Which Cordless Chainsaw Should You Buy? Answer 3 Questions First.
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Here’s the thing nobody tells you upfront about buying a cordless chainsaw: the best saw for you probably isn’t the best saw, period. It’s whichever saw runs on batteries you already own.
That insight — so obvious in retrospect — is the single most-repeated piece of advice across every relevant thread on r/Chainsaw, r/homestead, and r/Tools. u/ab_2404 put it most succinctly with 8 upvotes: “If you have any other power tools just go with their chainsaw.” u/Wabbastang from r/Tools expanded on it: “First, if possible, match your cordless power tools so that you always have the right charger and your battery packs interchange. Then you can always add to your arsenal of tools and everything is compatible.”
But if you’re starting from scratch, or you want the best regardless of ecosystem, the answer is almost certainly EGO.
Answer three questions and you’ll know exactly which saw to buy.
Question 1: Do you already own cordless power tools?
If yes: What brand are they? Go straight to that section below. The battery cross-compatibility saves you $100–$250 on a spare pack — money that often exceeds the performance difference between brands at this tier.
If no: Skip to the EGO section. It’s the strongest platform for someone entering fresh, with the widest battery compatibility within its ecosystem and the most consistently impressed homeowner community.
Question 2: What are you actually cutting?
Light work (limbing, brush clearing, branches under 8”): Almost any 40v+ saw will do fine. Don’t overspend.
Medium work (storm cleanup, felling trees up to 16”, occasional firewood): This is the sweet spot for cordless. EGO 56v, Milwaukee M18, Husqvarna 350i, Greenworks 80v — all viable.
Heavy work (multiple cords of firewood, all-day bucking): Keep your gas saw. Buy the cordless as a grab-and-go complement for smaller jobs. Every experienced user in these threads runs both.
u/lostINsauce369, an arborist on r/homestead: “The battery saws are great for homeowners who maybe need to cut a couple branches off trees every summer, or have one tree to cut down and a whole weekend to do it.”
Question 3: How long are your cutting sessions?
Battery saws deliver roughly 30–60 minutes of active cutting per charge. If you’re doing short-burst jobs — clearing a downed branch, cleaning up storm damage, occasional limbing — one battery is plenty. If you regularly work for 2+ hours, budget for a second battery or plan around charge cycles.
One deleted user on r/homestead noted it plainly: “Battery will last only so long… it only wants to go ~45 mins of work at a time between charges.”
The exception: Stihl battery saws get consistent praise for “amazingly long” battery life on start-and-stop trimming work, which is a different duty cycle than continuous bucking.
The Saws
EGO POWER+ CS1804 / CS1804S — Best for New Buyers or Multi-Brand Households
Price: $250–$400 kit | Buy on Amazon
If you walk into this without an existing ecosystem, buy the EGO. The community consensus on this saw is overwhelmingly positive, and several users who own professional gas setups have said it surprised them.
u/Autobahn97 on r/Chainsaw (4 upvotes): “It really cuts like a 40cc saw — it even amazed my buddy who owns big Stihl saws so I fully recommend the EGO.”
u/5lack5 from the same forum: “I’ve got an 18” EGO 56v. It’s fantastic, cut through 18”+ cherry, maple, and walnut logs with no issues, just be patient. The saw can also take any of the battery sizes EGO offers, from 2.5ah all the way up to 10ah.”
u/newleaf9110 on r/Tools: “The battery lasts all day (if I’m energetic enough to work all day, ha-ha!). It’s big enough to cut down some reasonably big things.”
Get the newer generation with metal dogs — the first-gen plastic dogs were widely criticized. The 16” or 18” bar with at least a 4–5ah battery is the right configuration. Skip the 2ah battery included in budget kits; it consistently disappoints.
One known quirk: the included low-kickback safety chain can generate heat at the bar tip during deep cuts. It doesn’t affect most homeowner use, but swap it for a standard chain if you’re regularly burying the bar.
