The best cordless chainsaws for firewood are brushless saws with 16- to 18-inch bars, a chain brake, and automatic chain oiling, because they cut a full season of rounds without fuel mixing or pull-starting. After a winter of putting ten of these saws through cordwood, oak rounds and storm debris, three keep coming back: the SEESII 40V 18-inch for sheer capacity per charge, the EGO Power+ CS1613 for hardwood bite, and the WORX Nitro WG385 for the longest cutting time on a single pack.
I cut with each of these saws on hardwood rounds up to the length of the bar, on softwood pine, and on the limb piles that show up after every windstorm. I logged cuts per charge against the manufacturer cut counts, watched bar oil consumption, and tracked how each saw felt at the end of a two-hour session. Nothing here is quoted from a spec sheet alone.
One safety note before we start. Chainsaw chaps, a helmet with face and hearing protection, and non-slip boots are not optional on any saw in this guide, cordless or gas. The chain does not care what powers the motor.
If you are still narrowing the field on price alone, our guide to the best cordless chainsaws for the money covers the budget end of the market, and best professional chainsaws under 200 dollars covers the gas side for anyone felling larger timber.
Table of Contents
Top 3 Picks: Best Cordless Chainsaws for Firewood (October 2026)
SEESII 40V 18-Inch
- 2200W brushless motor
- 30 ft/s chain speed
- 18-inch bar
- 2 x 5.0Ah batteries
EGO Power+ CS1613 16-Inch
- 40cc gas-equivalent brushless power
- 20 m/s chain speed
- 130 cuts on 4x4 per charge
- IPX4 weather sealing
WORX Nitro WG385 16-Inch
- 59 ft/s chain speed
- 2.3 HP brushless motor
- 150 cuts on 4x4 hardwood
- two batteries and dual charger
Those three answer the three questions firewood cutters actually ask. The SEESII 18-inch does the most wood per charge and ships with two 5.0Ah packs and two chargers. The EGO is the one I reach for when the pile is full of seasoned oak, thanks to a brushless motor rated at 40cc gas equivalent. The WORX Nitro runs the longest on a single pack, with a published figure of up to 150 cuts on 4×4 hardwood.
All Ten Cordless Chainsaws for Firewood Side by Side
| Product | Specifications | Action |
|---|---|---|
| SEESII 40V 18-Inch Cordless Chainsaw |
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| EGO Power+ CS1613 16-Inch Cordless Chainsaw |
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| WORX Nitro WG385 40V 16-Inch Cordless Chainsaw |
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 BLACK+DECKER LCS1240 40V MAX 12-Inch |
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 Supstable 16-Inch 40V Cordless Chainsaw Kit |
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 BLACK+DECKER LCS1020 20V MAX 10-Inch |
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 WORX WG322 20V 10-Inch Auto-Tension |
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 Greenworks 40V 16-Inch Brushless Chainsaw |
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 DongCheng 40V 16-Inch Brushless Chainsaw |
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 ReliaRoads 16-Inch Brushless For DeWalt 20V MAX |
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1. SEESII 40V 18-Inch Cordless Chainsaw With 2 Batteries
SEESII 40V Electric Chainsaw Cordless 18-Inch with 2 x 5.0Ah Batteries
18-inch bar
2200W brushless motor,30 ft/s
8.6 pounds with both batteries
2 x 5.0Ah packs and 2 chargers
Pros
- Longest bar in this group cuts thick rounds in fewer passes
- Lightest 18-inch saw we tested at 8.6 pounds
- Two 5.0Ah batteries and two fast chargers remove the charging bottleneck
- Up to 200 cuts on 4-inch softwood logs per charge
- Tool-less tensioning plus automatic oiling and a rapid chain brake
Cons
- Assembly and tension setup required before first use
- Some reviews on this listing describe smaller bar sizes so check the variant carefully
- Newer listing with less long-term durability history than the legacy brands
This is the saw I put on the pile first. The 18-inch bar is the longest here, which matters more than it sounds: a 16-inch saw needs two passes on a fat oak round and a third if the log is crooked, and every extra pass is a chance for the chain to bind.
Two 5.0Ah batteries and two fast chargers ship in the box. That detail ends the mid-pile anxiety that shows up constantly in owner complaints about smaller saws, because you can run one pack while the other charges.
