Chainsaws

Not all chainsaws are the same. Chainsaws come in a variety of styles, sizes and power, including pole saws, mini chainsaws, battery chainsaws and gas chainsaws. 

Chainsaws can power their way through downed trees, pruning jobs and firewood tasks. From pole saws and electric chainsaws to cordless chainsaws, The Home Depot carries a wide selection of quality chainsaws to help you power through any project. 

Choosing the Right Chainsaws 

Gas chainsaws are the most powerful and ideally suited for large tasks, but they require gas and oil and are the loudest and heaviest chainsaws. This is the best chainsaw for cutting down trees if that is a job you have to do regularly. If you have to do a lot of cutting in a wooded area, a gas chainsaw is a great way to go. 

Electric chainsaws are lightweight. There’s no fuel to replenish but electric chainsaws do require an extension cord. This means you will have to do your cutting close to your power source. Corded electric chainsaws are very useful for lighter amounts of yard work close to home. An outdoor outlet will increase the tool’s boundary for usefulness. Electric chainsaws also produce a lot less noise than gas chainsaws, a feature for which your neighbors will be grateful. 

Cordless chainsaws are powered by a rechargeable battery and can reach various levels of power without being attached to a cord. This gives the user greater mobility. Cordless chainsaws are lighter and easier to handle than gas chainsaws and most corded electric chainsaws. They are also very quiet to operate which makes them the best chainsaws for home use. 

Pole saws, or pruner chainsaws, feature the bar and chain of a typical chainsaw mounted on the end of a fixed or telescoping pole. The length of the pole can be 10-feet or more. The bar length on pole saws ranges from 4 inches to 12 inches, depending on the model. Most pole saw bars are 8 or 10 inches long. 

As with standard chainsaws, pole saws are available in gas, electric or cordless models. Pole saws are ideal for cutting limbs and branches without a ladder. 

You’ll also want to consider the kind of wood your chainsaws will be working with. The texture of the wood matters. If it's softwood, you’ll need chainsaws with less power. Hardwood such as oak or birch will need powerful chainsaws. If noise is an issue, electric chainsaws are relatively quieter than gas chainsaws. 

Chainsaws & Safety 

It’s important when working with chainsaws to have the right safety equipment. Always wear protective eye, hand and foot gear. Operate with secure footing using both hands and stand behind the engine, keeping the blade away from you and others. 

Other Types of Chainsaws 

If you’re cutting trees for firewood, consider our selection of log splitters. We also carry a wide variety of wood chippers to transform branches, leaves and yard debris into mulch, compost or decorative accents for your yard. 

You May Also Need 

Don’t forget the accessories when considering what else you need when working with chainsaws. You’ll want to make sure you have bar and chain oil, as well as chainsaw sharpeners and chainsaw chains. For the best selection of chainsaws and chainsaw accessories, look no further than The Home Depot.