Best 5 Chainsaw Reviews and Buyers Guide

Recommended
Husqvarna 460 Chainsaw

Overall Rating: 4.8/5

This chainsaw is capable of handling tons of power. Its blade measures 24 inches in length and comes with a 60.33 cc gas motor that is able to send the blade gliding with less effort through the stumps, logs, and trees.

Makita XCU03PT1 Chainsaw

Overall Rating: 4.7/5

This Makita XCU03PT1 chainsaw comes with two Makita 18V batteries simultaneously providing a total of 36 volts of power. It aids in giving you a powerful chainsaw that can compete against other small gas-powered saws.

WORX WG304 Chainsaw

Overall Rating: 4.4/5

This WORX WG304 Chainsaw offers great value for money. It is a corded-electric chainsaw meaning you will not have to spend your time recharging the batteries or have to worry about the batteries running out of charge when you are using it.

Are you shopping for a chainsaw and still clueless about which model is right for you? There are several options currently available in the market including the corded-electric, gas-powered, and battery-powered chainsaws. 

If you’re looking for someone else to do tree trimming job, we recommend .

It does not matter if you are an experienced chainsaw user or someone who’s new to the equipment. There are always a lot of things you have to look at before you settle on a particular product. However, the wide variety of chainsaws in the market has made it quite difficult for interested buyers. In this review guide, we will be looking at the top five best chainsaws in the market together with some of the most important factors to consider when shopping for one.

1. Husqvarna 460 Chainsaw 

Specifications

Brand

Husqvarna

Weight

21 pounds

Dimensions

38 x 12 x 12 inches

Power Source

Gas-powered

Color

Orange

Pros:

  • Comes with great safety features

  • Very easy to start

  • Powerful

  • Made using high-quality materials

Cons:

  • Quite expensive

  • It could be a bit heavy and bulky for some users.

Verdict

Husqvarna is well-known for coming up with some of the most reliable and top quality chainsaws in the market. Their Husqvarna 460 Chainsaw is one of the best gas-powered chainsaws currently available in the market that would absolutely satisfy you in all areas. 

This chainsaw is capable of handling tons of power. Its blade measures 24 inches in length and comes with a 60.33 cc gas motor that is able to send the blade gliding with less effort through the stumps, logs, and trees.  The very little amount of its vibration can only be felt through this saw making it very comfortable to use. 

All the Husqvarna 460 Chainsaw’s power comes with slight drawbacks consuming up some space. This saw is quite big and larger than most of the electric saws we have tested. With this, this model might be a bit bulky and heavy for the smaller people which will make it quite difficult to use. 

Nonetheless, you will definitely be impressed with how this chainsaw functions. Its saws which are gas-powered are known to be very efficient as they rarely encounter any issues. It is well-built using high-quality materials which assures you that this unit is a winning purchase.


2. Makita XCU03PT1 Chainsaw

Specifications

Brand

Makita

Weight

20.8 pounds

Dimensions

10.63 x 22.24 x 10.59 inches

Power Source

Battery-powered

Color

Aquamarine

Pros:

  • Does not produce lots of noise when in use

  • Its brushless motor has a long lifespan.

  • Has a variable speed trigger

  • It is very powerful for an electric chainsaw.

Cons:

  • Its batteries do drain quickly which could be an issue for a long period of hours.

Verdict

Makita is a very popular brand when it comes to power tools. One of its most outstanding products is the Makita XCU03PT1 chainsaw that continues the Makita tradition of manufacturing powerful cordless tools. 

This Makita XCU03PT1 chainsaw comes with two Makita 18V batteries simultaneously providing a total of 36 volts of power. It aids in giving you a powerful chainsaw that can compete against other small gas-powered saws. 

It also uses Brushless Technology just like the other power tools from Makita. That said, you will get a much longer lifespan that comes with improved efficiency on its battery. Between the cuts, you will barely hear a sound that is typical in conventional saws out there.  Instead of the irritating sounds, you’ll have smooth noise friction in each cut of this saw.

Also, you will definitely like the variable speed trigger that comes with this chainsaw. It will help in giving you more control over whatever you are cutting.


3. WORX WG304 Chainsaw

Specifications

Brand

WORX

Weight

11.3 pounds

Dimensions

20.6 x 14.6 x 8.1 inches

Power Source

Corded-electric

Color

Orange

Pros:

  • It comes already pre-assembled.

  • Comprises of great safety features

  • Uses an Auto-tension Chain System

  • Electricity-powered

  • Oil lubrication is automatic

Cons:

  • It is electric corded and might need to use an extension cord for very wide lawns.

Verdict

This WORX WG304 Chainsaw offers great value for money. It is a corded-electric chainsaw meaning you will not have to spend your time recharging the batteries or have to worry about the batteries running out of charge when you are using it. However, keep in mind that you might want to use an extension cable for this model, especially if you have a wide lawn. 

The WORX WG304 Chainsaw comes already pre-assembled but remember that it will have to be oiled on a regular basis for optimum performance. The design of this chainsaw requires that you do pour some oil into the reservoir and it will apply the oil automatically as required.  This chainsaw also comes with an Automatic Tension Chain System that helps in taking some guesswork out of your busy day. It also comes with great safety features that help in preventing any possible accidents. But should an accident occur, you may need to contact a with experience you can trust. 

With all of this, in case you are in need of a chainsaw that will get the job done quickly without minding oiling it on a frequent basis, then this WORX WG304 Chainsaw is a perfect choice for you.


4. Oregon CS1500 Chainsaw

Specifications

Brand

Oregon

Weight

12.6 pounds

Dimensions

18 x 37.5 x 10.5 inches

Power Source

Corded-electric

Color

Gray

Pros:

  • It uses a self-sharpening blade.

