The 7 Best Professional Chainsaws On The Market In 2024

If your profession requires the regular use of a saw, you’ll want the best professional chainsaw available today. Your choice will largely depend on the type of work you do and the typical timber or wood you’re going to cut.

Fear not! This guide will tell you all about the seven best professional chainsaws available today.

Quick Overview

Our Top 7 Choices For Best Professional Chainsaw

Best Professional Chainsaw	Power	Bar Length	Price
1. Husqvarna 20-Inch 460 Rancher Gas Chainsaw	3.62 hp	20″	Check Price
2. Husqvarna 450E II 20-inch Fully Assembled Gas Chainsaw	3.20 hp	20″	Check Price
3. Remington RM4618 Outlaw Assembled Gas Chainsaw	46 cc	18″	Check Price
4. Husqvarna 455 Rancher Gas-Powered Chainsaw	3.49 hp	20″	Check Price
5. Craftsman CMXGSAMY426S	46 cc	20″	Check Price
6. Echo CS-590 20-inch Timber Wolf Chainsaw	59.8 cc	20″	Check Price
7. Poulan Pro PR5020 Gas-Powered Chainsaw	50 cc	20″	Check Price

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7 Best Professional Chainsaw Models

What to Consider When Buying Your Own Professional Chainsaw

Manufacturer’s Design and Engineering

Chainsaw Size

You need to consider two main factors when determining the proper size of a chainsaw for you. Initially is the bar length, and lastly is the overall weight.

For more information, we’ll take a closer look at each of these considerations below to guide you in making a perfect choice.

Bar Length

When it comes to the bar length of any chainsaw, the general rule is you need to determine the most oversized diameter of large trees, timber, logs, or branches that you will be cutting. Then, add about 2 inches to that bar length.

In this case, it is useful to overestimate. Bear in mind that saws with a longer bar will require a heavier engine to operate.

Moreover, the longer the bar length, the harder it is to control the chainsaw and the greater the risk of injuring yourself.

This is because the chainsaw becomes unbalanced or front-heavy, and fatigue becomes a significant factor, as the chainsaw will feel heavier the longer you hold and use it.

Overall Weight

The overall weight of one chainsaw will differ from one model to another, depending on the materials used in the saw’s build and the engine’s size required to power the chainsaw.

A saw that uses a longer bar will be heavier. You need a bigger engine to operate a longer bar. This also adds some weight. So, keep this consideration in mind when you choose your chainsaw model.

Comfort and Ergonomic Design

Considering how many components a chainsaw is made of, the size and materials used, and the robust engines they typically use, you probably think a professional chainsaw has to weigh a ton.

For any professional that has to work with a saw for extended amounts of time, comfort is a primary consideration when choosing what saw to purchase.

That’s why manufacturers specifically designed professional chainsaws to be made with durable but lightweight materials. To find the most comfortable chainsaw for prolonged use, we suggest following the tips below:

1. Choose a chainsaw that has a high power to weight ratio. This means that the weight of the saw and the power of the engine should be balanced. There is no sense in getting a heavy chainsaw that can deliver little power.
2. Get a chainsaw that has a long and narrow design. This provides a better balance for the distribution of the force and power of the saw. Moreover, it will feel lighter. Do not get front-heavy saws that will drag the chainsaw down and require more muscle-power from you to carry.
3. Look at how the handles are shaped. Some design handles feel better when you hold the chainsaw. Specialized grips, such as those made with rubber, help you hold the chainsaw firmly and make them a bit softer and more comfortable to grip.

Whether You Have to Mix Fuel

The majority of gas chainsaws will require 2-cycle fuel, a combination of gasoline and special 2-cycle fuel oil.

This mixture can change, depending on the manufacturer. For that, you need to read the specifications for the fuel mixture that come with your professional chainsaw.

Usually, this is the main advantage of electric chainsaws, which do not require you to mix your fuel for your saw.

Chainsaw Performance

Ease of Start-Up

If you have ever used a chainsaw or asked your friends about it, one of the most talked-about topics is how easy it is to start up.

A chainsaw that is easy to start is drastically more valuable than other saws. In general, using a chainsaw requires frequent starts and stops throughout the day.

You will want to spend your time cutting instead of wasting it on starting your saw. Here are some of the features you need to check for an easy starting saw:

1. Spring Assisted Start – Several manufacturers have an extra spring between the start cord and the crankshaft. This results in requiring less pulling force to get the engine to turn over and start.
2. Choke Control – The worst thing that can happen to you is when too much gas gets into the carburetor when your chainsaw chokes. Several manufacturers have choke control, which prevents you from accidentally flooding the carburetor.

The engine of electric chainsaws is easier to start. Some even have simple push buttons and digital displays.

Nonetheless, this compromises the workload they can handle, which is more limited than gas-powered professional chainsaws.

Engine Power

The most important part of a chainsaw is its power, which is delivered by its engine. The more power your chainsaw has, the more capabilities it has to handle challenging and demanding jobs.

Particularly when dealing with challenging and thick woods that require massive amounts of engine power and torque that only a professional chainsaw can deliver.

An obvious choice to make is to go for a gas-powered chainsaw, as they produce the most power out of all the types of chainsaw. This gives you the versatility to handle both hard and softwood types like a hot knife through butter.

On the other hand, if your professional field involves landscaping and gardening, you don’t want the high noise levels common to all gas-powered chainsaws.

A quiet option is ideal not to disturb your employers and/or neighbors. You will want a balance of low noise levels, excellent control, accuracy, and precision in one professional chainsaw.

In that case, an electric or battery-operated chainsaw would be the better option for you. While they may not be capable of handling thick hardwood, they are more than able to keep up with your landscaping and gardening work.

