Chainsaws Buying Guide: What to Look For
The Ultimate Chainsaws Buying Guide: How to Choose the Right Tool for Your Needs
For homeowners, landscapers, and DIY enthusiasts, a chainsaw is an incredibly powerful tool that can transform arduous outdoor tasks into manageable projects. Whether it’s cutting firewood, pruning large branches, felling small trees, or clearing storm debris, the right chainsaw makes all the difference. However, navigating the world of gas, electric, and battery-powered models can be daunting. This comprehensive chainsaws buying guide is designed to cut through the confusion. By understanding key factors like power source, bar length, safety features, and intended use, anyone can make an informed decision and invest in a tool that is both safe and effective for years to come.
Understanding Your Needs: The First Cut is the Deepest
Before comparing horsepower or battery voltage, the most critical step is a honest assessment of what the chainsaw will be used for. A tool perfect for occasional light yard work would be overwhelmed by daily professional logging, and vice versa. Misjudging this can lead to frustration, unsafe operating conditions, and wasted money.
Primary questions to ask include:
* Frequency of Use: Will the saw be used for a few hours per year, monthly, or daily?
* Task Type: Is the need for light pruning, cutting firewood, felling medium-sized trees, or heavy-duty demolition?
* Location & Mobility: Will work be close to an electrical outlet, or in remote areas of a property?
* User Experience: Is the user a first-time operator or someone with extensive chainsaw experience?
Defining these parameters narrows the field significantly and guides every subsequent choice in this buying guide.
The Power Source Showdown: Gas, Electric, and Battery Chainsaws
The heart of any chainsaw is its power source, which dictates its performance, maintenance, and ideal use case. The three main types are gas-powered, corded electric, and battery-powered (cordless electric).
Gas-Powered Chainsaws: Maximum Power and Portability
The traditional choice for heavy-duty work, gas chainsaws are known for their raw power and complete independence from power outlets.
Key Benefits:
* Unmatched Power and Torque: Ideal for felling large trees, cutting thick hardwood, and prolonged, demanding tasks.
* Complete Portability: Can be used anywhere for any duration, limited only by fuel.
* Professional Endurance: Built for all-day use, making them the standard for forestry and landscaping professionals.
Important Considerations:
* Higher Maintenance: Requires regular mixing of gas and oil, air filter cleaning, spark plug changes, and seasonal carburetor care.
* Noise and Fumes: They are the loudest option and produce exhaust emissions, making them unsuitable for enclosed or noise-sensitive areas.
* Heavier and More Vibrations: Typically heavier than electric counterparts, with more engine vibration, which can contribute to user fatigue.
* Starting Procedure: Can require more pulls to start, especially when cold.
Best For: Large properties, frequent heavy-duty cutting, felling large trees, and users who need maximum power and runtime.
Corded Electric Chainsaws: Consistent Power for Light to Medium Duty
Plug-in electric chainsaws draw power directly from an outlet, offering a balance of power and convenience for the suburban homeowner.
Key Benefits:
* Low Maintenance: No fuel, oil mixes, or tune-ups. Maintenance is typically limited to chain sharpening, tensioning, and bar lubrication.
* Quiet and Emission-Free: Significantly quieter than gas models and produce no exhaust, perfect for residential areas.
* Instant Start: Starts with the pull of a trigger, offering consistent, uninterrupted power.
* Lightweight and Low Vibration: Generally easier to handle, reducing user fatigue.
Important Considerations:
* Limited by Cord Range: The work area is restricted by extension cord length and access to an outlet. Using a heavy-duty outdoor extension cord is mandatory.
* Less Power Than Gas: While powerful for their size, they may struggle with very thick or hard wood and prolonged heavy use.
* Cord Management: The cord can be a tripping hazard and requires constant awareness to avoid cutting it.
Best For: Light to medium tasks near the home—pruning, trimming, cutting small trees, and processing firewood within 100 feet of an outlet.
