Greenworks Pro 80V 16-Inch Review

Introduction: The Best Budget Entry in the 80V Class

I have been running a small tree service on the side for the last four years, and I have tested almost every battery-powered chainsaw under $400. When the Greenworks Pro 80V 16-Inch landed on my bench, I was skeptical. Battery saws in this price range usually cut slowly, stall under load, or come with a bare tool that forces you to spend another $200 on a battery and charger. The Greenworks Pro 80V is different. It includes the battery and the charger right in the box, and it costs less than any other 80V saw I have tested. But low price often means low performance. I spent three months putting this saw through real work: clearing storm damage, limbing oak trees, and cutting firewood. Here is what I found.

How I Tested It

I did not run this saw in a controlled lab. I used it the way you would use it. I took it to a friend’s property after a windstorm knocked down a 40-foot red oak. I cut through the main trunk, which was about 18 inches thick at the base. I also used it to limb a dozen smaller maple trees and to buck up a pile of seasoned ash firewood. I timed every cut with a stopwatch. I measured battery life by counting how many 6-inch to 8-inch diameter logs I could cut on a single charge. I also paid close attention to how the saw felt after 30 minutes of continuous cutting. I tested the chain tensioning system, the oil cap, and the overall build quality. I ran the saw in temperatures ranging from 45°F to 85°F, and I used the included 2.0Ah battery as well as a larger 4.0Ah battery from another Greenworks tool.

Cutting Speed and Power

The first thing I noticed was the cutting speed. The brushless motor spins the chain fast, and the 16-inch bar handles logs up to about 14 inches in diameter without bogging down. I timed a cut through a 10-inch seasoned oak log at 6.2 seconds. That is competitive with many gas saws in the 40cc class. For comparison, a comparable 40cc gas saw cuts the same log in about 5.5 seconds. The difference is small, and the Greenworks does not require any pull-start effort. The brushless motor provides instant torque. When I pushed the saw into a cut, the chain did not stall unless I really forced it. For limbing and general firewood cutting, this saw is fast enough to keep up with a gas saw.

Battery Life and Runtime

The included 2.0Ah battery is small. I got about 25 cuts through 6-inch to 8-inch logs on a single charge. That is enough for light trimming or a small cleanup job. For serious firewood cutting, you will want a larger battery. I used a 4.0Ah battery from my Greenworks string trimmer, and that doubled the runtime to about 50 cuts. The battery charges from empty to full in about 45 minutes with the included charger. That is not fast, but it is acceptable for a budget saw. One thing I liked: the battery has a fuel gauge with four LEDs. You can see exactly how much charge is left, which helps you plan your work.

Ease of Use

Starting the saw is simple. You insert the battery, press the safety lock, and pull the trigger. No choke, no primer bulb, no pull cord. The saw starts instantly every time. The chain brake is easy to engage with your left hand, and it stops the chain quickly. The oil tank holds about 4 ounces of bar oil, which is enough for about 20 minutes of continuous cutting. I found that the oiler works well. It delivers a steady stream of oil to the bar and chain. I did not have any chain overheating issues.

Build and Value

Let me be honest about the build quality. The Greenworks Pro 80V is not a pro-grade saw. The body is made of high-impact plastic. It feels solid enough, but it does not have the same density as a Stihl or Husqvarna gas saw. The bar is a standard 16-inch low-profile bar. It works fine, but it is not the heaviest-duty bar I have seen. The chain is a 91PX type, which is common and easy to find at any hardware store. The brushless motor is the highlight. It is sealed, quiet, and has no brushes to replace. Greenworks offers a 4-year warranty on the tool and a 2-year warranty on the battery. That is better than most budget saws.

The Heavy Weight Problem

This saw is heavy. With the 2.0Ah battery installed, it weighs 10.5 pounds. That is about 2 pounds heavier than a comparable 40cc gas saw and about 3 pounds heavier than the top-tier battery saws like the Milwaukee M18 Fuel or the Stihl MSA 220. I noticed the weight after about 20 minutes of overhead limbing. My arms got tired. For bucking logs on the ground, the weight is less of an issue. But if you plan to use this saw for extended pruning or limbing, the weight will fatigue you. The weight comes from the large 80V battery and the heavy-duty motor. You trade weight for power and runtime.

