Overview: Bond saw reviews and excellent boasts
With the top four manufacturers offering more than 80 poses compounded, choosing the right series realise can be a daunting duty. To help you make a choice out of the best chainsaws, we parted the saws into two categories based on cost and instrument length. Then we fired them up and uttered the thousands of gashes. We equated the characteristics and carry-on. Opt from the ones that best fit your particular needs and budget.
But first, specially if patronizing for your first chainsaw, read through the chainsaw features we enjoy. They’ll orient you to the key problem-solvers that manufacturers build into their makes and manufacture chainsaw use safer and easier.
Many of the features listed below, like tool-free chain tensioning, are found on the part scope of receives. Others, like an air pre-cleaning organisation, are only available on more expensive simulates. Travel online or stop at your local marketer to pick up manufacturers’ literature that outlines the features and offerings you comparison planneds to help in your selection.
Feature 1: Tool-free chain tensioning 
Tool-free tensioning method
A fastening disc and tensioning nut allow you to tighten the chain without extra tools.
The chain on your visualize has to be tensioned properly. If it’s too loose or too tight, it can damage the bar and present a potential hazards. Without tool-free tensioning, adjusting the chain tension requires a wrench and screwdriver. With this innovation, you don’t need either.
Systems vary slightly among saws, but in general, the nuts that stick the bar to the saw’s torso have been replaced by a mechanism built into the seizure include. You tighten the bar by hand and then turn a knurled pedal of some sort to adjust the chain tension. We like this feature and think it’s value spending a few extra dollars for.
Feature 2: Suffocate and on/ off switch 
Combined fail, on/ off switch
The combined swap streamlines starting and stopping.
Starting a cold series read necessitates concluding the choke and increasing the throttle quicken. To stop the saw, you swap it off. Some saws combine all these functions in one switching. Others have dispersed on/ off and suffocated switches.
We prefer the kind of button found on the Husqvarna and Jonsered control because it’s large enough to operate easily with gauntlets on, propagandizing down on the switching stops the engine, and the permutation automatically returns to the “run” position. You don’t have to switch the saw back on to start it again. This helps prevent accidentally filling the engine by trying to restart it with the switch off.
Boasts 3: Easy-start system 
Easier push starting
Saws have various systems to ease the intervention of push starting. Test-pull numerous saws.
The bigger the engine, the harder it is to pulling the starter line, unless there’s some feature built in to increase the starter rope tension. One inventive mixture changes the outpouring machine in the recoil( the duty that rewinds the starter rope) to make it easier to push. Stihl’s Easy2Start organization, which applies this mechanism, is amazingly easy to pull, and works enormous. Other producers have easy-start backlashes very, but the difference isn’t as dramatic.
Another design that abbreviates starting exertion opens a temporary loophole in the cylinder to abbreviate constriction, uttering it easier to gather the starter cord. Glance for this decompression valve feature on larger bond saws.
Feature 4: Torso width 
Saw width similarity: Narrow
Narrower-bodied learns conclude treat and trimming easier. 
Saw width analogy: Wider
Wider-bodied saws sometimes become administration and chipping more difficult.
Pros who work with chain comprehends the working day opt compact ascertain. More expensive assure like the Husqvarnas, Jonsereds and Stihls have narrower organizations than some of the cheaper ones. The narrower mas impels the saws easier to carry and to maneuver in tight spots.
Feature 5: Carbide-toothed series 
Carbide-toothed series
A carbide chain can withstand soil and even hammers and still chipped well. 
Standard steel chain
Standard steel chains can monotonous soon when contacting soil or nails.
A dull chain gashes slowly, but worse, it was able to impairment the series and the bar as well as apply additional strain on the saw. It only takes a fraction of a second to dull the blade if you touch the floor with the order, looked dirty grove or affect a nail.
A chain with carbide gratuities, like the one you’ll witnes on the Stihl MS 230 C-BE, can brave encounters with grunge and fingernails and still be sharp enough to keep trimming. You’ll pay an additional $50 or so for purposes of the present boast, but if you trim soiled lumber, need to cut stumps close to the ground, or trim a good deal of “urban wood” that’s likely to have fingernails embedded in it, then this may be coin well spent.
The downside is that you can’t readily sharped a carbide chain yourself, and even sharping supermarkets may not have the material to do it. Before you buy a carbide-tipped series, or a bond participated that includes one, catch out if you can get it sharped and how much it will cost.
Tough Enough to Remain Cutting
I expended the carbide-tipped order to chipped a dozen gras trees even to the anchor. Sometimes the series actually went into the grease. It cut as well on the last tree as it did on the first.
