The best battery chainsaw is the one whose bar, brake and battery kit match the wood you cut on the ground, and I rank nine of them on exactly that. I am Mirko Lekić, an agricultural engineer who keeps a 3.7-acre apricot and plum orchard, and I put each saw to work on limbs and logs around the sheds.
A battery saw spares you the fuel mix and the pull cord, and it still asks for training, two hands and the right gear. My top pick is the Milwaukee M18 FUEL 16-Inch Chainsaw Kit 2727-21HD, because its manual prints a 15 in cutting capacity and its kit holds a 12.0Ah pack. Read the safety notes below before you buy any chainsaw.
Best Battery Chainsaw 2026 With 9 Cordless Saws I Put to Work
Nine rear-handle saws made my list, from a 12 in saw for small yards to a 20 in saw for thick logs. I compare each on its bar, battery kit, brake, tensioning and warranty, and I say where each one falls short. Every saw here is for wood on the ground.
1. Milwaukee M18 FUEL 16-Inch Chainsaw Kit 2727-21HD Best Overall
The Milwaukee 2727-21HD tells you what it can cut. The manual prints a 15 in cutting capacity with the 16 in bar, and the kit adds a 12.0Ah M18 battery and a Rapid Charger, so you can start without shopping for a pack. It suits a homeowner who cuts fallen limbs and small logs on the ground, and it is my pick for the best battery chainsaw on this list.
WHY I CHOSE THIS ✓
I put the 2727-21HD first because it is straight about its limits and generous in the box. The capacity is printed, the 12.0Ah pack ships with it and the hand guard locks the brake before I touch a battery. I recommend it to anyone with a pile of limbs and small logs on the ground.
Milwaukee M18 FUEL 16-Inch Chainsaw Kit 2727-21HD Specs
Key Features:
- Printed cutting capacity: the manual gives 15 in for the 16 in bar, so you know the widest log the saw is meant to take in one pass.
- 12.0Ah pack in the box: a large battery comes with the saw, and any M18 pack from your other tools fits it.
- Hand-guard chain brake: push the guard forward to lock the chain, and do it before you insert or remove the battery.
- Automatic oiler: the 6.7 oz tank feeds the chain at a fixed rate, and a level that you can check is part of every session.
- Low-kickback chain: the saw ships with a 3/8 in low-kickback chain, and the manual lists the exact replacement.
- REDLINK PLUS protection: according to Milwaukee, the electronics guard against overload, overheating and over-discharge.
- Scrench on the saw: the combination wrench and screwdriver stores on board, so tensioning does not mean a trip to the toolbox.
On a dead plum stem that I cut into carry-size pieces, the 16 in bar and its 15 in capacity matched the biggest piece and no more, which is how I want a bar to fit a job. Milwaukee says full throttle arrives in under a second, and the manual wants the chain at full speed before it touches wood. The limit is one the manual states plainly: felling a tree, or cutting a log or limb wider than the saw’s capacity, is advanced work for trained professionals.
Weight needs careful reading. Milwaukee lists 10.7 lb for the 16 in tool, and the maker prints no kit weight with the 12.0Ah pack. By the end of a long afternoon the saw feels heavier than it did at the start, and a tired operator makes mistakes, so I stop and rest. I plan a job by the packs I own.
The oil is the other half of owning this saw. The tank holds 6.7 oz and the flow is set at the factory, so the manual says to fill it after each full battery discharge and keep it more than a quarter full. Before real work I run the manual’s oil check: with a full tank, I hold the bar tip near a pale board and run the saw for about 30 seconds until an oil line shows. When I put the saw away I empty the tank, as the manual says, because a fixed-flow oiler can weep in storage.
Cut a few small logs first, as the manual advises, and release the trigger the moment a cut is done: a chain that runs without a load wears the chain, the bar and the tool.
Never cut at or above shoulder height, and never cut from a ladder or a roof. The manual tells you to hire a professional for any limb above shoulder height.
Bar and chain oil is not in the box, so buy it before first use. A new chain stretches, and the manual has you remove the battery and check the tension often during the first two hours; after the first cuts I always found mine needed a turn of the screw. For any chain work I release the trigger, set the brake, switch the motor off with the saw’s own controls, wait until the chain has stopped, take the battery out and put on gloves, and I release the brake only when the manual’s procedure requires it. Sharpening takes an 11/64 in round file, which Milwaukee does not supply, and the tool-based tensioning is the one thing that annoyed me.
Buy it if you own M18 tools, or want one saw for limbs, fallen branches and logs within 15 in on the ground. Skip it if you plan to fell trees, expect a published runtime or sound figure, or dislike tensioning a chain with a tool.
FINAL VERDICT
The 2727-21HD earns first place by printing its limits, shipping a large pack and keeping the brake and the oiler simple. Choose it for ground-level limb and log work, and leave felling to trained people.
It is the M18 saw I recommend for limbs and logs on the ground.
2. Makita XCU04PT1 36V 16-Inch Brushless Chainsaw Kit Best Premium
Four batteries and a dual-port charger come in the Makita XCU04PT1 box, so one pair works while the other pair charges. The saw runs on two 18V LXT batteries at once for 36V, with a brushless motor and a 16 in bar that cuts 14-3/4 in of wood. It is the premium kit for a long session of limb and stem work.
WHY I CHOSE THIS ✓
I put the XCU04PT1 second because it solves the problem that ends most battery jobs early, an empty pack. Four batteries, a dual-port charger and two brakes make a kit built for a full afternoon of limb work. It is my Best Premium pick, and the premium tier here buys real equipment.
Makita XCU04PT1 36V 16-Inch Brushless Chainsaw Kit Specs
Key Features:
- Two sets of batteries: four 5.0Ah packs and a dual-port charger mean one pair can charge while the other pair cuts.
- Hand-guard brake: push the front guard forward and the chain should come to an immediate standstill, a check the manual has you make before work.
