The 10 Best Electric Chainsaws
Updated by · How we research
Battery, corded and one-hand mini chainsaws compared on bar length, runtime, battery platform and safety. The EGO CS1611 suits most homeowners best. When users buy our independently chosen editorial choices, we may earn commissions to help fund the Wiki.
Electric does not mean safer: a battery or corded chainsaw kicks back as hard as a gas one, so chaps, eye and ear protection still apply. What changes is the routine. There is no fuel to mix, no cord to pull and no exhaust. These picks suit homeowners pruning trees, clearing storm limbs or cutting a winter's firewood.
Editor's Notes
October 23, 2026, by Ezvid Wiki Admin:
The EGO CS1611 now leads the list. It pairs a 16-inch bar with a strong battery and a charger in one box, at a price a homeowner can justify, and EGO's bigger saws took the top awards in TechGearLab's battery-saw tests. The Husqvarna Power Axe 350i is new for long storm cleanups, since it ran close to an hour per charge in those same tests, and the Greenworks CS40B210, Black+Decker CS1518, DeWalt DCCS621B, Worx WG327 and Seesii M6 Lite are new too.
Several old picks had to go. The Makita UC4051A, Worx WG304.1, Ryobi P547 and the older 16-inch Greenworks are no longer available new. The Black+Decker LCS1240 is still sold, but it lacked both power and a chain brake in that independent test. The Black+Decker Alligator Lopper is a lopper, so it left the list, and the Oregon CS1500 moved to Special Honors because we couldn't confirm its current details.
The Milwaukee M18 FUEL 2727-21HD, WEN CP1216 and Black+Decker LCS1020 stay. The WEN is the same saw that used to be sold as the 4017.
Our evidence came from TechGearLab's timed cuts, runtime and noise readings on a dozen battery saws, a UK farm magazine's five-saw comparison, makers' spec sheets and the consumer recall database. Several maker sites wouldn't load for us, so a few entries rest on the seller's specs, and we say so where it matters.
November 01, 2020:
For this update, we replaced the Remington Ranger due to some chain durability issues, and the fact that it's more of a pole saw than a chainsaw, and we wanted to make room for an option that better suited the category. Since we only had one 16-inch corded option to choose from, the Makita UC4051A, we added a more budget-friendly option, the Wen 4017. The Wen 4017 weighs just 10 pounds, and has a nice bright orange color. As someone who's worked on large landscaping projects that had a lot of chainsaws present, I personally feel that high-visibility orange makes equipment -- and job sites -- a little bit safer.
We also replaced the Worx JawSaw with a more typical chainsaw style, the Milwaukee 2727. What's great about the Milwaukee 2727 is that it accepts the same M18 batteries as other Milwaukee power tools. So, if you already have a collection of Milwaukee brand drills, saws, or lighting equipment, you'll have a good supply of extra batteries already. Since the biggest limitation of battery-powered chainsaws is their limited running time, this could be a huge benefit for the right person. At about 15 pounds, this model wouldn't be ideal for users who don’t have the strength or the need for such a heavy-duty machine.
Be sure to carefully read the instruction and user manual for any chainsaw you buy, and take the time to research safe habits and operating procedures. Chainsaws, electric or not, are one of the most dangerous pieces of equipment you can buy, and require more skill to operate safely than you might think. If you don't have a professional to consult, online videos are a great way to get more insight on ways to use your chainsaw safely and effectively.
You'll need to regularly maintain your chainsaw to keep it in working order. Follow the care instructions included, and keep your chainsaw teeth looking and feeling new with a dedicated chainsaw sharpener.
If you're more interested in lopping off tree branches higher than you can reach, a pole saw is probably a better option for you.
April 14, 2019:
Starting gas-powered tools is no picnic, and thanks to modern electrical technology, most people are no longer forced to hunch over smelly, dangerous 2-cycle motors and hurt their back trying to pull the starter cord. Right off the bat, know that the Makita is a fantastic replacement for most older models, and while it is pretty costly, it's more powerful and has a larger cutting capacity than most of the rest. The 40-volt Black and Decker is also surprisingly powerful for a battery-operated model, and while the 20-volt version isn't quite as strong, it's just as well made. The GreenWorks and Ryobi are also in similar classes.
But if you're okay with having a cord, there are some really interesting options that can fit specialized applications well. The Remington is designed to remove still-standing branches while you're on the ground, though it can get heavy after a while. The Black and Decker Alligator is a clever hybrid that adds support and side-pressure, which can save your arms from overexertion. The Worx JawSaw is another unique model whose construction keeps it from jumping around, while letting you slice through wood by pushing it, rather than pulling it through the logs and toward the ground where your feet happen to be. Finally, the Worx and the Oregon plug-in models are low- and moderately priced, respectively, and perform quite well enough for most residential applications.
No matter what, as with all power tools, you'll need the right safety equipment, as well as attention to the task at hand. We'd suggest gloves, goggles, durable work boots, and possibly even a hardhat if you'll be cutting down overhead branches. Always pay attention to what you're doing, and be certain that anyone using the tools is strong enough to do so, and has had sufficient training.
