Are you looking for the very Best Chainsaw for Homeowners In 2023? This updated Chainsaw for homeowners guide includes the six Best Chainsaws for Homeowners – listed by Price, Power, and Overall Performance.
By the way, “Best” can mean different things to different people. Some may be looking for the most powerful chainsaw for a homeowner, while others may be looking for the best light-duty chainsaw.
And for any home with a wood-burning fire pit or fireplace, a Chainsaw is extremely handy for cutting logs into the proper size.
What is the best chainsaw for homeowners? For the best chainsaw for homeowner “value,” check out our Husqvarna 450 Rancher reviews below. This gas-powered chainsaw features a 20-inch chainsaw bar and a 55.5 cc (3.2 Hp) engine that makes quick work of nearly any size job.
The Best Chainsaw For Homeowners
Best Chainsaw Value: STIHL MS170 – 16″ – 30.1 cc Gas Powered Chainsaw
Perhaps as the best homeowner chainsaw on the market – the STIHL MS-170 is equally appreciated by homeowners with medium to larger-sized properties. Per our research, the best price for STIHL chainsaws can be found at Ace Hardware.
STIHL MS 170 SPECS:
- Antivibration Handle
- Bar Length: 16 in.
- Brand Name: STIHL
- CARB Compliant: Yes
- CSA Listed: No
- Chain Brake: Yes
- Weight: 8.9 lbs.
- Engine Displacement: 30.1 cc
- Engine Type: 2 Cycle (Gas/Oil Mix)
- Maximum Cutting Diameter: 17 in.
- Model Number: MS 170
- Start Type: Pull Start
- Tension Adjustment Type: Quick-Adjust
- Powered By: Gas
STIHL – MS 170 – 16″ Gas Powered Chainsaw
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Best Chainsaw on the Market: Husqvarna 455 Rancher
A powerful and versatile 20″ Chainsaw – manufactured by Husqvarna, the 455 Rancher is a chainsaw equal to almost any task. Some “pros” even consider this chainsaw one of the Best Professional Chainsaws on the market due to its portable size and maneuverability in tight spaces.
While the 455 Rancher chainsaw isn’t the cheapest by any means, the Husqvarna brand’s reliability, power, and nearly perfect user size place the Husqvarna 455 Rancher at the top of our list as the best chainsaw for homeowners.
With this chainsaw, trimming and even larger trees should prove to be no problem at all.
Key features of this model:
- 20-inch bar
- 55.5 cc engine
- 3.2 horsepower
- Air injection for improved filter and engine life
- Vibration-reducing design for quiet, easy use
- 12.8-pound weight
- 2-year Warranty
- Smart Start Technology for quick starts
People who have bought and used the Husqvarna 455 Rancher almost universally comment on its incredible power and reliability. The saw’s durable construction is also a significant plus, especially for people who have used it to tackle large woodcutting projects.
We found it easy to cut through thick logs and even tree stumps with the Rancher 450.
With its “Smart Start” technology, most users find that the chainsaw starts quickly and reliably, significantly improving cheaper saws that require excessive time and effort to crank up.
At 12.8 pounds, the Rancher 455 is even lighter than our top-performing Electric Chainsaw, the EGO CS1604, yet it still performs remarkably.
HUSQVARNA 455 RANCHER
Runner Up – Battery Powered Chainsaw: EGO CS1604
If you’re interested in owning a chainsaw that isn’t gas and Oil fueled chainsaw, Battery operated chainsaws have come a very long way in recent years, and nowhere is that more evident than in the EGO CS1604 16-inch model.
Powered by a 56-volt lithium-ion battery, the CS1604 offers more power and running time than most users are accustomed to from a battery-powered saw.
With its 16-inch bar, this chainsaw is capable of regular medium-duty work most homeowners need to tackle.
Key Features of this Model:
- 16-inch bar- Perfect size for most work
- 56-volt lithium-ion battery rated at 5.0 amp-hours
- Brushless electric motor for higher efficiency
- Battery level indicator
- Tool-free tensioning knob
- 13.57-pound weight (battery included)
Reviews of the EGO CS1604 Chainsaw indicate that the chainsaw is powerful enough to cut through small and medium-sized logs quickly and easily. The overall construction of the saw is noted to be heavy-duty, and users are pleasantly surprised by the amount of power provided by the 56-volt battery pack.
The chainsaw’s unusually long rear handle allows users a more comfortable grip.
While not rated as powerful as the best gas-powered chainsaws, many professional timber cutters now use a battery-powered chainsaw as a go-to piece of equipment, if not as a reliable backup, to their gas-powered chainsaw (that won’t start).
