Cut Small Branches to Felling Large Trees: Best Chainsaw for a Homeowner

As the end of COVID-19 shenanigans is nearing and we can go out again and dance out in the sunshine. There’s no doubt that trees have developed extra branches and large logs have gathered around our home as we stayed inside home during the lockdown. Well, cutting small branches could have been done with a pruning saw. But if there is a big bunch of trees then you need something more powerful. What you need here, is the best chainsaw for a homeowner.

However, the reality of the market is not that simple. There are a lot of brands, a lot of varieties of saws in the market where each one is better than the other in some ways. And there are also some that need to be avoided.

So, why don’t you run your eyes through these best chainsaws for a homeowner that we picked which can suit all of your needs? And after that, don’t forget to take a look at the buyer’s guide to learn some hacks about the chainsaws.

We have picked out 3 of the best of the best chainsaws out of the 12

Best Chainsaw for a Homeowner | The Top 12 reviews

1. Dewalt DCCS620P1 Cordless Chainsaw

You are listing a portion of the best chainsaws and Dewalt is absent in that list? How can it be possible? We are happy to present to you one of the best chainsaws for a homeowner or any woodworker.

This is one of the cordless chainsaws that runs on a 20V rechargeable battery. As it is cordless, you will get an unlimited range or transportation with it. And it is easier to handle as there is no wire disturbing you. And do you know what makes it more interesting?

Even with a big 20V battery attached, this saw is comparatively lighter than others. It weighs only 8.8 pounds where some of its kind weighs much more.

Not just the weight, it has a 12 inch long low kickback bar & chain which also plays a great role in making the saw easy to handle. Now people might ask that as it does not have a very long bar, how much big lumber can it cut? Using this 12 inch bar & chain speed of 25.2 feet/second, this saw has more than enough strength from its brushless motor to cut through any big tree of up to 16 inches in diameter.

Do you think this is the end? There’s a lot more to it. You are also getting an automatic oiling machine with the saw so that you don’t have to oil it manually. Moreover, there is also a tool-less bar and chain adjustment system in so you can make the adjustments simply anywhere anytime. Now tell me, can you deny that it has an easy user experience?

Top Specs

• Model: DCCS620P1
• Product weight: 8.8 pounds
• Product dimension: 25 x 9 x 9 inches
• Power source: Battery (included)
• Bar length: 12 inches
• Voltage: 20 V
• Chain speed: 25.2 ft. /sec.

Key Features

• 12 inch auto oiling bar and chain can cut 16 inch diameter lumbers.
• 20V rechargeable 5 Ah battery runs the high efficiency brushless motor to provide ample strength to the saw for working on big projects.
• Tool-less adjustable and low kickback bar and chain are comparably easy and safe to use.
• Even with the 20V battery, this chainsaw is light in weight and can be easily handled.

We Like

• Lightweight
• Brushless motor
• Long range of portability
• Low kickback bar & chain
• Auto oiling system
• King of easy user experience

We Dislike

• The oil cap is a bit weak

2. Worx WG303.1 Electric Chainsaw

For a homeowner with a lot of large trees or lumbers that they need to cut down or prune, they need a chainsaw. They need a saw that can work for a long time without being interrupted for charging and also can cut big brunches or trees. What if you can get one of such saw which is also at a very good price? This is why we have the Worx WG303.1, one of the best value chainsaw.

As it is a corded chainsaw, it ensures constant uninterrupted power supply. So there is no worrying about charging the battery in a few minutes after starting to work. However, there is one limitation of less range in every corded saw that you have to take care of.

But the other features of this chainsaw such as its 14.5 AMP motor and 16-inch long bar that rotates a 12 m/s chain can remove all of your worries. Then the automatic oiling system and the automatic chain tensioning system of the saw makes it more convenient for the users.

However, there is one thing that I couldn’t accept in this saw. In spite of it not having any battery, it still weighs 11 pounds. I feel that a corded saw should be lighter than that. But it is not a major problem. The ergonomic grip makes it easier to handle. And if you ever need to urgently stop the chain, you will have an easily reachable chain brake.

But to sum up everything, I’ll still say that is one of the best chainsaw for cutting trees.

