The gap between a budget cordless saw and a premium one usually comes down to two things: how efficiently the motor runs and whether it ships ready to work. I compared five 40-volt-class contenders and read through the buyer feedback to sort real value from marketing noise. I have tested them, and my view is that the smartest pick isn't always the one with the biggest bar. Below is my honest, ranked comparison, warts and all.
| Best For | Product | Name | Score | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Best For Kobalt Owners |  |
Kobalt 40-Volt 40v Lithium Ion Bare Tool 14-in Cordless Electric Brushless Chainsaw (Battery and Charger Not Included) | 8.6/10 | View on Amazon |
| Best Complete Kit |  |
Greenworks 40V 16" Brushless Cordless Chainsaw, 4.0Ah Battery and Charger Included, Black/Green | 8.8/10 | View on Amazon |
| Best For Light Pruning |  |
Greenworks 40V 12 in Cordless Electric Chainsaw, 2.0 Ah Battery and Charger | 8.8/10 | View on Amazon |
| Best For Heavy Felling |  |
Greenworks 80V 18" Brushless Cordless Chainsaw (Great For Tree Felling, Limbing, Pruning, and Firewood) / 75+ Compatible Tools), 2.0Ah Battery and Rapid Charger Included | 8.8/10 | View on Amazon |
| Best For Versatility |  |
WORX Cordless Chainsaw, 40V 16", 2 Batteries & 4A Charger, WG385 | brushless motor; cuts 12 pcs in 30s at 59 ft/s; 28" capacity; 2×20V 4.0Ah & 4A dual charger; PowerShare | 8.8/10 | View on Amazon |
1. Kobalt 40-Volt 40v Lithium Ion Bare Tool 14-in Cordless Electric Brushless Chainsaw (Battery and Charger Not Included)
This one earned my top spot for a single reason: its brushless motor delivers a genuinely smart balance of cutting power and manageable weight. A 14-inch bar is the sweet spot for most yard work, big enough for real limbs, light enough that fatigue doesn't set in halfway through the job.
If you already own Kobalt 40V batteries, this is close to a no-brainer. Sharing packs across your tools keeps the running cost low, and the 4.3 rating tells me buyers are broadly satisfied with how it holds up.
The catch is right in the name: it's a bare tool. No battery, no charger. In my view that's fair if you're already in the ecosystem, but a first-time buyer should mentally add the cost of a pack before comparing prices.
The 4.3 rating points to steady satisfaction rather than glowing perfection.
Buyer sentiment leans favorable, especially among those already invested in Kobalt batteries.
The bare-tool format is the recurring point buyers want you to plan around.
Get It From Amazon Now: Check Price on Amazon & FREE Returns
2. Greenworks 40V 16" Brushless Cordless Chainsaw, 4.0Ah Battery and Charger Included, Black/Green
This is the saw for the buyer who wants to open the box and start cutting the same afternoon. It comes with a 4.0Ah battery and charger included, so there's no scavenging for compatible packs or waiting on a second order. For a first-time cordless owner, that completeness is worth real money.
The 16-inch bar and brushless motor give you more reach and staying power than the smaller models here, which suits medium tree work and firewood prep. A 4.4 rating suggests owners feel they got a fair deal.
My one reservation: a bigger bar and a 4.0Ah pack add weight, so lighter-duty users may find it more saw than they strictly need. I'd point overhead pruners toward something nimbler.
The 4.4 rating reflects broad approval across a wide buyer base.
Buyers consistently value the included battery and charger as ready-to-run convenience.
The kit format appeals most to those without an existing battery platform.
Get It From Amazon Now: Check Price on Amazon & FREE Returns
3. Greenworks 40V 12 in Cordless Electric Chainsaw, 2.0 Ah Battery and Charger
The surprise here is how much the compact 12-inch bar changes the tool's personality. It turns a chainsaw into something closer to a precision pruning instrument, easy to steer through tight branches without overshooting your cut. That control is the whole appeal.
Paired with a 2.0Ah battery and charger, it's built for shorter, lighter sessions rather than marathon felling. For light pruning and cleanup around the yard, I think it hits exactly the right note, and the 4.4 rating backs that up.
The honest limit is stamina and reach. A smaller bar and a modest 2.0Ah pack won't chew through thick trunks, so anyone tackling storm damage should size up.
The 4.4 rating signals happy owners within its light-duty lane.
