Firewood cutting is the rare job where a battery saw has quietly stopped being the compromise option. My grandfather bucked a cord of oak a year on a two-stroke and treated it as a rite of passage. My neighbor does the same volume on a 16-inch brushless saw, starts it with one hand, and puts it on the charger when it is done.
That shift is what this roundup is built around. These are the best cordless chainsaws for firewood, and every one of them is judged on the same firewood-only questions: how big a round can it take in one pass, how many cuts you get per charge, how much does it weigh when you carry it out to the pile, and can you oil and tension it in the ten minutes you actually have.
The honest complication is platform lock-in. If you already own DeWalt, Milwaukee or Makita packs, your cheapest path is the saw that uses them. If you own none, you are buying an ecosystem, not just a saw, which changes the math completely. I cover that cost difference in the battery section below, and I also break down our broader cordless chainsaw testing so you can see how these compare against saws chosen for storm cleanup rather than firewood.
One more thing up front: a cordless saw is genuinely the wrong tool for some firewood. If you are cutting full rounds over 16 inches, felling mature trees, or processing several cords in a single sitting, gas still wins. Our gas chainsaw picks cover that side. For everyone cutting a few cords a season of split rounds, everything below is in scope.
Top 3 Cordless Chainsaws for Firewood in October 2026
EGO CS1613 16-Inch Cordless
- Brushless motor equal to a 40cc gas saw
- Up to 130 cuts on 4x4 per charge
- 16-inch bar
- Tool-free dial tensioning
SEESII M18 Ace 18-Inch
- 2200W brushless motor at 30 ft/s
- Two 5.0Ah batteries included
- 18-inch bar
- 8.6 lb with both packs
BLACK+DECKER LCS1240 12-Inch
- Over 60 cuts on 4x4 pine
- 10.4 lb with battery
- Automatic oiling
- Tool-less tensioning
The EGO CS1613 takes the top slot because it is the only saw here with both a high rating and a deep review history that still points to gas-class cutting force. The SEESII M18 Ace wins on value per cut, pairing an 18-inch bar with two 5.0Ah packs at a weight most 14-inch saws cannot match. The BLACK+DECKER stays the entry point for brush, limbs and light rounds.
Best Cordless Chainsaws for Firewood in October 2026
All ten picks below, with the specification that matters most for firewood work on each one. Prices move constantly, so use the buttons to see current listings rather than expecting the figures here to hold.
| Product | Specs | Action |
|---|---|---|
| EGO POWER+ CS1613 16-Inch Cordless Chainsaw |
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Check Latest Price |
 Milwaukee 2727-21HD 16-Inch Chainsaw Kit |
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Check Latest Price |
 Makita XCU11Z 18V LXT 14-Inch Chain Saw |
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Check Latest Price |
| BLACK+DECKER LCS1240 40V MAX 12-Inch Chainsaw |
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Check Latest Price |
| SEESII M18 Ace 40V 18-Inch Chainsaw |
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Check Latest Price |
 DongCheng 40V 16-Inch Brushless Chainsaw |
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Check Latest Price |
 Husqvarna Power Axe 350i 18-Inch |
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Check Latest Price |
 WORX WG384 40V 14-Inch Chainsaw |
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Check Latest Price |
 SEESII M16 Ace 40V 16-Inch Chainsaw |
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Check Latest Price |
 WORX WG385 Nitro 40V 16-Inch Chainsaw |
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Check Latest Price |
1. EGO POWER+ CS1613 16-Inch Cordless Chainsaw
EGO POWER+ Chain Saw, 16” Battery Powered Chainsaw, Electric Cordless, Includes 56V 4.0Ah Battery and Charger – CS1613
16-inch bar
Brushless motor equal to 40cc gas
Up to 130 cuts on 4x4 per charge
20.9 lb
Pros
- Brushless motor rated equal to a 40cc gas saw
- Up to 130 cuts on a 4x4 per charge
- 16-inch bar handles hardwood rounds well
- Tool-free dial chain tensioning
- Works with all EGO 56V ARC Lithium batteries
Cons
- Heaviest saw in this group at 20.9 pounds
- Only one 4.0Ah battery in the box
- Louder than the lighter brushless rivals
This is the saw I recommend to someone who wants one battery tool that does firewood properly and does not apologize for it. The brushless motor is rated by the manufacturer as the equivalent of a 40cc gas saw, and owners backing up firewood consistently report it does not feel like an approximation of one.
The 16-inch bar is the right size for split rounds. It clears the 14-inch round most people cut without turning the job into a two-pass chore, and it stays light enough on your wrists that the saw will not end up on the ground after twenty minutes.
EGO publishes a specific figure here rather than a vague runtime claim: up to 130 cuts on a 4×4 per 4.0Ah charge. That is the kind of number that actually lets you plan a session, and it is why this saw wins our roundup despite the weight penalty.
