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The best cordless chainsaws now cut like small gas saws without the pull cord, fuel mixing or winter starting headaches, which makes them ideal for fall limb cleanup and storm damage. We compared specs, expert testing and owner reviews from tool sites like Pro Tool Reviews, This Old House, Bob Vila and Outdoor Life to pick nine battery saws, from 20-inch bars that buck firewood to light pruners for overhead branches.
Part of our Home Comfort, Backup Power & Tool Guides.
Quick picks
Price ranges: $ under $250, $$ $250-$450, $$$ $450-$800, $$$$ $800+ (kit with battery unless noted).
| Product | Best for | Price range | |
|---|---|---|---|
| EGO Power+ 56V 20-inch CS2000 | Best overall for homeowners | $$$ | See price |
| Milwaukee M18 FUEL 20-inch Dual Battery 2827 | Best for heavy cutting | $$$$ | See price |
| Stihl MSA 300 C-O | Fastest chain, pro pick | $$$$ | See price |
| Husqvarna Power Axe 350i | Best 18-inch all-rounder | $$$ | See price |
| Ryobi 40V HP Brushless 20-inch RY40HPCW03 | Best value 20-inch | $$$ | See price |
| EGO Power+ 56V 16-inch CS1611 | Best for the money | $$ | See price |
| Echo X Series DCS-2500T | Best compact top-handle | $$$ | See price |
| DeWalt 20V MAX XR 12-inch Chainsaw | Best for small yards | $ | See price |
| Milwaukee M18 FUEL Hatchet 3004-20 | Best pruning saw (tool only) | $ | See price |
1. EGO Power+ 56V 20-inch CS2000: Best Overall for Homeowners
Pro Tool Reviews names the CS2000 its top cordless chainsaw for home use, and it’s easy to see why. EGO rates it as comparable to a 55cc gas saw, the 20-inch bar handles big rounds of firewood and downed trunks, and the chain runs at about 25 m/s. You also get an omnidirectional automatic chain brake, metal bucking spikes and an LED light for late-afternoon cleanup. The tradeoff is weight: with a 6.0Ah battery it’s a substantial saw to hold for long.
Key specs
- Voltage: 56V
- Bar: 20 inches
- Gas equivalent: about 55cc (brand rating)
- Chain speed: about 25 m/s
- Weight: about 13 lb bare, 19.4 lb with 6.0Ah battery
👍 Pros
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👎 Cons
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What owners say: Owners praise how close it feels to gas for bucking logs; the most common complaint is arm fatigue on long sessions.
2. Milwaukee M18 FUEL 20-inch Dual Battery 2827: Best for Heavy Cutting
Running on two M18 batteries, Milwaukee’s 20-inch saw is rated as comparable to a 70cc gas saw, and testers found it bores through large hardwood with serious torque. It has dual metal bucking spikes, captured bar nuts and two operating modes. The chain speed is lower than rivals, so quick limbing cuts feel slower, but for big rounds and storm-felled trunks it’s one of the strongest battery saws you can buy, and a smart choice if you already own M18 tools.
Key specs
- Platform: Milwaukee M18 (runs on two batteries)
- Bar: 20 inches
- Gas equivalent: about 70cc (brand rating)
- Chain speed: about 14.3 m/s
- Weight: 15.1 lb bare, 19.9 lb with two 8.0Ah batteries
👍 Pros
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👎 Cons
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What owners say: M18 users like that it replaces a mid-size gas saw; some wish it were lighter and quicker on small limbs.
3. Stihl MSA 300 C-O: Fastest Chain, Pro Pick
Stihl’s flagship battery saw pairs a 36V platform with a very fast chain, about 30 m/s, so cuts feel smooth and quick even under load. Testers highlight its vibration reduction, low-oil sensor, three operating modes and captured bar nuts. It’s priced for professionals and serious landowners, and the battery is sold separately in many listings, but it’s the most refined-feeling cordless saw in expert testing. Stihl is often sold through dealers, so check availability before you order.
