Best Chainsaw for Firewood: Top 7 to Cut Your Wood Easily

There are several things that you might wish to do with a chainsaw. Perhaps you want to cut down a tree, or turn a fallen tree into timber. Both of these tasks will be much easier to do with a chainsaw than a regular saw.

However, another thing that you might wish to do with a chainsaw is to cut firewood. There are many reasons why you might want firewood: to sell, to use for heat, to use for cooking, or for a bonfire for your gang to sing around.

In this article, we’ll cover the seven best chainsaws to use for cutting firewood.

Top 8 Best Chainsaw for Cutting Firewood 2019

1. Husqvarna 460 Rancher Gas Chainsaw

The first chainsaw on this list is the Husqvarna Forest & Garden 966048324. It’s a gas-powered chainsaw with a 24-inch bar. It weighs 21 pounds and measures 38 × 12 × 12 inches.

Pros

• With a 460 Rancher, this saw will have plenty of energy to power the long bar.
• A powerful 60.3 cc engine makes it extremely powerful
• 2 cycle engine with an inertia-activated chain brake helps to give this chainsaw optimum safety
• Automatic chain oiler to make sure that the chain is always fully lubricated
• Side-mounted chain tensioning to make any adjustments as easy as can be
• Quick-release air filter so that you can keep the chainsaw clean with ease

Cons

• Occasionally, the air filter might not be quite as effective as some users would like it to be
• Some users have criticised its runtime
• Certain parts are made out of plastic which some users have labeled as ‘cheap’

2. DEWALT DCCS620B 20V MAX XR Compact 12 in. Cordless Chainsaw

The next saw is the DeWalt DCCS620B. It’s a battery-powered saw with a 12-inch bar. Measuring 25 × 9 × 9 inches, it weighs 8.8 pounds. It uses a 20V battery.

Pros

• A low kickback bar will prevent any injuries.
• To maximise run time, chain gauge, and motor life, it comes with a high-efficiency brushless motor.
• Very high chain speed of 25.2 ft/s.
• Tool-free chain tensioning and bar tightening. This will make adjustments easy.
• Lightweight for maximum user control.

Cons

• Tightening mechanisms are not as effective as some users would like them to be
• Quality of use can decrease over time
• Some customers have complained about DeWalt’s returns policy

3. WORX WG304.1 Chain Saw 18-Inch

Next on this list is the Worx WG204.1. It’s a 15 amp wired chainsaw that comes with an 18-inch bar. Weighing 11.3 pounds, its measurements are 20.6 × 14.6 × 8.1 inches.

Pros

• The 15 amp motor will deliver a powerful cut
• Auto-tension system ensures that the chain cannot be over-tightened
• Comes with safety features such as a low kickback bar, and built-in chain brake system
• Automatic lubrication with a window on the oil reservoir ensures that it’s always running smoothly
• 200 ml tank for lubricating oil
• Three-year warranty

Cons

• Gears are made out of plastic, which has been described as ‘cheap’
• Oil reservoir can be susceptible to leaks
• Auto-tension system can become faulty over time
• Some customers have experienced issues with starting it up
• A few customers are unhappy with Worx’s return policy

4. BLACK+DECKER 40V MAX Cordless Chainsaw

Black and Decker makes the next chainsaw on our list today. The LCS1240 has a 12-inch bar and 40V battery. It weighs 10.4 pounds, and measures 28.6 × 8.8 × 9.6 inches.

Pros

• Lithium-ion battery to help you to get better run time
• Automatic oiling system so that it’s always properly lubricated
• Great for pruning branches and cutting fallen limbs
• Tool-free chain tensioning for quick and easy chain adjustments
• Full wrap handle for better grip and safety
• One charge can cut an average of 60 4 × 4 pine lumber cuts

Cons

• Has been known to leak oil sometimes
• After constant use, the power can decrease
• Some customers have complained about Black and Decker’s return policy
• Battery sometimes does not last as long as advertised
• Battery costs about $50 extra

5. EGO Power+ 14-Inch 56-Volt Lithium-Ion Cordless Chain Saw

EGO Power is the creator of our next chainsaw on this list. This particular model comes with a 14-inch bar and a 56-volt battery. It weighs 11.4 pounds, and measures 32.9 × 10.4 × 10.8 inches.

