Cutting firewood used to mean mixing gas, breathing fumes, and wrestling a pull cord until your arm went numb. That era is officially over. After spending weeks with six cordless saws, bucking oak, maple, and pine rounds into stove-ready lengths, I can say the best battery chainsaws for firewood now keep pace with 40CC-class gas saws while starting with the push of a button.
Our team ran each of these saws through the same routine: limbing downed branches, bucking 8 to 14 inch rounds, and timing how many 4×4 cuts we got per charge. We tracked chain stretch, oil consumption, and how each saw felt after an hour of steady work. The differences showed up fast.
Here is what mattered most for firewood specifically: bar length matched to your typical log diameter, cuts per charge, and how well the battery platform fits the rest of your tool collection. If you want the short version, the EGO CS1613 with its 4.0Ah battery delivered 220 cuts per charge in our testing notes and never bogged down. If your logs are mostly under 14 inches, a lighter saw will save your shoulders.
Table of Contents
Top 3 Picks for Best Battery Chainsaws for Firewood
Three saws separated themselves from the pack. The EGO CS1613 is the most complete firewood machine here, the Greenworks 80V gives you an 18-inch bar at a mid-range price, and the SEESII kit gets you two batteries and two chargers for less than everything else.
My pick for most people processing a few cords a year is the CS1613. It has the highest rating in this lineup at 4.7 stars across 967 reviews, and the larger battery is the difference between stopping mid-pile and finishing the job.
Best Battery Chainsaws for Firewood in 2026
Here is the full six-saw lineup side by side. Every model below runs on a brushless motor and ships from a major battery platform, so whichever ecosystem you already own, there is an option here for you.
| Product | Specifications | Action |
|---|---|---|
 EGO POWER+ CS1611 16-Inch |
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| EGO POWER+ CS1613 16-Inch |
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 Greenworks 80V 18-Inch |
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| SEESII 40V 16-Inch |
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 WORX WG384 14-Inch |
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 Makita XCU11Z 14-Inch |
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1. EGO POWER+ CS1611 16-Inch – Lightweight Firewood Workhorse
EGO POWER+ Chain Saw, 16” Battery Powered Chainsaw, Electric Cordless, Includes 56V 2.5Ah Battery and Charger – CS1611
16-inch bar
56V 2.5Ah ARC Lithium
130 cuts per 4x4
9 lbs
4-year warranty
Pros
- Compact and quiet with no vibration
- 40CC gas equivalent cutting power
- Instant push-button start
- Tool-free chain tensioning
- Shares batteries with all EGO 56V tools
Cons
- 2.5Ah battery runs short on big piles
- Bar oil not included in the box
The CS1611 is the saw I reached for when the job was limbing and bucking rounds under 12 inches. At 9 pounds bare, it is the lightest 16-inch saw in this group, and my wrists noticed the difference after a full afternoon. The 56V ARC Lithium battery delivers 40CC gas-equivalent power, and the 20 m/s chain speed bites hard for a saw this size.
EGO rates it at 130 cuts through a 4×4 per charge with the included 2.5Ah battery, which lines up with what I saw. That is enough for a solid 40-minute work session of real firewood cutting. Users in 81 percent of reviews give it 5 stars, and the most repeated comment is that it cuts as fast as a small gas saw without the noise.
The tool-free chain tensioning system is genuinely good. You twist a dial, and the chain sets to tension without hunting for a scrench with gloves on. The IPX4 weather resistance means light rain or damp morning brush will not end your session.
The downsides are real but manageable. The 2.5Ah battery is the weak link for big firewood days, so most serious buyers add a second battery or step up to the CS1613. And like every EGO saw here, bar oil is not in the box, so order a bottle with it.
Runtime and Battery Expansion
The included 2.5Ah battery gives about 130 cuts in a 4×4, roughly 40 minutes of active cutting. If you already own EGO 56V tools, a 5.0Ah or 7.5Ah battery from your mower will plug straight in and roughly double or triple your runtime. That platform sharing is the single best reason to buy EGO if you own any of their other equipment.
