Are you in the market for a chainsaw? Our power tool specialists investigated hundreds of goods before purchasing 14 top models to compete in a wood-slicing war royale. Our thorough review approach includes a cutting evaluation, a close analysis of the unique features that distinguish each model, energy usage, and how loud they may be. Following the experimental phase of our review, we utilized each chainsaw to subjectively analyze each model’s feel and performance in a professional tree service wood yard or a raw property in need of tree work. In our fourth year of updating this category, we know which saws stand out from the crowd. See our full review of the best battery chainsaws.
Best Battery-Powered Chainsaw
1. Husqvarna Power Axe 350i
Regarding battery-powered chainsaws, the Husqvarna Power Axe 350i is hard to beat. This model slices and dices reasonably than the best lithium-ion models and even surpasses certain gas-powered saws, thanks to an eighteen-inch bar and a 7.7 amp battery. Because there is no idle engine, electric chainsaws are usually quieter than gasoline ones, but even while cutting, the Power Axe is pretty easy on the ears. This saw offers easy-to-use controls as well as top-notch safety components. Chain tensioning is simple, and the bar oil reservoir is transparent, drawing the guessing from the level. If you ever require a little additional oomph for a project, you may encounter “boost mode,” which provides 25% more power to the motor.
While we found many things to like about the Power Axe 350I, our crew discovered a few flaws. The battery takes far longer than the fastest models we’ve tried. Be prepared to wait much longer to return to work if you have one battery and run out of energy in the middle of a project than you would with a quick-charge model or a gas-powered saw. The Power Axe is unquestionably on the pricier end of the pricing spectrum. Nevertheless, the battery is a significant portion of the price, and it is compatible with various other Husqvarna landscaping equipment if you want to buy it in bulk. Aside from those flaws, the 350i Power Axe is the best battery-powered chainsaw.
Best Gas-Powered Chainsaw
2. Echo CS 590
If you’re in the market for a gas-powered chainsaw, the Echo CS 590 Timber Wolf will not disappoint you. The 59.8cc two-cycle engine provides amazing power for a hand-held power tool. The Timber Wolf was the overwhelming winner in our dimensional wood-cutting time trials. It features a sturdy bar, an underbelly chain guide that holds everything in place, and savage bucking spikes. This model does not need priming; close the decompression valve, engage the choke, and pull the cord to get it started. We like that you can clean the air filter without using tools and see how much gasoline is left in the semi-translucent gas tank. While this model may be seen in the hands of your local professional tree team, this 20-inch model is equally at home in your garage for those firewood and property care jobs.
Not everyone will like the Echo CS 590 Timber Wolf. If you live in the suburbs and want to trim some trees in your backyard once or twice a year, a corded electric or battery-powered model will save you money and keep fumes out of your lungs. The extra-large engine and its increased power come at a price: the Timber Wolf is heavy. It’s much heavier than most other saws in our review, weighing about 20 pounds. The 590 is costly. This level of quality and performance also has a monetary cost.
Best Corded Electric Chainsaw
3. Makita UC4051A
The Makita UC4051A is our top model for people who don’t mind using an extension cord. During our lumber-cutting examination, this model cut better than any other corded model in our study, and it also tied the top battery-powered model and some of the best gas-powered models. Our team appreciated the smart mechanism for preventing the power cord from being removed while in use, which might be both inconvenient and hazardous. The Makita is our top pick for tool-free chain tensioning systems. Using a fold-out lever to tighten the bar and a wheel to change the chain tension is quite intuitive. The flow rate of the bar and chain oil pump is also adjustable on this model. This is a useful function since oil’s viscosity varies with air temperature from brand to brand.
The Makita UC4051A has a few flaws. However, we noticed that the cord is positioned toward the top of the rear handle. Ideally, the power cord should connect to the saw body at the bottom, farther away from your hand, when making cuts. The oil tank lid is close to the chain brake, making it difficult to reach and top up. Despite these two small design problems, we suggest this chainsaw if you’re shopping for an electric cord model.
Best Budget Battery-Powered Chainsaw
4. Ego Power+ CS1800
The Ego Power+ CS1800 boasts several appealing features, including an easy-to-use chain tensioning mechanism and LED lights that start when the throttle trigger is pressed, illuminating the area you are cutting in low-light conditions. With an 18-inch bar, this battery chainsaw can do work that many electric saws cannot. The CS1800 was one of the quickest battery-powered models in our wood-cutting time trials, but where this saw really pleased the crew: its battery life – the Ego Power+ 56V 5Ah battery lasts extended than any other we’ve seen.
The CS 1800’s biggest flaw is its long wind-up time. When you completely depress the throttle, this motor takes much longer to reach maximum RPMs than numerous other models in our review. Although it may not be considered a drawback by many, this saw is long and quite heavy compared to smaller models, and it may be overkill for certain people. We still bThisa solid opstill tion if you’re shopping for a high-performance battery-powered chainsaw on a tight budget.
