If you're buying your first cordless chainsaw, the temptation is to jump straight to the biggest model on the shelf — 60V or 80V, 18-inch bar, pro-grade specs. But most Canadian homeowners never actually need that much saw. What you need is enough power to prune deadwood, cut up storm debris, buck a season's worth of firewood, and clear the occasional fallen tree — without carrying around a $500 pro-duty tool that lives in the shed 340 days a year.
That's exactly the case for 40V. The best 40V cordless chainsaw for Canadian homeowners is Greenworks' 40V 16" Brushless — a saw that handles up to 150 cuts through 4x4 pressure-treated lumber on a single charge, weighs about 20% less than comparable gas saws, and costs $389.99 CAD with the battery and charger included.
Here's how to evaluate whether 40V is the right voltage tier for you, why this specific model tops the category, and honest guidance on when to skip it and step up.
The Framework: How to Choose a Cordless Chainsaw for Your Property
Before locking in a specific model, evaluate the six factors that determine whether a chainsaw actually fits your needs:
- Typical cut size. Under 6" branches = a small saw is plenty. 6–12" logs = a mid-size 16" bar handles it. Regular 12"+ hardwood or big-tree felling = you want a longer bar and more power.
- Frequency of use. Occasional homeowner work (a few weekends a year) doesn't justify pro-duty specs. Weekly use on a rural property is a different equation.
- Bar length vs. actual cut capacity. A 16" bar can single-pass through logs about 14" in diameter. Larger logs are still cuttable with technique, but slower.
- Weight and balance. A saw you can hold at chest height for 60 seconds without fatigue is manageable for pruning. Anything much heavier becomes a two-hand-only tool.
- Battery platform. If you already own Greenworks 40V yard tools, you already have batteries — the tool-only or kit version drops the saw in without buying into a new ecosystem.
- Safety features. An active chain brake, reduced-kickback bar, and tool-less chain tensioning are non-negotiable for a saw that gets used occasionally rather than daily.
Why 40V Is the Right Entry Point for Most Canadian Homeowners
Greenworks offers cordless chainsaws across four voltage tiers: 24V (compact pruning), 40V (entry residential), 60V (mid-tier residential pro-grade), and 80V (flagship pro-duty). Each tier is legitimately useful for someone — but here's why 40V is the sweet spot for entry-level residential use:
- The 16" bar handles typical homeowner work. Storm cleanup, firewood bucking (up to 14" logs single-pass), deadwood pruning, and small tree felling all fit inside a 16" bar's cut capacity.
- Kit pricing is aggressive. At $389.99 CAD with a 4.0Ah battery and charger, you're getting a complete saw for well under $400 — half the price of gas alternatives with comparable capacity.
- 150 cuts per charge is more than one homeowner day of work. Real-world reviewers cut through 12–14" birch logs 15 times in one session without draining a single 4.0Ah battery.
- 20% lighter than comparable gas. Greenworks documents this specifically. Less fatigue during long sessions means safer, more controlled cuts.
- 75+ tools on the 40V platform. Your chainsaw battery also runs a mower, string trimmer, blower, hedge trimmer, and more — all on the same charge and charger.
The tier below (24V) works for pruning and small deadwood, but doesn't have the bar length or motor power for real firewood or storm work. The tiers above (60V and 80V) add professional-grade cutting speed and durability that most homeowners will use maybe once every few years — and they cost 40–50% more.
Best 40V Cordless Chainsaw: Greenworks 40V 16" Brushless (4.0Ah Kit)
| Specification | Greenworks 40V 16" Brushless Chainsaw |
|---|---|
| Price (CAD) | $389.99 (kit with battery + charger) |
| SKU / Model | 2016302CA |
| Voltage | 40V |
| Motor | Brushless |
| Rated Power | 1.3 kW |
| Bar / Chain Length | 16" |
| Chain | 3/8" pitch, .043" gauge, 56 drive links |
| Chain Speed | 11 m/s |
| Cuts per Charge | Up to 150 cuts through 4x4 pressure-treated lumber |
| Chain Tensioning | Tool-less, side-mounted |
| Chain Brake | Active (electronic) |
| Oiler | Automatic, translucent 200 mL tank |
| Weight (with battery) | 15 lbs |
| Start | Push-button (No Prime, No Choke, No Pull) |
| Battery Included | 40V 4.0Ah (144 Wh) |
| Charger Included | 40V 2A (120 min full charge) |
| Warranty | 3-year tool + 3-year battery |
| Platform | 75+ tools on Greenworks 40V |
View the Greenworks 40V 16" Brushless Chainsaw on Greenworks Canada
What Sets This Model Apart
Brushless motor at 1.3 kW. Brushless motors deliver more torque per watt-hour of battery capacity, run cooler, and last significantly longer than brushed motors. That means faster cuts, longer battery life, and less maintenance over the tool's lifetime.