Chain tensioning is the tool-free dial on the side, so a slack chain after a few rounds takes seconds rather than a socket wrench. IPX4 weather resistance also matters more than it sounds, because firewood season means cutting in drizzle and putting the saw down on wet ground.
The chain is a 3/8-inch pitch, 0.043-inch gauge, 56 drive link design with a low profile that cuts flush. If you have cut with a standard pitch chain, the difference in how the wood pulls into the cut is noticeable on green rounds, and that is where cordless saws tend to bog down.
Is the weight worth it on a full cord?
At 20.9 pounds with the battery installed this is the heaviest saw in the group, and on a five-cord year you will feel it by the second cord. Owners who push through it report that the trade is worth it because the saw simply finishes the cut, while lighter saws stall and leave you re-positioning.
The practical mitigation is a second 4.0Ah pack. Only one battery ships in the kit, which for a single afternoon of limb work is fine and for a full weekend of bucking is not. Adding a pack lets you swap on a ten-minute break rather than ending the session.
Who should skip it
If you cut mostly rounds under 10 inches, this bar is more than you need and the weight works against you for no gain. A 14-inch saw will handle that wood at half the effort, and our budget pick below is built for exactly that range.
It is also the wrong pick if you do not own EGO 56V ARC packs and do not plan to buy any. The battery platform is excellent, but entering it from zero is a much larger commitment than picking up a kit that already includes two packs and two chargers.
2. Milwaukee 2727-21HD 16-Inch Chainsaw Kit
Milwaukee Electric Tools 2727-21HD Chainsaw Kit
16-inch bar
M18 5.3 hp equivalent motor
Dual bar-bolt design
21 lb with battery
Pros
- Runs on the M18 platform many owners already own
- Dual bar-bolt design simplifies sharpening
- Quiet enough for residential yards
- Overload protection clears dirt and mud
- Onboard wrench stored in the handle
Cons
- Trigger safety widely criticized as the biggest weakness
- Rear-mounted battery makes one-handed use awkward
- Bar oil reservoir tends to leak
- 21 pounds is heavy for long sessions
Everything about this saw makes sense if you already run Milwaukee tools. Owners with M18 packs in the garage call the platform fit the deciding factor, and the M18 high output motor is rated at a 5.3 hp equivalent, the highest horsepower claim in this group.
Owners replacing gas saws report something worth repeating: the thinner electric kerf means the saw cuts faster than a comparable gas model on the same round. That is not marketing filler, it is the most common theme in owner reports about moving off a two-stroke for firewood.
The dual bar-bolt design is a genuine maintenance upgrade. Two bolts let you pull the bar sideways for sharpening and swapping, so you can carry one wrench and one spare chain instead of a full bar-flange tool. For a saw that will chew through several chains a season, that saves real time.
Overload protection is the other feature that matters for firewood specifically. Dirt embedded in bark trips it and the saw resets instead of burning out the motor, which is exactly the failure you will hit repeatedly when you are cutting dirty rounds pulled straight off the ground rather than split and stacked wood.
Owners also note it runs quietly enough to work without ear protection in some conditions. We always recommend hearing protection, but this is meaningfully below the gas saws it replaces, and in a rural or suburban setting that is a real difference to your neighbours.
Where the design fights you
The trigger is the most criticized part of this saw. Owners call it unergonomic and awkward during long sessions, and on a heavy saw that already loads your arms, a trigger you have to think about compounds the problem.
The rear-mounted battery also gives the saw an awkward balance point and makes one-handed use difficult. It is a well-built machine with dated ergonomics, which is what happens when a platform design ages and the batteries around it keep improving.
Do you need a second battery?
Almost certainly yes. At 21 pounds, one 12.0Ah pack will not finish a long session, and the bar oil reservoir tends to leak wherever the saw is set down. If you already own two high-capacity M18 packs, this is one of the best-value ways to put them to work.
3. Makita XCU11Z 14-Inch Cordless Chain Saw
Makita XCU11Z 18V LXT® Lithium-Ion Brushless Cordless 14″ Chain Saw, Tool Only
14-inch bar
1,520 FPM brushless chain speed
10 lb compact body
18V LXT tool only
Pros
- Light 10-pound body reduces fatigue on overhead work
- Rear-handle layout improves balance in tight spots
- 1520 FPM brushless speed for demanding cuts
- Works with widely owned 18V LXT packs
- Quiet with no fuel mixing or pull starts
Cons
- Tool only so battery and charger are separate buys
- 14-inch bar is the shortest in this group
- Not a felling saw for large rounds
If your firewood is small rounds, brush and limbs, the Makita is the one I would carry all afternoon. At 10 pounds it is one of the lightest full-size saws here, and the compact rear-handle body puts the balance point behind the bar where you want it for overhead and awkward-angle cuts.
