There are many things to consider before you buy a chainsaw, and it is vital to buy the right chainsaw for the job you need to accomplish otherwise you will be left frustrated and your work not finished. This buyers guide will give you the information you need to buy the right chainsaw.
Table of Content
Types of Chainsaws
The three types of chainsaws are gasoline-powered, electric, battery-powered chainsaws.
1. Gasoline-Powered Chainsaws
As a rule gasoline-powered chainsaws will be more powerful than an electric chains saw of the same weight and bar length. A gas chainsaw weighs more compared to a corded electric saw. It uses an internal combustion engine, and it has extra parts such as fuel tank, carburetor, air filter. It is recommended to wear hearing protection because gas chainsaws generate a lot of noise.
The following specifications provide a general guide for different uses.
Homeowner / DIY use – bars to 14” and engine displacement of 32cc 53cc
Heavy use – bars up to 18” and engine displacement 35cc to 55cc
Professional use – bars up to 24” or more and 80cc or more engine displacement
Gasoline chainsaws are best used for the larger tasks. Professionals use gas-powered chainsaws for extensive wood cutting because they are the most powerful and versatile and can run longer than other types of chainsaw. They are best suited for heavy-duty work and those with large-sized trees to cut.
There are some drawbacks with gas chainsaws. They are the loudest when compared to electric saws, and also the heaviest which makes it harder to maneuver. Gas chainsaws are harder to start; you will need to pull the cord hard a few times! Furthermore, gas saws produce fumes, require you to mix the gas and oil and needs regular maintenance of the air filter and spark plugs.
2. Corded Electric Chainsaws
These need little maintenance and make less noise than gas chainsaws. Because they are lighter, it’s easier to reach tall branches, carry around, as well as being easier to start.
You will need an extension cord (12 gauge and possibly 14 gauge) and an outlet to plug into. Your work range is restricted to the length of your cord which at a maximum is about 100 feet. Joining a number of extension cords is not safe practice and could be a fire risk.
Electric corded chainsaws are lightweight and start instantly. Because they have a slower sawing speed they are good for lighter jobs such as cutting hedges and trimming younger trees.
Features to look for in electric chainsaws:
Current limiter to reduce the current to the motor if the chains becomes stuck & overloads the motor.
Smart start provides gradual power prevent sudden starts.
Slip clutch is the safety feature that stops the power to the chain, especially important when ‘kickback’ occurs.
Balance and comfort are important for efficient cutting and safety when using chainsaws
Well-designed handles form part of the comfort and safety factor.
Automatic oiler – no more manual oiling of the bar! This give better performance and easier maintenance.
Tool-less chain tensioner permits the all-important aspect of chains tensioning with the turn of a knob.
3. Cordless Chainsaws
Cordless chainsaws are battery-powered so you are not restricted by a cord and electric outlet. These days the more common battery used are re chargeable Lithium-Ion batteries.
The benefits of lithium-ion batteries are:
- High energy density; that is the capacity to hold more energy & so providing more running time.
- You can recharge before they are fully flat
- It doesn’t lose power as it flattens – known as ‘no fade’
- Even when left for weeks or months they will hold their charge
- There is no maintenance and they fully recharge each time.
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Size of the battery pack needs to be noted especially when wanting to cut limbs of a large diameter.
The higher the number of cells in a pack means it has more power, faster cutting speed and longer run time. Increased weight comes with this higher cell count. It will pay to look into the differences between packs and buy the appropriate battery pack for the work you need to complete.
The performance of battery powered chainsaws can make them comparable to the lighter gas-powered chainsaws.
Brushless motors provide greater efficiency because there is less friction created so try and find a brushless motor.
While electric chainsaws are less likely to have ‘kickback’ they are still a dangerous machine. Make sure you have a slip clutch mechanism to make the motor cut out when needed.
Features of Battery Powered Chainsaws
Alerts – some chainsaws have “Ready” LED lights that flash as well as warning lights such as when the brake is applied.
Triggers need to be long enough to allow at ease two fingers for comfort. Length for three fingers gives a bit more room for comfort and adjustment. Those that sit flush give best comfort.
Handles are generally better if they are thicker because you have more of your hand holding it.
4. Pole Chainsaws
Pole chainsaws are tiny chainsaws and are an option if you don’t want to use a larger chainsaw. Pole chainsaws are best for heavy duty pruning, especially tricky to reach branches. The pole chainsaw provides about 2 feet of space between you and the cutters which have a safety shield around them. Pole saws are designed for maneuverability, with different weights available you can consider ease of use of lighter models as well as balance. Extension poles are available which can increase your reach by about 10 feet.
