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Best Chainsaw UK – Cordless, Electric and Petrol

Jeff Ellis

February 3, 2021

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If you have any type of wood in your garden, then you probably need a chainsaw. In fact, you may need more than one. If you know that already and just want to know which one(s) to buy, then you can skip straight down to our review section. This is where we round up the best cordless chainsaws, best electric chainsaws and best petrol chainsaws on the UK market. You could even skip right to our “best pick” section.

Alternatively, if you’d like to learn a bit more about chainsaws and how to use them safely, then please keep reading and we’ll tell you everything you need to know.

Best Cordless, Electric and Petrol Chainsaw Review

There are three main types of chainsaw, cordless, electric and petrol

You could argue that cordless chainsaws and electric chainsaws are basically the same. In principle, that’s true. In practice, cordless chainsaws and corded (electric) chainsaws have enough differences to be treated as being two separate categories. 

Cordless Chainsaws

Cordless chainsaws are great for jobs where lightness and flexibility are more valuable than raw power. This would be jobs like trimming hedges, bushes and, possibly above all, trees. Cordless, telescopic chainsaws are superb for dealing with high branches. They’re so much less hassle than having to mess about with ladders. 

The only real downside of cordless chainsaws is that they are only suitable for light work. You could also add that they have limited run-time (usually about an hour), but you can usually deal with this by swapping out the battery.

Electric Chainsaws

Electric chainsaws are very similar to cordless chainsaws. The big difference is, of course, the cord. On the one hand, this can limit where you can use them. You can often use extension cables to increase their range, but you do have to keep safety issues in mind. On the other hand, it means you can use them for as long as you want without ever running out of battery.

Although electric chainsaws can’t (yet) compete with the best petrol chainsaws, some of them can compete with entry-level petrol chainsaws and a few can even compete with the mid-range options. They may, therefore, be worth a look even if you’d usually head straight to the petrol chainsaws.

Petrol Chainsaws

If you’re dealing with thick wood, then you need a petrol chainsaw. They’re heavy, smelly and noisy, but they are still the most powerful chainsaws around. On the plus side, modern chainsaws vibrate much less than “old-school” ones and have much better safety features. They do, however, obviously, require the use of petrol, so you need to be very careful about how you store your fuel and how you transfer it to your chainsaw. You also need to make sure you mix your fuel and oil in the appropriate ratio otherwise you are very likely to have problems with your petrol chainsaw, usually starting problems and/or misfires.

As a final point, if there’s one weak point on the average petrol chainsaw, it’s the spark plug. You, therefore, want to make sure you always have at least one spare and the appropriate spanner.

Chainsaw Buying Guide

Choosing the right chainsaw essentially comes down to finding one which is powerful enough for your intended use, but light and manageable enough for your strength and skill. You also need to be comfortable that your chainsaw has a suitable range of safety features. Here is a quick guide to help.

Choose the right blade length for your intended use

A chainsaw’s blade runs from its tip to somewhere inside its body. The part of the blade that matters, however, is the bit from the tip to where the blade enters the body. This is called the guide bar and it’s the bit which actually does the cutting.

The standard rule of thumb is to look at the thickest wood you need to cut and add 5CM on to its diameter to give you the length of guide bar that you need. For example, if you want to cut wood which is 10CM thick, then you want a chainsaw with a guide bar of 15CM.

For completeness, you cut from both sides with a chainsaw. This means that the diameter of wood you can cut is roughly double the length of the guide bar. In the case above, that 15CM chainsaw could be expected to cut wood of up to 30CM in thickness. You’d just need more than one pass.

As a rule of thumb, guide bar lengths of 40CM or less are fine for general trimming. If you want to cut light firewood, then you’d aim to be on the upper end of that, so 35CM to 40CM. If you want to cut down trees, then you’re looking at 40CM to 45CM. If you want to do proper bucking, then 45CM is about as low as you can reasonably go.

Understanding blade length and kickback

Kickback is the term used to describe the way a chainsaw suddenly jerks upwards. This happens when the blade hits an object with the result that the chain snags. Even though kickback usually only lasts a few moments, it is the main cause of chainsaw-related injuries. 

There are two ways to minimize the risk of kickback. The first is to go for the shortest chainsaw blade you reasonably can. This offers more control and precision and thus reduces the risk of kickback. It also minimizes the impact of kickback. The second is to make sure that you buy a chainsaw with an anti-kickback chain.