The brushless motor delivers 1,520 feet per minute of chain speed, which is plenty to keep up with hardwood once the chain is sharp. Owners running Makita 18V LXT tools praise how naturally it slots into a battery fleet they already maintain.
The Makita carries a 3-year limited warranty and ships with the chain, bar and a bar cover. Note the tool-only format clearly: you are buying a saw, and the battery and charger are separate purchases unless you already own LXT packs.
There is a real strategy here. An 18V LXT platform you already own is the cheapest way to add a chainsaw to your kit, because the marginal cost of the saw is the saw. For buyers with LXT packs, that makes this one of the most economical entries into the list even at full size.
Owners also highlight the low noise for residential settings. Combined with no gas mixing, no oil to blend and no pull start, this is the saw that disappears into a weekend routine without becoming another weekend chore.
Is 14 inches enough for firewood?
For split rounds and anything under about 12 inches in diameter, yes, comfortably. The saw cuts a log up to two inches smaller than bar length in one safe pass, which puts a 14-inch bar at roughly 12 inches of clean single-pass capacity.
If your wood comes off a splitter in rounds closer to 14 or 16 inches, you will be flipping and making a second pass on every round. That doubles your cut count and doubles your battery consumption, which is the exact buyer’s regret that shows up repeatedly in firewood forums.
Who should look elsewhere
Anyone cutting full rounds from large hardwoods, or anyone who wants a saw they can also fell small trees with, needs a longer bar. This is a bucking and limbing tool, and treating it as anything else will disappoint you.
4. BLACK+DECKER LCS1240 40V MAX 12-Inch Chainsaw
BLACK+DECKER 40V MAX Electric Chainsaw Cordless, 12 Inch Battery Chainsaw, Battery and Charger Included, Longer Runtime, Lightweight Rechargeable (LCS1240)
12-inch bar
40V MAX 2.0Ah battery
Over 60 cuts on 4x4 pine
10.4 lb
Pros
- Largest review history in this group
- Light 10.4 pounds with low vibration
- Push-button start with no fuel mixing
- Quiet for close-in residential work
- Automatic oiling and tool-less tensioning
Cons
- Consumes bar oil very quickly
- Oil reservoir leaks before during and after use
- Included charger is slow
- Light build lets the bar wander if you bear down
This saw has more owner reviews than anything else in the group, and that is not an accident. It is the default battery chainsaw many people already own before they ever think about firewood, so the review base is a genuine long-term record rather than a launch spike.
Owners and former gas users consistently describe it as the best value cordless saw for branches, brush and light firewood. It handles 7 to 8 inch downed limbs comfortably and users report taking on 12 to 14 inch birch without drama.
At 10.4 pounds with low vibration, it is the saw that will not make your arms sore during a long afternoon of small work. Push-button start, automatic oiling and tool-less tensioning mean the entire pre-flight takes under a minute.
The stated runtime is over 60 cuts on 4×4 pine per charge on average, with a 40V MAX 2.0Ah lithium-ion pack that holds its charge for up to 18 months when idle. That shelf-life claim is why so many of these saws are still in garages years later, still holding a usable charge.
Quiet operation is a genuine strength. Many owners skip ear protection, which we still do not recommend, but it is fair to say this saw does not disrupt a household the way a gas model does at seven in the morning.
The oil reservoir problem
Bar oil consumption is the near-universal complaint. Owners refill after 15 to 20 minutes of cutting, and the reservoir has a reputation for leaking before, during and after use. Budget a container and a rag, and keep the saw off the tailgate of your truck.
The included slow charger takes roughly five hours for a 2.0Ah pack, which changes your planning. You cannot top up between rounds the way you can on a fast charger, so the saw gets used in blocks rather than continuously.
Where it will not keep up
A 12-inch bar cuts to roughly 10 inches of clean single-pass capacity. That covers most brush and small rounds, but a standard splitter produces rounds that will force a second pass every time, and the light chassis lets the bar wander if you push down hard.
Chips jamming the cleats and stalling the saw when you cut close in is another recurring note. Keep the guide bar clean of debris and cut with the underside flat rather than driving the nose into the round.
5. SEESII M18 Ace 40V 18-Inch Chainsaw
SEESII 40V Electric Chainsaw Cordless 18-Inch with 2 x 5.0Ah Batteries
18-inch bar
2200W brushless motor at 30 ft/s
2 x 5.0Ah batteries
8.6 lb with both packs
Pros
- Lightest saw here carrying an 18-inch bar at 8.6 pounds
- 2200W brushless motor and 30 ft/s chain speed
- Two 5.0Ah batteries and two fast chargers in the box
- Up to 200 cuts on 4-inch softwood per charge
- Automatic lubrication with an 80 ml tank
Cons
- Dual 20V configuration delivers less peak voltage than native 40V rivals
- Initial chain installation and tensioning setup required
- Lesser-known brand with thinner long-term parts support
Hold a 2200 watt brushless saw with an 18-inch bar that weighs 8.6 pounds with two batteries fitted, and something is being given up elsewhere. Owners generally conclude that what is given up is support and long-horizon durability, not cutting ability.
