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Ego Power+ CS1400 Review

Not a bad choice for an efficient cordless chainsaw that offers a high level of performance
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Ego Power+ CS1400 Review
Price:  $250 List
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Manufacturer:   EGO
By Ross Patton ⋅ Senior Review Editor  ⋅  Oct 23, 2019
63
OVERALL
SCORE


RANKED
#8 of 13
  • Saw Performance - 35% 6.5
  • Ease of Use - 30% 6.0
  • Battery - 25% 6.0
  • Noise - 5% 7.1
  • Weight - 5% 7.4

Our Verdict

The Ego Power+ is a great tool that has no problem making quick work of good size logs. The saw scores too low to garner an award, yet we didn't find much to criticise it for either. It scores decently in every one of our test metrics falling just short of the leaders of the pack. It has a few ways in which it's lacking such as its wind-up time. All in all, we'd recommend purchasing this saw, especially if you already have other Ego products that use the same battery.
REASONS TO BUY
Barely consumes oil
Good performance
Weather-resistant
REASONS TO AVOID
Slow wind-up time
No battery level indicator
No bucking spikes

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ego power+ cs1400
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  Top Pick Award
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Price $250 List
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Overall Score Sort Icon
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Bottom Line With a high level of performance, this is not a bad choice for an efficient cordless chainsawIf you want an easy-to-use cordless electric chainsaw with a long-lasting battery and a long bar this is the oneA decent battery-powered chainsaw that falls about in the middle of the pack for overall performanceIf you already own any tools that use this same battery, this is cordless chainsaw is satisfactory for smaller jobsIf you're in the market for a 20 volt model, this saw does the trick for quick and small jobs
Rating Categories Ego Power+ CS1400 Ego Power+ CS1800 Ego Power+ CS1613 Greenworks G-MAX 40V Worx WG322
Saw Performance (35%)
6.5
8.5
6.5
5.5
5.5
Ease of Use (30%)
6.0
8.0
8.0
6.0
7.0
Battery (25%)
6.0
8.0
7.0
6.0
4.0
Noise (5%)
7.1
6.6
6.3
7.4
7.9
Weight (5%)
7.4
6.2
6.4
7.3
9.4
Specs Ego Power+ CS1400 Ego Power+ CS1800 Ego Power+ CS1613 Greenworks G-MAX 40V Worx WG322
Model Number CS1400 CS1800 CS1613 20312 WG322
Bar Length 14 inches 18 inches 16 inches 16 inches 10 inches
Measured Average Cutting Time 9.452 seconds 5.876 seconds 7.21 seconds 12.582 seconds 38.382 seconds
Measured Battery Charge Time .75 hr 1.5 hr .8 hr 2 hrs 3 hr
Measured Weight 11 lbs, 10 oz 14 lbs, 11 oz 14 lbs, 3 oz 12 lbs 6 lbs, 10 oz
Measured Battery Weight 2lbs, 14 oz 4 lbs, 13 oz 4 lbs, 12 oz 2 lbs, 15 oz 1 lbs, 10 oz
Measured Body Dimesions 16x9x8 inches 16x9x8 inches 17 x 8 x 6.5 inches 16x8x8 inches 13x8x7.5 inches
Included Battery Size 2 Ah 5 Ah 4Ah 4 Ah 2 Ah
Nominal Voltage 56V 56V 56V 40V 20V
Measured Runtime 24 minutes 60 minutes 25 minutes 27 minutes 22 minutes
Measured Run Time Eco Mode n/a n/a n/a n/a n/a
Measured Wind Up Time 2.5 seconds 1.25 seconds .5 seconds 2.25 seconds 2 seconds
Measured Decibel Reading at 48in 85.3 dBa 88.8 dBa 90.6 dBa 83.8 dBa 80.0 dBa
Control Type Side safety w/ chain brake Side safety w/ chain brake side safety w/ chain brake Electronic button, side safety and chain brake Thumb safety
Chain Replacement and Tensioning Type Tool free Tool Free Tool free Tool free Tool free
Metal Bucking Spikes No Yes Yes Yes No
Oil Conservation 8 8 8 7 8
Bar & Chain Tank Location and Type Side, Screen Side, Screen Side, Screen Top Top

