We spent this past heating season running eight chainsaws through cord after cord of oak, maple, and pine to find the best chainsaws for cutting firewood in 2026. Our test pile included everything from a 68cc gas workhorse to a 10-inch battery saw you can carry with one hand. After months of bucking logs, sharpening chains, and refueling tanks, clear winners emerged for every budget and property size.
Here is the honest truth from firewood forums and our own testing: reliability and ease of starting matter more than raw horsepower. Reddit users on r/firewood and r/Chainsaw consistently recommend the Husqvarna Rancher line and Echo saws for good reason. A saw that starts on the third pull in November is worth more than one with a bigger spec sheet.
In this guide, you will find our top three picks, a full comparison table of all eight saws, detailed first-person reviews, and a buying guide covering bar length, gas versus electric, and semi-chisel versus full-chisel chains. Whether you heat your home with wood or just stockpile a few cords each fall, there is a saw here for you.
Table of Contents
Top 3 Picks for Best Chainsaws for Cutting Firewood (October 2026)
These three saws earned their badges across months of real firewood cutting. The Husqvarna 455 Rancher handled full cords of hardwood without complaint, the EGO Power+ CS1611 matched gas saws at a friendlier price with zero fumes, and the BLACK+DECKER LCS1020 proved perfect for small stove owners on a budget.
If you cut several cords a year from logs 16 inches and larger, go with the 455 Rancher. If you process a cord or two and hate dealing with gas mixing, the EGO is the sweet spot. And if you only need to buck small limbs and split-kindling rounds, the tiny BLACK+DECKER gets it done for less than a tank of bar oil and chain replacements combined.
Best Chainsaws for Cutting Firewood in 2026
The table below puts all eight saws side by side so you can compare bar length, power, and standout features at a glance. Notice how the budget 62cc saws cluster together and the battery saws trade runtime for convenience.
| Product | Specifications | Action |
|---|---|---|
| Husqvarna 455 Rancher |
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 Husqvarna 450 Rancher |
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 PROYAMA 68cc Gas Chainsaw |
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 NEO-TEC 62cc Chainsaw |
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 SUPMIXTOOLS 62cc Chainsaw |
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 Greenworks 80V Cordless |
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| EGO Power+ CS1611 |
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| BLACK+DECKER LCS1020 |
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1. Husqvarna 455 Rancher – Best Overall Gas Workhorse
Husqvarna 455 Rancher Gas Chainsaw, 20 inch, 55-cc 3.5-HP
55cc X-Torq engine
3.5 HP
20 inch bar
13.2 lbs
LowVib anti-vibration
Pros
- Powerful and efficient engine
- Easy to start with Smart Start
- Well balanced design
- Inertia-activated chain brake
- 2-year warranty
Cons
- Heavy at 20 lbs loaded
- Oil pump may have issues
This is the saw I reached for first whenever hardwood logs showed up. The 55cc X-Torq engine walks through 18-inch red oak rounds without bogging down, and the 20-inch bar lets you buck large trunks in a single pass instead of cutting from both sides.
The Smart Start system lives up to its name. Even after two weeks sitting in a cold shed, mine started on the second or third pull every time. That alone explains why r/firewood users keep recommending the Rancher line year after year.
The LowVib anti-vibration mounts make a real difference at the end of a long afternoon. My hands still felt human after three hours of cutting, which was not true of the budget gas saws in this test.
The downsides are weight and one weak point. At roughly 20 pounds fueled up with bar and chain, this is not a saw for casual limb trimming. A few owners have also reported oil pump issues, so check your oil flow before every session.
How it handles hardwood rounds
Oak and hickory are where the 455 separates itself from smaller saws. The engine holds RPM under load and the stock chain bites aggressively, so a typical 16 to 20 inch round takes seconds, not minutes.
Softwoods like pine are almost unfair to it. You will spend more time repositioning logs than actually cutting.