11 m/s chain speed with a proper 3/8" chain. This is real cutting speed — fast enough to slice through 12" birch logs with ease, according to real-world reviews. The .043" chain gauge is slightly thinner than the .050" on premium saws, which reduces friction and lets a 40V motor punch above its weight.
150 cuts per charge on 4.0Ah is genuinely impressive. That's roughly a full afternoon of pruning, or a substantial batch of firewood on a single charge. Reviewers report using it in -24°C weather to cut deadfall for firewood without any performance issues.
Push-button start (No Prime, No Choke, No Pull). Squeeze the safety and pull the trigger. There's no yanking a pull cord in the cold, no fussing with a primer bulb, no waiting for a warm-up. It starts every time.
Tool-less chain tensioning. Side-mounted knob for quick adjustments in the field. Chains stretch during use; this design means you actually re-tension when you should, instead of skipping it because you'd need to dig out a wrench.
Automatic oiler with translucent 200 mL tank. You can see your oil level at a glance. The auto-oiler keeps the chain lubricated during cuts without you having to think about it.
Active chain brake and wrap-around handle. The chain brake stops the chain instantly in the event of kickback. The wrap-around handle allows both felling and limbing grips comfortably.
20% lighter than comparable gas saws. That reduces fatigue, improves control, and lowers injury risk over long sessions. A 15-lb saw feels manageable for real work; a 20-lb gas equivalent doesn't.
40V vs. 60V vs. 80V Chainsaws: Choosing the Right Tier
| Tier | Best For | Trade-off |
|---|---|---|
| 40V 16" | First-time cordless chainsaw buyer. Homeowners with occasional pruning, storm cleanup, and firewood work. | Not built for daily pro use or repeated heavy hardwood felling. |
| 60V 18" | Regular homeowner use, moderate firewood volume, larger trees. The value sweet spot for buyers who use a saw multiple times a year. | Higher cost, no single-battery ecosystem with existing 40V tools. |
| 80V 18" | Rural property owners, heavy firewood bucking, storm response, tree removal work. | Most expensive tier; more machine than most residential homeowners need. |
If you're on a suburban lot with a few trees and occasional cleanup needs, the 40V is the right entry point. If you're on rural acreage or you cut a full winter's firewood every year, look at the 60V or 80V.
FAQ
Q: Is a 40V chainsaw powerful enough to cut firewood?
Yes — for homeowner firewood volumes. Real users report bucking 12–14" birch and pine logs regularly, and cutting 100+ trees during property clearing on this saw. Rural property owners who cut a full winter's heat should consider the 60V or 80V for faster cut speeds and longer runtime per charge.
Q: How thick a log can this 40V chainsaw cut?
The 16" bar single-passes logs up to about 14" in diameter. Larger logs are still cuttable using proper technique (multiple cuts from different angles), but slower. For consistent 16"+ cuts, step up to an 18" bar (60V or 80V).
Q: What's the runtime on the 4.0Ah battery?
Runtime is measured in cuts, not minutes, since load varies dramatically with wood type and technique. Greenworks rates this saw at up to 150 cuts through 4x4 pressure-treated lumber. In real firewood use, expect a full afternoon of steady cutting on one charge.
Q: Does the chain tension itself?
No — chain tensioning is manual but tool-less. There's a knob on the side that lets you adjust tension in seconds without a wrench. You should check tension after your first few cuts (chains stretch as they warm up) and periodically thereafter.
Q: Will the battery work in cold Canadian winters?
Yes. Reviewers report using this saw at -24°C without issues. Best practice: store the battery indoors at room temperature, and install it in the saw right before you head outside. Once running, the battery's operational current keeps it warm enough for continued use.
Q: What's the warranty?
3 years on the tool and 3 years on the battery. That's the standard Greenworks 40V residential warranty.
Final Take: The Right First Cordless Chainsaw
For most Canadian homeowners buying their first cordless chainsaw, the Greenworks 40V 16" Brushless is the right choice. It's got enough power for real work — firewood, storm cleanup, pruning, small tree felling — without the price or weight of a pro-duty saw. The push-button start eliminates the biggest complaint about gas chainsaws (starting them in the cold). The brushless motor and 4-year warranty make it a long-term investment, not a disposable tool.
If your cutting needs are heavier or your property is bigger, step up to the 60V 18" or 80V 18". For everyone else, this is the saw to start with.
Shop the Greenworks 40V 16" Brushless Chainsaw Kit on Greenworks Canada →