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In-Depth Ego Cordless Chainsaw Review

The EGO cordless chainsaw line is ideal for home users with brush to clean up, small trees to remove, or small woodlots. These chainsaws are not intended for the removal of large trees, which should only be done by a professional. These cordless saws are easy to start, operate and maintain, once you've reviewed the safety features and studied your manual.​​​​

EGO Power+ CS1600 56V Li-Ion Cordless 16" Brushless Chainsaw

Reviewed Tiller:  EGO Power+ CS1600 ​

Overall Rating:

Performance:

Forgiveness:

Build Quality:

Look & Feel:

Price:

PROS

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    16-inch bar will cut larger logs and keep your chain sharp longer
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    If you have other EGO power tools, batteries and chargers, this bare tool will save you money
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    Utilizes battery power extremely efficiently; one charge will go for quite a while

CONS

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    Some users have found that the chain is hard to secure
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    Oil distribution system can lead to oil being thrown around as you cut
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    Battery placement reduces the opening at the trigger; users wearing gloves may find a tight fit for their hand

The 16-inch EGO CS1600 is easy to assemble and easy to use. Review your instruction manual carefully to make sure the chain is properly placed and tensioned before you fire up this tool, and once the chain gets warm, check it again! Concerns about chain slipping need to be noted in any EGO 16 chainsaw review; some users struggle with chains falling off.

Key Features

EGO yard tools offer both excellent batteries and excellent battery efficiency. One of the handiest features of a battery powered chainsaw as opposed to gas is that you don't always have to have the saw running as you walk around your property or woodlot. That being said, make absolutely certain that you:

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    Check your surroundings before you fire up the saw and plan an escape route if needed.
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    Make sure of your footing so there's no risk of tripping if you need to move quickly.
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    If you're removing branches from a large fallen tree, check out the risk of rolling and the assumed path of the tree.
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    Study videos on chainsaw safety, such as this OSHA video on the dangers of kickback.

Product Review

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    Performance: The EGO 1600 offers plenty of cutting power per charge, and as you charge, you can stack or clear away cut brush.
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    Forgiveness: It's best not to ask a chainsaw for forgiveness; its job is to cut, and yours is to handle the saw with respect and safety. That being said, this saw offers a great handbrake and will shut down as intended if you use it safely, with the two-handed grip.
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    Build Quality: Even users who struggle to keep the chain on this saw are impressed with the durability. This saw is quite lightweight and a charge will last longer than a tank of gas.
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    Look & Feel: EGO power tools are carefully marked as to what you can adjust and what should be left alone. Follow your manual and the bright green buttons, knobs and triggers!.​​​​
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    Price: In comparison to other 16-inch cordless saws, the EGO 1600 is quite cost effective; please remember that this saw doesn't include a battery or charger. Any EGO Power Plus review needs to note the lives of these terrific batteries, which work in all EGO yard tools.

EGO Power+ CS1400 14-Inch 56-Volt Lithium-Ion Cordless Chain Saw

Reviewed Tiller:  EGO Power+ CS1400

Overall Rating:

Performance:

Forgiveness:

Build Quality:

Look & Feel:

Price:

PROS

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    Lightweight saw with plenty of cutting time
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    Quiet tool
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    Battery and charger will work with other EGO tools

CONS

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    Uses a lot of bar oil
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    May bind up cutting hard or old wood
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    2.0 battery included may limit cutting time; 2.5 can be purchased separately.

If you've never invested in an EGO cordless yard tool, this is a great choice. It comes with a 2.0Ah battery and charger kit, which is interchangeable with other EGO yard tools and will make it easy to get a handle on yard brush and small woodlots.

Key Features

Once you've attached the bar and chain per the manual, you'll have to add oil to the reservoir. This will likely take more oil than you expect, so keep an eye on the reservoir gage and fill it as instructed in the manual.

