The best chainsaw for the money is probably of greater interest to the typical homeowner than the model with the most features. A chainsaw’s price is frequently more significant than its raw power as long as it can complete the task whenever it is required.
When selecting a chainsaw, there are several things to consider. Power source, weight, pricing, and saw bar length are all important considerations.
Price is the most crucial aspect to consider when looking for the best value, and this article will explain why the most expensive kind of chainsaws didn’t make our list.
Best Chainsaws 2022
There are several options available on the market right now, including chainsaws that are gas-, corded-, and battery-powered. If you’re in the market for one, you might not be aware of the best chainsaw model for you. In addition to selecting the machine’s power source, you must also consider the machine’s blade length, usability, and level of maintenance.
Even if you are an expert with chainsaws, many things have changed recently, so you might want to brush up on your expertise.
And if you’re a total novice, you’re in luck since we’ve put together reviews of some of the best chainsaws available right now, explaining what’s fantastic and what each model lacks in terms of appeal.
We have included a buyer’s guide for you to learn everything there is to know about chainsaws. You must be aware of the kinds of factors you should consider when buying if you find the ideal model for you.
Read on to learn more about the best chainsaws to buy for your needs:
Husqvarna 460 Chainsaw
Key Features
- Powerful
- Easy to Start
- Excellent Safety
- High-Quality Materials
Overview
Back in the day, when gas-powered monster chainsaws were the norm, Husqvarna was renowned for producing some of the best and most dependable chainsaws available. Their 460 Rancher chainsaw is still the greatest gas-powered chainsaw we’ve used today, and that hasn’t changed.
With a 60.3cc gas engine, it has a 24-inch blade that generates a ton of power and glides effortlessly through stumps, logs, and trees like they were made of bread. However, very little of that vibration appears to be transmitted through the saw, making use extremely comfortable.
The only minor drawback of all that power is that it takes up some room. This indicates that the saw is quite large—certainly bigger than the majority of the electric saws we tested. This saw might be a bit bulky and heavy for smaller people, making it more difficult to use.
We were impressed with how reliably the 460 Rancher chainsaw starts. It’s also very well-built, and you can tell the high quality from how it looks and feels. Gas-powered saws are infamous for starting problems, but even in the cold mornings and hot afternoons, this saw never gave us any issues.
Worx WG304 Chainsaw
Key Features
- Electric
- Pre-Assembled
- Auto-Tension Chain System
- Good Safety Features
Overview
For the money, the WORX WG304.1 offers good value. It is a corded electric chainsaw, so you won’t need to worry about charging batteries or running out of power in the middle of a project, but you will need to use an extension cable. It is already put together, saving you a lot of effort, but it requires routine lubrication.
Even while the design is simple and only requires you to pour oil into a reservoir, it still isn’t low-maintenance, contrary to one of the benefits of owning electric tools. An automatic tensioning chain system is included with this model, which reduces part of your daily guesswork. It also has special safety measures that will help prevent accidents.
Overall, this is the best chainsaw for the money. If you need a chainsaw that does the job, don’t mind oiling it occasionally, and you will have fast access to an electrical outlet.
Makita XCU03PT1 Chainsaw
Key Features
- Brushless Motor Has a Long Lifespan
- Very Powerful for an Electric Chainsaw
- Variable Speed Trigger
- Not Very Loud
Overview
One of the most reputable brands in power tools, Makita, guarantees that its 14-inch chainsaw will carry on the legacy of its robust cordless tools. It accomplishes this by concurrently drawing power from two Makita 18V batteries for a total of 36 volts. Quite, this results in a chainsaw that is surprisingly strong and easily competes with small gas-powered saws.
This chainsaw now incorporates brushless technology from Makita’s other power tools, giving you a longer lifespan and better battery economy. We were pleased to see that the end result was a very strong yet almost silent chainsaw. There are no sounds between cuts. Even when operating, this saw makes a tiny fraction of a gas-powered chainsaw’s noise.
