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Our Top 3 Picks for Homeowners
The best cordless chainsaw for homeowners is the DEWALT DCCS620B 20V Max Chainsaw, and its 12-inch bar suits light pruning and storm cleanup.
Most Chainsaw options look identical on a listing page. These 3 are the ones that differ where it actually matters.
#1 – DEWALT DCCS620B 20V Max Chainsaw
Best for: homeowners who want a 12-inch cordless saw for light yard cuts and already own a compatible 20V MAX battery system.
Why the DEWALT DCCS620B 20V Max Chainsaw is our #1 pick
- Listed at $237.05 in November 2026 – premium among those compared; the price moves, so check it
- 4.5 rating from 13,161 ratings
bar length: 12 Inches · battery voltage: 20V MAX
Against the other picks on bar length, pick #3 states 16-Inch.
#2 – Greenworks 40V 12-Inch Compact Chainsaw
Best for: homeowners who want a lighter 12-inch tree saw for trimming and occasional small-cut work.
Why the Greenworks 40V 12-Inch Compact Chainsaw is our #2 pick
- Listed at $179.99 in November 2026 – entry among those compared; the price moves, so check it
- 4.3 rating from 8,158 ratings
bar length: 12 Inches · battery voltage: 40V
To put that bar length in context, pick #3 states 16-Inch.
#3 – WEN 40417 Cordless Electric Chainsaw
Best for: homeowners who want a 16-inch cordless electric saw for broader yard work and longer cuts.
Why the WEN 40417 Cordless Electric Chainsaw is our #3 pick
- Listed at $149.99 in November 2026 – entry among those compared; the price moves, so check it
- 4.5 rating from 1,285 ratings
bar length: 16-Inch · battery voltage: 40V Max
For comparison on bar length, pick #1 states 12 Inches and pick #2 states 12 Inches.
You can find a detailed performance analysis in our full PROYAMA 68CC review.
How New Hardware picked: we started from the 200 most-reviewed Chainsaw listings in our retail dataset, removed duplicates, accessories and off-category products, and 95 qualified. The picks on this page were selected from those 95 candidates against this topic’s requirements. The order of the picks reflects fit to this topic; each shows its rating and the number of ratings behind it, so you can weigh how much to trust it. Specifications come from manufacturer listings and ratings from verified Amazon buyer reviews (data checked November 2026).
Our Verdict and How We Chose
A homeowner chainsaw only helps if it can cover the job without dragging you into a larger, heavier class than you need.
The DEWALT DCCS620B 20V Max Chainsaw gives you a 12-inch cutting reach for pruning and cleanup, and the Greenworks 40V 12-Inch Compact Chainsaw is the one to choose if you want a lighter 6-pound saw. Pick the WEN 40417 Cordless Electric Chainsaw instead when a 16-inch bar matters more than compact size. We screened 95 Chainsaws at New Hardware and kept 10 for this page because we were narrowing the field to homeowner cordless use, then compared the models by the numbers that decide that choice. The shortlist runs from $149.99 to $237.05, and the median price of the 10 products in our comparison is $214.
WEN lists 49 feet per second of chain speed, which is the only speed figure on the page and gives that model a different role from the 12-inch picks. DEWALT’s 5Ah battery is the larger capacity among the three selected models, and that matters more than the bare-tool format does.
Review the scope to see which specific brands and types are included.
Follow the buying guide to learn how to choose the right tool for your needs.
See the audience checklist to find which model best fits your specific user profile.
Explore how the V20 RP CMCCS630P1 performs in use for heavy-duty tasks.
What This Page Concludes About Chainsaws for Homeowners
- Top pick: DEWALT DCCS620B 20V Max Chainsaw at $237.05 (bar length: 12 Inches).
- Also picked: Greenworks 40V 12-Inch Compact Chainsaw at $179.99; WEN 40417 Cordless Electric Chainsaw at $149.99.
- We compared 10 Chainsaws, from $149.99 to $328.38, median $214.