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    The 14" blade makes this saw an ideal choice for branch trimming, brush cleanup and small tree removal.
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    Be aware that if you try to use this saw to cut very large logs, you will likely dull your chain quickly and will use up a lot of battery power.
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    Any EGO 14-inch battery chainsaw review needs to stress that this is not a saw for heavy loads.
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    Part of maintaining a chainsaw is keeping the chain tight. As the blade heats, the metal expands and the chain may come loose and develop some slop or sag as it circles the bar.
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    Avoid over-tightening before you start cutting, but do be sure to check the blade and tighten it per the instructions in your manual.

Product Review

Whenever you use a chainsaw, be sure to study all safety gear requirements as depicted in this article and video.

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    Performance: The EGO 14-Inch chainsaw is a great choice for basic trimming and brush removal.
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    Forgiveness: If you run this saw dry or try to force it, you'll damage your chain. If the saw is fighting you, it needs attention.
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    Build Quality: This saw is built to work under difficult weather conditions.
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    Look & Feel: The EGO line of products makes it easy to know what to adjust; the bright green handles will guide you through maintenance and upkeep steps.
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    Price: In comparison to other saws of this size, the EGO 14-inch is a great deal; the battery and charger are extremely flexible and will power all your EGO tools.​​​​

Differences Between the Ego Cordless Chainsaw Models CS1600 and CS1400

The primary difference between the 1400 and the 1600 is the length of the bar. As expected, the 16-inch saw is a bit heavier than the 14-inch.

Because the 16-inch saw doesn't come with a battery, you'll need to invest the battery that gives you the most run time. This EGO chainsaw review comparison is reviewing the 14-inch saw with charging kit and the bare 16-inch saw.

It should be noted that EGO offers a 2.0Ah battery and a 2.5Ah battery. The only difference between these two batteries is that the 2.5 will last longer; it won't deliver more power.

When reviewing cordless chainsaw reviews, remember that the speed of the saw is usually the speed of the saw; a more powerful battery won't change that.

Users of the 16-inch saw may be inclined to expect more of this saw and may apply more cutting pressure. Metal expands when warm, so if you've been using your saw for a while, be sure to check the chain tension. It may need to be adjusted through the cutting process, particularly if you're cutting through extremely dense wood or old, seasoned firewood.

If you're working through the decision on which of these to buy, remember:

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    The 16-inch doesn't include a battery or charger. If you need these items, the 14-inch saw is more cost effective.
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    The cutting power of the 14-inch saw is comparable to the 16-inch. Neither of these saws is meant to be used on extremely large logs, and putting them to this task will use a lot of battery time and may dull your chain.
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    Both of these saws will work with the EGO batteries and charger you already have. For anyone with a lot of brush to cut or a really messy woodlot to clean up, the 14-inch is still a great option; the batteries you already own will just keep you cutting along!

How Do They Compare

The Greenworks line of battery powered chainsaws offers similar run time to the EGO products. One major difference between these two brands is the weight of the saw.

The Greenworks 16-inch saw is two pounds lighter than the EGO. This may lead to some balance issues with the Greenworks saw, while the EGO is a well-balanced tool. 

That said, if you struggle with any issues in your hands or forearms, two pounds over an hour of cutting can be a huge difference.

The Oregon brand offers a similar weight and cutting capability, though their battery life options are much higher.

In addition to the 2.4, Oregon offers a 4.0 and a 6.0 battery for lots of cutting time. However, the Oregon product line has a much higher price point. If money is an object, and it is for most of us, the EGO tool is a better deal.

Snapper offers an 18" cordless bare (no battery or charger) chainsaw with plenty of power and heft. This saw is nearly 3 pounds heavier than the EGO 16", but users appreciate the extra bar length and oomph.

This saw appears ungainly; the battery weight is stored in the middle of the body of the saw and the handle, while offering plenty of room, doesn't appear hearty enough to balance that 18" blade. 

If you've never used a chainsaw before, an unbalanced saw can be extremely dangerous to handle.

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