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Best Chain saws

Which Chain saws performed best in our tests?

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We tested 10 chain saws to determine the best-performing models. Our expert lab technicians tested each Chain saw based on the following criteria:

  • Ease of use
  • Ease of maintenance
  • Bar length (in.)
  • Weight (lbs.)
  • Cutting speed
  • Safety
  • HP or CCs

Below lists the Chain saws that rated best in each of the tests our experts looked for. Learn about how these tests were performed and find out which Chain saw is rated best when you subscribe.

Consumer Reports Ratings for Best Chain saws

ratingsBest Chain saw for Ease of use
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Includes freedom from vibration, horizontal-cutting comfort, saw weight, and ease of oiling the chain.


This Chain saw which tested best for Ease of use has the following features: Chain brake, Reduced-kickback bar, Wraparound handle, Anti-vibration, Reduced-kickback chain, Automatic chain oiler and Case or sheath.

ratingsBest Chain saw for Ease of maintenance
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How easy it was to check and add fluids, adjust the chain, start and store the saw, and perform regular maintenance such as replacing the spark plug and air filter.


This Chain saw which tested best for Ease of maintenance has the following features: Chain brake, Reduced-kickback bar, Anti-vibration, Reduced-kickback chain, Tool-free chain adjuster, Translucent oil tank, Automatic chain oiler, Effective bucking spikes and Case or sheath.

ratingsBest Chain saw for Bar length (in.)
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The manufacturer's listed bar length, in inches.


This Chain saw which tested best for Bar length (in.) has the following features: Chain brake, Reduced-kickback bar, Wraparound handle, Reduced-kickback chain, Automatic chain oiler and Case or sheath.

ratingsBest Chain saw for Weight (lbs.)
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The weight, to the nearest pound, for a fully assembled saw with bar and chain but without any gas or oil added.


This Chain saw which tested best for Weight (lbs.) has the following features: Chain brake, Reduced-kickback bar, Wraparound handle, Reduced-kickback chain, Automatic chain oiler and Case or sheath.

ratingsBest Chain saw for Cutting speed
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How fast a saw cut through a 10-inch-square oak beam.


This Chain saw which tested best for Cutting speed has the following features: Chain brake, Reduced-kickback bar, Wraparound handle, Anti-vibration, Reduced-kickback chain, Tool-free chain adjuster, Translucent oil tank, Automatic chain oiler, Effective bucking spikes and Case or sheath.

ratingsBest Chain saw for Safety
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Denotes resistance to kickback, based on our judgments, and the presence of safety features such as chain brakes and anti-kickback bars and chains.


This Chain saw which tested best for Safety has the following features: Chain brake, Reduced-kickback bar, Wraparound handle, Reduced-kickback chain, Automatic chain oiler and Case or sheath.

ratingsBest Chain saw for HP or CCs
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For gas saws, "cc" represents the manufacturer's claimed cubic centimeters of piston displacement. For electric saws, hp is the manufacturer's claimed peak horse power. Figures for gas models are rounded to the nearest cc; for electrics, they're rounded to the nearest 1/2 hp.


This Chain saw which tested best for HP or CCs has the following features: Chain brake, Reduced-kickback bar, Wraparound handle, Anti-vibration, Reduced-kickback chain, Tool-free chain adjuster, Automatic chain oiler, Effective bucking spikes and Case or sheath.