Best 80V Cordless Chainsaws: Greenworks and Rivals (2026)

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The best 80-volt chainsaw is the Greenworks Pro 80V 18-inch brushless chainsaw, because it is the most widely sold saw on the 80V platform and Greenworks pitches its power as comparable to a 35 to 40 cc gas saw. Be clear about the market before you buy: 80V is essentially a Greenworks system (with Kobalt-branded tools built on the same platform in the past), while rivals such as EGO use 56V and Ryobi uses 40V. If you want the broadest choice of saws rather than the 80V label, the comparison table below shows how the 80V saw stacks up against the main alternatives.

For a woodworker, a cordless chainsaw is a yard and lumber-prep tool: breaking down storm-felled limbs, bucking firewood and cutting rough stock into manageable lengths before it goes to the sawmill or bandsaw. The things that matter are bar length, chain speed, how fast the chain stops, battery capacity and how well the saw handles being parked in a shed for months.

Quick comparison of the picks

Check which battery is in the box: kits vary, and a saw sold with a 2Ah pack will run for noticeably less time than the same saw with a 4Ah or 5Ah pack.

Best overall: Greenworks Pro 80V 18-inch (GCS80420)

This is the saw that defines the 80V class. It pairs a brushless motor in roughly the 1.8 kW range with an 18-inch bar, and Greenworks compares its output to a 35 to 40 cc gas chainsaw in its own buyer’s guidance. That is a manufacturer claim rather than an independent measurement, but the motor class does put it in the same use bracket as a small gas saw: firewood bucking, storm cleanup, and felling small trees.

For woodworkers, the draw is torque in dense hardwood. The trade-off is battery size. The 2Ah pack that ships with some kits gives a shorter run than a 5Ah pack on a rival platform, so budget for a second or larger 80V battery if you plan to cut firewood for more than 20 minutes at a stretch.

Best for limbing and light cutting: Greenworks 80V shorter-bar saw

If most of your cutting is pruning, limbing and trimming, a shorter-bar 80V saw saves weight and makes one-handed cuts safer. It uses the same battery as the 18-inch model, so one pack covers the entire set. The trade-off is cutting capacity: a 12 to 16-inch bar will not handle large logs in a single pass, and you will need to cut from both sides.

Because Greenworks updates its lineup regularly, check the current bar length and model number on the maker’s page before ordering.

Best for overhead pruning: Greenworks 80V pole saw

A telescoping pole saw lets you remove branches up to a few inches in diameter without a ladder, which is safer than climbing with a running saw. On the 80V system, the pole saw uses the same battery as the chainsaw and mower, so it adds capability without adding a new charger.

The trade-off is cutting speed and balance. Pole saws are head-heavy at full extension, and the bar is shorter than a standard chainsaw. They are for pruning, not for felling.

Best alternative: EGO Power+ CS1804 (56V)

EGO is not an 80V brand, but its 18-inch 56V saw is the most common comparison for anyone shopping this class. The standard kit includes a 5Ah battery, which runs longer than the 2Ah pack common with Greenworks 80V kits. EGO also offers a longer tool warranty than many competitors. If your goal is a powerful cordless saw, not the 80V label, this is the saw to compare against.

The trade-off is price and platform: if you already own Greenworks 80V tools, EGO means a new battery family.

Best budget alternative: Ryobi 40V HP RY405100

The Ryobi 40V HP 18-inch saw is the lowest-cost choice in this guide and includes a 4Ah battery and charger. It is well suited for limbing, light pruning and removing small trees. It is a good option if you already own Ryobi 40V tools.

The trade-off is power in large hardwoods, where a higher-voltage saw maintains chain speed better.

How to choose a cordless chainsaw

Bar length

Choose a bar at least 2 inches longer than the biggest log diameter you plan to cut. A 16-inch bar cuts logs up to about 12 to 14 inches comfortably; an 18-inch bar handles logs up to about 15 to 16 inches.

Battery capacity and a runtime example

An 80V 2Ah pack stores about 160 Wh, and an 80V 4Ah pack stores about 320 Wh. If a saw draws roughly 1,000 W while cutting hardwood, a 160 Wh pack gives about 9 minutes of cutting time and a 320 Wh pack about 19 minutes. A 56V 5Ah EGO pack stores 280 Wh, or about 17 minutes at the same load. These are estimates for planning purposes, not measured results.

