EGO Power+ CS1604 Chainsaw Review: Cuts With a 16-Inch Bar and Chain

The CS1604 in Short

EGO Power+ CS1604 Chainsaw cuts with a 16-inch bar for you if you want a cordless saw for pruning and light yard cleanup.

A 5.0Ah battery gives this kind of saw enough stored charge to cover pruning and lighter cleanup without a cord. That capacity is what shapes runtime, so the CS1604 is aimed at shorter jobs rather than long firewood sessions.

EGO Power+ CS1604 Chainsaw runs on a 56V battery system and pairs it with a 16-inch bar. It also states up to 6,800 RPM, which matters for cutting pace, not for runtime.

We screened 95 Chainsaws and this is one of 15 chosen for a full review. Full reviews go to the most-rated products that pass screening, at most 2 per brand. This one has 3,152 buyer ratings, the 7th most of the 95 screened. This review is for you if you want a cordless saw with a stated battery capacity and a mid-sized bar.

The Short Answer on the CS1604

Best for: you want a cordless chainsaw for pruning, storm cleanup, and light firewood work, and you value a 16-inch bar with tool-free chain tensioning.

Choose the CS1604 if you want a 56V saw with a 5.0Ah battery and a 3/8-inch pitch chain for around $328.38.

• Pro: The 16-inch bar gives you the reach for limbing and small firewood cuts.
• Pro: The included 5.0Ah battery supports up to 250 cuts per charge on 4×4 material.
• Pro: Tool-free chain tensioning makes chain adjustment quicker between cuts.
• Con: At 18 pounds, it is not the lightest option, so extended overhead pruning will feel less manageable.
• Con: The 3/8-inch pitch chain limits you to compatible consumer chain parts, which rules out mismatched replacements.

Don’t buy this if: you need a saw with an 18-inch bar for larger limbs or faster bucking.

Price assessment: $328.38 is fair for a cordless 56V saw with a 5.0Ah battery and tool-free chain tensioning.

Determine the right power level for your woodpile by viewing the best chainsaw for cutting firewood.

Homeowners with limited space should look at the best chainsaw for small yards for compact options.

Key Specifications for this Chainsaw

Bar length is the deciding spec that most separates this CS1604, and it measures the usable cutting reach of the saw bar.

Before You Buy: Chain Saw Checklist

The first thing to check is bar length, because the 16-inch bar sets the reach you can buy into for branches and small firewood. If you need a longer span, this saw will leave you with a return or a second purchase.

• ☐ Confirm the bar length — 16 inches — because shorter reach limits the log diameter you can span, and a bigger job will push you toward a different saw.
• ☐ Check battery compatibility — EGO 56V ARC Lithium batteries — if you already own that system, because a mismatch leaves you buying a separate battery and charger.
• ☐ Budget for the battery platform — 56V with a 5.0Ah pack — because a smaller pack can leave you short on runtime and force a swap before the work is done.
• ☐ Match the chain setup — 3/8-inch pitch and 0.043-inch gauge — because the wrong match will not fit the bar correctly or will wear poorly.
• ☐ Confirm the job size — up to 250 cuts per charge on a 4×4 — because larger cleanup jobs can outlast the pack and leave you stopping to recharge.
• ☐ Measure the weight you are willing to carry — 18 pounds — because a heavier saw is harder to manage for long pruning sessions.

You should not buy this saw if you need a longer bar, a different battery system, or enough runtime for larger storm cleanup without pauses.

What the Numbers Mean in Use

How the 16-inch bar affects cutting reach

The CS1604’s 16-inch bar gives you room for storm cleanup and small firewood work that a 10-inch bar would leave cramped. That length is the key figure for how wide a log it can span, so 4x4s and similar small stock stay in range without forcing you into a larger saw class.

The 0.043-inch gauge and 52 drive links define the bar-and-chain match, so you should keep those three figures together when you compare replacement parts. The bar length is still the main limit here, and 16 inches is the size that suits limbing and modest bucking better than heavier 18-inch or 20-inch setups.

