Top 10 Best Cordless Chainsaws in 2021 (Black+Decker, Craftsman, and More)

We’ve searched the Internet to find the best cordless chainsaws available. We’ve picked a variety of chainsaws, so no matter what you’re looking for, we have a cordless chainsaw for you!

Before buying a cordless chainsaw, there are a few points you should take into consideration, such as the battery and method of the chain adjustment. To help you with this, we’ve put together this handy buying guide!

One of the most important considerations when choosing any cordless tool is its battery. 

Many tool manufactures, such as Ryobi, use universal batteries. This means you can use the same battery for your cordless chainsaw as you can for your cordless screwdriver. So, some cordless chainsaws may not come with a battery. 

Make sure you check that a battery is included if you need one before you buy. Even if you do already have a battery, you may want to get a second one since batteries are often cheaper when sold with a tool than when sold separately.

It’s easy to think that the higher voltage a battery has, the better it will perform. Although higher voltages can be indicative of a more powerful chainsaw, this isn’t always the case. The battery powers the motor of the chainsaw, and the way they interact have a great effect on how powerful the chainsaw is. 

Even if your battery has a high voltage, if it doesn’t power the motor efficiently, then it won’t perform as well as a battery pack with a lower voltage. Although a 20-volt battery has more power than an 18-volt one, it doesn't necessarily mean it will perform better. 

When working with any battery-powered tools, you will want to ensure that the battery can last long enough to finish the job. Although it's a good option to have a second fully-charged battery on hand, this isn’t always practical. 

Product descriptions don’t always have this information available as different tasks will affect how long the chainsaw can run, so we recommend looking at reviews. Comments from purchasers with experience using the chainsaw will give you a better idea of what the run time is like.

Another important consideration when looking at the battery performance is how long it takes to charge the battery. Due to the size of the batteries often used with chainsaws, the battery packs can take hours to charge. 

If speed is essential, look for batteries with quicker charge times. Some higher-end chainsaws may have a rapid charger included that can charge your battery quicker, or the manufacturers may have one for sale separately.

When looking at the weight of a cordless chainsaw, there are two aspects you need to take into account. The first is the weight of the actual chainsaw, and the second is the weight of the battery. Not all batteries weigh the same, so if the chainsaw doesn’t come with a battery, you should check the battery weight before you buy. 

It can be difficult to get a proper feel for a chainsaw without getting your hands on it, but there are certain things you should look for if you’re going to buy online. Make sure that the handles are easy to grip and have rubber coatings. Thicker handles are usually easier on your hands, also. 

You should also check that the trigger handle has rubber grips so that your fingers won’t slip and is large enough to get a couple of fingers on. Many chainsaw users prefer triggers that retract against the handle instead of remaining sticking out.

Something else to look for is the balance of the chainsaw. An unbalanced chainsaw can be difficult to handle and might not cut straight easily. Chainsaws that are front-heavy are generally comfortable to use, but rear-heavy saws should be avoided. Product reviewers will give you an idea of whether a chainsaw is balanced.

Since chainsaw chains can stretch and move after every use, it’s important to check the chainsaw bar and adjust it if necessary. You may need to adjust the bar every time you use the chainsaw! Some bars need to be adjusted with tools, such as screwdrivers or wrenches, whereas some other bars can be adjusted without. 

It’s common for cordless chainsaws to have tool-free adjustments controlled with dials or knobs on the chainsaw. This is easier and quicker than using tools. 

Adjusting the bar with tools can be a little more time-consuming and tricky, but many chainsaw users prefer this method. If you’re new to cordless chainsaws, we would recommend one that has tool-free adjustments.

Bucking spikes are spikes mounted on the body of the saw next to the bar, and they help the chainsaw push through wood more efficiently. Spikes can allow you to take advantage of the full power of the chainsaw while softening the jerking motions, so you should look for chainsaws that have these. 

The chainsaw bar is attached through a mounting stud (also known as a captive bolt).  Cordless chainsaws can have one or two of these, depending on their design. Chainsaws with dual-studs are generally bigger and stronger than chainsaws with just one stud. 

However, chainsaws with a tool-free adjustment usually only have one stud as the dials and knobs to adjust the bar take up the space that the second stud would. You may need to decide which is more important to you: easier adjustment or more strength.

Chainsaws need constant oiling to run due to the friction of the bar and chain. Many cordless chainsaws come with an automatic bar oiler that ensures the bar and chain get a constant supply of oil. Without an automatic oiler, you will need to keep a close eye on the bar and regularly stop to apply oil yourself. 

You should also check how easy the chainsaw is to fill with oil. If the chainsaw has a small opening for the oil, spills are more likely. It’s important that the opening is in a position that’s easy to reach. If it's too close to the grip or safety handle, you may not have a convenient angle to pour the oil.

Cordless chainsaws have electric motors, and the performance of the motor is integral to how efficient the chainsaw is. As we said earlier, the way the motor performs is just as important as the battery's capacity. 

Traditionally, the motors work by using carbon brushes to transmit a charge. The brushes interact with other parts of the chainsaw, and this friction can result in the motor being less efficient.

Brushless motors don’t have these carbon brushes and use magnets instead. Since these work without any interaction or friction, they’re usually more efficient than motors with carbon brushes. Brushless motors have better battery performance and power, plus they’re easier to maintain.

As well as a cordless chainsaw, there are other tools that can help you when you're working in the garden or the woods. Here are some more recommendations for you!

Cordless chainsaws are a more lightweight and environmentally friendly option than a gas-powered chainsaw. They can cut down branches and smaller trees, but you need to make sure that the battery and motor are powerful and efficient. 

Chainsaws that have tool-free adjustment and automatic oiling are easier to use and maintain. Whatever cordless chainsaw you choose, we hope it gives you hours of efficient woodcutting!

Author: Kellie Lacey

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