Greenworks 80v Chainsaw Review – A Highly Affordable & Reliable Saw!

Greenworks is a pretty much well-known name for the manufacturer of chainsaws and Greenworks 80V cordless chainsaw is proof of why!

The previous version of this saw, Greenworks 40V has also been extremely popular and rated high by its users. It was a lighter saw with fewer functionalities but totally worth considering for cutting, pruning, and limbing tasks. 

Greenworks 80V is a battery-powered saw and has an 8.5 rating out of 10 and there are reasons for that. Firstly, it isn’t a very heavy weighed saw which is the main concern for most of the users that they prefer neither too heavy nor too light in weight chainsaw. Moreover, it performs extremely well, both in terms of power as well as run time.

Another amazing thing that you’ll hear from most of its users is its battery timing. For a full charge, you’ll only need 30 minutes, and it would be enough for around 150 cuts on a 4×4 lumber, which is obviously a lot. 

Our article further contains our personal experience and a complete Greenworks 80V chainsaw review with an 18-inch bar and chain. Continue reading to know the details about this chainsaw. Let’s dive in!

Is the Greenworks 80V worth Considering?

I’d say it is. Totally. There’s no doubt that Greenworks 80V is a super-fast chainsaw, and has a strong build and construction. It comes with advanced technologies and functionalities that make it a lot easier to start, operate and use. Also, it’s light in weight, performs like a pro, has great battery timing, comes with an ergonomic handle to make cutting tasks highly comfortable, and is affordable as well.

Greenworks 80V is a competitor to some other popular chainsaws from well-known brands and by reading our today’s review, you’ll know why.

Greenworks 80V Vs the 40V Chainsaw – What’s the Difference?

With the 18-inch bar, the new 80V Chainsaw has roughly 30% more power than the previous 40V Greenworks chainsaw. Furthermore, this chainsaw has a similar feel to a gas model. Like the 40V chainsaw with a brushless, it starts almost instantly and effortlessly. 

Furthermore, it’s a cordless chainsaw with the power and builds quality of a heavy-duty model. Using it, you might forget you’re using a cordless model. And possibly, for some users, this may be one of its drawbacks too. Pros may not see the need to switch to a gas chainsaw when the GreenWorks 80V chainsaw is so similar. 

There is no real difference in weight or performance between the two models. However, you do get what you pay for and that is, a more efficient cordless saw, with better and advanced functionalities, smart and instant start, improved battery timing, and a very quiet operation throughout the use.

FEATURES

Following are the features we found worthy of sharing in our review with our readers!

• Design and Construction
• Brushless Motor
• Easy Handling and Usage
• Super Quiet Functioning
• Excellent Performance
• Automatic Oiling System
• Battery Life and Timing
• Variable Speed
• Cutting Equipment

Design and Construction

This chainsaw from Greenworks is well-built from hard plastic and metal, and it is light in weight. Let us help you locate what part of the saw is located where. 

Over the rear handle is a switch that turns the machine on and off. Safety locks and throttle triggers are located on the handle, so you won’t accidentally start the saw and would only reach out to the buttons when needed. With this model 80V, the battery is located on the top of the saw instead of on its side as you’d see with many other models, which makes it easier to balance when using.

There is a cap for the oil tank on the left side of the saw. There is plenty of room and easy access to adding in the chain oil here. 

Located just behind the front handguard, which is also the chain brake, there is a large metal wraparound handle that helps in providing an excellent and firm grip. A set of metal bumper spikes are located just out of sight on the front of the saw, which provides stability when cutting.

You will find the chain cover with the lock nuts on the saw’s right side, as well as the chain tensioning screw. When your battery is removed from your Greenworks Pro 80V, it weighs only 11 lbs. and with the battery inserted, it weighs about 14.2 lbs. 

Brushless Motor

A brushless motor is one of the major parts of a chainsaw. This chainsaw features a special brushless motor with digital control, resulting in greater power and torque. And it’s not only about the torque, but they also increase the life of the motor itself. 

Typically, these motors have an efficiency of 85%-90% compared to the traditional brush motors that come mostly with an efficiency of 75-80%. This is one of the major reasons that Greenworks 80V meets all your expectations and even more and cuts thick wood logs super flawlessly. 

Easy Handling and Usage

Greenworks 80V – super easy to handle and use! A rugged and ergonomic metal wrap handle is also a part of this chainsaw. The grip is well padded for maximum comfort and minimum fatigue for the user. And so, even if you’re making around three to four cuts at once through a thick wood trunk, you won’t feel fatigued or tired.

Additionally, the oil box has been positioned ergonomically. And with this, you won’t have any spillage concerns while filling it up with motor oil.

The location of its battery compartment earned this model some extra points. Battery compartments located on the sides or under the saw are more difficult to access than those on the top. And so, because this model comes with a battery that fits on top of the saw, it’s a plus point.

Loudness

Every user prefers a chainsaw that won’t make a lot of noise, especially if you’re working in a residential area. The noise of chainsaws could be extremely frustrating for the user as well as the neighbors. And because Greenworks 80V is a battery-powered saw, you cannot expect it to have a shallow noise level. It claims that it produces about 86.8 Decibels of noise which in our opinion isn’t low.

Hence, this is one of the drawbacks of this saw that it doesn’t really minimize the noise levels. So, if your preference is a quiet performing saw, we won’t be encouraging you much for Greenworks 80V.

Excellent Performance

With the Greenworks 80V, you’ll be able to carry out a wide range of light and medium limbing, felling, and woodcutting tasks around the house and the farm. You’ll see from its cutting ability that it packs equivalent power to a 45cc gas saw.

