Quick verdict
In the budget cordless class the Greenworks 24V 12 inch brushless saw is the standout. It brings a low-kickback bar, an automatic oiler and tool-less tensioning, and it ships with a 4.0Ah battery and charger, so there is nothing extra to buy.
Greenworks 24V 12" Brushless Cordless Compact Chainsaw
This Greenworks 24V saw pairs a 12 inch low-kickback bar with a brushless motor rated for twice the torque of brushed designs, plus an automatic oiler and tool-less chain tensioning. Crucially it includes a 4.0Ah battery and fast charger, so it is a complete kit that works with over 200 Greenworks 24V tools.
The best chainsaw under 200: Greenworks cordless saws compared on bar length, battery power and included kit to help you find real value without gas upkeep.
Why you should trust this guide
Shopping a chainsaw under a set budget means watching not just the saw price but what comes in the box, and I have paid close attention to that here. I pulled the current live listings and read each manufacturer’s specifications, then noted clearly which saws include a battery and charger and which are sold as bare tools. A tool-only saw can look cheaper until you add the battery, so I flag that difference because it changes the real cost more than any single spec.
My goal is to help you find genuine value in this price class, not just the lowest sticker. Every saw here is from Greenworks and shares one battery platform, which means the value question is really about bar length, cutting power and whether the kit is complete. I explain where a bigger 48V model earns its spot for larger wood and where a compact 24V saw makes sense as a light-duty or add-on tool. I did not physically test or own these saws, so every claim ties to published specifications you can verify.
How we evaluated
For a budget chainsaw I weighed included kit contents first, then bar length, battery voltage and cutting output, and safety features. Whether a battery and charger are in the box matters most in this class, because a bare tool that seems cheap can cost more once you buy the missing pieces. A complete kit like the 24V 12 inch saw removes that hidden cost, which is why it leads the ranking for most buyers.
I also looked at cutting output figures like cuts-per-charge on 4×4 wood, since those give a fair read on real capability across the 24V and 48V models. Bar length and voltage scale the work each saw can handle, from light pruning on the 10 inch unit to bucking small logs on the 16 inch models. Because every pick shares the Greenworks 24V platform, I weighed how well each fits into that ecosystem, since batteries bought here also power over 200 other tools, which stretches the value of your spend. I also considered how each saw grows with you over time, since a first budget saw often becomes a backup once you upgrade. A model on a shared battery platform keeps its value because the batteries live on in other tools, and a saw that covers a slightly wider range of tasks stays useful longer, so I weighed that longevity alongside the upfront kit contents to reflect the true cost of ownership rather than just the day-one price.
What to look for
- Included battery and charger: A complete kit avoids the hidden cost of buying a battery separately, which matters most in a budget.
- Bar length: A 10 to 12 inch bar handles pruning, while 14 to 16 inch bars cut small logs and firewood.
- Battery voltage: 24V suits light work, while 48V (two 24V batteries) brings more torque for larger wood.
- Cuts per charge: Figures like cuts on 4×4 wood give a fair read on real cutting capability.
- Automatic oiler: Keeps the chain lubricated so it lasts and cuts cleanly with no manual oiling.
- Chain brake and low kickback: Essential safety features, especially for occasional and newer users.
- Battery platform: A shared platform that powers many other tools stretches the value of your battery purchase.
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 | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Greenworks 24V 12" Brushless Cordless Compact Chainsaw | Best Overall | Check price | |
| Greenworks 48V | Best Value | Check price | |
| Greenworks 48V | Best Premium | Check price | |
| Greenworks 24V 10" Cordless Compact Chainsaw | Best Budget | Check price | |
| Greenworks 48V | Also Great | Check price |
The picks, reviewed
Greenworks 24V 12" Brushless Cordless Compact Chainsaw
This Greenworks 24V saw pairs a 12 inch low-kickback bar with a brushless motor rated for twice the torque of brushed designs, plus an automatic oiler and tool-less chain tensioning. Crucially it includes a 4.0Ah battery and fast charger, so it is a complete kit that works with over 200 Greenworks 24V tools.
Reasons to buy
- 12'' CHAIN AND BAR: Low kick back and perfect for homeowners and occasional users
- BRUSHLESS MOTOR TECHNOLOGY: 2X more torque. Provides more power, longer runtimes, quiet op
- AUTOMATIC OILER: Delivers proper chain lubrication and increased productivity
- TOOL-LESS CHAIN TENSIONING: For easy bar and chain maintenance
- EASY TO USE: Push button start, no gas or fumes, no carburetor, no spark plug, and no star
Reasons to avoid
- A 12 inch bar suits pruning and small firewood, not large felling
- 24V single-battery power is modest next to the 48V models
Greenworks 48V
This 48V saw runs two 24V batteries through a brushless motor and a 14 inch bar for up to 150 cuts on 4x4 lumber per charge, stronger than the single-battery 24V unit. It includes two 4.0Ah batteries and a dual-port rapid charger, and shares the 200-plus tool platform.
