Best Chainsaw Reviews 2022 – Our Top 10 Picks

Almost everyone knows what a chainsaw is – a mechanical saw powered by a rotating chain moving along to a guide bar. These bad boys are used for everything, from cutting down huge trees (both for firewood AND for fire suppression in wild fires), to cutting up concrete. Yes. Concrete. If you’re looking for the best chainsaw then read on because in this guide we have reviews of the top 10 options out there.

While most people are familiar with the imagery of lumberjacks lugging around a rugged saw to fell great timbers, most people don’t realize that they were originally a medical device. The well loved lumberjack rendition of these saws did not come about until the late 18th century when John Aitken and James Jeffray, two Scottish doctors, pioneered the original prototype.

The first rendition was used for cutting bones, and the prototype that the Scottish doctors made was to help them perform childbirth when issues arose using a medical procedure called symphysiotomy – a procedure you should only check out if you really want to but we’ll keep it PG here and tell you it was used when there was issues with woman giving childbirth.

The prototype was eventually picked up by both the timber and the construction industries, which has evolved the mechanical bone saw into what we now know as the rip-roaring electric chainsaw.

There is a ton of different options out there when it comes to selecting one of these saws. That is why this website was created, to help you, sift through the best options out there and find the one that will give you the biggest bang for the money.

Top 10 Best Chainsaws Comparison Table

What Are the Benefits of Using Them?

A chainsaw is way easier to use than a normal axe. If you are looking to cut down some trees, chop up some firewood, or use a gas powered one in a construction setting – you are going to want it over the alternative.

The sheer force involved will never be matched by mere brute strength of even the strongest person around. Not to mention the speed at which it flows into the cutting material, you would be winded within a minute of trying to keep up with the vibration – and even if you could go the distance you would not be able to cut nearly as fast as human arms just are not that quick.

To sum it up, these saws ultimately make any kind of job a whole lot easier for folks.

What kind of features should you be looking for?

First of all, know what you are going to use this item for. There are two types of chainsaws nowadays, the gasoline powered chainsaws and the electric ones. The latter has less power than its wild gasoline brother, but it is also a lot quieter and far easier to maintain. These tools are best used for trimming, light cutting, pruning and other jobs that are small in nature. You won’t be chopping down any trees with this style of saw – but they are still incredibly effective for what they are designed to do.

The next thing you need to ask yourself is where you intend to use the machine. Since they can be both cordless and with a cord, decide if you need the extra mobility that a cordless chain saw would provide you. A cordless machine is great for people who are doing a lot of landscaping work around a large piece of property. Please be aware though that a cordless one is going to weigh more, plus since it is battery driven it might stop suddenly at really inconvenient points if you do not keep it charged.

On the flipside, a corded one has the benefit of never running out of juice. You can keep on sawing without the extremely awkward possibility of your saw running out of power midway through an important piece of work. There is of course a downside here too. Namely, a corded chain saw is limited to the workshop, or at least to the length of extension cords you have to feed it. In addition, it is important to keep note of your surroundings and not trip over the cord since the cord could seriously harm you if you trip over the cord while the machine is blazing away.

So it is up to you. If you have a lot of outdoor work in a large premise that you are planning on using, then I would recommend going with the cordless but be mindful of the battery pack.

If you are a hobbyist using it in your workshop, then a corded one is obviously the better pick.

Unlike the gasoline hogs with all their wondrous fumes that spew into your face, electric models do not have as much diversity as gasoline powered ones. Of course, each model has advantages and disadvantages (which we get into shortly, see below!). And for those who really care, yes you can get electric chainsaws in most colors.

The electric version is quiet, stable, and far safer than the gas powered variant. There is no maintenance at all required either, most options now have self-lubricating processes and self-sharpening processes as well that take care of most issues people faced with the gas powered alternative.

Now, you might be ready to rip and roar down to your local department store and pick one of these up for yourself now since you know more about chainsaws than about 80-90% people on earth (hey, there is a lot of lumberjacks, okay?), but before you do let me advise you…

The easiest place to find the best chainsaw for the money is online.

The reasoning why is pretty simple. Unlike in department stores, when you are looking at an online listing from a trusted retailer such as Amazon, you will be able to read all of the reviews that have been written for that item. This means both negatives and the positives.

