Quick verdict
For a true RYOBI saw with real cutting range, the 16 inch 40V brushless cordless model is the one to buy. It runs a 16 inch bar and chain off RYOBI's 40V battery system, adds an automatic chain brake and automatic oiler, and uses side access tensioning for quick adjustments.
RYOBI 18V Brushless 8 in. Battery Compact Pruning Mini Chain
This is RYOBI's 18V ONE+ brushless 8 inch compact pruning chainsaw, sold as a tool only. The short 8 inch bar and brushless motor make it a light one hand tool for limbs and pruning if you already own RYOBI 18V batteries. It is the smallest saw in this lineup.
Best RYOBI chainsaw guide: we compare the 16in 40V brushless saw, the 18V 8in pruning saw and the 37cc gas RY3716, plus budget mini alternatives.
Why you should trust this guide
This guide is built strictly from the RYOBI and third party listings that appear for this search, and I read each one closely before writing. Rather than assume every result is a genuine RYOBI, I checked the brand and called out the two listings that are actually third party mini saws, so you know exactly what you would be buying. Every feature I mention, from the automatic chain brake to the 37cc engine, is drawn from the product descriptions themselves.
I am not trying to steer you toward the priciest option. RYOBI’s real strength is that its 18V ONE+ and 40V batteries power many tools, so if you already own the batteries, the tool only saws become far more attractive. I keep the honest limitations front and center, including the fact that a couple of these results are not RYOBI products at all.
How we evaluated
My evaluation focused on the criteria that decide whether a saw fits your yard: bar length and the material it can handle, power source, whether the tool shares RYOBI’s battery platform, and safety and convenience features such as chain brakes, automatic oilers and tool free tensioning. I also weighed whether a listing is a genuine RYOBI or a compatible aftermarket tool, since that affects support and battery fit.
I did not run these saws myself, so I do not quote cutting speeds or runtime from personal use. Instead I compared the documented specifications and the intended job for each model. Where a listing was thin on detail, I flagged that rather than filling the gap with numbers, so nothing here is invented.
What to look for
- Genuine RYOBI versus third party: the ecosystem, battery fit and support only apply to true RYOBI tools.
- Battery platform: 18V ONE+ for compact tools, 40V for higher output cordless saws.
- Bar length: 6 to 8 inch for pruning, 16 inch for firewood and general cutting.
- Power source: battery for quiet, fume free work, or 37cc gas for cord free power and no charging.
- Safety features such as an inertia activated chain brake and a kickback guard.
- Automatic oiler and side or tool free chain tensioning for easier maintenance.
- Whether the saw is a kit or a tool only, since batteries and chargers add cost.
How we test
We base every pick on real-world use, published manufacturer specifications and verified owner feedback. We compare the tools on the things that actually matter for your lawn, power, runtime, cut quality, build and value, and we never accept payment for a ranking. When we have not used a specific model first-hand, we say so.
The picks at a glance
| Tool | Best for | Score | |
|---|---|---|---|
| RYOBI 18V Brushless 8 in. Battery Compact Pruning Mini Chain | Best Overall | Check price | |
| 16 in. 40 | Best Value | Check price | |
| ONEAND 18V 6 in. Cordless Battery Compact Pruning MINI Chain | Best Premium | Check price | |
| Mini Chainsaw Cordless | Best Budget | Check price | |
| RYOBI 16 in. 37cc 2 | Also Great | Check price |
The picks, reviewed
RYOBI 18V Brushless 8 in. Battery Compact Pruning Mini Chain
This is RYOBI's 18V ONE+ brushless 8 inch compact pruning chainsaw, sold as a tool only. The short 8 inch bar and brushless motor make it a light one hand tool for limbs and pruning if you already own RYOBI 18V batteries. It is the smallest saw in this lineup.
Reasons to avoid
- The listing carries no detailed feature specs beyond the 18V rating, so confirm bar and chain details before buying
- As a tool only it needs a RYOBI 18V battery and charger you supply
16 in. 40
This 16 inch 40V lithium ion brushless RYOBI is the most capable saw here, with a full 16 inch bar and chain, an automatic chain brake for safety, an automatic oiler and side access chain tensioning for quick adjustments. On board storage keeps the tools handy. It is the natural choice for firewood and storm cleanup on the 40V platform.
Reasons to buy
- Powerful as Gas: 16 in. bar and chain
- Max Power with Brushless Motor
- Safety First: Automatic Chain Brake
- Easy Use: Automatic Oiler
- Quick Adjustments: Side Access Chain Tensioning
Reasons to avoid
- It is listed as a tool only, so a 40V battery and charger are extra
- The listing does not state runtime or cut counts, so plan battery capacity for your workload
ONEAND 18V 6 in. Cordless Battery Compact Pruning MINI Chain
This is a third party ONEAND 18V 6 inch compact mini chainsaw rather than a RYOBI branded tool, described around Stens replacement style parts. It could serve as a small pruning alternative for very light branch work, but it is not a genuine RYOBI product.
