A bigger voltage number on the box does not mean a faster cut. That’s the single most common myth in this entire category, repeated across nearly every buying guide that ranks for this topic, and it leads people to compare chainsaws by the wrong number. This guide breaks down 12 real battery-powered chainsaws by what actually determines cutting performance, plus a factor almost no other guide considers: whether you already own a compatible battery platform.
Voltage Doesn’t Equal Cutting Power – Here’s What Actually Does
Two chainsaws with identical voltage ratings can cut at meaningfully different speeds, and a well-engineered 40V saw can outperform a poorly optimized 60V one. Voltage describes the battery system’s design, not the saw’s real-world output. What actually determines how fast a saw cuts through wood is chain speed under load, motor efficiency, and how well the controller manages heat during sustained use. The Caterpillar DG631 in this guide, for example, posts a genuinely fast 78.7 ft/s chain speed, worth knowing since the average gas chainsaw runs around 88 ft/s. That’s a real, checkable number, and it tells you more about actual cutting performance than the 60V rating on the same box.
Already Own DeWalt or Makita Tools? Check This Before Buying a New System
This is the factor most chainsaw guides never mention: three saws in this list run on battery platforms you might already own from other tools. If you already have DeWalt 20V MAX or FLEXVOLT batteries, or Makita 18V LXT batteries, buying a compatible chainsaw means skipping the cost of an entirely new battery and charger, effectively making the tool itself cheaper than its listed price. We covered this decision in detail in our DeWalt vs. Milwaukee vs. Makita battery platform guide; the same logic applies directly here. If you’re not already invested in a platform, this isn’t a factor, compare the standalone options on their own merits instead.
Bar Length – Match It to What You’re Actually Cutting
- 10-12 inches: pruning and limbing small branches
- 14-16 inches: general yard work, small to medium tree felling, firewood processing
- 16-18 inches: medium trees, thicker firewood, storm cleanup
- 18+ inches: larger diameter felling, approaching gas-saw territory
A longer bar doesn’t just cut bigger wood, it also drains the battery faster since the motor works harder to drive more chain. If you rarely cut anything over 10 inches in diameter, a shorter bar gives you more cuts per charge and less weight to swing around than an 18-inch saw on the same battery.
When Battery Still Loses to Gas
Being honest about this matters. Battery chainsaws have closed most of the performance gap, but gas still wins for long, continuous cutting sessions, very large hardwood felling, and remote work with no realistic way to recharge. If you’re processing more than a few cords of firewood a season, felling large-diameter hardwood regularly, or working somewhere you can’t swap in a fresh battery, a gas saw remains the better tool. For the more common case, occasional yard work, pruning, storm cleanup, firewood in reasonable quantities, a battery saw’s instant start, quiet operation, and near-zero maintenance are a genuine upgrade.
Quick Comparison
| Product | Voltage / Platform | Bar Length | Bare Tool or Kit | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Greenworks 82V | 82V (Greenworks) | 18″ | Kit (4.0Ah) | Best Overall Power |
| Husqvarna 542i XP | 40V (Husqvarna BLi-X) | 16″ | Bare Tool | Best Professional/Arborist-Grade |
| Husqvarna Power Axe 350i | 40V (Husqvarna) | 18″ | Kit (7.5Ah) | Best Homeowner Tier |
| Caterpillar DG631 | 60V (Cat OPE) | 18″ | Kit (5.0Ah) | Best Chain Speed |
| Bosch GKE18V-40N | 18V (Bosch) | 16″ | Check listing | Best Compact 18V |
| Stihl MSA 60.0 C-B | Stihl AP System | Varies | Bare Tool (typical) | Best Premium Homeowner |
| Makita XCU04CM | 36V (18V LXT x2) | 16″ | Kit (4.0Ah x2) | Best for Existing Makita LXT Owners |
| DeWalt DCCS672B | 60V MAX (FLEXVOLT) | 18″ | Bare Tool | Best for Existing DeWalt Owners |
| DeWalt FLEXVOLT Kit | 60V MAX (FLEXVOLT) | 16″ | Kit (2.0Ah) | Best DeWalt Starter Kit |
| WORX WG384 | 40V (WORX) | 14″ | Kit | Best Auto-Tension Feature |
| SKIL PWR CORE 40 | 40V (SKIL) | 14″ | Kit | Best Lightweight |
| EGO POWER+ | 56V (EGO) | 16″ | Kit | Best Reliability Track Record |
Already Own a Platform? Start Here
1. DeWalt DCCS672B Brushless Chainsaw (Bare Tool) – Best for Existing DeWalt Owners
This is a bare tool, no battery or charger included, which only makes sense if you already own DeWalt 20V MAX or FLEXVOLT batteries. For anyone in that position, it’s effectively the cheapest saw on this list, since you’re not paying for a battery system you’d otherwise have to buy from scratch. It runs on the FLEXVOLT 60V MAX platform with an 18-inch bar, DeWalt’s high-efficiency brushless motor, and tool-free chain tensioning.
