Electric chainsaws are better than gas chainsaws. That may feel like a controversial statement, but cordless electric saws eliminate most of the issues that make gas saws a pain.

　　They seriously reduce emissions by using electricity instead of oil and gas. And they’re cheaper to run — most don’t need maintenance beyond an occasional chain sharpening.

　　Electric chainsaws also eliminate carburetors, fuel lines, spark plugs, and air filters, including the cost and hassle of maintaining, cleaning, and replacing those. Because they don’t use gas, gas won’t go bad inside the saw. Some saws are also so quiet that not only will they be less disturbing to your neighbors and wildlife, but there’s also less of a chance they’ll impact your hearing.

　　They’re also super easy to start. If you’re an intermittent user, that may be what convinces you to make the switch. Electric chainsaws start when you release the safety and pull the trigger with your finger. There’s no pull cord, so theres no need to leave a saw idling so you don’t have to start it again or keep the gas engine warm. Electric chainsaws turn on and off in a flash. And when they’re on, because they vibrate less, they’re less tiring to use.

　　Be careful when you use an electric chainsaw. Because there’s no roar of a gas-powered engine, they can seem like toys. But an electric chainsaw chain can do just as much work as a gas-powered saw — and just as much damage if used inappropriately. Operators should wear the same PPE they put on when using gas-powered saws. And before you use any chainsaw, it’s imperative to get educated on proper safety and handling.

　　Our team at GearJunkie has collectively tested dozens of these electric beasts and left no stone unturned in finding the best saws for this guide. Whether bucking logs in the backcountry or cutting trees while building trails, lead tester and author Berne Broudy has years of experience with both electric and gas-powered chainsaws and harnessed this wisdom and the collective knowledge of our team to bring you the streamlined selection of eight chainsaws you see today.

　　For more information about electric chainsaws, check out our comprehensive buyers guide, comparison chart, and FAQ at the end of this article.

　　Editor’s Note: We updated this guide on May 14, 2024, adding the WEN 40V Max Lithium Ion 16-inch Brushless Chainsaw, our new pick for those on a tight budget.

　　The Best Electric Chainsaws of 2024 Best Overall Electric Chainsaw: Greenworks GS181 82V 18″ Chainsaw Best Budget Electric Chainsaw: DeWalt XR 12″ 20V Battery Chainsaw Kit Best Electric Chainsaw on a Tight Budget: WEN 40V Max Lithium Ion 16-Inch Brushless Chainsaw Best Midsize Electric Chainsaw: Stihl MSA 220 C-B Best Light-Duty Electric Chainsaw: Hart 8” Pruning Saw Best for Hard-to-Reach Branches: Greenworks 10″ Brushless Pole Saw Best Overall Electric Chainsaw Greenworks GS181 82V 18″ Chainsaw Specs Weight (with battery) 17 lbs., 4 oz. Bar length 18” Bucking spikes Steel Chain brake Yes Chain tensioning Via included but no onboard tool Warranty 2 years

　　Pros As powerful as a gas saw Long-lasting battery Quick charging Cons Batteries and chargers sold separately No onboard chain-tightening tool Manual chain tightening Berne Broudy The chainsaw that made us rethink owning a gas saw, the Greenworks 18-inch-bar GS181 ($535), can handle any task a prosumer Stihl can, from felling mature ash and maple to bucking up the log. We used it to fell and cut four cords of firewood and never missed our gas saw.

　　Greenworks GS181 has the power and torque of a 50cc gas engine with a more reliable, efficient, and economical brushless electric motor. It runs on a 4Ah 82V battery, the biggest battery of the saws on this list.

　　The battery has exceptional life. Greenworks optimized it for performance in the tool as well as efficient charging. It’s Bluetooth-enabled, so we could register it and track its performance. With Bluetooth, we always know which battery is the oldest. And when we loaned one to a neighbor, Bluetooth reminded us to get it back.

