9 Best Chainsaw for 2024 | Ultimate Buying Guide

If you want to maintain your yard yourself and save some money, it’s worthwhile investing in a high-quality chainsaw. The best chainsaws aren’t just effective at cutting timber; they are lightweight, easy to work with, and come with some great safety features.

Here’s our guide to the best chainsaws of 2024 for home and landscaping use.

Reviews of the Best Chainsaws for 2024 

What Can Chainsaws be Used For?

Chainsaws aren’t just for loggers, they’re for homeowners too. Here are some of the most common uses for chainsaws.

• Cutting firewood
• Pruning trees and shrubs
• Tree felling
• Cutting timber for fencing
• Clearing dense brush
• Clearing firebreaks

Different Types of Chainsaw

Like most gardening equipment, chainsaws differ mainly by fuel type. Here are the different types, along with some of the pros and cons of each:

Gas Chainsaws

Gas chainsaws are the most powerful and are used commercially, for hardwoods and dense growth, or where electricity isn’t easily available.They are easy to transport and suited for work in remote areas.

However, they are very noisy while running, require you to mix fuel, and need regular maintenance. While good brands do filter the air and have low emissions, they are still not particularly eco-friendly. 

Corded Chainsaws

This type barely requires any maintenance and is relatively quiet when used, but it lacks the sheer power needed for heavy-duty wood cutting. Since its power is just enough for light use and yard maintenance, this chainsaw is lightweight and is easy to control.

Turning this on is very simple with just the push of a button. However, a corded electric chainsaw cannot operate if there is a power outage. It has a limited range since it needs to be plugged in all the time. 

Cordless Chainsaws

This type of electric chainsaw works even during a blackout and has a greater cutting range. In essence, a battery-powered and cordless electric chainsaw uses a lithium-ion battery to get the motor running.

With a full charge, this rechargeable battery can power the chainsaw for at least half an hour. It’s even easier to use than a corded type because there are no heavy cables attached to it.

Due to its battery, however, the cordless electric chainsaw is a bit heavier and more expensive compared to the corded counterpart. In addition, you will most likely need to buy a spare battery pack, especially if you will frequently be traveling.

Gas vs. Electric Chainsaws – What’s Better?

Compared to both types of electric chainsaws, a gas-powered chainsaw is costlier and has significantly more maintenance needs due to its parts. Cutting down dry wood all day long can clog the air filter, especially if you are in a dust-filled location.

The oil on the chains of a gas-powered model can be easily affected by sawdust. Likewise, you have to regularly remove the gunk to maintain optimum performance. Gas-powered chainsaws are the noisiest of them all, which isn’t good news for your neighbors. 

On average, a chainsaw of this type will produce more than 100 decibels of noise. This amount is the same as attending a rock concert, and it’s even greater than the sound of a jet take-off.

Worse, there are gas-powered chainsaws that can generate more than 110 decibels of noise, which is dangerously close to the human hearing threshold. This is why it is necessary to buy hearing protection whenever you use them.

Electric chainsaws offer a quieter sawing operation. Moreover, gas-type variants aren’t as easy to start as electric chainsaws, and they emit fumes that are bad for one’s health.

Still, despite the expensive cost, the maintenance needs, and the noise output, you cannot go wrong with a gas-powered chainsaw if power is your top priority. Thanks to its torque and formidable motor power, it can handle lengthier saw chains and guide bars.

Whether you are a lumberjack or a fireman, this will be the most reliable type for heavy-duty operations – an electric-type chainsaw just does not have enough power to efficiently cut hardwood that’s at least 12 inches thick.

In conclusion, electric chainsaws are lightweight and quiet tools with enough power for occasional wood cutting. Gas-powered chainsaws are noisier and more expensive but are powerful enough for heavy-duty operations.

Chainsaw vs. Pole Saw – What’s Better?

A pole saw is a lightweight, mini chainsaw on an extendable arm that allows you to reach about. A pole saw is a small, powerful but lightweight chainsaw with an extendable arm that allows you to reach about 10-15 feet above your head to cut smaller branches.

If you’re simply looking to prune small to medium-sized trees and remove small-diameter branches, they’re a great option. If you want to cut firewood and thicker branches or hardwoods, or heavy-duty work and branches more than 5 inches in diameter, a chainsaw is the right choice.

What is the Best Home Chainsaw?

Electric chainsaws have come so far that we’d recommend them for home use. They offer plenty of power with the least amount of noise, maintenance or fumes, and have some great safety features.

