Top-performing gas and electric models from Consumer Reports' extensive tests
Test engineers evaluate chainsaws at Consumer Reports' headquarters.
A good chainsaw does what no other tool can. It lets you clear brush, cut down limbs and small trees, and prep firewood, all without breaking a sweat. Mechanically, these are simple tools, essentially an engine or a motor, a handle, and an oblong metal piece called a bar that guides the cutting chain. But in the past decade, a lot has changed.
“One huge shift we’ve seen is the sheer number of battery-powered electric saws on the marketplace—and the improvements in their performance,” says Misha Kollontai, Consumer Reports’ test engineer in charge of chainsaws. “The best electric models now cut every bit as well—and sometimes better—than many of the lighter-duty gas-powered saws we’ve seen.”
To see a breakdown of the different types of chainsaws, see our chainsaw buying guide. CR members can also browse our chainsaw ratings for the best models of each type. Here, we highlight our crucial test findings and our choices for the very best chainsaws we’ve tested.
In our chainsaw ratings, our top-rated battery-powered model has an Overall Score that’s 5 points higher than the best gas saws. And though gas chainsaws still offer some advantages for a handful of users, almost all the innovation—and most of the recently introduced models—has been battery-powered.
You’ll also see a handful of plug-in electric saws on the market. These tools offer limited flexibility because you can work only within a certain radius around a power outlet. But the best can cut just as quickly and effectively as smaller gas models. Gas saws do offer one big advantage, though: You simply top off the gas tank to keep them running. Note that all gas saws require hearing protection, and it’s a good idea for electrics as well.
For smaller jobs, you can opt for a close cousin to chainsaws: an electric power lopper. These plug-in tools are safer because their sharp jaws are covered under a C-shaped clamp. Loppers can cut through thinner tree limbs, up to about 3 inches thick.
To evaluate chainsaws, we consider how well they cut, how easy they are to handle, and how safe they are to operate. Using 10-inch-thick oak beams, we time how long it takes for each saw to work its way through the wood. We use oak because it’s one of the hardest woods most users will encounter on their property, and it makes for a particularly demanding test that reveals differences among models. Those that cut fastest earn a higher rating for cutting speed.
We assess how each saw handles, considering its weight and how easy it is to make horizontal and vertical cuts, and check for any vibration.
For ease of use, we look at a number of factors, including how simple it is to start, adjust, and maintain a saw. We also size up safety features, check for any kickback during the course of cutting, and assess whether a model’s exhaust parts, like the muffler, get hot, which can pose a burn hazard.
We also incorporate ratings for predicted reliability and owner satisfaction, which reflect what thousands of CR members told us about their experiences with chainsaws they’d purchased. Specifically, they reported whether their chainsaws ever broke or stopped working properly over the first five years of ownership, as well as whether they were extremely likely to recommend their chainsaw to a friend or family member. Here, we highlight nine of the best chainsaws across each of the categories we test: gas, battery, corded electric, and power lopper.
CR’s take: For light cutting close to your house, you don’t need anything more than this modestly priced corded saw from Oregon. It starts instantly, runs quietly, and earns a rating of Very Good for cutting speed, which is plenty of power for trimming hedges or other small jobs. At 13 pounds, it’s one of the lighter saws in our ratings. (You’ll see one model above the Oregon, the Stihl MS 170, which costs about $200 more and rates slightly higher.)
CR’s take: This corded electric lopper set resembles a large claw with a hidden blade. Wrap it around a small limb, turn it on, and it’ll cut through the branch quickly. The Black+Decker LP 1000 earns a rating of Excellent for safety because it minimizes any chance the user will be exposed to the moving blade.
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Consumer Reports is an independent, nonprofit organization that works side by side with consumers to create a fairer, safer, and healthier world. CR does not endorse products or services, and does not accept advertising. Copyright © 2022, Consumer Reports, Inc.
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