Pros: Effectively the lowest-cost option if you’re already on the DeWalt platform; 18-inch bar handles bigger jobs than most saws in this guide; tool-free chain tensioning; wide DeWalt parts and service availability.
Cons: Completely unusable out of the box without already owning a compatible FLEXVOLT or 20V MAX battery; the low bare-tool price is misleading if you have to buy a battery and charger separately; 60V operation adds weight versus lower-voltage compact saws.
Best for: existing DeWalt 20V MAX or FLEXVOLT tool owners who want to add a chainsaw without buying another battery and charger.
2. DeWalt FLEXVOLT Chainsaw, 60V 2Ah Kit – Best DeWalt Starter Kit
For buyers who don’t already own DeWalt batteries but want to start on the platform, this complete kit includes a FLEXVOLT 20V/60V MAX battery, meaning it also works across DeWalt’s 20V MAX tool lineup, not just this saw. DeWalt rates it at up to 70 cuts per charge on 6×6 pressure-treated pine, a genuinely useful, specific number rather than a vague runtime claim. Tool-free chain tensioning and a 3-year limited warranty round out the package.
Pros: Complete, ready-to-use kit; the FLEXVOLT battery also powers DeWalt’s 20V MAX tools, not just this saw; verified 70 cuts per charge on 6×6 pine; 3-year limited warranty; tool-free tensioning.
Cons: 2.0Ah battery is on the smaller end of FLEXVOLT capacity, expect shorter runtime than a larger pack; 16-inch bar is smaller than the bare-tool DCCS672B’s 18-inch; still requires committing to the DeWalt ecosystem if you’re not already in it.
Best for: buyers starting fresh on the DeWalt platform who want a battery that also powers their future 20V MAX tool purchases.
3. Makita XCU04CM Brushless 36V (18V x2) LXT Chain Saw Kit – Best for Existing Makita LXT Owners
Rather than a separate battery platform, this saw draws 36V by running two 18V Makita LXT batteries simultaneously, the same twin-battery approach Makita uses across its higher-power tools. If you already own LXT batteries from Makita drills, impact drivers, or other tools, this saw slots directly into that ecosystem. The kit includes two 4.0Ah batteries and a dual-port charger, and a 16-inch bar covers most homeowner cutting tasks.
Pros: Draws on the massive existing Makita 18V LXT tool ecosystem rather than a separate platform; complete kit with two 4.0Ah batteries and dual-port charger; Makita’s reputation for smooth, controlled power delivery; 16-inch bar suits most homeowner tasks.
Cons: Twin-battery design means keeping two batteries charged instead of one; noticeably heavier than single-battery alternatives at similar bar length; not built to the professional/arborist tier the Husqvarna 542i XP targets.
Best for: existing Makita 18V LXT tool owners, or anyone drawn to Makita’s reputation for smooth, controlled power delivery.
