Best Electric Chainsaw 2019: Buying Guide

A chainsaw is a very handy and powerful tool that helps cut down trees and trim its branches. If you’re looking to buy a chainsaw or to replace an old one, you can do it on the basis of your needs that it will fulfill. The next consideration would be to choose between an electric and a gas chainsaw. To make an informed decision regarding buying the best electric chainsaw, you need to have as much information about this device as possible.

Editor’s Pick

WORX WG304-1 Chain Saw

5 Best Electric Chainsaw 

#1 WORX WG304.1 Chain Saw 18-Inch 4 HP 15.0 Amp

The WORX WG304.1 Chain Saw is an upgrade to the WORX WG303.1 Chain Saw, which is the most popular chainsaw with homeowners. It’s a well-made power saw that is designed for work around your house or farm. It will trim and fell small trees, do limbing, cut your firewood and clear bushes around your house. However, this is not a commercial saw. It is very easy to use and comes with great features – all at a very affordable price.

The WORX WG304.1 Chainsaw has an 18-inch bar and produces 4 HP at 15 amps. Now, 4 HP can produce quite a torque, so you need to be careful when operating it. Wear all your safety gear, like hearing protection, a helmet with a visor and good gloves before you start it up.

The highlight of the WG304.1 is that it is equipped with an auto-tensioning system, so you will never have to worry about tightening or securing the chain blade. This is because of the presence of an over-sized knob just behind the bar that secures the bar and also automatically maintains proper tension when you are using the chainsaw. This eliminates the hassle of tightening the chain, which many homeowners do not understand.

With an overmold rubber grip, this chainsaw feels comfortable in the hands. It is designed ergonomically, and, weighing 11.3 pounds, you can hold this saw easily for a long time.

Kickback occurs even when professional arborists use a chainsaw. The WORX WG304.1 comes with a built-in safety chain brake, which helps in stopping the chain if you have made improper contact with the log (like the running blade making contact with the log over it rather than from the side). This feature prevents you from injury if a kickback occurs. This is an important feature that cheaper chainsaws do not have.

While the WORX WG303.1 has a 16-inch bar, the WORX WG304.1 has an 18-inch bar. There is a sprocket right on the bar nose for filling the lubricant for the chain and the bar. It has a 6.75 ounce oil reservoir with an oil level indicator.

Since this one runs on electricity, you can be sure that no gaseous fumes will be formed, plus you don’t have to mix gas and oil. However, if you are looking for more power, you must buy a gas-powered chainsaw. If you are planning to take this chainsaw to a location without electricity, you will have to take at least an 1800 watt generator with you.

#2 GreenWorks 20322 14.5 Amp 16-Inch Corded Chainsaw

With a 2.3 HP, 14.5 amp electric motor and 16-inch bar, the GreenWorks 20322 is a treat for homeowners as it starts within seconds. While the WORX WG303.1 has 4 HP power, don’t think that GreenWorks 20322 is going to produce less power. 2.3 HP is high enough to provide torque to complete the job at hand.

One of the most troublesome jobs for homeowners is lubrication of the bar and chain. The fact that the 20322 comes with an auto-oiler keeps it simple and hassle free. There is also an oil level indicator.

One of the most important issues that the GreenWorks 20322 takes care of is kickback, because it has a mechanical brake. The hand guard trips the brake when there is kickback. When you release the trigger, the chainsaw will stop immediately.

You have to adjust the tension in most other chainsaws on the market with a screwdriver and wrench, but you will love the fact that this model from GreenWorks has an adjustable chainsaw tension turn knob, so you don’t have to worry about adjusting the tension of the chain every time you operate it.

Equipped with a 16-inch bar and chain, the GreenWorks 20322 is perfect for felling small trees, limbing and cutting firewood, but don’t go cutting huge trees around your farm with it. For one, you would need a generator to power it up, and two, this one is not powerful enough.

Backed with a four year warranty, this one is perfect for homeowners who want to do small jobs around the house.

Although an electric chainsaw has fewer issues compared to gas powered chainsaws, the latter are really powerful and very suitable for commercial purposes. However, electric ones make much less noise.

The GreenWorks 20322 is ergonomically designed, weighing only 12 pounds and comes with a rubber grip handle made in a way that you can hold it in various positions in order to cut lumber from different directions.

#3 Black & Decker LP1000 Alligator Lopper 4.5 Amp Electric Chain Saw 

The Black Decker LP1000 Alligator Lopper 4.5 Amp Electric Chain Saw is perfect for cutting trees and branches on estates and in the neighbourhood. Perhaps you live near woods, if you do, you must see fallen trees very often.

With the help of this innovative chainsaw, you can easily cut off branches and up to medium-sized logs. It affords a cutting action from both sides and thereby reduces the time taken to complete the job of cutting, not to mention the hassle one would otherwise encounter. By doing this yourself, you save valuable money that you would have to spend to bring in a professional woodcutter.

