When it comes to needing that super power cutting ability, nothing comes close to a power chainsaw. Keeping our lawns, landscapes and other scenery beautiful takes quite a few tools in our arsenal. Aside from lawn mowers, string trimmers and leaf blowers, we see chainsaws make it to the ranks of popular lawn and garden power tools and equipment. Today we took the time to find the best of the best chainsaws in the market today.
Choosing the best chainsaw
- Price range – Chainsaws can range from under a hundred bucks to a few Benjamins, depending on what model you’re looking at. How much cash you have saved up will really steer you in a certain direction. Otherwise, we recommend saving up a few more bucks to grab a higher-end model if that’s what you’ve decided after reading the guide.
- Gas or electric? As we’ve learned from many of our power tool buying guides, going gas or electric all really comes down to preference. Many would argue that gas-powered chainsaws come with more power, but you’d be surprised at how technology has allowed some higher-end electric models to give that claim a run for their money. The best electric chainsaws do entail maintenance when it comes to keeping it charged, buying batteries and chargers separately, etc. Not to mention gas and fumes harming our environment (look out for the certifications). We included popular models of both types in this article to give you some choices to compare and contrast. We’d prefer you choose for yourself.
- Bar Length – We don’t recommend going lower than 10″ and although you probably won’t even need that long of a cutting field, it’s better to be safe than sorry. Most popular chainsaws have straight bars.
- Always be safe – When it comes to chainsaw safety, and although this doesn’t have much to do with choosing the best model, we’d like you to always remember to be safe. If a chainsaw you like has some extra safety features, that will never be a bad thing!
- Additive features – As elaborated more in Consumer Reports’ chainsaw buying guide (they go into a little more depth than us), there are many models out there with some cool features alongside their powerful saws — chain brakes, ergonomic grips, auto-return switches, specialized spikes on the bar, and more. What features seem to stick out as important to you?
The top 10 best power chainsaws
Worx WG303.1
The WG303.1 works really great as a chainsaw and is also a great value for the money. Worx is a great brand as well and getting one of their best chainsaws might just save you more in the long run. This product in particular is a very popular electric chainsaw although attached to a cord. Some however do prefer a corded electric power tool since you won’t have to worry about your tool dying on you in the middle of a project. The bar length is 20 inches (straight bar) and they’ve got some great tech support if you ever need it. You will feel comfortable the first time using it as the handle allows for a pretty ergonomic grip. Even better, it has a chain brake, which is important for this type of tool in terms of safety — if there is kickback, you can rely on it to usually automatically shut down. Lastly, many users love it because the weight is only 11 lbs. so it reduces users fatigue. This one is a favorite of many professionals and homeowners. It’s one of the best chainsaws on Earth when it comes to overall quality for the price.
Husqvarna 450
This is one of the best gas-powered chainsaws and it does give a powerful output. If you weren’t aware of who Husqvarna Tools is, they’re very popular among the lawn\garden power tool market (especially their gas-powered models). If you have the money, this one really has the strength you need, especially when working for longer hours. When it comes to cutting, it will allow you to work at many angles for a variety of projects. The engine is energy-saving, thus it does not require a lot of fuel consumption and the level of emission is great, too. There is an auto-return switch, so you will know if the fuel is already at the emergency level. This tool offers the convenience of a fuel pump. It is a powerhouse and quite popular in the market because it provides so much for a tool with 3.2 horsepower that completely reduces emissions. Plus, with the low vibration, it won’t give you fuss (although it’s a bit heavier than others). Check this one out if you want a top-of-the-line gas-powered chainsaw to get your cutting needs fulfilled.
Remington RM1425
This Remington model is one of the best chainsaws that can be used in a wide variety of projects. We’d recommend this for those who are searching for a more budget-friendly model as opposed to the other chainsaws in here. It has a compact design and the assembling procedure is fairly easy to use — simply add some oil and then it is ready to go. It is user-friendly and very portable since it is lightweight. It’s a bit smaller than the previous model (14 inches here) and has an 8 Amp motor which isn’t necessarily the strongest but can get most common applications done. Compared to the other chainsaws, this would be the preferred option of many due to the ease of use and low cost. Chainsaws aren’t known for being quiet, but this one actually does not really produce a loud noise. It is a highly recommended product, especially for those preferring small tools. It will be a welcome addition to any work site and won’t break your wallet whatsoever.
