TLDR Review: EGO Power+ CS1804 Chain Saw
Pros
- •Delivers strong power and a high chain speed, making cutting much more efficient and comparable to gaowered 18" chainsaws.
- •Battery life is impressive, lasting about 30 minutes of stop-and-go use per 5.0Ah charge and easily extendable with larger 12Ah batteries for up to 120 minutes.
- •Runs quietly and cleanly with no gas fumes, making it low maintenance and convenient compared to gaowered models.
- •Tooess chain tensioning system initially holds tension well and keeps the chain stable with minimal adjustments after initial setup.
- •Oil reservoir features a clear window and tethered cap, allowing for easy monitoring and refilling during heavy use.
- •Cuts smoothly through logs up to 10 inches in diameter, including hardwoods like oak and cherry, without bogging down.
- •Battery recharges quickly, regaining full power from 50% in under an hour.
- •Less hassle overall as it eliminates gasoline mixing, engine fuss, and winter storage concerns common with gas saws.
- •Customers with long chainsaw experience praise its performance as reliable enough to replace gas saws.
- •Warranty coverage adds extra peace of mind.
Cons
- •Automatic chain tensioner design is flawed; it tends to overtighten the chain, causing premature wear on the chain, bar, sprocket, and adds stress to internal components.
- •The tension mechanism’s sprinoaded pawls and cam lack adjustability, making proper chain tension difficult without inconvenient manual workaround (e.g., a spacer).
- •Chain oiling system is problematic; the supplied EGO bar oil sometimes does not lubricate well and oil holes can clog with wood debris, requiring frequent manual oiling or switching to a thinner professionarade oil.
- •The battery is relatively heavy, similar to a 42cc gas chainsaw, which might affect comfort for long periods of use.
- •No durable hard case included, only a soft canvas bag that can get dirty or oily over time.
- •Oil feeding system can deliver oil at a slow trickle, which, combined with clogging, results in occasional chain overheating.
- •Debris and sawdust tend to accumulate around the bar base, needing regular cleaning.
- •Requires extra batteries and cooldown breaks for longer, intensive tasks.
- •Customer service may be friendly but seems not fully knowledgeable about the autensioner issues.
Bottom Line
The EGO Power+ CS1804 cordless chainsaw impresses with powerful, quiet, and clean operation that rivals gas models, backed by excellent battery life and quick recharge times. However, the automatic chain tensioner system definitely needs user attention to avoid chain overtightening and premature wear, and the oiling system may require some tinkering or better oil choice to keep the chain properly lubricated. If you value convenience and low maintenance without sacrificing cutting power, this is a solid electric chainsaw to consider, especially for medium to heavy yard tasks. Just be ready to invest in extra batteries for extended use and perform some routine maintenance. If chain tensioning frustration is a deal-breaker, you might want to explore other models with more user-friendly tensioners or more robust oiling systems, though this model overall stands out for power and efficiency.
How we researched this
About this review: We pulled together findings from professional reviews and hundreds of user reviews, and cross-referenced them with ShopSavvy's pricing data from 40 retailers to give you the short version.
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