By Mike Szostech Last updated
Whether you’re a hobby farmer or homeowner, we hope this information will help you choose the best cordless chainsaw Canada.
It wasn’t too many years ago that a cordless chainsaw would’ve been a sad joke. With battery technology that didn’t last long and was heavy, a battery powered chainsaw would’ve been reserved for really specific tasks (like cutting large beams inside an occupied living space where fumes would be bad).
Now, brushless motor technology and lithium-ion battery tech provide enough torque to compete directly with similarly sized gasoline powered chainsaws. In fact, in some head to head tests, the best cordless chainsaws in Canada actually cut faster than the gasoline competitors.
Best Cordless Chainsaw Canada Comparisons
Hey Canada! This section helps you compare the features of these products to help you choose the best option for you! Click on the product name to jump down to that specific review.
Motor
All of the (good) modern cordless chainsaws use a brushless motor for maximum efficiency. Only some of the saws have a variable speed trigger, while the others have a one-speed on or off style trigger. The motor RPM rating means that the chain will be moving faster, which, in theory means that it can cut faster. The problem is that if the electric motor doesn't have the torque to handle it, that means the chainsaw just bogs down easier at higher chain speed if you really lean into the cut (Oregon CS300 is bad for this). On the other hand, if the battery powered chainsaw has the power, then a faster chain speed means it can chew through the wood and make faster cuts - like the higher end models from DeWalt and Makita models.
Battery
Batteries are one of the most expensive components of a cordless chainsaw, so if you already have a cordless tool set and batteries, it's likely that the best cordless chainsaw Canada will be the chainsaw that fits your batteries. You'll save $100 or more buying the bare tool. The voltage of the battery pack should have some impact on the power of the save, but it wasn't always the highest voltage saws that performed the best.
Bar
Chain
Warranty
Made in
Noise
One of the main advantages of a cordless chainsaw is the level of noise it creates is much less than a gas-powered saw. Some of these chainsaws were very quiet, and others were kinda quiet. They all rank 10+ db less than gas powered saws.
Weight
The battery pack on the cordless chainsaw is almost 30% of it's weight, so the saws with a smaller battery are lighter - but they can't cut as much on a single charge. The other factor for weight is balance - and the best cordless chainsaw Canada isn't just one that looks nice, but is easy and safe to handle. Saws that have the battery pack inbetween the front and rear hand grips are balanced more like a traditional gas-powered chainsaw. Battery packs mounted underneath the rear hand grip are more rear-heavy and not as nimble feeling.
How to choose the best cordless chainsaw Canada
While some of the battery powered chainsaws listed below aren’t, in our opinion, worth buying, it really depends on the type of cutting you want to do, as well as one other major factor – the battery.
If you already own EGO cordless lawn equipment, then that will be the chainsaw you should buy. If you already own a DeWalt cordless drill Canada, or Makita, or Milwaukee power tools, then you will want to seriously look at getting the matching cordless chainsaw.
Why? Because you can swap batteries between your tools, which means that you can have more than one battery to swap and charge to increase cutting time when you need it – all without spending extra on a second battery!
If you don’t own any cordless tools, or you don’t mind getting into a separate cordless lineup, then check out our Overall Best Cordless Chainsaw Canada pick.
Best Cordless Chainsaw Overall - Echo Cordless Chainsaw
Just barely beating out the DeWalt in some tests, and having a better battery life (ie. more cuts before needing a recharge) and a quicker recharge time than the DeWalt, this takes the top spot as the 'Best Cordless Chainsaw Canada'.
Cost-wise, it's about right on par with the DeWalt, so if you can get a deal on the Echo, go for it!
It's a very sturdy built cordless chainsaw, with metal brackets and studs that hold the chainsaw bar in place. The tool for adjusting and tightening the bar is mounted on the bottom side of the handle for quick and easy access.
The trigger safety switch is a little bit awkward, mounted up high above the handle, and it seems like it would be frustratingly difficult to reach if you were using this saw all day.
