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.
The Brofessionals is reader-supported. When you buy through links on this page we may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you. As an Amazon Associate we earn from qualifying purchases. See our full disclosure.
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 — EGO markets it as a replacement for a 45cc gas chainsaw. (EGO doesn’t publish a chain speed.) The Ryobi 40V HP 18″ runs on Ryobi’s 40V brushless platform and is built around the same “gas-equivalent” positioning — Ryobi rates the current 40V HP 18″ saw as delivering more power than a 40cc 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 rated its earlier 18″ kit (RY40580, now discontinued) for up to 168 cuts per charge with a 5.0Ah battery; the current RY40HPCW01K kit ships with a 6.0Ah battery and is rated for over 90 cuts. Either way, 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
- Higher-rated motor speed (11,000 RPM) and a 45cc-gas-equivalent rating
- 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 kit
- Heavier than compact 14–16″ cordless saws
Check EGO CS1804 Chainsaw on Amazon →
Pros
- Usually costs less than the EGO kit, with battery and charger included
- 18″ bar handles cuts up to 32″ in diameter
- Automatic oiler and chain brake standard
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. Both come as kits with a battery and charger, and the Ryobi 40V HP 18″ kit (currently RY40HPCW01K, with a 6.0Ah battery) usually costs noticeably less than the EGO CS1804 kit. Prices move a lot, so check both before you buy.
| Category | EGO CS1804 | Ryobi 40V HP 18″ |
|---|---|---|
| Battery platform | 56V ARC Lithium | 40V HP |
| Gas equivalent (mfr. claim) | 45cc | 40cc (current RY40HPCW01K kit) |
| Cuts per charge (mfr. rated) | Up to 300 (4×4, 5.0Ah) | Over 90 (current kit, 6.0Ah) |
| Bar length | 18″ | 18″ (cuts up to 32″ diameter) |
| Price (with battery + charger) | Check current price | Usually lower; check current price |
| 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
Read next: EGO 56V vs Ryobi 40V Yard Tools · Best Cordless Pressure Washers 2026
Sources
- EGO CS1804 product page: 300 cuts, 45cc equivalent, 11,000 RPM
- Home Depot: Ryobi RY40HPCW01K kit: 6.0Ah battery, over 90 cuts, 40cc claim
- Ryobi RY40580 (discontinued): earlier 168-cut rating
Checked September 2026. Prices and specs change; confirm on the linked pages before you buy.
