The BLACK+DECKER LCS1240 40V Cordless Chainsaw is the best cordless chainsaw for the value it provides.
It takes time to prune branches from the trees in your garden. A pruning saw is good but it’s not the best tool for this work.
That’s why you need a good cordless chainsaw that helps trim those branches with ease and comfort.
Let’s take a look at the best cordless chainsaw you can buy to help improve your garden.
What is a small chainsaw?
A chainsaw is a powerful cutting tool that comes with a bar and chain that runs with a motor. The motor engine would either use gas or electricity.
When you want to trim branches, small trees, and shrubs in your garden, a small chainsaw can be useful. It provides the right cutting power, is easy to handle, and inexpensive.
What are the different types of small chainsaw?
There are two types of small chainsaw based on their power source.
Gas-powered small chainsaw
A gas-powered small chainsaw has a 2-cycle engine that runs on a mixture of oil and gas.
The benefit of using this chainsaw is it’s very portable and runs for a while on a tank of gas. It also tends to be more powerful than an electric chainsaw.
The problem with a gas chainsaw is that it’s heavy, noisy and has high emissions compared to an electric one. It also needs more maintenance because of parts like the engine and air filter.
Electric small chainsaw
An electric small chainsaw can either be corded or cordless.
The corded chainsaw needs to be plugged into a socket for it to work. It’s lightweight and inexpensive but limited in range by the outdoor extension cord you use.
The cordless chainsaw runs on battery power. So it’s more portable than a corded one. But the battery makes it heavier and a little expensive.
An electric small chainsaw needs less maintenance compared to a gas chainsaw. They don’t create much noise and emissions as well.
Do you need a small cordless chainsaw?
If you have plenty of trees in your garden, you’ll need a chainsaw to trim the branches.
The type of chainsaw you need to choose depends on the power you need and the portability. If you have a small garden with a few trees, a small cordless chainsaw is all you need.
It’s easy to use, inexpensive compared to a gas chainsaw, less noisy and has no emissions. And it’s portable enough for using it in your small garden.
How to choose the best cordless chainsaw
You should consider these factors before buying a cordless chainsaw so you get the best value for money.
Guide bar length
The guide bar length gives the distance from the tip of the bar to the end where the bar connects to the motor.
The longer the guide bar the thicker the branches it can trim. But you don’t need a very large guide bar for trimming small trees in your garden. A guide bar length between 10 to 16 inches should be more than enough.
Make sure that the guide bar length is 2 inches more than the thickness of the branches you want to trim.
Power
The power of the small cordless chainsaw will tell you how the cutting performance is. The higher the power, the faster and smoother the cutting will be.
But for a small chainsaw, you don’t need a very high power. A cordless chainsaw that comes with a power between 20V to 40V should be good enough.
Portability
It’s important that your small chainsaw is lightweight and easy to carry around in the garden.
A cordless chainsaw makes it portable to use because of the battery that comes with it. But this also tends to increase the weight compared to a corded one.
Select a cordless chainsaw that is lightweight and you feel comfortable to hold for a long period of time.
Tension adjustment
The small cordless chainsaw has a bar and chain that does the cutting.
You want to make sure the chain has the right tension around the bar. This means it should not be too tight that it breaks or too loose that it flies off.
The right tension will help give you good cutting performance, protect you from injury, and extend the life of the chainsaw.
Some chainsaws need a tool to adjust the tension while others come with an easy adjustment knob. There are a few chainsaws where the chain tension can be adjusted with the push of a button.
Safety features
A chainsaw can be a dangerous equipment if you’re not careful with it. A small cordless chainsaw has lower power than a professional one but it’s still dangerous.
Make sure that the chainsaw comes with the required safety features.
Kickback is something that happens when the tip of the chainsaw touches the wood and comes flying back at you. Make sure the cordless chainsaw comes with a handbrake that can protect you against such kickback.
Some chainsaws come with an anti-kickback system that automatically activates the brakes in case of a kickback.
Some beginner level chainsaws come with a kickback protector attached at the tip of the bar.
Automatic oiling system
The friction that happens when using the bar and chain tends to wear down the chainsaw. That’s why it’s necessary to have a well-oiled bar and chain.
You may need to oil the bar and chain manually after some cutting to keep its performance. Many chainsaws come with an automatic oiler which feeds oil from a reservoir to the bar and chain.
Ergonomics
A small cordless chainsaw will be lighter than a gas one but you still need to ensure it’s comfortable.
Hold the chainsaw and make sure the grip is comfortable and ergonomic. Make sure you’ll be able to use the chainsaw for a long period in your garden.
The weight of the chainsaw should be well-distributed so you don’t feel imbalance when using it.
Auto chain sharpener
The chain of your small cordless chainsaw will keep getting worn out after the cutting sessions.
You’ll need to ensure it’s sharp before you begin the cutting. If not, you’ll need to sharpen it. This will protect you from injury, improve the chainsaw performance and life.
