Arborist work is probably one of the most complicated yard work procedures you will do – which means you need a great chainsaw to help you get the job done.
Read on to see our list of top arborist chainsaws and the best ways to use them to maximize efficiency.
At a Glance: Our Top Picks for Arborist Chainsaws
Comparison Chart of the Best Arborist Chainsaws
| PRODUCT | DETAILS | ||
|---|---|---|---|
 Our Top Pick | Makita XCU02Z 12" Chain Saw, Tool Only |
| View Latest Price |
 | CRAFTSMAN CMCCS620M1 Chain Saw |
| View Latest Price |
 Best Budget Option | WORX WG304.1 Chain Saw 18-Inch |
| View Latest Price |
 | Oregon Cordless 16-inch Self-Sharpening Chainsaw |
| View Latest Price |
 | Tanaka TCS33EDTP/12 32.2cc 12-Inch |
| View Latest Price |
What is an Arborist Chainsaw and What is it Best Used For?
An arborist chainsaw is a chainsaw that is specifically designed for working on trees. This work could involve chopping up broken branches or felled trees after a storm, or it could get a little bit trickier, such as sawing off split branches that are still partially attached to the tree, or are even fully attached but have the potential to cause damage to your house if they do snap off. And of course, arborist chainsaws are also used to cut trees down entirely.
These saws need to be tough and strong in order to handle the high volume of wood cutting they need to accomplish, but they also need to strike a good balance with being lightweight and easy to maneuver, since it is often a complicated process to get your saw in the right position to make the exact cut you need.
What Makes a Great Arborist Chainsaw?
With an arborist chainsaw, there are several factors you should keep in mind when purchasing. Here are the most important:
Safety Measures
Cutting down trees is one of the most complicated and potentially dangerous sawing projects you will likely ever embark on. There may be moments where you need to use your saw one-handed, or in other convoluted ways. Make sure you invest in a saw with a decent amount of safety precautions, such as automatic shut off, to ensure you do not lose a finger or worse.
Ease of Use
As mentioned above, tree work is some of the most difficult cutting work you can do. The last thing you want is to further complicate that process by getting a saw that is difficult to figure out how to use or even to start. Find yourself a saw that is straightforward and simple to operate.
Durability
Tree work is intense! There is nothing more frustrating than being almost done with a tree job and then your saw just curls up and dies on you. Pay attention to how durable users say a saw is and get one that will be able to go the distance for you no matter what you throw at it.
Quick Take | Best Arborist Chainsaws
Before you move to the our full review of the best arborist chainsaws, here is a quick take of the top 3 models:
Review of the Best Arborist Chainsaws
Now that you know what to look out for, let’s check out some actual products:
Best Overall:
Makita XCU02Z 12” Chain Saw, Tool Only
PROS
CONS
What Recent Buyers Report
Recent buyers love that this model has a variable speed motor that they are easily able to control using a dial system. And there are some added safety features on this product option, such as an LED power light for increased visibility and an automatic shut off feature.
Why it Stands Out to Us
We appreciated the auto lubricating system this model has got going for it. It will save you a ton of time that would otherwise have been spent oiling up your chain, and it ensures that the product will not rust.
Who Will Use This Most
Since this saw is much lighter than many of the other brands available on the market today, it is a great choice for female users.
Bottom Line
The Makita XCU02Z 12” Chain Saw is an all-around excellent product and our top choice thanks to its variable-speed motor and auto lubricating system. The oil tank does have a tendency to leak, though, so make sure you empty it after each use.
Runner-up:
CRAFTSMAN CMCCS620M1 Chain Saw
PROS
CONS
What Recent Buyers Report
Recent buyers are impressed with the balance this saw is able to strike between being lightweight enough to be able to easily carry around, but also heavy enough to absorb a lot of torque from the chain action.
Why it Stands Out to Us
We like how convenient it is to operate this saw. Both the bar tensioning and chain adjustment process will not require any sort of additional toolset, and the instruction manual is so thorough and detailed that it will be able to answer any and all questions you might have.
Who Will Use This Most
Users report that this model is an excellent choice for cleaning up after a storm or other emergency work, and it works well for cutting down small trees. The best thing about this saw is that it can easily be taken around on the go, so if you have a larger property to maintain, this is the model for you.
