We put almost 50 corded electric and battery-powered chainsaws by rigorous speed, dealing with, and safety exams. Here’s what got here out on top. An electric chainsaw being examined on an oak beam at CR’s Yonkers, N.Y., headquarters. If you live in a closely wooded area or prep your own firewood, a chainsaw is crucial. Even on a extra modest suburban lot, they is usually a helpful tool to prune trees or cut up the occasional fallen limb. For years, electric chainsaws couldn’t hold their own in opposition to gas fashions. That’s modified, significantly for battery-powered electric chainsaws, which are usually extra highly effective than corded fashions. In our most current exams, the highest-rating battery-powered saw made an astonishing 152 cuts by way of a 10-inch oak beam on a single charge. And it’s not the only electric chainsaw to kill it in recent years. Of the 49 electric chainsaws in CR’s chainsaw scores (of which forty two are battery-powered and seven are corded), a majority landed a score of fine or better for reducing velocity. And plenty of the battery-powered fashions really earn the highest rating of excellent in that take a look at. That’s essential because cutting speed is where electrics actually lagged behind gas fashions prior to now. “In the early days, electric saws were fairly underpowered,” says Misha Kollontai, CR’s take a look at engineer in charge of chainsaws. Most newer fashions come outfitted with a longer reducing bar, a chunk that resembles a blade. Which means they’ll sort out bigger timber or fallen limbs. Five years in the past, most electric models got here equipped with a 12-inch bar, but now many feature a 16- or 18-inch, just as a gas saw would. That mentioned, there are a couple of limitations to electrics. Corded models want an outdoor outlet and a protracted extension cord, and it’s laborious to find an out of doors-rated heavy-gauge extension cord that’s longer than 100 ft. So that’s about as far from your house as you can reach with your saw. Battery-powered chainsaws remedy this drawback, however they run solely 30 to 40 minutes before the batteries should be recharged (which normally takes an hour).
But you can also buy a second battery to ensure you’ll be able to lower constantly. To evaluate electric chainsaws, we consider how properly they reduce, how protected they are to function, how well they handle, and how easy they’re to take care of and function. We put them by means of the identical arduous assessments as we might heavy-duty gas chainsaws to guage cutting velocity. Using 10-inch-thick oak beams, we time how lengthy it takes for each saw to work its means by the wood. We also assess how every noticed handles, contemplating its weight and the way straightforward it is to make horizontal and vertical cuts, and check for any vibration. For ease of use, we take a look at a quantity of things, together with how easy it is to start out, regulate, and maintain. To evaluate safety options, we examine for any kickback during the course of chopping and assess whether or not a model’s exhaust parts, just like the muffler, get hot, a attainable burn hazard. We additionally incorporate scores for predicted reliability and proprietor satisfaction, which reflect what 1000’s of CR members inform us about their experiences with their chainsaws. Specifically, we ask whether their chainsaws ever broke or stopped working correctly in the first 5 years of ownership. We also calculate the percentage of members who say they’re extraordinarily likely to advocate their chainsaw to a buddy or household member. Battery-powered saws tend to be slightly more reliable than their corded counterparts. A majority of battery-noticed manufacturers earn a rating of Very good or Excellent for predicted reliability, whereas the corded brands earn scores of both Good or Excellent. We test electric chainsaws from some of the biggest manufacturers within the class, including DeWalt, Ego, Ryobi, and Stihl. For data on choosing the right device to your wants, take a look at our chainsaw shopping for information. CR members may learn on for scores and opinions of the best electric chainsaws from our assessments. For extra electric chainsaw options (in addition to fuel saws) see our complete chainsaw rankings. Consumer Reports is an independent, nonprofit organization that works side by aspect with customers to create a fairer, safer, and healthier world. CR doesn’t endorse services or products, and doesn’t accept advertising.