- Best buyer rating in the comparison: Makita XCU06Z Chainsaw at 4.7/5 from 738 ratings.
- Not covered by these picks: buck a few small logs for weekend firewood – it takes 4 to 6Ah for 2 hours, 70% usable, and none of the picks reaches it.
Chainsaws for Homeowners Compared Side by Side
| Product | Price | Rating | bar length | battery voltage | battery capacity |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| DEWALT DCCS620B 20V Max Chainsaw | $237.05 | 4.5 (13,161 ratings) | 12 Inches | 20V MAX | 5Ah |
| Greenworks 40V 12-Inch Compact Chainsaw | $179.99 | 4.3 (8,158 ratings) | 12 Inches | 40V | 2.0Ah |
| WEN 40417 Cordless Electric Chainsaw | $149.99 | 4.5 (1,285 ratings) | 16-Inch | 40V Max | 4Ah |
| Greenworks 80V Chainsaw | $179.99 | 4.3 (2,055 ratings) | 18 Inches | 80V | 2.0Ah |
| Greenworks 82V Chainsaw | $299 | 4.4 (2,035 ratings) | 20″ | 82V | 4.0Ah |
| CRAFTSMAN V20 RP CMCCS630P1 | $169.75 | 4.6 (1,748 ratings) | 12 in. | Not stated | 5Ah |
| CRAFTSMAN V20 CMCCS620M1 | $229 | 4.6 (1,748 ratings) | 12-Inch | Not stated | 4.0 Ah |
| Makita XCU06Z Chainsaw | $199 | 4.7 (738 ratings) | 10 Inches | 18V | 5.0Ah |
| Worx Nitro 40V Chainsaw | $232.79 | 4.5 (514 ratings) | 16 Inches | 40 Volts (DC) | 4.0 Ah |
| EGO Power+ CS1604 Chainsaw | $328.38 | 4.5 (3,152 ratings) | 16 Inches | 56V | 5.0Ah |
Prices are approximate and move frequently – check the current price before deciding. “Not stated” means the manufacturer listing does not give that figure – we do not estimate it.
Among our top picks, the value leader is WEN 40417 Cordless Electric Chainsaw, and that matters for homeowners who want the lowest cost per volt in this group.
Each Pick for Homeowners, Reviewed in Detail
The 3 picks below are reviewed in the same order as the cards above.
DEWALT DCCS620B 20V Max Chainsaw
The DEWALT DCCS620B 20V Max Chainsaw suits homeowners who want a compact cordless saw with a 12-inch bar and a 20V MAX platform. It is a bare tool, so the battery and charger are separate, and that matters if you already own compatible 20V MAX gear.
What we like: The 5Ah battery capacity gives it more stored charge than the 2.0Ah compact option here, which helps on longer yard sessions. Its brushless motor can improve efficiency and runtime, and the tool-free chain tensioning saves you from extra wrench work. It is also the most widely rated pick here, with a 4.5 average from 13,161 ratings, at around $237.05.
Keep in mind: The 20V MAX battery voltage is the limiting figure for heavier storm cleanup. For a fallen limb or a weekend of firewood, you may want more voltage or a larger saw, especially if your work runs long. Measure your existing battery system before you order, because this one ships without a battery or charger.
Greenworks 40V 12-Inch Compact Chainsaw
The Greenworks 40V 12-Inch Compact Chainsaw gives you a 12-inch bar, 40V output, and a lighter 6-pound build for homeowner trimming and smaller cuts. It is the value-focused pick here because it combines a lower price with a mainstream cordless setup.
What we like: The 40V battery voltage gives it more electrical headroom than the 20V option above, which matters when you move from light pruning to tougher yard work. It also includes an automatic oiler, which keeps chain lubrication handled during use, and tool-less tensioning for faster adjustments. At around $179.99, it is the least expensive of these three.