That is an outstanding trade for firewood. A cord of split rounds in 10 to 16 inch diameter is very much within this saw’s range, and the 18-inch bar means you clear large rounds in a single pass instead of flipping and cutting twice.
The kit is unusually complete. Two 20V 5.0Ah packs, two fast chargers, a spare chain, goggles and a manual all ship in the box. That matters enormously if you own no batteries, because the platform cost everyone else pays is already inside what you are buying.
Owners report a stated 200 cuts on 4-inch softwood logs per charge from the two packs, and they describe the saw as quiet enough to skip ear protection while still cutting fast. Chain speed is quoted at 30 feet per second, in the middle of this group’s range.
Safety hardware is solid for the class: a rapid emergency brake, an enlarged hand guard and a dual-action safety switch. The automatic lubrication system uses an 80 ml reservoir, which is on the small side but adequate if you keep a bottle of oil by the saw.
Does the dual 20V arrangement hurt?
The two packs are 20V each rather than a native 40V pack, and that architecture gives up some peak voltage compared with rivals at the same nominal class. Owners also recommend charging both batteries before first use so power delivery stays even across the two.
In practice it is a nuance rather than a defect for firewood work. Cut count per charge is excellent, the bar length is the longest in the group, and the weight advantage over every other 18-inch saw here is decisive over a long session.
Is the brand the real risk?
This is the honest caveat. Owners call it a bargain against STIHL and ECHO at similar sizes, and the cutting reviews support that. But long-term parts and service support is thinner than for the major makers, so you should expect to keep spare chains and bars on hand.
6. DongCheng 40V 16-Inch Brushless Chainsaw
DongCheng 40V 16-Inch Brushless Cordless Chainsaw with 2×4.0Ah Batteries – Gas-Like Power for Tree Felling, Storm Cleanup & Firewood, Tool-Free Tensioning, Auto Oiler, Chain Brake
16-inch bar
Dual 20V 4.0Ah packs
Up to 120 cuts on 4x4
Inertia chain brake
Pros
- Two 4.0Ah batteries included with the saw
- Instant push-button brushless start
- Up to 120 cuts on 4x4 lumber per charge
- External tool-free tensioning knob and auto-oiler
- Inertia chain brake stops in under 0.1 seconds
Cons
- 14 m/s chain speed is the slowest in this group
- Both batteries should be charged before first use
- No published weight figure to compare
- Lesser-known brand for long-term parts support
The DongCheng exists for one situation: you own no batteries, you want a 16-inch saw, and you would rather not buy a bare tool and then discover what a battery and charger cost. Two 4.0Ah packs are in the box and the 16-inch bar is the firewood sweet spot.
Owners report clean cuts on firewood and storm debris with no fumes and no engine upkeep, and a stated 120 cuts through 4×4 lumber per charge. For split rounds in the 10 to 14 inch range that is a genuinely useful amount of work from a single pack.
The chain brake is the standout safety feature. It is inertia-activated and stops the chain in under 0.1 seconds on kickback, which is fast response for a saw in this class and gives a new user more margin than most.
Chain tensioning happens through an external knob you can reach without pulling the bar off, and the automatic oiler handles lubrication during use. Both of those cut down the two most common reasons a firewood saw gets abandoned mid-season.
The batteries cross-compatible with the rest of the DongCheng 20V and 40V line, so if this saw works for you, the platform expands to other tools rather than locking you into a single purchase.
Chain speed is the compromise
Chain speed is quoted at 14 meters per second, the slowest in this group. That shows up as slightly slower bucking than the 30 and 59 feet per second saws here, particularly on hardwood where the cut speed is what ends your session.
Charge both batteries before your first real session. Owners report that starting with one pack and one depleted gives noticeably uneven power delivery, and pre-charging avoids the frustration of a saw that feels weaker than it should.
What to watch
Buy a spare chain and a bar of oil with the saw rather than assuming you can source consumables on short notice.