Choose a suitable level of power

If you’re buying a cordless chainsaw or an electric chainsaw, then the power will be measured in Watts. If you’re buying a petrol chainsaw, then the power will be measured in either cubic centimetres (CCs) or strokes. In either case, longer blades demand more power and with more power comes more weight and a higher level of safety risk.

The importance of engine control

If you’re using a petrol chainsaw, then you need to be in total control of the engine for your safety as well as for performance. Throttle interlock is now considered a must-have because it helps to prevent accidental starts. It also improves performance by allowing you to control the blade’s Revolutions per Minute (RPM) by adjusting the flow of fuel to the engine.

Ideally, you would also like a clutch system. This reduces the likelihood that the chain will continue to rotate even when the engine is idle and also helps to stop the engine from stalling.

Top safety features

Here are the top safety features to look out for in cordless chainsaws, electric chainsaws and petrol chainsaws.

• Vibration control
• Chain break (stops the blade as soon as the chainsaw stops)
• Automatic lubrication (keeps the chain running smoothly as you cut)
• Tool-less chain adjustment (makes it easy to keep the chain at the right tension)
• An air cleaner (to remove large pieces of debris quickly)

For petrol chainsaws, add spring-assist starting. This reduces the amount of force you need to use to start a petrol chainsaw. With cordless chainsaws and electric chainsaws, you just flick a switch.

Using a chainsaw safely

The nature of chainsaws means that it’s crucial to keep safety front and centre at all times. Here are the key points you should always remember.

Think about your abilities as well as your needs

It is vital to buy the right chainsaw for your level of strength. If you feel that you need a petrol chainsaw, but aren’t confident that you can handle their weight and power, then the safest option by far is just to hire a professional to do the work for you. If you want to split the difference, do what you can with a cordless chainsaw or an electric chainsaw and have a professional do the rest.

Buy a high-quality chainsaw

If you see two chainsaws (any kind) with similar headline specifications but one costs a lot more than the other, there’s a good chance that the more expensive one uses better components and has a better design. For example, two chainsaws might have what looks like identical handles, but the more expensive one will have much thicker padding to cushion vibrations, making it safer and more comfortable to use. 

This might be hard to see from photos and produce descriptions but it will quickly become obvious in real-world use. That’s why we advise reading product reviews from reputable sources before you part with your hard-earned cash.

Make sure you have the right safety accessories

You also need to make sure that you are wearing the right clothing and personal protective equipment. As a minimum, this is footwear with good grip, proper chainsaw trousers and gloves. Depending on what you are doing, it may also be advisable to have eye protection (e.g. a visor or goggles) and a safety helmet. 

If you are using a petrol chainsaw then you must have decent ear defenders. Never underestimate the noise they can make. You can usually get by without them for cordless chainsaws and electric chainsaws although they can make life a lot more comfortable.

Keep your chainsaw in good working order

Chainsaws are all about the chain. There are three key points to remember when it comes to caring for your chain.

Firstly, you need to keep your chain suitably lubricated. You’ll probably need to soak it in oil before you fit it. Ideally, you should do this for at least 24 hours, at least do it overnight. Then you’ll need to keep applying oil as you work to stop it seizing up. Most chainsaws will do this for you. 

If you have a chainsaw with automatic lubrication, it’s advisable to check that this is working before you start any new job. The easiest way to do this is to hold it close to a log and run it without cutting for 10-15 seconds. You should see the oil on the log (it will be a faint spray so you may need to look closely). If you don’t see it, then you probably need to clean the oil hole.

Secondly, you need to keep adjusting your chainsaw tension as appropriate. Remember that as the chainsaw works the metal chain will get hotter and this will cause it to expand. You’ll, therefore, need to tighten the tension to stop the chain from sagging (and snagging). Most chainsaws allow you to do this without tools. After you are finished, you need to let out the tension to allow for the fact that the metal will contract again as it cools.

Thirdly, you need to keep your chain sharp. The easiest way to do this is to invest in a good chain sharpener. This will make cutting easier as well as safer (and will also prolong the life of your chain).

A note on petrol chainsaws

Petrol chainsaws actually run on a mixture of fuel and oil and this has to be mixed in the exact ratio advised by the manufacturer.  You have to use the right sort of oil (usually two stroke) and you have to remember that both fuel and oil have a shelf-life.  If your fuel or oil expires, you need to dispose of it safely (and in an environmentally-friendly manner).  Last but definitely not least, petrol is extremely flammable and therefore needs to be stored and handled with great care.