Get the best price Echo 58v Brushless Cordless Chainsaw in Canada from:
Best Cordless Chainsaw Overall - Echo Cordless Chainsaw review details:
Echo 58v Brushless Cordless Chainsaw Reviews
ToolBox Buzz ranked it as the #1 on their list claiming it was the 'Speed Cutting Test' in their product review. [September 2020]
The Echo cordless chainsaw uses a slower chain speed but delivers power to cut through quickly without bogging down.
Popular Mechanics - Best Value [December 2020]
If you’re moving over from a gas model to a cordless, this would be a good choice.
Tech Gear Lab ranked it as the #2 on their list claiming it was the 'Editor's Choice' in their product review. [source]
They highly recommend this model if you are looking for the best you can get in a cordless chainsaw
ToolBox Buzz ranked it as the #1 on their list claiming it was the 'Best Overall Value Cordless Chainsaw' in their product review. [September 2020]
Of all the cordless chainsaws they tested, the Echo stood out as having outstanding performance while still being lower priced than comparable saws.
Project Farm YouTube Channel ranked it as the #1 on their list claiming it was the 'Best Cordless Chainsaw' in their product review. [December 2020]
The Echo is by far the best chainsaw - very sturdy build and very good battery.
Best Cordless Chainsaw for DIYers - DeWalt FlexVolt Chainsaw
We rank this the highest for DIYers, because if you already have DeWalt cordless tools, then this is the saw you should buy.
The only cordless chainsaw that beat out this model was the Echo, but it didn't beat it by enough to warrant buying a separate battery and charging system to go with that tool if you already have DeWalt 20V tools.
The DeWalt FlexVolt chainsaw is the fastest cutting best cordless chainsaw Canada, only sometimes being beat by the Echo saw.
Get the best price Dewalt FlexVolt Cordless Chainsaw in Canada from:
Best Cordless Chainsaw for DIYers - DeWalt FlexVolt Chainsaw review details:
Dewalt FlexVolt Cordless Chainsaw Reviews
ToolBox Buzz ranked it as the #2 on their list claiming it was the 'Best Cordless Chainsaw' in their product review. [September 2020]
Overall ranks, the DeWalt FlexVolt tied with the Husqvarna, slightly behind the Stihl professional saw, but ahead of all other competitors.
Canadian woodworking ranked it as the #1 on their list claiming it was the 'Best Professional Cordless Chainsaw' in their product review. [September 2020]
Chosen because of the longest usable bar in it's class, and the most power suitable for downing small trees, cutting firewood, or for renovations and demolition.
Popular Mechanics - Contractor-Duty [December 2020]
DeWalt fans will not be disappointed with this saw. It’s a powerful cutter and it's easy to use.
Bob Vila - Upgrade Pick [source]
One of the most powerful battery chainsaws you can buy.
ToolBox Buzz ranked it as the #2 on their list claiming it was the 'Decibel Output Rating' in their product review. [September 2020]
The DeWalt saw just barely missed the top spot by 0.1 decibels. At 74.5, it's quiet enough to cut all day long without annoying your neighbors.
ToolBox Buzz ranked it as the #1 on their list claiming it was the 'Overall Cordless Chainsaw Features' in their product review. [September 2020]
The DEWALT Flexvolt has an outstanding feature set that is very user friendly - from the manual chain brake to the tool-free chain tensioner. Our only wish is that they had metal bumper spikes instead of plastic ones.
Budget Pick - Ego POWER+ Cordless Chainsaw
While not as fast as the 2 best cordless chainsaws, the Ego POWER+ is a good option. Plus, it can be a few hundred dollars cheaper than the others.
The battery doesn't seem to last as long, so it could be worthwhile getting a second battery pack if you plan on doing a lot of cutting all at once.
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Budget Pick - Ego POWER+ Cordless Chainsaw review details:
Ego Cordless Chainsaw Reviews
ProToolReviews ranked it as the #2 on their list claiming it was the 'Best Cordless Chainsaw for Home Use' in their product review. [source]
It has excellent power and there’s plenty of runtime. It has an easy to adjust chain tensioner and an LED for storm cleanup in the dark.
Popular Mechanics - Quiet [December 2020]
Impressively quiet chainsaw and boasts a large dial to tighten the chain. Word of warning, the filler neck for bar oil is narrow and easy to overfill, and the cap isn't tethered.
