Best Chainsaws 2026: Oregon, EGO, DeWalt & Greenworks Tested

The EGO CS1400 at $219 earns the top pick by bridging the gap between the $169 DeWalt pruner and the $587 Husqvarna gas saw — with a 14-inch bar and 56V arc lithium battery that delivers gas-comparable cutting power without engine maintenance. The 14-inch bar handles trees up to 26 inches in diameter, covering the full range of residential cutting tasks from storm cleanup to firewood processing. At $219 versus the STIHL MS 170 ($199.99), the EGO costs $19 more but eliminates gas mixing, engine break-in, and cold-start frustration. Against the Husqvarna Rancher ($586), it costs $367 less — a reasonable trade for most homeowners who don't need sustained gas runtime. The automatic chain oiler with transparent reservoir extends bar life without manual oil checks before each use. Best for homeowners who want gas-level power without gas maintenance — felling small trees, processing firewood, clearing after storms. The 56V battery is proprietary to the EGO platform, so battery investment stays within the ecosystem. Skip it if you cut for hours continuously: battery runtime is finite where gas refills in minutes. For that workload, the Husqvarna Rancher is the right tool.

The Husqvarna 455 Rancher at $586.31 is the professional-tier option on this page — a 20-inch bar, 55cc X-Torq engine, and 3.5 HP that handles tasks the cordless alternatives at $169-$279 can't: large-diameter hardwood, extended felling sessions, and sustained output that gas provides where batteries don't. X-Torq engine technology reduces fuel consumption while maintaining cutting power, which matters over a full day's work. At $586, the Husqvarna costs more than triple the EGO ($219) and STIHL ($199.99). What justifies that gap: no battery limits, no warm-up wait for cold conditions, a 20-inch bar that processes logs the 12-14 inch cordless options can't, and Husqvarna's professional-grade build quality. At 13.2 lbs, overhead cuts become fatiguing faster than with lighter alternatives — this is a two-handed, ground-level saw for serious cutting. Best for rural property owners with large trees, hardwood lots, or regular storm cleanup that consistently exceeds homeowner-grade saw capacity. Skip it if your cutting is seasonal and moderate — the EGO CS1400 at $219 handles residential tasks at one-third the price with none of the maintenance overhead. The Husqvarna requires a break-in period and regular chain sharpening; it rewards systematic maintenance, not occasional use.

The DeWalt DCCS620B at $169 (tool only) is the entry point for existing DeWalt 20V MAX battery owners — for them, the effective cost is $169 for a compact limbing and pruning chainsaw added to a battery system that already powers 200+ tools. That platform leverage is the core case for choosing DeWalt over the STIHL ($199.99) or EGO ($219) for light-duty cutting tasks. At $169, the DEWALT is the lowest-priced option on this page, and it serves a narrower purpose: pruning, limbing, and light log processing up to approximately 8-10 inches in diameter. Tool-free chain tensioning makes maintenance faster than gas alternatives, and the low-kickback chain reduces risk for less experienced operators. Against the EGO's 14-inch bar at $219, the 12-inch bar is a hard ceiling on log diameter that can't be upgraded with a different bar. Best for homeowners who already run the DeWalt 20V MAX ecosystem and need an occasional-use chainsaw for yard maintenance and seasonal pruning. Battery sold separately — new DeWalt users should factor full system cost against the EGO CS1400's all-in $219 before deciding. Skip it for felling trees or regular firewood work: the 12-inch bar and 20V output aren't designed for that load, and pushing it beyond light-duty use shortens both chain and bar life.

BLACK+DECKER LCS1020 is the entry-level cordless option on this page — a 10-inch 20V MAX chainsaw for limbing, light pruning, and small log cutting where a lightweight tool at minimum cost covers the requirement without a gas-powered or higher-voltage investment. At 7.2 lbs, the LCS1020 is notably lighter than the 14-inch cordless options on this page for overhead limbing and extended work sessions where arm fatigue is a real constraint. Compatibility with the BLACK+DECKER 20V MAX ecosystem — shared across 150+ tools — means existing BLACK+DECKER battery users can run this saw on their existing battery rather than purchasing a new platform's battery. At $149.00, BLACK+DECKER is the lowest-priced chainsaw on this page — $70.00 below the EGO CS1400 14-inch 56V at $219.00 (Our Top Pick) and $50.99 below the STIHL MS 170 16-inch at $199.99 (Best Budget). The EGO at $219 provides a 14-inch bar and 56V power for larger cutting work; the STIHL MS 170 is a gas chainsaw with 16-inch capability for professional residential cutting. The 10-inch bar limits the BLACK+DECKER to logs under 9 inches diameter — capable for limbing and light cleanup, but not for felling and bucking the diameter trees that the 16–20-inch options on this page handle. Choose BLACK+DECKER LCS1020 10-Inch 20V MAX Cordless Chainsaw for homeowners who need occasional light limbing, small branch cleanup, and log cutting under 9 inches diameter — the 7.2 lb weight, 20V MAX ecosystem compatibility, and auto-oiling chain reduce the operational complexity of entry-level saw ownership. Skip it for felling and large-diameter work: the EGO CS1400 at $219.00 provides a 14-inch bar and 56V capacity that handles actual tree felling and larger residential cutting, and the STIHL MS 170 at $199.99 is the gas budget option for 16-inch cutting capability.