Bottom Line
The CRAFTSMAN CMCCS620M1 Chain Saw is a fantastic product option and our runner-up choice for its ease of use and great balance. The only drawback is you will have to charge the batteries upon arrival, so your saw will not be good to go for about three hours.
Best for the Money:
WORX WG304.1 Chain Saw 18 Inch
PROS
CONS
What Recent Buyers Report
Recent buyers are blown away at how tough this saw is. One user says that they were able to use this model to cut through a tree that was six whole feet in diameter! That is pretty wild for a saw of this size.
Why it Stands Out to Us
We could not believe our eyes when we saw how little this saw was selling for. We at first thought that this model was a scam and not a true high quality saw, but we could not be more pleased to be completely wrong in that regard.
Who Will Use This Most
This WORX saw was intended to be able to tackle anything and everything you may encounter when doing yard work. No matter what size of cuts you need to be made, this saw can handle it.
Bottom Line
The WORX WG304.1 Chain Saw is a stunning little product option that will chew through even the toughest wood and save you a ton of money to boot. The one thing to think about is that it uses an electrical cord for power, so its mobility is somewhat limited.
Editor’s Pick:
Oregon Cordless 16 Inch Self Sharpening Chainsaw
PROS
CONS
What Recent Buyers Report
Recent buyers like that this model is straightforward and easy to use. Unlike many of its competitor chainsaws, it does not require a ton of maintenance to keep working well, and there are multiple features about it that add to the overall convenience level, including the noise it makes when it is running low on oil.
Why it Stands Out to Us
We were quite impressed with the self-sharpening chain mechanism on this product. This mechanism ensures that the chain will last longer, as well as makes your life as a user much easier.
Who Will Use This Most
Because it is heavier than many of the other saws described here, this product is not intended to be used by novices. You should have a certain amount of professional experience before you attempt to use this saw.
Bottom Line
The Oregon Cordless 16 Inch Self Sharpening Chainsaw is an all-around amazing product option that can make your life easier in a number of ways, from its self-sharpening mechanism to its lack of required maintenance. Just keep in mind that its motor is mounted on the saw’s side, which gives it a different and somewhat awkward feel.
Best Top Handle Arborist Chainsaw:
Tanaka TCS33EDTP/12 32.2 cc 12 Inch
PROS
CONS
What Recent Buyers Report
Recent buyers appreciate how easy it is to get this model up and running. It has a half throttle choke and a purge primer bulb, so it will be a simple process to start no matter what the temperature is.
Why it Stands Out to Us
We were drawn to how straightforward it is to maneuver this product. It is comfortable to hold on to, thanks to its anti-vibration system, and its sprocket nose bar allows for an increased level of control and ability to make more precise cuts.
Who Will Use This Most
This model is purely intended to be used as an arborist saw, and more specifically intended for pruning jobs. It is not the machine you want to use for any larger jobs.
Bottom Line
The Tanaka TCS33EDTP/12 32.2 cc model is a phenomenal little top handle saw that will always reliably startup for you and be straightforward and easy to use. Be aware that for its smaller size, it is still quite heavy though, coming in at around twelve pounds.
Types of Arborist Chainsaws
Arborist chainsaws are typically broken out into types based on their power source, with three main options:
Gas Powered
Gas-powered chainsaws are by far the most powerful option on this list. If you are looking for something that can cut through anything and never tire, you have to go with gas. However, they are heavier, they are louder, they are smellier, they are harder to start, and they are the worst for the environment.
Battery Powered
Battery-powered chainsaws get rid of a lot of the drawbacks of gas chainsaws: they are easy to start and are typically a lot quieter, although they can also be fairly heavy with their batteries on board. The one thing to keep in mind with these saws is that it can take a significant amount of time to charge the battery, time you could be using to get cutting.
Electric Powered
Electrically powered saws are the most lightweight out of all the options because they have neither a gas tank nor a battery attached. However, they are powered by a cord, which significantly limits their mobility. If you are looking for a saw you can take with you on the go, this is not the choice for you.
Conclusion
Arborist chainsaws are a necessary investment for anyone who has trees in their yard. Invest in a good quality saw that will work well for your needs, whatever those may be. We promise you that you will not be able to go wrong with any of the models from our list above.