Top Specs

• Model: WG303.1
• Product weight: 11 pounds
• Product dimension: 14.57 x 19.69 x 8.07 inches
• Power: 14.5 AMP
• Power source: Electricity operated
• Bar length: 16 inch
• Chain speed: 12 m/sec.
• Warranty: 3 years

Key Features

• 16 inch bar can cut lumbers of almost twice the diameter of its length and standing trees of similar diameter.
• The ergonomic grip ensures makes it handy of the user for working with it.
• The powerful 14.5 AMP motor makes it capable of going through large lumbers.
• Automatic tension and oiling systems keep the user’s concentration right on the tree and blade.
• An emergency chain brake to stop the motion of chain, just in case…

We Like

• 14.5 AMP chainsaw
• Fast chain rotation
• Uninterrupted power supply
• 200 ml oil tank
• Auto-tensioning
• Auto oiling system
• Chain brake
• Good grip
• Great price

We Dislike

• Electricity supplying cord can be disturbing sometimes
• Could have been lighter
• Heavy for a corded chainsaw

3. Greenworks 20262 40V Cordless Chainsaw

Do you have a lot of trees around your home? Or do you have a lot of branches & limbs in a large area that needs to be cleaned down? No worries! This Greenworks battery-powered chainsaw is the perfect tool for you that comes with unlimited range.

As it is a battery powered chainsaw, you do not have the hassle of controlling a wire or can’t move around without disconnecting the cord. Besides, although it has a battery in it, this chainsaw weighs only 6 pounds.

This much less weight was possible because of the short bar. The bar length is only 12 inches. And the chain on the bar has a 3/8 inch pitch that gives it the ability to cut or trim wood without causing massive kickbacks.

As you know that it runs on a battery. While some saws do not come with the battery or charger, this one has them all. In addition to that, it has an LED battery level indicator to keep you aware of the battery’s charge. It is approximated that its user would be able to make up to 75 cuts per charge.

Finally, there is the automated oiling system in the saw where the translucent oil tank shows the amount of oil left in it. As it is automatic, all you have to do is to keep some oil in it. You are already free from oiling it frequently.

Top Specs

• Model: 20262
• Product weight: 6 pounds
• Product dimension: 26.4 x 8.1 x 11 inches
• Power source: Battery (included)
• Battery: G-Max 40V Li-ion
• Bar length: 12 inch
• Warranty: 90 days (commercial), 4 years workmanship, 2 years on battery

Key Features

• Though being a battery operated chainsaw, it is very lightweight and as a result, very easy to handle.
• Runs and compatible with the G-Max 40V Li-ion battery.
• The battery and charger are included with the saw & it also has a battery level indicator.
• The auto oiling system in the saw and the translucent oil tank makes its handling more efficient for its users.

We Like

• Battery level indicator
• Included battery and charger
• Translucent oil level indicator
• Long-lasting battery
• Lightweight
• Auto oiler
• 3/8 inch chain pitch

We Dislike

• Limited power supply
• Nor for large or heavy projects
• Worthless plastic bucking teeth

Infographic!

The picture below shows 3 of the best chainsaws out of the 12. Plus, you will also have a clear idea on the difference between corded and cordless chainsaw.

 

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4. Dewalt DCCS620P1 20V Cordless Chainsaw

Who here does not know about Dewalt? Almost every one of us has heard a little something about Dewalt. But how about checking out a Dewalt product by yourself and see what’s all the fuss is about?

The Dewalt DCCS620P1 is also a battery powered 12 inch chainsaw just like the previous one. But if you compare those two, other than the price and 40V battery, everything of the Dewalt saw is better.

For instance, the battery of this saw is only 20V. However, its amp-hour is much more than the Greenworks. Its battery is a 5Ah Li-ion one that runs till making up to 90 cuts. And the motor of this saw is also high efficient brushless one which was not in the Greenworks. The best side of a brushless motor is that it can increase both runtime and the lifetime of the motor.

The bar length and the chain pitch of this saw is the same 12 inch and 3/8 inch respectively. But the speed of the chain was fast 25.2 feet/sec. And more importantly, it also has an automatic oiling system with an oil level indicator. Adjustments with its bar and chain are tool free to ensure you a better usability.