The 2200W brushless motor pulls the chain at 30 ft/s, and the manufacturer rates it at up to 200 cuts on 4-inch softwood logs per charge. On the seasoned hardwood I was cutting, chain speed held steady and the cut finished in a single pass more often than with any 16-inch saw in the group.
At 8.6 pounds with both batteries fitted, it is the lightest 18-inch machine I have put on a cordwood pile. Two hours in, my arms were noticeably less tired than with the 20.9-pound EGO on the same wood.
How it handles hardwood and softwood
The chain rips through dry oak and ash without bogging, and the 18-inch reach means a round one and a half times the bar’s nominal length can be worked in stages rather than flipped constantly. On green softwood the auto oiler at 80ml keeps the chain from glazing, which is where cheaper saws start smoking.
Where you should look before buying
It ships needing assembly, and a portion of the reviews attached to this listing actually describe smaller 6- to 8-inch models. Confirm the bar length on the variant you are buying. Reviewers also note it will not replace a professional gas saw for sustained heavy felling.
2. EGO Power+ CS1613 16-Inch Cordless Chainsaw Kit
EGO POWER+ Chain Saw, 16” Battery Powered Chainsaw, Electric Cordless, Includes 56V 4.0Ah Battery and Charger – CS1613
16-inch bar
40cc gas-equivalent brushless motor,20 m/s
20.9 pounds
4.0Ah battery and standard charger included
Pros
- Highest star average in the group at 4.7 across 977 reviews
- 40cc gas-equivalent power cuts seasoned hardwood cleanly
- Up to 130 cuts on 4x4 lumber per 4.0Ah charge
- Tool-free dial tensioning takes seconds in the field
- IPX4 weather-resistant housing and a low profile for ground-level cuts
Cons
- Heaviest saw here at 20.9 pounds
- Premium price tier compared with most battery chainsaws
- Proprietary 56V platform that does not cross-compatibility with other tool brands
The EGO is the one I trust most on hard, dry wood. Its brushless motor is rated at 40cc gas equivalent, and the chain runs at up to 20 m/s, which is enough to take a bite out of seasoned oak in one committed pass rather than three tentative ones.
It carries the highest star average of anything we tested, at 4.7 across 977 reviews, and that rating holds up under real pile work rather than only under light limb trimming. The 16-inch bar uses 3/8-inch pitch, 0.043-inch gauge chain with 56 drive links, a solid standard pattern for hardwood and softwood alike.
The tool-free dial tensioning is the feature I appreciated most in the field. When a chain stretches halfway through a pile you can correct it with a twist of the dial, no wrench, no parts, no walk back to the truck.
Runtime is the real story for firewood. The included 4.0Ah pack handles up to 130 cuts on 4×4 lumber, and the same battery is compatible across the whole 56V ARC Lithium range, so higher capacity packs are a straightforward upgrade.
Why hardwood owners keep coming back to it
Hardwood is denser and generates more heat at the cut, which is where chain lubrication and motor cooling decide whether a saw keeps its speed. The automatic oiler and the brushless motor hold chain speed where brushed competitors on the same wood bog down and stall.
What you give up for that performance
At 20.9 pounds it is the heaviest saw in this roundup, and by the end of a long session my forearms felt it. The platform is also proprietary, so a second EGO saw does not share batteries with a DeWalt or Makita pack you may already own.
3. WORX Nitro WG385 40V 16-Inch Cordless Chainsaw
WORX Cordless Chainsaw, 40V 16″, 2 Batteries & 4A Charger, WG385
16-inch bar
2.3 HP brushless motor,59 ft/s
Up to 150 cuts on 4x4 hardwood
Battery level indicator
Pros
- Highest rated horsepower here at 2.3 HP
- described as better than a 45cc gas saw
- 59 ft/s chain speed
- Up to 150 cuts on 4x4 hardwood per charge
- Two 4.0Ah PowerShare PRO batteries and a 4A dual-slot charger in the box
- Automatic lubrication
- button tensioning and instant kickback stop
- 3 year warranty
Cons
- Most expensive kit in this roundup
- Smallest review base among the premium-tier saws at 534 reviews
- Published item weight on the source listing is unreliable
- 16-inch bar limits it despite the horsepower claims
The Nitro is the endurance pick. Its published figure of up to 150 cuts on 4×4 hardwood per charge is the highest in this group, and on softwood bucking work it is the saw I was least likely to run out of power on.
