Every Major Chainsaw Brand Ranked Worst To Best

Every homeowner will inevitably find themselves facing down wild tree growth. The foliage that surrounds our homes has a will of its own, and so growth can take an infinite variety of shapes and directions. Coupled with the danger that large branches pose to homes, cars, and more during inclement weather events and emergencies, and the ability to cut back potentially hazardous branches is one that just about every homeowner will need to bring into their wheelhouse. Chainsaws are one of the most potent options for accomplishing this task.

Homeowners can easily find themselves overwhelmed by the sheer variety of options when looking for a reliable chainsaw, though. A Stihl or Milwaukee chainsaw can deliver enormous cutting power, but a more cost-effective alternative may be more appropriate. These are the most prominent chainsaw brands ranked by durability, performance, and more.

Chainsaw manufacturer Oregon launched in 1947 and quickly developed into an industry leader. While the company is a shining beacon of chainsaw part production, the completed chainsaws it puts out into the market feature limited user value. The range is smaller than just about any other brand with just three models available, and they're all part of a corded, electric power system. This can be a non-negotiable hangup for users who need extreme portability. Even though the saws deliver admirably from a quality standpoint, their limited scope holds them back in all but the most basic usage cases.

Black + Decker (a namesake component in the conglomerate, major tool manufacturer Stanley Black & Decker) is a brand that's been around the block. Founded in 1910, the outlet patented the pistol-grip power drill and has been a driving force behind many other tool improvements. Today, Black + Decker is a budget friendly brand whose solutions tend to lack premium features in an effort to keep costs low. As a result, Black + Decker naturally finds itself pretty low on our list. 

Black + Decker saws are all battery powered or corded models. Some buyers may not need a gas-powered model, and the addition of cordless tools is enough to vault Black + Decker above others on the list. Black + Decker chainsaws are perfectly fine for standard household cleanup tasks but lack the power to go beyond that. 

Remmington finds itself low on this list for a few reasons. The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission notes that roughly 8,000 Remmington chainsaws were recalled in late 2016 due to a fuel leak issue that posed a significant risk of starting fires while in operation. Users note that Remmington saws are built in China and many feature less-than-desirable build quality. Chain tension is hard to lock in and the standard chain that arrives with Remmington models have been known to feature a tooth density that's not particularly compatible with blade speed, resulting in a kind of grinding experience rather than the cutting power users will be looking for. Overall, the saws deliver a lackluster performance that most will want to avoid.

Greenworks is a truly fine name in the outdoor power tool marketplace. The outfit makes a range of outdoor power equipment, including chainsaws. Greenworks options include pole saws and other extended reach options, but the true chainsaw range is limited to a handful of battery powered options. The largest in the lineup features a 20-inch bar and 80V power source that's equivalent to a 60cc gas powered alternative.

Users and reviewers alike call the Greenworks range of chainsaws plenty powerful when it comes to routine home maintenance. However, they fall behind the competition severely when handling larger jobs. Pro Tool Reviews gave the 40V model a 7.1 out of 10, noting its quick start pushbutton to be a great addition. But battery performance and raw power are lacking in this and other selections across the range.

Senix makes short chainsaws for pruning and light duty, as well as saws with up to 18-inch bars. The range consists of all three power options, making the range quite versatile. A 60V Max 16-inch Brushless Chainsaw that ships with both battery and charger is listed for $299, making it a decent option to get you in the game if you need sawing capabilities in a hurry and on a budget.

Anecdotally, many buyers of the Senix brand do so out of curiosity rather than as a result of genuine need. Moreover, these kinds of buyers are frequently underwhelmed. Similarly, Forestry.com reviewed an 18-inch gas powered Senix model and noted a distinct lack of efficient fuel use and pointed to the potential for high maintenance requirements as a result of build choices. The outlet also found that it was difficult to start, especially after prior use when the motor was still hot.

Troy-Bilt is a company with two diverging storylines. Founded in Troy, NY in 1930 and delivering the first residential rototiller to the market in 1937, the brand was a trusted name in outdoor power tool equipment throughout its early life. But in 2001 it was bought by MTD and users note that this ushered in an era of distinct decline (MTD and by extension Troy-Bilt, is now owned by Stanley Black & Decker). MTD-made Troy-Bilt chainsaws were developed with cost cutting at the forefront and aren't exciting or particularly head-turning.

Saws on the market today range between 14-inch and 20-inch bars, but the only saw actually listed on the company's site is its 16-inch, gas chainsaw (selling for $189). These saws remain middle of the pack performers that won't deliver massive output or longevity but can be expected to get the job done. 

"Better than expected," Pro Tool Reviews calls the Kobalt 80V chainsaw. Yet, the outlet still gives the saw a 5.5 out of 10 in its review. Value sees an 8.0 rating while battery efficiency is woefully underwhelming (rated at 2.4) and cutting speed takes a middling grade (5.5).

