Electric chainsaws are better than gas chainsaws. That may feel like a controversial statement, but cordless electric saws eliminate most of the issues that make gas saws a pain.
Among the many benefits, they seriously reduce emissions by using electricity instead of oil and gas. By eliminating gas motors, they’re cheaper to run — most don’t need maintenance beyond an occasional chain sharpening. Some saws are also so quiet that not only will they be less disturbing to your neighbors and wildlife, but there’s also less of a chance they’ll impact your hearing.
Our team at GearJunkie has collectively tested dozens of these electric beasts and left no stone unturned in finding the best saws for this guide. Whether bucking logs in the yard or cutting trees while building trails, lead tester and author Berne Broudy has years of experience with both electric and gas-powered chainsaws and harnessed this wisdom and the collective knowledge of our team to bring you the streamlined selection of eight electric chainsaws you see today.
Read on to find out more about the electric chainsaws we recommend. Or, head down the page to learn more about electric chainsaws in our detailed buying advice.
Editor’s Note: We updated this guide on November 24, 2024, with the addition of a Price & Value section to explain cost-related considerations.
The Best Electric Chainsaws of 2025
Best Budget Electric Chainsaw
WEN 40417 40V Max Lithium Ion 16-Inch Brushless Chainsaw
- Weight (with battery): 17 lbs., 4 oz.
- Bar length: 18”
- Bucking spikes: Steel
- Chain brake: Yes
- Chain tensioning: Via included but no onboard tool
- Warranty: 2 years
Pros
- As powerful as a gas saw
- Long-lasting battery
- Quick charging
Cons
- Batteries and chargers sold separately
- No onboard chain-tightening tool
- Manual chain tightening
- Weight (with battery): 12 lbs.
- Bar length: 16"
- Bucking spikes: N/A
- Chain brake: Yes
- Chain tensioning: Tool-free
- Warranty: 2 years
Pros
- Budget-pricing
- Proven Oregon 16" bar
- 40V battery provides decent torque and run-time
Cons
- Cheaper plastic construction isn’t as durable
- Stock chain isn’t a high-quality option
- Weight: 9 lbs., 5 oz.
- Bar length: 12″
- Bucking spikes: Plastic ridges
- Chain brake: Yes
- Chain tensioning: Tool-free
- Warranty: N/A
Pros
- Compact
- Lightweight
- Affordable
Cons
- Not great for bigger jobs
- Takes longer to cut than other models
- Weight: 12 lbs., 9 oz.
- Bar length: 14″ and 16″
- Bucking spikes: Plastic and metal
- Chain brake: Yes
- Chain tensioning: Tool-free
- Warranty: 3 years
Pros
- Tool-free chain tensioning
- Rugged and durable
Cons
- Louder than other saws of similar size
- Weight: 6 lbs., 8 oz.
- Bar length: 8″
- Bucking spikes: No
- Chain brake: No
- Chain tensioning: Onboard tool
- Warranty: 3 years, limited
Pros
- No oil required
- Small and lightweight for light jobs around the house
Cons
- Not great for big jobs
- No chain brake
- Weight: 12 lbs., 12.8 oz.
- Bar length: 10”
- Bucking spikes: No
- Chain brake: No
- Chain tensioning: Tool-free
- Warranty: 4 years
Pros
- Perfect for high branches
- Low weight
Cons
- Niche design limits use
- Weight: 13 lbs.
- Bar length: 18”
- Bucking spikes: Plastic
- Chain brake: Yes
- Chain tensioning: Via onboard tool
- Warranty: 5 years
Pros
- Comes with carrying case
- Killer price for a powerful saw
Cons
- Plastic spikes instead of metal
- Vulnerable battery position under saw
- Weight: 9 lbs.
- Bar length: 16”
- Bucking spikes: Plastic
- Chain brake: Yes
- Chain tensioning: Tool-free
- Warranty: 5 years
Pros
- Solid performance at a good price
- Simple chain tension adjustment
- Quick charging battery
Cons
- Plastic bucking spikes are small and not very effective
- Slow wind-up time
Electric Chainsaws Comparison Chart
Electric Chainsaw | Price | Weight w/ Battery | Bar Length | Bucking spikes | Chain brake | Warranty |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Greenworks GS181 82V 18″ Chainsaw | $520 | 17 lbs., 4 oz. | 18″ | Steel | Yes | 2 years |
WEN 40417 40V Max 16-Inch Brushless Chainsaw | $179 | 12 lbs. | 16″ | N/A | Yes | 2 years |
DeWalt XR 12″ 20V Battery Chainsaw Kit | $279 | 9 lbs., 5 oz. | 12″ | Plastic ridges | Yes | N/A |
Stihl MSA 220 C-B | $420 | 12 lbs., 9 oz. | 14″ and 16″ | Plastic and metal | Yes | 3 years |
Hart 8” Pruning Saw | $145 | 6 lbs., 8 oz. | 8″ | No | No | 3 years |
Greenworks 10″ Brushless Pole Saw | $179 | 12 lbs., 12.8 oz. | 10″ | No | No | 4 years |
Ryobi 40V HP 18” Brushless Chainsaw | $369 | 13 lbs. | 18″ | Plastic | Yes | 5 years |
Ego Power+ CS1800 | $330 | 9 lbs. | 16″ | Plastic | Yes | 5 years |

How We Tested the Best Electric Chainsaws
Buying Guide: How to Choose an Electric Chainsaw

What Is the Point of an Electric Chainsaw?
Pros of Electric Chainsaws

Cons of Electric Chainsaws

What Other Battery-Powered Tools Do You Already Own?
Choose Your Batteries and Charger Wisely

What Do Ah and V Numbers Mean?
Weigh Your Options

What Features Matter?
Bucking Spikes — What Are They and Do You Need Them?

You Get What You Pay For

Caring for Electric Chainsaws


Safety Considerations When Using Electric Chainsaws

Price & Value
Budget
Mid-Tier
Premium
Frequently Asked Questions
Part of the allure of electric chainsaws is how easy they are to operate. Generally speaking, they are much more straightforward than gas-powered saws and require you to simply charge up the battery and fire it up with the flick of a switch. Make sure to fill the saw with bar oil before operating it — but aside from that, no additional fluids are needed.
Each saw is slightly different in its own regard, so be sure to thumb through the owner’s manual before ripping into branches to make sure you understand how it works, and how to stay safe while using it.
We cover a handful of the pros and cons of electric chainsaws in our buyer’s guide above, but it truly does boil down to personal preference and the task at hand. Some remote jobs would be better served by a more powerful gas chainsaw, as they don’t require you to be close to an outlet or carry loads of extra batteries. However, gas-powered saws can be more expensive and maintenance-intensive over the long run, and aren’t quite as eco-friendly.
Electric chainsaws are easy to use, better for the environment, quieter, safer, and more affordable over time. For us, electric chainsaws make the most sense for the majority of light to moderately demanding jobs we encounter day to day.
We have highlighted a number of different categories of saws in this guide, and one might better suit your needs over another. As an all-around workhorse capable of tackling a diverse array of jobs, we narrowed in on the Greenworks GS181 82V 18″ Chainsaw for our best overall award.
This may not be the best saw for you personally, however, and something like Hart’s 8” Pruning Saw or Greenworks’ 10″ Brushless Pole Saw could be perfect if you just need light tasks done around the house, as opposed to big ol’ bucking jobs in the backcountry.
Consider the full scope of objectives you want to accomplish before dialing in on the electric chainsaw you end up buying.


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