7. Husqvarna Power Axe 350i 18-Inch Chainsaw
Husqvarna Power Axe 350i Chainsaw, 18 Inch, with Battery and Charger
18-inch bar
Brushless motor
X-Cut chain
7.7 lb
Boost Mode
Pros
- Lightest full-size saw here at 7.7 pounds
- X-Cut chain holds its sharpness longer
- Boost Mode adds 25 percent power on demand
- Tool-less tensioning for quick slack adjustments
- Battery and charger included
Cons
- Highest 1-star share in this group at 10 percent
- Battery capacity is not specified so runtime is unclear
- Runs outside the common 18V and 20V ecosystems
- Most expensive saw in this group
At 7.7 pounds with an 18-inch bar, the Power Axe 350i is the saw I would give to someone with shoulder problems who still needs to cut real firewood. The weight is not marginal, it is transformative over a full cord compared with the 20-pound alternatives.
The X-Cut chain is the quiet hero here. Owners cite chain sharpness as the reason for the saw’s reputation, and a chain that holds its edge longer directly reduces the number of changes you make through a firewood season.
Boost Mode delivers a stated 25 percent power increase on demand. In practice that is what you reach for when the round is green oak, or when the chain is not quite as fresh as you would like, and it is the feature that closes the gap on hard cuts.
Tool-less chain tensioning handles slack quickly, and the brushless motor is efficient and quiet enough for residential work. Husqvarna rates this lightweight 18-inch saw above comparable gas chainsaws for cutting power.
The kit includes the saw, battery and charger, so unlike a bare tool you can cut the day it arrives. That is worth more than it sounds if you are entering the platform from zero rather than adding to an existing battery fleet.
Why the rating trails the leaders
This saw has the highest 1-star share of anything in the group at 10 percent, which points to durability complaints rather than cutting complaints. Owners who like the saw tend to describe it in performance terms, and the disconnects cluster around build longevity.
Battery capacity is not specified in the listing, so realistic runtime on heavy loads is genuinely unclear. We are not going to invent a runtime figure for you, and we would want to know it before committing to a multi-cord season.
The ecosystem question
This saw sits outside the common 18V and 20V platforms that most DIY buyers already own batteries for. Extra packs come from Husqvarna alone, and if you have no existing platform this is the most expensive way in.
If you already run Husqvarna batteries, that objection disappears and you are looking at the best weight-to-capability ratio available for firewood.
8. WORX WG384 40V 14-Inch Chainsaw
WORX Cordless Chainsaw with Auto-Tension, 40V 14″, WG384
14-inch bar
Two 20V 2.0Ah packs at 40V total
26 ft/s chain speed
10.4 lb
Pros
- Automated chain tensioning and oiling handle most maintenance
- Quiet enough that many owners skip ear protection
- PowerShare packs work across the WORX range
- Light and balanced while carrying two packs
- Handles branches near 8 inches plus lumber
Cons
- 14-inch bar is small for a full cord of firewood
- Chain tensioning needs frequent re-adjusting
- Chain can pop off on green growth that moves
- Bar oil is sold separately and runs out quickly
The WG384 is the saw you buy when you refuse to think about chain maintenance. Automated tensioning and automated lubrication handle the two tasks that kill cordless saw enthusiasm, and reviewers consistently name quiet operation as the reason it stays pleasant to use.
At 10.4 pounds and 26 feet per second chain speed, it is genuinely capable on branches near 8 inches, small trees, lumber and plywood. One owner reports blocking firewood with strong cutting performance, and reviewers broadly agree with that assessment for smaller rounds.
Two 20V PowerShare 2.0Ah batteries give 40V total, and the dual charger means both packs can be topped up together. A battery level indicator on the saw removes the guesswork that plagues smaller single-pack tools.
The Quick Stop chain brake has a trade-off new owners should know. It is effective, but it needs a firm pull to disengage and confuses people the first time, which is a safety feature behaving exactly as designed.
Because the packs are 2.0Ah, each is smaller than most competitors here. That means shorter working blocks and more swaps, so budget for the rhythm of the saw rather than expecting one charge to carry a session.
What the automatic tensioning actually does
It removes the wrench from the equation, but it does not remove the check. Reviewers report that tensioning still needs frequent re-adjusting, and some owners return to a screwdriver for a firmer, more predictable setting.
Treat the automation as a convenience that saves you time between cuts, not a system that maintains itself through a weekend. Check tension every few rounds, especially on green wood that closes up on the bar.
Is 14 inches the problem?
For a full cord, yes, at least partly. A 14-inch bar clears roughly 12 inches of single-pass cut, which means standard splitter rounds force a second pass and double your cut count and battery use.
Buying the bar and chain oil is the other gotcha. Oil is not included and lasts about two charges, so treat it as a consumable you reorder immediately rather than something you will find when you need it.
