Group Test: Electric Chainsaws

Battery-powered chainsaws have progressed significantly in recent years, with versions now claiming performances to match their petrol-powered counterparts. We put four versions up against each other and a petrol-powered benchmark. Jane Carley and Toby Whatley report.

Electrification and battery power can seem an endless reel of new products or innovations as part of the continuous drive for carbon neutrality and to remove the need to consume fossil fuels.

Battery-powered tools have been well ahead of the curve, with the first commercially available drill arriving on the market in the mid 1970s.

In the intervening 50 years, significant developments with battery technology and the range of tools which use a common battery have exploded, with some manufacturers offering more than 300 different tools to connect with the same 18-volt battery. All very handy stuff.

Chainsaws have remained stubbornly petrol-powered, with the only alternatives being 110-volt or 230-volt corded versions. However, in recent years, a larger and more capable range of battery-powered options have arrived to the market, from the well-known names to some complete newcomers to the chainsaw industry.

We took four models from across the market with a range of prices and battery systems and tested them to see how well they performed against each other and against a benchmark petrol-powered machine.

All of our test saws were supplied from the manufacturer as a complete unit, with the recommended chain, bar and, with the exception of the Stihl, the recommended battery.

Makita DUC355

EGO Power + CS1610E

Stihl MSA 220

ECHO DCS3500

Test location

To conduct a fair and balanced test, we intrusted the services of ETC Training.

Based near Stafford, ETC specialises in all aspects of training for arboriculture, forestry and landscaping and has significant experience in operating and maintaining a range of chainsaws from multiple manufacturers.

Prior to our test, ETC had no experience of using battery-powered saws.

Each saw was used to cut the same length of 200mm-diameter softwood and 170mm-diameter hardwood with the cut times and sounds levels recorded.

With the time and facilities available, we were unable to perform any felling with the saws.

Benchmark Stihl MS180

Benchmark Stihl MS180

Our benchmark petrol-powered saw was a typical farm saw.

A fairly basic unit purchased in 2019, the MS180 is a similar size to our test saws and uses a 14-inch bar, so was a close competitor to the test candidates.

For balance, it was fitted with a new chain, so the cut performance would be comparable to the fresh-out-the-box electric ones.

Weighing

Prior to any work, each saw was filled with chain oil and weighed. All four battery versions were heavier than our fully fuelled benchmark, which, considering their market position, was a surprise to our test team.

When fitted with the recommended battery, the Stihl claims its model would be 200g lighter, but would still make it heavier than the fully fuelled and oiled benchmark.

Sound recording

Electric chainsaws are not do not provide quiet running.

Despite the electric drive, all the tested saws well exceeded the 85dB legal limit for exposure without hearing protection.

Understandably, the cutting of wood generates a significant roar in addition to the electric drive, which was particularly loud.

Some of the models were remarkably high pitched with a recorded sound intensity greater than the petrol-powered counterpart.

Balance and size

Balance and overall dimensions of a saw are important, particularly for more technical cutting and felling tasks.

Generally, a saw should be evenly shaped on both sides with good access to the handle surrounding the unit.

This was comfortably achieved with the Stihl and ECHO, with the Makita in a close third place.

The EGO battery was positioned across the body of the unit, effectively making the tool handed and much wider on one side to the other.

Rating the balance of the saw was achieved through hanging each saw from the top handle, which quickly showed which saw sat level or was biased to the front or rear.

Batteries

Three of the manufacturers used a unique single battery, with Makita being the exception, using a doubled up version of its established 18-volt offering.

Voltages and amperages were varied across each model, with the higher voltage units showing noticeable greater cutter power. However, this was not always translated into cutting performance.

All manufacturers offer additional tools to utilise the battery packs, with ranges extending from other landscaping tools to complete ranges covering hundreds of different tools and uses.

All the supplied batteries used lithium-ion cells. This design of battery is suitable for partial recharge and several thousand cycles of charging and use.

Chargers

Charging for all systems was offered through a dedicated drop-in station connected to a 230-volt mains supply.