Battery-Powered Chainsaws (Cordless): The Rise of Modern Convenience
Modern battery chainsaws have seen dramatic improvements, making them a compelling option for a wide range of users. They are essentially cordless electric chainsaws.
Key Benefits:
* Excellent Portability and Convenience: No cords, no fumes, and near-silent operation compared to gas. Easy to start and use.
* Low Maintenance: Similar to corded electric models—just charge the battery and perform basic chain care.
* Reduced Noise and Zero Emissions: Ideal for noise-sensitive neighborhoods, indoor use (e.g., for cutting ice), and environmentally conscious users.
* Ease of Use: Lightweight, with minimal vibration, making them great for beginners and overhead work.
Important Considerations:
* Limited Runtime: Cutting time is limited by battery capacity. For large jobs, multiple batteries or a high-capacity battery is necessary.
* Power Limitations: While improving, they generally don’t match the sustained power of high-end gas saws for the toughest jobs.
* Ecosystem Cost: Batteries and chargers are an additional investment, especially if buying into a specific power tool brand’s ecosystem.
Best For: Most homeowners, light to medium yard work, pruning, storm cleanup, and anyone who values ease of use, low noise, and minimal maintenance over raw power.
#### Power Source Comparison Table
| Feature | Gas-Powered | Corded Electric | Battery-Powered (Cordless) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Power & Performance | Highest power & torque; best for heavy, prolonged use | Consistent power for light/medium duty; can bog down | Good for light/medium duty; limited by battery & motor |
| Portability | Excellent; unlimited by cords or batteries | Poor; limited by cord length & outlet access | Very Good; limited by battery runtime |
| Noise Level | Very Loud | Moderate | Quiet |
| Maintenance | High (fuel mix, filters, plugs, carburetor) | Very Low (chain/bar only) | Low (chain/bar & battery care) |
| Startup | Pull-start (can be difficult) | Instant (trigger) | Instant (trigger) |
| Best Use Case | Large trees, frequent heavy-duty work | Light/medium tasks near an outlet | Light/medium tasks, quick jobs, noise-sensitive areas |
Key Specifications and Features to Evaluate
Once the power source is chosen, several other specifications determine how well the chainsaw will perform specific tasks.
1. Guide Bar Length:
Measured from the motor to the tip of the bar, this determines the maximum cut diameter. A general rule is to choose a bar length 2 inches longer than the thickest wood you plan to cut regularly.
* 10-14 inches: Ideal for a mini chainsaw or pruning saw, light trimming, and small branches.
* 16-18 inches: The most versatile for homeowners; handles firewood, felling small trees, and storm cleanup.
* 20+ inches: For professional use, felling large trees, and heavy logging.
2. Engine Power (Gas) or Motor Amperage/Voltage (Electric/Battery):
* Gas: Engine displacement (cc) indicates power. 30-50cc is great for homeowners; 50cc+ is for professionals.
* Corded Electric: Look for motors rated at 12-15 amps for sufficient power.
* Battery Chainsaw: Voltage (18V/20V, 40V, 60V, 80V) generally indicates potential power. Higher voltage often means more cutting power, but also check Amp-hour (Ah) ratings for battery runtime.
3. Safety Features:
This is non-negotiable. Essential features include:
* Chain Brake: Stops the chain instantly in case of kickback, either manually (hand guard) or automatically (inertia-activated).
* Low-Kickback Chain & Bar: Reduces the chance of dangerous kickback, a sudden upward motion of the bar.
* Hand Guards: Protect hands from debris and the chain.
* Throttle Lockout: Prevents the throttle from being engaged accidentally.
* Anti-Vibration System: Reduces user fatigue and increases control.
4. Weight and Ergonomics:
A lighter saw is easier to control, especially for overhead use. Well-balanced ergonomics reduce strain. Always try to hold a model before buying, if possible.
5. Specialized Types: Pole Saws and Mini Chainsaws
* Pole Saw: Essentially a chainsaw on a telescopic pole, designed for pruning high branches without a ladder. Can be gas, electric, or battery-powered. A must-have for tree trimming.
