Chain Saw Race: Gas vs. Battery

Cordless chain saws have come a long way in terms of power, so we wondered which kind of chain saw – gas-powered or battery-powered – would win in a cutting race. As you may have guessed, the answer isn’t exactly simple. In the test we ran, we chose two chainsaws made by the same manufacturer, roughly the same size, cutting the same logs.

Going in, we thought the gas-powered chain saw was going to be a clear winner. But when cutting an 6-in. log, the two saws seemed pretty evenly matched. Take into account not having to worry about gas, the cordless chain saw wins.

But with a larger diameter log, the cordless chain saw’s weaknesses become clearer – it takes longer to cut through larger logs. However, the cordless chain saw still makes the cut, just taking about twice as long as the gas-powered chain saw.

So when you’re shopping for your next chain saw, you’ll really need to be clear about how you plan to use it. Just trimming branches and cutting up small logs around your yard? Then the newest generation of cordless chain saws will suit your needs just fine. Are you planning to start a small logging operation? Or need something that will handle larger diameter trees on a homestead? Then a gas-powered chain saw is still the clear choice.

Regardless of what kind of chain saw you’re using, safety is still very important. Check out these 10 tips for using a chain saw here. And don’t forget about sharpening your chain saw chain. It’s a part of regular chain saw maintenance that’ll make cutting faster and safer. Learn the best way to sharpen a chain saw chain here.