An electric chainsaw is the easiest saw to own: no fuel to mix, no pull cord, and a trigger that starts the cut in a second. But two cordless saws that look alike can suit very different jobs. The right pick comes down to a short list of specs, and getting them right the first time is the difference between a saw that breezes through the work and one that fights you.
This guide walks through what actually matters when you buy a cordless electric chainsaw, and how the Wild Badger saws line up against each choice.
The Quick Answer
Choose a lighter 20V, 12-inch saw for pruning, limbing, and cutting small branches around the yard. It is easy to hold overhead and up in a tree.
Choose a stronger 40V, 16-inch saw for firewood, storm cleanup, and cutting through thicker logs. The longer bar and higher chain speed do the heavy work.
Not sure yet? Match the saw to the biggest cut you make often, not the biggest cut you might make once. The list below shows how.
1. Bar Length: Match It to Your Biggest Regular Cut
The bar is the metal guide the chain runs around, and its length is the single most important spec because it sets the largest branch or log you can cut in one pass. As a rule of thumb, the bar should be about two inches longer than the diameter of the wood you cut most often.
- 10 to 12 inches: pruning, limbing, small branches, and cutting up brush. Light and easy to control, including overhead.
- 14 to 16 inches: firewood, fallen limbs, and storm cleanup, where you are cutting through thicker rounds and want fewer passes.
A longer bar is not automatically better. It is heavier, it draws more from the battery, and it is harder to handle up a ladder or over your head, so size it to the work rather than reaching for the biggest number.
2. Voltage and Battery: The Power Behind the Cut
On a cordless saw, voltage is a good proxy for how much cutting force is on tap. Higher voltage generally means more torque to keep the chain moving through dense wood without bogging down.
- 20V gives you a light, nimble saw that is ideal for pruning and quick jobs.
- 40V steps up the torque for firewood and thicker logs, while staying fully cordless.
Battery capacity, measured in amp hours (Ah), sets how long you cut between charges. Both Wild Badger saws ship with a 4.0 Ah pack, which is a healthy size for homeowner sessions. If you plan long cutting days, a spare battery is the simplest way to keep working while one charges.
3. Motor Type: Why Brushless Matters
Look for a brushless motor. Compared with an older brushed design, a brushless motor runs cooler, wastes less energy as heat, and lasts longer, so more of every charge goes into the cut and the tool holds up over years of use. Both Wild Badger cordless saws use brushless motors, which is part of why they hold chain speed under load.
Chain speed itself, listed in feet per second, tells you how quickly the chain travels around the bar. A faster chain makes smoother, quicker cuts. The Wild Badger 40V runs its chain at 50 feet per second, while the lighter 20V runs at 43 feet per second, which tracks with their heavier-duty and lighter-duty roles.
4. Safety Features to Insist On
A chainsaw is only as good as the features that keep it under control. At a minimum, look for:
- A front handguard that shields your leading hand and helps stop the chain in a kickback.
- Two-handed operation with a locking rear handle, so the saw only runs when you are gripping it properly.
- A secure bar lock system that holds the bar and chain firmly in place.
Both Wild Badger cordless saws include a dual-bolt chain bar lock system, a front handguard, and two-handed operation with a locking rear handle. Pair those built-in features with gloves, eye protection, and sturdy footwear every time you cut.
5. Maintenance: Easier, But Not Zero
Electric saws skip fuel, spark plugs, and air filters, which removes most of the upkeep a gas saw demands. The chain and bar still need care, and that part is the same on any saw.
- Bar and chain oil keeps the chain running smoothly and prevents wear. Both Wild Badger saws have an automatic oiler that lubricates the chain as you cut, so you top up the oil rather than oil by hand.
- Chain tension should be checked before each session; a loose chain cuts poorly and wears fast. The 40V model includes a chain adjustment tool, and the 20V model uses an automatic chain adjustment.
- A sharp chain does the work; a dull one burns and forces the wood. Keep a spare on hand from the chainsaw chain collection, and find oil and other parts in chainsaw accessories.
The Wild Badger Cordless Saws, Side by Side
| Spec | 20V 12-inch | 40V 16-inch |
|---|---|---|
| Best for | Pruning, limbing, small branches | Firewood, storm cleanup, thicker logs |
| Bar length | 12 inches | 16 inches |
| Voltage | 20V | 40V |
| Battery | 4.0 Ah, with charger | 4.0 Ah |
| Motor | Brushless, 7,000 RPM | Brushless, 7,500 RPM |
| Chain speed | 43 feet per second | 50 feet per second |
| Weight | 6.5 pounds | 11 pounds |
| Oiler | Automatic | Automatic |
| Warranty | 3 years | 3 years |
You can see both saws together on the chainsaws collection page. If you are weighing cordless against a gas saw before you narrow down a model, our guide on battery chainsaw vs gas chainsaw covers that decision in full.
How to Choose in One Minute
- Mostly pruning, trimming, and small branches: the 20V, 12-inch cordless chainsaw is light enough to hold up and cut all afternoon.
- Cutting firewood or cleaning up after a storm: the 40V, 16-inch cordless chainsaw gives you the reach and chain speed for thicker wood.
- Both kinds of work: start with the 40V for its range, or keep the light 20V for up-in-the-tree jobs and the 40V for the ground.
Frequently Asked Questions
What size electric chainsaw do I need?
Match the bar to your most common cut. A 12-inch bar handles pruning and small branches, while a 16-inch bar suits firewood and storm cleanup. A good rule is to pick a bar about two inches longer than the diameter of the wood you cut most often.
Is a 20V or 40V chainsaw better?
Neither is better outright; they suit different jobs. A 20V saw is lighter and easier to control for pruning and overhead work, while a 40V saw brings more torque and a faster chain for firewood and thicker logs.
Do electric chainsaws need bar and chain oil?
Yes. Like any chainsaw, they need bar and chain oil to run smoothly and avoid wear. The Wild Badger cordless saws have an automatic oiler, so the chain is lubricated as you cut and you simply keep the oil topped up.
Are cordless electric chainsaws powerful enough for firewood?
A 40V saw with a 16-inch bar is well suited to home firewood and storm cleanup. For continuous, heavy, all-day felling of large trees, a gas saw still has the edge, which is covered in our battery vs gas chainsaw guide.
How much maintenance does an electric chainsaw need?
Much less than a gas saw. There is no fuel, spark plug, or air filter to service. You still check chain tension, keep the chain sharp, and top up the bar and chain oil, which is routine on any saw.