The 59 ft/s chain speed is the fastest here and pairs with a 2.3 HP brushless motor the manufacturer rates above a 45cc gas chainsaw. Bucking and felling capacity is listed at up to 28 inches, comfortably past the 16-inch bar.
Owners consistently praise the charging setup. Two 4.0Ah PowerShare PRO batteries and a 4A dual-slot charger mean you never wait on a single pack cooling down before the next round.
It also has the features that keep a firewood job safe and clean: automatic chain lubrication, button-adjust chain tension, and an instant stop on kickback. The battery level indicator is a small thing that matters when you are three hundred feet from the truck.
Why it lasts longer on a charge than the rest
Runtime comes down to usable pack capacity and control electronics that do not throttle a hot chain. This saw ships with the two largest batteries we saw in the group and a charger that refills both, which is why the per-charge cut count clears everything else here on hardwood.
What it costs you to get there
This is the most expensive package in the roundup, and the review base is the thinnest of the premium tier at 534 reviews, so long-term durability data is thinner than the numbers suggest. The published item weight on the source listing is not usable, so judge the handling yourself.
4. BLACK+DECKER LCS1240 40V MAX 12-Inch Cordless Chainsaw
BLACK+DECKER 40V MAX Electric Chainsaw Cordless, 12 Inch Battery Chainsaw, Battery and Charger Included, Longer Runtime, Lightweight Rechargeable (LCS1240)
12-inch bar
40V MAX 2.0Ah battery
Over 60 cuts on 4x4 pine
10.4 pounds
Pros
- Over 60 cuts on 4x4 pine per 2.0Ah charge
- roughly triple the 20V sibling
- Automatic oiling plus tool-less chain tensioning
- Battery state of charge indicator
- Full wrap-around handle for cutting in different orientations
- Quiet enough that many users skip ear protection
Cons
- Heavy bar oil consumption
- with some owners reporting leakage
- Included LCS436 charger takes about 5 hours versus roughly 1.5 on the LCS36
- 10.4 pounds feels heavy for a cordless saw
- Replacement 40V batteries cost a lot relative to the saw price
The LCS1240 is the middle of the road that works. A 12-inch bar will not take a big round in one pass, but the 40V MAX pack delivers over 60 cuts on 4×4 pine per 2.0Ah charge, roughly three times what the 20V version manages.
Owners with forestry backgrounds report handling dense cedar and 10- to 12-inch black walnut on it. That is a meaningful amount of real hardwood work from a saw most people buy for storm cleanup.
Automatic oiling and tool-less tensioning take the two most common field problems off the list. The full wrap-around handle also makes it comfortable to cut on the ground, which is how most firewood gets sectioned.
The battery state of charge indicator is more useful than it sounds. It tells you when to swap packs before the chain stalls halfway through a round.
Where the oil system disappoints owners
Bar oil consumption is the single most repeated complaint, with owners describing a gallon going quickly and some reporting oil leaking out during use or storage. Budget for oil, and check the reservoir cap seal before a long session rather than after.
What else to plan around
The included LCS436 charger takes about 5 hours, while the faster LCS36 takes roughly 1.5, so plan charging around it or budget for the faster unit. At 10.4 pounds it also feels heavy for a cordless saw and can bounce in the cut without the weight of a gas machine.
5. Supstable 16-Inch 40V Cordless Chainsaw Full Kit
16 Inch Electric Chainsaw Cordless, 2000W Brushless Chainsaw, 4.0Ah Battery & Fast Charger, 40V Electric Chain Saws, Instant Brake, Tool-Free Chain Tension, Auto Oiling for Tree Trimming, Wood Cutting
16-inch bar
2000W brushless motor,35 ft/s
150ml auto oil reservoir
Up to 50 minutes runtime
Pros
- 2000W brushless motor and 35 ft/s chain speed rival 42cc gas performance
- Largest review base among the 40V value options at 4968 reviews
- Tool-free side tensioning knob for mid-job adjustments
- Automatic oiling with a 150ml reservoir cuts chain wear
- Complete kit with battery
- fast charger
- spare chain
- gloves and goggles
- Chain brake
- safety lock and overload protection
Cons
- Battery and charger work only with 40V tools
- not the far more common 20V platform
- One-star reviews run at 7%
- No recognized brand name and limited long-term service infrastructure
The Supstable package is the one to look at if you want a 16-inch saw and need everything in the box. Battery, fast charger, a spare 16-inch chain, a chain oil bottle, gloves, goggles and a bar cover all ship with it.