Pros
- Cuts like a 40cc gas saw — tested against real Stihl setups
- Accepts all EGO battery sizes (2.5–10ah), cross-compatible with EGO mowers and trimmers
- Weather-resistant, no gas/carb maintenance
- Strong homeowner community, easy to find bundles on sale
Cons
- ~45 minutes active cutting per charge
- Spare battery costs nearly as much as a whole saw-and-battery bundle on sale
- Limited service network — treat it as semi-disposable
- Slightly slower than gas for heavy bucking
Milwaukee M18 Fuel 16” Chainsaw — Best for the Milwaukee Ecosystem
Price: $200–$350 tool-only or kit | Buy on Amazon
If your garage already has M18 drills, grinders, or a string trimmer, this is your saw. The performance is genuinely competitive, and the real magic happens with the 12ah High Output battery.
u/sezu on r/homestead (3 upvotes): “I have the M18 16 inch. Love it. Cuts well and runs for quite a while with the 12ah HO battery. It’s the first saw I reach for for small jobs. Tree down across the road, clearing brush, cleaning up storm damage, etc. I know it’s going to start and not give me a hard time.”
u/TimV14 from r/Chainsaw: “Milwaukee M18 saw had me impressed when I used my Dad’s. I would put it on par with your current saw without the headache of gas.”
The cross-compatibility is genuinely valuable here — M18 batteries span Milwaukee’s entire lineup from compact tools to the full-size saw. The 8” Hatchet is also available for one-handed limbing if that’s useful for your work.
Pros
- First-reach convenience for quick jobs — reliable start every time
- 12ah HO battery significantly extends runtime
- Full M18 ecosystem cross-compatibility
- Multiple bar sizes (8” Hatchet, 14”, 16”)
Cons
- Best value only if already in the M18 ecosystem
- Not suited for multi-hour firewood sessions
- Heavy-output battery adds weight and cost
Stihl MSA 160 / MSA 200 / MSA 300 — Best Quality and Ergonomics
Price: $300–$800+ depending on model and battery
Stihl sells exclusively through authorized dealers — find one at stihlusa.com.
The Stihl battery line earns a specific kind of praise you don’t see for other brands: people who wanted to hate it ended up buying more.
u/treemanswife on r/homestead, wife of an arborist (10 upvotes): “We got one of the little battery saws by Stihl and oh, how I wanted to hate it. We now own three. They are fantastic for little start-and-stop trimming jobs. The battery lasts amazingly long.”
u/Hayston1974 on r/Chainsaw (9 upvotes): “I’ve had the Stihl MSA 160 for a couple of years now — most useful tool I ever bought… works every time.”
u/neverenoughmags from a multi-saw thread: “I am really impressed… I don’t feel like they have the same balance as a gas axe — be it the Stihl electric saws do.”
The tradeoff is price and ecosystem lock-in. Stihl’s battery system doesn’t cross-compatible with power tool brands (drills, etc.), and spare batteries are expensive. For users who already own Stihl AK or AP battery tools — or who prioritize longevity and dealer service above all — it’s the right call. For a casual homeowner starting fresh, it’s hard to justify the premium.
Pros
- Best balance and ergonomics of any battery saw
- Extremely reliable — “works every time” is a recurring phrase
- Strong dealer/service network
- Arborist-validated for professional limbing and topping
Cons
- Expensive entry point, especially with batteries
- Proprietary battery system — no cross-compatibility with power tool brands
- Overkill cost-wise for light occasional users
Husqvarna Power Axe 350i (18” bar) — Best Gas-Feel Replacement
Price: $350–$500 kit | Buy on Amazon
The 350i gets recommended specifically from users who already own a gas saw and know what they’re comparing to.
u/tattmhomas0 on r/Chainsaw (2 upvotes): “I also own a gas Rancher, but the 350i is way lighter and just way easier to deal with for quick jobs around the property. It starts instantly, no messing with pull cords, and maintenance is basically nothing compared to gas.”
Turbo mode gives you gas-comparable power for tough cuts, but it drains the battery fast. A second battery is strongly recommended if you’re doing anything beyond an hour of work. For property owners who want a convenience saw that doesn’t feel like a toy compared to their gas setup, this is the most natural transition.
Pros
- Noticeably lighter than gas equivalent — reduces fatigue
- Turbo mode delivers genuine power for tough cuts
- Instant start, near-zero maintenance
- Respected Husqvarna dealer network
Cons
- Turbo mode drains battery significantly faster
- Second battery strongly recommended
- Husqvarna battery ecosystem is more limited than Milwaukee/DeWalt
DeWalt FLEXVOLT 60v (DCCS670) — For DeWalt Users, With Caveats
Price: $200–$400 kit | Buy on Amazon
If you’re deep in the DeWalt ecosystem, the FLEXVOLT 60v is a reasonable option — but go in with eyes open on the reliability concerns.
u/Untakenunam on r/Chainsaw has run one since 2018: “I’ve flogged my DeWalt since 2018. I’ve felled many ~2ft diameter trees with mine. My other DeWalt tools made buying the saw a safe pick.”
