Charged-up chainsaws
If you only occasionally use a chainsaw—for roughing out a turning blank, cutting tree limbs, or lopping off deck posts—a battery-powered model makes a lot of sense.
If you cut firewood for heat, a gas-powered chainsaw proves indispensable. But if you only occasionally use a chainsaw—for roughing out a turning blank, cutting tree limbs, or lopping off deck posts—a battery-powered model makes a lot of sense. They cut with respectable power, and you never have to fuss with a gas/oil mix. Plus, no exhaust fumes and low noise levels mean you can use one in your shop. We tested more than a dozen saws, and we recommend those shown here.
Saws that share batteries with your drill
Milwaukee 2727-21HD, 18 volts, $450
800-729-3878, milwaukeetool.com
(Includes one 12.0-Ah battery and charger)
■ Bar length: 16"
■ Avg. time to cut 10×10 green timber: 14.0 seconds
■ Avg. number of crosscuts in 5×5 timber per charge: 120
Why buy: Uses only one (large) battery pack; fast cutting; metal bucking spikes; blade and bar tool stores on the saw.
Makita XCU04Z, 36 volts, $300 (bare)
800-462-5482, makitatools.com
(Two 5.0-Ah batteries and charger, no. BL1850B2DC2, $270)
■ Bar length: 16"
■ Avg. time to cut 10×10 green timber: 18.5 seconds
■ Avg. number of crosscuts in 5×5 timber per charge: 107
Why buy: Tool-free chain and bar adjustments; great balance; metal bucking spikes; and it draws from both battery packs evenly.
Ryobi P549, 18 volts, $200
800-525-2579, ryobitools.com
(Includes one-4.0 Ah battery and charger)
■ Bar length: 12"
■ Avg. time to cut 10×10 green timber: 46.9 seconds
■ Avg. number of crosscuts in 5×5 timber per charge: 21
Why buy: It's not on the level of bigger saws, but it's ideal for cutting up the occasional tree limb or other light-duty work.
Saws using higher-voltage batteries
Stihl MSA 200 C-BQ, 36 volts, $300 (bare)
800-467-8445, stihlusa.com
(6.0-Ah battery, no. AP 300, $180; charger, no. AL 300, $90)
■ Bar length: 14"
■ Avg. time to cut 10×10 green timber: 16.3 seconds
■ Avg. number of crosscuts in 5×5 timber per charge: 144
Why buy: Small, lightweight, tool-free, with the thinnest bar and chain (1⁄4 " compared with 3⁄8 " for the others); our favorite saw overall.
Ego CS1600, 56 volts, $300
855-346-5656, egopowerplus.com
(Includes one 5.0-Ah battery and charger)
■ Bar length: 16"
■ Avg. time to cut 10×10 green timber: 11.6 seconds
■ Avg. number of crosscuts in 5×5 timber per charge: 170
Why buy: Produced the fastest cut times and second-longest battery run times in our test; tool-free adjustments; soft-start motor.
Husqvarna 120i, 36 volts, $260
800-487-5951, husqvarna.com
(Includes one 4.0-Ah battery and charger)
■ Bar length: 14"
■ Avg. time to cut 10×10 green timber: 27.4 seconds
■ Avg. number of crosscuts in 5×5 timber per charge: 85
Why buy: Compact, light, and well-balanced for a great price; tool-free adjustments; excellent electronic monitoring system protects battery packs.
DeWalt DCCS690X1, 40 volt, $400
800-433-9258, dewalt.com
(Includes one 6.0-Ah battery and charger)
■ Bar length: 16"
■ Avg. time to cut 10×10 green timber: 18.4 seconds
■ Avg. number of crosscuts in 5×5 timber per charge: 168
Why buy: Tool-free adjustments; second-longest run time; low vibration; heavy, but well balanced; has the heft and feel of a gas-powered saw.