Editorial StaffSometimes your yard work might extend to jobs like pruning trees, cutting up fallen tree limbs, cutting firewood or trimming some fence posts to size. Having the best electric chainsaws will let you take an easy and quick approach to the jobs. All you have to do is simply plug it in or snap in a battery and you are ready to go.
Let’s compare the electric models and gas models, first, electric models are quieter and lighter in weight than gas models, yet are often on standard with them in terms of capability. Secondly, electric models require very little maintenance, just random sharpening of the chain and topping off of the bar oil. What a great machine!
A decade ago, woodcutters preferred the smoke and the smell of gasoline as their chainsaw engines roared to life. But technology has advanced by leaps and bounds that some of the best electric chainsaws now rival gas-powered chainsaws in performance. Woodcutters now prefer the electric chainsaws because they start in the blink of an eye even after hibernating all winter season.
Well, now that we have a clue about electric chainsaws, which are the best electric chainsaw models? This review has the top five best electric chainsaws and the purchase guide to follow. In other words, we have done the necessary research concerning the electric chainsaws for you. Let’s begin.
1. DEWALT 20V MAX XR Chainsaw Kit, 5-Ah Battery, 12-Inch (DCCS620P1)
Dewalt 20V DCCS620P1 is a cordless, battery-powered chainsaw that makes short work of small and medium-sized trees that have a diameter of 10-12 inches. It has a low kickback 12 inches Oregon chain and bar for construction, application in outdoor cutting or small commercial setup.
The high-efficiency brushless motor under Dewalt 20V DCCS620P1 electric chainsaw delivers steady power output and maximize motor life and motor run time during operating time. Resulting in a chain speed of 25.2 feet/second. The lightweight design of this chainsaw gives the user optimal control and comfort.
Dewalt 20V DCCS620P1 has rubberized handles that give the user a solid hold, a tool-free chain tensioning and bar tightening knob for proper bar clamping force. Chain tension adjustment is as easy as twisting a knob. Since it is cordless, you can easily manoeuvre in the yard.
The 5-Ah Lithium-Ion battery lasts all day without impacting the power output. And in case it starts to sputter, it can be recharged quickly. This fact makes it one of the best electric chainsaws we have in the market today with an overall rating of 4.7 out of 5 in the Amazon marketplace.
Pros
- Battery and charger included
- Works on both hard and fibrous materials
- Powerful for such a small saw
- 3-year warranty
Cons
- Tank leaks sometimes
- Bar and chain oil cap hard to open
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2. BLACK+DECKER Electric Chainsaw (LCS 1020)
Black Decker has a 10-inch steel Oregon bar and happens to be one of the smallest electric chainsaws but this doesn’t make it weak in any way. As a matter of fact, its compact size and lightweight design make it one of the best electric chainsaws for in-the-air use around the house. Furthermore, the lightweight design is essential for manoeuvrability as well as reducing fatigue.
Black Decker chainsaw LCS 1020 comes with a safety-lock which must be pushed right through the wrap-around handle. This ensures that the saw doesn’t go bats when you are cutting. This chainsaw has a tool-free tension system for improved ease of use and quick adjustments which means that if you find the chain losing tension, you can adjust it on-the-go without interfering with your work.
The 20V battery of Black Decker chainsaw will give you about 45 minutes of runtime from a single charge in normal circumstances. It takes about 4-5 hours for a full recharge. It is therefore suitable in handling smaller tasks like pruning thick shrubs or cutting wood that is 4-8 inches in diameter. When it comes to oiling, Black Decker LCS1020 has an improved oiling system with a clear window to gauge oil level.
We can’t forget the fact that Black Decker has an impressive 4.5-star rating with an Amazon’s Choice badge.
Pros
- Easy to manoeuvre
- Lightweight
- Powerful Lithium-Ion battery
- Self-oiling with added primer
Cons
- Only suitable for some tasks
- The battery takes long to charge
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3. Oregon CS1500 Self-Sharpening Corded Electric Chainsaw
Oregon CS1500 is the only self-sharpening corded electric chainsaw available in the market currently, with all the traditional conveniences of an electric chainsaw. All you have to do is pull the red Power Sharp lever, and the chain will be sharp in seconds without removing it from the saw. It is easy to handle due to the lightweight feature as well as low vibration for your comfort.
