Best Husqvarna Chainsaw 2019: 8 Top Picks for You (Reviews)

So, you’re in the market for a new chainsaw, but you’re not sure which one to buy. Perhaps you’ve heard of Husqvarna through a friend or professional acquaintance, and you’ve heard they’re the best.

While it’s true that Husqvarna makes a beast of a chainsaw, it’s also true that they’re more pricey than basic consumer brands that you’ll see in a big box store. As a result, you want to make absolutely sure you’re getting the ideal saw for your needs.

We’ve narrowed Husqvarna’s catalogue down to eight options, which PowerOfTool.com thinks represent the best of the best. Let’s get started!

Top 8 Best Husqvarna Chainsaw 2019

1. Husqvarna 450

The Husqvarna 450 is a mid-length, 18-inch chainsaw that’s designed for clearing a lot of trees as efficiently as possible. The 50.2cc X-Torq 2-cycle gas motor is the most powerful in Husqvarna’s lineup, with the exception of the Rancher series (which we’ll also be looking at). It’s heavy-duty enough to run all day without any issues, although that’s true for more or less any Husqvarna tool.

The motor on this chainsaw is very fuel-efficient and will run for several hours on a quart of pre-mixed fuel. One thing you’ll need to be careful about is replacing your chain. This motor doesn’t mess around, and applies enough torque that cheap chains will wear and stretch quickly and need a lot of adjustment. If you’re willing to invest in a Husqvarna saw, don’t go cheap and buy $5 chains. Get a pro-grade chain, and you’ll be glad you did.

Pros:

• Powerful engine
• Very low vibration
• Fuel-efficient engineering

Cons:

• Easily destroys inexpensive chains

2. Husqvarna 455 Rancher

The Husqvarna 455 Rancher is designed for clearing trails and rights-of-way, even through dense woods with a lot of big trees. It’s available with either an 18-inch or a 20-inch bar, which isn’t exactly jumbo-sized, but is larger than all but the biggest consumer chainsaws.

For professionals who need to cut a lot of wood, this tough machine is up to the task. It features a large, 55.5cc motor, which can shred through hardwoods like a carving knife through a tender Thanksgiving gobbler. It has a low vibration design, but this is relative. At the end of the day, it’s a hefty machine, and you’re going to feel it – it’s just easier on your joints than equivalent consumer models.

Be careful to use non-ethanol fuel in this saw. It’s finicky, and won’t start with ethanol gas, particularly E85.

Pros:

• Very powerful motor
• Low vibration
• Large enough for almost any job

Cons:

• Sometimes difficult to get started

3. Husqvarna 240 (16-inch)

The Husqvarna 240 (16-inch) is Husqvarna’s most affordable chainsaw offering. It’s still professional-grade in terms of being sturdily designed and constructed, but it’s a bit smaller and more lightweight. The 38.2cc motor isn’t as powerful as their other motors, although it’s still beefy enough to cut through hardwoods with the 16-inch blade.

That said, if you’re going to be cutting a significant amount of hardwood, we’d choose a bigger saw. The 240 isn’t that much less expensive than Husqvarna’s other saws, and an upgrade is well worth the while if you’re looking for a pro-grade chainsaw, to begin with. On the other hand, this is a great saw for beginners. The X-Torq motor starts easily on the first pull, and the lightweight saw is easy to manage for an extended period of time.

Pros:

• A great choice for beginners
• Lightweight and easy to manage
• Most affordable Husqvarna 16-inch chainsaw available

Cons:

• Relatively low power

4. Husqvarna 460 Rancher

If you’re looking for a large, powerful saw for land clearance and bucking, the Husqvarna 460 Rancher will be right up your alley. It comes in a variety of bar lengths, from 18 to 24 inches.

Now, the obvious move would be to buy the 24-inch version, since it will allow you to cut through thicker tree trunks, but let’s not sell the 18-inch version short. If you need a ton of power but not as much length – for example, for clearing hardwood saplings – the shorter blade may actually be a better choice.

Either way, the 60.3cc motor is very powerful, with plenty of torque. This power comes at the expense of weight, though; the 460 Rancher tips the scales at a hefty 14 pounds. Then again, it’s fuel-efficient, and tough enough to cut just about anything imaginable.

