A good cordless chainsaw is one of the most useful tools a UK gardener can own. No fuel mixing, no choke, no pull-start ritual – just squeeze the trigger and cut. Whether you are trimming back a rogue apple branch, dropping a small self-seeded sycamore, or processing firewood from a fallen tree, the best battery saws now handle jobs that used to demand petrol.
We have been through the UK market, weighed the options, and picked the seven cordless chainsaws we would actually spend our own money on in 2026. You will find models for every budget from around £150 up to serious pro-grade kit at over £500.
Our Quick Picks for 2026
- Best overall: EGO CS1610E (16″) – serious cutting power, long run time.
- Best pro-grade: Stihl MSA 220 C-B – arborist-quality build in cordless form.
- Best for Makita owners: Makita DUC355Z – twin 18V batteries for 36V performance.
- Best for DeWalt XR owners: DeWalt DCM575 FlexVolt – 54V bite in an 18V-compatible chassis.
- Best budget: Ryobi RCS1830-P Max Power – 18″ bar, runs on standard ONE+ packs.
- Best for pruning: Stihl GTA 26 – pocket-size mini pruner for branch work.
- Best value all-rounder: Greenworks 40V GD40TCS – reliable mid-sized saw under £200 with a battery.
Before You Buy: Safety First
Chainsaws, cordless or not, are the most dangerous garden tool most of us will ever own. Before you buy any cordless saw, commit to wearing proper chainsaw trousers or chaps, boots, gloves, eye protection, ear defenders and a helmet for anything overhead. If you have never used a saw before, consider a short introductory course – a day with a qualified instructor costs about the same as a budget saw and will save fingers, toes and probably a trip to A&E. See our dedicated chainsaw safety guide for more detail.
1. EGO CS1610E – Best Overall
EGO’s 56V platform has matured into a genuinely impressive professional-quality system, and the CS1610E is the 16-inch saw that makes the case most convincingly. With a 5Ah battery fitted, you get about 180 cuts through a 4-inch softwood log before recharging.
Build quality is excellent – magnesium chassis, tool-free chain tensioning, an effective oil reservoir, and properly executed chain brake. It is not far off a Stihl petrol saw of similar bar length in outright cutting speed, without any of the hassle.
Pros:
- Real petrol-like cutting performance
- Tool-free chain tensioning and bar adjustment
- Long run time with 5Ah+ EGO batteries
- 5-year warranty when registered
Cons:
- Kit with battery and charger can push £400
- Weighty at around 5.1 kg with a 5Ah battery
- Chain oil tank empties faster than expected
Typical UK price: around £230 bare tool, up to £420 with 5Ah battery and charger. Available on Amazon UK and through EGO dealers.
2. Stihl MSA 220 C-B – Best Pro-Grade
Stihl’s MSA 220 C-B is the cordless saw that tends to live on the back of the landscaper’s van. It runs on the AP/AR battery platform that also powers Stihl’s pro strimmers, hedge trimmers and blowers, and uses a 14-inch bar well suited to UK hedging and tree work.
Features that matter are the Quick Chain Tensioning system, full chain brake, and an electronic oil pump that only meters oil while the chain is moving. It is also service-friendly: any Stihl dealer can supply parts or fix it.
Pros:
- Pro-grade build and serviceability
- Perfect balance for limbing and pruning
- Quiet for a 14-inch saw
- Huge Stihl dealer network in the UK
Cons:
- Very expensive as a kit (AP 300 S battery + AL 500 charger is serious money)
- Only sold through Stihl dealers
- Shorter bar than the EGO – not for felling large trees
Typical UK price: around £400 bare tool, and over £800 with a pro battery and charger. From Stihl dealers only.
3. Makita DUC355Z – Best for Makita 18V LXT Owners
The Makita DUC355Z uses two 18V LXT batteries in series to produce 36V at the chain. If you already own plenty of LXT kit, it is an elegant way into a proper 14-inch cordless saw.
Cutting performance is genuinely strong and the saw is surprisingly light in the hand at around 4.4 kg with two 5Ah packs fitted. Makita builds a very solid tool: the chain brake, oil pump and bar tensioning are all robust.
Pros:
- Uses two 18V LXT batteries you probably already own
- Great ergonomics and weight distribution
- Reliable chain brake and oil pump
- Widely stocked at Screwfix and Amazon UK
Cons:
- Run time is shorter on 4Ah batteries – pair it with 5Ah for best results
- No FlexVolt equivalent, so it is bound to the 18V platform
- Bare tool only at best prices
Typical UK price: around £240 bare tool. Available at Screwfix, Toolstation, Amazon UK.
4. DeWalt DCM575 FlexVolt – Best for DeWalt XR Owners
The DCM575 uses DeWalt’s FlexVolt batteries, which automatically switch between 18V and 54V depending on the tool they are plugged into. In the chainsaw it runs at 54V for proper cutting torque, but the same pack can still power your ordinary XR drill or circular saw at 18V – a brilliant approach for anyone already in the DeWalt world.
It has a 40 cm bar, a brushless motor, and the familiar yellow and black DeWalt fit and finish.
Pros:
- FlexVolt battery doubles as an 18V XR pack
- Strong, consistent cutting power
- Three-year warranty
- Widely stocked in UK tool shops
Cons:
- Kit price creeps over £450 with a 9Ah FlexVolt
- Heavier than an equivalent EGO
- Chain comes slightly loose from new and needs a proper tension check
Typical UK price: around £260 bare tool, or around £450 with a 9Ah FlexVolt battery. From Screwfix, Toolstation, Amazon UK.