Cordless Chainsaw Reviews

Here’s a quick round-up of the five best cordless chainsaws on the UK market. Our cordless chainsaw reviews are based on a combination of performance (including safety) and price, in other words, all-round value for money.

Bosch Cordless Telescopic Chainsaw

This option from Bosch is a lightweight, nicely-balanced, simple to use tool for basic trimming and pruning. This is minimal vibration making it very comfortable to use. Our one gripe is that the oil reservoir is a bit on the small side. You usually need to refill it when you charge the battery. That said, maybe this is just a reflection of the fact that this is a very compact cordless chainsaw.

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Bosch Home and Garden 06008B3101 Universalchainpole 18 NU Cordless Telescopic Chainsaw, 45...

• Ergonomic, well balanced and lightweight with less strain on arms and shoulders
• Continuous cutting performance without damaging trees. Height adjustment : 210 – 260 cm
• Universal chain pole Cordless Chainsaw - Without Battery and Charger

& Free shipping

Last update was on: December 3, 2023 12:01 am

£134.00

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• Ergonomic, well balanced and lightweight with less strain on arms and shoulders
• Continuous cutting performance without damaging trees. Height adjustment : 210 – 260 cm
• Universal chain pole Cordless Chainsaw - Without Battery and Charger
• Syneon Chip – Intelligently controlled energy for every project
• Tip protector and bumper spike for better control on what you cut and undercut
• Oil level indicator and automatic chain lubrication preventing pruner from running dry

Dewalt DCM565N Cordless XR Brushless Chainsaw

Although this option from Dewalt doesn’t claim to have vibration control, the design of the handle basically takes care of that. It also offers excellent grip. This cordless chainsaw is impressively lightweight given its cutting power and overall it’s really easy to use. We do, however, have a few minor gripes with it.

First of all, as far as we can tell it doesn’t come with any oil and the chainsaw doesn’t work without it. The easy way to sort this is to buy some oil when you buy your chainsaw, but we think it would be nice if this was specifically mentioned. Speaking of oil, we’re not thrilled by the way the oil reservoir opens, especially not since it needs to be refilled fairly regularly. We can’t decide if this is because the tank is on the smaller side or because this chainsaw is greedy for oil. Possibly it’s a combination of both.

Secondly, this cordless chainsaw only takes Dewalt chains. To be fair, this isn’t particularly unfair or unreasonably, the only issue is that Dewalt doesn’t have a huge real-world supply network, so it’s a good idea to make sure that you always have a spare chain and order replacements online promptly.

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Dewalt DCM565N Cordless XR Brushless Chain Saw, 18 V, Yellow, 30 cm

• 30cm TRI-LINK Bar and Chain covers twice it's length for fast completion on small to medium materials
• High efficiency Brushless motor, delivering up to 70 x 4x4” cuts of pressure treated spruce per charge using an 18V XR 5Ah battery

& Free shipping

Last update was on: December 3, 2023 12:01 am

£183.15 £250.00

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• 30cm TRI-LINK Bar and Chain covers twice it's length for fast completion on small to medium materials
• High efficiency Brushless motor, delivering up to 70 x 4x4” cuts of pressure treated spruce per charge using an 18V XR 5Ah battery
• Automatic oiling for reduced maintenance

Einhell 4501761 GE-LC 18 Li-Solo Cordless Chainsaw

Overall, this option from Einhell is a great choice for those everyday bits and pieces around the garden. It’s not the fastest chainsaw we’ve ever encountered. In fact, it’s not even the fastest cordless chainsaw we’ve ever seen. On the plus side, this reduces vibration and the handle provides additional protection. There’s a decent range of safety features including excellent kickback protection. You also get a decent-sized oil-reservoir which opens and fills easily.

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Einhell 4501761 GE-LC 18 Li-Solo Cordless Chain Saw, Black, red, ohne Akku...