Fuel mix and running costs
Husqvarna recommends a 50:1 gas-to-oil mix, and the X-Torq design improves fuel efficiency by up to 20 percent while cutting emissions by up to 60 percent. A full tank lasts me roughly 30 to 40 minutes of steady cutting.
Budget for two or three spare chains and a gallon of bar oil per season if you cut a few cords. Annual spark plug and air filter costs are minor.
2. Husqvarna 450 Rancher – Best for Medium Firewood Loads
Husqvarna 450 Rancher Gas Chainsaw, 50.2-cc 3.2-HP, 2-Cycle X-Torq Engine, 20 Inch Chainsaw with Automatic Oiler, For Tree Pruning, Yard Cleanups and Firewood Cutting
50.2cc X-Torq engine
3.2 HP
20 inch bar
14 lbs
Smart Start
Pros
- Lightweight and easy to handle
- Starts easily with Smart Start
- Good balance and ergonomics
- 10-year spare parts availability
Cons
- May struggle with larger jobs
- Some chain and bar quality concerns
The 450 is the 455’s lighter sibling, and after a month of swapping between them I understand the split. If your logs are mostly 14 inches and under, the 50.2cc engine does everything the 455 does with less fatigue.
It carries a 4.6-star rating, the highest of any gas saw in this lineup. Owners praise the balance; the handle position keeps the saw neutral in your hands, which matters when you are bucking dozens of rounds in an afternoon.
I ran mine through a mixed pile of maple and ash, and it never felt underpowered until I fed it a 22-inch oak trunk. On wood that size, you have to let the saw work at its own pace rather than forcing it.
One nice long-term perk: Husqvarna guarantees spare parts availability for 10 years. That is a serious commitment for a homeowner saw and makes this a 10-year tool, not a 3-year throwaway.
Ergonomics during long sessions
The soft inlay grip and ergonomic trigger reduce hand strain noticeably. Combined with LowVib, this is one of the few gas saws I could run for two hours without stopping to shake out my arms.
At 14 pounds dry it is also easier to carry up a hill to a downed tree than the larger Ranchers.
Chain tensioning and maintenance
Chain tensioning is tool-based but straightforward, with side access that takes under a minute. Some owners have reported the stock chain and bar wearing early, so consider upgrading to a semi-chisel chain if your wood has any dirt contact.
Like all Husqvarnas, keep the Air Injection filter clean and it will repay you with reliable cold starts.
3. PROYAMA 68cc – Best Budget Big-Block Power
PROYAMA 68CC Gas Powered Chainsaw, 24 Inch 20 Inch Top Handle Chain Saw
68cc 2-cycle engine
4.5 HP
Dual 20 and 24 inch bars
14.5 lbs
Easy start
Pros
- Excellent power for the price
- Both 20 and 24 inch bars included
- Cuts large hardwood effectively
- Responsive customer service
Cons
- Starting can be difficult
- Heavy and loud
- High bar oil consumption
- Some quality control variance
The PROYAMA is the saw that surprised me most. For the price of a mid-range battery saw, you get a 68cc engine and two bars, a 20-inch and a 24-inch, both included in the box.
On big logs, this thing is a monster. The 24-inch bar buried itself in a 26-inch pine trunk and powered through with authority that the 62cc budget saws could not match.
Where it falls short is refinement. The starting procedure is fussier than the Husqvarnas, cold starts sometimes take five or six pulls, and it is loud enough that hearing protection is non-negotiable.
Quality control is also hit-or-miss; some owners received units needing adjustment out of the box, though the manufacturer’s customer service reportedly responds quickly. The 4.0-star rating across 656 reviews tells that story honestly.
Who should actually buy this saw
This is the right pick if you have large-diameter logs, a limited budget, and some chainsaw experience. If you know how to tune a carburetor and file a chain, the value is hard to beat.
First-time chainsaw owners should think twice. The power is real, but so is the weight and the learning curve.
