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Best chainsaws: cordless and electric options tested
We've tested chainsaws from Ego, Stihl and more, to see which will quickly and effectively cut through all kinds of logs and branches
Some chainsaws are packed with high-spec features, but don't start well and struggle to slice through hard wood. Others are basic, but start straight away and cut through even the thickest logs easily. This is why we've tested dozens of models to make our recommendations.
Our tests focus on rear-handle chainsaws, also known as ground saws, that allow the user to control the saw far more easily and are much safer than top-handled chainsaws, which are typically for professional use.
We test corded electric and battery-powered chainsaws, but due to shifts in the market, environmental impact and manufacturers focusing on cordless tools, we no longer test petrol chainsaws.
How our tests find you the best
Cutting branches and logs
We record how long it takes to use on different sized logs and whether the cuts it makes are clean or jagged.
Tougher tasks for chainsaws
We take no prisoners. Each is challenged with slicing hard wood (chestnut, oak and a railway sleeper).
Ease of use
We rate how easy it is to make vertical and horizontal cuts between waist and knee height, as well as maneouvre the chainsaw around.
We also test...
Whether it's easy to start and handle, straightforward to maintain, whether the battery is replaceable, quality of instructions, and more.
The chainsaws from our tests
Only logged-in Which? members can view the chainsaw test results below.
Join Which? to get instant access to our test results and Best Buy recommendations below.
| Chainsaw | Price | Test score | Power type | Blade length | Cutting branches | Ease of use |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Sign up to reveal Get instant access to this and all our scores and recommendations Unlock tableFull Access first month £5, then £11.99 per month, cancel at any time. Already a member? Log in | 85% | Cordless | 35cm | |||
| 78% | Cordless | 42cm | ||||
| 78% | Cordless | 26cm | ||||
| 75% | Cordless | 35cm | ||||
| 75% | Cordless | 38cm | ||||
| 73% | Cordless | 42cm | ||||
| 71% | Cordless | 44cm | ||||
| 71% | Cordless | 31cm | ||||
| 69% | Corded | 46cm | ||||
| 65% | Cordless | 35cm | ||||
| 63% | Corded | 35cm | ||||
| 62% | Cordless | 12cm | ||||
| 56% | Corded | 31cm |
Sign up to reveal
Get instant access to this and all our scores and recommendations
Unlock tableFull Access first month £5, then £11.99 per month, cancel at any time.
Already a member? Log in
Dates tested: June 2024, June 2023, August 2022, July 2020 and September 2013. Page last checked: January 2025. We're not able to show every retailer and cheaper prices may be available. We've tested 33 chainsaws in total, but the table displays our top picks and Don't Buys only.
The chainsaws we tested
All the chainsaws we tested are listed in alphabetical order below.
Only logged-in Which? members can view the best chainsaws from our tests.
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Bosch EasyChain 18V-15-7
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Most recently tested June 2023
Power type Cordless
Blade length 12cm
Weight 1.7kg
Need to know The battery gives just over 12 minutes of cutting time and takes two hours to recharge
Bosch UniversalChain35
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Most recently tested July 2020
Power type Corded
Blade length 35cm
Weight 4.2kg
Need to know It has a 20cm cable connector with a 7-metre cable
Ego CS1800E
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Available from: Just Lawnmowers (£259.00) (Tool only)
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Most recently tested June 2024
Power type Cordless
Blade length 44cm
Weight 7.1kg
Need to know The battery gives more than 12 minutes of cutting time and takes 1 hour 20 minutes to recharge
Ego Power+ CS1400E
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Available from The Lawnmower Centre (£329.00)
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Most recently tested June 2023
Power type Cordless
Blade length 42cm
Weight 6.4kg
Need to know The battery gives 12.5 minutes of cutting time and it takes 1 hour 20minutes to recharge
Greenworks G40CS30
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Most recently tested July 2020
Power type Cordless
Blade length 31cm
Weight 3.9kg
Need to know The battery gives seven minutes of cutting time and takes one hour to recharge
Greenworks GWGD24X2CS36K4X
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Most recently tested August 2022
Power type Cordless
Blade length 35cm
Weight 5.7kg
Need to know The battery gives eight and a half minutes of cutting time and it takes over two hours to recharge
Hyundai HY2190
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Most recently tested June 2023
Power type Cordless
Blade length 31cm
Weight 2.6kg
