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Head-to-head · Best Battery Chainsaws

Dewalt 12-Inch Cordless Chainsaw vs Milwaukee M18 FUEL 16" Chainsaw

Which is the better buy? Side-by-side on rating, price, strengths, and watch-outs — with the published ratings we averaged to get there.

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The short answer

Milwaukee M18 FUEL 16" Chainsaw comes out ahead by a clear margin (4.5 vs 4.0). The gap is mostly about users already invested in the M18 battery ecosystem who want a 16-inch saw with gas-like power — read the strengths below before deciding.

Dewalt 12-Inch Cordless Chainsaw
Ranked #4 in Best Battery Chainsaws
Dewalt 12-Inch Cordless Chainsaw
3 sourcesall derived

The DeWalt DCCS620 offers a lightweight 9-pound design that simplifies overhead pruning and ladder work, though chainsawstoday noted its electric chain brake can be confusing for users accustomed to mechanical systems. While the brushless motor handles limbs under 10 inches with ease, it drains batteries rapidly when cutting larger logs near the 12-inch limit. A significant drawback is the oil reservoir cap’s loose fit, which causes leaks during storage and transport if not managed carefully. This tool fits homeowners needing a manageable backup for light yard maintenance but may disappoint those requiring heavy-duty logging performance or expecting zero-maintenance reliability.

Strengths
  • — Lightweight design weighing only 9 lbs with battery, making it easy to maneuver on ladders or one-handed.
  • — Equipped with a brushless motor that provides sufficient torque for limbs and trunks under 12 inches in diameter.
  • — Features tool-free chain tensioning and an integrated safety brake system for quick setup and operation.
Watch-outs
  • — The oil reservoir cap is prone to leaking bar oil during storage or transport due to a loose fit design flaw.
  • — Battery life drains rapidly when cutting larger logs closer to the 12-inch maximum diameter limit.
  • — The electric chain brake and safety switch mechanism can be confusing for users accustomed to mechanical brakes.
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Milwaukee M18 FUEL 16" Chainsaw
Higher ratedRanked #2 in Best Battery Chainsaws
Milwaukee M18 FUEL 16" Chainsaw
4 sources2 derived

TechGearLab called the Milwaukee M18 FUEL 16-inch chainsaw (2727) a strong-performing battery saw that winds up instantly, and Milwaukee rates its brushless motor as matching a gas engine up to 40cc, a comparison Woodbrew and Handmade Haven echoed. It runs on a single M18 battery shared with Milwaukee's wider tool line. TechGearLab measured it at 14 lbs, 4 oz, one of the heavier saws in its test, though it found the weight often helps cutting. This model fits users already invested in the Milwaukee M18 ecosystem, while buyers who don't want to keep lifting extra pounds should consider a lighter saw.

Strengths
  • — Milwaukee rates its POWERSTATE brushless motor as delivering the power and performance of a gas engine up to 40cc
  • — Onboard scrench tensioning that TechGearLab found gives more precise chain tension than tool-free systems
  • — Offers instant start-up with zero wind-up time, eliminating pull-cords or choke adjustments
Watch-outs
  • — Weighs 10.7 lbs bare per Milwaukee, and TechGearLab measured 14 lbs, 4 oz, one of the heavier saws in its test
  • — Owners report noticeable battery drain on cuts bigger than about 6 inches, and some report packs overheating
  • — Some owners report starting failures, the chain coming off, and higher-than-expected bar oil use
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Derived means the reviewer published no score, so one was inferred from their written verdict. Everything else is a number the publisher printed. How we rank.

How they stack up

Dewalt 12-Inch Cordless Chainsaw

At 9 lbs, this saw is significantly lighter than the Milwaukee M18 18V Chainsaw (15.1 lbs) and the Ego Power+ CS1613 Chainsaw KIT (8.9 lb), making it superior for overhead pruning where weight matters more than raw power. However, its 20V MAX system provides less torque than the 56V systems of the Ego models or the M18 ecosystem, and it lacks the dual-buckling spikes found on the Milwaukee M18 FUEL 20" Dual Battery Chainsaw.

Milwaukee M18 FUEL 16" Chainsaw

Like the Dewalt 12-Inch Cordless Chainsaw, this model runs on a single battery, unlike the two-pack Milwaukee M18 FUEL 20" Dual Battery Chainsaw. It is heavier at 10.7 lbs bare compared to the Dewalt’s 9 lbs, making it less suitable for one-handed use.

Specs side-by-side

SpecDewalt 12-Inch Cordless ChainsawMilwaukee M18 FUEL 16" Chainsaw
Bar Length12 in16 inches
Voltage20V MAX18V
Motor TypeBrushlessBrushless
Weight9 lbs10.7 lbs (tool only)
Dimensions26.13"L x 9.13"W x 10.04"H—
Battery System20V MAX*M18 REDLITHIUM (1 battery; 2727-21HD kit includes HIGH OUTPUT HD12.0)
Chain Pitch—3/8-inch low profile
Chain Gauge—0.043-inch
Drive Links—56
Chain Speed—12.7 m/s
Length—33 inches
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