Reasons to buy
- 14'' CHAIN AND BAR : great performance for tree cutting and get up to 150 cuts on 4x4 lumb
- BRUSHLESS MOTOR TECHNOLOGY : 2 x more torque. Provides more power, longer runtimes, quiet
- AUTOMATIC OILER : delivers proper chain lubrication and increased productivity
- EASY ADJUST TENSIONING : for easy bar and chain maintenance
- EASY TO USE : push button start, no gas or fumes, no carburetor, no spark plug, and no sta
Reasons to avoid
- Needs two 24V batteries to run, adding to the platform cost
- 14 inch bar still targets homeowner tasks, not heavy professional felling
Greenworks 48V
This 48V saw steps up to a 16 inch bar for up to 100 cuts on pressure-treated 4x4 wood per charge, with an automatic oiler and a transparent oil window. It ships with two 4.0Ah batteries and a 65W USB-C charger and includes a mechanical chain brake and low-kickback chain for safety.
Reasons to buy
- ăPowerful Cutting PerformanceăThe 16-inch bar and high chain speed deliver up to 100 cuts
- ăHassle-Free Auto Lubrication SystemăThe automatic oiler with a transparent oil window ens
- ăComplete Battery & Charger KităIncluded with (2) 4.0Ah batteries and a 65W USB-C charger,
- ăSafe & User-Friendly DesignăMechanical chain brake and low kickback chain enhance operati
- ăPERFECT GIFT IDEAăA practical and thoughtful gift for DIY enthusiasts, gardeners, husband
Reasons to avoid
- The 16 inch bar and dual batteries push it toward the top of the under-200 range
- USB-C charging is slower than some dedicated rapid chargers
Greenworks 24V 10" Cordless Compact Chainsaw
This 24V 10 inch saw is the lightest and most compact Greenworks here at 5.7 pounds, cutting 35 pieces of 4x4 wood per charge and usable one-handed for high pruning. It is sold tool-only, which makes it a low-cost add-on if you already own Greenworks 24V batteries.
Reasons to buy
- Powerful Cutting Performance â 10" Low-Recoil Chain + 24V Power: Full charge cuts 35 piece
- Flexible Battery Life â 24V Platform (200+ Tool Compatibility) + Device Charging: Works wi
- Dual Safety Design â Anti-Accidental Touch + Low Recoil: Dual-start (trigger + safety lock
- Lightweight & Easy Operation â 5.7lbs (2.6kg) with Compact Body + Non-Slip Grip: One-hand
- Automatic Lubrication System â 200ml Oil Tank + Maintenance-Free Oiling: Built-in oiler lu
Reasons to avoid
- Sold as a bare tool, so a battery and charger cost extra
- A 10 inch bar is for pruning and light work only
Greenworks 48V
This 48V saw is another 16 inch model delivering up to 150 cuts on 4x4 lumber per charge through a brushless motor, and it ships with two 4.0Ah batteries and a dual-port rapid charger. It gives you the longest bar and strongest cutting in this group within the platform.
Reasons to buy
- 16'' CHAIN AND BAR : great performance for tree cutting and get up to 150 cuts on 4x4 lumb
- TRUBRUSHLESS MOTOR TECHNOLOGY : 2 x more torque. Provides more power, longer runtimes, qui
- AUTOMATIC OILER : delivers proper chain lubrication and increased productivity
- EASY ADJUST TENSIONING : for easy bar and chain maintenance
- EASY TO USE : push button start, no gas or fumes, no carburetor, no spark plug, and no sta
Reasons to avoid
- Requires two 24V batteries to operate
- 16 inch dual-battery kit sits at the higher end of the budget range
What to look for
Watch the box contents
In this price class, whether a battery and charger are included decides the real cost. A complete kit like the 24V 12 inch saw beats a cheaper bare tool once you add the missing parts.
24V versus 48V
A single 24V battery handles pruning and small firewood. The 48V models run two batteries for more torque and longer bars, better for cutting larger wood.
Bar length for the job
A 10 to 12 inch bar covers pruning and cleanup. Step up to 14 to 16 inches if you cut small logs or process firewood regularly.
One battery platform
Every pick shares the Greenworks 24V platform, so batteries you buy also power 200-plus other tools, which stretches the value of your spend well beyond one saw.
Our verdict
In the budget cordless class the Greenworks 24V 12 inch brushless saw is the standout. It brings a low-kickback bar, an automatic oiler and tool-less tensioning, and it ships with a 4.0Ah battery and charger, so there is nothing extra to buy.
FAQs
The Greenworks 24V 12 inch brushless saw is a strong pick because it includes a 4.0Ah battery and charger, so there is nothing extra to buy. It handles pruning and small firewood comfortably.
Yes. Cordless saws from Greenworks in this range include a brushless motor, automatic oiler and tool-less tensioning. Just check whether the battery and charger are in the box or sold separately.
24V single-battery saws suit pruning and light work. 48V models run two 24V batteries for more torque and longer bars, making them better for cutting larger wood if your budget allows.
A bare tool like the 24V 10 inch saw has a lower sticker price but needs a battery and charger you buy separately. That only saves money if you already own compatible Greenworks 24V batteries.
These saws handle storm cleanup, pruning and firewood prep, with cuts-per-charge figures from 35 pieces of 4x4 wood on the 10 inch saw up to 150 on the 48V models.