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The 5 Best Battery Chainsaws of 2023

We tested battery chainsaws from Ego Power+, Husqvarna, Makita, Milwaukee, and more, to help you find the best product to match your needs
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Best Battery Chainsaw of 2023
Whether you are shopping for a cordless chainsaw for ornamental pruning, all-day heavy-duty cutting, or something to match your current power tool batteries, we tested all of the best models so that you can be sure you're making the right purchase.
Credit: Jenna Ammerman
By Ross Patton ⋅ Review Editor  ⋅  May 27, 2023

Looking to purchase a battery chainsaw? To eliminate any guesswork, we researched, bought, and tested 12 of the best battery-powered models available today through hands-on, side-by-side analysis. We formulated a comprehensive series of experiments and tests to find out which of these tools displays the best sawing performance, battery life, user-friendliness, and even how much noise each model produces. We then took every model to the woodyard to get a feel for them in a real-world environment. After weeks of testing, it became clear which saws could cut down the competition. To see how gas and corded models compare to battery saws, see our best chainsaw review.

Editor's Note: We updated our battery chainsaw review on May 27, 2023, to add recently released models from Husqvarna and EGO.

Top 12 Product Ratings

Displaying 1 - 5 of 12
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Awards Editors' Choice Award Best Buy Award Top Pick Award Top Pick Award  
Price $450 List$399 List
$399.00 at Amazon
$400 List
$232.49 at Amazon
$600 List
$599.95 at Amazon
$299 List
$209.00 at Amazon
Overall Score Sort Icon
83
82
76
73
72
Star Rating
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Pros Phenomenal sawing performance, quite for high performance, simple operation, boost modeTop-notch cutting performance, long-lasting battery, easy chain tensioning system, affordablePhenomenal charge time, long bar, metal bucking spikesInstant wind-up time, metal bucking spikes, M18 battery system works with many other toolsEasy to use controls, metal bucking spikes, flip-out lever on oil cap
Cons Long charge time, priceySo-so wind-up timeHeavy, noisyExpensive, uses a lot of oil, bulkySo-so performance, loud
Bottom Line A top-tier battery-powered model that cuts even faster with a setting that increases power deliveryOne of the best options if you're looking for bar length, battery life, and tool-free chain tensioningThis battery chainsaw has a battery that charges ultra-quick to keep you plugging away at your projectThis has a short wind-up time, cuts like a dream, and has a battery that works with a massive list of other toolsA decent battery-powered chainsaw that falls about in the middle of the pack for overall performance
Rating Categories Husqvarna Power Axe... Ego Power+ CS1800 Greenworks Pro 80V Milwaukee M18 FUEL Ego Power+ CS1613
Saw Performance (35%)
9.5
9.0
9.0
8.0
7.0
Ease of Use (30%)
8.0
8.0
6.0
7.0
8.0
Battery (25%)
7.0
8.0
8.0
7.0
7.0
Noise (10%)
8.0
6.0
6.0
6.0
6.0
Specs Husqvarna Power Axe... Ego Power+ CS1800 Greenworks Pro 80V Milwaukee M18 FUEL Ego Power+ CS1613
Model Number 350i CS1800 GCS80420 2727-21HD CS1613
Bar Length 18 inches 18 inches 18 inches 16 inches 16 inches
Measured Weight 14 lbs, 6 oz 12 lbs, 4 oz 15 lbs, 2 oz 14 lbs, 4 oz 14 lbs, 3 oz
Measured Battery Weight 4 lbs, 2 oz 3 lbs, 8 oz 3 lbs, 8 oz 3 lbs, 6 oz 4 lbs, 12 oz
Included Battery Size 7.7Ah 5 Ah 2 Ah 12 Ah 4Ah
Nominal Voltage 36V 56V 80V 36V 56V
Measured Runtime 51 minutes 60 minutes 27 minutes 33 minutes 25 minutes
Measured Run Time Eco Mode n/a n/a n/a n/a n/a
Measured Battery Charge Time 2.75 hr 1.5 hr .5 hr 1.3 hr .8 hr
Measured Average Cutting Time 7.07 seconds 5.876 seconds 5.32 seconds 8.316 seconds 7.21 seconds
Measured Wind Up Time .25 seconds 1.25 seconds 1.15 seconds Instant .5 seconds
Measured Decibel Reading at 48in 82.1 dBa 88.8 dBa 86.8 dBa 86.8 dBa 90.6 dBa
Control Type Electronic button, palm safety, and chain brake Side safety w/ chain brake Electronic button, side safety, and brake Side safety w/ chain brake side safety w/ chain brake
Chain Replacement and Tensioning Type Tool free Tool Free Tool free Included Tool Tool free
Metal Bucking Spikes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes
Oil Conservation 9 8 6 6 8
Bar & Chain Tank Location and Type Side Side, Screen Top Side Side, Screen
Measured Body Dimesions 18.5 x 8 x 6 inches 16x9x8 inches 14x9x7.5 inches 18.5x9x8 inches 17 x 8 x 6.5 inches


