Best 40V Chainsaws: 5 Spec-Based Picks

Quick picks

The best fit for you

• You need to trim high branches and hedges SEESII 40V 2-in-1 Pole Saw & Hedge Trimmer The 2-in-1 design and 38.6-inch length let you reach high limbs without a ladder.
• You want the most powerful saw for firewood DongCheng 40V 16-Inch Brushless Cordless Chainsaw A brushless motor and automatic oiler provide robust cutting power for heavy-duty tree felling.
• You need a lightweight tool for light pruning BLACK+DECKER 40V MAX 12-Inch Cordless Chainsaw The 10.4-pound weight and 12-inch bar make it easy to handle for small branch removal.

Our 5 picks

1 Best overall

SEESII 40V 2-in-1 Pole Saw & Hedge Trimmer

Best for: mixed pruning and hedge shaping tasks

Voltage

40V (what this guide is about)

Power Source

Cordless

Battery Capacity

4.0Ah

Chain Speed

31 ft/s

Recommended Use

Yard

Bar Length

10 Inch

View on Amazon: SEESII 40V 2-in-1 Pole Saw & Hedge Trimmer Affiliate link

This Seesii 40V kit combines a pole saw and hedge trimmer in one system. It includes a 4.0Ah battery and features an 800W motor. The pole saw reaches 5023 RPM with a 31 ft/s chain speed. The adjustable pole extends to 8.5 ft for high branches. It cuts branches up to 10 inches in diameter. This setup suits users who want to prune trees and shape hedges with a single tool.

Pros

• 2-in-1 design switches between pole saw and hedge trimmer
• 800W motor delivers 5023 RPM and 31 ft/s chain speed
• Adjustable pole extends to 8.5 ft for high reach
• Cuts branches up to 10 inches in diameter
• Includes 4.0Ah battery for extended runtime

Cons

• Heavier at 9.8 pounds compared to standard chainsaws
• Only includes one 4.0Ah battery
• 10-inch bar is shorter than some dedicated chainsaws

Good fit if

• You need to prune high tree branches and shape hedges
• You want to use one battery system for multiple tools
• You prefer cordless freedom for large yards

Skip if

• You only need a standard chainsaw for firewood
• You require a longer bar for large diameter logs
• You want a lighter tool for extended overhead use

Verdict: Seesii 40V 2-in-1 Pole Saw fits homeowners who need to reach high branches and trim hedges efficiently. It offers a versatile solution for mixed yard maintenance tasks.

2 Also great

Seesii 40V 16-Inch Brushless Chainsaw

Best for: cutting large diameter logs and firewood

Voltage

40V (what this guide is about)

Bar Length

16"

Power Source

Cordless

Engine Displacement

42cc

Motor Type

Brushless

Battery Capacity

4.0Ah

View on Amazon: Seesii 40V 16-Inch Brushless Chainsaw Affiliate link

This SEESII model features a native 40V brushless motor and a 16-inch guide bar for thick logs. It delivers 34.8ft/s chain speed and includes dual 4.0Ah batteries for up to 90 minutes of runtime. The 10.3-pound weight and tool-free tensioning make it manageable for extended use. It suits users needing gas-like power in a cordless format.

Pros

• Native 40V brushless motor provides high torque
• 16-inch bar handles thick logs and wide branches
• Dual 4.0Ah batteries offer up to 90 minutes of runtime
• Built-in auto chain oiler reduces manual maintenance
• Tool-free chain tensioning knob allows quick adjustments

Cons

• Heavier than the 12-inch Greenworks and BLACK+DECKER models
• No app connectivity or digital display for monitoring
• Requires purchasing separate 40V batteries for other tools

Good fit if

• You need to cut logs thicker than 12 inches
• You want gas-like power without the noise or fumes
• You already own other 40V SEESII or compatible tools

Skip if

• You primarily trim small branches under 6 inches
• You prefer a lighter tool for overhead work
• You want a complete kit with included batteries

Verdict: SEESII 16-Inch 40V Brushless Chainsaw fits users who need to process large firewood or storm debris efficiently. Its native 40V system and long runtime make it a serious alternative to gas saws for heavy yard work.

