When you think of chainsaws, you probably envision something a lumberjack would use – a large and loud machine that can cut through a tree. But not all chainsaws need to be big. Even small ones – like the DeWalt 20V MAX XR DCCS620P1 12 in. Battery Chainsaw – can handle the average yard job.
This Dewalt is on the smaller side of battery-powered chainsaws, though surprisingly, it’s not the smallest. With a 12-inch bar, it can cut through limbs that are less than a foot in length, and even with a 20V battery, it does so with surprisingly great power.
I love that it has a few different safety features and is incredibly lightweight. While it may not be best suited to left-handed individuals, at least it’s an eco-friendly chainsaw option for either those who are new to chainsaws or folks who don’t have large trees in their yards.
Please keep reading to get my full take on this DeWalt chainsaw. I tested it a few times throughout my yard to get a good sense of its power. Whether or not this chainsaw is for you, give our best chainsaw guide a look, too.
Alex Temblador is a Dallas-based award-winning author and freelance writer who has covered home, design, architecture, and art in publications such as Tech Radar, Tom’s Guide, Real Homes, Gardeningetc, Home & Gardens, Dwell, Architectural Digest, Insider, among many others. She recently bought her first home, a green Sears & Roebuck house that's over 103 years old, sits on half an acre of land, and features a stunning wraparound porch, original hardwood floors, pocket doors, and a butler pantry.
Alex loves to test products for Top Ten Reviews, Tech Radar, and Tom’s Guide buying guides and reviews, which has helped to expand the richness of her first-time homeowner life. The Mixed Latine writer can usually be found working or relaxing in her outdoor spaces.
DeWalt 20V MAX XR DCCS620P1: Key specs
| Model no.: | DCCS620P1 |
| Fuel/power source: | 20V battery |
| Maximum cutting thickness: | Less than 12 inches |
| Size/dimensions: | 25"L x 9"W x 9"H |
| Bar length: | 12 in |
| Weight (with battery) | 9 lbs. |
DeWalt 20V MAX XR DCCS620P1: First Impressions
I recently tested some larger chainsaws that had over 16-inch bars, so I was really excited to test the DeWalt 20V MAX XR DCCS620P1 12 in. Battery Chainsaw. I understand that most people who buy chainsaws don’t want to cut down large trees in their yards. They just want something to prune smaller trees, limbs, or thick bushes. A smaller chainsaw like this DeWalt is the best way to go.
The chainsaw arrived quickly in a box on my front porch and came with a 20V battery and a charging port. I didn’t have to put anything together; I only needed to charge the battery and add chain oil to get started. I liked the fact that everything I needed (minus the chain oil) was already built into the machine itself.
DeWalt 20V MAX XR DCCS620P1: Price & availability
Meanwhile, the DeWalt 20V MAX XR DCCS620P1 12 in. Battery Chainsaw is sold for as low as $246 on sites like Amazon. It costs $279 at full price. This price includes the chainsaw, one 20V battery, and a battery charger. Chain oil is, unfortunately, not provided in the box, so you’ll have to purchase that separately.
DeWalt is a high-quality brand, so I’m not really surprised by the price of this chainsaw. It works really well, is made of great materials, and the battery can be used with other DeWalt battery-powered products. That said – there are plenty of cheaper options on the market.
The DeWalt chainsaw is sold through Amazon, ACE, and Home Depot. It does appear on the DeWalt website, but it looks like the site reroutes buyers to stores within your area or online that sell this product.
Score: 4/5
DeWalt 20V MAX XR DCCS620P1: Design
This chainsaw is compact – which makes sense because the bar is only 12 inches in length. It comes with a cover that should be used when storing the chainsaw away to prevent anything from happening to the chain. A built-in chain tension tool is on the left side of the chainsaw. I used it to tighten and loosen the chain and found it very easy to use.
To fill the oil compartment, I had to turn the chainsaw onto its side. I can see the oil level thanks to a clear viewfinder in the oil compartment. That’s really helpful in notifying me when I need to refill the chain oil.
The battery goes on the back of the chainsaw, somewhat underneath the ergonomic back handle which has a trigger and a button that need to be pulled and pressed at the same time to move the chain. This two-button safety feature helps to prevent any accidents from occurring, just as the front chain brake does. If the chainsaw should kick back, the chain brake will engage and lock the chain. I tend to push the chain forward to engage the brake when I’m moving from one project to another for an extra level of safety.
