Buying a chainsaw may not be everyone’s priority, not until they do the landscaping on their own. Tasks like clearing out logs will need the power of a high-quality chainsaw.
However, not all chainsaws can withstand such heavy-duty tasks, and some can snap and break. To help you find one that is in for the long haul, our team curated this list of the best chainsaws to avoid a subpar product.
Popular Professional Chainsaws Reviews
1. Oregon CS1500 18 in. 15 Amp Self-Sharpening Corded Electric Chainsaw
The leading in our best professional chainsaw list, Oregon CS1500 Chainsaw has an 18-inch self-sharpening blade with an easy start function. The chain offers a lubrication system that prevents friction[1] damage between the bar and chain.
Measuring at 18 x 37.5 x 10.5 inches (LxWxH) and weighing at 12.6 pounds, this professional chainsaw has an ergonomic design built for easy use. It has a lightweight, balanced ergonomic design together with an over-mold comfort top handle.
Unlike some of the professional gas powered chain saw available today, the CS1500 does not have a brushless motor. Moving to the chain, this is a PowerSharp 91PS (Low ProfileTM) model that is unique to this saw.
Note, there is no other chain appropriate for this saw. The speed of the chain is 15 meters per second, which is at the highest point of the electric saw. This is as simple as lifting a lever for the PowerSharp® device which takes only five seconds. Simply raise the lever and drive the saw at maximum speed for 3-5 seconds, and the chain is sharp again.
It’s a must-have if you’re looking for excellent power to weight ratio that can get the job done. Its 18-inches blades are designed to cover the most robust trees and its chain brake guarantees your safety.
What We Like
- The machine sharpens its blades easily
- It has long-lasting 18-inch blades for cutting quickly and smoothly
- Doesn't make a lot of noise especially when cutting through wood
- Easy start function
- The lubrication system helps to ensure proper product maintenance
What We Don't Like
- Needs constant maintenance
- It might be too much for small cutting jobs
2. EGO Power+ CS1600 16-Inch 56V Lithium-ion Cordless Chainsaw
This power tool has a long-lasting 56V battery with 16-inch blades that are excellent for cutting at 6800RPM with tool-less tensioning. Above all, this small saw is lightweight and easy to handle. This is particularly impressive to our team, considering the power it packs in contrast to its weight.
The product guarantees up to 300 cuts on a full charge. If you’re looking for a top rated professional chainsaw that can deliver long working periods, the EGO Power+ CS1600 definitely works.
The CS1600 isn’t quite perfect. In some occasions, you’ll notice slow bar and chain oil leak which is quite common among professional chainsaws.
The CS1600 offers enough power, and the price point helps professionals who use chainsaws to buckle and escape the trouble of gas-powered machines in times. All in all, it packs considerable full chainsaw features that make it easy to operate and simple to maintain. If you want to sharpen the blade of your chainsaw, know this chainsaw file size chart first.
(Check other 16-inch and 18-inch units from this brand in this EGO chainsaw review.)
What We Like
- It has a long-lasting battery that can deliver roughly 300 cuts
- The battery charges up very quickly
- It is light and easy to carry around
- It is resistant to natural elements that could otherwise be harmful to it
- The chain is suitable for professional work
What We Don't Like
- You might lose some oil from the reservoir on occasion
- 18-inch chainsaw users might find it a tad short
3. Makita-UC4051A Chain Saw
The Makita-UC4051A Chain Saw is a fine piece with a rubberized grip for easy use. Starting it up is pretty stress-free, with its large trigger switch that ensures that you’re able to get easy access to the machine when you need to. Finally, there’s a large oil fuel tank that you can see and monitor from outside. This oil helps to lubricate your machine properly.
Makita has done a brilliant job of making everything easy to use, from easy start function, chain change, testing, and applying fluids. Checking the spark plug and the air filter is pretty easy if you are working on your tools. The bar and chain tensioning system took a little bit to get used to but it is simple.