3 Best budget

Greenworks 40V 12-Inch Cordless Chainsaw

Best for: light pruning and storm cleanup

Voltage

40V (what this guide is about)

Bar Length

12 in

Power Source

Cordless Electric

Battery Capacity

2.0 Ah

Recommended Use

Firewood, Pruning

Dimensions

24.6 × 7.28 × 10.2 inches

View on Amazon: Greenworks 40V 12-Inch Cordless Chainsaw Affiliate link

This Greenworks 40V chainsaw features a 12-inch bar and a 2.0Ah battery. It weighs 10.9 pounds and includes a charger. The tool offers 50 cuts per charge on treated wood. It has auto-tensioning and an auto-oiler. This model suits light pruning and storm cleanup tasks for homeowners who need a portable, budget-friendly option.

Pros

• 12-inch bar length for manageable cuts
• Lightweight 10.9-pound design reduces fatigue
• Auto-tensioning chain requires no tools
• Includes 2.0Ah battery and charger
• Auto-oiler extends chain life

Cons

• Smaller 2.0Ah battery limits runtime
• 12-inch bar restricts large log cutting
• Heavier than some competitors at 10.9 lbs

Good fit if

• You need a lightweight saw for light pruning
• You want a budget-friendly 40V option
• You value tool-free chain tensioning

Skip if

• You need to cut large diameter logs
• You require a brushless motor for more power
• You prefer a longer 16-inch bar

Verdict: Greenworks 12-Inch 40V Chainsaw fits homeowners needing a portable tool for light yard work. It offers basic specs at a lower entry point than larger models. Choose this if your tasks are small and budget is a priority.

4 Best brushless

DongCheng 40V 16-Inch Brushless Cordless Chainsaw

Best for: Heavy-duty tree felling and firewood

Voltage

40V (what this guide is about)

Bar Length

16-Inch

Power Source

Cordless

Motor Type

Brushless

Battery Capacity

4.0Ah

Features

Brushless, Automatic Oiler

View on Amazon: DongCheng 40V 16-Inch Brushless Cordless Chainsaw Affiliate link

The DongCheng 40V 16-Inch Brushless Chainsaw delivers gas-like power with a brushless motor and dual 4.0Ah batteries. It features a 16-inch bar, tool-free tensioning, and an automatic oiler. The inertia-activated chain brake stops in under 0.1 seconds. This cordless saw suits users needing professional cutting power for tree felling or firewood without the maintenance of gas engines.

Pros

• Brushless motor for high-torque performance
• Includes two 4.0Ah batteries for extended runtime
• Tool-free chain tensioning knob
• Automatic bar and chain oiling system
• Inertia-activated chain brake for safety

Cons

• Heavier build due to dual battery configuration
• No mention of a carry case or bag
• Larger physical footprint than 12-inch models

Good fit if

• You need gas-like power for large projects
• You want to reduce engine maintenance
• You require a 16-inch cutting capacity

Skip if

• You prefer lighter, single-battery tools
• You only need to cut small branches
• You require a compact 12-inch bar

Verdict: DongCheng 40V 16-Inch Brushless Chainsaw fits users who need robust cutting power for firewood or tree felling without gas maintenance. The dual battery system supports longer runs on demanding tasks.

