Top 10 Battery Chainsaws in 2027 — Best Overall + Best Value

Direct Answer

The EGO Power+ CS1804 18" 56V is the 🏆 BEST OVERALL battery chainsaw in 2027 — an 18-inch bar, brushless motor, and the longest sustained runtime in the 56V class make it the closest thing to a gas saw without the pull-cord. The Greenworks 40V 16" CS40L210 takes 💎 BEST VALUE at $229 kit-priced — it cuts hardwood firewood rounds all afternoon for less than half the cost of the pro saws.

This list serves yard owners, weekend firewood cutters, storm cleanup crews, and pro arborists who want cordless without compromise.

How We Ranked the Top 10 Battery Chainsaws in 2027

We weighted real cuts per charge (not marketing claims), bar length to task fit, brushless motor longevity, chain speed in m/s, automatic oiler reliability, kickback brake safety, weight balance, and warranty length. Pro Tool Reviews bench-tested chain speed and cut counts on 6x6 pressure-treated posts; Project Farm's YouTube teardown channel ran oil-flow and motor-heat tests across 14 saws; Wirecutter and This Old House handled real yard use.

Reddit r/Chainsaw and r/Tools gave the multi-year durability picture that no review site can match.

Weights: 30% real runtime + cuts per charge, 20% cut speed and chain quality, 15% build and brushless motor, 15% safety (kickback brake, hand guard, chain catcher), 10% oiler reliability, 10% price-to-performance.

1. EGO Power+ CS1804 18" 56V 🏆 BEST OVERALL

Price: $349 (kit with 5.0Ah battery + charger) | Best for: Yard owners and weekend firewood cutters who want one saw that does everything

The CS1804 runs an 18-inch Oregon bar off EGO's 56V Arc Lithium platform with a brushless motor spinning chain at roughly 20 m/s — within a few m/s of a 40cc gas saw. Tool-less chain tensioning, a transparent 5.4 oz oil reservoir so you can see the oil level, and an automatic oiler that actually keeps up with continuous bucking.

Real-world test cuts on 10-inch oak rounds: 110-130 cuts on a single 5.0Ah charge (Pro Tool Reviews bench). Kickback brake, electronic chain brake, and rear hand guard all standard. Weighs 14.1 lbs with battery.

• Pros: longest runtime in class, full 18" bar handles big rounds, chain speed near gas
• Pros: EGO battery platform shares across 50+ tools
• Pros: 5-year tool warranty, 3-year battery
• Con: 14 lbs gets heavy after an hour of overhead work

Verdict: the cordless saw that finally retired my Stihl gas.

2. Stihl MSA 220 C-B 14"

Price: $389 (bare tool; AP 300 S battery extra ~$249) | Best for: Pro crews and serious yard owners already on the Stihl AP platform

The MSA 220 C-B is Stihl's flagship homeowner-pro cordless — 14-inch bar, 36V AP system, brushless motor, chain speed around 23 m/s (fastest in this list). Quick chain tensioner, automatic oil flow with adjustable rate, and a 6.4 oz tank. Pairs with the AP 300 S (281 Wh) or AP 500 S (337 Wh) — the bigger pack gets you 180+ cuts in 4x4 cedar per charge.

10.6 lbs with the AP 300 S — noticeably lighter than the EGO. Stihl quality control, ematic chain, and the dealer network mean parts and service forever.

• Pros: lightest balance in the 14" class, dealer support, 3-year warranty
• Pros: fastest chain speed measured by Pro Tool Reviews
• Pros: shares battery with Stihl's pole pruner, blower, hedge trimmer
• Con: bare-tool pricing — total kit cost lands closer to $640

Verdict: the saw you buy if you're already in the Stihl AP ecosystem.

3. Husqvarna 540iXP 14" 36V Pro

Price: $799 (kit with BLi200X + QC500 charger) | Best for: Arborists and tree-care pros who need an all-day climbing saw

The 540iXP is a pro-class battery saw — 14-inch bar, 36V, brushless motor, chain speed around 22 m/s, and the savE mode that throttles for runtime without sacrificing cut force. 9.8 lbs with battery — climbable. IPX4-rated for wet conditions.

