Best Electric Chainsaw For Safer and Quieter Cuttings
Electric chainsaws are great for all your residential cutting, pruning, trimming, shaping, or simply for clearing branches. They’re safer and much healthier for the environment than a gas-powered chainsaw. These chainsaws are easier to operate and handle due to their lightweight. These machines are also quieter and require very little maintenance. They shouldn’t, however, be your first choice if you’re planning to chop huge trees off or cut wood all day long. Electric chainsaws are meant for lighter and quicker tasks. They come in both battery-powered and corded models so you can choose the option that’s more suitable for your needs. To help you select the right model for all your future DIY projects, we’ve put together a list of the highest-rated electric chainsaws in 2023.
The Best Electric Chainsaws Models of 2023 in Detail
Oregon CS1500 Electric Chainsaw
– Best Overall
The Oregon CS1500 chainsaw is a self-sharpening chainsaw that is powered by a cord and provides an impressive amount of power. This is the first ever electric chainsaw that conveniently sharpens itself. It starts with a traditional pull start trigger action without any warmups, emissions, or gas oil mixings and runs with minimal noise.
The chainsaw also features an automatic oiler that has a transparent see-through window that shows you the level of oil remaining. The PowerSharp system saves you from down time from a dull chain. Just pull the PowerSharp lever and get a sharp saw in just 3-5 seconds.
- 15-amp power rating
- Low vibration design with an over-mold handle
- 18-inch guide bar
- Powered by a cord
- Convenient tool-less chain tensioning system
- No assembly required
- Stays silent between cuts
- Housing seems loose
Black+Decker Cordless Electric Chainsaw
– Runner Up
This cordless electric chainsaw can manage all your heavy-duty tasks just like a gas-powered chainsaw can. It has a low kickback bar and a chain that makes sure the cuts are seamless and smooth. There is an automatic oiling mechanism that works to keep the chain lubricated at all times.
It features a super comfortable wraparound handle that makes sure the machine is secured and you are in full control of it. This also allows you to make cuttings from different angles. You can also make quick adjustments to the chain without having to use any heavy tools.
- Cordless electric chainsaw
- Automatic oiling system
- 40V maximum power from lithium ion battery
- Enhanced safety features with a lock-off button and front hand guard
- Low-kickback bar and chain
- 12-inches length for more efficiency
- Long and smooth runtime
- No battery charger or charging station
Greenworks Corded Electric Chainsaw
– Honorable Mention
This is a great option if you’re looking for corded chainsaws. The Greenworks electric chainsaw offers you unlimited cuts with almost no downtime. The bar is 18-inches long and can easily be used to cut limbs and trees up to 34-inches in diameter.
You can expect this chainsaw to cut almost all that you can cut and shape with a gasoline-powered chainsaw. The 14.5-amp electric motor promises powerful performance and smooth cuts at just the push of a button.
- Powered by a cord
- Hand guard at the front for additional safety
- Automatic lubrication from self-oiling system
- Tool-free chain tensioning ability
- Transparent oil reservoir
- Easy one-button start without any choking, pulling, or priming
- Produces very low noise
- Not suitable for left-handers
DEWALT Electric Chainsaw
– Contender
This is perhaps the best battery-powered chainsaw with a low kickback and a 12-inches long bar. You can use this electric chainsaw for all your outdoor projects. The chainsaw comes in a highly ergonomic design which allows users to gain maximum control of the machine as they operate it.
Moreover, there is a safety cover for the front hand to make sure you don’t injure yourself. The lightweight and compact design also help you feel more in control at difficult angles. The motor is brushless and highly efficient in motion.
- Cordless electric chainsaw
- Tool-free chain tensioning ability
- Adjust bar clamping force from the bar tightening knob
- Gives 90 cuts per charge
- 20V maximum power on 5Ah battery
- Quick battery charge time
- Smooth cutting for hours
- Complaints about chain jumping off
This is a 14-inch long chainsaw with a powerful 8-Amp motor. You can use this electric chainsaw for light to medium-duty limbing, trimming, yard cutting, and pruning. The chainsaw features an auto-tension chain system which makes it easier to maintain the chain at an optimum tension level.
The oil tank can fill up to 4 fl oz of oil for lubrication. You can see through the oil window to check the level of oil remaining. The design is made to complement the use of both hands comfortably at any angle. It’s lightweight and compact, just 6.6lbs, which is very easy to maneuver.
- Powered by a cord
- 28 ft/s powerful chain speed for smooth and quick cuts
- Very low maintenance and energy efficient
- Works with chain and bar oil
- No oil leakage, no mess
- Auto-tensioning chain system
- Rubberized over grip handle for safety
- Leaks oil if placed in a vertical position
Best Electric Chainsaws Buying Guide
Here’s a comprehensive guide for all that you must know before you buy an electric chainsaw.
Things to Consider Before Buying an Electric Chainsaw
You will need to keep the following considerations in mind when getting a new chainsaw.
