6 Best Professional Chainsaws for 2024 | Reviews and Guide

A good quality chainsaw is a practical piece of yard equipment if you run a landscaping business or you’re maintaining a property with large trees and dense shrubbery.

Using the best professional chainsaw makes heavy maintenance easier, faster and less laborious, and ensures your equipment is durable, well-made and easy to use and maintain.

Here’s our reviews of the best commercial chainsaws on the market in 2024, as well as features to look for in the best pro chainsaws, how to use and store a chainsaw, and much more!

A Guide to Chainsaw Types

The general purpose of a chainsaw is to cut wood for you faster and easier than with a hand saw. Despite this common purpose, chainsaws come in different types, sizes, and costs to perform better in particular situations.

This is why such a wide range of professions including firefighters, landscapers, and carpenters utilize chainsaws.

As with any yard equipment, there are different types of chainsaws for different applications. These can be categorized according to fuel type.

Battery powered 

These are cordless chainsaws that use high-capacity lithium batteries to power the engine. They run as quietly as electric corded chainsaws but are more portable, and are ideal for light chainsaw work as they are not powerful enough for cutting down trees or thick branches, or using in an industrial setting.

When buying a cordless chainsaw, you want to check the battery capacity (measured in mAh) as well as the voltage supplied to the engine. Bigger batteries will last longer (but make the machine heavier) and more powerful engines will drain the battery faster.

Gas powered 

Gas chainsaws are very powerful machines and are typically ranked as the best professional chainsaw for heavy duty residential or industrial work.

These chainsaws are bought to do strenuous tasks such as logging and clearing land for farming or real estate purposes. These machines are loud at around 105 decibels and emit fumes, but work quickly and effectively to cut through thick branches and tree trunks.

These have the most powerful engines, ranging from 24 cc to 46 cc There are gas-powered chainsaws made for light use, but the focus is on the tougher and bulkier equipment.

These high-end models let you work in remote locations to clear lands and cut down tough woods such as hard maple, oak, hickory, and dogwood.

Where are You Using Your Commercial Chainsaw?

The first consideration when looking for the best heavy duty chainsaw is where you are planning to use it. If you are using it indoors, then it is better to avoid a gas model because an engine emitting exhaust can be hazardous to your health.

Electric models also make more sense here as they run much more quietly and it’s easy to access electrical points to run or recharge your chainsaw.

If you are planning on using it solely outdoors, especially in more heavy-duty applications, getting a gas one would be best since an electric chainsaw is limited by length or battery capacity.

What are You Using Your Professional Chainsaw For?

Different chainsaws are designed for different uses, so it’s important to consider the types of projects where you will be typically using a chainsaw.

• Heavy logging – The best heavy duty chainsaw for logging jobs is a gas chainsaw, as these have the most powerful engines and can operate anywhere, no matter how remote, as long as you have a gas supply.
• Brush clearing and cutting firewood – Electric corded and battery powered chainsaws are better suited to light yard work like removing overgrown shrubs, cutting firewood and clearing bush.
  
  Corded models are limited by the length of their cord (although this can be extended by an outdoor extension cord) while battery operated versions need regular charging.
• Landscaping business – If you are going to be using your chainsaw throughout the day on a wide range of jobs, you need the best all around chainsaw. A gas powered model would be the best choice, as you aren’t limited in terms of power, access to electrical points, or the need to recharge the battery.

The Length of Your Guide Bar

The next thing that you need to do is to figure out the correct length of the guide bar. This represents the active cutting area and the largest size branch or section that can be cut in just a single pass.

A heavy duty chainsaw is larger and has a bar measurement of 16 to 18 inches in length - but it doesn't mean that the bigger the saw, the better. It will always come down on what type of cutting you will do.

Buying a Professional Chainsaw

If you’re thinking of acquiring a good professional chainsaw, it’s best to take several things into consideration. A chainsaw, whether it’s for light or heavy-duty use, can be deadly if it is not used properly.

Likewise, getting a professional chainsaw is a big investment that no one should take lightly. You have to pick the right model that will accomplish demanding tasks with ease. With that in mind, you should know how to buy a professional chainsaw.

Here, we’re going to guide you toward understanding what makes a professional chainsaw worth its cost.

If this is your first time to purchase a professional chainsaw, then considering these things first will help you land on the best available one in the market.

What to Look for When Buying a Commercial Chainsaw?

1. Anti-Kickback Chain

This chain has extra guard links and a gentler profile when it comes to cutting. In other words, it will avoid biting more than the saw can chew.