8.5 oz oil reservoir with adjustable oiler. Husqvarna spec'd this saw against gas top-handles for arborist use, and Reddit r/Arborist threads back that up. TrioBrake chain brake adds a third safety trigger.

2-year pro warranty.

• Pros: pro-grade build, climbable weight, IPX4 weather resistance
• Pros: savE mode doubles real runtime on light pruning
• Pros: Husqvarna 36V platform spans pole saws, blowers, trimmers
• Con: $799 kit price keeps it pro-only

Verdict: the climbing saw that ended gas top-handle dominance.

4. Milwaukee M18 Fuel 16" Chainsaw 2727-21HD

Price: $499 (kit with 12.0Ah HD battery + charger) | Best for: Tradespeople and contractors already on the M18 platform

The 2727-21HD brings chainsaw performance to the M18 ecosystem — 16-inch bar, brushless POWERSTATE motor, chain speed near 20 m/s, tool-less chain tensioning, and a 6.4 oz oil reservoir with a clear sight window. With the HIGH OUTPUT HD12.0 battery, you get 120-150 cuts in 6x6 pressure-treated.

13.9 lbs with battery. Metal bucking spikes, push-button oiler primer, and a 5-year tool / 3-year battery warranty beat almost everything else on this list for coverage.

• Pros: integrates with the M18 lineup (200+ tools)
• Pros: 5-year warranty, contractor-grade build
• Pros: push-button oiler primer prevents dry starts
• Con: runtime trails the EGO CS1804 on big rounds

Verdict: the obvious pick if you already own M18 batteries.

5. EGO Power+ CS1611 16"

Price: $249 (kit with 4.0Ah battery + charger) | Best for: Yard owners who want EGO quality at a lower entry price

EGO's second-generation 16-inch runs the same 56V Arc Lithium platform as the CS1804 with a smaller bar and a lighter battery. Brushless motor, chain speed around 18 m/s, tool-less chain tensioning, 5.4 oz oil reservoir. Real-world: 85-100 cuts in 8-inch oak on the 4.0Ah pack.

12.3 lbs with battery — easier on the shoulders than the 18-inch big brother. 5-year tool warranty, same EGO dealer support.

• Pros: lighter and easier to handle for medium yards
• Pros: same battery platform as CS1804 — upgrade later without re-buying batteries
• Pros: $100 cheaper than the 18-inch flagship
• Con: 16" bar caps you out on rounds over 14 inches in diameter

Verdict: the EGO to buy if 18 inches is more bar than you'll ever need.

6. Greenworks 40V 16" CS40L210 💎 BEST VALUE

Price: $229 (kit with 4.0Ah battery + charger) | Best for: Budget-conscious yard owners and occasional firewood cutters

The CS40L210 is the value champ of 2027 — 16-inch bar, brushless motor, 40V platform, chain speed around 15 m/s, automatic oiler, tool-less chain tensioning. Real cuts: 70-85 cuts in 8-inch poplar on the 4.0Ah battery. 11.8 lbs with battery.

Wirecutter's 2026 budget pick — they noted the chain tensioner stays put through a tank of oil, which is more than they could say about the $179 Sun Joe alternative. 3-year tool / 2-year battery warranty.

• Pros: $229 complete kit beats every name-brand competitor by $100+
• Pros: brushless motor at this price was unheard-of three years ago
• Pros: Greenworks 40V platform spans 60+ tools
• Con: chain speed and bar build noticeably below the EGO and Stihl

Verdict: the BEST VALUE pick — does 90% of the work for 65% of the price.

7. Black+Decker LCS1240 40V MAX 12"

Price: $179 (kit with 2.0Ah battery + charger) | Best for: Suburban yard owners cutting branches up to 6 inches

The LCS1240 is the light-duty cordless that anyone can handle — 12-inch bar, 40V MAX, brushed motor (not brushless — the giveaway at this price), chain speed around 12 m/s, tool-less chain tensioning, automatic oiler, 2.7 oz oil reservoir. 10.4 lbs with battery — the lightest full-size saw on this list.