I am always a bit leery by giving too much credence to any negative review – unless there is a lot of complaints. The reason why is that even in a huge, awesome company still can make mistakes and there might be a faulty product here or there. If the negative review deals with shipping or anything along that nature though, usually it is pretty safe to discount it.

Top 10 Chainsaw Reviews At A Glance

Let’s dive into some actual examples of good chainsaws. We are going to cover a bit about their features, some of the good points and of course some bad points related to each one to help you make the best, and hopefully the most informed decision before laying down your hard earned money.

1. BLACK & DECKER LCS1240 Review

The Black & Decker is a good pick with its 40V MAX lithium ion battery (which is fancy talk that basically says that this chain saw has a longer battery life before it needs to be plugged in and juiced back up). It also features an automatic oiling system for its 12’ Oregon low-kickback bar and chain. If you plan on doing a lot of outdoor landscaping work, then this could be a very good option for you due to its battery life and the fact it tends to cut like a bigger one would while still being incredibly light. You will want to be careful though, as there has been reports of oil not being drawn onto the chain (though this is not always the case). When the oil is not being drawn, there is potential for the saw to become unsafe after a few usages.

2. Husqvarna 460 Rancher Review

With its 20-inch bar, quick release air filter to help with cleaning and a side-mounted chain tensioner that allows super easy access, the Husqvarna is a powerful gas driven chain saw. Perfect for those looking to cut down bigger targets than some bushes. It is a well designed tool that will cut through most things you are looking to cut, and it has been used extensively in storm damaged areas to clear out trees and other debris from roads and property. There are some reports that it can be difficult to reset the brake during disassembly, so this is something to watch out for if you are planning on taking it apart yourself for any kind of maintenance work.

3. WORX WG303.1 Review

The Worx WG303.1 is claimed to be as powerful as a gas chainsaw with its 3.5 horsepower and 14.5 amps – but that is really up to you and which model you are comparing the Worx too. All that being said, it is well designed. It has a chain mechanism to prevent over-tightening, something that could seriously ruin a saw, plus the low kickback with a safety chain stop keeps this rugged electrical powerhouse a safe and user friendly tool.

Please note, the Worx is corded so you will be limited with where you can go with it. Invest in some good extension cord lengths if you are planning on taking this outside. One thing to be aware of, this one has been noted to leak oil when you store it. It is apparently part of the design, so if you purchase the Worx make sure you store it in a drip pan if you don’t want your shelves stained from this strange design.

4. WORX WG304.1 Review

Another Worx offering, this one packs a little bit more power than the one above at 4 horsepower and a 15 amp motor to boot. Obviously, it has the same chain brake built in for safety and comes ready to be used the moment it arrives at your door.

This is one of those electric saws that actually can cut down and topple giant trees. So if you got a gargantuan timber begging to be knocked down, the Worx WF304 might be the perfect answer for you. While this chain saw performs amazingly, if you have need for replacement parts you might have to wait around for a while since some parts (such as chains) can be on backorder rather inventoried with the company at one of their warehouses.

5. Husqvarna 455 Rancher Review

Another Husqvarna, this chain saw has easier starting and has mechanisms built in to make engine flooding vastly mitigated. Of course, it is always possible to happen – it is a gas powered machine after all. The centrifugal air cleaning system will wipe out most of the debris and the dust before hitting the air filter, which is great cause this ultimately gives the machine an extended shelf life for you and your work.

This is beast and is able to cut through thick 22” diameter trees with really no problem at all. If you are looking for the right tool to take down those pines for some firewood, then this is a great choice to do it with and will cut through the wood fairly easily. Overall, as long as you are a competent gas chainsaw operator, it is unlikely you are going to run into any kind of real issues with the 455 Rancher – so it is highly recommended if you are going to put the machine through some laborious work.

6. GreenWorks 20312 DigiPro G-MAX

The Greenworks DigiPro sports a brushless motor that features a 4AH battery and charger. It is compatible with Greenworks G-Max 40V Li-Ion System as well, so you will have a few different options to choose from as far as tools go – as long as you are a fan of GreenWorks tools specifically that is. Unlike other electric chainsaws, this GreenWorks model has a beast mode to it in that the battery lasts for a long time.