Standalone Battery Platforms
4. Greenworks 82V 18 in Cordless Electric Chainsaw – Best Overall Power
Greenworks markets its 82V system as the highest-voltage cordless outdoor power platform in the industry, and the specs back up serious cutting capability: an 18-inch bar and a brushless motor built for tree felling, limbing, and firewood, not just light pruning. The included 4.0Ah battery and charger make this a complete, ready-to-use kit out of the box.
Pros: Highest voltage platform in this guide; complete kit, ready to use immediately; 18-inch bar handles bigger felling and firewood jobs; brushless motor.
Cons: Standalone Greenworks platform with no crossover to major professional tool brands; higher-voltage battery adds real weight; Greenworks’ overall build reputation sits closer to consumer-grade than Stihl or Husqvarna’s professional tier.
Best for: buyers who want the most cutting capability in this guide without needing platform compatibility with anything else they own.
5. Husqvarna 542i XP 16 Inch Battery Powered Chainsaw – Best Professional/Arborist-Grade
This is a genuine professional tool, not a homeowner saw with a premium badge. The 542i XP was the first rear-handle battery chainsaw with a centrifugal clutch, giving it a petrol-like kickstart feel at the start of each cut, and it carries an IPX4 rain rating plus active cooling technology built for arborists and tree care crews working all day, in all conditions. Husqvarna rates it as equivalent to a 40cc gas engine. It’s sold as a bare tool on Husqvarna’s BLi-X 40V system, no battery or charger included, which is standard for this professional tier where buyers typically already own compatible batteries across multiple tools.
Pros: Genuine professional/arborist-grade build, not a consumer saw with a premium label; first rear-handle battery saw with a centrifugal clutch for gas-like kickstart feel; IPX4 rain rating and active cooling for all-day, all-weather use; 40cc gas-equivalent power rating.
Cons: Bare tool only, battery and charger are a real additional cost most buyers overlook when comparing sticker prices; premium professional pricing that’s overkill for occasional homeowner use; steeper learning curve for anyone not used to a clutch-equipped saw.
Best for: professional arborists and tree care crews who want gas-like control and don’t mind sourcing the Husqvarna battery system separately.
6. Husqvarna Power Axe 350i Cordless Chainsaw – Best Homeowner Tier
The consumer-tier counterpart to the 542i XP above, from the same brand but built for a different buyer. This is a complete kit, a 40V, 7.5Ah battery and charger included, with an 18-inch bar and brushless motor. It won’t match the 542i XP’s professional clutch feel or all-day durability, but for homeowner-scale firewood cutting and yard work, it delivers real Husqvarna engineering without the professional price tag or bare-tool battery hunt.
Pros: Complete kit with a substantial 7.5Ah battery included; genuine Husqvarna build quality at a homeowner-accessible price; 18-inch bar; no separate battery purchase required.
Cons: Lacks the 542i XP’s professional clutch feel and all-day-duty durability; heavier than smaller-voltage homeowner saws in this guide; still priced at a premium relative to Greenworks, WORX, or SKIL.
Best for: homeowners who want Husqvarna’s reputation and build quality in a complete, ready-to-use kit.
7. Caterpillar DG631 60V Brushless 18″ Chainsaw – Best Chain Speed
Cat’s outdoor power equipment line backs its industrial reputation with a genuinely fast 78.7 ft/s chain speed, one of the quickest in this guide and closing in on the roughly 88 ft/s of an average gas saw. At 16.3 lbs with the included 5.0Ah battery, it’s also reasonably light for an 18-inch saw. The battery is interchangeable across Cat’s full 60V outdoor power equipment lineup, worth knowing if you’re building out a Cat-branded yard equipment set.
Pros: Verified 78.7 ft/s chain speed, among the fastest in this guide and close to gas-saw territory; complete kit with 5.0Ah battery; reasonably light at 16.3 lbs for an 18-inch saw; battery interchangeable across Cat’s broader 60V outdoor equipment lineup.