• The Cordless Chainsaw GE-LC 18/25 Li combines the quality of an Einhell product with the cutting performance of a high-quality OREGON guide bar and chain. The chainsaw is the perfect addition to your selection of PXC tools for an immaculate garden

Last update was on: December 3, 2023 12:01 am

£87.50 £114.95

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• The Cordless Chainsaw GE-LC 18/25 Li combines the quality of an Einhell product with the cutting performance of a high-quality OREGON guide bar and chain. The chainsaw is the perfect addition to your selection of PXC tools for an immaculate garden
• This dependable and handy cordless chainsaw is ideal for pruning or felling small to medium-size trees, making firewood and trimming or cutting up construction timber
• The handy chainsaw is easy to handle for any hobby gardener. The rugged metal stop claw keeps the saw stable for your safety and in addition the ergonomic handle of the chainsaw offers a firm and comfortable grip
• The kickback protection with mechanical emergency brake keeps users safe. It is activated immediately if the saw rears up suddenly, so that the chain is stopped instantly. A chain catch bolt catches the chain if the chain jumps off the rail
• The chain tension can be adjusted without any tools and no tools are needed for changing the chain either. The large oil filler opening in the oil tank of the automatic chain lubrication system makes it easy to top up the oil when required
• This product comes without a battery and charger, which are available separately. The cordless chainsaw can be operated with any 18 V Power X-Change battery

Makita DUC353Z Cordless Chainsaw

The Makita is surprisingly powerful for a cordless chainsaw. This may be why it’s surprisingly noisy for a cordless chainsaw. Ear defenders are very much advisable. One of the quirks of this cordless chainsaw is that it comes with a 1.1mm bar. This means that you are limited to the Oregon 90 series chains so you might want to make sure that you keep a spare handy.

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Makita DUC353Z Cordless Chainsaw, 36 V, Blue, Large

• 1 year manufacturer warranty with a further 2 years when registered within 30 days of purchase. This guarantee does not apply where non-genuine or recommended parts or accessories are fitted to the tool. The use of non-genuine or compatible batteries and chargers with Makita Tools will invalidate the Makita guarantee for our tools.

Last update was on: December 3, 2023 12:01 am

£289.99

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• 1 year manufacturer warranty with a further 2 years when registered within 30 days of purchase. This guarantee does not apply where non-genuine or recommended parts or accessories are fitted to the tool. The use of non-genuine or compatible batteries and chargers with Makita Tools will invalidate the Makita guarantee for our tools.
• Variable speed control by trigger and constant speed control
• New adjustment lever for easier tool-less tension adjustment of saw chain
• Electric chain brake
• Oil capacity display
• Adjustable automatic chain lubrication
• Tool-less chain change
• Large separate type metal spike bumper. Spike grips the work piece firmly to provide more control
• Main power switch with auto power-off function
• Instant start-up, simply load two 18V li-=ion LXT slide type batteries and the chainsaw is ready to use

Ryobi OCS1830 18 V 30 cm Bar ONE+ Cordless Brushless Chainsaw

Ryobi is known for their solid, “no-fuss” tools and this cordless chainsaw is exactly what you’d expect from them. It does a very decent job and is impressively quick. Please remember to use the guide on the bar when fitting the chain, otherwise, it won’t cut properly. This may sound like stating the obvious but in our experience, it’s surprisingly easy to overlook. Our one gripe about this cordless chainsaw is that it comes with 76Ml of oil. This is less than half a tank, so arguably rather pointless. 

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Ryobi OCS1830 18 V 30 cm Bar ONE+ Cordless Brushless Chain Saw

• High-performance 18V Brushless Motor Technology
• 30cm Oregon Bar and Chain with a chain speed of 10 m/s
• Automatic oiling system and tool-less chain tensioning
• Mechanical chain brake for extra safety
• Sold as a bare/zero tool; part of the ONE+ System of over 100 tools for the home and garden

& Free shipping

Last update was on: December 3, 2023 12:01 am

£149.95 £191.99

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• High-performance 18V Brushless Motor Technology
• 30cm Oregon Bar and Chain with a chain speed of 10 m/s
• Automatic oiling system and tool-less chain tensioning
• Mechanical chain brake for extra safety
• Sold as a bare/zero tool; part of the ONE+ System of over 100 tools for the home and garden
• Power source type: Électrique sans fil

Buying a cordless chainsaw with battery and charger

These days, it’s very unusual to buy a cordless chainsaw with the battery and charger included in the purchase by default. You can, however, almost always find them suggested as extras. 

This may seem a bit underhand, but the fact is that manufacturers are doing their best to move away from a business model which involves using one battery (and charger) per item. They’re now trying to sell batteries (and chargers) which can be used across all their products (or at least a range of them). This is much better for the environment and works out more affordable over the long run.

Electric Chainsaw Reviews

Here’s a quick round-up of the five best electric chainsaws on the UK market. Our electric chainsaw reviews are based on a combination of performance (including safety) and price, in other words, all-round value for money.