5. Ryobi RCS1830-P Max Power – Best Budget
Ryobi ONE+ continues to be the go-to system for casual UK gardeners. The RCS1830-P is an 18-inch chain on a 36V-equivalent tool that uses two 18V ONE+ packs (often included in the kit). It is not as refined as a Stihl or EGO, but for periodic hedge reduction, firewood splitting or storm cleanup, it is extremely good value.
Chain oiling is automatic, the bar tensioning is tool-free, and the oil tank is easy to fill with a wide-mouth cap.
Pros:
- Long 18-inch bar at a low price
- Shares Ryobi ONE+ batteries
- Straightforward chain tensioning
- Kit often includes two batteries and a charger
Cons:
- Plastic construction is obvious compared with the pros
- Not for all-day continuous cutting
- Run time can be short on 2Ah batteries
Typical UK price: around £230-£280 as a full kit. Available at B&Q and Amazon UK.
6. Stihl GTA 26 – Best for Pruning
Small but superb, the Stihl GTA 26 is essentially a battery pruner with a 4-inch chain. It uses the AS system rather than the bigger AP batteries, and slips into a nylon holster so you can carry it up a ladder or into a tree.
It is our top pick for anyone pruning orchards, trimming deadwood, reducing overgrown shrubs or processing branches on the ground.
Pros:
- Tiny, quiet and safe feeling to operate
- Ideal for precise pruning work
- Comes with a proper carry case
- Chain stays sharp with very simple maintenance
Cons:
- Not a felling saw – 4-inch cut capacity only
- AS batteries are small (2.6Ah)
- Kit price is higher than you’d expect for the size
Typical UK price: around £160 for the kit with battery and charger. Stihl dealers only.
7. Greenworks 40V GD40TCS – Best Value All-Rounder
Greenworks makes some of the most dependable budget cordless garden tools in the UK, and the GD40TCS is a 35 cm-bar saw on their reliable 40V platform. It will happily cut logs up to 25 cm diameter and is one of the lightest mid-size cordless saws at around 3.5 kg without a battery.
Pros:
- Excellent value for first-time buyers
- Light in the hand
- Tool-free chain tensioning
- Battery shares with Greenworks 40V hedge trimmers and strimmers
Cons:
- Not professional build quality
- Chain oiling is a simple gravity-feed system
- Battery run time is moderate on the 2Ah pack
Typical UK price: around £180 with 2Ah battery and charger. Available on Amazon UK.
At-a-Glance Comparison
| Model | Voltage | Bar length | Weight (bare) | Typical price |
| EGO CS1610E | 56V | 40 cm (16″) | ~4.0 kg | ~£230 bare / £420 kit |
| Stihl MSA 220 C-B | 36V AP | 35 cm (14″) | ~2.9 kg | ~£400 bare |
| Makita DUC355Z | 2×18V | 35 cm (14″) | ~4.4 kg | ~£240 bare |
| DeWalt DCM575 FlexVolt | 54V | 40 cm (16″) | ~4.6 kg | ~£260 bare |
| Ryobi RCS1830-P | 2×18V | 46 cm (18″) | ~4.5 kg | ~£260 kit |
| Stihl GTA 26 | 10.8V AS | 10 cm (4″) | ~1.2 kg | ~£160 kit |
| Greenworks GD40TCS | 40V | 35 cm (14″) | ~3.5 kg | ~£180 kit |
How to Choose the Right Cordless Chainsaw
Match Bar Length to the Work
For pruning, 25-35 cm bars are ideal. For firewood and occasional felling of small trees, 35-45 cm is the sweet spot. Anything over 45 cm in cordless is uncommon and usually overkill for a typical UK garden.
Stick With Your Battery Platform
A cordless saw is most cost-effective when it shares batteries with tools you already own. EGO, Stihl AP, Makita LXT, DeWalt FlexVolt and Ryobi ONE+ are the five ecosystems most UK gardeners invest in.
Look for a Proper Chain Brake
Any saw worth buying will have an inertia-activated chain brake. Test it before you buy – push the guard forward with your left hand and the chain should stop instantly. Do not buy a saw that does not have this feature.
Chain Maintenance for Cordless Saws
- Fill the oil reservoir every time you fit a fresh battery.
- Keep chain tension just tight enough that you can lift the chain off the bar by 3-5 mm at the middle.
- Check the chain file angles monthly – a quick touch-up with a round file every hour of use will keep the saw cutting like new.
- Flip the bar every few sharpenings to even out the wear.
- Use a purpose-made chain oil in cold weather rather than old engine oil – it flows better and grips the chain.
FAQ
Can a cordless chainsaw replace a petrol one?
For most UK domestic use, yes. The EGO CS1610E and Stihl MSA 220 both punch well above what cordless kit could manage five years ago. For full-time professional felling, petrol still wins on sustained run time.
Do I need to wear chainsaw trousers with a cordless saw?
Yes. The chain on an EGO or Stihl saw is just as sharp and fast as on a petrol equivalent. Class 1 chainsaw trousers (Type A minimum) are a non-negotiable part of the kit.
How long does the chain last?
With good sharpening habits, a chain lasts one to three seasons of domestic use. Stock a spare chain in the shed – changing one mid-job is a five-minute fix if you have the tools and spares on hand.
Final Verdict
For most UK gardeners, the EGO CS1610E is the most cordless chainsaw you can buy without going full professional. If you already own Stihl AP kit or want the best dealer support, the MSA 220 C-B is the grown-up option. For anyone with a shed full of Makita LXT or DeWalt XR tools, the DUC355Z and DCM575 make more sense than switching platforms.
And if all you want is a light, simple pruner for apple trees and storm cleanup, the Stihl GTA 26 will win your heart within about five minutes of using it.
Before you fire any cordless saw up, please read our dedicated UK chainsaw safety guide and dress for the job. Even the best saw is only as safe as the person holding it.