An electric chainsaw is a handy power tool for any DIY-er. With it, light-duty landscaping jobs, such as trimming small branches can be quickly and easily accomplished. The best electric chainsaws will also come in handy in cleaning up the yard after a storm.
This type of chainsaw is also not as noisy as gasoline-powered saws, so it’s more ideal to use if you live in a residential area. And while an electric chainsaw doesn’t usually have the power of a gas-powered chainsaw, it is much better in terms of portability and ease of maintenance. So, it is no wonder that many homeowners have electric chainsaws, especially those who tackle simple jobs in their yard, including pruning or removing thin branches.
Here, we’re reviewing the 12 best electric chainsaw models, along with a short buying guide at the end to help you choose the right model for you.
Top Electric Chainsaws
WORX WG303.1 Electric Chainsaw
This 16-inch electric chainsaw from WORX is powered by a 4.5 amp motor. It is lightweight and very easy to maneuver. Handling is also designed to be easy and convenient with its ergonomic handles.
The 4.5 amp motor of this electric chainsaw produces 3.5 horsepower, which is comparable to that of a gas-powered chainsaw. But unlike a gas chainsaw, there is no need to mix oil and gas to operate it. This chainsaw is also easy to start up.
It also has an automatic chain tensioning system designed to prevent it from overtightening. A built-in chain brake is also present for safety reasons, particularly in lessening the chances of kickbacks.
This corded electric chainsaw is considered a low maintenance power tool with its built-in, automatic oiler providing constant lubrication to the chain and bar. And with its power and lightweight design, it does not have problems performing tasks such as clearing brush, trimming trees, and cutting firewood. Using it should also not be that much of a challenge with its weight of just 11 pounds, plus its ergonomically designed front and rear handles.
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DEWALT DCCS690M1 16-Inch Chainsaw
This cordless, 16-inch chainsaw is portable, lightweight, and easy to maintain. It also emits low noise while in operation.
This electric chainsaw is easy and simple to start. Sans pull cords, startup is limited to three steps– disengaging the chain brake, pushing the lock lever, and pressing the trigger. It also features a variable speed trigger, which allows users to adjust chainsaw speed depending on the task at hand while limiting wear and tear on the chain and bar.
The rear handle is designed to minimize vibration transferred to the user. It is also the area where the variable speed trigger switch is located. The rear part of the chainsaw is made from hard plastic and feels solid in your hand. Weighing around 16 pounds, handling of this unit should not be much of a challenge.
It has different safety features as well, such as its low kickback chain and reduced kickback bar minimizing the chances of kickback. There is also a lockout switch designed to prevent unintended operation of the device. Ribbed bumpers, meanwhile, provide extra stability during operation. And the front hand guard gives extra protection against wood chips and flying debris.
Remington RM1425 14-inch Electric Chainsaw
This 14-inch electric chainsaw from Remington is a lightweight, compact, and easy-to-use power tool. It is the type of chainsaw ideal for casual users who don’t want to spend a lot of money for more sophisticated saws.
With an 8 amp motor, the RM1425 generates around 1.3 horsepower. While the motor has limited power, the saw is still capable of light to medium-duty jobs, such as clearing brush, cutting small logs, pruning, and limbing fallen trees.
This electric chainsaw is also relatively easy to use. Simply press the throttle lockout button and the throttle control switch. Once it powers up, release the lockout switch. And since it is a corded chainsaw, you can be assured that you will be able to finish the job without being caught with a dead battery.
It is also safe as the chain is categorized as low kickback by the American National Standards Institution. This means that the chances of a kickback are low, especially if the chain is regularly maintained or sharpened.
The saw comes fully assembled and backed by a two-year warranty.
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BLACK+DECKER LCS1020
Powered by a lithium battery and equipped with a 10-inch low kick bar and chain, this Black & Decker electric chainsaw is easy, fast, and safe to use. It may not have the longest side bar and chain, and its battery is not as powerful as those of others, but it is enough for simple tasks, such as pruning and clearing brush.
With its 10-inch bar, this saw doesn’t have the ability to cut through six-inch thick woods. Yet it should be good enough for light-duty tasks, including cutting unwanted branches off trees. Moreover, it is relatively quiet when in operation. The noise it makes is comparable to that of a vacuum cleaner.
It is also easy to operate as all you need to do is push the safety lock button located on the handle. There is also a chain brake and handguard designed to reduce the chances of kickback.
Adjusting the chain should not be a hassle at all with its chain tensioning system. And its oiling system makes maintenance a breeze while keeping the bar and chain lubricated. Finally, its weight of around 7 pounds makes it easy to maneuver while reducing hand fatigue.
