EGO 16-inch Battery-Powered Chainsaw Gets a Performance Upgrade
EGO already has an extensive line of 56V battery-powered lawn care equipment. Pushing the boundaries further, this latest-generation EGO 16-inch battery-powered chainsaw (CS1611) has us wondering what they improved.
Pros
- More power than the previous 16-inch model
- Flip-top oil reservoir cap
- Metal bucking spikes
- Tool-free chain tensioning with easier adjustments than the previous design
Cons
- No significant drawbacks
EGO Battery-Powered 16-Inch Chainsaw Design Upgrades
One immediate upgrade to the EGO CS1604 chainsaw includes the use of actual metal bucking spikes. Where the original 16-inch saw featured plastic bumps, the steel bucking spikes on the new saw do a better job helping you lever the chainsaw into a cut.
We also like the new flip-top design of the bar oil cap. It reminds us of the design Stihl uses on some of its saws. We find it easier to both open and close—particularly when wearing gloves.
Not to be outdone, EGO also redesigned the sprocket cover. It now sports a flip design, with the automatic chain tensioner switching to a separate knob design. In this way, you loosen the cover with the larger dial (don’t remove the cover completely), adjust the bar tension using the dial above it, and tighten the cover back down until secure.
For homeowners, we like this combination tensioning system since it foregoes the use of a scrench. Professionals (and, admittedly, several folks on our staff) do still prefer the solid feel and reliability of dual captured bar studs.
Since EGO designed this tool for homeowners looking to tackle light to medium tree maintenance and cleanup, the tool-free system should suffice.
Additional Features
- Makes up to 130 cuts in 4×4 with a 2.5Ah battery
- Includes a low kickback chain
- Brake indicator
- Safety lockout button
- Automatic oiling
- Compatible with all EGO 56V batteries
EGO CS1611 16-inch Battery-Powered Chainsaw Performance
As we mentioned earlier, this marks EGO’s second-generation 16-inch chainsaw. You can still purchase the original CS1604 saw—one of the first battery-powered chainsaws on the market.
While the bar size hasn’t changed, we noticed a distinct change in performance. The brushless motor can now output power that EGO equates to a 40cc gas engine. It increases chain speed to a maximum of 20 meters per second (65.6 fps or 3937 fpm).
While the original CS1604 chainsaw performed very well for a battery-powered tool, the new saw equates better to what we expect from a comparable gas model. We don’t think the 40cc claim goes too far, in fact.
EGO 16-Inch Battery-Powered Chainsaw Price
With a 2.5Ah battery and charger, you can pick up the EGO CS1611 chainsaw for $269. If you want more capacity, there’s also a kit with a 4.0Ah battery for around $319 (EGO CS1613). The bare tool (EGO CS1610) runs $219 if you want to use the EGO batteries you already own.
EGO backs this chainsaw with a 5-year warranty.
The Bottom Line
This EGO CS1611 16-inch chainsaw should match up well with homeowners looking for a tool to cover seasonal tree maintenance and occasional storm cleanup. EGO really improved the performance of this saw over its prior model, and we like the updated features. If you want the best balance of performance, design, and price, we can easily recommend the updated 16-inch EGO chainsaw.
We stand by this conclusion, as our Best Chainsaw Reviews list attests.
Specifications
- Model: EGO CS1611
- Power Source: EGO 56V battery
- Bar Size: 16 inches
- Chain: 3/8 x 0.43
- Warranty: 5 years
- Price: $219 – $299
