Professional Tool Reviews for Pros
The Hart 20V 12-inch Chainsaw (HGCS021) joins the line of immensely helpful OPE tools geared toward the homeowner. In this case, the Hart team has designed the saw as the go-to solution for tackling lighter-duty trimming and pruning around the yard. We found that it’s light, it’s comfortable, and for smaller limbs, it’s definitely capable.
Notably, Hart really seemed to focus on a lightweight and unintimidating chainsaw solution for their 20V line. It seems clear they designed this saw, not for heavy-duty use, but rather for the homeowner who has occasional trimming and pruning in mind. For that, the Hart 20V 12-inch chainsaw seems like a perfect fit.
The brushed motor on this saw has the muscle to drive the chain through branches up to 10″ in diameter. That’s great for light limbing and for trimming smaller trees and bushes around the yard. We actually had a fallen oak tree to deal with, and we found that this saw handled the lighter work efficiently and comfortably.
Battery-powered chainsaws have certainly come a long way. For a sub-$120 tool like this to tackle that kind of work, it declares a new era in value-driven cordless outdoor power tools. Less than a decade ago that kind of value-for-performance would have been unheard of.
A push-button oiler lets you control the flow of oil to the bar and chain, keeping everything lubed up and running smoothly. You will have to remember to actually press the button once in a while though, as opposed to an auto-oiling system. We don’t mind that and it keeps down the mess.
The Hart Chainsaw also features an onboard scrench for quick tensioning and adjustment. We really like this as it keeps this overlooked, but necessary, tool close at hand. If only more manufacturers would figure out how to store these on-tool.
The Hart HGCS021 20V 12-inch Chainsaw weighs just 8.4 lbs, which keeps arm fatigue at bay—at least for a while. Hart also provides a rear comfort grip that worked well with our gloves. We also liked the oversized front handle. It gave plenty of space for our gloved hands to find a variety of comfortable positions.
We did note that both the battery and the motor hang off the same side of the chainsaw. Surprisingly, it really doesn’t affect the balance of the tool very much when you’ve got it in both hands.
You can pick up the Hart 20V 12-Inch Chainsaw either by itself or as part of a kit. As a bare tool, it retails for just $118. That price matches what you pay for the most entry-level gas chainsaw. Kitted together with a 4.0Ah battery and a charger, the chainsaw will run you $154. This might be the lowest-priced kit we’ve seen for a chainsaw like this. No matter which you choose, Hart warranties the chainsaw—and the batteries—for 3 years.
We really like the Hart 20V 12-inch chainsaw for its approachability. It doesn’t reach wildly fast chain speeds, but that helps reduce kickbacks and doesn’t seem to affect performance otherwise. We certainly made cuts through 10-inch hard oak with no problems. It doesn’t weigh a whole lot, thanks in part to the 20V battery. If we had to ding it, the runtime on this saw will likely prohibit it from being the go-to for large property owners. With that said, it’s easy to recommend for DIYers who have an occasional need for light trimming and pruning.
When he doesn't have his hands on tools himself, Chris is often the man behind the camera lens making the rest of the team look good. In his free time, you might find Chris with his nose jammed in a book, or tearing out his remaining hair while watching Liverpool FC. He enjoys his faith, family, friends, and the Oxford comma.
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Professional Tool Reviews for Pros
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