Not every job needs a 16" or 18" chainsaw. If what you actually do is prune apple trees, clean up small windfall branches, cut tomato stakes to length, or handle the occasional 4-inch limb that fell on your driveway, a full-sized saw is overkill — more weight to hold, more battery to charge, and more tool than you need for anything you'll actually cut.
That's the case for the 24V tier. The best 24V cordless chainsaw for Canadian homeowners is Greenworks' 24V 12" Brushless Chainsaw — a compact 5.7 lb saw with real brushless power, tool-less chain tensioning, and the lightest, easiest-to-handle format in the Greenworks lineup for pruning and light cleanup work.
Here's the framework for deciding if 24V is the right tier for you, why this specific model fits most homeowners' real pruning needs, and honest guidance on when to skip it and go bigger.
The Framework: When Is 24V the Right Tier?
Not every homeowner needs a compact chainsaw. Before buying, evaluate what you actually cut:
- Typical cut size. Branches under 4" and small deadwood = 24V is plenty. 6"+ logs or firewood = step up to 40V or higher.
- Weight and one-hand use. A 24V saw weighs about 7 lbs with the battery — light enough to hold at chest height on a ladder for pruning. A 40V or 60V saw at 15 lbs is much harder to control overhead.
- Session length. If you cut for 10–20 minutes at a time, 24V handles it. If you're bucking firewood for an hour, you'll want a bigger saw with more battery capacity.
- Battery platform. The 24V POWERALL platform runs 200+ tools — if you already own 24V drills, string trimmers, or blowers, this chainsaw shares batteries with everything.
- Budget. At $219.99 CAD complete (with battery and charger), the 24V tier is the cheapest entry point into cordless chainsaws by a wide margin.
Why 24V Is the Right Compact Chainsaw Tier
Greenworks makes cordless chainsaws across four voltage tiers: 24V (compact), 40V (entry residential), 60V (mid-tier residential pro-grade), and 80V (flagship pro-duty). Here's why 24V is the sweet spot for pruning and light cleanup work:
- Lightest format available. At 5.7 lbs tool-only (7.1 lbs with the 4.0Ah battery), this is the easiest saw in the Greenworks lineup to hold at awkward angles — up on a ladder, extended to reach a tree limb, or working one-handed while steadying with the other.
- Brushless motor for efficiency. Even at 24V, the brushless motor delivers meaningful cutting power at 7.8 m/s chain speed. That's slower than higher-voltage saws, but adequate for branches up to 4" in diameter.
- Shared battery with 200+ tools. The 24V POWERALL platform is Greenworks' widest ecosystem. Your chainsaw battery runs drills, impact drivers, string trimmers, blowers, mowers, pressure washers, vacuums, and much more — one platform, one charger, one shared investment.
- Cheapest entry point. $219.99 CAD for a complete kit with 4.0Ah battery and charger is roughly half the price of 40V or 60V alternatives. If you only occasionally need a chainsaw, this is the lowest-cost way to get one.
- USB battery port. The included 4.0Ah battery has an integrated USB port — handy for charging a phone during yard work, or in a power outage.
The jump to 40V doubles the price for roughly 2x the cut capacity. If you don't need that cut capacity, the extra money is wasted. Stay at 24V unless your typical cuts are over 4" or you cut for extended sessions.
Best 24V Cordless Chainsaw: Greenworks 24V 12" Brushless Chainsaw (4.0Ah USB Kit)
| Specification | Greenworks 24V 12" Brushless Chainsaw |
|---|---|
| Price (CAD) | $219.99 (sale from $279.99, kit with battery + charger) |
| SKU / Model | 2016602 / CS24L410 |
| Voltage | 24V (POWERALL platform) |
| Motor | Brushless |
| Rated Power | 0.4 kW |
| Bar / Chain Length | 12" |
| Chain | 3/8" Low Profile pitch, .043" gauge, 45 drive links |
| Chain Speed | 7.8 m/s |
| Cuts per Charge | Up to 20 cuts through 4x4 lumber |
| Chain Tensioning | Tool-less |
| Oiler | Automatic, translucent 180 mL tank |
| Weight (tool only) | 5.7 lbs |
| Weight (with battery) | 7.1 lbs |
| Start | Push-button |
| Battery Included | 24V 4.0Ah (96 Wh) with USB port |
| Charger Included | 24V 2A (60 min full charge) |
| Warranty | 3-year tool + 3-year battery |
| Platform | 200+ tools on Greenworks 24V POWERALL |
View the Greenworks 24V 12" Brushless Chainsaw on Greenworks Canada
What Sets This Model Apart
Brushless motor at the 24V tier. Most compact cordless chainsaws use brushed motors — cheaper, but less efficient and shorter-lived. Greenworks puts a brushless motor at this price point, which means more cuts per battery charge, cooler operation, and longer tool life.
