Chainsaws
Top 10 chainsaws on Amazon
In stock for US buyers when we last checked. Prices change daily, so check the current price on Amazon.
- 1
Greenworks 40V 16-inch Brushless Cordless Chainsaw (4.0Ah Kit)
16-inch Oregon bar and chain · Brushless, 40V battery and charger included
- 2
Worx WG322 20V 10-inch Cordless Chainsaw Auto-Tension (Kit)
10-inch bar with patented auto-tension · 20V Power Share battery and charger included
- 3
DEWALT 20V MAX XR 12-inch Chainsaw Kit (5Ah) DCCS620P1
12-inch bar, brushless motor · Up to 90 cuts per charge on 4x4
- 4
BLACK+DECKER 20V MAX 10-inch Cordless Chainsaw LCS1020
10-inch low-kickback bar and chain · 20V MAX battery and charger included
- 5
WEN 4017 16-inch Corded Electric Chainsaw (12-Amp)
16-inch bar, 12-amp corded motor · Chain speeds up to 44 ft/s
- 6
Worx WG324 20V 5-inch Mini Cordless Chainsaw (Kit)
5-inch mini bar, one-handed operation · Only 3.9 lbs, 22 ft/s chain speed
- 7
Oregon CS1500 18-inch 15-Amp Self-Sharpening Corded Chainsaw
18-inch bar, 15-amp corded motor · Built-in PowerSharp self-sharpening system
- 8
EGO POWER+ CS1815 18" Cordless Chainsaw with Battery
18-inch bar and chain · 56V brushless motor
- 9
Oregon 2400W 16" Corded Electric Chainsaw
16-inch guide bar and chain · Instant start, quiet between cuts
- 10
Saker Mini Cordless Chainsaw for Pruning
One-hand mini saw for branches · Lightweight for overhead pruning
A chainsaw is the fastest way to cut limbs, fallen trees and firewood. For homeowners the choice comes down to three things: power source, bar length, and how much cutting you actually do in a year.
Battery versus gas versus corded
Battery chainsaws on 40V to 80V platforms now handle most homeowner work: pruning, storm cleanup, and cutting logs up to about 12 inches thick. They start instantly, need no fuel mixing, and are quiet enough for suburban use. Their limit is runtime. A 4.0Ah to 5.0Ah battery typically gives 50 to 150 cuts through 4-by-4 lumber, so a second battery matters if you cut firewood.
Gas saws (40cc to 60cc) remain the choice for felling large trees and cutting cords of firewood. They run as long as you have fuel but need two-stroke mix, regular carburetor care and more maintenance.
Corded electric saws are the cheapest way into the category, often under $100. They are light and powerful for their price, but the extension cord limits you to work near the house.
Bar length
Bar length sets the largest log you can cut in one pass, roughly the bar length minus an inch or two. Pole-mounted and mini saws (6 to 10 inches) suit pruning. A 14 to 16 inch bar covers almost all yard work. Choose 18 inches or longer only if you regularly cut large trunks, as longer bars are heavier and harder to control.
Safety
Every chainsaw should have a chain brake and a low-kickback chain. Wear eye and hearing protection, gloves and chainsaw chaps, and never cut above shoulder height.
What to look for
Power source matched to your workload
Battery saws suit occasional pruning and storm cleanup with no fuel or pull-starting. Gas saws suit felling and heavy firewood cutting. Corded saws are the budget pick for small jobs within reach of an outlet.
Bar length
14 to 16 inches covers most homeowner jobs. Mini saws of 6 to 10 inches are easier and safer for pruning branches. Longer bars add weight and kickback risk, so only buy one if you cut thick trunks often.
Tool-free chain tensioning
Chains stretch as they warm up and need regular tension adjustment. Tool-free or auto-tension systems let you adjust the chain without a wrench, which makes it much more likely you keep it correctly tensioned.
Battery platform
If you already own batteries from EGO, Greenworks, Ryobi, DeWalt or Milwaukee, buying the bare tool from the same platform can save $80 to $150 versus a kit.
Frequently asked questions
- Is a battery chainsaw powerful enough for firewood?
- For occasional firewood from logs under about 12 inches thick, yes, especially on 56V or 80V platforms with a brushless motor. Plan on at least two batteries. If you cut several cords a year, a gas saw is still the more practical tool.
- What size chainsaw do I need for a typical yard?
- A 14 or 16 inch bar handles pruning, fallen limbs and small trees. A mini chainsaw with a 6 to 8 inch bar is a better tool for overhead pruning and shrub work.
- Do I need chainsaw chaps?
- They are strongly recommended. Chaps contain fibers that jam the chain within a fraction of a second if it touches your leg, and leg cuts are among the most common chainsaw injuries.
- How long does a chainsaw battery last?
- It varies with battery size and wood type. A 4.0Ah to 5.0Ah battery typically handles a session of storm cleanup or pruning. For firewood or larger jobs, a second battery or a higher-capacity pack is recommended.
- What oil does a chainsaw need?
- Every chainsaw needs bar and chain oil to lubricate the chain as it runs, and gas saws also need two-stroke oil mixed into the fuel. Battery and corded saws need bar oil only.