BLACK+DECKER CS2245-GB Corded Chainsaw

Rather unusually, we’re going to start with our only real gripe about this electric chainsaw. The instruction manual could do with some serious improvement. We suggest you skip the first five pages, which are all diagrams and head straight to the text. For guidance on putting this electric chainsaw together head to page 10 and read it thoroughly before you start. Then follow the step-by-step guide.

Once you’ve put this electric chainsaw together, you’ll find it’s impressively powerful and very efficient. On that note, if you’re used to petrol chainsaws, you may be worried about how little oil this electric chainsaw uses. If so, you can rest easy. This electric chainsaw is just very economical with oil.

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BLACK+DECKER CS2245-GB Corded Chainsaw, 45 cm, 2200 W

• Powerful motor - High performance, quiet and easy to maintain
• Low-Kickback chain - for smooth and fast cuts through dry wood and live logs
• Patented SDS Tool - free blade tension makes it easy to adjust chain for cutting performance

& Free shipping

Last update was on: December 3, 2023 12:01 am

£77.22 £99.99

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• Powerful motor - High performance, quiet and easy to maintain
• Low-Kickback chain - for smooth and fast cuts through dry wood and live logs
• Patented SDS Tool - free blade tension makes it easy to adjust chain for cutting performance
• Auto oiling system - keeps chain and bar constantly lubricated
• Window to gauge oil level, efficient cut capacity - large in diameter logs

Bosch AKE 40-19 S Electric Chainsaw

This electric chainsaw from Bosch is one of those options you’re either going to love or hate. If you’re after a lightweight, easy-to-use, affordable electric chainsaw for basic work where you’re largely standing in one place, then you could love this even with its issues. If you have higher expectations (and a higher budget to match), then you might want to move on.

There are three main issues with this electric chainsaw. The first is that the chain tensioning mechanism needs serious improvement. We’re guessing this comes back to the fact that the tool-free “locking nut” is actually a plastic knob. This means that the smart move is to keep checking the chain every few cuts and re-tensioning it as necessary. It’s a pain but it’s better than dealing with the chain coming off.

The second is that if you apply too much lateral pressure to the chain bar, you will crimp it. This will lead to the chain not sitting in the bar properly and hence not working properly, usually coming off regularly. There’s actually an easy solution, which is to run a flat-head screwdriver through the groove in the bar to get it back to how it should be (or just watch how much lateral pressure you apply). The third is that this electric chainsaw just guzzles oil so you’ll be refilling it regularly.

With all that said, you might be wondering how this electric chainsaw came to be on our list. The answer is that if you’re using it for tasks like cutting firewood or logs, basically anything where you’ll be standing in one place doing the same action over and over again, then this electric chainsaw does offer excellent performance for a very reasonable price.

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Bosch AKE 40-19 S Electric Chainsaw, 40 cm Bar Length

• Powerful 1900 W motor with chain speed of 12 ms for an ideal cutting performance
• High quality Oregon chain
• Bosch SDS system for easy, precise, tool-less assembly and chain tensioning
• Rapid-reaction kick-back brake for increased user safety

Last update was on: December 3, 2023 12:01 am

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• Powerful 1900 W motor with chain speed of 12 ms for an ideal cutting performance
• High quality Oregon chain
• Bosch SDS system for easy, precise, tool-less assembly and chain tensioning
• Rapid-reaction kick-back brake for increased user safety
• Optimum balance for working in any position
• Automatic oil lubrication

Einhell GH-EC 2040 2000 W Tool Less Electric Chainsaw

Sometimes it’s the little things that please us, like having an extra meter of cable and an oil reservoir with a top which fits snugly but comes off easily and has a retainer to stop you from losing it. 

The chain is easy to fit provided you put it on the right way. Check this carefully because if you get it wrong the chain will come off and may damage the chain guard in the process. Some people may find the chain tensioning knob a bit on the stiff side, but we doubt many people will find it a deal-breaker.

Our one gripe is that this is another electric chainsaw which doesn’t come with oil but doesn’t mention the fact so you know to order some when you order your chainsaw. Overall, however, this electric chainsaw offers very solid performance for a very solid price.