If you have got larger logs and branches to work on, this is the chainsaw for you. Its 18-inch bar is one of the largest you will find on an electric model. It has a high powered, 15amp motor for fast cutting, a 45cm reduced kickback guide bar for your safety when operating it. Oregon CS1500 has an instant start, you don’t need to pull cords or warn it up.
The chain remains oiled using the built-in Lubri-Tec oiling system which reduces chain friction and increases the saws run time. Oregon CS1500 saw tends to go through chain oil quickly, so there is a need to monitor the oil levels. However, the window on the oil reservoir makes that possible than on some models.
Reasons why Oregon CS1500 is one of the best electric chainsaws
- Comes pre-assembled, no assembly required
- Low noise, silent between cuts
- Have an impressive 4.5-star rating with an Amazon’s Choice badge
Pros
- Have self-sharpening features
- Low noise when in use
- Ready to use out of the box
- Comes pre-assembled
- Starts instantly, no pulling of cords
Cons
- The chain keeps coming off
- The oil tank leaks in some cases
- The bar wobbles
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4. Greenworks G-MAX 40V 16-Inch Cordless Chainsaw
Greenworks G-MAX 16-inch cordless electric chainsaw can be used for both, professional cutting tasks and casual home use. The G-MAX chainsaw is powered by a 40 V Lithium-Ion battery and has a brushless motor under the hood which is capable of heavy cutting. The motor provides the chainsaw with more power, longer run-time and more rotating force. This results in less wear and tear, extending the life-time of the chainsaw.
Greenworks G-MAX chainsaw features automatic oiling. The oil tank is translucent so you can monitor the level of oil with ease, while you can adjust the tension of the chain with two easily accessible knobs. Besides, it comes with an impressive safety-feature list; chain brake and low kickback chain for increased safety. The quick-release trigger promptly brings the unit to a stand-still to prevent an accident.
This chainsaw can run through freshly-cut oak, palm and soaking wet wood perfectly. The 40V battery will last through heavy cutting tasks without dying on you. These facts make Greenworks G-MAX one of the best electric chainsaws.
Pros
- Charger included
- Long-lasting battery
- Can handle large cuts with ease
- Durable and easy to hold
Cons
- The chain keeps falling off
- Oil tank leaks when in storage
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5. Sun Joe SWJ800E Telescoping Electric Pole Chain Saw
Sun Joe SWJ800E electric chainsaw can extend high up into the trees. In case you are looking for an ideal chainsaw that will help you cut overhanging limbs and thin logs, this is the best-corded chainsaw for you. With a few twists of the telescoping pole, you can extend your reach by 8.7 feet without having to drag out a ladder.
Sun Joe SWJ800E weigh 7pounds, so it is easy to manage above your head and for a long period of time. It is also small enough to get into tight spots, yet even with the pole fully stretched, it is strong and won’t shake.
This chainsaw has an automatic oiling system which is a perfect method for lubricating the chain and bar. It saves you time and energy, allowing you to work without having to bring the saw down for oiling. However, it is important to note that the saw can run through all the oil in its 2.7-ounce tank in less than half an hour of work, thus monitor the oil closely.
Reasons why Sun Joe SWJ800E is one of the best electric chainsaws we have in the market
- Telescoping that extends 8.7 feet high up into the trees.
- Automatic oiling system
- Has an impressive 4.5-star ratings
Pros
- Self-automatic oiling system
- The telescoping pole that extends to 8.7 feet
- Affordable price
- Lightweight and effective
Cons
- The pole is weak and breaks after a while
- The oil tank leaks when in storage
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Purchase guide for the best electric chainsaws
Purchasing yard tools is not an easy task as you might think, especially when looking for the best product. Furthermore, you do want to buy the right one for your needs and that means an understanding of your choices available. Here is the guide.
1. The size of the electric chainsaws
When you look at the electric chainsaw sizes, the primary difference is the length of the bar. The bar is mistakenly referred to as the blade, is the part of the saw that anchors the chain. Electric chain saws’ bar length comes as small as 10 or 12 inches; the length can be shorter or even large as 18 inches in rare cases.
The small chainsaws are lightweight and easy to use all day long. They are essential for trimming small trees and limbs. In campsites where cutting firewood is allowed, they are also helpful. Larger bars are most essential for cutting firewood and felling trees. However, they are heavier and less convenient for splitting trees than smaller saw. For general DYI use, the sweet and best spot for chainsaws is 14 or 16 inches.
