Written By:
Our posts contain affiliate links. Sometimes, not always, we may make $$ when you make a purchase through these links. No Ads. Ever. Learn More
Table of Contents_
To find the best overall chainsaw on the market, we began researching factors, including each chainsaw’s power source (electric or gas), overall power output, bar length, and weight. While some may opt for traditional gas chainsaws for their raw horsepower, others might want a more eco-friendly, quieter solution for taking care of tasks around the house. Depending on the tasks you are handling, selecting a chainsaw with the proper bar length and power output can be essential. To help you, we’ve assembled this guide to help you find the best overall chainsaw for any situation.
In our research, we found the WORX WG303.1 16” electric chainsaw to be the best overall chainsaw. This electrically powered option sports a 14.5 amp motor, driving a 16” bar, perfect for homeowners, farmers, and ranchers, looking to complete tasks such as cutting timber. The WG303.1 even features a built-in chain brake and kick bar for added safety during use. Keep reading to learn more about the best overall chainsaws on the market. Before we get started, take a quick look at other powerful tools out there.
Award: TOP PICK
WHY WE LIKE IT: WORX provides the perfect balance of function and affordability as well as a lightweight electric chainsaw with a powerful 14.5-amp motor and a large 16-inch bar.
If you have a few things that you need to take care of on your property, the WORX WG303.1 chainsaw might be your new best companion. Featuring a large 16-inch cutting bar and a powerful 14.5-amp electric motor, the WG303.1 has a chain speed of 12-meters per second. In addition to the machine’s power, it also sports a few welcomed safety features, including a low kickback bar and built-in chain brake.
We also love that the chainsaw features a built-in oil tank that automatically lubricates your chain for optimal performance. We do recommend using a thicker oil, however, as this chainsaw seems to dispense too much of the traditional oil that one would typically use. Overall, it’s the best chainsaw for firewood, and makes an excellent winter sidekick. The best nail gun also comes in handy in your tool kit.
We’re sorry, this product is temporarily out of stock
Award: HONORABLE MENTION
WHY WE LIKE IT: If you’re looking for a gas chainsaw with pure horsepower, this is the chainsaw for you, thanks to its 55cc engine and massive 20-inch cutting bar. With this chainsaw, you can handle whatever nature throws at you.
Need to handle your property and fight back against nature? The Husqvarna chainsaw is up to the challenge thanks to its powerful gas engine; this 55cc engine can operate at up to 9000 rpm, taking down trees as if they were butter. The included extra-large 20-inch cutting bar allows you to tackle larger tasks that smaller chainsaws might not be able to handle. As a result, the Husqvarna is the best professional chainsaw and due to its large bar, it is the best large professional chainsaw too.
Related: Check out the best parts washers.
When it comes to maintenance, the 455 does feature an automatic oiling function, as well as an easy to remove air filter. Of course, you do get power with this unit, but due to it using a conventional gas engine, just know that it’s a bit on the louder side, so we would avoid working on an early Sunday morning. For our friends in the UK, we would also recommend this product as the best petrol chainsaw available. Some projects require more precision, and the best jigsaw may be what you need there.
Award: BEST ON A BUDGET
WHY WE LIKE IT: The Sun Joe chainsaw provides a versatile and affordable option for those on a budget; it sports an 8-amp motor for working on tree limbs hip to 9.5-inches thick, as well as an attachment for easy overhang limb trimming.
If you’re looking for a great affordable chainsaw option, then Sun Joe has you covered with the SWJ807E. This 2-in-1 chainsaw can convert between a standard handheld chainsaw and a more extended pole chainsaw — great for trimming overhanging tree limbs. It’s no slouch either; the pole can extend up to 8.8-feet for excellent reach.
The 10-inch Sun Joe cutting par is perfect for tackling small projects in tight spaces. We also love that the SWJ807E is available in a variety of colors, including green, black, blue, red, and purple. Just note that the SWJ807E is for smaller projects, and isn’t for anyone looking to take down large trees. The best pole saw on the other hand will help you chop tree limbs.
Award: BEST NO WIRES AND NO GAS
WHY WE LIKE IT: Greenworks gives you the freedom to work everywhere with the company’s cordless chainsaw; with a single charge, the 40V brushless motor can handle up to 150 cuts without needing to revisit an outlet.
Electric chainsaw options can be excellent, but they can also keep you tethered to an outlet which can be frustrating. Greenworks gets rid of the extension cord and introduces the 16-inch 40V cordless chainsaw; it uses the company’s Greenworks G-Max 40V batteries to handle up to 150 cuts on a single charge.
Thanks to the brushless motor design, the chainsaw delivers up to 30% more torque than a non-brushless motor, as well as a 70% reduction in vibrations. The one bit we aren’t thrilled about is the chain tensioning mechanism, which despite being automatic, needs monitoring as it can be prone to falling off. Your garage also needs the best corded drill for your other projects.
Award: MOST COMPLETE SETUP
WHY WE LIKE IT: This chainsaw set includes both a 10-inch chainsaw and a 17-inch hedge trimmer, add on the included pole and you have a versatile set of four tools for maintaining your property with ease.
If you’re just getting started with property maintenance, then you may want to pick up the Earthwise CVP41810; it’s a 4-in-1 multi tool kit with a chainsaw and hedge trimmer. Where are the other two tools? Slap on the included pole, and you’ve now got either a pole chainsaw or a pole hedge trimmer. This all-electric kit is lightweight and easy to control, while the 10-inch chainsaw is compact and fantastic for small jobs.
When you need to switch between tools, you can do so with a click — no advanced or complex setups here. We will note that this unit is meant for smaller jobs, such as taking care of bushes and small tree branches. For anything large, you may want to look at some of the other options in our guide. You may also need the best airless paint sprayer for projects around the house.
When it came down to selecting the best overall chainsaw, we dove into the essential factors, including each chainsaw’s power source, overall power output, bar length, and weight. Once we identified these critical factors, we set up minimum criteria, ensuring only the best options made it to our guide. This means that no matter which chainsaw you select from our roundup, you know that you’ll end up with a quality product. From large operations to small home jobs, we’ve got a selection for every scenario.
Power sources on our list favored quieter and more affordable electric options. Still, traditional gas engines were also provided for those looking for the ultimate in horsepower — best for tackling large and challenging projects. When it came to each chainsaw’s power output, we ensured that gas engines were rated at least 55c for the ultimate performance. On the flip side, any electric chainsaws included at least a 7-amp motor for getting tasks done. That being said, we included electric options up to 14.5-amps for more challenging projects.
Bar length will help with reach, as well as cutting thicker objects. For our roundup, we ensured the smallest option was not below 10-inch; this ensures a chainsaw that will be able to tackle everyday challenges with ease. Of course, more generous options are presented, but they do come with the downside of being heavier — that brings us to the last point. For weight, we ensured that no chainsaw went over 15lbs, making them easy to control and manipulate; the heaviest option on our list is 12.8 pounds.