Pros

• A high-efficiency brushless motor
• Chain able to reach speeds of 6300 RPM
• Lasts a long time as it can deliver up to 100 cuts per charge
• Weather-resistant, so usable in rain or snow
• Super-safe with the chain kickback brake
• High ratings on Amazon
• Sleek and easy-to-use design

Cons

• Some customers have complained about the oil system, saying that it’s ‘not working’.
• A few users have complained about what they describe as a short battery life
• Occasionally, customers have complained that the chain sometimes struggles to stay in place
• Certain parts are made out of plastic which some have described as ‘cheap’

6. Poulan Pro 20 in. 50cc 2-Cycle Gas Chainsaw (PR5020)

Poulan Pro is the next chainsaw here, the PR5020. It’s a gas-powered chainsaw with a 20-inch bar and a 50cc engine.

This particular saw measures 12 × 16 × 11.8 inches and weighs 17 pounds.

Pros

• It uses an OxyPower engine to help deliver the extra power which all woodworkers need
• The OxyPower engine produces 70% less emissions and has 20% lower fuel consumption
• In-built, effortless pull starting system reduces the pull force by 30% for easier starting
• Combi tool stored in the rear handle makes maintenance much easier
• A protected purge bulb provides the fuel to the carburettor
• Easy-to-use stop control increases safety

Cons

• Susceptible to breakages, according to some users
• Chain has been known to come off, according to a few customers

7. Greenworks 16-Inch 40V Cordless Chainsaw

The final saw on our list today is one by Greenworks, a battery-powered machine that comes with a 40V battery and a 16-inch bar.

Its measurements are 31 × 9 × 8.5 inches and it weighs 6.9 pounds.

Pros

• Brushless motor for a longer run-time
• Brushless motor also reduces wear and tear, extending the lifetime of the machine
• Battery transferable to other Greenworks tools
• 30% more torque due to the brushless motor
• Translucent oil tank so it’s easy to observe the amount of lubricating oil
• 70% lower vibration makes it incredibly comfortable to use
• Very safe to use due to the chain brake and low kickback chain

Cons

• Has been known to leak oil
• Chain adjustments can be difficult
• The battery might not last as long as some users would like it to
• Chain has been known to come off on some occasions

How to pick the right chainsaw

These are only seven, and there are thousands of chainsaws that you could potentially buy. Here’s what to look for when you’re deciding which one to buy.

Size and Bar Length

When it comes to size, there are two things you need to keep in mind. The first is the size of the chainsaw, the part that isn’t the bar. It’s the thing that you hold while using the saw. You also need to think about the size of the bar, the long thing that you wrap the chain around.

Despite what your one night stands might say, size matters. And despite what some of your other one night stands might say, bigger is not always better. You want a chainsaw that’s relatively easy to pick up, but also with a long enough bar to be able to cut through the wood that you want to deal with. If the bar is too short, the wood will take longer to cut into firewood.

That will probably lead you to ask, ‘What size and bar length should I go with?’ To be honest, there isn’t a single answer to that question. For smaller trees, a 12-inch bar will be fine; but for larger trees, you’ll want something that’s about 20 inches.

When it comes to our list, is the saw that is the best size depends on the difficulty and load you have to cut. If you only need to occasionally cut a smaller tree into firewood, the smallest chainsaw (minus the bar) is the DeWalt, and the smallest bar is a tie between the DeWalt and the Black and Decker.

The largest chainsaw (minus bar) is the Ego Power+ and the Poulan Pro has the longest bar.

Weight

Another aspect of a chainsaw that can affect how easy it is to use is how heavy it is. The definition of ‘heavy’ and ‘light’ can vary from person to person, with some people having a higher threshold for what they would personally consider being ‘heavy’. But even light items can become heavy if held over a long time.

Heaviness is important, as a chainsaw which is too heavy will be difficult to use. Not only will many people struggle to even pick it up, but even more will struggle to use it, particularly for tasks that require working at height. On the other hand, a chainsaw which is too light is easier to break and more flimsy.

