Best Cordless, Top Handle Chainsaw

Best Battery, Top Handle Chainsaw | 8 Saws Tested

Saw Lineup

EchoBattery Top-Handle Chainsaw H2H
Model: DCS-2500T
Bare Tool Weight: 3.84 Lbs.
Battery Platform: 56V eFORCE
Battery Tested: 2.5 Ah
Manual Adjustable Oiler
Bar Length: 12″
Chain Pitch: 3/8″ Low Profile
Chain Gauge: 0.050″
Tool Warranty: 5 Year Consumer / 2 Year Commercial
Battery Warranty: 2 Year Consumer / 2 Year Commercial

Greenworks Commercial
Model: 48TH12
Bare Tool Weight: 6.10 Lbs.
Battery Platform: 48V DualVolt
Battery Tested: 4.0 Ah
Automatic Oiler
Bar Length: 12″
Chain Pitch: 3/8″
Chain Gauge: 0.050″
Tool Warranty: 2 Year Limited
Battery Warranty: 2 Year Limited

Husqvarna
Model: T540i XP
Bare Tool Weight: 5.66 Lbs.
Battery Platform: 40V
Battery Tested: Bi200X 5.2 Ah
Manual Adjustable Oiler
Bar Length: 12″, 14″,16″
Chain Pitch: 0.325″ Mini
Chain Gauge: 0.043″
Tool Warranty: 3 Year Consumer / 2 Year Commercial
Battery Warranty: 3 Year Consumer / 2 Year Commercial

Makita 36V LXT
Model: XCU08
Bare Tool Weight: 6.28 Lbs.
Battery Platform: (2x) 18V LXT
Battery Tested: (2X) 5.0 Ah
Manual Adjustable Oiler
Bar Length: 14″, 16″
Chain Pitch: 3/8″ Low Profile
Chain Gauge: 0.043″
Tool Warranty: 3 Year Limited
Battery Warranty: 3 Year Limited

Makita 40V XGT
Model: GCU03Z
Bare Tool Weight: 5.74 Lbs.
Battery Platform: 40V Max XGT
Battery Tested: 4.0 Ah
Manual Adjustable Oiler
Bar Length: 12″, 14″, 16″
Chain Pitch: 3/8″ Low Profile
Chain Gauge: 0.043″
Tool Warranty: 3 Year Limited
Battery Warranty: 3 Year Limited

Milwaukee M18 FUEL
Model: 2826-22T
Bare Tool Weight: 7.30 Lbs.
Battery Platform: M18 FUEL
Battery Tested: 8.0 Ah
Manual Adjustable Oiler
Bar Length: 12″, 14″
Chain Pitch: 3/8″ Low Profile
Chain Gauge: 0.043″
Tool Warranty: 5 Year Limited
Battery Warranty: 3 Year Limited

Stihl MSA 161T
Model: MSA 161T
Bare Tool Weight: 4.86 Lbs.
Battery Platform: 36V AP Series
Battery Tested: AP 300S 7.2 Ah
Manual Adjustable Oiler
Bar Length: 12″
Chain Pitch: 1/4″ PICCO Micro 3
Chain Gauge: 0.043″
Tool Warranty: 3 Year Consumer / 2 Year Commercial
Battery Warranty: 3 Year Consumer / 2 Year Commercial

Stihl MSA 220TC-O
Model: MSA 220TC-O
Bare Tool Weight: 6.10 Lbs.
Battery Platform: 36V AP Series
Battery Tested: AP 500S 9.4 Ah
Manual Adjustable Oiler
Bar Length: 14″
Chain Pitch: 3/8″ PICCO
Chain Gauge: 0.050″
Tool Warranty: 2 Year Commercial Only
Battery Warranty: 3 Year Consumer / 2 Year Commercial
Testing Criteria

Our saws were evaluated and ranked based on the following categories;

1.Ability to Stall Out
2.Small Diameter Speed Cut Testing
3.Large Diameter Speed Cut Testing
4.Weight
5.Decibel Output
6.Price
7.Features
8.Ergonomics

Based upon this information we named a best overall winner as well as a best value winner.

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[mhofma]

These head to head videos are by far the best tool reviews on YouTube. Always look forward to watching them, thanks!

[julianweiser]

You and ProjectFarm are the ultimate Tool testers. Love your large sample size and integration of newest tools.

[toddjones]

Best comprehensive electric saw review I have seen. Thank you!

[danieltreeworkernordin]

Me and my guys run Husqvarna T540i due to the fast recharge, waterprof system, lightweight, easy handling and easy maintenence. The T540i is a beast, i've been climing with Battery since 2017 and i would never ever buy a gas power top handle saw again, neither to me or my

[renejolicoeur]

I am full time camper and I will be buying the Milwaukee saw . To me the best choose.I used them professionally at work for years. Cheers.

