The Finest Electrical Chainsaws of 2023

How We Tested Electric Chainsaws

From bucking logs at a job site, to amassing wood for the winter on homesteads, the GearJunkie team is no stranger to the chainsaw game. Our lead tester, Berne Broudy, has spent many a day covered in sawdust, and culminated our initial selection of six chainsaws back in March of 2021. Since then we’ve had our finger on the pulse of the electric chainsaw market, and make sure to scope out new technologies and updates as soon as they’re available.

We chopped up endless lengths of logs, cleared miles of trails, and amassed piles of firewood with each of these models, using them on rigorous jobs to truly test their mettle. We focused on the ease of use, battery power, efficiency, and durability of each saw — and each had to impress us on multiple fronts to earn any real estate in this guide.

We know the competition for the chainsaw podium is fierce, which is why we keep this guide on an iterative update schedule, ensuring the roundup you see above is the most current, deserving selection possible. Rest assured — each saw on this list will tackle your sawing tasks with ease.

Buyers Guide: How to Choose an Electric Chainsaw

What Is the Point of an Electric Chainsaw?

There’s a feeling of power in yanking a gas-powered saw to life and hearing it rumble in your hands. Take away that allure — and remove some power — and you might be wondering what the point of an electric chainsaw would be. They don’t sound as cool, they have less tenacity, and you have to remember to keep their batteries charged.

So why buy one? Below, we’ll take a look at some of the primary pros and cons of these e-beasts, and you can decide for yourself.

Pros of Electric Chainsaws

To us, these saws’ discrete draw lies in their simplicity, weight, safety, eco-friendly nature, and financial savings. Electric chainsaws hum to life at the flick of a switch, whereas gas saws require you to pull a cord a few times to start it up — which bears the inherent danger of kickback occurring and injuring the operator.

Gas saws also run on a blend of gas and oil, and insufficient blends can keep the motor from turning over — and require regular maintenance. Having carburetors, fuel lines, spark plugs, and air filters in the system adds a significant number of potential failure points. Additional gas and oil are also continued financial burdens.

Gas-powered models are heavier to operate and more unwieldy, which also places them on the more dangerous fringe of the spectrum. Finally, gas chainsaws transmit fumes that are toxic to the environment, and require a continual influx of fossil fuels to run. Electric chainsaws are better for the planet and are generally easier to operate.

Cons of Electric Chainsaws

The primary con of electric chainsaws lies in their lack of power compared to their gas-infused cousins. While they hold their own considering their weight and simplicity, they won’t be able to handle the caliber of tasks that a gas-powered saw of the same size could. Additionally, it is more difficult to accomplish remote jobs with electric chainsaws, as you need to be close to a power source to keep your batteries charged, and bringing loads of extra batteries gets heavy, expensive, and downright frustrating.

As you can see, it boils down to personal preference and the types of jobs you plan on tackling when it comes to choosing between an electric or gas-powered chainsaw. Both have their own advantages and drawbacks, but we tend to gravitate to electric saws for moderate work that has access to an outlet. The pros seem to outweigh the cons for us in most everyday DIY tasks we encounter.

What Other Battery-Powered Tools Do You Already Own?

The key to battery-powered tools is that many of the batteries can be used in a family of tools, not just a single tool. This can save you some major money.

If you’re already committed to a brand’s battery system, it may make sense to buy a compatible chainsaw. If you haven’t committed to a brand’s battery system, choose carefully, because you may be committing to more than just the chainsaw once you get started. The batteries in my Greenworks chainsaw also power my lawnmower, leaf blower, pole saw, and more.

Choose Your Batteries and Charger Wisely

Electric chainsaws run on quick-charging lithium-ion batteries. Many recharge in about an hour. A bigger battery will give you saw longer life. It will also weigh more. If you’re doing light yard work and using your saw infrequently, it may make sense to have multiple smaller batteries instead of big ones.

Actually, it always makes sense to have multiple batteries, because there’s nothing more frustrating than being halfway through a project and having to wait until your battery recharges, which could be 40 minutes to several hours. Some e-chainsaws have battery-charging options. If a quick recharge is important to you, spend a few extra bucks to save yourself hours of waiting.

What Do Ah and V Numbers Mean?

When shopping for a battery-operated chainsaw, amps (A), amp-hours (Ah), and voltage (V) tell you how much work you’ll be able to do with the saw-and-battery combination.

Amps or amperage is the amount of electrical current the battery can provide. Amp-hours tells you how long the battery can provide a certain amount of current. And voltage is how much force the saw has to push current from one part of the electrical circuit to the next. More expensive saws will have higher numbers.