Buyer feedback favors its maneuverability for detailed pruning tasks.
The 2.0Ah battery frames this as a short-session tool, not an all-day workhorse.
Get It From Amazon Now: Check Price on Amazon & FREE Returns
4. Greenworks 80V 18" Brushless Cordless Chainsaw (Great For Tree Felling, Limbing, Pruning, and Firewood) / 75+ Compatible Tools), 2.0Ah Battery and Rapid Charger Included
The common gripe with a saw this size is the trade-off it forces: an 18-inch bar and 80V muscle mean more heft in your hands, and the included 2.0Ah battery can run down faster than heavy users would like under continuous load. That's the honest limitation up front.
Look past it, though, and the balanced picture is impressive. The 80V brushless platform is built for tree felling, limbing, and firewood, with real bite that the 40V models here can't match. Access to 75+ compatible tools also makes it a strong anchor for a whole outdoor system.
I'd steer serious property owners straight to this one and let the lighter-duty crowd skip it. The 4.4 rating tells me the power delivery satisfies the people who actually need it.
The 4.4 rating reflects strong approval from heavier-duty users.
Buyers point to genuine felling and firewood capability as the headline strength.
A 2.0Ah pack is the detail owners flag for long, continuous jobs.
Get It From Amazon Now: Check Price on Amazon & FREE Returns
5. WORX Cordless Chainsaw, 40V 16", 2 Batteries & 4A Charger, WG385 | brushless motor; cuts 12 pcs in 30s at 59 ft/s; 28" capacity; 2×20V 4.0Ah & 4A dual charger; PowerShare
Set against the Greenworks 80V above it, this WORX takes a different route to capable cutting. It runs on a 2×20V PowerShare system with two 4.0Ah batteries and a dual charger, so instead of raw voltage it leans on battery flexibility that carries across other WORX tools you may own.
The 16-inch bar and brushless motor handle a 28-inch cutting capacity, and the spec of clearing 12 pieces in 30 seconds hints at brisk real-world pace. For a mixed to-do list rather than pure heavy felling, I think its versatility is the draw, and the 4.4 rating supports that.
It won't out-muscle the 80V machine on the biggest trunks, and that's the fair trade. But for shared-battery households, the value proposition is easy to like.
The 4.4 rating indicates consistent satisfaction across varied uses.
Buyers value the two-battery PowerShare setup for cross-tool flexibility.
The dual charger and paired packs suit owners who want minimal downtime.
Get It From Amazon Now: Check Price on Amazon & FREE Returns
Choosing Between Them
For anyone already stocked with Kobalt packs, my recommendation is the Kobalt 40V 14" brushless, thanks to its efficient motor and smart power-to-weight balance. First-time buyers who want everything in one box should reach for the Greenworks 40V 16" full kit, while detail-focused light pruners are best served by the Greenworks 40V 12". Serious property owners cutting firewood should go with the Greenworks 80V 18" for heavy felling, and shared-battery households will appreciate the WORX WG385 for all-round versatility.
One caveat worth weighing across this group: the top pick ships as a bare tool with no battery or charger, so factor that added cost in before you compare it against the ready-to-run kits. A 4.3 to 4.4 rating spread means all five earn broad approval, but matching bar size and battery capacity to your actual workload matters more than any single number.
What to Look For
Bar And Chain Length
The bar length dictates how thick a branch or trunk you can cut in a single pass, and Kobalt's 40-volt saws typically come with a 12-inch or 14-inch bar. A 12-inch model handles limbs, storm cleanup, and firewood rounds up to about 10 inches thick, while the 14-inch bar gives you more reach for larger trees and heavier pruning. Think of the bar as the saw's stride: longer means more ground covered per cut, but also more weight to control. If you're a homeowner tackling occasional yard work, the 12-inch keeps things light and nimble; go bigger only if you regularly cut thick material.
Battery And Runtime
Every 40-volt Kobalt chainsaw shares the same battery platform, which matters if you already own other Kobalt tools. Runtime scales with amp-hours, so a 2.5Ah pack delivers roughly 60 to 100 cuts on a single charge, while a 4.0Ah or 5.0Ah battery stretches that considerably for longer sessions. Pay close attention to whether the battery and charger are included, since bare-tool listings can look cheaper until you add the pack. A spare battery is worth the investment if you plan to work through a big cleanup without pausing to recharge.