Safety features are perhaps the Kobalt range's most standout features. This makes it a great brand for those looking to use the saw for routine yard work and landscaping cleanup tasks. Anyone unfamiliar with the platform will gain a bit of extra confidence with the quality kickback control and audible safety features built into the Kobalt brand.

However, battery performance is bad, so you'll want to stock up on power when committing to a Kobalt chainsaw (although this isn't a problem for power tool users running within the Kobalt ecosystem already). Even with additional batteries, it can be a pain to swap them out frequently when handling larger jobs. 

Craftsman delivers a residential-grade chainsaw with a 20-inch bar that's both powerful and cost-effective. This starts the brand out on a decent footing when it comes to making comparisons across the market. Pro Tool Reviews notes that the Craftsman S205 20-Inch Gas Chainsaw features an air-cooled 46cc engine that's relatively easy to start up and delivers a quicker start after getting the tool warmed up. The result is a chainsaw that can be put down between cutting efforts and restarted with greater ease than many others. The saw is quite heavy, however, making long tasks a bit harder on the body.

Users seem to have a slightly different experience with the brand, however. Some Craftsman chainsaws may be MTD builds or rebadged saws from other companies. The bars are also occasionally a bit flimsy, leading to weaker cutting metrics than owners would hope for. As a result, if you're considering a Craftsman, it might be worth your while to get your hands on the model you're looking at in a brick and mortar store.

Ryobi is a consistent name in the world of performance power tools. The brand delivers a variety of chainsaws, and reviews are somewhat mixed. Wood Work Web called the Ryobi 10-inch chainsaw "a dream," while others note that these saws experience major trouble in keeping the oiler working properly.

Generally speaking, it would appear that Ryobi models across the spectrum feature build quality that's better than the average homeowner-grade chainsaw. The 18V ONE+ lineup features saws up to 12 inches in length, with most delivering 8 or 10-inch bars. Longer, 20-inch varieties are available in Ryobi's 40V range. Ryobi notes that this chainsaw can generate more power than a 50cc gas alternative and can offer up roughly 100 cuts per charge. It won't feel right in a professional collection, but as far as landscaping tools go for the standard homeowner it's right up most people's alley.

Worx's 10-inch, 20V electric model was noted as Tech Gear Lab's favorite light duty chainsaw for routine yardwork. The noise level received a 7.9 rating while its lightweight frame earned a 9.4 out of 10. Saw performance and battery life took average to poor scores, though, resulting in an overall mark of 59 and placing at 11 of 13 saws reviewed by the outlet. Even so, much of the operation of any power tool comes down to feel, and a light tool that isn't obnoxious to use rates highly in the grey matter, even if it cuts fairly slowly and underperforms in tangible metrics like battery life.

Similarly, My Fix It Up Life found the Worx Nitro 40V Max 16-Inch chainsaw to deliver more power than expected from a DIYer-targeted tool. It's not well-positioned for heavy duty work, but for standard cleanup and other residential tasks Worx models up and down the range can handle the load well.

Three standard lengths are offered with the largest 20-inch bar featuring a 51cc engine displacement. Because of their power source, Poulans are frequently lined up against the professional models that all chainsaw users will know: The Husqvarnas and Stihls. Yet, Poulan Pro models just don't perform the same.

Users note that these saws are less expensive than their alternatives in the gas arena, but they don't hold up as long to frequent demands, comparatively. If you're looking for a heavy workhorse with a gas engine, Poulan is a decent option for infrequent use, but large cutting needs demand a more durable saw that sees less breakdowns and a longer shelf life.

Caterpillar (or CAT) recently launched a chainsaw range alongside Positec. The 16-inch flagship is part of the CAT 60V outdoor power tool range and features toolless chain tensioning and automatic lubrication. It's also equipped with kickback reducing technology. Buyers will see a 5-year limited warranty come standard and a functional charging time of 50 minutes to get the battery back in action.

Canadian Woodworking calls it an "ideal tool around the home and in residential areas." The tool is light, weighing 13 pounds with the battery included, and offers solid power with a relatively quiet run. It's new in the market, but CAT is a known quantity elsewhere so the saw should become a reliable performer for home improvers and light duty landscapers.

Atlas is a brand within the Harbor Freight ecosystem. In a review by Project Farm, an Atlas 16-inch chainsaw stalled out when cutting though a stack of test boards, but other outlets note the brand's performance chops when stacked up against heavy duty cutting requirements.

Forestry.com calls it a "a game-changer for anyone tackling serious cutting tasks." Gearadical calls it "the best purchase you'll make this year," significantly high praise, to be sure. However, it's likely that these rave reviews come as a result of the saws' low price points. The 18-inch 80V saw sells at Harbor Freight for $150, giving you plenty of power (noted as equivalent to more than 50cc of gas power) at a very low cost.

Ego chainsaws deliver ample cutting power. The no-load speed is rated at 10,000 rpm and delivered fast cutting speed during a Project Farm test. In fact, it was one of the fastest cutters in the outlet's testing. Options range from short and stubby cutters to those featuring a 20-inch bar for more substantial shearing requirements.