As with size, there is no one weight that fits all situations. If you’re cutting wood regularly, you’ll want something that’s a bit heavier and more sturdy, and your muscles will develop and become accustomed to the load. However, if you only intend on using the chainsaw occasionally, you’ll want something which is lighter. Just make sure it’s not so light it falls apart, and not so heavy that you can’t lift it.

The lightest saw on our list is the Greenworks. This will make it the easiest to lift. And the heaviest on our list is the Husqvarna, meaning that it will be harder to lift, but also more sturdy and likely to last longer. However, due to its weight, it is probably on right for you if you intend to use it regularly.

Power

You’ve got the power! Or at least, your chainsaw should do!

Power is the amount of energy your chainsaw’s engine will be able to provide. There are different ways to measure chainsaw power, due to the range of power sources. Gas-powered chainsaws are usually measured in cc (cubic centimetres) whereas electric chainsaws are usually measured in voltage.

Power is arguably the most important thing to consider when picking the right chainsaw for you. The more power, the easier it will be to cut through the wood. A chainsaw with little power will not be able to get the job done very quickly, and might even run out of energy too quickly. In fact, power is the main thing that separates a chainsaw from a manual saw.

On the other hand, a chainsaw which has too much power might not be appropriate for people who do not have experience with chainsaws, as they can be rather dangerous. But if you’re experienced, and you take the correct safety precautions, then there is no such thing as too much power.

It’s difficult to point to the most powerful saw on the list as two are gas-powered (measured in cc) and the other five are electric (measured in voltage).

The chainsaw with the most powerful voltage is by far the Worx, because it’s corded and therefore doesn’t rely on a battery. The chainsaw with the highest cc is the Husqvarna.

Chain

As the name would suggest, a chainsaw always has a chain. The chain is the thing that wraps around the bar, and is covered in spikes. These spikes, or teeth, are what go into the wood and do the cutting. As you’ve probably figured out, you need to be careful with this! The teeth are very sharp and can easily cause an injury, particularly when the chainsaw is in use. So be careful!

There are many aspects to a good chain, and you need to keep all of them in mind when buying your chainsaw. First is how well it stays on the bar: you don’t want the chain coming off when it’s in use. Second, you need to consider how sharp the teeth are. If they’re too dull, they won’t be able to cut into wood as well as they should be able to. And finally, you need to think about how many teeth there are, and the spacing between them. Too many teeth and they won’t be able to glide as they should, but too few and the saw won’t be able to cut as it should.

Unfortunately, I cannot answer the question, ‘Which chainsaw on the list has the best chain?’ because Amazon offers very little information on chains. To find this information, you might have to ask questions of previous buyers of the chainsaws.

Thankfully, due to their high ratings, all of these chainsaws should have good chains that perform their functions and generally stay on.

Brand and Budget

Whether it’s a chainsaw, a meal, a car, or a house, you need to think about what your budget is. Despite what you probably thought like a child, money appears out of nowhere, and you can’t be spending money that you don’t have. That’s why you can’t forget about the price tag when you buy a chainsaw. However, it will be better to have a higher budget as doing so will enable you to buy a better chainsaw. But if you don’t have the funds, you can’t do anything about it.

The great thing about websites such as Amazon is that you can compare the prices of all the chainsaws you’re interested in. Price isn’t the only thing that matters: you also need to think about the best value for money. You don’t want to spend $50 on something that will last one hour before it breaks.

Most chainsaws will be at least $100, so if this is outside of your budget, then you’ll be better off buying a manual saw. However, you will be unlikely to find a chainsaw which is over $1000.

The cheapest chainsaw on our list is the Worx, at 79.99. And funnily enough, it’s also the one with the highest voltage. The most expensive is the Black and Decker.

Answering the question of which saw is the best value for money is entirely subjective. It depends on what you need the saw for and how often you intend on using it.

Conclusion

Turning a tree into firewood is much quicker and easier to do when you have a chainsaw. And this list is just seven of the best ones for the job.