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Einhell GH-EC 2040 2000W Electric Chainsaw with Tool-Free Chain Tensioning

• Oregon high-quality rail and chain ensures optimum cutting performance
• Tool-free chain tensioning and changing
• Powerful 2000 w motor with robust metal gearing
• Kickback protection through mechanical instant chain brake

& Free shipping

Last update was on: December 3, 2023 12:01 am

£66.94 £94.95

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• Oregon high-quality rail and chain ensures optimum cutting performance
• Tool-free chain tensioning and changing
• Powerful 2000 w motor with robust metal gearing
• Kickback protection through mechanical instant chain brake
• Ergonomic handle
• Note: Customer Service Helpline number: 0151 649 1500

Makita UC4041A/2 Electric Chainsaw

The Makita is about as solid as it gets for an electric chainsaw. In fact, we’d even go so far as to say that you’re getting close to the performance you’d expect from an entry-level petrol chainsaw, although it is noticeably slower than a petrol chainsaw. We were happy with the Einhell’s 5M of cable so we’re literally doubly happy with the 10M of cable on offer here.

We don’t have any gripes about the product itself. We do, however, think that the standard pictures of this electric chainsaw make it look a lot more compact than it is in reality. It’s actually quite big and bulky and not particularly light (although it’s certainly not the heaviest chainsaw we’ve ever found).

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Makita UC4041A/2 Electric Chainsaw, 240 V, 40 cm

• New adjustment lever for easier tool-less saw chain/ tension adjustment
• Adjustable automatic chain oil pump
• Large separate type metal spike bumper. The spike grips the work piece firmly to provide more control

Last update was on: December 3, 2023 12:01 am

£152.68

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• New adjustment lever for easier tool-less saw chain/ tension adjustment
• Adjustable automatic chain oil pump
• Large separate type metal spike bumper. The spike grips the work piece firmly to provide more control
• Large trigger switch
• Oil fill level window to easily check oil level
• Flat motor housing end
• Mechanical chain brake and kickback brake for operator safety
• Automatic chain oiling for continuous cutting
• Double insulation

Oregon CS1400 Electric Chainsaw

According to the marketing, this electric chainsaw was designed specifically to perform well in abrasive environments. To be honest, we’ve absolutely no idea what this means in practice, but it does a solid job of chopping wood. We’d say this electric chainsaw is powerful enough to match at least the entry-level petrol chainsaws, possibly even some of the mid-range petrol chainsaws.

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Oregon CS1400 Electric Chainsaw with 16-Inch (40 cm) Guide Bar DuraCut Saw...

• Powerful performance: 2400 W electric chainsaw with integrated chain brake and 16" bar; ideal for professionals and homeowners who cut trees, logs and fire wood in harsh environments
• DuraCut saw chain: Cuts 3 times longer than standard chain in abrasive environments; 14.7 m/sec chain speed, for heavy to medium duty cutting; instant start, low noise, with long 6m power cord

& Free shipping

Last update was on: December 3, 2023 12:01 am

£101.99 £109.95

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• Powerful performance: 2400 W electric chainsaw with integrated chain brake and 16" bar; ideal for professionals and homeowners who cut trees, logs and fire wood in harsh environments
• DuraCut saw chain: Cuts 3 times longer than standard chain in abrasive environments; 14.7 m/sec chain speed, for heavy to medium duty cutting; instant start, low noise, with long 6m power cord
• Clever design: Built in chain tightening system doesn't require any tools; simply switch on, check oil and cut; oil level window and front safety hand guard protects from flying debris
• Automatic oiler: The automatic oiler distributes oil on the bar and chain, requiring minimal maintenance, keeping your chainsaw safely lubricated and preventing premature wear and tear
• Ergonomic: Lightweight and balanced, silent between cuts, weighs 6.6kg, easy to use, no need to add petrol, low vibration, over-mould comfortable handle. The product comes with 3 years Oregon warranty

Petrol Chainsaw Reviews

Here’s a quick round-up of the five best petrol chainsaws on the UK market. Our petrol chainsaw reviews are based on a combination of performance (including safety) and price, in other words, all-round value for money.

Einhell 4501829 Chainsaw

This is the updated version of the very popular Einhell GC-PC 1335 I Tc Petrol Chainsaw. Overall build quality is excellent, especially for the price. It starts easily and the anti-vibration handle really does its job. Our one slight gripe about this petrol chainsaw is that the tension knob is plastic. We’d very much have preferred metal. It does, however, seem to be robust. In general, however, this petrol chainsaw offers solid performance at a solid price.

