Gas muscle for the firewood pile, cordless convenience for storm cleanup, and one corded workhorse that just keeps cutting. These ten saws are sorted by bar length, power source, and the kind of work they actually suit.
Last updated: September 2026
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How we sized them up
This is a spec-led shortlist built from published specs and retailer listings. We compared bar length, power source, chain speed, oiling systems, weight, and safety features like chain brakes. For most homeowners, the right bar length and a dependable automatic oiler matter more than chasing the highest voltage. Once the rounds are cut and stacked, see our guide to the best leaf blowers for cleaning up the debris they leave behind.
The quick cut
Pick a power source first, then match the bar to the wood. Tap any pick to jump straight to the full breakdown.
Husqvarna 455 Rancher 20-Inch Gas Chainsaw, 55.5cc 3.5 HP
ASIN B0BRNRL6NQ
Product image: Husqvarna media.
Who it’s forThe 455 Rancher is the do-everything homeowner saw: a 55.5cc engine with enough torque for felling medium trees and bucking a serious firewood pile. Husqvarna’s X-Torq engine trims fuel use and emissions versus older two-stroke designs, and the inertia-activated chain brake is there for kickback. Gas means fuel and maintenance, but no battery will ever run out on you mid-tree.
EGO Power+ 56V 18-Inch Cordless Chainsaw Kit with 4.0Ah Battery and Charger (CS1803)
ASIN B09SBVKVPC
Product image: EGO Power+ media.
Who it’s forThis is the cordless saw for people who want gas-like reach without gas. The 18-inch bar handles storm-fallen trees and big limbs, and the 56V battery platform also powers EGO’s mowers and blowers. The kit ships with a 4.0Ah battery and charger, so it is ready to work out of the box. Five-year tool warranty coverage is generous for the category.
Specifications
Bar
18 in.
Power
56V cordless, 4.0Ah battery
Motor
Brushless
Weight
9.7 lb (bare)
Pros
Long 18-inch bar on a battery platform
Kit includes battery and charger
Tool-free chain tensioning
Cons
One of the pricier cordless picks
Heavy cutting eats battery life, as with any cordless saw
Milwaukee M18 Fuel 16-Inch Brushless Cordless Chainsaw, Tool Only (2727-20)
ASIN B07FRRFR47
Product image: Home Depot listing media.
Who it’s forIf you already own M18 batteries, this is the saw that plugs into your existing investment. The Fuel brushless motor holds its speed under load, and the 16-inch Oregon bar and chain cover most land-maintenance jobs. It is sold as a tool only, so check your battery drawer first. An electric chain brake and automatic oiler round out the package.
Who it’s forThe Greenworks 20312 is the cheapest way to get a full-size cordless saw with battery and charger in the box. The 16-inch bar is the sweet spot for limbing and cutting firewood, and the brushless motor runs quieter and more efficiently than brushed alternatives. It shares batteries with the rest of the 40V G-MAX lineup.
DeWalt 20V MAX XR 12-Inch Brushless Cordless Chainsaw, Tool Only (DCCS620B)
ASIN B073FTGBZY
Product image: TEGS Tools retail listing.
Who it’s forThe DCCS620B is the saw for trimming branches, cutting firewood-length logs, and keeping in the truck. At 12 inches and under nine pounds, it is easy to handle overhead and in tight spots. Tool-free chain tensioning keeps adjustments quick. It is a bare tool, so it makes the most sense if you already run DeWalt 20V MAX batteries.
Who it’s forMakita’s approach is clever: two 18V LXT batteries combine for 36V of cutting power, so the batteries still work in all your other 18V Makita tools. The kit ships with four 5.0Ah batteries and a dual-port charger, which means a fresh pair is usually ready while you work. The 14-inch bar covers limbing and medium firewood.
Who it’s forThe CS-310 is the gas saw for people who want gas power without gas weight. At 8.8 pounds dry, it is the lightest gas saw here, and the 30.5cc professional-grade engine handles limbing, storm cleanup, and light firewood duty. Echo backs it with a five-year consumer warranty, and the i-30 starter cuts pull effort by a third.
Who it’s forThe WG385 is built around convenience features. Automatic chain tensioning keeps the chain at the right tension without tools, and the automatic oiler keeps it fed. It runs on two 20V Power Share Pro batteries (4.0Ah) with a charger included, and those batteries slot into the rest of the Worx 20V and 40V lineup.
Black+Decker 40V MAX 12-Inch Cordless Chainsaw Kit (LCS1240)
ASIN B00N8PQCE2
Product image: Menards retail listing.
Who it’s forThe LCS1240 is the entry point: the lowest-priced cordless saw here, and the lightest at 8.3 pounds. It is sized for pruning, trimming fallen limbs, and the occasional small firewood session. The battery holds a charge for up to 18 months in storage, so it is ready when storm season hits.
Who it’s forThe WG303.1 is the no-battery, no-gas option. Plug it in and it cuts: a 14.5-amp motor drives a full 16-inch bar, and the automatic oiler keeps the chain fed. No charging, no fuel mixing, no battery to age out. The trade-off is the cord, so it fits yard work within an extension-cord reach of an outlet.
Match the saw to the wood you cut and where you cut it.
Gas, cordless, or corded
Gas saws deliver the most power for remote work and long firewood sessions, with fuel and maintenance to match. Cordless saws handle most suburban jobs with less noise and no mixing. Corded saws are the cheapest path to a 16-inch bar, as long as an outlet is within reach.
Bar length
A 12-inch bar suits pruning and limbing. Sixteen inches is the all-around size for firewood and storm cleanup. Go 18 to 20 inches for felling medium trees and bucking large trunks.
Safety and upkeep
Look for a working chain brake and an automatic oiler on every saw. Keep the chain sharp and the oil topped up — a dull chain is the main cause of dangerous kickback. Chaps, gloves, and eye protection are worth the money on the first cut.
Specifications are based on published manufacturer and retailer information for the listed models. Check the current product listing for package contents and compatibility before ordering.