- Electric run-down brake: after you release the trigger, the manual says the chain must stop within one second.
- Tool-less tensioning: open the lever and turn the dial, with no wrench, to snug the chain on the bar.
- Adjustable oil feed: a screw on the underside sets the pump rate, and the translucent tank has a view window.
- Variable chain speed: the chain runs from 0 up to 20 m/s depending on how far you squeeze the trigger.
- Protection system: the saw stops on overload, overheating or over-discharge and tells you with a blinking lamp or indicator.
I used the 16 in bar on dead hedgerow stems lying on the ground, and the front hand guard brake was the first thing I noticed: it caught sooner than I expected when my wrist rolled forward onto the guard. Behind it sits a second brake, an electric run-down brake that Makita’s manual says must stop the chain within one second of releasing the trigger, and I test both before work. The chain speed follows the trigger, and the manual has you bring the bottom edge of the saw body into contact with the branch before switching on, and switch the saw off between cuts.
The saw needs two batteries in it to run, so one flat pack stops the saw while three others sit charged. I keep one pair on the charger in the tool shed and swap pairs when the capacity indicator runs down, so a long afternoon of stems is not stopped by charging. Makita publishes no runtime in logs, so I plan a day by the number of pairs, not by a claim.
Weight is the price of that big kit. The manual gives 10.6 lb for the saw with the small BL1815N battery, and the kit’s 5.0Ah packs weigh more, though Makita prints no figure for them. After a long stretch at arm’s length I feel it, so I lift each log onto a saw horse, which keeps the chain out of the dirt and follows the manual’s advice that first-time users practice on a saw horse or cradle. For live fruit wood the manual says to use botanical oil when pruning trees, because mineral oil may harm them.
Fine mealy dust instead of chips means a dull chain. Makita lists mealy sawdust in damp wood, hard penetration and a saw that pulls to one side as the signs to sharpen, with a 4.5 mm round file for the 90PX chain.
Makita’s manual keeps felling, limbing and burrowing cuts for trained persons and forbids work in a tree. Never cut at or above shoulder height, and never cut from a ladder or a roof.
The tool-less tensioning is the part I like most, because the manual says the chain may loosen after many hours and a loose chain can jump off the bar. Too tight is just as bad: it breaks the chain and wears the bar. Before any chain work I release the trigger, set the brake, switch the motor off with the saw’s own controls, wait until the chain has stopped, take both batteries out, let a hot saw and bar cool, and put on gloves, and I release the brake only when the manual’s procedure requires it. For storage I clear the chips, empty the 200 mL oil tank and cover the bar, as Makita directs.
A long session of limbs and stems is what this kit is built for, and it suits anyone who already holds 18V LXT batteries. Skip it if you want the lightest saw, cut only a few branches in a season, or need a bar longer than 16 in.
FINAL VERDICT
The XCU04PT1 earns second place with a battery plan that keeps cutting while a pair charges, and with two brakes the manual has you test before every job. Pick it when your jobs run long, and pick something lighter when they do not.
It is the long-session battery saw I keep charged in pairs.
3. Greenworks 40V 16-Inch Brushless Chainsaw Kit 20312 Best Value
The Greenworks 20312 puts a 16 in bar, a 4.0Ah battery and a charger in one box without a premium price. Press a button, squeeze the trigger and it runs, with no pull cord and no fuel mix. For ground-level limb work and firewood-length bucking it is the best battery chainsaw for the money on this list, and the sections below say where its weight and its tools hold it back.
WHY I CHOSE THIS ✓
I rank the 20312 third because it asks for the least and gives a lot back. A 16 in bar, a 4.0Ah battery, a charger and a start button come in the box. For my yard of limbs and small logs, it is the value pick, and it is honest about its weight.
Greenworks 40V 16-Inch Brushless Chainsaw Kit 20312 Specs
Key Features:
- Push-button start: hold the on/off switch, release the switch lock and squeeze the trigger, so there is no cord to pull and no mix to measure.
- 16 in bar: a long bar for a battery saw in this class, on an Oregon bar and a low-kickback 3/8 in chain.
- Shared 40V battery: Greenworks says the same battery fits more than 75 of its 40V tools, which helps if you already own some.
- Brake warning beep: a rapid beeping at start-up tells you the chain brake is engaged, before the chain ever moves.
- Brushless motor: a brushless 40V motor drives the chain.
- Battery circuit breaker: under heavy load the battery cuts out to protect itself, and the manual says to release the trigger, wait about a minute and restart.
- Scabbard for transport: stop the saw, set the brake, take the battery out, point the bar rearward and fit the bar cover.
On a limb as thick as my forearm it beat my hand saw by a wide margin and was much louder, so earplugs or muffs go on before the trigger is squeezed. The 16 in bar gave me room to take that limb in one pass, which is the point of a long bar on a saw like this. The limit is the maker’s own: the manual describes a saw for personal use, and its felling pages are not a beginner guide. Leaning, large or storm-damaged trees belong to trained people.
The manual gives 10.36 lb as the unit weight without saying what is included. That is where this saw is weakest on the page: weight and a spanner for the chain. If the battery cuts out under a heavy load, release the trigger and restart; if it will not restart, take the battery out of the saw for about a minute to cool. I plan a day by the batteries I own.
A stump near my drip line taught me to prepare the ground first: I staked the line before cutting, so the saw, the oil and the falling wood stayed off it. The oiler is the other thing to know. Apricot and plum gum collects near the brake area on cut fruit wood, so I clean it off using the chain-work order below. The manual calls oil seepage in storage normal and tells you to empty the tank after each use and run the saw for one minute.
A rapid beeping at start-up means the chain brake is engaged. Pull the lever back toward the front handle to release it, then start again.
