The 3 Best Electric Chainsaws of 2026: Expert Picks and Buying Guide

Our Top 3 Picks at a Glance

• Best Overall: Milwaukee M18 FUEL 16-Inch Cordless Chainsaw Kit (2727-21HD) (around $500). A pro grade M18 FUEL saw that ships as a complete kit, built for people who want gas like cutting without gas.
• Best Value: EGO POWER+ CS1613 16-Inch 56V Cordless Chainsaw (around $300). Rated by EGO as equivalent to a 40cc gas saw, with tool free tensioning and a 4.0Ah battery included.
• Runner Up: DEWALT FLEXVOLT 60V MAX 16-Inch Brushless Chainsaw Kit (around $330). A solid 16 inch FLEXVOLT saw for DEWALT users who need a serious cordless option.

The product table above also lists strong alternatives, including EGO's 20 inch CS2005 for bigger jobs, Greenworks 80V saws, the compact DEWALT DCCS620 and budget friendly corded saws from Oregon, BLACK+DECKER and WEN. If you are not sure what bar length you need, our guide on what size chainsaw do i need walks through it.

Remember that the best electric chainsaw for occasional pruning around a suburban yard is not the same as the right saw for cutting firewood on a few acres. Start with the jobs you do most often, then pick the bar length and battery platform that fit them.

How We Chose the Best Electric Chainsaw

Cutting performance came first. We looked at bar length, chain speed, motor type and how each saw handles hardwood logs, storm debris and limbing. A saw that bogs down in a thick round or needs constant chain adjustment is not a good tool, no matter how cheap it is.

We then weighed owner feedback on Amazon, giving more trust to models with a large base of verified reviews and consistent comments about reliability over several seasons. Price against features came next, including whether the battery and charger are included, how many cuts per charge the maker claims and what else runs on the same battery. Safety features such as chain brakes and low kickback chains were essential, and every pick had to be a current model that is in stock and buyable on amazon.com right now.

Finally, we paid attention to everyday details that matter once the saw is in your hands: how easy the chain is to tension, how well the oiler works, whether the saw feels balanced when limbing and how much it weighs with the battery attached.

Electric Chainsaw Reviews

1. Milwaukee M18 FUEL 16-Inch Cordless Chainsaw Kit (2727-21HD): Best Overall

• Milwaukee M18 FUEL 18V platform
• 16 inch bar and chain
• Sold as a complete kit with battery and charger (the 2727-20 is the bare tool)
• Runs on M18 REDLITHIUM batteries shared with Milwaukee power tools

Why We Picked It

Milwaukee's M18 FUEL line is built for professionals, and the 16 inch chainsaw is one of the tools that convinced many contractors and arborists to give up on gas for everyday cutting. It is the saw we would hand to a homeowner who wants gas like cutting speed without mixing fuel, pulling a starter cord or warming up an engine on a cold morning. Owners consistently describe it as fast, strong and dependable in hardwood, and it has built a large base of positive reviews across both the kit and the bare tool versions.

The kit version is the one to buy if you are new to Milwaukee, because it ships with everything you need to start cutting. If you already own M18 batteries from a drill or impact driver, the bare tool version (2727-20) is a cheaper way to add the saw to your collection. Either way, you get access to one of the largest cordless platforms on the market, with hundreds of tools that use the same packs.

Like most battery saws, it starts instantly at the pull of a trigger and runs far quieter than a comparable gas saw, which is a relief when you are cleaning up storm damage early in the morning or working near neighbors. There is no idle noise between cuts and no fumes, and maintenance is limited to keeping the chain sharp, the bar oiled and the battery charged.

The trade off is weight and price. With a large M18 pack attached, it is a substantial saw, and the kit costs more than many gas saws of a similar size. For people who cut regularly, the convenience and power justify that cost.

It is also worth thinking about how the saw fits your wider tool collection. Milwaukee's M18 range includes blowers, string trimmers, pole saws and hedge trimmers alongside its drills and saws, so the batteries you buy with this kit will keep earning their keep long after the woodpile is stacked.

Pros

• Gas like cutting speed in hardwood
• Instant start and low noise
• Excellent, jobsite ready build
• Huge M18 battery ecosystem

Cons

• Heavy with a large battery attached
• Expensive kit

Who Should Buy It

The Milwaukee M18 FUEL kit is the right choice for serious homeowners, landowners and pros who want gas level performance without gas. At around $500 for the kit, it is an investment, but it is the best durable cordless chainsaw on our list for people who cut often.