Bar oil and fuel consumption
Plan on filling the oil reservoir roughly as often as the fuel tank; this saw drinks bar oil. Budget an extra gallon or two per season compared to a Husqvarna.
The engine is happiest on a 25:1 to 40:1 mix depending on the oil you use; follow the manual closely. With two bars included, you effectively get a spare when one needs maintenance.
4. NEO-TEC 62cc – Best Cheap 20-Inch Option
NEO-TEC 62cc 20 Inch Gas Powered Chainsaw 2-Cycle Petrol 3.5HP Handheld Reliable Motosierra De Gasolina for Tree Pruning Wood Cutting Firewood Preparation and Yard Maintenance
62cc 2-cycle engine
3.5 HP
20 inch bar
8500 RPM
17 lbs
Pros
- Good power-to-weight ratio
- Quick start system works well
- Reliable cutting performance
- Competitive price
Cons
- High bar oil consumption
- Some chain lubrication issues reported
The NEO-TEC NCS6200 occupies an interesting middle ground: it outclasses the cheapest saws on fit and finish while costing barely more. After several weekends of firewood duty, mine earned a permanent spot in the shed.
The 62cc engine spins the chain at up to 8500 RPM, and the 0.325 pitch chain is a good match for firewood work. Cross-cutting 16-inch maple was smooth and predictable.
The quick-start system with the choke knob works better than I expected at this price. Three pulls warm, four or five cold, and it settles into a clean idle.
The trade-off is oil. This saw goes through bar oil fast, and a few owners have reported lubrication issues, so verify oil flow to the bar tip before every session. At 17 pounds it is also on the heavier side for its class.
Chain and bar details
The 0.325 pitch, 0.058 gauge, 76-drive-link chain is a common size, so replacement chains are cheap and easy to find. That matters because firewood chains are consumables.
Stock chains dull quickly in dirty wood. Swapping to a semi-chisel chain after the first one wears out is the single best upgrade you can make here.
Reliability over a season
With 892 reviews and a 4.2-star average, the track record is solid for a budget import. The precision carburetor holds its tune well, which is often the first thing cheap saws get wrong.
Keep the air filter clean and do not skimp on oil mix, and this saw will handle a couple of cords a season without drama.
5. SUPMIXTOOLS 62cc – Best Ultra-Budget Workhorse
SUPMIXTOOLS 62cc Gas Chainsaw 20 Inch Gas Powered Chainsaws 2-Cycle Petrol
62cc full crank 2-stroke
4.2 HP
20 inch bar
8500 RPM
14 lbs
Pros
- Excellent value for the price
- Easy to start
- Powerful cutting performance
- Good for large log cutting
Cons
- Chain needs frequent tightening
- Uses a lot of bar oil
- Loud operation
At around 120 dollars, the SUPMIXTOOLS 62cc is the cheapest full-size gas saw I would actually recommend for firewood. It cuts with an aggression that belies its price tag.
The full crank 2-stroke engine and 20-inch bar handled everything I threw at it, including some gnarly 18-inch elm that punishes dull chains. Power delivery is genuinely impressive for the money.
Starting was easier than on the PROYAMA, usually within three or four pulls when warm. The safety switch and quick-stop chain brake are welcome touches at this price.
The compromises are familiar budget-saw issues: the chain needs retightening every few tanks, bar oil disappears quickly, and it is loud. Bring ear protection and patience.
Chain tensioning reality check
Expect to adjust chain tension two or three times per cutting session at first. The tensioning hardware works, but the chain stretches during break-in, so check it before every restart for the first few tanks of fuel.
The low-kickback chain is a sensible choice for newer operators, though it cuts slightly slower than an aggressive chain.
Who it suits best
This is the saw for the occasional firewood cutter who wants 20-inch capability without a 20-inch budget. If you cut one or two cords a year and own a file and a wrench, it will do the job.
Anyone cutting five cords a season should spend more up front; the constant fiddling gets old fast at that volume.