You can keep it sharp using a sharpening tool or get the help of a professional who can sharpen it. Some chainsaws come with an automatic sharpening tool but it’s not that common.
Price
The small cordless chainsaw is inexpensive compared to a gas one but that also depends on the brand and quality.
We recommend getting the best quality cordless chainsaw even if it costs a bit more. The price could also increase based on the battery size and power.
But if you’ll not use it often, consider a budget cordless chainsaw that gets the job done.
Precautions when using a small cordless chainsaw
The small cordless chainsaw can be dangerous if you don’t use the right precautions.
Safety gear is mandatory before using the chainsaw. You want a good pair of boots and thick pants. Always wear chainsaw chaps before using the chainsaw.
Protect your eyes from debris by using safety goggles. And protect your hands with a good pair of gloves. You also need a good helmet that will protect your head from falling branches.
Make sure the chainsaw blade is sharp before using the chainsaw. A sharp blade will give you good performance, extend the life of the chainsaw, and protect you from injury.
Use the tension adjustment to make sure there is good tension in the chain before use.
Make sure there’s plenty of oil in the reservoir before using the chainsaw. This will keep the bar and chain well-oiled and give you good performance.
The battery of your cordless chainsaw should be charged enough so you can use the chainsaw for your cutting session.
Always test the handbrake before using the cordless chainsaw. This is crucial to protect you from injury due to kickback.
Before using the cordless chainsaw, make sure that the area is clear of debris. Don’t let children and pets wander around in the work area.
When using the chainsaw, stand at the side rather than behind it. This will protect you in case of a kickback as the chainsaw will not fly onto your body.
Don’t use the chainsaw on a ladder or above your head. For tall branches, use a pole saw or get the help of a professional.
When cutting branches, use the lower end of the bar to do the cutting. Don’t force the bar into the wood, let it do the work as you place the bar on the branch.
How to use a small cordless chainsaw
Make sure the blade is clean, sharp, and well-oiled before trying to use the cordless chainsaw.
You want a stable position when using the chainsaw. Keep your feet shoulder width apart and have a slight bend in the knees to give you stability.
Press and hold the throttle lockout and then you can push the throttle to start the chainsaw. Then you can release the throttle lockout and push the throttle to use the chainsaw.
Hold the cordless chainsaw at the side and place the blade on the wood that you want to trim. Apply steady pressure and let the chainsaw do the cutting.
If the branch is very thick, you can make a small undercut beneath the branch so you control where it falls. Then place the chainsaw at the top of the branch and make a small cut that works as a notch.
Keep the chainsaw in this notch and start cutting till the branch falls where you expect it to.
Once the trimming work is done, you can release the throttle to turn the chainsaw off. You should engage the handbrake whenever you’re not using the chainsaw.
You can clean the bar and chain of any debris using a damp cloth and store it in a place away from children and pets.
Maintaining your small cordless chainsaw
You want to maintain your small cordless chainsaw in the best condition. This will give you good cutting performance and keep it working for a long time.
Before using the cordless chainsaw, make sure the chain is sharp. This gives you good cutting performance, extends the life of the chainsaw, and protects you from injury.
A well-oiled chainsaw does the same thing as well. Keep the oil reservoir filled with oil before using the chainsaw. This will improve the cutting performance and keep the chainsaw in good shape.
After the cutting session and turning off the chainsaw, clean the debris with the help of a damp cloth.
Cover the blade with a protective cover and store it in a safe place away from children and pets.
Reviews
- 12-INCH CORDLESS ELECTRIC CHAINSAW - 40V MAX battery-powered chainsaw with extended runtime
- SMOOTH, FAST CUTS - OREGON low-kickback bar and chain for easy and efficient cutting
- TOOL-FREE CHAIN TENSIONING - Quickly and easily adjust chain tension
Last update on 2024-04-17 // Source: Amazon Affiliates
The Black+Decker LCS1240 is a 40V cordless chainsaw that has a 12-inch bar. This is good as a small chainsaw for trimming branches in your garden.
The 40V battery is good enough to last you a long time while trimming branches.
It comes with an automatic oiling system that keeps the bar and chain well-oiled to give you good cutting performance. It does tend to consume a lot of oil and leaks oil when in storage.
The tool-free chain tensioning system will help you adjust the chain tension to the optimal performance level.
The handle is ergonomic and full wrap around which means you can hold it in different cutting orientations.
This cordless chainsaw weighs 10.4 lbs which is not the most lightweight but good enough to use for a long trimming session in the garden.
The Black+Decker LCS1240 comes with a limited two-year warranty which is good against manufacturing defects.
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- 40V COMPACT CHAINSAW – perfect for homeowners and occasional users.power: Cordless
- 12" BAR AND CHAIN – Low kickback safety chain with hand guard for added protection
- AUTOMATIC OILER - applies oil to bar and chain when needed to ensure durability and optimal use
Last update on 2024-04-17 // Source: Amazon Affiliates
The Greenworks 20262 cordless chainsaw comes with a powerful 40V Lithium-Ion battery. This should be good enough for trimming branches and shrubs in the garden.
