When you are considering a chainsaw, the Poulan brand is one of the more popular options. However, do their products match up to giants in the industry such as Dewalt? Are the affordable chainsaws worth your money, or would it be a waste of hard-earned cash? Our experts are here to tell you with a detailed Poulan chainsaws review.
Reviews of the Best Poulan Chainsaws
1. Poulan Pro PR4218 18 in. 42cc 2-Cycle Gas Chainsaw with Case
The Poulan Pro PR4218 comes with its own carrying case, an extra chain, 2-stroke oil and more. The 18-inch bar is excellent for medium-sized jobs without sacrificing power in the long run thanks to the SuperClean air filter system. The system allows the chainsaw to reduce fuel consumption as well.
Poulan has its own patented OxyPower technology in the chainsaw motors that not only requires less gas to operate but also reduces emissions by up to 70%!
The PR4218 has an automatic oiler outfitted to keep the bar optimized and in peak condition. Sufficient lubrication will also decrease the maintenance needed for your chainsaw.
What We Like
- OxyPower motor
- Lower fuel consumption
- Lower emissions
- 2-stroke engine
- Comes with accessories
- Automatic oiler for less maintenance
- Easy pull start (EPS)
- Ergonomic design
What We Don’t Like
- Small skip tooth chain
- The startup can take some time
2. Poulan Pro 20 in. 50cc 2-Cycle Gas Chainsaw
The next option featured on our Poulan Chainsaws review is the PR5020 chainsaw. It’s a slightly bigger chainsaw than the PR4218, but it can get a lot more done with the extra 2 inches. The 50cc gas chainsaw is also equipped with the OxyPower engine featured in other Poulan products.
The ESP, or effortless pull start system of Poulan Pro PR5020 Gas Chainsaw makes the chainsaw startup much easier than other models. There will be no engine flooding due to the combined choke and stop control and there is even a combination tool embedded into the handle grip so you can always have easy access.
What We Like
- Outfitted with the OxyPower engine
- ESP start
- Choke and stop control
- Combination tool in the handle
- Lower fuel consumption
- Ergonomic handle
- Lower emission levels
- Larger bar for bigger tasks
What We Don’t Like
- Soft tension
- Some parts may not be covered in the warranty
3. Poulan PL3816 16 in. 33cc 2-Cycle Gas Chainsaw
For people seeking a small and compact gas chainsaw from Poulan, the PL3816 is the best option. The small 33cc 2-cycle gas chainsaw also has the OxyPower engine and even comes with a SuperClean filtering system that maximizes the efficiency of the air filter.
To keep the bar in tip-top shape, the Poulan PL3816 has an automatic gear-driven oiler that will maintain the lubrication [1] of the bar to reduce the maintenance required.
Chainsaws can produce quite a bit of vibration when tearing through dense material, but the handle will minimize and dampen the tremors as you work.
What We Like
- Gradual start
- Small size
- OxyPower engine
- Automatic gear-driven oiler
- Low maintenance
- Fewer emissions
- Vibration dampening handle
- Primer bulb
What We Don’t Like
- Runs smoother at full throttle
- Can be tough to start
4. Poulan Pro PR4016, 16 in. 40cc 2-Cycle Gas Chainsaw
The Poulan Pro PR4016 is also a small gas chainsaw with a 16-inch bar but a larger capacity at 40cc. It’s suited for small to medium projects and packs enough power to tear through any material.
The PR4016 comes with the standard features of a Poulan chainsaw including the amazing OxyPower engine for reduced emissions and fuel consumption, a SuperClean air filter system, and an automatic oiler to keep the bar lubricated.
There is also an onboard scrench that is an integrated storage compartment for easy access for chain tensioning.
(To test out other brands, here are the most powerful Stihl chainsaws we reviewed)
What We Like
- Small bar with a large capacity
- OxyPower engine
- SuperClean air filter system
- Integrated storage
- EPS start
- Automatic oiler
- Anti-vibration system
- Onboard storage
What We Don’t Like
- Poor packaging
- Some parts may not be covered in the warranty
Poulan Chainsaw Buyer’s Guide
Our team’s Poulan chainsaws reviews rave about the products, but how do you know if they are right for you? The key is to look at the below features.
Power and Size
The power and size of the chainsaw are contingent on the type of tasks you undertake. If you often fell trees and cut through firewood, then you will need a chainsaw of significant size. Our experts remind you that the measurements refer to the size of the bar and not the entire chainsaw.
How much power you need will also depend on the material you work with. For big projects and tough jobs, look for a more powerful chainsaw.
For hard to reach branches and areas, getting the best pole saw listed here is an excellent choice.
Bar Chain
The chain should be heavy duty but low maintenance. The bar chain should be strong enough to tear through thick material with little effort and no sticking. Many of the Poulan chainsaws our team recommended feature an automatic oiler that keeps the chain lubricated with a good quality 2-stroke chain oiler.
Motor
Most Poulan chainsaws have a 2-stroke engine, which can run at higher RPMs. This type of motor is the best for power and simple design that makes replacement and fixing easier.
Automatic Oiling
As our team mentioned, Poulan chainsaws have an automatic oiling system that keeps the bar and chain lubricated for low maintenance and less wear and tear. You should properly lubricate it to avoid incident where your Poulan chainsaw stops running.
Safety Features
An effortless startup from Poulan products can keep you safe from the sudden burst of speed and kickback seen in other models. The choke and stop switch will also halt the bar when the blade sticks, to keep you safe.
Poulan Technology
One of the most coveted technologies from Poulan is the OxyPower engine. This patented technology from the brand is capable of lowering emissions and reducing fuel consumption.
Price Range
Poulan products are affordable options but still provide users with plenty of power and versatility. Plus, the Poulan chainsaws our experts listed all come with accessories to make your purchase even more worth it.
If you are still considering other chainsaw brands, we also listed the best Echo chainsaw here.
FAQ
Are Poulan chainsaws any good?
Yes, Poulan chainsaws are good. In fact, one of its models, the Poulan 306A Chainsaw, was the chainsaw used by Leatherface in the original Texas Chainsaw Massacre movie. Poulan has different bar sizes and motor capacities to suit any task at hand. Poulan chainsaws also feature patented technology such as the OxyPower engine, which guarantees lower fuel consumption and harmful emissions.
Are Poulan chainsaws made by Husqvarna?
No, Poulan chainsaws are not made by Husqvarna. They are owned by Husqvarna and may share technologies in some of their products, but they are still considered two separate brands.
Our Top Pick For a Poulan Chainsaw: Poulan Pro PR4218
Our team’s top choice for our Poulan chainsaw review winner is the Poulan Pro PR4218. The 42cc chainsaw with an 18-inch bar size makes the PR4218 the best balance between size and power. Your purchase will include a carrying case and other accessories, and the PR4218 features the OxyPower engine for fewer emissions and lower consumption.
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