DeWalt 20V vs. 40V vs. 60V Saws (Field Test)
Choose by the cut, not the voltage printed on the battery. The 20V MAX DCCS620 is a compact 12-inch saw for pruning and smaller wood; DeWalt’s legacy 40V MAX saws and 60V MAX models suit larger cuts only when their manuals allow them. I can’t verify controlled cut-time results here, so this guide separates known specifications from field-test claims.
A higher voltage label can look like a simple shortcut to more cutting power. It isn’t. Battery voltage alone does not tell you how quickly a saw will cut, how many cuts it will make per charge, or whether its bar and chain fit your work.
In a fair field test, those results depend on the exact saw and battery, along with chain sharpness, wood type and moisture, cut size, and battery charge. I won’t invent cut times or cuts-per-charge figures. Instead, I’ll compare the platform choices and models you’re likely to encounter, explain what a useful test would measure, and help you match a saw to your workload.
Equipment Setup, Battery Compatibility & Safety Preparation
This section explains what the 20V, 40V, and 60V labels mean, how to check model and battery fit, and what to inspect before a cut. The key point is that a battery platform is not a universal system: fit and cutting capacity depend on the exact saw and parts listed for it.
What the voltage labels tell you
DeWalt’s MAX labels refer to the battery’s maximum voltage class. The nominal voltages are lower: 20V MAX is 18V nominal, 40V MAX is 36V nominal, and 60V MAX is 54V nominal. MAX is a label, not the voltage the battery supplies continuously.
These numbers help identify platforms, but they do not prove that one saw will cut a given log faster. Motor design, chain speed under load, battery condition, and the sharpness of the chain all matter. Compare exact models, not just battery labels.
Model and compatibility check
The 20V MAX DCCS620 has a 12-inch bar. DeWalt’s 40V MAX chainsaws are a legacy platform, so availability and specifications can vary by model and market. The 60V MAX range includes models with different bar lengths, such as the DCCS670 and DCCS672. Check the current manual for the exact saw before buying or fitting parts.
| Platform and example | What to check | Suitable starting point |
|---|---|---|
| 20V MAX, DCCS620 | Manual, bar and chain markings, battery fit | Pruning and smaller-diameter work within the manual’s limits |
| Legacy 40V MAX | Exact model, manual, battery condition, bar length | Work allowed by that specific saw’s manual |
| 60V MAX, DCCS670 or DCCS672 | Exact model, approved battery, bar and chain | Larger cuts only within the model’s rated capacity |
Do not assume batteries or bars and chains interchange between platforms or saw models. For a replacement chain, check pitch, gauge, and drive-link count against the bar markings and the manual. If they differ, stop and confirm the correct part rather than relying on a product listing.
Prepare the saw and work area
Before starting, inspect the chain, bar, chain brake, trigger lockout, battery case and latches, and oil level. Check chain tension as the manual directs. Wear a helmet, eye and face protection, hearing protection, chainsaw-rated leg protection, gloves, and protective footwear. Clear your footing and escape routes, and keep bystanders away.
Fit the correct charged battery with the chain brake engaged. Start the saw as directed in its manual. Check the brake and lubrication only as the manufacturer instructs; keep the chain clear of people and objects, and never test oil flow by hand. Maintain two-handed control and stable footing while cutting. Stop if wood is bound, under tension, or likely to shift.
Rotational kickback occurs when the upper part of the bar nose contacts wood and throws the bar up and back toward the operator. Keep the nose clear, use a functioning chain brake, and never cut above shoulder height. Felling, overhead cutting, or work on trees under significant lean or tension calls for a qualified operator and a planned work zone. OSHA 1910.266 covers certain logging operations; it is not a universal homeowner checklist.
Field Cutting Performance and Landscaping Applications
This section separates useful performance evidence from assumptions. A fair comparison uses the same wood and cut conditions, then records cut time and cuts per charge separately. Since no controlled measurements are provided here, model fit and likely work scope are more dependable than made-up rankings.
What a meaningful field test measures
To compare saws, use the same wood species, moisture condition, cut diameter, and cutting approach. Start each trial with a sharp chain and a fully charged battery. Record the exact saw, battery, bar and chain, and the number of cuts. Repeat the test, since one cut can be affected by grain, knots, or operator technique.
Track two results separately:
- Cut time: how long a saw takes to complete a defined cut. Keep the cut size and wood conditions consistent.
- Cuts per charge: how many matching cuts the saw completes before the battery needs charging. This depends on the battery used and should not be confused with cut speed.
A useful test also records battery state, chain condition, and any pauses to cool or change batteries. Do not compare a new, sharp chain on one saw with a worn chain on another. Without those controls, a faster result does not prove that voltage caused the difference.
Choose by work, not platform rank
| Your typical work | Sensible place to start | Why to check the manual |
|---|---|---|
| Pruning and small branches | 20V MAX DCCS620 | Its 12-inch bar does not make every cut safe or suitable |
| Occasional larger cuts | A specific 40V or 60V model | Bar length and allowed cut size vary by model |
| Repeated or larger-diameter cuts | A suitable 60V model may be worth comparing | Battery size, chain, workload, and safe capacity still matter |
| Mixed jobs across platforms | The saw that fits the task and batteries you already own | Battery fit is platform- and model-specific |
A longer bar is not a guarantee of faster cutting. It can allow a larger cut when the manual permits it, but the whole setup must be appropriate for the wood and operator. Never force a dull chain through a cut. Let a sharp chain feed without excess pressure, and stop if the saw or wood behaves unexpectedly.
