The 5 Best Chainsaws of 2026

Before we get into specific competitors, here is a general buying advice: If you have already invested in a certain battery platform, you should consider starting your search with that version of the cordless saw product among the options below.

In 2026, we tested the 12-volt Stihl GTA 26 Battery Garden Pruner. It has the high build quality we’ve come to expect from Stihl, but its small 4-inch bar is limited, and, like our budget pick from Greenworks, you have to grease the budget by hand.

In our tests, the Skil PR0600B-11 PWR CORE 20 20V Pruning Saw cut slower than most and performed below average in our timed cuts. The low $150 price tag adds to the appeal, but going up against the saw’s limitations can seem frustrating. Skil also sells a version with a reach of 4 meters.

In our tests, the Milwaukee 2527-21 M12 Fuel Hatchet 6″ Pruning Saw produced comparable numbers to our runner-up, the DeWalt. Disadvantages: It is not comfortable to hold, and it costs more. In addition, in order to read the battery gauge, we had to turn the saw with our hand while holding the chain, which we did not feel comfortable doing.

We did not test the slightly larger Milwaukee 3004-20 M18 Fuel Hatchet 8″. This one is powered by an 18-volt battery. We’re sure it’s pretty cool, but it costs around $500, which is a serious amount of money to spend, especially considering what the Echo DHS-3006X1 and DeWalt DCCS623L1 offer at a much lower price. For context, the Milwaukee 3004-20 M18 is about the same price as our Husqvarna full-size upgrade pick.

The Ryobi P25130 18V One+ HP 6″ Compact Brushless Pruning Chainsaw (only available without batteries), was underpowered compared to others. In addition, it did not feel stiff while in use.

In 2026, we tested the Stihl MSA 80 C. This one has a smaller 14-inch bar, and in our testing it was in the middle of the pack for run time and cutting speed. It has a tool-free chain tensioner and excellent build quality. It is simpler than our choice and more manageable. But it is an expensive saw; at about $500, it’s more expensive than the Husqvarna Power Ax 350i and Echo DCS-5000.

Among competing full-size chainsaws, the DeWalt DCCS672X1 60V Max 18 in. The 3.0Ah Brushless Cordless Chainsaw is almost identical to the Echo DCS-5000 in its overall performance. We really liked this saw, but a few details pushed us toward the Echo model. The battery compartment of this DeWalt model opens up from the top of the saw (as do many others, including the Echo saw), but here the design leaves a large area next to the battery once it’s installed, which could hold a larger battery. We had a big problem with wood chips and sawdust settling in the large spaces around the battery, so when it was time to remove the battery, it was almost impossible for us to stop the dust and debris from getting to the terminals. At least three times, we had to use a knife to clean the battery hole so the battery could fit in. In addition, this DeWalt chainsaw is usually more expensive than the Echo DCS-5000 and is about an inch wider.

The Milwaukee 2727-21HD M18 Fuel 16″ full-size Chainsaw ranked at the upper-middle end in our battery life tests, but because it only uses an 18-volt battery, it runs a little slower than others. It’s a nice saw to use, but at $500, it was also the most expensive, most expensive full-size’ performance model. forgive, especially with the usually expensive Husqvarna Power Ax 350i about $30 to $40 less.

The Milwaukee 2827-22 Fuel 20″ Dual Battery Chainsaw Kit, which we didn’t test, uses two batteries at once. It has a long 20-inch bar, which might be too heavy for a part-time user, and it costs about $900, which is hard to justify when you consider half of our options.

The Ego CS1611 Power+ 16″ Chain Saw performed well in our formal tests, and we liked its tool-free tensioner. The Ego’s large battery slides out from the side, a design decision that results in a very wide chainsaw. Because of that battery placement, this model also doesn’t have the body length of the others we tested, so their handles are ga-like in the front, so the back is ga-like. chainsaw We felt more in control with chainsaws that provide more space between the handles.

Ryobi Battery RY40HPCW02 16 in. The 40V Brushless Chainsaw has the same shape as the Ego chainsaw, making it stick to the side. We also didn’t like how the safety switch is on top of the handle, not on the side. We felt this weaken our grip as we turned the saw on.

The Skil CS4555-10 PWR CORE 40 40V Lightweight Chainsaw is also battery compatible for Ego and Ryobi chainsaws. It’s also a lot less powerful than our pick and really struggles among stacked 4-by-4s.

The Greenworks CS60L252 60V 16″ Cordless Battery Chainsaw didn’t have the power of our choice. Oddly, the scrench is attached to the saw with a rubber band that hangs from the handle, where it can catch on something. The owner’s manual notes that you should remove the band before using the saw, but the store doesn’t provide the tool.

We have not tested any saws from Makita. They use the company’s 18-volt battery, usually needing two to get enough power. They look great, and offer a tool-free tensioner and quick charge time, but we’ve found that the power of 18-volt saws isn’t the same as those that run on larger batteries, like the batteries that come with our full-size picks on the Echo and Husqvarna. Makita sells a 40-volt chainsaw, but it usually costs more than $600.

For an older version of this guide, we reviewed saws from Oregon and Sun Joe; Neither model had the strength or rigor of our current decisions.

We didn’t look at any gas or corded models in this guide, but in the previous version we reviewed many of them. For gas, we liked the Stihl MS 181 C-BE. It’s a small saw, but it impressed us with its power, easy-to-pull cord, and tool-free tensioner. But considering how the latest cordless models work, we don’t think a gas saw is worth getting.

We also avoided saws with a top handle, such as the Milwaukee 2826-22T M18 Fuel 14″ Top Handle Chainsaw. These saws, with a single handle set parallel to the bar, are intended for use at the top of a tree or lifting bucket. Because of the single handle, the control of the output models is very difficult to leave on the complete models.

This article was edited by Harry Sawyers.