Best Small Chainsaw: Top 10
Are you a yardwork fanatic? Perhaps you enjoy doing outside work, such as removing shrubbery or small trees. Perhaps you have a small gardening project that requires trimming, pruning, or removing felled branches out of the area. Perhaps you live in a wooded area and would like to chop firewood for your fireplace. Or, in more extreme situations, perhaps you are caught in a natural disaster and need a tool to help you clear debris or branches. For all of these instances, a small chainsaw provides the perfect solution.

Most households today can benefit from having a small chainsaw. These are becoming more popular than traditional heavy-duty chainsaws and can be used by anyone in the family, whether they are small, big, young, or old. However, it can be confusing and overwhelming to sort through the wide variety available on your own to find the best for you. This article will discuss some commonly asked questions about small chainsaws and provide a comparison of the top ten small chainsaws to help you figure out which you should choose.
Table of Contents
Comparison Table
Small Chainsaw FAQ
1. What Is a Small Chainsaw?
2. What Does a Small Chainsaw Do?
3. How Does a Small Chainsaw Work?
4. Where Can You Buy Small Chainsaws?
5. Are Small Chainsaws Safe?
How We Reviewed
We reviewed the following small chainsaws based on their features, price, ease of use, pros and cons, and warranty. After performing extensive research and reading many reviews of numerous models of small chainsaws, we were able to produce this list of the ten best small chainsaws.
Overall Price Range of Small Chainsaws
Small chainsaw prices range from around affordable to around expensive. This makes them affordable and available for every type of budget. Depending on your personal needs and budget, you may decide that buying a higher priced model is best for you. These can offer features that may not be included in lower-priced chainsaws, such as higher engine power, better durability, ability to cut larger diameters of wood, or better safety features. However, all the chainsaws reviewed have good features and can be used for any budget.
What We Reviewed
Makita UC3551A 16" Electric Chain Saw
- "Tool-less" blade and chain adjustments for convenient operation and easy maintenance
- Rubberized grip handles are ergonomically designed for comfort
- Large trigger switch with soft start for smooth start-ups
Price
This chainsaw can be found on Amazon for around more than average price.
Features
The Makita UC3551A Electric Chain Saw is a professional grade chainsaw with a 16" bar and chain and a 14.5 amp electric engine, weighing in at 12.1 pounds. It has a rubberized soft grip handle, a lock-off button, automatic chain oiler, and a cord hook. It also comes with a large oil reservoir with a view window, a large trigger switch for smooth startup, a built-in current limiter, and a large metal spike bumper.
It is made to cut wood under 12" in diameter but can cut larger if needed and can replace a gas chainsaw. It comes with a 30-day money-back guarantee and a one-year limited warranty from Makita.
Pros
CONS
Remington RM1425 Limb N Trim
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Price
This product can be found on Amazon for around an affordable price.
Features
The Remington RM1425 Limb N Trim chainsaw has a 14" bar and chain and an 8 amp electric motor, weighing in at 6.25 pounds. It has a wraparound hand guard, a push-button oiler, low-kickback bar and chain, and an external chain tension adjuster. It is designed to cut up to an 8" wood diameter and comes with a two-year warranty from Remington.
Pros
CONS
Toro PowerPlex 51880 Cordless Chainsaw
- Bar, chain and high-efficiency Brushless motor are optimized for the most cuts per powerplex Battery
- Brushless DC motor for more power, more run time and longer life than brushed motor
- No pull easy start - simply push the button
Price
This chainsaw can be found on Amazon for around more than average price.
Features
The Toro PowerPlex 51880 is a cordless chainsaw powered by a 40-volt battery, weighing in at 13.7 pounds. It has a 14" bar and chain, a chain brake, an automatic chain oil, and a brushless motor. It includes a 2.5aH battery with a 60 minute charge time and a quick charger, and one battery charge can perform 40 cuts of 6" x 6" timber. It includes a 3-year warranty.
Pros
CONS
BLACK+DECKER LCS1240 Cordless Chainsaw
- 40V MAX Lithium Ion Battery for longer runtime and overall life
- 12" premium bar and chain. Automatic oiling system
- Suitable for pruning branches and cutting fallen limbs
Price
This chainsaw can be found on Amazon for around more than average price.
Features
Key features of the Black+Decker LCS1240 Cordless Chainsaw include a 12" Oregon low kickback bar and chain, a wrap-around handle, and an automatic oiling system. It runs on a 40V MAX 2.0aH lithium-ion battery that can make over 60 cuts per charge and holds a charge for up to 18 months, lasting about 45 minutes per charge. It weighs 8.3 pounds and also has a battery state-of-charge indicator and tool-less chain tensioning. It comes with a three-year warranty.
Pros
CONS
Makita XCU03Z 18V 12" Chain Saw
- Makita-built outer rotor BL Brushless motor direct-drive system provides high power efficiency Equivalent to 32cc gas...
- Variable speed trigger (0-3, 940 FPM) For easy operation
- Built-in L.E.D. On/off switch with auto power-off function; automatically shuts the saw off when operation is delayed...
Price
This product can be found on Amazon for around more than average price.
