Our Top Picks
Evaluating the Best Small Chainsaws
Best Overall
Whether you’re a lumberjack or a garden enthusiast, the NaTiddy Small Chainsaw will help you make quick work of any job. With a cutting speed of 17 feet per second and a 5.4-inch wood-cutting capability, you can get through any task at hand in just 10 seconds. This small chainsaw also features a rubberized handle that provides shock absorption and reduces fatigue during long jobs like cutting trees down. Plus, there’s an easy-to-reach on/off button that lets you turn off the saw, while a safety baffle prevents dust from entering the motor and causing damage.
Additionally, this pick comes equipped with self-overload and temperature protection for added peace of mind. With your purchase, you’ll also get two spare chains, gloves, a screwdriver, an oil bottle, safety goggles, and an instruction manual. Because of its noise-free operation, powerful motor, and premium safety features, this small chainsaw stands at the top of our list and also made it into our list of the best electric chainsaws.
Pros
- Brushless motor for smooth operation
- Overload and overheat protection
- Comes with a storage case
Cons
- Requires frequent charging
Most Powerful
Are you looking for a chainsaw that is both powerful and lightweight? Then we personally recommend you check out the BEI & HONG Small Chainsaw. With its high-efficiency motor, we loved the fact this chainsaw provides enough torque to cut through even the thickest of branches and limbs with ease. More importantly, this mini chainsaw features a safety lock that prevents it from accidentally starting when not in use, and an efficient heat dissipation system keeps it from overheating during use.
Additionally, there’s an anti-flying splash baffle that keeps debris from flying out of the chain bar while preventing water from getting into the engine when working in wet conditions. This small chainsaw also boasts a lithium-ion battery with self-overload and temperature protection, so you’ll never have to worry about overcharging or exploding while working!
Pros
- Premium safety features for enhanced protection
- Highly efficient, powerful motor
- Exceptional speed
- Ergonomic, anti-slip grip
Cons
- Not enough shock absorption
Most Lightweight
The RLSOO Small Chainsaw is a great choice for those looking for a high-quality, affordable chainsaw that packs a punch. Featuring a premium quality copper motor, this small chainsaw is capable of handling a variety of cutting tasks, from trimming branches to felling trees. An important note for our readers is the chain is made from high-quality alloy, so it will cut through anything with ease while staying sharp.
This small chainsaw comes with an anti-slip handle, which makes it easy to hold onto and control while you’re cutting. It also features a rotatable safety bezel that prevents wood splashing and protects your face from splinters. Weighing only 2.4 pounds, this tool is easy enough for anyone to carry around in their tool kit, but powerful enough to help you get through any job!
Pros
- Equipped with wear-resistant blades
- Safety lock and baffle for maximum protection
- Convenient air vents dissipate heat
- Comes with a range of accessories
Cons
- Assembly may be confusing
The Safest Choice
The Tingmengte Small Chainsaw is a high-efficiency, fast-cutting chainsaw that’s perfect for cutting small trees, branches, and logs. Featuring an upgraded copper motor, this small chain has a highly hard blade that offers 6,000 revolutions per minute (rpm) to complete the job quickly and efficiently.
From a safety perspective, we liked the fact this chainsaw also features a built-in control circuit board with an overload protection function that prevents overheating or damage from overuse. For added peace of mind, this small chainsaw features an adjustable safety bezel that protects your hand and face from chips and nicks while you’re working, along with a safety lock button that keeps the saw from starting until it’s in place and ready to go.
Pros
- Long battery life for uninterrupted operation
- Durable, rust-resistant blade
- Powerful motor
- Come with different accessories
Cons
- Chain may need frequent tightening
Great Value
The New Huing Small Chainsaw features an upgraded high-efficiency copper wire motor that provides the power you need to get the job done, while the high-quality guide chain ensures that every cut is smooth and clean. This product comes equipped with a variable speed trigger switch that makes it easy to adjust the speed according to the task at hand.
Just like other products on our list, this small chainsaw features a rotatable protective baffle that helps protect against kickback, while also making sure that dust doesn’t fly into your face while you’re cutting. It also comes with removable 21-volt batteries and spare guide bars, saw chains, batteries, wrenches, and screwdrivers — everything you need to get started right away.
Pros
- Durable, wear-resistant chainsaw
- Sturdy guide bar lasts longer
- Perfect for home improvement projects
- Long-lasting battery with overload protection feature
Cons
- Doesn’t come with safety gloves or goggles
Buying Guide: Small Chainsaws
Want to prune bushes or cut down branches from awkward positions? Looking for a way to get the job done without straining your hands? While small chainsaws can help you get your garden in shape, not all of them are made equal. You should consider a couple of things to ensure that you don’t end up wasting your time and money on the wrong product. Our team (with some help from experts in the field) have researched and prepared this detailed buying guide to help you pick the perfect small chainsaw for your needs.
