Best Chainsaws
Cordless & gas for homeowners
Our #1 pick is the EGO Power+ CS1610. Fallen limbs, firewood rounds and overgrown hedges. We compared five chainsaws on Amazon for homeowners, from a quiet 16-inch battery saw to a classic gas Husqvarna and an 8-inch pruner.
How we picked: we shortlist by Amazon Best Seller rank and number of ratings, then compare published specs. We don't test these products hands-on.
By Jamilur Rahman, Founder & Editor · Updated October 15, 2026
- Owner reviews checked
- Features side by side
- Quick & easy compare
- Smarter purchase
The short answer
For most homeowners, the EGO Power+ CS1610 is the chainsaw to buy. The listing rates its brushless motor as equal to a 40cc gas saw, it runs a 16-inch bar, and it tensions the chain with a twist of a dial. There is no fuel to mix, no pull cord and no carburetor to gum up over the summer, so it starts on the first try after months in the garage. It is sold as a bare tool, so budget for an EGO 56V battery if you don’t already own one.
If you cut a lot of firewood or work far from an outlet for hours, the Husqvarna 135 Mark II is the gas saw to get: a 38cc engine, Smart Start for easier pulls and a price that is often lower than a battery saw plus battery. Already own DeWalt 60V or 20V batteries? The DeWalt DCCS672B gives you an 18-inch bar on the same packs, and the DeWalt DCCS623B is an 8-inch pruning saw for limbs you would otherwise reach for a hand saw to cut. On a tight budget near the house, the corded Oregon CS1500 sharpens its own chain in seconds.
Skip the EGO if you regularly fell trees thicker than its bar or cut cords of wood every weekend. Battery saws work hard on big hardwood rounds, and you will want two or three batteries to get through a long day. In that case a gas saw like the Husqvarna is still the better tool. And if you only trim branches under 6 inches thick, a full 16-inch saw is more tool than you need: the DeWalt pruning saw is lighter, safer and easier to use one-handed on a ladder-free trim.
How we picked: we compared popular chainsaws on Amazon and what owners say about them after real storm cleanup and firewood seasons, then checked each listing’s power, bar length and safety features side by side. We don’t claim hands-on tests: these picks reflect owner experience and listing specs. Checked October 2026.
Compare them side by side
Everything that matters, in one table. Swipe to see all 5.
| Product | Best Overall EGO Power+ CS1610 56V cordless chainsaw, 16 in |  Best Gas Chainsaw Husqvarna 135 Mark II 38cc gas chainsaw, 16 in |  Best Big-Bar Cordless DeWalt 60V MAX DCCS672B 60V cordless chainsaw, 18 in |  Best Budget Oregon CS1500 15A corded electric chainsaw, 18 in |  Best for Pruning DeWalt 20V MAX DCCS623B 20V pruning chainsaw, 8 in |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| BeastScore | 92 / 100 | 89 / 100 | 87 / 100 | 85 / 100 | 84 / 100 |
| Best for | Storm cleanup and light firewood | Firewood and long days far from an outlet | DeWalt FlexVolt owners with bigger trees | Yard work within reach of an outlet | Trimming branches and small limbs |
| Typical price (checked October 15, 2026) | $200–$230 (tool only) | $180–$200 | $280–$300 (tool only) | $120–$140 | $140–$160 (tool only) |
| Power source | 56V EGO battery (sold separately) | Gas, 2-cycle | DeWalt 60V MAX battery (sold separately) | 15A corded electric | DeWalt 20V MAX battery (sold separately) |
| Bar length | 16 in | 14–16 in (16 in included) | 18 in | 18 in | 8 in |
| Power rating | 40cc gas equivalent | 38cc, 2.1 hp X-Torq | See listing | 15 amp motor | Brushless motor |
| Chain tension | Tool-free dial | Side-mounted, tool needed | See listing | Tool-free | See listing |
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BeastScore here is our overall rating out of 100, based on published specs and Amazon owner reviews. Prices change daily, so tap "View on Amazon" for today's price. We may earn a small commission, at no extra cost to you. Learn more
Why each one made the list
What each pick does best, where it falls short, and the typical Amazon price when we checked.