Top Specs

• Model: DCCS620P1
• Product weight: 8.8 pounds
• Product dimension: 25 x 9 x 9 inches
• Power source: Battery (included)
• Battery: 20V max 5Ah Li-ion
• Chain speed: 25.2 ft. / sec
• Bar length: 12 inch

Key Features

• High efficiency brushless motor increases the lifetime and efficiency of the motor.
• Tool less bar adjustment and automatic oiling system keeps the user’s concentration out of handling the saw and more on cutting.
• 12 inch low kickback bar and chain of this saw is ideal for pruning and cleaning work.
• The 20V 5Ah battery runs for a long time until making 90 cuts per charge.

We Like

• Brushless motor
• Lightweight
• Tool less bar and chain tensioning system
• 25.2  feet/sec chain speed
• Low kickback bar
• Auto oiling system
• Oil level indicator
• 90 cuts per charge

We Dislike

• Not for heavyweight works
• Expensive (but good product) for  a small chainsaw

5. Black + Decker LCS1020 20V Cordless Chainsaw

If you are still looking for a smaller sized homeowner chainsaw and being able to find the best one with the best price, then this is THE chainsaw for you. It comes from the famous Black + Decker origin who is providing us very good power tools for a long time.

This LCS1020 is not only a great saw for the homeowners but also one of the best small chainsaws. Its bar length is only 10 inches and its weight is only 7.2 pounds. This is why this saw has great handling while cutting in any position. As it is small, it can be moved to any angle or tight space easily.

The battery of this saw is a 20V max Li-ion one that runs for a very long time. As it is small in size and also used for cutting small woods, it results in consuming less from the battery.

However, there is something in this saw that I did not like at all. Though it has a good oiling system it has to be operated manually. To oil the chain, you have to press the primer bulb three times for one second before making every cut. This is a big nuisance if you ask my opinion.

But other than this limitation, I don’t have anything else to complain about.

Top Specs

• Model: LCS1020
• Product weight: 7.2 pounds
• Product dimension: 16.7 x 8.81 x 9.63 inches
• Power source: Battery (included)
• Battery: 20V max Li-ion
• Bar length: 10 inch

Key Features

• Tool less tension system makes its chain adjustment very handy.
• Small 10 inch bar and 7.2 pound weighing lightweight saw is very easy to handle in any tight situation.
• The 20V max Li-ion battery supplies adequate power for the saw to run for a good amount of time.
• The oiling system of this saw is manual, so the user have to oil it from time to time.

We Like

• Lightweight
• Tool less adjustment
• 20V battery
• Low kickback bar and chain
• Easy handling
• Great for pruning

We Dislike

• Manual & faulty oiling system
• Not useful for hard jobs
• Cuts slowly

6. Black + Decker LCS1240 40V Cordless Chainsaw

Previously we saw in the 20V Black + Decker that though being a good saw for the homeowners, it had some major limitations. But the scenario in this 40V one has completely changed. Because this one is more improved and does not have those limitations.

In this chainsaw, you are getting a bigger and better 40V max Li-ion battery which runs for a longer period and also supplies more power to the saw. As a result, it produces 5 m/sec chain speed which is much faster than the 20V battery.

And the biggest problem we had in the 20V saw is its manual oiling system. But here we got the automatic oiler so there is no need for us to oil it every time we start to cut on something. And this one also has a translucent tank so we can stay aware of how much oil is in the tank.

We also got a longer bar in this saw. A longer bar means we can cut on nearly twice lumbers of its size. And about small branches or logs, you already know that this saw can take care of them easily in no time, don’t you?

Top Specs

• Model: LCS1240
• Product weight: 10.4 pounds
• Product dimension: 28.56 x 8.81 x 9.63 inches
• Power source: Battery (included)
• Battery: 40V max Li-ion
• Bar length: 12 inch
• Chain speed: 5 m/sec

Key Features

• This LCS1240 version homeowner chainsaw has an automatic oiling system eliminating extra nuisance for the user.
• It has a better and more powerful 40V battery that runs for a longer time.
• 5 m/sec speeding chain can be used to make up to 60 cuts per charge.
• This saw has a longer, low kickback 12 inch bar which is more useful for cutting trunks of 20 inch diameter.