Chain brake and kickback safety

Look for a chain brake and an anti-kickback chain. A cordless saw has instant torque at the trigger, so kickback is a real hazard; wear chaps, eye and ear protection, gloves and a helmet when felling or bucking.

Oiling and tensioning

Check whether the saw has a tool-free tension adjuster and an automatic oiler. Oil reservoir visibility makes it easier to avoid running dry.

Weight

Battery saws weigh about 10 to 14 pounds with the pack installed. Weight affects fatigue and control, so a lighter saw is better for repeated cuts.

Ownership realities

• Chain wear: chains dull quickly when they touch dirt. Keep a spare chain and a file or sharpener, since a dull chain produces fine dust instead of chips and increases battery drain.
• Bar and chain oil: use bar-and-chain oil, not motor oil, and top up before each session.
• Battery storage: store packs indoors, partly charged, since cold reduces output.
• Cleaning: brush sawdust from the sprocket cover after each use to prevent chain-tension problems.

Which one fits your situation

80V, 56V and 40V saws side by side

Voltage labels differ across brands, so use this table to compare the systems rather than the numbers alone. Energy is voltage multiplied by amp-hours, using the battery most commonly bundled in a kit.

The estimates assume continuous heavy cutting and ignore losses, so they are best read as a way to compare packs rather than as a promise. The takeaway: an 80V saw sold with a 2Ah pack stores the same energy as a 40V saw with a 4Ah pack. The advantage of higher voltage is less current for the same power, which reduces heat in the motor and cables, not a free increase in runtime. If runtime matters most, buy the biggest pack you can afford on whichever platform you choose.

Worked example: a cord of firewood

A face cord of 16-inch firewood from 8-inch-diameter logs needs roughly 100 to 120 cuts, and each cut in seasoned hardwood takes about 8 to 12 seconds of real cutting time. That is about 15 to 24 minutes of cutting. On a 160 Wh pack, which gives about 9 minutes of heavy cutting, you would use two to three batteries. On a 320 Wh pack, about one and a half. The lesson is that anyone processing firewood regularly should plan on two large packs and a fast charger, and anyone cutting only a few storm-felled limbs a year can manage with one.

Safety gear and technique for cordless saws

A battery saw feels tame because it is quiet, but the chain moves as fast as a gas saw’s. Treat it with the same discipline.

1. Wear the right gear. Cut-resistant chaps, a helmet with face shield, ear protection, gloves and non-slip boots are the baseline.
2. Remove the battery for maintenance. Always take the pack out before adjusting the chain, clearing a jam or changing the bar.
3. Keep the bar tip clear. Kickback happens when the upper tip of the bar contacts something, so avoid cutting with it.
4. Support the log. Cut on a sawbuck or secure the log so it does not pinch the bar. Check which side is under compression before cutting.
5. Stop when tired. Fatigue is when most accidents occur.

If you are felling trees larger than a few inches or working near power lines, hire a professional arborist.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is there a Kobalt 80V chainsaw?

Kobalt has sold 80V tools built on the same platform as Greenworks, but its lineup has changed over time. Check current availability and battery compatibility on the retailer and manufacturer pages.

Is an 80V chainsaw as powerful as a gas saw?

Greenworks says its 18-inch 80V saw matches a 35 to 40 cc gas saw. That puts it in the homeowner gas class, not in the class of professional 60 cc saws, so it suits yard work and firewood rather than felling large trees.

How long does an 80V chainsaw battery last?

A 2Ah pack gives about 10 minutes of continuous heavy cutting and a 4Ah pack about twice that, but light pruning stretches the time considerably.

Can I use an 80V battery in other tools?

Yes, within the 80V Greenworks system, which includes mowers, trimmers and blowers. It does not fit EGO, DeWalt or Ryobi tools.

What size chainsaw do I need for firewood?

An 18-inch bar handles most firewood logs. For logs larger than 14 inches in diameter, you will want a longer bar or a gas saw.