You’re going to find that the UC4051A runs gently. Gas chainsaws are trying to choke you with smoke and deafen you with their screaming engines. But you’re not getting any of those issues with corded versions like this Makita.
Like 20 inches Poulan Pro, 20 inch Echo CS 590, 24 inch Husqvarna 460 Rancher and other top-tier brands of professional grade chainsaw, Makita is known being an experienced manufacturer of quality tools. It has a manufacturer’s 1-year warranty and a 30-day money-back/replacement guarantee, which is why it is worthwhile to spend your money on this chainsaw. You can buy a separate carrying case from the same manufacturer.
For anyone who needs enough power to cut and manage limbs or large trees of up to about 12 inches in diameter, the Makita UC4051A will be a great choice.
What We Like
- 30-day money-back/replacement guarantee
- This powerful saw is easy to start up and use
- The transparent oil reservoir makes it easy to monitor usage levels and plans ahead
- Comfortable to use
- With 14 pounds of weight, the machine is sturdy enough for any type of work
What We Don't Like
- It needs to be assembled before use
- The electric cord might limit your mobility during use
4. BLACK DECKER 40V Max Cordless Chainsaw, 12-Inch (LCS1240)
As consistently one of the best selling light-duty cordless chainsaws in the past 4 years, Black Decker LCS1240 is a powerful saw that offers a combination of portability and gas-free power, affordability, quality, and ease-of-use.
Our team found that the Black Decker-produced 40V Max Cordless Chainsaw easily and quickly cuts through wood, owing to its 12-inch chain along with a low-kickback bar. If you’re a professional chainsaw operator, you’ll love how long the 40V battery can last. Being a cordless chainsaw, you have freedom of mobility. Its lightweight assists this. A quality that we look into consideration when choosing the best professional chainsaw.
Our experts found this as an excellent machine for it gives you the bare minimum: a clean and smooth saw every time, excellent maneuverability, and user experience. Since this is a cordless electric chainsaw, you also don’t have to deal with the shakiness and unnecessary vibration associated with a 2-stroke gas engine. It is not for a lumberjack, and we certainly don’t recommend this for felling trees on a regular basis.
It’s heavier than most chainsaws, with about 13 lbs of battery loaded. But this weight is very well masked by the molded grips and build quality.
If you’re a professional chainsaw user who’s looking for something handy to help with work, this might be your match. While it doesn’t quite have the power to weight ratio of some of the professional chainsaw like the 24 inch Husqvarna 460, 20 inches Poulan Pro and 56cc engine and 20 inch chain Makita, our experts recommend this chainsaw being used by construction crews, landscapers or linesmen.
What We Like
- The saw is light and easy to carry around
- Its 12-inch blades are efficient enough to cut through wood very easily
- It doesn't require a tedious amount of charging
- Chains can be adjusted conveniently
- The chain is continuously lubricated to prevent damages
What We Don't Like
- You can't always put your pressure on the saw while cutting
- You might need a spare battery if you saw a lot each day
5. Worx WG322 20V Power Share Cordless 10-inch Chainsaw
The Worx WG322 has a 10-inch bar, which is perfect for cutting through medium-sized logs of wood. Despite its size, these blades rotate at 12.5f/s, making them very efficient on the 20V battery. The machine automatically lubricates its chain for maintenance. It also helps you tension your chain perfectly.
When it comes to using a quality chainsaws, you’ll find this machine easily accessible. The product measures 25 x 7.5 x 9.5 inches and weighs about 6.19 pounds. You’ll need to get one lithium battery to use it. The bar chain meets the stated ANSI B.175.1 standards in relation to reduced kickback. Its compact size makes it ideal for home use and jobs that don’t require a long bar.
