The Best Chainsaws to Improve Cutting Performance
Whether you’re looking to do some light trimmings around the house or some heavy cuttings outdoors, a chainsaw will significantly increase your efficiency. It is a powerful tool that can help you cut through logs and other obstacles rapidly. It also allows you to carry out your cutting operations with minimal effort needed. When it comes to an essential tool like this, finding one with top quality is a real challenge. Luckily, we have searched through dozens of products only and reviewed the top-rated chainsaws in 2023.
With the online marketplace being too saturated with similar products, you will need to acquire adequate knowledge to pick the best quality chainsaw out there. In this article, you will discover all the helpful information you need to easily choose the best chainsaw out there. Besides, we have also examined some essential factors that will help you eliminate low-quality products with zero frustration.
Best Chainsaw of 2023 Reviewed in Detail
DEWALT Chainsaw
– Top Pick
If you’re looking for the right tool that is highly portable and easy to maneuver, then this saw is worth considering. It is a cordless saw featured with a whopping 12-inch bar and chain, making it an ideal choice for construction and outdoor cuttings. Whether you’re trimming tree limbs, cutting beams, or doing some demolition, you can always count on it to serve you over a very long time. On top of that, it is incredibly lightweight, only weighing 8.8 pounds, which makes it effortless to control. The high-efficiency brushless motor of the battery-powered chainsaw maximizes runtime and motor life.
- It has a tool-free tensioning system to add more tension to your tool while in use effectively.
- The runtime is significantly extended due to its highly durable brushless motor unit.
- It has a chain speed of about 90 cuts per charge that makes your cutting operations faster.
- It does not come with a battery charger
Greenworks Chainsaw
– Runner Up
This extremely portable and cordless chainsaw offers all you need to make your tasks faster with minimal effort. It is featured with a heavy-duty bar backed by a durable chain designed to make it cut through obstacles faster and with less strength required.
Besides, it comes with an electronic chain brack that will instantly prevent kickbacks due to accidents. On top of that, it has an automatic oiler feature that will make it easier to handle while giving high performance. Whether you’re looking to carry out heavy-duty cuttings or light trimmings, it will be readily available to help you carry out your tasks with great efficiency.
- It does not operate on gas. Instead, it uses an effective brushless technology that ensures longer battery life with less noise.
- It delivers an incredible amount of torque compared to a gas-powered saw
- It has an extended runtime while performing heavy-duty operations quietly
- It does not come with a built-in chain sharpener
BLACK+DECKER Chainsaw
– Honorable Mention
This 12-inch electric saw is a complete example of a powerhouse as it is backed by a 40 volts max battery that ensures a longer running time. It is featured with a cordless chain design that allows it to run through obstacles effortlessly. Besides, it has a low kickback bar that ensures fast, smooth, and seamless cuts. It also has a wraparound handle that allows you to make sharp cuts from different angles with zero frustration. On top of that, it has an automatic oiling system to ensure that it runs smoothly without applying too much effort.
- With a full battery charge, it can keep running for an average of 60 blocks of wood.
- It has a lock-off switch that is designed to prevent accidental launch
- Some people find the guide bar to be too short
Makita Chainsaw
– Also Consider
If you’re looking for a smart saw that offers all you need to perform your cuttings effectively, then this tool is worth considering. It is a battery-powered cordless saw designed to carry out heavy-duty tasks seamlessly. Besides, it is featured with a 14-inch guide bar with a high-performance motor suitable for accelerated cuttings. It is also reinforced with a rotor fixed on the outside, bolstered with a chain drive for maximum power output.
Moreover, it comes with four 18 volts lithium-ion batteries that charge faster than any regular saw. With this tool at hand, your safety while cutting is guaranteed as it comes with a front handguard designed to activate the chain brakes in cases of sudden kickbacks.
- It has a rapid chain speed of about 940 feet per minute
- The power supply is highly durable with four 18 volts chargers and a quick-flowing charger.
- It doesn’t require much effort to maintain due to its improved engine performance.
- For some people, It is relatively heavier, due to which it requires more effort to control
Only weighing 12 pounds, this versatile tool offers all you need in a chainsaw to work productively. It is featured with an instant start design, allowing you to switch it on with zero frustration rapidly. Besides, it has a built-in lubrication system designed to reduce friction while increasing the run time significantly. Thanks to its innovative tensioning system, you don’t need a chain to tension your tool while in use. On top of that, it operates silently between cuts, making it perfect for carrying with you to construction projects within any neighborhood.
- It has a chain speed of about 2888 feet per minute, making it the ideal tool for maximum productivity.
- At the push of a button, you can effortlessly sharpen your blades within 3 seconds with the aid of the power sharp tool.
- You can instantly get to work with it because it has been pre-built by the manufacturer.
