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Whether you’re keeping on top of your perfectly pruned garden or want your 4 x 4 timber to be just the right size, you need something to cut with. Handsaws are acceptable but require a lot of effort and take a while to make any real progress. Gas chainsaws are great for heavy-duty projects but are loud, heavy, and expensive. A good alternative for most people taking on a DIY project or trimming their trees is an electric chainsaw. It has about the same power as a gas chainsaw, but it's lighter, quieter, and cheaper. Electric chainsaws come in many shapes and sizes, so picking the right one can feel like a daunting task. Thankfully, we have done the research and selected the electric chainsaws that are the best fit for various categories.

This chainsaw has one of the longest bars on the market, measuring 18 inches. This, coupled with its 15-amp power rating, makes it extremely versatile.

This electric chainsaw is perfect for any odd jobs around the garden and unbeatable value for money.

DeWALT 20V Max XR 12 Inch

This is a premium electric chainsaw that’s powerful, lightweight, and easy to use thanks to its low kickback bar.

Our reviews are driven by a combination of hands-on testing, expert input, “wisdom of the crowd” assessments from actual buyers, and our own expertise. We always aim to offer genuine, accurate guides to help you find the best picks.

Many of the cheaper electric chainsaws are corded, meaning they plug directly into a power outlet. For some, this is a significant disadvantage as you generally need to have a dedicated workspace to operate from with an extension cord. But there’s a benefit to using a corded electric chainsaw, in that they can work all day without needing to recharge.

Battery-operated electric chainsaws tend to be more expensive than their corded counterparts. For people who need to carry a chainsaw around and don’t want to have just one dedicated workspace, this type of chainsaw has the versatility they need. The downside to a cordless electric chainsaw is that they can’t run all day, although if you have a spare battery pack, you can get a lot of work done. 

DeWalt was founded in 1924 in Pennsylvania, and its headquarters is in Towson, Maryland. This company is a registered trademark of Black + Decker and makes a wide range of power tools for the construction, manufacturing, and woodworking industries. Its product lineup includes circular saw blades, air compressors, sanders, and more.

Black+Decker was founded in 1910 in Baltimore, Md. While Black+Decker itself is its own brand, other brands that fall under its umbrella include DeWalt, Craftsman, PORTER-CABLE, and more. Black+Decker produces a wide range of power and home improvement tools such as leaf blowers, handheld vacuums, cordless screwdrivers, and more. 

EGO launched its global manufacturing business in 1993 and specialized in electric, cordless outdoor equipment. EGO manufactures what are arguably the most premium electric chainsaws on the market. Its product lineup includes lawn mowers, chain saws, portable power, and more.

The first thing you should have on your mind when buying a chainsaw is the bar size. If you want to use it to cut thick pieces of wood, you’ll need a long bar. Likewise, if you only see yourself taking on smaller projects, it makes more financial sense to get a chainsaw with a shorter bar.

A big decision you’ll make when buying an electric chainsaw is whether to get a corded or battery-operated unit. If you only plan to work from one spot and have a power outlet within reach, a corded chainsaw makes sense. But if you need to carry your chainsaw around with you or use it at various heights, then you’ll need a battery-powered product.

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Capability meets affordability with the Oregon CS1500 18-inch electric chainsaw. The 18-inch bar length means it’s capable of tackling just about anything. It has a PowerSharp sharpening system that operates via a lever on the chainsaw. When you pull the PowerSharp lever for 3-5 seconds, it sharpens the chain, leaving it good as new. There’s an automatic oiler with a view-through window that keeps the chain lubricated while it’s being used, reducing chain friction and increasing the saw’s run time. At 12.9 pounds, it’s reasonably light, especially when you consider that it has an 18-inch bar. This corded chainsaw has a powerful 15-amp motor and comes pre-assembled, so you can get to work right away.

Unfortunately, since this is a corded chainsaw, it is somewhat limiting in the work you can do.

The Sun Joe 14 Inch Tree Limb Master corded electric chainsaw is an incredible bang for buck buy. Being a 14-inch chainsaw and weighing in at just 7.7 pounds, it’s versatile and perfect for trimming tree limbs and branches. It’s safe, too, as there’s a safety switch that prevents accidental starts. Powering this chainsaw is a 9-amp motor, which should be enough to prune or trim your tree’s limbs—it can cut branches that have a maximum thickness of 13.5 inches. There’s a built-in auto-oiler with a window to gauge oil level. This feature lubricates the bar while operating, which ensures that the chain can cut continuously without issue. 

Unfortunately, this is a corded chain, and there is no battery option. Also, its 9 amp power rating is somewhat underpowered compared to other models.

The DeWALT 20V Max XR electric chainsaw is a premium option in the 12-inch niche while still being good value for money. It's been fitted with a low kickback bar, making it incredibly nimble. It has a compact and lightweight design at just 8.8 pounds, making it very user-friendly. The chain operates at 25.2 feet/second thanks to a high-efficiency brushless motor, which also increases run time and motor life. Keeping this chainsaw in good working order is easy thanks to the tool-free chain tensioning and bar tightening knob. This electric chainsaw is powered by an impressive 20-volt battery that is extremely compact and lightweight. 

While this isn't necessarily a do-it-all chainsaw since it has a relatively short 12-inch blade, but when cutting smaller objects, it's hard to beat this product. Also, be prepared to spend a fair amount of money on this chainsaw. 