A great investment for any gardening and DIY enthusiast. Craftsman is one in all the most well-liked brands in the chainsaw business, and their corded electric choice lives as much as its name. I have to say that I’m thoroughly impressed with the efficiency and capabilities of this tool. The 12 amp motor gives optimum energy to the software to handle powerful reducing applications. The perfect half, the software is outfitted with a 16-inch low kickback bar and chain which reduces the danger of harm and makes the instrument protected to make use of. I completely beloved the built-in oil window that helps you retain the oil levels in verify. This characteristic is usually overlooked in most typical financial chainsaws. Adding to this, the instrument-free chain tensioning system makes maintenance a breeze. Also, the software has a cushty grip and comes with a 3-year limited guarantee. On the draw back, the instrument doesn’t include any accessories. The bar cowl is also not included. Why Consider CRAFTSMAN Electric Chainsaw? An reasonably priced and dependable device with a low-kickback bar and chain and simple maintenance. Perfect for residence and yard maintenance. Being a homeowner, I am always on the lookout for tools that could make my wooden-cutting jobs simpler without costing me a lot cash. After testing out Greenworks corded chainsaw, I can confidently say that that is the best $a hundred chainsaw for homeowners. It comes with an environment friendly motor that is extremely powerful and a versatile design that helps you are taking care of a variety of cutting applications. The device is absolutely simple to use. Just begin it with the press of a button and begin going about your tasks. It comes with a device much less chain tensioning and translucent oil tank, each of which make maintenance lots simpler. Also, the facility cord is lengthy enough to offer loads of attain and mobility. An ideal device for homeowners.
Why Consider Greenworks Corded Electric Chainsaw? Overall, the Greenworks chainsaw is a dependable and highly effective software for clearing up your yard and for general wooden-cutting purposes. Some of the prominent and renowned electric chainsaws is the Worx WG303.1, which is also thought-about the best electric chainsaw beneath $100. This device is engineered with chopping-edge expertise and supplies environment friendly functionality for a variety of wooden-reducing tasks. One of the most prominent options of this software is the auto chain-tensioning system. It is a patented expertise that prevents the over-tightening of the chain, which significantly increases the service life of the bar and chain. Adding to this, the device has additionally upgraded the oiling system with modern technology which enhances the lubrication for peak effectivity. Another nice feature is the short-cease chain brake, which immediately stops the chain once you want it to. So, their risk for accidents is drastically diminished. Furthermore, the steel spike bumper takes a perfect grip on the wooden, which prevents kickback and offers you more management over your chopping. Not to mention the complete-wrap handle that is ergonomic and offers you additional leverage when working with the tool. The rubberized grips guarantee snug and handy management of the instrument. The instrument can also be geared up with an extension cord holder, which retains the extension cord out of the way in which. However, on the draw back, the extension cord is not included with the device. So, you should have to buy it individually. Why Consider WORX WG303.1? A rugged and reliable instrument for any homeowner and DIY enthusiast. The device can take on some pretty powerful tasks and is equipped with trendy applied sciences for advanced performance and security. Another Oregon chainsaw that is worthy of consideration is the CS1400 which is a superb possibility for each homeowners and professionals.
One of many standout options of this tool is the Control Cut noticed chain. The chain is designed innovatively to stay sharper for longer, which suggests you’ll spend less time on maintenance and more time on cutting. Adding to this, the guide bar and chain additionally characteristic a low kickback feature, which makes the device easier to handle and likewise reduces the chance of harm. Also, the instrument is geared up with varied other features that make maintenance a breeze like built-in chain tightening and oil-level windows. What I loved most concerning the device is the quiet efficiency. The chainsaw makes no noise between its not slicing. So, your neighbors will no longer complain when you’re working passionately in your backyard. On the draw back, in contrast to Oregon CS1500, the instrument is not geared up with PowerSharp technology. So, you’ll have to manually sharpen the chain when wanted. Why Consider Oregon CS1400? If you’re worried about noise complaints from your neighbors, then this device is ideal for you. Besides being efficient, it is completely quiet between cuts. As a passionate gardener myself, I all the time love an excellent high quality mini chainsaw because it is best suited for gardening tasks. The Gocheer mini chainsaw is certainly among the best on the listing that gives efficient and easy reducing capacity and may minimize by way of branches like butter. The most premium characteristic of this tool is the excessive-capacity battery pack that provides for much longer battery life and in addition more power. You may easily use the tool for about an hour after simply 2 hours of charge. One of the best half is, Gocheer has included an additional battery with the tool. So, you may keep the second one charged and ready to be used when the primary one runs out. Adding to this, this mini chainsaw is the lightest tool on the checklist.
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