5.7 lbs tool-only is genuinely lightweight. This matters most for pruning work where you're holding the saw at chest height or above, often one-handed while steadying a branch with the other. Try doing that with a 15 lb 40V saw — you can, but not for long. Compact format changes what jobs are practical.
12" bar handles real pruning branches. Up to 4" diameter cuts single-pass; up to about 6" with technique. Covers the realistic range of homeowner pruning work (apple trees, maple limbs, small windfall).
Tool-less chain tensioning. Side-mounted adjustment knob — tension in seconds without digging out a wrench. Chains stretch during use; this design means you actually re-tension when you should.
Automatic oiler with translucent 180 mL tank. You can see oil level at a glance. The auto-oiler keeps the chain lubricated during cuts without you having to think about it.
4.0Ah USB battery. The included 24V 4.0Ah battery has an integrated USB port — turns it into a portable power bank for phones or small USB devices. Not a core feature, but genuinely useful during yard work or outages.
Push-button start. Same starting mechanism across the whole Greenworks cordless line — press the safety, pull the trigger. No pull cord, no primer, no choke.
200+ tools on the 24V POWERALL platform. This is Greenworks' widest cordless ecosystem by a large margin. Every battery you buy for this chainsaw also runs 24V drills, impact drivers, string trimmers, blowers, mowers, pressure washers, hedge trimmers, vacuums, oscillating multi-tools, and dozens of other tools. If you're building a complete cordless home toolkit from scratch, 24V is the platform with the most options.
3-year warranty on both tool and battery. Standard Greenworks 24V POWERALL warranty.
24V vs 40V vs 60V vs 80V Chainsaws: Choosing the Right Tier
| Tier | Best For | Trade-off |
|---|---|---|
| 24V 12" | Pruning, light deadwood, cuts under 4". Compact storage, one-handed use. | Not for firewood or anything over 6" diameter. |
| 40V 16" | First-time cordless chainsaw buyer. Occasional firewood, storm cleanup. | Heavier (15 lbs), 2x the price of 24V. |
| 60V 18" | Regular homeowner use, moderate firewood volume, larger trees. | Higher cost; different platform than 24V tools. |
| 80V 18" | Rural property owners, heavy firewood bucking, storm response. | Most expensive; overkill for most residential homeowners. |
If you only prune and clean up small branches, the 24V is the right tool. If you also need to cut firewood or handle larger trees, step up.
FAQ
Q: What size branches can a 24V chainsaw cut?
Up to 4" in diameter single-pass, with the 12" bar. Larger branches up to 6" are cuttable using proper technique (cuts from multiple angles), but slower. For anything over 6" regularly, step up to 40V or higher.
Q: Is a 24V chainsaw powerful enough for pruning fruit trees?
Yes — this is exactly what the 24V tier is designed for. Apple, pear, cherry, and plum trees all have branches well within the 4" range. Light weight and one-handed use make ladder pruning safer and less fatiguing than with a heavier saw.
Q: How long does the battery last per charge?
Greenworks rates the 4.0Ah battery for up to 20 cuts through 4x4 lumber. For typical pruning work (smaller cuts, less dense wood), real-world runtime stretches further. A single charge handles most homeowner pruning sessions.
Q: Can I use this chainsaw with other Greenworks 24V batteries I already own?
Yes. Every 24V POWERALL battery works in every 24V POWERALL tool, regardless of amp-hour rating. A 2.0Ah battery runs the saw for shorter sessions; a 4.0Ah or 8.0Ah battery for longer ones.
Q: What's the USB port on the battery for?
It turns the battery into a portable power bank — plug in a USB cable and charge a phone, tablet, or small device. Useful during yard work (phone goes dead) or in power outages.
Q: What's the warranty?
3 years on the tool and 3 years on the battery — standard Greenworks 24V POWERALL warranty.
Final Take: The Right Chainsaw for Pruning Work
For Canadian homeowners whose chainsaw work is mostly pruning fruit trees, cleaning up small storm debris, or handling the occasional 4-inch branch, the Greenworks 24V 12" Brushless Chainsaw is the right fit. It's the lightest cordless chainsaw in the lineup, costs under $220 complete, and shares a battery with 200+ other tools on the widest cordless platform available.
If your cutting needs are heavier — firewood, large tree work, extended sessions — step up to the 40V 16" or higher. For everyone else, this is the compact saw to pick.
Shop the Greenworks 24V 12" Brushless Chainsaw on Greenworks Canada →