Chainsaws are a necessity for anyone who has a real yard, but they can also be an extremely expensive purchase. It is possible, however, to find a chainsaw that can get the job done for you and not destroy your wallet in the process.
Read on to learn more about these awesome products and what they can do.
At a Glance: Our Top Picks for Chainsaw Under 200
- OUR TOP PICK: BLACK+DECKER 40V MAX Cordless Chainsaw, 12-Inch
- RUNNER-UP: Ryobi P546 10 in. ONE+ 18-Volt Lithium+ Cordless Chainsaw
- BEST BUDGET OPTION: Zombi ZCS12017 16-Inch Corded Electric Chainsaw
Comparison of the Best Chainsaws Under $200
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Can You Find a Quality Chainsaw For Under $200?
The sky really does seem to be the limit when it comes to chainsaw prices. In a world where you can spend close to a thousand dollars on some of the most premium, high-end saws, it can be a struggle to believe that it is a worthwhile investment to purchase a saw that will only cost you about $200. But do not let the power tool industry lie to you! You can certainly find a high quality saw for $200.
If you are looking for a professional-grade saw, you may not be able to find what you are looking for, but if you are seeking a basic chainsaw that will be able to handle your yard work and maybe clearing some dead trees and chopping up firewood, you can certainly work with a $200 budget. There are plenty of saws on this list alone that come in at under $200 and are absolute beasts when it comes to chewing through wood.
Characteristics of Our Favorite Models
What should you be looking out for when you are choosing your saw? Here is what we find most important:
Battery Life
Obviously this is only a consideration for battery-powered saws, but the majority of models under $200 operate on battery power. The last thing you are going to want is a saw that will die on you when you are this close to finishing chopping up that huge annoying tree. Find a saw whose battery can last.
Toughness
You are going to want a saw that is able to handle anything you throw at it, even if it is long dead wood that is especially brittle and hard or a massive tree trunk you have to chomp through. Find yourself a model with a proven track record of toughness.
Convenience Features
Are you sick of constantly needing to adjust the chain tension, or always needing to stop and make sure your chain is oiled? Saw models on today’s market have automated systems to address all of those issues and more!
Review of the Best Chainsaws Under $200
All right, now that you know a bit more about these products, let’s go check out some actual models:
Best Overall:
BLACK + DECKER 40V MAX Cordless Chainsaw, 12 Inch
PROS
CONS
What Recent Buyers Report
Recent buyers love that this saw is battery operated. And not just with any battery, either, but with a lithium-ion battery that is able to hold onto its charge for up to five times as long as other competitor brands’ batteries are.
Why it Stands Out to Us
We were big fans of the Bale handle system on this saw, which allows it to be comfortably held and manipulated in a variety of different positions.
Who Will Use This Most
This saw is an excellent option for those who are not intended on regular yard work, as it is not the most durable. Its lighter weight also makes it a great choice to be used by seniors and those who may struggle to haul a heavier saw around.
Bottom Line
The BLACK + DECKER 40V MAX Cordless Chainsaw is an excellent product option and our first overall choice thanks to its battery life and versatile handle system. Keep in mind it is on the smaller side and is not intended to handle large amounts of wood.
Runner-up:
Ryobi P546 10 in. ONE+ 18 Volt Lithium+ Cordless Chainsaw
PROS
CONS
What Recent Buyers Report
Recent buyers appreciate that this saw can handle a wide variety of different kinds of wood. They report that it can chomp through oak, hickory, and pine with ease despite the variance in wood softness.
Why it Stands Out to Us
We like how easy this saw is to carry. It is incredibly lightweight, so you will be able to hold it for a long time without your arms becoming tired. And it is well balanced, even with its large battery pack.
Who Will Use This Most
It should be said that this saw is not intended for heavy-duty work. It is best used for clearing out obnoxious branches and smaller pieces of wood, not entire trees.
Bottom Line
The Ryobi P546 10 in. ONE+ 18 Volt Lithium+ Cordless Chainsaw is a top-notch product option that comes in second place as our runner-up for the best choice, mainly due to its versatile abilities and how easy it is to use. This saw is not designed to handle extremely intense cutting, though.