Family Handyman tested it on 45-60 cuts in 4-inch branches per 2.0Ah charge. 2-year limited warranty.

• Pros: lightest saw here — one-handed limbing is realistic
• Pros: $179 complete kit
• Pros: Black+Decker 40V battery shares with their mower and trimmer
• Con: brushed motor — expect motor wear after 3-4 years of heavy use

Verdict: the right saw for storm branches and yard pruning, wrong saw for firewood.

8. DEWALT DCCS670X1 60V FLEXVOLT 16"

Price: $379 (kit with 3.0Ah FLEXVOLT battery + charger) | Best for: Contractors already on the DEWALT 20V/60V platform

The DCCS670X1 runs on the 60V FLEXVOLT system — 16-inch Oregon bar, brushless motor, chain speed near 18 m/s, tool-less chain tensioning, and a 6.5 oz oil reservoir with adjustable flow rate. 12.2 lbs with battery. The FLEXVOLT pack auto-switches to 20V for DEWALT's smaller tools — a real platform advantage.

Pro Tool Reviews logged 90-110 cuts in 6x6 cedar per charge. 3-year limited warranty, 1-year free service.

• Pros: FLEXVOLT battery works in both 20V and 60V DEWALT tools
• Pros: brushless motor + adjustable oiler for a $379 saw
• Pros: wide DEWALT service network
• Con: runtime trails the EGO CS1611 despite higher voltage

Verdict: the chainsaw for the DEWALT-loyal contractor.

9. EGO Power+ CSX5000 18" Top-Handle

Price: $429 (kit with 5.0Ah battery + charger) | Best for: Arborists and tree-care crews who need a true climbing saw

The CSX5000 is the top-handle climbing saw that finally took battery into the canopy — 18-inch bar (an unusual length for top-handle), 56V, brushless motor, chain speed around 20 m/s. Chain catcher, rear hand guard, upper chain brake for safe overhead use.

Designed with input from working arborists — the handle geometry and weight balance show it. 12.8 lbs with battery. EGO's top-handle is about $300 less than the comparable Stihl while matching cut speed in side-by-side Project Farm YouTube tests.

• Pros: true climbing geometry at consumer pricing
• Pros: shares 56V batteries with the rest of EGO's lineup
• Pros: 5-year tool warranty
• Con: 18" bar on a top-handle is unusual — not for first-time climbers

Verdict: the cordless climbing saw if you can't justify the Husqvarna 540iXP.

10. Ryobi 40V HP 18" Brushless RY40570VNM

Price: $299 (kit with 6.0Ah battery + charger) | Best for: Ryobi 40V owners and yard owners on a sub-$300 budget for an 18-inch saw

The RY40570VNM is Ryobi's most serious chainsaw to date — 18-inch bar, 40V HP, brushless motor, chain speed around 16 m/s, tool-less chain tensioning, automatic oiler. 13.6 lbs with battery. The 6.0Ah battery is critical here — drop to a 4.0Ah and runtime collapses.

Real cuts: 75-95 cuts in 8-inch oak with the 6.0Ah pack. Ryobi's 3-year warranty and the 350+ tool 40V platform keep it on the list despite middling chain speed.

• Pros: 18-inch bar for $299 is the cheapest big-bar saw here
• Pros: Ryobi 40V battery shares across blower, mower, trimmer, pole saw
• Pros: 3-year warranty
• Con: chain speed and oiler flow rate trail EGO and Stihl noticeably

Verdict: the budget 18-inch saw for the Ryobi-loyal yard owner.

Buyer Decision Tree

What to Look For When Buying a Battery Chainsaw

Match bar length to your typical task — 12" handles branches up to 6", 14-16" handles firewood up to 12" rounds, 18"+ handles storm cleanup and rounds up to 16". Brushless motors last 3-5x longer than brushed and run cooler — at this point, paying for brushed only makes sense on the lightest-duty saws.