There are no two ways about it: the Ego Power cordless chainsaw is a monster. It features an enormous 18-inch bar and chain, so it’s fit to tackle just about any job you can think of. Powering this chainsaw is a brushless motor that extends the life of the product. This motor has the equivalent power of a 42cc gas chainsaw and spins the chain up to 11,000 RPM, ensuring you get a clean cut every time. It’s easy to keep this chainsaw operating smoothly thanks to its auto tensioning system, which tightens the chain via a twistable dial. You can even work at night with the Ego Power, thanks to bright LED lights illuminating your workspace.

Powering this beast is a 5.0 Ah 56V ARC lithium battery, enabling the Ego Power to cut through 4x4 timber up to 300 times on a single charge.

The Merece 4-inch mini chainsaw is one of the smallest electric chainsaws you're likely ever to see. Stopping the scales at just 2.4 pounds, this chainsaw couldn't be easier to control. Its compact and lightweight design, mixed with the fact that this chainsaw is battery operated, makes the Merece mini versatile, as long as what you're cutting has a 10-centimeter diameter or less. The chainsaw's chain has undergone an in-depth quenching process and, as a result, makes the chain's cuts even smoother. The 20V 1.5 Ah battery takes 2-3 hours to charge and has a working time of 15-20 minutes.

There are multiple cutting speeds the user can switch to depending on their needs and the condition of what they're cutting. Just behind this saw's bar sits a protective baffle. Since this chainsaw is so small, everything you cut will be close to you, so this is an important feature.

Whether you’re tidying up a tree or getting through some 4x4, you’ll be shocked by how versatile the Black + Decker 20V cordless chainsaw is. At just 7.2 pounds, this is one of the lightest cordless chainsaws available. Couple its light weight with a 10-inch bar and wrap-around handle, and you’ve got an incredibly maneuverable chainsaw. It features a low kickback bar, making it cut smooth and fast. The bar and chain are also easy to adjust, thanks to the tool-free tensioning system. 

You’ll never have to worry about the chain either, thanks to the auto-oiling system that keeps it lubricated at all times. The 20V max lithium 2.0 Ah battery charges fully in five hours, providing you hours of use.

The Black and Decker 40V cordless chainsaw is one of the more premium 12-inch chainsaws on the market. Its 12-inch bar means it’s more suited to trimming and pruning tree limbs rather than big projects. Weighing in at just 10.4 pounds, this chainsaw is nimble and easy to maneuver. Powering this chainsaw is a big 40V Max 2.0 Ah lithium battery, which means it can cut 60 4x4 pine lumber cuts on average from a single charge. There are full wrap-around handles, making it easy to cut at awkward angles. 

It’s simple to keep this chainsaw operating well thanks to the tool-free chain tensioning feature. Keeping this machine in good working order is the oiling system, which lubricates the bar and chain.

The Wen 4017 electric chainsaw is up to just about any task at hand but is surprisingly cheap. Powering this unit is a 12A motor that can spin the chain up to 44 feet per second. Even though this is a powerful chainsaw, it has a lightweight design and weighs just 10 pounds. There’s a built-in auto-oiling system that lubricates the chainsaw’s chain while it’s in operation: this lengthens the saw’s lifespan. Changing the chain on this model couldn’t be easier and requires no tools. 

For some, the biggest downside this electric chainsaw has is that it’s corded, so it might not be versatile enough for your needs. With that said, if you can always operate within reach of an outlet, then you can use this chainsaw all day, unlike battery-operated products.

If you’re taking on a big project that requires you to be on the move with a chainsaw, it’s hard to look past the DeWALT Flexvolt 60V. Powering this chainsaw is a 60V 3.0 Ah lithium battery. This battery gives the Flexvolt enough juice to cut 6x6 pressure-treated pine wood up to 70 times off a single charge. Since this model has a 16-inch bar, it’s suitable for bigger tasks but still only weighs 12.2 pounds, thanks to its lightweight design. It’s a breeze to use thanks to its low kickback 16-inch bar and chain, as well as its chain brake for added kick back protection.

You can keep on top of this model’s bar clamping force via the tool-free chain tensioning bar and tightening knob. There’s also an auto oiling feature that ensures this model’s chain stays lubricated at all times.

While the 14-inch bar on the Greenworks 14-inch Electric Chainsaw will fall short of completing major tasks, it tackles everything else with ease. The powerful 10.5 amp electric motor gets the chain spinning within seconds and provides reliable power. You can work all day thanks to the auto-oiler, which provides constant lubrication to the chain. The feature that deserves the most attention is the fact that this model weighs just 8 pounds. Its lightweight design, coupled with its wrap-around handle, makes it extremely nimble and comfortable to use.

The only real downside to this model is that it’s only available in a corded design, so you can’t take it out and about at will.

In many ways, electric chainsaws are safer than gas chainsaws as they’re lighter and have fewer vibrations. Many electric chainsaws feature a chain brake that stops the chain from rotating if the user isn’t in control.

There’s no one best electric chainsaw: the best electric chainsaw will be the one that best suits your needs and is sold at a price that you consider to be reasonable.

Yes, electric chainsaws can cut through trees and trim their limbs. You’ll just need to ensure that the tree's width doesn’t exceed the chainsaw’s bar length.

For some people, electric chainsaws are better than gas chainsaws as they’re quieter, lighter, and don’t require fuel top-ups or as much maintenance. With that said, gas chainsaws are great for heavy-duty projects.

We chose the Oregon CS1500 18 Inch because of its heavy-duty specs and affordable price. But if you just need a chainsaw for general maintenance, you can’t go wrong with our value choice, the Sun Joe 14 Inch. Either way, you’re sure to find an electric chainsaw that satisfies your needs on this list.

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