Black & Decker Outdoor LCS1240B Chainsaw Review: Automatic Oiling for 12-Inch Cutting

LCS1240B Overview

Black & Decker Outdoor LCS1240B cuts with a 12 in.

A 40V MAX cordless saw shifts the job toward quick yard cleanup, not long sessions with a cord or fuel mix.

Black & Decker Outdoor LCS1240B cuts with 40V MAX battery power and a 12 in. Oregon low-kickback bar and chain. That combination suits pruning, overhead branch work, and smaller cleanup jobs where a shorter bar keeps the saw compact.

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 3,654 buyer ratings, the 5th most of the 95 screened. This review is for you if you want a cordless chainsaw for lighter property work and easier handling.

The Short Answer on the LCS1240B

Best for: you want a cordless chainsaw for light yard cleanup, pruning, or small-branch work, and you already have a compatible 40V battery system.

LCS1240B is the better pick if you want a 12 in. cordless saw at around $109 and do not need a larger bar for bigger limbs.

• Pro: The 12 in. Oregon bar suits pruning and small-log work.
• Pro: 40V MAX gives you enough voltage for trimming hedges and small branches.
• Pro: Tool-free chain tensioning makes chain adjustment faster than a wrench-only setup.
• Con: Battery is not included, so you cannot use it until you add a compatible 40V pack.
• Con: The 12 in. bar limits reach on larger limbs, which rules out faster bucking on bigger wood.

Don’t buy this if: you need a saw for 18 in. or longer cutting reach, because this one states a 12 in. bar.

Price assessment: $109 is a fair price for a compact cordless saw with automatic oiling and tool-free tensioning.

Homeowners with limited space should see the best chainsaw for small yards.

Full Specifications for This Chainsaw

Battery voltage is the deciding spec that most separates this LCS1240B. It measures the electrical pressure the battery can supply to the motor.

Before You Buy: Chain Saw Checklist

The first thing to check is battery compatibility, because this LCS1240B is a tool-only saw and the battery is not included.

• ☐ Confirm your battery setup — 40V MAX — or you will need to buy a compatible battery before the saw can run.
• ☐ Check the guide bar length you need — 12 in. — or you may end up with a saw that is too short for the limbs you want to cut.
• ☐ Budget for the missing power source — battery not included — or the box will arrive without the pack you need to use the saw.
• ☐ Measure the weight you are willing to carry — 8.3 pounds — or you may end up with a saw that feels heavier than your current setup.
• ☐ Confirm you want a low-kickback bar and chain — 12 in. Oregon low-kickback bar and chain — or you will need to replace the cutting set if you need a different match.

If you do not already own a compatible 40V battery system, do not buy this saw.

What These Specifications Let You Do

How automatic oiling supports yard cleanup

You’re trying to keep a 12 in. saw moving through yard cleanup without stopping for manual bar oiling. The automatic oiling system on the LCS1240B supports that kind of work, and the 12 in. Oregon low-kickback bar and chain suit small trees and limbs around the yard. A 12 in. bar is the compact size that suits light pruning and storm cleanup, so this saw is aimed at that end of the job range.

The 40V MAX battery platform gives this saw enough voltage for trimming hedges, small branches, and overhead pruning, while the 12 in. reach keeps it in the smaller-yard class. That same size also limits the log diameter you can span, so it is not the choice for larger limbs or faster bucking. Battery is not included, so you need to already have a compatible 40V MAX setup or plan for one.

How tool-free tensioning keeps cuts moving

Tool-free chain tensioning lets you handle chain adjustment without breaking off to find extra tools. That matters when you want to keep a small saw ready for repeated yard cuts, especially if you are moving between pruning, limbing, and cleanup. The included bar and chain make the setup straightforward, and the 12 in. format keeps the work focused on smaller branches rather than heavy firewood.

This feature does not change the saw’s reach or voltage, so the main limit stays the same: the LCS1240B is still a 12 in. cordless chainsaw. If you want a saw for larger limbs, a longer bar is the spec that changes the job envelope, not chain tensioning. Here, the adjustment convenience helps most when you value quick upkeep over extra cutting span.

How control and safety parts help pruning

The full wraparound handle, lock-off button, and front hand guard give you a control layout built for short yard cuts and overhead pruning. Those parts matter most when you are repositioning the saw often, because a 12 in. bar is sized for small trees and limbs rather than long bucking cuts. The 8.3-pound weight also keeps the saw in the lighter cordless range among the listings we screened.

That weight helps when you need a saw you can move around the yard without much bulk, but it does not turn a 12 in. cordless model into a firewood saw. Confirm the current rules for your location before ordering if local restrictions affect chainsaw ownership or use.

The LCS1240B Job by Job: What Its Figures Cover

The LCS1240B against the jobs buyers ask about, worked out from its listed battery voltage and a typical need for each job.

If you need a more compact power tool, view our full review of the DCCS620B.

The LCS1240B Against Similar Chainsaws

The LCS1240B’s clearest edge is its 40V MAX battery platform with a 12 in. bar, which puts it in the same cutting-length class as Greenworks 24V while using a higher-voltage pack.