Cons: Cat’s outdoor power equipment line is newer and less established than Husqvarna or Stihl for long-term parts and service availability; standalone platform with no crossover to major power tool brands.
Best for: buyers who prioritize raw chain speed and want the option to expand into a matching Cat 60V outdoor equipment lineup later.
8. Bosch GKE18V-40N 18V 16 In. Chainsaw – Best Compact 18V
Bosch’s 18V chainsaw line is built around the brand’s broader 18V professional tool ecosystem, a real consideration if you already own Bosch 18V drills or other trade tools. A 16-inch bar and Bosch’s brushless motor technology cover general-purpose cutting. Bosch sells its chainsaws in both bare-tool and complete-kit configurations depending on the specific listing, so confirm what’s included before ordering.
Pros: Ties into Bosch’s broader 18V professional tool platform if you already own compatible tools; compact and easy to handle; brushless motor.
Cons: 18V tops out lower on raw power than the 40V-82V competitors in this guide; bare-tool versus complete-kit configuration varies by listing, so double-check what’s actually included before buying.
Best for: buyers already invested in Bosch’s 18V professional tool platform, or anyone wanting a compact, general-purpose 18V saw.
9. Stihl MSA 60.0 C-B Cordless Chainsaw – Best Premium Homeowner Saw
Stihl’s name carries real weight in this category, the brand most professional arborists and serious homeowners already associate with gas chainsaw reliability, and their battery line extends that reputation into the AP cordless system. The MSA 60.0 C-B is positioned as an entry point into Stihl’s cordless lineup for homeowners who want the brand’s build quality without committing to their top professional tier. As with most Stihl cordless tools, confirm whether the specific listing includes a battery, since Stihl commonly sells these as bare tools for buyers already on the AP system.
Pros: Stihl’s strong, widely-recognized reputation for chainsaw durability and reliability; a genuine entry point into Stihl’s AP cordless battery system without the top professional-tier price.
Cons: Likely sold as a bare tool, confirm battery and charger inclusion before ordering; Stihl batteries and accessories tend to carry a brand premium; less powerful than Stihl’s higher-tier professional saws.
Best for: buyers who specifically want Stihl’s reputation and build quality and are comfortable checking battery inclusion before ordering.
10. WORX Cordless Chainsaw with Auto-Tension, 40V 14″ – Best Auto-Tension Feature
The standout feature here is right in the name: automatic chain tensioning, which adjusts chain tightness without the manual check-and-adjust routine every other saw in this guide requires. For anyone who’s dealt with a chain loosening mid-job on a manual-tension saw, this is a genuine convenience upgrade, not just a marketing checkbox. A 14-inch bar keeps it sized for general yard work rather than heavy felling.
Pros: Automatic chain tensioning genuinely eliminates a common mid-job annoyance; complete kit; accessible price point relative to premium brands.
Cons: 14-inch bar limits it to lighter-duty work, not built for heavy felling; WORX carries less brand prestige and resale value than Stihl, Husqvarna, or EGO; 40V platform doesn’t cross over with other major tool ecosystems.
Best for: buyers who want to skip manual chain tension checks entirely and prioritize convenience over maximum cutting capacity.
11. SKIL PWR CORE 40 Brushless 40V 14″ Lightweight Chainsaw Kit – Best Lightweight
SKIL positions this squarely as the lightweight option in its 40V PWR CORE lineup, a real advantage for pruning and overhead work where saw weight directly affects fatigue and control. The brushless motor and 14-inch bar keep this in the general-purpose and light-duty category rather than heavy felling territory, which fits its positioning as an accessible, easy-to-handle option.
Pros: Genuinely lightweight design reduces fatigue during pruning and overhead work; brushless motor; complete kit at an accessible price.
Cons: 14-inch bar is the smallest cutting capacity tier in this guide; SKIL is positioned as a budget-friendly brand rather than a premium build; not suited to felling or heavy firewood work.
