The 7 Best Battery Powered Chainsaws of 2022
The sunny days of spring are already showing themselves after the recent winter storms, which means it’s time to start cleaning up downed trees.
The chainsaw is the single most important tool you can have for maintaining your woodlands, period.
If you have chopped down, or chopped up a large timber with an axe and manual saw, then you know that no matter how good the quality of those tools, they pale in comparison to what you can accomplish with a quality chainsaw.
It will render your day’s tree work much more productive. I can tell you that it increased my downed tree processing capacity by 1000%. When you go from processing 2 large timbers in a day to 20, you will not want to go back; save for maybe the occasional workout.
There are a few different types of chainsaws on the market and it’s important to know what to consider before making your purchase.
Which Is Better, Gas Or Battery Powered Chainsaws?
The first question to consider is whether you want to go with a gas powered or battery powered chainsaw. To be fair, there is one reason a Rugged Man might opt for gas powered, and that is if they are a professional tree cutter or arborist and require many hours a day of cutting and processing dozens of trees.
Everyone else, and I do mean everyone else, can have their needs more than met by battery powered chainsaws. Gas powered chainsaws do tend to be slightly less expensive in upfront costs, but this is an illusion and I’ll explain why in the next section.
As for application and ergonomics, batteries are no more of a hassle to carry than a can of fuel, and in fact are becoming much less so as the technology improves.
Most batteries have an hour or two of continuous running capacity. This means if you hold the trigger for a solid 60-120 minutes, it would drain that battery. If you have done much tree work, then you know that is not how a chainsaw is typically utilized.
The intermittent engagement of the trigger (power) means your battery life will extend well past that 60-120 minute range. Having multiple batteries on full charge before starting your day ensures that there is virtually no chance of disruption on account of having no power.
Are Battery Powered Chainsaws Worth It?
The follow up question you may be pondering is likely; is it worth it to invest a little bit extra in a battery system vs. the slightly less up-front costs of the gas powered system? The short answer here is yes, it is absolutely worth it.
Though gas powered chainsaws tend to cost a little less at purchase, remember you will be purchasing fuel for the machine forever. With battery powered chainsaws, your “fuel” purchase is included in the upfront cost, as long as you can cover the electric to charge them, the batteries will run for a very long time when properly maintained.
Another major perk to the battery powered system is that it can often share compatibility with other tools from that manufacturer. So if you have DeWalt FLEXVOLT tools, or Makita or Milwaukee battery powered tools, you can find top quality battery powered chainsaws on this list that will work off the same battery system.
This changes the game, not only in terms of fluidity between tasks, but the extra assurance you have enough power to complete the tasks you need with the chainsaw.
As someone who may be framing, finishing, or doing tree work, depending on the day; this is my favorite feature of battery powered chainsaws.
What Is The Most Powerful Battery Powered Chainsaw?
With power capacity being such a centerpiece topic, you may be asking which battery powered chainsaw boasts the most power. If this is of high importance to you then you have come to the right place.
I am also interested in having the most powerful battery operated chainsaw I can find, and as a result this list comprises the most powerful battery powered chainsaws on the market.
In terms of which among them is most powerful, I have singled out one chainsaw in particular and it is the first chainsaw on this list.
Who Makes The Best Battery Powered Chainsaw?
This question of “who makes the best” may be what you were asking yourself if you expect the top manufacturers to produce a similar power output. This is something that is slightly dependent on your circumstances.
The power output among the major brands is consistent enough for the average user’s needs, in my opinion, that your choice may come down to something like compatibility with other tools, or personal aesthetics like grip, feel, and handling.
For instance, our first entry, the MILWAUKEE M-18 18V Lithium Ion Battery Powered Chainsaw is the most powerful battery operated chainsaw currently available on the market.
However, if you are already utilizing the DeWalt FLEXVOLT system with other tools, it likely makes the most sense to go with our second entry, the DEWALT FLEXVOLT 60 16” Battery Powered Chainsaw.
