This is our comparison of the Ryobi 18V vs 40V Chainsaws.
Ryobi electric chainsaws are some of the best-selling and most popular models on the market. The Ryobi 40V chainsaw is one of their top-end, professional-grade tools and is a great addition to any tool collection.
Ryobi 18V chainsaws, on the other hand, are more practical if you’re just looking for a good chainsaw to handle some smaller jobs around the house. We’ve decided to put together a side-by-side guide that takes an in-depth look at both chainsaws and helps you decide which one is best suited to your needs.
Table of Contents
Comparison Chart
The below chart shows what each tool is best at. Keep in mind that most tools are excellent at multiple tasks, so it’s just a generalization about their specialty. If you’re looking for an overall chainsaw that does it all, then either one will work great for most jobs.
Model | Ryobi 40V | Ryobi 18V |
Image |  |  |
Motor | Brushless | Brushless |
Bar and Chain length | 18” | 12” |
Chain Pitch | ⅜ inches | ⅜ inches |
Battery Size | 40V | 18V |
Colour | Green | Black / Hypergreen |
Weight | 13.2lbs | 8.5lbs |
Chain Oiler | Automatic | Automatic |
Price |
Ryobi 40V chainsaw
Ryobi recently released a new 40V battery-powered chainsaw. I’ve been putting together this review for about two months, so hopefully, by now you have some idea of what to expect from the Ryobi 40V chainsaw.
The Ryobi is part of an expanding family of 40V lithium-ion tools that are manufactured by Positec, a Chinese manufacturer that also makes tools under the Worx label. They are priced considerably lower than their gas-powered equivalents, which has made them increasingly popular with both consumers and professional landscapers.
Some users may recognize it as being very similar in design to Stihl’s MS362 Magnum. Stihl’s recent release of its own 40V lithium-ion powered chainsaw seems to confirm the marketability of this tool.
My initial impression is that Ryobi’s 40V chainsaw appears to be a solidly built little saw, and it operates on an existing battery platform that will be very familiar to most users of cordless tools.
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- Lightweight
- “Tool-Less” Quick Chain Adjustment
- Powerful 40V Battery
- Compatible with other 40V Ryobi batteries
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[su_box title=”Cons” box_color=”#bd0000″ title_color=”#fff” ]
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- Expensive
- Run for about 18-25 minutes on a full charge
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Ryobi 18V chainsaw
Ryobi’s 18V chainsaw is a great choice for those who need a light-duty chainsaw, but don’t want to spend the money on an expensive one. The Ryobi saw feels a bit bulky and has a lot of vibration when it runs up at higher speeds which reduces the comfort level quite a bit.
The tool itself is physically very similar to all other Ryobi 18 Volt tools; it has no extra features or functions besides being able to plug it into any 18-volt socket (which also means that there are compatible batteries available) and using the trigger to turn on the blade.
The packaging tells me that this particular saw can be used for tree limbs up to 7 inches thick and up to 2 feet long before it has trouble cutting through them, but after trying it out myself I feel like the saw would need a thicker and longer branch to actually stall.
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- Lightweight
- Starts Easily And Quickly
- No Lugging Gasoline Around
- Replaceable Chainsaw Bar
- Easy To Maintain
- Self Lubricating Track With Anti Vibration Spring
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- No Specific Place For Oil Extraction
- No Chain Brake
- Can Only Be Purchased Online
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Similarities Between The Ryobi 18v Vs Ryobi 40v Chainsaws
Both Model Can Be Used For Various Applications
One of the things that people love about these products is the fact that they can be used for various applications. You can use them at home or even by professional landscapers.
They come with their own features so you will surely enjoy owning either model. Since there are different kinds of jobs around your house, you need to purchase an electric chainsaw that has complete features so you will not waste money on purchasing other equipment that can do the job.
Durability
The Ryobi chainsaws are very durable because they are made from high-quality materials that can stay for a long time.
They use the latest technology when manufacturing the product so you will be assured that this electric chainsaw does not only provide convenience to its users but can also last for many years.
You can surely buy an item without worrying about spending your money on another one soon, which means you will save more.
[su_quote]You may also read our comparison on Kobalt vs Greenworks 80V Chainsaw[/su_quote]
Fuel consumption when cutting
For 100 cuts with either model, both chainsaws use up 1/2 L of fuel. I own both Ryobi 18V and 40v chainsaws. When using my 4Ah P108 battery in my 40v SM420 chainsaw it lasts at least 60 cuts on average, since the sawdust is dry when handled right after cutting, there is no reason to stop mid-cut for any reason to empty out the dust bag.
