DeWalt 60V MAX 20 in. Brushless Cordless Chainsaw Kit

First impressions and setup

I put the DeWalt 60V 20-inch chainsaw to work on a mix of hardwood and softwood: storm-felled limbs, a couple of standing dead trunks, and a pile of firewood bucking. Out of the case, it feels purpose-built rather than toy-like—solid plastics, a proper two-stud bar mount, and a stout 20-inch bar. The kit includes a FLEXVOLT 60V 5.0Ah battery, a standard charger, a bar sheath, a sharpening file, and a compact wrench that stows onboard for field adjustments. I had to supply my own bar oil, which is typical for chainsaws.

Before the first cut, I checked chain tension, topped the oil reservoir, and spun the bar’s nose sprocket by hand. Mine was slightly stiff out of the box; a few drops of oil at the tip and a couple of rotations freed it up. That’s a quick check worth doing on any new bar.

Power and cutting performance

DeWalt claims up to 4 peak horsepower with the included battery. On the log, this saw behaves like a mid-size gas saw in torque and a smaller one in chain speed. The brushless motor holds revs under load better than many cordless models I’ve used, and the saw settles into cuts instead of bogging if you let the chain do the work.

• In softwood (spruce and pine) up to 16 inches, the saw cruised, making clean, steady cuts.
• In hardwood (oak and birch) between 14 and 18 inches, it required a more measured feed pressure but still got through reliably.
• Burying the full bar in dense hardwood exposes the limitation of the chain speed (13.5 m/s): cuts are slower than a similarly sized pro gas saw. That’s expected given the safety-oriented, low-kickback chain and the cordless platform.

If your baseline is a homeowner-grade gas saw, this DeWalt will feel at least as strong and more consistent. Compared to a pro 50–60cc gas saw, it won’t win a race in big hardwood, but it’s impressively close for a battery tool and considerably quieter.

Battery life and charging

Runtime is highly dependent on the cut. Light limbing and pruning barely dent the battery; bucking 14–18-inch hardwood rounds will drain it noticeably faster. With sharp chain and reasonable feed pressure, I could buck a small stack of logs on a single 5.0Ah pack, but I preferred keeping a second battery on hand to avoid downtime.

The included charger is DeWalt’s standard unit—it works fine but isn’t the fastest option in their lineup. If you expect to cycle batteries continuously, budget for a faster charger or an extra pack. Either way, you’ll want to keep chain sharpness, chain tension, and oiler level dialed in to maximize runtime. Pushing harder than the saw wants only burns electrons and slows your cut.

Bar, chain, and tensioning

DeWalt moved to a traditional two-stud bar mount on this model, which is a meaningful improvement in rigidity over earlier designs. The saw uses a 3/8-inch pitch, .050 gauge chain with 68 drive links, a common spec that makes replacement chains easy to source.

The onboard wrench is handy, and chain adjustments are straightforward. One caution: the tensioner drive uses a plastic gear. As with any saw, you must loosen the bar nuts before adjusting tension. If you try to crank tension with the bar clamped tight, you risk damaging the tensioner. Take the extra five seconds to do it right.

During my time with the saw, the chain stayed put when tensioned properly. I did manage to throw the chain twice in pinch cuts where a small twig wedged between chain and bar near the drive sprocket. That’s more about operator error and cut choice than the saw—but keeping the drive area clear of debris and checking tension as the chain warms up helps. I also experimented with a sharper, more aggressive chain in the same spec, which improved bite and reduced feed pressure in hardwood at the expense of a slightly higher kickback tendency. Choose the chain that suits your comfort and the work at hand.

Oiling and maintenance

The auto-oiling system delivered consistent lubrication throughout testing. I didn’t see dry chain or smoke, and the bar ran cool in continuous cutting. As with any chainsaw, keep an eye on the oil level; cordless saws are so quiet it’s easy to forget the basics. There’s no bar oil in the box, so pick up a jug when you buy the saw.

Maintenance is simple: wipe down, clean out the clutch cover and sprocket area, and touch up the chain with the included file or a guide of your choice. The brushless motor means no air filter or carb tuning. I did a quick inspection of the chain brake band and the bar rails after the first few sessions—both looked normal, with even wear.

Ergonomics and build

At 12.4 pounds for the bare tool, the saw isn’t featherweight, and the battery adds a bit more, but the balance is good. The battery’s mass actually helps keep the rear planted, which is nice in a long bar configuration. The full-wrap front handle offers multiple grip positions for limbing and awkward cuts. Vibration is low for a saw in this size class, and the trigger modulation is excellent for precise starts.

Fit and finish are solid. The case is rugged enough for truck bed transport and keeps the oil off everything else. I appreciate having the tool storage onboard; it means I’m not walking back to the truck for a wrench when the chain heats up mid-job.

Safety and control

The inertia chain brake is crisp and reliable, and the low-kickback bar and chain combination makes sense for a 20-inch homeowner/landowner saw. You’ll trade a bit of cutting aggression for a wider margin of safety, which I’m happy to accept on a tool likely to see mixed user experience. Kickback resistance isn’t a substitute for good technique, but it’s a welcome layer of protection.

Noise is dramatically lower than gas—still loud enough for hearing protection, but you can talk to a helper without shouting. Instant start/stop and no idle are huge quality-of-life improvements when you’re moving around a site.

What’s included and warranty

The kit is complete enough to get you cutting: saw, DCB615 FLEXVOLT battery, DCB115 charger, bar sheath, carrying case, sharpening file, and the tensioning tool. The warranty coverage is confident: 3-year limited, 1-year free service, and a 90-day satisfaction guarantee. That’s especially reassuring with battery-powered equipment, where long-term support matters.

Who it’s for

• Homeowners and landowners who want a serious cordless saw for storm cleanup, firewood bucking, and occasional felling up to roughly 18 inches.
• Trades or property maintenance crews who value low noise and no-mess operation around homes and facilities.
• Occasional cutters who prefer convenience over the upkeep of a gas saw but still need real cutting capacity.

If you’re a pro logger or routinely fell and buck hardwood at 20–24 inches and beyond, a high-output gas saw will still be faster and more durable under sustained abuse. If you’re mostly limbing and pruning, you may prefer a shorter bar and lighter package.

The bottom line

The DeWalt 60V 20-inch chainsaw hits a sweet spot for heavy homeowner and light landowner work: real bar length, confident torque, and the convenience of battery power. Its strengths are clear—quiet operation, consistent cuts when you let the chain work, solid bar mounting, and a thoughtful kit. Its compromises are also clear—modest chain speed, a tensioner that demands proper adjustment technique, and a standard charger that isn’t the quickest.

Recommendation: I recommend this saw for users who want gas-like capability without gas-like hassle. It’s well-suited to bucking medium logs, storm cleanup, and occasional felling, provided you maintain a sharp chain, respect its chain speed, and keep a spare battery if you expect to work continuously. If your work is primarily large hardwood or you’re impatient about charge times, a faster charger and additional batteries—or a step up to a pro gas saw—may make more sense. For most property owners, though, this is a capable, confidence-inspiring cordless chainsaw that earns its keep.