DeWalt FLEXVOLT 60V MAX 20 in. Brushless Cordless Chainsaw and Carry Case

Why I reached for this saw

I keep a mid-size pro gas saw for heavy work, but winter mornings and quick suburban jobs are where battery power shines. I picked up DeWalt’s 60V 20-inch chainsaw as a quiet, low-maintenance option for felling small trees, bucking firewood, and storm cleanup. After several weeks cutting hardwood and softwood, I’ve formed a clear picture of where this saw excels—and where you need to manage expectations.

Setup and features that matter

Out of the box, setup is quick: bar and chain go on without drama, and chain tensioning is tool-less with a large, glove-friendly adjuster. DeWalt also tucks an onboard wrench in the handle, handy for swapping chains, adjusting bar hardware, and field fixes. There’s an automatic oiler (fixed rate), a front chain brake, and a rear-handle layout that feels familiar if you’ve run gas saws.

A few notes on the spec sheet are worth calling out:
- 20-inch bar running a 3/8-inch pitch, .050-gauge chain
- Brushless motor tuned for high torque
- 60V MAX battery system (battery and charger sold separately)
- Peak output claims are tied to DeWalt’s high-output 60V pack (they call out the DCB615)

The included bar sheath is better than average, and the rugged carrying case has room for the included file and a pair of gloves. The warranty coverage—3-year limited, 1-year free service, 90-day satisfaction—is reassuring for a tool you’ll likely push hard.

Cutting performance

In clean, straight-grain softwoods (spruce, pine), the saw chews quickly and feels very close to a 50cc gas saw in cut speed. In dense hardwoods (oak, maple), it favors torque over screaming chain speed; it doesn’t bog easily if you keep the chain sharp and let the saw feed. On fresh, wet oak rounds in the 12–16-inch range, I was able to maintain steady progress without stalling, and the chain brake remained unused except for tests.

For big-diameter cuts at the bar’s limit, the saw will do the job, but technique matters more than with gas. Clear chips, avoid burying the nose, and let the rakers and sharp cutters do the work. If you lean too hard, the electronics will protect the tool by reducing output or stopping briefly. That’s not a flaw—it’s how battery saws preserve themselves—but it does require a light hand and sharp chain.

DeWalt’s torque tuning is noticeable. Bore cuts and awkward angles feel controlled, and it’s easier to keep the chain engaged without chatter compared to some high-RPM battery saws. It’s not a race saw, but it’s absolutely a productive one.

Battery and runtime

Battery choice makes or breaks the experience. With a high-output 60V pack, runtime and power are both strong. Expect:
- Limbing and brush clearing: long stretches of work with intermittent trigger use; battery tends to stay cool and runtime is excellent.
- Bucking 10–14-inch hardwood: a couple dozen cuts per charge is reasonable with a sharp chain and moderate feed pressure.
- Repeated full-bar cuts in dense hardwood: this is where you can hit battery thermal limits. The pack can get hot before the motor does, and the saw may pause to protect itself.

I had the best experience rotating two high-output packs: cut until the saw’s performance tapers, swap batteries, and let the hot pack cool on a shaded surface. If you try to muscle through an 18-inch trunk with a dull chain or overly aggressive feed, you’ll run into thermal cutouts. Keep the cutters sharp, set the rakers correctly, and you’ll avoid most of that frustration.

One practical tip: carry bar oil and top off frequently. As with gas saws, an empty oil tank is your chain’s worst enemy. A properly oiled, sharp chain reduces load, extends runtime, and prevents heat-triggered slowdowns.

Ergonomics, balance, and controls

For a 20-inch setup, the saw is well balanced. The rear-handle grip is secure, and the front handle offers plenty of reach for felling cuts. Compared to a similar bar length on a gas chassis, this saw feels lighter at the nose, which made long limbing sessions less tiring for me.

The chain brake lever is positive and stops the chain quickly. Vibration is very low, and noise is far more neighborhood-friendly than a gas saw—still PPE-worthy, but you won’t rattle your ears or the block. Instant start and no pull cords are huge bonuses when you’re hopscotching between cuts and cleanup.

One ergonomic caveat: the trigger lock placement favors right-handed use. As a right-hander, it was intuitive. Left-handed users may find the thumb lock awkward to actuate while maintaining a natural grip. You can adapt with a slight grip change, but it’s something to be aware of if you cut left-handed most of the time.

Chain, tensioning, and oiling

The tool-less tensioner is quick and holds well once the chain has stretched through its initial break-in. I checked tension every few cuts during the first tank of oil and then at reasonable intervals after that. The automatic oiler keeps the bar and chain wet; the fixed rate is generous enough for hardwood. I didn’t see excessive fling or dry bar symptoms. Like nearly all chainsaws, store it with the bar up and a rag under the case; a bit of weeping isn’t unusual, and the sheath keeps things tidy.

The 3/8, .050 chain is common, so replacements and specialty chains (semi-chisel for dirty wood, full chisel for clean hardwood) are easy to source. DeWalt includes a file, which is fine for touch-ups. If you’re cutting hardwood regularly, invest in a guide or a file jig—sharp cutters and properly set depth gauges are the difference between cruise and frustration on battery.

Safety and control

Kickback management is as good as I’d expect from a modern rear-handle saw: a functional brake, predictable bar behavior, and controllable torque. The low vibration and lack of exhaust fumes reduce fatigue, which is an underrated safety benefit during longer sessions. Standard PPE still applies: chaps, helmet with face shield, ear protection, gloves, and boots.

Limitations and trade-offs

• Heavy, continuous full-bar hardwood cutting can push the pack into thermal limits before the motor gets warm. Plan for battery rotation and cooling breaks on big logs.
• Left-handed ergonomics aren’t ideal due to the trigger lock layout.
• To extract peak performance, you’ll want DeWalt’s high-output 60V pack. Smaller or older batteries work, but you’ll see more cutouts and shorter runtime under load.
• It’s tool-only, so factor in the cost of at least two batteries and a fast charger if you don’t already own them.

None of these are deal-breakers for me, but they’re worth understanding so you can match the saw to the job and your workflow.

Who it’s for

• Homeowners and landowners who want near-50cc capability without gas fuss for seasonal felling, limbing, firewood, and storm cleanup.
• Pros and property managers who already live in the 60V MAX ecosystem and need a quiet, low-maintenance 20-inch option for residential work, HOA-sensitive neighborhoods, or off-grid sites where pulling cords and tuning carbs isn’t practical.
• Anyone who values lower noise, instant start, and low vibration over all-day, continuous, full-power cutting.

If your workday is nonstop bucking of large hardwood with minimal breaks, gas still wins for sustained duty cycle. If your work is episodic, or you can rotate packs, this saw is a compelling alternative.

Recommendation

I recommend the DeWalt 60V 20-inch chainsaw for users who want serious cutting capability in a quieter, easier-to-live-with package. It delivers strong torque, useful bar length, low vibration, and straightforward maintenance. With a sharp chain and the right battery, it hangs with mid-size gas saws for most homeowner and light pro tasks.

Buy it if you:
- Already own—or are willing to invest in—high-output 60V packs and a fast charger
- Value quiet operation, instant start, and reduced maintenance
- Need a 20-inch bar for occasional big cuts but spend much of your time limbing and bucking mid-diameter material

Skip it—at least as your only saw—if you expect to spend hours continuously burying the bar in dense hardwood without breaks, or if you’re left-hand dominant and dislike adapting to right-biased controls. For everything else, it’s a capable, confidence-inspiring saw that I’m happy to keep in my kit.