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| Electric | Electric | ||
| Gas | Corded | Battery- cordless | |
| Engine capacities | 32cc to 60 cc | 8 - 14.5 amps | 24 – 82 volts |
| Bar length | 12” to 48” | 6” – 18” | 6” – 18” |
| Tasks | All | Small trees and branches | Cutting branches trimming limbs |
| Weight | 6-20lbs | 5 – 17lbs | 9-16lbs |
| Suited for | Farm and ranch Professional Most powerful | Homeowner More powerful than cordless | Homeowner Infrequent jobs |
- Engine
- Starting Mechanism
- Throttle and Engine Control
- Guide Bar and Chain
- Handle and Protection
- Fuel and Oil Tanks
What features do chainsaws have?
Automatic chain oiling is not available on all saws, generally it’s available on the more expensive ones. It helps with less maintenance, less friction and smoother operation.
Oiling. The chainsaw must have chain and bar oil, or it won’t run for long. Most saws have windows you can see the oil level through. Some need to have fairly full oil tanks or the machine will stop oiling. So if it stops oiling this is a simple check you can do. Another is to check the oiling hole going into the bar is clean and clear of dirt. Filling the oil tank is important and not all saws provide an easy fill mechanism. Consider how easy the caps are to open without having to take your gloves off.
Leaking oil. This is a notorious problem with resting chainsaws, and it occurs because of the heating and cooling of the parts of the saw.
Anti – vibration system. Vibration over time can cause fatigue and damage your body so to reduce the vibration chainsaws are divided into two parts. The rigid section, cutter bar and engine has a strong vibration when cutting. The second part is the controls and handles. The two are mounted with an ant-vibration system providing spring suspension and damping. The more expensive the saws the better the springs and brushings are. This is available on all except the cheapest chainsaws.
Auto tensioning lessons the times you have to adjust the chains.
Chain tension – new chains stretch relatively quickly and will need snugging a couple of times when you are breaking it in. Chains naturally loosen as they are used and require tightening often. A tight chain generally means there is not enough oil on the bar so make sure you saw is oiling properly before you loosen the chain.
Make sure you loosen the chains when you have finished working as it will tighten as it cools.
There are 2 ways to adjust the chainsaw bar.
1. Tool-less chain tensioner – dials and knobs are part of the chainsaw and they move the bar back and forward to tension the chain then lock it. Side mounted tensioner makes adjusting chain tension quick and easy if there is toolless chain adjustment.
2. With tools – using a screwdriver wrench, it’s called a scrench. It comes with the chainsaw and matches the side plate nut and the size of the tension adjustment screw. Make sure you check you User Manual for more details on how to do this properly because you will need to tension the chain a lot.
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Balanced feel of the chainsaw in your hands depends on the design. A front heavy saw is alright however if its design makes it heavy at the back then the saw lifts back towards you so you need more focus and effort.
Bucking spikes. These are for pushing the saw more efficiently through the wood. They are alongside the bar and keep the saw in place so this helps reduce the jerking that happens if the saw is held away from the wood. Some battery-operated chainsaws have steel spikes but none are as good as gas chainsaws. You will get aluminum and plastic spikes, obviously these are not as effective as the steel grips.
Tip guards. This optional extra is a safety guard that stops kickback which is probably for the best if you are a part time user. However, the tip guard does stop plunge cuts and deep rips. You will also loose a little of the cutting capacity.
Chainsaws with a narrow width make them easier to handle in restricted areas and easier to carry.
Guide bars with sprocket tips: lessen friction at the tip of the bar. This boosts cutting speed and reduces wearing on the bar.
Spring assisted starting mechanism in gas chainsaws will make them so much easier to get started. Less effort is needed to pull the start cord and get the motor running.
Carbide tooth chain. There is both an up and downside to the carbide chain. A good chain is obviously critical for efficient cutting. The carbide tip chains aren’t as easily dulled by nails or dirt. Depending on the type of work you are doing, you could find yourself cutting dirty wood, working close to the ground or cutting used timber with nails. If that is the case, you may well benefit from spending the extra dollars to get a carbide chain. The downside is that they are difficult to sharpen so you need to make sure you can access someone who can do this.
What you should know before buying a chainsaw?
1. How do I know what chainsaw is best?
The table below is a guide to the types of jobs and the chainsaw requirements. This is a general guide, so the actual saw performance is not considered here.
| Gas Saws | Bar Length | Engine size - cc | |
| Small Chainsaws | Cutting trees into small logs Trimming, pruning and cutting thin branches | 6” - 14” | 30 – 40 |
| Medium Chainsaws | Firewood- light to medium | 14” – 20” | 35 - 50 |
| Medium Chainsaws | Small trees | 16” - 20” | 30 - 45 |
| Medium Chainsaws | Medium trees Cutting medium trees into logs Light cleanups up after floods and storms | 16’ - 20” | 35 - 50 |
| Large Chainsaws | Large trees Heavy clean ups Cutting large logs | 22” or more | 60 or more |
| Electric Saws | Bar length | Motor – Amps | |
| Small Chainsaws | Cutting trees into small logs Pruning saplings and thin branches | 6”-14” | 6-9 |
| Medium Chainsaws | Small trees | 16”-20” | 10-15 |
| Medium Chainsaws | Medium trees Cutting medium trees into logs Light cleanups up after floods and storms | 16”-20” | 12-15 |
| Large trees | Not suitable | Not suitable | |
| Heavy clean ups Cutting large logs | Not suitable | Not suitable |
2. What is your experience level?
Your experience level plays an integral part in choosing the right chainsaw, as well as, the type and size of the tree you plan to use the chainsaw for.