If you do that, then it won’t last that long because you’d have to cut down your trees one by one in order not to clog up the chain with wet sawdust (which doesn’t fly away). Make sure your chainsaw has an air filter installed so no dirt gets inside either
Battery
The batteries are interchangeable! If you want a longer run time for cutting trees down, just get the bigger battery.
Charger
Not only is this compatible with all of Ryobi’s 40V lithium-ion batteries, but it will charge both 18V and 40V batteries at full speed (~1 hour for the 3Ah battery, ~50 minutes for the 4Ah).
Tools
The tools are identical except for color. As you can see below, I have an 18v chainsaw with a 40v battery, so it’s ready to be used as a 40V tool.
Differences Between The Ryobi 18v Vs Ryobi 40v Chainsaws
Performance
The chainsaws cut equally well when they are brand new, but if you use them frequently, there is a noticeable difference between their cutting power after several hours of use. If you need to make deep cuts through large trees, the 40V model will perform better than its smaller brother.
Sawdust produced
The sawdust produced by the chain was dry, fine, and powdery in both cases. Sometimes they can get wetter or finer depending on how you handle it, but this one is ok because it’s very light.
The sawdust produced by the chain was dry, fine, and powdery in both cases. Sometimes they can get wetter or finer depending on how you handle it, but this one is ok because it’s very light.
Chain Brake
No Spark Arrestor Muffler Rating (dB) NA SAW Bar Maximum Cut Depth in Hardwood 6″ SAW Bar Maximum Cut Depth in Softwood 7″ 18v vs 40v Differences.
The batteries are 18v, but because they’re brushless, you get more power out of them. This is why you can’t use 20+ volt batteries with these tools; the battery voltage needs to be matched with the appropriate charger’s output voltage.
Battery & Charger
40v battery voltage is NOT the same as 40v charger output voltage. The batteries are 18v, but because they’re brushless, you get more power out of them. This is why you can’t use 20+ volt batteries with these tools; the battery voltage needs to be matched with the appropriate charger’s output voltage.
Ryobi’s 18 chainsaw (CS136) cuts 339 cuts on a single 4.5 Ah (18V) P108 battery charge; uses 1.3 L of fuel to make 30 cuts through a small Douglas fir tree trunk, while the Ryobi 40v only needs one P108 battery for 68 cuts – 21% more than their 18v chainsaw with the same battery.
Ryobi’s 40v chainsaw (SM420) cuts 415 cuts on a single 4ah P108 battery charge; uses 1/2 L of fuel to make 42 cuts through small Douglas fir tree trunk, while the Ryobi 18v only needs one 4Ah P108 battery for 339 cuts – 38% more than their 18v chainsaw with the same battery.
Bar length
The Max bar length for the 40V is 14 inches. No difference between them except that one is lighter than the other of course.
Warranty
1-Year Full Factory Warranty What We Love About These Tools: The new RYOBI 40-Volt 14-inch cordless chainsaw works like a charm. It is light, easy to manage, and cuts quickly through the wood.
No more struggling with stale gasoline or trying to pull your 20-pound saw around all day. Think of it this way: If you like cutting firewood, consider buying one saw for each job (light and heavy) and leave them in the garage instead of schlepping them back and forth every day. You’ll be glad you did.
Highlights
The Brushless motor is durable and powerful, 3X longer run-time per charge (compared to previous cordless chainsaws), less weight (less than 11 lbs.), Ryobi One+ battery compatibility for future product expansion. See the table above for details on specific model differences.
Ratio
The ratio between Ryobi 40V vs Ryobi 18V chainsaws is 2:1. They aren’t equal, but they do perform about equally. -They can both cut up to about 2″ diameter trees with little effort and one pass (4″). This is what you need those chainsaws for; occasional use, not everyday use.
Weight
Ryobi’s 40v model weighs 10 lbs; Ryobi’s 18v model weighs 11.5 lbs; the difference in weight between them is 1 lb. No significant difference, they are light enough to carry around and control easily.
No significant difference, they are light enough to carry around and control easily.
Final Verdict
Both models are good choices depending on what you need. The 40V might be too expensive if all you care about is raw power, but the Ryobi 18v has everything you need for typical home use.
The Ryobi 40V makes more sense if you are planning on cutting through bigger trees or plan to do longer-term work. It also just feels better in your hands compared to the 18v model.
You may also read our article on how to hold logs while cutting with a chainsaw and dewalt 20v vs 60v chainsaw