If you are reading this, then we presume you are looking for the best cheap chainsaws on the market. While hunting for that perfect buy, you should be careful not to choose the wrong chainsaw just because it is cheap. Numerous factors should affect the choice you make, and in this article, we will point out these various factors.
Furthermore, we will consider some of the best cheap chainsaws you can buy right now. These chainsaws are the best under $100 and $200 and will give you performance and durability that rivals even more expensive chainsaws.
Read on to find out our top picks and the factors that should guide your choice.
Contents
Features to Consider in Cheap Chainsaws
When you walk into a shop or enter an online store in search of a chainsaw, you are bombarded by so many options. The market is flush with fakers and pretenders. These advertise their chainsaws as the best you can spend your hard-earned money on. However, after a couple of weeks or after one use, these chainsaws start to misbehave.
Who should buy a chainsaw under $100 /$ 200?
In a bid to save cost, most of us seek the cheapest option available. However, it should be noted that you should not expect a sub-$200 chainsaw to deliver the same performance that a +$1000 chainsaw will provide.
A cheap saw is best for folks who want a chainsaw to use in trimming and pruning trees. If you’re going to fell hardwood or are engaged in serious forestry work, then a more expensive chainsaw is the ideal and safer option. A cheap saw will simply not have the necessary power to do the job.
Therefore, in order not to fall into such a situation, you need to be super-careful when selecting chainsaws. There are several factors to consider when buying a chainsaw. In this section, we will briefly consider some of them.
Purpose of the Chainsaw
The first step in choosing the right chainsaw for you is recognizing your needs. What are you going to use the chainsaw for? Is it for felling trees? Or are you planning to use it to trim shrubs? Is it meant for cutting firewood? It is clear that you have some soul-searching to do before making a choice.
The purpose of the chainsaw will affect the type of chainsaw you will buy. If it is meant for heavy-duty cutting services like felling trees, then you will be better off purchasing a powerful chainsaw dedicated to heavy-duty work. If the purpose is for some light work in the garden, then it will be a waste of resources buying a super-powerful chainsaw.
In fact, a powerful chainsaw can even be dangerous! It will be unwieldy, and the risk of kickback will be extremely high.
Type of Chainsaw
Chainsaws come in different types, with each type possessing certain features, specifications, and advantages. There are two main types of chainsaws:
- Electric chainsaws
- Gas-powered chainsaws
Electric chainsaws
As the name implies, these chainsaws are powered by an electric current. This type of chainsaw is further divided into two categories: Corded electric chainsaws and Cordless electric chainsaws
Corded Electric Chainsaws
The corded electric chainsaws have an extension cord that is connected to an outlet to provide power. This type of chainsaw has its advantages.
Advantages of corded electric chainsaws
- They are relatively cheaper than other types of chainsaws
- They are more powerful than cordless electric chainsaws
- They are often lightweight and easy to use
Disadvantages of corded electric chainsaws
- The cords restrict your movement and the distance you can go
Cordless electric chainsaws
As the name implies, they do not use cords. Therefore, they do not need to be plugged before they can be used. They are battery-powered.
These chainsaws are bestsellers because of the ease of use and their inherent portability. Here are some other advantages:
- They produce little noise
- They are lightweight
- They are relatively expensive
- The batteries have to be recharged ever so often.
Best Cheap Chainsaws 2024 (Under $100)
1. WORX WG303.1 Powered Chain Saw
Our rating:
Design
The WORX WG303.1 is an electric chainsaw that comes in a nice design that makes working with it quite easy. The 11 pounds weight makes it lightweight when compared with many other chainsaws on the market. It has a relatively more prolonged than normal bar length, which makes it easier to reach your desired material. It is very easy to use and comes with an auto-oiler that oils the chain periodically and keeps it lubricated at all times.
Performance and Use
This chainsaw is perfect for beginners. Beginners will find it great for tasks like pruning trees and shrubs, cutting wood, and so on. We like the fact that it requires as little maintenance as possible, which is rare when it comes to chainsaws.
It is an electric chainsaw, and while you might think this will lead to less powerful performance, it proves doubters wrong. Since it doesn’t use any gas, it doesn’t have any harmful emissions. Thus, it is friendly on the environment.
It is a plug and use chainsaw. To use it, all you need to do is plug it into the outlet, press the start button, and get right to work. You do not have problems setting it up since it comes assembled from the manufacturer.
It demands little operating costs since you do not have to spend money on gas. Furthermore, there is no need to decipher the right ratio when mixing gas and oil. Overall, it is one of the best chainsaws on the market, and the best chainsaw under $100.
