Whether sawing firewood or chopping trees: a chainsaw is a good helper, with the support of which such work can be done quickly and reliably.
Here you will find the best chainsaw under 200 dollars currently available in stores, and you can compare the technical features of the individual tools directly with one another. You can see at a glance how the models differ and what special features and convenience functions are offered. You can get a good unit for this price.
But be careful: Working with chainsaws can also be dangerous. Therefore, good preparation in handling this type of saw is just as important as wearing the appropriate clothing and taking good care of the device. But before you buy it, you should find out which chainsaw suits your needs.
Table of Contents
List of the Top 5 Best Chainsaws Under $200
1. WORX WG304.1 Chain Saw 18-Inch
This is a 15 amp chainsaw, the bar goes 12 meters per second, but the chain gauge is 0.05 inch. This WG304.1 model is very light, and it weighs 11 pounds. Anyone will be able to handle it with no problem.
Some of the functions include an auto chain brake for safety. Also, it has an automatic oiler that comes in handy. It also has an automatic chain tensioner on the side.
A thing I don’t like about this chainsaw is the placement of the oil filter cap. It would be a problem for people that have bigger hands.
If you think about renting one for a big job, don’t do that. It’s very cheap, and that’s as much you need to rent a chainsaw for a day.
The benefit of this tool is that you don’t have to worry about mixing oil and gasoline. When you are done with it, you clean it off and put it in the garage, and you are done. That shows the convenience of this unit, compared to other heavy-duty chainsaws that offer more power. This is obviously not for a professional. If you are one and want to cut down big trees, you’ll want to use gasoline chainsaws. But if you are a homeowner that just wants to cut some firewood, this really fits the bill, and you will be happy with it.
2. Blue Max 6595 18-Inch
This chainsaw is hard to miss because of the blue styling. The Blue Max 6595 is easy to use because of the 45cc engine.
With this product, you can do work around the neighbourhood or at your house. It has a gas motor, and it has an excellent price if you want to do quick clean up jobs.
If you want to cut small or medium-sized trees, the Max 6595 will do the job. It can do limbing, felling, cut firewood and clear storm damage.
Some features include the 18-inch blade, which is useful if you want to do large jobs. Some of the safety features include the rapid reaction kickback brake, safety trigger, handguard, stop claw and safety lock.
To make the most out of this chainsaw, you’ll need to lubricate the sprocket tip of the saw. Do this every 10 hours for maximum performance.
It comes with a few accessories: plug wrench, mixing bottle (for oil and gas mixing), and bar cover.
It weighs 18 lbs, so if you are gonna use it for a lot of hours, you will experience fatigue. But heavy doesn’t necessarily mean bad, it also makes the cut easier, because you don’t have to apply a lot of pressure manually.
One of the downsides is that it might be difficult to start for inexperienced users, and it’s a bit heavy.
So you should definitely purchase this chainsaw, if you are experienced, you want to do medium cutting work, and you don’t want to spend a lot of money.
3. Husqvarna 240, 14 in.
The 240 delivers 38 CC power and is 10.3 lbs. So this is already an advantage considering its price. Even though it has a 16-inch max bar, you can cut 20-inch wood pieces with no problem.
It is effortless to use because of its low weight and anti-vibration technology. If you are looking for a powerhouse, this saw isn’t it, but if you are looking for something to cut around the house with, this is it.
The 240 has a few safety features; it has the bar designed, so it does reduce the kickback. To protect the hand, it comes with a thick front guard. Other features include the air injection that filters out debris. This will improve the life of the chainsaw and allows the motor to have a bigger performance at a lower cost.
Some of Husqvarna 240 38.2cc pros include: the price, it has comfortable handling with low vibration, the large guide bar, and X-tork technology for less toxic fumes.
One of the downsides is the power that is 2 HP maximum, which is ideal only for softwood and lightweight jobs.
We think that semi-professionals or beginners should purchase this chainsaw. It surely can be used by more experienced professionals, but that’s not the intention of this product. If you don’t have a lot of woodcutting to do, this is ideal. If your job doesn’t have material bigger than 32-inches in diameter, this will do the job perfectly.