The Fragile Plastic Oil Cap

This is my biggest complaint. The bar oil cap is made of thin plastic. It screws into a plastic thread on the oil tank. After about two months of use, the cap started to cross-thread. I had to be very careful when tightening it. If you overtighten it, the plastic threads strip. I have seen this issue reported by other users. My advice: tighten the cap only until it is snug. Do not force it. If the cap breaks, you can buy a replacement for about $5, but it is an annoying failure point on an otherwise good saw.

Chain Tensioning Requires a Tool

This is a tool-required chain tensioning system. You need a combination wrench (included) to loosen the two bar nuts, adjust the tension screw, and then tighten the nuts again. It is the same system used on many gas saws. It works, but it is slower than a tool-less tensioning system. I prefer tool-less systems because you can adjust the chain in the field without fumbling with a wrench. However, the included wrench is stored on the back of the saw, so you will not lose it. I found that the chain stays tensioned well after adjustment. I only had to re-tension it once during my testing.

Value for the Price

This is where the Greenworks Pro 80V shines. It is the lowest-priced 80V chainsaw that includes a battery and charger. Most competitors sell the bare tool for the same price or higher. When you factor in the cost of a battery and charger, the Greenworks saves you $100 to $150 compared to brands like Ego or Makita. You get a brushless motor, a 16-inch bar, and decent cutting speed for a price that is hard to beat. If you already own other Greenworks 80V tools, this saw is a no-brainer. You can use the same batteries across your trimmer, blower, and saw.

Who Should Buy It

This saw is not for everyone. Here is my honest breakdown of who should buy it and who should look elsewhere.

Buy This Saw If:

• You are on a tight budget. This is the most affordable 80V chainsaw with a battery included. If you need a saw for light to medium work and you do not want to spend $400, this is your best option.
• You already own Greenworks 80V tools. The battery compatibility makes this an easy addition to your tool kit. You can share batteries between your trimmer, blower, and saw.
• You need a saw for occasional firewood cutting. If you cut a few cords of wood per year, this saw will handle it. The cutting speed is good, and the battery life is adequate for a few hours of work with a spare battery.
• You want a quiet, low-maintenance saw. No gas, no oil mixing, no spark plugs. Just charge the battery and cut. The brushless motor requires no maintenance.

Do Not Buy This Saw If:

• You need a saw for professional daily use. The plastic oil cap and tool-required chain tensioning will frustrate you. The weight will tire you out on long jobs. Look at a Stihl or Husqvarna gas saw or a top-tier battery saw like the Milwaukee M18 Fuel.
• You need to cut trees larger than 14 inches in diameter. This saw can handle 14-inch logs, but it struggles on larger wood. You will need to make multiple cuts, and the battery will drain fast. For big trees, get a 18-inch or 20-inch gas saw.
• You hate heavy tools. At 10.5 pounds, this is one of the heaviest battery saws in its class. If you have shoulder or arm problems, look for a lighter saw like the Ego Power+ CS1600 or the DeWalt 60V 16-inch.
• You want tool-less chain tensioning. The tool-required system is not a dealbreaker, but if you value convenience, you will prefer the tool-less systems on the Ego or Milwaukee saws.

My Verdict

The Greenworks Pro 80V 16-Inch chainsaw is a solid value. It is not the best battery saw on the market. It is heavy, the oil cap is fragile, and the chain tensioning system is old-school. But for the price, it delivers fast cutting, a brushless motor, and a complete kit with battery and charger. I have used it for three months, and it has not let me down. It starts every time, cuts quickly, and the battery lasts long enough for my weekend firewood projects. If you are looking for an entry-level battery saw that will not break the bank, this is the one to buy. Just be careful with the oil cap, and consider buying a larger battery if you plan to do serious work. For the money, this saw earns my recommendation.