DeWalt 60V MAX 18 in. Brushless Cordless Chainsaw (Tool Only)

First impressions and setup

I put the DeWalt 60V 18-inch chainsaw to work on a mix of storm cleanup, limbing, and bucking firewood. Out of the box it’s essentially ready to go: add bar oil, check the chain tension, pop in a FLEXVOLT battery, and you’re cutting. The saw arrives with an 18-inch low-kickback bar and chain, a bar sheath, and an onboard wrench that stores on the saw for chain adjustments—handy, since this model uses a traditional, tooled tensioner with bar nuts rather than a tool-free dial.

Build quality is what I expect from DeWalt’s outdoor line. The body feels robust, the rear-handle ergonomics are straightforward, and the controls are positive. The trigger safety takes a few minutes to get used to, but I had no trouble operating it with gloves. At 14.3 pounds bare, the saw isn’t featherweight; with a 9Ah FLEXVOLT pack it lands in the “solid but manageable” category. Balance is decent with the 18-inch bar—nose-heavy enough to help the bar fall into a cut, not so front-heavy that it wears you out when limbing.

Two quick notes before you start: this saw requires a FLEXVOLT battery. Your standard 20V MAX packs won’t run it. FLEXVOLT batteries will, however, run your 20V tools. Also, expect the chain to stretch during the first hour of use; plan on a couple of retension stops early on.

Design details that matter

• Brushless motor and electronics: The motor is quiet, responsive, and backed by smart electronics that protect the tool and pack. Peak output is rated at 2.85 HP when paired with a DCB609 battery. In practice the saw feels stout for a cordless unit in this class.
• Drive system and chain: The stock chain is 3/8 inch pitch, .050 gauge with 62 drive links—a common spec, so replacements are easy to find. Chain speed is a moderate 13.5 m/s, which prioritizes control and kickback reduction over outright aggression.
• Safety: The inertia/electronic chain brake engages quickly and the low-kickback chain is appropriate for a saw aimed at homeowners and general users. The brake lever has a strong, reassuring action.
• Maintenance features: The automatic oiler works well (perhaps a bit too enthusiastically, more on that later). The tooled tensioner and bar nuts offer excellent bar retention once set properly. I prefer this on a higher-tension 18-inch setup; it holds adjustment better over long cuts than many tool-free systems.

Cutting performance

On light to medium work—tree pruning, limbing, and bucking logs up to around a foot in diameter—the saw is in its element. It spools up instantly, digs in with little drama, and the cut quality is clean when the chain is sharp. The lack of fumes, minimal vibration, and substantially lower noise are huge quality-of-life wins over gas, especially for quick jobs or neighborhood work.

I pushed it into denser hardwood in the 14–16 inch range to test the rated capacity. It will do the work, but technique matters more than it does on a mid-size gas saw. The electronics will shut the motor down if you lean too hard, bind the bar, or let the chain dull. Back off, clear the kerf, and re-engage the trigger and it’s back to cutting. Think of it like traction control—it keeps the saw from hurting itself, but it also reminds you to keep the chain sharp and your cuts open.

With a fresh, sharp chain, cut speed is solid. It’s not a pro 50cc gas saw, and it doesn’t claim to be, but for firewood, storm cleanup, and property maintenance, the performance is genuinely satisfying.

Runtime and batteries

Runtime depends entirely on battery capacity, wood species, and how ambitious you get with bar depth. With a 9Ah FLEXVOLT pack (labeled 9Ah at 20V, which is 3Ah at 60V), I could limb and buck a typical yard’s worth of storm debris without swapping packs. Move into heavy, continuous bucking of hardwood rounds and you’ll want a second battery on hand. A 12Ah or 15Ah FLEXVOLT extends cutting time and holds voltage under load better, but you’ll feel the extra weight.