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Einhell 4501829 Chain Saw for Petrol, Red, Black

• The GC-PC 1435 i TC chainsaw is a handy device with high performance and proves to be a valuable aid in the work of cutting firewood, pruning, felling and raming
• The Oregon quality bar and chain ensure optimal cutting performance. The air-cooled two-stroke engine delivers 1.4 kW of power to the bar at a maximum speed of 11,000 rpm

Last update was on: December 3, 2023 12:01 am

£162.08

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• The GC-PC 1435 i TC chainsaw is a handy device with high performance and proves to be a valuable aid in the work of cutting firewood, pruning, felling and raming
• The Oregon quality bar and chain ensure optimal cutting performance. The air-cooled two-stroke engine delivers 1.4 kW of power to the bar at a maximum speed of 11,000 rpm
• Thanks to the auto-butterfly and primer, the engine of the Einhell petrol chainsaw can always be started effortlessly. The chain can be stretched and replaced without tools. The bar and chain are lubricated automatically
• Of course, safety is very important. When you press on the handguard, the chain brake activates and stops the chain within a few milliseconds. The chain lock minimizes the risk of the chain falling off the rail
• The robust harpoon ensures a safe ride in felling and demolishing work and serves as the centerpiece when sawing logs positioned horizontally. In vacuum mode the centrifugal clutch uncouples the chain from the motor
• Thanks to the supported drive shaft on both sides, the motor emits very little vibration. An additional anti-vibration system further increases the comfort even in the case of prolonged use
• Also included is a bottle for mixing oil and petrol and a bar guard

Husqvarna 135 Petrol Chainsaw

The Husqvama may not seem to have a large feature set, but it has almost everything you need for an all-round, domestic, petrol chainsaw. Our one real gripe about this petrol chainsaw is that you need to use a tool to adjust the tension. Admittedly this is supplied (and if you lose the supplied tool, we’d suspect a flathead screwdriver would be fine), but it’s a real shame given that the overall build quality is actually very decent.

We also have to point out that the chain lubrication ducts do seem to block very easily. This means that you really need to give this petrol chainsaw a good clean after every session. That said, you should be doing this anyway.

In general, however, we can see why the Husqvama is popular. It starts easily, even in cold conditions, isn’t too bad for vibrations, is simple to use and does a solid job. We have to say that we think there are electrical chainsaws out there which could match it for cutting power, but then you’d have to deal with a cable, which brings other issues.

Husqvarna 135 Petrol Chainsaw, Black/Orange

Last update was on: December 3, 2023 12:01 am

£284.95

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McCulloch CS 35S Petrol Chainsaw

We’ve heard people speculate that this petrol chainsaw gets at least some of its parts from Husqvama. Based on the build quality we think there could be some truth in this, although the appearance of this petrol chainsaw is completely different. Rather ironically, however, we have exactly the same issue with it as we do with the Husqvama, namely, in our opinion, you need a tool to adjust the tension.

In short, you adjust the tension by loosening two nuts, turning a screw and then tightening the nuts again. According to McCulloch, you can do this without tools. In principle, they may be right. In practice, we personally wouldn’t risk it without a spanner and we wouldn’t advise anyone else to do it without a spanner either.

Overall, however, we really like this petrol chainsaw. It starts very easily and vibrations are reasonable, especially if you wear gloves (which you should be doing anyway). It also seems to be very economical on fuel.

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McCulloch CS 35S Petrol Chainsaw: Chainsaw with 1400 W Engine, 35 cm Blade Length,...

Last update was on: December 3, 2023 12:01 am

£199.99

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P1PE P6220C 2-Stroke Petrol Chainsaw

Going by the marketing we get the impression that P1PE thinks that the Hyundai engine is the main selling point of this petrol chainsaw. We’re well aware that Hyundai makes great engines and we’re well aware that the engine is an important part of a petrol chainsaw, but this option from P1PE has a whole lot more to recommend it. It starts easily, vibrations are acceptable and does a very decent job of cutting. 

Our only gripe about this petrol chainsaw is that you need a tool to adjust the tension, but that does seem to be par for the course with petrol chainsaws. We’d also say that the spark plug does seem to be pretty tightly screwed in, so you’re probably going to need a decent spark plug spanner to change it when its time comes to an end.

We do, however, have to give bonus points for the manual, which is one of the best we’ve seen and initial assembly is very straightforward.