Size
The size of a chainsaw is determined by how long the bar is or the length of the piece that supports the chain. Long bars on chainsaws are perfect for people who will be cutting a lot of large trees or huge bulky branches. Shorter bars are perfect for small branches and trees or home DIY projects.
Power source
You can find electric chainsaws in both corded as well as cordless options. You need to consider mobility when deciding the kind of power source you’ll need. You can easily move around with a cordless one without worrying about the distance and the risk of cutting the cord itself.
Safety features
You need to seriously consider this factor. Electrical chainsaws are powerful tools that should always be operated with optimum care and protection. Some electric chainsaws have the option of a chain brake that is located on its handle that stops the rotation of the chain if there’s an emergency. You can also look for chainsaws with a safety switch.
Power
You will see a chainsaw’s power in amps or amperes mentioned in the specifications. The intended use of your chainsaw will determine the power that you should get. If you’ll be using the electric chainsaw for heavy-duty tasks like cutting dense trees, a 15 amp or more power would be appropriate. For lighter use, you can get 8-10 amp models.
Gas VS Electric Chainsaws
There are some significant differences between the operation and characteristics of a gas chainsaw and an electrical chainsaw, while they both are used for the same purpose. You need to consider the goods and bads of both kinds before you make a final decision.
We’ve highlighted some distinguishing features of both kinds of chainsaws for you to better understand the difference and get the most suitable one for yourself.
Electric chainsaws
- Little to no noise production, even when they’re running at full capacity
- Require little to no maintenance
- You don’t need to buy gasoline for it every time you use it
- Less messy
- Offer low power behind the chain
- Intended for smaller, low to medium-duty jobs
- Easy to handle due to lightweight
- Safer than gas chainsaws
Gas-powered chainsaws
- Very loud
- Emit harmful fumes and smoke when running
- Need specific kinds of gas and oil mixtures to operate
- Suitable for heavy-duty cutting jobs
- No need for power as long as you have a gasoline supply
- Require a lot of maintenance to keep the machine healthy
- Highly powerful cutting
Are Electric Chainsaws Safer Than Gas Chainsaws?
There are a lot of factors that need consideration when comparing the safety features of gas-powered chainsaws and electric ones.
The most prominent feature is the weight and safety. Electric chainsaws are very lightweight and are way less risky than gas-powered chainsaws. You can easily carry them and control them.
Electric chainsaws also don’t emit harmful toxins in the air. Not only are the fumes generated by gas-powered chainsaws highly toxic for humans but they also pollute the overall environment. You also don’t need special workers or professionals to operate an electric chainsaw. Their easy start and stop system allows simple operation.
You also needn’t worry about fuel usage or fuel mixing. This is safer and healthier for the environment as well. Moreover, electric chainsaws do not make an annoying noise when you run them. You won’t have to worry about respiratory or hearing damage when you work with electric chainsaws.
So, it’s safe to say that electric chainsaws actually are safer than gas-powered chainsaws. However, all kinds of chainsaws can be dangerous if the operator is inexperienced or unable to handle the machine. Thus, it’s necessary that you wear your protective gear and stand in the right posture before you plug the machine in.
Tips for Using Electric Chainsaws Efficiently
Here are some useful tips for using electrical chainsaws more safely.
- Wear an item of heavy, snug-fit clothing so you don’t have to worry about your outfit as you work and there’s a lower chance of loose cloth getting stuck in the chainsaw by accident
- Use the electric chainsaw just for cutting wood
- Stand stably and have an upright posture for better control over the machine, don’t slouch
- Avoid cutting anything above the reach of your head or shoulders as it is easier to lose control in that position
- Read all the instructions for the chainsaw before you operate
- Always stay alert – if you experience vibration or kickback, release the throttle and wait for it to stop completely before you restart it
- Cut one log/bush/branch at a time
- Check for hard nails or metals in the object you’re cutting
- Don’t try to overreach and stretch your arms in a position where you lose control
- Operate the chainsaw with both hands with elbow locked, arms straight left hand in the front and right on the rear handle, slightly in a bent position
Conclusion
Electric chainsaws can save you a lot of time, energy, and a whole lot of headaches. They are safer and easier to use compared to gas-powered chainsaws. Electrical chainsaws have very deservingly gained popularity owing to these characteristics. We hope you find our list of top picks and our buying guide resourceful when it comes to making your decision!
Electric Chainsaw FAQ
A: If it’s a small or medium-sized tree and the chainsaw is equipped with the required amps, then yes you can easily cut a tree with an electric chainsaw.
A: Electric chainsaws are lightweight, small, quiet, safe, and easier to handle, but they lack the stamina and power needed for high-end jobs like cutting big trees. The deciding factor for the best kind of chainsaw is their intended use.
A: Electric chainsaws might stop cutting efficiently if they have a dull chain, or the bar is bent. It could also be because of an improperly adjusted chain on the bar.
A: The cordless ones come with an easy start button or a switch that you flip to start the machine, unlike the gas-powered ones where you have to pull the cord to start the engine.
A: Battery-powered chainsaws last about 30 minutes to one hour on a single charge.