　　The GS181’s motor provided instant high torque, zero maintenance, and zero-exhaust cutting with decreased vibration and noise. We used this saw’s predecessor for 2 years, and while it was a fantastic second saw, it didn’t have the power to fell the largest trees. The thinner blade felt too delicate to fell big hardwoods. This tough, powerful big brother crushed any tree felling, trimming, or log sawing project we threw its way, including forestry work.

　　To operate this saw, we filled the clear oil reservoir with chain oil. Because the reservoir is translucent, it was easy to monitor chain oil levels on the fly. That’s important because, unlike a gas saw, we didn’t need to refill the oil. On gas saws, we typically refuel and refill the oil at the same time. The saw’s automatic oiler applied oil to the bar and chain as needed to ensure durability and smooth functioning.

　　When we were ready to saw, we pressed the power button above the handle and were ready to go. To start the chain spinning, release the lock on top of the saw, pull the trigger, and the saw comes to life. Your upper hand is protected by a chain brake that stops the saw instantly when engaged. Releasing the trigger also stops the blade.

　　The saw’s battery status and remaining charge were indicated by LED lights on the 400Ah battery. (It can also be run with Greenworks 250Ah and 500Ah batteries, and Bluetooth batteries are not required.) When the chain brake was engaged, a caution light flashed to let us know.

　　With the saw pressed against a tree, the steel bucking spikes bit in to give leverage and control. The high-quality chain, driven by the powerful battery and motor, ripped through wood with the same power as a gas saw, but with none of the fumes and a whole lot less noise.

　　Made for professional use, this saw has a metal plate protecting the bottom. It adds weight, but it also means we won’t ever crack the saw’s body. The new plate ruggedizes the saw and makes it feel even more trustworthy.

　　For quick tasks, its quiet enough that we didn’t feel like we needed hearing protection. But this saw is so big and powerful, we wore it anyway.

　　For people who use a chainsaw frequently and depend on it for tasks of all sizes, there’s no better saw than the Greenworks 18-inch GS181. It’s somewhere between prosumer and professional in design and power. And while it’s hefty, it gives the confidence to get any job done. This is the only saw on this list suitable for professional use.

　　CHECK PRICE AT GREENWORKS COMMERCIAL Best Budget Electric Chainsaw DeWalt XR 12″ 20V Battery Chainsaw Kit Specs Weight 9 lbs., 5 oz. Bar length 12″ Bucking spikes Plastic ridges Chain brake Yes Chain tensioning Tool-free Warranty N/A

　　Pros Compact Lightweight Affordable Cons Not great for bigger jobs Takes longer to cut than other models Berne Broudy Small and light enough to carry in a backpack, this 12-inch saw ($279) is our new go-to for trail work. A homestead workhorse, it cut landscaping timbers, cut down a stud wall, limbed trees, and cleaned up winter blowdown. And, at under $300, its a solid budget pick that still gets moderately difficult jobs done.

　　The 12-inch-blade saw was light and easy to handle, but it had the safety and convenience features of bigger, more expensive saws. It was the only sub-14-inch saw we tested that had a chain brake. It was self-oiling for continuous use, with a sealed reservoir that kept it from leaking when we carried the saw in a pack. All of the other saws in this class that we tested had manual oiling mechanisms, which were messy and unreliable.

　　The low-kickback, 12-inch Oregon bar and chain got the job done, though with a lot more vibration than larger saws. On the bright side, when the chain rattled loose, adjusting it was tool-free.

　　The tool is designed for smaller jobs. It had plastic ridges — not quite spikes. But that wasn’t a deal-breaker, as most of the time we used this saw to clear branches, cut down saplings, and trim bridge planks. It could cut down a tree up to 8 or so inches, it just took longer than the larger saws we liked.