Pros:

• Large, powerful motor
• Available with 18-24 inch chains
• Fuel-efficient design

Cons:

• Heavy

5. Husqvarna 440E

The Husqvarna 440E is an innovative mid-sized chainsaw that’s designed to require as few tools as possible for maintenance. To facilitate this, the saw features an air filter cover that pops off with the press of a simple thumb tab. Even more conveniently, it includes a tool-free chain tensioning system. So you won’t have to keep breaking out your screwdriver every time your chain has stretched a tenth of an inch.

The 440E’s 40.9cc motor is on the small side, but it’s very ruggedly constructed, with a forged crankshaft that can deliver years of torque without your engine suffering any serious failures. It cools off very quickly, though. Take a few minutes to grab a drink or a cigarette break, and you’ll need to cold-start your chainsaw again. This isn’t a huge inconvenience, but it’s worth keeping in mind.

Pros:

• Tool-free chain tensioning
• Durable construction
• CARB-compliant

Cons:

• Engine gets cold quickly

6. Husqvarna 445

The Husqvarna 445 was designed to bring as many features as possible to the company’s consumer saws. The quick-release air filter, 4-year warranty (with purchase of 3 quarts of pre-mix), visible fuel level window, and centrifugal air system all improve performance, comfort, and ease of use.

The only thing we would have liked to see improved was the 45.7cc motor, which isn’t as powerful as we’d like to see on an 18-inch gas saw. If you need to cut a lot of hardwood, consider a more powerful chainsaw.

That said, it’s a fantastic choice for cutting large quantities of softwood. The motor is easy to start, even in chilly weather. And the 445 weighs just over 10 pounds, so it’s lightweight enough that you won’t experience cramping and muscle aches after extended use.

Pros:

• Lightweight construction
• Reliable design
• Easy to start

Cons:

• Limited power

7. Husqvarna 120i

The Husqvarna 120i is part of their 40-volt electric power tool line, which also offers a string trimmer, edge trimmer, leaf blower, and lawn mower, all of which use the same battery.

But why would you want a battery-operated chainsaw? Simply put, there’s no better option if you’re doing light cutting and trimming over a wide area. This saw only weighs 6.5 pounds, and doesn’t require you to carry a fuel can along with you while you work.

Battery life extends on how much cutting you’re doing, as well as what power setting you’re running the motor at. Even at high settings, you’ll get a solid 1-2 hours of cutting before you need to change your battery. This should be plenty for most homeowners, but professionals may want to consider buying a second battery so they can always keep one on the charger.

Pros:

• Very compact and lightweight
• Long-lasting 40V brushless motor
• Adjustable power to maximize battery life

Cons:

• Not very powerful

8. Husqvarna 240 (14-inch)

The Husqvarna 240 (14-inch) is a downsized version of the Husqvarna 240 we already looked at with the 16-inch bar. Shrinking the bar reduces strain on the 38.2cc motor, allowing you to squeeze a little more power out of a pint-sized engine. Like its bigger brother, this chainsaw is very easy to start and operate, making it an excellent choice if you don’t have any previous experience with chainsaws.

Obviously, with a 14-inch bar, you’re not going to be felling any large trees. So what is this saw good for? Basically, it’s an ideal choice for trimming hardwood trees, or for felling small ones. The small size gives the motor the punch it needs to cut through hardwood, unlike the larger version.

Pros:

• Great choice for beginners
• Lightweight and easy to manage
• Most affordable Husqvarna chainsaw available

Cons:

• Limited size

How to Choose the Best Professional Chainsaw?

If you’re not familiar with chainsaws, making the right selection can be a challenge. Here are a few things to keep in mind when you’re narrowing down your options.

Type of Saw

The first thing you need to consider is whether you’re going to use gas or electric. Oftentimes, this choice comes down to size. It’s tough to find an electric chainsaw larger than 16 inches, since anything larger than that will need to draw far too much power for a typical wall outlet. That said, an electric chainsaw can be cheaper to use over time than a gas saw, and requires less maintenance.

In recent years, battery technology has finally gotten to the point that battery-operated chainsaws are becoming a viable option. For now, these tend to be very small, but we’re encouraged at where the long-term trends are headed.

Type of Cut

The next thing you need to consider is whether you’re going to be primarily cutting hardwood or softwood. If you’re only cutting softwoods, you can get away with a more affordable, less powerful chainsaw. Conversely, you’re going to want a more powerful unit for cutting hardwoods.

Size

The size of your chainsaw is another important consideration, and it involves a tradeoff between weight, power, and the size of the wood that you’re cutting.