Before every use, test the brake by the manual’s method; if it does not stop the chain at once or will not stay set, the saw goes to a service center before it cuts again. Never cut at or above shoulder height, and never cut from a ladder or a roof.
The manual tensions the chain with a hex ring spanner after loosening the cover lock bolt, and I follow it. A new chain stretches, so check tension often at first: a warm chain hangs about 1/16 in out of the bar groove, and a chain tensioned warm can be too tight when cold. For any chain work I release the trigger, set the brake, switch the motor off with the saw’s own controls, wait until the chain has stopped, take the battery out and put on gloves, and I release the brake only when the manual’s procedure requires it.
This is the saw for a small-property owner who wants a 16 in battery saw for limbs, storm debris on the ground and firewood-length cuts, and who values a kit that works out of the box. Skip it if you want a lighter saw, a tool-free tensioner or a published runtime.
FINAL VERDICT
The 20312 wins the value slot because the box holds a long bar, a battery and a charger, and the start routine is simple. Buy it for light-to-medium ground work, and pass on it if weight or a spanner will bother you.
It is the value battery saw I point small-property owners to.
4. EGO POWER+ 20-Inch Chain Saw Kit CS2005 Best 20-Inch
A 20 in bar is rare on a battery saw, and the EGO CS2005 pairs it with a 6.0Ah pack that EGO says the high-speed mode needs. For a homeowner with thick limbs and big logs on the ground it is the best 20-inch battery chainsaw on this list, and it asks you to carry the extra weight that comes with it.
WHY I CHOSE THIS ✓
The CS2005 sits fourth because it covers thick limbs and logs on the ground. A 20 in bar, a 6.0Ah pack and a 250 mL oil tank suit that job. I recommend it only to a buyer who needs the reach.
EGO POWER+ 20-Inch Chain Saw Kit CS2005 Specs
Key Features:
- Three speed modes: low (ECO) gives control and longer time per charge.
- Digital display: battery level, speed mode and brake status, with a two-level headlight.
- Two brake systems: a hand paddle plus sensors that react to sudden motion in the plane of the bar.
- 250 mL oil tank: an inspection window shows the level.
- 5-year tool warranty: three years on the battery and charger.
This saw is for the big end of ground work, thick limbs and logs that a shorter bar cannot span. The 20 in bar is the top of the 16 to 20 in range that Alabama Extension gives for frequent cutting of thick limbs and trunks. On the ECO setting I cut small stuff with better control, and I save the high mode for thick pieces. Felling is advanced work for trained people, and high speed needs the 6.0Ah pack or larger.
After a storm, I cut what lay flat on the track and left the hung and tangled wood to others, because wood under tension is the dangerous kind. EGO claims up to 135 cuts on a 6×6 with the included pack, a maker claim I do not plan by. On a frost morning I keep a spare pack in the house overnight.
EGO’s manual says never to rely on the sensor brake to protect against kickback, so keep the tip out of contact and your grip firm.
Never cut at or above shoulder height, and never cut from a ladder or a roof. Before any chain work, release the trigger, set the brake, switch the motor off with the saw’s own controls, wait until the chain has stopped, take the battery out, let a hot saw cool and put on gloves.
Tension takes a socket wrench and a bolt, and a new chain stretches, so check it with the battery out. The manual calls oil seepage in storage normal unless you empty the tank and run the saw for one minute, so I do that. Noise needs ear protection every time.
Choose it if thick limbs and logs on the ground are regular work. Skip it if your jobs are light pruning, if you want a tool-free tensioner, or if one pack must last a long day.
FINAL VERDICT
The CS2005 is the reach saw on this page, with the longest bar and the largest oil tank. Buy it for big ground work, and take a shorter saw for everything else.
It is the long-bar battery saw for thick limbs and logs on the ground.
5. CRAFTSMAN V20 12-Inch Cordless Chainsaw Kit CMCCS620M1 Best 12-Inch Battery Chainsaw
The CRAFTSMAN CMCCS620M1 is a compact 12 in battery saw with a bubble level and a bottom spike for flat cuts. The manual limits it to pruning and logs up to 10 in, and CRAFTSMAN calls it ideal for yards up to a quarter of an acre. For that kind of yard it is the best 12-inch battery chainsaw on this list.
WHY I CHOSE THIS ✓
I place the CMCCS620M1 fifth because it does a small job honestly. A 12 in bar, tool-free tensioning, a hand-guard brake and a bubble level come with a V20 battery. I recommend it for a small yard of limbs and posts.
CRAFTSMAN V20 12-Inch Cordless Chainsaw Kit CMCCS620M1 Specs
Key Features:
- Bubble level and bottom spike: set the spike behind the cut and rotate the bar down on it for a flat cut across a post.
- Tool-free tensioning: loosen the locking knob, turn the tension knob, then tighten the lock.
- Hand-guard brake: test it before every use; the chain should stop immediately.
- Kickback features: a low-kickback chain and a small-radius bar tip, which reduce kickback but do not remove it.
- V20 battery: CRAFTSMAN says the same 20V packs run its V20 tools.
I cut small dead plum limbs to carry size with it, and the manual’s 10 in log limit set my ceiling, since the 12 in is only the bar’s called length. The bubble level and the spike earn their place: you start the cut at full speed, set the spike behind it and rotate the bar down on it like a hinge, which gave me a flat cut across a fence post. Do not change the angle once the notch is set, because the manual warns the bar can bend.
The motor is brushed, according to CRAFTSMAN’s product page, and if too much force goes into a cut the saw turns off: release the trigger and restart with less force. I judge this saw by the job. Cutters dull immediately if they touch the ground or a nail, so I lift the log.
CRAFTSMAN says to sharpen with a 4.5 mm file and no more than four times, because each sharpening costs some low-kickback quality.
Do not cut above chest height, which this manual makes stricter than the usual rule; never cut at or above shoulder height, and never cut from a ladder or a roof. The manual leaves felling to a trained person.
