BLACK+DECKER LCS1020 Cordless Electric Chainsaw
- Included 2AH Battery
- Multiple Built-In Safety Features
- Extremely Lightweight To Reduce Fatigue
The BLACK+DECKER LCS1020 is built for everyone. With a 10-inch guide blade, there’s not much chance of kickback. Plus, it’s extremely lightweight and easy to maintain. The included battery will last for around 30 minutes/100 cuts to handle most yard jobs without any problems.
WORX WG303.1 Electric Chainsaw
- Corded For All Day Power
- 3-Year Manufacturers Limited Warranty
- Gas-Powered Performance From An Electric Chainsaw
For those on a limited budget, the WORX WG303.1 gives you plenty of performance at a price that’s manageable. Plus, it’s loaded with features that can be found on units three times as expensive.
Oregon Cordless CS300-A6 Electric Chainsaw
- Built-In Chain Sharpening System
- Up To 400 Cuts On A Single Charge
- Premium Cell Technology Prevents Battery Fade
Packed with tons of power and a 16-inch guide blade, there isn’t much that will stand in the way of the CS300-A6 from Oregon. Built on a quality platform with plenty of experience, there’s no doubt you’ll be able to handle light-duty/medium-duty task quickly.
WHAT WE HAVE ON THIS PAGE
- 1 How We Picked
- 2 BLACK+DECKER LCS1020 Cordless Electric Chainsaw
- 3 Oregon Cordless CS300-A6 Electric Chainsaw
- 4 Greenworks Pro 18-Inch Cordless Electric Chainsaw
- 5 DEWALT DCCS620P1 Compact Electric Chainsaw
- 6 Makita XCU02PT Electric Chainsaw
- 7 WORX WG303.1 Electric Chainsaw
- 8 WORX WG307 JawSaw Electric Chainsaw
- 9 Remington RM1425 Limb-N-Trim Electric Chainsaw
- 10 Greenworks 18-Inch Electric Chainsaw
- 11 Earthwise CS33016 Electric Chainsaw
- 12 Buyer’s Guide To Find The Best Electric Chainsaw
- 13 Frequently Asked Questions
- 14 Conclusion
- 15 Related Reads
How We Picked
Electric chainsaws are great for projects around the house and even for some worksites. However, there are plenty of options on the market and knowing which one is the best for you can be difficult. That’s why we’ve put together our list of the best electric chainsaws for 2019.
Each chainsaw on our list is considered the best “of the best”. They’ve been compared to hundreds of others and they’ve consistently scored the highest. To see what we compared them to, you can use our buyer’s guide which highlights the features that are most important. If you have questions, there’s a good chance that we’ve answered it in the frequently asked questions section.
BLACK+DECKER LCS1020 Cordless Electric Chainsaw
Specs:
- Corded/Cordless: Cordless
- Voltage: 20 Volts
- Guide Bar Length: 10 Inches
- Weight: 7.2 Pounds
- Handle Location: Rear
BLACK+DECKER has been around for a long time making quality products in the electric tool industry.
The LCS1020 is a great light-duty electric chainsaw that can help reduce those small yard projects a thing of the past. It is extremely light with a total weight of 7.2 pounds when fully assembled. Part of this is due to the smaller guide bar with a total length of 10 inches. Most light-duty/medium-duty chainsaws will have an average guide bar of 16 inches, so this is a little small. But, this was not built for BIG projects…
It’s powered by the 20V MAX lithium-ion battery from BLACK+DECKER. This battery is interchangeable with other 20V cordless products in the BLACK+DECKER brand. The included battery is rated at 2AH and provides around 30 minutes of cutting time (or approximately 100 cuts). Recharging the battery will take around five hours so make sure you have multiple batteries if you intend to do a lot of work around the house.
Maintenance is super easy as you primarily need to make sure the bar/chain is oiled up. To do this, simply unscrew the cap in front of the rear control handle and fill it up per the guidelines in the manual. It doesn’t have a lot of room for debris to get stuck, so keeping it clean shouldn’t be a problem either. If you need to tighten the blade/chain, they’ve even included a tool-free tensioning system for ultra-fast adjustments.
For your safety, they’ve also included a sliding safety lock, a large handguard to protect from chain breakage, and a chain brake to reduce kickback.
What We Like
This is an ultra-lightweight electric chainsaw that has a decent amount of power. It will easily cut through most small branches and some small trees. With the 10-inch guide bar, there is almost no kickback whatsoever.