Need to know The battery gives 10 minutes of cutting time and takes 2 hours 20 minutes to recharge
Hyundai HYC40LI
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Most recently tested August 2022
Power type Corded
Blade length 35cm
Weight 5kg
Need to know The battery gives 10 minutes of cutting time and takes 1 hour 20 minutes to recharge
Make quick work of reducing garden waste with the best garden shredders from our tough tests
Stiga CS 700e
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Available from: Stiga (£229) (Tool only)
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Most recently tested June 2023
Power type Cordless
Blade length 42cm
Weight 4.6kg
Need to know The battery gives 12 minutes of cutting time and it takes over three hours to recharge
Stihl MSA 70 CB
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Available from Stihl (£364)
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Most recently tested June 2024
Power type Cordless
Blade length 26cm
Weight 4.2kg
Need to know The battery gives 12 minutes of cutting time and it takes over two hours to recharge
Stihl MSA 200 CB
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Most recently tested September 2013
Power type Cordless
Blade length 35cm
Weight 3.3kg
Need to know The battery gives 15 minutes of cutting time and it takes just over an hour to recharge
Titan TTL758CHN
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Available from: Screwfix (£59.99)
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Most recently tested June 2024
Power type Corded
Blade length 46cm
Weight 5.1kg
Need to know It has a 3-metre power cable
Worx WG385e
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Most recently tested August 2022
Power type Cordless
Blade length 38cm
Weight 5.7kg
Need to know The battery gives nine minutes of cutting time and it takes over two hours to recharge
How we test chainsaws
- How well does it cut? We make a series of cuts with each chainsaw through logs of different sizes, from a small 5cm-diameter branch up to a 30cm-diameter log. We also run them through hard wood logs and a railway sleeper, timing how long it takes and rating how cleanly they cut.
- How easy is it to use? We assess how easy it is to set up and we review the quality of the instructions. We conduct 21 different tests to see how easy it is to use and manoeuvre among branches.
- How easy is it to maintain? We check how easy it is to top up the chain oil and tension the chain, and how simple the teeth are to sharpen. We rate how detailed the teeth-sharpening instructions are and how easy they are to follow.
- Is the battery replaceable? Lithium-ion batteries always deplete and eventually die over time, and we believe that cordless products should last longer than the batteries they come with. That's why we no longer give cordless chainsaws Best Buys if spare batteries cannot be bought from the manufacturer – no matter how good the chainsaw might be.
We regularly revisit the chainsaws on sale to see if there are any more popular brands that need testing and when we find them we do.
Find out more about how Which? is not influenced by product manufacturers or retailers and how your support helps us to stay editorially independent
Chainsaw types: what you need to know
Cordless chainsaws
Cordless chainsaws are ideal if you want to work among branches, as they don't have a trailing cable and are generally quite light and compact. They're less tiring to use and easier to manoeuvre than other chainsaw types. Before you buy, check the model you're considering has enough battery power and will run for long enough for your jobs.
Chainsaw batteries are powerful and can take a while to charge; between 30 minutes to over two hours is normal. They are quite expensive and often cost almost as much as the body of the machine itself. However a lot of manufacturers including Stihl, Ryobi, Bosch and Makita have batteries that can be used with other garden tools from that brand so, if you keep to one brand, you'll only have to buy one battery for most of your garden tools. If you use your cordless chainsaw a lot, it might be worth buying a second battery so that you don't have to stop working while it charges.
The chain needs lubricating with specialist oil to ensure it runs smoothly and doesn’t snag. Look for a chainsaw with an integrated oil chamber that supplies this oil automatically, as this will save you time and hassle; most models come with these as standard, but it’s worth checking before you buy.
Corded electric chainsaws
Corded electric chainsaws are mains-powered and come with a power cable attached. They are the cheapest models you can buy and ideal if you’re sawing logs or pruning close to the house and can plug the cable straight into a mains socket. Often the power cable is quite short, so if you're chopping logs at the end of your garden you may need to use an outdoor extension cable and residual current device (RCD), which cuts off the power if the cable is cut.