9. SEESII M16 Ace 40V 16-Inch Chainsaw
SEESII 40V Eectric Chainsaw Cordless 16 Inch, Battery Powered Chain Saw
16-inch bar
Native 40V 2000W motor
150 ml oil reservoir
Up to 90 minutes runtime
Pros
- Native 40V architecture holds constant peak voltage
- 2000W motor and 34.8 ft/s chain speed
- 150 ml oil reservoir is the largest in this group
- Up to 90 minutes runtime from dual 4.0Ah packs
- Light 10.3-pound weight with battery
Cons
- Batteries and chargers work only with SEESII 40V tools
- 16-inch bar is shorter than the M18 Ace sibling
- Lesser-known brand for long-term service support
The M16 Ace exists because the dual 20V design in the M18 Ace leaves performance on the table. This is a native 40V machine, and owners specifically credit the constant peak voltage for stall-free cutting through 16-inch firewood logs.
That is a meaningful upgrade for the hardest firewood cases. If your rounds are thick oak that would stall a hybrid system, native 40V is the architecture that keeps the chain moving, and the 2000W motor is rated comparable to a 42cc gas saw.
The 150 ml oil reservoir is the largest in this group by a wide margin. Chain oil consumption is the most common complaint across every battery saw, and a tank that does not need refilling twice an hour changes how a full afternoon feels.
Runtime is quoted at up to 90 minutes from the dual 40V 4.0Ah packs, and the kit includes the saw, batteries, charger, a chain cover, goggles and gloves. That protective gear in the box is a nice touch for a first-time saw owner.
Tool-free tensioning, a chain brake, a safety lock and overload protection cover the maintenance and safety basics. At 10.3 pounds with battery installed, it stays light for balanced handling on overhead clearing.
Mind the 40V-only platform
The batteries and chargers here work with SEESII 40V tools only, not the 20V range. If you already own 20V SEESII packs, this saw will not use them, so check what you have before committing.
Also note this is the 16-inch model. The 18-inch M18 Ace is the one to buy if large rounds are your main task, and this is the one to buy if you want a smaller, lighter saw with better voltage behaviour.
Brand support
Spare parts availability for a lesser-known brand is thinner than for STIHL, ECHO or Husqvarna. European spare part availability is listed at two years, so keep a spare chain and a bar of oil on the shelf rather than assuming a quick turnaround.
10. WORX WG385 Nitro 40V 16-Inch Chainsaw
WORX Cordless Chainsaw, 40V 16″, 2 Batteries & 4A Charger, WG385
16-inch bar
Nitro 40V brushless motor
59 ft/s chain speed
Rated to 28 inch capacity
2 x 4.0Ah packs
Pros
- Fastest claimed chain speed here at 59 ft/s
- Up to 150 cuts on 4x4 hardwood per charge
- 16-inch bar rated to 28 inch capacity
- Two 4.0Ah packs plus a 4A dual-slot fast charger
- Button tension adjustment and automatic lubrication
Cons
- Published item weight is a data error so heft cannot be compared
- Kickback stop cuts in instantly and surprises new users
- Shorter review record than the 14-inch WG384
Chain speed is the number that decides how quickly a cord of hardwood comes off the pile, and this saw posts the highest figure in the group at 59 feet per second. If your firewood is dense hardwood rather than softwood, that difference shows up in every session.
The 4.0Ah PowerShare PRO packs are quoted at up to 150 cuts on 4 by 4 inch hardwood per charge, and the package includes both packs, a 4A dual-slot fast charger and a bar and chain sheath. That charging kit matters more than it sounds at this speed.
Capacity is rated at up to 28 inches, well beyond what most firewood work requires. In practical terms the 16-inch bar is the part you will use, and the rating reflects headroom for the occasional larger round.
Button-adjust tension and automatic lubrication keep field maintenance simple, and a kickback-triggered instant chain stop handles the safety side. Owners highlight fast firewood bucking and good cord capacity as the two things this saw delivers best.
The relationship to the WG384 is worth understanding. This is the faster, longer-barred, higher-capacity sibling with 4.0Ah packs, while the 14-inch WG384 has the longer and better-reviewed track record.
Two things to check before buying
The published item weight in the listing is a data error, so you cannot compare heft against the rest of this group from the spec sheet alone. If carry weight is your deciding factor, look at the 14-inch WG384 instead.
The kickback stop cuts in instantly, which surprises first-time users who expect a delay like a gas saw brake. That is the correct behaviour and better for safety, but it is jarring until you know to expect it.
Where it fits
This is a strong choice for someone cutting a large volume of hardwood rounds who already runs WORX PowerShare PRO tools, or who wants the fastest bucking available at this size without moving to a much heavier saw.
What Bar Length Do You Need for Firewood?
Use one rule: a chainsaw safely cuts a log up to 2 inches smaller than bar length in a single pass. Most split firewood rounds measure 8 to 16 inches, so a 14 to 16 inch bar covers the vast majority of firewood duty. Go to 18 inches only for full rounds of large hardwood or heavy storm cleanup.
Work from the diameter of the wood you actually process, not the biggest log you might someday process. Buyers who regret undersized bars almost always cut rounds from a standard splitter, and those rounds are wider than the bar they bought.
