Chainsaws rating for quality and reliability 2020

In process rating of chainsaws for quality and reliability in 2020 we focused primarily on the following characteristics:

• Performance: how powerful is the chainsaw? What are her limitations? What tasks does it handle - for example, can it perform a rip cut quickly and easily?
• Convenience and safety: how easy is it to handle a chainsaw? Is it easy to hold? What security features does it have?
• Build quality: what materials is the chainsaw made of? How strong and reliable is it?

We've taken all of these factors into account, along with things like feature set, accessories, warranty period, and more. We then looked at the price of the models and determined the final estimate based on value for money and reliability. This is how the top 12 best chainsaws were compiled in 4 categories: household, semi-professional, professional and mini chainsaws.

The best household chainsaws

3. Huter BS-45

• bus length 45 cm
• chain pitch 0.325 inches
• engine displacement 45 cc cm
• number of speeds: 1
• functions: anti-vibration, chain brake
• modification 70/6/2
• weight 7 kg

If you come to the dacha only on weekends and for a couple of weeks on vacation, it makes no sense to spend money on an expensive and sophisticated chainsaw. Yes, it can work continuously for up to 8 hours and can handle even the most difficult cases. But why buy a semi-professional or professional-grade tool when an ordinary, inexpensive chainsaw is enough for sawing an old wood shed or pruning branches?

The Huter BS-45 opens the list of the best household chainsaws of 2020. This brand belongs to a German company, but it is produced in China and has low prices. The budget class means that you won't do much with this saw. However, if you plan to use the saw rarely - for example, once a month or two to prune branches, sawing boards or perform some other simple work that does not require much time and / or physical effort - the Huter BS-45 will more than fit.

For a low price, you get an excellent chainsaw that will chew through branches up to about 20 cm in diameter and even handle a large tree if you saw it piece by piece.

pros: easy and smooth to start up, light weight, easy and convenient assembly and disassembly.

Minuses: vague instructions, build quality can vary greatly from product to product.

2. CHAMPION 237 16 ″ 237-16

• bus length 40 cm
• chain pitch 3/8 inch
• engine displacement 37.2 cu. cm
• number of speeds: 1
• functions: anti-vibration, chain brake
• weight 4.7 kg

It would seem that the young Chinese company Champion can offer on the market of household and farm tools that has not been offered before? But still, she found a niche for herself - this is the market for good and inexpensive saws for household use.

Of course, CHAMPION 237 16 ″ 237-16 has a great resource of work, capacities and endurance. This Chinese chainsaw is the best up to 5000 rubles. She can prepare firewood, cut boards, cut branches without problems. Even a nail stuck in the board is not a hindrance for her.

True, as is usual with "Chinese", it is worth checking the product in detail before buying. Well, craftsmen also put a chain from European saws on it - they say that with such a chain, a saw generally cuts like an animal.

pros: light weight, easy to use, easy to start.

Minuses: high gas mileage, high vibration.

1. Oleo-Mac GSH 56 5032-9002E1T

• bus length 45 cm
• chain pitch 0.325 inches
• engine displacement 54.5 cu. cm
• number of speeds: 1
• functions: anti-vibration, chain brake
• weight 5.4 kg

Chainsaws under the Oleo-Mac label are supplied to the Russian market by the Italian company Emak, and production facilities are located in China. True, despite the fact that this company has long been engaged in the development and production of forestry equipment and garden tools, it is not so well known to Russian users. But individual copies still manage to break through to the heart of the buyer - like the Oleo-Mac GSH 56 5032-9002E1T. When asked which chainsaw to buy for the home, expert advice often converges on Oleo-Mac.

The cost of her, of course, is higher than that of the previous participants in the rating of the best chainsaws for summer cottages - about two and a half times. But for this money you get a powerful, comfortable saw, and, as is the case with other Chinese, you do not have to sift through a heap of garbage to find a pearl - Emak strictly monitors the quality.

Thanks to its higher power, this machine will perfectly cope even with cutting large logs for firewood. And the products of this brand are durable, so chances are that the saw you buy now will serve your children too. Of course, provided that you change parts that are particularly susceptible to wear, such as chains, tires and fuel filters, in time.

pros: power, performance, quick start, endurance, durability, build quality, roomy fuel tank.

Minuses: heavy, no decompressor to start.

Semi-professional chainsaws

3. DAEWOO DACS5218XT

• bus length 45 cm
• chain pitch 0.325 inches
• engine volume 52 cubic meters cm
• number of speeds: 1
• functions: anti-vibration, chain brake
• weight 6.4 kg

It is a well-balanced chainsaw with a shock-resistant and heat-resistant magnesium alloy body and a powerful 3.5 hp two-stroke engine that runs smoothly both at idle and under load.

