How we chose
We assessed current Australian exact models from Ryobi, EGO, Stihl, Husqvarna, Makita, DeWalt, AEG and credible lower-cost alternatives. We compared availability, kit-versus-tool-only pricing, bar length, chain speed, manufacturer cut capacity, battery size, chain brake, oiling, tensioning, ergonomics, owner evidence, warranty, parts and platform support, Australian hardwood suitability and value. Worth Buying Australia did not physically cut or laboratory-test timber with these saws.
Serious contenders reassessed
Ryobi RCS36HP: remains a very strong heavy-duty domestic option, especially for existing Ryobi 36V owners. Its 45cm bar, 22.5m/s chain speed, 6Ah kit, $699 research-date price and roughly 47 Bunnings reviews are highly competitive. EGO earns the premium slot after greater weight was placed on its specialist heavy-duty architecture.
Stihl MSA 220 C-B: is a serious professional AP-system contender with strong parts and dealer support, but its roughly $689 skin price rises materially once battery and charger are added. Stihl MSA 80 C-B is a strong domestic specialist option at about $549 tool-only, though complete-system cost and exact-model evidence are less compelling for general buyers.
Husqvarna 240i: offers refined ergonomics and specialist support, but its roughly $729 kit and 11.8m/s stated chain speed weaken its value case. Makita DUC353 is a capable 35cm, 20m/s dual-18V option for LXT households, though the complete kit is expensive and requires two batteries.
DeWalt: has powerful FlexVolt options, but current Australian owner evidence remains mixed and does not justify selection on brand reputation alone. AEG A18CHS14: has a strong 4.8/5 retailer pool of about 179 reviews, yet costs $449 and its single independent exact-model report alleges oil leakage, early failure and poor service. That tiny complaint sample is not generalised, but Ryobi remains the cleaner value pick.
Ryobi 36V Brushless 35cm Chainsaw 4Ah Kit RCS36X4
The RCS36X4 combines the RCS36B1 brushless saw with a 36V 4Ah battery and 1.7A charger. Its 35cm bar and 21m/s chain speed sit above pruning-focused 18V saws while remaining more manageable than the heavy-duty pick. Tool-free tensioning, adjustable automatic oiling and an inertia chain brake make the ownership package practical.
Ryobi says the included battery can make up to 40 cuts through 100mm branches under its test conditions. That is not guaranteed field runtime: hardwood, chain condition, temperature and sustained load all change the result. The current kit is $549; a roughly $399 tool-only version makes sense only for existing Ryobi 36V owners.
The 4Ah pack is not enormous for continuous firewood processing, the 1.7A charger is slow, and the saw weighs 4.2kg before the battery. It still needs bar oil, chain sharpening, tension checks and two-handed technique. It is not a professional felling saw.
What owners say
Positive themes centre on strong battery cutting, easy starting, useful firewood capability and freedom from petrol maintenance. Critical feedback commonly concerns working weight, oil management, battery duration under load and the slow supplied charger.
Pros
- Fast 21m/s chain speed
- Versatile 35cm bar
- Complete 4Ah kit
- Tool-free tensioning
- Mature Australian owner evidence
Cons
- $549 is a substantial outlay
- Slow 1.7A charger
- Heavier than the 18V pick
- 4Ah limits sustained cutting
- Still requires oil and chain maintenance
Ryobi 18V ONE+ HP Brushless 30cm Chainsaw 4Ah Kit RCS1830BLX4
The $339 RCS1830BLX4 kit includes the OCS1830BL HP brushless saw, 18V 4Ah battery and 1.5A charger. Its 304mm bar, automatic oiling, tool-free tensioning, bumper spikes and fast-acting chain brake form a convincing domestic package. At 3.2kg before battery, it is easier to handle than the 36V overall pick.
Its 10m/s chain speed is less than half the larger finalists, and the 30cm bar is intended for modest timber. Current Bunnings copy describes logs up to 200mm; related manufacturer wording has reached roughly 250mm. Treat that as a 200–250mm-class rating, not a promise that every hard log near that size is sensible or safe.
Ryobi's claim of up to 35 cuts through 100mm timber with the 4Ah battery reflects stated test conditions, not continuous high-load runtime. Bar oil is sold separately, and the battery and slow charger can become limiting during sustained work.
What owners say
Owners commonly praise convenient starting, useful pruning performance, manageable size and ONE+ compatibility. Cautions include slower cutting in hard timber, limited runtime under load, oil leakage during storage and the need to keep the chain sharp and correctly tensioned.
Pros
- Complete kit for $339
- Manageable 30cm format
- HP brushless motor
- Huge ONE+ ecosystem
- Very deep Australian evidence
Cons
- Only 10m/s chain speed
- Not for repeated heavy firewood work
- Slow 1.5A charger
- Battery heats and drains under sustained load
- Bar oil sold separately
EGO POWER+ 56V 45cm Brushless Chainsaw Kit CS1805E
The CS1805E complete kit combines the CS1800E saw with a 56V 5Ah ARC Lithium battery and rapid charger. Its 45cm / 18-inch bar, 20m/s chain speed and high-efficiency brushless motor create a genuinely heavy-duty domestic package. EGO specifies a maximum 45cm cut diameter, but that is a manufacturer capacity claim—not a safe universal recommendation for every log or situation.