Greenworks 18-Inch 14.5 Amp Corded Chainsaw 20332
The Greenworks 20332 is an 18-inch, 14.5 amp corded electric chainsaw that is affordable, reliable, and easy to operate, reliable. This model is recommended for people who have light to moderate cutting tasks to perform on an occasional basis.
Weighing around 12 pounds with dimensions of 33 x 10.25 x 8.5 inches, this corded chainsaw has a starting power of 2,400 watts. Capable of generating up to 2.3 horsepower, it has more than enough power to cut through most woods. Its 18-inch bar, on the other hand, features a narrow nose radius for reduced chances of kickback while its nose sprocket improves cutting performance by improving the movement of the chain around the bar.
Its handle is ergonomically designed to provide comfort and convenience to users. The grip is rubberized so that extended use won’t be painful. The right-hand side features large and easy to operate chain tensioning buttons. There is also an automatic chain brake that reduces the likelihood of an injury in the event of a kickback.
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Oregon CS1500 Self-Sharpening Electric Chainsaw
The Oregon CS1500 is a low maintenance, powerful, and ergonomically designed electric chainsaw. It’s a top of the line chainsaw that can carry out light to medium-duty tasks, such as cutting firewood.
This electric chainsaw is powered by a 15 amp motor with an 1,800-watt rating, giving it enough power to take on most jobs in the yard. Its motor is brushless, meaning it is up to 90% efficient. The 18-inch blade is more than capable of cutting through logs up to 16 inches in diameter. It will also cut through hardwoods with ease.
The guide bar has a small radius nose to reduce kickback. It also has a non-replaceable nose sprocket to reduce friction and enhance cutting although this needs to be regularly greased.
One of the key features of this electric chainsaw is its integrated sharpening system. With this feature, sharpening the chain can take only five seconds. It’s an advanced function that is not found in most electric chainsaws today.
With a weight of about 12 pounds, this electric chainsaw is ergonomically designed for extended use. It feels solidly constructed with an over-mold comfort handle. It is also quiet when in operation.
DEWALT DCCS620P1
The Dewalt DCCS620P1 is a 12-inch cordless chainsaw from one of the more reputable makers of power tools. It is powered by a 20V battery and features advanced features, including tool-free tensioning and highly efficient brushless motor. It is lightweight and easy to start, too.
This cordless chainsaw gets high points for its excellent design. Its hand grip, for example, is ergonomically designed. The rubber coating enhances comfort while holding the unit even during extended use. It also minimizes the intensity of vibrations and improves the grip of the user.
Its tool-free tensioning system, on the other hand, is pretty standard but still noteworthy to mention. Its 12-inch bar has a low-kickback tip and useful in tackling limbs or trees with 6-10 inches in diameter. It can also cut through bigger wood, but the user will have to exert more effort in doing so.
With a weight of 8.8 pounds, this chainsaw is easy to maneuver. It also minimizes fatigue, especially during extended use. And while it is battery-powered, the battery lasts long on a single charge. Users can expect a few hours of heavy-duty work on a single charge.
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Homelite 14 In. 9 Amp Electric Chainsaw
Homelite’s 14-inch electric chainsaw features the patented Safe-T-Tip that helps minimize the chances of a kickback. One of the most common causes of this dreaded occurrence is when the top of the chainsaw touches a wood surface while the saw is still running. In the case of this Homelite electric chainsaw, there is a metal piece that is attached to the guide bar. Protruding past the chain, it prevents the latter from making contact with a wood surface.
This electric chainsaw doesn’t have the longest guide bar, yet it comes with a ⅜ inch chain that gives it the cutting power to slice through most woods. It is good enough to tackle limbs and trees with 28 inches of diameter. The unit also comes with a wrap-around handle that enhances grip and ensures the safety of the user during cutting.
Makita UC3551A
This is a 14-inch electric chainsaw powered by a 4.5 amp motor. It features blade and chain adjustments, ergonomic design, and excellent build quality.
It is engineered to cut quickly and efficiently with its 2900 FPM chain speed. The motor is also designed to reduce power once it is overloaded, and so preventing it from burnout. There is an electric chain oiler, too, for continuous heavy-duty jobs. The large oil reservoir comes with a view window allowing the user to check the oil level quickly.
Makita also used rubberized grip handles on this electric chainsaw for safety purposes. The large trigger switch facilitates smooth startups. As a corded type, it is best used for trimming, pruning, and cutting firewood. It is a versatile chainsaw that can provide great value for its owners.
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Sun Joe SWJ701E
The Sun Joe SWJ701E corded electric chainsaw is a reliable and easy-to-use cutting tool. This 18-inch and 14-amp saw has the power, design, and performance any homeowner would want from an electric chainsaw.
