Working the homestead can be physically taxing but fulfilling. There’s something about shaping your lived environment that makes you feel well integrated where you live. But the work gets to be backbreaking and picking the right tools can save hours of fruitless frustration.
The best chainsaws for homesteading are chosen according to the homesteader’s needs and fuel preferences. Tougher jobs require longer blades, while shorter blades allow efficient and nimble execution of smaller, common tasks. An ideal solution is to have one of each.
We’ll consider the role of a chainsaw in the homestead and share our picks of the eight best.
Best Chainsaws For Homesteading
Chainsaws are not optional for the homesteader. They are the number one tool for managing growth and picking the wrong saw has knock-on demerits in terms of efficiency and effect. The two criteria to regard in picking a chainsaw are:
Different kinds of trees and shrubs want different tools. Larger trees that are occasionally felled and trunked want more power. Shrubs and pruning trees want lighter saws.
Using an underpowered saw will wear the engine and risk placing stress on the blade. A rough guide is the 2:1 rule – limiting the diameter of trunks sawn to twice the blade length.
Using an overpowered device is a waste of fuel, violating a sustainability mindset. It also places too much unnecessary physical stress on the user. This added stress limits the amount of work that can be done, and reducing efficiency.
Gas or Electric
Overall, gas-powered chainsaws are the most powerful and deliver the best finishes per unit of power. Electrical (mainly battery-powered) saws are catching up. With more concerns about fossil fuels, increasingly, homesteaders are drawn to electrically powered machines.
Our pick of the best follows. Given our motivation for the long-short strategy and homesteaders’ own views about gas and electricity, we’ve created eight slots, one each for runner-up and winner in the two categories.
Best Gas Longsaw: Winner
Husqvarna 24 Inch 460 Rancher
Husqvarna has produced a clear winner. This is a hard-hitting 60.3cc 2-cycle engine on a 24” blade. The X-Torq engine is backed by an inertia-activated chain brake, which reduces the risk of kickback-induced injury. Centrifugal air cleaning removes debris and larger dust particles before they find the filter.
A combined choke/stop control lessens the risk of engine flooding and makes for easier starting. This is helped by Air Purge technology which de-airs the carburetor and fuel system. The ergonomic body design allows easier handling of the power.
- Husqvarna 460 Rancher 24-inch gas chainsaw combines exceptional ergonomic…
- Effortless Start-Up: Smart Start allows this Husqvarna chainsaw to quickly and…
- Superior Performance: Powerful and efficient 60.3-cc, 3.6-HP X-Torq engine…
Last update on 2025-03-27 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
Best Gas Long Saw: Runner Up
XtremepowerUS 22″ inch 2.4HP 45cc
This 2-stroke heavy hitter is perfect for a range of cutting jobs. An automatic air filter and chain oiler maintain the saw’s working order. In a nod to sustainability, this model has reduced fuel consumption on the back of increased engine efficiency.
A durable saw, the air intake system is designed to prevent dust from entering the engine. It is easily removable for cleaning purposes. Steadier handling is ensured through an anti-kickback system and anti-vibration mechanism.
- 2-Stroke Engine – 45cc engine with two stokes is perfect for cutting jobs around…
- Engine Clean Air-Intake System – Efficiently prevent the dust from entering into…
- Anti-Vibration – Anti kick back chain and effective anti-vibration design
Last update on 2025-03-27 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
Best Gas Short Saw: Winner
Husqvarna 435 40-cc 2.2-HP 16 Inch Gas Chainsaw
The Husqvarna 435 16-Inch Gas Chainsaw is a lightweight, versatile tool ideal for homeowners and casual users. Its 40cc X-Torq engine delivers strong performance while improving fuel efficiency by 20% and reducing emissions by 60%, making it an eco-friendlier choice. With Smart Start and air purge technology, it’s easy to start, and the inertia-activated chain brake enhances safety. Compatible with 13 to 18-inch bars, it suits various tasks.
The LowVib technology reduces vibrations for more comfortable handling, while the air injection system prolongs engine life by keeping dust away from the air filter. Overall, this chainsaw offers a great mix of power, ease of use, and durability for yard work, firewood, and small to medium tree cutting.
