The Best Chainsaws Under $200

Chainsaws are a must-have for homeowners and DIYers with firewood and tree-clearing needs. Chainsaws are extremely versatile tools, so it’s good to have one in your workshop. However, there are some pricey options out there, and not everyone needs an expensive one. In fact, if you’re only going to use it occasionally, a budget chainsaw is most likely more than enough.

Budget chainsaws do come with their flaws, and not all of them are made equal. To help you make the decision on the best chainsaw under $200, I wrote this complete guide. If you need a cheaper chainsaw, you’ve come to the right place.

The Different Types of Chainsaws and Their Benefits

Before we take a look at the best chainsaws under $200, let’s take a look at each type of chainsaw.

Corded/Electric Chainsaws

Corded or electric chainsaws run on electricity via a power cord. You have to plug the chainsaw into a power outlet for it to work. Corded/electric chainsaws allow you to work with them for a long time without having to worry about having backup batteries. These chainsaws happen to be among the cheapest models. Some of their benefits include:

Have more power than cordless options
They’re pretty quiet
They’re lightweight
These chainsaws are quick to start and easy to operate
They’re a more affordable option

Cordless Chainsaws

Cordless chainsaws run on battery and are very similar to corded chainsaws. The only difference is their power; they have less when compared to other chainsaw types. Here are some benefits you need to know:

Very portable, especially because of their lightweight
Quietest option out of all of them
Cordless chainsaws don’t emit fumes
Easy to operate and starts quickly

Gas-Powered Chainsaws.

Gas-powered chainsaws are the best chainsaws for dealing with jobs and projects that require a lot of power, like felling large trees. Most professionals use them. Some gas-powered chainsaw benefits are:

Large power output
Portable
They can handle anything you throw at them

Unfortunately, gas-powered chainsaws produce fumes and are heavy and loud; just keep that in mind.

The Best Chainsaws Under $200 – Buying Guide

Here are features to consider when taking a look at the best chainsaws under $200.

Chain Bar

It’s important to know how to consider the length of the chain bar and if it can handle your projects properly. Suppose you want a chainsaw that will mainly be cutting limbs and small trees. I’d recommend a chainsaw that has a 16-inch to 18-inch bar. But for other light-duty work like pruning and trimming, you can go for a 10-inch to 16-inch bar chainsaw. If you have large trees and pretty big firewood, you might want to pick a 20-inch to 24-inch bar chainsaw. It crucial that you choose the length of the chain bar based on how you intend to use it.

Engine/Motor

When it comes to engines, you ideally want to choose an engine of at least 42cc with a two-cycle capacity. This setup will easily handle your projects without issue. On the other hand, when it comes to the motor, it should be at least 15 amps if you want one that can handle your projects with a decent performance. Motors are found in electric chainsaws, and engines are found in gas-powered chainsaws.

Battery

Cordless chainsaws are chainsaws that utilize batteries. I would like to mention that not every chainsaw will come with a battery. In that case, you should consider the battery capacity and if it can last for long based on the projects you’ll be completing. If you get a chainsaw with a 20V battery capacity, it should be able to handle small to medium projects. A 40V battery can handle medium projects without a problem. I suggest that the battery onboard is a Lithium-Ion battery. They tend to be more durable and offer great performance.

Start/Stop Feature

Battery-operated and electric chainsaws will come with a Start and Stop button; this reduces the energy used for powering up a chainsaw. In that case, check that the Start/Stop button is fully functional and that it will be instant enough for a swift experience.

Chain Tension System/Auto Oiler

The makers of chainsaws understand the stress of adjusting the tension and re-oiling the chain too often. For that reason, auto oiling and auto-tension systems have been implemented into newer chainsaws. The system will auto-oil the chain automatically while you’re cutting and trimming. On the other hand, the auto tension will offer you a button or knob that you will press to set the optimum tension for the chain. These features save you time and energy.

The Best Chainsaws Under $200 – Reviewed

Here are the best chainsaws under $200 that you can purchase today.

1. DEWALT 20V MAX* XR Chainsaw

The DeWalt 20V MAX XR Chainsaw is powered by the 20V Max battery. This is a brilliant invention from DeWalt because you can use them across a wide range of cordless DeWalt products. The same 20V MAX battery that you use to power your chainsaw can also be used to power other tools like orbital sanders and hammer drills. When you purchase this chainsaw you only get the tool, you don’t get a battery, charger, or carry bag.

We highly recommend when purchasing this chainsaw, you also get the twin pack of 20V MAX 5.0 Ah Premium XR batteries, along with the DCB115 12/ 20V MAX charger. You may be wondering why do I need two batteries? If you intend to do any kind of moderate wood cutting a single battery won’t last you long enough to get all your work done.