Best Overall Battery Chainsaw


Husqvarna Power Axe 350i


83
OVERALL
SCORE
  • Saw Performance 9.5
  • Ease of Use 8.0
  • Battery 7.0
  • Noise 8.0
Weight: 14 lbs, 6 oz | Body Dimensions: 18.5" x 8" x 6"
REASONS TO BUY
Phenomenal sawing performance
Quiet
Simple operation
Boost mode
REASONS TO AVOID
Long charge time
Pricey

When it comes to battery-powered chainsaws, the Husqvarna Power Axe 350i is hard to beat. This machine slices and dices better than the top lithium-ion models and even outperforms certain gas-powered saws, thanks to an eighteen-inch bar and a 7.7 amp battery. Because there is no idling motor in an electric chainsaw, it is always quieter than a gasoline chainsaw, but even when cutting, the Power Axe is reasonably easy on the ears. This saw has simple controls but high-quality safety features. Chain tensioning is simple, and the bar oil reservoir is transparent, removing the guessing from the level. If you ever need a little additional oomph for a job, you may engage "boost mode," which provides 25% more power to the motor.

While there were many things we liked about the Power Axe 350I, our team discovered a few flaws. The battery charges far slower than the quickest versions we've tested. If you only have one battery and it runs out of juice in the middle of a project, you'll have to wait much longer to resume work than you would with a quick-charge model or a gas-powered saw. The Power Axe is unquestionably on the higher end of the price spectrum. However, the battery is a significant portion of the price, and it is compatible with a number of other Husqvarna landscaping tools if you're looking to expand your fleet of power tools. Despite its flaws, the 350i Power Axe is the way to go if you want the best.

Read more: Husqvarna Power Axe 350i review

The Husqvarna Power Axe 350i cuts exceptionally well for a battery-powered chainsaw.
Credit: Ross Patton

Best Bang for the Buck


Ego Power+ CS1800


82
OVERALL
SCORE
  • Saw Performance 9.0
  • Ease of Use 8.0
  • Battery 8.0
  • Noise 6.0
Weight: 12.25 lbs | Body Dimensions: 16" x 9" x 8"
REASONS TO BUY
Top-notch performance
Long bar
LED lights
Affordable
Easy chain tensioning
REASONS TO AVOID
Slower wind-up time

The Ego Power+ CS1800 provides abundant power with a 56V 5Ah battery that also charges fairly quickly. In side-by-side testing in the lab, the CS1800 made some of the fastest cuts in our lineup. It had an equally outstanding performance when we took it out into the real world for some mountain bike trail building. This chainsaw includes several features that serve overall ease of use and performance, including an LED light, metal bucking spikes, and an 18-inch bar. One of the most attractive elements of this model is the price tag. If you want a high-performance battery-powered chainsaw that costs substantially less than the others, this is the one.

While we didn't find any dealbreakers with this model, it doesn't have the quickest wind-up time, which could be an issue if you're hoping to complete a job as fast as possible. Also, the bar's length might be more than is necessary for those with smaller projects to complete. Still, if you are looking for a budget-friendly battery chainsaw that is easy to use, with a long bar and a long-lasting battery, it is tough to beat the Ego Power+ CS1800.