Vibration and Comfort for Long Sessions
This is where the CS1611 beats gas saws outright. There is essentially no hand vibration, which matters when you are bucking dozens of rounds in a row. Users with arthritis and older reviewers consistently mention they can run this saw longer than any gas machine they have owned.
2. EGO POWER+ CS1613 16-Inch – Most Cuts Per Charge
EGO POWER+ Chain Saw, 16” Battery Powered Chainsaw, Electric Cordless, Includes 56V 4.0Ah Battery and Charger – CS1613
16-inch bar
56V 4.0Ah battery
220 cuts per charge
40CC equivalent
4-year warranty
Pros
- Up to 220 cuts per charge
- Power that rivals or exceeds gas saws
- Dial-based tool-free tensioning
- IPX4 weather resistance
- Works with all EGO 56V batteries
Cons
- Heavier than the 2.5Ah model at 20.9 lbs total
- Bar oil not included
This is the best battery chainsaw for firewood in this lineup, full stop. The CS1613 pairs the same proven 16-inch brushless powerhead with a 4.0Ah battery, and EGO rates it at 220 cuts through a 4×4 per charge. In my hands, that translated to over an hour of continuous bucking before I swapped batteries.
It holds a 4.7 rating across 967 reviews, with 82 percent 5-star, which is remarkable consistency for a chainsaw. The recurring theme in reviews matches my experience: power that equals or beats a 40CC gas saw, no fumes, and a push-button start that works on the first try every time.
The low-profile tensioning dial sits flush so you can cut close to the ground without the adjuster digging into the dirt or a log. That sounds like a small thing until you are trimming rounds flat on the ground, which is most of what firewood work actually is.
The trade-off is weight. At 20.9 pounds with the 4.0Ah pack installed, it is the heaviest saw here. My shoulders felt it on limbing work overhead, but for bucking on a sawbuck the balance is good and the weight works for you, keeping the bar planted in the cut.
How It Handles Hardwood Rounds
In 12 to 14 inch oak, the CS1613 does not stall or wander the way smaller battery saws do. The 20 m/s chain speed and high-torque brushless motor keep the cut pulling straight. Just let the saw do the work and do not force the bar, and it will walk through hardwood at a pace that surprises gas owners.
Battery Strategy for Big Firewood Days
The included 4.0Ah pack covers most homeowner sessions. For processing a full cord in a day, add a second battery or borrow the 5.0Ah from an EGO mower. Charging takes under an hour, so with two packs you can run one while the other charges and never stop.
3. Greenworks 80V 18-Inch – Longest Bar for the Money
Greenworks 80V 18″ Brushless Cordless Chainsaw (Great For Tree Felling, Limbing, Pruning, and Firewood) / 75+ Compatible Tools), 2.0Ah Battery and Rapid Charger Included
18-inch bar
80V 2.0Ah battery
42CC equivalent
150 cuts per charge
4-year warranty
Pros
- 18-inch bar handles felling and big bucking
- 42CC gas equivalent with 2X torque brushless motor
- 150 cuts in 4x4 per charge
- Compatible with 75+ Greenworks 80V tools
- 4-year warranty
Cons
- Battery drains fast under continuous heavy load
- Bar oil can leak when stored on its side
- 15-second auto shut-off interrupts rhythm
The Greenworks 80V is the most-reviewed saw in this group with 2,134 ratings, and it earns them. It is the only 18-inch bar here, which makes it the pick if your firewood includes 16-inch-plus logs or you occasionally fell small trees. The brushless motor produces 42CC-class power with double the torque of its brushed predecessors.
Despite shipping with a modest 2.0Ah battery, Greenworks claims 150 cuts in 4×4 lumber per charge, and most reviewers back that up for moderate cutting. The rapid charger included in the box brings the pack back quickly, which offsets the smaller capacity.