Key specs
- Voltage: 36V
- Bar: 16 to 20 inches
- Chain speed: about 30 m/s
- Weight: 13.1 lb bare, about 17 lb with AP 500 S battery
- Features: low-oil sensor, three modes, vibration reduction
👍 Pros
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👎 Cons
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What owners say: Owners describe it as the closest a battery saw feels to a quality gas saw; the price is the universal complaint.
4. Husqvarna Power Axe 350i: Best 18-inch All-Rounder
The Power Axe 350i earned top marks from both Bob Vila and Outdoor Life, which called it fast with solid battery life. Its 18-inch bar is a sweet spot for most property owners: big enough for downed trees, but not as tiring as a 20-inch saw. A tool-free chain tensioner, low vibration, the X-Cut chain and a power-boost mode round out a well-thought-out package. Sources list the voltage differently (36V to 42V depending on how it’s rated), so focus on the 7.5Ah battery kit.
Key specs
- Bar: 18 inches
- Battery: 7.5Ah in kits
- Weight: about 14 lb with battery and chain
- Brushless motor, tool-free tensioning
- Power-boost mode
👍 Pros
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👎 Cons
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What owners say: Buyers like the gas-brand feel and runtime; a few report sawdust packing into the tensioner and needing a cleanout.
5. Ryobi 40V HP Brushless 20-inch RY40HPCW03: Best Value 20-inch
Ryobi’s second-generation 40V HP saw gives you a 20-inch bar and power rated near a 52cc gas saw for much less than pro brands. Pro Tool Reviews called it an excellent value with upgraded durability, and its chain speed matches the EGO CS2000. It’s lighter on features than premium saws, but if you’re already on Ryobi’s 40V platform for a mower or blower, it’s an easy add.
Key specs
- Voltage: 40V
- Bar: 20 inches
- Gas equivalent: about 52cc (brand rating)
- Chain speed: about 25 m/s
- Weight: 13.1 lb bare, 17.2 lb with 8.0Ah battery
👍 Pros
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👎 Cons
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What owners say: Homeowners are impressed by how much it cuts for the price; enthusiasts note it lacks extras like low-oil sensors.
6. EGO Power+ 56V 16-inch CS1611: Best for the Money
For most suburban yards, a 16-inch saw is plenty, and EGO’s CS1611 is Pro Tool Reviews’ pick for best cordless chainsaw for the money. It’s about 9 lb bare and under 14 lb with a 4.0Ah battery, so it’s far easier to handle than 20-inch models. You get tool-free chain tensioning and metal bucking spikes, and it’s rated near a 40cc gas saw.
Key specs
- Voltage: 56V
- Bar: 16 inches
- Gas equivalent: about 40cc (brand rating)
- Weight: 9 lb bare, 13.7 lb with 4.0Ah battery
- Tool-free chain tensioner
👍 Pros
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👎 Cons
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What owners say: Owners call it the right size for limbs and small trees; people tackling large trunks usually wish they’d bought a bigger bar.
7. Echo X Series DCS-2500T: Best Compact Top-Handle
Bob Vila’s best-overall pick and Outdoor Life’s editor’s choice, the DCS-2500T is a 12-inch top-handle saw built to arborist standards. It weighs only about 7.3 lb with its 2.5Ah battery and still delivers high torque and long runtime for its size. Top-handle saws are designed for trained users and climbing work, so most homeowners should use it with two hands on the ground and follow Echo’s safety instructions closely.
Key specs
- Voltage: 56V
- Bar: 12 inches
- Battery: 2.5Ah
- Weight: about 7.3 lb with battery
- Brushless motor, top-handle design
👍 Pros
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👎 Cons
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What owners say: Users rave about how nimble it is for limbing and cleanup; casual buyers balk at the price for a small saw.