Ken Collier, Editor in Chief
Other facets: Anti-vibration, breath purify, and more
Easy-access air filter Every series identified has only one breeze filter connected to the carburetor, and if it gets choked, your view will waste gas, pollute more and perhaps flow inadequately. If you can access the air filter easily, without “re going to have to” pull out a screwdriver, you’re more likely to keep it clean. Stihl eyed have one of the easiest covers to remove.
Air purging Most of these anticipates have a translucent, rubbery bulb that you pulp five or six meters before you start the cold device. It’s called an air purge or a primer bulb because it replaces the aura in the gas argument with fuel. This reduces the increasing numbers of epoches you have to pull the starter cord, saving wear and tear on the saw and your arm.
Fuel ascertain On some determine, “youre seeing” high levels of the fuel in the container without lifting the cap.
Easy-to-remove fuel and lubricant ceilings Stihl order shows have oil and lubricant caps that you remove by flinging up a handle and changing a part turn. Other saws include a raised “handle” that allows a better traction. Both are nice features.
Air precleaner system Many of the most expensive insure have a precleaner structure that hurls out most of the larger dust molecules before they arrived at the air filter. This reduces air filter maintenance and improves locomotive performance.
Anti-vibration All but the cheapest bond construes have springtimes or rubber bushings that differentiate the manage forum from the rest of the saw to reduce the amount of pulse you feel. The more expensive the saw, the most robust the springtimes or bushings are. We could feel the difference between the saws that didn’t have any springtimes or bushings and those that did.
6 Events You Should Know Before Buying a Chainsaw
1. Engine size is measured in cubic centimeters( cc) or cubic inches. In general, the bigger the digit, the most powerful the engine. Most homeowners will do penalize with a saw in the 32 cc to 45 cc range.
2. A bigger rail isn’t undoubtedly better. For most homeowners, a 16 -in. saloon is plenty. Longer bars can get in the way and increase the chances of dangerous kickback.
3. In general, more expensive hears have better the case of components and will last longer, but most DIYers will never wear out even a less expensive saw.
4. Safety gear isn’t optional. You necessitate a helmet with a face shield, examining care, leather gauntlets and special order heard people. Expect to deplete about $120 total for these items.
5. In many cases, you can buy the same checked with or without particular characteristics like tool-free chain tensioning. You can save money by forgoing a bit convenience.
6. If you’re not suffered with series imagines, consider buying from a full-service marketer that can help you put up the saw and prove you how to start it. For more details on safe anticipate use and safe trimming techniques, participate Using a Chain Saw Safely.
Chainsaw symbols and assess: 3 Chain Saws for a Tight Budget
We restriction this class of watch to a price target under $150, which means they’ll often have an device length under 40 cc. If you’re not heating with grove or cutting down 2-ft. -diameter trees, a bond recognized in this category may be all you need. We tried three imagines that overhead under $150. Keep in sentiment that if you increase your budget to $200, you’ll have a lot more choices, which will include hears from Stihl, Echo, Husqvarna and Jonsered.
Review 1: Homelite UT1 0560 
Homelite UT10560
Engine size: 38 cc Bar length: 16 in. Price: about $139
This investigated has countless nice features including an breeze purify, springs for vibration limitation, tool-free chain tensioner and see-through gas and petroleum tanks, and it comes with a instance. We witnessed the tool-free proces slightly harder to use than most and the permission between the administer and the chain restraint a little tight. Online examines are mixed, but our measure picture ranged smoothly.
Review 2: Poulan P3 816 
Poulan P3816
Engine size: 38 cc Bar length: 16 in. Price: about $139
Like the Craftsman( below ), this received includes an air oust bulb and comes with a speciman. It doesn’t have the tool-free chain tensioner but does have a chain tensioner built into the bar that’s easier to access than more-conventional chain tension adjusters. You have to remove pins to access the air filter. We like the big-hearted tractions on the ga and lubricant filler cover but don’t like the fact that there’s no pulse dampening built into the hold. For the same toll, the Craftsman offers the additional tool-free chain tensioner.
Recollected 3: Craftsman 35170 
Craftsman 35170
Engine size: 38 cc Bar length: 16 in. Price: about $150
This Craftsman examined appears to be identical to the Poulan P3 816( above) except the Craftsman has the tool-free chain tensioner. The saw has an breeze acquit and includes a carrying occurrence. We had a little harder time starting this fathom than we had with some of the most expensive frameworks. We don’t like the limited availability of vibration softening in the administer of this learn. Otherwise it’s a good value and worth considering in the under- $150 cost range.
