The thing that I like most about battery-operated chainsaws is their ease of use. Lightweight and compact design work like cherry on top.
However, that’s not the end of the story. Electric or battery tools cannot match the power of gas-powered chainsaws.
To avoid this problem, we’ve got the electric chainsaw from Ryobi that offers unmatched performance and power.
Besides, it’s extremely compact, weighs a few pounds, can make accurate cuts, and is a perfect alternative for occasional work.
Today, the Ryobi 40v chainsaw review will involve my firsthand experience with it. Not only that, but I’ll also have a look at what experts say about this tool and whether it could pass the likes of Milwaukee or Greenworks 80v chainsaw.
Have a look, without any further ado:
What Makes Ryobi 40v Cordless Chainsaw a Standout in 2024?
The fact that it comes with a brushless motor already makes this chainsaw a better alternative than other manufacturers.
More than that, it utilizes the battery quite well. I remember making around 13 to 14 cuts on a 12” diameter wood log and the battery still had one point remaining.
Apart from that, compactness and durability could not be ignored. It’s so light that you’d feel like using a toy while cutting trees or firewood materials.
The compactness and portability also make Ryobi 14” chainsaw a perfect option for old fellows and ladies as well.
Hence, the chainsaw with all these aspects becomes a tool to look out for in 2024.
Let’s now get back to my review of using this tool for the very first time.
Our Review of Ryobi 40v Battery Operated Chainsaw in 2024:
As expected, I got the best 14″ chainsaw fully assembled as soon as I opened the box. Along with the tool, I did receive a small ranch and a user manual. 
As the package didn’t include any battery or charger, I had to order a Ryobi 4Ah battery along with its standard charger and that cost me A LOT.
Well, I took out the chainsaw and I had never held a chainsaw so light in my life. I mean, it literally felt like I was handling a toy and nothing more than that.
The battery took around an hour to charge fully. In the meantime, I checked out the construction of the chainsaw, which was durable enough.
The oil and bar tank didn’t seem rugged enough. However, I still filled it with relevant oil up to the recommended mark.
Moreover, the bar and chain looked promising enough. But with a 14” size only, you should not expect to make deep cuts easily.
I adjusted the battery and started the chainsaw accordingly. Its motor was super quiet and that’s what impressed me.
Took it out for testing cuts and it did well cutting some random shrubs and limbs.
On the other hand, I tried cutting two medium trees to the ground and the chainsaw was quite impressive.
As soon as the battery died out, I felt wetness on the oil window and this is where things got interesting.
The oil tank was leaking although I locked it tight enough. Could be a design flaw from Ryobi, but one thing I have to say here is that I didn’t face such issues while testing out the likes of Greenworks, Milwaukee, and Makita chainsaws.
Update on the Leakage Issues:
I contacted the manufacturer and it was quite responsive. They sent me a new tool right away and I tested it out.
So far, the chainsaw is doing good enough and isn’t causing any problems right now.
Technical Features Ryobi 40530 Offers in 2024:
Have a look at some of the technical features Ryobi 14” electric chainsaw offers:
Brushless Electric Motor:
First things first, the chainsaw does feature a brushless electric motor that produces more torque.
As a result, it ensures a powerful performance with precise cuts. As I already said above, I had cut medium sized wood logs with the chainsaw without facing any issue.
The electric motor is also optimized to make less noise. Hence, you won’t get disturbed by its noise even if you are not wearing any ear safety pods.
One better thing about the tool is that it increases the cutting speed, thus making your effort, less than expected.
For instance, if slicing wood takes 2 minutes with a typical battery chainsaw, it would take Ryobi 40v only one minute to do the same job.
Bar and Chain Mechanics:
The bar as mentioned above has a 14” size and comes with a powdered coating finish. That said, it can resist corrosion and rust while making sure that it can penetrate into firewood material without any hassle.
On the other hand, the chain is spiky enough and features a sharp cutting interface.
The combined power of brushless motor with improved torque allows the chain to move effectively. Hence, it ensures a convenient cutting interface.
