Gas vs Electric Chainsaw 2026: The Gap Has Closed

By Jake MercerPublished April 20, 2026

We research or hands-on test every product we recommend. When you buy through our links we may earn a commission -- at no extra cost to you. Full disclosure.

Quick Verdict -- Our Top Picks

Best Battery Chainsaw

Greenworks 80V 18" Chainsaw CS80L2510

4.5

One of the most capable battery chainsaws for homeowners -- the 80V platform handles firewood and storm cleanup without the gas maintenance headache.

Check Current Price on Amazon →

Best Gas Chainsaw

Echo CS-590 Timber Wolf 20" Gas Chainsaw

4.7

A professional-grade gas saw at a homeowner price -- unlimited runtime, 20" bar, and Echo's reputation for long-term reliability.

Check Current Price on Amazon →

Best FLEXVOLT Chainsaw

DeWalt DCCS670X1 60V FLEXVOLT Chainsaw

4.6

DeWalt's FLEXVOLT 60V battery platform gives this saw gas-competitive cutting power for homeowners already in the DeWalt ecosystem.

Check Current Price on Amazon →

At-a-Glance Comparison

Product	Best For	Rating
Best Battery ChainsawGreenworks 80V 18" Chainsaw CS80L2510	Homeowners who want a capable battery saw without gas maintenance	4.5	Check Price on Amazon →
Best Gas ChainsawEcho CS-590 Timber Wolf 20" Gas Chainsaw	Homeowners or landowners who need unlimited runtime and maximum power	4.7	Check Price on Amazon →
Best FLEXVOLT ChainsawDeWalt DCCS670X1 60V FLEXVOLT Chainsaw	DeWalt FLEXVOLT users who want battery power that approaches gas performance	4.6	Check Price on Amazon →

Get deal alerts when prices drop on these tools.

No spam. Just price drops and new reviews.

Battery chainsaws in 2026 are not the same tools they were five years ago. The 80V Greenworks, DeWalt FLEXVOLT, and Ego platforms have closed the gap on gas for most homeowner work. If you're debating which type to buy, the honest answer depends less on which is "better" and more on what you're actually cutting. ## What's Changed in 2026 High-voltage battery platforms -- 80V, 60V FLEXVOLT, 56V Ego -- now deliver enough power to handle firewood cutting, storm debris, and most trees homeowners encounter. Brushless motors and improved battery cells have extended runtime and reduced the power drop-off under load that plagued earlier battery saws. The average homeowner buying a chainsaw today has a legitimate choice between gas and battery in a way they didn't five years ago. What hasn't changed: gas still wins on unlimited runtime, power for very large-diameter trees, and availability in areas where recharging isn't practical. ## The Case for Battery Battery chainsaws are quieter, start instantly, and require almost no maintenance. There's no fuel to mix, no carburetor to clean, no spark plug to check before each season. You push a button and it cuts. When you're done, you put it away -- no draining the tank, no fuel stabilizer, no pull-cord ritual in the cold. For suburban and semi-rural homeowners, this matters. If you're cutting one to five cords per season, cleaning up after storms, or limbing trees on your property a few times a year, a battery saw handles it. Runtime is the real limit -- plan on 45 to 60 minutes of active cutting per charge, depending on the wood. ## The Case for Gas Gas chainsaws have one significant advantage: you can refuel and keep cutting indefinitely. For anyone cutting large amounts of firewood, working in areas far from an outlet, or regularly felling trees over 18" in diameter, gas remains the more practical tool. Gas also delivers more raw power for challenging cuts -- hardwood, large-diameter logs, and tasks that put sustained load on the motor. The downsides are real: fuel mixing, carburetor maintenance, seasonal storage procedures, and significantly more noise and vibration than battery alternatives. ## Feature-by-Feature Comparison | Feature | Gas | Battery Electric | |---|---|---| | Runtime | Unlimited -- refuel and continue | 45--60 min per charge | | Startup | Pull cord, primer, choke | Push button | | Maintenance | Fuel mix, carb, plugs, air filter | Bar oil and chain sharpening only | | Noise | High -- hearing protection required | Moderate -- neighbor-friendly | | Power | More on large-diameter hardwood | Matches gas on most homeowner tasks | | Best bar size | Up to 20"+ | Best up to 16--18" | | Cost (entry) | $250--$400 | $250--$400 with battery kit | | Best user | Arborists, rural landowners, heavy users | Homeowners, suburbanites, light-to-moderate users | ## Who Should Still Buy Gas If you fall into any of these categories, gas is still the practical choice: - You're regularly felling trees over 18" in diameter - You work in remote areas without access to power for recharging - You cut more than five cords of firewood per season - You need to run for more than an hour without stopping ## Who Should Buy Battery Battery is the better choice for most homeowners today: - You're in a suburban or semi-rural setting - You cut 1--5 cords per year or handle occasional storm cleanup - You want to avoid fuel mixing and seasonal maintenance - You're already in a battery ecosystem (DeWalt FLEXVOLT, Greenworks 80V, Ego 56V)

Are battery chainsaws powerful enough for firewood?