- 1. Best Overall
EGO Power+ CS1610
BeastScore 92 / 100Typically $200–$230 (tool only) on Amazon (checked October 15, 2026)The CS1610 does what most homeowners need a chainsaw for, without the fuss of gas. The listing rates its brushless motor at 40cc gas equivalent with chain speeds up to 20 m/s, which is enough for downed limbs, fence posts and smaller firewood rounds. The tool-free tension dial sits low on the side, so you can cut close to the ground, and the saw is rated IPX4 for damp days. EGO says a 2.5Ah battery gives up to 130 cuts on a 4x4. Owners like that it starts instantly every time. The catch: it is a bare tool, and bigger batteries add real cost.
Pros- Starts instantly: no fuel mixing, choke or pull cord
- Tool-free chain tensioning with a low-profile dial
- Works with every EGO 56V battery you already own
Cons- Battery and charger sold separately
- Large hardwood rounds drain a battery fast
- 16 in bar limits it on bigger trees
- 2. Best Gas Chainsaw
Husqvarna 135 Mark II
BeastScore 89 / 100Typically $180–$200 on Amazon (checked October 15, 2026)If you burn wood all winter, gas still wins on runtime. The 135 Mark II has a 38cc, 2.1 hp X-Torq engine and keeps going as long as you have fuel, with no batteries to rotate. Smart Start cuts the effort of each pull, the inertia chain brake helps with kickback, and Air Injection spins dust out before it reaches the filter, so the engine lasts longer. Owners like it as a dependable homeowner saw from a brand with dealers almost everywhere. The trade-offs are the usual gas ones: noise, fumes, mixed fuel and a carburetor that needs care if it sits all summer.
Pros- Runs as long as you have fuel, no battery swaps
- Smart Start and an inertia chain brake for safer use
- Often costs less than a battery saw plus battery
Cons- Loud, with exhaust fumes and mixed fuel to store
- Needs seasonal care, or the carburetor gums up
- Heavier and more vibration than the battery saws
- 3. Best Big-Bar Cordless
DeWalt 60V MAX DCCS672B
BeastScore 87 / 100Typically $280–$300 (tool only) on Amazon (checked October 15, 2026)The DCCS672B is the pick if your garage is already full of yellow batteries. It runs on DeWalt 60V MAX FlexVolt packs and swings an 18-inch bar, two inches more than the EGO, which helps on thicker logs and when you need to cut from both sides of a trunk. The listing gives few details beyond that, so check the power and weight specs on the page before you buy. Owners say it cuts like a mid-size gas saw on a big pack. The downsides: it is tool-only, it needs the larger and pricier 60V batteries to run well, and it is heavier than the 16-inch EGO.
Pros- 18 in bar handles bigger logs than the 16 in saws
- Shares FlexVolt batteries with other DeWalt tools
- No gas, no pull cord, instant start
Cons- Tool only, and 60V batteries are expensive
- Listing is thin on specs like weight and chain speed
- Heavier than the EGO for overhead limbs
- 4. Best Budget
Oregon CS1500
BeastScore 85 / 100Typically $120–$140 on Amazon (checked October 15, 2026)The CS1500 is the cheapest way to get a capable saw with an 18-inch bar, and it has a trick no other pick here has: PowerSharp self-sharpening. Pull a lever for 3 to 5 seconds and the chain sharpens itself, so it keeps cutting cleanly through a whole cleanup. A 15 amp motor runs as long as it is plugged in, the oiler is automatic and tensioning needs no tools. It is one of the most-reviewed electric saws on Amazon. The obvious limit is the cord: you need a heavy-gauge extension cord, and it won’t work at the back of a big lot.