Logs with diameters up to 10 inches can be easily and quickly cut with this machine, and it can handle more demanding jobs as well. Being a battery saw, it would be impressive for you as it has been for us too, that users have used the saw to buck hardwood logs of even up to 20 inches. 

Because we’re talking about the performance, here’s an important thing to address. When you use the saw with larger logs, you may find that the overload protection system kicks in. You don’t have to worry about this because it will stop the chainsaw if it gets overloaded. It is simply a matter of removing the guide bar, restarting, and then continuing your cutting. As a result, you prevent damage to the cutting equipment and saw by using this safety feature.

In a nutshell, Greenworks 80V performs extremely well!

Automatic Oiling System

Greenworks chainsaws use oil even though they are electric. BAR OIL, to be precise. Besides the automatic oiler, the saw has a chain lubricator which works well to keep the chain and bar lubricated. Through its automatic fixed-flow oiling system, GreenWorks ensures that the chain is properly oiled, so the user doesn’t have to do it manually. However, there are other oilers that adjust their flow rate according to the conditions, so, this oiler with Greenworks 80V isn’t as convenient as adjustable flow oilers.

1.9 ounces is the capacity of the oil reservoir and there’s a translucent window that allows you to see the oil level easily. One important thing to mention here is that during storage, the 80V saw may leak chain oil, as is common with chainsaws. To prevent a lot of oil from leaking, the manufacturers of the saw recommend opening the cap after use to release any vacuum that may push the oil out. 

Also, remember that the reservoir should also be drained, and the saw wiped down if the saw will be stored for any length of time.

Battery Life and Timing

There is currently only one battery size available in GreenWorks’ 80V line: 2.0Ah. It takes about 30 minutes for the 80V rapid charger to charge that battery pack, which has a capacity of 144Wh (Watt-hours). Battery capacities of 360Wh 5.0 Ah and 460Wh 6.4 Ah will charge in 70 minutes and 90 minutes, respectively, according to GreenWorks. 

Batteries and chargers will be a necessity for both the experts of chainsaws as well as the beginners to keep everything powered up and topped off, just in case. However, if your yard is small and you want cordless OPE equipment for convenience’s sake, a single charger and a few 80V batteries may be sufficient.

Variable Speed

The variable speed function in Greenworks 80V saw is a game changer! It gives you whole control of whatever you’re cutting, and the saw doesn’t go out of control. After inserting the battery and filling the oil box, you can use the chainsaw immediately. This is how easy it is to set up the Greenworks 80V.

Cutting Equipment

Greenworks 80V chainsaw has an 18-inch bar and chain. Located just on top of the bar is a small radius nose tip which is responsible for reducing the kickback. Because this bar has a nose sprocket, you must use a grease syringe to lubricate it. In case you aren’t familiar with the concept, a little grease is injected into the lubricating hole on a regular basis, usually every week and that’s simply how you lubricate the bar.

There are 62 drive links on the chain, and the pitch is 3/8 inches with a 0.05-inch gauge. A 5/32 inches round file and file holder can be used to sharpen this common chain size. Furthermore, it meets ANSI B.175.1 standards in terms of low kickback.

One thing that’s extremely important to note here is that the chain must be properly tensioned, especially when it’s new. You’ll have to loosen the nuts on the bar cover and turn the adjustment screw to adjust the chain tension. In comparison with other toolless tensioning systems, this should take no more than a few minutes to complete.

The tension should be maintained according to the instructions mentioned by the manufacturer to prevent chain slippage. 

Remember that it is not possible to use other-size bars with this chainsaw.

SAFETY FEATURES

Other than the technical and non-technical features, here are some of the safety features that come along with the Greenworks 80V chainsaw because Greenworks is a strong believer in ‘no compromise of the safety of its users’!

Chain Brake – In chain brakes, a steel brake band is applied around the driven clutch drum to stop the chain from moving.

The chain brakes of this Greenworks 80V saw are integrated into the front-hand guard, as mentioned earlier. Upon experiencing a sufficiently large kickback, your left-hand presses against the brake, propelling it forward and stopping the chain. This saves the user from injury to himself and damage to the tool.

Overload Protection – Overload protection prevents the protected equipment from overheating when there is a running overcurrent. The overload protection feature in this particular saw model safeguards the chainsaw against accidental damage. As a result, the motor is protected from damage during intensive use and is prevented from overheating.

Hand Guards – Handguards serve the purpose of protecting the users’ hands and preventing them from slipping so that they do not come in contact with the chain by any chance. 

With the rear and front hand guards on Greenworks 80V, you won’t have to worry about flying debris or snagged chains hurting your hands. Although these features offer some level of safety, it is still recommended to wear protective gloves for maximum safety.

Low Kickback Guide Bar – Kickbacks are the riskiest and most dangerous thing about chainsaws, but they can be avoided if the chainsaw is good enough to do so. The low kickback chain and bar on this 80V chainsaw reduce the risk of kickbacks to a great extent and so, even if the kickback occurs, it would be less severe.

Greenworks 80v Chainsaw Review – FAQs

Our Verdict

We’re quite happy with our purchase of this Greenworks 80V chainsaw! This is one of the best popular and affordable chainsaws you’ll find on market, coming from one of the best chainsaw brands that you can actually rely on for your cutting tasks. The saw also comes with a 4-year warranty which is a plus point!

You can replace your conventional gas chainsaw with the Greenworks 80V Pro if you want a powerful battery-powered chainsaw. As one of the best chainsaws on the market, it offers exceptional performance, a lot similar to a mainstream gas chainsaw.

Apart from that, it’s lightweight, durable, and rugged. Basically, it has all that you would be looking for in an affordable, highly functional saw,

Definitely worth the money!