Other features
This chainsaw has a low kickback bar. Therefore, it is relatively safer to use than its rivals. Furthermore, the auto-oiler ensures that the chain is lubricated at all time. This is very convenient and makes your work easier.
A 15-Amp chainsaw, it delivers powerful performance, is great for beginners and even comes with a 3-year warranty.
- It is easy to use and maintain
- It comes assembled from the manufacturer
- It doesn’t produce any harmful emissions
- It is safe to use and has a low kickback bar
- The oil in the auto-oiler runs out rather quickly
2. WORX WG304.1 Chain Saw
Our rating:
Design
The WORX chainsaw comes in a rather attractive and colorful design. It has an orange tint which makes it distinctive and adds a little flavor to the overall design. It has an 18″ bar and can quickly cut through the hardest woods. It is a corded electric chainsaw that is relatively lightweight. It comes at just a little over 11 pounds. The weight minimizes fatigue that usually occurs while working with chainsaws. The handle is ergonomic and easy to hold with a firm and secure grip. It is made of durable rubber and grants you maximum control.
Performance and Use
It is a powerful chainsaw that is powered by a 15-amp motor. During testing, we observed that this chainsaw cut hardwoods that have a thickness of up to 34″ with ease. Like it’s sibling above, it has an auto-oiler that continuously lubricates the chain. The oil reservoir can store up to 200ml of oil at a time and has a transparent panel that will help you see the current level of the oil. It is a safe chainsaw.
Since it is an electric chainsaw, say goodbye to harmful fumes or emissions. In addition, it offers fairly quiet performance. It comes pre-assembled, so you do not have to bother about which parts go where.
Despite all the advantages, it has its flaws. For example, like its sibling above, it goes through the lubricating oil fairly quickly. Furthermore, as a corded electric saw, the movement is limited by the length of the cord. We also noticed that sometimes during use, the chain runs off the blade.
- It is relatively lightweight
- It doesn’t produce harmful emissions
- It delivers powerful yet relatively quiet performance
- It is pre-assembled and easy to use
- It runs through the lubricating oil fairly quickly
- The length of the cord limits its movement
3. Remington RM1425
Our rating:
Design
The Remington weighs around six pounds, which is far lighter than the other chainsaws we have so far considered. It comes in a compact design that makes it very easy to handle. It is designed with a handguard that protects your hands from flying chunks of wood or other material. The ergonomic design helps even beginners to use the machine easily and comfortably.
The chainsaw has a 14″ bar that makes it easy to cut through small branches.
Performance and Use
For a chainsaw at this price and this size, it delivers a performance that is very satisfying and powerful. It has an 8-amp motor to provide power. It is an electric chainsaw, and as such, it doesn’t give off any harmful fumes. It is built to power through small branches and logs. If you are a DIYer or need a powerful machine to light-duty lawn care, you cannot go wrong with this bad boy.
It is safe to use, as well. Furthermore, the chainsaw is super-easy to use. Even an amateur can figure out how to safely operate it. It doesn’t have an auto-oiler but has a push-button oiler. The button is firm and located at a spot where you can easily reach it. To make chain tensioning easy, and in effect improve performance, it has an external tensioner.
It comes fully assembled from the manufacturer and requires only basic maintenance. Easy to use, safe, and powerful, it deservedly makes this list of cheap chainsaws under $100.
- It is easy to handle and comes with safety features
- It has a low kickback guide bar
- It weighs just 6 pounds
- It is not as powerful as other chainsaws
- It is meant for cutting small limbs and nothing larger
Best Cheap Chainsaws 2024 (Under $200)
1. Remington RM4216 16-inch Gas Powered Chainsaw
Our rating:
Design
The Remington RM4216 sports a similar design to its smaller sibling. However, there are differences. Firstly, it is bigger in size. It comes with a 16″ bar and chain. Made by MTD, the Remington is made of high-grade materials that ensure that despite the powerful performance, it remains intact. It has an ergonomic design, anti-vibration system, and padded wrap handles to make using it convenient.
Performance
The Remington RM4216 comes with a 42cc engine that delivers more powerful cutting performance than anything we have reviewed so far. The 16″ blade ensures that tough jobs are handled with ease. One criticism leveled against gas-powered chainsaws is that they are difficult to start. However, during testing, we enjoyed the fast response time of the Remington RM4216. It incorporates Remington’s quick start technology. The instructions on how to start the chainsaw are quite clear and easy to follow. It can cut logs that have a diameter of up to 12″. If you use it for logs with a wider diameter, the chainsaw will struggle.