• Against the JPNTECH 60cc Gas Chainsaw, the LCS1240B is the lighter-duty option on reach: 12 in. versus 20 in. bar length.
• Against the COOCHEER 62CC Chainsaw, the LCS1240B gives up bar length for a smaller, easier-to-handle format, with 12 in. instead of 20 in.
• Against the POWERWORKS 60V Chainsaw, the LCS1240B uses a 40V MAX pack instead of 60V, so the POWERWORKS model is the stronger voltage play for harder cutting.
• Against the Seesii Mini Chainsaw, the LCS1240B is the larger saw at 12 in. bar length, while Seesii lists 4 in.
• Against the Greenworks 24V Chainsaw, the LCS1240B has the same 12 in. cutting length but a higher-voltage battery system, at 40V MAX instead of 24V.
• The LCS1240B ranks first on buyer rating here, with a 4.4 average from 3,654 ratings, while matching POWERWORKS on the same score.

If you want the most voltage in this group, pick the POWERWORKS 60V Chainsaw instead. Its 60V rating gives it the clearest power advantage among the cordless options listed here.

You might also consider looking at our full Greenworks 40V 12-Inch review.

Consider exploring the alternatives to a chainsaw for different cutting needs.

Setting Up This Chainsaw, and What Support Covers

What LCS1240B needs before it cuts

LCS1240B needs a compatible 40V MAX battery before it can do any work.

1. Unpack the saw, the 12 in. Oregon low-kickback bar and chain, and the scabbard.
2. Fit the bar and chain so the 12 in. cutting setup is assembled correctly.
3. Tension the chain with the tool-free adjuster until it sits correctly on the bar.
4. Fill the oil reservoir with bar and chain oil; the automatic oiling system depends on it, like a car needs fuel before it moves.
5. Insert a 40V MAX battery, then confirm the lock-off button and front hand guard are positioned for normal use.

Warranty and support checks for this tree saw

Coverage varies by seller and country.

• Confirm the return window before it closes, because the battery is not included and you may need to buy a 40V MAX pack separately.
• Confirm whether the replacement chain is stocked in a 12 in. match, because the cutting setup depends on that length.
• Confirm whether bar and chain oil is sold with the saw, because the automatic oiling system needs it to keep working.
• Confirm how battery support is handled, because a spare battery and a battery charger are separate purchases for longer jobs.

When it arrives, check the box contents and order the missing 40V MAX battery first, while returns are still open.

LCS1240B Buying Questions Answered

Is the $109 price still worth it once I buy the battery and charger?

Only if you already own a compatible 40V MAX battery system. The LCS1240B is a tool-only saw, so the $109 sticker is only part of the cost. Battery not included. Short answer: the saw is light at 8.3 pounds, but the missing battery and charger change the real total.

How much cutting reach does the Black & Decker LCS1240B give you?

The Black & Decker LCS1240B uses a 12 in. bar, so it suits smaller limbs and yard cleanup more than larger bucking jobs. The shorter bar keeps the saw in the lighter, easier-to-handle end of the category.

Is the LCS1240B enough for storm cleanup?

Yes, for the easier end of storm cleanup. The LCS1240B states 40V MAX, and that sits in the range used for clearing a fallen limb after a storm. It is not the setup for bigger hardwood cleanup, where more bar and more battery demand usually enter the picture.

What should I know about the battery setup on the LCS1240B?

The LCS1240B needs a 40V MAX battery, and the listing says the battery is not included. That means the saw does not leave the box ready to cut. You should budget for the battery and charger together, not just the $109 tool price.

Does the LCS1240B price still make sense for a first saw?

For a first-time yard cleanup saw, the LCS1240B fits the easier end of the job thanks to its 40V MAX platform and 12 in. bar. The price is around $109, which keeps the entry cost modest before battery and charger are added. That makes it more sensible for light pruning than for bigger property work.

To understand your options better, see the various types of chainsaws explained.

Is the LCS1240B Right for You?

Who the LCS1240B suits and the jobs it is the wrong choice for, listed below with the reason for each.

Where to Buy This Chainsaw

When we looked in November 2026, the LCS1240B was listed at $109 – a snapshot that may have changed since.

Chainsaws are sold by the retailers below – we do not track which of them has the LCS1240B in stock, so check availability and the current price with the retailer before making a trip.

• 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
• Home Depot (online and physical stores) — broad assortment and easy in-store returns

Final Verdict on the LCS1240B

You should choose the LCS1240B if you want a cordless chainsaw with a 12 in. bar and 40V MAX power for light yard cleanup. Around $109 makes it a lower-cost entry point, but the battery is not included.

The 12 in. Oregon low-kickback bar and chain keep this saw in the light cleanup range, and the 40V MAX platform is the key number for that use. It also weighs 8.3 pounds, which matters when you are moving around a yard or trimming overhead branches.

Skip it if: you need a battery included, or you want a longer bar for larger limbs and faster bucking.