By the time the battery is ran down, you will likely be out of breath yourself. In addition, it charges very quickly back up to full power, rippin’ and ready to go again. While it is a great chainsaw, please be aware that it is still an electric version which means it can handle most smaller trees but if you are looking to fell a gargantuan timber… you might want to look elsewhere.

7. Husqvarna 450

The 450 has an 18-inch chain saw, perfectly for people who are property owners. The nice thing about this gas powered tool is the 3.2 horsepower X-Torq engine. The way the engine is designed helps reduce awful exhaust emissions (who wants to smell that stuff anyhow?). Also because of this design, you will end up using less fuel than with other saws.

For sawing cords of wood, this baby will chow them down like a knife through butter. Easy to start up, no real worries about flooding the engine. Make sure the saw is properly adjusted though for the job that you are planning on using it for.

8. BLACK & DECKER LCS1020

Another entry from the Black & Decker series, this 10-incher sports a 20 volt lithium battery along with its Oregon low kick bar & chain. One really nice thing about this tool is the wrap around bale handle that makes it easier to handle and to operate.

While this chain saw is fantastic for cutting things like fallen tree branches and the like, it is important to watch out for parts. There has been some issues with the oiler not working properly. However this is a super rare chance for it to happen to you, so certainly not a reason why you should avoid this one altogether.

Just remember, this one is not going pack as much of a punch as the gas powered alternatives so only buy it if you know what kind of job you are hoping to accomplish here.

9. Remington RM5118R

What list of chainsaw reviews can really be complete without mentioning a Remington? This heavy duty gas powered beast is an excellent choice if you are looking to do some intense labor. This model is typically used cleaning up trees after bad storms, chopping up some firewood and of course is the perfect machine for some good ol’ limbing with its 51cc 2-cycle engine. It also features QuickStart technology, which is a fancy label that this machine starts up easy without having to pull over and over again just to get the motor going properly.

One thing to note with the Remington RM5118R Rodeo is that it has a different starting procedure than most chainsaws. If you are used to other models, I suggest reading the instructions (I know, that sucks) on this model before giving it a cold start. As far as a “hot start” is concerned, just give it a good pull and you are ready to cut some massive wood.

10. Husqvarna 435

For our last entry in our list, we got another Husqvarna up. This one is a gas-powered 16-incher sporting 40.9cc. This model features a start and stop switch called the Smart Start, which makes it easy to start instead of having to mess around with the fuel pump. One really nice thing about this model is the care they put into the handle. Instead of an awkward handle, the 435 sports an ergonomic trigger along with an asymmetrical handle that overall adds comfort to using the tool.

While this machine will serve you well, there are some people who consider it not as powerful as it should be considering its size. Where it is or not, is really up to you and what your project is. Again, it comes down to making sure you are buying the right tool for the right job, instead of how most people shop for these machines.

The Conclusion to Our Reviews

If you are still concerned about learning even MORE about these tools, please click the link on the model you are most interested in to get more information.

We have covered a lot in this article to help you make a decision and present accurate (and good) information for you. Plus, you got to admit, it is pretty interesting to learn that chainsaws were originally medical devices – if not a bit gruesome!

The technology has come a long ways from the starting days of these cutting machines. Over time, my predictions is that the electric chainsaws will one day far outpower the gas powered ones in their sawing ability. While we are not there yet, we certainly are getting pretty close. Already we are seeing them matching low to mid ranged gas saws, so the future looks bright for them to graduate from trimming jobs to actually cutting large timbers without any issues whatsoever.

Honestly, you know more about chainsaws than the vast majority of people on earth, maybe even more than some lumberjacks! That is saying something… in particular it is saying you are an informed consumer, which is a super good thing.

Now that you understand not only the weird origins of the story, but also have read about multiple different models, you should be able to confidently pick the best chainsaw for whatever project you have in mind.

If you want to have a closer inspection on one of the products above, I highly recommend clicking the link that is associated with that model in particular and reading further on it. There is a plethora of information there for you to do further due diligence if you are still worried on which model you should be purchasing.

If you found this article at all helpful, feel free to share it with your friends! Chainsaws at the end of the day, are an amazingly awesome tool that makes our lives far easier. So share the information and share the love.

Happy chainsaw hunting!