Overall
For small projects and light-duty jobs, the LCS1020 from BLACK+DECKER is perfect. It is extremely lightweight, portable, and dependable. The included battery will give you around 100 cuts, so be prepared with multiple batteries if you have a bigger job planned for the day.
BLACK+DECKER LCS1020 Cordless Electric Chainsaw
- Included 2AH Battery
- Multiple Built-In Safety Features
- Extremely Lightweight To Reduce Fatigue
Oregon Cordless CS300-A6 Electric Chainsaw
Specs:
- Corded/Cordless: Cordless
- Voltage: 40 Volts
- Guide Bar Length: 16 Inches
- Weight: 12.0 Pounds
- Handle Location: Rear
Oregon is another brand with quite the reputation, though their reputation was built more on the gasoline-powered side first. Even so, the CS300-A6 is a testament to their dedication to product quality and performance.
This is a light-duty/medium-duty electric chainsaw that is designed for larger work projects. It weighs about 12 pounds when fully assembled and is equipped with a guide bar that is 16 inches in length.
Powering the CS300-A6 is a 40V Max lithium-ion battery from Oregon. The B600E/4.0AH battery is capable of cutting for up to four hours or approximately 400 cuts. It takes around 2 hours for the B600E to completely recharge so you should probably have two batteries on hand if you intend to put in a full day’s work.
Maintaining your CS300-A6 should be simple as you just need to make sure you have a charged battery, a sharp chain, and lubricating oil on the chain. In fact, Oregon has a patented sharpening system built-in to the CS300-A6 to make sure you never have a dull chain.
Plus, they’ve included a tool-less tensioning system to make sure the chain is “just right” for every job.
For your safety, they have a safety switch and a large handguard to protect you from kickback and chain breakage.
What We Like
For someone looking for MORE POWER, this is exactly what they want. With 40 volts of power, it’ll easily cut through two and three-inch tree limbs without any problems. With a 16-inch guide bar, there won’t be too many projects this won’t handle.
Overall
For someone looking to work all day, the CS300-A6 from Oregon is ready! It comes with an included 4AH battery that can provide around 400 cuts before needing a new battery. Plus, the 16-inch guide bar gives you plenty of cutting room with minimal kickback.
Oregon Cordless CS300-A6 Electric Chainsaw
- Built-In Chain Sharpening System
- Up To 400 Cuts On A Single Charge
- Premium Cell Technology Prevents Battery Fade
Greenworks Pro 18-Inch Cordless Electric Chainsaw
Specs:
- Corded/Cordless: Cordless
- Voltage: 80 Volts
- Guide Bar Length: 18 Inches
- Weight: 10.8 Pounds
- Handle Location: Rear
For those who need the most power from a cordless, with the ability to cut almost anything in your way, the Greenworks Pro 18-Inch Cordless Electric Chainsaw has you covered.
This is a medium-duty/heavy-duty cordless electric chainsaw that will easily cut through more than 200 4×4’s before needing to be recharged. It doesn’t even weigh much as it only weighs 10.8 pounds when fully assembled. The 18-inch guide bar makes mince-meat of even the largest of problems.
It is powered by the 80V lithium-ion batteries from Greenworks and works with other Greenworks products too. You can easily expect up to two hours on a single charge or up to 200 cuts through large limbs before needing to recharge. Recharging the 80V battery only takes 30 minutes before you are back up and going – enough time for a good break.
There are numerous safety features built-in including a safety switch, handguard, chain brake, and automatic tensioning systems to keep everything ready to go.
What We Like
This puts out some POWER! In fact, Greenworks claims that it will hold up against a 45cc gasoline-powered electric chainsaw. We can’t really disagree with that statement.
Overall
While this will not last all day on a single charge, what it can handle it a two-hour session will blow your mind. At 80V, it’s one of the strongest cordless options on the market. If you want power and performance, this is where you’ll find it.
Greenworks Pro 18-Inch Cordless Electric Chainsaw
- 80 Volts Of Tree-Felling Power
- Over 200 Cuts On A Single Charge Through 4×4’s
- 18-Inch Guide Bar Gives You Plenty Of Cutting Surface To Work With
DEWALT DCCS620P1 Compact Electric Chainsaw
Specs:
- Corded/Cordless: Cordless
- Voltage: 20 Volts
- Guide Bar Length: 12 Inches
- Weight: 8.8 Pounds
- Handle Location: Top
If anyone is synonymous with cordless performance, it’s the yellow brand. You probably already know the company we are talking about; for everyone else, it’s DEWALT. They’ve been around for quite a while, creating some of the most durable and sought after cordless products on the market today. And the DCCS620P1 is another great example of the quality and performance you would expect from them.
