Cordless chainsaws tested and reviewed by Fred In The Shed

Cordless Chainsaws

Tested and Reviewed by Fred-in-the-shed

Updated 21st January 2025

Which Cordless Chainsaw is Best?

I test the latest cordless chainsaws

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Bosch 18v Cordless Chainsaws

Black & Decker 36v Cordless Chainsaw

Makita 36v Cordless Chainsaw * Fredshed best seller

Makita 18v Cordless Chainsaws

Bosch 36v Cordless Chainsaw

Stihl MSA120c 36v Cordless Chainsaw

Greenworks 24v Cordless Chainsaw

Long Reach Cordless Chainsaws

Related Products & Accessories

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	Bosch 18v Cordless Chainsaws Two Bosch 18v cordless chainsaws being tested in my garden The original larger Bosch 18v cordless chainsaw is modestly priced and ideal for light domestic use with all the features you need. I have had my one since 2018 and been very pleased with it. It also has a reasonable size, 25cm (10 inch) bar, weighs 3kg and has a built in oil reservoir. Bosch 18v UniversalChain Cordless Chainsaw The latest development is for smaller saws with more powerful and compact brushless motors like the Bosch EasyChain below This Bosch 18v EasyChain cordless chainsaw uses the same battery but has a smaller (8 inch) bar but can be used with one hand. It is designed for mostly small pruning jobs so does not have an oil reservoir for the chain. Oil is applied directly to the chain by bottle which I quite like as chainsaw oil tanks often leak. I have been using one since July and absolutely love it for its power and ease of use. Bosch offer a genuine 3 year guarantee if you register your saw with them. In contrast the "pop up" Chinese brands offering similar looking products disappear after a couple of months so have no credible warranty. Bosch 18v EasyChain cordless chainsaw The 2 amp hour, 18v battery can also be used in all green coloured Bosch 18v garden and DIY tools as well as Gardena and Husqvarna strimmers, hedge trimmers, blowers and pole pruners. If you need larger batteries there are 4 amp hour ones available to double the run time of your tool. The 18v 2.amp hour battery does around 20 minutes of cutting on one charge, so a 2nd battery or tool with another battery is a good option. The Bosch Power For All Batteries don't have power level lights on them but most of the tools do. Return to top of page
	Black & Decker 18v & 36v Cordless Chainsaws 36v model compared to its 18v smaller brother BLACK+DECKER GKC3630L20-GB 30 cm 36 V Li-ion powered Chainsaw The B&D 36v saw is a good saw for users who want to cut bigger logs occassionaly. It is a couple of kg heavier than 18v models so bear this in mind if you have any upper body weakness. It has a 30cm, (12 inch) bar and the 36v 2 amp hour battery can be used in 4 other B&D cordless tools. I do like both of the black & Decker cordless chainsaws but prefer other makes like Bosch and Makita as the batteries can be used in a wider range of tools. Coming Soon - New mini Chainsaw Reviews Due to the introduction of smaller more powerful brushless motors 18v chainsaws can now be made more compact. As with many new products dozens of version have appeared at ridiculously low prices from unheard of Chinese brands. (like the one above) When I tried the one above it performed very well and came with 2 batteries for under £100! The bad news is that these brands come and go very quickly and your chances of getting a replacement battery or any sort of customer service is close to zero. You might get lucky and I have had a couple of "Wang Ho Chi-Chong" tools that lasted a couple of years. Bosch and Makita have new models out and I am starting long term testing of the Bosch EasyChain -shown above. New Bosch 18v brushless Mini Cordless Chainsaw Stihl GTA 26 10.8v Mini Cordless Chainsaw Bosch 18v EasyChain compact chainsaw - without battery and charger Return to top of page
	Makita 36v Chainsaw - Using Two 18v Batteries New DUC 353Z 36v model compared with the smaller 18v pruning model. This model is usually sold naked (without batteries or charger) and comes with a much longer (35cm) bar than the Makita 18v saw. It replaces the Makita DUC 302Z that also used two 18v batteries but was not so well balanced and had a shorter bar. The new model has a more powerful brushless motor and an easy tool free chain adjustment mechanism. Cutting through thick logs in the Fredshed test The Makita DUC 353Z is powerful and light with all the features of a professional chainsaw. If you want to buy a chainsaw to replace a small petrol model this is the one many professionals are buying for their smaller jobs. Makita saws can be powered by a range of 18v batteries such as 3,4, 5 and now 6 amp hour batteries to give lighter weight or longer running time. To make charging easier Makita offer a twin charger and the batteries can be used in over 270 other power tools. Any cordless tool is only as good as its battery AND charger. This is where Makita excels since their chargers cool down hot batteries before charging. This gives faster charging times and better longevity. Makita DUC 353Z - with or without batteries Use link below to check price with another retailer Makita DUC353Z 36V/18V Brushless Cordless Chainsaw + 2 x 5.0Ah Batteries & Charger Breaking News! Makita launch similar DUC 355Z model with conventional screwdriver chain adjustment for the traditionalists. Less to go wrong but you do need a flat head screwdriver handy to adjust the chain tension. Makita DUC 355Z - with or without batteries Would You like to Support Fredshed? If you found this page useful and decide to buy a chainsaw please use my links when you do as this helps keep my site going, thanks, Fred Other tools that use the same batteries Makita 18v cordless Blower - Bare Unit Makita 18V Cordless Tyre Inflator Return to top of page Makita Cordless Chainsaw BUC122Z 18v Makita 18v Chainsaw This "mini" Makita cordless chainsaw is usually sold without batteries and charger. It is a superbly made and effective chainsaw despite its unusually short, 11.5cm bar. It is actually a top handled chainsaw so has been designed for professionals to use, up trees with one hand. Finally in 2020 Makita have added a version with a longer bar and chain Makita DUC254Z 18v LXT Cordless Brushless 25cm Chainsaw Top Handle - Bare Unit My trusty BUC 122Z is 8 years old now and only needed a cog repair after someone abused it. My Makita 18v 3 amp hour Li-ion batteries lasted nearly 8 years! If you don't already have a Makita 18v power tool with batteries then there are 2 ways to buy the whole kit. 1. Buy the chainsaw naked and a drill or other tool that comes with battery and charger. 2. Buy the chainsaw naked and the battery and charger below separately. If you like Makita quality but want a longer bar and more power, the 36v model runs off 2 of the same 18v batteries. Makita DUC122Z Pruning Chainsaw 18 V Makita DUH507Z 18V Cordless LXT Li-ion Hedge Trimmer - Bare Tool Makita DUR 192 LZ 18V Body Only Cordless Li-ion Line Trimmer The Original Model Makita UC120DWA-EX is now discontinued but batteries are still available. 12V 3.0Ah Ni-MH Replacement Battery for Makita Return to top of page