Features
The Makita SCU03Z Chainsaw has a 12" bar and chain and is powered by two 18 volt lithium-ion batteries, weighing in at 10.1 pounds with batteries loaded. It is a professional-grade chainsaw and has features such as a tool-free chain adjuster, a front hand guard that initiates chain brake when engaged, Extreme Protection Technology (XPT) that makes it water and dust-resistant, and Star Protection Computer Controls to protect against over-dishcarging, overloading, and over-heating.
It is quiet, only reaching up to 89 decibels, and has an ergonomic rubberized soft handle, electric chain brake, large oil fill hole with a translucent window, and an LED battery level indicator. It comes with a three-year warranty.
Pros
CONS
BLACK+DECKER LCS1020 Chainsaw
- Tool free blade tension system for improved ease of use & quick adjustments
- Lightweight design for ease of maneuverability & reduced fatigue
- An Improved oiling system with clear window to gauge oil level
Price
This product can be found on Amazon for around more than average price.
Features
Key features of the Black+Decker LCS1020 Chainsaw include a 20V MAX lithium ion battery, a 10" Oregon low-kickback bar and chain, and tool-less chain tensioning. It weighs 7.2 pounds and has a manual oiling system with a two-year limited warranty.
Pros
CONS
Scotts LCS31224S Cordless Chainsaw
- Powerful 24-volt 2. 0Ah lithium-ion battery and Fast charger included; powerful Brushless motor for superior, gas-like...
- 12" Oregon Bar and chain for a fast, clean cut with this cordless electric chainsaw; protective Bar and chain cover for...
- Cordless electric chainsaw features automatic oiling system with oil level window and tool-free tensioner adjustment;...
Price
This chainsaw is currently available on Amazon.
Features
The Scotts LCS31224S Cordless Chainsaw is powered by a 20V Lithium-ion battery and has a 10" bar and chain that includes a protective chain scabbard. It has a battery-power fuel gauge on the side and is ultra-light, weighing only 4.5 pounds. It has a manual oiling system as well as a charging station that allows you to charge the batteries on the chainsaw or separately in under 45 minutes. It comes with a three-year warranty.
Pros
CONS
Greenworks 12-Inch 40V Cordless Chainsaw
- High Performance G-MAX 40V Lithium-Ion Battery delivers fade-free power with no memory loss after charging
- Robust 12-inch steel chain and bar with tool-less chain tensioning offers ease of use while delivering the highest...
- 3/8-inch chain pitch delivers the right amount of capabilities to get those limbs trimmed and cut with minimal kickback
Price
This product can be found on Amazon for around more than average price
Features
Key features of the Greenworks Cordless Chainsaw include a 12" Oregon reduced-kickback bar and chain, a wraparound handle, a tool-less chain adjuster, an automatic oiling system, and an oil level window. It is powered by a G-Max 40V MAX Lithium-ion battery that charges in under 2 hours and lasts around 40 minutes and weighs only six pounds. It comes with a 4-year warranty.
Pros
CONS
Poulan PL3314 Gas-Powered Chain Saw
- OxyPower technology not only offers greatly lowered emission levels, but also reduces the fuel consumption and gives you...
- Super Clean filtering system provides a longer air filter life and reduced fuel consumption while maintaining power
- Automatic gear driven oiler keeps the bar and chain lubricated to reduce wear and minimize maintenance time
Price
This product can be found on Amazon for around more than average price.
Features
The Poulan P3314 Gas-Powered Chain Saw has a 14" steel bar and chain and a 33cc engine with an automatic oiling system that is gear-driven. It weighs 16 pounds and can cut wood up to 28" in diameter. It has a manual primer bulb for starting and a super clean air filter system. It is non-CARB compliant, making it not available for sale in California. It is protected by a one-year warranty and arrives fully assembled.
Pros
CONS
Husqvarna 120 Mark II Gas Powered Chain Saw
- Compact, casual-use chainsaw that’s designed to start up easily
- Low kickback safety features, including built-in safety break, reduces risk during operation
- Lightweight chainsaw is compact and maneuverable with excellent ergonomic comfort features
Price
This chainsaw can be found on Amazon for around a very expensive price.
Features
The Husqvarna T435 X-Torq Gas Powered Chain Saw is powered by a 35.2cc Husqvarna X-Torq engine that has either a 12" or 14" bar and chain. Because it is engineered specifically for cutting high off the ground, it has a top handle and is lightweight, weighing only 6.5 pounds without the bar and chain and 7.5 pounds with it.
It includes features such as an adjustable oil pump, anti-vibration technology, a quick-release air filter cover, and a tool-less side chain tensioner. It also has a chain brake window, a rope attachment, air purge, and an inertia-activated chain brake.
Pros
CONS
The Verdict
Based on our comparison of these top ten small chainsaws, we feel that the Makita UC3551A 14" Electric Chain Saw is the best out of the others. It is professional grade, but easy enough to assemble and use for beginners as well. With its reasonable price and great features such as automatic oiling, a powerful engine, and versatile wood diameter cutting, the Makita UC3551A 14" Electric Chain Saw proves to be our top choice of the top ten small chainsaws.
Last update on 2021-01-25 at 22:24 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API