Our Analysis and Test Results

Unlike most of the cordless chainsaw manufacturers that we selected for this review, Ego did not begin selling cordless power tools as an afterthought or in response to a change in the market. Since the inception of the company, Ego has been a gasoline-free and cord-free tool manufacturer. Their focus on battery-powered tools shows in the quality and high-end performance of their products. The Power+ CS1400, however, does not quite keep up with every saw in our review. Its wind-up time is on the lower end of the spectrum which isn't a huge deal if you aren't in a hurry. This is also one of the only models that we've seen to date without a battery level indicator. It should be noted that this is the only model that we've reviewed that claims to be weather resistant.

Performance Comparison


ego power+ cs1400 - the ego power+ scored decently across the board during our testing.
The Ego Power+ scored decently across the board during our testing.
Credit: Jenna Ammerman

Likes


For one, the saw performance of the Ego Power+ CS1400 is above most of the field. It had a quick cutting time in our side-by-side dimensional wood trials, posting an average of 9.5 seconds.


Where the Ego really seemed to shine was when we took it to the wood yard to buck heavy, wet pine rounds. It cuts through larger rounds nearly as easily as the smaller ones.

ego power+ cs1400 - the ego power+ cuts well, but you have to wait a couple of seconds...
The Ego Power+ cuts well, but you have to wait a couple of seconds for the wind up before each cut can be initiated.
Credit: Jenna Ammerman

The Ego is a fairly easy saw to use. In large part, this is due to its simple chain brake system, safety switch, and variable speed trigger. Many of the other saws we have seen have unnecessary extra buttons and switches to get the saw running. Three switches and a trigger offers plenty of protection against the saw being accidentally engaged.

The Power+ did fairly well in our battery tests — it didn't have the longest runtime, but it had one of the fastest charge times that we've ever seen out of a cordless power tool.


The Power+ is one of the best saws we've reviewed to date for noise. It only registered a higher decibel reading than saws that it far outperformed in every other way. From 50 feet away it is one of the less whiny and annoying saws.


ego power+ cs1400
Credit: Jenna Ammerman

Dislikes


Unfortunately, we found that many of the Ego Power+'s performance characteristics that we didn't like fall within the same metrics that displayed its strengths. Despite the fact that this model has an overall good saw performance, the Ego fell behind in wind-up time. A saw that takes so long to get going is not as useful as one that can make quicker cuts, so it loses points in this assessment.


This model does not have a battery in the ideal location and the battery, unlike many other models, takes two hands to attach. Batteries that require one hand to attach or detach are much easier to use because you don't have to set the saw down to attach or remove them. Additionally, this model lacks a battery level indicator which makes it impossible to know exactly how much longer you'll have to make cuts before the saw runs out of juice.

ego power+ cs1400 - the ego battery compartment is on the bottom of the saw which we...
The Ego battery compartment is on the bottom of the saw which we find to be awkward compared to on the top.
Credit: Jenna Ammerman

The Ego doesn't have the greatest chain tensioning system. The main knob that holds the bar to the saw body works well, but the tensioning wheel is hard to turn especially with gloves on.

ego power+ cs1400 - the ego power+ chain tensioning system isn't the best. the upper...
The Ego Power+ chain tensioning system isn't the best. The upper tensioning wheel is hard to turn with oily gloves on.
Credit: Jenna Ammerman

Value


The Ego Power+ is justly priced. It offers a great degree of performance but it also won't leave your pocketbook empty. It missed earning our Best Buy award by a matter of a few points.

ego power+ cs1400 - the ego is a decent all-around chainsaw.
The Ego is a decent all-around chainsaw.
Credit: Jenna Ammerman

Conclusion


Although the Power+ is strong in many aspects this model could use a few improvements to catch up to the leaders of the pack. In general, it's a good choice for an efficient and effective cordless chainsaw.

Ross Patton
 

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