Best Battery and Electric Chainsaws of 2025
We test nearly 40 battery-powered and corded chainsaws for cutting speed, handling, and safety. These seven come out on top.
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For years, battery-powered chainsaws couldn’t hold their own against gas models. But that has changed. Our testing proves that some battery-powered models can make more than 100 cuts through a 10-inch oak beam on a single charge. And plenty of those models will cut just as fast—if not faster—than gas chainsaws.
“In the early days, electric saws were pretty underpowered,” says Matt Schimmenti, the CR engineer in charge of chainsaw evaluations. “Now our tests show that the best electrics, particularly battery models, can go head-to-head with, or even surpass, gas models.”
There are currently more than 50 chainsaws in CR’s chainsaw ratings—and the overwhelming majority are battery-operated models. While you can still find a few corded electric models on the market—there’s only one model in CR’s current ratings—they have largely been surpassed by battery models. More than half of the electric models land above-average test scores for cutting speed. And eight electrics earn the top score we award for that attribute. For comparison, only two of the gas saws in our ratings do as well.
Best Battery Chainsaws
Battery-powered electric chainsaws have undergone significant improvements in recent years. And our top-rated battery models outscore the best gas chainsaws overall.
Best Corded Electric Chainsaw
You’ll find a handful of corded electric chainsaws in the marketplace, though we’re testing fewer of these models because battery-powered chainsaws have gotten better and offer greater convenience without the risk of you accidentally cutting the power cord. Additionally, these models offer limited flexibility because you can work only within a certain radius around a power outlet. But the best can cut just as quickly and effectively as smaller gas models.
How CR Tests Electric Chainsaws
CR’s engineers have established several processes for evaluating chainsaws.
Our testers measure how long it takes for each saw to cut through 10-inch-thick oak beams. We use oak because it’s one of the hardest woods most users will encounter on their property, and it makes for a particularly demanding test that reveals differences among models. Chainsaws that cut fastest earn the highest ratings for cutting speed.
To assess safety, we check for any kickback during cutting and evaluate how protected the cutting chain is from accidental contact during storage.
To evaluate how well a chainsaw handles, our engineers consider how easily it makes horizontal and vertical cuts. We also use a sound meter to measure noise levels, and a judgment to gauge vibration and comfort. Intense vibration can impede a user’s ability to make cuts efficiently.
To determine an ease-of-use score, our engineers inspect a range of features, including how simple the tool is to start, adjust, and maintain.
For each chainsaw’s final Overall Score, we incorporate ratings for predicted reliability and owner satisfaction, which are awarded on a brand (not model) level. These ratings reflect what thousands of CR members tell us in periodic surveys about their experiences with chainsaws they’ve purchased. Specifically, they report whether their chainsaws ever broke or stopped working properly during their first five years of ownership. Members also tell us how likely they are to recommend their chainsaw model to a friend or family member.
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