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.
Comparison Table
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Small Chainsaw FAQ
1. What Is a Small Chainsaw?
A small chainsaw is a chainsaw with a blade that is 14″ or shorter. It is compact, small, and easy to use. It can be electric, battery-powered or gas-powered, and which one you should choose is determined by your personal needs and comfort with chainsaws. It is used by a wide variety of people, including homeowners, firefighters, carpenters, landscapers, gardeners, and loggers.
2. What Does a Small Chainsaw Do?
Small chainsaws are used for pruning, trimming, felling small trees, and cutting firewood. They can also be used to clear trees in a yard after a storm. They make work easier than using traditional saws by running on electricity, battery, or gas and performing the cutting motions for you.
3. How Does a Small Chainsaw Work?
Whether they are powered by fuel, electricity, or a battery, all small chainsaws essentially work the same. They consist of two parts: A small sawblade that is built onto a chain and wrapped around a long metal guide bar and a small one-cylinder, two-stroke engine. The chain runs around gear wheels called sprockets, similar to a bike chain, and has 30 or less sharp teeth made from a hardened steel alloy mounted around it at intervals.
As the piston inside the engine moves in and out of the cylinder, it pushes a connecting rod that turns the crankshaft. This crankshaft turns gears that are connected to one of the sprockets that the chain is mounted on, making it spin around at a rapid speed. Because the machine does all the work of creating this cutting motion, it makes completing projects much easier for the user.
4. Where Can You Buy Small Chainsaws?
Because small chainsaws are becoming such a budget-friendly and useful tool in the common household, they can be found in most stores. They can be purchased at most home improvement stores such as Lowe’s or Home Depot. They can even be found at retail stores such as Target and Wal-Mart in the home section, as well as many small local hardware stores. Online outlets such as Amazon and eBay also offer a wide variety of small chainsaws as well as chainsaw-specific websites like Richardsonsaw.com and Chainsawsdirect.com.
5. Are Small Chainsaws Safe?
As with any other piece of equipment, proper measures must be taken to provide safety when using small chainsaws. Their chains cannot be guarded, so they can be very dangerous to use if you are not cautious. It is important that you read the entire manual that comes with your chainsaw so you have the proper knowledge of its assembly, maintenance, storage, and use. It is also important to take a safety course or at the very least find a safety guide that can instruct you on proper techniques and reminders as you use the chainsaw.
You also need to purchase proper safety gear, such as anti-vibration gloves, chainsaw chaps, and a chainsaw helmet. If you are unable to purchase a chainsaw helmet, you want to be sure that your head, face, neck, and ears are all properly protected from flying debris and noise with items such as helmets, safety goggles or face and neck visors, and sound-blocking headphones. If all of these measures are taken, then small chainsaws are safe to use for anyone in the family.
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 14″ Electric Chain Saw
- Remington RM1425 Limb N Trim
- Toro PowerPlex 51880 Cordless Chainsaw
- BLACK+DECKER LCS1240 Cordless Chainsaw
- Makita XCU03Z 18V 12″ Chain Saw
- BLACK+DECKER LCS1020 Chainsaw
- Scotts LCS31224S Cordless Chainsaw
- Greenworks 12-Inch 40V Cordless Chainsaw
- Poulan PL3314 Gas-Powered Chain Saw
- Husqvarna 120 Mark II Gas Powered Chain Saw
Makita UC3551A 16″ Electric Chain Saw
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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
- Low maintenance
- Powerful motor for easy cutting
- Quiet and smooth
- Easy to use
CONS
- Expensive compared to other chainsaws
- Only one-year limited warranty
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
- Cheap
- Compact and lightweight
- Easy to use
- Comes fully assembled
- 2-year warranty
CONS
- Manual push-button oiler
- Only made to cut up to 8″ wood diameter
Toro PowerPlex 51880 Cordless Chainsaw
No products found.
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
- 3-year warranty
- Quick charger
- Automatic chain oil
CONS
- Expensive
- One charge only 40 cuts
- Expensive batteries
BLACK+DECKER LCS1240 Cordless Chainsaw
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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
- Automatic oiling system
- Over 60 cuts per charge
- Light and easy to use and adjust
- 3-year warranty
CONS
- Only 12″ bar and chain
- Limited battery life
Makita XCU03Z 18V 12″ Chain Saw
No products found.
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
- Includes many high-quality features
- 3-year warranty
- Quick charge and quick start batteries.
CONS
- Batteries and charger not included in initial purchase
BLACK+DECKER LCS1020 Chainsaw
No products found.
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
- Compact and lightweight
- Tool-less chain tensioning
CONS
- Not as powerful as other battery-powered chainsaws
- Manual oiling system
- Does not include fast charging system in initial price
Scotts LCS31224S Cordless Chainsaw
No products found.
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
- 3-year warranty
- Extra-light and compact
- Convenient charging station comes with purchase
CONS
- Less powerful than other cordless chainsaws
- Cuts wood under 6″
Greenworks 12-Inch 40V Cordless Chainsaw
No products found.
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
- Light and easy to use
- 4-year warranty
- Good extra features
CONS
- Longer charging time
- Only cuts up to 8″ wood diameter
Poulan PL3314 Gas-Powered Chain Saw
No products found.
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
- Cuts wood up to 28″ in diameter
- Cheap for a gas-powered chainsaw
- Super clean air filter system
CONS
- Challenging to start with manual primer bulb
- Heavy
- Non-CARB compliant
- No anti-vibration technology
Husqvarna 120 Mark II Gas Powered Chain Saw
No products found.
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
- Lightweight and compact
- Includes many features for ease of use and safety
- Ability to use at many angles
- Two different bar and chain options
CONS
- Can not be used for ground cutting
- Most expensive small chainsaw
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 2023-06-08 at 06:09 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