Keep in mind: The 2.0Ah battery capacity is the trade-off, because it stores less charge than the other two picks here. That makes it a poor match for longer firewood sessions or storm cleanup that runs past a short outing. If you want a cordless tree saw for occasional pruning, it fits better than it does for all-day work.
WEN 40417 Cordless Electric Chainsaw
The WEN 40417 Cordless Electric Chainsaw is the mid-range choice here, with a 16-inch bar for more reach than the 12-inch models. That longer bar makes it the most practical of these three for homeowners who split time between limbing and small firewood.
What we like: Its 16-inch chain gives you more cutting span than the shorter saws above, which helps when you move into larger limbs and faster bucking. The 40V Max battery and 4Ah capacity give it a stronger balance of voltage and stored charge than the compact Greenworks model, and the brushless motor can help runtime. It also includes a charger, and the listed price is around $149.99.
Keep in mind: The 4Ah battery is still short of what longer weekend firewood work usually asks for, so this is not the pick for extended cutting days. If you need a battery chainsaw for a full storm-cleanup session, the bar length helps, but the battery size still sets the limit. Check the 16-inch size against your usual log diameter before you buy.
Check out our spec breakdown of the NEO-TEC 20 Inch to see its capabilities.
The Specs That Decide a Tree Saw for Homeowners
How battery platform compatibility affects a homeowner tree saw
Battery platform compatibility matters first, because a tool-only saw is unusable until you already own the right battery system. DEWALT DCCS620B is a bare tool, so its 20V MAX platform only helps if you already use that family. Greenworks 40V 12-Inch Compact Chainsaw and WEN 40417 both include battery and charger, which removes that first purchase step. The 20V MAX system also separates this DEWALT from the Stihl MS 261 C-M benchmark for cutting speed and balance, since the benchmark comparison here is about cordless ownership, not gas output.
Bar Length For Yard Tasks
Bar length for yard tasks should start at 12 inches for trimming limbs and small logs, while 16 inches gives more reach for larger limbs and faster bucking. The 12-inch bars on the DEWALT and Greenworks models suit lighter homeowner work, and the 16-inch bar on WEN 40417 gives more span for broader cuts. None of these picks states 18 or 20 inches, so the step into larger-limb territory is not represented here. If you want a small property chainsaw for routine cleanup, the 12-inch models stay compact; if you want more cutting reach, WEN moves closer to that role.
How tool-free chain tension adjustment helps yard work
Chain tension adjustment should be tool-free if you expect frequent tightening during yard work, because it saves a separate wrench step. DEWALT lists tool-free chain tensioning, and Greenworks lists tool-less tensioning, so both suit quick adjustments between cuts. WEN also states tool-free chain tensioning, which keeps the adjustment process simple on a 16-inch saw. Chain gauge still matters for compatibility, but none of these three listings states a gauge, so that figure is unknown here.
What runtime per charge means for cordless chainsaws
Runtime per charge matters more than voltage alone, because battery runtime determines how long the saw can work before recharging. DEWALT’s 5Ah pack is the largest capacity in this group, and it is the only one tied to an explicit claim: up to 90 cuts per charge on 4×4 pressure-treated wood. Greenworks states 2.0Ah, which points to shorter sessions, while WEN’s 4Ah battery sits between them. For weekend firewood chores, the data here says all three fall short of a two-hour job, so you should weigh battery capacity against the length of your cleanup list.
How kickback control features improve chain saw safety
Kickback control matters because kickback is an important safety consideration on any chain saw. DEWALT lists a low kickback bar and chain, and Greenworks lists a low kickback safety chain, so both give you a stated kickback-control feature. WEN does not state a kickback-control feature in the supplied data. If you want a battery chainsaw for homeowners, prioritize the listed kickback parts over extra voltage alone, because the safety wording is the split that separates these picks most clearly.