Field-use scenarios
For seasonal pruning, the DCCS620’s compact form and 12-inch bar may be a practical match when branches are within its manual limits. If your work is mostly small cuts, buying a larger saw just because it has a higher voltage label may add cost and weight without solving a real need.
For occasional larger wood, compare the exact 40V and 60V models available to you. Check the bar length, battery fit, current manual, and parts support before deciding. Since 40V MAX is a legacy platform, verify that replacement batteries and service parts are available where you live.
For frequent or larger cuts, a 60V model may be the better candidate to test, but the label alone cannot confirm performance. If possible, compare the saws on matching wood with equally sharp chains and fully charged batteries. If you cannot run that test, choose by the saw’s stated limits, battery availability, and the cuts you actually make.
Chain, Bar-Oil, Sharpening & Inspection
This section covers the parts and upkeep that can change cutting results or create avoidable risks. Chain pitch, gauge, drive-link count, oil type, and tension are model-specific. Use the saw’s markings and current manual rather than borrowing values from another DeWalt model.
Chain fit and oil
The chain must match the bar and saw. Confirm pitch, gauge, and drive-link count on the bar or in the manual before replacement. Do not assume a chain that fits one 12-inch bar will fit another; the model and bar specification matter.
Use chain-and-bar oil, not motor oil or waste oil. These saws have automatic chain lubrication, but that does not mean the user can set a universal oil-flow rate. Follow the manual for oil checks and lubrication checks. No gasoline fuel mix, carburetor setting, idle speed, or engine torque applies to these battery saws.
Sharpening and condition checks
A sharp chain cuts more effectively than a dull one and reduces the urge to push hard. Follow the model’s sharpening instructions or have the chain serviced by a qualified shop. Before use, look for damaged cutters, a worn or damaged bar, loose fasteners, and a chain that is too loose or too tight.
Keep the chain brake in working order. If a saw is damaged, the brake fails, or the chain repeatedly loosens, stop using it until the issue is addressed. After a cut, remove the battery before adjusting, cleaning, or handling the chain.
Shutdown, Battery Storage & Seasonal Care
This section explains how to leave the saw safe after work and protect the battery and cutting parts. A simple routine helps you spot wear before the next job, but storage and maintenance details vary by model, so follow the manual for your saw and battery.
Release the trigger, engage the chain brake, and remove the battery before cleaning or adjustment. Let the saw cool. Clear debris from the bar groove and sprocket cover, then check chain tension, chain and bar condition, and oil level. Store the battery separately as its manual directs.
Before seasonal storage, clean the saw and inspect it again before the next use. Keep batteries away from conditions the battery manual warns against, and do not store a damaged battery or use a damaged saw. For a new job, repeat the pre-use inspection and confirm the work area is clear.
The practical buying choice is straightforward: match the saw to your typical cut, then confirm battery and parts compatibility by model. Choose the 20V DCCS620 for suitable smaller work; compare specific legacy 40V and 60V saws for larger tasks. Do not pay more based on voltage alone, or treat an unverified field-test claim as proof.
FAQ
Is DeWalt 20V MAX the same as 18V?
Yes. DeWalt 20V MAX is the maximum-voltage class; its nominal voltage is 18V. The label does not mean the battery runs continuously at 20 volts.
Is DeWalt 40V MAX still available?
It is a legacy platform, and availability can vary. Check local stock, battery availability, parts support, and the manual for the exact saw before buying.
Is a 60V MAX saw always more powerful than a 20V saw?
The voltage labels alone cannot establish cutting performance. Model design, battery, chain sharpness, wood, and cut size affect results. Compare exact saws under the same conditions.
Can I use a 20V battery in a 60V chainsaw?
Do not assume so. Use only batteries DeWalt lists as compatible with the exact saw model.
Does the DCCS620 have a 12-inch bar?
Yes. Confirm its chain pitch, gauge, and drive-link count from the bar markings and current manual before ordering a replacement chain.
How should I compare cuts per charge?
Use matching wood, cut size, chain condition, and battery charge. Record the battery and saw model, then count completed cuts. Keep this result separate from cut time.
Can I fit a longer bar to get more capacity?
Only use a bar and chain approved for that exact saw. A longer bar does not by itself raise the saw’s rated cutting capacity.
What oil should I use?
Use chain-and-bar oil and follow the saw manual. Do not use motor oil or waste oil as a substitute.
Are gasoline-saw RPM or fuel-mix figures relevant?
No. These are battery-electric saws. Gasoline fuel ratios, carburetor settings, and engine RPM are not their operating specifications.
Is a battery chainsaw suitable for felling?
Felling requires training, hazard assessment, and a planned work zone. For trees under lean or tension, overhead work, or other high-risk cuts, use a qualified operator.
(This article was written by one of our staff writers, Marcus Thorne. Visit our Meet the Team page.)