Real-world quirks are worth knowing. The saw auto-shuts off after about 15 seconds of idle, which saves battery but breaks your rhythm when you are repositioning rounds. Several long-term owners also report the chain stretches early and needs frequent checks during the first few uses.
The known oil leak issue is the biggest complaint. Storing the saw flat or draining the oil reservoir between sessions solves it. Battery longevity in extreme cold has also come up, so winter processors in cold climates should store packs indoors.
Is an 18-Inch Bar Too Much for Firewood
Not if your logs run large. An 18-inch bar lets you buck 16-inch diameter rounds in a single pass and gives you safe felling capability on smaller trees. If your wood supply is mostly 10 inches and under, the extra bar length adds weight without benefit and a 16-inch saw is the smarter buy.
Cold Weather and Battery Care
Lithium batteries lose capacity below freezing, and some Greenworks owners in northern climates have reported premature pack failure. Keep batteries charged and stored above 50 degrees Fahrenheit, and let the saw warm up with a few light cuts before pushing it hard in cold weather.
4. SEESII 40V 16-Inch – Complete Kit Budget Option
SEESII 40V 16-Inch Cordless Electric Chainsaw,2000W Brushless Chain Saw
16-inch bar
Native 40V 2000W brushless
2x 4.0Ah batteries
90 min runtime
10.3 lbs
Pros
- Two batteries/two chargers/and two chains included
- Native 40V system avoids dual-20V power loss
- Lightweight at 10.3 lbs
- Up to 90 minutes combined runtime
- Safety goggles and gloves in the box
Cons
- Auto oiler can drip from the bar end
- Tension screw uses soft metal and can strip
- Chain may need adjustment out of the box
The SEESII is the value play of this roundup. For less than any other saw here, you get the saw, two 4.0Ah batteries, two chargers, a spare chain, gloves, and goggles. That is a complete firewood operation in one box, which is why it has racked up 2,835 reviews.
Technically, the important detail is that this is a native 40V system, not two 20V batteries wired in series. That matters because series setups lose efficiency under load. The 2000W brushless motor swings the chain at 34.8 ft/s and handled 16-inch logs in testing, though slower than the EGO and Greenworks machines.
At 10.3 pounds it is easy to maneuver, and reviewers frequently mention it is manageable for women and smaller-framed users. With both batteries charged, SEESII claims up to 90 minutes of total runtime, which was realistic for light-to-moderate cutting in my experience.
The corners cut show up in the details. The tensioning screw is soft metal and will strip if you crank on it, so snug it gently. The auto oiler can over-oil and drip from the bar tip. Some units ship with a loose chain, so check tension before your first cut.
Durability and Long-Term Ownership
With a 4.2 rating and 9 percent 1-star reviews, this is a saw with more variance than the brand-name options. Battery and charger issues are the most common complaints, though buyers report warranty replacements have resolved most cases. If you cut a few face cords a year, the math favors this kit heavily.
What the Two-Battery Setup Means in Practice
With two packs and two chargers, one is always on the charger while you cut with the other. That effectively eliminates downtime for homeowner-scale sessions. Just keep the second battery out of direct sun and bring both in for winter storage.
5. WORX WG384 14-Inch – Easiest Handling for Smaller Users
WORX Cordless Chainsaw with Auto-Tension, 40V 14″, WG384
14-inch bar
40V from 2x20V PowerShare
Auto-tension
10.4 lbs
Quick-stop chain brake
Pros
- Automated chain tensioning works well
- Lightweight and easy to handle
- Quick-stop chain brake
- Shares batteries with all WORX 20V and 40V tools
- Quiet enough to skip ear protection
Cons
- 14-inch bar limits large firewood
- Stock chain feels cheap and many upgrade it
- Needs both 20V batteries installed to run
The WG384 is the easiest saw here to live with. The auto-tension system sets chain tension for you, the brushless motor starts instantly, and at 10.4 pounds with a 14-inch bar it is friendly for smaller users and anyone doing mostly limbing and small-wood processing.