If you have a larger, powerful chainsaw like the 20 inch Poulan Pro 967061501 and 20 inch Echo CS-590, the Worx WG322 would make an excellent second saw for those occasions when the job is small and it just isn’t worth firing up the powerful engine. This is a perfect piece of hardware if you need something that’ll work for your smaller cutting jobs. That is if you’re not looking to saw through 50 oaks a day, and instead of seeking to do some yard work.
The WG322 comes with a limited 2-year warranty, which can be extended to 3 years. The WG322 comes with a carrying case cover, battery and charger.
What We Like
- Easy chain damage is avoided through an inbuilt lubrication system.
- It is incredibly lightweight
- The machine is efficient
- The blades spin at an impressive speed, leading to a clean, quick saw every time
- Perfect for doing yard work
What We Don't Like
- The lightness can pose a usage challenge to those who are used to heavier equipment
- It might require a spare battery to saw several pieces of wood at a time
6. Dewalt 20V MAX XR Chainsaw
This particular model is one of the best professional chainsaws on our list. With a 12′′ Oregon bar with a chain speed of 25.2f/s, the Dewalt 20V Max XR Chainsaw is excellent for outdoor and construction cutting. If you’re going to tighten the chain, you wouldn’t need any tools for that. The machine is also very compact and lightweight.
As a fundamental woodworking tool, the safety features are both functional and efficient. The 12-inch bar features a low-kickback tip, which is usually standard today. It’s very robust, and you can be assured that it will last for years, as long as you keep it in good condition.
It packs a lot of power for such a small model, and it’s becoming a favorite backup model for professionals who want both a compact model and power to cut most felling trees and cut jobs.
There is a chance of engine oil leakage when storing the DCCS620B with a full tank. Always empty the fuel tank before putting your chainsaw away for storage.
As a whole, our experts find this a good chainsaw if you want to do your basic tasks without much trouble. The Dewalt DCCS620B is perfect if you’re looking for a chainsaw backup model for professional use or a chainsaw for small jobs around the house. It’s great for something small, but if you want to cut through a few trees, you’ll need a little more powerful engine.
Just like excellent Stihl chainsaws, you can invest in this machine as a professional. However, if you’re looking for a professional chainsaw that can handle industrial-grade work, you might want to look for larger and heavy-duty models.
What We Like
- Light and compact
- Fairly easy to start and maneuver
- It rotates at a speed of 25.2 feet per second
- It has tool-free tensioning
- It's great for outdoor and construction work
What We Don't Like
- It pumps quite a bit of oil for lubrication
- It might not be as quiet
7. Sun Joe 24V-X2-CS16
This heavy-duty professional chainsaw is sure to give you a run for your money. Alongside its two long-lasting batteries, this 16-inch bar chainsaw can saw through 15.5 inches of wide wood. Its tool-free tensioning and automatic oiler, much like the Echo-produced CS-590, make it easy to manage the device. Top-notch safety features include built-in handguards, kick-back brakes, safety switches, and sheaths for safe bar storage when work is completed.
The lightness and smooth touch of the grip handle allow you to operate quickly and securely. And if you don’t want to stress about repairs, this equipment has an automated greasing mechanism and large mouth tanks to make loading easier.
The SUN JOE is powered by the exclusive iON+ System series of 24-volt lithium-ion batteries and tools. Most tools in the iON+ lineup draw a large amount of power to produce their best. It is advised that you use either the 4.0-Ah 24VBAT or the 5.0-Ah 24VBAT-XR for this tool. The use of low-amp-hour batteries for this device is not recommended and can be detrimental to high performance.
The Sun Joe 24V-X2-CS16 might not exactly be a 2-stroke engine or 2 cycle Husqvarna 455 Rancher or even a gas-powered chain saw Husqvarna 460 Rancher, but, it is still worth its position on our list. With its 16-inch bar length and its professional-grade cutting capacity, it’s well worth your cash.
