Firewood cutting is the hardest honest test in this guide, because it combines diameter, volume and duration. A pruning saw cannot fake it, and a battery saw with one small pack cannot sustain it. This ranking weights bar length for the rounds you actually buck, sustained output over a session, and refuel or battery-swap stamina. Pruning specialists are excluded even when they are excellent saws, because firewood is not their job.
The Best Chainsaws for Firewood (2027)
Chainsaws for firewood cutting in 2027, ranked on bucking power, bar length and session stamina, from gas workhorses to twin-battery kits.
The short answer
For dedicated firewood work, the Husqvarna 450 Rancher is the pick: a 50.2cc engine, 3.2 HP and a 20 inch bar that runs all day on refills. The Poulan Pro PR5020 is the budget gas route to the same 20 inch class. Among battery saws, the Milwaukee 2727-20 and the DEWALT DCCS672X1 lead, but budget for large packs or a second battery for any serious session.
Our top picks at a glance
- Husqvarna Husqvarna 450 Rancher 20 in. Gas ChainsawThe classic 50cc homeowner gas saw, a 20 inch Rancher for felling, bucking and firewood seasons.Best firewood saw overall
- Poulan Pro Poulan Pro PR5020 20 in. Gas Chainsaw (50cc)The budget gas route to a 20 inch bar, a 50cc OxyPower saw with a case and oil in the box.Best budget firewood saw
- Milwaukee M18 FUEL 2727-20 16 in. Chainsaw (Tool Only)Milwaukee's 16 inch M18 FUEL saw, rated to gas-engine performance up to 40cc, for serious cordless bucking.Best battery firewood saw
- DEWALT DEWALT 60V MAX FLEXVOLT 18 in. Brushless Chainsaw Kit (DCCS672X1)DEWALT's most powerful cordless saw here, an 18 inch FLEXVOLT kit rated at 2.85 peak horsepower.Most powerful battery firewood saw
- Greenworks Greenworks Pro 80V 18 in. Brushless Cordless ChainsawThe longest bar among the battery picks, an 18 inch 80V saw for homeowners with real firewood ambitions.Best long-bar battery firewood saw
- Makita Makita 36V (18V X2) LXT Brushless 16 in. Chain Saw Kit, Two Batteries (XCU04CM)Makita's 16 inch twin-battery kit, with a 32cc gas equivalent rating and a 150-cut cedar claim.Best twin-battery firewood kit
The picks, ranked
Every product in this lineup was picked for this use case, ranked with our strongest choices first. If a product from the wider category does not genuinely fit this scenario, it is not listed here.
| # | Product | Award | Engine | Power | Bar | Weight | Fuel mix |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Husqvarna Husqvarna 450 Rancher 20 in. Gas Chainsaw | Best firewood saw overall | 50.2cc 2-cycle X-Torq | 3.2 HP | 20 in., recommended range 13 to 20 in. | 11.33 lb excluding cutting equipment | 50:1, Husqvarna 2-stroke oil or equivalent |
| 2 | Poulan Pro Poulan Pro PR5020 20 in. Gas Chainsaw (50cc) | Best budget firewood saw | 50cc 2-cycle OxyPower | - | - | 15.4 lb | - |
| 3 | Milwaukee M18 FUEL 2727-20 16 in. Chainsaw (Tool Only) | Best battery firewood saw | - | Milwaukee M18 FUEL, POWERSTATE brushless motor | - | 13.9 lb | - |
| 4 | DEWALT DEWALT 60V MAX FLEXVOLT 18 in. Brushless Chainsaw Kit (DCCS672X1) | Most powerful battery firewood saw | - | 60V MAX FLEXVOLT, brushless motor | - | 11.1 lb, tool only (maker sell sheet) | - |
| 5 | Greenworks Greenworks Pro 80V 18 in. Brushless Cordless Chainsaw | Best long-bar battery firewood saw | - | Greenworks Pro 80V, brushless motor | - | 14.2 lb with battery (maker page) | - |
| 6 | Makita Makita 36V (18V X2) LXT Brushless 16 in. Chain Saw Kit, Two Batteries (XCU04CM) | Best twin-battery firewood kit | - | 36V (18V X2) LXT, outer-rotor BL brushless motor, direct drive | - | - | - |
Best firewood saw overall
Husqvarna Husqvarna 450 Rancher 20 in. Gas Chainsaw
The classic 50cc homeowner gas saw, a 20 inch Rancher for felling, bucking and firewood seasons.