Therefore, using it for medium to small logs results in near-perfect results.
Other features
The 16″ bar and chain is reversible and has a tip to reduce friction. With this design, the chain can move quickly on the bar and perform better. The low-kickback on the chainsaw makes it safe and easy to use. With a speed of almost 20 meters in a second, the cutting performance is quite admirable. It comes with an auto-oiler system that keeps the chain lubricated. The 250 ml capacity of the reservoir is enough to last for at least one tank of fuel.
- It has a solid construction
- It comes at a relatively low price
- It is easy to start and maintain
- It isn’t lightweight
2. Poulan Pro PR4218
Our rating:
Design
The Poulan Pro PR4218 chainsaw is a well-built chainsaw that offers a solid design and construction. Since it is a budget chainsaw, you shouldn’t expect the highest quality build like that on more expensive chainsaws. However, for the price, the build is solid enough. It features a rubber handle that enables you to grip the chainsaw firmly. There is a throttle lock-out on the handle that ensures safety. The lock-out prevents accidentally starting up the chainsaw.
The left panel of the chainsaw has the handguard, chain brake, front handle, fuel & bar oil fill cap, and the pull cord. The right panel consists of the powerhead unit.
The chainsaw comes with an 18″ steel bar and chain which helps you do your work more efficiently.
Performance
This powerful budget saw is built to handle light and medium cutting jobs. As the chainsaw is quite lightweight, it is a great choice for home use. The 13 pounds weight means that fatigue is reduced. It delivers a superb cutting performance. In a single pass, this powerful chainsaw can cut a thickness of 16″. One reason for this performance is the 42cc DuraLife engine.
Starting the machine is easier than starting other rival gas-powered chain saws. It has an auto oil-filler to lubricate the chain during operation.
Other features
The chainsaw comes with safety features to deliver a safe experience. The low kick-bar chain and the chain brake reduces the impact of kickback. Furthermore, it features a chain catcher that prevents the chain from coming in contact with your hands.
- It is relatively lightweight
- It comes as a low price
- It is easy to start
- It goes through oil fairly quickly
3. Earthwise CS30116
Our rating:
Design
The Earthwise doesn’t come with any bells and whistles but is designed to simply get the job done with as little fuss as possible. It is a 16″ electric chainsaw that has a rather sturdy design. It is well constructed of plastic and metal.
The shape is like many other chainsaws. There is a rear handle that features a throttle trigger. On top of the chainsaw, there is an oil reservoir cap. It is a corded electric chainsaw whose cord measures 1.5 ft. This offers relatively ample room to move about. It doesn’t require any special knowledge to assemble since it comes pre-assembled from the manufacturer.
Performance
The chainsaw might not come from a popular manufacturer, but it delivers a performance that easily rivals offerings from bigger names. It easily carries out different light to medium cutting jobs. It has a 16″ bar and chain that are of exceptional quality.
The Earthwise has a 12-Amp motor that powers the chainsaw. This motor generates about 2HP to enhance your cutting duties. With an automatic oiling system, you do not have to worry that your chain will become dry and inefficient. The system periodically lubricates the chain, reducing friction, which in turn improves performance.
Other features
The Earthwise is easy to start as is common with electric chainsaws. All that is required is that you plug it to an outlet, push the lock button and throttle trigger. Aside from the ease of starting the chainsaw, it comes with safety features to prevent accidents.
The small nose on the bar greatly reduces kickback. The lock switch also prevents accidental start-up of the chainsaw. Furthermore, there is a handguard that protects the hand from coming in contact with the chain and protects it from flying debris.
- It is reasonably priced
- It is easy to start, operate, and handle.
- It uses a fair bit of oil in one go
4. GreenWorks 20312 G-Max
Our rating:
Design
The Greenworks 20312 is a sturdy chainsaw that features a compact design. It isn’t made of metal but features a hard plastic body. Nevertheless, if you plan on using it for light cutting duties, it is quite durable and will last for a long time. It is lightweight and comfortable to handle. The handle of the chainsaw is coated with rubber. This design ensures that you have a good grip on the chainsaw. The handle houses the throttle trigger and the on/off switch. The left panel of the chainsaw has the oil reservoir and a transparent cut-out that affords a view of the oil level. The controls are easy to identify and contribute to the smooth, easy operation of the chainsaw.
The weight increases because of the 3-pound battery that slots to the top of the chainsaw.
Performance
The chainsaw features a 16″ chain and kickback bar. With a cutting speed of 11 meters per second, it isn’t as powerful as some of the others on this list. Nevertheless, since it is mainly for light cutting duties, it works acceptably.