Read more: Ego Power+ CS1800 review

battery chainsaw - the ego power+ was our favorite model of the bunch.
The Ego Power+ was our favorite model of the bunch.
Credit: Chris McNamara

Best for Quick Battery Charging


Greenworks Pro 80V


76
OVERALL
SCORE
  • Saw Performance 9.0
  • Ease of Use 6.0
  • Battery 8.0
  • Noise 6.0
Weight: 15.13 lbs | Body Dimensions: 14" x 9" x 7.5"
REASONS TO BUY
Battery charges incredibly quickly
Long bar
Solid cutting performance
Metal bucking spikes
REASONS TO AVOID
Heavy
Relatively short run time
Uses a substantial amount of bar & chain oil

If you are a two-stroke fanatic and are worried about the charge time associated with cordless electric chainsaws, look no further than the Greenworks Pro 80V. The Greenworks 80 Volt Lithium Max charger juices the battery from zero to one hundred in an impressive thirty minutes, leaving you with less downtime than it takes to run to the gas station and mix another gallon of 50:1 fuel. We tested the 18-inch model and were happy to be able to buck large pine rounds without huffing exhaust fumes, yanking on a pull cord, or destroying our eardrums as we would have been with a two-stroke motor. The Pro 80V performed exceptionally well during our timed woodcutting assessment, cutting through Douglas Fir about as fast as any model we've ever used. The metal bucking spikes that are integrated into this model are far superior to the plastic nubs that several battery chainsaws use.

There's no getting around the fact that the Greenworks Pro 80V is downright heavy. Weighing over 15 pounds, this model will undoubtedly require more strength to wield than most cordless saws. Although the battery charges very quickly, it doesn't last as long as some of the other models on the market, so if battery life is a determining purchasing factor for you, it'd be wise to go with a different model. We noticed that the Pro 80V uses a fairly large amount of bar & chain oil, which isn't surprising considering the long bar coupled with the quick-cutting capabilities. Drawbacks aside, we think this saw is the best choice if you want a longer bar and don't want to wait all day for your battery to recharge.

Read more: Greenworks Pro 80V review

battery chainsaw - this model made quick work of large pine logs at the job site.
This model made quick work of large pine logs at the job site.
Credit: Jason Peters

Best for Battery Expandability


Milwaukee M18 FUEL


73
OVERALL
SCORE
  • Saw Performance 8.0
  • Ease of Use 7.0
  • Battery 7.0
  • Noise 6.0
Weight: 14.25 lbs | Body Dimensions: 18.5 " x 9" x 8"
REASONS TO BUY
Instantaneous wind-up
Metal bucking spikes
Many other tools use the same battery
REASONS TO AVOID
Expensive
Bulky
Uses a lot of bar & chain oil

The Milwaukee M18 Fuel is a beast of a chainsaw. It is one of the best at executing cuts and has a long-lasting battery. One of its best traits is that it goes from being completely stopped to full speed instantly. This can be very useful on occasions when time and workflow efficiency are essential. With their M18 battery platform, Milwaukee supplies a massive lineup of tools for all kinds of applications. This well-known brand boasts more than 175 unique tools that use the same battery connection. If you own any Milwaukee cordless tools, there's a chance that you already have a battery or charger that will work with this battery chainsaw. If not, but you're interested in buying tools with interchangeable batteries, we recommend going with the Milwaukee line of products.

The Milwaukee M18 Fuel's main drawback is the incredibly loud and annoying noise it produces. One of the best things about electric tools compared to gasoline-powered machines is that they are much quieter. This one? Not so much. It is also pricey, especially compared to the budget models. Still, if you are already a Milwaukee power tool owner or your needs require a chainsaw with quick wind-up, then the M18 Fuel is the way to go.

Read more: Milwaukee M18 Fuel review

battery chainsaw - the m18 was one of the fastest during our dimensional cutting tests.
The M18 was one of the fastest during our dimensional cutting tests.
Credit: Michelle Powell

Best 20V Model


Worx WG322


61
OVERALL
SCORE
  • Saw Performance 6.0
  • Ease of Use 7.0
  • Battery 4.0
  • Noise 9.0
Weight: 6.63 lbs | Body Dimensions: 13" x 8" x 7.5"
REASONS TO BUY
Light
Very quiet
Small
Budget-friendly
REASONS TO AVOID
Unimpressive battery life
So-so performance

The Worx WG322 has many attractive elements that the competition does not offer. Not everyone needs a colossal saw with a sizeable clunky battery. The 20V battery used on this model is significantly lighter and smaller than the ones used by most saws, which range from 36V up to 80V. A significantly reduced weight coupled with its 10-inch bar and smaller body size allows the sawyer to tote, lift and operate the WG322 with ease. This model is also quiet, which is ideal for residential or workshop settings. Finally, it is affordable. These tools can get very pricey — if you don't need the extra bar length, battery life, and power, then there's no need to drop the extra cash on a super high-performance model.