Strengths
- A 50.2cc X-Torq engine rated at 3.2 HP, comfortably the strongest cutting power in this guide
- A 20 inch bar with a recommended range of 13 to 20 inches, so the saw can be shortened for limbing work
- Smart Start, Air Injection centrifugal air cleaning and LowVib, the trio that makes a gas saw liveable
- An inertia-activated chain brake and felling marks for controlled, safer cutting direction
Limitations
- Two-stroke ownership: fuel mixing at 50:1, pull starts, spark plugs and winter storage rituals
- At a guaranteed sound power level of 115 dB(A), hearing protection is not optional and neighbours will notice
- The current Husqvarna lineup brands the successor as the 450S Rancher, so confirm parts fit the 970613120 model before ordering spares
What owners report
Most praised
- Firewood sellers report it bucking all day on refills while battery saws sit on chargers
- Smart Start earns praise from owners who dreaded the pull-start ritual of older gas saws
- The 20 inch bar handles the occasional large oak that smaller homeowner saws must cut around
Common complaints
- First-time gas owners find the starting sequence and choke positions take a few sessions to learn
- The saw's noise and exhaust make it a poor fit for early-morning work near neighbours
- Seasonal storage, stale fuel and carburettor care surprise buyers coming from battery tools
| Engine | 50.2cc 2-cycle X-Torq |
|---|---|
| Power | 3.2 HP |
| Bar | 20 in., recommended range 13 to 20 in. |
| Weight | 11.33 lb excluding cutting equipment |
| Fuel mix | 50:1, Husqvarna 2-stroke oil or equivalent |
| Starting and safety | Smart Start, inertia-activated chain brake, side chain tensioning |
Best for: Property owners who heat with wood or clear land and want a gas saw that runs all day on refills, not chargers.
Skip if: You cut occasionally near neighbours, or you dislike mixing fuel and pull starts; a battery saw suits that life better.
Best budget firewood saw
Poulan Pro Poulan Pro PR5020 20 in. Gas Chainsaw (50cc)
The budget gas route to a 20 inch bar, a 50cc OxyPower saw with a case and oil in the box.
Strengths
- A 50cc 2-cycle OxyPower engine with a 20 inch bar, gas-class cutting at a budget price
- Effortless pull-start system the maker and retailers rate as reducing pull force by 30 percent
- Super Clean air filter system and a side-mounted chain tensioner for easier field maintenance
- A moulded plastic carrying case and a bottle of 2-cycle oil are included, rare extras at this price
Limitations
- At 15.4 lb it is a heavy saw to carry through brush, and the weight shows on long days
- Budget gas fit and finish, with more vibration and a rougher idle than premium gas saws
- Two-stroke upkeep applies in full: 50:1 mixing, fuel storage care and seasonal starting rituals
What owners report
Most praised
- Budget buyers say it cuts far above its price on the first tank, especially on softwood
- The included case gets unexpected praise from owners who expected to buy storage separately
- The easier pull start helps owners who struggled with older budget gas saws
Common complaints
- Some owners report a rough idle and a saw that needs carburettor attention sooner than premium rivals
- The weight and vibration tire arms faster than the lighter battery saws owners also own
- Cold starts after storage test patience, particularly with fuel left in the tank over winter
| Engine | 50cc 2-cycle OxyPower |
|---|---|
| Bar and chain | 20 in. bar and chain |
| Chain | 3/8 in. pitch, 0.050 in. gauge |
| Weight | 15.4 lb |
| Fuel | 15 oz capacity, 50:1 fuel-to-oil mix |
| Warranty | 2-year limited warranty |
Best for: Budget buyers who need genuine gas cutting power for felling and bucking without paying the premium gas price.
Skip if: You want dealer support and a long parts history, or you cut rarely enough that fuel upkeep outweighs the savings.
Best battery firewood saw
Milwaukee M18 FUEL 2727-20 16 in. Chainsaw (Tool Only)
Milwaukee's 16 inch M18 FUEL saw, rated to gas-engine performance up to 40cc, for serious cordless bucking.
Strengths
- Maker-rated gas performance up to 40cc, which puts it in genuine firewood territory rather than the pruning class
- Up to 150 cuts per charge with the REDLITHIUM High Output HD12.0 battery, per the maker claim
- Variable speed trigger with full throttle in under one second, so the chain is at speed before it meets wood
- Dual-stud bar retention, automatic oiling and onboard scrench storage keep the working end organised
Limitations
- Bare tool, and rated output assumes the large HD12.0 pack, which is a second substantial purchase
- At 13.9 lb it is a heavy saw to carry and manoeuvre through brush all afternoon
- The 16 inch bar still stops short of large-diameter felling and big hardwood bucking
What owners report
Most praised
- Firewood cutters report it replacing a small gas saw for routine bucking, with none of the starting ritual
- The onboard scrench storage gets singled out by owners tired of hunting for the tool mid-job
- It holds speed through a cut instead of bogging, which owners notice most on the second and third logs
Common complaints
- The saw feels nose-heavy with the big pack fitted, and wrists notice it on overhead limbing
- Small M18 packs drain fast enough that owners end up buying the HD12.0 anyway
- The price of admission for non-M18 households, tool plus large battery, surprises first-time buyers
| Power | Milwaukee M18 FUEL, POWERSTATE brushless motor |
|---|---|
| Bar and chain | 16 in. Oregon bar and chain |
| Gas equivalent | Up to 40cc (maker claim) |
| Cuts per charge | Up to 150 with REDLITHIUM High Output HD12.0 battery (maker claim) |
| Chain | 3/8 in. Low Profile pitch, 0.043 in. gauge |
| Weight | 13.9 lb |
Best for: M18 owners who buck firewood, clear storm damage and fell small trees without wanting a gas saw's upkeep.