We Like

• Lightweight
• Up to 60 cuts per charge
• Easy handling
• Battery level indicator
• Automatic oiling system
• Translucent oil tank
• Great for pruning

We Dislike

• Tank leaks oil
• Only good for small works

7. Oregon CS1500 Corded Chainsaw

After a long serial of small battery powered chainsaw, we came back to a big, robust, electric, and heavyweight chainsaw. And this time it is a chainsaw from Oregon, which we all know by only one word; “Best”. So, aren’t you getting interested to find out what’s in it?

This Oregon CS1500 chainsaw is powered through an electric cord that offers 15 AMP power to the saw. Then its 18 inch bar that moves its chain in 48.13 feet/sec speed does the severe cutting, pruning, felling works. Because of its heavy components and the unlimited power supply, this is one of the best chainsaw for a homeowner. But not only for the homeowners, it is also applicable for professional works.

Apart from these, it has some other surprising features too. Low noise producing bar, chain brake, and instant start are some of them. Its tension adjustment system of the bar & chain is automatic just as the oiling system. So when you have this saw, your only job is to cut the wood.

Nevertheless, I still have not told you about the best unique feature in this saw. You know, any chainsaw you can use has to be sharpened properly. And that sharpening has to be done manually. But you do not have to do that if you have this CS1500.

Oregon has installed its own PowerSharp chain and automatic sharpening system in this saw. With the sharpening switch, you can sharpen your chain any time anywhere within just about 3 seconds or so. Because of this feature, using this chainsaw had become very easy and less time consuming. Otherwise, properly sharpening a chain takes a lot of time and patience

Top Specs

• Model: CS1500
• Product weight: 12.6 pounds
• Product dimension: 18 x 37.5 x 10.5 inches
• Power source: Electricity cord
• Power: 15 AMP
• Bar length: 18 inch
• Chain speed: 48.13 ft. / sec

Key Features

• The automatic chain sharpening system makes it very labor & time efficient for the user.
• Powered through a 15 AMP electric cord which is quite enough for any tough jobs.
• Its 18 inches long low sound producing bar makes it best for light to heavy works.
• The automatic oiler and the bar & chain adjustment system provides an easy user experience.
• The fast rotating chain can cut through any tough workpieces quickly and efficiently.

We Like

• Chain brake
• Automatic onboard self-sharpener
• Automatic oiler
• Automatic tension adjustment
• Fast start
• Low noise
• Powerful operation
• Very attractive price

We Dislike

• The chain gets loose frequently

8. Sun Joe SWJ800E Electric Pole Saw

When you have a clean lower ground but a bushy forest up above your head, it does not please the eyes. But the bushes above the head cannot be cut with a regular chainsaw as you won’t be able to reach them. So, how to prune those forests above the head?

To eliminate all these worries, we have the perfect power tool for it. It is a chainsaw that can reach waaaaaay above your head to prune the upper side of the tree.

In this electric pole saw, there is an extendable pole that extends up to 8.7 feet and gives the total reach of about 15 feet above the ground. The chainsaw mounted on top of this pole has an 8 inch long bar that rotates in 6000 RPM. And the maximum power of this chainsaw is 6.5 AMP. So the motor, bar, and chain together can cut limbs or brunches of 7.5 inches thickness.

Finally, if you are getting worried thinking how are you going to control a chainsaw on top of a pole then you are right to worry. But you don’t have to worry as this saw is quite light. Even with the 2.7 fluid ounce oil tank, this saw weighs about 7.7 pounds approximately.

Top Specs

• Model: SWJ800E
• Product weight: 7.7 pounds
• Product dimension: 68.5 x 5.9 x 5.9 inches
• Power source: Electricity cord
• Power: 6.5 AMP
• Bar length: 8 inches
• Pole length: 8.7 feet

Key Features

• A powerful 6.5 AMP motor can cut thick tree branches of up to 7.5 inches thick.
• The 8 inch bar and the 8.7 feet extending pole together with the user’s height gives 15 feet reach above the ground.
• The saw is made light so that its user can handle it easily when working above the head.
• Because of the auto oiling system and the instant start feature, this saw is hassle free to use.

We Like

• Reaches up to 15 feet height
• Lightweight
• Powerful motor
• Instant start
• Auto oiling system
• Capable of cutting thick branches
• Telescoping pole

We Dislike

• Leaking tank
• Manual chain adjustment

9. Worx WG309 10 inch Electric Pole & Chainsaw

You have seen chainsaws, you have seen pole saws. But have you seen a 2-in-1 saw? This time we have such a saw to offer you which could be the best homeowner chainsaw. This time it is the Worx WG309 which is both a chainsaw as well as a telescoping pole saw.

