Chainsaws can be large, heavy, and difficult to handle, and after years of experience using and researching them, we have no doubt that they can be very dangerous.
That’s why we were pleasantly surprised to find that the compact and user-friendly DeWalt DCCS623L1 20V Max 8 in. Brushless Cordless Pruning Chainsaw Kit had plenty of cutting power, excellent battery life, and the capability to manage all kinds of brush clearing, seasonal pruning, and storm cleanup.
After testing four cordless pruning saws alongside eight full-size cordless chainsaws, we advise anyone shopping for a chainsaw to start the search with an eye on this smaller option, step up to one of our larger saw recommendations if necessary, and skip gas-powered chainsaws entirely.
Our pick
This easy-to-maneuver saw offers great ergonomics and is perfect for general property maintenance such as brush cleaning, pruning, and light storm cleanup.
We’ve found that the DeWalt DCCS623L1 20V Max 8 in. Brushless Cordless Pruning Chainsaw Kit can handle all but the largest pruning jobs. This impressive little tool, less than half the size of an average chainsaw, provided enough battery life to make almost 50 cuts through a fir 4-by-4. Its unique handle, which allowed us to comfortably and securely hold the tool in a variety of ways, adds to the overall safety of the tool. It has an 8-inch bar, of which 6 inches are usable, thanks to the tip-guard safety feature. This saw can’t take down any towering oaks, but it works well for most general yard work. It’s a nice option for someone who is new to chainsaws or doesn’t need the added power, capacity, or risks of a full-size saw.
Runner-up
This chainsaw has some annoyances, but it’s an inexpensive, effective option for handling the occasional task.
If the DeWalt DCCS623L1 is not available, or if you’re just looking for an inexpensive, quality chainsaw for some light-duty work around your property, we like the Greenworks CS24L210 24V 6″ Cordless Battery Brushless Pruner Saw. It can’t match the DeWalt model in cutting speed, battery life, or excellent ergonomics, but it offers a solid run time and enough power to make 35 cuts through a fir 4-by-4 on a single charge. Under relentless work during our tests, it noticeably heated up in our hands, and oiling the chain is a tedious process due to the lack of an onboard oil reservoir. But this basic little saw performed admirably, especially considering that it was the least expensive model we tested.
Also great
This full-size model delivers on a lot of expectations, offering fast cutting, a long battery life, nice ergonomics, and an excellent design overall. It’s also a great value.
If you need to clear branches larger than 6 inches in diameter—or you have a heavily forested property that presents unpredictable brush-clearing work—you might be happier with a full-size tool. The first option in that class that we recommend is the Echo eForce DCS-5000-18C2. With a fast cut speed and a long battery life, this full-size Echo model ranked near the top in all our tests. Its narrow body and simple handle design made it easy for us to maneuver around a fallen tree. All of the little details are right on, from the wrench storage to the handle shape. As one of the least expensive full-size cordless saws we tested, it’s also a great value.
Upgrade pick
Power, speed, convenience, and standout features set apart this full-size model, which had the longest run time of any saw we tested.
If you have a larger budget for a full-size chainsaw, we recommend the Husqvarna Power Axe 350i. In addition to the excellent battery life, which was considerably longer than what we got from any other saw we tested, this full-size Husqvarna model has a couple of other features we didn’t see elsewhere, namely an extra safety switch and a boost-mode button that increases power by 25%, according to the manufacturer. Add to those the solid ergonomics, the fast cutting speed, and the convenience of the tool-free chain tensioner, and this chainsaw really stands apart from the pack. Typically priced around $450, it’s on the expensive side, but anyone who needs to use their saw regularly will appreciate what this Husqvarna model has to offer.