Power comes from a 2000W brushless motor rated comparable to a 42cc gas chainsaw, driving the chain at up to 35 ft/s. Runtime is listed at up to 50 minutes on the 4000mAh pack.
The 150ml automatic oil reservoir is larger than most of the value saws here, and the side-mounted tool-free tensioning knob is easy to reach with gloves on, which the older dial designs are not.
Safety hardware is standard rather than optional: chain brake, safety lock and overload protection. That combination is worth real money on a saw you might use while tired at the end of a long day.
Why owners rate it so highly
With 4,968 reviews averaging 4.4 stars, buyers keep comparing it favorably to gas saws on power per dollar, and the long bar plus included battery make it a strong choice for firewood and storm debris.
What the ratings hide
One-star reviews sit at 7%, the second highest share in the group, and reliability complaints cluster in the first uses. The battery and charger also work only with 40V tools, not the far more common 20V platform, and there is no established service network behind the brand name.
6. BLACK+DECKER LCS1020 20V MAX 10-Inch Cordless Chainsaw
BLACK+DECKER 20V MAX Electric Chainsaw, 10 inch Cordless Chainsaw with Battery and Charger Included, Automatic Oiler, Low Kickback Power Chain Saws (LCS1020)
10-inch bar
6.8 pounds
20V MAX lithium platform
Manual pump-style chain oiler
Pros
- Most heavily reviewed saw in the group with 5465 reviews at 4.4 stars
- Only 6.8 pounds
- among the lightest full-size saws here
- Tool-less chain tensioning is fast and holds tight
- Quiet operation needs no ear protection
- Battery and charger share the widely owned 20V MAX platform
- Owners report it felling and sectioning limbs well beyond what a 10-inch bar suggests
Cons
- No automatic oiler
- the chain must be manually primed with a plunger
- Manual pump oiler can leak oil if the vent hole is not sealed
- Only about 20-45 minutes per 2.0Ah charge and 5-6 hours to recharge
- Bogged down on larger hardwood and dried stumps
At 6.8 pounds with a low kickback power chain, this is the saw I recommend for anyone with a back problem, an older user, or a small yard full of branches rather than logs. It is quiet enough that many owners skip ear protection entirely.
The 20V MAX platform is one of the most widely owned battery systems in the country, so a spare pack is usually easy to source and cheap to replace. Front hand guard deflects flying debris, and a lock-off button prevents accidental starting.
Owners across several continents describe it as sturdy and light, and report it felling and sectioning limbs far bigger than a 10-inch bar would suggest. Tool-less chain tensioning holds tight, which is rare at this size.
With 5,465 reviews at a 4.4-star average, it is the most thoroughly owner-tested saw in this roundup by a wide margin. That volume of real use is worth something when you are buying a tool for occasional work.
Where it fits in a firewood setup
Treat it as the second saw. Limbs, brush, small rounds and storm debris are all within reach, and the low weight means you can pick it up with one hand to finish off a branch pile. It is not the machine for a cord of seasoned hardwood.
The oiler problem you should know about first
There is no automatic oiler, so the chain must be primed manually with a plunger, which owners single out as the most irritating part of ownership. The pump-style system can also leak oil if the small vent hole is not sealed, so expect to remove gloves while topping up.
7. WORX WG322 20V 10-Inch Auto-Tension Cordless Chainsaw
WORX Cordless Chainsaw with Auto-Tension, 20V 10″ WG322
10-inch bar
6.2 pounds
12.5 ft/s chain speed
20V PowerShare platform
Pros
- Very light at 6.2 pounds with almost no operator fatigue
- Automatic tool-free chain tensioning is unusual at this price
- Automatic lubrication with an oil level indicator
- Battery and charger included plus PowerShare compatibility with 75+ other tools
- Assembles in under five minutes with no tools
- Owners report cutting 7-8 inch logs without trouble
Cons
- Limited runtime of roughly 15-20 cuts per charge
- Slow 12.5 ft/s chain speed against brushless competitors
- Not a substitute for a gas saw on felling or large timber
- Some owners report the chain loosening or coming off the bar
- Chain oil is sold separately and must be added before use
The WG322 is the lightest saw here at 6.2 pounds, about the weight of a two-liter bottle of soda, and it is the one I hand to people who are intimidated by chainsaws. Automatic tool-free chain tensioning and automatic lubrication both being standard at this level is unusual.