There is a second handle that wraps around the front of the chainsaw so that you can hold the chainsaw with two hands for more control and grip. Unfortunately, it appears to be better designed for those who are right-handed. I say this because it extends out to the left of the machine and doesn’t extend out to the right. I’m ambidextrous, and I found using it like a left-handed individual would is a little uncomfortable. I’m sure people who are left-handed could still use the chainsaw, however, it’s not as comfortable as it would be for a right-handed person.
Other chainsaws that I have tested had metal bumper spikes in the front. They’re used to help you control a cut. The DeWalt is not equipped with metal bumper spikes but does have very small spikes that are made out of and integrated into the hard plastic of the chainsaw body. It’s not as durable as metal – but at least it’s something.
Score: 4/5
DeWalt 20V MAX XR DCCS620P1: Performance
I tested the DeWalt 20V MAX XR DCCS620P1 12 in. Battery Chainsaw in my backyard a few times. After putting the battery in place, I engaged the chain brake and walked to my pile of logs to start out small and work my way up.
The chainsaw is incredibly lightweight and so compact that it almost feels like you could use one hand. I didn’t do this – and neither should you. A two-hand grip is always best, but I just wanted to provide a sense of how small it really is.
Even though it only has a 20V battery, I was amazed by the power output of this small chainsaw. It sliced through four-, six-, and eight-inch logs like butter. I also pruned some limbs and branches on trees and found a few stumps in my yard that needed to be shortened. It handled every job easily. While this chainsaw has some plastic-like bumper spikes, I’m not sure they made a huge difference in assisting with my control of the chainsaw. But I’m glad they were there, nonetheless.
There were a few times when I misjudged the diameter of a trunk or two. I thought they were less than a foot in length, but they were an inch or two wider. This chainsaw is only equipped to cut things that are 12 inches or smaller, so I should have been more aware. I say this only to note that it can be very easy to find yourself needing to cut things that are longer than a foot, and this chainsaw isn’t equipped to do so.
I was very impressed with the lack of vibration and the relatively low noise output of this chainsaw; I measured a noise level reading of 88dB while in use, which is equivalent to the noise of a car. The battery still had some life in it after three 20-minute cutting sessions.
With each and every project, the DeWalt did a great job. I can see the appeal of having a small chainsaw on hand like this one.
Score: 4/5
Should you buy the DeWalt 20V MAX XR DCCS620P1?
| Attribute | Notes | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| Price & availability | High-quality brand reflects the price tag; sold at Amazon, Ace, Home Depot, etc. | ★★★★ |
| Design | Compact chainsaw with safety features; more suited to right-handed individuals. | ★★★★ |
| Performance | Can cut through limbs that are 12 inches or smaller with a good amount of power. | ★★★★ |
Buy it if…
Don’t buy it if…
How does the DeWalt 20V MAX XR DCCS620P1 compare?
The Greenworks 40V 12-inch Cordless Compact Chainsaw offers a little more power at a lower cost, thanks to a 40V battery and a $179 full price tag (though it’s often sold for much cheaper). I also like how the front handle appears to be a little more even on both sides, making it more suitable to both left- and right-handed individuals.
Save some money when you go with the SKIL PWR CORE 20V 12 in Handheld Lightweight Chainsaw. It has all the same features as the DeWalt chainsaw – a built-in tensioner, 20V battery, chain brake, and two-button trigger – but for about half the price. The only problem is that SKIL doesn’t have the same name or brand quality recognition as DeWalt.
Those who don’t even want to cut trees or tree limbs that are a foot in diameter should check out the Seesii 6-inch Mini Chainsaw. It only requires a one-hand grip – which everyone feels comfortable with doing – and lets you saw through limbs and logs that are less than 6 inches. Plus, it comes with two batteries and is easy to store away.
How I tested the DeWalt 20V MAX XR DCCS620P1
With only a 12-inch bar, I had to be very mindful of how I tested the DeWalt 20V MAX XR DCCS620P1 12 in. Battery Chainsaw. I tested this chainsaw on smaller trees (and tree limbs) and trunks around my yard. I also used it to shorten some longer logs to better fit in my firepit. Every aspect of the chainsaw was tested so that I could offer an in-depth review.
Find out more about how we test.