[sirvozelo]

I have the STIHL 161T Over 3 years have used and abused this little Saw, so far it never fail.

[alwayson]

Underrated video. Thank you for taking the time to produce this!

[jake-mvoi]

I picked up the 14" Milwaukee for a small trail saw when offroading. It's nice to be able to use batteries I already have. If I were cutting bar-length wood all the time I'd get the bigger battery, but my 6.0s did alright cutting up a 12" dia. tree that came down in a recent storm, just didnt last long.

[jeffhaggerty]

Great review. Always a pleasure to watch. Keep it up Rob and team.

[weldonpinder]

Hey Rob I love your head to head videos and I've been anticipating a new hammer drill head to head since the last one a few years ago. I really enjoyed the impact driver one too

[bhepp]

Great video thank you! I just saw a utility company working near me and they had Milwaukee saws and I asked them their opinion. They loved them! And they said their company is getting away from gas saws all together. My climbing saw is an echo 355t witch has been awesome!
I may try the m18 even if just for smaller jobs.

[chipped]

I have both of the gen 1 Makitas, in x2 (7yrs)standard 14' ....as well as single 18v top handle (2yrs).
Both were bought due to price point only.

After having fuel gell the carbs due to not being used, see below.
They seldom get used at home whenever hurricanes hit the Ga coast (Idalia only fell a single tree).

The activate button on both saws, router, weed-whacker are rage inducing triggers.

Some bucket trucks have small hydraulic saws.
If i was a professional, price would be last on my priorities.

Well done Rob and crew!

[mccurjm]

Great review! I have the Milwaukee M18 14" top handle saw, which is great for me as a non-pro who does a fair amount of tree work for myself/family/friends and it shares the same battery platform as my other tools. I can't imagine going back to the Husqvarna T435 gas top handle saw I was using before. If I were a pro up trees all day every day, I'd probably choose the Husqvarna for a battery saw. The M18 top handle saw is fine hanging off my Sequoia harness but it's just bulkier and not nearly as refined as the Husqvarna.

The new Stihl is a monster in performance but also in size and weight. That's probably only going to matter on big stuff that I may as well drag my Stihl 261 up the tree to do and it will do it better. It's a gas saw that wouldn't be allowed in very few locations but otherwise could do bigger bucking work. Most tree work pros are already going to have a bigger saw (or multiple) anyway, so the Husky is still likely the best arborist top handle saw. I say that as a Milwaukee cordless tool and Stihl auto-tune gas saw fan. Husky just hit the right balance overall.

I'm looking forward to v2 of the Milwaukee top handle saw in the next couple years. They did a great job with this current version that was their first attempt at a top handle chainsaw. I hope v2 will take all the learnings from this version and add a lot of refinement to the solid platform they've started. A slimmer design with captive bar nut, bigger dogs, and dual loops (one for lanyard, one for harness hook) on the rear like the Husky has could make for a true competitor even for top level pro climbers.

[jimmyf]

Milwaukee: jack of all trades, master of… all of them

[OUTILSCLIPSQC]

I have the milwaukee 12" plate and its a pure beast !! Like the power the balance . 😎 good job on your video guys

[sirvozelo]

I really can't say much because the only one I have is the Stihl 161T but this one I have used and abused it for sure, way over manufacturers recommendation over 3 years so far never have any problem, I am not even sure if I with trade it for the Stihl 220C.

[riba]

Awesome test as usual, can't wait for the next one!
I have a small feedback about the scoring system, I don't think that you should value all points and categories equally and linearly. For example if the fastest saw is really ahead of others, it will still just get one point less. You should give the points for the category relative to the result, not just the position.
Similar story for the final rank, you are valuing all the categories equally for the total score, but for eg something like loudness and cutting speed are surely not equally important and should be scored with a different multiplier for the total score. That is just my humble opinion and a small nitpick, hopefully I am not being too hard :) I still think you have some of the best comparative tests in the industry!

[Shredice]

As an ice sculptor I'm always looking for good chainsaw options. Will forever be an electric Makita 5012b guy but battery powered stuff is great for small jobs and remote work. Love the videos!

[texashillcountryadv]

Would like to see the Ryobi 40 V top handle, tested.

[RYwoodview]

I picked up a Greenworks homeowner chain saw since I have other Greenworks outdoor 40v tools. No, it's not as fast and powerful as my gas-powered Stihl, but it does the job trimming limbs easily & conveniently. Love these saws!