- Husqvarna 435 16 inch chainsaw is a lightweight, efficient all-around saw that’s…
- Effortless Start-Up: Air purge and Smart Start allows this Husqvarna chainsaw to…
- Superior Performance: Gas powered chainsaw delivers superior performance with an…
Last update on 2025-03-27 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
Best Gas Short Saw: Runner Up
Troy-Bilt 42cc Low Kickback 14 in. Gas Chainsaw
The TB4214 Gas Chainsaw is a reliable, user-friendly option for light to medium yard work. Powered by a 42cc, full-crank, 2-cycle engine, it delivers solid cutting performance with its 14-inch low-kickback bar and chain, making it great for trimming limbs and smaller tasks. Its SpringAssist® technology ensures easy pull starts, while the automatic oiler maintains proper lubrication for smooth operation.
Safety is a priority with the inertia-activated chain brake, and comfort is enhanced by the 3-point anti-vibration handles and lightweight design, making it easier to maneuver during extended use. The chainsaw comes with 2-cycle engine oil and is backed by a 2-year limited warranty, making it a dependable choice for homeowners looking for a durable, safe, and comfortable tool.
- 42cc, full crank 2-cycle engine with SpringAssist for easier pull starts
- 14″ low-kickback bar and chain cuts through limbs fast
- Adjustable, automatic bar and chain oiler ensures proper lubrication
Last update on 2025-03-27 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
Best Electric Long Saw: Winner
Ryobi 40V HP 18 inch
This brushless engine approaches a gas equivalence a little north of 45cc. The 5Ah battery weighs four pounds. Adding the bar, chain, and half a tank of oil, the total weight is fourteen pounds. This is not cumbersome for a machine as powerful and is comparable with gas machines in a similar class.
In spite of the wider battery port, the saw maintains its balance. In spite of the gauge, Ryobi has shunned metal, opting for plastic bucking spikes. This is the only arguable minus.
- 40V HP technology delivers more power than a 38cc gas chain saw
- Up to 168 cuts per charge with the included 40V 5Ah battery
- Full complement chain delivers longer runtime and faster cutting
Last update on 2025-03-27 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
Best Electric Long Saw: Runner Up
Greenworks GS181
Overall, this machine has torque and power comparable to a 50cc gas engine. The 18″ bar length and high-volt battery put it in the tree feller range. Its brushless electric motor is more efficient and reliable than the gas equivalent.
The saw is powered by a 4Ah 82V battery, large in its class. Greenworks have optimized this battery for extended life. It’s Bluetooth-enabled, allowing remote tracking of the battery.
On the downside, this saw requires manual chain-tightening and has no onboard tightening tool.
- 18” CHAIN AND BAR : Perfect for professional users
- BRUSHLESS MOTOR TECHNOLOGY : 2X more torque. Provides more power, longer…
- AUTOMATIC OILER : Delivers proper chain lubrication and increased…
Last update on 2025-03-27 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
Best Electric Short Saw: Winner
Greenworks 40V
Greenworks’s go-to electric saw has been compared to a 42cc gas equivalent. Its advanced brushless motor tech ramps up the torque and runtime, extending the life of the tool.
This nifty machine has a battery that completely recharges in two hours. It gets up to one hundred cuts on a 4×4 lumber on a single charge. The 16’ bar is good for trees and limbs up to 30” in diameter.
The automated oiler keeps the chain lubricated, extending the chain life. A transparent oil window lets the user tell when to replenish the reservoir.
- 40V 16” CHAINSAW: Perfect for homeowners that need to tackle yard projects, or…
- BRUSHLESS MOTOR: Provides more power, longer run-times, and extended motor…
- CHAIN BRAKE: For added safety and reduced risk of injury
Last update on 2025-03-27 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
Best Electric Short Saw: Runner Up
WORX WG303.1
This saw features a full-wrap front handle for leveraged vertical and horizontal access. The rubberized rear hand has an over-mold for superb control, facilitating long stints without user fatigue.
The patented auto-tension system guards against over-tightening, increasing the life of the chain motor and bar. Auto-lubrication ensures the smooth running of the chain, which whizzes around the bar at 32 ft/s.
More levered access comes from the metal spike bumper, which grips the wood, preventing kickback. The saw has a 16” bar, 14.5 Amp motor with a chain sheath. The chain break has a quick stop to prevent accidental cutting.
- [AUTO-TENSION] Patented system prevents over-tightening and increases the life…
- [AUTO-LUBRICATION] Keeps the chain running smooth and fast around the bar at 32…
- [CHAIN BRAKE] Prevent accidental cutting with the quick-stop chain break. One of…
Last update on 2025-03-27 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
Conclusion
The long-short combo is tested and tried, and whatever your fueling philosophy, there’s a myriad of ways you can implement it. The saws reviewed here provide a good basis for selecting a pair.