Automatic oilers are universal, but adjustable oil flow rate (Stihl, Husqvarna, DEWALT) is the upgrade — it stops you from blowing through a tank of bar oil in 20 minutes during heavy bucking.

Kickback brakes are mandatory in 2027 — every saw on this list has one. Chain catchers and rear hand guards are not universal at the budget end; verify before buying. Chain pitch standardization matters for replacement chains — 3/8" low-profile (.043" or .050" gauge) is the dominant homeowner standard; pro saws use .325" pitch.

Stock up on chains; you'll dull one every 2-3 tanks of oil in real use.

Real cuts per charge is the spec to chase, NOT runtime in minutes. A saw "rated for 50 minutes" might give you 30 minutes of actual cutting because the manufacturer measured idle-throttle runtime. Project Farm's YouTube channel does honest cut-count benchmarks — trust those over manufacturer claims.

Oil and replacement chain costs add $30-60/year for active users; budget for it.

FAQ

Are battery chainsaws really as powerful as gas in 2027? For 16" and smaller cuts, yes — the EGO CS1804, Stihl MSA 220, and Husqvarna 540iXP match 40cc gas saws on chain speed and cut force. For continuous 8-hour pro use on rounds over 16", gas still wins on sustained output (battery swaps interrupt workflow).

How long do battery chainsaws actually run on one charge? Real-world: 45-90 minutes of intermittent cutting for most consumer saws on a 4-5Ah pack. Continuous bucking burns through a battery in 20-30 minutes. Always buy a second battery if your job runs longer than an hour.

Do I need bar oil for a battery chainsaw? Yes — same as gas. The chain still spins at 15-23 m/s and needs lubrication or the bar and chain wear out in hours. Use proper bar-and-chain oil (Stihl, Husqvarna, EGO, or any reputable brand) — never motor oil or used oil.

What's the safest battery chainsaw for first-time users? The Black+Decker LCS1240 for its low weight (10.4 lbs) and small bar, OR the EGO CS1611 for its modern safety features. Both have kickback brakes, chain catchers, and hand guards. Wear chaps, gloves, eye and ear protection regardless of saw.

Are battery chainsaws cheaper than gas long-term? Yes, for most users. No oil/gas mix, no fouled plugs, no carburetor service, no winter starting issues. The break-even is roughly 2-3 years versus a comparable gas saw when you factor in fuel, tune-ups, and the time saved on maintenance.

Can I cut down a tree with a battery chainsaw? Yes — saws on this list with 16" or 18" bars handle tree felling up to 14-16" diameter trunks. For larger trees, hire a pro arborist with a proper felling saw and the safety training to drop it without killing your truck.

Bottom Line

The EGO Power+ CS1804 18" is the 🏆 BEST OVERALL battery chainsaw of 2027 — it does everything from limbing to felling to bucking on a single battery platform that powers your mower, blower, and trimmer too. The Greenworks 40V 16" CS40L210 is the 💎 BEST VALUE at $229 kit-priced — buy it without guilt if your budget is tight.

Use the Buyer Decision Tree above to match your battery platform and task profile to the right pick.

Sources

• Wirecutter — The Best Cordless Electric Chainsaw (2026 guide, EGO and Greenworks picks)
• Pro Tool Reviews — Battery Chainsaw Head-to-Head (chain speed and cut count bench tests)
• Project Farm YouTube — Best Battery Chainsaw Tested vs Gas (oil-flow, motor-heat teardown)
• This Old House — Best Cordless Chainsaws We Tested (2026)
• Family Handyman — Best Cordless Chainsaws for Homeowners
• Reddit r/Tools — multi-year EGO CS1804 durability megathread
• Reddit r/Chainsaw — battery vs gas working pro discussion
• Reddit r/Arborist — Husqvarna 540iXP and EGO CSX5000 working reviews
• Manufacturer spec sheets — EGO Power+, Stihl USA, Husqvarna, Milwaukee Tool, DEWALT, Greenworks, Ryobi, Black+Decker
• Stihl USA — MSA 220 C-B official specifications and AP battery runtime claims
• Husqvarna — 540iXP product brief and savE mode runtime data