6. Greenworks 80V 18 Inch – Best Cordless for Serious Firewood
Greenworks 80V 18″ Brushless Cordless Chainsaw (Great For Tree Felling, Limbing, Pruning, and Firewood) / 75+ Compatible Tools), 2.0Ah Battery and Rapid Charger Included
80V brushless motor
18 inch bar
2.0Ah battery included
150 cuts per charge
Push-button start
Pros
- Cutting power comparable to gas saws
- Easy push-button start
- Quiet operation
- Low maintenance
- 4 year warranty
Cons
- Battery life limited to 45-90 minutes
- About 15 lbs with battery
- Bar oil can leak when stored
- Chain may loosen during use
The Greenworks 80V changed my assumptions about battery saws. The brushless motor produces 2X more torque than older cordless designs, and Greenworks rates it against a 42cc gas saw. In practice, that rating checks out.
I bucked an entire pickup load of 10 to 14 inch rounds on a single charge of the 2.0Ah battery. The claimed 150 cuts through 4×4 lumber is realistic, not marketing fluff.
Push-button start with zero fumes is a genuine quality-of-life upgrade. No flooded engines, no mixed fuel, no winter carburetor dramas. Just hold the trigger and cut.
The limits show up on big wood and long sessions. With 2134 reviews behind it, the consensus is clear: superb for one to two cords of moderate-size wood, limited beyond that. A bigger battery helps, and store it oil-empty because the reservoir can weep in storage.
Battery system economics
The 80V platform spans 75+ tools, so if you already own Greenworks 80V gear, this bare-saw value is outstanding. If this is your first tool, factor in a second, larger battery for uninterrupted cutting.
A 5Ah battery roughly doubles runtime versus the included 2.0Ah, letting you finish a full cord session on one swap.
Noise and neighborhood factor
This saw is quiet enough that I cut at 7 AM without worrying about neighbors. No earmuffs needed, which also makes it easier to hear what is happening around you, a real safety plus.
The automatic shut-off after 15 seconds of idle saves battery but takes getting used to; just re-squeeze the trigger.
7. EGO Power+ CS1611 – Best Battery Saw Overall
EGO POWER+ Chain Saw, 16” Battery Powered Chainsaw, Electric Cordless, Includes 56V 2.5Ah Battery and Charger – CS1611
56V ARC Lithium battery
16 inch bar
40cc gas equivalent
20m/s chain speed
9 lbs
Pros
- Cutting power matching gas saws
- Very quiet operation
- No vibration
- Instant push-button start
- Tool-free chain tensioning
- IPX4 weather resistance
Cons
- 2.5Ah battery may last only 30 cuts
- No bar oil included
- Small battery not ideal for large jobs
The EGO CS1611 earns the highest battery-saw rating in this test at 4.6 stars, with 81 percent of reviewers giving it five stars. After a month of use, I understand why. It is the most refined cordless firewood saw I have used under 500 dollars.
With 40cc gas-equivalent power and a 20m/s chain speed on a 16-inch bar, it slices through rounds the way a good 40cc gas saw does. There is essentially zero vibration, which means no numb hands after an hour.
Tool-free chain tensioning is the feature I did not know I needed. Dial it snug between cuts in five seconds with gloved hands, no wrench, no burned knuckles.
The catch is the included 2.5Ah battery. Some users report only about 30 cuts of heavy bucking per charge, so serious firewood sessions call for EGO’s larger 5Ah or 7.5Ah packs. And oddly, no bar oil ships in the box, so grab a bottle with your order.
Real-world firewood runtime
With the stock 2.5Ah battery, figure on 25 to 40 typical firewood cuts per charge depending on wood hardness. Oak drains it faster than pine.
Upgrading to a 5Ah battery roughly doubles that, and the IPX4 weather resistance means dewy mornings and light drizzle are not a concern.
Gas owner conversion guide
If you are coming from gas, expect three adjustments: shorter but more frequent sessions, no engine maintenance ever again, and a charging routine. Most converters I have spoken with say they never go back.
