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Electric vs Gas Chainsaw: Which One Is Better?
Carl Anderson
Jul 27, 2023
Most people don't know the difference between electric and gas chainsaws... well... aside from the obvious. But is there more to it? Not really. But we'll explain it to you so you can be better informed when making your first chainsaw purchase.
Table of Contents
How To Choose Between Gas And Electric Chainsaws
The differences between gas and electric chainsaws is subtle. Both are man-operated machines with a chain, a bar and a power source used to cut logs. How complicated could they get? Not very but there are some things you might want to know.
The two types of chainsaws are going to be gas and electric. Keep in mind with electric that you are going to have both corded chainsaws and battery-powered models. We'll cover the differences between all three below.
Electric Chainsaws
The two main types of electric chainsaws are corded and battery-powered. Electric models have come a long way over the years and are comparable to gas models.
Advantages
Electric chainsaws, obviously, run on electricity. That means they either have a battery or they are corded chainsaws. Battery chainsaws are more mobile than corded chainsaws because corded chainsaws need to be plugged in at all times to work.
A corded electric chainsaw is somewhat lame because you will always be hooked to however far you can go with extension cords. For most homeowners that wouldn't be a problem but if you don't want to feel like you are walking around with a tether than you might want to go with battery powered chainsaws.
The major benefit of electric chainsaws is they don't use gas. Most people don't want or need something as powerful as a gas chainsaw, and simply want to get out there, make a few cuts to some logs and carry on with their day. With gas chainsaws, you'll need to worry about refueling, what type of oil you can use, etc. Of course, the flip side of this is battery powered chainsaws can run out of battery.
Runtime
With all battery-powered tools, you can only work as long as the battery life. Most electric saws with batteries only operate for around an hour or so which is ok for small jobs around the house.
Now, corded electric saws can run forever... so long as you can plug them into an a power outlet. We don't know about you, but that's going to mean running an extension cord out to the saw at all times. That could mean 100 to 200 feet of line you are whipping around just to cut some branches.
Not all electric models are built the same. You'll have to do more research into what makes the best chainsaw,
Noise
Electric tools are, generally speaking, way quieter than gas tools. The same goes for chainsaws. But we still think the electric saws can be loud when running them. Of course, if you aren't actively sawing they won't make any noise at all but when chopping through wood you can expect some loud noise, and you should still wear hearing protection.
Job Type
Most of the time, electric chainsaws aren't going to have the same stuff as gas chainsaws when it comes to cutting through branches. However, the more modern, higher-end models are actually great at cutting through logs.
When we think electric chainsaws, though, we think of small branches around the house, maybe some small trees or cutting through some broken limbs. You wouldn't use these on any job site or high up in a tree.
Starting Up
Starting up an electric chainsaw is simple. You put in the batteries or plug in the cord, and you press the button. Not only that, but you don't have to worry about things like gas or mix oil for the chainsaw. Electric saws are way more convenient compared to gas chainsaws.
Disadvantages
Electric chainsaws are simply not as powerful as gas chainsaws. They are best for routine work around the house but nothing major like commercial logging.
If you buy an electric chainsaw for commercial work or business reasons, don't expect to be able to do any type of job. Not only that but unless you have tons of extra batteries, your chainsaw is eventually going to die. With gas chainsaws, all you need to do is fill it back up, and you can keep working.
Note: If you live in California, you might want to consider buying electric. After 2024, all gas-powered tools have been banned [1].
Gas Chainsaws
Gas powered chainsaws are often considered the pinnacle for cutting through branches, logs, trunks and more. Here we go over all the advantages and disadvantages of using a gas powered chainsaw.
Advantages
Most people who've used power tools understand that gas tools have more power than electric tools. When it comes to gas powered saws, they simply have more options available. Gas model chainsaws have:
- More powerful gas engines
- Come in wider ranges
- More bar lengths
- Far more effective for commercial work
Runtime
A gas chainsaw is going to run as long as it has gas.. go figure. On the whole, gas chainsaws are going to last longer than battery-powered chainsaws, and if they run out of gas, you just refill it and keep working. If you need to do a lengthy project, or a project far away from the house, then you'll want a gas saw.
Noise
Gas chainsaws are louder than electric chainsaws and so long as they are on they will be making noise. That's because the engine is on and making noise. Gas chainsaws are going to be loud so you definitely need hearing protection at all times, and if you are using these on your property you might actually anger your neighborhood.
Job Type
Gas is always going to be the better option for commercial jobs. They are simply tougher, last longer, and have enough power to cut through any size limb, tree, etc. There are even more compact varieties meant for arborists who climb up into large trees to work. You can tell because these chainsaws don't look as long as standard models.
Starting Up
Starting up a gas chainsaw can be a little bit more difficult than an electric run. Like with all gas-powered tools, you are going to have to prime the engine, lift the choke, and rip the pull cord.
This can be a hassle for some people who don't need to do professional work. Not only that but you are going to need to always have gas on hand, or even the oil blends to get the machines running. That inconvenience of starting the gas chainsaw is made up for with their power and durability.
Did You Know? Regardless of gas or electric chainsaw, you must follow the same safety protocols [2]. These power tools can be extremely dangerous if you don't know what you are doing.
Disadvantages
Gas chainsaws can be a little bit more cumbersome to start. You have to prime the engine, pull the pull start and get it started, much like any other power tool. Gas chainsaws are going to have emissions. This seems like common knowledge but you'd be surprised how many people forget this.
Gas chainsaws are louder than their electric counterparts. That's because the engine is constantly running when you turn them on unlike electric chainsaws which only make noise when you press the button.
This doesn't mean electric chainsaws are silent, no. You should still wear hearing protection when using an electric saw as they can be just as loud as gas (when in use).
Which One Should You Use?
When deciding whether you want an electric chainsaw or a gas chainsaw, you really need to consider how often you are going to be using the machine. As we've outlined throughout the article, if you are working as a professional arborist or tree trimmer, then you are going to want to use a gas saw.
Gas saws are durable, reliable and more powerful than electric saws. You won't want to be worrying about your battery life or the cord getting out plugged on a commercial job.
If you are looking to do some light work around the house, or light to medium amounts of work, an electric chainsaw isn't a bad option. Some of the higher end models are honestly comparable to gas saws when it comes to durability, reliability and power.
We personally would probably stay clear of corded electric chainsaws and use only batter powered models, but that's our preference.
Sweet New Earth Final Say On Electric vs Gas Chainsaws
We here at Sweet New Earth love gas power tools. They feel stronger, tougher, and more durable than electric tools. However, most people's best bet is with an electric chainsaw. They don't have the knowledge, skill, or even the need for something as powerful as a gas model.
FAQs
Before you go...
Now that you know the difference between gas and electric chainsaws, you are ready to know which models are the best. Be sure to read our guide on the best chainsaws so you can see which ones are the best out there.
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Carl Anderson
Carl Anderson is an avid outdoorsman with a keen interest in writing about and reviewing tools. He has over 20 years of writing experience and the only time he isn't feverishly typing away at his computer is when he's outside in nature working on his projects. You can learn more about him here.
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