DEAL OF THE DAY: Here are the 21 best products from Walmart's spring deals
Don't Waste Your Money is supported by our readers. When you purchase an item through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission.

The Best Gas Chainsaw

Last updated on August 5, 2023

We looked at the top 7 Gas Chainsaws and dug through the reviews from 10 of the most popular review sites including and more. The result is a ranking of the best Gas Chainsaws.

Best Gas Chainsaw

Our Review Process

Don't Waste Your Money is focused on helping you make the best purchasing decision. Our team of experts spends hundreds of hours analyzing, testing, and researching products so you don't have to. Learn more.

Look for the DWYM seal for products that are the best in a category.

If you own a decent amount of land, a chain saw can come in handy. You can cut down damaged trees and clear away old shrubs in a matter of minutes. Even if you’re on a small lot, chain saws can come in handy for DIY building projects. But there are a few important things to consider if you’re in the market for such a powerful tool.

Although electric chain saws have come a long way in recent years, gas chain saws are still the tool of choice for many handymen. A gas chain saw has a longer run time and can tackle a wider range of jobs. However, there are downsides to gas-powered chain saws, including the fumes they emit, the maintenance they require and the fact that they tend to produce a fairly high level of noise.

Once you’ve decided a gas chain saw is the tool you need, there are a few other things to think about before you start shopping. The first is the guide bar, which is what helps you control the chain saw while you’re working. You’ll find this bar varies in size, but larger bars are better for some activities while smaller bars are better for others.

Job size is an important factor in every aspect when you’re choosing a chain saw. If you merely want to clear away some limbs and trim shrubs, a lower-powered chain saw should be perfect for what you need. However, felling large trees requires a chain saw with more power. In many cases, this means you’ll have to spend more.

In addition to the price of the chain saw itself, you should also consider fuel efficiency. Gas-powered motors require fuel. So if you plan to use your chain saw often, you’ll find a gas guzzler can get expensive. Not only will you have to worry about your wallet with an inefficient model, but you may also find that it emits more toxic fumes into the environment.

Finally, consider the maneuverability of the model you choose. The guide bar is helpful, but heavier models can also require more muscle to operate. Over the course of an afternoon of hard work, you’ll likely find that this extra weight quickly begins to take a toll.

Our Picks For The Top Gas Chainsaws

View All Recommendations
Product Overview
Our Take
Pros
Cons
 Top Pick

Poulan Pro Storm Clean-Up Gas Powered Chainsaw, 18-Inch

Don't Waste Your Money Seal of Approval

Poulan Pro

Storm Clean-Up Gas Powered Chainsaw, 18-Inch

Weighing just 13 pounds, you'll find this gas chainsaw is super easy to hold and operate. It's also quite powerful and designed to make quick work of cutting firewood or cleaning up after a big storm. As an added bonus, it comes with a handy carrying case, an extra chain and a bottle of oil.

Overall Take

Nice and LightweightThis gas chainsaw requires 40% less effort to start than other models on the market.

 Runner Up

PROYAMA Lightweight Top Mounted Gas Chainsaw, 20-Inch

PROYAMA

Lightweight Top Mounted Gas Chainsaw, 20-Inch

Whether you simply need to prune away branches or cut down an entire tree, this powerful gas chainsaw has you covered. It features an ergonomic handle for comfort, as well as a rubber grip for better control. Homeowners will appreciate the easily accessible air filter, as well as the 5-point anti-vibration system.

Overall Take

Lots of ExtrasIncluded with this gas chainsaw are two extra blades, two replacement chains, a pair of gloves, head and ear protection and an orange storage bag.

 We Also Like

Craftsman High Output Lightweight Gas Chainsaw, 16-Inch

Craftsman

High Output Lightweight Gas Chainsaw, 16-Inch

This gas chainsaw is made using an ergonomic design that's comfortable to move and operate. It has a simple to use pull start, so you can get right to the job at hand. The adjustable auto chain oiler is another bonus, as it allows users to keep their chains properly lubricated.

Overall Take

Cuts Even the Toughest WoodAlthough this gas chainsaw is powerful, it's designed to produce less vibration.

 Strong Contender

Husqvarna 455 Quick-Release Air Filter Gas Chainsaw, 20-Inch

Husqvarna

Quick-Release Air Filter Gas Chainsaw, 20-Inch

This gas chainsaw is easy to use, with a built-in feature that makes it start right up at the press of a button. You'll get impressively low fuel consumption, which will save you money while also being good for the environment. Though this model costs a little more, you'll get plenty of power for your big jobs.

Overall Take

Uses Less FuelYou'll find this gas chainsaw is available in an 18 or 20 inch.

Pros
" Very fast cutting through 10- by 10-inch oak beams. Fairly easy to use overall. Comes with a durable blade cover."
Don't just take for granted what one reviewer says. Along with our own experts, DWYM analyzes the top expert reviews of the leading products and generates a score you can actually trust.
14

Products Considered

We identified the majority of the gas chainsaws available to purchase.
7

Products Analyzed

We then selected the leading and most popular products for our team to review.