Special Honors
Oregon Oregon makes the bars and chains used on many saws, including the Milwaukee kit here, and its CS1500 corded saw has a built-in chain sharpener that touches up the chain with a pull of a lever. Its site lists replacement chains by saw model. oregonproducts.com
Stihl Battery Chainsaws Stihl sells its battery saws through local servicing dealers rather than online marketplaces. The lineup runs from small pruning saws to pro models, and the dealer handles setup, sharpening and warranty work, which helps buyers who want someone local to service the saw. stihlusa.com
Corded, Battery Or Mini: Match The Saw To The Job
A corded saw is the cheapest way to get a long bar, and it runs as long as the power stays on, but it only works within reach of an outlet.
Start with where you cut. A corded saw is the cheapest way to get a long bar, and it runs as long as the power stays on, but it only works within reach of an outlet. That suits firewood bucked in the driveway or limbs near the house. A battery saw goes anywhere and starts with a trigger, but every minute of cutting comes out of a pack.
Bar length follows the wood. A common rule is a bar about 2 inches longer than the thickest log you plan to cut. A 10- to 12-inch bar handles pruning and storm limbs, and a 16- to 18-inch bar handles firewood and small trees. One-hand mini saws with 6-inch bars are pruning tools for branches a few inches thick, not felling saws.
Power varies far more than the spec sheets suggest. In TechGearLab's battery chainsaw tests, the fastest saw cut its test log in about 3.5 seconds, while a 12-inch Black+Decker 40-volt took about 35 seconds. A UK test of five top battery saws by Farmers Weekly concluded that battery saws suit smaller jobs, while gas still wins for long days of sawing far from a charger.
Runtime, Batteries And The Platform You Already Own
Battery saws in TechGearLab's tests ran anywhere from about 18 minutes to an hour on one charge, and recharging took from half an hour to more than three hours. The Husqvarna Power Axe 350i ran about 51 minutes, but its pack needed close to three hours to refill. For a big cleanup, a second battery matters more than a few extra volts.
Batteries are also the hidden cost. A bare tool, such as the DeWalt DCCS621B, looks cheap until you price a pack and charger. If you already own drills or yard tools from one maker, staying on that platform saves money: Milwaukee's 2727-21HD kit accepts any M18 pack, and EGO, Greenworks, Worx and DeWalt each sell many tools on one battery.
Bar oil is the other running cost. Every saw here oils its chain automatically, but the tank still needs topping up, and TechGearLab found the Milwaukee used oil faster than most. Keep the chain sharp too: a dull chain makes the motor work harder and drains a battery sooner.
Kickback, Chain Brakes And The Gear You Still Need
An electric motor doesn't make a chain any less dangerous. Kickback happens when the upper tip of the bar touches wood and the saw jumps back toward you, and it happens with any saw. Look for a low-kickback chain and a chain brake that stops the chain when the front hand guard is pushed forward. Not every saw has one: TechGearLab noted that two 40-volt saws it tested, including Black+Decker's 12-inch model, had no chain brake, and the one-hand mini saws generally don't either.
Wear safety glasses, hearing protection, sturdy gloves, boots and chainsaw chaps, and add a hard hat for anything overhead. Keep both hands on the saw, don't cut above shoulder height, and stay well clear of power lines. With a corded saw, use an outdoor-rated extension cord of the right gauge, plug into a GFCI outlet and keep the cord behind you.
None of the saws on this list is under a recall. Two close relatives were: Milwaukee recalled its M18 FUEL top-handle saws over a chain brake that may not engage (CPSC), and DeWalt recalled its 18-inch corded DWCS600 over a switch that could keep it running (CPSC). The 16-inch Milwaukee kit and the cordless DeWalt here are not covered.
How we researched this
We compared 17 electric chainsaws from 11 brands, corded, battery and one-hand mini, and screened 10 in depth. We used TechGearLab's timed cuts, runtime and noise readings on 12 battery saws, a UK farm magazine's five-saw comparison, makers' spec pages where they loaded and the seller's specs where they didn't. We checked every brand against U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission recall records.
Frequently asked questions
Are electric chainsaws safer than gas ones?
Not when it comes to cutting. Kickback, chain contact and falling limbs are the same hazards with any saw, so you need the same gear. Electric saws are quieter, make no exhaust and need no fuel, and corded models add a cord you have to keep clear of the chain.
How long does a chainsaw battery last?
In TechGearLab's tests, battery saws ran from about 18 minutes to an hour on one charge, depending on the saw and the pack. Bigger packs and a spare battery are the simple fixes for long jobs.
Can a battery chainsaw replace a gas saw?
For pruning, storm cleanup and a few cords of firewood, yes. For all-day cutting far from a charger, or for felling big trees, a gas saw still lasts longer between fill-ups.
Corded or cordless: which should I buy?
Corded saws give you a longer bar for less money and never run out of charge, but they only work near an outlet. Cordless saws go anywhere and cost more, especially if you need to buy batteries.
What is the easiest chainsaw for a beginner?
A light battery saw with a 10- to 14-inch bar, a low-kickback chain, a chain brake and tool-free tensioning is the easiest to manage. Learn safe cutting from the manual before you start.
Which chainsaw brands are the most reliable?
Husqvarna and Stihl are long-standing chainsaw makers, while EGO, Milwaukee and DeWalt lead in battery tools. Recall records and warranty length are useful checks: none of the saws on this list is under a recall.
