Back in the day, battery chainsaws used to be weak and ineffective. If you wanted a chainsaw that could get the job done well, then your only real option was to go with a petrol-powered machine.Â
Thankfully, this is no longer the case. The cordless chainsaws of today are now more powerful and efficient than ever. In some cases, their performance even rivals that of their petrol alternatives.
However, with so many different battery-powered chainsaw models out there, which one do you pick? Stick with us as we share all of the points that you’ll need to consider when choosing a new cordless chainsaw.
The Benefits of a Cordless Chainsaw
Still on the fence about whether to go with a cordless chainsaw over a petrol or electric model? Here are just a few of the benefits that a cordless chainsaw can offer:
- They’re very lightweight when compared to petrol chainsaws – this not only makes them easier to move around to different parts of your garden, but also gives you more manoeuvrability if you need to take your chainsaw up a ladder or a tree
- Convenience – you don’t need to worry about mixing up petrol, or about electric cables getting in the way, when you use a cordless chainsaw
- Easy to start – as soon as you hit the on/off button and pull the trigger, a cordless chainsaw kicks into action. Unlike a petrol chainsaw, you don’t need to worry about priming, choking, or pull-starting
- Less noise – one of the biggest advantages of a battery-powered chainsaw is that it’s far quieter than its petrol alternatives. There’s usually less vibration too, making it more comfortable to operate
- Health benefits – in addition to saving yourself from the noise that a petrol chainsaw makes, a cordless chainsaw also won’t subject you to exhaust fumes
The Importance of Battery Runtime
As we found when we reviewed six of the top cordless chainsaw models available, battery runtime greatly varies between models, even if you’re using the same sized battery. The difference can be pretty significant – a 5aH battery could give you 15 minutes of runtime with one model, yet 45 minutes with another.Â
Why such a discrepancy? Because everything from motor power to cutting speed to the wood that you’re working with affects runtime. This isn’t something that you’ll be able to easily test yourself before purchasing a chainsaw, but we would recommend reading through the many reviews out there to give yourself an idea of what the potential runtime would be for the model you’re considering.
It’s worth mentioning that some cordless chainsaws run on two batteries, rather than just one. However, don’t assume that this automatically correlates to a longer runtime – it could just be that two batteries are needed to run a powerful motor, and you may still end up with a shorter runtime than a chainsaw that uses just one battery.
Cutting Bar Length
The length of a chainsaw’s cutting bar will determine the size of wood that you can use the machine on. Although cordless chainsaws usually have a shorter bar than petrol chainsaws, there’s still a fair bit of variation to choose from, usually between 15-30cm.
If you’re only going to be cutting small and thin pieces of wood, then a short bar is all you need. However, if you plan on using your chainsaw to cut chunky logs and to fell trees, then go with a longer bar.
Understanding Motors
Cordless chainsaw motors come in different sizes. It goes without saying that the larger the motor, the more powerful your chainsaw will be. The downside to a large motor is that this will detract from your battery’s runtime.
It’s also worth checking whether or not the chainsaws you’re considering have brushless motors. These are becoming increasingly common and help to make a battery-powered chainsaw much more efficient.
Cutting Speed
A chainsaw’s cutting speed will tell you how fast that machine will be able to saw itself through a piece of wood. Smaller models could have a cutting speed of just 4 m/s, whereas higher-end cordless chainsaws can offer up to 20 m/s, which is comparable to a petrol chainsaw.
If you plan on only occasionally cutting smaller pieces of wood, then a slower cutting speed won’t make much of a difference. However, if you’re going to be using your chainsaw regularly on large chunks of timber, then a faster cutting speed will save you so much time.Â
Checking for Safety Features
Although they may be smaller and lighter than their petrol alternatives, cordless chainsaws still have the potential to cause just as much damage should an accident occur. As a result, you need to take safety very seriously.
First and foremost, even if you don’t plan on using your cordless chainsaw for heavy-duty tasks, you’ll still need to invest in protective clothing and accessories, including chainsaw trousers, boots, gloves, and a hat/helmet, as well as safety goggles and ear defenders (these usually come attached to the helmet). This is something required by law, so don’t take it lightly.
It’s also vital that the chainsaw you’re buying is fitted with appropriate safety features. Ideally, look for a model that offers both a chain brake, as well as a kickback brake. A hand guard is important too but pretty much every chainsaw will come with this.
Comfort and Ease of Use
If you’re going to be investing in a cordless chainsaw, then you’ll want a machine that’s going to be comfortable and easy to use. For this, you’ll need ergonomic, soft-grip handles, which most chainsaws usually come with. A secondary handle is also useful for giving you extra manoeuvrability.Â
Don’t forget to also check how much your chosen chainsaw weighs with the battery in. While it’s true that a lighter chainsaw is easier to move around, a little bit of weight is also helpful when it comes to keeping the chainsaw sturdy and steady while it’s in use. Most cordless chainsaws weigh somewhere between 5-7kg.
Back To Contents