A battery-powered chainsaw may seem to be a strange choice when you think about a power tool that needs to work hard. But in recent years, manufacturers have started to create battery-powered saws that can hold their own against traditional petrol or gas-powered saws.
We have selected three battery-powered chainsaws for this review. Take a look at what is available, and perhaps there is a battery-powered saw that will fit your needs.
The GreenWorks 201312 G-Max: mid-range magic
The GreenWorks 201312 G Max is our first contender in the battery-powered chainsaw race. If you are tired of exhaust fumes, an electric saw is your next best option. This saw has quite a lot of power and can work hard on medium to light types of jobs.
Features
- It has a DigiPro brushless motor
- It comes with a 4Ah battery and a charger
- It works on 40 Volts
- It has a chain brake for safety
- It has a low kickback design
- It has a 16-inch bar
- Weight: 6.9 pounds (3.12 kg)
- Dimensions: 9 x 31 x 8.5 inches (22.86 x 78.74 x 21.59 cm)
Pros
- It comes with its soft carry bag
- It performs very well even compared to gas/petrol saws
- It is a perfect DIY saw to use for mid-range jobs
- It is durable and holds up well to regular day-to-day use
- It is light and easy to handle
- The battery recharges quickly and can be used with other GreenWorks products
- The safety features are effective and work very well
Cons
- The battery can be tricky to fit
- The cover does not fasten well to the body
- It can get clogged easily
- The chain can become detached and can be difficult to replace
- It has some problems with reliability
Summary
This chainsaw is lightweight, easy to use, and has enough power to do a few medium and quite a lot of lighter jobs. It is durable, and the battery recharges quite quickly. This saw is also designed with very effective safety features.
The Black and Decker LCS1020: light strong and compact
Black and Decker is a well-known name when it comes to power tools, and with the LCS1020 they build on their repertoire with a great battery-powered chainsaw.
It is compact and lightweight and perfect for the lighter tasks that you need to deal with. But how does it perform? We have the pros and cons so you can weigh them up.
Features
- It has a 20 Volt lithium-ion battery
- It comes with a 10 inch Oregon bar and chain
- The bar has low kickback
- The saw has a tool-free tensioning system
- It has a bale handle that wraps around the body
- It has an automatic oiling system
- It has a very lightweight design
- Weight: 7.2 pounds (3.26 kg )
- Dimensions: 9.63 x 8.81 x 16.7 inches (24.4 x 22.37 x 42.41 cm )
Pros
- It is fast and comfortable to use
- It is sturdy and easy to assemble
- It feels safe to use and is lightweight
- It is well priced for the type of performance it delivers
- It has a good water resistance
- It is best for occasional use
- This saw is very quiet
Cons
- There is no replacement for the oil cap, and it is easily damaged
- The automatic oiling can become unreliable
- It does not have a very high RPM
- The chain loosens easily
Summary
This is a nice compact little chainsaw for smaller jobs. It is suitable if you don’t like heavy, cumbersome power tools and need a bit more power to get the job done.
It is lightweight and well-priced, it won’t wake the neighbors and is even a little water-resistant so it won’t mind a little drizzle. For such a small saw, it packs quite a punch.
The DeWalt DCC690M1 brushless chainsaw: good performance at different speeds
Our final contender, last but not least, is the DeWalt DCC690M1 brushless chainsaw. It is a saw designed for lighter work, but it still has quite a powerful motor and battery to get the job done. It also has the benefit of a variable speed trigger.
Features
- It has a brushless motor
- It comes with a 40 Volt 4Ah lithium-ion battery
- It has an automatic oiling system
- It has a tool-free chain tensioner
- It has a variable speed trigger
- It has a low kickback Oregon bar and chain with a 16-inch size
- It has a chain brake
- Weight: 18.45 pounds ( 8.36 kg)
- Dimensions: 9.3 x 36 x 9.3 inches (23.62 x 4 x 23.62 cm )
Pros
- It is very easy to maintain
- It is quick and easy to start
- The quick action trigger is very effective, and the saw stops immediately
- It is well suited to lighter work
- It is well balanced
- The battery has a good life and holds the charge well
- It is quiet
Cons
- The oiler stops working after a few hours of use
- The oiler is not consistent, and it uses a lot more oil than other saws
- It does not perform well with heavy work
- The chain easily becomes loose
- It is heavy
Summary
This saw by DeWalt is a well-balanced saw with a quick action trigger that stops the blade immediately when you release it.
It is a very safe saw with good battery life, but the chain does have some commitment issues and tends to work itself loose often.
It is quiet, but a bit heavy and has a few issues with its oiler. All in all, this is a good mid-range saw with a powerful motor to get the smaller pieces of wood in your life sorted quickly.
Our final verdict
Each of these saws is great for light work around the garden or for cutting saplings and branches on your property. Our top choice is the Black and Decker just because it performs well for such a light compact saw.
That being said, there is very little to push one of these saws above the others. They all perform very well for battery-powered tools and work safely and efficiently. If you don’t need to do heavy work, each of these will have a few good features to catch your eye.