Additionally, the EGO 16″ Chainsaw Chain is easy to replace and a great value, as well as EGO Bar & Chain Oil.
EGO BATTERY-POWERED CHAINSAW
Best Economy Value Chainsaw: BLACK+DECKER LCS1020
What is the Best Small Chainsaw? Homeowners on a budget who often can’t afford or don’t need to buy a top-of-the-line professional chainsaw will find this model right in their wheelhouse.
The B + D model is undoubtedly one of the best value options out there, and in fact, we consider the BLACK+DECKER LCS1020 the best value chainsaw for homeowners.
The LCS1020 is a 20-volt battery-powered saw that is perfect for light work.
Key features of this model:
- 10-inch bar – Super easy to maneuver
- 20-volt lithium-ion battery
- Tool-free tensioning knob
- 7.2-pound weight
The most common advantage of the BLACK+DECKER LCS1020 mentioned by customers who have purchased it is its lightweight. Rated as the Best Small Chainsaw on the market, at just over 7 pounds, the Black & Decker chainsaw can easily be used by any homeowner.
The 10-inch bar also helps to keep the saw manageable and maneuverable.
This model is perfect for older buyers who need to clear trees and cut up logs but no longer feel comfortable with heavier chainsaws. Despite being a value option, the LCS1020 is also noted for having solid construction quality.
Though the battery isn’t as powerful as the 56-volt version found on the EGO CS1604, the 20-volt electric chainsaw does provide users with a decent amount of running time that allows them to get through simple woodcutting projects quickly.
One disadvantage of this saw is the difficulty with the manual bar oiling system. The system appears to be defective on arrival in a handful of cases, though this problem seems to be pretty uncommon. To be safe, it’s a good idea to test the oiler when you first get this chainsaw.
BLACK & DECKER CHAINSAW
Best Lightweight “Corded” Chainsaw: WORX WG304.1
You may want the lighter weight and reduced maintenance load that comes with an electric chainsaw but need more running time than a battery-powered model will give you.
This lightweight electric corded chainsaw, WORX – WG304.1, may be your best solution.
Is it the very best homeowner chainsaw on the market? Not really, but it never runs out of power and is pretty effortless to use.
Aside from being a good chainsaw for medium-duty use around the house, the WG304.1 is also an excellent value.
Key features of this model are:
- 18-inch bar
- 15.0-amp motor
- Automatic lubrication system
- 11.3-pound weight
- Patented automatic chain tensioning system
Those who have purchased the WORX WG304.1 are consistently impressed with its ability to cut large, heavy logs and tree trunks. The power from the unit’s 15.0-amp motor, paired with the relatively long bar, makes the WG304.1 good for most non-professional cutting applications.
We also noted that the saw is quiet and very easy to use.
The automatic tensioning system appears to be a reasonably popular feature, as it prevents extended breaks in cutting to adjust the chain.
The one disadvantage we noted about the WORX WG304.1 is that the chain can wear out more quickly than on other saws. Even though we had this issue, we noted that the saw works well while the chain is maintained well and in good shape.
WORX CHAINSAW
Best Budget Pick Chainsaw: WORX WG303.1
If you’re looking for a chainsaw on a bare-bones budget, look no further than the WORX WG303.1 16-inch corded electric model. A smaller cousin of the WG304.1, the WG303.1 is a high-quality saw that is excellent for light to medium-duty cutting.
This quality makes the WORX WG303.1 one of the best-selling chainsaw models in its price range.
Key features of this model are:
- 16-inch bar
- 14.5-amp electric motor
- Automatic lubrication system
- 11-pound weight
- Patented automatic chain tensioning system
Customers who have bought this chainsaw frequently comment on both its considerable power and its ability to make quick work of light-cutting tasks. The quiet operation of the electric motor is also an advantage that appears in several reviews.
Most people find the WORX WG303.1 lightweight and ergonomic enough for extended use while still feeling that it is made well. The convenience of the automatic chain tensioning system also appears to be a significant plus of this model.
One problem that several reviewers have noted is the fact that standard bar and chain oil are too thick for use with this saw. Read the manual if you buy the WORX WG303.1 to replace another chainsaw or as an alternative tool for lighter work.
Check the recommended oil weight against the lubricant you already have in your garage, as using too thick an oil can cause problems.
Users also note that this saw isn’t great for heavy work, which is to be expected given its price point.
WORX ELECTRIC CHAINSAW
How To Use a Chainsaw Video – From “This Old House”
Best Chainsaw Features to Consider:
- Your Power Preference to use a Gas-powered, Battery-powered, or Electrical Corded chainsaw.
