Best Chainsaw for Cutting Firewood – Top Choice in 2024

Chainsaws are perhaps one of the most versatile tools on the market. They are used for all sorts of purposes.

Chainsaws are an understandably popular tool, from clearing away the underbrush to cutting firewood. So if you plan on cutting firewood, you need a quality chainsaw.

Having the best chainsaw makes yard chores quicker and easier. So, what is the best chainsaw for cutting firewood?

Sadly, there aren’t that many great chainsaws available for cutting firewood. And no one wants to waste their money on a poorly designed saw.

So to help you find the best chainsaw for cutting firewood, here we have 6 of the best chainsaws for cutting firewood and a comprehensive buying guide. Within this list, you should find the best option for you.

Best Chainsaws for Cutting Firewood

At A Glance Chainsaw for Cutting Firewood 2024

Image Product Details   Price
backpac Husqvarna 455 Rancher Gas Chainsaw
X-Torque Engine
Automatic chain oiler
Side-mounted chain tensioning system
Inertia-Activated Chain Brake
Size: 18 Inch (Also Available in 20 Inch
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cordlessblower Husqvarna 460 Rancher Gas Chainsaw
2 cycle engine
Inertia activated chain brake
Quick-release air filter
Automatic chain oiler
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cordlessblower DEWALT DCCS620B Cordless Chainsaw High-efficiency Brushless motor
Low kickback, battery-powered
12″ Oregon Bar and chain
Size: 12 Inch
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cordlessblower Poulan Pro 20inch Gas Chainsaw OxyPower engine technology
Effortless pull starting system
Tool-less chain tensioning dial
Size: 20 Inch
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Top 5 Best Chainsaws for Cutting Firewood Reviews 2024

1. Husqvarna 455 Rancher Chainsaw

Husqvarna 455 Rancher is a gas-powered two-cycled chainsaw that runs like a whirlwind. It has a lot of power and it is an ideal saw for homeowners and landowners who wants a high-power, heavy-duty chainsaw.

It cuts and rips at high speed without faltering or pausing. If you want to slice firewood, heavy branches, hardwood trees or maybe some stumps, this tool can handle it.

With its SmartStart technology, it is very easy to start. An automatic chain oiler provides a steady supply of bar and chain oil for effective and safe use. The chain tensioner works the way it is supposed to and makes tensioning on this machine straightforward and easy.

Its X-Torque engine consumes lower fuel and reduces emissions. It is exceptionally reliable, which lets you work without interruptions. It is gas-powered so it won’t bail out on you in the middle of the day.

And at the end of the day, due to the low vibrations, you will notice how much your hands don’t hurt. And it also keeps you safe in case of sudden kickback with the Inertia-Activated Chain Brake.

It is a very well-designed chainsaw and it is constructed from quality materials. All of these resulted in an excellent chainsaw.

It’s also rather heavy. Well, quality tools usually are. It is also fairly noisy. You must consider wearing earplugs when you are using this chainsaw. Otherwise, your ears may start ringing.

SPECIFICATIONS

BRAND:HUSQVARNA
WEIGHT:20 POUNDS
DIMENSIONS:41 X 10 X 14
HORSEPOWER:3.49 HP
POWER SOURCE:GAS-POWERED
Pros
  • Very reliable
  • Easy to start and use
  • Cuts extremely fast
Cons
  • Fairly heavy
  • Very loud


2. Husqvarna 460 Rancher Chainsaw

Husqvarna 460 Rancher is one of the best chainsaws for cutting firewood. Its high-quality design and ease of use make it an excellent choice.

This gas-powered chainsaw weighs around 13 pounds. Its bar length is 20-inches long and the maximum bar length that its support is 24-inches.

It runs on a two-cycle engine and uses LowVib features so it wouldn’t vibrate too much and cause you to accidentally mishandle it.

With a side-mounted chain brake, the Husqvarna 460 Rancher allows you to cut firewood with tremendous ease, efficiency, and flexibility.

Unique SmartStart technology is incorporated in the design so the saw starts with minimal effort and instantly begins filtering air and purging oxygen from the carburetor.