2. The safety features of the electric chainsaw
It is important to always bear in mind that tools are not toys. Any chainsaw can be hazardous if it’s not used correctly. Luckily, the same safety features available on gas-powered saws can also be found in electric models. There are manual chain brakes mounted in front of the grip to keep the user’s top hand protected as well as allow you to quickly engage the brake by rotating your wrist forward.
Some chainsaws also come with clutches that quickly disengage the chain in case the trigger is released, this prevents a free-spinning chain from getting the user off guard after the cut. Furthermore, low-kickback chins are available too.
3. Cordless vs Corded
Whether to go cordless or not is your major priority decision when it comes to an electric chainsaw. Keep in mind the size of your property and how you plan to use the saw. In case you are felling trees rounds in your driveway, then a corded chainsaw will do the job. The best electric chainsaws are the cordless models because they offer better mobility. However, you will need a backup battery to extend its run time beyond a few hours.
4. The power of the electric chainsaw
In an electric chainsaw, power is rated by amperages. An amp-rating outlines how much power the chainsaw can draw before the internal elements start breaking down or overheat. A 15-amp chainsaw can be considered heavy-duty, while a 12-amp is for medium-duty work, and an 8-amp is the lightest-duty of electric chainsaws.
Before buying the saw, always match your uses to your power needs so that you can enjoy using the saw. Selecting an underpowered saw for cutting up a lot of hardwood logs will surely disappoint you as it stops and overheats. On the contrary, using a heavy-duty saw for splitting a fruit tree might be hard on your back because of its increased weight.
Bear in mind that with battery-powered chainsaws, much of the power rating is based on the voltage of the battery used, not the amp-hour rating on the battery. A battery’s amp-hour rating is more about how long the battery will run than the power output. For tedious uses, such as cutting logs into firewood rounds or felling trees, a woodcutter should look for batteries with higher amp-hour ratings in the 6Ahor 8Ah range. When it comes to quick jobs, a 4Ahbattery will serve you well.
5. Cost-effective
Just like any other product, you need to consider the price; get what you pay for. There are affordable, high-quality electric chainsaws that will serve your intentions. Nevertheless, it is advisable to read the reviews before making the purchase.
6. Chain tensioning
Chainsaw chains tend to stretch with use, due to centrifugal force and temperature change altogether. New chains stretch much due to the same factors and simply “breaking in” which is absolutely accepted. Nevertheless, when a chain stretches, it can loosely fit on the bar or even skip off of the bar which is very dangerous and annoying at the same time.
Fortunately, to account for stretching, chainsaw bars have a back-and-forward alteration that takes the slack out of the chain. The most easily adjusted chainsaw comes with tool-less tensioning systems: Just loosen the knob on the side of the bar by hand, twist the adjustment knob until the slack is gone, then tighten the bar up again. This is possible without pulling out any hand tool.
7. The oiling systems of the electric chainsaws
Oiling the chain system prevents the chain from wearing out before time as well as the bar from burning from the speed of the chain. This oil also helps the chain run smoothly in the bar’s grooves without overheating. Besides, it allows the saw to run at maximum speeds for the fastest cutting.
The most conducive way to go is with an automatic oiler that will continuously lubricate the bar during use, as long as the on-board reservoir is full. Other outdated oiling systems are pouring oil over the bar by hand and a manual oiler, where a thumb-operated plunger releases oil onto the bar. These options are rare to find nowadays.
Conclusion
In case you are wondering what are the best electric chainsaws, just know that the best is going to be the one that works best for you both personally, and for the jobs, you have for it. Fortunately, there are many reliable electric chainsaws to fit any need, any budget and any level of experience.
Why choose an electric chainsaw over its comparable contender gas-powered chainsaw? Well, by choosing an electrical chainsaw model, you are saving yourself numerous stress factors such as no more machine start-up issues, producing less noise and not polluting the air. Being lighter in weight and compatible size, electric chainsaws are also easier to handle.
Even though each chainsaw listed above has its own quality differences, the quality of Dewalt 20V DCCS620P1 electric chainsaw is highly rated and allows you to handle a lot of jobs you need to get done. The fact that it is cordless enable the user to easily manoeuvre in the yard. Also, the 5-Ah Lithium-Ion battery lasts all day without impacting the power output, unlike other cordless electric saws’ batteries. The major drawback is that some users find the bar and chain oil cap hard to open.