The bar is 12-inches and made of steel. This makes it durable and gives a good cutting performance.
The easy to adjust tensioning system means you get the right chain tension without the need of a tool. You’ll need to use it often because the chain tends to loosen quite a bit.
This chainsaw comes with an automatic oiling system so the bar and chain remain well-oiled. This gives you good cutting performance and improves chainsaw durability. It does tend to leak some oil when not in use.
The Greenworks 20262 cordless chainsaw weighs 6 lbs which makes it very lightweight for a cordless chainsaw.
This cordless chainsaw comes with a limited four-year warranty which is pretty good in case something goes wrong.
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- Cordless chainsaw comes with low kick back 12-inch bar and chain for construction and outdoor cutting applications
- Compact, lightweight design (just 9 lbs. with battery) of the battery chainsaw for maximum user control
- High-efficiency brushless motor of the battery powered chainsaw maximizes runtime and motor life
Last update on 2024-04-18 // Source: Amazon Affiliates
The Dewalt DCCS620P1 is a cordless chainsaw that comes with a 20V Lithium-Ion battery. It’s good enough for trimming branches and shrubs in the garden.
The 12-inch bar and chain is from Oregon so you’re assured of quality and durability. It also has low kickback and protects you from injury.
The motor is efficient and brushless which means it’s durable and will last for a long time.
It comes with a easy to use tensioning system so you won’t need a tool to adjust the chain tension.
This cordless chainsaw is compact and weighs 8.8 lbs which makes it lightweight. You can use it for a long trimming session in the garden without fatigue.
It comes with an automatic oiling system which keeps the bar and chain well-oiled as long as the reservoir is full. You can’t leave the oil in the reservoir when the chainsaw is not in use. It tends to leak if you do so. And you need to get used to opening the oil filler cap.
The Dewalt DCCS620P1 comes with a limited three-year warranty which is good to have for protection from defects.
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Earthwise LCS32412 24V Cordless Chainsaw
The Earthwise LCS32412 comes with a 24V Lithium-Ion battery good enough for trimming branches in the garden.
The 12-inch Oregon bar and chain are durable and will last you for a long time.
It comes with a tool-less tension adjustment system that helps adjust chain tension without the need for a tool.
The automatic oiling system will help keep the bar and chain well lubricated. This gives a good cutting performance and extends the life of the chainsaw.
The fast charging helps you recharge the battery in just 2 hours time.
The moulded rubber handle is ergonomic and comfortable to use. The wrap-around handle means you can trim branches with a different orientation.
This chainsaw comes with a limited two-year warranty against manufacturing defects.
The Earthwise LCS32412 weighs 8.05 lbs which is lightweight considering it’s a cordless chainsaw.
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- Makita-built motor delivers 1,650 FPM chain speed for faster cutting
- Tool-less chain adjustment for convenient operation and maintenance
- Cordless for reduced maintenance; no need to change engine oil or spark plug, clean air filter or drain fuel for storage
Last update on 2024-04-17 // Source: Amazon Affiliates
The Makita XCU02PT comes with a 36V Lithium-Ion battery that gives a good cutting performance. There are two 18V battery that are combined together to give 36V.
The fast charger enables you to charge the battery three times faster than a regular one.
This powerful performance does not cause a lot of noise or emissions like a gas chainsaw.
The tool-less chain adjustment system means you can adjust the chain tension without the need for a tool.
The motor is brushless which gives you 50% longer life.
The automatic oiling system helps keep the bar and chain well lubricated. This helps get the best performance while improving the life of the chainsaw.
The Makita XCU02PT cordless chainsaw weighs 12.3 lbs which is quite heavy. This makes it a little inconvenient to use for long cutting sessions.
This chainsaw comes with a limited one-year warranty against manufacturing defects. It’s also a bit expensive compared to the other cordless chainsaw.
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Our Recommendation
We recommend the BLACK+DECKER LCS1240 40V Cordless Chainsaw as the best cordless chainsaw you can get.
The 40V Lithium-Ion battery gives you good cutting performance and makes this chainsaw quite portable.
The automatic oiling system will help you get good performance and extend the life of the chainsaw. And the tool-free chain tensioning system is good for adjusting the chain tension with ease.
The handle is ergonomic and full wrap around which means you can hold it in different cutting orientations.
Fact Checked, Written, and Published by Kevin Rodrigues
Kevin is the founder of Gardening Mentor, a website that aims to teach people to grow their own food in a limited space. As a self-taught gardener, Kevin has spent several years growing plants and creating gardening content on the website. He is certified in Home Horticulture and Organic Gardening from Oregon State University. He has a Post Graduate Diploma in Horticulture and Landscape Gardening from Mumbai University.
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