This is a compact, light-duty electric chainsaw that is designed for small, fast jobs. It doesn’t weigh much, tipping the scales at 8.8 pounds with a 12-inch guide bar (again, the industry average is around 16 inches).
The DCCS620P1 is powered by their 20V Max lithium-ion batteries that can be swapped out with any of the other cordless components in their lineup. One thing that DEWALT brags about is that the AH rating doesn’t matter, so long as it’s a 20V Max battery. That means you can use a 1.5AH battery with this chainsaw or you can use a 9.0AH battery with this chainsaw; it just means it will weigh more. Included with the DCCS620P1 is a 5.0AH battery which should last you most of the day.
For maintenance, the DCCS620P1 is equipped with an auto-oiling system. Just make sure that the oil reservoir is full and go. It will make sure that the blade stays lubricated. If you notice it getting low, remove the battery and put in some more oil. One thing to take note of is that this does go through oil a little faster than some other comparable models (not a bad thing).
For safety, the DCCS620P1 comes with a safety switch, handguard, and a built-in chain brake to prevent kickback.
What We Like
For starters, the bold YELLOW and BLACK look ultra-aggressive and manly! The fact that the 20V Max battery will work with other cordless products from DEWALT is a huge plus too. It has plenty of power for being so small, using every bit of the 12-inch guide bar and chain to cut down fairly large trees.
Overall
If you want quality and durability, you want DEWALT products. The DCCS620P1 is packed with plenty of cutting power, a semi-long guide bar for most projects, and a 5AH battery that will last through most of the day. If you have small-to-medium sized projects, you’ll be pleasantly surprised with this one.
DEWALT DCCS620P1 Compact Electric Chainsaw
- 5AH Battery For All-Day Cutting Power
- Auto-Oiling System Ensures Chain Stays Lubricated
- 20V Max Battery Works With Multiple DEWALT Cordless Products
Makita XCU02PT Electric Chainsaw
Specs:
- Corded/Cordless: Cordless
- Voltage: 36 Volts (18v + 18v)
- Guide Bar Length: 12 Inches
- Weight: 12.3 Pounds
- Handle Location: Top
Sticking with well-known brands, Makita and their blue lineup is easily recognizable on the worksite. And the Makita XCU02PT is an electric chainsaw with gasoline-powered performance.
This is a good light-duty/medium-duty electric chainsaw that can easily cut through 5 and 6-inch trees without any problems. The chainsaw is fairly heavy for a compact chainsaw, tilting the scales at 12.3 pounds. However, it’s is very well-balanced and easy to control, helping to offset some of the weight issues. The guide bar is 12 inches in length and has no problem working on larger trees.
Part of the weight issue also comes from the use of two batteries from their LXT lineup. Instead of using a single battery rated for 36 volts, they used two 18-volt batteries from their LXT lineup which gives you the ability to use the batteries on other 18-volt cordless products from Makita. Another benefit of the LXT batteries is the ability to charge/recharge faster, last longer, and avoid battery fade. Overall, you should easily be able to get 200 to 400 cuts out of a single charge.
Another notable feature from Makita and the XCU02PT is the XPT technology or Extreme Protection Technology. Basically, they’ve included a number of protective seals to keep all types of dirt, dust, and debris out, helping to keep your product running like new for longer. For your safety, they have included a safety switch and a small handguard to protect against kickback and chain breakage.
What We Like
While the dual-battery system does add a little more weight than some of the comparable markets, it seems to give you plenty of power for most any job. They last about four hours or 400 cuts, whichever comes first. This electric chainsaw doesn’t seem to get bogged down like some of the other 12-inch guide bar setups.
Overall
Even though the guide bar is a little short at only 12 inches, it still packs a serious punch. Sure, you won’t be taking down any magnolia trees with this, but you can easily take down a few shrubs or tree limbs without any problems.
