With an 8-inch bar, the DeWalt 20V MAX 8 in Brushless Cordless Pruning Chainsaw is your go-to for smaller jobs around the yard, whether it be pruning small branches or splitting firewood to a better size. Just because it’s small doesn’t mean this DeWalt chainsaw has less power or capabilities. In fact, its power output impressed me (just as every other DeWalt tool does!), and its cutting capabilities were superb.
Although it’s compact and lightweight, I don’t think you can use this chainsaw with one hand. At least I couldn't, and I felt safe and secure. And if I were left-handed, I don’t think I could use this chainsaw comfortably.
I tested all the different features of this chainsaw on the trees in my own backyard and shared my findings below. Keep reading to see who this mini chainsaw ideally suits and why it’s one of the best chainsaws to have on hand.
Alex Temblador is an accomplished Dallas-based author and freelance writer with a focus on home, design, architecture, and art. Her work has been featured in a variety of publications including Tech Radar, Tom’s Guide, Real Homes, Gardeningetc, Home & Gardens, Dwell, Architectural Digest, and Insider. Recently, she acquired her first home, a charming 103-year-old green Sears & Roebuck house, sitting on half an acre of land with a beautiful wraparound porch, original hardwood floors, pocket doors, and a butler pantry. Alex enjoys reviewing products for Top Ten Reviews, Tech Radar, and Tom’s Guide, expanding her experience as a first-time homeowner. As a Mixed Latine writer, she frequently finds inspiration while working or relaxing in her outdoor spaces.
DeWalt DCCS623B: Key specs
| Model no.: | DCCS623L1 |
| Fuel/power source: | 20V battery |
| Maximum cutting thickness: | 8 inches |
| Size/dimensions: | 20.5 x 9.5 x 4 in |
| Bar length: | 8 in. |
| Weight (with battery): | 8.4 lbs |
DeWalt DCCS623B: Price & availability
Although this is a pretty small chainsaw, don’t expect it to come cheap. The DeWalt 20V MAX 8 in Brushless Cordless Pruning Chainsaw is sold for about $219 with the battery and charger included, but you can buy the tool only for $169. Oil is not included with the purchase of this chainsaw.
It’s not sold on the DeWalt site, but if you click “Buy Now,” you can see that this tool is sold through reseller sites such as Amazon and Home Depot.
The price tag on this tool doesn’t surprise me. DeWalt is a little pricier than most brands, but that depends on the quality of the tools they produce. If you want a little more bang, go with the DeWalt 20V MAX XR DCCS620P1 Battery Chainsaw. The bar is 12 inches, and the price is about $30 more than this chainsaw at Home Depot. I even think it has a better design for a two-handed grip.
Score: 8 out of 10
DeWalt DCCS623B: Setup
Upon removing the DeWalt 20V MAX 8 in Brushless Cordless Pruning Chainsaw from its cardboard box, I thought it was quite compact. It came fully assembled with a sheath over the 8-inch bar.
At first, I thought the chainsaw could be used one-handed, but when I picked it up, I realized that due to the positioning of the triggers and the weight, I could not safely use it with one hand. Maybe someone with a larger hand and stronger than me could, but that's still pushing it.
The chainsaw came with a 20V battery and charger. The battery took about three hours to charge fully. No oil was provided, so I used some oil that I had on hand to fill the small oil container.
I also noticed right away that the chainsaw didn’t have a kickback brake but, rather, was outfitted with a tip guard. This was the first chainsaw I would be testing with a tip guard.
Score: 7 out of 10
DeWalt DCCS623B: Design
While the DeWalt 20V MAX 8 in Brushless Cordless Pruning Chainsaw is compact and lightweight, it’s not light enough to comfortably hold it with only one hand. That being said, the hand grip is comfortable and has a trigger. There is a button on the left side, above the trigger. The button and the trigger must be pushed and pulled simultaneously to start the machine. Unfortunately, because the button is on the left side, it is unlikely that a left-handed person could use this tool (unless they're willing to hold it like a right-handed person).
Another handle is placed right on top of the main handle. It’s like an extension of the main handle, only a bit thinner. I wish it were perpendicular to the main handle so I could better place both my hands for a more comfortable and secure grip.
The oil cap is on the left side of the tool's body. There is an opaque viewfinder on the oil chamber, but it’s not clear enough to tell the oil level easily. Not to mention, the oil cap is easy to screw off, but it takes a little bit of finesse to screw it back on.