Along with the advantages brings a few drawbacks. The 20V battery life is quite a bit shorter than most higher-voltage models. Also, the WG322 can't hang with the best in overall cutting performance. It's a bit slower and less powerful than top-tier saws, and its shorter bar limits the diameter of cuts it can make. Despite these flaws, we still think the Worx takes the cake for 20V battery chainsaws.

Read more: Worx WG322 review

battery chainsaw - the worx wg322 is the way to go when it comes to small bar 20v...
The Worx WG322 is the way to go when it comes to small bar 20V versions.
Credit: Laura Casner

Compare Products

select up to 5 products to compare
Score Product Price
83
Husqvarna Power Axe 350i
husqvarna power axe 350i battery chainsaw review
$450
Editors' Choice Award
82
Ego Power+ CS1800
ego power+ cs1800 battery chainsaw review
$399
Best Buy Award
76
Greenworks Pro 80V
greenworks pro 80v battery chainsaw review
$400
Top Pick Award
73
Milwaukee M18 FUEL
milwaukee m18 fuel battery chainsaw review
$600
Top Pick Award
72
Ego Power+ CS1613
ego power+ cs1613 battery chainsaw
$299
66
Husqvarna 120i
husqvarna 120i battery chainsaw review
$290
Best Buy Award
65
Ego Power+ CS1400
ego power+ cs1400 battery chainsaw review
$250
63
Makita XCU03Z LXT
makita xcu03z lxt battery chainsaw review
$390
62
Greenworks G-MAX 40V
greenworks g-max 40v battery chainsaw review
$252
61
Worx WG322
worx wg322 battery chainsaw review
$130
Top Pick Award
51
Ryobi 40V RY40530
ryobi 40v ry40530 battery chainsaw review
$240
51
Black+Decker 40V MAX
black+decker 40v max battery chainsaw review
$275

battery chainsaw - the greenworks pro 80v is one of the quickest saws to recharge...
The Greenworks Pro 80V is one of the quickest saws to recharge, leaving you more time to be productive on your projects.
Credit: Jason Peters

Why You Should Trust Us


At GearLab, we purchase all of our test products at everyday prices from typical retailers to reduce bias in our reviews. We began by carefully inspecting each saw for subtle nuances in the design of each model. We then measured and weighed each model to verify the manufacturers' claims. Next, we sliced a ton of wood up to time cuts and measured each saw's performance. We also timed how long each battery lasted and how long it took each one to recharge. Finally, to confirm our accuracy, we took our fleet of battery chainsaws to a local tree service's wood yard for some consultation. We let the crew get a feel for each saw and make some cuts to get input from the true professionals.

Our battery chainsaw testing is divided across four rating metrics:
   square bullet Saw Performance (35% of overall score weighting)
   square bullet Ease of Use (30% weighting)
   square bullet Battery Life (25% weighting)

   square bullet Noise (10% weighting)

Our review editor Ross Patton has spent hundreds of hours with a saw in his hand cutting, trimming, and bucking all types of trees from the oak in the foothills of California to the pines of Lake Tahoe, and the elms and cottonwoods of Northern Nevada. With his formal education in environmental science, you can rest easy knowing that he has created tests to compare the saws as accurately as possible.

battery chainsaw - we spent weeks conducting side-by-side tests for these products.
We spent weeks conducting side-by-side tests for these products.
Credit: Jenna Ammerman

Analysis and Test Results


Our goal is to help you decide which battery chainsaw is right for you, so we started with the most obvious way to test — we cut a whole lot of wood. However, to test these awesome tools side-by-side, we went well beyond just the saw performance. We measured, weighed, timed, and took note of more than a dozen variables on each one of these models over the course of a month.


Value


When searching for a battery chainsaw, the most important factor to consider is its primary application. There is a wide price range for these devices, and a higher price does not imply that a saw will function effectively for your intended usage. Consider battery sizes as well; some chainsaws may appear to be pricey but compensate with a larger battery.