	Bosch 36v Cordless Chainsaws Bosch AKE 30 LI 36v Cordless Chainsaw This well made cordless chainsaw runs off batteries from the superb Bosch 36v range. So it uses the same tried and tested 36v battery that I have used in mowers for over 10 years. In fact the battery can be used in a wide range of Bosch garden and DIY powertools. The 20cm (10 inch) Oregon chain runs a lot slower than a petrol or mains electric saw but it is still up to the job of sawing 8 inch hardwood logs. With the battery included it weighs a tad over 3kg and is well balanced. It has a 80ml oil reservoir and tool free chain tensioning mechanism. A full charge of the battery takes 95 minutes, an 80% charge takes 65 minutes. The chainsaw can be purchased without the battery and charger if you already own other tools in the Power For all range. This 36v chainsaw has been discontinued and replaced with a new 36v model New Bosch 36v AdvancedChain 36v 35-40 cordless chainsaw The new model now has a brushless motor, 35cm bar and weights 4.4kg with a 2 amp hour battery Bosch 36 V Battery 2 Ah Bosch 36v 4 amp hour 36v battery Bosch 30cm x 1.1mm Chainsaw Chain for Bosch AKE 30 LI Chains and batteries are still available for the original model. Return to top of page
	Stihl MSA 120C 36v Cordless chainsaw This superb saw from the masters of chainsaw technology weighs only 3.76 kg with battery It has a 32cm (14 inch) bar that is adjusted without tools. There are 2 ranges of Stihl 36v Cordless Chainsaws and they use DIFFERENT 36v batteries. The model shown above uses the cheaper compact AK batteries whilst the Pro range uses the AP batteries. The compact range is the lightest but both battery types can be charged by the same chargers. There are several options for the bar length too. Due to company policy Stihl chainsaws can only be purchased from dealers to ensure safety standards are met. Prices vary from £350- £470 depending where you go and what you can negotiate. Return to top of page
	Greenworks 24V Cordless Chainsaw Greenworks 24V Cordless Chainsaw 25cm bar - tool only This whole pile was cut by one fully charged 24v 2 amp hour battery The Greenworks cordless chainsaw is slightly more powerful than the Black & Decker 18v but is similar in most other ways. It has a 25cm (10 inch) bar, which is about right for the power of the tool. The main difference is that the chain tensioning device is simpler to use. As with the B&D the battery can be used in a range of other tools too. Performance is quite impressive although the saw did stop a few times, but only on the largest logs towards the end of the job. Overall this is a very good chainsaw for the money and the battery is particularly good. Return to top of page
	Long Reach Cordless Chainsaws Also known as battery powered pole saws these tools can save a lot of time when pruning small to medium size trees. You will need to be reasonably strong but as the bar rests on the branch it is easier to use than a long reach hedge trimmer. The new 2018 Bosch 18v model is designed for domestic use whilst the Stihl model is a top quality saw suitable for domestic and professional use.

