Best Chainsaws for Cutting Trees

With fall storms and winter snow right around the corner, the flora around your property could likely do with a bit of a trim. That is a pretty easy job for the lawn and garden, but the same cannot be said for any of the trees. This is where you should look for the best chainsaw for cutting trees.

We have searched the internet to bring you the 5 best chainsaws for cutting trees. Our comparison table makes it easy to compare, while our buyer’s guide helps to ensure you know what features you need. We think the DEWALT DCCS620B will work best for most people, but it cannot handle all jobs. Of course, you have to keep reading to find out why.

5 Best Chainsaws for Cutting Trees Comparison Table

1. DEWALT DCCS620B Cordless Chainsaw – Our Best Pick

DeWalt is one of the best-known and most respected brands of power tool manufacturers in the world. They have recently been trying to reclaim their reputation after a rough couple of years following their acquisition by BLACK+DECKER. The DEWALT DCCS620B is a good step in this direction as it is easily the best electric chainsaw that we have seen, and the competition is not even really that close. We have chosen the DEWALT DCCS620B as our Editor’s Choice best electric chainsaw for cutting trees.

Solid Specs:

• Type: Cordless Electric.
• Power: 20V.
• Chain Speed: 25 ⅕’/sec.
• Size: 12”.

While an electric chainsaw will always trail a gas chainsaw in terms of power, the DEWALT DCCS620B does double the power of most electric chainsaws.

Though the DEWALT DCCS620B only has a 20V motor, it can at least push the chain at a maximum of 25 ⅕’/sec. On top of that, this is the only electric chainsaw we saw that uses a brushless motor that will prolong the tool’s lifespan. This chainsaw also has a 12” Oregon bar–though you will have to purchase the chain, battery, and charger separately, which increases the total cost of the tool. Finally, the DEWALT DCCS620B is fairly convenient with a toolless blade tensioning system.

Pros:

• Is a cordless electric chainsaw.
• Has a 20V motor.
• Has a chain speed of 25 ⅕’/sec.
• Is a reasonably priced chainsaw.
• Has a 12” bar.
• Has a brushless motor.
• Has tool-free blade tension.

Cons:

• Does not come with accessories.
• Is a heavier chainsaw.

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2. BLACK+DECKER LCS1020 Cordless Chainsaw – Best DIY Chainsaw for Cutting Trees

BLACK+DECKER is easily the biggest and best-selling consumer-grade power tool manufacturer globally. As a consumer-grade power tool manufacturer, BLACK+DECKER does not try to compete with other companies in terms of performance. Instead, BLACK+DECKER focuses on providing additional convenience at a budget-friendly price. That convenience is a big reason why we rated the BLACK+DECKER LCS1020 as our best DIY chainsaw for cutting trees.

Solid Specs:

• Type: Cordless Electric.
• Power: 20V.
• Chain Speed: N/A.
• Size: 10”.

Ups and Downs

The BLACK+DECKER LCS1020 is a decent electric chainsaw that comes with a 20V motor. That said, the company does not publish the chain speed–even in the manual–which suggests it is something they want to hide.

Still, one of the best qualities of the BLACK+DECKER LCS1020 is its toolless blade tensioning system. On top of that, the BLACK+DECKER LCS1020 is the second-lightest chainsaw that we saw as well. Still, the oil system does not work as advertised, so you will likely need to manually oil the chain. It also does not help that the BLACK+DECKER LCS1020 uses a battery that takes longer to charge than any other on our list. Thankfully, this chainsaw does come with all of the necessary accessories, including a 10” Oregon low kickback bar.

Pros:

• Is a lighter chainsaw.
• Toolless blade tension.
• Has a 20V motor.
• Is a cordless electric chainsaw.
• Is a less expensive chainsaw.
• Has an Oregon low kickback bar.

Cons:

• The oil system is iffy.
• The battery takes forever to charge.

