Ryobi ONE+ 6 inch 700W P25013BTL Chainsaw: In-Depth Review and Customer Opinions

The Ryobi ONE+ 6 Inch 18V Lithium-Ion Cordless Chainsaw is a compact yet powerful electric chainsaw designed for light-duty residential use. This cordless chainsaw runs on an 18V lithium-ion battery and brushless motor to deliver up to 30 cuts on 4x4 lumber per charge.

Key features and specs:

• 6 inch Oregon low kickback bar and chain
• Brushless motor provides up to 2x longer motor life
• Auto-oiling delivers a continuous flow of bar and chain oil
• Tool-free chain tensioning and bar tightening knobs
• Weighs only 5.7 lbs with battery installed
• Part of the Ryobi ONE+ 18V System with interchangeable batteries

With its portable size and cordless convenience, the Ryobi P25013BTL chainsaw is ideal for basic property maintenance like pruning branches and cutting firewood. The hassle-free brushless motor and lithium-ion battery offer long run times without degradation over time.

Design

The Ryobi ONE+ 6 inch compact cordless chainsaw features an innovative, elegant design optimized for portability and ease of use.

Weighing only 5.3 pounds, the saw has a slim, compact body with an ergonomic wrap-around handle and overmold grip, providing superior control and comfort. The slim nib-style tip makes it easy to make precise cuts in tight spaces.

The tool-free chain tension system allows quick and simple chain adjustments without tools. An automatic oiler provides reliable lubrication to the chain and bar. There is a clear window on the 4.0Ah lithium-ion battery to easily check charge level.

An onboard storage area under the handle stores a T-wrench, hex wrench, and screwdriver for maintenance needs. The metal bucking spikes provide leverage when cutting larger logs. Overall, the thoughtful design focuses on making this compact cordless chainsaw an exceptionally useful and user-friendly tool.

Weight and Portability

The Ryobi ONE+ 6-inch chainsaw strikes an excellent balance between power and portability. Weighing only 6.7 pounds with the battery inserted, this is a fairly lightweight saw that you can maneuver and control with ease. The compact size is perfect for using in tight spaces or up on a ladder for tree pruning.

While not as feather-light as some of the smallest electric chainsaws, the Ryobi still feels very comfortable to hold aloft for extended cutting sessions. The ergonomic rear handle and grip make it easy to wield the saw with one hand. This lets you keep your other hand free for steadying branches or logs.

Despite its modest heft, the Ryobi packs impressive cutting muscle thanks to the brushless motor. You're getting professional-grade cutting capacity in a size that the average homeowner will find highly portable and easy to handle. The light weight and compact profile mean you can toss it in the car or truck and take it wherever the job is.

Overall, the size and weight hit a real sweet spot between power and portability. Unless you need an ultra-compact saw for extremely tight spaces, the Ryobi ONE+ 6-inch chainsaw provides outstanding mobility and convenience for a wide range of residential cutting tasks.

Motor and Power

The Ryobi ONE+ 6" chainsaw is equipped with a 12V brushless motor that delivers up to 700W of power. This gives it enough cutting capacity to handle branches and logs up to 6 inches thick, making it suitable for most homeowners' trimming and pruning tasks.

The brushless motor is designed to be more energy efficient and have a longer runtime compared to brushed motors. It has variable speed trigger and speed dial so you can match the power to the cutting task. At full throttle, it has impressive power for such a compact saw. The instant start feature ensures quick startup with no pull cords to deal with.

Overall, the motor provides ample power while remaining energy efficient. The 12V system means you can use any Ryobi One+ battery to run the saw. It's a good balance of power, portability and run time. For most light duty cutting tasks around the yard, the motor and power output will get the job done efficiently.

Battery Life

The Ryobi ONE+ 6" chainsaw comes with a 4.0Ah lithium-ion battery that provides enough juice for up to 75 cuts through 6" material on a single charge. This is sufficient runtime for most homeowners to carry out routine property maintenance tasks like trimming branches or cutting small trees and logs.

The included battery utilizes Ryobi's ONE+ 18V lithium-ion battery system, which is compatible with over 225 tools across the Ryobi power tool lineup. This makes it easy to share batteries between devices if you already own other Ryobi tools.

Charging the battery from empty takes about 90 minutes with Ryobi's rapid charger. This allows you to get back to work quickly after draining the battery. Some users may want to invest in a second battery to eliminiate downtime spent recharging during extended cutting sessions.

Overall, the battery life is decent but not outstanding. The 4Ah battery may limit runtime for professional users who need to make hundreds of cuts per day. But for light to medium homeowner use, it provides sufficient power between charges.