Obviously, if you’re cutting a heavy tree trunk, you’re going to need a monster saw. On the other hand, a smaller saw can provide more power with less weight, which makes them a more convenient choice for trimming and cutting smaller trees.

Where Are Husqvarna Chainsaws Made?

With modern multinational companies, it can sometimes be difficult to find out where a product was manufactured. In Husqvarna’s case, this is equally true. Here’s what we were able to find out.

Husqvarna has operations in several countries, but their main production takes place in Sweden, Norway, the USA, Brazil, and China.

The company itself is headquartered in Sweden, but it seems that distribution mainly takes place in each local market. So, for example, US buyers can expect to receive a US-made chainsaw, while Eurozone buyers can expect to receive a chainsaw made in Sweden or Norway.

Who Made Husqvarna Chainsaws?

Husqvarna began their history all the way back in the year 1689, as a state-owned rifle factory in the town of Husqvarna, in southern Sweden. Over the years, the demand for rifles declined, and in 1872 the factory started using some of their equipment for manufacturing sewing machines.

Over the next several decades, the company added more and more production capacity, using their expertise iron-working, drilling, and machining to branch out into cast iron cooking supplies, bicycles, motorcycles, lawnmowers, chainsaws, and a variety of other lawn and outdoor equipment.

In 1959, the manufacturing company was spun off from the main ironworks. They were acquired by Electrolux in 1978, but were spun off again as an independent company in 2006. That’s quite the history! Any company that’s been around for that long clearly knows what they’re doing.

Which Husqvarna Chainsaws Are Professional?

Here’s the thing with terms like “professional grade”: they’re entirely subjective. There are homeowners who prefer rugged, powerful tools and there are professional contractors who prefer cheap equipment because it’s no big deal to replace.

The term “professional” also begs the question: “professional what?”. A professional landscaper doesn’t need a 2-man logging chainsaw, but a quality trimming chainsaw is a must. In our view, and in the view of most users, all Husqvarna chainsaws are professional grade, because all their models are ruggedly designed.

That said, there’s a special type of “professional” chainsaw that’s relevant here, because it refers specifically to saws used by professional loggers and arborists. We haven’t listed any of those saws here, because they’re a niche market. However, Husqvarna provides a handy chart on their website which lists all of their models and their intended uses.

What are the biggest and the smallest Husqvarna chainsaw?

So, you’re looking for a very small or very large chainsaw? Or maybe you’re just curious? Either way, we’ve got you covered. Here are the two extremes that Husqvarna offers.

On the small side, we have the T435. This is a tiny, 12-inch chainsaw that’s strictly designed for trimming and pruning trees. It’s great for managing small fruit and flowering trees which need to be trained into a certain shape while they’re still slender and supple, and it’s also a solid choice for chopping up and removing thick, woody bushes and shrubs.

If you’re looking for the biggest, baddest chainsaw in Husqvarna’s collection, look no further than the 3120 XP. This is a 42-inch monster, and unless you’re a very strong, large person you’re likely to have some trouble controlling it. That said, there aren’t many better options on the market for cutting the most massive trees. Even for trees that are only slightly big, the 3120 XP is a solid choice for bucking, since you can more or less lay the blade on top of the tree trunk and let her rip.

Who Sells Husqvarna Chainsaws Near Me?

When you’re investing in something like a high-quality chainsaw, sometimes it can be nice to get your hands on the product before you actually decide to buy. The differences between the 455 Rancher and 460 Rancher, for example, are subtle, and the easiest way to decide between them can bet to hold them both and see how they feel in your hands.

There are two ways to do this. If you’re looking to see if a particular model is actually in stock, the best way is to call several dealers in your area and find out. Husqvarna makes this as painless as possible. You can search for licensed Husqvarna dealers worldwide from Husqvarna’s website.

Another option is to shop from a big box store. The downside is that they’re unlikely to have more than one or two models in stock, so your selection is going to be limited unless you place a special order. That said big box stores are typically more affordable, so you can shave a few dollars off the price as opposed to buying from a mom & pop shop.

Conclusion

As you can see, Husqvarna offers an impressive array of chainsaws, from smaller trimming chainsaws all the way up to big, beefy saws that are designed for loggers and arborists. Exactly which one of these saws is best for you is going to depend on your needs.

We like to think we’ve chosen enough variety that there’s at least one chainsaw for everyone. No matter what you choose, we hope our guide has helped you make an informed, educated decision. That’s what we’re here for.