It’s likely you will have a need for a chainsaw at some point in your life. Either you’re a homeowner who needs to clear property occasionally, or you may just need one to cut a few limbs here and there. A good chainsaw is worth its weight in gold when you need it.
There are 2 basic categories of chainsaws: Gas and Electric. Each type has pros and cons to ownership. Gas chainsaws win in the power category and you don’t have to mess with cords. Gas chainsaws are by far the most used due to their power, reliability and the fact that you don’t have to plug them in. However, they can be loud and hard to use for some people. They also require some maintenance to ensure they crank every time.
Electric chainsaws on the other hand, are lightweight, require almost no maintenance and may be only for light duty. If you’ve used an electric chainsaw, you know they are easy to use, but may not be able to cut everything you want.
It’s important to take stock of the type of limbs you intend to cut when making your decision between gas chainsaws and electric chainsaws. Also, you have to consider your safety, not everyone needs a heavy-duty chainsaw and may be able to get by with a smaller version.
Here are the best gas chainsaws for every task.
Husqvarna 16” 130 Gas Chainsaw
Husqvarna has made their name producing high-quality and easy to operate gas chainsaws. The 130 chainsaw is perfect for homeowners that need a light-duty chainsaw for small to medium sized branches. This 38cc 16 inch gas chainsaw is lightweight and has a guide bar and chain that comes in handy.
Husqvarna makes a multitude of various sizes of gas chainsaws. You can tackle any size project with the right chainsaw. We like the safety features Husqvarna has on their chainsaws. Cutting trees or limbs can be extremely dangerous and every safety measure must be taken. We like this particular chainsaw for cutting limbs or firewood for the camp. The air injection centrifugal air cleaning system really comes in handy by keeping out dust particles and protecting your air filter. It also has an anti-vibration system that’s worth noting as it reduces vibration levels.
Husqvarna makes high-quality gas chainsaws that can handle any size project, you simply have to choose the right size for your particular job.
Craftsman 42cc-16” Gas Chainsaw
We’ve all owned Craftsman tools at some point. This 42cc 16-inch chainsaw is designed to cut through wood with ease. This 2 cycle engine can get the job done and keep your property clear of limbs and debris. The low-kickback chain will drop tree limbs in no time. It has a lightweight build that’s easy to carry and maneuver, but still has loads of power.
This is the type of gas chainsaw you can use all day with minimal fatigue due to the way it is built. It also starts easier than other chainsaws which is a huge plus, especially when you’re already tired from hauling limbs after a storm. This is the Craftsman chainsaw you need around the house for yard work, cutting tree limbs from the road and other projects. Craftsman is one of the best chainsaw brands and this is one of the best chainsaws for the money.
Some chainsaws require a fair amount of maintenance, but not this Craftsman. The adjustable auto chain oiler keeps the right amount of lubrication on your chain and makes it easy for you to adjust the flow of oil to the proper level. Balance is key when it comes to heavy-duty chainsaws and this one has a 3-point anti-vibration system that improves balance and user comfort.
If you’re in the market for an everyday gas chainsaw that has grit, this is one to check out.
ECHO CS-271T Chainsaw
The ECHO is a small chainsaw that packs a punch! This lightweight chainsaw is one that you can climb with on a daily basis and is compact enough to use with either hand. Many users say this little chainsaw can outwork their larger saws with ease. It’s light on gas and oil and can cut all day. While it excels at cutting through smaller branches, it can absolutely tackle larger prey.
A clean cut is important when working a limb and the ECHO does exactly that. It’s perfect for single hand use and you can extend as far as you need while cutting. You may even find using a smaller chainsaw like the ECHO to be far more beneficial than lugging around a heavy-duty saw. In fact, the Echo is probably the best chainsaw for homeowners.
If you find yourself getting burnt out from carrying a big chainsaw all day just to trim a few small limbs, this lightweight gas chainsaw will solve that problem. We recommend this chainsaw to anyone who doesn’t need a huge saw, but wants one that will make quick work out of small limbs and branches.
Poulan Pro Chainsaw
The Poulon Pro is a powerful chainsaw that’s perfect for cutting down trees and cleanup after a damaging storm. Within a few hours, you can cut down a tree and cut it into firewood slices with no problem. This is a great homeowner saw that can take care of common yard maintenance. It has the OxyPower engine tech that squeezes out extra cutting power and consumes less gas than other saws.
Not only is the Poulon Pro easy on fuel and emissions, it’s also easy to start. In fact, the pull starting system decreases the amount of pull you have to use to start the engine by 30 percent. Easier starting on a chainsaw is a great thing to have when you’re already exhausted from yard work. This not only saves your strength, but saves wear and tear on the starter.
Overall, the Poulon Pro is a great gas chainsaw that can handle many tasks and makes a great homeowner chainsaw.
Husqvarna 24” 460 Rancher Gas Chainsaw
The Husqvarna 460 Rancher is one of the best heavy-duty gas chainsaws on the market. It’s called the “Rancher” for a reason – it’s robust and can handle jobs that require more grit. This all-around saw is large and has a longer bar for more cutting power. It’s 24 inches to give you more cutting length because sometimes you need to cut large limbs that a small chainsaw can’t handle.
This gas chainsaw has loads of safety features such as an automatic chain oiler that keeps the chain oiled for safety reasons and you can perform fast chain adjustments without stopping. The side-mounted chain tensioning system comes in handy when you need to adjust but don’t want to stop work. It also has a quick-release air filter so you can perform required maintenance easier to keep your saw running for years.
This extremely reliable, rugged and powerful chainsaw may cost a pretty penny, but it’s worth it’s weight in gold when you need a saw that can handle anything.
Huyosen Gas Chainsaw
The Huyosen chainsaw is a great budget chainsaw that has a powerful engine and will last. It has low-kickback and an electronic ignition system that makes handling it safe and easy. The filtration system gives it a longer life for the air filter and it helps to reduce the amount of fuel it uses.
Not only is this a rugged gas chainsaw, it’s also wear-resistant and cuts fast. The automatic filing oil system keeps it running smooth and reduces wear and tear on the chain and guide bar which is important to the life of your chainsaw.
The design of this chainsaw makes it easy to use and the non-slip cushion wrap handle allows you to work all day with less fatigue.
The Huyosen gas chainsaw is a great choice for those who don’t want to spend a fortune on a chainsaw, but want a quality product that will last.
Wemars Chainsaw
The Wemars chainsaw excels at cutting dead branches or overhangs on your property. If you don’t want to spend more than $200 on a chainsaw, this is one to check out. Most people only need a chainsaw a handful of times each year, but when you need one, it’s important for it to crank and do it’s intended job.
This size chainsaw can handle cutting down trees with no problem and is great for making firewood slices. It’s also relatively cheap compared to other chainsaws of the same size and is a good alternative to more expensive chainsaws. Many homeowners wait until after an ice storm or tropical storm before buying a chainsaw only to find out they may have to spend some money for a good one. The price on this saw is attractive as well as the build quality.
We recommend this chainsaw to individuals who use a chainsaw a few times a year and want to save money where they can.
Jerome is an avid outdoorsman who moonlights as an attorney when he’s not creating the world’s greatest online content.