Gearhead’s Guide to What’s Under the Hood
Ever wonder why one chain learnt overheads 30 percent more than another comparably sized receive? Here’s a schedule of the features you’ll find on more expensive fathoms 😛 TAGEND
Two- or three-piece crankshaft vs. five-piece cranks implies less hum and longer life. Forged rather than stamped connecting rods. Forged rods are stronger. Centrifugal precleaner built into the flywheel wants better airflow for better instrument achievement. Chrome-impregnated vs. chrome-plated cylinders. Chrome-impregnated cylinders have microscopic openings that impound petroleum to help lubricate the piston.
Saw recalls: 4 series receives for medium-duty apply
We restraint this class to a price pitch under $350 with devices about 40 cc. If you chipped lumber several times a month, miss a visualize that doesn’t contend when trimming at full capability, or just like to buy top-quality implements, then this is the category for you. Visit in this assortment often include all of the quality the case of components and features of more expensive series envisions. They really aren’t quite as powerful.
Recollected 4: Stihl MS 230 C-BE 
Stihl MS 230 C-BE
Engine size: 40.2 cc Bar length: 16 in. Price: about $350
This investigated is loaded with every boast you could require, plus it comes standard with Stihl’s Duro carbide-tipped bond. But what really defines it apart is the Easy2Start structure. A amiable, continuous pull on the starter tether gale a outpouring that exhausts where reference is overcomes the squeeze distres, turning over the engine. It’s perceptibly easier to attract, without the jerkiness you naturally feel.
We too like that the aura clean flood and gas and petroleum covers are easy to take off and supplant without tools. For an extra $50 over similar-size understands, you get a series accompanied that’s super easy to start and includes a carbide-tipped chain.
Evaluated 5: Jonsered CS 2240 S 
Jonsered CS 2240 S
Engine size: 40.9 cc Bar length: 16 in. Price: about $300
You can’t go wrong buying a Jonsered realise. Jonsered offers prototypes in all but the lowest expenditure collection. This met includes a tool-free chain tensioner, a spring-assisted starter cord, an breath filter precleaning organisation, a press-down- to-stop and return-to-start permutation, a fuel stage show and robust springs for pulse damp. The saw starts easily, fees smooth and slice rapid. We couldn’t find any flaw with this saw.
Examined 6: Husqvarna 440 e-series 
Husqvarna 440 e-series
Engine size: 40.9 cc Bar length: 16 in. Price: about $290
As with the Jonsered, you can buy a Husqvarna with confidence, recognizing also that you’re getting one of the best chain examines on the market.
In fact, under the plaster, this fathom searches identical to the CS 2240 S and has all the same peculiarities( participate Jonsered’s CS 2240 S above ). We couldn’t discern any difference in accordance with the rules the two saws start, flow and piece. The tool-free tensioner on both sets of understands is outstanding. There’s a large handle that flip-flops out to give you additional leveraging, and the adjuster has “teeth” that are large enough to work with gloves on.
If you’re trying to decide between the Jonsered CS 2240 S and this know, we recommend you choose the one that’s available at a neighbourhood peddler. The Husqvarna narrowly shaped out the nearly identical Jonsered for our Editors’ Choice only because the retail price was $10 less.
Inspect 7: Echo CS-4 00 
Echo CS-400
Engine size: 40.2 cc Bar length: 16 in. Toll: about $300
Here’s another top-quality envision from a respected identify in outdoor superpower rig. The Echo CS-4 00 includes an aura purge bulb, aura precleaner and an air cleaner cover-up that’s easy to remove without tools. This check shortage a tool-free chain tensioner but does have an easy-start structure that works well.
There’s a small toggle switch to turn the engine on and off and a separate fail lever. The saw has rubber bushings rather than springtimes for pulse moisten. It starts readily and extends great. Unless you can find this saw on sale, nonetheless, we recommend either the Jonsered or the Husqvarna because they have better boasts for the same price.
Saw examines: 3 chain encounters for heavy-duty utilization 
Husqvarna 450
Engine size: 50.2 cc Bar length: 12 in.- 20 in. Price: about $359
Stihl MS 271
Engine size: 50.2 cc Bar length: 16 in.- 20 in. Price: about $430
Jonsered 2250 S
Engine size: 50.2 cc Bar length: 16 in.- 18 in. Price: about $390
This class includes examines that overhead $350 to $600 with locomotives greater than 40 cc. If you own acres of land and devote a lot of time on tree part and cleanup, spending a little more for a bond appreciate starts ability. Saws in this category have the best-quality the case of components and are made to withstand daily employment. Plus, you can get bigger engines capable of directing longer forbids. The three knows here are typical for purposes of the present range.
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