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Gas vs Electric Chainsaw 2026: The Gap Has Closed

Battery chainsaws in 2026 are not what they were five years ago. For homeowners cutting firewood or handling storm cleanup, they're now a legitimate alternative to gas -- and in some ways easier to live with.

Best Battery Chainsaw
Greenworks 80V 18" Chainsaw CS80L417

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.

Research rank #1Amazon paid link; price & availability change.
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By Morgan HalePublished April 20, 2026
Research-BackedSpec CheckedPrice Checked

Current recommendations are research-backed. Each article identifies its evidence, sources, update date, and limitations. No current guide is presented as hands-on tested. As an Amazon Associate, ToolShed Tested earns from qualifying purchases. When you buy through our links we may earn a commission -- at no extra cost to you. Product links and article details last reviewed April 20, 2026. Full disclosure.

Quick Answer

Battery chainsaws in 2026 are not what they were five years ago. For homeowners cutting firewood or handling storm cleanup, they're now a legitimate alternative to gas -- and in some ways easier to live with.

  1. #1
    Greenworks 80V 18" Chainsaw CS80L417Best Battery ChainsawWhy: 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.Watch for: Runtime limited to one battery charge -- Greenworks rates the kit for up to 260 cuts per charge
    Check Price on Amazon
  2. #2
    Echo CS-590 Timber Wolf 20" Gas ChainsawBest Gas ChainsawWhy: 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.Watch for: Requires fuel mixing, spark plug checks, air filter cleaning, and carb maintenance
    Check Price on Amazon
  3. #3
    DeWalt DCCS670X1 60V FLEXVOLT Chainsaw KitBest FLEXVOLT ChainsawWhy: 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.Watch for: 16" bar limits you on large-diameter trees
    Search Amazon for this model
At-a-Glance Comparison
RankProductBest forBuy if / skip ifPriceCTA
#1
Best Battery ChainsawGreenworks 80V 18" Chainsaw CS80L417
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.
Homeowners who want a capable battery saw without gas maintenance
Kit / verify included batteries
Buy if: 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.
Skip if: Runtime limited to one battery charge -- Greenworks rates the kit for up to 260 cuts per charge
$$
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#2
Best Gas ChainsawEcho CS-590 Timber Wolf 20" Gas Chainsaw
The Echo CS-590 is one of the best gas chainsaws at this price. If you need gas, this is the one to buy. If you're a homeowner on a standard suburban lot, you may not need this much saw.
Homeowners or landowners who need unlimited runtime and maximum power
Verify package
Buy if: The Echo CS-590 is one of the best gas chainsaws at this price. If you need gas, this is the one to buy. If you're a homeowner on a standard suburban lot, you may not need this much saw.
Skip if: Requires fuel mixing, spark plug checks, air filter cleaning, and carb maintenance
$$
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#3
Best FLEXVOLT ChainsawDeWalt DCCS670X1 60V FLEXVOLT Chainsaw Kit
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.
DeWalt FLEXVOLT users who want battery power that approaches gas performance
Kit / verify included batteries
Buy if: 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.
Skip if: 16" bar limits you on large-diameter trees
$$$
Check current
Search Amazon for this model
Battery chainsaws in 2026 are not the same tools they were five years ago. The current 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:

Who Should Buy Battery

Battery is the better choice for most homeowners today:
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 in this 2026 comparison 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.

Our Picks, Reviewed

#1 -- Best Battery Chainsaw

Greenworks 80V 18" Chainsaw CS80L417

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Best for
Homeowners who want a capable battery saw without gas maintenance
Package
Kit/package: verify included batteries before checkout

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
  • 2.5kW brushless motor
  • 4.0Ah battery and charger kit
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 -- Greenworks rates the kit for up to 260 cuts per charge
  • 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.

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#2 -- Best Gas Chainsaw

Echo CS-590 Timber Wolf 20" Gas Chainsaw

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Best for
Homeowners or landowners who need unlimited runtime and maximum power
Package
Package: verify current retailer listing before checkout

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.

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#3 -- Best FLEXVOLT Chainsaw

DeWalt DCCS670X1 60V FLEXVOLT Chainsaw Kit

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Best for
DeWalt FLEXVOLT users who want battery power that approaches gas performance
Package
Kit/package: verify included batteries before checkout

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.

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MethodologyHow we evaluate these tools

This guide is research-backed. It compares exact-model manufacturer sources, current market information, and recurring owner feedback; it does not claim direct physical testing. No paid placements influence our rankings.

  • Model identity (Primary)Exact model, kit contents, voltage platform, and current manufacturer documentation are matched before products are compared.
  • Use-case fit (Primary)Published capacity, controls, dimensions, compatibility, and limitations are evaluated against the jobs and buyers named in the guide.
  • Comparison consistency (Primary)Every option is assessed against the same category-relevant criteria, with unsupported performance assumptions excluded.
  • Warranty and support (Secondary)Current warranty terms, platform support, replacement options, and manufacturer documentation are reviewed for ownership risk.
  • Price and owner signals (Secondary)Current pricing and recurring verified-owner patterns inform value and reliability context without being presented as our own test results.

Read our full evaluation methodology for what each evidence label means.

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Morgan Hale
Morgan HaleEditor · disclosed pen name

Morgan Hale checks exact model identities, manufacturer documentation, warranty terms, package contents, and current retailer listings. Research-backed recommendations are labeled as research and are not presented as physical tests.

Exact-model researchPrimary-source checksCorrections tracked
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