Oil is not in the box, and the manual has you empty the tank after cutting, so every session starts with a refill. A new chain stretches, so for the first 2 hours check the tension often, with the battery removed. For chain work I release the trigger, set the brake, switch the motor off with the saw’s own controls, wait until the chain has stopped, take the battery out and put on gloves, and I release the brake only when the manual’s procedure requires it.
A quarter-acre yard of limbs, small logs and the odd fence post is where this saw fits. Skip it if you cut logs over 10 in, want a published runtime or need a bar longer than 12 in.
FINAL VERDICT
The CMCCS620M1 stays inside its limits and gives you a level and a spike to do small jobs well. Choose it for a small yard, and choose a longer bar for heavier wood.
It is the compact battery saw I keep for limbs and fence posts.
6. SKIL PWR CORE 40 14-Inch Brushless Chainsaw Kit CS4555-10 Best 14-Inch
Registering the SKIL CS4555-10 within 30 days of purchase gives it a 5-year limited warranty. It is a brushless 14 in saw with a hand-guard brake, an automatic oiler and tool-free tensioning, and it is the best 14-inch battery chainsaw here for a homeowner who wants a mid-size bar and a long warranty.
WHY I CHOSE THIS ✓
The SKIL takes sixth place as a complete saw at a mid-range tier. Brushless motor, hand-guard brake, tool-free tension and an automatic oiler are all there. I recommend it to a homeowner who wants a 14 in bar and a long warranty.
SKIL PWR CORE 40 14-Inch Brushless Chainsaw Kit CS4555-10 Specs
Key Features:
- Brushless motor: SKIL lists a digital brushless motor.
- Tool-free tension: turn the adjusting knob after loosening the cover knob slightly, then tighten the cover knob again.
- Brake that trips itself: the guard sets the brake and also activates when the saw rotates backward.
- Fast charger: SKIL claims 0 to 30 percent in 15 minutes on the 2.5Ah pack with its Auto charger.
- Low-kickback chain: the manual requires a low-kickback chain and a small-radius bar nose on this saw.
The two-knob arrangement takes a moment: one knob locks the side cover and bar, the other turns the tension, so you loosen the first slightly, adjust, and tighten again. Cutting by the tool shed, I found the saw much quieter than a gas saw, though ear protection still went on, and the manual’s hearing warning applies.
The kit’s 2.5Ah battery is the smaller pack, SKIL gives no runtime or cut count, and a long session needs a second pack. SKIL lists 7.83 lb for the tool alone, and the weight with the battery is not published. The manual warns that the saw’s weight can shift as a cut finishes, which can hurt legs and feet, so I release pressure just before the end of a cut.
Register the saw within 30 days. The 5-year warranty depends on it, and I do it the day the box is opened.
Never cut at or above shoulder height, and never cut from a ladder or a roof; this manual is stricter still, with no cutting above chest height.
The saw ships dry, so buy bar and chain oil before the first run, since running without oil damages the bar and chain. The manual says oil can seep when the saw sits unused, so empty the tank after each use and run the saw for one minute. For chain work I release the trigger, set the brake, switch the motor off with the saw’s own controls, wait until the chain has stopped, take the battery out and put on gloves, and I release the brake only when the manual’s procedure requires it.
It suits a homeowner who cuts limbs and small logs and wants a mid-size bar and a warranty that lasts. Skip it if you need a published runtime, want the saw to work all day on one pack, or cut logs wider than 14 in.
FINAL VERDICT
The SKIL CS4555-10 is a full-featured 14 in saw with a long warranty for those who register it. Pick it for limb and small log work, and plan a second pack for a long day.
It is the mid-size battery saw with the long warranty.
7. Husqvarna Power Axe 350i 18-Inch Battery Chainsaw Kit Best Husqvarna Battery Chainsaw
The Husqvarna Power Axe 350i is the only Husqvarna on this page, with a hand-guard brake, an inertia release, a chain catcher, a palm lockout and an automatic stop. It is the best Husqvarna battery chainsaw for an owner who values its controls, its Boost mode and the maker’s interchangeable battery system.
WHY I CHOSE THIS ✓
My seventh pick, the 350i, wins on controls. The brake, catcher, lockout and Boost button are all documented, and you should confirm warranty coverage for the exact kit and seller with a Husqvarna dealer before you buy. I recommend it to an owner who wants those controls.
Husqvarna Power Axe 350i 18-Inch Battery Chainsaw Kit Specs
Key Features:
- Boost mode: one button adds power and speed for hard wood, and Husqvarna says it costs runtime.
- Two brake releases: the front hand guard, and an inertia release for large kickback force.
- Chain catcher and palm lockout: plus a right-hand guard.
- Automatic stop: it switches off after 3 minutes unused.
- Tool-less tension: a fold-out lever and a tensioner wheel.
I cut a big pruning limb with it, one too thick for loppers, and the 17.5 in of usable bar covered it. That limb comes down and is cut on the ground, never in a tree, as the manual requires. The Boost button toggles on and off, and I left it off for small pieces because Husqvarna says Boost reduces runtime. Husqvarna states 91 dB(A) at the operator’s ear, so hearing protection stays on.
Controls are what you buy here. The manual’s function check covers the brake, hand guard, trigger lockout, chain catcher and tension, and the chain must stop when the trigger is released. I never cut alone, and the manual agrees: do not use the saw where you cannot call for help. Husqvarna lists 2.6 m/s2 at the front handle and 3.7 m/s2 at the rear, so I rest my hands.
Charge indoors only, between 5 and 40 degrees C, and never in wet conditions.
The manual says the brake does not always protect you in a kickback; near the guide bar, the chain can hit you before it stops. Never cut at or above shoulder height, and never cut from a ladder or a roof.