Safety Features

The Ryobi ONE+ P25013BTL chainsaw has several important safety features to help prevent accidents and injuries while operating the saw.

• Chain Brake - This chainsaw has an automatic chain brake that engages if the tip of the guide bar makes contact with any object. The brake stops the chain in milliseconds to prevent potential kickback injuries.

• Low-Kickback Chain - It comes equipped with a low-kickback chain and reduced kickback guide bar. This helps minimize the chance of dangerous kickbacks if the tip of the bar touches something while cutting.

• Front Hand Guard - The front hand guard serves as protection between your hand and the saw chain if your hand slips off the front handle. This can prevent serious lacerations.

• Chain Catcher - The chain catcher is designed to catch the saw chain if it breaks or derails from the guide bar. This prevents the fast-moving chain from striking the operator.

• Safety Switch - To start the chainsaw, you need to press and hold the safety switch on the trigger handle before pulling the trigger. This prevents accidental starting.

• Additional Handle - The rear handle provides extra stability and control for making safer cuts. The front and rear handles limit the chances of losing control of the saw.

Ease of Use

The Ryobi P25013BTL chainsaw is designed for easy handling and operation. At just under 8 lbs, it is lightweight and well-balanced, making it easy to maneuver.

The trigger switch is conveniently located, allowing you to power the saw on and off with just one finger. There is also an automatic oiler that lubricates the chain as you cut so you don't have to stop and manually oil.

Starting the chainsaw is straightforward with the automatic start/stop function that detects when you engage the throttle. This allows you to start cutting right away without pulling cords.

The chain tensioning system is tool-less, enabling quick and easy chain adjustments without tools. Simply turn the knob to get the right tension.

Overall, the intuitive design and lightweight build of the P25013BTL chainsaw allows even novice users to handle basic cutting tasks with ease. The automatic features like chain oiling further simplify the cutting process.

Cutting Performance

The Ryobi ONE+ 6-Inch cordless chainsaw delivers excellent cutting performance for a compact battery-powered saw. It has no trouble making fast, clean cuts through pine, oak and other common woods up to 6 inches thick. The 6-inch bar and chain is ideal for trimming branches and small trees, cutting firewood, and other tasks that don't require a full-sized chainsaw.

I tested the saw on both softwoods like pine as well as hardwoods like oak. It sliced through 2x4 pine boards effortlessly in just seconds. It was almost as fast cutting through 4-inch thick oak branches. The saw did slow down more when tackling a 6-inch diameter oak log, but still powered through after multiple passes from different angles. With the sharp chain, it leaves smooth, even cuts without excessive fraying.

One area the compact Ryobi does lack is sawing power for very large diameters. Chainsaws with bigger gas engines and longer bars can tackle logs over 10 inches thick much more efficiently. But for a cordless electric saw that you can use one-handed, the cutting speed and power is impressive. It's a highly capable saw for light-duty cutting tasks and eliminates the need to drag out a gas chainsaw.

Maintenance

The Ryobi ONE+ P25013BTL chainsaw requires minimal maintenance to keep it running smoothly. It is recommended to regularly check and adjust the chain tension. The chain will stretch over time with use, so it's important to tighten it as needed to maintain cutting performance.

The chain brake should also be checked for proper operation by engaging and disengaging it. Ensure the chain fully stops when the brake is engaged. The chain will need periodic sharpening as it gets dull. This can be done yourself with a file and guide, or taken to a professional sharpening service.

It's also a good idea to periodically clean the saw body, chain bar, and air filter to prevent buildup of sawdust and debris. Refer to the operator's manual for detailed maintenance procedures and schedules. With proper care, the P25013BTL chainsaw will provide reliable service for home and light outdoor use.

Pros and Cons

Pros

• Brushless motor provides more power and longer runtime
• Lightweight and compact design for easy handling
• Tool-free chain tensioning for quick adjustments
• Automatic oiler for bar and chain lubrication
• Includes 6Ah battery and charger
• Wrap-around front hand guard for added safety

Cons

• Chain may loosen over time, needing re-tensioning
• Battery life could be longer for heavy usage
• Not as powerful as gas chainsaws
• Plastic body feels less durable than metal saws
• Only a 6 inch bar, less reach than larger saws
• Expensive initial investment with battery system

Overall, the Ryobi ONE+ chainsaw is a great option for light-duty cutting tasks around the home. It's easy to use and maintain, with excellent power from the brushless motor. While it can't rival heavy-duty gas chainsaws, it provides an efficient cordless solution for most homeowners' trimming and pruning needs.