While Popular Mechanics found the 18-inch bar in Ego's Power+ lineup to be quite heavy, it ultimately named Ego the saw with the best runtime in its own testing. It's worth noting, however, that users don't always agree. It would seem that there may be a commonly felt issue in battery technology among Ego outdoor power tools in which batteries fail more often than expected.

Milwaukee naturally factors into the conversation in a meaningful way. However, with a maximum bar length of 16 inches and a few other missed opportunities to boot, it misses out on our top spot. Users who have experience with both DeWalt and Milwaukee setups note that the 60V capacity among selected DeWalt models adds a bit of extra power necessary to slash through denser or more difficult cuts than the red and black opposition. Milwaukee's pole saws and extendable varieties, on the other hand, are available in greater abundance, making for a near deadlock between the brands.

DeWalt gains the edge with its most powerful option providing 20% more peak power output than a 50.2cc gas model. With that being said, a number of key features factor into the Milwaukee range, including brushless motor technology, a variable speed trigger, and automatic oiling. The saws remain a great choice for anyone especially for this with M18 tools and batteries in their collection.

DeWalt's range of chainsaws range from short and stubby pruning saws (with 8-inch bars) all the way up to 20-inch varieties. ToolGuyd reviewed the 20V Max Brushless Chainsaw from DeWalt in September 2017 and noted that it didn't feel all that durable. The saw delivers quality performance when tackling "medium duty yard work," however, and can handle both hardwoods and softer species decently well.

One of the review's most prominent criticisms, as well, is something that should be taken with a grain of salt. The tool feels too light in the hand for a durable and powerful cutting solution, and yet it provides the kind of power that a homeowner looking to perform basic yard work will demand. The end result for DeWalt chainsaws is a middle of the pack finish among its direct competitors, and a position near the top in the overall comparison. 

Naturally, all three of what has to be the most prominent trio of professional-level power tools are featured within a conversation about chainsaws. Milwaukee, DeWalt, and Makita all produce a variety of lawncare tools, and also feature prominently on our list of powerful electric lawnmowers, too.

In terms of their chainsaws, Makita comes out ahead of its primary competition. Toolless chain adjustments and a brushless, electric motor that starts up on command and delivers power equivalent to a 32cc gas powered alternative make Makita saws a great option. Makita doesn't offer a gas-powered chainsaw, but battery power is among the best choices on the market in its LXT format (with industry leading charge times) for portable power tools, and this same great reliability comes into play with its chainsaws. The largest available features a 16-inch bar, which is a slight letdown considering DeWalt's 20-inch maximum length.

Echo lawncare gear frequently features in the high-performance category. Professional users won't typically reach for the brand ahead of the big dogs in chainsaw manufacturing, but that doesn't mean that Echo is worth passing on. In fact, for homeowners looking to get a powerful chainsaw on a decent budget, Echo may just serve as the solid middle ground between high end gear and more reasonable pricing structures.

They tend to feature notably lower (but not drastically lower) power than the preeminent builds on the market, but they come with extra-long warranties when purchased by homeowners looking to trim up their landscaping (five years for domestic use and two years for commercial users) and therefore deliver quite a bit of additional value to the garage or shed.

Husqvarna is one of the most prominent names in the chainsaw game today. Established in the 1600s as a Swedish musket foundry, Husqvarna has seen a number of fundamental changes throughout the years, introducing a lineup of chainsaws in 1959. The saws offered by the brand deliver fast cutting speed, high horsepower, and large fuel tanks.

Users note that not a lot stands in between Husqvarna and its main competitor in Stihl. However, these saws are edged out ever so slightly as a result of user feedback. Plenty of features make a Husqvarna model the preference for certain types of users, but owners who have used both brands frequently note that Stihl models exhibit what essentially amounts to a higher performance floor. Husqvarna chainsaws see more downtime, and with lesser low end torque they may not be right for as wide a range of cutting needs.

Stihl is consistently named the best chainsaw brand around. Founded in 1926, the German chainsaw manufacturer is family-owned and has delivered truly pioneering innovations to the tool throughout the years. Pro Tool Reviews calls the Stihl MS 500i the best overall chainsaw on the market, noting its tremendous power-to-weight ratio in particular.

Cutting speed is amplified in many Stihl models, and this one in particular delivers 6.7 brake horsepower with a tool weight of 13.9 pounds. Stihl models edge out their primary competition because of their maintenance needs frequently demand fewer routine servicing, and the low-end torque tends to outperform its main rival, resulting in better cutting power through dense lumber and other tough cutting requirements.

Compiling rankings was done with the help of user reviews and important datapoints like power output, bar size options, and breakdown frequency. Important features that improve user interaction like tool fee bar adjustments and self-lubricating technology also factored into brand positioning. Outlets like ToolGuyd, Pro Tool Reviews, Project Farm, and Popular Mechanics delivered crucial hands on notes about the durability and performance expectations of many brands.