For most homeowners, yes. An 80V or 60V battery chainsaw handles standard firewood logs -- oak, maple, cherry -- up to about 14--16" in diameter without significant trouble. Where battery saws fall behind is on sustained cutting sessions and very large-diameter hardwood. If you're cutting a full cord in one afternoon, you'll want either a spare battery or a gas saw. For occasional cutting, the battery saw handles it fine.

What's the actual maintenance difference between gas and battery chainsaws?

Gas chainsaws require: mixing two-stroke fuel, checking and replacing spark plugs, cleaning or rebuilding the carburetor periodically, cleaning the air filter, and draining or stabilizing fuel for storage. Battery chainsaws require: keeping the chain sharp, topping up bar oil, and storing the battery at partial charge. For most homeowners, the gas maintenance list adds up to several hours per year and real cost. Battery maintenance is minimal.

Can an electric chainsaw cut down a tree?

Yes, within limits. A battery chainsaw with a 16--18" bar can fell most trees a homeowner would encounter -- ornamental trees, storm-damaged trees, smaller hardwoods. It will struggle on trees over 20" in diameter or very dense hardwood at the end of a battery charge. If you're regularly felling large trees, gas remains more reliable for that specific job.

How do battery chainsaw platforms compare?

The three most capable battery chainsaw platforms right now are Ego 56V, Greenworks 80V, and DeWalt FLEXVOLT 60V. Ego and Greenworks compete closely on power and value. DeWalt's advantage is cross-tool battery sharing if you're already in the FLEXVOLT ecosystem. None of these platforms are interchangeable -- you're buying into a system, so factor in what other tools you already own.

## Related Guides - [Best Chainsaws for 2026](/best-chainsaws-2026) - [Best Chainsaw for Homeowners Under 20" Bar](/best-chainsaw-for-homeowners-under-20-bar) - [Best Chainsaw Under $300](/best-chainsaw-under-300)

Our Picks, Reviewed

#1 -- Best Battery Chainsaw

Greenworks 80V 18" Chainsaw CS80L2510

4.5/5Check current price →

The right battery chainsaw for most homeowners. The 80V platform has enough power for typical tasks and the no-maintenance operation is a real quality-of-life improvement over gas.

Key features

80V battery platform
18" bar
Brushless motor
Tool-less chain tensioning

Pros

Instant start, no primer or choke
Near-silent compared to gas
Zero maintenance beyond chain sharpening and bar oil

Cons

Runtime limited to one battery charge -- about 45-60 minutes of cutting
80V Greenworks batteries don't cross-use with other brands
Less power than a 50cc+ gas saw on large hardwood

Who it's for: Homeowners cutting 1-5 cords per season, clearing storm debris, or doing regular yard maintenance without needing unlimited runtime.

Check Current Price on Amazon →

#2 -- Best Gas Chainsaw

Echo CS-590 Timber Wolf 20" Gas Chainsaw

4.7/5Check current price →

The Echo CS-590 is one of the best gas chainsaws at this price. If you need gas, this is the one to buy. If you're a homeowner on a standard suburban lot, you may not need this much saw.

Key features

59.8cc professional-grade engine
20" bar
Spring-loaded chain tensioning
Magnesium crankcase for durability

Pros

Unlimited runtime -- refuel and keep cutting
Handles large-diameter hardwood that battery saws struggle with
Echo has a strong reputation for long-term engine reliability

Cons

Requires fuel mixing, spark plug checks, air filter cleaning, and carb maintenance
Loud -- hearing protection required
Heavier at 12.3 lbs

Who it's for: Anyone cutting large trees regularly, homeowners on rural acreage without easy access to power, or users who can't afford downtime from a dead battery.

Check Current Price on Amazon →

#3 -- Best FLEXVOLT Chainsaw

DeWalt DCCS670X1 60V FLEXVOLT Chainsaw

4.6/5Check current price →

Strong choice if you're in the FLEXVOLT ecosystem. The battery sharing across tools makes the price easier to justify. On its own, the Greenworks kit is a better value.

Key features

60V FLEXVOLT battery
16" bar
Brushless motor
Tool-free chain tensioning and bar tightening

Pros

FLEXVOLT batteries work across 20V MAX and 60V DeWalt tools
Strong power output for a battery saw
Low maintenance -- just chain sharpening and bar oil

Cons

16" bar limits you on large-diameter trees
FLEXVOLT batteries are expensive if you're not already in the ecosystem
Heavier than the Greenworks at 9 lbs bare

Who it's for: DeWalt FLEXVOLT users who want a capable chainsaw without adding another battery platform to their shop.

Check Current Price on Amazon →

Jake MercerVerified Reviewer

Former licensed general contractor with 14 years of residential construction experience. Tests every tool before recommending it.

Licensed Contractor14 Years Experience150+ Tools Tested

Gas vs Electric Chainsaw 2026: The Gap Has Closed

Our Picks, Reviewed

Greenworks 80V 18" Chainsaw CS80L2510

Echo CS-590 Timber Wolf 20" Gas Chainsaw

DeWalt DCCS670X1 60V FLEXVOLT Chainsaw

You Might Also Like

Best Chainsaw Under $300 (2026): Gas and Battery Picks That Actually Cut

Get Tool Deals & Reviews in Your Inbox