The Jobs Buyers Ask About, Checked Against Each Pick
Each row is a job this page’s buyers ask about, worked out from each pick’s listed battery voltage and battery capacity and a typical need for the job.
| What you want to do | What it takes | How each pick does |
|---|---|---|
| Clear a fallen limb after a storm | at least 40 to 60V | DEWALT DCCS620B 20V Max Chainsaw: no (20V); Greenworks 40V 12-Inch Compact Chainsaw: only at the easier end (40V); WEN 40417 Cordless Electric Chainsaw: only at the easier end (40V) |
| Buck a few small logs for weekend firewood | 4 to 6Ah for 2 hours, 70% usable – about 5.5 to 8.5Ah of battery capacity | DEWALT DCCS620B 20V Max Chainsaw: about 1 to 2 hours; Greenworks 40V 12-Inch Compact Chainsaw: less than one hour; WEN 40417 Cordless Electric Chainsaw: about 0.9 to 1.5 hours |
| Cut a pile of 6-inch firewood rounds | 5 to 8Ah for 3 hours, 65% usable – about 7.5 to 12Ah of battery capacity | DEWALT DCCS620B 20V Max Chainsaw: about 1 to 2 hours; Greenworks 40V 12-Inch Compact Chainsaw: less than one hour; WEN 40417 Cordless Electric Chainsaw: about 1 to 1.5 hours |
| Run a campsite saw for a weekend of tent and firewood chores | 4 to 8Ah for 6 hours, 60% usable – about 6.5 to 13Ah of battery capacity | DEWALT DCCS620B 20V Max Chainsaw: about 2.5 to 4.5 hours; Greenworks 40V 12-Inch Compact Chainsaw: about 0.9 to 2 hours; WEN 40417 Cordless Electric Chainsaw: about 2 to 3.5 hours |
The needs are typical figures for each job, not manufacturer claims, and each pick’s result is worked out from its listed specifications. Your own job’s figure is the one that decides.
Who Buys Chainsaws, and What It Really Costs
Who buys a Chainsaw, and what each one needs
- Homeowners with storm-damaged yards — need a saw that can handle light pruning and cleanup with a 10 in bar length
- Suburban property owners — need a homeowner saw that can cover limbing and small firewood with a 16 in bar length
- Rural landowners with mixed yard work — need a cordless saw that can handle larger limbs and faster bucking with an 18 in bar length
- First-time chainsaw buyers — need a consumer saw that uses 3/8 in low-profile chain and .050 in gauge so replacement parts fit correctly
- Apartment or condo owners with shared storage — need a cordless saw that avoids fuel handling and still stays usable before weight and battery demand rise sharply at 20 in bar length
- Older homeowners doing seasonal cleanup — need a lighter cordless platform that does not stall in hardwood from an underpowered battery platform
What a chain saw really costs, and where to buy one
What to budget for on top of the chain saw
- Battery pack — needed because a tool-only purchase without a compatible battery system is unusable
- Charger — needed to recharge the battery pack between jobs
- Replacement chain — needed when the cutting chain wears or dulls
- Bar oil — needed to lubricate the bar and chain during use
- Protective gear — needed for safe handling, including gloves, eye protection, and hearing protection
What you can leave out of the budget
- Extra long guide bar — unnecessary if the yard work stays in homeowner-size cutting and would add weight
- Second battery pack — unnecessary for very short cleanup jobs if one charged pack covers the work
- Heavy-duty pro saw accessories — unnecessary because this category is aimed at homeowner use, not benchmark pro gas saw work
- Large fuel cans — unnecessary because cordless saws do not use mixed fuel
Where this kind of product is normally sold
- Home improvement stores — usually offer easy returns, in-store pickup, and help with battery-system compatibility
- Online marketplaces — often give broad price comparison and buyer reviews, but return handling depends on the seller
- Outdoor power equipment dealers — usually provide warranty support, setup help, and parts matching for bar-and-chain fit
- Mass-market retail chains — often bundle the saw with battery and charger packages and keep pricing competitive
- Tool specialty retailers — tend to explain battery platforms, chain pitch, and gauge choices before purchase
What These Tree Saws Need, and What to Check on Arrival
What you need before a cordless chainsaw will run
The battery is the one thing these chainsaws need before they work, and the DEWALT DCCS620B 20V Max Chainsaw is the only pick here that ships as a bare tool, so you need a compatible 20V MAX battery and charger for it. Chain lubrication also matters for safe cutting and chain life, so plan for bar and chain oil with any of these saws.
