Best Bosch Cordless Chainsaws and Pruning Saws (2026)
Bosch's cordless chain saw range is smaller than most shoppers expect, and it splits across two completely different product lines. This guide sorts out which Bosch saw is actually sold in the US, which models are European market tools, and which one matches the branch size you need to cut.
Quick answer
In the US, the Bosch GKE18V-20N 18V cordless pruning saw is the realistic pick: an 8 in bar, brushless motor and kickback detection, sold as a bare tool on the 18V Bosch professional battery platform. The green Bosch Home and Garden saws (EasyChain 18V-15-7, UniversalChain 18, AdvancedChain 36V-35-40) are European market models, so US buyers usually see them only through importers.
Why trust ToolBuyerHub
- Specs checked against manufacturer listings (voltage, bar length, tensioning)
- Battery platform and cross-tool compatibility compared
- US availability verified, not assumed
- Corded and cordless models kept clearly separate
- No invented ratings or review counts
- No fake hands-on claims
Research updated August 2026.
Bosch GKE18V-20N 18V Cordless Pruning Saw
The one Bosch cordless chain saw most US shoppers can actually buy, with kickback detection built in.
| Product | Best For | Bar Length | Power Source | Market |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Bosch GKE18V-20N | Best Overall (US) | 8 in | 18V battery | US |
| Bosch EasyChain 18V-15-7 | Lightest Pruning Saw | 6 in (15 cm) | 18V battery | Europe / import |
| Bosch UniversalChain 18 | Best Budget Cordless | 8 in (20 cm) | 18V battery | Europe / import |
| Bosch AdvancedChain 36V-35-40 | Best Heavy Duty Cordless | 14 in (35 cm) | 36V battery | Europe / import |
| Bosch UniversalChain 35 | Corded alternative | 14 in (35 cm) | Mains cord (1,800 W) | Europe / import |
Bosch GKE18V-20N 18V Cordless Pruning Saw
Best Overall (US)Pros
- Kickback detection shuts the chain down on a sudden rotation
- Brushless motor, so less to wear out than a brushed saw
- Runs on the same 18V packs as Bosch's other cordless tools
Cons
- Sold bare, so battery and charger cost extra
- An 8 in bar is a pruning and limbing tool, not a felling saw
The GKE18V-20N is a top handle pruning saw rather than a full size chain saw, and that is the honest way to shop for it. The 8 in bar is sized for limbs, storm cleanup and firewood rounds you can cut in one pass, not for dropping trees. Bosch pairs it with a brushless motor and an electronic kickback detection system that cuts power if the tool rotates suddenly, which is the feature that matters most on a one hand capable saw.
Because it sits on Bosch's 18V battery platform, it is easiest to justify if you already own Bosch cordless tools and have spare packs on the shelf. Buying it as a standalone tool means adding a battery and charger to the budget, which changes the price picture considerably.
Bosch EasyChain 18V-15-7
Lightest Pruning SawPros
- Very light, easy to hold above shoulder height
- SDS tool free chain tensioning
- Shares the Bosch green 18V Power for All battery
Cons
- Not a standard US retail model
- Green Power for All packs do not fit the blue professional tools
The EasyChain 18V-15-7 is Bosch's lightest chain driven pruning saw in the Home and Garden line. The 15 cm bar puts it squarely in branch trimming territory, and the low weight is the whole point: it is the model you reach for when the cutting is overhead and repetitive rather than heavy.
The naming trips people up constantly. There is no Bosch "EasyCut 18V-50-7". EasyChain is the chain saw family; EasyCut is Bosch's NanoBlade family, which uses a sealed micro chain blade and is a different tool entirely. If a listing mixes those two names, the specs on it are worth double checking.
Bosch UniversalChain 18
Best Budget CordlessPros
- Longer bar than the EasyChain for the same battery
- Tool free chain tensioning
- Cheapest way into the Bosch green 18V garden system
Cons
- Slower cutting than the 36V saws
- Not a standard US retail model
The UniversalChain 18 runs a 20 cm bar, which is longer than the EasyChain's, so it is the more useful of the two green 18V saws if you cut anything beyond thin branches. It keeps the SDS tool free tensioning system, so chain adjustment in the garden takes seconds without hunting for a screwdriver.
It is still an 18V saw, so cutting speed drops off in dense hardwood and the battery drains faster the harder you push it. Treat it as a limbing and small log tool and it does the job; it is not built for repeated felling work.
Bosch AdvancedChain 36V-35-40
Best Heavy Duty CordlessPros
- Full size 35 cm bar, the largest in Bosch's cordless garden range
- Automatic chain lubrication with an oil reservoir
- Enough bar length for small tree work and firewood
Cons
- Heaviest of the group, tiring for overhead cutting
- 36V battery is its own platform, separate from the 18V packs
The AdvancedChain 36V-35-40 is the only Bosch cordless saw here that reads like a conventional chain saw, with a 35 cm bar and an automatic oiler feeding the chain from a reservoir. Bar length, not marketing wattage, is what limits cut capacity: a 35 cm bar comfortably handles material well under that width in a single pass, and thicker rounds need cutting from both sides.
