Are Mini Chainsaws Any Good?

What Is A Mini Chainsaw?

Before we get into what mini chainsaws are good for, we need to define them for the sake of this article.

Even though we push the boundaries in our Best Mini Chainsaw article, we will define them here.

A mini chainsaw is anything meant for single-handed use with a 4-inch or 6-inch bar.

In short, anything that looks like this:

What Are Mini Chainsaws Good For?

Mini Chainsaws are good for 'mini' jobs.

Okay, okay - small jobs, typically around the house. What does that mean? It means:

• Tree trimming
• Pruning trees
• Cutting small branches
• Cutting medium branches
• Cutting down small trees

In other words, cutting down crap like this:

Can't you do all that with a large chainsaw? Yes, of course.

You could even do all that and more with a large chainsaw. But some of us like options.

Think about it.

You have a couple of branches growing over a fence. Are you going to use a standard chainsaw for that?

No. I mean, you could, but why would you when you can use a small, one-handed, battery-powered chainsaw?

RELATED: Taranzy Mini Chainsaw Review

Why not use loppers? Again, you could.

But even loppers aren't as great as a mini chainsaw, and some of them (if you go higher end) cost as much as a mini chainsaw.

Lightweight mini chainsaws are much safer and easier for people who... don't know how to use chainsaws.

They are lightweight, so even ladies or the elderly shouldn't have a problem using them. And they have tons of safety features:

• Trigger safety lock button
• Blade guard
• Overload protection

Pop a battery into your mini chainsaw, and get to work. Some of our favorite brands are the Taranzy Mini Chainsaw and even the Saker Mini Chainsaw.

We've had positive reviews for each. We do a mini chainsaw review on both brands and a round-up post of other mini chainsaws. 

Pros

Okay, let's get down to the specifics. What are the pros of mini chainsaws?

Compact chainsaw: To say that a mini chainsaw is compact is an understatement. These are tiny tools that usually weight less than 3 lbs. They are battery-powered chainsaws designed to be used with one hand.

Easy-to-use: You don't have to be a trained arborist to use these things. You need to exercise a little bit of caution, but for the most part, you apply oil to the chain, pop in a battery, and get to cutting. It's simple. They are so lightweight it won't even feel like you are using a power tool.

RELATED: Saker Mini Chainsaw Review

Budget Friendly: For the value provided, handheld mini chainsaws are cost efficient. You won't break the bank buying one and you'll be able to get a lot of work done. Pruning trees may never feel so easy.

Battery Life: Considering how small a mini chainsaw is, and the type of work you'll be doing, they usually get pretty good battery life. Not only that, but most models come with two batteries. You are looking at anywhere from 30 - 45 minutes per battery, assuming you aren't taking down a forest. 

Cons

Large trees: You really shouldn't be cutting anything bigger than 6-inches with a mini chainsaw, and that assumes you have a 6-inch mini chainsaw. (If you have a 4-inch mini chainsaw, the same logic follows).

Big Jobs: So under the same premise as large trees, you aren't going to be using mini chainsaw for big jobs. Say you have a 6-inch saw, cutting through 6-inches of tree is really going to push the little chainsaw to the limit.

If you do that repeatedly, say, logging and cutting down a big tree, you will destroy your mini chainsaw. It will overheat and overload in no time.

RELATED: Best Chainsaws For Cutting Trees

No Automatic lubrication system: Most mini chainsaws DO NOT have an automatic lubrication system.

That means, instead of filling up an oil tank, you are, at most, doing about 15 - 20 cuts and reapplying oil directly to the chain.

This is annoying and there is no way around it. You will have to carry oil around if you plan on using them for a few hours.

Low quality: Most of the mini chainsaws are copycat items that come imported from China. That's nothing against China, but we know the quality isn't there sometimes.

If you buy a cheap, gimmick chainsaw, check the manufacturing otherwise you might get a piece of junk with no warranty and customer support. 

Conclusion

Not much else to say. If you like mini chainsaws, be sure to reach out with your favorite brand. I love looking into new tools to review so let me know!

Before you go...

Like learning about chainsaws? We also cover all the parts of a chainsaw in another article. Be sure to check it out for more.

Related Articles:

• Best Chainsaw For Cutting Trees
• Dewalt Pole Saw Review
• Tree Pruning Importance
• Saker Mini Chainsaw Review