How the brushless motor and 6,800 RPM affect cutting speed

The brushless motor and up to 6,800 RPM give this chainsaw enough speed for yard cuts that need quick chain travel. EGO Power+ CS1604 is a cordless electric saw with a 56V system, so the motor class is aimed at homeowner cutting rather than the heavier gas tier represented by the Stihl MS 271 Farm Boss.

That voltage supports storm cleanup and bucking work at the easier end of the cordless range, while the 35cc gas equivalent gives you a clearer yard-work target than a vague power claim. If you need a saw for larger limbs, the 16-inch bar and 56V class make this a better fit for moderate work than for long sessions on dense hardwood.

How the 5.0Ah battery affects runtime

The included 5.0Ah battery is enough for about 1 to 3 hours of lighter pruning and campsite cleanup. That runtime estimate fits the kind of intermittent cutting where the saw spends more time idling between cuts than under load.

The same 5.0Ah pack is shorter on endurance for bigger jobs. It is about 1 to 2 hours for small-log bucking and roughly 1.5 to 2.5 hours for storm debris, so a full weekend of firewood work will need a second pack or a different battery plan. The saw is compatible with all EGO 56V ARC Lithium batteries, which gives you a path to longer sessions if your workload runs past the included pack.

Which Jobs the CS1604 Handles, Worked Out From Its Specs

The CS1604 against the jobs buyers ask about, worked out from its listed battery voltage and battery capacity and a typical need for each job.

If a motorized saw isn’t necessary, explore the alternatives to a chainsaw for various cutting tasks.

How the CS1604 Compares to Alternatives

CS1604’s clearest edge is the battery package: it pairs 56V with 5.0Ah, and that is the largest capacity among the comparable cordless listings here. It also includes the battery, so you are not starting with a tool-only purchase.

• Against the 62CC Professional Chainsaw, the CS1604 gives you a cordless 56V platform instead of a 62cc gas engine. That shifts the decision toward battery convenience rather than fuel maintenance.
• Against the Greenworks 20322 40V 16-Inch Chainsaw, the CS1604 states 56V and 5.0Ah, while the Greenworks model states 40V. If your work leans on electrical headroom, the EGO has the stronger battery figures.
• Against the Greenworks 82V Chainsaw, the CS1604 has the larger battery capacity at 5.0Ah versus 4.0Ah. The Greenworks model still states the higher voltage at 82V.
• Against the Husqvarna 435 Chainsaw, the CS1604 adds a battery spec set the Husqvarna listing does not state. The Husqvarna instead gives you a 16-inch bar in a gas saw format.
• Against the BLACK+DECKER 40V MAX Cordless Chainsaw, the CS1604 carries the larger bar at 16 inches instead of 12 inches. That matters if you want more reach for limbing and small firewood.
• Among the six comparable listings, the CS1604 holds the highest buyer rating at 4.5 from 3,152 ratings. The Greenworks and BLACK+DECKER entries sit at 4.4, and the Husqvarna is rated 4.3.

Pick the 62CC Professional Chainsaw instead if you want a gas saw and the 20-inch bar matters more than battery convenience. If you want to compare your own work, measure the largest wood you cut; 16 inches fits smaller limbs, while 20 inches suits larger spans.

If you need a more compact option, view the Poulan Pro PR4016 review for detailed specs.

Getting the CS1604 Working, and What to Check After

What you need before the CS1604 will cut

You need a compatible 56V battery before the CS1604 can do any cutting.

1. Unpack the saw and confirm the 16-inch bar and 3/8-inch pitch chain are the fitted cutting parts.
2. Insert a 56V EGO ARC Lithium battery, since the saw is battery powered and ships with a 5.0Ah pack.
3. Check the chain gauge on the installed chain against the listed 0.043-inch gauge before you order a replacement chain.
4. Set chain tension with the tool-free adjuster until the chain sits correctly on the 16-inch bar.
5. Add bar and chain oil before first use, because the automatic oiler depends on a filled oil reservoir.

Warranty and support: what to confirm for this Chainsaw

Cover differs by seller and country.