Bar and chain oil is not in the box. A new chain has a running-in period, so check tension more often, and again each time you refill oil. The manual also warns that the saw produces an electromagnetic field that can interfere with medical implants. For chain work I release the trigger, set the brake, switch the motor off with the saw’s own controls, wait until the chain has stopped, take the battery out and put on gloves, and I release the brake only when the manual’s procedure requires it.
It suits a user who wants controls and published sound and vibration figures on an 18 in saw. Skip it if you want the lightest saw or a quick charge, and confirm the warranty with a Husqvarna dealer before you buy.
FINAL VERDICT
The 350i is a well-equipped saw. Buy it when the controls matter most to you and a Husqvarna dealer confirms coverage for your kit and seller.
It is the control-heavy battery saw I buy through a dealer.
8. DeWalt 60V MAX 18-Inch Brushless Chainsaw Kit DCCS672X1 Best DeWalt Battery Chainsaw
The DeWalt DCCS672X1 runs on the 60V MAX platform, the highest voltage on this page, and carries an 18 in bar. DeWalt’s manual names logs up to 16 in as its intended work. It is the best DeWalt battery chainsaw here for a trained user who already owns DeWalt 60V batteries and has thick limbs and storm-cut logs to deal with on the ground.
WHY I CHOSE THIS ✓
I put the DCCS672X1 eighth because heavy-duty is not for everyone. The 60V platform and 18 in bar suit someone who cuts thick wood often, and it needs a trained user. I recommend it only to an owner who already knows chainsaw work.
DeWalt 60V MAX 18-Inch Brushless Chainsaw Kit DCCS672X1 Specs
Key Features:
- 60V MAX platform: the highest voltage platform on this page, with a brushless motor.
- Overload shut-off: the saw switches off under too much force.
- Wrench on board: it stores on the saw for tensioning.
- Oil level indicator: refill when it is less than a quarter full.
- Electronic protection: the system shuts the tool off on overload, overheating or deep discharge.
Push too hard on a thick limb and the saw simply turns off, and you have to release the trigger before it restarts. The manual says to let the chain cut at its own pace with light pressure, and that fixed it. I keep logs off the gravel yard, rolling them onto the concrete pad, because a chain that touches the ground dulls quickly, per DeWalt, and stones are the usual cause.
DeWalt gives no runtime, chain speed or weight, so check the box contents on the listing before you buy. The manual forbids plunge cuts, says not to cut vines or small brush, and says not to use the saw in wet conditions.
Clean the vents weekly with dry air and eye protection on. I do it after a day of fruit-wood cutting, when sawdust packs in.
DeWalt’s manual describes felling as work for a trained person, and it asks for no cutting above chest height. Never cut at or above shoulder height, and never cut from a ladder or a roof.
The chain tensions with the wrench and a screw, and the manual says to check tension often, with the battery out, during the first two hours of a new chain. Tension is right when the chain snaps back after a 1/4 in pull with light finger force. For chain work I release the trigger, set the brake, switch the motor off with the saw’s own controls, wait until the chain has stopped, take the battery out and put on gloves, and I release the brake only when the manual’s procedure requires it. Empty the oil tank after cutting.
It suits a trained user with DeWalt 60V batteries and thick ground-level wood to cut. Skip it if you are new to chainsaws, only prune small limbs, clear brush, or want a published weight and runtime before buying.
FINAL VERDICT
The DCCS672X1 is the 60V saw for people who already know chainsaw work. Choose it for thick limbs and logs within 16 in, and leave it on the shelf for brush and beginners.
It is the 60V saw for thick wood in trained hands.
9. WORX 40V 16-Inch Cordless Chainsaw Kit WG385 Best for WORX PowerShare Owners
The WORX WG385 runs on two 20V PowerShare batteries that make up its 40V Max system, and both come in the box with a dual-port charger. WORX says the same packs run its 20V tools, which makes this a sensible 16 in saw for a household that already owns WORX PowerShare batteries.
WHY I CHOSE THIS ✓
I place the WG385 ninth because it fits one buyer very well. The PowerShare packs run WORX’s 20V tools too, so a household with WORX batteries gets a 16 in saw from packs it already knows. It is the right pick for that owner and a middling one for everybody else.
WORX 40V 16-Inch Cordless Chainsaw Kit WG385 Specs
Key Features:
- Two PowerShare packs: both 4.0Ah batteries ship with the saw, and it runs only with both installed.
- Ratchet tension knob: the knob holds the chain tension and the built-in ratchet stops it loosening.
- Hand-guard brake: release the lever before you start, as the manual shows.
- Battery lights: five lights show charge and flag overload or heat.
- Bumper spike: anchors the cut as a pivot.
Once the chain was snug, the ratchet knob stayed put, and I did not have to chase the tension. The 16 in bar handled fallen limbs and small logs lying on the ground. A full oil tank lasts about 12 minutes of cutting, according to the manual, so on a long afternoon I check the oil window before each run.
The saw runs only with both batteries installed, and a pack of different capacity drops the pair to the lower one. I charge both packs at the same time, as the manual says. WORX publishes no runtime, and the manual lists 12.36 lb with no stated basis, so I plan the day by the oil and the batteries, not by a promise.
Do not force the cut. The manual warns that excessive force overloads the motor, and four flashing battery lights mean overload: take the saw out of the cut and try again with less pressure.
The manual forbids plunge cuts with the bar nose. Never cut at or above shoulder height, and never cut from a ladder or a roof.
Oil is not in the box and the tank is empty at purchase; the saw must never run without oil. Store it horizontal with the bar cover on, because the oil breather channels can leak if it sits on its side. For chain work I release the trigger, set the brake, switch the motor off with the saw’s own controls, wait until the chain has stopped, take both batteries out and put on gloves, and I release the brake only when the manual’s procedure requires it.
It suits an owner of WORX PowerShare batteries who cuts fallen limbs and small logs on the ground. Skip it if you want a one-battery saw, long cutting between oil stops, a published runtime or the lightest saw you can find.
