The Best Chainsaws of 2021

If you're looking for a cordless chainsaw that has all the power of a gas saw, look no further. Coming from Makita, one of the premier manufacturers of battery-powered tools, this model XCU03PT brushless 36V direct-drive chainsaw provides the high-power efficiency you would expect from a 32cc gas saw. And it does it quietly, with no emissions, no mixing of gas and oil and no pull starting. Also, this saw uses standard 3/8" low profile chain and has tool-less chain tensioning. This unit comes with four 18V Lithium-Ion batteries, used in all 18V Makita power tools, and a dual-port rapid charger that can restore the batteries to a full charge in just 45 minutes. The charge level of each battery is easily found with the LED display indicator. This saw comes with a 3-year limited warranty on the saw, the charger, and even the batteries.

A perfect saw and perfect choice for anyone looking to do some pruning or light cutting jobs. The Husqvarna 120 Mark II offers a good quality at a great price. Equipped with a 38cc X-Torque engine from Husqvarna, this saw is great on gas and produces lower emissions than most saws. The engine provides more than enough power to get through just about any pruning you may have. A combined choke/stop control puts everything in one spot which provides easier starting and stopping and will assist in reducing engine flooding. The 120 Mark II has a low-vib design which decreases vibration and will allow for less fatigue after cutting for a long period of time. A side-mounted chain tensioner also makes for easy adjustments usually needed when cutting for longer periods of time. While you should not be trying to fell a large tree with this saw, it is still a great option for a budget-conscious person looking for a good quality saw with a good quality name.

Makita's EA7900PRZ is as professional as it gets when it comes to chainsaws. With some of the fastest acceleration on the market, the EA7900PRZ is great for felling as well as stripping any kind of tree. Makita uses SLR (Scavenging Losses Rejection) function which allows for lesser emissions overall and uses up to 15% less fuel. Definitely an important feature for anyone in the middle of the woods felling trees. With it advantageously shaped exhaust, it offers optimum chip flow through and fewer jams overall. Built and individually inspected in Germany to maintain the highest specifications a saw can have, the EA7900PRZ is an amazing saw for the money. Makita uses a 78.5cc 2-cycle engine which offers a compression relief valve for easy starting all of the time. The high torque and acceleration are just some of the great features coming from this saw. While the EA7900PRZ is the basic model, Makita also offers this same saw with a heavy-duty air filter as well as a heated handle and full wrap handle. So, there truly is an option for just about anybody looking. Unlike many saws, but fairly common for many professional saws, the EA7900PRZ is a power head-only option. Meaning a bar and chain would have to be purchased separately. The EA7900PRZ can take a 20", 24", 28" and 32" bar, so like some other modifications the EA7900PRZ offers, you can do the same when it comes to bars and chains.

If you are looking for a low-cost, good quality pole pruner, the Blue Max 53542 may be one of your best options. With its 32.6cc 2-cycle engine, it has more than enough power to get through just about any limb within reason. The 53542 is equipped with a 71" telescopic pole which can extend up to 101". This is typically more than enough reach to get to most of those pesky branches hanging over decks and fences. Blue Max will also use an anti-vibration system as well, so you can work longer with less fatigue.