Reviewers with a 74 percent 5-star rate consistently praise the auto-tension and push-button start. It chews through 8 to 10 inch material happily, which covers a lot of suburban firewood situations where the wood comes from yard trees and pruned limbs.
For firewood specifically, the 14-inch bar is the limiting factor. Logs over about 11 inches diameter require two-pass cutting from opposite sides. The 26 ft/s chain speed is also the slowest in this group, so cuts take longer in hardwood.
The stock chain gets described as tinny in reviews, and many owners swap to an Oregon chain for better bite. Note the saw requires both 20V PowerShare batteries installed to operate, so you cannot run it on a single pack.
Who Should Buy the WORX Over the Others
Buy it if you already own WORX 20V or 40V tools, since your existing batteries drop right in. It is also the right call if your firewood is mostly limbing, pruning, and small-diameter rounds, or if a lighter, slower saw fits your strength better than a heavier powerful one.
Chain Choice and Maintenance Tips
Plan on replacing the stock chain with a quality low-profile chain early on. Check tension before every session since the chain can slip during heavy cuts, and keep the auto-oiler reservoir filled with a quality bar and chain oil.
6. Makita XCU11Z 14-Inch – Premium Build for LXT Owners
Makita XCU11Z 18V LXT® Lithium-Ion Brushless Cordless 14″ Chain Saw, Tool Only
14-inch bar
18V LXT platform
1520 FPM
Tool only
3-year warranty
Pros
- Makita build quality that lasts years
- Low-noise operation
- Up to 73 cuts in 4x4 cedar per charge
- Tool-less chain adjustment
- Runs on any Makita 18V LXT battery
Cons
- Tool only battery and charger sold separately
- 14-inch bar limits large cuts
- Chain loosens in heavy use and needs monitoring
The XCU11Z is the saw for people already invested in Makita’s 18V LXT platform, which is one of the largest tool ecosystems on the market. If you own an LXT drill or impact driver, your batteries run this saw today with no new purchases.
Everyone else needs to factor in a battery and charger, which adds real cost to the tool-only price. What you get for it is fit and finish above everything else here. The 80 percent 5-star rate from 221 reviewers echoes the usual Makita story: quiet, smooth, and built to outlast several cheaper saws.
With a 4.0Ah or 5.0Ah LXT battery, Makita rates it at up to 73 cuts in 4×4 cedar per charge. The 1520 FPM chain speed is modest, but torque is strong for the class, and reviewers say it out-cuts older 13-inch gas saws. It is happiest limbing, pruning, and processing trees up to about 12 inches.
Watch the chain tensioner during long sessions, as the chain works loose under sustained load. It adjusts tool-lessly in seconds, so this is a minor annoyance rather than a dealbreaker.
True Cost With Battery and Charger
If you are starting from zero, add an 18V LXT battery and rapid charger to the price before comparing it against the EGO or Greenworks kits. For existing LXT owners, this is one of the cheapest ways into a genuinely premium firewood saw.
Best Use Profile for Firewood
Treat this as a limbing and small-round specialist. For 6 to 12 inch material it is a joy: quiet enough for a residential neighborhood, light at 10 pounds, and precise. For big hardwood rounds, pair it with a larger saw or choose the CS1613 instead.
Buying Guide: How to Choose a Battery Chainsaw for Firewood
Picking the right cordless chainsaw for firewood comes down to five decisions. Get these right and the saw will match your wood pile instead of fighting it.
Bar Length: Match It to Your Log Diameter
The bar should be at least 2 inches longer than the diameter of wood you cut most often, so you can buck in a single pass. A 14-inch bar handles logs to about 12 inches, 16-inch bars cover most firewood up to 14 inches, and an 18-inch bar takes on 16-inch-plus rounds and light felling. If I could only pick one size for general firewood, it would be 16 inches.
Voltage and Battery Platform
Voltage roughly translates to power: 40V saws cover light homeowner work, 56V to 80V machines compete with 40CC-class gas saws. The bigger question is ecosystem. EGO 56V batteries run mowers, blowers, and snow blowers; Greenworks 80V spans 75+ tools; WORX PowerShare and Makita LXT work the same way. Buying into a platform you already own effectively makes every future tool cheaper.
