Greenworks 24V Mini Chainsaw Makes Limbing and Pruning Chores More Convenient
When it comes to pruning shrubs or cutting small branches, you could reach for a chainsaw, lopping shears, or a heavy-duty hedge trimmer, but what if there was a better solution? Mini chainsaws have taken the landscaping world by storm, and the Greenworks 24V Pruning Saw aims to make pruning and limbing tasks faster and simpler. Is it the right option for you? Let’s find out!
Want more options? Check out our top picks for the Best Mini Chainsaws of 2025!
Greenworks 24V Pruning Saw Performance
- No-Load Speed: 25.6 ft/s (7.8 m/s)
- Bar Length: 6 in.
- Chain Pitch: 0.325 in.
- Chain Gauge: 0.043 in.
- Gas Equivalent: 20cc
Cutting Power
Pruning saws like the Greenworks 24V CS24L02 are ideal for branches around 3 inches, but they can handle branches up to 5 inches in a pinch. Greenworks dialed in the brushless motor to drive the chain up to 25.6 ft/s (7.8 m/s), which allows it to power through cuts with ease and quickly eject chips. In terms of power level, this saw is equivalent to a 20cc gas-powered pruning saw.
These speeds exceed what we experienced with the Milwaukee M12 Fuel Hatchet (2527) and the Skil 20V Pruning Saw, which both fall in the 5 m/s range.
One thing we noticed while using this saw is that the motor takes a couple of seconds to ramp up, but once it hits top speed, this saw is off to the races.
Keep in mind, it’s not hard to stall the motor if you force the saw through the cut (just like a compact chainsaw). As long as you allow the saw to keep its chain speed high and let the teeth do their job, it will melt through cuts more easily than hand tools and with less effort than managing a full-size chainsaw.
Bar and Chain
On the business end, Greenworks utilizes an OEM 6-inch bar paired with a 32-link Oregon 0.325-inch pitch, 0.043 gauge chain. They also designed this pruning saw with an upper blade guard that provides a little extra protection while you work. However, this guard won’t allow you to undercut branches.
As I mentioned earlier, it’s important to understand that this saw is not designed to handle large-scale cuts. If you are going to tackle larger branches regularly, I’d suggest stepping up to one of Greenworks’ 60V chainsaws. In fact, paired with something like the Greenworks 60V 18-inch or 20-inch models, this pruning saw gives you a fantastic one-two punch for all your storm cleanup and tree maintenance needs.
Greenworks 24V Pruning Saw Design Notes
- Model: Greenworks CS24L02
- Power Source: Greenworks 24V battery
- Weight: 2.75 lbs (bare tool), 3.75 lbs (with 2.0Ah battery)
- Length: 18.1 in.
Size and Weight
The Greenworks 24V pruning saw clocks in at 2.75 pounds as a bare tool, 3.75 pounds with the kitted 2.0Ah battery, and measures 18.1 inches from tip to tail. The grip sports a smooth rubber overmold, a single-finger trigger, and an ambidextrous thumb safety.
Unlike similar models, this saw is not compatible with any type of belt hook, but there is a tether point at the bottom of the grip for attaching a lanyard.
Chain Tensioning
Like many battery-powered saws, the CS24L02 features a tool-free chain tensioning system. To use it, you loosen the bar nut, rotate the outer tensioning ring clockwise until the chain is tight, and then tighten the bar nut to lock it in place.
Automatic Oiler
The automatic chain oiler is one feature that sets this pruner apart from similar models. Many of the early models required you to periodically apply oil to the chain and bar by hand. The oil tank holds around 50 mL and is translucent, making it easy to check your levels at a glance.
Additional Features
- Protective hand guard
- Compatible with all Greenworks 24V batteries
Greenworks 24V Pruning Saw Price
The Greenworks CS24L02 retails for $129.99 as a kit and comes with a 3-year battery and tool warranty.
The Bottom Line
Overall, the Greenworks 24V Pruning Saw represents a big win for the residential market. It delivers a nice balance of cutting power and chain speed for hard and soft woods, and its lightweight design is easy to maneuver without causing excess wrist fatigue.
For me, the real highlight of this tool is the pricetag. At $129.99 for a kit, this is a huge value for folks who want to add a battery-powered saw to their arsenal, but don’t want to pay an arm and a leg for it. Granted, it does have some limitations on the size of limbs it can safely cut, but when you’re trimming and pruning, it’s fast, effective, and much easier to use than other tools.
