Can the CS1604 16-inch battery chainsaw handle bucking a few small logs for weekend firewood?

The chain is 3/8-inch pitch with a 0.043-inch gauge and 52 drive links, so bar and chain compatibility matters if you plan to replace parts later. For a chainsaw buyer, that matters because bucking depends on both reach and chain fit, not just motor voltage.

For a comprehensive overview of performance, see our full review of the CS1604.

What to Check Before Buying the CS1604

• Check whether your weekend firewood pile is small enough for about 1 to 2 hours of cutting on one 5.0Ah charge.
• Check your replacement-chain options for 3/8-inch pitch and 0.043-inch gauge; those two numbers must match the bar and sprocket setup.
• Check whether you want tool-free chain tensioning, since this CS1604 adjusts without a separate tensioning tool.
• Check the weight before you plan one-handed bucking. The saw weighs 18 pounds with the battery, so steady two-handed control is the safer expectation.
• Check whether your cuts are mostly softwood or dense hardwood. Wood species changes the load, and the listing does not state torque loss for either one.

Where the CS1604 Fits Among Battery Chainsaws

The CS1604 sits in the cordless 16-inch class, which is the size many homeowners use for small logs, limbing, and lighter firewood work. It is a battery-powered saw with a brushless motor and up to 6,800 RPM, so it suits buyers who want a cleaner setup than gas and already have EGO 56V ARC Lithium batteries. If you want longer sessions, heavier hardwood work, or a saw that stays in service through a full weekend, you should look at larger-capacity battery setups or gas models instead. The 4.5 average across 3,152 ratings is a useful buyer signal, but it does not change the runtime limit.

You can find the technical details in the CS1604 detailed specifications breakdown.

To see our final recommendation, view the CS1604 final verdict summary.

Choose the CS1604 if you want a 16-inch cordless saw for light firewood and you already expect short, planned cutting sessions. Skip it if your goal is all-day bucking, because the 5.0Ah pack is the limiting factor here.

If you are still deciding on a model, browse the best chainsaw for cutting firewood guide.

Homeowners with limited space should consider our list of top-rated saws for small yards.

Reviewed by the New Hardware editorial team. New Hardware writes these guides from the 200 most-reviewed Chainsaw listings in our retail dataset, not from manufacturer copy.