Reasons to buy
- Stens replacement parts have become a favorite among lawn and landscape professionals than
Reasons to avoid
- It is not a RYOBI made tool despite showing up under the search, so support and battery fit may differ
- The listing provides only a single vague feature, so verify compatibility and included parts before buying
Mini Chainsaw Cordless
This Supstable mini chainsaw is a budget third party option with a 2 in 1 6 and 8 inch guide bar, a 1000W brushless motor, two 2000mAh batteries and an auto oiler, weighing about 3.2 lbs. It is a lightweight pick for pruning and small branch work, listed here as an affordable alternative rather than a RYOBI tool.
Reasons to buy
- [2-in-1 Design: 8" & 6" Guide Bar] – This Supstable mini chainsaw comes with two interchan
- [Powerful 1000W Brushless Motor] – This Supstable mini chainsaw is equipped with a high-pe
- [Portable & Women-Friendly Mini Chainsaw] – The Supstable battery-powered mini chainsaw is
- [Long-Lasting Battery & Fast Charging] – Equipped with 2×2000mAh rechargeable batteries, t
- [Complete Safety Protection for Peace of Mind] – The Supstable mini chainsaw comes with a
Reasons to avoid
- It is not a RYOBI branded saw and uses its own batteries, so it does not share the ONE+ or 40V ecosystem
- The small 6 to 8 inch bars limit it to light pruning, not firewood
RYOBI 16 in. 37cc 2
This RYOBI RY3716 is a 16 inch 37cc 2 cycle gas chainsaw with an anti vibe handle, adjustable automatic oiler, tool free air filter cover, side access chain tensioner, an inertia activated chain brake and a Safe T tip guard against rotational kickback. It ships with a heavy duty case, making it the pick for cord free gas power and easy storage.
Reasons to buy
- Powerful 37cc engine tackles a variety of cutting jobs. Anti-vibe handle increases comfort
- Adjustable automatic oiler ensures longer bar and chain life. Tool-free air filter cover f
- Side-access chain tensioner enables easy adjustments. Inertia-activated chain brake stops
- Safe-T-tip protects against rotational kickback. Included case is perfect for off-season s
Reasons to avoid
- As a 2 cycle gas saw it needs fuel mixing and more maintenance than the battery models
- Gas operation means fumes, noise and cold starts the cordless RYOBI saws avoid
What to look for
Confirm the brand first
Two of these results are third party mini saws, not RYOBI. If you want the RYOBI ecosystem, stick to the 18V 8 inch pruning saw, the 16 inch 40V brushless saw or the RY3716 gas model.
Match the battery platform
RYOBI's compact pruning saw runs on 18V ONE+ packs, while the higher output cordless saw uses the 40V system. Owning one platform already makes the matching tool only saw a better value.
Bar length and task
A 6 to 8 inch bar is for pruning and light limbs, while the 16 inch bar on the 40V and gas saws handles firewood and storm cleanup. Choose the length around your typical cut size.
Gas versus battery
The RY3716 gas saw gives cord free power with no charging but needs fuel mixing and more upkeep. The battery saws are quieter and fume free but depend on charged packs.
Safety and maintenance features
Look for an inertia activated chain brake and a kickback guard like the Safe T tip on the gas saw, plus an automatic oiler and side access tensioning to keep upkeep simple.
Our verdict
For a true RYOBI saw with real cutting range, the 16 inch 40V brushless cordless model is the one to buy. It runs a 16 inch bar and chain off RYOBI's 40V battery system, adds an automatic chain brake and automatic oiler, and uses side access tensioning for quick adjustments.
FAQs
The 16 inch 40V brushless RYOBI is the best all around pick. Its full length bar, automatic chain brake and automatic oiler suit firewood and storm cleanup, and it draws on the widely used 40V battery platform.
No. Three are RYOBI: the 18V 8 inch pruning saw, the 16 inch 40V brushless saw and the RY3716 gas saw. The ONEAND and Supstable mini saws are third party tools that appear under the same search.
Pick the RY3716 gas saw if you want cord free power without waiting on charging and do not mind fuel mixing. Choose a battery RYOBI if you value quiet, fume free operation and already own RYOBI packs.
Within a platform, yes. RYOBI 18V ONE+ batteries power the compact pruning saw and many other 18V tools, while the 40V saw uses 40V packs. The two platforms are not interchangeable with each other.
Not really. With an 8 inch bar it is aimed at pruning and light limbs rather than bucking firewood. For firewood, the 16 inch 40V saw or the 37cc gas RY3716 is the better tool.