Best for the Money:
Zombi ZCS12017 16 Inch Corded Electric Chainsaw
PROS
CONS
What Recent Buyers Report
Recent buyers are big fans of the automatic chain tensioning mechanism on this saw. An external wheel can be used to set the chain tension, and an additional wheel provides tension locking, so you will never have to use tools to adjust your saw’s chain tension again.
Why it Stands Out to Us
We appreciated that this saw is already put together on arrival. Instead of needing to grapple with different saw parts for hours trying to assemble it properly, all you will need to do will be to add oil, turn this baby on, and get chopping!
Who Will Use This Most
This model is an excellent option if you plan on mostly cutting through deadwood. Deadwood is a lot harder and more brittle than live wood, so it can be pretty tough to hack through, but this saw will be able to handle it.
Bottom Line
The Zombi ZCS12017 16 Inch Corded Electric Chainsaw is a phenomenal saw that will save you even more money! The one thing to consider with this model is that the battery sits on the back of the saw and can mess with the overall balance.
4. Oregon CS1500 Self Sharpening Electric Chainsaw
PROS
CONS
What Recent Buyers Report
Recent buyers love how easy it is to use this chainsaw. It is especially easy to maintain and will not require multiple hours of work to fix any issues that may come up. Plus, there are some cool convenience features that come with this saw, including the fact that it makes a noise when its oil is running low so you know it needs to be changed.
Why it Stands Out to Us
Of course, we were most impressed by the self-sharpening mechanism with the saw’s chain. This process ensures that the chain will last much longer than on other saw brands.
Who Will Use This Most
Because this saw is so heavy, it is not recommended to be used by someone who has never operated a chainsaw before. You will need a good deal of experience, perhaps even on the professional level, to be able to operate this machine safely.
Bottom Line
The Oregon CS1500 Self Sharpening Electric Chainsaw is one of the most convenient saws to use and has a number of awesome features. Look out for the side-mounted motor, though, which can give this saw a different feel and balance.
5. WORX WG304.1 Chain Saw 18 Inch 4 15.0 Amp
PROS
CONS
What Recent Buyers Report
Recent buyers report that this saw is an absolute beast! One user says that he was able to cut through an oak tree that was SIX FEET in diameter, using only this saw. If that does not sell you on this model’s power, we do not know what will.
Why it Stands Out to Us
We appreciated the additional safety features present in this model. These include a built-in chain brake and a low kickback bar. In addition, it can cut through pretty much any kind of wood, even when it is dead and dried out.
Who Will Use This Most
This saw was specifically designed to be able to handle anything within the realm of yard work. You may question whether or not an electric saw can be up to the task at the same level a gas saw can, but this saw will convince you.
Bottom Line
The WORX WG304.1 Chain Saw is a star of a product that can handle basically anything you throw at it. The one drawback is that it is corded, so you may struggle with the logistics of getting it where you need to go.
Aspects to Consider Before Buying
If you are still undecided, make sure you take the following qualities into account before you buy:
Weight
Weight depends on what you are intending on using the saw for. If you only want to make a few cuts at a time to chop through some annoying branches, you can probably go with a heavier model. But if you want to cut firewood or anything that will require a large amount of work, you will want something more lightweight that will not tire you out.
Power Source
For saws under $200, you will mostly be looking at either battery or electric-powered saws. Both have their pros and cons. Battery saws are more mobile but will require frequent recharging, while electric saws may have more power but are constrained by their cords.
Safety Features
A chainsaw is one of the most dangerous power tools out there. Make sure you are choosing to invest in a saw with adequate safety features so that you only chop through the wood, and not your own fingers.
Conclusion
Chainsaws do not need to be the most expensive thing you buy this year or the thing that totally destroys your budget. There are plenty of high-quality chainsaws available for under $200. Make sure you choose a chainsaw that fits your needs – we promise that you will not be able to go wrong with a model from our list here.