Ownership features include automatic oiling, a chain-kickback brake, LED work lights, IPX4 weather-resistant construction and a tool-free Easy Tensioning dial. The chain specification is 3/8-inch low profile, 0.050-inch / 1.3mm gauge with 62 drive links. Domestic warranty is five years for the tool and three years for the battery and charger; commercial terms are different.
Price and working weight are the main compromises. A current Australian exact-kit listing was verified at $799 after the research-period promotional price of about $719 could not be confirmed live. The 5Ah pack is substantial, replacement batteries are expensive, and the separate EGO 56V ecosystem adds cost for buyers already committed elsewhere. Its 20m/s chain speed is also slightly below the Ryobi RCS36HP's stated 22.5m/s.
What owners say
The strongest exact-model account praises cutting ability, straightforward tool-free tensioning, useful battery runtime and quieter, fume-free operation. Under severe use, the same owner reported grit and sawdust accumulating around the chain-brake mechanism until it stuck and required cleaning. The tensioning and brake mechanisms still need inspection and maintenance.
Pros
- Serious 45cm heavy-duty domestic architecture
- 20m/s brushless cutting system
- 5Ah battery and rapid charger included
- Tool-free Easy Tensioning and LED lights
- Five-year domestic tool warranty
Cons
- $799 verified current kit price
- Small exact-model owner sample
- Heavy 5Ah working setup
- Replacement batteries are expensive
- Brake and tensioning areas still need cleaning
What matters when buying a cordless chainsaw
Bar length
A 30cm bar suits pruning and modest firewood, 35cm is a versatile domestic middle ground, and 45cm handles larger timber but adds weight and kickback exposure. Bar length is not identical to a safe maximum log diameter.
Chain speed
Higher speed can support faster cutting, but torque, chain sharpness, lubrication, battery state, timber species and technique all affect performance. Do not rank a saw from metres per second alone.
18V, 36V and 56V
Voltage helps define platform and power potential, not safety. The 18V pick is easier to justify for lighter work; the 36V and 56V picks suit more sustained domestic cutting. Every full-size chainsaw can cause severe injury.
Chain brake
An inertia/manual chain brake is an important full-size-saw feature. A front hand guard should not be assumed to provide a confirmed inertia brake unless the exact model specifies it.
Chain tension
Check tension before use, after initial running and as the chain warms or stretches. A chain that is too loose or too tight is unsafe. Follow the exact manual and remove the battery before adjustment.
Bar and chain oil
Cordless eliminates fuel mixing, not lubrication. All three picks still need appropriate bar oil, cleaning, sharpening, tension checks and bar maintenance.
Hardwood workload
Dense Australian hardwood can impose much greater load than softwood. Cut-count claims cannot be compared without matching timber species, diameter, battery, chain condition and test method.
Battery and charger
A larger battery supports heavier work but adds weight. Charger speed affects turnaround. Compare complete kit cost, not a tool-only headline, unless you own compatible packs.
Chainsaw safety boundary
Use eye and hearing protection, appropriate gloves, long trousers, sturdy footwear and chainsaw chaps where appropriate. Keep both hands on a rear-handle saw and maintain a clear work zone. New users undertaking substantial work should seek formal instruction.
Large, leaning or storm-damaged trees, work near buildings or powerlines, major dead limbs and any job requiring climbing belong with a qualified arborist. This guide does not provide advanced felling, notch, back-cut or climbing instruction.
Which one should you buy?
Choose the Ryobi RCS36X4 for the best domestic balance: its 35cm bar, 21m/s speed, complete 4Ah kit and mature evidence suit regular pruning, medium logs and firewood.
Choose the Ryobi RCS1830BLX4 when price, lower weight and ONE+ compatibility matter most, and your jobs stay in the pruning-to-modest-firewood range.
Choose the EGO CS1805E when larger timber, Australian hardwood and frequent heavy domestic cutting justify a 45cm bar, 56V 5Ah battery, rapid charger and specialist outdoor-power platform.
Frequently asked questions
Is a cordless chainsaw powerful enough for firewood?
Yes, for many domestic workloads. The 35cm and 45cm picks have useful speed and capacity for firewood. Sustained large-log or professional forestry work remains a different workload, especially in dense Australian hardwood.
Is an 18V or 36V chainsaw better?
Choose by workload rather than voltage alone. The 18V model is lighter and cheaper for pruning and modest logs. A 36V platform offers more headroom for regular firewood, storm cleanup and larger timber, but costs and weighs more.
What chainsaw bar length do I need?
Around 30cm suits pruning and small-to-medium logs. A 35cm bar is an excellent domestic all-round size. A 45cm bar is for buyers who regularly need larger capacity and can manage the extra size, weight and kickback exposure.
How long does a cordless chainsaw battery last?
There is no universal runtime. Battery capacity, timber, diameter, chain sharpness, lubrication and temperature all matter. Manufacturer cut-count claims are controlled demonstrations, not guaranteed field performance.
Do cordless chainsaws still need chain oil?
Yes. All three recommendations need bar and chain oil. They also require chain sharpening, tension checks, cleaning and bar maintenance even though there is no petrol to mix.