If you're on a tighter budget, the Ego Power+ CS1800 is far from the costliest saw in our review, but it outperformed most of the competition in several key ways. It is still a great and capable tool that will likely satisfy regular homeownership and tree care demands. We think it's a great compromise between good performance and a reasonable price tag. Furthermore, if you rarely need to make serious cuts and are searching for an alternative to a big and heavy saw, then the Worx WG322 might satisfy your needs with an even smaller buy-in. It is more limited in saw performance and battery power, but these factors might not be as important to you as sticking to a budget.

battery chainsaw - the husqvarna offers tremendous value, yet still holds its own with...
The Husqvarna offers tremendous value, yet still holds its own with the best.
Credit: Jenna Ammerman

Saw Performance


Saw performance is of the highest importance with these machines. To test this, we took the average of several timed cuts through a specific dimension of wood from the lumber yard to ensure that each saw was tearing through the exact same volume for each cut. For the second part of this metric, we took our fleet of saws to a commercial wood yard for a more subjective test to see how they functioned bucking rounds of pine. During these two different tests, we closely monitored how quickly the saws went through bar and chain oil. We also timed how long it took each saw to go from stopped to full speed. We call this number "wind-up" time. Lastly, we considered bar length in this metric, as a smaller bar simply cannot complete larger tasks.

Running a chainsaw without bar or chain oil can cause friction and create heat that can lead to severe damage to your saw.


The Husqvarna Power Axe 350i was the king of this part of our assessment. In its standard mode, it put up an average time of 7.07 seconds. When "boost mode" is enabled, its fastest time dropped down to an incredible 5.13. It also has a nearly instantaneous wind-up time of .25 seconds. Not only did this model do fantastically well in our time trials, but our team of professional tree service employees found it to have an overall comfortable feel while cutting.

[video=200642]

The Ego Power+ CS1800 and the Greenworks Pro 80V were just behind the 350i for this metric. During our dimensional woodcutting tests, the Greenworks Pro 18V showed an average cutting time of 5.3 seconds, while the CS1800 put up a time of 5.9 seconds.

The Makita XCU03Z LXT displayed cutting times ever so slightly slower, with an average of 7.9 seconds. At 0.75 seconds, it also has a respectable wind-up time. Our favorite part about this saw is that we found that the LXT easily turned pine to sawdust in the woodyard. It has an innovative adjustable oil pump, so you can change the feed rate depending on the air temperature and the type of oil you are using. For any sawyer doing a lot of firewood bucking, the Makita comes with metal bucking spikes to make the job easier.

Bucking spikes are spikes that face forward on either or both sides of the bar that are used to aid in leverage when making cuts through thicker rounds of wood.

battery chainsaw - the makita easily slices through logs that are nearly the diameter...
The Makita easily slices through logs that are nearly the diameter of its bar length.
Credit: Jenna Ammerman

Waiting for a saw to wind up can cost you time and energy, which in some circumstances can also mean you're losing money. The Milwaukee M18 Fuel exhibited an instantaneous wind-up during all of our tests. The M18 Fuel had a great average cutting time of 8.3 seconds in our lab test and also dissected logs like nothing during our field tests. The Milwaukee is another model with metal bucking spikes to help get the job done faster. However, it goes through more bar and chain oil than we'd like.

battery chainsaw - the metal bucking spikes on the milwaukee m18 fuel are great for...
The metal bucking spikes on the Milwaukee M18 Fuel are great for digging into logs for extra leverage.
Credit: Jenna Ammerman

The Ego Power+ 1400, on the other hand, went through almost no bar & chain oil during our tests and had sufficient cutting power with an average time of 9.5 seconds during the lab tests. This saw is one of the slowest to react to a fully pulled trigger and took 2.5 seconds to get up to speed. We docked it a little bit for this slow wind-up time.