- The Type of work you will be using a chainsaw for (heavy-duty or light-duty work)
- Your Brand Preference (Husqvarna, EGO, Black & Decker, etc.)
- Your Budget (Chainsaws are priced as low as $70 and up to $460 in our review above)
Chainsaw Buyers Guide and FAQ:
1) The Chainsaw Bar Length
The length of the “chainsaw bar” greatly determines what kinds of jobs it can handle. The longer the bar is, the larger the diameter of the logs it can cut.
Remember that you can cut larger trees with shorter bars by simply making more cuts, but doing so will involve much extra work and strain on the chainsaw.
Using a chainsaw bar that is too short also makes the saw more likely to bind inside a large tree or log. Generally, a 16-inch bar is the best size chainsaw for homeowner use.
You may consider stepping up to a larger chainsaw bar if you have large trees and a lot of property.
2) Chainsaw Power Source
Chainsaws can run on gas engines, corded electric power, or battery power. Gas engines provide the highest power, making them the best for heavy cutting.
Corded electric chainsaws are convenient because they can run as long as needed without refueling and provide ample power, but many users find dragging a cord inconvenient. Since the electrical cord has to be plugged in, corded chainsaws also aren’t practical for use on larger properties.
Battery-powered chainsaws are much more convenient but typically provide less power than gas or corded alternatives. In most cases, electric chainsaws will be lighter than similarly sized gas saws, owing to the higher weight of gas engines than electric motors.
3) Chainsaw Weight
Weight is a critical factor in picking out a chainsaw, as a model that is too heavy will be difficult for you to use for extended periods. A lightweight electric chainsaw is likely the best option if you aren’t comfortable handling extensive, heavy tools.
On the other hand, If you don’t mind some added heft, a heavier, more powerful chainsaw will let you tackle larger jobs more efficiently.
4) Chainsaw Lubrication System
Keeping a chainsaw properly oiled ensures it stays in good shape. These days, most chainsaws lubricate their chains automatically by drawing on an internal oil reservoir. Be aware, though, that there are still some manual models.
Manual lubrication systems require you to press a button or switch on the chainsaw to eject oil onto the chain. If you’re comfortable working with power equipment and remember to do this regularly, a manual chainsaw lubrication system should be no problem.
If you don’t think you will remember, an automatic lubrication system is a much better option.
5) Chainsaw Tensioning System
A final thing to remember is the system that allows you to adjust the tension on your chain. Some saws require tools to adjust the tension, while others remove that pressure by simply featuring a knob on the side of the chainsaw housing.
In the case of the WORX chainsaws, an automatic tensioner is built into the chainsaw. While tool-free tensioning systems are very convenient, people experienced with power equipment should have no trouble using a tool-dependent model.
6). Which Type of Chainsaw Should I Buy?
For most homeowners, the “easiest” type of chainsaw is battery-powered. While battery-powered chainsaws don’t possess as much power as gas-powered chainsaws, their maintenance is limited to a fully powered battery and, of course, a well-sharpened chain.
Gas-powered chainsaws are the most powerful chainsaws on the market. Our Editor’s pick – Husqvarna Chainsaw 455 Rancher, offers an outstanding 3.2 HP and an ideal 20″ chainsaw blade for use on any residential or light commercial application.
While a typical chainsaw described in this article is an efficient tool, other “chainsaw applications” can be met with another tool. That is the “Pole Saw.” Pole saws are offered in Gas, Battery, and even electric (corded) power.
A pole saw is essentially a chainsaw – on a pole, and Pole Saws allow you to reach and trim high limbs and branches as far as 15 feet above the ground.
Conclusion
If you’re looking for the best homeowner chainsaw for your personal needs, there’s a good chance that one of these five models will be the best fit for you.
Thanks to its power, bar size, and overall construction quality, we rate the Husqvarna Rancher 455 as our top pick. However, the best model for you will depend on the project you need to tackle and your level of comfort using chainsaws.
If you’re looking for an easy-to-use and one of the best small chainsaws on the market, we highly recommend the Black + Decker LCS1020.
Go ahead and compare the features of these models, and you should quickly be able to figure out which one is the best option for you.
Thanks for Visiting – Please check out more “Gear” for Your Home at BestHomeGear.Com!
References and Additional Resources:
- Chainsaw Safety Video For Homeowners – Youtube.com
- The 10 Best Chainsaw Sharpeners – Manual or Electric – Besthomegear.com
- How to Use Chainsaw to Remove a Tree Stump – Besthomegear.com
- Should I Cut Wood or Use a Chainsaw in The Rain?- hlsprosports.com
- Tips for Chainsaw Chain maintenance – Bob Villa.com