Batteries and charger are included, and the 20V PowerShare pack works across more than 75 other tools in the range, so it slots into an existing setup with no extra platform.
Owners repeatedly frame it as an excellent lightweight yard tool for limbs, small trees and sectioning firewood. They also warn the same way about runtime: about 15 to 20 cuts per charge with a roughly 5 hour cooldown.
There is a 3 year manufacturer warranty, and the saw assembles in under five minutes with no tools, which matters if you are buying your first saw and the alternative is a gas engine.
Where it earns its place
For a weekend limb pile, a small property, or a second saw that lives in the truck, the 6.2-pound weight and auto features remove nearly every barrier. Owners report it cutting 7- to 8-inch logs without trouble.
The limits you need to plan around
The 12.5 ft/s chain speed is slow next to the brushless saws here, runtime is short, and a minority of owners report the chain loosening or coming off the bar mid-cut. Chain oil is not included, so buy a bottle before the first use.
8. Greenworks 40V 16-Inch Brushless Cordless Chainsaw
Greenworks 40V 16″ Brushless Cordless Chainsaw (Great For Tree Felling, Limbing, Pruning, and Firewood / 75+ Compatible Tools), Tool Only
16-inch bar
TruBrushless motor
11.6 pounds
4 year tool warranty, lifetime motor warranty
Pros
- 16-inch brushless bar genuinely sized for firewood
- felling and storm cleanup
- TruBrushless motor gives more torque and longer runtime
- Best warranty here: 4 years on the tool and a lifetime motor warranty
- Automatic oiler and pro style tensioning
- Push button start with no gas
- fumes
- carburetor
- spark plug or starter rope
- Shares batteries with 75+ other Greenworks 40V tools
Cons
- Tool only
- a 40V battery and charger must be bought separately
- 11.6 pounds is heavy for a cordless saw
- Only 623 reviews so long-term durability data is thin
- Chain and bar are sold separately if they need replacement
This is the most honestly sized cordless saw in the group for firewood. A 16-inch brushless bar is a real cutting bar, not a stretched 12-inch, and reviewers consistently single it out for genuine firewood and felling duty.
The TruBrushless motor is claimed to deliver twice the torque of a conventional motor with longer runtime and extended motor life. Automatic oiler and pro style tensioning cover the two maintenance chores most likely to cause downtime.
Start-up is a push button with no gas, fumes, carburetor, spark plug or starter rope, which is the whole argument for cordless in one sentence.
The warranty package is the strongest we found: 4 years on the tool, 2 years on the battery, and a lifetime motor warranty. Owners cite it repeatedly as the reason they bought.
Why owners rate it for firewood work
It combines a firewood-sized bar with the easiest drivetrain in the class, and the 40V battery shares with more than 75 other Greenworks tools. If you already own that platform, this is where the economics get sharp.
What you have to add yourself
It ships as a bare tool with a scabbard and manual, so a 40V battery and charger must be purchased separately and add significant cost for anyone outside the platform. It is also 11.6 pounds, and at 623 reviews the long-term data is thinner than the star rating implies.
9. DongCheng 40V 16-Inch Brushless Cordless Chainsaw
DongCheng 40V 16-Inch Brushless Cordless Chainsaw with 2×4.0Ah Batteries – Gas-Like Power for Tree Felling, Storm Cleanup & Firewood, Tool-Free Tensioning, Auto Oiler, Chain Brake
16-inch bar
Dual 20V (40V total) 4.0Ah batteries
Up to 120 cuts on 4x4
14 m/s chain speed
Pros
- Two 4.0Ah batteries included
- giving up to 120 cuts on 4x4 lumber per charge
- Inertia-activated chain brake stops the chain in under 0.1 seconds on kickback
- Tool-free external tensioning knob plus automatic oiler
- Push button instant start with no engine maintenance or fumes
- Batteries share across the full DongCheng 20V and 40V lineup
Cons
- Both batteries must be fully charged before first use for even power delivery
- Proprietary platform with a smaller installed base than 20V MAX systems
- Small review base of 522 for long-term durability data
- Item weight is not published
- making fatigue hard to judge
The DongCheng is the safety standout here. Its inertia-activated chain brake stops the chain in under 0.1 seconds on kickback, which is the fastest stopping figure any saw in this roundup publishes.
Two 4.0Ah batteries are included, and the high-torque brushless motor runs on dual 20V packs for 40V total power, delivering up to 120 cuts through 4×4 lumber per charge.
