18-inch chainsaws strike a good balance between a saw that can handle pretty much anything you are able to throw at it, and a saw that is not too large and bulky for your average homeowner to be able to work with. Read on to learn more about these awesome products.
Comparison Chart of the Best 18 Inch Chainsaws
Product | Rating | Price |
|---|---|---|
Greenworks PRO 80V Cordless Chainsaw  | Best Overall | |
Oregon CS1500 Self-Sharpening Electric Chainsaw  | Runner-up | |
Sun Joe SWJ701E 14.0 Amp Electric Chain Saw  | Best for the Money | |
WORX WG304.1 Chain Saw 18-Inch 4 15.0 Amp  | Best 18 Inch Electric Chainsaw | |
Poulan Pro PR4218 42cc 2-Cycle Gas Chainsaw  | Best 18 Inch Poulan Chainsaw |
What is an 18 Inch Chainsaw Best Used For?
If you are new to working with chainsaws, you may be wondering what the “18 inches” on these saws is even referring to. Whenever you see length associated with a saw, it is referring to the length of the bar. 18-inch saws are a great option for homeowner use.
The bar will be long enough to prune, chop firewood, and get rid of felled wood from storm damages without much extra effort, but it is still lightweight and manageable. On the other hand, if you go up to a 24-inch chainsaw, you will likely be struggling with a heavy and burdensome tool that will not really make much of a difference in the level of work you are trying to accomplish.
How to Choose an 18 Inch Chainsaw
So how do you know what product to go with? Here is what you need to be looking out for:
Durability
Although you may not be using this saw very often, you still need to make sure it is tough enough to be able to handle what you throw at it and not break down right away. Invest in a durable model that can go the distance.
Low Maintenance
There is not much that is more annoying than having to pause in your yard work to fix a chain that has jumped off or some casing that has come loose. Make sure you are choosing a saw that will not require a ton of additional work on your end.
Versatility
A homeowner’s saw needs to do a ton of different things, from cutting down live trees to chopping up deadwood. Find yourself a saw that has a wide range of capabilities to get it all done for you.
Quick Take | Best 18 Inch Chainsaws
Before you move to the our full review of the best 18 Inch chainsaws, here is a quick take of the top 3 models:
Review of the Best 18 Inch Chainsaws
Since you now have an idea of what to look for, let’s check out some actual products:
Best Overall:
Greenworks PRO 80V Cordless Chainsaw
PROS
CONS
What Recent Buyers Report
Recent buyers love the battery on this model. It can charge extremely quickly, in just a half-hour, and a full charge will equal approximately one hundred and fifty cuts. Plus, the saw has a visible battery life indicator built-in on the side so that you will always be able to quickly know when you need to charge up.
Why it Stands Out to Us
We liked how much power this model packs. Despite being battery operated, it can provide the equivalent power to a 45 cc gas engine, or one and a half gas tanks
Who Will Use This Most
This option is a great choice for homeowners, thanks to the combination of high power and low maintenance.
Bottom Line
The Greenworks PRO 80V Cordless Chainsaw is a phenomenal product and our top choice thanks to its efficient power usage. However, if you truly want to maximize your efficiency, you should probably purchase another battery for this saw so you can rotate them out.
PROS
CONS
What Recent Buyers Report
Recent buyers appreciate how straightforward it is to operate this model. Unlike many other brands, this product is super easy to maintain and will not require any additional work in your shop to keep it up and going. Also, there are a number of cool convenience features with this saw, including the fact that it makes a noise when its oil is running low.
Why it Stands Out to Us
We were most drawn to the fact that this model has a chain that is able to sharpen itself! We could not believe how awesome this was. It will certainly prolong the life of the product overall.
Who Will Use This Most
This model is on the heavier side, so it should not be used by someone who does not have any sort of chainsaw experience. In fact, it is mostly recommended solely for use by professionals.