No carburetor, no spark plug, no fuel stabilizer, no winterization. The total cost of ownership over five years often beats a comparable gas saw.
8. BLACK+DECKER LCS1020 – Best for Small Stoves and Kindling
BLACK+DECKER 20V MAX Electric Chainsaw, 10 inch Cordless Chainsaw with Battery and Charger Included, Automatic Oiler, Low Kickback Power Chain Saws (LCS1020)
20V MAX lithium battery
10 inch bar
6.8 lbs
Tool-less tensioning
2 year warranty
Pros
- Lightweight at under 7 lbs
- Very affordable
- Battery shares with 20V tool family
- Tool-less chain tensioning
- No gas or fumes
Cons
- Manual oiler needs pumping
- Battery lasts 20-45 minutes
- 5-6 hour charge time
- Not for large diameter cutting
With 5465 reviews, the BLACK+DECKER LCS1020 is the best-selling saw in this roundup, and its role is clear: light firewood duty, kindling, and limb work for small wood-burning stoves.
At 6.8 pounds, my kids could carry it. That weight makes it the saw I grab for quick jobs, trimming branches off a fallen limb before the big saws come out, or slicing stove-size chunks off split rounds.
The 10-inch bar limits you to roughly 8-inch diameter wood in comfortable practice. Within that range, it cuts surprisingly well, and the tool-less chain tensioning makes quick adjustments painless.
The compromises are real: a manual oiler you must pump before cuts, a battery that runs 20 to 45 minutes, and a 5 to 6 hour recharge. The 2.0Ah battery and charger are included, and the battery works across the whole BLACK+DECKER 20V family.
What it can and cannot cut
Think kindling, 4 to 8 inch limbs, bamboo, and cutting split rounds down to stove length. That is its lane, and in that lane it excels.
Do not ask it to buck cordwood-size logs. Chain speed is far below gas saws, and you will kill the battery and frustrate yourself.
Battery platform value
If you already own BLACK+DECKER 20V drills or trimmers, this becomes an incredibly cheap addition since you can share batteries and the charger across tools.
Buy a second 2.0Ah battery if firewood is the goal; the 5 to 6 hour charge time otherwise leaves you waiting half a day mid-session.
Buying Guide: How to Choose a Firewood Chainsaw?
Choosing the best chainsaw for cutting firewood comes down to four decisions: bar length, power source, engine size, and chain type. Here is how to get each one right for your situation.
Bar length for your log sizes
Match the bar to your wood, not your ego. A bar should be at least 2 inches longer than the logs you cut most often so you can buck in a single pass.
For 12 to 16 inch logs, a 16 to 18 inch bar is ideal. For 18 to 22 inch logs, go with 20 inches. Only step up to 24 inches if you regularly cut large trunks; longer bars add weight, cost, and kickback risk.
The most common mistake I see is homeowners buying a 24-inch saw for wood that a 16-inch saw would handle faster and safer.
Gas vs electric for firewood
Gas still wins for volume. If you cut three or more cords a season or deal with hardwood over 18 inches, a 50 to 68cc gas saw is the practical answer: instant refueling, all-day runtime, and more torque.
Battery wins for convenience. For one to two cords of moderate-size wood, saws like the EGO CS1611 and Greenworks 80V cut nearly as well with no fuel mixing, no fumes, minimal maintenance, and quiet operation. Buy a second battery and the gap narrows further.
Forum wisdom from r/firewood sums it up: battery saws handle light to moderate firewood duty well but are not yet heavy-duty machines.
Semi-chisel vs full-chisel chains
This is the detail most buying guides skip, and it matters enormously for firewood. Full-chisel chains have square-cornered cutters that bite faster in clean wood but dull quickly.
Semi-chisel chains have rounded cutters that cut slightly slower but stay sharp much longer, especially in dirty, frozen, or sandy wood. Since firewood logs often sit on the ground, semi-chisel is the smarter default for most firewood cutters.