5 Best premium

BLACK+DECKER 40V MAX 12-Inch Cordless Chainsaw

Best for: Light pruning and small branch removal

Voltage

40V (what this guide is about)

Bar Length

12"

Power Source

Battery Cordless

Battery Capacity

2.0Ah

Dimensions

28.6 × 8.81 × 9.63 inches

Weight

10.4 pounds

View on Amazon: BLACK+DECKER 40V MAX 12-Inch Cordless Chainsaw Affiliate link

This BLACK+DECKER unit is a 40V MAX cordless chainsaw with a 12-inch bar. It includes a 2.0Ah battery that delivers over 60 cuts on 4x4 pine lumber per charge. The tool weighs 10.4 pounds and features automatic oiling and tool-less chain tensioning. It suits users needing a lightweight, manageable saw for light pruning and small branch removal.

Pros

• 12-inch bar length for manageable cutting width
• Automatic oiling system for consistent lubrication
• Tool-less chain tensioning for quick adjustments
• Weighs only 10.4 pounds for reduced fatigue

Cons

• 2.0Ah battery holds less charge than 4.0Ah competitors
• 12-inch bar cuts smaller diameter wood than 16-inch models
• Brushed motor lacks the efficiency of brushless designs

Good fit if

• You need a lightweight saw for overhead or one-handed work
• You primarily cut small branches and 4x4 lumber
• You want automatic lubrication to reduce maintenance

Skip if

• You frequently cut large diameter logs or thick branches
• You require longer runtime between charges for heavy use
• You prefer brushless motors for extended tool life

Verdict: BLACK+DECKER 12-Inch 40V Cordless Chainsaw fits users who prioritize lightweight handling and automatic lubrication for light yard work. It is less suitable for those needing the cutting capacity or runtime of larger, brushless models.

Specifications side by side

5 Key Specs to Compare

1. Check bar length first

   Bar length determines the maximum diameter of wood you can cut in a single pass. A 12-inch bar, found on the Greenworks and BLACK+DECKER models, suits light pruning and small branch removal. It keeps the tool lighter and easier to manage for homeowners. If you need to process large firewood or storm debris, a 16-inch bar is necessary. The SEESII and DongCheng models offer this longer reach. Match the bar size to your largest expected cut to avoid inefficient multi-cutting.

2. Look for brushless motors

   Brushless motors offer better efficiency and longer life than brushed alternatives. The SEESII 16-Inch and DongCheng 16-Inch models both feature brushless technology. This design reduces friction and heat, allowing for more consistent power output during heavy-duty tasks like tree felling. You get more runtime from the same battery capacity. It also means less maintenance over time. If you plan to use your chainsaw frequently for demanding jobs, prioritize a model with a brushless motor for durability and performance.

3. Evaluate battery capacity

   Battery capacity, measured in amp-hours, dictates how long the saw runs before needing a recharge. The SEESII 2-in-1 Pole Saw includes a 4.0Ah battery, while the Greenworks 12-Inch model comes with a 2.0Ah battery. A higher capacity supports extended runtime for larger jobs. The Greenworks unit is suitable for light yard work where long continuous cutting is not required. For heavier tasks, ensure you have a battery with sufficient capacity or consider models that support dual battery systems for extended operation.

4. Consider weight and balance

   Weight affects handling, especially when holding the tool overhead or for extended periods. The SEESII Pole Saw weighs 9.8 pounds, while the Greenworks chainsaw is slightly heavier at 10.9 pounds. Lighter tools reduce fatigue during light pruning or hedge shaping. Heavier models may offer more robust construction but can cause arm strain. Check the weight specifications to ensure the tool feels manageable for your strength and the specific tasks you perform most often in your yard.

5. Verify automatic oiling

   Automatic oiling systems maintain chain lubrication without manual intervention, ensuring safer and smoother cuts. The DongCheng model features an automatic oiler, which is crucial for heavy-duty use. Proper lubrication reduces wear on the chain and bar. It also prevents overheating during prolonged cutting sessions. If you are processing firewood or felling trees, this feature is essential for maintaining chain life. Always check if the model includes this system to avoid frequent manual oiling and potential safety hazards from a dry chain.

Frequently asked questions

See also

• 40V vs 18V chainsaw
• best wood chippers under 150
• best 18V chainsaws
• litheli 40v review