The engine comes with an overall horsepower of 3.62 and is capable of cutting at 9000 RPMs. Along the cutting bar, the chain is side-mounted for easy removal, replacement and cleaning as well as reduced tension on the blade while cutting.

In the event of a kickback, this chainsaw features a built-in stop function that activates the chain brake against any sudden inertia and greatly reduces the risk of you getting injured.

SPECIFICATIONS

BRAND:HUSQVARNA
WEIGHT:12.79 POUNDS
DIMENSIONS:29 X 12.75 X 10.5
HORSEPOWER:3.62
POWER SOURCE:GAS-POWERED
Pros
  • PROS
  • Low fuel consumption
  • Less emission
  • Transparent fuel indicator
  • Low vibration
Cons
  • A bit heavy
  • Slightly expensive

3. DEWALT DCCS620B Firewood Cutting Chainsaw

The DEWALT DCCS620B is an excellent chainsaw and this will be a great tool for cutting firewood. Some of the best features of the DEWALT DCCS620B are as follows: super-efficient motor, very little kickback, a compact design that weighs only nine pounds, handles easily and comfortably. To top it all off, it’s a very reasonably priced chainsaw.

With a few quick maneuvers, you can cut off branches of trees and chop up firewood effortlessly. However, saw tend to overheat at times.

Also, the overall durability of this saw isn’t excellent and it really does require a lot of extra maintenance, which seems like a waste of time.

Even though it is easy to set up and use, it is not a particularly durable product like Husqvarna 460 Rancher. But if you want a lightweight saw without sacrificing power, this is an excellent option.

This is a battery-powered saw so it produces almost negligible noise as compared to gas-powered saw. With a 5Ah battery, the saw lasts a long time and its battery is also compatible with other 20V Dewalt tools.

The saw is only limited to 12″ Oregon Bar and chain which will allow you to cut a small tree with a 10” diameter.

SPECIFICATIONS

BRAND:DEWALT
WEIGHT:8.8 POUNDS
DIMENSIONS:25 X 9 X 9
BATTERY:5AH
POWER SOURCE:BATTERY-POWERED
Pros
  • Easy to set up and use
  • Long-lasting battery
  • Very little kickback
Cons
  • Not very powerful
  • Not very durable

4. Poulan Pro PR5020 Chainsaw

This Poulan Pro gas-powered chainsaw is one of the best chainsaws for cutting firewood and general property management. It is easy to use and it simplifies your job.

It has a spring-assisted starter system that eliminates wear on the starting mechanism and reduces pull force by 30%.

This 50-cylinder engine uses OxyPower technology for extra power with 20% lower fuel consumption and 70% fewer emissions.

It has multiple speed settings which offers you total control over how quickly you saw through each log and tree as well as what cuts you make.

Maintenance on the blade, along the chains, as well as in the air filter, is simply done with a combination tool that is incorporated into the rear handle.

Reducing the risk of damage to the filter, spark plug, and purge bulb, all of these components are insulated, waterproofed and vibration resistant.

Additional user-friendliness comes from a combined choke and stops control for greater reliability while cutting and faster starting. Safety is further increased by the double post chain brakes that protect you from harm.

SPECIFICATIONS

BRAND:POULAN PRO
WEIGHT:17 POUNDS
DIMENSIONS:12 X 16 X 11.8
OXYPOWER:ENGINE TECHNOLOGY
POWER SOURCE:GAS-POWERED
Pros
  • Easy to start
  • Reduces fuel consumption and emissions
  • Tool-less chain tensioning dial
  • Good for its size
Cons
  • Slightly difficult to handle

Things You Should Consider Before Buying The Chainsaw For Cutting Firewood in 2024

Durability

If you are buying a chainsaw or any other power tool, for that matter, durability should be your first and foremost concern because it needs to be able to withstand some pressure and some harshness.

If it can’t do that or it can hardly withstand anything at all, then it isn’t that good of a product. Without solid durability and the ability to take and withstand harshness and pressure, a chainsaw is a kind of worthless.

So while choosing a chainsaw, you should select the one with a good build quality that can withstand severe pressure and offer durability.

