Best Chainsaw Deals for Homeowners

A chainsaw is a bar and chain driven by a motor, and the two numbers that matter are bar length and power source. Bar length determines how big a log you can cut in one pass: a fourteen to sixteen inch bar handles almost everything a homeowner meets, from pruning limbs to cutting firewood rounds. An eighteen or twenty inch bar is for felling larger trees and is heavier, more demanding and more dangerous in inexperienced hands. Power comes in three flavours. Gas saws have the most power and unlimited runtime but need mixed fuel, vibrate, are loud and require seasonal storage. Corded electric saws are light and cheap but tether you to an outlet. Battery saws have improved dramatically: a modern 40-volt or 56-volt unit with a brushless motor will cut a surprising amount of wood on one charge, starts with a button and stores without fuel, which is why most homeowners are better served by one.

A chainsaw is the most dangerous tool most people will own, and the safety gear is not optional. Chainsaw chaps or trousers stop a chain in a fraction of a second and are the difference between a scare and a hospital visit. A helmet with a face shield and hearing protection, sturdy boots and gloves complete the kit. Kickback is the main hazard: it happens when the nose of the bar contacts wood and the saw jumps back toward you. Keep the nose away from the cut, use a saw with a chain brake and low-kickback chain, and never cut above shoulder height. If you are new to chainsaws, cut small, horizontal rounds on a stable stand before you attempt felling or limbing.

Chain tension and sharpening

A loose chain derails and a tight chain wears the bar. Check tension before each use: the chain should snap back against the bar when pulled but still move freely by hand with gloves on. A dull chain is dangerous because you have to push, and pushing is when kickback happens. Sharpen the chain with a round file at the correct angle for the chain, or use a sharpening jig, and replace the chain when the cutters are worn down to the witness marks. Keep the bar oil reservoir full; a dry chain ruins the bar in minutes.

The rows below are real listings from the chainsaw pool, filtered to saws, chains and accessories rather than merchandise. Prices are asking prices.

Gas chainsaws

For a property with real trees, a gas saw is still the right tool. The is a fifty-cc saw with a soft-start system, and the is a lighter, smaller gas saw for pruning and light firewood. The is an Echo with an automatic oiler, and the is a top-handle arborist saw for climbing work, which is a specialist tool rather than a general homeowner saw.

Battery and pruning saws

For most homeowners, a battery saw is the better buy. The is a six-inch pruning saw that is ideal for limbs and small logs, and the is a vintage two-person power head for collectors rather than a working tool.

Chains, sharpening and accessories

The chain is the part that actually cuts, and having a spare ready saves a trip to the shop. The and the are Oregon chains for Stihl saws, the and the are eight-inch chains for pole saws, and the is a five-pack of six-inch chains for mini saws. For sharpening, the is a jig kit, and the is a tensioner for Stihl saws. The and the are attachments for peeling and debarking logs, and the is a combined fuel and bar-oil can. The is replacement starter cord. The is the safety gear that matters most.

After each use, clean the bar groove and oil hole, flip the bar to even the wear, and check the chain tension and sharpness. Empty the fuel on gas saws if they will sit for more than a month, or use a stabiliser, and run the carburettor dry. For battery saws, store the battery at half charge in a cool, dry place and keep the chain and bar lightly oiled to prevent rust. A chainsaw that is cleaned and stored dry will start and cut reliably for years; one that is put away dirty with a dull chain will fight you every time.

Chainsaw work is heavy outdoor labour, so it pairs with [best work gloves deals](/g/best-work-gloves-deals-237) when you kit up for the job.

Most homeowners need a fourteen to sixteen inch bar, and most are better served by a battery saw they will actually use than by a gas saw that sits in the shed. Buy the chaps and helmet at the same time as the saw, keep a spare chain on hand, and learn to sharpen before you need to.