Once you cut the fallen branches of trees into manageable sizes with this electric chainsaw, you can use it for firewood or dispose of it. Due to its four-inch cutting capacity, it can help your yard look tidy and by cutting large branches, it can help you get some substantial sunlight. This revolutionary tool is a great substitute for the earlier handsaws, manual loppers and clippers.

Features:

• Novel clamping jaws help to grab the chunk of wood and cut it in one stroke
• Its scissor action makes branch cutting easy
• Its powerful 4.5 amp motor facilitates fast and precise cutting
• A heavy-duty cutting chain and bar ensure that thick logs and branches are cut quickly
• With its 4″ cutting capacity, it can cut branches that manual loppers can’t manage
• It weighs 3.8 kg
• It comes with a limited 2-year warranty

What’s in the box

The Black & Decker LP1000 Alligator Lopper 4.5 Amp Electric Chain Saw comes with oil and a wrench. 

Pros:

• It does not wear out because it receives constant power from its 4.5 Amp motor.
• It is lightweight at about 3.8 kg and is highly manoeuvrable. You can use this chainsaw for a protracted period without feeling its weight.
• Its sharp jaws hold on to wood chunks tightly.
• This device doesn’t use messy oil or gas. All you need to use is an extension cord.
• Double protection on both sides keeps the chain sharp and the user safe while cutting wood.
• Being electric, it is eco-friendly since it does not pollute the air with emissions.
• It works silently.
• It is easy to have a good grip on this chainsaw, making it safe for use.

Cons:

• It needs time to get used to.
• When you cut brush, it might get jammed.
• It always needs to be plugged into a power socket, making it necessary to have an extension cord.

Final Verdict

If you need a highly competent chainsaw to cut small trees and branches, this one’s the best today.

#4 Makita UC4051A Electric Chain Saw

The Makita UC4030A has been officially replaced by the Makita UC4051A electric chainsaw. This chainsaw easily makes it into the category of best electric chainsaw because of its impressive features and sheer cutting power.

Homeowners will see that the Makita UC4051A is safer than a gas saw. Weighing 15.3 pounds with a 16” bar this one is not really lightweight compared to the Worx WG304.1, but it is perfect for cleaning up and cutting up trees that have fallen around your house. Basically, it is a great small saw for having around the house, barn or your shop. It can handle light jobs without any trouble. It is great for wood turning if you have to prep your blanks. However, cutting down trees with this chainsaw will totally depend on your skill levels.

One thing that the company has really thought about is the large trigger switch with a soft start. This really helps in the smooth operation of this chainsaw, although this doesn’t mean that you can simply go on working on heavy loads. The built-in current limiter will stop the motor immediately when it senses that you have overloaded the motor.

The best part about the Makita UC4051A is that its Oregon bar is interchangeable, so you can change it to an 18” or 20”.

You don’t have to use the screwdriver and the wrench to adjust the tension of the chain and the blade. There is an auto adjuster, which is a real plus, as homeowners often don’t know how to adjust the tension and then how to put the parts back into place.

If you have to cut for long periods, then one feature that is of the utmost importance is that the tool should be comfortable to hold. Fortunately, the Makita UC4051A has a rubberized grip handle that adds to its ergonomic properties. There is also a large viewable oil reservoir.

The main issue with the Makita UC4051A is that its oil filler is situated in an odd place. The oil leaks out and you have to place it on a plastic bag or other oil-proof material if you want to protect your space, but as the best electric saw under $100, this one is still worth the price. Overall, this corded electric chainsaw is worth the money.

#5 Earthwise 16-Inch 12-Amp Corded Electric Chain Saw, Model CS30116

The Earthwise CS30116 falls into the category of best electric chainsaw only because it is so easy to use. Homeowners do not usually have the appropriate knowledge on how to adjust the chain or how to kick-start the tool. Weighing only 10 pounds, it is easy to maneuver.

Equipped with a 12 amp motor and 16-inch bar, this corded electric chainsaw can be used for small jobs around the house. You cannot expect to do professional work with this. It is good for clearing that annoying bush overgrowth, trim small branches of trees and for cutting firewood, but other than that don’t cut large diameter trees or branches. The motor would overload. It is a super upgrade on the previous model.

If you don’t know anything about chainsaws and you do have cutting jobs that need doing around the house, you cannot afford to buy a chain saw that needs assembly. You will love the fact that the Earthwise CS30116 is pre-assembled, so you can use it right out of the box.

These days most manufacturers understand the predicament of homeowners who do not know how to adjust the chain. Well, this tool has a tool-less chain adjustment system so that you don’t have to worry about the chain coming out of the bar when you are operating it.

Although the auto oiling system is good, you will not get oil with it. You have to purchase that separately, but at least the oil does not leak from the oiler.