What makes it different from the other electric chainsaws on this list is that it doesn’t require a power outlet before you can use it. The technology it uses makes it quite efficient and allows it to cut through logs of wood smoothly. The brushless technology also ensures that it is one of the quietest chainsaws on this list.
It is easy to start and use. Unlike gas-powered chainsaws, there is no need to learn oil-to-gas mixing ratios.
Other features
It uses a 4AH battery. The battery can approximately last for 4 hours while delivering a 1 amp load. The higher the amps, the shorter the time it lasts. On an 8-amp load, for example, it lasts for just 30 minutes.
It has an automatic oil filling system, which is great. However, there is no way to regulate the amount of oil released.
- It is a relatively quiet chainsaw
- It is battery powered and delivers more portability
- It is easy to start
- Oil release cannot be controlled
5. BLACK+DECKER 40V MAX Cordless Chainsaw
Our rating:
Design
The chainsaw has a sturdy construction that promises reasonable durability. It is made of plastic and metal, and at 10.4 pounds, it is quite lightweight. It is not designed to cut through very thick wood or materials, and as a result, it might feel a bit like a toy.
The design is great for simple cutting duties. It has a rubber-coated rear handle that allows you to grip the chainsaw comfortably. With the trigger switch at the bottom of the handle, it features an ergonomic design. It comes with a hand guard to protect your hands from flying. All the controls of this machine are clear to see and easy to use.
The battery is on the left side of the machine and can be removed or replaced with ease.
Performance
It is an easy to handle chainsaw and offers great overall performance. It is not made for heavy-duty cutting but light to medium cutting jobs. Unlike gas-powered chainsaws, it is easy to start. You do not require mixing any oil and gas before starting it. Furthermore, as it is a cordless machine, you do not need to plug it in an outlet.
The machine comes with a 12″ bar and chain with low kickback.
Power is supplied to the chainsaw via a 40v 2A Lithium battery. During testing, we observe that the battery lasted for around 45 minutes. A battery charger comes with the package. We were disappointed by the extended charge time. Charging our battery took up to five hours to achieve maximum charge.
Other features
It comes with an auto oil-filler system that can hold up to 3.7 oz.
It comes with safety features like the lock-out button to prevent accidentally starting the machine, rear and front handguards, and a low kickback chain.
- It is easy to handle and start
- It is fairly quiet while in use
- It comes pre-assembled
- It uses a lot of oil
- Extra batteries are needed for large cutting activities
6. Oregon CS1500 Self-Sharpening Electric Chainsaw
Our rating:
Design
It comes with a hard plastic body; however, all the drive components are made of metal. The rear handle is ergonomic and molded to fit your hand. It comes with a throttle trigger and a hook where you can tether the extension cord of the machine. The chainsaw has a weight of 12.6 pounds, which isn’t the lightest on this list but is still light enough to carry.
It is designed to cut medium-sized logs.
Performance
This chainsaw has a 15-Amp motor that delivers a lot of power for an electric chainsaw. Despite the power generated, it is quiet during operation. Since it is an electric chainsaw, it is not harmful to the environment. It produces zero emissions or fumes.
The main feature that sets it apart from the rest is the self-sharpening chain. This technology means that even when you snag the chain on a branch or hit a stone, it doesn’t become blunt. All you need to do once you feel the blade is blunt is lift the lever and run the chainsaw for about 5 seconds. It is an impressive technology, indeed!
The oiling system on this chainsaw is automatic. It dispenses the oil at a given rate which cannot be adjusted.
- The self-sharpening chain is a time-saver
- It is ideal for medium cutting services
- It is easy to start
- The chain is prone to slip off the bar
- It auto oil-filler uses a lot of oil
7. Ryobi P547 10-inch One+ Chainsaw
Our rating:
Design
The product comes pre-assembled from the manufacturer and features a simple, yet effective design. It is designed to be easy to operate. With a weight of 6.8 pounds, and a 10″ bar, it is one of the lightest chainsaws on this list.
Performance
The stop and start feature of the chainsaw is reliable and responsive. It isn’t meant for heavy-duty cutting activities. Instead, it is ideal for pruning the garden and light branches on trees. The battery of the chainsaw can work for 15 minutes before needing replacements. While this seems poor, the good thing is that the chainsaw is compatible with more powerful batteries that offer a better runtime.
- It is very light
- It doesn’t require any assembling
- It is a quiet chainsaw
- It isn’t a powerful chainsaw
- The batteries have poor runtime