Ego Power+ CS1201 Review

Our Experience

When we first learned that EGO's new 12-inch chainsaw weighed under 9 pounds, we were excited. We knew it would be light enough to comfortably hold in one hand and easy to maneuver around small branches and tight spaces.

What we didn't expect was just how powerful it would be.

The first thing we did was test it on a tree we thought was way too big for it — a 21-inch diameter fallen pine. On paper, a 12-inch saw should be able to cut through a log that size by making cuts from both sides. But we've never seen a 12-inch chainsaw handle anything close to that size with ease.

Sure enough, after just three minutes, we had cleanly cut through the entire tree with no bogging down and no drama. We were shocked.

To make sure it wasn't just beginner's luck or a fresh battery, we repeated the test many times over the next four months on 20-inch-plus logs. Again and again, this little saw powered through large, tough logs far better than we ever expected.

It's easily one of the most impressive compact chainsaws we've ever tested.

While we still reach for the Ego Power+ CS1815 for the bigger trees and the SeeSii M6 Lite for 1-4-inch limbs, the CS1201 is the sweet spot for most medium- to large-sized trees we encounter.

Saw Performance

This is the first 12-inch chainsaw that really blows us away with its cutting speed and power. No other sub-9-pound battery chainsaw came even close to cutting our 4 x 4 in 8 seconds.

Part of this is due to the incredible 66 ft/s chainspeed. Most small handheld electric chainsaws have a chain speed of less than half that.

There is truly no other battery chainsaw we have tested that you can easily hold in one hand that is this powerful.

Cut Capacity

Again, the CS1201 performed incredibly well. It cut 32 nine-inch pine discs in just over 6 minutes.

While that might not sound as impressive as the larger EGO saws at first glance, keep in mind it was running on the included 2.5Ah battery (140 Wh). When you compare it on a cuts-per-watt-hour basis, the CS1201 delivers roughly the same efficiency as the larger models running on 6.0 Ah batteries (336 Wh). The compact saw punches well above its weight class in terms of energy efficiency.

If you equip the CS1201 with a larger 6.0Ah battery (which is fully compatible and easy to do), it would likely deliver even better efficiency — slightly outperforming the bigger CS1815 and CS2005 models in cuts per watt-hour and score at the top of the chart below.

Weight and Small Limb Work

At 8.8 pounds (with the included 2.5Ah battery), the EGO CS1201 is extremely light for a 12-inch chainsaw. It feels light enough to operate comfortably with one hand — though EGO explicitly warns against one-handed use for safety reasons. The weight is very well balanced.

While it's not as feather-light as the SeeSii 6-inch and 8-inch mini saws (which weigh under 3 pounds), the power difference is massive. The SeeSii models are limited to consistent cutting of only 1–4-inch branches, whereas the CS1201 easily handles much larger material.

Beyond being lightweight, the CS1201 is also very compact. It takes up minimal shelf space in the garage and fits easily in a small backpack for transport.

Ease of Use

This saw is incredibly simple and intuitive to operate. You simply pick it up, use one finger to disengage the safety lock, and use another finger to pull the trigger. We really appreciate that there's no separate on/off button you have to press first — it's ready to go instantly.

While some users might miss having Eco or Boost modes, we found the CS1201's speed is perfectly balanced for a saw this size. It's already highly efficient, and we honestly can't imagine it needing more power in a Boost mode.

The bar oil reservoir is easy to fill and very user-friendly. We like how flush it sits with the saw's body. However, because it's so flush, you do need to be careful to clean away all sawdust and debris before adding oil — otherwise it can easily get inside.

We usually use a quick blast from an air compressor to clear away grime before refilling.

Noise

While it's by no means loud, the CS1201 is not as quiet as many other small battery-powered chainsaws. Thanks to its strong motor, it produces a fairly noticeable high-pitched whine under load.

It's not a major issue for occasional use, but it's definitely not the quietest saw in the compact class.

Should You Buy The Ego Power+ CS1201?

Yes — for most homeowners, the EGO CS1201 is an outstanding choice. If we could only own one chainsaw, it would be this one. It delivers surprising power and cutting speed in an extremely lightweight, compact package. If you regularly deal with branches and logs up to 8–10 inches, this saw hits the sweet spot between the tiny 6-inch saw and the heavier full-size EGO models. It's efficient, easy to use, and genuinely impressive for its size. Highly recommended unless you frequently cut very large trees or only cut branches under 4 inches in size.

What Other Chainsaw Should You Consider?

There are two directions to go here: If you regularly cut larger trees and thicker logs, go with the EGO Powerplus CS1815. With its 18" bar and much more powerful motor, it handles big jobs faster and with less effort than the CS1201. It's the better choice when you need serious cutting capacity and don't mind the extra weight and nearly double the price.