Skip if: You own no M18 batteries, or your cutting is light pruning only; this saw's size and appetite for big packs are wasted there.
Most powerful battery firewood saw
DEWALT DEWALT 60V MAX FLEXVOLT 18 in. Brushless Chainsaw Kit (DCCS672X1)
DEWALT's most powerful cordless saw here, an 18 inch FLEXVOLT kit rated at 2.85 peak horsepower.
Strengths
- Peak horsepower of 2.85 with the DCB609 battery, per the maker claim, the highest battery output in this guide
- Maker claim of cutting a 17 inch white oak log in as fast as 24 seconds with the DCB609 battery
- Up to 65 cuts per charge with the DCB609 battery, per the maker sell sheet
- Kit form with a DCB609 battery, DCB115 charger, bar sheath and tensioning tool in the box
Limitations
- Tooled chain tensioning, so the onboard wrench must be to hand, unlike the tool-free systems on smaller saws
- The FLEXVOLT battery reads 3.0Ah at 60V and 9.0Ah at 20V, which confuses buyers comparing amp-hour figures
- A premium kit price for a saw that still cannot match a 50cc gas saw for all-day stamina
What owners report
Most praised
- Owners cutting firewood say it is the first battery saw that stopped them reaching for the gas saw
- The dual retention studs hold the bar steady under hard bucking, owners report
- Kit buyers value the sheath and tensioning tool being in the box rather than separate purchases
Common complaints
- The amp-hour labelling across 20V and 60V confuses buyers comparing batteries
- Tooled tensioning slows chain adjustments compared with the tool-free dials on smaller DEWALT saws
- The saw's weight with the FLEXVOLT pack fitted tires arms on long limbing sessions
| Power | 60V MAX FLEXVOLT, brushless motor |
|---|---|
| Bar and chain | 18 in. bar and chain |
| Peak power | 2.85 HP with DCB609 battery (maker claim) |
| Chain | 3/8 in. pitch, 0.050 in. gauge |
| Kit includes | DCB609 FLEXVOLT battery, DCB115 charger, bar sheath, tensioning tool |
| Weight | 11.1 lb, tool only (maker sell sheet) |
Best for: DEWALT owners who want the strongest battery cutting here for firewood, storm cleanup and small felling.
Skip if: You are on another battery platform, or your work is pruning only; this is a heavy, expensive saw for big wood.
Best long-bar battery firewood saw
Greenworks Greenworks Pro 80V 18 in. Brushless Cordless Chainsaw
The longest bar among the battery picks, an 18 inch 80V saw for homeowners with real firewood ambitions.
Strengths
- An 18 inch bar, the longest in this guide's battery group, for logs the 14 and 16 inch saws must work around
- Brushless motor with a maker claim of twice the torque of its brushed predecessor class
- Kit includes a 2.0Ah battery and rapid charger, so the box is a working saw, not a project
- Up to 110 cuts per charge on the maker page, with a 4-year tool and battery warranty behind it
Limitations
- At 14.2 lb with the battery fitted it is the heaviest battery saw here to swing through a long session
- The 2.0Ah pack is modest for an 18 inch saw, and sustained bucking will ask for a larger 80V pack
- The maker SKU 2000002 and model GCS80420 differ from the GCS80421 model shown on the Amazon listing, so check the listing details before ordering spares
What owners report
Most praised
- Owners with acreage like the reach of the 18 inch bar on storm-felled trees their smaller saws could not finish
- The rapid charger shortens the wait between sessions, which owners with one battery notice immediately
- It runs quiet enough for early-morning cleanup without drawing the neighbours into the conversation
Common complaints
- The weight with battery fitted wears on shoulders during extended overhead limbing
- A single 2.0Ah pack runs short on a full firewood afternoon, pushing owners toward a second battery
- The model number mismatch between maker and listing pages confuses buyers ordering replacement chains
| Power | Greenworks Pro 80V, brushless motor |
|---|---|
| Bar and chain | 18 in. bar and chain |
| Battery and charger | 2.0Ah battery and rapid charger included |
| Cuts per charge | Up to 110 (maker page figure) |
| Weight | 14.2 lb with battery (maker page) |
| Warranty | 4-year tool and battery warranty (maker page) |
Best for: Homeowners with an 80V yard already, or buyers who want the longest battery bar here for bucking and storm work.