Best Affordable Corded Chainsaw
5. Oregon CS1500
We suggest the Oregon CS1500 to anybody who needs a chainsaw, is close to a fuel source, and is shopping on a strict budget. For easy jobs, this corded-electric model meets all the requirements. It has good cutting, intuitive controls, and isn’t too loud. Oregon’s power source is external, unlike battery and gas models, making the saw much lighter than electric and gas models with comparable cutting performance. The CS1500 includes a built-in chain sharpener; just put pressure on the red lever, and a grinding stone will tune up the chain as it spins. The CS1500’s best feature is its low pricing. This saw costs a fraction of what top-tier models do.
The first thing we noticed when testing the Oregon CS1500 was its narrow and fragile bar. A burlier model is probably in order if you have a large task ahead of you. This model is also abnormally broad and unpleasant to use. The power cord could be more optimal, as it is with all corded-electric chainsaws. Although we appreciate the price decrease and believe it’s good not to worry about batteries or gas, a power cord is not an option for most chainsaw tasks. If you’re searching for a low-cost corded electric chainsaw, the Oregon CS1500 is the way to go.
Best for Quick Battery Charging
6. Greenworks Pro 80V
Check out the Greenworks Pro 80V if how long batteries take to charge is your biggest issue with transitioning from a gas-powered or corded electric model to a battery-powered model. During our battery charging test, this model’s huge 80-volt battery charged in only 27 minutes, enabling you to return to work on your project after a brief snack break. The 18-inch bar and the high-voltage battery allow for really rapid cuts – this is one of the quickest models we’ve tried. The Pro 80V boasts various user-friendly features, such as metal bucking spikes and an upright-oriented bar & chain oil tank that is extremely easy to fill.
We’ve found that high performance is often associated with increased size and weight, which is the case with the Greenworks Pro 80V. Because high-voltage batteries are heavy and long bars add weight, be prepared for an arm workout when using this model. Although this model has a speedy charge time, it runs out of energy far quicker than the battery-powered models with the greatest battery life. When we looked and saw how much bar and chain oil this model used, we noticed that it used it up quicker than models with equal bar lengths and cut times. Even with minor shortcomings, this is the best model if you want a high-performance cordless electric model and want to spend as little time as possible waiting for it to charge.
Best 20V Model
7. Worx WG322
Some people may want something faster and simpler than a handsaw for infrequent little projects. Check out the Worx WG322 if this sounds like you. First and foremost, compared to most of the other models in our review, this model is much less expensive. It’s also really light. Anyone who has spent a significant amount of time using a chainsaw knows that the twisting and raising such an uncomfortable item can do quite a number on your back – this is not the case with the WG322. Chainsaws are notoriously noisy, but this model produces a fairly tolerable level of noise compared to practically every other saw we’ve tried.
Compared to top-tier models, the trade-off for the smaller weight, shorter bar, and price significantly needs to improve overall performance. A 20-volt battery cannot compete with the power provided by 80-volt batteries, corded models with 15 amps, or 2-cycle engines. Although the Worx WG322 passed our cutting tests, it took longer than molasses. The battery not only lacks power output, but it also only lasts for a short time. Finally, this model lacks critical safety and performance features like metal bucking spikes and a centrifugal chain brake. Despite its flaws, this model is still the best option for little projects, particularly if you’re shopping on a limited budget.
Why You Should Trust Us
To begin our review, we thoroughly examined each model for features and functionalities that would set it apart. We weighed and calculated each chainsaw to double-check the correctness of the manufacturer’s technical specification data from their websites. We examined noise levels and considered the various power sources and their strengths and drawbacks for the various types of long saws. Most significantly, we undertook time trials using a certain size and kind of wood in a side-by-side cutting study.
Our chainsaw testing is separated into four categories:
–Saw Performance (35% of total weighted)
–Usability (30% weighting)
–Performance in Power (25% weighted)
–Noise (weighted at 10%)
We enlisted the help of our resident chainsaw expert, Ross Patton, to complete this review. Ross grew raised among chainsaws, thanks to a father who has cut scores of ski lines throughout the West. Ross spent his summers working for the biggest tree service in Northern Nevada while attending the University of Nevada, Reno, where he earned a Bachelor of Environmental Science. He has handled chainsaws of various sizes and types, from battery-powered top-handle climbing models to gargantuan 2-cycle monsters with lines up to 60 inches long. Ross has put up a comparative study you can trust based on his science-based education and professional expertise.
Conclusion
We take great satisfaction in purchasing every product we evaluate at full price from the same shops as our readers. The goal is to leave the prejudice at home and let the testing results speak for themselves. Since we started using power tools four years ago, the chainsaw category has quickly become one of our favorites. After reading this post, we hope you can purchase the ideal model for your specific demands and budget.