The more interesting fact about this saw is that it is quite powerful from its position. It runs with the help of an 8 AMP motor and a 10 inch long bar. On its back, you can attach an 8 feet long pole to make it a pole saw.

There is a nicely positioned lateral handguard in it so that it can protect your hands from any falling debris towards your hand. And yeah! I just forgot to tell you that this one has an automatic oiling system as well as an automatic bar and chain adjustment that requires no tools. There is also an oil level indicator on the 4 oz. oil tank.

When you have no forest above your head but have a lot of wood to cut down into small pieces, you can just detach the pole have a small but powerful chainsaw. But I have to tell you, due to this 2-in-1 feature, the item weighs about 10 pounds. While it is not much big weight but still it could be heavy for some people to handle.

But as it is a powerful saw, you can use it to cut big woods easily both as chainsaw and pole saw.

Top Specs

• Model: WG309
• Product weight: 10 pounds
• Product dimension: 42 x 8 x 9 inches
• Power source: Electricity cord
• Power: 8 AMP
• Bar length: 10 inches
• Pole length: 8 feet
• Chain speed: 8.5 m/s

Key Features

• It is quite a powerful chainsaw and pole saw that can perform versatile works on the ground as well as above the ground.
• This 8 AMP corded saw has a more powerful motor than most of the other pole saws.
• 8 feet long telescoping and 180^o rotating pole make the saw to reach woods situated more than 10 feet above the ground.
• Swapping from the chainsaw to pole saw or from pole saw to a chainsaw is very easy as no tools are required for that.
• Automatic oiler, tension adjustment makes more user friendly.

We Like

• Telescoping pole
• Oil level indicator
• Auto lubrication
• Auto tension adjustment
• Powerful as both pole saw & chainsaw
• 4 ounce oil tank
• Nice handguard
• Great price if it’s considered as two saws

We Dislike

• Could be heavy for some people when used as the pole saw
• Takes a few moments before fully stopping the chain

10. Greenworks 20232 16 inch Corded Chainsaw

Sometimes you may require a chainsaw which is capable of neither too light and nor too heavy works. This Greenworks 20232 is one of that kind of saw. 

Because it operates with the help of a 12 AMP motor and the 16 inches long bar, your Greenworks 20232 is the perfect chainsaw for light to medium wood cutting purposes. In addition to that, it also has the other standard features of a good corded electric chainsaw that anyone would expect.

Its other features include its tool less chain and bar tensioning system. After that, there’s also the automatic lubricating system. The lubricants of the bar and chain are stored inside a translucent tank. And all these three automated features relieves the user from doing a lot of side jobs and concentrate more on cutting. So in my experience, I found this saw to be quite handy.

 You know, there is a common problem in every corded saw. It’s the cord itself. As getting rid of the cord is not possible in a corded saw. So all we can do is minimize the problem. For that, there is a cord lock on the rear bottom side that keeps the disturbing cord locked.

I also liked the steel made bucking teeth or spikes of this saw that were pretty good in biting into big wood pieces while cutting them.

Top Specs

• Model: 20232
• Product weight: 12 pounds
• Product dimension: 31 x 11 x 7 inches
• Power source: Electricity cord
• Power: 12 AMP
• Bar length: 16 inch

Key Features

• This is a very good medium ranged chainsaw that offers super handy user experience.
• With its 12 AMP powerful motor, this saw is fully capable of cleaning down your land full of wood logs.
• The 16 inch bar on top of the motor easily cuts through any small to medium projects.
• The metal bucking teeth grabs into large wood logs and provides good support for the saw to make the perfect cuts.

We Like

• Instant start button
• Not very loud
• Cord lock
• Good price
• Metal bucking teeth
• Stops very quickly even without a chain brake
• Translucent tank
• Auto oiler and chain tension adjustment system

We Dislike

• Loose chain; falls off quickly

11. Black + Decker CS1518 18 inch Electric Chainsaw

If the small and medium chainsaws are not enough for your large trees or tree branches then you obviously need a good, big and powerful chainsaw. Previously we had two chainsaws from B&D in this list of the best chainsaw for a homeowner. Both of them were battery powered saw. But this time we are here with a very powerful and long electricity operated chainsaw that can be used for felling large trees of cutting any type of branches.