The Power+ 1400's larger cousin, the Ego Power+ CS1613, showed an impressive average cutting time of 7.21 seconds with a wind-up time of 0.5 seconds which we attribute to the fact that it has a 4 Ah battery compared to the 1400's 2 Ah.

battery chainsaw - the ego power+ cs1613 cuts relatively quickly and has a quick...
The EGO Power+ CS1613 cuts relatively quickly and has a quick wind-up time.
Credit: Ross Patton

The Worx WG322 had an okay wind-up time of 2 seconds and a rather slow average cutting time of 38 seconds, but taking into account the 20V battery and 10-inch bar, we were pleasantly surprised to see this thing ripping it up in the woodlot. Don't let the lightweight and compact size fool you; this tool is not a toy and is well-suited for many chainsaw uses.

battery chainsaw - the worx wg322 was once of the slowest in our controlled tests but...
The Worx WG322 was once of the slowest in our controlled tests but performs fantastically for many smaller homeowner projects.
Credit: Ross Patton

Ease of Use


One of the best things about battery chainsaws is their ease of use compared to gas-powered chainsaws, which is why this metric contributes 30% to the total score. Cordless saws, however, are not all created equal. To establish the scores for this metric, we used a panel of judges to decide which saws had the best balance, were the most comfortable to hold, and were the easiest to turn on and off. We also removed and reinstalled the chain on each saw several times to gauge how difficult or technical the various tensioning systems are to operate. We then noted how difficult each battery was to attach or remove from the saw. We paid close attention to how difficult it was to slide the bar cover off or back on and how well they actually protect the chain. Finally, we noted the location of the bar & chain oil tank, the type of cap each tank has, and how difficult these tanks are to fill.


When it comes to ease of use, the Ego Power+ CS1800, Ego Power+ CS1613, and the Husqvarna Power Axe 350i are tied at the top of the list. Among the various types of controls that chainsaws have, our consensus is that simpler is better. The Ego models have the system that we like the most, with a simple thumb safety switch and a chain brake. It's the least complicated to use and the fastest to go from storage to slicing and dicing.

The Ego models have an easy-to-use tool-free chain tensioning system. You simply turn the wheel clockwise to tension the chain and counterclockwise to lock it in place. This model also has an LED light for use from dusk 'til dawn.

The CS1800 has LED lights with the button conveniently located on...
The CS1800 has LED lights with the button conveniently located on top of the saw body.
The Ego Power+ CS1800 has one of the most easily adjustable and...
The Ego Power+ CS1800 has one of the most easily adjustable and changeable chains that we've seen.
The Ego Power+ CS1613 has a thumb safety and a throttle trigger...
The Ego Power+ CS1613 has a thumb safety and a throttle trigger. Besides the chain brake, that's it for controls.

The Husqvarna Power Axe 350i is very intuitive to use. To power the saw on, you press a conveniently-located power button and then press the palm safety and pull the trigger. The palm safety cannot be pressed until you slide it forward — a feature that we found helped reduce the chances of accidentally engaging the saw but doesn't add to the overall time and effort of getting it going.

The Power Axe 350i is incredibly simple and easy to use.
Credit: Ross Patton

The 350i's chain tensioning system is also one of our favorites. A lever folds out of the side of the saw to help give you some extra twisting power for the main dial. Once this dial is loosened, you turn a small wheel to tension the chain and then crank the dial back down to lock it in.

battery chainsaw - the power axe has a chain tensioning system that is a no-brainer to...
The Power Axe has a chain tensioning system that is a no-brainer to use.
Credit: Ross Patton

Close behind the top-scoring models for this metric are the Milwaukee M18 Fuel and Worx WG322. The Milwaukee bears nearly all of the features that we appreciate for simple use, except the battery lacks a handy loop, and its bar cover does not clip to the saw body. In general, this saw is very easy to use.

One area where the Milwaukee may lose a little appeal to some people is the weight. This is among the heaviest saws we have tested, tipping the scales at 14.25 pounds. Although we did not find the weight to be a huge influence on the user-friendliness of the various saws, we did dock the scores of heavier models for users that might struggle to lift those few extra pounds.

Another saw that uses the simple thumb safety & trigger system is the Worx WG322, which also features a tool-free bar mounting and chain tensioning system. We like the way the system operates, but we noticed that you have to keep a closer eye on the chain than with the Ego CS1800. The majority of the remaining models scored just above average for this metric.

battery chainsaw - the worx wg322 bar &amp; chain tensioning system is a cinch to use.
The Worx WG322 bar & chain tensioning system is a cinch to use.
Credit: Ross Patton

Similar to the top-tier models, the Ego Power+ CS1613 and the Ego Power+ 1400 have a simple control system that we like composed of nothing more than a thumb safety and a throttle. We appreciate that Ego stepped their oil cap up to a flip-out lever on the CS1613, an improvement from previous models' standard caps.