　　This saw is part of Dewalt’s 20V Max system of tools. The kit includes the tool plus a 5Ah 20V Max battery, charger, and a bar cover.

　　check price at amazoncheck price at home depot Best Electric Chainsaw on a Tight Budget WEN 40417 40V Max Lithium Ion 16-Inch Brushless Chainsaw Specs Weight (with battery) 12 lbs. Bar length 16 Bucking spikes N/A Chain brake Yes Chain tensioning Tool-free Warranty 2 years

　　Pros Budget-pricing Proven Oregon 16 bar 40V battery provides decent torque and run-time Cons Cheaper plastic construction isn’t as durable Stock chain isn’t a high-quality option Berne Broudy Electric chainsaws are still fairly new to the power tools market, and for those unsure about the jump, a budget option offers a low-cost-of-entry opportunity to see what the fuss is all about. The WEN 40V Max Lithium Ion 16-Inch Brushless Chainsaw ($179) doesn’t ask a lot and performs on par with many of the saws we’ve tested to date.

　　As the ideal garden saw, the WEN is more suited to brushing out an overgrown lot than felling trees, but we had no problem using it for that task. The 40-volt battery is about the middle of the pack when it comes to e-saws, and we used the WEN for full days of trail work before it needed to be recharged.

　　Thankfully, WEN knows when to tag in the big guns where it counts, and the 16 Oregon bar is a welcome sight on this saw. While not a burly unit, the lightweight bar is designed to limit kickback, and we had no issues with it overheating when running hard.

　　As with many power tools, it’s important to consider the brand and system you’ll be investing in, and while WEN does offer up several other 40V lawn and garden tools, the budget brand may not be the tool ecosystem you’re looking to go all in on.

　　For those already plugged into a big-name battery system, it may be best to spend the extra dough to keep battery cross-compatibility. But if an electric chainsaw is a one-off purchase or the beginning of your power tool collection, the WEN 40V Max Lithium Ion 16-inch Brushless Chainsaw may be the ticket. It certainly won’t take a bite out of your wallet like some other serious saws will.

　　$153 at AmazonCheck Price at Lowes Best Midsize Electric Chainsaw Stihl MSA 220 C-B Specs Weight 12 lbs., 9 oz. Bar length 14″ and 16″ Bucking spikes Plastic and metal Chain brake Yes Chain tensioning Tool-free Warranty 3 years

　　Pros Tool-free chain tensioning Rugged and durable Cons Louder than other saws of similar size Berne Broudy Capable of felling and limbing small and medium-sized trees, and ideal for softwood projects, this light- to medium-duty 36V Stihl ($420) is the brand’s first battery-powered chainsaw with a 16-inch bar. And it’s the most powerful electric saw in the Stihl lineup.

　　This rugged, well-designed, well-built saw has all the most important convenience and safety features. According to Stihl, its bar and chain stay lubricated while also using up to 50% less oil than conventional saws. The system works via two ramps placed in the guide bar rail that contain oil flow and channel oil to the sliding faces of the bar, the chain links, the rivets, and the driver holes.

　　The saw’s chain brake stopped the chain fast when I activated it with my hand. It would auto-engage if the saw kicked back. One of our favorite features of this saw was a raised and printed felling stripe, a feature not found on any of the other saws we tested. It gave a visual of where the tree we were cutting would fall, which was accurate and educational.

　　A clear chain oil reservoir let us continuously monitor how much was left and when I needed to refill. But the handiest feature of this saw was Stihl’s Quick Chain Adjuster, which let us tension the chain without tools.

　　The MSA 220 C-B uses a light and compact brushless electric motor with reduced vibration. The soft rubber on the handle was easy to grip and comfortable to hold all day. While it was quieter than a gas saw, this saw was louder than other saws we tested and required hearing protection at all times.

　　We ran this saw with Stihl’s AP 300 S battery — a 7.8Ah battery and the most powerful Stihl offers. The battery has 25% more capacity than the AP 300 for longer runtime as well as an enhanced power-to-weight ratio. It’s compatible with a wide range of Stihl tools, including extended-reach hedge trimmers, pole pruners, chainsaws, and blowers.