  • Comes with a Tool-less Chain Tensioning System

  • Quite affordable

  • Comes with a user-friendly manual

Cons:

  • The screws holding the bar in place could wiggle out of place after some time.

  • Often unavailable due to high demand

Verdict

Just as its name applies, Oregon CS1500 Chainsaw is a top-quality chainsaw that cannot miss in our list of top five best chainsaws in the market. It comes with a self-sharpening blade that requires you to just engage the PowerSharp Mechanism and run the saw for some moments.  It comes with a Tool-less Chain Tensioning System that helps in making it simple and easy to do adjustments while on the fly. Also, you will never run out of battery or gas since it is an electric chainsaw.

However, users are advised that the screws that hold the bar could wiggle out of place after some time which will allow the bar to start making vertical movements. Despite this flaw, the Oregon CS1500 Chainsaw is still considered to be a top-corded chainsaw in the market.


5. DeWalt 60V MAX Cordless Chainsaw

Specifications

Brand

DEWALT

Weight

12.2 pounds

Dimensions

10 x 35 x 9 inches

Power Source

Battery-powered

Color

Yellow

Pros:

  • It is very silent when in operation.

  • It is lightweight weighing just 12  pounds.

  • Powerful blades

  • Comes with a three-year warranty

Cons:

  • Does not come with a protective case

  • A bit expensive but offers promising performance

Verdict

Most of the DeWalt power tools do perform well in the market. Hence, it is not that surprising to see this DeWalt 60V MAX Cordless Chainsaw making it in our list of the best five chainsaws presently available.  It combines portability and power which gives you a chainsaw that is convenient and user-friendly. 

Since it is battery-powered, it performs for shorter hours compared to some of the largest gas chainsaws in the market. It can however give small 32cc gas saw a good run for their money.  This chainsaw also comes with a three-year warranty period. Chainsaws like this one commonly encounter problems due to their heavy-duty tasks. That said, its long warranty period is a perfect insurance policy that will help in ensuring your investments are well-protected. 

Be informed that this DeWalt 60V MAX Cordless Chainsaw is quite expensive which makes it a bit of a major investment. Also, the saw does not come with a case making it a bit difficult to keep its blades protected.

Chainsaw Buying Guide

It does not matter if you are a beginner or a professional woodworker. Whoever you are, you need to scrutinize all different brands and models of chainsaws out there in the market to find the perfect one for you. In this section, we will be looking at some of the important factors to consider before you purchase a chainsaw.

1
Power Source

The power source is one of the most important factors you need to consider whenever you are in the market looking for a top-quality chainsaw. Power source does affect everything right from performance to convenience. Ensure that you check the power source of the chainsaw before you can settle on any.

2
Chainsaw Brand

The brand is a very important factor that you need to consider whenever you are shopping for a power tool. Chainsaws are not an exception. This is because there are different firms that have been in the business for a long time and do have extensive knowledge of what can make a top-quality chainsaw and what most of the users prefer. 

The brand type will help in determining the durability and quality of the chainsaw, hence it should be an important consideration when in the market for a new chainsaw.

3
Chainsaw Bar

In case you are interested in determining the chainsaw size and the type of work it can handle before you make any purchase, ensure that you always check on the length of the bar. You need to know that the longer the length of the bar, the larger the saw diameter will be able to cut with a single pass. 

The length of the chainsaw measures 6 inches for the small electric chainsaws and up to 20 inches for the large professional-grade chainsaws.

4
Cost

The different chainsaws in the market do have different features and are made of different capabilities. It is important that you know what you want to use the chainsaw for and what features it should have to ensure the work is perfectly done. 

Never go for the cheapest chainsaws in the market since high chances they are made using low-quality materials which might not last for a long period of time. The cheapest chainsaws in the market are also most likely not in the best position to handle huge amounts of complex work. 

 The most expensive chainsaws are not the best, nonetheless. Most buyers do think that the most expensive chainsaws in the market are the best.  Go for a chainsaw that is within a reasonable price and contains all the features you are looking for from a chainsaw.

Conclusion

We do hope that the above best chainsaw review guide has been of great help to you since you are now familiar with some of the best chainsaws in the market.  The buyer’s guide section will help you know the things to look at whenever you are in the market for a chainsaw. 

From the above review guide, we did find the Husqvarna 460 as the overall best chainsaw in the market. It is a perfect choice for heavy-duty work, thanks to its 60.3cc motor and a 24-inch blade that packs tons of power but never transfers lots of vibration to the user. 

However, when you are in need of a silent chainsaw that requires less maintenance then the Makita XCU03PT1 is the best option for you.

In case of any question, suggestion or addition, kindly feel free to contact us. Good luck!

FAQs

What makes the chainsaw stretch out?

The usual wear can make the chain to stretch out over a period of time. The chain will stretch out from heating up since it will be rubbing constantly against the guide. It is possible to delay the wearing process by having the chain well lubricated to help in reducing friction. 

The chain can also be loose-fitting when the sprockets wear out and the chain does not have much grip on the sprocket.

Do the chainsaws overheat?

Just like other power tools that have engines, the chainsaws can also overheat especially in the summer season. Pile up of oil, dirt, or dust in the internal systems of the chainsaw can lead to the overheating of the chainsaw. It is advisable that you always carry out frequent maintenance on the engine, chain, and guide bar by ensuring that they are always kept clean to help in reducing the friction.

Can sharpening of the chainsaw destroy it?

It is okay if you sharpen the chain saw as it does get dull when you use it from time to time. Immediately you notice that you do apply lots of pressure whenever you are cutting through the wood, or when the chainsaw produces lots of smoke even when it is lubricated, then it is advisable that you sharpen it.  The dull chainsaw does pull or rattle in one direction. Ensure that you always get a professional to help in sharpening the tool to help avoid causing damage.