4. Remington 41AY4216983 RM4216CS
For those who want to find an affordable gas-powered chainsaw, the Remington RM4216 has got you covered. This tool boasts a 2-stroke 42cc engine and a 16″ bar to cut through 8″ trees and thick branches effortlessly.
This model is quite versatile, and a low-kickback chain helps a lot when operating. The product comes with bar and chain oil and a sturdy carrying case, which will allow you to take it anywhere you need. With its 5-point anti-vibration system and a large soft handle, this saw will provide the maximum level of comfort. The adjustable automatic oiler ensures that your tool is always ready, and its die-cast chassis make it suitable for heavy use. The maintenance here is quick and simple because of tool-free access to spark plug and filter, and the chain tension can be adjusted with the tool included. Unlike some of its rivals, the pull cord here is not that hard to use, which also adds to its convenience. Thus, cold starts will be quick each time. As if it’s not enough, the adjustable carburetor and a metal crankcase that you can find here are two features that rarely can be found even on the pricier options.
A slight drawback here is weight – at 15 pounds, this is not the lightest unit on the market, but its weight still should be considerably lower than most of its counterparts. If anything goes wrong with it, you can always contact the manufacturer because the tool is covered by a 2-year limited warranty. While the majority of owners were happy with their purchase, some of them recommend find a replacement chain to improve its performance. Overall, the Remington RM4216 is a quite reliable option that gives you a lot of power and offers that precision and comfort when you use it.
5. Oregon 570995 CS1500
If you are looking for an inexpensive electric chainsaw, consider the Oregon 570995 CS1500. It features a 15A motor that makes little-to-no noise and a PowerSharp self-sharpening system, so you can use it for years!
The main advantage of all electric saws is an instant start, with which you will forget about pulling the rope or mixing gas with oil once and for all. The guide bar length here is 18″, which should be more than enough for most tasks. Thus, it can deal with trees up to 15″ in diameter because the motor provides a lot of power with 2888FPM chain speed under no load. To adjust the tension, you won’t have to use any tools – simply turn the red knob, and you are done! The abovementioned sharpening system allows you to re-sharpen the chain in a matter of seconds using a pull lever. On top of that, the design of this chainsaw is sturdy and well-balanced, and its over-molded handle will ensure a comfortable grip. It doesn’t weigh much at just 12.9 pounds and is incredibly easy to operate. The automatic oiler will help you to avoid the mess with this chainsaw maintenance and allow you to use it longer. Even if you try to run it without oil, you will notice the difference in its sound, so you will know when to add it.
The Oregon 570995 CS1500 Chainsaw comes ready-to-use right out of the box, so you won’t have to figure out how to assemble it. If you need some guidance, you will find all the information in the instructions that come with the tool. As for the reliability, the chain won’t pop off too often, and many customers are satisfied with their purchase. The clutch mechanism (also known as chain brake) adds to its safety. Just make sure not to overheat it because some plastic components might get damaged.
Chainsaw Structure and Functions
A chainsaw is a device in which a motor drives a chain. This chainsaw is a cutting tool. Containers for fuel and oil should be provided in the saw. Oil is needed to lubricate the chain and reduce friction.
Different components are installed, depending on the device class. It is especially important to pay attention to the engine’s performance as it is responsible for the saw’s ultimate functionality.
Properties of chainsaws
When choosing a chainsaw, you need to pay attention to its main features. It depends on how efficiently the device works. The features determine which chainsaw can be used in production and which can be used at home.
Guide Bar
The guide bar is one of the main components of the cutting part of the chainsaw. When choosing, you need to pay attention to the length and width. Long guide bars are suitable for cutting down large trees. However, devices with low power consumption cannot work correctly with a long bus. Also, note the type of lubrication channels. Proper lubrication prevents premature tool wear.
Chain
Another interchangeable component is the chain; chains can vary in length, connection type, and pitch. Large pitch chains are usually mounted on very strong saws and require considerable force to be used. They are best for rough work. The fine pitch ensures an even cut and is also suitable for models with low power.
Kickback protection
An additional function that protects the chainsaw from both damage and accidents is the kickback. The principle is based on special sensors that recognize the phenomenon of kickback. After fixing, a stop command is sent to a special component. The circuit is blocked, and operation stops.
