Greenworks cordless chainsaw, 12-inch

After a storm, the useful tool is often the one you can carry straight to a fallen limb without pulling out a gas saw. The Greenworks 40V cordless chainsaw is built for that kind of yard cleanup and pruning.

Its 12-inch low-recoil chain and 2.0 Ah battery make it a compact setup for lighter cutting tasks. The battery is also described as able to charge phones and iPads.

If you prioritize portability and quick yard work, this setup makes sense, if you prefer a saw for larger, more demanding cuts, a bigger cutting setup is a better fit.

Getting the most from it

Think of this saw as a tool for pruning and manageable cleanup, not an all-purpose answer to every tree job. For example, after a windy day, it can help you cut smaller fallen branches into easier-to-move pieces or trim back growth around the yard. Its low-recoil 12-inch chain is aimed at storm cleanup and pruning, and the wrapped grip is intended to make the saw easier to carry.

The maker claims up to 50 cuts per charge in 4-by-4-inch treated wood, according to the maker. That figure gives a reference point, but actual runtime will depend on the material and cutting conditions. The 2.0 Ah battery keeps the kit portable, though people planning a long stretch of repeated cutting may want to factor in battery runtime rather than assume it will cover every job.

Why it’s worth it

A cordless setup avoids dealing with a gas-powered saw for occasional yard tasks. The listed weight is 6 pounds, and features such as the dual safety start—a lock and trigger—and tool-free automatic chain tensioning are meant to make handling and routine adjustments more straightforward. An automatic oiler is included to lubricate the chain as you work.

There’s also a practical extra: the battery is described as capable of charging phones and iPads, which could be useful during camping or an outdoor emergency. The 40V battery platform works with Greenworks 40V tools, so it may be more appealing if you already use equipment in that system. The product listing states a three-year warranty for the tool and battery, that is worth weighing, but it doesn’t change the saw’s intended role as a compact cutter.

The essentials

This package includes a 12-inch cordless chainsaw, a 40V 2.0 Ah battery, and a charger. Its key selling points are portability, a low-recoil chain, automatic oiling, and tool-free chain tension adjustment. The stated cutting example is based on 4-by-4-inch treated wood, so it should not be treated as a promise of the same output on every type of wood.

You’ll appreciate it if you want a battery-powered saw for pruning, lighter storm cleanup, or occasional outdoor use, especially if the Greenworks 40V platform already fits your tools. The automatic tensioning can save a separate tool for adjustments, but the 12-inch bar sets a real limit: it is not the natural choice for large trunks or demanding, extended cutting sessions. It’s not for you if you need a saw for heavy-duty tree work or want a larger cutting capacity.

Should you buy it?

Choose this Greenworks if the job is mainly manageable branches and yard maintenance, and carrying a compact cordless saw matters more than having a larger bar or longer-lasting battery setup. It also has a clearer case for buyers who can use the 40V battery with other Greenworks tools. For frequent, heavy cutting, or work that regularly involves larger pieces of wood, look for a saw designed around that workload instead. The deciding question is less about the included extras and more about whether a 12-inch cutting setup matches the size of the jobs you actually have.