- DEWALT DCCS620B 20V Max Chainsaw states 20V MAX and 5Ah, but it is a bare tool. You need the battery system already, plus a charger, before it can run.
- Greenworks 40V 12-Inch Compact Chainsaw states 40V and 2.0Ah. It is the only one here that does not state an included battery or charger in the provided data.
- WEN 40417 Cordless Electric Chainsaw states 40V Max and 4Ah, and it includes a battery and charger. That means you can start with the box contents instead of adding a separate power setup.
What to check when your cordless tree saw arrives
Cover differs by seller and country, so confirm the chain, bar, and battery details before the return window closes.
- Check that the bar length matches what you ordered: 12 inches on the DEWALT DCCS620B 20V Max Chainsaw and the Greenworks 40V 12-Inch Compact Chainsaw, or 16 inches on the WEN 40417 Cordless Electric Chainsaw. A wrong bar length changes the saw’s reach and the jobs it can span.
- Confirm the battery voltage and capacity on the label and in the box contents. The DEWALT states 20V MAX and 5Ah, the Greenworks states 40V and 2.0Ah, and the WEN states 40V Max and 4Ah. Those figures decide whether you have the runtime and system match you expected.
- Make sure the chain and bar are present and fitted correctly. A replacement chain has to match the bar and sprocket, and the wrong bar-and-chain match is a failure mode for this category.
- Look for the charger if you bought the WEN 40417 Cordless Electric Chainsaw or the DEWALT bare tool setup. The WEN includes a charger, while the DEWALT needs one with a compatible 20V MAX battery system.
On day one, mount the battery, confirm chain lubrication, and make one short cut before the return window closes.
View the FAQ for answers to common questions about cordless power.
Check the requirements to see the minimum power figures you need for your yard.
Use the comparison table to see all models side by side.
Buying Questions About Chainsaws for Homeowners, Answered
What chain speed should you look for in a cordless chainsaw?
Chain speed matters most when you want shorter cuts to feel less slow, especially on repeated limbing and bucking. In this comparison, WEN states 49 feet per second, while the other two picks do not state chain speed.
What safety features should a homeowner insist on before buying a cordless chainsaw?
For a homeowner, a low-kickback bar and chain, a hand guard, and tool-free tensioning are the clearest safety and control features to look for. DEWALT lists a 12-inch low kick back bar and chain, and Greenworks lists a low kickback safety chain plus a hand guard.
What hidden things do you need at home before a cordless chainsaw will actually work well?
You need the battery system, charging setup, oiling, and storage space to match the saw you buy. DEWALT is a bare tool, so battery and charger are not included, while WEN includes a 40-Volt 4Ah battery and charger and also states an automatic oiler. Do you have enough room for a 16-inch bar and the charger that comes with it? WEN’s 16-inch chain and included charger make that the easiest fit to plan for among these picks.
Which cordless chainsaw suits a homeowner who wants the most reach?
The cordless chainsaw that suits a homeowner who wants the most reach is WEN’s 16-inch model. DEWALT and Greenworks each use a 12-inch bar, so WEN gives you the longest cutting span in this group.
Browse our top picks to see the best-rated models at a glance.
Study the setup and warranty notes for information on assembly and manufacturer support.
Explore the detailed reviews for an in-depth look at every product on the list.
Make sure you understand safety standards and chainsaw certifications before making a purchase.
Who Should Skip These Chain Saws
If your work starts with a 16-inch bar and storm cleanup, these picks are the wrong size class. The 12-inch saws here suit lighter homeowner cuts, and the 16-inch WEN is still a battery-powered saw, not a larger gas model for heavier limbing or faster bucking.