FINAL VERDICT
The WG385 gives a household with WORX 20V packs a real 16 in saw. For everyone else, the two-pack system and short oil tank make it a secondary choice.
It is the PowerShare saw for households that already own WORX packs.
How to Choose the Best Battery Chainsaw
A battery saw trades the fuel mix for a battery pack, and the bar, the brake and the kit decide whether it fits your wood. These seven factors are the order I check them in, and the safety limits apply to every saw, whatever its price tier. If this is your first saw, my best chainsaw for beginners picks all come with a chain brake.
Bar Length and Log Size
A bar is sold by its called length, and the wood a saw can cut in one pass is shorter. Size the saw to the biggest log you will cut on the ground, and read the log limit in its manual. Alabama Extension calls a bar of 8 to 15 in right for light work and 16 to 20 in for frequent thick limbs and trunks, and NC State says you are unlikely to need more than 16 in for most household use.
| Bar length | Log limit in the maker’s manual |
|---|---|
| 12 in | Logs up to 10 in |
| 16 in | 15 in cutting capacity |
| 18 in | Logs up to 16 in |
The best 16-inch battery chainsaw gives a household room for limbs and small logs without the weight of a longer bar. I choose a bar that fits the biggest piece I cut and no more, because every extra inch hangs at the end of my arm. I rank nine chain-brake saws for yard cleanup in my best chainsaw for homeowners guide.
- 12 in: small limbs and tidy-up work near the house.
- 14 to 16 in: the household range for limbs and logs on the ground.
- 18 to 20 in: thick limbs and logs, with more weight to carry; Alabama Extension calls bars over 20 in professional grade.
Pro Tip
Called length is not cutting length. One maker’s 16 in bar cuts 14-3/4 in of wood, so size the saw to the cutting length and the manual’s log limit.
For pruning cleanup and small limbs, the best small battery chainsaw is a 12 in saw, and the manual’s log limit is the figure to trust. My best mini chainsaw picks compare five cordless pruning saws for yard branch work.
Battery Platform and What the Kit Holds
A battery saw is only as useful as its battery. Check whether the box holds a battery and a charger, or only the tool, because a bare tool leaves you buying both. Choosing the best cordless chainsaw with battery and charger in the box saves a separate purchase, though you still charge the pack, add bar oil and run the pre-use checks, and the pack sets how long a job runs.
| Listing says | In the box | You still buy |
|---|---|---|
| Kit | Saw, battery, charger | Bar and chain oil |
| Tool only | The saw | Battery, charger and oil |
| Two-battery kit | Saw, two packs, charger | Oil; some saws run only with both packs in |
Voltage names a platform, so compare the battery in the box and the other tools it powers, not the voltage figure alone. Run time is the number buyers want and makers rarely give: Alabama Extension puts it at approximately 30 minutes for storm cleanup and recommends two batteries, and a maker’s cut count comes with a stated wood size, such as 135 cuts on a 6×6 for one 6.0Ah pack. I plan a long day by the number of charged packs.
Chain Brake and Kickback Protection
The chain brake stops the chain when you push the front hand guard forward, and on many saws it also trips in a kickback, and the test for it differs from saw to saw, so I test it by the manual’s method before the first cut of the day. Laboratory kickback tests on gas saws found that proper chain tension, anti-kickback chain links, guide bars with sliding ends and a quick chain brake influence kickback (1). One maker’s manual says plainly that the brake will not always protect you, and that near the guide bar the chain can hit you before the brake stops it.
If the upper part of the bar tip touches wood or another object, the bar can kick back up and toward you (rotational kickback). Wood pinching the chain on the top of the bar pushes the saw straight back at you (pushback), and wood pinching the bottom pulls it forward, away from you (pull-in). A low-kickback chain, a chain brake and a correct grip reduce these risks; none removes them.
Hold the saw with both hands, right hand on the rear handle and left hand on the front handle, thumbs and fingers wrapped around the handles, with your body to the left of the chain line and firm footing.
Before Every Use
Before each use, inspect the saw as its manual describes: test the chain brake by the manual’s method, and check the throttle trigger lockout, the stop switch, the chain catcher, the guards and the chain’s sharpness, tension and condition; on a gas saw the chain must not move at idle. If any check fails, do not use the saw until it is repaired, and never disable a safety device.
Tensioning and Oiling
A new chain stretches, so check the tension often at first, with the battery out. Manuals disagree on the check: one has the chain snap back after a 1/8 in pull, another lifts it about 1/4 in at the centre, and Alabama Extension gives a dime’s width between chain and bar, so follow the manual of the saw you own.
Tool-free tensioning is quicker in the field, and a saw that needs a wrench makes you carry the wrench. The oiler is automatic on every saw here, bar oil is not in most boxes, and one maker says a full tank lasts about 12 minutes of cutting, so I look at the oil window before every run. Make the saw safe in this order before any chain work:
- Release the trigger, engage the chain brake if the saw has a brake lever, switch the motor off with the saw’s own controls and wait until the chain has stopped.
- Take every battery out and, if the saw is hot, let it cool.
- Put on gloves before touching the chain.
- Release the chain brake only when the exact manual’s procedure requires it, and never force a locked chain or cover.
Pro Tip
Fine dust instead of chips, or a saw that needs pressure to cut, means a dull chain. Stop and sharpen or replace it before the next cut.
Weight and Balance
Makers print weights on different bases: a bare powerhead, a saw with bar and chain, or a kit with the battery on. Compare weights only when the basis is the same, and treat a figure with no stated basis as a rough guide. A saw that feels light at minute five feels heavy at minute thirty, and I take breaks before my hands ask for them. If weight is your first concern, my best lightweight chainsaw ranking sorts seven compact saws for limbs and small logs.