Engine

In simple words, a decent engine is decisive and will do most work. For example, a 35cc engine isn’t good enough to cut through a 22-inch thick wood, or at least it will take quite some time to do so and cause extensive damage to the chain and other features of the tool. Even with a 50cc engine, it will take a while to see through a 22-inch thick log, though it can do so with a few double cuts and some patience.

So you should pick the engine according to your needs. For example, you don’t want to end with a chainsaw that won’t be able to cut firewood for you.

Power

Horsepower is quite similar to engine capability. Generally, it can be explained by the rhythms per minute of the chain along the chainsaw bar. Typically, the higher those rhythms are, the easier and deeper your cuts will be – though much of this relies on the person doing the cutting.

Guide Bar Length

The length of the guide bar of your chosen chainsaw will essentially dictate the chores you can accomplish with it.

If you plan on cutting light firewood, you want a guide bar length from 14 inches to 16 inches; however, if you’re going to do some medium firewood cutting, you will need a bit longer one, such as 16 inches to 18 inches.

And you don’t want a guide bar length longer than 16 inches if you only want to do some basic trimming. If you are using the chainsaw for bucking, you want a guide bar that’s length is at least 18 inches.

Ease of Use

Ease of use is a crucial fact to consider because if you cannot figure out how to set it up or handle the frame, well, that adds a lot more hassle and a lot more time to the whole process.

For example, cutting firewood is already a time-consuming and challenging thing to do. Still, if you have to frequently fiddle with the machine you are using, it becomes even more time-consuming, let alone far more annoying.

However, if the product is easy to set up, handle, and use, that process becomes far quicker and more agreeable. This is why ease of use is vital. It reduces minor hiccups and hassles along the way and streamlines the whole process.

Handling

If a chainsaw doesn’t handle well, you shouldn’t buy it because it isn’t worth it. A good chainsaw should handle well and make clean cuts without any extra effort on your part.

In addition, holding the chainsaw should be comfortable while you make the cuts you want. And also, to do so without worrying about safety on your part or fearing that you might accidentally mishandle it due to the product’s poor design or flimsiness.

How Heavy It Is

This ties in with “Ease Of Use” and “Handling.” Weight depends on several things, and it matters how heavy the chainsaw is, especially if you are going to use it for extended cutting sessions.

So, it helps if the chainsaw isn’t too heavy and if you can easily hold and grasp it. This enables you to cut quickly, safely, and efficiently.

Safety

While buying a chainsaw or any other power tool. Because power tools can cause severe damage to the user in the blink of an eye so, it is imperative to have as many safety features as possible on your chainsaw.

You may be a professional logger, but pull-ins and kickbacks respect no one. If possible, go for the one with a low-kickback bar and chain, chain brake, handguard, and other features that will help to keep you safe while operating.


Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Can I split wood using a chainsaw?

Yes, you can split wood using a chainsaw. Just make specific the blade is at least 2″ longer than the wood you plan to split.

You will get enough clearance to make a complete cut in a single pass with that length. The best chainsaw for cutting firewood and tree are 18-24″ in size.

What size chainsaw do I need to cut down a tree?

With a chainsaw, the ideal size for cutting down a tree is 2″ longer than the tree’s diameter. So, if you want to cut a 14″ tree in one pass, then a 16″ (or longer) chainsaw will be the best.

The additional breathing space of 2″ helps to prevent kickback. If you are cutting down a tree that’s larger than the blade of the chainsaw, you can make two opposite passes.

What is the best length to cut firewood?

The best length to cut firewood is 18″ for outdoor use and 16″ for indoor use. However, you can cut firewood in whatever size you want. Remember that firewood for indoor use can’t be too long; otherwise, it won’t fit inside a fireplace.

Can I cut wet wood using a chainsaw?

Yes, you can cut wet wood using a chainsaw. It doesn’t take long to cut, and the additional moisture in damp wood won’t hurt the chainsaw. However, the sawdust from cutting wood is more likely to stick to the chain than dry wood.

Final Thoughts

There are so many different brands, models, and types of chainsaws to choose from these days. We hope that we’ve made it easier for you to make the right decision with our best chainsaw for cutting firewood review and a comprehensive buying guide.

When it comes to making a knowledgeable purchasing decision for a quality chainsaw to cut firewood, we hope that we’ve set you on the right path!


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