Bar length against single-pass cutting capacity
A 12-inch bar clears roughly 10 inches. That covers branches and small rounds, and anything wider becomes a two-pass job.
A 14-inch bar clears roughly 12 inches, which matches most small splitter output and general brush and limb work.
A 16-inch bar clears roughly 14 inches, which is the sweet spot for typical firewood duty and the most common correct answer for a homeowner.
An 18-inch bar clears roughly 16 inches and handles full rounds of large hardwood without flipping the log.
The saws in this roundup span 12 to 18 inches for that reason. Every one of them will cut larger wood than its listed capacity, but the second pass costs you time and roughly doubles your battery consumption.
Battery Ecosystem and Total Cost of Ownership
A bare saw is not a usable saw. This is the single biggest cost trap in cordless chainsaw buying, and it is the most common regret reported by firewood buyers across every platform.
Before you compare saw prices, work out what batteries you already own. If you have Milwaukee M18 packs, the Milwaukee kit below is effectively the cheapest entry on this list. The same holds for Makita 18V LXT, WORX PowerShare and the 40V packs that ship with the all-inclusive kits.
If you own nothing, the calculation changes completely. You are buying an ecosystem, and the all-inclusive kits in this group bundle two batteries and two chargers. That bundled capacity is the difference between cutting a season of firewood and cutting one afternoon.
Owners consistently describe two batteries as the practical minimum. One pack works a 45-minute session; the second pack turns that into a full morning without a pause, and it removes the anxiety of watching the gauge drop mid-round.
A bare tool plus a battery plus a charger is the worst-value path if you are starting from zero. It is the best-value path if you already own the packs. That single sentence should decide the question for most buyers.
How Long One Charge Really Lasts
Runtime quoted in minutes is close to meaningless. What matters is how many cuts, so here is what the manufacturers state for these saws, using their own test conditions.
The EGO CS1613 claims up to 130 cuts on a 4×4 per 4.0Ah charge. The SEESII M18 Ace claims up to 200 cuts on 4-inch softwood logs. The DongCheng claims up to 120 cuts on 4×4 lumber. The BLACK+DECKER claims over 60 cuts on 4×4 pine, and the WORX WG385 claims up to 150 cuts on 4×4 hardwood.
Note the differences before comparing directly. Softwood and pine cut far faster than seasoned hardwood, and green wood with dirt in the grain cuts slower than clean dry rounds. The EGO and SEESII figures on softwood are therefore generous relative to a hardwood-only workload.
The SEESII M16 Ace publishes a time figure instead of a cut count: up to 90 minutes from its dual 4.0Ah packs. That is useful as a session planner even though it is harder to convert into wood volume.
Owners add the caveat that matters most: a dull chain is disproportionately punishing on a battery saw. Sharpening or swapping the chain mid-session is what turns a good afternoon into a frustrating one.
Choosing the Right Chain, Bar and Oil
For firewood, the chain is where the performance actually lives. A semi-compulsory chain with a rounded cutter profile reduces kickback, which matters if you are new, and it holds up acceptably in dirty wood.
Choose semi-compulsion over full-compulsion if you are learning. Full-compulsion cuts faster in clean dry softwood, and the difference is real, but beginners working around unstable rounds should take the safer profile.
Match the chain to your saw’s bar. Each brand uses a proprietary bar profile, and forcing a chain from another brand is how people find out why their saw will not tension properly.
Keep a spare chain and a bottle of bar oil with the saw. Several saws in this group run through oil quickly, and oil is the consumable you cannot improvise past mid-session.
Cordless vs Gas for a Full Firewood Season
Cordless wins on starting, noise, maintenance and neighbourhood manners. There is no pull start, no fuel mixture, no carburettor to service between seasons and no exhaust in a fire-ban area.
Gas wins on sustained runtime and on full rounds. If you process several cords in one sitting or cut wood over 16 inches, a gas saw keeps cutting while a battery saw waits on a charger.
The honest middle ground is a two-platform household: a cordless saw for rounds and limbs, and gas kept for felling and storm damage. That is a common setup among the owners we read, and it removes the compromise entirely.
If your firewood is mostly small rounds and you cut a few cords a year, cordless alone is enough. That is the workload this whole roundup is built around, and every pick above handles it.
When a Cordless Chainsaw Is the Wrong Choice
A cordless saw is the wrong tool for full rounds over roughly 16 inches, for felling or storm cleanup, and for milling. Those jobs want sustained runtime and a bar long enough to work in one pass.
It is also the wrong choice if your wood comes off a splitter in rounds wider than 12 inches and you refuse to flip each round. A 14-inch saw will do it, slowly, and slowly on battery means double the charge cycles.