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What We Like
- Safe and easy to handle/use
- It is efficient and can saw through wood easily
- It has two batteries for optimal usage time
- It saves you the worry of fuel consumption for a gas powered chain saw as it is battery powered
- The auto-oiler makes the product easy to maintain without fear of damage from friction between the bar and chain
What We Don't Like
- Not available for shipping across the world
- It comes with just one charger
Professional Chainsaws Buyer’s Guide
Having a chainsaw to keep your land looks perfect makes life a lot easier. Trimming, pruning, and chopping the occasional project board or bucking the firewood log has never been simpler with the power of the chainsaw or top-performing arborist chainsaws.
Whether you need a gas-powered chain saw, a 20 inch bar and more, here’s everything you need to keep in mind as you look for the best professional chainsaw on the market.
Engine Power of a Professional Chainsaw
How powerful the engine in your chainsaw can directly affect the cutting strength of your chainsaw as it determines the speed at which the chain will operate and how much resistance it can withstand.
An expert typically wants a chainsaw that can cope with a serious workload. You want durable gas chainsaws such as the gas-powered Echo chainsaws that can quickly slice in hard conditions. There are electric, cordless chainsaws, but only a gas-powered chainsaw can do real heavy-duty work.
Each type of chainsaw has their own advantages and disadvantages. That is why the engine and the power it produces first need to be considered. If it is time to cut down massive trees or thick woods, the power produced by a gas chain is needed.
Gas-powered chainsaws are the most powerful type that can drive the longest bar length. This ensures that they can cut down bigger trees and operate better with less chain wear. Gas-powered saws are louder and heavier than electric ones, and their engine needs more maintenance. Often, most gas-powered chainsaws work on a combination of gasoline and 2-cycle oil.
Electric chainsaw options are available in corded or battery-powered models. They have less power than a gas-powered chainsaw. The corded saw has as much power as the mid-range gas saw, although the battery-operated chainsaws seem to provide less power.
The tool’s power output is measured in cc. At most you could choose an engine with a power of around 1 HP and 40 CC (cubic centimeters) with a guide bar length 14 inches and more. Properly fitted and measured chainsaw guide bars provide precise guidance to the chainsaw with minimal friction loss. This engine gives you standard cutting power for large trees.
The most important measurements you can find are Watts (W), Volts (V), and Amps (A) current, both of which can be used to describe an electric motor or generator that means various things. In simple words, the output of the electric motor will be in watts equal to the multiplication of the current (A) and the voltage (V). So, just understanding the voltage of the electric saw doesn’t tell you the actual power output.
CC refers to the engine size where the piston can move about freely. The bigger, the better in terms of power for professional saws, especially for heavy duty models. HP is the torque multiplied by the revolutions per minute. It determines how quickly you can saw through wood, whether you’re using a gas chainsaw or an electric one.
Power-to-weight ratio (measured in HP for chainsaws) is the performance level of an engine. In most cases, power-to-weights ratio may fluctuate based on machine operation. A chainsaw with a greater power-to-weight ratio is preferred for maximum cutting performance.
Size and Weight
You see, your power tool is only as useful as your ability to handle its power. If it’s too big/ heavy-duty with a bulky engine for you to maneuver properly, you wouldn’t be able to get much work done. However, if the power tool is too small like some of the best Poulan chainsaws, the engine might not be able to do any serious cutting. So, look for the right fit for you at all times, keeping the guide bar in mind.
Also, good to note that 2 stroke engine does not have a decompression valve, which simplifies their construction and lowers their weight.
Speed
When getting your heavy duty professional saws from brands like Husqvarna or Stihl, you want to ensure that you have optimal working speed. An incredibly high-power engine can deliver engine speeds of up to 12,000 RPM. This is generally good. But do you need that much engine power? If the answer is yes, keep it in mind while buying a professional chainsaw. If not, look for an engine power that’ll suit your pace of work.
Bar Length
The shorter the guide bar length, the lesser the trees you’ll be able to saw easily. The longer the guide bar length of your saw, the more effort you’ll need to put into maneuvering the chainsaw. Besides the cutting bar length and optional nose sprocket, guide bars can also differ in other ways, such as the type of construction or specific features.