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3. Husqvarna 435EII16 SASII43516 Gas Chainsaw – Best Gas Chainsaw for Cutting Trees

When it comes to landscaping equipment and power tools, Husqvarna is easily one of the top manufacturers in the world. In fact, outside of Honda and a couple of other lesser-known brands, Husqvarna could potentially be the best lawn care equipment manufacturer in the market today. Of course, if you want a superior product, then you are going to have to pay for it, which is one of Husqvarna 435E’s biggest flaws. This is still the best gas chainsaw for cutting trees for non-professionals.

Great Specs

• Type: Gas.
• Power: 2.2 hp.
• Chain Speed: 9000 RPMs.
• Size: 16”.

Considering many of the chainsaws on our list are electric, the move to a gas-powered chainsaw will be a surprise. This is because the 20V motor often found on electric chainsaws is no match for the Husqvarna 435E’s 2-stroke engine that can produce up to 2.2 hp of power.

On top of that, the Husqvarna 435E also features the fastest maximum chain speed of 9000 RPMs which is plenty fast to slice through the densest and hardest of wood. Another difference that might take some getting used to is the 16” bar and the Husqvarna’s patented X-Cut chain. Of course, a gas chainsaw is always louder and heavier than an electric one, and the Husqvarna 435E is one of the heaviest and loudest chainsaws on our list.

Pros:

• Generates 2.2 hp of power.
• Has a max RPM of 9000.
• Environmentally-friendly X-TORQ system.
• Has an air-injection cleaning system.
• Automatic TrioBrake included.
• Has a 16” bar.
• Toolless tension system.

Cons:

• Is a heavier chainsaw.
• Is a louder chainsaw.

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4. Husqvarna 455 Rancher Gas Chainsaw – Best Professional Chainsaw for Cutting Trees

There is almost no company in the world with the history of Husqvarna that started multiple centuries ago–though the company has changed what it produces over the span of that time. However, in the early 1900s, the company transitioned to 2-stroke motors and their associated products, which led to the development of the Husqvarna Group. Since that time, Husqvarna has quickly outpaced all but other 2-stroke engine specialists like Honda and a few others. That is why we ranked the Husqvarna 455 Rancher as the best professional chainsaw for cutting trees.

Specs

• Type: Gas.
• Power: 3.5 hp.
• Chain Speed: 9000 RPMs.
• Size: 20”.

Top Dog

If you have a tall tree with a thick trunk to take down, chances are that an electric chainsaw simply will not cut it. Thankfully, the Husqvarna 455 Rancher makes it a point to provide enough power to take down pretty much anything–including an Ironwood if need be.

This all starts with the 55cc engine that can produce up to 3.5 hp of power. This power is just as easily transferred to the chain with a maximum chain speed of 9000 RPMs. On top of that, the Husqvarna 455 Rancher has the longest bar on our list at 20” and features their proprietary X-Cut chain. Finally, the engine was designed with the X-Torq system to keep the emissions down and uses an air injection system to keep the engine clean and clear.

Pros:

• Has a 20” bar.
• Toolless tension system.
• Has a LowVib system.
• Generates 3.5 hp of power.
• Has a max RPM of 9000.
• Environmentally-friendly X-TORQ system.
• Has an air-injection cleaning system.

Cons:

• Is a louder chainsaw.
• Is a heavier chainsaw.

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5. Worx WG322 Cordless Chainsaw – Best Budget Chainsaw for Cutting Trees

Worx is interesting in that it features a CEO from BLACK+DECKER combined with a Chinese power tool powerhouse. That said, both parties wished to transition from power tools to lawn care tools through the company makes both these days. Still, having only started in 2004, Worx had some work ahead of to make an impact in the consumer-grade market. Thankfully, one of the best qualities of the Worx brand is its dedication to innovation, as they have introduced numerous new features that no one else has. Regardless, the Worx WG322 is not the absolute best chainsaw we saw, but it is the best budget chainsaw for cutting trees we reviewed.