But u/Lucky_BroadWood had a different experience: “My DeWalt chainsaw literally blew up on me while using it. Parts went everywhere. Plastic shards, etc.” (They did note no injuries.) Multiple users also flag trigger switch failures on 20v DeWalt models, and the bar oiler is consistently criticized across threads.
Get the 15ah battery kit if you go this route — u/Educational-Air249 notes it adds roughly half a horsepower over the 12ah. Avoid the 20v DeWalt for anything beyond light limbing.
Pros
- 60v backward-compatible with all 20v DeWalt tools
- 15ah battery version meaningfully more powerful
- Good cross-ecosystem value for DeWalt households
Cons
- Reliability concerns flagged across multiple users
- Bar oiler consistently criticized as inadequate
- Pricier than EGO for comparable performance
Greenworks 80v Brushless — Most Power for the Money
Price: $250–$400 kit | Buy on Amazon
u/Efficient-Progress40 on r/homestead (19 upvotes): “My only chainsaw now is a battery operated (Greenworks) model and I am so happy to have it. I have had some number of gas powered chain saws, and they always quit running. But this battery operated unit runs at the push of a button. I can cut and cut and cut.”
The 80v platform delivers real cutting power. One important note from r/Chainsaw: the Caterpillar-branded chainsaw is OEM’d from Greenworks — don’t pay a premium for the Cat branding on what is the same saw.
The 82v commercial platform is overkill for homeowners. Stick with the 60v or 80v 18–20” configuration.
Pros
- High-voltage platform rivals gas performance
- Push-button start, brushless efficiency
- Good value for the performance level
Cons
- Smaller homeowner community than Milwaukee/DeWalt/EGO
- 82v platform is unnecessary for most homeowners
- Caterpillar-branded version is the same saw — don’t overpay for it
Quick Comparison
| Saw | Price | Best For | Ecosystem | Service |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| EGO CS1804 | $250–$400 | New buyers, brand-agnostic | EGO outdoor tools | Mail-in/self |
| Milwaukee M18 Fuel | $200–$350 | M18 tool owners | Full M18 power tool line | Dealer + mail |
| Stihl MSA 160/200 | $300–$800+ | Quality/longevity seekers | Stihl AK/AP only | Dealer network |
| Husqvarna 350i | $350–$500 | Gas owners wanting cordless | Husqvarna battery | Dealer network |
| DeWalt FLEXVOLT 60v | $200–$400 | DeWalt ecosystem users | 20v/60v DeWalt | Dealer + mail |
| Greenworks 80v | $250–$400 | Max power, fresh start | Greenworks outdoor | Mail-in/self |
What to Avoid
No-name brands: SENIX, SEESII, RLSO, ReliaRoads, TTO — these show up constantly in SEO-optimized YouTube listicles. They receive zero real-world validation on Reddit. u/THE_CHAD_XD on r/Chainsaw: “Don’t waste your money on cheapo knockoff and off-brands — you definitely pay for what you get with equipment.”
18v/20v platforms for anything real: Widely considered underpowered except for very light limbing. Go 40v minimum.
First-generation EGO with plastic dogs: The newer metal-dog version is the one to get.
The 2ah battery kits: Consistently disappointing. Size up to at least 4–5ah.
One Last Thing
Keep your chain sharp. A dull chain kills battery life fast and makes any cordless saw feel underpowered — this came up in multiple threads. u/Kamoraine on r/homestead: “One piece of advice: dull chains will roach a battery real quick.”
For independent video testing, u/Autobahn97 specifically recommends the Project Farm YouTube channel for battery chainsaw comparisons — it’s the most-cited trustworthy resource in these communities and worth checking before you finalize your pick.
Bottom line: Match your battery ecosystem if you have one. If you’re starting fresh, buy the EGO 56v with a 5ah battery. Plan for two batteries if you work longer than an hour. Don’t expect any cordless saw to replace gas for serious firewood seasons — but for everything else a homeowner actually does, they’re genuinely better in almost every way.