8. DeWalt 20V MAX XR 12-inch Chainsaw: Best for Small Yards
This Old House picked DeWalt’s compact saw as its best for yards. It’s under 9 lb, uses the same 20V MAX batteries as millions of DeWalt drills, and has a brushless motor, automatic oiler and low-kickback bar and chain. The 12-inch bar and modest chain speed limit it to limbs and small trees, but for occasional trimming it’s convenient and affordable.
Key specs
- Voltage: 20V MAX
- Bar: 12 inches
- Weight: about 8.8 lb
- Brushless motor, automatic oiler
- Low-kickback bar and chain
👍 Pros
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👎 Cons
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What owners say: DeWalt owners like grabbing a battery off the drill for quick cleanup; complaints center on bar-oil leaks and low torque in thick wood.
9. Milwaukee M18 FUEL Hatchet 3004-20: Best Pruning Saw
Outdoor Life named the M18 Hatchet its best pruner. The 8-inch bar is ideal for shaping trees, clearing brush and cutting branches up to a few inches thick, and in testing it made fast work of small logs. It’s sold as a bare tool, so it’s best for people who already own M18 batteries.
Key specs
- Platform: Milwaukee M18
- Bar: 8 inches
- Weight: about 6.8 lb with a 5.0Ah battery
- Automatic oiler
👍 Pros
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👎 Cons
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What owners say: Owners love it for brush clearing and trail work; some find it heavier than expected for overhead cuts.
How to choose a cordless chainsaw
- Size the bar to your wood. This Old House suggests a bar about 2 inches longer than the cut you want to make. Pruning saws run 6 to 10 inches, 12 to 14 inches suits limbs and small trees, 16 inches covers most yard work, and 18 to 20 inches is for downed trees and firewood.
- Don’t judge by voltage alone. Power depends on the motor and battery together. Look at gas-equivalent ratings, chain speed and expert cutting tests.
- Buy into a battery platform. If you already own DeWalt, Milwaukee, EGO, Ryobi or another system, a bare tool is much cheaper than a kit. Plan for a second battery for bigger jobs; most saws run roughly 20 to 30 minutes of steady cutting per pack.
- Check weight with the battery. Listed bare weights can be 4 to 6 lb lighter than what you’ll actually hold.
- Look for convenience features. Tool-free tensioning, an oil window, metal bucking spikes, captured bar nuts and a chain brake make a real difference in daily use.
- Budget for safety gear. Wear eye and hearing protection, gloves, sturdy boots and cut-resistant chaps, and keep the chain sharp and properly tensioned to reduce kickback.
Pro tip from our construction team: after a storm, walk the site before you start the saw. Look for downed or tangled power lines and call your utility instead of cutting anywhere near them, and leave large trees leaning on houses or under tension to a licensed tree service. Pull the battery whenever you adjust the chain or clear a jam.
FAQ
Are battery chainsaws as good as gas?
For homeowners, often yes. Top 20-inch battery saws are rated near 50cc to 70cc gas saws and start instantly with less noise and no fuel. For all-day felling of large timber, a quality gas saw still has the edge in runtime.
What size cordless chainsaw do I need?
A 12- to 16-inch saw handles most yard limbs and small trees. Choose 18 to 20 inches if you regularly cut firewood or clean up large downed trees.
How long does a chainsaw battery last?
It depends on battery size and wood, but sources put typical runtime around 20 to 30 minutes of cutting per battery, with larger packs lasting longer. A spare battery is the easiest upgrade.
Do cordless chainsaws need bar oil?
Yes. Battery saws still use bar and chain oil. Check the reservoir often, about every hour of use, and follow the manufacturer’s oil recommendations.
Related guides
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- The Best Cordless Leaf Blowers of 2026
- The Best Snow Blowers of 2026
- The Best Cordless Drills of 2026
- Home Comfort, Backup Power & Tool Guides
Sources
Pro Tool Reviews: Best Battery-Powered Chainsaws (2026 Update); This Old House: Best Battery Chainsaws; Bob Vila: Best Electric Chainsaws; Outdoor Life: Best Battery Powered Chainsaws. Owner feedback is summarized in our own words from public reviews. Photos courtesy of Unsplash.