Beginner
If you are starting, then you need a chainsaw that is easy to maneuver. These are dangerous machines and must be treated so. Therefore, the best choice may be electric corded or cordless battery-powered saw.
Experienced
Choose the gas-powered chainsaw if you are experienced and plan to cut hardwood and larger trees and cut the firewood. However, if you are using it for lighter tasks, or in quiet residential areas, then use the electric saw.
Professionals, Experience Ranchers and Farmers
The type of chainsaw chosen will depend on the project you have to do. Not all jobs need the most powerful chainsaw with a long bar. These can be inefficient when completing lighter jobs, so you don’t necessarily want to be using a heavy, noisy saw that is difficult to maneuver.
3. What bar length do I need?
Bar length is a key factor to consider before buying a chainsaw. Your bar should be about 2 inches longer than the timber you are sawing. When cutting correctly you can cut something that is twice the diameter of the bar length. So, if you bar is 14” you would expect to cut a trunk 28” in diameter- as long as you have the power. Cutting longer pieces of timber can become difficult as can handling a chainsaw with a long bar. Chainsaw bars have a range of 6” up to 42”. The homeowner would be fine with up to 20“ bar.
4. How much power do I need in a chainsaw?
For gasoline chainsaws, power is determined by the engine size and it is the cubic centimeters, called ccs, that are measured. They range from 23cc to 120cc. See the table below for suggested engine sizes. Buying a saw between 30cc and 45cc will suit most homeowners.
Voltage, also called volts, is the measure for cordless chainsaws which run on lithium-ion batteries.
Electric corded chainsaws motor size is called amperage, or Amps. Sizes vary between 8 and 15 Amps.
The more power, the higher the numbers. The more power the chainsaw has the faster it drives the chain making for easier cutting. 45cc produces approximately 3 bhp (brake horsepower) and 15amp about 2.4bhp
5. Is the size and weight of the chainsaw important?
The weight of the chainsaw has bearing on a several of areas. Apart from the work it needs to do for you, consider the following questions:
- How heavy a chainsaw can you work with?
- How long will you be holding it for at one time?
- Can you handle it comfortably for the time needed?
There’s a deal of difference between holding a chainsaw for a minute or two and for 20 minutes so your overall fitness should be considered when choosing your chainsaw.
6. What safety equipment should be used?
A chainsaw is one of the more dangerous power tools around; so, it is not a bad idea to get some training before using it. In some countries such as the UK, you need a license to operate chainsaw.
Furthermore, safety equipment is essential while using any type of chainsaws but especially important while operating gas chainsaws. You want to have the following protective gear on every time you work with your chainsaw.
- Chainsaw chaps for leg protection
- Helmet or hard hat
- Faceguard, eye protection with goggles and ear protection with earmuffs or earplugs
- Gloves
- Safety boots with steel toes
7. Importance of maintenance and services
Picture this. There has been a storm and you need to get the mess cleared. So, you have organized the time to do a job, geared yourself up and you are ready to get started.
Then your chainsaw won’t start, or it won’t cut properly. Now you are thinking…if only I had done ….
Maintenance. Maintenance. Maintenance.
If you want your saw to work correctly and safely, and last longer, you need to keep it in good shape and well-maintained. Your owner’s manual lists all the required maintenance items and when to do them. Some essential steps to maintain your chainsaw are:
- Check the chain tension and adjust it if necessary before you use the saw.
- Clean the bar regularly
- Check the chain brake, the chain catcher and the oiler regularly
- Clean the air filter and replace it on time.
Get to know your Owner’s Manual to gain the in-depth knowledge of your chainsaw.
You will also find any number of videos online to show you what to do.
How can SawsPlus help?
We are here to help you sort through the huge range of chainsaws on the market. We provide information in detail on a range of saws. We highlight potential issues and advantages of different models and brands and we only recommend saws that are top sellers.
The cost of a chainsaw depends on many factors, such as brand, type and size. Gas chainsaws are the most expensive and typically cost more than electric saws. However, you don’t have to spend a fortune to get a good saw!
Our reviews will give you important information to consider so you are armed and ready to buy that chainsaw.
I hope this information has answered your questions and helped you understand exactly what you need.