Despite the different sizes and battery capacities, the general time required from completely empty to fully recharged was 40-50 minutes.

Some suppliers offer the option of a faster charge to 80 per cent in 30 minutes, with the remaining time to full capacity taking longer.

There are aftermarket inverters which allow mains-operated chargers to be powered from a pickup or UTV 12-volt supply. However, some careful research may be needed to check the suitability for both vehicle and charger.

Rating and scores

During our test, the performance and characteristics of each saw were rated against the same, predetermined categories. This included factors such as weight, charging time, cut performance and build quality.

A total score of 130 points was possible, with the final score for each shown as a percentage.

Makita DUC355

Makita DUC355

Scoring percentage 72 %

Makita has a long pedigree in producing cordless power tools and the DUC355 was the only test unit which used two batteries.

This combination gave a total power output of 36V/5Ah, the lowest of our test group.

In work, the saw was the easiest to stall, but handled carefully, the cut speed in softwood was the second fastest after the Stihl and significantly quicker than the benchmark.

Build quality of the unit was high and at the expected level for this established brand. The plastic was well fitting and appeared very strong.

In the likely event of it falling out of the truck or getting dropped off a fence, we were confident the unit would put up with mishandling.

Weight and balance of the model put it as the lightest of the four and, when suspended, the unit sat without front or rear bias.

Chain tensioning was manual and required the use of a combi spanner to release the side case.

The nuts were captive into the well-made moulding, with a fine thread used for the travel of the tensioner, which should give a precise control of chain tension.

FG verdict

The Makita was very well built and easy to set up and handle, however the lower power did limit its cutting performance.

Heavier than the benchmark, but the lightest in the group, the twin batteries kept the unit balance. However, if you do not own a twin charger, recharging it would take somewhere in the region of 90 minutes.

Turning on the unit required a blister button to be pressed before locking the kick back and squeezing the throttle. This additional level of safety was only seen with the Makita and ECHO and was well-liked by the team.

A score of 72 per cent put it third in our test, however if you were looking for a smaller saw to fit with existing batteries or looking to buy into a battery range with a wider range of tools, this would be our choice.

Makita DUC355 specifications

EGO Power + CS1610E

EGO Power + CS1610E

Scoring Percentage 57%

EGO Power+ is a relative newcomer to the tool market. Established in 2012, the American brand has seen rapid growth in the commercial and domestic sector as many users look to move away from petrol fuelling.

The 58V/5Ah battery pack was the largest and most powerful in the group, which did translate into the best cutting torque proving to be the hardest to stall. However, in performance, the unit was the slowest against the three other electric saws and the benchmark to get through our test timber.

The large single battery was fitted transverse across the body overhanging on the offside, the position resulted in a rear bias when balanced.

It was also the heaviest of our test group, being more than 1.2kg heavier than the benchmark. The manufacturer advises that a range of batteries are offered, with the lower amperage units reducing the overall weight.

Having the largest bar of the group may have put the saw at a disadvantage and our expert felt a smaller 14-inch may have been more appropriate for the size and power of the saw.

Starting the unit required the kickback to be locked and a twin button press to engage the drive.

Oddly, the chain occasionally ran backwards very briefly before changing to run in the correct direction.

Although not a huge issue, it did come as a surprise.

Build quality of the unit was lacking in some areas with thinner, softer plastics, and the exposed position of the battery did not encourage us that it would survive many falls onto a hard surface, although the battery pack itself was very robust and well armoured.

Chain tensioning was achieved with tool free adjustment using toggles and grips which seemed large but were very easy to use when wearing thick gloves.

Verdict

With a final score of 57 per cent, the EGO ranked fourth in our group. The largest battery and greatest power was let down by build quality and overall dimensions of the unit.

If you are looking for the biggest saw for the money, with the greatest power and a battery system which integrates into a wide range of other landscaping tools (including a ride-on mower), the EGO has some advantages.