Tools In Action [July 2016]
The saw is easy to use, powerful and just one of those tools you will love to use.
Makita LXT Cordless Chainsaw
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Makita LXT Cordless Chainsaw review details:
Makita Cordless Chainsaw Reviews
Bob Vila ranked it as the #1 on their list claiming it was the 'Best Overall' in their product review. [source]
Enough power to cut through a 12 inch tree, and under 11 pounds making it easy to handle.
ToolBox Buzz ranked it as the #3 on their list claiming it was the 'Overall Size and Balance' in their product review. [September 2020]
The Makita cordless chainsaw Canada offered a great combination of weight and balance, and feels similar to a gas powered saw.
ToolBox Buzz ranked it as the #4 on their list claiming it was the 'Best Cordless Chainsaw Results' in their product review. [September 2020]
Scoring less than the winner from Stihl, and one point less than the Husqvarna and DeWalt FlexVolt, the Makita was a solid performer and finished in 4th place
Ryobi Cordless Chainsaw
Get the best price Ryobi Cordless Chainsaw in Canada from:
Ryobi Cordless Chainsaw review details:
WORX Cordless Chainsaw
Get the best price WORX WG384 Cordless Chainsaw in Canada from:
WORX Cordless Chainsaw review details:
Milwaukee Fuel Cordless Chainsaw
Get the best price Milwaukee Fuel Cordless Chainsaw in Canada from:
Milwaukee Fuel Cordless Chainsaw review details:
Milwaukee Fuel Cordless Chainsaw Reviews
Tool Box Buzz ranked it as the #2 on their list claiming it was the 'Cordless Chainsaw Runtime Test' in their product review. [September 2020]
The Milwaukee placed second in the runtime test even. It uses a lower chain speed and delivers a ton of torque while cutting.
Tech Gear Lab ranked it as the #1 on their list claiming it was the 'Top Pick' in their product review. [October 2020]
The battery for this saw works for a long list of other tools made by the same brand, has terrific cutting power, and winds-up in an instant
Popular Mechanics - Contractor to Landscaper [December 2020]
It cuts viciously, and we pushed it as hard as we could.
Oregon Cordless Chainsaw
Oregon is world-renowned for their chainsaw bars and cutting chains, and yet this chainsaw model leaves something to be desired. The one standout feature is the automatic chainsaw sharpening system that Oregon has built into this cordless chainsaw.
With mixed reviews, I think it's quickly obvious who is recommending based on the CS300 product description and who is recommending based on real hands-on testing.
The CS300 isn't a bad saw, it just isn't a great saw and there are other options out there for the same price point.
Get the best price Oregon CS300 Cordless Chainsaw in Canada from:
Oregon Cordless Chainsaw review details:
Oregon CS300 Cordless Chainsaw Reviews
ToolBox Buzz ranked it as the #2 on their list claiming it was the 'Best Cordless Chainsaw Features' in their product review. [September 2020]
This saw is packed with features, including a self-sharpening system that sharpens the cutting chain in less than 5 seconds!
More help for choosing the Best Cordless Chainsaw Canada
If you love watching comparisons, check out this amazing head-to-head comparison from Project Farm. They go through all the different comparison factors before determining their pick for the best cordless chainsaw.
From weight and balance of the chainsaw, to cutting speed, to ease of operation, it’s a fun and entertaining review.
Do I need to sharpen a cordless chainsaw?
Even though a cordless chainsaw is a new high-tech version of a traditional chainsaw, it still requires oil for the chain, and it still wears down and gets dull. If you notice cutting is getting more difficult, or if the saw just doesn’t make large sawdust the way it used to, then you’ll need to sharpen the chain.
If sharpening the chain really sounds like a hassle to you, then you’ll want to look at the Oregon saw – it’s in our ‘Best Cordless Chainsaw Canada’ list for a couple reasons.
Oregon has been in the chainsaw business so long you’ll notice all of the other best cordless chainsaws use Oregon bars and chains. Plus, the Oregon saw has a cool patented auto-sharpening system built right onto the saw.
This Ryobi Chainsaw has very good performance. I still learn about this product for buying an electric or battery chainsaw. Thank you so much for this cool share.
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