Best Small Cordless Chainsaws for Light Yard Work
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Small chainsaw cordless models are battery-powered saws with a bar of about 6 to 8 inches, built for pruning, trimming branches and cutting small firewood. For light yard work, the models worth a look are the ones whose listings state the bar size, the battery set, the motor and the safety features clearly. This guide covers eight models from the product data on file. Each description reflects only what its listing says, and where a figure is missing we say so.
Quick answer
- For light yard work, a 6-inch or 8-inch bar covers most branch cutting in this group.
- Check whether the listing includes batteries and a charger. Some kits include two batteries and a charger, while others say the battery is sold separately.
- Match the battery platform to batteries you already own. The pack includes models built for DeWalt 20V, Milwaukee M18 and V20 systems.
- Look for a safety lock that must be pressed before the saw starts, which several listings name.
How to choose a small cordless chainsaw
Light yard work usually means trimming shrub growth, removing dead limbs, cutting fallen branches to length and splitting small firewood. A small saw suits these jobs because it is light enough to hold with one hand for short cuts. The trade-off is cut depth. Listings in this group describe cut capacities up to about 4 inches in some cases, and the bar length sets the limit for any single pass. Check the cut capacity line in the listing against the thickest branch you expect to cut.
Power is the next question. Most of the saws here use a brushless or copper-wire motor. Listed motor ratings range from 550W to 1200W, and the chain speeds in the listings run from about 16 feet per second to around 36 feet per second. These numbers come from each seller, so use them to compare listings, not as a ranking of cutting performance.
Battery setup decides how long you can work. Several kits include two 21V 2000 mAh batteries, and the listings describe runtimes from about 30 minutes to around 60 minutes with the set. The IMOUMLIVE listing gives a single 21V 2.0Ah battery. If you plan a long session, a second battery in the kit matters more than a few extra watts.
Sizing and fit
A 6-inch bar is the most common size in this group and is the easiest to control. Two models here, the Supstable and DEJUNPIOOL kits, include a second guide bar, and the Supstable kit covers both 6-inch and 8-inch bars. A longer bar reaches farther into a branch but adds weight. Among the listings that give a weight, figures run from about 1.9 pounds for the maXpeedingrods bare tool to 3.3 pounds for the Tietoc set, so check the weight the listing gives for the complete package.
Chain fit and tension also matter. Several listings describe bolt-lock or tool-free chain tensioning, and the Houselife listing describes a tool-free knob. Whatever the model, check chain tension before each use and after the first few cuts, and follow the manual for adjustment.
The eight models
IMOUMLIVE JYYS6 6-inch cordless mini chainsaw
The IMOUMLIVE is a 6-inch saw with a 21V 2.0Ah battery and a charger in the box. The listing gives a weight of 2.2 pounds and a chain speed of 32 feet per second. It has a safety lock, an extended splash guard and a heavy-duty hand guard. The kit includes a brush, screwdriver, blade cover and lubricating oil. The listing gives a 2-year warranty for the chainsaw and a 1-year warranty for the battery. Choose this model if you want one battery, a charger and a light 6-inch saw in one package.
CEEPUY 6-inch mini chainsaw with two batteries
The CEEPUY kit includes two 21V 2000 mAh lithium battery packs, three chains (one already mounted on the saw), a guide bar and a storage case. The listing gives a motor of 880 watts and a chain speed of 28.6 feet per second, and says a 6-inch log can be cut in about six seconds. It has an auto oil filling system that works with the listed chain oil, and a security lock that must be pressed together with the start button. The listing describes five safety features in total. Choose this model if you want a spare chain and two batteries in the same kit.
Tietoc MNCS-118 6-inch cordless chainsaw
The Tietoc saw uses an 880W copper motor with a listed chain speed of 28.6 feet per second. The kit includes two 21V 2000 mAh rechargeable batteries with a charge level indicator, two chains (one mounted), two guide plates and a quick charger. The listing describes an automatic chain oiling system that works with standard chain oil. Its safety features include a security lock and safety baffles. The listing states a 365-day warranty. The bullet text gives an item weight of about 3.3 pounds for the complete set, so count the battery weight when you plan your carry.
maXpeedingrods 6-inch mini chainsaw with two batteries
This maXpeedingrods kit includes two 21V 2000 mAh batteries and three chains, one already fitted to the saw. The listing gives a 550W motor and a chain speed of 18.04 feet per second. Its lubrication system uses a pump that the listing says you press three to five times to activate. The listing describes six safety designs, including a safety lock that must be pressed with the start control. It gives a bare-tool weight of 1.92 pounds. Choose this model if you want a light saw with two batteries and a lower chain speed.
Supstable BL-168 mini chainsaw with 6-inch and 8-inch bars
The Supstable kit includes two guide bars, 6-inch and 8-inch, plus two batteries and a charger. The listing describes a 1000W brushless motor and up to 60 minutes of continuous runtime from the set. Its items include a safety lock, a wood debris baffle, a non-slip auxiliary handle, gloves and goggles. The specs list a 2-year manufacturer warranty. This is the only model in the group that gives you two bar sizes with a battery set in one box.