They’re much more lightweight and compact too, which makes them more agile and easy to work with. For larger yards, a battery chainsaw will give you the best range, while a corded chainsaw will give you the longest run-time for lengthy jobs.

Buying a Cheap Chainsaw

We don’t recommend that you buy anything too cheap, as the build quality can be a safety issue and the tool is much more likely to break down in just a couple of seasons. However, we have reviewed some of the best value-for-money and affordable chainsaws.

What Chainsaw Size Do I Need?

To decide what size cutting blade you need on your chainsaw, you need to consider what you are planning to cut with it. Your chainsaw cutting blade must be at least 2 inches longer than the width of the wood you are cutting.

What to Consider When Buying a Chainsaw

Before you buy a chainsaw, consider these features to make sure you get the best chainsaw for the job.

• Cutting blade size – The chainsaw blade must be at least 2 inches longer than what you’re planning to cut. If you are working in tighter spaces (for example, pruning inside a tree canopy), a smaller blade will be more lightweight and easier to angle correctly.
• Weight - The chainsaw must be light enough for you to handle comfortably without getting tired or slipping, as this can be very dangerous even with automatic chain brakes and other safety features.
• Chain type – The different teeth profiles and spacing on chains makes them suited to different tasks. A full chisel chain is best for hardwoods, while a semi-chisel chain is used on green wood, moist woods, and softwood, and low profile chains are good for all uses
  
  We made a review on the best chainsaw chains today. 

• Safety features – There’s no getting away from the fact that chainsaws are dangerous and need to be used with the utmost care.
  
  Modern chainsaws do have some great safety features that are important for all homeowners, especially if you have limited experience using a chainsaw.
  
  Look for safety features like automatic chain breaks, low kickback chains, wide handles and guards for hand protection, throttle locks, chain catchers, and safety switches.
• Handle grip – Chainsaws with the handles on the top of the saw are usually lighter and easier to use at a height, giving you good control over angled cuts.
  
  For working on the ground, a rear-handle chainsaw will offer better stability and kickback protection.
• Anti-vibration systems – When they’re running and cutting, chainsaws vibrate, causing your arm muscles and hands to become tired and numb.
  
  Anti-vibration systems help to prevent this from happening, helping you to work for longer with less safety risk. 

How to Maintain and Repair Your Chainsaw

When you want to buy the best chainsaw, it’s important to consider the costs of maintaining, repairing, and servicing your chainsaw.

Gas chainsaws require the most maintenance, needing annual services to ensure they’re in safe working order, while electric chainsaws are maintenance-free. 

One good maintenance tip for all chainsaw types is to always clean your equipment after you’ve used it, ensure the oil level is correct, the chain is tensioned properly, and to store it safely out of the reach of children in a dry shed or garage.

 For battery chainsaws, it’s important to factor in the battery costs, as these will need to be replaced according to the manufacturer’s recommendations – usually every 5 years or so.

The cutting chain should be replaced or sharpened as soon as it becomes worn, as this is a serious safety hazard. Blunt chains are more likely to break and kickback and can cause serious harm.

How Can I Sharpen My Chainsaw?

All high-quality cutting chains can be sharpened several times during their lifespan, and only need to be replaced when they are very worn down or become damaged.

They can be sharpened by a professional or you can do it yourself with a chainsaw sharpener. 

Here are some important safety rules to follow when you’re using a gas or electric chainsaw.

• Use protective gear – Always wear fitted, heavy-duty clothing. Use ear protection, safety goggles, heavy-duty closed boots, a hard hat, chaps, and thick, fitted gloves.
• Practice cutting – Take some time to read your manual, watch tutorials and learn about your chainsaw. Start with small jobs to practice your technique. Work slowly and calmly.
• Don’t cut alone – Accidents happen and chainsaws are incredibly powerful. For this reason, it’s important to have someone within hearing range with a well-equipped First Aid Kit. 
• Clear the area – Make sure pets, children, furniture, and other people well out of your work area. Anticipate where branches will fall and work so that you do not damage property.
• Tension the chain correctly – Read your manual to tension the chain correctly. If it’s too tight, the chain can stick, and if it is too loose then debris can get stuck or the chain may come off completely.
• Know its capabilities – Do not use your chainsaw for jobs it is not suited for. Do not try to cut a branch that is too thick for your saw, and do not use it on materials other than timber.
• Ground yourself – Always keep both of your feet on the ground in a boxer’s stance (squared off) for maximum stability as you work. Don’t use a chainsaw on a ladder, sitting in a tree, or standing on an unstable surface.