The battery is placed at the back of the chainsaw. An eight-inch bar extends out the front. There are some plastic built-in ridges on the front of the chainsaw. They’re a version of bumper spikes.
This chainsaw comes with a sheath that clips together over the bar. Built into the sheath is a spot that holds a tension tool that can be used to adjust the tension of the chain. The DeWalt mini chainsaw doesn’t have a kickback brake. Instead, there is a removable metal tip guard on the front. DeWalt says it’s designed to “provide stability during upcuts.” They can also reduce kickbacks. A lot of people don’t like them because they can get in the way of cutting if you're not used to them.
Score: 8 out of 10
DeWalt DCCS623B: Performance
I was hoping that I could use this mini chainsaw with just one hand. It’s only 8.4 lbs., but I could tell right away that using only one hand would be a bad idea.
After fitting the battery to the chainsaw, I took it into my backyard and found a variety of limbs, branches, and logs that ranged from 1.5 to 7 inches in diameter. The chainsaw didn’t vibrate that much in my hand, and it had an 84-decibel output, which is about what I expect from battery-powered chainsaws.
I started by cutting some trees between 4-6 inches in width and was amazed by the quality. Every time I use a DeWalt product, they’ve been consistent in great power output. This mini chainsaw was no different. It sliced through trees with ease and little effort on my part. I only had to guide the chainsaw, and it did all the work for me. This surprised me a bit because the chainsaw only uses a 20V battery. That goes to show that you don’t always need a 40V or 60V battery to get good performance.
The chainsaw also did well with logs and larger branches, as long as they were less than 8 inches, of course. For smaller branches, I had to use the chainsaw on the part of the limb closest to the trunk.
Like I said, I wish I could have used this chainsaw with one hand, but I found it a lot more comfortable to use two hands because I had more control. There is a second handle above the main one, but it didn’t feel comfortable to put my left hand there for control, so I put it on the main handle. Perhaps if that second handle were perpendicular to the main handle, it would have made for a better design.
The plastic bumper spikes were really not noticeable. I don’t think they make much difference in my control of the chainsaw. The tip guard didn’t get in my way when cutting, perhaps because I was mindful of it. If I had cut anything that was exactly 8 inches, it might have been a slight issue, but I mostly cut things that were 7 inches or smaller.
If you’re looking for a small chainsaw to do quick jobs around the yard, this DeWalt mini chainsaw is a great choice. The battery lasts a long time, and the tool itself cuts quickly and smoothly. Once again, I’m impressed with DeWalt.
Score: 8 out of 10
Should you buy the DeWalt DCCS623B?
| Attribute | Notes | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| Price & availability | Price reflects the brand and performance, but somewhat pricey for a small chainsaw; sold at Amazon, Home Depot, etc. | 8/10 |
| Setup | Compact, fully assembled, weight concerns | 7/10 |
| Design | Mini chainsaw with an 8-inch bar that isn’t suitable to left-handed folks | 8/10 |
| Performance | Great power output cutting through limbs, trees, and logs less than 8 inches. Better to use two hands to control. | 8/10 |
Buy it if…
Don’t buy it if…
How does the DeWalt DCCS623B compare?
If you want a small chainsaw but one that can tackle small to medium jobs, go for the DeWalt 20V Max XR DCCS620P1 12 in. Battery Chainsaw. The 12-inch bar means you can handle larger tree limbs. Plus, it has a kickback brake and is only $30 more.
The Zeeksaw 8-inch Cordless Mini Chainsaw also has an eight-inch bar, but it’s designed to be held with one hand. It doesn’t hurt that the chainsaw has a built-in tension tool and is way cheaper, to boot.
Let’s say you don’t necessarily need an 8-inch bar. If you have small jobs, go for the Milwaukee M12 Fuel Hatchet. The lightweight chainsaw has a built-in tensioner and can cut tree limbs less than 6 inches in diameter. Unfortunately, it’s a bit expensive for such a small chainsaw.
How I tested the DeWalt DCCS623B
I tested the DeWalt 20V MAX 8in Brushless Cordless Pruning Chainsaw in my backyard a few times. It’s the fifth chainsaw I’ve tested and the smallest one. I made sure to test it on trees and pre-cut logs that were less than 8 inches in diameter. Every element of the chainsaw was tested to provide a full review.
Find out more about how we test.
- First reviewed: January 2024
