THE 8 BEST CHAINSAWS FOR CUTTING TREES (2024): RESIDENTIAL USE

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Looking for the best chainsaw for cutting trees? We personally tested the Top 8 Rated Chainsaws on the market to figure out which one is the best to use for the average homeowner. This list list is targeted for the common man or woman and not necessarily a professional arborist who needs a $500+ chainsaw.

Let's be honest. Buying a chainsaw is not an easy task. Using one is even harder. That's because purchasing a new chainsaw is not a normal thing to do. It can be anything but simple. But this guide aims to change all that by changing the way we approach the problem.

We start with you - the user - and get the actual chainsaws from there. A professional arborist is going to use a different chainsaw from the average homeowner. And a beginner might need something different than a pro.

If you're interested in other tools, be sure to check out our best mini chainsaws your next project. We've tested the best tree trimming tools, and we ranked some of the best tree loppers, axes and handsaws. We also investigated some of the best pole saws more suitable for those higher up jobs around the house.

Editor's Note: We updated our chainsaw review on March 19, 2024, to include alternative options for the best chainsaws saws for cutting trees.

We investigated every chainsaw on this list, so we will present the pros and cons from the perspective of what it's like to use each one regularly.

By the time you finish reading the article, you’ll have a clear understanding of what makes a certain chainsaw suitable in a given situation and ultimately decide which chainsaw is the best for you.

Best Overall Chainsaw For Cutting Trees: Husqvarna 460 Rancher

Good for: Homeowners who want a who want a professional feeling chainsaw.

 The Husqvarna 460 Rancher is a gasoline powered chainsaw that will often find itself on any “best chainsaws” list, and for good reason.

This powerful chainsaw can fell large trees with relative ease.

It has a 3.62 hp engine and is equipped with LowVib® anti-vibration technology for safe handling, better control, and less hand fatigue.

This model also features an X-TORQ engine which reduces fuel consumption and exhaust emission levels and is designed to start quickly with minimal effort.

It may be worth noting that with a 24” bar, this chainsaw technically crosses over into professional grade. And it has a super sharp chainsaw chain.

That makes this gasoline powered chainsaw an excellent option for some heavy-duty property maintenance.

But some users might be underwhelmed with a 3.62 hp engine. 

Even though the bar might make it professional grade, Husqvarna still sees this chainsaw as a residential saw.

So even though it feels great, it's not in line with commercial chainsaws (which are much more expensive).

An adjustable oiler that lets you control the oil flow, an inertia-activated chain brake, and an ergonomically designed handle round out a nice list of features. 

Best Corded Electric Chainsaw For Cutting Trees: Oregon CS1500

Good for: Homeowners who want a high powered electric chainsaw that sharpens itself.

As the first and only self-sharpening chainsaw on the market, Oregon’s CS1500 Corded Electric Saw hits our list as the best electric chainsaw for cutting trees.

This chainsaw features an 18” chain that sharpens in 3 seconds with just the pull of a lever.

And if that weren’t plenty, this chainsaw also features an auto oiler that does the heavy lifting to keep your bar lubricated, so you don’t have to.

With 15 amps behind each cut, this chainsaw effortlessly cuts through all types of wood (including hardwood), making easy work of cutting firewood and pruning thick branches.

Oregon’s Electric Saw delivers high power with low noise. While it’s on the heavy side, it’s well-balanced and designed with a chain brake for an added measure of safety. 

The main drawback with the Oregon CS1500 is in the bar design.

There is a small groove right above where the oil comes out into the bar (it's not the bar groove).

You can only see it if you shine light down into that area. 

The oil will catch sawdust coming around the chain and create a block. If you aren't vigilant, this will eventually create a block in the chainsaw that causes it to jam up.

Not ideal.

But for that price tag, you get what you pay for.

Best Chainsaw For Homeowners Cutting Trees: Black & Decker 20V Max Cordless Chainsaw

Good for: Homeowners who want a who want an electric cordless chainsaw

 For light yard work, the average homeowner, or beginners, Black + Decker’s Cordless Battery Powered Chainsaw is a small but mighty option.

The chainsaw features a 10-inch Oregon bar with low kickback and an auto oiler.

The unit is lightweight, cordless, and quiet (one user compared it to the noise output of a blender).

It delivers smooth, fast cuts and packs enough power to handle medium-sized branches and trunks.

Black + Decker’s entry into the category is well-balanced, so users should have no difficulty with higher branches, plus it’s easy to start and easy to assemble.

It's one of the best battery chainsaws out.

But like most battery powered chainsaws, the main drawback of the Black & Decker 20V cordless chainsaw is the power.

20V might be enough for a smaller tools like low volume blowers or cordless drivers, but at times it didn't feel quite enough for this chainsaw.

Alternative Option: The Milwaukee 18V Mini Chainsaw is a little bit smaller than the Black & Decker but it makes better use of its battery.

We didn't list it here because it's closer to a mini chainsaw, but with an 8-inch bar, you can still do a lot of good work around the house.

Best Battery Powered Chainsaw For Cutting Trees: Dewalt 20V Chainsaw

Good for: Homeowners who want a top tier battery powered chainsaw.

 For those who need a little freedom to roam the grounds, Dewalt’s Brushless Cordless Battery Powered Chainsaw, is worthy of any shortlist.

As you’d expect, this gas-free model also eliminates cold starts, emissions, and arduous maintenance that gas-powered chainsaws typically require.