The power difference between these is real, but not so great that the average user would be affected by it. The battery life of the MILWAUKEE M-18 is second to none, but if you have 2-5 FLEXVOLT 60 batteries from other tools, this will be a non-factor.
This is an example of weighing what factors matter to you when narrowing down a selection. No matter what factor your priority is, the chainsaws I’ve chosen below make up the only list you will need to consult when selecting The 7 Best Battery-Powered Chainsaws of 2022!
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The Best Cordless Chainsaws of 2022
Milwaukee 2727-20 M18 Fuel 18 Volt Lithium-Ion Battery 16”
This is the power pick. If you are looking for the highest output of performance and a tremendous beast of a battery, the Milwaukee M-18 Fuel 16” is ready to deliver.
This chainsaw sports a brushless motor and is powered by a 12.0 Ah battery! Milwaukee has received a lot of well deserved credit in recent years for their improvements in battery output; and this chainsaw produces the equivalent of a 40cc gas powered chainsaw while generating 50% more output with 50% less heat than standard REDLITHIUM batteries.
One of my favorite things about this chainsaw is something Milwaukee calls REDLINK PLUS intelligence system. This system provides safety for overloads while ensuring high performance when you are doing intensive cutting.
The Oregon Bar and Chain is 16” which is plenty for most non-production timber work. This chainsaw is meant to make you forget you ever needed a gas powered one, and never want to go back.
The veritable speed trigger system is capable of reaching full throttle in less than a second, which means you will be able to make cleaner cuts in a more timely manner than you could with a gas powered chainsaw.
If you have a lot of property to manage, you need to make the MILWAUKEE M-18 FUEL 18V/16” a finalist on your list.
FEATURES & SPECS:
16” Oregon Bar and Chain
15.27lbs
One 18Volt RED LITHIUM-Ion M-18FUEL battery @ 12.0 Ah
POWERSTATE Brushless Motor
REDLINK PLUS Intelligence System - Provides protection to saw and battery from overloads
Full-Control, Veritable Speed Trigger System
Cuts Per Charge: Approximately 150
If you have followed some of my previous posts regarding tools, you know that I am a fan of the DeWalt FLEXVOLT system, the DEWALT FLEXVOLT 16” is a great addition to that family of tools.
One of the things that makes this chainsaw particularly great is it’s ease of use. Like most DeWalt products, its ease of use and ergonomic maintenance features make it a tough choice to pass up.
The chain tension system is tool free and easily adjusted. The Lubrilink and Lubriwell auto-oiling system allows for continuous lubrication of the bar and chain while operational, with only a quarter turn cap to refill the reservoir.
The DEWALT FLEXVOLT 16” sports a Chain Break for kickback protection. This is a tremendous feature, and perhaps my favorite as I am a sucker for excellent safety features on more dangerous tools and equipment.
The bar retention knob is both tooled and tooless to allow for proper bar clamping force. It provides 70 cuts per charge, but as I’ve said, if you have other DEWALT FLEXVOLT batteries already, you could be at 140 or 210 cuts in no time.
It also weighs just 12.2 lbs which is 3lbs less than our first chainsaw. All in all, this chainsaw is the team-player of the list and makes sense because of its ease of use and ease of maintenance.
FEATURES & SPECS:
16” Bar and Chain
12.2lbs
Tool-Free Chain Tensioning
Lubrilink and Lubriwell Auto-Oiling System
Chain-Break Kick Back Protection
Up to 70 Cuts Per Charge
Combination Tooled and Tooless Bar Retention Knob
One 60V FLEXVOLT Battery Included 3.0Ah per 60V/ 9.0Ah per 20V
When it comes to heavy outdoor equipment, Greenworks is certainly building a solid reputation for themselves.
The GREENWORKS 80V 18” CORDLESS CHAINSAW is another example of excellent performance with accompaniment by a family of other tools.
If you already own GREENWORKS battery powered landscaping equipment, this chainsaw is a no-brainer for you. The 80 volt 2.0Ah battery rapid charges in just 30 minutes and provides up to 150 cuts per charge.
The 18” bar and chain is designed to have low kickbacks, but a chain break is equipped for added protection.