Check Price on Amazon

2. EGO POWER+ CS1613 16-Inch 56V Cordless Chainsaw: Best Value

• 56V ARC Lithium 4.0Ah battery and charger included
• 16 inch bar with 3/8 inch pitch, 0.043 inch gauge chain (56 drive links)
• Brushless motor rated by EGO as equivalent to a 40cc gas chainsaw
• Chain speed up to 20 m/s
• Tool free chain tensioning with a twist dial
• IPX4 weather resistance and a low profile dial for cutting flush to the ground

Why We Picked It

The CS1613 is the saw we would recommend to most homeowners. EGO rates its brushless motor as equivalent to a 40cc gas chainsaw, with chain speeds up to 20 m/s, which is plenty for storm cleanup, pruning large limbs and cutting firewood to length. It comes with a 56V 4.0Ah battery and charger, so there is nothing else to buy before your first cut.

Tool free tensioning is one of its most practical features. Instead of loosening bar nuts with a wrench, you adjust chain tension with the twist of a dial, which makes it easy to keep the chain properly tight as it warms up and stretches. That small convenience adds up, because a correctly tensioned chain cuts faster, wears less and is safer to use.

The 16 inch bar uses a 3/8 inch pitch, 0.043 inch gauge chain with 56 drive links designed for hardwood, softwood and branches. EGO also gives it IPX4 weather resistance, so a light drizzle will not stop work, and a low profile dial design lets you cut close to the ground when clearing stumps or fallen trunks.

The battery fits every tool in EGO's 56V lineup, from mowers to leaf blowers and string trimmers. If you already own EGO tools, or plan to build a cordless yard kit, this saw slots right in and makes every battery more useful.

Pros

• Powerful and smooth cutting for its price
• Quiet with push button start
• Tool free chain tensioning
• Large EGO 56V tool ecosystem

Cons

• Battery adds noticeable weight
• Extra batteries are pricey

Who Should Buy It

Choose the CS1613 if you want an all round cordless saw for storm cleanup, pruning and firewood at a fair price. At around $300 with battery and charger, it is the best battery powered chainsaw for most homeowners and an easy entry into the EGO system.

Check Price on Amazon

3. DEWALT FLEXVOLT 60V MAX 16-Inch Brushless Chainsaw Kit: Runner Up

• DEWALT FLEXVOLT 60V MAX platform
• 16 inch bar
• Kit with a 2Ah FLEXVOLT battery
• FLEXVOLT batteries also work in DEWALT 20V MAX tools

Why We Picked It

DEWALT owners have a natural choice in the FLEXVOLT 60V MAX chainsaw. It runs on DEWALT's FLEXVOLT batteries, which also power the brand's 20V MAX tools, so a single battery collection can run your drill, your circular saw and your chainsaw. For contractors and serious DIYers who already have a shelf full of yellow tools, that is a big advantage.

The 16 inch bar is a versatile size for homeowners. It is long enough to buck firewood rounds and fell small trees, yet short enough to stay manageable when limbing or trimming. The saw has a reputation for strong torque and a tough jobsite build, and it feels like a tool designed to be used hard and often.

The included 2Ah battery is the weak point of this kit. It keeps the price and weight down, but it limits how much you can cut on one charge. If you plan to cut regularly, pairing the saw with a larger FLEXVOLT battery makes a big difference to runtime. That is why it sits behind the EGO for most first time buyers, but it is still a strong pick for anyone in the DEWALT system.

Pros

• Strong torque for its size
• Tough jobsite build
• Battery works across DEWALT 20V MAX tools

Cons

• Heavy for occasional users
• Small included battery limits runtime

Who Should Buy It

The DEWALT FLEXVOLT kit makes the most sense for DEWALT users who need a serious cordless saw and already own, or plan to buy, larger FLEXVOLT batteries. At around $330, it is a sensible way to add a chainsaw to an existing DEWALT collection.

Check Price on Amazon

Who Should Buy a Cordless Chainsaw (and Who Should Not)

A cordless chainsaw is a great fit for most homeowners. If you clean up storm damage, prune trees, cut a few cords of firewood each year or clear brush along a fence line, a modern battery saw has more than enough power. It starts instantly, needs no fuel mixing or carburetor cleaning and is far quieter than gas, which matters in suburban neighborhoods. Many people looking for the best easy to use cordless chainsaw are switching from gas for exactly those reasons.

Budget buyers have good options too. The best affordable cordless chainsaw models from CRAFTSMAN, BLACK+DECKER and SEESII handle pruning and small storm cleanup for well under $200, while corded saws from Oregon and WEN cost even less if you work close to an outlet. They lack the power of the premium picks but cover light jobs well.

Battery saws also suit people who only use a chainsaw a few times a year. Gas saws often refuse to start after months in storage, while a battery saw is ready whenever you charge it. If you already own batteries from a major brand, adding the bare tool is an affordable way in.

A cordless saw is not for every job. Felling large trees, milling lumber or cutting firewood all day on a big property still favors a powerful gas saw with a longer bar, since you can refuel in seconds. Very occasional users who only trim small branches may be better served by a compact or corded saw. If you want to compare every type, see our main best chainsaw roundup, which includes gas models.