Bottom Line
The Oregon CS1500 Self Sharpening Electric Chainsaw is one of the most convenient chainsaw brands out there, due in large part to its self sharpening chain. Its motor is mounted on the side of the saw, though, which can give it a strange balance and feel.
Best for the Money:
Sun Joe SWJ701E 14.0 Amp Electric Chain Saw
PROS
CONS
What Recent Buyers Report
Recent buyers are big fans of the safety feature son this model. Its automatic chain brake will stop the chain from running the very instant the trigger is released – you can’t really get much safer than that. Users also say they love how quiet this saw is!
Why it Stands Out to Us
We could not believe how cheap this model is! At first, we suspected this saw must be extremely low quality to be sold for such a low price, but we could not be happier to be wrong.
Who Will Use This Most
This saw is intended primarily for homeowner use and maintenance. A caveat with this model is that it will not work well for professional use.
Bottom Line
The Sun Joe SWJ701E 14.0 Amp Electric Chain Saw is a top-notch product option, thanks mostly to its intentional safety features and how much money you will save by purchasing it. Do keep in mind that the chain has a tendency to jump off unless you are able to adjust it very tightly in place.
Best 18 Inch Electric Chainsaw:
WORX WG304.1 Chain Saw 18 Inch 4 15.0 Amp
PROS
CONS
What Recent Buyers Report
Recent buyers are extremely impressed at how powerful this saw is. One buyer reported using this saw to chop through a tree that was six feet in diameter, which blows away pretty much any other saw on the market today.
Why it Stands Out to Us
We were drawn to the added safety precautions WORX took with this saw, including its low kickback bar. Plus, we were super impressed that it can cut through essentially any kind of wood, even wood that has been dead for a long time and really dried out.
Who Will Use This Most
If you are looking for a saw that was designed primarily for fixing stuff up around your yard, you will find it with this model.
Bottom Line
The WORX WG304.1 Chain Saw is an all-around excellent product option that is a monster of a beast and will keep you safe no matter what. Just keep in mind that this is a corded model, so mobility may be slightly impaired.
Best 18 Inch Poulan Chainsaw:
Poulan Pro PR4218 42cc 2 Cycle Gas Chainsaw
PROS
CONS
What Recent Buyers Report
Recent buyers really appreciate how easy this saw is to use, and the number of features that make it more simple. These features include the inboard clutch, which makes the process of removing the chain straightforward and simple, and the accessible chain tension adjuster on the side of the model.
Why it Stands Out to Us
We liked the quality of material Poulan used with this model. We particularly admired the clamshell crankcase, which is made of metal so you never have to worry about any aspect of this product melting on you.
Who Will Use This Most
Users say that they have been able to effectively use this model for medium-duty storm cleanup (nothing too intense), as well as for felling trees and cutting firewood.
Bottom Line
The Poulan Pro PR4218 42 cc 2 Cycle Gas Chainsaw is a great product option that is probably one of the most accessible saws you will be able to find. The one thing to consider is that the included chain is not particularly high quality.
Aspects to Consider Before Buying
If you have been working with a reliable saw, why should you spend money to upgrade to a newer model? Here are the biggest reasons to do so:
Weight
Weight is important depending on what kind of work you are trying to do and the size of your property. If you anticipate having to haul your saw across a huge backyard to get to a felled tree, you may want to go with a lighter version.
Power Source
This is a big one. Do you want a battery-powered saw that will require charging time, but is much more mobile than a corded electric version? Or do you want a gas guzzler that will be heavier and more difficult to start, but also pack more power?
Bells and Whistles
Do you want an automatic chain tensioner? How about some high tech safety auto shut off features? Today’s saws can come with a wide range of different extra add ons, so find the ones that work best for you.
Conclusion
18-inch chainsaws are a must for any homeowner with a yard. Make sure you are choosing a saw that will work best for your specific needs, whatever those may be. We promise that you will not be able to go wrong with a model from our list.