battery chainsaw - the ego power+ 1613 has a fold-out cap that you can operate while...
The EGO Power+ 1613 has a fold-out cap that you can operate while wearing gloves.
Credit: Ross Patton

The Black+Decker 40V MAX has the simple-to-use control system that we like, which consists of a thumb safety and the standard trigger. The oil tank cap is located on the top of the saw body, which is convenient, but unlike the Power+ 1400, the Black+Decker model goes through a lot of bar & chain oil, so you end up dealing with the cap often while operating the saw. Also, the tool-free tensioning system on this saw is a bit troublesome to get the chain to proper tension or change the chain out. The one performance aspect where the Black+Decker is at the top of the field is its weight. At 8.4 pounds, it is more than 2 pounds lighter than any other model.

battery chainsaw - the black+decker oil cap is located on the top of the saw body for...
The Black+Decker oil cap is located on the top of the saw body for maximum convenience.
Credit: Jenna Ammerman

Unlike the aforementioned saws, the Greenworks G-MAX 40V, Greenworks Pro 80V, and the Husqvarna 120i all have an electronic button that needs to be engaged before the safety switch, the chain brake, or the trigger will turn the chainsaw on. We feel this is a bit excessive, considering that there are already three different mechanisms in place that all must be in the proper position for the saw to start. It can get annoying when you have positioned yourself to make a cut, and then you pull the trigger only to realize that you have forgotten a redundant step.

battery chainsaw - we find electronic power buttons to be a redundant feature when...
We find electronic power buttons to be a redundant feature when there's already a chain brake, safety switch, and trigger on most models.
Credit: Jenna Ammerman

The G-MAX, Pro 80V, and the 120i house the battery compartment on top of the saw body, which we think is the most convenient and ergonomic. The tool-free chain tensioning system still isn't the easiest design to use on either of these models. At 10.7 pounds, the Husqvarna is one of the lightest chainsaws in our review.

battery chainsaw - battery compartments that are located on top of the saw body make it...
Battery compartments that are located on top of the saw body make it easy to attach and remove the power bank.
Credit: Jason Peters

Battery


Before making the conversion to cordless, most die-hard gas-powered chainsaw enthusiasts are skeptical about the battery life. And not without reason. Because battery life varied significantly among the saws we tested, we weighted this metric at 25% of our overall score. The battery examination included two specific tests: how long the batteries ran at full power with no resistance and how long it took to charge the batteries. We weighted our results slightly more heavily toward battery life than charge time, although we know that charge time is still crucial to many people.


If battery life is your key deciding factor while shopping for a battery chainsaw, look no further than the Ego Power+ CS1800. This model lasted an entire 60 minutes during our runtime assessment. Surprisingly, even with its extra-long runtime, it only took an hour and a half to charge.

battery chainsaw - the newer ego models have a battery level indicator located on the...
The newer EGO models have a battery level indicator located on the battery itself.
Credit: Ross Patton

Just behind the top-scoring models in this assessment is the Husqvarna 120i, which has two different settings — normal mode and an additional "savE" mode, which reduces the chain speed to save battery during lighter jobs that require less power cutting power. In normal mode, the Husqvarna is already ahead of the field with a run time of 40 minutes, but once switched to "savE" mode, it lasts even longer with a measured time of 54 minutes. With a charge time measured at 2 hours, the 120i wasn't the quickest in this aspect, but it also isn't anywhere near the slowest.

battery chainsaw - to measure runtime we secured the saws to a workbench and held the...
To measure runtime we secured the saws to a workbench and held the triggers with utility clips.
Credit: Michelle Powell

The Husqvarna Power Axe 350i had a fantastic runtime of 51 minutes, but we had to dock it a point for this metric because it takes a whopping 2 hours and 45 minutes to charge.

battery chainsaw - the husqvarna power axe 350i runs for a long time, but it takes an...
The Husqvarna Power Axe 350i runs for a long time, but it takes an unusually long time to recharge.
Credit: Ross Patton

The Greenworks Pro 80V had a solid runtime of 27 minutes during our assessment, which is far from the longest-running models. However, where the Pro 80V really shines is its charge time — the Greenworks rapid charger is able to bring the massive 80-volt battery up to 100% in a lightning-fast 30 minutes.

battery chainsaw - although this battery is massive, it charges in 30 minutes.
Although this battery is massive, it charges in 30 minutes.
Credit: Jason Peters

The Milwaukee exhibited a runtime of 33 minutes and took 1 hour and 20 minutes to get back to full charge.