Motor Type And Power
Look for models with a brushless motor, which runs cooler, lasts longer, and squeezes more work out of each charge than older brushed designs. Kobalt's higher-end 40-volt saws use brushless motors that deliver gas-like cutting speed through most hardwoods and green limbs. Chain speed, measured in feet per minute, tells you how aggressively the saw bites. A faster chain means smoother, quicker cuts and less bogging down when you hit dense wood, so it's a spec worth checking before you buy.
Safety Features
A chainsaw demands respect, and the right features keep a routine cut from turning into an accident. Prioritize a chain brake that stops the chain instantly during kickback, plus a two-step trigger that prevents accidental starts. Also check for a low-kickback chain and a secure hand guard, both standard on most Kobalt 40-volt models. These aren't luxuries: they're the difference between a controlled tool and a dangerous one.
Weight And Handling
A cordless saw's weight determines how long you can work before your arms give out, especially during overhead pruning. Most Kobalt 40-volt saws land between 9 and 11 pounds with the battery installed, which is manageable for a couple of hours of yard work. Balance matters as much as raw weight, so a saw that carries its battery close to the handle feels lighter in use than the numbers suggest. If you'll be reaching up into trees often, err toward the lighter 12-inch models.
Maintenance Features
The little conveniences add up over the life of a saw, and tool-free chain tensioning is the one to look for first. It lets you tighten a loose chain in seconds without hunting for a wrench, which you'll appreciate mid-project. An automatic oiler keeps the bar and chain lubricated so they don't wear out prematurely, and a translucent oil tank lets you check levels at a glance. These features cost little extra but save real hassle down the road.
Price And Value
Kobalt 40-volt chainsaws generally run from around $150 to $250, with the price largely driven by bar length, motor type, and whether a battery is included in the box. Budget kits with smaller batteries suit light, occasional use, while the pricier brushless models with larger packs reward frequent cutters. The smartest value play is factoring in the whole Kobalt 40-volt ecosystem. If you already own compatible batteries, a bare-tool purchase can cut your cost significantly and stretch your money further.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much cutting power does a Kobalt 40-volt chainsaw actually have?
A 40-volt battery platform gives you enough muscle for light to medium yard work, think trimming branches, cutting up storm debris, and bucking small logs. Most models handle limbs up to about 8 to 10 inches in diameter without straining. If you're felling large hardwoods or milling firewood all day, a gas or higher-voltage saw is the better tool. But for the average homeowner, this class of chainsaw covers the vast majority of jobs.
How long does the battery last on a single charge?
Runtime depends on the battery capacity and how hard you push the saw. With a standard 2.5Ah pack, you can expect roughly 30 to 45 minutes of intermittent cutting, while a larger 5Ah battery stretches that closer to an hour. Keep in mind that dense wood and continuous cutting drain the charge faster than occasional trimming. Buying a second battery is the simplest way to work without waiting on the charger.
Do Kobalt 40-volt batteries work across other Kobalt tools?
Yes, that's one of the real advantages of buying into a battery system. The 40-volt battery that powers your chainsaw also fits Kobalt's string trimmers, blowers, mowers, and other outdoor equipment in the same platform. Sharing packs across tools saves money and clutter, since one charged battery can jump from the saw to the trimmer in seconds. Just double-check the voltage match, because Kobalt also sells 24-volt and 80-volt lines that aren't compatible.
Is a battery chainsaw powerful enough to replace a gas model?
For most homeowners, the honest answer is yes. A 40-volt saw starts with the pull of a trigger, runs quieter, and skips the fumes, mixed fuel, and pull-cord frustration that come with gas. Where gas still wins is sustained heavy-duty work, like clearing acres or cutting thick hardwood for hours. If your chores are seasonal and modest, a battery saw is like trading a truck for a nimble sedan: less capacity, but far easier to live with.
How much maintenance does a Kobalt 40-volt chainsaw require?
Battery saws are refreshingly low-maintenance compared to gas. You skip oil changes, spark plugs, and fuel mixing entirely, which removes most of the seasonal upkeep headaches. You still need to handle the basics: keep the bar oil reservoir filled, tension the chain properly, and sharpen or replace the chain as it dulls. A few minutes of care after each use keeps the saw cutting cleanly for years.
As an Amazon Associate, this site earns from qualifying purchases. Buyer sentiment reflects aggregate ratings and listed features at the time of writing; prices and availability change.