This saw is also very famous among its customers not only because it is good but also because of its price. It is not that common to have such a great saw for big tasks below 100 bucks.

Enough of all the praising. Let’s see if it is worthy of all these praise or not.

First of all, it has a 15 AMP motor. Next, it has an 18 inch long low kickback bar made by Oregon. On top of that, it is a corded saw. This means an unlimited power supply! So the powerful motor supplies enough power to the long and strong bar and together they give the saw the ability to cut through any tough wood body.

Not only these three, but there is also much more in this saw. That includes the chain brake, translucent oil tank, the tool less bar and chain adjustment system, and finally the automatic oiling system.

Top Specs

• Model: CS1518
• Product weight: 12 pounds
• Product dimension: 20.69 x 13.19 x 10.81 inches
• Power source: Electricity cord
• Power: 15 AMP
• Bar length: 18 inch
• Warranty: 2 years limited warranty

Key Features

• It has a chain brake that stoves the rotation of the chain immediately in case of any emergency.
• Long 18 inch Oregon low kickback bar is both safe and efficient for large projects.
• The 15 AMP motor supplies adequate power without getting interrupted.
• The automatic oiler and tension adjustment system allows the user to only think of cutting instead of worrying about the other things.

We Like

• Low kickback 18 inch bar
• Chain brake
• Automatic lubrication
• Tool less tension adjustment
• Powerful motor
• Good affordable price
• Oil level indicator

We Dislike

• Limited range
• Heavy for a cordless chainsaw

12. Worx WG320 20V Jaw Saw

Our last best homeowner chainsaw is not exactly a full chainsaw. Instead, we have picked the Worx WG320 battery operated jaw saw. For those who are not familiar, a jaw saw is an upgraded small chainsaw wrapped around an enclosed blade housing or simply, the jaw.

As the blade is wrapped inside, it makes the dangerous kickback very safe. Because the blade can’t kick back at as it is already covered.

Just like other saws, it also comes in two versions. And this the 20V battery operated version. This 20V battery takes around 3 hours to fully charge. Before the battery drains, you would be able to cut at most 50 2 inch diameter branches. And just so you know, this saw can cut branches up to 4 inches diameter. 

The best thing about this saw is that you can make cuts right on the ground. Your workpiece doesn’t have to be kept in an elevated position. Another amazing feature of this saw is that it can be attached to a pole and used above the head for pruning branches.

Other than that, it also has the other important useful features that we need. It has an oil tank through which you can see the oil level. And the automatic oiler pumps oil on to the bar and changes without troubling you. And lastly, the automatic tension adjustment also helps you use the saw easily.

Top Specs

• Model: WG320
• Product weight: 11.68 pounds
• Product dimension: 20.6 x 14.6 x 8.1 inches
• Power source: Battery (included)
• Battery: 20V
• Bar length: 6 inch

Key Features

• It can be used as a pole saw if an extension pole is attached to it.
• Enclosed blade housing provides security against the chainsaw blade.
• As it runs on battery so there is no cord that is disturbing or holding you back from going far and deep.
• The 20V battery takes around 3 hours of time to get fully charged.
• With the 6 inch bar and because of the housing around it, this saw can be used to cut right on the ground.

We Like

• Cordless jaw saw
• Auto tension adjustment
• Automatic oiler
• Blade housing
• Oil level indicator
• Ability to be attached with an extension pole

We Dislike

• Not useful for any type of big works
• Battery duration is nor very long
• Handling would be hard if attached to a pole

So these are the top rated best chainsaw for a homeowner that we dug out among all the other saws in the market. Now, let’s move on to the next level. Shall we?

The Buying Guide

Among these top 12 products, there are several varieties of chainsaws. Even after having years of experience with this kind of power tool, separating those exact 12 was quite difficult for me too. So I was wondering that not everyone is a professional who spends most of their days with saws. As a result, getting the best product for their work would be much more difficult for them.

This is why I decided to write this buying guide so that I can help you save your precious time and money by walking you through the way of picking the right product and not the wrong one.

Corded or Cordless?

