DeWalt 20V MAX 8 in. Brushless Cordless Pruning Chainsaw Kit

Why I reached for a compact pruning saw

I keep a full‑size gas saw for storm cleanup, but most of my yard work is cutting dead limbs, cleaning up blow‑downs, and trimming overgrown shrubs. Dragging out a big saw for a handful of 2–6 inch branches is overkill. That’s the gap the DeWalt 8‑inch pruning saw fills for me: a lightweight, go‑anywhere cutter that lives near the back door and actually gets used.

Design and build

DeWalt keeps the form factor clean and purpose‑built. The 8‑inch bar and brushless 20V motor sit on a compact rear‑handle chassis that weighs 4.6 lb tool‑only (about 6 lb with the included 3.0Ah battery). It’s easy to maneuver in tight shrubs and up in the canopy where a longer bar would be clumsy. The saw ships with a translucent chain‑oil reservoir, a scabbard that fully covers the bar and chain, and a captive bar‑nut cover so you don’t lose hardware in the grass. The combination wrench/screwdriver (“scrench”) clips into the scabbard—a small touch that means the tensioning tool is always with the saw.

Two details stand out:

• Tip guard: A fixed guard at the bar nose stabilizes upcuts and helps reduce kickback. It’s helpful when you’re working overhead or in awkward positions, though it does limit nose access for plunge cuts and tight flush‑cutting. If a job truly requires nose access, check the manual; the guard is held with screws.
• Solid‑nose bar: There’s no sprocket at the tip. That lowers complexity and kickback potential, but it does add a bit of friction at the nose. Keep the chain sharp and oiled and it’s a non‑issue for pruning.

Fit and finish are what I expect from DeWalt in this category: sturdy plastics, well‑protected motor vents, and a clear sightline to the cut. There’s no traditional chain brake lever; you rely on trigger control and the tip guard for safety.

Setup and what’s in the box

The kit includes the saw, a 3.0Ah 20V battery (DCB230), a charger, bar/chain, scrench, and scabbard. You’ll need to supply bar and chain oil. Out of the box I:

1) Installed and tensioned the chain (the adjuster is accessible through the side cover).
2) Filled the reservoir with bar oil.
3) Charged the battery fully.

The chain stretches a bit on first use—plan to re‑tension after the first few cuts. The translucent reservoir is handy; you can see at a glance when it’s time to top off.

Ergonomics and controls

The rear handle and balance with the 3.0Ah pack are spot on for pruning. I can get the saw into dense brush without fighting the weight, and it’s short enough that I’m not constantly bumping the bar tip into fences or trunks behind the work. The variable‑speed trigger offers fine control for nibbling into fibrous, green wood without the chain chattering.

There is a right‑hand bias to the trigger safety: the lockout is positioned for a right thumb. As a right‑handed user I adapted quickly, but left‑handed users may find the reach more awkward. I prefer to run two‑handed for control, even though the saw is light enough that one‑handed cuts are tempting. Keep your off hand on the body behind the chain line and wear proper PPE; it’s still a chainsaw.

Cutting performance

Chain speed is rated at 8.6 m/s, which isn’t blistering compared to full‑size saws, but for pruning it’s the right balance of speed and control. With a sharp .043‑gauge, 3/8‑pitch chain (34 drive links), it zips through:

• 1–3 inch green limbs in a single smooth pass
• 4–5 inch dead hardwood with steady pressure
• Occasional 6 inch cuts if you let the saw do the work

The tip guard shines for upcuts on drooping branches; it gives you a stable pivot and keeps the nose out of trouble. On fence‑line flush cuts and tight crotches, the guard can get in the way—that’s the trade‑off.

Power delivery from the brushless motor is consistent. I didn’t notice the saw bogging unless I pinched the bar or leaned into dry hardwood. Letting the chain bite at its own pace avoids stalling and keeps the cut cleaner. As with any small saw, keeping the chain sharp makes a night‑and‑day difference; dull cutters on a low‑mass bar just skate.

Runtime

DeWalt quotes up to around 70 cuts in 4x4 pressure‑treated pine on the included 3.0Ah battery. My results lined up: bucking a pile of 2–4 inch limbs into 12–16 inch lengths, I usually drop one bar on the battery indicator before I’m out of work or out of room in the yard bin. If you’re tackling an afternoon’s worth of trimming, a 5.0–6.0Ah pack will stretch runtime without making the saw unwieldy.

A note on oil consumption: the automatic oiler works as it should. Like all chainsaws, some oil may work its way out after use. I avoid storing any saw full of oil; leaving the reservoir half‑filled and resting the saw with the oil cap up has kept mess to a minimum.

Maintenance

• Chain tension: The side‑access adjuster and captive bar nut make quick work of it. It’s not tool‑free, but it’s more secure and less finicky than many tool‑free designs.
• Oiling: The see‑through tank prevents guesswork; top off whenever you swap batteries.
• Cleaning: The motor vents on the underside can collect oily sawdust. A soft brush and compressed air after each session keep things breathing.
• Replacement chain: Common spec (.043 gauge, 3/8 LP, 34DL) makes replacements easy to source.

The scabbard fully enclosing the bar is excellent for transport and storage, and the integrated tool holder means I always have the scrench.

Safety and control

Beyond the tip guard and trigger lock, there’s no inertia chain brake. That’s typical in this pruning class, but it means you should be extra diligent about cut planning and body position. The saw’s compact size reduces kickback risk simply by limiting how and where you’re cutting, but I treat it with the same respect as a larger saw.

Where it fits (and where it doesn’t)

The DeWalt 8‑inch pruning saw excels at:

• Limbing and pruning up to about 6 inches
• Breaking down storm debris in the yard
• Quick fence‑post trims and landscaping cuts
• Work in tight spaces where a 12–16 inch bar is cumbersome

It’s not the tool for felling or bucking larger logs, nor is it meant for milling or dirty wood near soil—save those for a bigger bar and more chain speed.

Battery platform and value

If you’re already on DeWalt 20V MAX, this kit drops right in and the 3.0Ah pack is useful across drills, drivers, and lights. If you’re new to the platform, the included battery and charger make the entry painless. Considering the build quality, brushless motor, and practical features (auto oiler, captive hardware, integrated tool), the value is strong for homeowners and pros who do routine pruning.

The warranty is reassuring: 3‑Year Limited, 1‑Year Free Service, and 90‑Day Satisfaction.

Quirks and wish list

• The right‑hand‑biased safety lock is less friendly for lefties.
• No chain brake; be mindful of technique.
• The tip guard is great for control but occasionally limits access—worth having, but I’d like quicker on/off without tools.
• As with any saw, expect some oil weep; store thoughtfully.

None of these are deal‑breakers; they’re realities of compact pruning saws and easy enough to manage.

Bottom line

I reach for this saw because it’s the easiest way to turn an overgrown corner of the yard into tidy piles in minutes. It’s light, balanced, and powerful enough for the branches most of us actually cut, with sensible features that make ownership easy—automatic oiling, a visible oil tank, a smart scabbard with the tensioning tool onboard, and dependable runtime on a common battery.

Recommendation: I recommend the DeWalt 8‑inch pruning saw to homeowners, grounds crews, and anyone already in the DeWalt 20V MAX ecosystem who needs a fast, reliable pruning tool. It’s not a replacement for a full‑size chainsaw, but as a dedicated trimmer it saves time, reduces fatigue, and removes a lot of excuses to put off yard work. If you regularly cut larger logs or demand a chain brake, look elsewhere. For everyday trimming from 1–6 inches, this is the right tool.