Makita XCU02PT Electric Chainsaw
- Fairly Quiet With A 87dBA Rating
- Dual 5AH LXT Batteries For HUGE Power
- LXT Batteries Are Interchangeable With Other 18V Products From Makita
WORX WG303.1 Electric Chainsaw
Specs:
- Corded/Cordless: Corded
- Amperage: 14.5 Amps
- Guide Bar Length: 16 Inches
- Weight: 11.0 Pounds
- Handle Location: Rear
From an “As Seen On TV” brand to a true household name, WORX has proven they are a company to be reckoned with. While the WG303.1 is not cordless, it still holds up well when compared to some of the other cordless counterparts on our list.
This is a good medium-duty electric chainsaw that can easily cut through 8-inch and 10-inch trees. And while it can cut through some BIG trees, it doesn’t weigh nearly as much as some of its cordless counterparts with a weight of 11.0 pounds (probably due to the lack of batteries). For such a long guide bar, the WG303.1 is extremely well-balanced and easy to handle.
Since it is powered through an extension cord, it receives a full 110 volts of tree-felling power through the 14.5 AMP motor. The motor does not bog down easily and doesn’t wear down as the day goes on; you will not have to worry about battery life or recharges with this one.
WORX is known for innovation, and they’ve done a good job of packing the WG303.1 with a ton of extras. For starters, they have an auto-tensioning chain system that makes sure your chain is properly tightened for hundreds of uses. Next, they have an auto-oiling system that makes sure your chain stays lubricated so it doesn’t get bound up. Plus, they even included a safety switch and chain brake to make sure you stay safe in the worst possible scenario.
What We Like
The 14.5 amp motor absolutely plows through large trees and other smaller problems. The 16-inch guide bar doesn’t get bound up easily and the protective features definitely make you feel safer.
Overall
For those who don’t want a gasoline-powered chainsaw, this is a good place to start. With the included 14.5 amp motor and the 16-inch guide bar, there’s not much that will slow this down. The auto-tensioning, auto-oiling system makes this a one-size-fits-all solution.
WORX WG303.1 Electric Chainsaw
- Corded For All Day Power
- 3-Year Manufacturers Limited Warranty
- Gas-Powered Performance From An Electric Chainsaw
WORX WG307 JawSaw Electric Chainsaw
Specs:
- Corded/Cordless: Corded
- Amperage: 5.0 Amps
- Guide Bar Length: 6 Inches
- Weight: 8.1 Pounds
- Handle Location: Rear
Sticking with the WORX brand, now we’ll focus on a more non-traditional electric chainsaw. The JawSaw looks gimmicky, but it’s a very unique offering that actually works (pun intended).
This is specifically built for light-duty use only, but it works exceptionally well when used properly. It has a large U-shaped mouth that houses a hidden chainsaw inside. The guide bar is only 6 inches and is designed to cut tree limbs and branches that are smaller than 4 inches. It doesn’t weigh much, meaning it can be maneuvered rather easily no matter the position/location.
This is also powered through an extension cord so it’s not going to die on you at the “worst” possible time. The motor is a little underpowered for large projects, only boasting a total amperage rate of 5 amps. However, the cutting action does make up for this lackluster motor/amperage issue with a specialized scissor action.
Using the JawSaw is rather easy – you simply place it over/around whatever you want to cut and squeeze. The saw will come out of hiding, do the cutting, and go back into hiding. The double-jaw will help to protect against debris and chain break with minimal/if any kickback issues.
What We Like
Using this is super easy! You simply place it on/around whatever you want to cut, press the button, and wait – that’s it! It doesn’t weigh much and it will easily prune small limbs and cut up fallen branches.
Overall
This is a unique offering from WORX that works! This is great for pruning trees and bushes without the headache and hassle of a traditional chainsaw. For those concerned with safety, this is probably the safest electric chainsaw on the market.
Remington RM1425 Limb-N-Trim Electric Chainsaw
Specs:
- Corded/Cordless: Corded
- Amperage: 8.0 Amps
- Guide Bar Length: 14 Inches
- Weight: 6.25 Pounds
- Handle Location: Rear
This is a light-duty electric chainsaw with the ability to handle slightly larger projects in short bursts. The RM1425 is one of the lightest electric chainsaws on the market, weighing in at 6.25 pounds making it easy to work all day without getting tired.
The 14-inch guide bar can also make short work of BIG projects, but the undersized motor at 8 amps leaves you wishing for a little more power.
Since it is powered via cord, you don’t have to worry about battery fade or battery life. Instead, just make sure you have an open outlet and let the power flow. For safety, it has a built-in trigger safety and wraparound handguard for chain breakage. Plus, the blade is designed to minimize kickback for additional user protection.