* Mini Chainsaw: Compact, lightweight saws (often battery-powered) designed for one-handed pruning, cutting small branches, and detailed yard work. They are not for felling trees.
Practical Tips for Selection and Use
Step-by-Step Buying Guide:
1. Define Your Top 3 Tasks: (e.g., cut 5 cords of oak firewood yearly, prune apple trees, clear fallen limbs).
2. Choose the Power Source based on task frequency, location, and power needs (refer to the comparison table).
3. Select the Appropriate Bar Length for your defined tasks.
4. Prioritize Safety Features—ensure it has a chain brake and low-kickback components.
5. Consider the Total Cost of Ownership: For gas, factor in maintenance tools and fuel. For battery models, factor in the cost of extra batteries and a charger.
6. Read Expert and User Reviews focusing on reliability, ease of use, and real-world performance for tasks similar to yours.
Essential Safety and Maintenance "Dosing":
* Safety Gear is Mandatory: Always wear chainsaw chaps/pants, safety glasses, hearing protection, gloves, and sturdy boots.
* Chain Sharpening "Timing": Sharpen the chain whenever it produces fine dust instead of coarse chips. For frequent users, this could be during each refueling. A sharp chain is safer and more efficient.
* Chain Tension Check: Check tension every time before use. A properly tensioned chain should snap back when pulled away from the bar but not bind in the groove.
* Bar & Chain Lubrication: The oil reservoir must be filled before every use. An under-lubricated chain wears out rapidly and is a safety hazard.
* Fuel "Dosing" for Gas Models: Always use the manufacturer’s recommended fuel/oil mix ratio (e.g., 50:1). Using stale fuel or an incorrect mix is a leading cause of engine failure.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Q1: I’m a first-time user. What type of chainsaw should I buy?
A battery-powered chainsaw is often the best choice for beginners. It eliminates the complexities of gas engine maintenance and starting, is lighter, quieter, and reduces the intimidation factor. A model with a 14-16 inch bar provides versatility for common tasks while remaining manageable.
Q2: Can a battery chainsaw really handle cutting down a tree?
Yes, modern high-voltage (40V-80V) battery chainsaws with a 16-inch or larger bar can effectively fell small to medium-sized trees (up to 12-16 inches in diameter). For larger trees or prolonged cutting, a gas saw is still the more efficient tool.
Q3: What is the most important safety feature?
The chain brake is paramount. It is designed to stop the chain within milliseconds in the event of kickback. Always ensure the brake is functioning before use and understand how to activate it manually.
Q4: What’s the difference between a pole saw and a chainsaw on a pole?
They are generally the same tool. A pole saw is an integrated unit designed specifically for overhead pruning. Some chainsaws offer optional pole attachments, but dedicated pole saws are typically better balanced and safer for overhead work.
Q5: How often do I need to sharpen the chain?
There’s no fixed schedule; it depends on use. Signs include the saw requiring more force to cut, producing fine sawdust, and cutting in a curved direction. It’s better to sharpen little and often rather than waiting until the chain is completely dull.
Q6: Are electric chainsaws (corded or battery) powerful enough for cutting oak or maple firewood?
Yes, both corded and powerful battery models can cut hardwoods like oak and maple. The key is using a sharp chain and making controlled cuts, not forcing the saw. For processing large volumes of hardwood, a higher-amperage corded or high-voltage battery saw is recommended to avoid overheating and ensure a steady pace.
Making the Final Decision
Choosing the right chainsaw is a balance between power, convenience, safety, and cost. There is no single "best" chainsaw, only the best one for a specific person and their needs. By systematically working through this guide—assessing tasks, comparing power sources, understanding specifications, and committing to safety—anyone can confidently select a tool that will serve them well. Remember, a chainsaw is a significant investment in capability and safety. The right choice not only makes yard work easier but does so in a way that protects the operator and lasts for many seasons to come.