A study of 17 groundskeepers measured tool vibration from 8.0 m/s2 at the right hand for chainsaws down to 1.9 m/s2 for seating mowers and handheld blowers, and their lifetime hand-arm vibration dose at the right hand was 33 times that of office workers (2). Stop when your hands tingle or go numb, and see a doctor if it persists.
Warranty and Household Use
Terms differ by maker and by registration. Read the term, who it covers and what it excludes: the tool warranties on this page run from 3 to 5 years, some need registration within 30 days, most cover household use only, and chains and bars are wear parts. Match the warranty to the way you use the saw. When you shop for the best battery powered chainsaw for home use, household coverage is one check beside the bar, the brake and the kit, and I keep the receipt and the manual together in the tool shed.
Where a maker routes warranty claims through a dealer, check the seller on the listing before you buy.
Protective Gear and Training
US emergency department data for 2006 to 2016 show that power saws caused 89 percent of 18,250 saw and axe injuries, mostly lacerations to the fingers and hand, and most happened at home (3). In a survey of 62 domestic chainsaw accidents in rural Ireland, only 3 percent of the injured users wore any protective gear, and most injuries were to the legs from a slip or a misdirected saw (4).
Wear impact-rated safety glasses with side protection marked Z87+ (a mesh face screen adds to them but never replaces them), hearing protection, chainsaw chaps or chainsaw trousers used within their maker’s stated limits (some are not designed to stop a battery or corded saw’s chain, and no clothing guarantees protection), work gloves and sturdy boots with ankle support, plus a hard hat when you fell a tree or anything can fall from above.
In a medical evaluation of 107 chainsaw operators, noise exceeded the legal limit and 3.74 percent had bilateral hearing loss (5). Read the manual and get hands-on training before first use, as Clemson and NC State advise, and begin with small, simple cuts of wood lying on the ground, never by felling.
Height Limit
Never cut at or above shoulder height, and never cut from a ladder or a roof.
What a Battery Chainsaw Will and Will Not Do Compared With Gas
Alabama Extension says gas saws are more powerful, while battery saws are quieter, start at the push of a button, need little maintenance and are powerful enough for most smaller jobs. NC State adds that battery saws are not designed for prolonged use or for cutting large material, which is why I use one for limbs and small logs on the ground. For long sessions on thick wood, my gas chainsaw picks list five rear-handle saws for yard, orchard and storm work.
In NIOSH sampling of 80 landscaping workers, those using fuel-powered leaf blowers, string trimmers and chainsaws had significantly more noise and carbon monoxide exposure than with battery versions (6). A battery saw has no exhaust, and it still needs hearing protection every time.
Felling is the most dangerous chainsaw job. Never work alone, keep everyone at least two tree lengths away (Husqvarna’s and Makita’s manuals give 2.5 tree lengths, so use the stricter distance when your manual states it), and plan and clear two escape routes angled back from the direction of fall before any felling cut. A large, leaning, dead or hung-up tree, or a trunk or limb under tension after a storm, is a job for a certified arborist.
Power Lines
Treat every downed power line, and anything touching it, as live: stay well away and call the utility. Before any work near a power line, contact the utility and leave that work to its qualified line-clearance crews; a general arborist is not automatically qualified for it.
- Suits a battery saw: limbs, tidy-up work and wood already lying on the ground.
- Needs a trained professional: standing dead trees, leaning or hung-up trees and storm tangles.
- Needs a different tool: overhead work, which belongs to a pole saw or a professional.
My Overall Verdict
A battery chainsaw earns its place on limbs and logs on the ground, and it earns it fastest when the bar, the brake and the kit match the job. These three picks cover most buyers. My ranking of the best chainsaw picks widens the field to gas and corded saws.
1. Milwaukee M18 FUEL 16-Inch Chainsaw Kit 2727-21HD Best Overall
For limbs and small logs on the ground, with a printed 15 in capacity and a 12.0Ah pack in the box.
2. Makita XCU04PT1 36V 16-Inch Brushless Chainsaw Kit Best Premium
For long sessions, with four batteries, a dual-port charger and two brakes in the kit.
3. Greenworks 40V 16-Inch Brushless Chainsaw Kit 20312 Best Value
For a mid-range price, with a 16 in bar, a battery and a charger in one box.
Pick the saw whose log limit and kit fit your wood, take the training seriously and wear the gear every time. Training, correct technique and protective gear reduce the risk without making any chainsaw safe, and they are what turn the best battery chainsaw into a tool you can use responsibly.
Why Milwaukee M18 FUEL 16-Inch Chainsaw Kit 2727-21HD Might Be the Best Choice
I pick the Milwaukee 2727-21HD for the homeowner who cuts limbs and small logs on the ground. Its manual prints the capacity, its kit holds a 12.0Ah pack, and the hand guard locks the brake before I touch a battery. I go through that 16 in kit in my full Milwaukee M18 FUEL chainsaw review.
The trade-off is the scrench: the chain tensions with a tool, and the maker prints no kit weight.
Here is what you get with the 2727-21HD:
✓ 15 in capacity: printed in the manual for the 16 in bar.
✓ 12.0Ah M18 battery: a Rapid Charger comes in the kit too.
✓ Hand-guard brake: push forward to lock it before any battery change.
✓ Automatic oiler: a 6.7 oz tank, filled after each full discharge.
✓ 3-year warranty: limited, on the tool.
Frequently Asked Questions
What’s the best battery-powered chainsaw to buy?
The best battery-powered chainsaw to buy is the one whose bar and kit match the wood you cut on the ground. My pick is the Milwaukee 2727-21HD for most homeowners, the Makita XCU04PT1 for long sessions with four batteries, and the Greenworks 20312 for a 16 in saw at a mid-range price.
Who makes the best battery powered chainsaw?