Black & Decker LCS1020
This chainsaw is a 20-volt tool that works very well for most applications that aren’t heavy-duty. It has a long lifespan, so you will be able to depend on it for years. The battery will last quite a while and the chain is an Oregon brand that has a size of 10 inches. It works great with improved speed and the lower vibration it produces will not let your hands go numb using it. Now this might be a simple feature, but the wrap around the handle makes operation a lot more comfortable than those without it. There is also a free blade tension feature for easy adjustment and usage. This chainsaw is considered among the best electric cordless chainsaws due to the relatively budget-friendly price point and stability it provides. The bar isn’t necessarily whopping (10″ straight) but you should be able to reach most jobs you’ll come in contact with.
GreenWorks GCS80420
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This chainsaw has impressive specs. As one of the best chainsaws, the electric tool takes its work seriously. It’s a bit up there in terms of price but if you wanted one of the highest-quality electric cordless chainsaws out there, check this out. It has a great output, especially with the 80 volt battery energy. The specs and performance are in balance. It consistently runs fast and smooth and prolonged jobs will be no problem at all. Apparently the battery is able to product about 150 cuts with the two batteries fully charged (they come in the box). The bar itself is also higher quality than others since it has something called “steel bucking spikes” and durable metal wrap to give you a more stable cutting piece. Plus the motor is designed not to make too much noise. Lofty power could be a consideration, but this chainsaw will work great. It has 14 pounds of weight and it is quite light when brought up so you won’t find your arms as tired as carrying around a more monstrous chainsaw.
Makita XCU02Z 18V X2 LXT
This Makita model is one of the best cordless chainsaws out there and it isn’t nearly as expensive as some Husqvarna models. The 12″ bar makes cutting large pieces of materials a piece of cake. There is ample energy built-in to the tool and whether you have a big or small project, this will most likely have you covered. The grip is also designed so that there is no need to use any gloves or padding. It’s an impressive beast and it leaves behind no smell at all while delivering up to 1,650 FPM — it works great especially when you need to cut trees or trim hedges. When factoring your budget, be sure to keep in mind this is the bare tool and you’ll need two separate 18V batteries to go alongside the chainsaw. You really can’t go wrong grabbing a Makita power tool regardless of what type it is — the only thing that usually stops people is the pricing of their tools being a bit up there (but for good reason).
Poulan P3314
This Poulan Pro chainsaw has a 33 cc and 2 cycle gasoline motor. The chainsaw bar size is a straight 14 inches and assembling it is easy out of the box. This one is a great investment since it come with great specs. Many chainsaws have trouble like idling or kickbacks, but the P3314 is different. When you need a smaller tool, this works great in handling those jobs. The saw is also fully furnished, which is a plus. This tool is considered to be the best chainsaw by many professionals and do-it-yourselfers. For safety, it has a chain brake like most so you’ll have confidence when using it (still remember to follow all proper safety procedures when us it). Their other popular model was also listed in Popular Mechanic’s best chainsaw article. We’d recommend this model if the previously listed Husqvarna gas-powered model was too high in price and you want something a little cheaper.
GreenWorks 20222
Here we have another GreenWorks electric chainsaw worth shopping for. If you need to trim trees or branches, then the GreenWorks 20222 is a solid model to grab. It has a clean surface that will not make any mess. Plus the 14 inch chain bar will work great for most tasks. It has a wrapped handle for cuttings and when you need different angles and the push button feature offers a quick start without idling. It is very ideal for those seeking a compact machine for their cutting needs. The tension is less so it gives quick preparation. The lubrication from the auto oiler is very convenient. It is affordable too, and I think most people feel surprised that such a great tool comes a little cheaper than others. It’s one of the best budget-friendly electric corded chainsaws out there, coming in around the price of the previous Remington model listed.
Black & Decker LCS1240
Another Black and Decker chainsaw has made its way in this guide, and their brand has been around for decades so you know the tools they make are pretty reputable. This chainsaw is cordless with ample features packed inside. It is great to invest in something that will provide more output as well. Yes, cordless tools are a little bit more expensive than the other models, but the features like reducing tension and a single charge that comes fast make it well worth the investment. That is something to take note of for sure. It has great durability as well. As for its rating, it has an average of positive reviews around the net by users. There is also an auto oiling feature with a button to dial for easy adjustments in a few seconds.
Worx WG304.1
Last but not least, this Worx chainsaw is an easy tool that is light and also gives less tension to your hands. There is a chain brake that features automatic stop whenever there is kickback. The bar comes with the Oregon brand – the best in its class. It is a plug and play tool without any hassle and you can just start seconds after you turn on the button. The automatic oiler allows the user to constantly work without hassle when dealing with any long hauling work. There is a greasable sprocket that will increase the lifespan, and the stabilizer that comes from the metal bumper is worth noting. The purchase includes a bottle of chain oil. I think this is a favorite chainsaw for many because of the additive features and low price.
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