Quick Chain Tension Adjustment:
Moving along, you’d see two knobs available on the right side of the tool. Just use the ranch that comes with the package to tighten the chain as per your adjustments.
I’d suggest tightening the chain before you start the cutting work.
Battery Timing:
Battery works well enough. As the chainsaw is compatible with any standard Lithium-Ion Battery from Ryobi, you won’t find any issues with it.
Moreover, the timing is better than what I’ve experienced with Greenworks. It made around 13 cuts while slicing a large enough wood log. So, it didn’t drain at a fast rate as I expected.
Easy Handling:
You can easily hold the chainsaw as it comes with a properly padded handle. More than that, the tool already weighs less than 9 pounds even with the battery and that’s what makes it extremely portable.
Either hook it up with your belt and climb up to cut large branches of trees or use it to do the casual backyard cleaning work as per your will and wish.
Responsive Variable Speed Trigger:
Finally, the variable speed trigger helps you control the speed and pace of the chainsaw while you are busy cutting wood.
It’s smooth, responsive, and adjusted at an ergonomic position. So, you’ll have no worries while using the trigger to cut down firewood.
Some of the positives and negatives that we see in Ryobi 40v chainsaw review are as follows:
Pros
- Extremely compact and lightweight.
- Durable construction.
- Long-lasting battery.
- Cuts medium sized wood logs.
- Suitable for falling trees.
- Sharp chain and sturdy enough bar.
- Affordable price tag.
- Automatic oiler keeps the chain lubricated.
- Responsive and smooth cutting interface.
- 24/7 customer support.
Cons
- Oil tank leaked in the first unit I tested.
- Not as ergonomic as I expected.
- No battery and charger included within the package.
- Not recommended for heavy-duty tasks.
What Do You get with the Ryobi 14” Brushless Chainsaw?
The cordless battery tool comes all assembled with a rugged bar and chain. Along with that, you’ll get a small ranch for adjusting chain tension.
The box also includes a user manual, however, it doesn’t include any battery or charger. You have to buy it separately.
Customer Ratings:
Customers have also given their verdict about the chainsaw as follows:
Ease of Use: 9.7/10
Maneuverability: 9.8/10
Power and Performance: 9.5/10
Noiseless Operation: 9.6/10
Overall Ratings: 9.5/10
Expert Opinions:
Charles from Work Shop Addict tested out Ryobi 14” brushless chainsaw a while back. According to him, “Although I suffered the oil leakage issues with the tool, it still performed quite smoothly. Have made around 13 cuts on a thick wood log and it was simply exceptional. Overall a good and cheap alternative to what Greenworks offer, but Ryobi needs to sort out the oil leakage problem real soon.”
Amy, on the other way, reviews the chainsaw, “I become extremely stingy when I see my backyard changing into a mess. Was looking for a compact chainsaw and got the Ryobi 40530 model. Quite frankly, it’s performing the way I expected it to and has helped me remove large shrubs from my backyard as well.”
Why Purchase the Ryobi 40V Chainsaw in 2024?
In simple words, the chainsaw is a perfect alternative to expensive Greenworks tools. Plus, it produces exceptional power and offers amazing cutting performance.
Meanwhile, you could also handle the chainsaw perfectly and I definitely recommend it to homeowners who cannot bear to handle more weight due to old age factor.
Ladies could also get complete benefits from this battery chainsaw.
Check out the chainsaw and purchase it before it’s too late!!
his personal experience and loves to share their nitty gritty details with his audience.
Although Richard does focus on other home improvement tools, his focus remains on cutting fallen trees or maintaining his backyard via chainsaw tools. He pledges to come up with new knowledge about chainsaws every once in a while.
- IMOUMLIVE Mini Chainsaw Review: [Fast, Compact, Lightweight] - December 11, 2023
- 10 Types of Chainsaw Explained in Detail for Homeowners - January 23, 2023
- What is Chainsaw Rake? A Guide for Beginners - January 21, 2023