Best Chainsaws

These three stand out in the product table above for different budgets and needs.

Best overall: the Husqvarna 555 Professional Gas Chainsaw, around $800, is our first choice from the table.

View on Amazon

Best value: the Husqvarna Power Axe 350i Chainsaw, around $480, is the lowest priced of these three.

View on Amazon

Also great: the Milwaukee 2727-21HDP M18 Fuel 16 in. Chainsaw with Free, around $750, is another strong option with a different set of features.

View on Amazon

Gas chainsaws remain the standard for serious tree felling and repeated heavy-duty cutting, since they deliver consistent power regardless of how long you run them and refuel in seconds. The tradeoff is more maintenance: mixing fuel, replacing spark plugs and air filters, and dealing with harder starts in cold weather.

Corded electric chainsaws start instantly and need almost no maintenance, but the cord limits your range and rules out anything beyond light pruning and small branches near an outlet. Battery chainsaws have closed much of the power gap in recent years and now handle medium cutting jobs like firewood processing reasonably well, though runtime on a single charge is still the limiting factor for all-day use.

Bar length determines the maximum diameter you can cut through in a single pass, not overall cutting power. A shorter bar, generally under 14 inches, suits pruning, limbing, and small branches, and is lighter and easier to control one-handed for overhead work. Mid-length bars in the 16 to 18 inch range cover most homeowner firewood and general yard cleanup.

Going Longer Than You Need

A longer bar than your typical cutting diameter requires adds weight and reduces control without adding real capability, since you are rarely cutting anything close to the bar's maximum length. Match bar length to the biggest wood you regularly cut, not the biggest tree on the property.

Every modern chainsaw includes a chain brake, but how quickly and reliably it engages during kickback varies. Kickback happens when the tip of the bar contacts an object and the saw snaps back toward the operator, and it remains the leading cause of chainsaw injuries. Low-kickback chain designs reduce the aggressiveness of that snap-back before the brake even engages.

A rear handguard, front handguard positioned for quick brake activation, and a chain catcher that stops a broken chain from whipping backward are worth checking on any saw, not just the entry-level models where manufacturers sometimes trim these features first.

Full-chisel chains cut fastest but dull quickly against dirt or debris and need more frequent sharpening. Semi-chisel chains cut slightly slower but hold an edge longer and tolerate less-than-perfect cutting conditions better, which makes them the more forgiving choice for firewood and general yard use rather than clean felling cuts.

A saw with a tool-free or low-tool chain tensioning system saves real time if you are adjusting chain tension regularly, which a new chain typically needs during its first hour of use as it stretches.

Weight matters most for overhead cuts and extended use, where a heavier saw tires the arms and shoulders faster and makes precise control harder to maintain. Anti-vibration mounting between the engine and handles reduces hand fatigue and, over years of use, lowers the risk of vibration-related circulation issues in the hands.

Balance matters as much as raw weight. A saw that feels front-heavy is harder to control through a cut than a slightly heavier saw with weight distributed closer to the handles.

Gas chainsaws vary widely in how easily they start, particularly in cold weather when engine oil thickens and fuel vaporizes less readily. A choke and primer bulb combination generally starts more reliably in cold conditions than a basic choke alone, and this is worth checking on any gas model if the saw will see regular winter or early-spring use for storm cleanup.

Electric and battery chainsaws sidestep this issue entirely, starting instantly at the pull of a trigger regardless of temperature, which is a real advantage for anyone who wants a saw ready immediately after a storm rather than fighting a cold engine. This is one of the few areas where battery models have a clear, unambiguous edge over gas, independent of raw power output.

What bar length do I need for cutting firewood vs. felling trees?

Firewood processing generally works well with a 16 to 18 inch bar. Felling larger trees calls for a longer bar matched to trunk diameter, though most homeowners are better served hiring a professional for large felling jobs given the added risk.

Are battery chainsaws powerful enough for real yard work?

Modern battery chainsaws handle pruning, limbing, and moderate firewood cutting well. For all-day heavy cutting or repeated large-diameter work, gas still generally offers more sustained power and faster refueling than swapping batteries.

How often does a chainsaw chain need sharpening?

A good rule of thumb is sharpening after every two to three tanks of fuel or battery charges under normal use, sooner if the chain contacts dirt, rocks, or the ground.

What is chain kickback and how do safety features prevent it?

Kickback occurs when the upper tip of the bar strikes an object and the saw snaps back toward the operator. Low-kickback chains, a properly functioning chain brake, and keeping the bar tip clear of contact during cuts are the main defenses.

Do electric chainsaws need bar oil like gas models?

Yes. Both electric and gas chainsaws need bar and chain oil to lubricate the moving chain, regardless of what powers the motor. Skipping it wears out the bar and chain quickly on any saw type.

How much does chainsaw weight matter for overhead cuts?

Significantly. A lighter saw is easier to control and less tiring to hold above shoulder height, which matters both for cut precision and for reducing fatigue-related mistakes during longer jobs.

Among the best chainsaws, the right one is rarely the most powerful model available. It is the one whose bar length, weight, and power source match the cutting you actually do on a regular basis, with safety features that hold up under real use rather than just checking a box on a spec sheet.