Cordless Chainsaw Showdown: EGO CS1804 vs Ryobi 40V HP 18″
EGO’s 56V CS1804 and Ryobi’s 40V HP 18″ are the two most-recommended cordless chainsaws for homeowners — here’s how their chain speed, runtime, and price actually compare once you look past the marketing numbers.
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Storm cleanup, firewood processing, and the occasional felled tree are exactly the jobs cordless chainsaws were built for — no gas, no mixed oil, no pull-starting a cold engine. EGO’s CS1804 and Ryobi’s 40V HP 18″ are the two chainsaws homeowners cross-shop most, and they land at very different price points. Here’s how the specs actually compare.
Power and Chain Speed
The EGO CS1804 runs on EGO’s 56V ARC Lithium platform with an 11,000 RPM brushless motor and a chain speed of roughly 3,900 FPM (about 65 feet per second) — genuinely fast for a cordless saw, and part of why EGO markets this as a replacement for a 45cc gas chainsaw. The Ryobi 40V HP 18″ runs on Ryobi’s 40V brushless platform and is built around the same “gas-equivalent” positioning — Ryobi rates its 40V HP technology as delivering more power than a 38cc gas chainsaw, with a tool-free chain tensioner and automatic bar oiler shared with the EGO.
Runtime and Cuts Per Charge
EGO rates the CS1804 for up to 300 cuts on a 4×4 with its included 5.0Ah battery. Ryobi’s own spec sheet lists up to 168 cuts on a 4×4 with the included 5.0Ah battery, though real-world reviewers cutting seasoned hardwood rounds (rather than clean 4×4 lumber) often report notably fewer cuts per charge before a swap or recharge is needed — a reminder that manufacturer cut counts are best-case numbers on soft, dry lumber. Either way, EGO’s battery capacity and motor efficiency give it a clear runtime edge in the manufacturers’ own testing.
Pros
- Fastest chain speed of the two at ~3,900 FPM
- Highest rated cuts-per-charge (up to 300 on a 4×4)
- 18″ bar, tool-free chain tensioning, automatic oiler, 5-year tool warranty
Cons
- More expensive than the Ryobi at $349 with battery and charger
- 14.5 lb operating weight is noticeably heavier than mid-tier saws
Check EGO CS1804 Chainsaw on Amazon →
Pros
- $120 cheaper than the EGO with battery and charger included
- 18″ bar handles cuts up to 32″ in diameter
- Automatic oiler and chain brake standard, same as EGO
Cons
- Lower rated chain speed and cuts-per-charge than the EGO
- 40V battery platform doesn’t cross over to Ryobi’s 18V ONE+ shop tools
Check Ryobi 40V HP 18″ Chainsaw on Amazon →
Price
This is where the decision usually gets made. The EGO CS1804 runs about $349 with a 56V battery and charger included. The Ryobi 40V HP 18″ comes in significantly cheaper at around $229 with a battery and charger included — a $120 gap for a saw that still hits gas-equivalent power claims and handles the same bar length and cut capacity.
| Category | EGO CS1804 | Ryobi 40V HP 18″ |
|---|---|---|
| Battery platform | 56V ARC Lithium | 40V HP |
| Chain speed | ~3,900 FPM | Not officially published; positioned as 38cc-gas-equivalent |
| Cuts per charge (4×4, mfr. rated) | Up to 300 | Up to 168 |
| Bar length | 18″ | 18″ (cuts up to 32″ diameter) |
| Operating weight | 14.5 lbs | Comparable class weight |
| Price (with battery + charger) | ~$349 | ~$229 |
| Warranty | 5-year tool / 3-year battery | 5-year tool / 3-year battery |
Already Own EGO or Ryobi Yard Tools?
Battery ecosystem should weigh heavily here. If you’re already running an EGO 56V mower, trimmer, or blower, the CS1804 slots directly into that battery pool — no new charger, no orphaned battery format. Same logic applies to Ryobi 40V owners. For the full platform-by-platform breakdown of both ecosystems, including string trimmers and blowers, see our EGO 56V vs Ryobi 40V Yard Tools comparison.
FAQ
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