Electric Chainsaw Reviews: 7 Top Picks for Homeowners in 2026

Battery technology has changed yard work in ways gas-only purists still resist admitting. The best modern cordless saws cut through 12 inch oak as fast as a comparable Stihl gas saw, and they start with a button instead of three pulls and a flooded carburetor. These electric chainsaw reviews cover seven models that have proven themselves over the last two seasons of testing — corded for stationary work, cordless 40V to 80V for serious yard cleanup. Each pick includes real specs, current pricing, and the kind of cutting it actually handles.

1. EGO Power+ CS1804 18 Inch 56V — Best Overall

The EGO 18 inch 56V cordless chainsaw is the model that finally made gas saws optional for most homeowners. With a 5.0 Ah battery, it cuts roughly 200 four-inch limbs on a single charge, and the brushless motor matches the cutting speed of a 40cc gas saw. Price runs around $479 with battery and charger.

The bar takes Oregon 91 series chains (a common, cheap chain available everywhere), and the auto-oiler keeps the bar lubricated automatically. After two seasons of weekend use clearing storm damage and felling 14 inch trees, the saw has needed nothing but chain sharpening. The only weak point is weight — at 14 lbs with battery, it is heavier than a comparable mid-size gas saw.

2. Greenworks Pro 80V GCS80420 — Best Value Cordless

For roughly $100 less than the EGO, the Greenworks Pro 80V delivers 80 percent of the cutting performance with a slightly lighter feel. The 18 inch bar handles trees up to 16 inches in diameter with patience, and the 2.5 Ah battery runs about 70 cuts in 4 inch pine. Stepping up to the 4.0 Ah battery doubles run time at the cost of another $250.

The chain tensioning system is tool-free, which sounds great in marketing but is fiddly in practice. The chain stretches every 30 minutes during the first hour of cutting, then settles down. Overall a strong saw for the money.

3. DeWalt DCCS670X1 60V FlexVolt — Best for DeWalt Battery Owners

If your shop already runs DeWalt 60V FlexVolt batteries, the DCCS670X1 is a no-brainer at $399 for the bare tool ($499 with battery). The 16 inch bar is shorter than the EGO or Greenworks but cuts through 12 inch oak in about 15 seconds. Battery compatibility with DeWalt’s massive tool ecosystem is the killer feature — one charger, batteries shared across drills, saws, and lights.

The DeWalt has slightly less raw power than the EGO 56V at full chain speed, but it is faster to start, lighter at 12.2 lbs with battery, and the build quality is up to DeWalt’s professional reputation. For pros already invested in the platform, this is the easiest pick.

4. Worx WG304.1 18 Inch Corded — Best Corded Saw

For stationary work like cutting up firewood at a chopping block, a corded saw eliminates battery management entirely. The Worx WG304.1 packs a 15 amp motor (about 2 HP) into an 11 lb package for around $130. As long as you have a 12 gauge extension cord (16 gauge cord drops too much voltage and bogs the motor), the Worx cuts continuously without recharging.

The 18 inch bar handles serious work, and the auto-tensioning system actually works well on this model. Limitations are obvious — you are tied to an outlet, and dragging a cord around fallen branches gets tedious for cleanup work. For a basement firewood operation, however, it is unbeatable for the price.

5. Husqvarna Power Axe 350i 40V — Premium Pro Cordless

Husqvarna’s first serious push into battery saws. The 350i has the build quality and ergonomics of a Husqvarna gas saw with a 14 inch bar and a brushless motor that cuts a 6 inch log in 5 seconds. Price runs $499 for the tool only, $649 with battery and charger. Expensive, but the build is bombproof and the platform is shared across Husqvarna’s commercial battery lineup.

This is the saw to buy if you want a long-term professional tool, do not mind paying for it, and prefer a brand with a strong dealer network for service. For occasional homeowner use, the EGO or Greenworks deliver more value.

6. Black and Decker LCS1240 12 Inch 40V — Best Light-Duty Pruning Saw

Not every job needs an 18 inch beast. For pruning small branches, cutting up storm debris, and trimming around the yard, the Black and Decker LCS1240 weighs just 7.2 lbs and runs around $130 with a 2.0 Ah battery. The 12 inch bar handles branches up to 8 inches with no struggle.

This is the saw to grab when you do not want to lug a heavy 18 inch model around the yard for two minutes of work. Battery life is short (about 30 cuts in 4 inch wood), but for the kind of jobs this saw is designed for, it is plenty.

7. Oregon CS1500 18 Inch Self-Sharpening Corded — Best for Beginners

The Oregon CS1500 has one killer feature: a built-in chain sharpener. Pull a small lever on top of the saw and the chain runs across an internal grindstone, restoring the cutting edge in 5 seconds. For new chainsaw users who do not yet own a $30 bench grinder, this is genuinely useful.

Cutting performance is solid for a corded saw at $169. The 15 amp motor and Oregon’s own bar and chain (the company is the global leader in chainsaw chain) make this saw cut above its price point. The downside is the same as any corded saw — you need an extension cord and an outlet within reach.

What to Look for When Buying

Five specs matter more than the marketing copy:

1. Bar length — match to your typical cuts. 14 inches handles up to 12 inch trees. 16 to 18 inches handles 14 to 16 inch trees. Anything bigger needs a gas saw or a pro.
2. Voltage — 40V handles light residential work. 56V to 80V matches small gas saws. Higher voltage delivers more torque under load.
3. Battery capacity (amp hours) — bigger Ah means longer runtime. 5.0 Ah is the sweet spot for serious yard work.
4. Weight — anything over 12 lbs gets tiring after 30 minutes. Test the balance at the store before buying.
5. Chain type — Oregon 91 series chains are cheap and available everywhere. Proprietary chains lock you into the manufacturer.

Safety Reminders

Electric chainsaws are quieter than gas saws, but they are no less dangerous. Always wear safety glasses, hearing protection, leather gloves, and chainsaw chaps ($60 from Stihl or Husqvarna). Never cut above shoulder height. Never cut with the tip of the bar (it causes kickback, the most common cause of chainsaw injuries). And always have a clear escape path before cutting any tree larger than 6 inches in diameter. The right electric chainsaw makes yard work easier, but treat any saw with respect.