Skip if: Your cutting is pruning and light limbing; an 18 inch bar is unwieldy overhead and in tight brush.
Best twin-battery firewood kit
Makita Makita 36V (18V X2) LXT Brushless 16 in. Chain Saw Kit, Two Batteries (XCU04CM)
Makita's 16 inch twin-battery kit, with a 32cc gas equivalent rating and a 150-cut cedar claim.
Strengths
- A 16 inch bar with a maker-rated 32cc gas equivalent, sized for real bucking as well as limbing
- Two 4.0Ah batteries in the kit, so a spent pack swaps rather than ends the session
- Maker-adjacent claim of up to 150 cuts on a 4x4 cedar using both 4.0Ah batteries
- Tool-less chain adjustment and XPT dust and water protection from the XCU04 family design
Limitations
- Kit pricing reflects two batteries and a charger, a steep buy for owners with LXT packs already
- Twin-battery weight adds up, and the saw is heavier in hand than single-pack 16 inch rivals
- Sixteen inches still stops short of large-diameter felling work, where gas saws take over
What owners report
Most praised
- Owners with two packs in rotation say the second battery removes the range anxiety of battery saws
- The 16 inch bar covers the firewood rounds that 14 inch saws leave half-cut
- LXT households like standardising cutting, drilling and yard tools on one charger shelf
Common complaints
- The kit price draws complaints from owners who already owned enough LXT batteries
- Weight with a 4.0Ah pack fitted makes overhead work a short-session job
- Chain oiling needs regular topping on long bucking days, owners note
| Power | 36V (18V X2) LXT, outer-rotor BL brushless motor, direct drive |
|---|---|
| Bar and chain | 16 in. bar and chain |
| Gas equivalent | 32cc (maker claim) |
| Chain speed | 0 to 3,940 FPM, variable speed trigger |
| Kit batteries | Two 4.0Ah batteries and charger included |
| Warranty | 3-year warranty (retailer listing) |
Best for: Makita households who want a 16 inch battery saw with two packs in the box for longer sessions.
Skip if: You want the lightest saw for pruning, or you are not on LXT; the twin-battery kit is a serious, heavier purchase.
Questions, answered
What size saw do I need for firewood?
For typical firewood rounds up to about 14 inches, a 16 inch bar is the sweet spot. For larger hardwood rounds, an 18 or 20 inch bar, preferably on a gas saw, handles the work without burying the bar. If your rounds regularly exceed 18 inches, buy the 20 inch gas class rather than forcing a smaller saw through them.
Is a battery saw enough for firewood?
For moderate sessions, yes, especially with large or twin batteries. The Milwaukee 2727-20 and DEWALT DCCS672X1 both buck real firewood. For all-day cutting or heating a home through winter, gas stamina still wins, because refuelling takes a minute and recharging takes an hour or more.
How do I keep a firewood saw cutting well?
Keep the chain sharp, the tension checked and the bar oil topped up. Dull chains are the most common reason a good saw feels weak: they produce dust instead of chips and force the operator to push. Sharpen every tank or battery session during heavy bucking, and rotate the bar occasionally for even rail wear.
Every guide on Chainsaws15 pages
- Topic hubChainsaws
- Best ofThe Best Chainsaws (2027)
- This ranking covers only battery saws, because the battery decision is the whole purchase. The ranking separates on three things: bar length against the wood you cut, the battery platform you already own, and whether the box is a bare tool or a working kit. A flagship on a small pack is ranked below its headline, and a kit with a small included battery is flagged for it. Gas saws are excluded here, not judged inferior, because they answer a different question.The Best Battery Chainsaws (2027)
- Pruning rewards the opposite virtues from firewood: light weight, short bars, easy starting and control in tight spaces. This ranking excludes the heavy gas saws and the long-bar battery saws, even though they can prune, because carrying them through brush all day is the wrong tool for the job. Weight, balance, tensioning ease and starting effort decide this ranking more than peak power.The Best Chainsaws for Pruning and Limbing (2027)
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- ReviewGreenworks Pro 80V 18 in. Brushless Chainsaw Review (2027)
- ReviewMakita 18V X2 (36V) LXT 14 in. Chain Saw Kit Review (2027)
- ReviewDEWALT 60V MAX FLEXVOLT DCCS672X1 18 in. Chainsaw Kit Review (2027)
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