Greenworks 18-Inch 60V Chainsaw Review: A Simple, Approachable Battery Saw

Introduction

Battery-powered chainsaws have come a long way, and the Greenworks 18-inch 60V model sits in the size range where cordless tools start feeling genuinely capable. It carries an 18-inch bar, a brushless motor, and a set of thoughtful details that make it easy to live with, whether you are limbing branches or bucking up larger rounds. This review walks through the features that matter and how the saw behaves in real cuts, so you can decide whether it fits your yard work.

Design and Build

The 18-inch bar comes with a scabbard, as any chainsaw should, and it runs a full house chain rather than a skip-tooth pattern. Greenworks has fitted metal bucking spikes at the front, which is a meaningful upgrade over the plastic spikes often found on battery saws. With a bigger bar covering larger wood, the metal spikes let the saw bite in and stay planted.

Around the body, the oil reservoir is translucent so you can check the level at a glance, and the cap flips up with a textured grip that works even without gloves. The cap is captured, so it will not fall into the sawdust you have been creating. The chain brake is the typical inertia-based system: if the saw will not run when you pull the trigger, check that the brake is pulled back and reset first.

Everyday Usability

The handle area gets a full 90 degrees of grip space on the front, so you can cut vertically or horizontally while keeping a safe hold. The rear trigger is a single-finger design, though there is room for two if you want it, and the trigger safety sits right above where your thumb naturally lands. One caveat: the saw is not ambidextrous. It is designed for a right hand on the rear handle and the left hand on the front, so left-handed users may find the layout awkward.

One of the nicest touches is the onboard sc wrench, held in a rubberized mount on the body. The rubberization holds the shaft so it will not vibrate out, and the head shape keeps it seated. The flat-head side doubles as the chain tensioner.

Cutting Performance

In use, the saw is refreshingly simple. The battery slides in from the top, you press the trigger safety, keep a second hand on the saw, and it comes to life. Even with a smaller 2.5Ah battery, there was plenty of power: the brushless motor holds its RPMs through the cut and the sharp chain that comes on the saw melts through wood with barely any downforce, cutting through logs in roughly the 8 to 10 inch range with ease.

Chain tensioning is straightforward too. Loosen the bar nuts about half to three-quarters of a turn, use the flat-head side of the wrench in the tensioner slot to move the bar in or out, then snug the nuts back up. No need to remove them entirely, and no need to over-tighten and risk damaging the threads or housing.

Pricing and Warranty

The bare tool runs $259.99 if you already own Greenworks 60V batteries. If you need a kit, there is a 4Ah version and a 5Ah version, both listing at $399.99 regular price; the 4Ah kit has been seen at $349.99 at Tractor Supply, or you can order directly through Greenworks. Either way, the tool carries a four-year warranty, which covers you for a lot of cutting.

Buying Advice

The kits ship with either a 4Ah or 5Ah battery, and a larger pack delivers a bit more power than the smaller 2.5Ah pack used in testing. The onboard wrench placement, captured oil cap, and simple tensioning system make this a very approachable saw, especially if this is your first battery chainsaw. Just plan on keeping both hands on it; a saw this size is not a one-handed tool.

If you already have Greenworks 60V batteries in your shed, the bare tool is the clear value pick. If not, the kit is the way to go, and shopping around can save you $50 on the 4Ah option.

Conclusion

The Greenworks 18-inch 60V chainsaw keeps things simple in the best way: metal bucking spikes, a full house chain, easy oil access, an onboard wrench, and a brushless motor that holds power through the cut. It is not ambidextrous, and the kit pricing is worth shopping around for, but with a four-year warranty backing it, this is an easy recommendation for homeowners who want an 18-inch battery saw that just works.