Best for: pruning, overhead cutting, and buyers who prioritize low weight and easy handling over maximum bar length.
12. EGO POWER+ Chain Saw, 16″ – Best Reliability Track Record
EGO has built one of the strongest reliability reputations in battery outdoor power equipment, with independent testing organizations naming EGO among the most dependable battery chainsaw brands alongside Husqvarna. The 16-inch bar and brushless motor cover the common homeowner range of tasks, and EGO’s broader 56V ARC Lithium battery platform extends across a wide range of other yard equipment if you want to expand later.
Pros: Independently recognized as one of the most reliable battery chainsaw brands; 56V ARC Lithium platform extends across a wide EGO yard equipment lineup; complete kit; well-suited to the common range of homeowner tasks.
Cons: Standalone EGO platform, no crossover with major power tool brands if you’re also buying drills or drivers; mid-pack 16-inch bar length rather than the largest option available.
Best for: buyers who prioritize proven long-term reliability and want the option to expand into EGO’s broader yard equipment lineup.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does higher voltage mean more cutting power?
Not directly. Voltage describes the battery system’s design, not the saw’s real-world cutting speed. Chain speed under load, motor efficiency, and thermal management determine actual performance, a well-engineered 40V saw can outperform a poorly optimized 60V one. Compare chain speed and manufacturer gas-equivalent ratings, not just the voltage number.
What bar length do I need for firewood?
14-16 inches handles most homeowner firewood processing. Step up to 16-18 inches if you’re regularly cutting thicker logs or doing storm cleanup, but remember a longer bar drains the battery faster and adds weight.
Can a battery chainsaw fell a large tree?
Modern high-voltage battery saws (60V and above) can handle small to medium tree felling comparable to a 40-45cc gas saw. For very large diameter hardwood or extended felling sessions, gas still has the edge in sustained power and doesn’t require battery swaps mid-job.
How many batteries do I need to get through a normal day of yard work?
For occasional pruning or an hour or two of cutting, one battery is usually enough. For a full day of firewood processing or storm cleanup, plan on at least one spare battery, since even the higher-capacity packs in this guide are rated in dozens of cuts per charge, not hours of continuous run time.
Bottom Line
Check platform compatibility before comparing anything else. If you already own DeWalt, Makita, Bosch, or another platform’s tools, a bare-tool or platform-matched saw is effectively the cheapest option on this list. If you’re starting fresh, match bar length to your actual cutting tasks and pay attention to real chain speed numbers over voltage claims.
- Best overall: Greenworks 82V 18″ – the most cutting capability without needing platform compatibility.
- Best professional-grade: Husqvarna 542i XP – genuine arborist-tier build and control.
- Best homeowner tier: Husqvarna Power Axe 350i – real Husqvarna engineering in a complete kit.
- Best chain speed: Caterpillar DG631 – 78.7 ft/s, closing in on gas-saw territory.
- Best compact 18V: Bosch GKE18V-40N – fits an existing Bosch 18V tool platform.
- Best premium homeowner saw: Stihl MSA 60.0 C-B – the Stihl name, at a more accessible tier.
- Best for existing Makita owners: Makita XCU04CM – runs on batteries you may already own.
- Best for existing DeWalt owners: DeWalt DCCS672B (bare tool) – effectively the cheapest saw here if you’re already on the platform.
- Best DeWalt starter kit: DeWalt FLEXVOLT Kit – a battery that grows with future 20V MAX purchases.
- Best auto-tension feature: WORX WG384 – skip the manual chain checks entirely.
- Best lightweight: SKIL PWR CORE 40 – built for pruning and overhead work.
- Best reliability track record: EGO POWER+ – independently recognized among the most dependable battery chainsaw brands.
Whichever saw you choose, match it to your actual cutting tasks rather than the biggest voltage number on the box, that number tells you less than you’d think. If you’re building out a full outdoor equipment set, our chainsaw chains guide and mini chainsaw picks cover the rest of the cutting toolkit.