The DACS5218XT is best suited for homeowners who need to maintain large trees and is also great for cutting round timber. It starts effortlessly, has an adjustable oil supply, a quality bar and chain with reduced vibration and high cutting precision.

With strong kickback, the band brake mechanism instantly blocks the movement of the chain, this reduces the likelihood of injury to the operator.

It won't work for a long time with such a saw, its weight is solid. However, its power allows you to quickly cope with the task.

pros: convenient and easy start, detailed instructions, ease of maintenance, quality materials.

Minuses: weight.

2. Husqvarna 450eII 9671569-75

• chain pitch 0.325 inches
• engine displacement 50.2 cu. cm
• functions: anti-vibration, chain brake
• modification 9671569-75
• weight 5.1 kg

This chainsaw does not require a lot of effort from your hands to get started. It is equipped with a Smart Start function for easy starting. Also this saw is well balanced and, despite its considerable weight, it is not too tiring to use.

The Husqvarna 450eII 9671569-75 is easy to maintain: the chain is tensioned without the use of tools, the fuel cap is easy to open and close, and the cylinder cover has latches for easy access to the spark plug and cylinder.

All in all, this chainsaw looks like a well-made power tool, and given the many positive reviews on VseTools, we can safely recommend the Husqvarna 450eII 9671569-75 for those looking for a powerful and durable chainsaw for semi-professional use.

pros: quickly starts up in hot and cold weather, easily handles even large logs, suitable for felling and subsequent sawing of large trees, ease of use.

Minuses: expensive parts.

1. Makita EA3203S40B

• bus length 40 cm
• chain pitch 3/8 inch
• engine displacement 32 cu. cm
• number of speeds: 1
• functions: anti-vibration, chain brake
• weight 4.1 kg

Makita is one of the best tool makers in the world, and its products are famous for their good functionality, quality materials and durability. Chainsaw Makita EA3203S40B is no exception to the rule, it is powerful, easy to use and has many features that facilitate operation. Among them:

1. setting and tensioning the chain without using a tool,
2. three-position switch for instant selection of the desired mode - start, run, stop,
3. electronic ignition system,
4. primer,
5. MPI technology to facilitate restart.

The supplied chain is of very good quality, weighs a little compared to its semi-professional competitors, and it is a pleasure to use it. The owners claim that it takes 5-10 minutes to turn a felled tree into a pile of firewood with the Makita EA3203S40B.

pros: lightweight, powerful, comfortable, low consumption of gasoline and oil, fast chain tension.

Minuses: Parts are difficult to find and expensive.

Professional chainsaws

3. Oleo-Mac GS 650 18 ″ 5025-9001E1

• bus length 45 cm
• chain pitch 3/8 inch
• engine displacement 63.4 cu. cm
• number of speeds: 1
• functions: anti-vibration, chain brake
• weight 6.3 kg

Inexpensive and good professional chainsaw - is there a contradiction in these words? No, if we are talking about Oleo-Mac GS 650. Despite the fact that it was made in China, the assembly is very solid, which is confirmed by the reviews of picky Russian users. The saw teeth are made of metal, the crankshaft is forged steel and the cylinder is nickel-plated. All this guarantees long-term operation of the unit.

The model is equipped with a high-quality anti-vibration system with 2 spring and 4 rubber shock absorbers, so that her hands will not shake after work. Features such as net inertia brake and lateral chain tension increase safety when using the saw.

The Oleo-Mac GS 650 18 ″ is easy to start at any temperature and can cut trees up to 60 centimeters in diameter quickly and confidently. Its speed is high and the power for felling trees or for ripping is enough with a margin.

pros: powerful, easy to start, low fuel consumption, variable oil pump.

Minuses: heavy.

2. Husqvarna 365 SP 9670828-18

• bus length 45 cm
• chain pitch 3/8 inch
• engine displacement 65.1 cu. cm
• functions: anti-vibration, chain brake
• modification 9670828-18

One of the best chainsaws for professionals, partly because of its strength and partly because of its LowVib vibration control system. The build quality, like other Husqvarna models, is traditionally high (both the brand and the country of assembly are Sweden). There are no strange noises, the saw is made firmly, and it starts up perfectly in any weather.

It features a variable oil pump, quick start system, quick release air filter, and Air Injection to help reduce filter wear. The chain can be quickly adjusted thanks to the side tensioner.

The power reserve of this model is more than enough for felling trees and longitudinal cutting of logs, while the unit is perfectly balanced and it is not only convenient for it to work, but also productive.

pros: powerful, indestructible, reliable.

Minuses: weight.