New 18v Bosch Model for the Power 4 All Range

Bosch Universal 18v Long Reach Telescopic Chainsaw

This well made, no gimmicks, pole saw has a telescopic handle, shoulder strap and multi-angled head.
The bar is 7 inches long, the chain is easily adjusted with an Allen key and is kept lubricated by an oil reservoir.
If you have a lot of trees to cut you could buy a second 2.5 amp 18v battery for around £50.
As cordless polesaws go this is one of the best I have tried.

Bosch Universal Chain Pole 18v Long Reach Telescopic Chainsaw/Tree Pruner 1 x 2.5Ah

Bosch 18V Li-ion battery 2.5AH

Stihl HTA85 Telescopic Cordless Pole-saw

Stihl make 2 models of 36v pole saw, the smaller HTA65 is not telescopic whilst the HTA85 is and extends to 4.5m.

These are professional quality, superbly made tools that command a premium price.

Stihl powertools are not available online so see your local dealer if you are interested.

The chain tension is easily adjusted with the screwdriver supplied.

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Cheapest And Best Chainsaw Oils

OREGON Chainsaw Chain and Guide Bar Oil 1 Litre
Stihl Synth Plus Chain Oil (1 Litre)
Bosch Chainsaw Oil - Biodegradable (1 litre)
You will be hard pressed to find a litre of chainsaw oil in the shops for under £10 and certainly not the superb Stihl oil. So use the links above to get a total bargain and help this site too.

Safety Gear For Using Cordless Chainsaws

Always wear gloves, protective trousers and a hard hat with a visor when using chainsaws.

Cordless chainsaws run slower than petrol and make less noise so you don't need ear protection but the rest of the kit is ESSENTIAL

Use Link below for best deal on complete chainsaw safety kit.

OREGON Type A Chainsaw Safety Clothing Kit with Leggings, Trousers, Gloves and Helmet

Best Sawhorse for Cutting Logs

Stihl Genuine Wooden Saw Horse

Oregon Steel Log Saw Horse

Best Sharpener for Chainsaws

Stihl 2 in 1 Easyfile

Stihl Chainsaw Sharpener

There is no point having the best chainsaw if you don't keep the blade sharp.
Chainsaw blades are relatively complex and can be hard to sharpen properly.
Stihl have designed this unique tool that contains a flat and a round file to sharpen both blade edge types at the same time, and at the correct angle.
The Stihl sharpener can be used on any make of chainsaw blade but you must buy the corresponding sharpener for your size of blade.
The Stihl filing kit is more flexible and if you have a Dremel multi-tool the sharpeners for that are excellent.

Stihl Genuine Filing Kit for 1/4-inch and 3/8-inch Picco Chain

Dremel 453 3 x 4.00mm Chain Saw Stone

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Mains Powered Electric Chainsaws

If you want to buy a corded electric chainsaw my recommendation is Bosch.

They have a wide range, good performance and can be easily contacted for spares and repair.

The saws have no fancy gimmicks and all the features, including tool-less adjustment of the chain on the higher end models.

Another good feature of the Bosch chainsaws is the longevity of the range which means that spares are also going to be around longer.

Bosch Chainsaw UniversalChain 35 1800 W, Lightweight 4.2 kg,

SCARED OF USING A CHAINSAW? - TRY A RECIPROCATING SAW FOR SMALLER BRANCHES

Reciprocating Saws With Coarse Blades To Cut Green Wood

With the right blade a cordless reciprocating saw can be great for pruning, especially in tight spaces! The universal blades are cheap to buy and easy to change. If you can run a cable then a mains powered saw will be cheaper to buy and more powerful.

The Ryobi one+ battery can also power a telescopic pruner that uses the same universal blade fixing.

For tree pruning you can buy some excellent blades that are longer than the usual carpentry blades, cheap and have larger teeth spacing to cope with soft green wood.

I use this tool all the time now and if I need to cut hard dead wood then I swap to the shorter, finer tooth carpentry blade.

240v mains recip saws are cheaper and have more power so worth considering too.

Ryobi ONE+ Cordless Pole Pruner, 18 V (Body only)

Saxton Reciprocating Saw Blades

Bosch PSA 700 E Sabre Saw

New Bosch 18 Nano Saw

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Bosch Keo - Cordless Saw - With Branch Gripper

Bosch 18v KEO

This cordless reciprocating saw takes the full range of standard recipro saw blades but has a bonus feature.

The removable metal guard grips branches up to 4 inches thick to enable one handed cutting.

I have used it extensively to prune trees and to cut up old branches and building timber for my wood burning stove.

A range of blades are available for different materials and I am particularly impressed with the metal hacksaw blade.

The metal guard and the speed sensor on this tool take a bit of getting used to but is worth the effort.

These is also a smaller lighter 10.8v model but I don't like to recommend tools with built in batteries which the smaller model has.

Bosch 10v Keo with built in battery

Despite its relatively small battery the Bosch Keo is a tool that punches well above its weight!

Bosch KEO Cordless Multisaw

Bosch Keo Blades (Pack of 3)

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