Best Chainsaw for Firewood

The best chainsaw for firewood is the EGO Power+ CS1800 56V with an 18-inch bar (~$350). It rips through hardwood rounds with 45cc gas-equivalent power, delivers roughly 200 cuts per charge on a 5.0Ah battery, and eliminates the gas mixing and pull cord frustration. For firewood, you need a bar at least 2 inches longer than your typical log diameter. Most firewood rounds are 10-16 inches, so an 18-inch bar is the sweet spot.

Not sure which chainsaw? Try our Cut Calculator — 4 questions, one recommendation.

Bar Length Guidance

For firewood, you need a bar at least 2 inches longer than your typical log diameter. Most firewood rounds are 10-16 inches, so an 18-inch bar is the sweet spot.

Firewood cutting demands sustained performance. You're bucking rounds for hours, often in hardwood like oak, maple, or hickory. The saw needs enough bar length to pass through your rounds in one cut, enough power to maintain chain speed in dense wood, and enough durability to do it season after season.

Battery chainsaws are now genuinely competitive for firewood. The EGO CS1800 delivers 45cc gas-equivalent cutting speed and roughly 200 cuts on a 5.0Ah battery. That's a full cord of firewood before recharging. With a spare battery, you'll never stop cutting.

Gas wins if you're processing multiple cords in a single session and don't want to swap batteries. The Husqvarna 445 II runs all day on a tank of gas, and refueling takes 30 seconds. For rounds larger than 16 inches, step up to the EGO CS2005 (20-inch bar) or the Husqvarna 455 Rancher.

Top 3 Picks

1Best Overall for Firewood

EGO Power+ CS1800 56V 18"

EGO · Battery · 18" bar · 14.0 lbs with battery

9.2/10

~$350

EGO Power+ CS1800 56V 18"

Best overall chainsaw for homeowners. 45cc gas-equivalent power, 18-inch bar, push-button start, and roughly 200 cuts per charge. Handles firewood, storm cleanup, and property maintenance without gas, fumes, or pull cords.

Pros
  • +45cc gas-equivalent cutting power
  • +18-inch bar covers most homeowner jobs
  • +Push-button start, no pull cord
  • +Tool-free chain tensioning
  • +Metal bucking spikes for stability
  • +~200 cuts per 5.0Ah charge
Cons
  • -Battery and charger add to total cost
  • -Runtime limited by battery capacity
  • -Heavier than smaller battery saws
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2Best Gas for Firewood

Husqvarna 445 II e-series 18"

Husqvarna · Gas · 18" bar · 11.0 lbs (powerhead)

8.7/10

~$400

Husqvarna 445 II e-series 18"

Best gas chainsaw for most homeowners. 45.7cc X-Torq engine, Smart Start, LowVib technology, and an 18-inch bar that handles firewood, property maintenance, and occasional felling. Unlimited runtime and raw power of gas in a manageable package.

Pros
  • +45.7cc X-Torq engine for fuel efficiency
  • +Smart Start system reduces pull-cord effort
  • +LowVib anti-vibration technology
  • +18-inch bar covers most homeowner tasks
  • +Excellent dealer network and parts availability
Cons
  • -Requires gas/oil mixing
  • -Heavier than battery saws of similar bar length
  • -More maintenance than battery models
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3Best for Large Rounds

EGO Power+ CS2005 56V 20"

EGO · Battery · 20" bar · 15.2 lbs with battery

9/10

~$550

EGO Power+ CS2005 56V 20"

The most powerful battery chainsaw you can buy. 55cc gas-equivalent motor, 20-inch bar, three speed settings, and faster cutting speed than most gas saws in timed tests. Built for serious firewood processing and medium tree felling.

Pros
  • +55cc gas-equivalent power
  • +20-inch bar for large logs and felling
  • +Three speed settings to extend battery life
  • +Beat most gas saws in timed cutting tests
  • +Dual bar nuts for stability
Cons
  • -Premium price at ~$550
  • -Heavy at 15+ lbs with battery
  • -Requires 5.0Ah+ battery for full performance
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Frequently Asked Questions

What size chainsaw do I need for firewood?
An 18-inch bar is the sweet spot for firewood. Most firewood rounds are 10-16 inches in diameter, and your bar should be at least 2 inches longer than your typical log. An 18-inch bar handles rounds up to 16 inches in a single pass. For larger rounds (16-20 inches), step up to a 20-inch bar.
Is a battery chainsaw good enough for firewood?
Yes. The EGO CS1800 56V delivers 45cc gas-equivalent cutting speed and roughly 200 cuts per 5.0Ah charge. That's enough to process a full cord of firewood before recharging. With two batteries, you'll match gas runtime for a typical firewood session.
What bar length do I need for 16-inch logs?
You need at least an 18-inch bar for 16-inch logs. The rule of thumb is bar length = log diameter + 2 inches. An 18-inch bar cuts through a 16-inch round in a single pass without the chain nose hitting the ground.
How many cuts can a battery chainsaw make per charge?
The EGO CS1800 makes roughly 200 cuts through 4x4 lumber on a 5.0Ah battery. In real-world firewood cutting (8-16 inch hardwood rounds), expect 30-60 cuts per charge depending on wood density and diameter. A spare battery doubles your working time.

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Best Chainsaw for HomeownersBest Chainsaw for Large TreesBest Battery ChainsawBest Gas ChainsawBar Length Guide