Ryobi 18V 10-inch Chainsaw Delivers Higher Performance

Unraveling the New Ryobi 18V 10-inch Chainsaw: Is it a Worthwhile Upgrade?

Ryobi’s arsenal of battery-powered chainsaws spans both its 18V One+ and 40V systems while covering a range of needs. Today, I’m focused on the compact class and the new Ryobi 18V 10-inch chainsaw PBLCW01. Should you add it to your landscaping roster this season? I’ll show you what’s new and updated to help you decide.

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Ryobi 18V 10-inch Chainsaw Performance

Cutting Speed and Power

At its heart, the Ryobi PBLCW01 features a brushless motor that drives the chain at up to 9 m/s (29.5 ft/s). This is a notable improvement over the 7.9 m/s speed of the previous iteration (P2502).

While that’s about a 14% increase in chain speed, Ryobi tells us it results in cutting speeds up to 30% faster than its predecessor. This translated into some pretty interesting results when it came time to put this saw to the test (more on this later).

Runtime

Using the kitted 4.0Ah battery, you can expect up to 70 cuts per charge. While this is the same runtime as the last iteration, the PBLCW01’s faster cutting speeds will let you complete those cuts more quickly. If you’re after more runtime, you can always toss in a larger battery. If you step up to an 8.0Ah pack, Ryobi estimates you can get up to 126 cuts.

With that said, I felt this saw was the most balanced and maneuverable with the 4.0Ah battery, so that’s what I’d primarily stick with.

Ryobi 18V 10-inch Chainsaw Design Notes

Size and Weight

This chainsaw weighs 8.4 pounds as a bare tool, which is two pounds more than the previous model. This can probably be attributed to the addition of metal bucking spikes and a chain brake mechanism, both of which were absent in the P2502. Presumably, the motor has been beefed up as well, which adds more weight.

As for working weight, this chainsaw weighs 9.9 pounds with the kitted 4.0Ah battery. For me, the overall balance is right on the money. There is a slight rear bias, but it didn’t seem to affect my ability to maneuver the saw easily while working.

Of course, you can always lighten the load by using a smaller 2.5Ah battery, but you will miss out on some runtime.

Grip and Trigger

Looking down at the grip, you have a top-mounted thumb safety, a two-finger trigger, and a generous amount of rubber overmolding. The grip feels very similar to other Ryobi tools I’ve tested, and the overmolding helps you maintain a secure hold on the saw—perfect for when you’re wearing work gloves.

Bar and Chain

This saw features a 10-inch OEM bar and chain, with a recommended cut capacity of 8 inches. This is perfect for seasonal limbing, bucking small logs for a campfire, and pruning landscaping features like crepe myrtles.

Like the last model, the PBLCW01 uses a tooled tensioning system, and, as we normally expect from Ryobi chainsaws, there’s a storage location on the handle for the included scrench.

Additionally, the oiling system is automatic, with a clear reservoir that lets you visually monitor your oil levels as you work.

Additional Features

Electric Chain Brake: Avoid accidental activation while climbing or on the go
Metal Bucking Spikes: Helps the saw stay engaged with the wood while bucking logs

How I Tested The Ryobi 18V 10-Inch Chainsaw

To put this saw to the test, I headed to my house to address a pesky Caphor tree in my backyard. I figured this would be a good test for this saw because the trunk is around 6 to 7 inches in diameter, well within reason for the 10-inch bar. The main question I wanted to answer was if this saw could help me fell a portion of the tree and then break it down into manageable pieces.

I start by cutting a notch in the face of the trunk, and then I made my back cut and landed the tree right where I wanted it.

Pro Tip: If you’re new to chainsaws, Ryobi includes a guide for common cutting procedures in the user manual!.

Now that the tree was on the ground, I began limbing the trunk in preparation to buck it up into usable pieces. This compact saw was very easy to maneuver and made very quick work of the smaller branches.

As I started cutting the log, the metal bucking spike did a great job staying engaged with the bark and allowed me to rock the saw up and down without slipping. The power level and performance were very consistent with what I’ve experienced with other saws in this class. However, fresh Camphor is a fairly soft wood, so I wanted to conduct one more test to determine the saw’s true strength.

Back at our shop, I made a few cuts in one of our 8-inch Oak test logs. This is a much denser wood, and it matches Ryobi’s stated cut capacity, giving us a clearer understanding of the PBLCW01’s true grit.

Unsurprisingly, the saw performed well as I made my cuts, but there was a noticeable drop in the total overall speed. This compact saw handled the task well, but it’s clear to me that I was nearing the upper limit of its recommended duty cycle. This isn’t a knock on the PBLCW01; rather, it’s a reminder that using the right tool for the job can make all the difference in the world.

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How Does it Compare?

The PBLCW01 is the third iteration of the 10-inch chainsaw on the 18V One+ system, with the first-gen P546 now discontinued. It’s also the second HP Brushless 10-inch model on this platform.

For context, Ryobi also has an older 40V 10-inch brushed model, which is outpaced in speed by both available 18V chainsaws.

Let’s take a look at all three available Ryobi 10-inch chainsaws side-by-side.

	Ryobi PBLCW01 (this model)	Ryobi 18V P2502	Ryobi 40V RY40507
Chain Speed	9.0 m/s	7.9 m/s	5.3 m/s
Motor Type	Brushless	Brushless	Brushed
Bar Length	10 in	10 in	10 in
Estimated Runtime	70 cuts (4.0Ah battery)	70 cuts (4.0Ah battery)	Not specified
Weight	8.3 lb (bare)	6.4 lb (bare)	6.7 lb (bare)
Price	$179 bare, $229 kit	$179 bare	$145 bare, $209 kit

Ryobi 10-inch Chainsaw Price

This chainsaw retails for $179 as a bare tool and $229 for the kit, which includes a 4.0Ah battery and charger. Ryobi backs your purchase with a 3-year warranty.

With the battery and charger coming at just a $50 upcharge, it’s a high-value way to cycle in a fresh battery to your 18V One+ tool collection.

Should You Buy It?

Compact chainsaws like this one do their best work for felling small trees and limbing. If that’s the kind of work you envision for your property, the PBLCW01 is a good fit. It’s also a solid bet if you’re new to chainsaws and larger models are a bit intimidating.

But when it comes to bigger jobs, like storm cleanup, most properties really need a larger saw on hand. We recommend a 16-inch model as a nice middle ground between size, performance, and price.

If you’re already set on a 10-inch model and are deciding between the two available 18V One+ chainsaws, since the price is the same at the time of writing, go with the newer model. You’ll get more power and better cutting speed, plus upgrades to the design and safety features.