They can still cut through thick wood and any other task you may require when beautifying your yard. You need to remember to bring a suitable extension cord with you to supply power from anywhere in the house, garden, or garage for corded electric saws.

Battery-powered chainsaws are also excellent if you work in different houses or changing locations. Still, you may be limited by the short battery life unless you bring spare batteries with you.

Depth of Cut

An excellent way to determine how deep or how much wood a chainsaw can cut off is by checking its chain bar. 

The chain bar is the part of the saw that points out of the engine. It is made of hardened steel and is where the chain is mounted to keep it in place.

The longer the bar length is, the longer the chain it can accommodate. In return, this translates to a better ability to cut thicker trees.

Once you have a good idea of how thick a tree you are going to cut is, or the usual thickness and hardness of trees you will deal with most of the time have, you can look for a professional saw that has the right bar length or can be fitted with one that is the right size for you.

You should purchase a professional saw that can be equipped with longer chain bars, other than the stock parts that come with your chainsaw by default.

As a result, you and your tool can be flexible and adjusted according to the job at hand.

In order to ensure your chainsaw will last, it is essential that your chain bar is relative to a tree’s thickness. So you do not tire yourself out too much while using your tool.

Cutting Speed

Time is money. For professionals, this means that the faster you can get your job done, the better.

While many of the chainsaws available in the market can get the job done over extended periods, you should still consider how quickly it can get the job done.

One thing that is related to and will impact your cutting speed is how sharp the chain is.

A sharp and professional chainsaw equates to a faster cutting speed, as it can go through wood more easily. This means that you should also invest in a good chain sharpener to maintain this sharpness.

Chainsaw Features

Chain Tensioning System

Bear in mind, you need to keep your professional chainsaw properly tensioned to keep it operating at the optimum level.

You will have to do this regularly while you are working, so having a chainsaw with an easy tensioning system will save you a lot of time and frustration.

1. Tool-less Chain Tensioning – These chainsaws let you tension your chain without needing other tools. On top-tier models, these systems work well. If you buy one of the cheaper models, stay away from this feature as they can be finicky.
2. Tooled Chain Tensioning – You will need a wrench to loosen the nuts on the chain bar and a screwdriver to tighten the tension. Saws with this feature generally come with a wrench for this. While it is more troublesome, it is not overly challenging to do.

Chain Brake

The chain brake is an instant emergency stopping feature. They can either be manual or automatic, which is activated by inertia. We recommend prioritizing this feature, even if it costs extra.

Chain Stoppers

The chain stoppers, also known as chain catchers, are metal or plastic guards designed to intercept a derailed or broken chain. In that event, the chain should just hit the chain stopper instead of your hand. These are mandatory on every chainsaw.

Low Kickback

A chainsaw’s kickback can be very dangerous if you do not expect it or cannot control it. In truth, this is the most common cause of chainsaw injuries.

With kickback, the chain stops suddenly, and the force which was then being applied to cutting the wood becomes redirected and reversed back into the chain bar. This forces the blade out of the wood and towards the operator.

In other words, the kickback can throw the blade towards you or, worse, into you.

This is even more dangerous in professional chainsaws, which have a lot of power and torque. The more powerful the machine is, the worse your mishandling injury can be.

To avoid this, you should look for a professional chainsaw that uses low kickback technology. It must either have a low kickback chain or a low kickback guide bar, better yet, both.

User Experience

Vibration Reduction

The chainsaw vibrations are pretty hard to get rid of, considering what they do and how much power is in them.

Even when your professional chainsaw is appropriately tensioned and well-lubricated, you should expect some kind of vibration to come through still.

Furthermore, the vibration reduction technology is designed to reduce the stress that long-term chainsaw use may cause while also giving you a more secure hold on the saw.

Some of the adverse effects of constant vibrations from power tools include tingling in your fingers and arms, losing grip strength, losing light touch, and more. So, it is in your best interest to consider a chainsaw with vibration reduction features.

Most chainsaw manufacturers who have this feature built-in their professional chainsaws typically use springs or rubber in the handles or handle mounting.

Noise Level

The chainsaws are well-known for their loud noise production. This is especially true for gas-powered professional chainsaws.

Studies have shown that gas-powered saws can make noises range from 106 to 117 decibels in the operator’s ear.

In fact, the electric chainsaws, excluding battery-powered models, produce noises that range from 90 to 102 decibels. That is a huge difference.

We recommend checking the dB ratings of the chainsaw model you are looking to buy before making that purchase. No matter what, you should always wear ear protection.

Doing these two things will prevent hearing damage and hearing loss, which you will surely be grateful for in the future.

Ease of Maintenance

Considering how expensive a professional chainsaw is, we know you want one that will last a lifetime.

As with any incredible power tool, the constant use can quickly wear out your beloved machine. With continuous maintenance and servicing, you can keep your professional chainsaw in excellent condition and tip-top shape.

Many people want the benefits of a power tool without having to provide constant attention and care to maintain its performance.

The great news is that there are low maintenance professional chainsaws available today. In short, it will be less time cleaning and oiling but more time cutting!

You should be on the lookout for chainsaw models that can be disassembled with ease and reassembled in one go.

Make sure to clean out the air filter regularly. The sooner you are done cleaning your power tool, the faster you can get back to the work you love doing.

This only goes into the ease of maintenance of the chainsaw itself. The chain you use has to be sharpened regularly to keep it sharp.

The more you use the chain, the more routine sharpening it will require.

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The Verdict: Our Top Picks

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Conclusion

The top-tier professional chainsaws should be feature-rich, safe, comfortable, durable, dependable, and powerful.

For the most part, it is a good thing that every one of the models we featured here ticks all of these boxes. We are confident that you will discover the perfect chainsaw for you in this guide!