40V vs 80V Chainsaw: Which One Should You Buy?

Side by side

Example figures are as stated in the listings, collected 20 October 2026. Maker power claims are reported as claims.

40v vs 80v chainsaw: what the voltage means

Voltage is a platform label as much as a power rating. The Paxwrenx 40V is not a native 40V platform: the listing says it is fully compatible with DeWalt 20V MAX cordless platforms, running DeWalt 20V MAX packs simultaneously to create the 40V system. The Greenworks 80V is a native 80V platform with its own 2.0Ah battery and 75 or more compatible tools. Neither listing states chain speed except the Paxwrenx at 52 FT/S, so do not crown a winner on voltage alone: compare the stated horsepower, bar length and what comes in the box instead.

On stated power, the Greenworks leads on paper: the spec table lists 3.5 HP and the bullets claim 2X more torque and performance comparable to a 42CC gas chainsaw, all maker claims. The Paxwrenx lists 2.0 HP and 2.5 times more torque than standard electric models, also a maker claim. Treat both as the makers’ words, not measurements.

Bar length and cutting capacity

The Greenworks carries an 18-inch bar against the Paxwrenx 16-inch bar, and its listing names tree felling, limbing, pruning and firewood. The Paxwrenx listing says it handles 12 to 16 inch logs, storm-fallen trees and firewood, with a dual-speed control: high speed for logs up to 10 inches, low speed for pruning thinner branches. Note the tension in the listing itself: high speed is rated only to 10 inches, so the 12 to 16 inch claim has no stated speed setting behind it. The longer bar reaches bigger rounds in one pass, but both examples are firewood-capable on the listings’ own terms. For more on picking the right saw for the woodpile, see our best chainsaw for firewood guide.

Battery math: what is in the box

This is where the two sides split hardest. The Paxwrenx is a bare tool: no battery, no charger. The maker recommends 4.0Ah packs or higher and says a 2.0Ah setup is not recommended, so if you do not own DeWalt 20V MAX packs, the real price includes packs. The Greenworks includes a 2.0Ah battery and a rapid charger, and states up to 150 cuts on 4×4 lumber on a single charge. Only the Greenworks states any runtime figure; the Paxwrenx states none, and neither states a recharge time.

Platform matters too. Buying the Paxwrenx commits you to DeWalt 20V MAX packs; buying the Greenworks commits you to the 80V platform with its 75 or more compatible tools. If your garage is already one platform or the other, that may decide the purchase before any spec does.

Safety features in the listings

The Paxwrenx lists a triple safety system: an instant-stop chain brake, a dual-trigger safety lock and low-kickback chain geometry. The Greenworks listing states no chain brake and no low-kickback chain. For a tool that cuts at 52 FT/S on the one listing that states a chain speed, the stated brake and low-kickback chain are meaningful differences, and they are why the Paxwrenx scores on safety here.

Both list automatic oiling: the Paxwrenx with an enlarged reservoir supporting up to 20 minutes of operation per fill, the Greenworks with an automatic oiler and easy-adjust tensioning. The Paxwrenx adds tool-free chain tensioning.

Warranties: what each maker promises

The warranty terms split by philosophy. The Paxwrenx listing describes a 4-tier promise: a 90-day no-questions return, a 1-year old-for-new replacement, a 3-year limited warranty and lifetime technical support. The Greenworks listing states a 4-year manufacturer warranty in its spec table, with no return or replacement tiers described. On headline years, the Greenworks 4-year term beats the Paxwrenx 3-year limited term; on structure, the Paxwrenx offers the return window and the old-for-new first year that the Greenworks listing does not mention. Neither listing details what the warranty excludes, so read the terms before you rely on them.

Two examples

How we scored them

Each example is scored out of 10 on performance, build, value, safety and warranty, using only what the listing publishes. The weights are on our How We Pick page.

Scores run from 9.2 to 9.8: each product’s point total is placed on that range, so more points always means a higher score.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is an 80V chainsaw always more powerful than a 40V?

Not necessarily. Compare the stated horsepower, bar length and chain speed rather than the voltage badge. Here the Greenworks leads on stated power at 3.5 HP against 2.0 HP, but both figures are the makers’ claims.

Can I use my DeWalt 20V batteries in the Paxwrenx?

Yes, per the listing: it is fully compatible with DeWalt 20V MAX platforms, using two packs to make the 40V system. The maker recommends 4.0Ah packs or higher and does not recommend a 2.0Ah setup.

How long does the battery last?

Only the Greenworks states a figure: up to 150 cuts on 4×4 lumber on a single charge. The Paxwrenx states no runtime. Real runtime depends on the wood, the bar load and the pack.

Which is better for firewood?

Both listings name firewood as a use. The Greenworks 18-inch bar reaches bigger rounds, while the Paxwrenx 16-inch bar with dual speeds suits 12 to 16 inch logs and storm cleanup. Match the bar to the wood you cut most.

Do battery chainsaws need bar oil?

Yes. Both examples list automatic oilers: the Paxwrenx supports up to 20 minutes of operation per fill, and the Greenworks has an automatic oiler with easy-adjust tensioning. Keep the reservoir filled.

Related guides

See the chainsaws hub and the best chainsaw for firewood.