- It is limited due to the corded electric source
Buying Guide for the Best Chainsaws
Without any doubt, a chainsaw is an essential tool that will make your tasks easier and more efficient. It is tough to imagine what it would look like if we solely depended on an ax and other crude tools for cutting jobs. However, to make your work fully productive and effortless, the market has been flooded with a plethora of top-quality chainsaws. That’s why we have created this buying guide with great care to assist you in choosing the best tool.
What Are the Various Types of Chainsaws?
Gas-powered chainsaws
These chainsaws are usually the most powerful as they come with a highly durable engine that runs on gas. They are perfect for heavy-duty tasks because they produce an incredible amount of tension and power while in use. Also, they are usually featured with longer guide bars compared to other types of saws. On top of that, they can be easily transported from one location to the other, thanks to the cordless feature. However, they’re very loud and require a lot of maintenance compared to their counterparts.
Electric chainsaws
If you’re looking for a saw that provides endless battery life, this saw is the perfect fit for you. It runs on electricity, which gives it a reliable supply of power for as long as you need it, provided there is a stable electric supply. Unlike gas-powered saws, it operates very quietly and is incredibly lightweight. The only downside of this type of saw is that you always need to stay closer to a reliable power outlet.
Battery-powered
This type of saw is similar to the electric saws, except that it runs on a battery instead of off direct electricity. It is ideal if you’re looking for a portable and durable tool to get work done quickly, even in very remote places. Besides, it runs smoothly and quietly while delivering maximum power supply. However, it is not as powerful as a gas-powered saw, and the tensioning is not as efficient as a gas-powered saw.
What Factors Should You Consider Before Purchasing a Chainsaw?
Engine type
Before buying any cutting tool, you should ensure that it is powered by a reliable engine that will last you for a long time. Generally, it is ideal to buy an electric saw with a high voltage engine for increased efficiency and power output. A battery-powered engine is more portable and efficient even in remote areas. Besides, battery-powered blades come with additional features that make them seamless to use out there.
Size of guide bar
Another crucial factor to consider before buying a chainsaw is the size of the bar. Ideally, a guide bar is measured from the tip to where it projects from the saw. The guide bar is significant because it represents the cutting length of your saw and greatly determines its speed. You should never forget that the longer the bar, the longer the diameter of the log it can cut. So, if you plan on using your saw for lighter tasks, you should always look for a saw with 8-14 inches of bar length. Such bar length is ideal for light cutting, pruning, and trimming. However, if you want to use your saw for tougher tasks like felling small-sized trees or removing tree limbs, you should go for a saw with a much longer bar length, ideally within the range of 16-20 inches.
Size and portability
While buying a new chainsaw, you should also consider its size and portability. Most times, the size of your saw will determine how easy it is to control while cutting. The ideal weight for a medium-sized saw should be between the range of 8 to 20 pounds. Anything above that becomes heavy to control and maneuver while cutting. Besides, the portability of your saw affects how easy it is to transport between working sites and your storage unit. So, you should always opt for a lighter saw that still gets the job done pretty well.
Location
Considering the location where you intend to use your new tool should be at the top of your checklist. Generally, if you plan on using it in the suburbs, you should always opt for a battery or electric saw. However, a gas-powered machine is ideal if you plan on using it in woodland areas. Carefully considering this factor will make your operations more manageable, depending on the neighborhood. Besides, your neighbors will be grateful.
What Are Some Additional Features To Look Out for in a Chainsaw?
Automatic oiler
This setup helps to increase your productivity while cutting. With it, you don’t need to press any button to supply oil to your chain bar. When your saw senses the need for oiling, it is done automatically.
Sprocket tips on guide bar
This feature helps to reduce friction in your guide bar, making the tip much more efficient. Besides, it increases your cutting speed while helping you reduce the wearing out of your blades.
Heated handle
If you’re working in a colder region or during the winter, this feature makes it easier for you to get work done. It warms up the handle of your saw, making it easier for you to hold on to in the cold.
Carry case
This extra kit is helpful to you and your saw. It will protect your chainsaw from minor accidents like dropping while it is not in use. Besides, it allows you to easily transport your saw without hurting yourself.
How Much Should a Chainsaw Cost?
No doubt, your chainsaw is an essential tool either for construction or demolition. Generally, such tools come with a high price tag. However, you should consider the purpose it will serve after purchasing it. If you plan on using your tool part-time, you should consider a less pricey option, ideally around $200. If you plan on using your saw a lot more, you should consider going for a higher-priced saw. Nonetheless, the price of a chainsaw ranges from $80 to $500, depending on your location and some other factors.
Chainsaw FAQ
A: No, it isn’t. When you store it on the side, the gas tends to leak.
A: Yes, you can. While it looks classy, it is not reliable for storing heavy materials or much load at a time.
A: Yes, you can. It will help reduce the chances of kickback accidents.