What We Like
This is one of the lightest electric chainsaws we’ve seen yet. Using it feels like a feather when compared to some of the other offerings. You’ll easily be able to use this all day without any major stress/strain.
Overall
For those looking for a good mix of power and lightweight design, the RM1425 is perfect. The Limb-N-Trim from Remington is designed for small, light-duty work and it holds up extremely well.
Remington RM1425 Limb-N-Trim Electric Chainsaw
- One Of The Lightest Electric Chainsaws On The Market
- Wraparound Handguard For Extreme Protection
- Push Button Oiling System
Greenworks 18-Inch Electric Chainsaw
Specs:
- Corded/Cordless: Corded
- Amperage: 14.5 Amps
- Guide Bar Length: 18 Inches
- Weight: 12.1 Pounds
- Handle Location: Rear
With a name like Greenworks, it better work – and it does! This is designed for medium-duty/heavy-duty work with the included 18-inch guide bar. It is powered by a STRONG 14.5 amp motor paired with pair from a standard power outlet. As it isn’t cordless, you won’t be left holding a dead chainsaw while waiting for another battery to charge. No matter the size of the project, or the time needed to finish, the Greenworks electric chainsaw will be ready to go.
It has several notable features including push-button start, automatic oiling for the chain, cord lock system, chain brake system, and a built-in chain tensioner. Overall, there’s not much to complain about with this one.
What We Like
For BIG problems, you should pull out this electric chainsaw. It has an 18-inch guide bar that will easily cut through trees up to 12 inches while still being able to plow down much bigger problems.
Overall
When size matters, go for the Greenworks 18” electric chainsaw. You won’t be left wishing for a couple of more inches with this bad boy! While the others work with smaller, less powerful chains/blades, you’ll have enough to destroy anything in your path.
Greenworks 18-Inch Electric Chainsaw
- Corded For All Day Power
- Longest Guide Bar On Our List
- Powerful 14.5 AMP Motor
Earthwise CS33016 Electric Chainsaw
Specs:
- Corded/Cordless: Corded
- Amperage: 12.0 Amps
- Guide Bar Length: 16 Inches
- Weight: 9.9 Pounds
- Handle Location: Rear
Finishing out our list is a great mid-level option from Earthwise. This is a light-duty only electric chainsaw that uses a power cord to stay running all day. While the motor is not 14+ amps, the 12 amp motor will still easily cut up most anything in its path. Since it is designed to work without batteries, you won’t have to worry about battery life/fade.
It is equipped with a tool-less tensioning system to keep the chain “just right” while incorporating several safety features to keep your hands and body safe even in the worst of situations. While it does have a long 16-inch guide bar, you’ll be best to stay under 8-inch cuts as this will bog down/bind up some.
What We Like
This is another great corded electric chainsaw that can easily handle tree clearing and bush removal without any major hiccups. The 12 amp motor doesn’t get bogged down as long as you stay under 6 inches.
Overall
The Earthwise CS33016 is a great budget-friendly option that works well. It won’t be the strongest or the flashiest option, but it’ll do when you need it.
Earthwise CS33016 Electric Chainsaw
- No Battery Life/Fade Issues
- Powerful 12.0 AMP Motor
- 14” Guide Bar
Buyer’s Guide To Find The Best Electric Chainsaw
With so many electric chainsaws available on the market today, how do you find the best one for you? It would be quite easy to become overwhelmed trying to figure out which features matter and which ones don’t. Today, we are going to explain which features matter in which ones are just fluff. Using this guide, you should easily be able to narrow down your search and find the perfect electric chainsaw for you.
Consider Your Working Environment
Now, we are not talking about being an environmentalist here – we’re talking about where you work and what you will be doing. For home projects, and electric chainsaw can be extremely useful and practical. It is easy to store and always ready to go. Generally, all you will need is a power cord and a plug-in outlet; in some cases, you can even use an on-site generator if it has enough wattage.
But, if you were talking about construction projects and other heavy-duty worksite projects, it is possible that you will not have enough power from an electric chainsaw. There are some heavy-duty/commercial electric chainsaws, but they are extremely expensive and are useful only in certain situations such as disaster areas or sites where gasoline/electricity is not available.
In most cases, an electric chainsaw will work best for small to medium-sized projects that will not require a ton of runtime. Remember, you will be limited by how far you can use your chainsaw (i.e. extension cords) or by how long your electric chainsaw will run on a battery. Most people do not use generators with an electric chainsaw (it is possible; it is not pragmatic). Therefore, make sure you consider your work environment before purchasing an electric chainsaw.