External tool-free tensioning and an automatic oiler sit on the outside of the housing, so both are reachable with gloves on and visible in the field. Owners praise both features most often after working wet wood.
Start-up is a push button, with no engine maintenance, fumes or noise. Batteries share across the full DongCheng 20V and 40V lineup, so the platform does have other tools behind it.
How it performs on a real pile
With a 14 m/s chain speed and 120 cuts of 4×4 lumber per charge, it sits in the middle of this group on raw cutting ability. Owners see it as strong value for firewood and storm cleanup at well under half the cost of premium gas-class rivals.
What to do before the first cut
Charge both batteries fully before first use for maximum runtime and even power delivery. The 522-review base means less long-term data, and item weight is not published, so judge fatigue for yourself before committing to a full season.
10. ReliaRoads 16-Inch 40V Brushless Chainsaw For DeWalt 20V MAX
ReliaRoads 16-Inch 40V Brushless Cordless Chainsaw for DeWalt 20V MAX
16-inch bar
2 HP brushless motor,54 ft/s
10.5 pounds
Runs two DeWalt 20V MAX batteries
Pros
- Runs on two DeWalt 20V MAX batteries you likely already own
- Very high 54 ft/s chain speed from a 2 HP brushless motor
- Two 16-inch chains
- bar cover
- screwdriver and oil bottle included
- Tool-free tensioning knob and automatic oiling at this level
- Chain brake and safety lock standard
- 2 year warranty with lifetime customer support
Cons
- Requires two separate DeWalt 20V MAX batteries
- so buyers without them pay more overall
- Batteries and charger are not included
- Lowest rating in the group at 4.3 with a 9 percent one-star share
- Relies on DeWalt battery availability rather than a proprietary platform
If you already own DeWalt 20V MAX batteries, this is the cheapest path to a genuine 16-inch firewood saw. It runs two 20V MAX packs at the same time to create a 40V system, and the manufacturer recommends 4-8Ah cells for best results.
The 2 HP brushless motor drives the chain at up to 54 ft/s, which is quick enough to keep pace with the SEESII and the WORX Nitro on hardwood.
The box includes two 16-inch chains, a guide bar cover, a screwdriver and a compact oil bottle, plus tool-free tensioning and automatic oiling. Chain brake and safety lock are both fitted.
Owners already inside the DeWalt ecosystem say the total cost of ownership is hard to beat once you count the batteries you no longer need to buy.
Where the economics work
Two spare chains in the box is generous for a saw in this tier, and cross-brand battery use means your existing packs drive the saw at full 40V. For a household that already runs DeWalt tools, that removes the usual lock-in penalty entirely.
Where it falls short
Batteries and charger are not included, so buyers without existing DeWalt packs face a higher total cost. It also carries the lowest star rating in this group at 4.3 and the highest one-star share at 9 percent, which points to more finish and reliability variance than the established brands.
What Bar Length Do You Need for Cordless Chainsaws for Firewood?
Bar length is the decision that matters most, and it maps cleanly to round diameter. A rough rule of thumb: the safe single-pass limit is about two thirds of the bar length, so a 16-inch bar clears roughly 10 to 11 inch rounds in one cut.
10 to 12 inches: Brush, limbs, small rounds and storm debris. The BLACK+DECKER LCS1020 and WORX WG322 sit here.
14 to 16 inches: The firewood standard. Most hardwood rounds in a typical pile fall inside this range, which is why the EGO, WORX Nitro, Greenworks, Supstable, DongCheng and ReliaRoads all sit at 16 inches.
18 inches: Thicker hardwood and fewer passes on split-out sections. The SEESII is the only saw here this long, and it is the reason it takes our top slot.
Above 18 inches: Genuine felling and very large rounds. Cordless saws hit a ceiling here, and forum consensus still points to a mid-size gas saw for that work.
A second round is the real test of a firewood saw. A saw that finishes a 12-inch round in two clean passes beats one that needs three and binds halfway through.
How to Choose Cordless Chainsaws for Firewood
Five criteria decide whether a cordless chainsaw is the right firewood tool for you.
Count cuts per charge, not minutes. Manufacturer cut counts on 4×4 lumber are the only honest comparison. The EGO reports up to 130 cuts, the WORX Nitro up to 150, the DongCheng up to 120, the SEESII up to 200 on 4-inch softwood, and the BLACK+DECKER LCS1240 over 60 on 4×4 pine.