How to Choose the Best Electric Chainsaw

These are the factors that make the biggest difference once you start cutting, and they will help you find the best electric chainsaw for your property. Getting them right matters more than chasing the highest voltage on the box.

Bar Length and Cutting Capacity

Bar length sets the size of wood you can cut comfortably. A 12 to 14 inch bar handles pruning and small limbs, 16 inches is the sweet spot for most homeowners, and 18 to 20 inches suits larger trees and firewood rounds. As a rule, choose a bar a couple of inches longer than the thickest wood you cut regularly. Longer bars add weight and need more power, so do not buy more bar than you need.

Gas vs Battery vs Corded

Battery saws offer freedom and convenience with no fumes. Corded electric saws are light, cheap and never run out of power, but the cord limits range, which makes them best for cutting near the house. Gas saws remain the choice for heavy, all day work in remote areas. For most homeowners, a battery saw is now the best balance of power and convenience.

Engine Size or Battery Voltage

Gas saws are rated by engine size in cc, while battery saws use voltage and often quote a gas equivalent, such as 40cc. Higher voltage platforms (40V to 80V) usually mean more power. Amp hours (Ah) tell you about runtime, so a bigger battery means more cuts per charge but more weight.

Weight and Balance

A heavy saw tires your arms quickly, especially when limbing. Check the weight with the battery installed, and look for a saw that feels balanced in both hands. For pruning and light jobs, the best compact cordless chainsaw options with 12 inch bars are much easier to control.

Chain Brake and Safety Features

A chain brake stops the chain instantly if kickback throws the saw toward you. Look for a front hand guard that activates the brake, a low kickback chain and bar, a chain catcher and a trigger lockout. Always wear chaps, eye and ear protection, gloves and sturdy boots, whichever saw you choose.

If you are new to chainsaws, take time to read the manual, practice on small logs on a sawhorse and never cut above shoulder height. A battery saw is easier to handle than gas, but it deserves the same respect.

Tool Free Tensioning

Chains stretch as they warm up and wear, so you will adjust tension often. Tool free tensioning lets you do it with a dial or knob instead of a wrench, which means you are more likely to keep the chain at the right tension. That improves cutting speed, extends chain life and makes the saw safer.

An automatic oiler is just as important. Bar and chain oil keeps friction and heat down, and a clear oil window lets you check the level at a glance. Running a saw dry will ruin the bar and chain quickly, so make checking the oil part of your routine before every job.

Runtime and Battery Ecosystem

Runtime depends on battery size, wood type and how hard you push the saw. Makers often quote cuts per charge on 4x4 lumber, which is useful for comparison. Think about which brand you already own, because sharing batteries with your mower, trimmer or drill saves money. A spare battery doubles your working time for big cleanup days.

Charging time matters too. A rapid charger can bring a battery back in about an hour, which means you can alternate two packs and work almost continuously. Without a spare, plan your cutting in short sessions and stack or split wood while the battery charges.

FAQs About Electric Chainsaws

How long does a cordless chainsaw last?

A good cordless chainsaw can last many years, often ten or more, because brushless motors have few wearing parts. Chains and bars are consumables that you will sharpen and replace over time, and batteries usually last several seasons before capacity drops noticeably. Keeping the chain sharp and the bar oiled helps the saw last much longer.

Is a cordless chainsaw worth the money?

For most homeowners, yes. A cordless chainsaw starts instantly, needs no fuel or tune ups and is much quieter than gas. It handles storm cleanup, pruning and firewood with ease. If you already own batteries from the same brand, the bare tool is especially good value.

How much should I spend on a cordless chainsaw?

Compact 12 inch saws with batteries cost around $150 to $250. Strong 16 inch saws from major brands usually run around $250 to $500 with a battery and charger. For a full breakdown, see how much does a chainsaw cost.

How do I maintain a cordless chainsaw?

Keep the chain sharp and correctly tensioned, and check the bar oil before each use. Clean sawdust from the bar groove, sprocket and motor vents after cutting. Flip the bar occasionally to spread wear evenly, and store the battery indoors at room temperature over winter.

Final Verdict

The Milwaukee M18 FUEL 16 inch kit is the best electric chainsaw for anyone who wants gas like performance and a tool built to last, especially if you already use M18 batteries. Most homeowners will get the best value from the EGO POWER+ CS1613, which pairs strong cutting with tool free tensioning and a 4.0Ah battery at a fair price. DEWALT owners should look at the FLEXVOLT 60V MAX kit. Whichever you choose, any of these three is a big step up in convenience from an old gas saw, and each one is the best electric chainsaw for a slightly different kind of user. Prices change often, so check today's price on Amazon before you buy.