Things to Consider When Buying a Small Chainsaw
Battery life
We found that most users prefer having a cordless or electric option when purchasing a small chainsaw. That’s why battery life is an important factor to consider to ensure that you get your hands on the right product.
Besides purchasing a product with long-lasting battery life, we recommend you look for options that come with an extra battery — or you should purchase an extra battery yourself — to ensure that your small chainsaw won’t stop in the middle of your pruning job. A battery with a maximum capacity of 20 to 24 volts is ideal for small chainsaws and it will last anywhere between 40 to 60 minutes once fully recharged.
Safety features
While dealing with a dangerous and sharp tool like a chainsaw, you should never compromise on safety. Make sure that you have all your safety gear with you when using a small chainsaw because a minor mistake can lead to serious injuries. Most small chainsaws come with related accessories and gear, so you don’t need to purchase them separately.
Small chainsaws come with safety locks to prevent them from turning on if you accidentally push the button. Some models also come with a baffle to protect your hands while pruning and cutting. Similarly, you should also consider a chain brake, hand guard, and other safety features before purchasing a chainsaw.
Ergonomic grip and handle
Because you will be cutting branches from awkward spaces, your small chainsaw should have ergonomic handles and grip to minimize the strain on your wrists and hands. So, always go for the options that are more comfortable to carry and have rubberized grip handles to prevent them from slipping or accidentally falling from your hands.
You should also consider the position of the handle because small chainsaws are available with rear or top handles. Rear handles make it a bit hard to control and put more pressure on your wrists. Top handles, on the other hand, are more suitable for one-hand operation.
Auto lubrication and tensioning
Most small chainsaws don’t need any type of manual lubrication, meaning you won’t have to worry about dealing with the mess of oiling the chain and bar. But even though these chainsaws are self-lubricating, you have to check the oil level. Make sure that the product you have shortlisted comes with an automatically adjustable bar and chain oiler.
Also look for a gadget that comes with a transparent oil reservoir, as it allows you to check the oil levels at a glance. Some small chainsaws also come with an auto chain tensioning system to help you adjust the cutting speed and sharpness.
Uses of a Small Chainsaw
Pruning shrubs
You can use your small chainsaw to prune shrubs to get a sculpted, smooth look because it’s more precise than manual cutting. The design of most small chainsaws is lightweight enough to allow you to cut hedges above your head level and they also produce weaker vibrations, so your wrist and arms won’t get tired easily.
Trimming trees
You can also use the small chainsaw to cut small tree limbs and branches. These chainsaws can efficiently handle limbs of up to 6 inches in diameter. You can also cut straying branches from hard-to-reach areas with a compact and handy chainsaw.
Carpentry
A small chainsaw comes in handy for cutting lumber to use in commercial and DIY carpentry projects — particularly to cut thinner, more delicate pieces of wood. Large chainsaws, on the other hand, are a bit difficult to control and produce stronger vibrations that can chip the wood piece.
People Also Asked
Why do I need a small chainsaw?
Even if a small chainsaw seems too small for the job, this portable gadget comes with a powerful motor and is packed with amazing cutting power. Due to these features, a small chainsaw can easily tackle lumberjacking jobs like limbing, trimming, branch pruning, and more.
Are there any risks of using a small chainsaw?
These tools are lightweight and easy to handle, but it doesn’t mean that they can’t cause any accidents. Even small chainsaws are prone to kickbacks, which you can easily avoid by using safety features like chain brake or tip guard. You should also keep in mind that these chainsaws aren’t geared for tough and commercial cutting operations.
How much should I spend on a small chainsaw?
A small chainsaw can set you back anywhere between $50 to $300, but this can go up or down depending on the quality, features, and manufacturing brand. Most battery-operated models also come with two to three years of warranty, but we recommend buying from reliable brands or authorized sellers to enjoy the warranty and ensure that your investment is safe.
How do I maintain my small chainsaw?
Whether you have bought an electric or a gas-powered chainsaw, regular maintenance is important to keep it in tip-top shape. You should go through routine checks before and after every use to detect any signs of wear and tear. Check for dents, cracks, or leaks and test the throttle, trigger lockout, and choke to know if your small chainsaw is ready to use or not. Also, don’t forget to check if the air filter and cylinder finds are in optimal working conditions. Clean your chainsaw properly after every use to keep it in good condition for years to come.
How do I decide on the length of my chainsaw’s guide bar?
You should consider your intended use and level of expertise to determine the appropriate length of the guide bar. If you have been using a chainsaw for a long time now and just want a smaller version to shape up your backyard or garden, you should get a product with a shorter bar size that weighs less and is easy to use. The standard length of most chainsaws ranges between 8 to 24 inches and small chainsaws have a guide bar of 4 to 10 inches in general. No matter which chainsaw you choose, the true length of its guide bar should be longer than your cutting project’s needs.