An electric-powered motor drives a metal chain, with lots of cutting teeth, at high speed around an oblong-shaped guide bar. As the spinning chain makes contact with a log or tree trunk, its teeth are dragged along the surface, cutting the wood. The circular motion of the chain keeps the bottom teeth in contact with the wood, so the saw keeps slicing until it has cut all the way through or the power is stopped. The motor doesn't need maintenance in the same way as a petrol engine, but this does mean that if it fails, there is less chance of a simple repair.
Similar to cordless models, the chainsaw chain needs lubricating with specialist oil , so look for a chainsaw with an integrated oil chamber.
Petrol chainsaws
A petrol chainsaw will cut through large logs faster than any other type of chainsaw and you can use it anywhere without the hassle of a trailing power cable, so it could be handy if you have a lot of logs to cut or heavy pruning to tackle in the garden.
However, we no longer test petrol chainsaws. Due to recent market shifts, we're seeing fewer launches of petrol-powered gardening tools, as manufacturers appear to be focusing their attention on cordless tools. These offer a better alternative for the environment and our health, as they’re quieter and produce zero emissions, while still being flexible and powerful enough to rival petrol tools.
The three most important chainsaw features
- Size. This relates to the weight of the saw and its guide bar. Weighty saws are usually more powerful, but can be more unwieldy. Saws with a longer bar are a good choice for thicker logs, though they're usually harder to start.
- Safety features. You'll find various safety additions on any chainsaw. Look out for a reduced-kickback chain, a second chain brake in the trigger to slow down the chain as you remove your finger, a throttle lock (to stop you pressing the trigger accidentally) and a chain catcher that stops the chain if it comes off the guide bar.
- Anti-vibration. These features are designed to minimise vibration to make your chainsaw safer and easier to use for longer periods.
What is chainsaw kickback?
Chainsaw kickback is where the guide bar gets thrown upwards and backwards towards the user at high speed and is the most common cause of serious chainsaw accidents. It can happen if the log you’re cutting shifts and pinches the tip of the guide bar, or if the tip of the guide bar and chain accidentally comes into contact with another branch, log or hard object.
The chain brake, which is positioned in front of the right hand, is designed to stop the chain dead if it’s automatically activated, to protect against kickback.
Kickback can happen to even the most experienced chainsaw operators, which is why it’s essential to wear the proper safety kit.
What to wear when using a chainsaw
When using a chainsaw you should wear a safety helmet, ear defenders, chainsaw trousers, chainsaw gloves and safety boots.
In the EU, all items of clothing containing chainsaw-protective fabric carry a special chainsaw logo and will give the class of protection the clothing gives you. The class tells you the maximum chain speed the fabric is designed to stop.
- Safety helmet - These look like construction hard hats and are designed to protect the user’s head from the force of impact from the bar and chain if kickback occurs, provided the chain brake has been activated and the chainsaw chain isn’t spinning. They won’t stop the path of the guide bar or the chain from cutting if it’s in motion. Most safety helmets have built-in ear defenders, and often transparent plastic or fine-mesh visors to protect the eyes from flying woodchips and dust. Prices start at about £15 online.
- Ear defenders - Chainsaws are incredibly noisy and prolonged use can cause hearing damage. Whether you’re using a petrol, corded electric or cordless battery machine, always wear ear defenders. Most safety helmets will have built-in ear defenders, but you can also buy them separately for about £10.
- Chainsaw trousers - Chainsaw trousers are made from layers of specialist fabric designed to slow the chain down by snagging it. They won’t block the path of a spinning chain completely, but, by slowing its progress, the resulting injury will be less severe. Prices of chainsaw trousers vary considerably, with a top-of-the-range branded pair costing in the region of £200. You should be able to get a decent pair for about £100 online, though.
- Chainsaw gloves - These gloves have a left-hand that's heavily padded with similar fabric to that used in chainsaw trousers, the right hand is generally less padded as it's further from the blade. They're designed to protect hands, while still being flexible enough to work comfortably, and cost between £10 and £35 to buy.
- Safety boots - Buy a pair of chainsaw safety boots that have a steel toe cap and a good grip to prevent accidental slipping when you’re using a chainsaw. Prices vary, starting at about £50.