2. Trigger Lock

Also called a throttle lock, this is an important safety feature that prevents you from starting and accelerating the chainsaw accidentally.

3. Anti-Vibration Handle

Most chainsaws powered by gas have handles that are made out of rubber or metal springs. This will help protect the hand from painful vibrations, and avoid tiring and numbing your hands, as well as preventing accidents.

4. See Through Tanks and Battery Indicators

Another good feature that a gas chainsaw should have is a see through tank. You can check up on the level of fluid and refill when needed.

Similarly, a battery indicator on a cordless chainsaw is a great feature that allows you to monitor your power levels.

5. Decompression Valve and Primer Bulb

Decompression valve and primer bulb will help in removing the air bubbles from the line of the gas, while also reducing the cylinder's compression.

6. Stop Control

A stop control is another important safety feature, allowing you to stop the chainsaw immediately in a single motion.

7. Trigger Lockout

The professional chainsaw should have a palm switch for safety reasons. Only by pressing this switch can make the throttle trigger activate and start the chainsaw running.

8. Chainsaw Case

Another safety feature needed for storage purposes is a chainsaw case. It should be included with the professional chainsaw you’ll be buying.

Even though you can just buy a sheath for your chainsaw, it saves you time and money if the tool comes with its case. This chainsaw case will contain oil leaks while also make it easier to carry the chainsaw when not in use.

9. Automatic Chain Oiler

This feature is a great maintenance and time-saver, as you no longer have to stop in between operations to oil the chain. When the cutting bar and chains are adequately oiled, issues such as overheating and wearing are less likely to occur.

10. A Good Warranty

If the wanted professional chainsaw does not have a warranty included, it’s time to look for another chainsaw.

The best commercial chainsaws costs hundreds of dollars, so the manufacturer should be ready to assure their clients of the quality and availability of parts. 

11. Heated Handles

If you live in a cold region or your work will continue well up to the winter season, it is ideal to look for a chainsaw with heated handles.

Without enough heat, the handles can be affected by snow and ice, making them too slippery to use safely.

Different Types of Professional Chainsaws

There are two types of gas-powered chainsaws: top handle chainsaws and rear handle chainsaws.

Top Handle Chainsaws

As the name implies, top handle chainsaws are specifically used by professionals who are sawing above ground sections of a tree.

This type of commercial chainsaw is light enough to operate with one hand when needed, helping trained arborists can reach high difficult spots while still working safely.

Rear Handle Chainsaws

Rear handle chainsaws are suited to cutting down wood while staying at ground level. Since most sawing activities are made on the ground, this is the most commonly utilized professional chainsaw.

Here’s a video showing a rear handle chainsaw in action:

How to Safely Use a Chainsaw

Chainsaws are dangerous pieces of equipment and it is essential that you follow manufacturer guidelines when preparing, operating, transporting and storing your chainsaw. Here are some general tips.

• Always wear fitted protective clothing including hearing and eye protection, steel-capped work boots, a hard hat, safety gloves and safety trousers/chaps.
  
  Here is our review on the best chainsaw chaps on the market. 
• Do not use a chainsaw if you are alone, tired, under the influence, or if the weather is windy/stormy.
• Check the chain tension and condition before using.
• Check that safety features are intact, the engine is fueled/charged, and the unit is in good condition.
• Always start the chainsaw several yards away from other people and away from where you fueled it.
• Never cut within the kickback zone of the chainsaw.
• Always use both hands to control and guide the chainsaw.
• Keep the chain brake applied whenever you are not cutting.
• Always keep the chainsaw off while moving, even if it is just a distance of 10 feet.
• Always consider before cutting to prevent you from falling, being hit by a falling branch, or doing damage to a property. Never cut above your shoulder height.
• Never cut a material the chainsaw is not recommended for. This includes wood with wire or nails embedded in it.
• Do not use an electric cordless chainsaw or battery powered chainsaw in the wet, even if it has stopped raining.

Best Professional Chainsaw Reviews

We hope that this guide helped you not only buy the best heavy duty chainsaw, but use it safely and easily at home or in your business.

Remember to select a chainsaw according to the jobs you want it to do, to look for safety features and warranties, and to follow all safety protocols while you are working with this powerful equipment.

If you don't need a powerful professional chainsaw, check out the best chainsaws under $200 for 2024. If you have any questions about finding or using the best professional chainsaws, feel free to send us a comment.