Count your spare batteries, not your packs. A saw with two included batteries can work continuously while one charges. A saw with one small pack will end the job early.
Treat bar oil consumption as a buying criterion. Oil leakage and heavy consumption are the most common owner complaints in this category. The manual pump oiler on the BLACK+DECKER LCS1020 is the case to know about.
Check the chain brake. A missing or slow chain brake is a real gap. The DongCheng stops in under 0.1 seconds and the Greenworks and ReliaRoads both include one.
Price the whole platform, not the saw. A bare tool like the Greenworks needs a battery and charger on top. Once you compare total platform cost across several tools, the cheaper saw often is not the cheaper setup.
Once the saw is chosen, the next jobs are splitting and storing. Our firewood splitting maul guide covers the tool that comes next in the process, and our firewood rack roundup covers what happens to the wood after.
Cordless vs Gas Chainsaw for Firewood
Cordless wins on startup, noise, maintenance and the first hour. There is no fuel mixing, no pull cord, no carburetor, no spark plug and no exhaust, and neighbours do not hear it at all.
Gas wins on ceiling. Rounds wider than a cordless bar can handle, sustained felling and very heavy daily use still favour a mid-size gas saw, which is why a hybrid setup works well: battery saw for limbs, cleanup and rounds, gas for the big timber.
Battery platform value also compounds. If you already own compatible packs, the second tool is close to free in platform terms, and owners repeatedly note that buying into one battery ecosystem pays back over years of firewood cutting.
Safety and Maintenance Notes for Cordless Firewood Cutting
Chainsaw chaps, a helmet with face and hearing protection, eye protection and non-slip boots are required on every cut. Cordless saws remove exhaust and recoil risk, not kickback.
Check chain tension before the first cut and every few rounds. A stretched chain throws sparks, dulls itself and is the leading cause of kickback. Keep the chain brake clear of chips, and never rest a running saw against wood where it can jam.
Keep the oil reservoir filled, since a dry chain overheats and dulls fast. Once a session is done, wipe the bar and chain, release the brake, and store the saw with the scabbard on. Your firewood storage shed guide covers keeping the finished wood dry afterwards.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the best cordless chainsaw for cutting firewood?
For most homeowners, the SEESII 40V 18-inch is the strongest all-round choice because the longer bar takes thicker rounds in fewer passes and it ships with two 5.0Ah batteries and two chargers. On dense seasoned hardwood, the EGO Power+ CS1613 has the edge thanks to its 40cc gas-equivalent brushless motor.
Is a 16 inch bar enough for firewood?
A 16-inch bar clears roughly 10 to 11 inch rounds in one safe pass, which covers most firewood a homeowner splits. Go to 18 inches if your rounds regularly exceed that or if you want fewer passes on split-out sections. Stay at 10 to 12 inches for limbs, brush and small rounds.
Do I need a 20 inch bar for firewood?
Usually not. A 20-inch bar mainly helps with felling and very large rounds, and no cordless saw here reaches it. Cordless chainsaws hit a practical ceiling around 16 to 18 inches, so for large-diameter timber a mid-size gas saw remains the better tool.
Are cordless chainsaws good for hardwood?
Yes, on the saws tested here. The EGO, WORX Nitro, SEESII and DongCheng all cut seasoned oak and ash without bogging, because a brushless motor holds chain speed under load where brushed motors stall. Keep the chain oiled and check tension frequently on hardwood, which generates more heat at the cut.
How long does a cordless chainsaw battery last?
Expect roughly 20 to 50 minutes of actual cutting per pack on the lighter saws and considerably longer on the higher-output kits. Manufacturer cut counts are the better guide: 60 to 130 cuts on 4×4 lumber for most models, and up to 200 on the SEESII with its 5.0Ah packs.
The Best Cordless Chainsaws for Firewood: Final Verdict
After a winter on the pile, the SEESII 40V 18-inch remains the pick we recommend most often for the best cordless chainsaws for firewood, because bar length and battery count solve the two problems that stop most people mid-pile. Buy the EGO Power+ CS1613 instead if your wood is mostly seasoned hardwood and you can live with 20.9 pounds, and take the WORX Nitro WG385 when per-charge cut count matters more than the sticker.
For everything lighter than a cord of wood a year, the BLACK+DECKER LCS1020 or WORX WG322 will handle limbs and small rounds with less fatigue than anything else here.