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P1PE P6220C 2-Stroke Petrol Chainsaw Easy Start 20-inch Hyundai Powered 62cc Engine

• 62cc 2-stroke Hyundai petrol engine: For the most efficient wood cutting
• Weighs just 6.9kg: Easy to use and move around the garden
• Automatic chain lubrication: For long chain/bar life
• 20" bar and chain: Tackle large trees as well as smaller clearance jobs

Last update was on: December 3, 2023 12:01 am

£89.09 £109.99

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• 62cc 2-stroke Hyundai petrol engine: For the most efficient wood cutting
• Weighs just 6.9kg: Easy to use and move around the garden
• Automatic chain lubrication: For long chain/bar life
• 20" bar and chain: Tackle large trees as well as smaller clearance jobs
• Comfortable to use: Anti-vibration technology protects your hands
• Anti-kickback safety brake: Reduces the likelihood of injury
• Includes storage bag, bar cover and 2 chains: Protects the chain links and bar and keeps the chainsaw sharp
• Peace of mind: 2 year P1 Power Equipment domestic warranty* / 1 year commercial warranty* (terms apply)

ParkerBrand 62CC 20″ PETROL CHAINSAW

Take careful note of the weight of this petrol chainsaw. It’s a hefty piece of kit. The good news is that it has the cutting power to match. In fact, this is bordering on the sort of petrol chainsaw you could use for light commercial work.

It is, however, intended for the consumer market and we’re really impressed by the quality of the instruction manual and ease of assembly. Our only gripe is that you need a tool to adjust the chain tension, but that’s pretty standard on petrol chainsaws.

On the plus side, this petrol chainsaw starts really easily. In fact, it’s almost as easy to start and stop as an electric chainsaw. The vibration level is very reasonable and the noise is acceptable given its cutting power (and given that you should expect to wear ear defenders).

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62CC 20" PETROL CHAINSAW + 2 x CHAINS - CARRY BAG -...

• Award Winning 62cc Engine
• 20" Bar Complete with Chains
• Free Carry Bag, Bar Cover, Tool Kit & Chain
• 2.6KW / 3.5HP Engine Output
• CE / GS & EU-II Certification

Last update was on: December 3, 2023 12:01 am

£89.24 £94.45

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• Award Winning 62cc Engine
• 20" Bar Complete with Chains
• Free Carry Bag, Bar Cover, Tool Kit & Chain
• 2.6KW / 3.5HP Engine Output
• CE / GS & EU-II Certification

Best cordless chainsaw in the UK

We really can’t pick out a single best cordless chainsaw in the UK. The Bosch is clearly the best choice if you need (or want) a cordless chainsaw with a telescopic handle. The Makita is the most powerful cordless chainsaw we’ve managed to find. The Dewalt, Einhell and Ryobi cordless chainsaws are all good, affordable options for all-round use. Your choice will probably be guided by a combination of price and weight.

Best electric chainsaw in the UK

Again, we’re struggling to pick out the best electric chainsaw in the UK. In terms of raw performance, the Oregon probably just takes it from the Makita, but the Makita’s cable length is a winner with us. The Bosch is great in its niche. It’s either for you or it’s not. The Black+Decker and the Einhell are both solid, all-round performers at a reasonable price.

Best petrol chainsaw in the UK

In terms of pure cutting power, the best petrol chainsaw in the UK is probably the ParkerBrand, closely followed by the P1PE. The Husqvama and the McCulloch are, however, more likely to be the best choices for average gardening work and the Einhell is a solid, entry-level option. 

Best petrol chainsaw for the money

Petrol chainsaws really are investment tools and if we have to pick one petrol chainsaw to be the best petrol chainsaw for the money, then we just have to hand it to the P1PE.

In short

If you only want a chainsaw for light work, then a cordless chainsaw may suit you very well as cordless chainsaws are light, simple and convenient. If you want a chainsaw for the heaviest work then you will probably need a petrol chainsaw as they are the most powerful and robust. 

If, however, you are somewhere in the middle, then it’s well worth looking at electric chainsaws before taking a final decision on whether you really need the power of a petrol chainsaw. Some electric chainsaws now offer comparable power to traditional petrol chainsaws and are often much easier to use (and quieter).

Jeff Ellis

If it builds, screws or fixes, Jeff knows all about it. Former Joiner and handyman with over 25 years in the business, Jeff is our ‘hands-on’ tools, garden and hardware expert. Our in-house heavy lifter, you certainly know when he’s around. BIG guy with a big heart, a super warm and friendly guy. Always eating and always active, Jeff literally never stops and always has a smile on his face but more importantly for our readers, is an expert reviewer