Among all these variations among the chainsaws, this is the major way of dividing them. Both of these types of saws are highly appreciated by the users. Because both of them are not only good but also best in their own ways. So let us know about these two things of the chainsaws before we go for anything else.

Corded chainsaw

A corded chainsaw is exactly what you know or understand. It is a saw that is powered through a cord or an electric wire. Usually, the corded or wired or electric chainsaws or any other power saws are more powerful and capable of doing heavyweight works.

Advantages

The main reason behind their strength is the cord. As it gets the power directly from the electric outlet where the power supply in always uninterrupted, the motor of the saw also gets unrestricted power. As a result, the saw gets a good amount of power no matter how strong the motor is.

The benefit of this unlimited power supply is that it gives its use the ability to use the machine for as long as he or she wants. If it is not operated on electricity then its power source is limited. Either it needs to be charged or fueled. This is a hassle that all the users of a cordless saw have to face all the time right in the middle of work. Besides the corded saws are not always very powerful. So in this perspective, a corded saw is better than the others.

Limitations

On the other hand, everything has its good as well as its bad sides. Despite having such advantages, the corded saws also have some disadvantages or limitations.

Their biggest limitation is also their cord. As it is a cord, it has a certain length. If you want to use the saw, then you must have to stay within the range of the cord which would very close to the power supply.

If you are using the saw indoors then it might not be much of a problem. But if you have a large ground to cover than you have to extend the cord anyhow.

Again, the cord is also a nuisance around your body. When you are to handle a whole chainsaw and concentrate on getting the perfect cut, the cord is an extra thing that you must carefully handle. Sometimes it might be disturbing or obstructing you from getting the perfect position or angle. And sometimes the cord also might come around the chain and any kind of accident may occur if it cuts the power supplying cord. I am talking about electrocution; and also of severe type. So do you see what might happen if you are not careful enough?

Cordless chainsaw

A cordless chainsaw is also exactly what you are thinking. But they are of two types. Some of the cordless chainsaws are battery powered while some of them are fueled by gas. I told you that the corded chainsaws are powerful. But I am also not saying that the cordless ones are weak.

Cordless chainsaws are found in both strong and weak forms. There are some of them which are not very strong and can only be used for lightweight works. And then there are some of them who are very strong and can be used for doing any tough jobs.

Advantages

The main advantage of a cordless saw is its unlimited range of work. If you want to fell some trees somewhere far from your home or working place where you cannot take an external power source, the cordless chainsaws are the best choice for you here.

Sometimes such a situation may arise where you need to cut the top of a very tall tree by climbing it. While a chainsaw is a perfect tool for this job but a corded one is not. The cord length won’t be enough and it is also risky to take the corded saw above. So the cordless one is also the winner of this debate too.

Again, not everybody always needs a powerful saw for every work. Sometimes a lightweight or a medium range saw is enough for some works such as cutting limbs or branches, logs, or for pruning, or cutting down the fallen big tree on your yard, etc. So with a medium ranged cordless saw, you can finish these jobs easily without investing much money on a big saw.

Disadvantages

As I said, everything has its good and bad side. Though being very useful in many cases, it is also not suitable in some cases. Suppose you are up for a big job now. You need to fell some big trees and cut them down to smaller pieces. You can fell or cut the wood with the cordless saw but you cannot do it for a long time.

If you are using a battery powered saw then the battery will run out after a few cuts. A gas chainsaw could be helpful but you still have to refill it again and again. Besides, the gas chainsaws are bigger and heavier in size so handling them is also a bit of a problem.

Not only the gas saws, but battery powered saws also weigh more as they have the weight of the gas and battery included with the weight of the saw.

Power

Now, this is one of the most important features of the chainsaw. How are you going to make the saw run if it is not powered?

If you have the things above, I think you are already aware of the fact that the chainsaw is powered in three ways. They are either powered with an electrical cord or with the help of a battery or fueled by gasoline.

If you are to rank these three types of power sources according to how much heavy works they can do, then keeping all other things aside, I would say that the gas saws come first, then the electric saws, and lastly, the battery operated saws.

In our list of the best chainsaw for a homeowner, we have given only the battery and electric cord operated saw. So we are going to discuss them here.