Specs

• Type: Cordless Electric.
• Power: 20V.
• Chain Speed: 12 ½’/sec.
• Size: 10”.

Substanceless Flash

As a budget-friendly brand, you should expect the Worx WG322 chainsaw to not perform like any of the more professional-grade products we reviewed. That said, this chainsaw does at least provide a solid value by coming with the chain, battery, and charger.

This makes the budget price even more attractive without any additional accessories to buy. On top of that, this is the lightest chainsaw that we reviewed which makes it much easier to use. However, the Worx WG322 has the slowest chain speed that we saw at only 12 ½’/sec–though the BLACK+DECKER does not actually provide that spec rating.

Pros:

• Is a less expensive chainsaw.
• Is a cordless electric chainsaw.
• Comes with a battery and charger.
• Is a compact chainsaw.
• Is a lightweight chainsaw.

Cons:

• The chain slips off.
• Battery life is substandard.

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Buyer’s Guide

Types of Chainsaws

The type of chainsaw will have arguably the most impact on the tool’s performance due to the way that motors and engines generate torque. Basically, the combustion generated by a 2-stroke engine has a given amount of force to be transferred. Motors, by contrast, draw their energy from a battery reserve or are plugged directly into an outlet. This often leads to a bottleneck of energy at some point along the path, which ultimately leads to a depowering effect. On the other hand, many of the benefits that an electric chainsaw provide are convenience related and designed for homeowners.

Electric Chainsaws

These are becoming more and more popular over time due to the massive amount of convenience that they can provide. Specifically, electrical chainsaws do not require gasoline fuel and do not require oil for the motor, though they still require oil for the chain. Still, electric motors are much smaller on average than a comparable engine would be. This allows electric motors to fit into a smaller frame which leads them to be slightly lighter than gasoline engines.

On top of that, electric motors are significantly quieter than their combustion-based gasoline cousins. The biggest drawback of electric chainsaws is that they are rarely able to generate the same kind of torque as gas chainsaws. Not to mention a corded chainsaw, it is ultimately tethered to its power source, and battery packs are far more limited than the average tank.

Gas Chainsaws

Gas-powered chainsaws used to be the only type of chainsaw, but modern innovations in miniaturization have allowed electric chainsaws to take the center stage. That said, gas-powered chainsaws are pretty much the only type of chainsaw for a truly professional job. Keep in mind, the title of our article relates to cutting trees, and few electric chainsaws could actually cut through a full-grown tree. That is actually the singular benefit that gas-powered chainsaw provides that an electric chainsaw cannot match.

This will show up both in the engine’s torque as well as the chain speed, though you can technically cut full-grown trees with an electric chainsaw–you just need perfect technique. The combustion engine of a gas chainsaw will also produce significantly more noise than an electric and are also often a good bit heavier. That said, there are still plenty of bells and whistles accompanying gas chainsaws.

Chain Speed

This is the second most important quality after the power that the chainsaw can generate. As we have already mentioned, gas chainsaws win that battle quite handily, allowing them to more easily cut through thicker pieces of wood. However, the chain speed will affect how easily it cuts through that wood and whether or not the chain is liable to get caught on a whorl or burr. It is worth noting that electric chainsaw manufacturers are well aware of this disparity and even go so far as to use a different measurement system, so it does not look as bad in comparison. Still, much like with the torque and all-around cutting power.

Conclusion

The type of job you have will impact which chainsaw is the best for you, but we feel that the DEWALT DCCS620B is the best for most people. This is because the DEWALT DCCS620B is a cordless electric chainsaw that can still generate plenty of power–for an electric chainsaw. On top of that, the DEWALT DCCS620B is also a reasonably priced chainsaw.

Of course, if you are a professional or have a professional-level job, then you will probably need a gas chainsaw. In this regard, the Husqvarna 455 Rancher takes the top spot with an engine that can generate 3 ½ hp and has a maximum chain speed of 9000 RPMs. That said, you are definitely going to pay more for a professional chainsaw than an electric.