The Makita chainsaw’s variable speed trigger was a hit with us. It improved our cutting experience overall and allowed us greater control over our cutting. We weren’t as pleased, however, with the battery life. Despite the brushless motor’s increased energy efficiency, we were using batteries quite quickly. Even lithium-ion batteries cannot meet this powerful chainsaw’s power requirements.
Overall, in our opinion, this is the greatest cordless chainsaw available.
Oregon CS1500 Chainsaw
Key Features
- Corded Electric Power Source
- 2400 Horsepower
- Self-Sharpening Blade
- Tool-less Chain Tensioning System
Overview
As its name suggests, the self-sharpening blade of this Oregon chainsaw is one of its outstanding qualities. Just activate the PowerSharp mechanism and let the saw run for a little while. Your chain will be well-cut. Adjustments may be made instantly thanks to a tool-free chain tensioning system. Additionally, this electric chainsaw is very powerful. You’ll never run out of gas or batteries with an electric vehicle.
The chain won’t stay on for more than a few minutes when used. However, this didn’t begin until a few hours into use. Sadly, at about the same time, the bar started to loosen. The screws holding it in had shifted out of position, allowing the bar to begin displaying some vertical movement, as we had noted. It appears to be a relatively common issue with this model. These defects render the saw dangerous when they exist. However, we continue to believe this is the greatest corded chainsaw currently available.
Greenworks 40V Cordless Chainsaw
Key Features
- 40V Compact Chainsaw
- 12” Bar and Chain
- Tool-Less Tensioning
- Easy to Use
Overview
The 12-inch 40-volt cordless chainsaw from Greenworks is battery-operated and runs on G-Max lithium-ion batteries. However, this saw has a far longer battery life with the G-Max batteries than many of its rivals. We consider this to be a disadvantage because it won’t operate with any other Greenworks batteries.
We could tell this chainsaw was one of the lightest of the bunch as soon as we held it. It’s remarkably lightweight at only six pounds. Although it is slightly heavier with the battery installed, it is also more evenly balanced.
After our initial use, we seemed to enjoy this saw a lot before returning for a second time. But as we were moving the saw, we became aware of an oil leak. We then realized how frequently this saw leaks oil. Its entire oil supply had leaked onto the garage floor. So we filled it back up and went to work.
Overall, it’s a nice saw, but the few battery options and persistent oil leaks keep it from winning our endorsement.
Poulan Pro PR4218 Chainsaw
Key Features
- Quiet
- Battery-Powered
- 18” Chain Length
- 13.25 Pounds Weight
Overview
The Poulan Pro PR4218 gas-powered chainsaw can handle trees and logs of practically any size thanks to its 18-inch bar and 42cc motor. Despite having a lot of power, it starts up quickly. It would require some tuning after using it for a brief period of time to maintain starting properly. The saw would stop operating when it should be idling since the idle would likewise be off. Avoid using this saw if you are unable to do some simple repairs and adjustments yourself.
When we arrived, we were surprised to discover a flimsy case that provided very little protection. Even so, one side of it had already cracked. We were pleased to learn that this saw would come with a case when we ordered it.
This saw cuts easily through medium-sized logs and quickly cuts through larger logs. However, for the same price, you can purchase a battery-operated chainsaw with comparable power that doesn’t need as much upkeep as the Poulan Pro.
Black + Decker Chainsaw
Key Features
- Battery Powered
- 550 Watts Horsepower
- 8.3 Pounds Weight
- 12 Inches Chain Length
Overview
The BLACK+DECKER LCS1240B is a battery-operated electric chainsaw that performs admirably for its weight category but not much more. Its 12″ blade, which is only going to be effective in specific situations like chopping firewood, pruning trees, or perhaps felling very tiny trees, is its weakest component.