Guide Bar Length
Chainsaws, whether gasoline-powered or electric-powered, have a guide bar that helps to keep the chain moving as expected – thus the reason for the word “guide”. The cutting chain sits on top of the guide bar and rotates around it whenever the user needs it to. The guide bar length is measured from the top of the chain to where it enters into the actual chainsaw housing. Therefore, your guide bar length determines the maximum depth of which you can cut.
For instance, if you have a 14-inch guide bar, then you can cut up to a 14-inch tree (theoretically). In all honesty, if you have a 14-inch guide bar, then the maximum you should attempt to cut is a 12-inch tree (one inch of freedom on each side of the guide bar). Also, you could double your cutting depth by using it on one side first and then switching to the other. If you feel that you will need more than 20 inches of guide bar length, then you should be looking for a heavy-duty chainsaw that’s not going to be on this list.
For most homeowners, a light-duty chainsaw will have a guide bar length of less than 14 inches. A medium-duty chainsaw will have a guide bar length ranging from 16 inches to 20 inches. And a heavy-duty chainsaw will have a guide bar length starting around 22 inches going up; this is more for professional jobs.
One thing to note, the larger the guide bar length, the more difficult it is to handle. A larger guide bar tends to have more chain wrapped around it as well as a different center of gravity, making it much more difficult to hold for long periods of time. Plus, a chainsaw with a longer guide bar is more likely to experience kickback. Kickback occurs whenever the tip of the guide bar comes in contact with another object while in motion or when the guide bar gets pinched; both of these scenarios can cause kickback. In some cases, kickback can become very dangerous as it causes the chain to fly off while still in motion.
It is important to remember that a chainsaw is extremely dangerous. Its purpose is to cut through very thick and hard things. It could easily cut through clothing and/or skin without slowing down. If you are not comfortable with using an electric chainsaw, you should consider contacting a professional to handle your cutting needs.
Power Source
Electric chainsaws get their power from one of two sources: power cords or batteries. Power cords provide the most consistent and the most reliable power of the two options. Generally speaking, power cords work at a consistent 110 volts. As it stands right now, the batteries used for cordless electric chainsaws are not as strong.
But, battery-powered/cordless electric chainsaws are much more portable, especially in situations where electricity is not available (i.e. disaster sites). Another caveat of battery-powered/cordless electric chainsaws is that a battery will die at some point where a power cord that is plugged into an electrical outlet will not.
For the most part, a battery-powered/cordless electric chainsaw is best for light and or medium-duty workloads. An electric chainsaw that works directly from an outlet will outperform a cordless chainsaw many times over. But, for the BIG jobs, an electric chainsaw is probably not the best option – it might work, but it’s not the best option.
Ergonomics
Most people look at cutting length and power, but totally forget to consider how it feels in their hands. While it is hard to consider the ergonomic design when looking at them online, it is still possible.
One notable way is to pay attention to the handle location – there are two different locations. One is located on the top and one is located on the back. The top handle puts your driving hand directly behind/above the chain. The back handle puts your driving hand on the back in line with the blade. In most cases, a rear-handled chainsaw will be the easiest to control and drive with. Top-handled chainsaws can be used with one hand, but are for specialized purposes and should be used only when the user is properly secured (i.e. strapping).
Another aspect of chainsaw ergonomics is weight. How much a chainsaw weighs can affect how long you can comfortably use it before it becomes unsafe/dangerous. When you become fatigued, there is a chance that you will start using unsafe cutting practices to compensate for the weight of the chainsaw. Therefore, you should look for a chainsaw that is light/heavy enough for you while still being able to cut through whatever you need it for.
Ease Of Maintenance
While electric chainsaws don’t require the same maintenance that a gasoline-powered chainsaw does, they still require cleaning and lubrication. Plus, you will still have to sharpen/replace the chains at some point.
Generally, you’ll want a simple cleaning/maintenance process as this won’t be a constant-use chainsaw. Therefore, find out how hard it is to lubricate and clean the chain. Plus, find out what tools you’ll need to sharpen/replace the chains. You may find that the difficulty level makes one of the chainsaws you were considering a big “NO”.
Safety Features
Chainsaws are very dangerous and should be handled with extreme caution. But even the best still manage to break from time to time. Which is why you need to make sure that the chainsaw you are considering has plenty of safety features.