This model is neighborhood-friendly in that it is not too loud. Maintenance is easy. The only issue that this chainsaw has is that it does not have a blade brake. You need to stop operating it after cutting a few branches, and. of course. be very careful in not overheating the motor.

Overall, the Earthwise CS30116 is a small chainsaw packed with a lot of power. It comes with a two-year limited warranty.

Chainsaw Buying Guide

What are chainsaws?

A chainsaw is a mechanical saw that is portable and that can cut trees or lumber with its set of powerful teeth. It is powered either by compressed air, hydraulic power, gas or electricity. Apart from tree felling, they also perform other functions like bucking, cutting and pruning. They can also play a large role in preventing fires or for harvesting firewood and help tree surgeons in their myriad activities. Chainsaws are also used to cut concrete and ice.

Types of chainsaws

There are three grades of chainsaws:

• Professional saws: They are made for daily use and are built to be sturdy to handle a lot of rough use.
• Standard saws: Similar to their professional counterparts, these saws are very flexible in their usage.
• Consumer saws: These are meant only for use occasionally and are cheaper than the other chainsaw types.
• Tree care saws: These are for professional use for the business of tree care.

What chainsaw is best for me?

If you’re already out in the market shopping for a good electric chainsaw, obviously you’ve done your homework. You’ll have to consider the type of wood you work with and its size and your experience of handling a chainsaw before you settle for what seems like the right saw for you.

Here are some parameters by which you can decide if you’ve got yourself the right chainsaw:

Bar length: This is one way of determining the size of a saw and the amount of work it can easily handle. By choosing a saw with a longer than usual bar, you can cut wood of a larger diameter in one stroke. If you’re buying a chainsaw for home projects, the bar length you would be looking at would range from six inches on a small electric chainsaw to not more than 20 inches on a large gas powered model. From this, you can find out that the model that fulfils all your woodworking needs is the best chainsaw for home use. However, if you’re looking at professional-level saws, their bar lengths are more than 20 inches.

Power issues: Engine displacement among gas-powered model, voltage of cordless models, amperage of corded models and horsepower of a chainsaw are all ingredients of this device’s power and strength. High numbers only mean the saw is very powerful. This attribute is important if you’re going to be cutting down large trees or hardwood timber like maple or oak.

A longer bar and bigger engine: This factor is directly proportional to an increase in weight of the chainsaw–a big consideration if you will use a saw for protracted periods. Be aware of the fact that a larger saw will mean a lot more vibration, will be more laborious to handle and will mean being more careful with it. On the other hand, a smaller, though less powerful chainsaw will certainly be easier to handle, particularly if you are a novice to woodworking.

Size of a chainsaw: If you’re going to be buying your first ever chainsaw, then buy the smallest available that can help with your project. A beginner like you wouldn’t need more than a 12″-18″ bar. Your need will determine which one to go with.

If you need a chainsaw only to prune your shrubs and trees and for general garden maintenance, use a 14″ chainsaw. However, if your need is for more than pruning your trees and shrubs, go in for a 16″ or 18″ cutting bar. Since such a chainsaw can be used more than other basic models, they are considered the best electric chainsaws as they can also cut through thick logs and branches.

If you are a professional woodworker who works on large jobs, it’s best to choose a 20″ cutting bar, though difficult to handle. Chainsaws of this length are designed to cut through dense wood and tree trunks.

Weight of a chainsaw: Though the chainsaw’s size is directly proportional to the density of wood it is competent to cut, yet its weight is also an important determinant since it becomes difficult for the woodworker to hold the saw for a long period. When considering the size of a chainsaw, the features to consider include automatic oiler, muffler, chain brakes, low kickbacks and anti-vibration.

While smaller lightweight saws would suit those with little experience, they will also be easier to handle, but the heavier ones will be difficult to handle and cause accidents when the user is tired.

Conventional vs. electric chainsaws: Obviously, a gas-powered chainsaw has a gas engine while the electric one has an electric motor. The electric chainsaw has an electric cord linked to the machine and a cutter bar smaller than its gas-based counterpart. For bigger projects, gas-based chainsaws are better. A gas-powered chainsaw also comes with a loud engine, requires greater maintenance and will need to be cooled down before refuelling it, causing a kickback to occur.

Overall, an electric chainsaw is safer to use. Its use is also limited since the power socket is on the wall, so using it in the outdoors is difficult. For this reason, an electric chainsaw is not the ideal one to use if you have to cut huge logs of wood. However, being a silent worker, the electric chainsaw is preferred by city folk.

Best chainsaw to buy

So, which chainsaw should you buy? It’s better to go with an electric chainsaw. You can search for the several brands and their models online and find one that answers all your needs. Check out its ergonomic design and numerous safety features and you’ve found yourself the best electric chainsaw.

Conclusion

To be absolutely sure of your choice, you can also check chainsaw reviews of users online and read their experiences with these products before you actually hit the buy button. These tasks will give you a good idea of the pros and cons of these products.