Plus, it’s designed with brushless motor technology that maximizes both the battery runtime and the life of the unit.

RELATED: Dewalt 20V Chainsaw Review

Dewalt’s Brushless Cordless Battery Powered Chainsaw is pretty compact and coming in at just over 8 lbs. (9 lbs with the battery), so this cordless chainsaw is pretty lightweight, and there’s low kickback, so users will have plenty of control.

Users will also find tool-free chain tensioning, a bar tightening knob, and a sheath to protect the blade when the chainsaw is not in use. 

The main drawback I found with the Dewalt 20V Max XR chainsaw is that leaks oil.

Most chainsaws, if not all, will leak oil at some point. Even the Echo CS-450. So it's hard to fault the Dewalt for leaking too.

But it's not always a guarantee like with the Dewalt 20V. This thing will leak oil if you buy it.

There are various ways to troubleshoot the leak on YouTube so it is fixable. Just mildly annoying.

Best Gas Powered Chainsaw For Cutting Trees: Echo CS-590 Chainsaw

Good for: Homeowners who want a beastly gas powered chainsaw.

 If cutting firewood regularly makes an appearance on your honey-do list, you might consider the Echo Gas 2-Stroke Cycle Chainsaw.

This pro-grade chainsaw features an 18-inch bar that cuts logs up to 32" in diameter with ease, and a 40.2 cc, 2-stroke engine.

This means that in addition to building up your stock of firewood, this chainsaw can also handle bigger jobs around your property — whether you're talking about pruning a medium-sized oak or felling a sick maple.

The Echo Gas 2-Stroke Cycle Chainsaw also features an i-30 starting system with digital ignition, so start-ups are a breeze.

Additional bells and whistles include an automatic chain oiler that keeps the chain lubricated and a side-access chain tensioner that enables quick and easy adjustments. 

The 3.9 hp is absolutely perfect for the size of the chainsaw.

Sometimes less hp can feel overwhelming but that's not the case with this mighty beast.

Keep it lubed, and keep it sharp and it will last for years. The 20" bar is perfect if you don't want to buy any additional saws.

Best Beginner Chainsaw For Cutting Trees: Stihl MS170 Chainsaw

Good for: Homeowners who want an excellent beginner chainsaw.

For suburban homeowners who might have to prune a few trees and shape the hedges, STIHL’S MS170 is an excellent investment.

This unit is compact and lightweight (8.6 lbs), so it’s incredibly easy to control and maneuver.

But don’t let its size fool you, this chainsaw is designed with a high-torque brushless motor, so it’s got plenty of speed and it’s plenty durable. 

The chain brake on this STIHL model is activated by inertia, so it stops on a dime, and overall, users can expect minimal noise and vibration. 

Best Budget Chainsaw For Cutting Trees: Ryobi 37cc 2-Cycle Gas Chainsaw

Good for: Homeowners who want a who gas powered chainsaw without the sticker shock.

 As you wade through the myriad options of gas chainsaws on the market, you might be hit with a little sticker shock.

These chainsaws are pretty powerful, but that kind of power typically doesn’t come cheap.

Budget-friendly gas-powered chainsaws may be few and far between, but they do exist.

To that end, we included Ryobi’s 14-in 2-Cycle Gas Chainsaw in our roundup.

Check out some of the specs:

Under the hood, we find a relatively lightweight chainsaw with a 37cc engine that packs a pretty powerful punch.

The chainsaw comes fully assembled out of the box (users just need to add fuel and bar and chain oil) and ready to get after it.

Ryobi’s 14-in 2-Cycle Gas Chainsaw is easy to start, it handles well, and cuts through medium-sized trees with ease.

Other notable features include an adjustable automatic oiler, an inertia-activated chain brake, and Ryobi’s Safe-T-Tip, which protects against any rotational kickback.

A tool-free air filter cover and side-access chain tensioner round out an excellent list of features. 

Best Safety Chainsaw For Cutting Trees: Worx WG320 Cordless JawSaw

Good for: Homeowners who want to feel a little bit safer using a chainsaw.

Of course, we recognize that not everyone is an arborist.

Beginners have to start somewhere, and that’s where the WORX WG320 Cordless JawSaw comes in.

In a unique take on chainsaws, this clever design hits our list as the best chainsaw for beginners (and small jobs). 

Coming in just under 8 lb.s, this innovative chainsaw is lightweight and compact, but this is another model where you really shouldn’t let its small size fool (or deter) you.

This chainsaw is easy to control and can easily trim trees or cut wood up to 4 inches in diameter.

And sifting through the reviews, we find that it’s got a decent amount of power behind those cuts. 

Diving into the details a bit, we find that the WORX WG320 is equipped with an auto-tension feature that guarantees optimum tension at all times, an automatic chain oiler with an oil level indicator, and a blade and chainsaw chain that completely retract into the housing of the JawSaw when not in use.

And speaking of the blade housing, this chainsaw also comes with another unique feature that makes it beginner friendly — a guard that allows you to use the chainsaw directly on the ground or grass.

(Conventional chainsaws require you to prop up the limb or branch you’re working on in order to cut it).

Moreover, this unit doubles down on safety features as the blade and chain can never get outside the jaw while the chainsaw is in use.

And for those who don’t care much for battery-powered chainsaws, the JawSaw is also available in a corded electric version.

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