Some of the more important safety features include a chain brake, a chain catcher, a right handguard, a throttle lock, and even a stop button. Some manufacturers have other safety features, but these are the most common and necessary ones to consider.
Warranty
And finally, make sure that you look at the warranty period for your chainsaw. Most likely, these will sit up for quite a while before they are pulled out a second time. If they stop working for some unknown reason, knowing that you are still in the warranty period will make it easy to get it repaired/replaced without having to foot a big bill.
The most reputable companies make sure to cover their products for defects in materials and/or workmanship for at least a year; some go much further than that. Ultimately, the brand and the quality of the build will determine the warranty length. If you don’t want to be stuck with a broken chainsaw, consider finding a chainsaw with a LONG warranty.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: Do electric chainsaws still need oil to work?
A: While electric chainsaws do not have a gasoline engine that requires oil, the chain itself still does. Over time, the lubrication oil that is on a chain will wear off due to heat and friction. Which means that electric chain saws do still need oil to work properly.
Q: Is a corded electric chainsaw better than a cordless chainsaw?
A: This is a loaded question, but corded electric chainsaws are almost always better than cordless chainsaws. For starters, a corded electric chainsaw is already receiving 110 volts of power continuously. It does not slow down/weaken as it gets used because it is receiving power from an unlimited supply (i.e. wall outlet). Corded electric chainsaws tend to have stronger motors that are designed to chew through more complex situations as well without getting overheated.
Cordless chainsaws are limited by battery voltage and battery life. Most batteries are capable of producing between 20 and 40 volts of power (some a little higher); this is roughly half of what a corded electric chainsaw receives. Next, cordless electric chain saws are limited by how long the battery will last. Most batteries will last between one hour and four hours before they need to be recharged again. In some cases, the battery will start to put out less power as it weakens. And, most cordless electric chainsaws have smaller motors in order to help save/conserve power.
In the end, the argument of which is better (i.e. corded vs. cordless) really comes down to what your purpose is. If you need an electric chainsaw that will be available for small jobs around the yard, a cordless is one of the fastest options. However, if you know that you’re going to need it for a full day, a corded chainsaw is probably the best option. Again, it comes down to what your purpose is.
Overall, we would say that a corded electric chainsaw is better than a cordless chainsaw.
Q: Can I use an electric chainsaw with a generator?
A: Generally speaking, the purpose of an electric chainsaw is to avoid the use of gasoline/fuel; using a generator goes against this principle. But, if you are in the middle of nowhere with an electric chainsaw and a generator, then it would be possible.
Of course, you would need to make sure that you have a generator that can produce enough wattage for your electric chainsaw. In most cases, you will need at minimum 2000 watts of power for your electric chainsaw to run. In truth, it would be better if you had a gas-powered chainsaw at that point.
Q: How long will a cordless chainsaw battery last?
A: Most cordless chainsaw batteries last between one hour and four hours depending on use and size. We cannot say that one will only last one hour, nor can we say that one will last up to four hours (or longer). All we can do is give you a range of expectation. Some manufacturers are creating new batteries that can last longer, but these are rather expensive and still “new” in production.
Q: Are electric chainsaws lighter than gasoline-powered chainsaws?
A: Generally speaking, electric chain saws are in fact lighter than gasoline-powered chainsaws. There are several reasons for this, but the most notable is the motor itself. Electric motors tend to be lighter while still producing huge amounts of torque. Also, liquid (i.e. gas, fuel) weighs about 8 pounds per gallon and an electric chainsaw does not require any type of fuel (other than electricity).
Q: Are electric chainsaws able to do everything a gasoline-powered chainsaw can?
A: By definition, a chainsaw is designed to cut through wood and other objects. Can an electric chainsaw do this? Absolutely! Can it do it as efficiently and/or effectively? Probably not…
If you need a chainsaw for a heavy-duty job, then a gasoline-powered chainsaw is most likely the best bet. However, there are some electric chainsaws that are designed for heavy-duty/professional use. Unfortunately, these heavy-duty/professional chainsaws are fairly expensive and outside of the scope of this list.
Conclusion
Well, that’s everything we have! These are the best options available right now in the electric chainsaw market. Hopefully, you were able to find a suitable option for all of your cutting needs. If not, the included buyer’s guide should help you narrow down your search.
Product Boxes: Last updated on 2021-03-20 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API