The good news is that because it is battery-powered and electric, you have the mobility of a chainsaw that runs on gas. Similar to the previous model, this one still needs oiling, which is a hassle for an electric model.
Overall, if you have a lot of quick, light work to accomplish, this chainsaw is a terrific choice. If not, another model might be more valuable to you. The batteries for this device are incredibly costly, so plan on spending a lot of money if you want to buy enough to replace them and keep cutting.
Remington Chainsaw
Key Features
- Reliable Engine
- Comfortable Operation
- Quickstart Technology
- Automatic Oiler
Overview
This Remington chainsaw has a 42cc engine and a 14-inch blade, giving it plenty of cutting power without having much reach. This implies that it works best on medium-sized and smaller trees because the bar can reach all the way through, and the motor can easily make the cut.
The three-point anti-vibration system performs such an excellent job of damping the vibrations that you don’t even notice its considerable power. This is mainly because it is a heavier saw than the majority of the others we examined, which can make it more challenging for some people to use.
There is Quickstart technology in this saw. Although we had hoped for a consistent beginning, it was hit or miss. On occasion, the Quickstart functioned properly and began immediately away. But occasionally, as with many other gas saws we’ve used, we struggled to start this one.
The chain oiler also had a tendency to clog, which led to the chain running dry and potentially damaging the saw. Despite the reasonable price, we believe the Remington chainsaw is too limited by these shortcomings to be recommended.
Final Words
After reading our reviews and buyer’s guide, perhaps you already know which chainsaw best fits your requirements. We’ll mention some of the key distinctions between our top choices once more to make sure you remember them when it comes time to pick a saw.
The best gas chainsaw, in our opinion, is the Husqvarna 460 Rancher. Thanks to its long 24″ blade and 60.3cc motor, which generates a ton of power yet doesn’t cause the user to experience a lot of vibration, it is the finest option for heavy-duty work.
We advise the Makita XCU03PT1 if you want a cordless battery-powered chainsaw with quieter operation and less maintenance. With the long-lasting brushless motor that delivers gas-like power with the silent operation of an electric chainsaw, this chainsaw allows you a variable trigger for total control.
We suggest the Worx WG309 as the chainsaw with the best value. It has several amazing safety features as well as an excellent auto-tension mechanism. The Oregon CS1500 Corded Electric Chainsaw is the best corded we have. It is one of the most reasonably priced chainsaws we’ve encountered, weighs only 13 pounds, and is almost completely silent.
Finally, our top pick recommendation is the DEWALT DCCS670X1 FLEXVOLT 60V MAX Cordless Chainsaw. It weighs 12 pounds and is almost completely silent, but it has the power of a small gas chainsaw.
We hope this article will help you learn more about the best chainsaws and make a decision accordingly.
FAQ
How Much Does a Decent Chainsaw Cost?
A typical gasoline-powered chainsaw costs between $200 and $400, but a standard electric chainsaw costs between $100 and $250. A chainsaw with a lot of power costs $1,000 or more, but a cheap, low-power chainsaw with regular use can cost even less than $100 at retail.
Which is Better, 2 Stroke or 4 Stroke Chainsaw?
A 2-stroke engine typically uses half the volume of its cylinders compared to a 4-stroke engine since it is more efficient. While still producing the same amount of electricity, it does that! Furthermore, it produces that power twice as quickly as a 4-stroke engine.
Why is Four-Stroke Most Preferred?
The fact that 4-stroke engines operate far more cleanly than 2-stroke engines has led to their adoption as the industry standard in power generation. The amount of unburned fuel and expanding gases produced through the exhaust system decreases by separating the intake from the exhaust stroke.
What Chainsaw Do Loggers Use?
More powerful chainsaws will be available than ones with smaller engines. Loggers that need to cut down plenty of trees frequently use those chainsaws with engines ranging from 40 to 80 CC. When cutting a tree that is 30 to 40 inches in diameter, you won’t need to stop halfway through because of the power available.