Weigh Your Options

Smaller saws are lighter and easier to operate. Pick one large enough to get your jobs done. If you’re planning on carrying a saw for trail work, you may want the smallest, not the most powerful. If you’re using your saw to fell trees and buck up firewood for the season, power and large size are key.

Battery choice also affects the saw’s running weight. Choose batteries with enough juice you won’t be waiting for a recharge. Keep in mind that lighter batteries are usually shorter-lived but also make a saw easier to manage.

What Features Matter?

Not every saw has a chain brake and not every saw is self-oiling. Some come standard with bucking spikes, others leave them off. Pick a saw with the operation and safety features that are important to you. Some e-chainsaws have tool-free chain tensioning, some have clip-in storage for a tool, etc.

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

Bucking spikes — known by other monikers such as teeth, spikes, dawgs, or dogs — are metal or plastic plates that can be fixed to the powerhead of a chainsaw. Most chainsaws come with bucking spikes already pre-mounted, but some have mounting areas where different types of spikes can be mounted directly to the saw.

“Dawgs,” as we like to call them, provide something of a pivot point when bucking up large sections of logs, as they allow you to dig the spike into the log and use them as a point of leverage to force your bar through the log. This is extremely important when using particularly large chainsaws with long bars to cut through oversized logs.

To properly use a chainsaw dawg, use the rotation of your chain to help you jam the spikes into the log when you begin your cut. This allows you to use the sticking point to pivot your chainsaw bar down into the log. After you have cut through a significant portion of the log, you can pull the dawgs out of the log, and continue cutting as normal. If it is a particularly large log, you can continue jamming the spikes back into the log for multiple pivot cuts.

We have noted if each of the electric chainsaws above has bucking spikes or not in the specs chart.

You Get What You Pay For

Electric chainsaws are like most other tools: You get what you pay for. If you buy a cheap saw, expect that it won’t have all the bells and whistles of a more expensive saw, and the battery likely won’t be as powerful or long-lasting.

Not everyone needs a pro-grade saw, but for us, features like a chain brake and automatic chain oiler are non-negotiable. Chainsawing safety is paramount, and an auto-oiler will keep your saw in tip-top shape.

Caring for Electric Chainsaws

“Take care of your tools and they’ll take care of you” — a maxim we’ve probably all heard our dads mutter in the past. While electric chainsaws are much easier to maintain, clean, and operate than gas-powered models, there are still some important considerations to keep in mind before you leave the job site at the end of a long day.

First and foremost, it is vital to ensure your oil tank is filled with quality bar and chain lubricant before each use. Operating any electric chainsaw without chain oil, or when the oil level is below the minimum mark, will result in long-term damage to the saw. We’ve been using a premium oil-free lubricant from EGO Power+ and have had solid results with it.

After each use, it’s a good idea to clean debris like dirt and wood chips from the chain and guide bar with a soft brush. You should also wipe the saw surface with a clean damp cloth soaked in a mild soap solution, or mechanic’s wipes. Make sure you have removed the battery before cleaning your saw.

After you have done this, remove the side cover, and use your soft brush, paper towels, or even an old toothbrush to clear debris from the guide bar, saw chain, and sprocket under the cover. Sawdust and gunk build up fast in here, so it’s important to stay on top of this! If the buildup is difficult to remove, add a bit of carb cleaner to your toothbrush or cloth to help break it up.

Next, make sure that the body of your saw is clear of sawdust and dirt, such as your battery compartment and connections, and vent areas. Over time you will need to sharpen or replace your chain and perform heavier maintenance tasks, but keeping it clean after each use will greatly prolong the life of your saw.

Safety Considerations When Using Electric Chainsaws

Just because these are electric chainsaws, doesn’t mean they are any less dangerous than their gas-guzzling counterparts. Chainsaw work is by definition extremely risky, and even lightweight 10″ “yard-work” saws could lop your finger off as easily as they trim the bushes. Electric chainsaws are sometimes also considered even more dangerous than gas-powered saws, as there is no rumble of the motor to remind you that the saw is operational.

It’s important to read the instructions and owner’s manual completely for any electric chainsaw you decide to go with and remove the battery before checking and adjusting chain tension or refilling bar oil. Make sure to learn how to safely use a chainsaw from someone you trust who has experience in the craft before setting off on your own. Additionally, stock up on all of the appropriate safety gear before working with these tools. They have the potential to seriously injure you, but there are steps you can take — and apparel you can wear — to mitigate the risk.

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