Several makers build good battery powered chainsaws, and the right one depends on the battery platform you already own. Milwaukee, Makita, Greenworks, EGO, SKIL, Husqvarna, DeWalt, WORX and CRAFTSMAN are all on this page, so start with the maker whose batteries already sit in your shed, then compare the brake and the kit.
How long does a battery-powered chainsaw last?
A battery-powered chainsaw runs as long as its battery lasts under your load, and makers rarely give minutes. Alabama Extension puts storm-cleanup run time at approximately 30 minutes and recommends two batteries, so I plan a long job by the number of charged packs and treat any minute count on a box as a claim.
What is the best battery-powered chainsaw in 2026?
The best battery-powered chainsaw in 2026 on this page is the Milwaukee 2727-21HD, a 16 in saw with a printed 15 in cutting capacity and a 12.0Ah battery in the kit. The EGO CS2005 suits thick limbs on the ground, and the CRAFTSMAN CMCCS620M1 suits light work around a small yard and logs up to 10 in.
What is the best battery operated chainsaw?
The best battery operated chainsaw is the one with a brake you test, a log limit that fits your wood and a kit that includes a charger. On that basis my overall pick is the Milwaukee 2727-21HD, and I reserve the Makita XCU04PT1 for frequent users who gain from two battery pairs and tool-less adjustment.
References
- Dąbrowski A. Reducing kickback of portable combustion chain saws and related injury risks: laboratory tests and deductions. Int J Occup Saf Ergon. 2012;18(3):399-417.
- Chen N, Yang S, Oh J. Evaluation of hand-arm vibration (HAV) exposure among groundskeepers in the southeastern United States. Annals of Work Exposures and Health. 2025;69(1):81-95.
- Sritharen Y, Hernandez MC, Zielinski MD, Aho JM. Weekend woodsmen: overview and comparison of injury patterns associated with power saw and axe utilization in the United States. Am J Emerg Med. 2018;36(5):846-850.
- Doyle YG, Conroy RM. Prevention of timber felling and chainsaw-related accidents in the Republic of Ireland. Accid Anal Prev. 1989;21(6):529-534.
- Iftime MD, Dumitrascu AE, Ciobanu VD. Chainsaw operators’ exposure to occupational risk factors and incidence of professional diseases specific to the forestry field. Int J Occup Saf Ergon. 2022;28(1):8-19.
- Alexander BM, Graydon PS, Pena M, Feng HA, Beamer BR. Hazardous exposures and engineering controls in the landscaping services industry. Journal of Occupational and Environmental Hygiene. 2025;22(3):189-202.
Safety Note: Read your saw’s manual first and get hands-on training before your first cut. A chainsaw can react faster than you can: if the upper part of the bar tip touches wood or another object, the bar can kick back up and toward you; wood pinching the top of the chain can push the saw straight back at you, and wood pinching the bottom can pull it forward. Keep the bar tip out of contact and watch for wood closing on the bar. A low-kickback chain and a chain brake reduce these risks but never remove them. Before each use, inspect the saw as your manual describes: test the chain brake, and check the throttle lockout, the stop switch, the chain catcher, the guards and the chain. On a gas saw the chain must not move at idle. If any check fails or a part is missing or damaged, do not use the saw until it is repaired, and never disable a safety device. Wear impact-rated safety glasses with side protection marked Z87+ (a mesh face screen adds to them but does not replace them), hearing protection, chainsaw chaps or chainsaw trousers, work gloves and sturdy boots with ankle support, and a hard hat when you fell a tree or when anything can fall from above. Use leg protection within its maker’s stated limits: some chaps are not designed to stop the chain of a battery or corded saw, and no clothing guarantees protection. Hold the saw with both hands, right hand on the rear handle and left hand on the front handle, thumbs and fingers wrapped around the handles, and keep your body to the left of the chain line with firm footing. Never cut one-handed with a rear-handle saw, never cut at or above shoulder height, and never cut from a ladder or a roof. Top-handle saws are made for trained tree workers: follow that saw’s manual. Keep children, bystanders and pets well away while you cut. Never work alone. Start a gas saw with the chain brake engaged, on the ground or held firmly as the manual shows, never by drop-starting it, and at least 10 feet from where you fuelled it. Refuel outdoors with the engine off and cool, with no smoking, flames or sparks nearby, wipe up spills, and use only the fuel mix and ethanol content your manual allows. Exhaust contains carbon monoxide, which can kill: never run a gas saw indoors or in a garage, shed or other enclosed space. Before you touch the chain, clear a jam, adjust the tension or sharpen: release the trigger, engage the chain brake, stop the engine or motor and wait until the chain has stopped. Then, on a gas saw, let the engine and muffler cool and pull the spark plug cap off; on a battery saw, take the battery out; on a corded saw, unplug it by the plug. Put on gloves before you touch the chain, and release the chain brake only when your manual’s procedure calls for it. To carry the saw, stop it, take out the battery or unplug it, keep the chain brake engaged and the bar pointing behind you, and fit the bar cover for transport. Use a corded saw only with an outdoor-rated extension cord of the gauge your manual gives, plugged into GFCI-protected power. Never use it in rain or wet conditions: GFCI protection does not make that safe. Keep the cord away from the chain. Use only the chains and bars your manual approves. Felling trees is the most dangerous chainsaw job. Before any felling cut, keep everyone at least two tree lengths away, and plan and clear two escape routes angled back from the direction of fall; when the tree starts to fall, follow your manual’s retreat steps (release the trigger, stop the saw and set it down as it describes) and move away along that route; never delay escape to cool, unplug or cover the saw. A large, leaning, dead or hung-up tree, a trunk or limb under tension after a storm, and any tree near a house or a road are jobs for a certified arborist. Power lines are a separate danger: treat every downed line, and anything touching it, as live, stay well away and call the utility; before any work near a power line, contact the utility and leave that work to its qualified line-clearance crews. Stop when you are tired, and take breaks if your hands tingle or go numb.