As a rule of thumb, you should pick a 20 inch guide bar length. A 20 inch bar and chain with the chainsaws’ engine will serve you as a home/landowner or as a professional lumberjack. It is common for the depth of the bar groove to steadily decrease over the useful life of the bar. In case of extreme or uneven wear, we recommend replacing the guide bar.
Ease of Use
Getting a battery or gas-powered chainsaw would be entirely pointless if they aren’t easy to use or easy to handle, regardless of the chainsaws’ engine. So pick one with an ergonomic design that you can handle with ease.
You’ll also want to consider weight here even for the top arborist chainsaws. Regardless of your final choice, you must ensure that it’s something you can work with for extended periods. Keep in mind that ease in the usage of professional-grade chainsaws could also mean an anti-vibration system or less vibration.
Because of the size and power of a professional chainsaw, our experts suggest these chainsaw features when buying a professional chainsaw.
Anti-vibration system is a feature makes it easy for you to cut by reducing exhaustion. Power tools do vibrate and if they vibrate too much, it becomes impossible to operate evenly. With anti-vibration feature or low vibration performance, it will surely decrease the vibration produced by a chainsaw.
Additionally, a Spring Assisted System lowers the pulling force and lets you launch your gas-powered chainsaw in 2-3 pulls. The spring-assisted starting system can reduce the effort required to start your chainsaw by 40%.
Chain Brake
It is a strong safety attribute, that slows the chain if it has problems. And if it is automatic, you can still manually trigger the chain brake on certain professional saws.
Anti-Kickback
Stops the saw from being moved back and up abruptly.
Tool-less Chain Adjustment
This lets you easily shift the chain and start cutting again in a matter of minutes.
Air-filter System
This increases the lifespan of the air filter and chainsaw by reducing waste before it reaches the filter. The air filter is essential to protect the entire chain.
Chainsaw Handle
There are two main chainsaw handles, the rear, and the top handle.
The top handle, which is a recent enhancement, is typically built into the design of smaller, lightweight chainsaw models. These are often used in tree limb cutting.
The rear handle form has both the front and the back handles. This is seen in bigger and heavy duty models that need a higher level of control.
Maintenance
In the middle of all that work, you might not always get the chance to conduct routine daily chainsaw maintenance or use high-quality chainsaw file. This is so even if you’re using a 2-stroke Husqvarna 460 or 20 inch gas-powered chainsaws with decompression valve/s. So, get something that does part of the job for you. If your chainsaw has an auto-oiler, that’s a good place to start.
Price and Warranty
Before you get a chainsaw, always consider what your budget is. The bar length of 20 inches or more, ease of use, and speed would mean nothing if you cannot afford it. If the price is on the high side, look out for a warranty.
This will help you bear extra costs in dealing with any chainsaw damage or mishap. Some might even offer to give you a full refund if the situation requires that option. Whatever you do, our experts suggest setting a budget and prioritizing quality and safety features.
Our Top Pick For A Professional Chainsaw:
Oregon CS1500
After thorough review, the Oregon CS1500 is our best professional chainsaw. Among the exceptional features of this chainsaw is its bar length. With eighteen inches of sheer cutting power, this chainsaw can just about rip through anything.
Combined with its automatic lubrication system, the unique self-sharpening feature on the chainsaw means you don’t need to worry so much about maintenance. Besides all this, this is one of the professional saws specifically designed to be as quiet as possible. The best part is it has an easy start function and the machine will run on command.
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Robert Johnson is a passionate furniture maker & carpenter, sought after for his knowledge on the craft.
You’ve probably seen his down-to-earth wisdom in USA Today, Bobvila, Family Handyman, and The Spruce, where he has shared commentary and guidance on various woodworking topics.
Robert is the brain behind Sawinery, where he aims to share tips, tricks, and a passion for all things carpentry.