The Ego Power+ 1400 has a decent run time of 24 minutes and a very impressive charge time of only 45 minutes. Its slightly larger cousin, the Ego Power+ CS1613, had nearly identical runtime and charge times. With a charge time of 1 hour and a run time of 28 minutes, the Makita XLT also hovers around the middle of the pack for battery life.


The Ryobi 40V and the Worx WG322's charge times range between 2 hours and 45 minutes and 3 hours. Considering that the Ryobi's run time is 24 minutes and the WG322's only 22 minutes, if you buy either of these saws, you will be spending a lot more time watching the charger than making cuts. That said, it should be noted that the Worx battery is the only 20-volt battery-powered tool we tested, and it is not intended to be a long-running tool.

battery chainsaw - the difference between battery charge time for each model showed...
The difference between battery charge time for each model showed tremendous variance.
Credit: Jenna Ammerman

Noise


One of the main ways that battery chainsaws are superior to gas-powered models is that they are much quieter. Many manufacturers use this fact to entice people to buy battery-powered saws, so we decided to make this our final metric. However, because all chainsaws are inherently loud due to the spinning of the chain and the tearing of cutting wood, we only weighted it 10% of the total score. To measure sound, we used a sound level meter at a distance of 48 inches from the chain with the saw at full throttle. Our testers also paid close attention to whether or not certain saws subjectively stood out as being unpleasant to use while cutting due to excess noise. Because these are largely considered to be consumer models, we also wanted to consider how much the sound produced by the tools might bother your neighbors. To get a gauge on this, we used a panel of judges at a distance of 50 feet from the saws to get some opinions on whether or not any of the tools were particularly aggravating to listen to.


The quietest model in our review is the Worx WG322. During our SPL meter tests from a distance of 4 feet, we measured a mere 80 decibels. Our panel of judges had nothing to complain about the pitch or tone emitted from this tool. Shockingly, one of the most powerful models is also one of the quietest — The Husqvarna Power Axe 350i only emits 82.1 decibels at full throttle.


Just short of the Worx WG322 and the Husqvarna Power Axe 350i for this metric are the Black+Decker 40V MAX and the Greenworks G-MAX. During our sound meter reading test, the MAX only registered 83.3 decibels, which is the lowest of any of the saws that we reviewed. We'd say this model is quiet and only slightly whiny. The G-MAX produced 83.8 decibels, barely more than the MAX, and it's only moderately whiny.

battery chainsaw - the black+decker hardly emits noise when compared to other models...
The Black+Decker hardly emits noise when compared to other models tested.
Credit: Jenna Ammerman

Scoring just below the quietest saws are the Ego Power+ 1400 and the Husqvarna 120i. During our sound meter test, we recorded 85.3 decibels for the Power+, and the 120i was slightly louder. We found that the Ego Power+ 1400 isn't especially whiny and that the 120i has no whine.

battery chainsaw - we used a sound meter to take decibel readings for each saw at a...
We used a sound meter to take decibel readings for each saw at a given distance.
Credit: Jenna Ammerman

While the noise pitch of the Makita LXT wasn't quite to the annoying level, the sound meter told a different tale. Anyone operating this saw will be subjected to a head-splitting 105.7 decibels.

battery chainsaw - some of the top contenders in our chainsaw testing, ready for action.
Some of the top contenders in our chainsaw testing, ready for action.
Credit: Jenna Ammerman

Conclusion


We hope our review gives you the insight and the certainty to make the right choice on the best battery chainsaw for you. Just as every person has a different application for their chainsaw, and every chainsaw has its strengths, weaknesses, and features. If you are interested in other supplies, check out our best of tools list to get started on your next project. In addition, we've tested top drills, top-notch stud finders, and our favorite cordless leaf blowers. We've also put some of the best handsaws and top circular saws to the test. Have fun out there, and be safe.

Ross Patton

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GearLab is founded on the principle of honest, objective, reviews. Our experts test thousands of products each year using thoughtful test plans that bring out key performance differences between competing products. And, to assure complete independence, we buy all the products we test ourselves. No cherry-picked units sent by manufacturers. No sponsored content. No ads. Just real, honest, side-by-side testing and comparison.

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