The 5 Best Battery Chainsaws of 2023

Best Overall Battery Chainsaw

Husqvarna Power Axe 350i

Weight: 14 lbs, 6 oz | Body Dimensions: 18.5" x 8" x 6"

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

Best Bang for the Buck

Ego Power+ CS1800

Weight: 12.25 lbs | Body Dimensions: 16" x 9" x 8"

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

Best for Quick Battery Charging

Greenworks Pro 80V

Weight: 15.13 lbs | Body Dimensions: 14" x 9" x 7.5"

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

Best for Battery Expandability

Milwaukee M18 FUEL

Weight: 14.25 lbs | Body Dimensions: 18.5 " x 9" x 8"

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

Best 20V Model

Worx WG322

Weight: 6.63 lbs | Body Dimensions: 13" x 8" x 7.5"

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

Compare Products

Compare select up to 5 products to compare

	Score	Product	Price
	83	Husqvarna Power Axe 350i	$450
	82	Ego Power+ CS1800	$399
	76	Greenworks Pro 80V	$400
	73	Milwaukee M18 FUEL	$600
	72	Ego Power+ CS1613	$299
	66	Husqvarna 120i	$290
	65	Ego Power+ CS1400	$250
	63	Makita XCU03Z LXT	$390
	62	Greenworks G-MAX 40V	$252
	61	Worx WG322	$130
	51	Ryobi 40V RY40530	$240
	51	Black+Decker 40V MAX	$275

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:
    Saw Performance (35% of overall score weighting)
    Ease of Use (30% weighting)
    Battery Life (25% weighting)

    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.

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.

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.

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.

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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.

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.

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.

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.

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 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 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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.