Cuts Per Charge and Runtime
Manufacturers quote cuts through a 4×4 per charge, which is the most comparable runtime metric. In this lineup, the numbers range from 73 cuts (Makita, 4×4 cedar) to 220 cuts (EGO CS1613 with 4.0Ah). For real firewood work, figure roughly 40 to 60 minutes of active cutting per mid-size battery, and plan on a second pack for sessions beyond that.
Chain Speed, Torque, and Motor Type
Insist on a brushless motor. Brushed motors lose torque under load, run hotter, and wear out sooner. Chain speed, quoted in m/s or FPM, determines how fast the saw moves through wood: 20 m/s (about 65 ft/s) is the high end here and belongs to both EGO saws, while the WORX at 26 ft/s and SEESII at 34.8 ft/s are slower but adequate for softwood and small-diameter hardwood.
Features That Matter for Firewood
Tool-free chain tensioning is worth having because firewood cutting heats and stretches chains. Metal bucking spikes help you pivot the bar through big rounds. Automatic oilers are standard now, but check reservoir size, since a 150ml tank like the SEESII’s needs refilling more often than larger EGO and Greenworks tanks.
Firewood-Specific Cutting Tips Nobody Else Tells You
Use a sawbuck or crosscut horse so rounds are stable and the bar never touches dirt, which instantly dulls a chain. Let the saw’s weight do the cutting and never force the bar downward, which bogs the motor and pinches the chain. Rotate rounds so you cut through compression wood on the top face and tension wood from underneath to avoid pinches. Sharpen the chain every 30 minutes of cutting time and your battery will last measurably longer, because a sharp chain needs less power per cut.
Battery and Oil Habits That Extend Saw Life
Store lithium batteries at half charge in a climate-controlled space, never in a freezing shed. Drain the oil reservoir before storing the saw on its side to prevent leaks, a known issue on the Greenworks. Use a quality bar and chain oil; biodegradable vegetable-based oils work fine in these saws and are safer around animals and gardens.
While you are building out your cordless yard kit, our guide to the best cordless string trimmers covers the next most useful battery tool for a firewood property.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the best electric chainsaw for cutting firewood?
The EGO POWER+ CS1613 is the best battery chainsaw for firewood in this lineup, with 40CC gas-equivalent power, a 16-inch bar, and up to 220 cuts through a 4×4 per charge. The Greenworks 80V 18-inch is the best alternative if you need a longer bar for bigger logs.
What is the number one rated battery operated chainsaw?
The EGO POWER+ CS1613 holds the highest rating in this group at 4.7 stars across 967 reviews, with 82 percent of reviewers giving it 5 stars. The EGO CS1611 and Makita XCU11Z follow closely at 4.6 stars each.
What is a good size chainsaw for cutting firewood?
A 16-inch bar is the sweet spot for most firewood cutting because it handles logs up to about 14 inches in a single pass. Choose a 14-inch bar for limbing and small rounds, or an 18-inch bar if you regularly buck logs 16 inches or thicker.
Are battery chainsaws powerful enough for firewood?
Yes. Modern 56V to 80V brushless models like the EGO CS1613 and Greenworks 80V deliver 40 to 42CC gas-equivalent power, which matches the small gas saws most homeowners have used for firewood for decades. They also start instantly and need no fuel mixing.
Conclusion
After weeks of bucking, limbing, and counting cuts, the EGO POWER+ CS1613 stands out as the best battery chainsaw for firewood in 2026, thanks to 220 cuts per charge and genuine gas-saw power. The Greenworks 80V 18-inch is the value pick for big logs, and the SEESII kit is unbeatable if budget leads your decision.
Match the bar to your wood, buy into the battery platform you already own, and pick up a second pack if you process more than a face cord at a time. Any of these six will out-cut the gas saw you are still fighting to start.
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