It weighs less than 10 pounds, which is pretty impressive for its size. Its handle is primarily made of plastic, giving it the lightweight design. The 14 amp brush motor provides it with enough power to cut through wood with a diameter of 16 inches. The motor’s power is comparable with many smaller gas-powered chainsaws. So, users can rely on this power tool for cutting firewood, branches, and thick limbs.
In terms of safety features, the SWJ701E has the standards, such as automatic oiler that can keep it properly lubricated all the time. Aside from the chain brake, it also has front and rear hand guards, bumper spikes that help in stabilizing the saw, and a safety lock button.
If there is a chink in the armor of this top-rated chainsaw, then it may have to be the noise it makes when in operation. The manufacturer puts its sound power level to 107 decibels, which is not exactly quiet at all.
BLACK+DECKER CS1216
This corded electric chainsaw is simple to start and use. Lightweight and easy to maneuver, it can give any homeowner reliable cutting performance all the time. The lack of a chain brake, though, may be its weakest point.
Powered by a 12 amp motor capable of generating up to 1,440 watts, this chainsaw has the power to handle light to medium cutting tasks. It has an automatic oiling system that requires a simple press of a button to release oil needed to keep the bar and chain in tip-top shape.
Weighing around 10 pounds, the CS1216 has a plastic construction which may not give it the sturdiness of a bigger saw but keeps it lightweight and so easier to move or maneuver. Safety features, including a low kickback guide bark and kickback chain, minimize chances of kickback. There are also front and rear hand guards that can protect the user’s hands from debris. Meanwhile, a lock off switch prevents accidental start-up of this tool.
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Zombi ZCS5817
Rounding out the list is this 16-inch, cordless electric chainsaw from Zombi. The unit features a 13-amp motor and weighs around 13 pounds. Despite being relatively heavy compared to the other electric chainsaws on this list, the Zombi ZCS5817 has plenty of nice features that make it an appealing choice to homeowners.
With power from its 4.0Ah battery, this chainsaw can handle large debris easily. Its 16-inch bar and chain give it enough cutting power to slice through most woods. There is also a chainsaw tool included and an integrated compartment on the bottom side of the unit. Its handle is also ergonomically designed to keep things comfy for operators even during extended use.
What to Look for in an Electric Chainsaw
After reading the reviews, you should have an idea of what to consider in your purchase, but here are the details.
Although highly useful and portable, electric chainsaws can be quite intimidating, especially for people who have little to no experience using this type of power tool. After all, the presence of a blade on one end of the chainsaw can be daunting, especially for an ordinary homeowner. But the truth is an electric chainsaw is a lot easier to use than a gasoline model. With an electric chainsaw, starting up can be accomplished with a simple press of a button. Many contemporary electric chainsaws are also lightweight and easy to handle.
Types of Electric Chainsaws
There are two types of electric chainsaws: corded and cordless. The corded versions have more power compared to their cordless counterparts. As such, it can be used in slicing branches and cutting small trees that are close to the ground. However, the user should be near a power source in order to operate a corded chainsaw. There are no corded chainsaws with a cord long enough to be plugged into a wall outlet. This makes the use of an extension cord a necessity.
Portability is the main attribute of a cordless chainsaw. It is powered by rechargeable batteries. The operation is limited to an hour or two, but that should be enough for small jobs, such as cutting branches.
Weight and Power
Weight and power typically go hand in hand for electric chainsaws. Simply put it, the bigger the capacity and the engine of the chainsaw, the more power you get out of it. But the downside is that maneuvering it may not be the easiest task to accomplish.
Bar Length
One of the more important features to consider when you shop for an electric chainsaw is the length of the bar. One way to judge the size and capability of the electric chainsaw is to look at its bar length. The longer the bar, the more capable the saw is in cutting wood in a single pass.
The rule of thumb as far as electric chainsaw safety is concerned is that one should always use a blade that is at least 2 inches longer than the wood to be cut. Most of the electric chainsaws today have blades ranging from 14 to 20 inches. For medium-duty jobs, such as cutting firewood, you’d need to use an electric chainsaw with at least a 16-inch blade. For simpler jobs, including trimming or pruning, one smaller than 12 inches could suffice.
Safety Features
Since electric chainsaws pose safety risks especially for novice users, it pays to get one with safety features, such as a chain brake. Arguably the most important safety feature of an electric chainsaw, this is typically a lever found close to the handle. It is designed to stop the chain whenever the saw gets into a sudden movement or impact.
Other features worth mentioning include anti-vibration, which makes handling of the saw more comfortable; tool-less chain adjustment for easy and quick changing of the cutting chain tension; and an automatic oiler that lubricates the chain essential for efficient cutting.