Like our previous two entries, the GREENWORKS 80V 18” CORDLESS CHAINSAW boasts a brushless motor which provides longer and smoother run times, and extends the life of the motor.
Like the DeWalt FLEXVOLT, this chainsaw is equipped with an auto lubrication system to deliver oil to the bar and chain continuously.
At 12.5lbs, this is a great hybrid of the MILWAUKEE’S power and the DEWALT’S ease of handling.
The GREENWORKS 80V 18” CORDLESS CHAINSAW is a great chainsaw no matter how big your property or workload.
FEATURES & SPECS:
80 Volt/ 2Ah rapid charging Battery (30 min to full charge) equivalent to 42cc gas power
Low Kickback Designed 18” Bar and Chain with Chain Break
Brushless Motor
Automatic Lubrication System - Delivers Oil Continuously To Bar and Chain
Comes with 1 Hardshell Case
12.5lbs
Makita makes a high quality tool, and their chainsaws do not let down that standard.
I chose the MAKITA X2 18-V LXT 14” for two reasons: it delivers that same high quality performance standard we have already set with our last few picks, and because it offers tremendous safety mechanisms to boot.
The BL brushless motor direct-drive system is highly efficient and quiet, and delivers power equivalent to a 32cc gas powered chainsaw.
The LED on/off switch has an auto off for extended breaks, which helps prevent unnecessary loss of charge. The veritable speed trigger produces a high chain speed very quickly for smooth and accurate cuts.
The chain adjustment is tooless and allows for easy maintenance, which is very important. You don’t want to spend half your day trying to get the chainsaw working, you may as well just grab an axe. Getting quality equipment, such as the MAKITA X2 18-V LXT 14” chainsaw, ensures you won't have to resort to more primitive ways.
My favorite features on this chainsaw are it’s safety mechanisms. The built in Lock-Off lever helps prevent the chain from accidental engagement, and the XPT; Extreme Protection Technology provides resistance to dust and water when harsh weather hits your worksite. The oil filling port has an access window so you can view the level of your bar and chain oil at all times.
FEATURES & SPECS:
Makita built - BL Brushless Motor Direct Drive System
Equivalent to a 32cc gas powered chainsaw
Variable Speed Trigger reaches max throttle quickly for efficient, quality cuts
Tool-less Chain Adjustment for easy fixes
Built-in Lock-Off Lever which helps prevent accidental engagement of the chain
LED on/off switch has Auto-Power Off to save power when not engaged for a long period
2 - 18V LXT Lithium-Ion Batteries Included
Low Noise Level
XPT - Extreme Protection Technology mitigates dust and water when working in the elements
I thought it was important to highlight a pruning saw. Not every limb and branch requires a full sized chainsaw to properly break down, and before you know it brush piles up.
Pruning saws not only make this job a quick and hassle free morning check off the list, they are ideal if you have permaculture or landscaping to maintain.
The Milwaukee M12 HATCHET is among the finest quality pruning saw the typical Rugged Man could ask for. I love the guarded grip and trigger system with a secondary hand placement area possible on top of the saw.
The 6” Oregon Bar and Chain makes the Milwaukee M12 HATCHET fantastic for walking your trails and taking down small trees popping up in places you do not want them.
The M12 REDLITHIUM 4.0 XC uses the same technology as the MILWAUKEE M18 full size though the two batteries are not interchangeable between the tools, however this pruning saw benefits from that same excellent battery life.
At 7.48lbs this saw is easy for even our senior rugged men to pack around the homestead.
Milwaukee lists no official cut per charge number, but the consensus is in the 90 to 110 cuts per charge range. That is a great capacity when you consider being able to down 50 or so small trees from your trails or food plot areas and then be able to process them in two with a 6”, 7 and a half pound pruning saw.
If you do property maintenance in any fashion, be it on hunting land or on your suburban family home, the Milwaukee M12 HATCHET is a game changer.