One correction worth flagging, because it is repeated all over the web: this saw takes a single Bosch 36V battery. It does not run two 18V packs in series. That is a Makita style arrangement, not a Bosch one, and buying two 18V batteries expecting them to power this saw is a wasted purchase.
Bosch UniversalChain 35
Corded alternativePros
- No battery to charge or replace
- Constant power for as long as you are plugged in
- Usually cheaper than the 36V cordless saw
Cons
- Corded, so range is limited to your extension lead
- Not a cordless option despite the similar model name
This one is included specifically to clear up a common mix up. The UniversalChain 35 is a corded 1,800 W chain saw, not a 36V cordless model. The "35" in the name refers to the 35 cm bar, exactly as it does on the cordless AdvancedChain, which is why the two get confused in listings and roundups.
If you are cutting near the house and do not mind a lead, the corded saw gives you unlimited runtime for less money than the battery version plus a 36V pack. If you need to work down the yard or out of reach of an outlet, it is the wrong tool and the AdvancedChain is the model you want.
What to check before buying a Bosch cordless chainsaw
Bar length is the specification that decides what you can cut. A 6 to 8 in bar covers pruning, limbing and storm cleanup, which is what almost every Bosch cordless chain saw is designed for. A 14 in bar moves you into small tree and firewood work. As a rule of thumb you want a bar noticeably longer than the wood is thick, so anything close to the bar length means cutting from both sides.
Battery platform matters just as much, and Bosch runs several that do not interchange. The blue professional 18V packs used by the GKE18V-20N are not the same as the green Home and Garden 18V Power for All packs, and the 36V AdvancedChain uses its own 36V battery rather than a pair of 18V packs. Match the platform to the tools you already own before you compare prices.
Mistakes to avoid
The biggest mistake is confusing Bosch's product families. EasyChain and UniversalChain are chain saws. EasyCut is the NanoBlade range, a sealed micro chain blade tool that is closer to a compact reciprocating saw than to a chain saw, so it is not the right choice if you actually want a chain saw. There is no model called the "EasyCut 18V-50-7", and a listing using that name has its specs scrambled.
The second mistake is assuming corded and cordless models with matching numbers are the same tool. The UniversalChain 35 is corded; the AdvancedChain 36V-35-40 is the cordless 35 cm saw. Finally, do not skip safety kit or safety features. Chain brakes, low kickback chains and electronic kickback detection exist because top handle and one hand capable saws are the easiest chain saws to get hurt with.
FAQs
Are Bosch cordless chainsaws any good?
Yes, within their intended range. Bosch's cordless saws are built for pruning, limbing and light garden cutting rather than felling, and they are well regarded for safety features and battery platform convenience.
Which Bosch cordless chainsaw is sold in the US?
The Bosch GKE18V-20N 18V cordless pruning saw, with an 8 in bar, is the model US buyers will normally find. The green EasyChain, UniversalChain and AdvancedChain saws are European market tools.
Can a Bosch cordless chainsaw cut logs?
The 14 in AdvancedChain 36V-35-40 can handle firewood sized rounds and small trees. The 6 to 8 in pruning saws are for branches and limbs, not logs.
Do Bosch chainsaws come with a battery?
Many are sold as bare tools with no battery or charger, including the GKE18V-20N. Some kits do include both, so read the listing carefully before comparing prices.
Does the 36V Bosch chainsaw use two 18V batteries?
No. The AdvancedChain 36V-35-40 takes a single Bosch 36V battery. Running two 18V packs in series is a different manufacturer's system, not Bosch's.
How long does the battery last on a Bosch chainsaw?
Runtime depends on battery amp hours, wood density and how hard you push the saw, so manufacturer figures vary widely. Plan on a second battery if you are cutting for more than a short session.
What is the difference between EasyChain and UniversalChain?
Both are Bosch Home and Garden chain saws on the 18V Power for All platform. The EasyChain 18V-15-7 has a shorter 15 cm bar and is lighter; the UniversalChain 18 runs a 20 cm bar for slightly more capacity.
Is the Bosch EasyCut 12 a chainsaw?
No. The EasyCut 12 is a 12V NanoBlade saw. It uses a sealed micro chain blade rather than a conventional bar and chain, so it belongs in the compact saw category, not the chain saw category.
How do I tension the chain on a Bosch chainsaw?
The Home and Garden saws use Bosch's SDS tool free tensioning, adjusted by hand with a dial. Always check the manual for your specific model and tension the chain with the saw switched off and the battery removed.
Can I use any Bosch battery with these chainsaws?
No. Bosch runs separate platforms: blue professional 18V, green Home and Garden 18V Power for All, and 36V. They are not interchangeable, so match the battery system to the saw.
Our verdict
For US buyers, the Bosch GKE18V-20N 18V cordless pruning saw is the practical choice: an 8 in bar, brushless motor and kickback detection on a battery platform that is easy to buy into. If you can source the European models, the UniversalChain 18 is the better value 18V garden saw thanks to its longer bar, and the AdvancedChain 36V-35-40 is the only Bosch cordless saw with the bar length for genuine firewood and small tree work. Just remember it needs a single 36V pack, not two 18V ones.