2. Ryobi P546 10 in. ONE+ 18-Volt Lithium+ Cordless Chainsaw

The Ryobi P546 10 in. ONE+ 18-Volt Lithium+ Cordless Chainsaw has a push-button oiler, which is useful in several situations. These kinds of oilers tend to leak less and allow you to control how much oil goes onto your chain and bar. I would like to mention that this cordless chainsaw is not made for cutting down whole trees. However, I did find that its 10-inch blade can trim and cut off branches with ease.

I really like that this chainsaw is battery-powered. You don’t have to mess with mixing gas and oil or deal with a cord. However, I would also like to mention that a battery and charger do not come with this chainsaw which is disappointing. You’ll have to spend even more money but you should still be able to keep the entire purchase under $200.

3. Greenworks 40V 12-Inch Cordless Chainsaw, 2.0Ah Battery and Charger Included

The Greenworks 40V 12-Inch Cordless Chainsaw may not be the first product on the list, but I still think it stands among the best chainsaws under $200. Its performance is decent, and it makes a good chainsaw for light to medium projects.

The chainsaw comes with a 12-inch steel bar and chain. These work perfectly with the tool-free chain tensioning. Also, it runs on a G-MAX 40V Li-Ion battery that offers fade-free power without any memory loss after charging. Even when the battery is low, the chainsaw will still deliver enough power for your projects.

This chainsaw also has a 3/8-inch chain pitch that lets you trim branches and limbs with reduced kickback. One of the best features this chainsaw has is a wrap-around handle. Wrap-around handles are awesome because they offer you multiple cutting positions. In other words, you can trim those branches and limbs at different angles without difficulty.

The chainsaw features a battery indicator to let you tell when and if the battery is about to run out. It also lets you know when it’s time to charge up the chainsaw. What makes this chainsaw stand out from the rest of the products on this list is the fact that it comes with a battery and a charger.

4. Oregon CS1500 18-inch 15 Amp Self-Sharpening Corded Electric Chainsaw

The Oregon CS1500 18-inch 15 Amp Self-Sharpening Corded Electric Chainsaw is a great inexpensive option. You truly get quite the deal when you purchase this chainsaw. The engine is appropriately powered; it has 15 amps for fast cutting and performs very well in all cutting tests.

Despite the chainsaw’s low price, it’s actually quite fast, and to be honest, it could cut through the majority of things you throw at it. The 18-inch chain and bar do not have very much kickback at all. I love this because it makes the saw very easy to use. On top of all of that, It is still lighter than gas-powered chainsaws.

I’m also very impressed by the chain brake safety & self-sharpening system this electric chainsaw has. The balance on this chainsaw is also very nice, especially when that’s paired with the light weight of the chainsaw.

You will have no difficulties using the chainsaw or controlling it. Again, it is lightweight but not to the point where you’re experiencing a lot of vibration, or you don’t have control. Overall, this chainsaw is pretty well designed and a great deal.

Frequently Asked Questions

Now that you’ve seen the best chainsaws under $200, here are some frequently asked questions.

Q: What’s the best chainsaw under $200 for a homeowner?

A: There isn’t one specific chainsaw that’s best for a homeowner. There are some features that are crucial, but it should all come down to what the best option for that person is. Here are some features you should consider besides the price of the chainsaw:

Power. The power of the chainsaw is important because you may need quite a bit depending on the project you’ll be working on.
Safety. The chainsaw should come with safety features.
Bar and chain length. The bar and chain length should be based on the size of the logs and trees you will be cutting.

After all of that, you also may want to consider a chainsaw that has tool-free chain tensioning, an ergonomic handle, and an auto-lubrication feature. Above all, you should decide if you need a gas-powered chainsaw, corded, or cordless chainsaw.

Q: What is the best chainsaw for the money?

A: The best chainsaw for the money is one that has great performance, is easy to use, and is overall reliable in relation to the cost. If it can offer you the best in all of the areas mentioned previously and goes for a relatively low price, then it is considered a good chainsaw for the money.

Q. Who makes the most reliable chainsaw?

A: There is a large number of companies that make chainsaws. However, not all of them are reliable. The most reliable chainsaw brands include WORX, Black & Decker, DeWalt, Remington, Oregon, Ryobi, and Greenworks.

Q. Are electric chainsaws as good as gas-powered chainsaws?

A: Electric chainsaws are a great option for those that deal with light to medium projects, but they are not as good as gas-powered chainsaws in terms of delivery and performance. Nothing can beat gas-powered chainsaws when it comes to heavy-duty projects. The electric chainsaws really only have two major benefits, and that is that they are lightweight and quieter than Cgas-powered chainsaws.

Wrapping Up

There are the best chainsaws under $200! However, if we had to pick the best one out of all of these, we would have to go with Greenworks 40V 12-Inch Cordless Chainsaw.

However, these are all great choices, so don’t be worried if the Greenworks 40V 12-Inch Cordless Chainsaw isn’t your top choice. I hope this buying guide helped you find the best option for you! Do you have a favorite chainsaw from this list? Do you own one of these already? If not, are you considering purchasing one now? Please feel free to comment; we would love to hear from you!

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