View All Product Rankings

10

Expert Reviews Included

In addition to our expert reviews, we also incorporate feedback and analysis of some of the most respected sources including: Consumer Reports, BestReviews, Verellen Home Comfort, Tool Nerds, Ope Reviews.

3,422

User Opinions Analyzed

We also incorporate user reviews from the leading retailers including

Our experts reviewed the top 7 Gas Chainsaws and also dug through the reviews from 10 of the most popular review sites including and more. The result is a ranking of the best of the best Gas Chainsaws.

DWYM is your trusted roduct review source. Our team reviews thousands of product reviews from the trusted top experts and combines them into one easy-to-understand score. Learn more.

Don't Waste Your Money Seal of Approval
Look for the DWYM seal for products that are the best in their category.

The Best Bang For Your Buck

PROYAMA Lightweight Top Mounted Gas Chainsaw, 20-Inch

User Summarized Score

8.4
370 user reviews

Our Take

Whether you simply need to prune away branches or cut down an entire tree, this powerful gas chainsaw has you covered. It features an ergonomic handle for comfort, as well as a rubber grip for better control. Homeowners will appreciate the easily accessible air filter, as well as the 5-point anti-vibration system.

What to Look For

  • One of the first things you’ll notice as you start your search for a chain saw is that they each have a bar to help you better control it as you cut. This guide bar can vary in length from one chain saw to the next, so make sure you find the setup that’s comfortable for you.
  • A longer bar is ideal for cutting larger trees, while shorter bars are lighter, making them the best option if you’re doing something that requires maneuverability, such as clearing limbs. The Husqvarna 460 20-Inch gas chain saw has an especially long bar, at 24 inches, while other models have shorter 12- and 14-inch options.
  • Big jobs call for plenty of power. If you plan to cut down large trees, you’ll want to stick with the Husqvarna 460 20-Inch gas chain saw since it specializes in those jobs.
  • If you’re concerned about spending half your paycheck on fuel for your weekend landscaping work, consider the Husqvarna 460 20-Inch gas chain saw. Its X-Torq engine is designed for maximum fuel efficiency. This not only keeps your gas cost low, but it also is better for the environment
  • If you’ve never used a chain saw, there’s a bit of a learning curve. But some chain saws are easier to use than others. The Husqvarna 460 20-Inch gas chain saw is simple to use. The Husqvarna 460 20-Inch gas chain saw is especially easy to start.
  • Be prepared to get things set up before you start. As easy as the Husqvarna 460 20-Inch gas chain saw is to use, you’ll need to make a few adjustments at first to customize it to your own preferences.
  • Weight can be a factor in usability. The Husqvarna 460 is the lightest, weighing in at 10.3 pounds. Other gas chain saws are more than 6 pounds heavier, which could make them trickier to maneuver.
  • Occasionally you’ll need to perform maintenance on your chain saw, so it’s important to pay close attention to what you’ll have to do to keep it in working order. With the Husqvarna 460 20-Inch gas chain saw, you may find maintenance tricky unless you’re mechanically inclined. The oil tank is easy to get to, though, making oil changes fairly simple. You will have to disengage the chain brake whenever you’re changing the chain on your saw. Some gas chain saws have a side-access chain, making adjustments easy.
  • Safety is always a consideration when working with power tools. The Craftsman Full Crank 2-Cycle Gas Chainsaw gas chain saw is not only durable, but it’s safer than many other models.
  • If you’re planning to buy a chain saw, you’ll need to budget at least a couple of hundred dollars. The Craftsman Full Crank 2-Cycle Gas Chainsaw gas chain saw is the most affordable, retailing for less than $200. You’ll find the Husqvarna chain saw retails for more than $400.

Gas Chainsaw Rankings

1. Poulan Pro Storm Clean-Up Gas Powered Chainsaw, 18-Inch

Overall Score: 9.1
Reviews Included: 1

2. PROYAMA Lightweight Top Mounted Gas Chainsaw, 20-Inch

Overall Score: 9.0
Reviews Included: 1

3. Craftsman High Output Lightweight Gas Chainsaw, 16-Inch

Overall Score: 8.8
Reviews Included: 1

6. SALEM MASTER Auto Oiler Gas Chainsaw, 20-Inch

Overall Score: 8.2
Reviews Included: 1

7. Tanaka 14-Inch Gas Chainsaw

Overall Score: 7.8
Reviews Included: 4

More to Explore

The chain saw as we know it today was originally invented as a medical device to help with childbirth. In 1780, two doctors were looking for a way to perform something called a symphysiotomy, which involved using a knife to remove bones and cartilage to help a baby pass through. Although the thought of using a chain saw for that might make you a little squeamish, the original version was much smaller, shaped more like a kitchen knife. Over time, this small chain saw-like device was used for amputations and bone-cutting surgeries. As people took notice of how powerful it was, it started to evolve to a woodworking tool, later growing into the powerful tree-cutting device we know today.

More to explore