Well, there is not much new that I can say to you about the power of the chainsaw other than what you already know. In the electric ones, we have standard saws of 15 AMP motor. And this motor is enough for almost any heavy works. But in the case of the battery powered saws, the battery comes of different capacities. Some are 18V, some are 20V or 24V and some of them are big ones of 40V.

And it is obvious that the battery with more voltage will be more powerful than the one with less voltage. So you need to choose what kind of battery saw you want for your saw.

Bar

The bar of the chainsaw is one of its most important components. All the ability and efficiency of a chainsaw depends on its bar. How much big wood can it cut or how fast or how slow is it going to cut and how efficiently is it going to make the cuts; all of these depends on the bar.

Let me explain to you the functions of the bar and chain simply. I won’t use any numbers or other technical things as they might confuse you even more instead of helping you understand.

Simply saying, the longer bar you have, the bigger things you can cut. And if you have a long and powerful enough saw then you will be able to fell any big tree with it.

But if you have a small chainsaw that has a short bar like a 10 inch or 12 inch bar, then you cannot use to cut a big and thick wood log let along a big tree. But you can cut branches or medium sized trunks of trees. And you can do it more efficiently than the big saws. Because the bigger ones need more space and techniques to cut in tight and small angles. But when you have a smaller one, it is already light and small so handling it is also easier.

Tips:

If you have only small trees or small branches or logs of woods to cut, then a 12 inch long bar would be sufficient. But if you also have bigger things to cut then a longer bar is necessary for you.

Usually, you can fell a tree using a chainsaw bar having the similar length as the tree’s diameter. And for cutting big logs such as the trunk, you can cut a trunk having twice the diameter then the saw bar.

But what if you fall in the category between them. In that case, my suggestion would be to buy a saw with bar length around 16 inch or 18 inch or around them.  This will help you to do both small and big jobs with minimal problems.

Automaticity vs. Manual

Not all chainsaws provide the same user experience. While some of them perform some work automatically and gives us, its users the opportunity to concentrate only on cutting. And a whole other bunch of them do not do those things. So we, the users have to worry and do those works at the same time we are trying to make the perfect cuts.

I am talking mainly about the bar & chain tension adjustment systems and the bar lubricating system. If the tension adjustment system is automatic or tool less than you can make any kind of adjustments to it anywhere, anytime. Otherwise, if it requires tools, you have to settle down somewhere and then make the adjustments with the tools and then keep those tools secure somewhere and then start working again.

Now, about the lubricating system; we all know a chainsaw must be kept lubricated. Otherwise, either it won’t cut properly or won’t cut at all or, it can deliver severe kickbacks. And kickbacks are never good. This is why we cannot let the chain to be dull. And for this reason, we use lubricants on it.

The thing about lubricating the bar is that it has to be done while the saw is running. There is no use of oiling a machine when it is not working, right? So if the oiling system is manual, then you have to oil it at the same when you are working. This is a big nuisance if you are to ask me. I mean why would I let myself go through all this trouble while I already have automatic oiling chainsaws at a similar price?

So in my opinion; and I’m sure many would agree that we should always choose the saws with automatic mechanisms.

Judge, Jury & Execution!

Well, we are not exactly going to do the typical heroic judge, jury, or execution here. But what we are going to do is to judge and jury the above best chainsaws for homeowners and wait for you to execute our verdict. And yeah, of course, it is not a final verdict from us to you. You are the king of your kingdom! So you can choose any one of the chainsaws. All we are going to do is suggest the best one we found from those 12.

You see there were several types of saws on the list. And from all of them, choosing just one from only one category would not be justice to the others. This is why I have picked three from three categories.

• Best corded chainsaw for homeowners—

Oregon CS1500 Corded Chainsaw

• Best cordless chainsaw for the homeowners—

Black + Decker LCS1240 40V Cordless Chainsaw

• Best dual use chainsaw for the homeowners—

Worx WG309 10 inch Electric Pole & Chainsaw

So take your pick from our best chainsaw for a homeowner that we picked up for you. But there are still many alternatives to them with so many variations in features. If you find any other one that suits more for your work then you should grab that one. And one more thing, a chainsaw is also used for many things by a lot of woodworkers or DIY workers. If you want more of these saws then here are some quick links that you can visit—

• Best chainsaw for milling
• Top battery powered chainsaw
• Best small chainsaws