same 80V battery family supports a broad outdoor lineup.

Buying framework

Choose the saw around the hardest normal cut

Do not size a chainsaw around the biggest tree you might encounter once. Match the bar, battery and weight to the work you do repeatedly, then use professional help when a tree or situation exceeds safe homeowner work.

01

Wood diameter

Bar length affects cutting capacity, but a longer bar also changes balance and handling. Buy enough bar for common work rather than maximum possible reach.

02

Cutting duration

Occasional limbing and cleanup demand less battery capacity than bucking firewood for hours. Think in complete work sessions, not a single cut.

03

Battery weight

Large packs extend work but add mass to a tool you hold away from your body. Balance can matter more than headline capacity during repeated cuts.

04

Chain and oil system

Battery power does not eliminate chain sharpening, proper tension, bar care or chain oil. Maintenance still determines cutting quality and safety.

05

Battery ecosystem

A high-capacity pack has more value when it also powers a mower, blower, trimmer or other tool you actually use.

06

Service and parts

Check replacement chains, bars, sprockets, warranty support and service availability before buying a saw you expect to keep for years.

Safety first

Battery removes the engine—not chainsaw hazards

A cordless saw still has a high-speed chain, kickback risk and the same need for correct cutting technique. Read the manufacturer's manual and use appropriate chainsaw PPE before operating any model.

  • Use the chain brake and keep both hands on a rear-handle saw while cutting.
  • Keep the chain sharp and correctly tensioned; a neglected chain cuts poorly and increases workload.
  • Keep people and pets clear of the work zone and never cut where a falling limb or tree can strike them.
  • Complex felling, overhead hazards and storm-damaged trees can require professional tree-care expertise.
BATTERY VS GAS

Battery is excellent when the work fits the packs

For routine property cleanup, pruning and many firewood jobs, instant starting and lower engine maintenance can be compelling. Gas still has an advantage when you need long continuous cutting and fast refueling far from charging power.

Compare battery vs gas chainsaws
FAQ

Battery chainsaw questions

What size battery chainsaw is best for homeowners?

For many property owners, a 16- to 18-inch rear-handle saw covers common limbing, cleanup and moderate firewood work without the bulk of a 20-inch setup. Your normal wood diameter and handling comfort should decide the size.

Does a 20-inch battery chainsaw replace a gas chainsaw?

It can replace gas for many jobs when the motor, battery capacity and duty cycle are adequate, but bar length alone does not make two saws equivalent. Long continuous work and remote refueling can still favor gas.

How many cuts will a battery chainsaw make?

Cut-count claims depend on the test material, diameter, battery, chain condition and cutting technique. They are useful for comparing a manufacturer's own configurations but should not be treated as guaranteed field runtime.

Should I buy a chainsaw that uses batteries I already own?

Existing compatible batteries can lower effective cost and provide backup runtime. Still verify that the saw's bar size, output and ergonomics suit the work before choosing solely for battery compatibility.

Do battery chainsaws still need bar and chain oil?

Yes. The chain and guide bar still require lubrication. Follow the saw manufacturer's instructions for oil type, filling, chain tension and maintenance.