Building trust here is worth more than another recommendation. Buy the bar length your wood actually requires, buy two batteries, and a cordless saw will serve a few cords a year without regret.
Cordless Chainsaw Maintenance Between Seasons
Between sessions, check chain tension with the saw off and cold. Wood closes up on a warm bar and loosens again when it cools, so a setting that felt right in July needs a nudge in January.
Sharpen the chain regularly rather than replacing it. A dull chain forces the motor to work harder, which drains the battery faster and loads the motor for no benefit, which is the most common cause of cordless saw disappointment.
Clean the bar and groove, check the oil reservoir and the automatic oiler, and clear chips from the sprocket nose and the slots on either side. Packed debris is a fire risk and it throws the chain off line.
Store batteries warm and dry indoors, not in a cold shed or a hot vehicle. Lithium packs dislike both extremes, and a pack kept at room temperature keeps more of its capacity for the season that matters.
Safety Gear You Need for Firewood Work
Protection that is not optional
Chainsaw chaps and anti-cut gloves are the two items nobody should skip. A chaps glove combination stops a chain before it reaches skin, and it is the difference between a near miss and a serious injury.
Add eye protection, hearing protection, sturdy boots and a helmet for any overhead work. Some kits in this roundup include goggles and gloves in the box, which is a sensible reason to prefer a complete kit for a first purchase.
Understand the kickback zone on the upper half of the bar tip, keep both hands on the saw, and never cut above shoulder height alone. Let the chain brake do its job by never holding the front of the bar with one hand.
Frequently Asked Questions
What size chainsaw do I need to cut firewood?
Pick a bar about 2 inches longer than the widest round you plan to cut, since a saw safely clears a log that size in one pass. Most split rounds run 8 to 16 inches, so a 14 or 16 inch bar covers typical firewood duty. Choose 18 inches only for full rounds of large hardwood or storm cleanup.
What’s the best chainsaw for firewood?
The EGO POWER+ CS1613 is our top pick for firewood because its brushless motor is rated equal to a 40cc gas saw and it publishes a specific figure of up to 130 cuts on a 4×4 per charge. The SEESII M18 Ace is the best value, pairing an 18-inch bar with two 5.0Ah batteries at 8.6 pounds.
What is the best electric chainsaw for cutting firewood?
Among cordless models, the EGO CS1613 leads on cutting force and rating, the SEESII M18 Ace leads on capacity per pound, and the Milwaukee 2727-21HD is the cheapest if you already own M18 packs. Corded electric saws exist but most firewood buyers end up choosing cordless for the same reasons we do.
What type of chainsaw chain is best for cutting firewood?
Use a semi-compulsory chain with a rounded cutter profile. It reduces kickback for beginners and handles dirty or green firewood acceptably, at the cost of some speed in clean dry softwood. Always match the chain to your saw’s proprietary bar profile, and keep a sharp chain because a dull one drains a battery saw dramatically.
How many batteries do I need to cut a cord of firewood?
Two batteries is the practical minimum for a serious firewood session. One pack covers roughly a 45-minute burst of bucking, and the second lets you swap on a break instead of stopping to recharge. Owning a high-capacity pack already changes the answer, since several saws are quoted at 120 to 200 cuts per charge.
Is a cordless chainsaw worth it compared to gas?
For a few cords a year of split rounds under about 16 inches, yes. You get instant starting, quiet operation, no fuel mixing and no off-season maintenance. Gas still wins for felling, storm cleanup, milling, or processing several cords in one sitting where a mid-job recharge would be unacceptable.
How long does a cordless chainsaw battery last cutting firewood?
It depends on wood type and chain sharpness more than the saw. Published figures here run from over 60 cuts on 4×4 pine per charge for the BLACK+DECKER up to 200 cuts on 4-inch softwood for the SEESII M18 Ace. Softwood cuts fastest, seasoned hardwood slowest, and a dull chain cuts all of those numbers down sharply.
The Cordless Chainsaw for Firewood in 2026
The EGO POWER+ CS1613 is our pick for the best cordless chainsaws for firewood in 2026. Its 16-inch bar covers the round sizes most people actually cut, its motor is rated at 40cc gas equivalence, and its published 130-cut figure lets you plan a session instead of guessing at it.
If you already own platform batteries, the platform wins the argument. Milwaukee M18 packs make the 2727-21HD the cheapest real option, and Makita 18V LXT packs make the XCU11Z nearly free to add to your kit.
If you own no batteries at all, buy a kit. The SEESII M18 Ace and the DongCheng both bundle two packs, and that bundled capacity is the difference between a season of firewood and a single afternoon.
Then check the bar against your wood, buy a second pack, and keep the chain sharp. Those three steps decide whether your cordless saw feels like a shortcut or a compromise, and for a few cords of split rounds a year in 2026, it is neither.