DeWalt 60V MAX 14 in. Top Handle Chainsaw

Why I reached for DeWalt’s 60V top-handle

I brought this 60V top-handle into a couple of weeks of pruning, storm clean-up, and a small ornamental removal to see if it could hang with my usual battery and gas climber saws. It’s a compact, purpose-built arborist platform with a 14-inch bar, a brushless motor rated up to 2.42 HP, and a claimed chain speed around 23 m/s. On paper, that’s quick. In the tree and on the ground, it feels quick.

This is a bare tool, so you’ll need a FLEXVOLT battery and charger to get cutting. I ran it primarily with 9.0Ah and 12.0Ah packs. With that baseline, here’s how it performed.

Cutting performance and speed

Chain speed is the story here. The saw launches the .325-inch, .043-gauge chain decisively and maintains speed well through clean wood. On fresh hardwood limbs in the 4–8 inch range, the cut is confident and smooth, with noticeably less chatter in small diameter branches than many slower battery climber saws. In the crown, that translates into cleaner nibbling cuts and easier control when making tight snips near collars.

Burying the 14-inch bar in dense hardwood is doable, but you’ll get the best results if you let the chain speed do the work rather than forcing the cut. The narrow-kerf .043 chain helps the saw stay lively on a 60V platform; it’s efficient and fast. The trade-off is that it’s less forgiving of dirty bark and can stretch more noticeably if you’re rough with it. For plunge cuts and snap cuts during removals, the saw stays predictable, and the inertia chain brake engages positively if you smack the tip or induce a kickback.

I wouldn’t pick this as a primary ground felling saw beyond small stems. Its sweet spot is exactly what it’s advertised for: pruning, limbing, and small removals up to about a foot in clean wood. DeWalt lists a 12-inch maximum cut diameter, and that aligns with my experience.

Runtime and batteries

Like any cordless saw, runtime is tied to cut type, bar pressure, wood species, and how sharp you keep the chain. With a 9.0Ah FLEXVOLT, I could comfortably limb and block down a medium suburban tree (mixed 4–8 inch cuts) on a single pack, topping off only if I pushed into long, buried cuts or a lot of bucking. A 12.0Ah pack extends that to a full pruning session with energy to spare and feels like the right match if this is a daily-use climber.

Weight and balance change with battery size. Bare, the saw is 7.6 lb; add bar oil and a 9.0Ah pack and you’re around the low-11 lb range ready to cut. That’s competitive for a battery top-handle and still light enough to manipulate one-handed for precise positioning (while keeping two hands on the saw for the actual cut, as trained).

Note that you don’t get a charger or battery in the box. If you’re already on FLEXVOLT, this slots in neatly; if not, budget appropriately for at least one high-capacity pack.

Ergonomics and handling aloft

This saw feels made for climbing. The top handle geometry is compact, the body is narrow, and the balance points fall where I expect. The D-ring is well placed for a climbing lanyard, and the metal bucking spikes give you a positive bite when you need to pivot the bar or stabilize an awkward cut. The trigger response is crisp, and the brushless motor ramps instantly, which helps with surgical cuts around delicate unions.

Vibration is low for the class, especially compared to small gas saws. Sound is lower too, which matters when you’re communicating with a ground crew or working near structures. It’s still a chainsaw—hearing protection remains a must—but it’s a calmer work experience.

The inertia chain brake has a firm feel and resets without fuss. It’s not overly sensitive, which I appreciate when I’m working in brush and bumping limbs.

Oiling, tensioning, and chain care

DeWalt’s adjustable automatic oiler is straightforward. I set it in the mid-range for softwood pruning and bumped it up for longer cuts in dry hardwood. The saw holds oil well; I didn’t see excessive weeping in storage. As with any narrow-kerf chain, keep it sharp and check tension frequently—especially after the first few cuts on a new loop. The saw uses a tooled tension system; you’ll need the included scrench to adjust. Tool-free tensioners are quicker for field tweaks, but on pro saws I don’t mind a bolt and scrench—tension holds reliably if you set it correctly.

Chain spec is .325 pitch, .043 gauge, 59 drive links with a 14-inch bar. The box includes the bar, chain, scrench, scabbard, and a 5/32-inch file. That file size is handy to keep in your kit, and sharpening little-and-often keeps the saw feeling snappy.

Build quality and features

The cast-magnesium gearcase and metal bucking spikes are welcome in a class where some cordless options lean too heavily on plastic. The chassis doesn’t feel hollow; it’s solid without being bulky. Fit and finish are tidy, and the bar studs and adjuster have a precise feel.

The LED dashboard provides status indicators you actually notice in the field. I found it useful for quick checks on system status and alerts. Integrated Bluetooth (Tool Connect) is an unexpected bonus on a chainsaw; if you manage a fleet, being able to inventory, assign, or lock the tool in a pinch is practical. For a single user, it’s more peace of mind than daily necessity, but it’s there and it works.

Safety-wise, it’s UL Listed, and DeWalt backs it with a 2-year commercial warranty. That’s decent, though some pros will wish for a longer commercial term.

What it’s great at—and where it’s not

Strengths:
- Fast, decisive cutting for a battery climber saw
- Compact, well-balanced top-handle form for aerial work
- Pro touches: magnesium gearcase, metal spikes, inertia brake, D-ring
- Adjustable oiler and predictable oiling behavior
- Useful status display and optional Tool Connect management

Trade-offs:
- Tooled tensioning slows quick on-rope adjustments
- .043 narrow-kerf chain rewards clean wood and regular tension checks; it’s less happy in gritty bark
- Bare tool only; FLEXVOLT batteries add cost and weight
- Limited bar length (14 inches) caps versatility for ground felling or heavy removals

One additional note: top-handle saws are designed for trained users, primarily in-tree. For ground work, a rear-handle format is usually safer and more ergonomic.

Who should buy it

If you’re already invested in DeWalt’s 60V FLEXVOLT ecosystem and you need a dedicated pruning and light-removal saw, this model fits right in. Arborists and property pros will appreciate the speed, balance, and build quality. Serious homeowners with mature trees who want a capable, low-maintenance option for periodic pruning will also find it compelling—just be mindful that top-handle saws require discipline and training to use safely.

If your work leans toward frequent bucking of 12–16 inch hardwood or you need tool-free tensioning for constant on-the-fly tweaks, you may be happier with a rear-handle saw or a top-handle with a broader chain/bar spec.

The bottom line

DeWalt’s 60V top-handle is a confident, pro-leaning climber saw that cuts faster than most cordless competitors I’ve used, with smart ergonomics and a robust build. The combination of high chain speed, a narrow-kerf .325 setup, and a compact chassis makes it a surgical tool in the canopy. The compromises—tooled tensioning, narrow-gauge chain, and the cost of entry if you’re not already on FLEXVOLT—are real but reasonable for the performance you get.

Recommendation: I recommend this saw for pros and serious users who want a fast, well-balanced battery top-handle and are either invested in FLEXVOLT or planning to be. It excels at pruning and small removals, offers pro-grade construction in a cordless package, and delivers the speed and control that make long days in the tree more efficient. If you need a ground-first saw or you don’t want to manage batteries, look elsewhere; otherwise, this is a strong, dependable choice.