FEATURES & SPECS:
6” Oregon Bar and Chain with protective scabbard
7.48lbs
1 REDLITHIUM M12 4.0XC Lithium-Ion Battery included
1 Battery Charger
90-110 Cuts Per Charge
Scrench for maintenance
The EGO Power+ CS1403 is just a solid battery powered chainsaw. It sports a hearty construction and has the power to tackle the bigger jobs on your land.
EGO’s high efficiency brushless motor can purr at up to 6300 RPMs and the whole saw is built to be weather resistant. That feature, combined with a chain kickback break for safety, makes this chainsaw perfect for folks living in wintery or damp climates.
The 14” Bar and Chain is large enough to tackle most trees on your land with ease, while the 13.4lb weight helps ease a bit of strain off your back.
The 56 volt Lithium ARC battery is built for “Power Beyond Belief” according to EGO and delivers up to 130 cuts per 2.5Ah charge. That’s a lot of tree felling, or a lot of bucking up some firewood.
EGO offers a great warranty program on their power equipment. The EGO Power+ CS1403 comes with a 5-year warranty on the tool and a 3-year warranty on the 56V battery.
The EGO Power+ CS1403 is a fantastic addition to your rugged set of tools.
FEATURES & SPECS:
Brushless Motor with Full Throttle at 6300 RPMs
14” Oregon Bar and Chain
13.4lbs
Chain Kickback Brake Safety Mechanism
Up to 100-130 Per Charge
Built to be Weather Resistant
Husqvarna just makes terrific products and they register this bad boy in horsepower. Coming in at 2hp, and weighing just 10.8lbs, this little beast will absolutely spoil you on property maintenance.
I wouldn’t necessarily recommend the HUSQVARNA 14” 120i for major tree felling jobs, but mid sized trees and smaller are right in this chainsaw’s wheel house.
Again, this chainsaw and it’s BLi20 40V Lithium-Ion battery are compatible across a variety of Husqvarna tools; so if you already use this line of products, this may be the chainsaw that makes the most sense for you. The control pad has a savE mode which allows for easy switching between maximum power and maximum run time, as the job requires.
The chain brake is inertia activated, and the chain tensioning system is quick and simple allowing for easy adjustments.
The 14” bar and chain comes with a bright orange scabbard, and like many of the other chainsaws on this list, is equipped with an automatic oil delivery system and a brushless motor.
I chose the HUSQVARNA 14” 120i because of the brand reputation for durability. I believe with proper upkeep, this chainsaw could last longer than any on this list and still be performing well when it does so.
Hard not to recommend this chainsaw for hunting property owners or hobby farmers.
FEATURES & SPECS:
40 Volt Lithium-Ion Battery
Control Key Pad for programmable operation (variable rpm modes) savE mode
Inertia Activated Chain Brake for Safety
Orange Bar and Chain Cover
Automatic Chain Oil Delivery System
Easy and Quick Chain Tensioning System
Brushless Motor
14” Bar and Chain
10.8lbs
Perhaps the most important purchase you’ll make is what you buy along with whichever of these chainsaws you settle on. I am a stickler for safety of course, so I believe the most important purchase you can make with your chainsaw is the proper safety equipment.
Eye and ear protection and gloves probably came quickly to mind, but having a good pair of chaps is a great way to make sure you don’t cut or severely injure your legs. I personally prefer the 40” Chainsaw Safety Apron Chaps by Stihl.
Take your time and preplan your cut paths to ensure you are not just relying on those last resort safety features, and you’ll have a long and prosperous relationship with your chainsaw.
Also, remember that your chainsaw could be the start to something bigger. If you want to make lumber out of your felled trees, head on over and check out Granberg Chainsaw Mill Review by Rugged Man.
Granberg offers many different models and sizes to accommodate THE BEST PROFESSIONAL CHAINSAWS OF 2022.
Now that you have reviewed this list, there are no more excuses for not keeping your forest maintained at legendary rugged man Paul Bunyan level proficiency.
Happy felling my friends.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Ryan Smith is an avid angler and outdoorsman based in central Kentucky.
Ryan spends between 60 and 110 days fishing each year.
He is a carpenter by trade.
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