Anti-vibration protection
Vibration dampening protection plays almost the main role in ensuring a comfortable operation. The use of the motor and the cutting process itself inevitably leads to very strong vibrations. They are very harmful to the human condition, not to mention that they make the tool very difficult to hold. The best chainsaws offer the most advanced anti-vibration systems.
Engine
The engine is the main part of the chainsaw. According to engine power, the models are divided into three groups:
- Household (up to 2.5 hp);
- Semi-professional (2.5 – 3.5 hp);
- Professional (3.5 – 6 hp).
FAQ
When is it worth buying a chainsaw?
Since chainsaws don’t necessarily create a huge hole in your household budget, it is important to think about purchasing this gardening tool. With the chainsaw, you can not only prune trees quickly and efficiently but also shred the firewood for your fireplace. Forest workers can hardly do without the chainsaw; it is considered the most important tool in forestry. Chainsaws are also used in carving competitions. Here artists use the saw to create sculptures and figures out of wood.
What can be done with a chainsaw?
The chainsaw is primarily used to cut all kinds of wood. These include:
- Cut down trees
- Cutting firewood
- Cutting tree trunks to length (this means dividing the felled tree into individual sections)
- Cut branches
- Cutting and processing sculptures (chainsaw art)
What other types of chainsaws are there?
In addition to the normal chain saws, which are used to work and cut wood, there are also several special shapes and special chainsaws. It is worth mentioning, for example, the rescue saws that are used by the fire brigade and, for example, to saw metal.
Just like the so-called hot saws, these special motor chain saws are used in competitions. With the help of their chainsaw, the artists carve various sculptures and figures from large pieces of wood – some of the works are real art pieces.
Another special form of the chainsaw is the pole pruner, which is used to easily reach the higher branches in the tree.
How safe is a chainsaw?
The chainsaw is, without a doubt, one of the most dangerous tools of all, with which you can get injured quickly. Basic safety precautions when working with the chainsaw are, therefore, an absolute must. If you work with the chainsaw frequently, you should put on complete protective clothing. This consists of cut-resistant pants and jacket as well as cut-resistant gloves and safety shoes.
The right clothing and careful handling of the chainsaw are crucial for safety!
What protective clothing do I need to work with a chainsaw?
You need good quality protective clothing to protect yourself from serious injury. This should consist of the following parts:
- Safety glasses or hard hat (possibly as a combination)
- Cut resistant jacket
- Chainsaw protection pants
- Cut-resistant gloves
- Tight-fitting outerwear so that you are not hindered at work
- Safety shoes
- Earmuffs
A forest helmet can also save lives and should therefore be part of your basic equipment. Cut resistant pants are made of special material and stop the chainsaw instantly thanks to special fibers. These pants are divided into four different classes, each of which differs from one another in terms of the chain speed. These pants are available both as the waistband and as dungarees.
If you only work with the chainsaw occasionally, leg warmers that you slip over your normal work pants are sufficient. You should bear in mind that you should replace the chainsaw protection pants at least every 18 months. The protective jacket and protective gloves’ function is comparable to that of the chainsaw protection pants and is also indispensable for safe work. The same applies to safety shoes, which are available in different safety classes. It is best to opt for safety class 3 because these shoes are waterproof and have safety caps to protect your toes.
Conclusion
As you can see, each type of chain saw has advantages and disadvantages. Weigh these carefully against each other and think about the purpose for which you would like to use the saw before buying. If you only want to cut thin branches, the electric saw will certainly suffice. The battery-operated chainsaw also has its purposes and is an alternative to electric or gasoline chainsaws, as it hardly makes any noise and works entirely without cables. With larger amounts of wood, however, such a model quickly reaches its limits. You can hardly work with a cordless chainsaw for more than 20 to 30 minutes at a time.
The WORX WG304.1 is currently the best chainsaw under 200 dollars. It will cut a 6 ft diameter tree easy and fast. Other say they cut a 70ft tall and 21 inches in diameter tree with no problem. And it does all this without having the hassle to mix oil and gas, and without having to pull a rope, or needing extra tools to change the chain.