• Confirm the return window before you trim anything, because the 56V battery and 5.0Ah pack are the costliest parts to replace.
• Confirm whether the battery and charger are covered separately, since this saw depends on a compatible 56V system.
• Confirm whether the chain and bar count as wear items, because the 16-inch bar and 3/8-inch chain are the parts you are most likely to replace.
• Confirm who handles support for the automatic oiler and tool-free tensioner, because those are the features most tied to first-use problems.

When it arrives, charge the 5.0Ah battery and fit the bar-and-chain assembly while your return window is still open.

What Buyers Still Want to Know About This Tree Saw

Is the 18-pound weight going to feel too heavy for overhead cuts or longer use?

CS1604 states 18 pounds, so weight is a real factor for overhead cuts and longer sessions. That figure sits in the middle of the weights stated across the screened listings, but the rest of the data does not say how the balance feels in hand.

Is the chain setup standard enough that I can find replacements easily?

Yes, the chain setup uses 3/8-inch pitch and a 0.043-inch gauge. Those are common consumer chain figures, which helps replacement matching, and the bar uses 52 drive links.

Do you want a saw that stays in the common homeowner range for bar length? CS1604 uses a 16-inch bar, which suits limbing and small firewood more than larger bucking jobs. Its 56V battery and included 5.0Ah pack give it the electrical headroom and stored charge for lighter yard work.

Can the EGO Power+ CS1604 Chainsaw run on all EGO 56V batteries?

Yes, the CS1604 is compatible with all EGO 56V ARC Lithium batteries. That matters if you already own EGO packs, because the saw is not tied to only the included 5.0Ah battery. The listing also states a brushless motor and up to 6,800 RPM.

Does the EGO Power+ CS1604 Chainsaw need a separate battery and charger?

Not for the battery itself, because the CS1604 includes a 5.0Ah battery. The listing does not state a charger, so that part is not confirmed here. The tool is cordless electric, so battery compatibility matters before you order.

How much cutting time does the EGO Power+ CS1604 Chainsaw give on a 4×4?

The CS1604 is listed at up to 250 cuts per charge on a 4×4. That is the clearest runtime figure here, and it points to lighter jobs rather than long storm cleanup sessions. For a saw this size, battery capacity matters more than the headline voltage alone.

Does the EGO Power+ CS1604 Chainsaw have tool-free chain tensioning and an automatic oiler?

Yes, the CS1604 states tool-free chain tensioning and an automatic oiler. Those two features reduce the amount of setup and chain maintenance you handle between cuts. The listing gives both features directly, so there is no guesswork there.

Ensure your equipment meets industry requirements by reviewing chainsaw certifications and safety standards.

Is the CS1604 Right for You?

Who the CS1604 suits and the jobs it is the wrong choice for, listed below with the reason for each.

Where to Buy This Chainsaw

In November 2026 the CS1604 was listed at $328.38. Prices move, so read that as a snapshot, not a quote.

Chainsaws are sold by the retailers below – we do not track which of them has the CS1604 in stock, so check availability and the current price with the retailer before making a trip.

• Home Depot (online and physical stores) — broad assortment and easy in-store returns
• Lowe’s (online and physical stores) — broad assortment and convenient physical-store pickup
• Amazon (online only) — wide marketplace selection across many brands and configurations
• Walmart (online and physical stores) — broad mass-market selection and easy local returns
• Ace Hardware (online and physical stores) — neighborhood-store convenience and knowledgeable staff
• Northern Tool + Equipment (online and physical stores) — specialist-oriented selection for outdoor power equipment
• Acme Tools (online only) — tool-focused assortment with trade and business account options

Final Verdict on the CS1604

You should choose the CS1604 if you want a cordless chainsaw with a 16-inch bar, a 56V platform, and a 5.0Ah battery. At around $328.38, it gives you the bar length and battery setup that suit light pruning, storm cleanup, and small firewood jobs.

The strongest number here is the 5.0Ah battery paired with the 56V system. That combination is what gives the CS1604 its stated up-to-250-cuts-per-charge claim on 4×4 stock, while the 3/8-inch pitch and 0.043-inch gauge keep it in standard consumer territory for replacement parts.

Skip it if: you need a longer bar for larger limbs, or you want a saw that can stay on storm debris and firewood work for longer stretches without a pack change.