1. STIHL MS 880-47

• bus length 120 cm
• chain pitch 0.404 inches
• engine displacement 121.6 cu. cm
• functions: chain brake
• weight 10 kg

This chainsaw cannot be called a budget one, but it pays for itself in terms of its “vitality”, power and functionality.

The well thought-out design and shape of the chainsaw make it easy to operate and make working with the STIHL MS 880-47 completely safe. It starts easily thanks to the decompression valve. Lateral tension on the chain eliminates operator hand contact with the chain saw. A high-quality brake allows you to stop the saw at any time.

According to user reviews, the STIHL chainsaw can easily cut large-sized wood, thin out forest belts and is perfect for any work involving cutting wood.

pros: easy to clean, durable, excellent anti-vibration system, works flawlessly in winter and summer, there is an automatic lubrication system.

Minuses: noise, price, weight.

The best mini chainsaws

3. DDE CS250-12 ″ 790-038

• bus length 30 cm
• chain pitch 3/8 inch
• engine displacement 25.4 cu. cm
• number of speeds: 1
• functions: anti-vibration, chain brake
• modification 790-038
• weight 3.9 kg

Small weight, allowing you to use the tool even with one hand, low vibration level and compact size have long turned mini-chainsaws into one of the favorite tools of tourists, summer residents and hunters. These models are usually not as difficult to handle, use and care as their semi-professional, professional or even ordinary household counterparts. However, they are not suitable for long-term continuous operation.

The DDE CS250-12 ″ 790-038 is only 33 cm long, which allows you to take it with you to the garden, on a hike, fishing, or hunting. It's nice that the set with the saw itself comes with a handy bag with straps, so the items lying nearby in the trunk will not get dirty, and it is easy to carry from place to place. The weight of the saw is also very small - filled according to all the rules, it weighs only about 4 kg.

The modern carburetor design allows the tool to be used even at low temperatures (for example, during winter fishing). There is also a system of anti-vibration, so that when working, hands are less tired and joints do not suffer. The saw body itself is ergonomic, comfortable grip, it is easy and pleasant to work with it.

All this, of course, is very good, but DDE are Chinese-made saws for the budget segment. Therefore, in order not to be excruciatingly painful for wasted money, we recommend that you carefully check the build quality and the operation of the tool.

pros: build quality, dimensions, weight, price, there is an adjustment of the oil supply in the pump.

Minuses: gluttony, quality may vary from model to model.

2. ECHO CS-260TES-10 ″

• busbar length 25 cm
• chain pitch 3/8 inch
• engine displacement 26.9 cubic meters cm
• number of speeds: 1
• functions: anti-vibration, chain brake
• weight 2.9 kg

Chainsaws from the Japanese company Kioritz Corporation - namely, it produces goods under the ECHO brand - are famous for their excellent workmanship, compact size and lightness. True, they are not cheap.

ECHO CS-260TES-10 ″ - perhaps the lightest saw in the rating of the best mini-chainsaws, its weight does not even reach 3 kg. At the same time, it has a low vibration level, there is a system of easy start and easy start at low temperatures, as well as adjustment of operating speeds. It is very convenient to work with, the ride is smooth, does not move from side to side, does not wobble, and the low weight makes it easy to operate with one hand.

True, a high-quality saw also requires high-quality consumables, up to the direct requirement of the manufacturer to use only a certain type of engine oil. Otherwise, there is a risk of losing the warranty. At the same time, the tanks for filling gasoline and oil are made so similar that even experienced users can confuse them, so we advise you to pay increased attention to this detail.

pros: build quality and materials

Minuses: chainsaw price, consumables price

1. Husqvarna Т435 12 "9669972-12

• chain pitch 3/8 inch
• engine displacement 35.2 cu. cm
• number of speeds: 1
• functions: anti-vibration
• modification 9669972-12
• weight 3.4 kg

It is not surprising that saws and other equipment from Husqvarna enjoy such prestige in the Russian market. The Swedish company has been developing and manufacturing handy gardening and logging tools for over three centuries, and during this time it has gained a fair amount of experience. Even the most inexpensive models are getting a lot of approving reviews on specialized sites.

Husqvarna Т435 12 "9669972-12 is a professional-grade instrument, albeit a mini one. The manufacturer intends it for high-altitude work, where a chainsaw is required, but this does not mean at all that it cannot be used in everyday life. If you can afford it, because the saw's price tag is as impressive as its quality.

For your money, you get a great tool with oil flow control, improved air filtration, spring suspension, quick start, super fuel efficient engine and even a special suspension hole on the body to make it easier to climb with the saw.

pros: build quality and materials, fast and confident start, minimum vibration, well balanced, excellent ergonomics.

Minuses: heavy weight for a mini-saw, plastic parts, unresponsive service.

How to choose the best chainsaw for price and quality