Pros- Self-sharpens the chain in seconds, right on the saw
- Unlimited runtime with no batteries to buy
- Lowest price here for an 18 in bar
Cons- Tethered to an outlet and a heavy extension cord
- Cord gets in the way when cutting brush piles
- Replacement PowerSharp chains cost more than standard chains
- 5. Best for Pruning
DeWalt 20V MAX DCCS623B
BeastScore 84 / 100Typically $140–$160 (tool only) on Amazon (checked October 15, 2026)Most yard jobs are not tree felling. They are limbs over the driveway, a dead shrub, a branch the storm dropped on the fence. The DCCS623B is built for exactly that. Its 8-inch bar and compact body are easy to control, and a tip guard steadies it on upcuts. DeWalt says a 20V DCB230 battery gives up to 70 cuts on a 4x4. It has auto oiling and a brushless motor, and it runs on the same 20V MAX packs as DeWalt’s drills and drivers. Owners call it the saw they reach for most. It won’t replace a full-size chainsaw for firewood or trunks.
Pros- Light, compact and easy to control for pruning
- Runs on common DeWalt 20V MAX batteries
- Tip guard and brushless motor
Cons- 8 in bar is too short for firewood or trunks
- Battery and charger sold separately
All 5 compared, in one look
See every pick on one chart, or tap one to put it head to head with EGO Power+ CS1610. Ratings out of 10 are our estimates from published specs and Amazon owner reviews, not hands-on tests. Bigger shape = better.
- Cutting powerDeWalt 60V MAX DCCS672B · 9.2/10
- RuntimeOregon CS1500 · 9.8/10
- HandlingDeWalt 20V MAX DCCS623B · 9.6/10
- Easy to start & maintainEGO Power+ CS1610 · 9.6/10
- VersatilityHusqvarna 135 Mark II · 8.8/10
- ValueOregon CS1500 · 9.6/10
Which one should you buy?
Find your situation below. That's your pick.
- You want a saw that starts every time
- You already own EGO 56V batteries
- You cut firewood for hours at a time
- You work far from power or chargers
- You own DeWalt FlexVolt batteries
- You need an 18 in bar without gas
- You want the lowest price for an 18 in bar
- Your cutting is close to an outlet
- You mostly trim branches and shrubs
- You want a light saw you can control easily
EGO Power+ CS1610
Gas-like cutting power with none of the fuel mixing, pull cords or winter carburetor problems.
- 40cc gas equivalent
- 16 in bar
- Tool-free tensioning
Quick tips before you buy
8 in for pruning, 14 to 16 in for storm cleanup and firewood, 18 in+ for bigger trunks.
Bare-tool saws look cheap. Add the battery and charger price before you compare with gas.
Chaps, eye and ear protection and gloves matter more than any saw feature. Never cut above shoulder height.
A dull chain makes dust instead of chips. Check bar oil every fill and sharpen often.
Quick answers
Is a battery or gas chainsaw better for a homeowner?+
For most homeowners, battery. It starts instantly, needs almost no upkeep and is much quieter. Gas still wins if you cut firewood for hours at a time or work far from any charger, because you can refuel in seconds.
What size chainsaw do I need?+
A 16-inch bar covers storm cleanup and most firewood. You can cut logs up to about twice the bar length by working from both sides, but it is safer to pick a bar a little longer than the wood you cut most often.
Are cordless chainsaws powerful enough for firewood?+
Yes for occasional firewood. The EGO is rated as equal to a 40cc gas saw. For cords of hardwood every season, you will want a gas saw or several large batteries.
How long does a chainsaw battery last?+
It depends on the battery and the wood. EGO says up to 130 cuts on a 4x4 with a 2.5Ah battery on the CS1610, and DeWalt says up to 70 cuts with a DCB230 battery on the 8-inch pruner. Bigger batteries last longer but cost more.
Is the Oregon self-sharpening chainsaw worth it?+
Yes if you work near an outlet. The PowerSharp system sharpens the chain in seconds without files or a trip to the shop, which is the most common reason a cheap saw starts cutting badly.
Do I need chainsaw chaps?+
You should wear them. Most chainsaw injuries are to the legs, and chaps are designed to stop the chain fast. Add eye and ear protection, gloves and sturdy boots.
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