DEJUNPIOOL mini chainsaw for Milwaukee M18
This DEJUNPIOOL model is a brushless 1200W saw built for Milwaukee M18 18V batteries, and the listing says the battery and charger are not included. The kit includes 6-inch and 8-inch guide bars with two chains each, an oil bottle, goggles, gloves and a brush. The listing states an automatic lubrication system and tool-free chain tensioning. It gives a weight of 2.7 pounds for the tool. The bullet text lists compatible Milwaukee M18 battery numbers, including 48-11-1820 and 48-11-1830. Choose this model if you already own M18 batteries.
Houselife HL-CS-001 mini chainsaw for DeWalt 20V
The Houselife saw is a 6-inch cordless model built for DeWalt 20V MAX batteries, with the battery and charger not included. The listing gives a drive speed of 21 feet per second and a weight of 2.0 pounds. It describes an overheat protection system that shuts the motor off under stress, and a tool-free chain tensioning knob. Choose this model if you already own a DeWalt 20V battery and want a light saw for branch work.
CRAFTSMAN CMCCS320D1 V20 6-inch mini chainsaw
The CRAFTSMAN V20 model has a 6-inch bar and chain with a listed cut capacity of up to 4 inches. The kit includes a 2Ah V20 battery and charger, plus a storage sheath with an on-board wrench holder. The listing says it is 50 percent more compact and 14 percent lighter than the CMCCSL621B model. It has an integrated tip guard for upper cuts, reliable clamping and bolt-lock chain tensioning. Choose this model if you want a CRAFTSMAN V20 saw with its battery and charger included.
Battery and charging notes
The battery is the part you will use most. If a kit has two batteries, one can charge while the other runs, which keeps a yard session moving. If a kit has one battery, plan for downtime or buy a second pack of the same platform. Read the battery voltage and capacity in each listing, because a battery of the right shape but the wrong voltage will not match the tool.
Store batteries at room temperature, keep the contacts clean, and charge only with the charger that matches the battery. The manual for each saw controls the charging steps, and the listings describe charge times only as the seller states them.
Safety and upkeep
A small chainsaw still has a fast-moving chain. Wear eye protection and gloves, keep both hands on the saw when it is running, and keep the bar and chain away from your legs and the ground. Use the safety lock, chain guard, hand guard and debris baffle that your model provides, and do not defeat them. Remove the battery before changing the chain, clearing a jam or storing the saw.
Keep the bar clean and the chain sharp. For models with an auto oiler, fill the reservoir before each use and check the oil level. Chain tension changes as the chain runs in, so check it again after the first few cuts. For a sharpening guide, see the link in the bottom line.
Mistakes to avoid
- Choosing by motor wattage alone. The listings state different motor and speed figures, and a higher number does not automatically mean a better cut for your branches.
- Assuming a battery comes in the box. The DEJUNPIOOL and Houselife listings say battery and charger are sold separately.
- Buying a battery from the wrong platform. The DeWalt 20V, Milwaukee M18 and V20 models in this group do not share batteries.
- Skipping the second battery when you plan a long session. Several kits include one, and the listings give runtimes near 30 to 60 minutes per set.
- Cutting wood wider than the bar can reach. Use the cut capacity figure in the listing as the upper limit.
FAQ
What bar length is best for light yard work?
A 6-inch bar handles most small branches and is the easiest to control. An 8-inch bar reaches farther into a limb. Several kits in this group include both sizes, and the Supstable is the one that does so with batteries and a charger.
Which models include batteries?
The IMOUMLIVE, CEEPUY, Tietoc, maXpeedingrods, Supstable and CRAFTSMAN V20 listings describe batteries in the kit. The DEJUNPIOOL Milwaukee M18 and Houselife listings say the battery is not included.
Can I use my existing batteries?
Only if they match the platform the listing names. The DEJUNPIOOL M18 model names Milwaukee M18 battery numbers, the Houselife model names DeWalt 20V batteries, and the CRAFTSMAN model uses V20 batteries. Check the compatibility text in the listing before buying.
How much does the saw weigh?
The listings give weights from about 1.9 pounds to about 3.3 pounds. The figures can refer to the bare tool or to the full kit, so compare the same kind of number across listings.
Do these saws have a safety lock?
Most listings in this group describe a lock. The CEEPUY, Tietoc and maXpeedingrods listings say the lock and the start control must be pressed together. Use that lock on every start.
Are spare chains included?
Several kits include extra chains. The CEEPUY and Tietoc listings describe three and two chains, and the maXpeedingrods listing describes three replaceable chains. Count them before you plan a replacement.
Bottom line
For light yard work, pick the shortest bar that reaches your branches, a battery platform you already own or a kit that includes two batteries, and a weight you can hold for the whole job. The Supstable is the only model in this group that includes two bar sizes with batteries. If you own M18, DeWalt 20V or V20 batteries, check the matching listing first.
Related reading: Best Electric Chainsaw Sharpener: Nine Bench, Kit and Cordless Models Compared explains chain sharpening, and Protecting Cordless Yard Tools From Rain covers storing cordless tools after wet weather.