Tips for best runtime:
- Keep the chain sharp. A dull chain will make the saw feel weak and drain the pack fast.
- Let the saw do the work. If the motor stalls or the brake trips under load, lighten your feed pressure.
- Manage kerf pinch. Plan the cut to avoid closing the kerf and stalling the chain.
- In cold weather, keep batteries warm until use; cold packs sag sooner under heavy load.

One practical note on the ecosystem: FLEXVOLT batteries are an investment, and the saw is sold tool-only. If you don’t already have FLEXVOLT packs and a charger, factor that into the real cost.

Ergonomics, noise, and user comfort

The saw is heavier than compact electric units, but the weight is well-contained and predictable. With the 18-inch bar, the longer reach helps with limbing and small-felling tasks, and the lower noise footprint is a big advantage around homes or campsites. Vibration is low enough that hand fatigue feels more about the saw’s mass than any buzz through the handles.

The brake lever is easy to engage and reset with gloves. The trigger safety is positive without being fussy. I appreciated the clear oil reservoir window; you can see at a glance when it’s time to refill.

Maintenance and quirks

• Chain tension: Expect significant stretch during the first session. Check and retension after the first few cuts and again at about the 30-minute mark. The onboard wrench makes this painless. Once bedded-in, the setup holds tension well—better than many tool-free designs.
• Bar oil: The oiler does its job, but, like many chainsaws, the saw will seep oil if it’s stored with a full tank. I either drain the tank for long-term storage or set the saw on an oil pan or cardboard. Not a defect so much as a reality of gravity and venting.
• Cleaning: Pop the side cover and clear chips often during heavy cutting. An accumulation of wet chips and oil can slow chain return and encourage stalls.
• Storage: Loosen the chain slightly when storing to reduce flat-spotting and premature stretch.

Who it’s for—and who it isn’t

This saw shines for homeowners, landowners, and tradespeople who want a capable, no-fuss 18-inch saw without the hassles of gas. It’s excellent for:
- Storm cleanup, trimming, limbing, and bucking small-to-medium rounds
- Jobsite use where noise and fumes are concerns
- Occasional felling within the 16-inch class

It’s not ideal if your day-to-day is felling and bucking big, green hardwood or cutting all day, every day. The electronics will protect the tool rather than power through a pinch, and swapping/charging batteries becomes the bottleneck on production logging or firewood operations.

Specifications that matter in practice

• 18-inch bar and chain; low-kickback profile
• 3/8 in pitch, .050 in gauge, 62 drive links (easy-to-find replacement chains)
• Chain speed 13.5 m/s: controlled, predictable cutting
• Peak power 2.85 HP with a DCB609 pack
• Rear-handle layout, chain brake, and automatic oiler
• 3-year limited warranty, 1-year free service, 90-day satisfaction guarantee

Pros and cons

Pros
- Strong, controlled cutting performance with a sharp chain
- Quiet, low-vibration, and zero starting hassles
- Solid bar retention with the tooled tensioner; onboard wrench is convenient
- Safety features and behavior inspire confidence for non-pro users
- FLEXVOLT battery compatibility with 20V tools adds ecosystem value

Cons
- Requires FLEXVOLT packs; your 20V-only batteries won’t run it
- Heavier than smaller cordless saws, especially with high-capacity packs
- Will shut down to protect itself if you force the cut or pinch the bar
- Like most saws, can seep bar oil in storage

Recommendation

I recommend the DeWalt 60V 18-inch chainsaw for homeowners and landowners who want a capable, low-maintenance saw for real work—storm cleanup, limbing, and bucking in the 6–16 inch range—without the chores of gas. It’s powerful enough to feel legitimate, safe and quiet enough to use around the house, and thoughtfully built. Just go in with the right expectations: buy at least one high-capacity FLEXVOLT battery (two is better if you do longer sessions), keep the chain sharp and properly tensioned, and treat it like the intelligent tool it is—let the electronics, oiler, and brake work with you, not against you. If you need a saw for constant heavy hardwood cutting or full-day firewood runs, a mid-size gas saw is still the better fit; for everything else, this one is an easy choice.