　　The saw comes with Stihl’s 3/8-inch PICCO super chain and a low-profile, low-kickback saw chain with a square-cornered cutter shape for minimum chain friction and a smooth, clean cut. It was one of the nicest chains of any saw we tested. It sliced through small logs like a knife through butter with the power and precision practically synonymous with the Stihl name.

　　Metal and plastic spikes bit into the bark to give us purchase. But when we tackled trees 8 inches or larger, despite the long bar, the saw hesitated even when we weren’t applying pressure. We tested the 16-inch bar saw. But considering its power, I’d buy this saw with the 14-inch blade instead.

　　Check Price at Ace Hardware Best Light-Duty Electric Chainsaw Hart 8” Pruning Saw Specs Weight 6 lbs., 8 oz. Bar length 8″ Bucking spikes No Chain brake No Chain tensioning Onboard tool Warranty 3 years, limited

　　Pros No oil required Small and lightweight for light jobs around the house Cons Not great for big jobs No chain brake Berne Broudy One step up from manual loppers, the no-oil-required Hart 8-inch pruning saw ($145) is a handy lawn and garden tool for light jobs around the house and relatively infrequent use. The 20V saw is powered by a 2Ah battery with a fast charger. The battery is compatible with many other Hart tools, and the saw is compatible with any Hart 20V battery.

　　Though the saw is light-duty, it comes with a chain-tensioning tool in the handle. There’s no chain brake, but a plastic block protects your hand.

　　Hart does provide a tip guard to help prevent improper sawing techniques that could lead to kickback. With the tip guard installed, the bar cover didn’t fit. The frame of the saw keeps the blade off the ground, so when we stopped to clear out the branches we had cut, it didn’t get in the dirt.

　　check price at walmart Best for Hard-to-Reach Branches Greenworks 10″ Brushless Pole Saw Specs Weight 12 lbs., 12.8 oz. Bar length 10” Bucking spikes No Chain brake No Chain tensioning Tool-free Warranty 4 years

　　Pros Perfect for high branches Low weight Cons Niche design limits use Berne Broudy For most people, a pole saw falls in the n+1 category, as in non-essential. But once you’ve used this pole saw, you’ll wonder how you ever lived without it.

　　With a small chainsaw at the end of a three-piece pole that extends up to 10 feet, this pole saw ($179) is ideal for maintaining trails and driveways, cleaning up storm damage, pruning fruit and ornamental trees, and getting to broken branches that are higher than you can reach.

　　The saw, which has an automatic chain oiler, is on an angle at the end of the pole. That provides a great angle for sawing overhead tree limbs and helps with precision. The angled head also directs the weight of the saw down for a gravity assist with cuts. The three-section 10-foot poles gave 11 feet of reach. It twists to adjust.

　　To engage the saw, we pressed on the release and pulled the trigger in the handle (at the end of the pole farthest from the saw). That’s also where the battery lives, which kept the weight low and acted as ballast to help control the saw overhead.

　　When we cut a limb and it got hung up in the tree, a branch hook at the base of the saw helped us pull it down. We also used the branch hook to hang the saw when alternating between the pole saw and the chainsaw.

　　The 10-inch Pole Saw ran on the same batteries and used the same charger as the Greenworks GS181 82V 18-inch Chainsaw. It is a great tool for an ambitious homeowner but is also capable of handling professional jobs.

　　$179 at Amazon Best of the Rest Ryobi 40V HP 18” Brushless Chainsaw Specs Weight 13 lbs. Bar length 18” Bucking spikes Plastic Chain brake Yes Chain tensioning Via onboard tool Warranty 5 years

　　Pros Comes with carrying case Killer price for a powerful saw Cons Plastic spikes instead of metal Vulnerable battery position under saw Berne Broudy Powerful and aggressive, Ryobi’s 40V HP 18-inch Brushless Chainsaw ($369) rivaled more expensive saws with its ability to fell trees and cut firewood. While it wasn’t as powerful or long-lasting, it is powerful enough for small projects and occasional use, and it gave us a lot of bang for the buck.