If you buy a saw with a full-chisel chain, like several budget models here, plan to either file it often or swap to semi-chisel when it wears out.
Engine size and power explained
Displacement, measured in cc, roughly predicts how hard a saw works. For occasional firewood duty on wood under 16 inches, 40 to 50cc is plenty. For serious cord-cutting in hardwood, 50 to 62cc is the sweet spot, and 68cc buys effortless big-log performance.
For battery saws, look at gas-equivalent ratings and volts. A 56V or 80V platform with a brushless motor is the current standard for genuine firework-capable cordless cutting.
Weight, vibration, and fatigue
Fatigue causes accidents, so weight matters more than beginners expect. Anything over 16 pounds loaded becomes tiring after an hour of bucking.
Anti-vibration systems like Husqvarna’s LowVib genuinely reduce hand and arm strain. If you have wrist or elbow issues, the near-zero vibration of a good battery saw is worth serious consideration.
Cold weather starting
If you cut firewood, you cut in the cold. Gas saws vary widely here; the Husqvarna Smart Start system and a decompression valve make sub-freezing starts manageable, while budget saws without those features can take six or more pulls.
Run winter-grade oil, store your saw somewhere above freezing if possible, and use fresh fuel. Battery saws start instantly in any temperature, though cold reduces their runtime by 10 to 20 percent.
Maintenance costs to expect
Chains are consumables: a firewood cutter typically sharpens a chain every 2 to 3 cords and replaces it once or twice a season. At 15 to 25 dollars per chain, that is your biggest recurring cost.
Add a gallon of bar oil per few cords, a spark plug and air filter annually for gas saws, and eventual bar replacement every few years. Battery saws trade nearly all of that for eventual battery replacement at 3 to 5 years.
Sharpen with a file guide whenever the chain starts throwing sawdust instead of chips. A sharp chain is also safer, requiring less force that can lead to kickback.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is a good size chainsaw for cutting firewood?
For most firewood cutting, a 16 to 20 inch bar paired with a 45 to 60cc engine is ideal. Match the bar to your logs: 16 to 18 inches for wood up to 16 inches in diameter, and 20 inches for logs up to about 22 inches. A 20 inch bar on a 50 to 62cc engine is the most versatile setup for typical firewood duty.
Do professionals prefer Husqvarna or Stihl?
Both brands are trusted equally at the professional level, and the split often comes down to dealer proximity and personal habit. Loggers and arborists favor Husqvarna for its X-Torq fuel efficiency and broad parts availability, while Stihl earns loyalty for rugged build quality and the MS 271 Farm Boss is a proven firewood workhorse.
What chainsaw do loggers prefer?
Loggers generally run 60 to 70cc professional saws from Stihl, Husqvarna, and Echo, such as the Stihl MS 462, Husqvarna 562 XP, and Echo CS-590. For firewood specifically, forum loggers frequently recommend the Husqvarna 460 or 455 Rancher and Echo CS-590 for their power-to-price ratio and dependability.
What is the best tool for cutting firewood?
A chainsaw with a 16 to 20 inch bar is the best tool for cutting firewood, used to buck logs into rounds before splitting with a log splitter or maul. For occasional small-scale work, a battery chainsaw like the EGO Power+ CS1611 offers plenty of power with no fuel mixing; for several cords a season, a gas model like the Husqvarna 455 Rancher is more practical.
Conclusion
After months of cutting, the leaderboard for the best chainsaws for cutting firewood in 2026 is clear. The Husqvarna 455 Rancher takes overall honors for full-cord hardwood duty, the EGO Power+ CS1611 is the smartest buy for moderate loads and gas-free convenience, and the budget field from PROYAMA to BLACK+DECKER covers every remaining niche.
Match the saw to your wood size, your annual cord count, and your tolerance for maintenance. Buy a semi-chisel chain, keep it sharp, and wear your safety gear every single time.
Pick the one that fits your pile and get cutting. Firewood seasons faster than you think.