EGO Power+ CS1610E specifications

Stihl MSA 220

Stihl MSA 220

Scoring Percentage 81%

The Austrian-built MSA 220 from Stihl was an impressive saw. The tested model sits at the upper end of the MSA cordless range, which comprises five different units.

Along with the ECHO, the MSA 220 handled and performed like a petrol chainsaw which had been converted to battery power, whereas the EGO and Makita felt like electric drive units which had been converted into chainsaws.

The recommended battery for the model is the AP300S. However, due to supply issues, the test unit was supplied with the larger AP500S.

The smaller battery offers a lower power supply of 36V/7.7Ah, compared to the larger tested unit with 36V/8.8Ah.

The retail price difference between the two is about 90. If we were investing in the Stihl, we would choose the larger battery.

The cutting performance and feel of the unit was the highest rated of our test four; it was unique in being fitted with a full chisel chain.

This gives a claimed faster and more aggressive cut, but a semi chisel chain, while slower, should keep its edge for longer.

Power output may have been the third lowest, but the combination of chain and possibly pedigree of the design means cutting speeds were comfortably the fastest of the four, although stalling was still quite possible.

The oil reservoir of 209ml was mid-range in our test. However, Stihl claims the oil use and tank size are related to the battery and, in use, the tank should have 10 per cent volume left when the battery has been exhausted, which should keep operators in practice of re-oiling when they recharge the unit.

Starting the saw was a point of potential hazard, as the unit did not require switching on (unlike the Makita and ECHO).

If the kickback was left unlocked, grabbing the unit by the rear handle could easy start the saw up, ideally not something we would like to do when reaching into the pickup to grab it.

Verdict

Scoring an impressive 81 per cent, the Stihl was the leading model in our test and would be our choice on performance.

The build quality and its overall abilities presented a genuine alternative to a petrol unit, with our expert happy to choose the unit for light felling if needed.

Factors which held the unit back were the start-up controls and the cost.

At nearly 750 plus VAT, it would be a considerable investment when compared to our benchmark MS180, which retails at 249.

Stihl MSA 220

ECHO DCS3500

ECHO DCS3500

Scoring Percentage 78%

The Japanese-built ECHO sat with the Stihl in terms of performance as a saw, with a virtually identical cutting performance.

The supplied battery had a power output of 50.4V/5Ah and was the second largest after the EGO.

Having the longest charge time of 49 minutes, the central-mounted battery kept the unit balanced and was one of the lighter machines.

Although the battery placement was similar to the Stihl, we liked the open-ended housing, allowing shavings and dust to be cleared away from the battery port. The manufacturer claims this wide open section also offers battery cooling.

Utilising a bar design similar to the EGO and Makita, all three had a grease port which was present at the tip. Something often overlooked by operators, wear and binding at this point will increase the power to run the chain and reduce battery life. By contrast, the Stihl used a sealed tip bar.

The oil reservoir was the largest of the group and nearly double the capacity of the Makita. Without a fuel tank to refill and provided the operator keeps it topped up, this larger size could mean working away from site would reduce the need to carry chain oil with the tool.

In operation, the cutting performance was good and the emitted sound levels, although great enough for hearing protection, were the quietest without load and second place when ripping into the hardwood round.

Build quality was good with a manual chain tension system similar to the Makita, however the brush guard at the rear of the handle was very thin.

We would not be confident in it surviving a rural life, particularly if it were dropped during cold weather. In addition, the ample oil tank was not well protected, sitting quite exposed outside the body of the machine.

Verdict

The ECHO is an equally impressive saw to the Stihl for cutting performance and machine design and, with a final score of 78 per cent, it arrived in second place.

The four-stage switching process, similar to the Makita, prevented the accidental start-up potential seen with the Stihl and EGO, but it was let down by some less durable sections of its construction and an exposed oil tank.

If the operator could accept (and work) these factors, it could be a strong contender to replace our benchmark and offers a near 200 saving in comparison to the Stihl.

ECHO DCS3500

Electric Chainsaw Testing June 2022

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