　　The saw’s load-sensing, brushless motor auto-adjusted the saw’s power levels to what was needed to cut. Using it, we cut a wedge from a 10-inch birch and then dropped it with confidence.

　　A mechanical chain brake protected us from kickback and let us disengage the chain anytime we wanted to stop the saw. It was placed comfortably so we didn’t knock it accidentally but could easily engage it when we needed it. In past Ryobi saws, some users have complained there wasn’t sufficient space between the handle and the chain brake, so it engaged unintentionally.

　　The clear oil reservoir was a handy window that let us keep track of our chain oil level. And the tool in the handle was handy for tightening the chain, though smaller than whats usually specced with a chainsaw. It clips into the handle, so we always had it. But we sometimes needed to use a branch or other tool to remove it from its handle storage area.

　　This saw can handle the occasional downed mature tree, making it perfect for the homeowner who needs a saw with a longer bar. But plastic spikes, not metal ones, and the smaller battery made it best for household projects, not production work. Plastic spikes gave some purchase on rougher bark, but not enough grab to leverage the saw. And the battery didn’t last long enough to buck up a whole tree.

　　The saw is well-balanced and has a good grip. Our only design concern is that the battery, which is on the bottom of the saw, is exposed. It’s recessed into the frame, but it feels vulnerable.

　　Pack the saw up, and the scabbard not only sheaths the bar and chain but also covers the bucking spikes. The scabbard inserts into the saw’s plastic carry case that transports the saw and keeps any leaked chain oil contained. It was a convenient system that also didn’t take up awkward space when we stored the case when the saw was in use.

　　The battery didn’t last as long as the Greenworks or Stihl batteries, but it did recharge in just under an hour, and it’s compatible with many Ryobi tools and chargers. Plus, it has a 5-year warranty.

　　$399 at Amazon Ego Power+ CS1800 Specs Weight 9 lbs. Bar length 16” Bucking spikes Plastic Chain brake Yes Chain tensioning Tool-free Warranty 5 years

　　Pros Solid performance at a good price Simple chain tension adjustment Quick charging battery Cons Plastic bucking spikes are small and not very effective Slow wind-up time Berne Broudy Quickly lop up logs for an evening fire, clear trees for a new trail, or simply keep your bushes tamed in the front yard — the Ego Power+ CS1800 ($330) is a lightweight and affordable saw. As one of the lightest e-saws on this list, and with an impressively long battery life, we were able to bring this tool deep into the woods on backcountry trail work and perform endless tasks around the house before having to put it back on to charge. For simple to moderately taxing jobs, this easy-to-use saw will have you questioning why you used gas-guzzlers in the first place.

　　This chainsaw is a cinch to use right out of the box, and the battery charges up lightning-fast (about 30 minutes). Throw in some chain lube, and youre ready to go. While we wish the saw came with a case for an easier carry, we schlepped this to some remote areas for trail work, and for the power it brings, we were shocked at how easy it is to handle. Its high-efficiency brushless motor delivers 6,800 RPM with the power to cut through moderately large trees or branches, and the 56V 5Ah battery keeps it humming along for hours.

　　The 16-inch bar is just about perfect for most trail-building and home maintenance tasks we encounter, and the tool-free chain adjustment means we can quickly and easily make tweaks without disrupting our workflow. This isnt the beefiest — or most powerful — saw on the market, but we were pleasantly surprised by how fast it slices through moderately large branches, and how long the battery lasts while on remote jobs.

　　While testing, a few cons did surface. Namely, the plastic bucking spikes arent very prominent or sharp and dont bite into large logs well — meaning you dont get the most effective pivot point to work with for large-diameter cuts. Since we generally use this for smaller logs and branches this isnt much of an issue, but was noticeable on a couple of occasions. Additionally, it has a pretty slow wind-up time, which isnt a dealbreaker, but does slow down workflow a bit.

　　These slight quibbles aside, the Ego Power+ CS1800 is a budget-friendly, lightweight, and powerful e-chainsaw that is capable of handling most tasks youll encounter around the house or while building/maintaining a trail. It doesnt quite stack up to some of the larger, longer saws we tested, but it performs well enough and keeps your wallet happy in the process.

　　$270 at AmazonCheck Price at Lowes Electric Chainsaws Comparison Chart

　　A lineup of some of the electric chainsaws we tested for this guide — and the wood they cut as a backdrop; (photo/Berne Broudy) 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, weve had our finger on the pulse of the electric chainsaw market and make sure to scope out new technologies and updates as soon as theyre 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.

　　Buying Guide: How to Choose an Electric Chainsaw

　　Electric chainsaws have pros and cons that should be considered before making a purchase. Here, were testing the affordable WEN 16-inch; (photo/Erika Courtney) 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 wont 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.

　　Electric chainsaws arent for everyone, but the pros far outweigh the cons for us in many scenarios; (photo/Berne Broudy) 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.

　　If you plan on taking down some seriously big jobs, invest in a saw that has a large enough battery capacity to handle the task; (photo/Berne Broudy) 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 youll 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

　　Small chainsaws like Harts 8” Pruning Saw are light and easy to wield but arent great for tackling big jobs; (photo/Berne Broudy) 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?

　　The Greenworks GS181 82V 18″ Chainsaw has beefy steel bucking spikes which help you get solid leverage when cutting through large logs; (photo/Berne Broudy) 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 can be a hefty investment, but are worth it for long-term durability; (photo/Berne Broudy) 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 theyll take care of you — a maxim weve 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. Weve been using a premium oil-free lubricant from EGO Power+ and have had solid results with it.

　　Make sure you are familiar with every element of your chainsaw, and the safety features it includes, before operation; (photo/Berne Broudy) FAQ How do you use electric chainsaws? Part of the allure of electric chainsaws is how easy they are to operate. Generally speaking, they are much more straightforward than gas-powered saws and require you to simply charge up the battery and fire it up with the flick of a switch. Make sure to fill the saw with bar oil before operating it — but aside from that, no additional fluids are needed.

　　Each saw is slightly different in its own regard, so be sure to thumb through the owners manual before ripping into branches to make sure you understand how it works, and how to stay safe while using it.

　　Are electric chainsaws better than gas-powered chainsaws? We cover a handful of the pros and cons of electric chainsaws in our buyers guide above, but it truly does boil down to personal preference and the task at hand. Some remote jobs would be better served by a more powerful gas chainsaw, as they dont require you to be close to an outlet or carry loads of extra batteries. However, gas-powered saws can be more expensive and maintenance-intensive over the long run, and arent quite as eco-friendly.

　　Electric chainsaws are easy to use, better for the environment, quieter, safer, and more affordable over time. For us, electric chainsaws make the most sense for the majority of light to moderately demanding jobs we encounter day to day.

　　What is the best electric chainsaw? We have highlighted a number of different categories of saws in this guide, and one might better suit your needs over another. As an all-around workhorse capable of tackling a diverse array of jobs, we narrowed in on the Greenworks GS181 82V 18″ Chainsaw for our best overall award.

　　This may not be the best saw for you personally, however, and something like Harts 8” Pruning Saw or Greenworks 10″ Brushless Pole Saw could be perfect if you just need light tasks done around the house, as opposed to big ol bucking jobs in the backcountry.

　　Consider the full scope of objectives you want to accomplish before dialing in on the electric chainsaw you end up buying.

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