Chain saws

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Chain saws

What's behind our chain saw Ratings?

Experts at our National Testing and Research Center tested 10 models in chain saws to see which ones perform best.

We look for:

Overall score
Based mainly on cutting speed, safety, and ease of use.
Cutting speed
How fast a saw cut through a 10-inch-square oak beam.
Safety
Denotes resistance to kickback, based on our judgments, and the presence of safety features such as chain brakes and anti-kickback bars and chains.
Ease of use
Includes freedom from vibration, horizontal-cutting comfort, saw weight, and ease of oiling the chain.
Ease of maintenance
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.
Weight
The weight, to the nearest pound, for a fully assembled saw with bar and chain but without any gas or oil added.
Bar length
The manufacturer's listed bar length, in inches.
HP or CCs
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.

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Recommended chain saws

Recommended chain saws are standout choices with high scores. They include CR Best Buys, which offer exceptional value. When narrowing your choices, weigh features, price, and attributes that matter to you.

Recommended chain saws

Chain saw buying guide

To find the chain saw that is right for you, read our expert advice on which features to consider and how to find the best value.

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Chain saws Ratings

Find out which Chain saws scored the best on our tests. Our tests are based not only on government and industry standards but also on standards our specialists think should apply, which re-create the experience you will have with the product.

Latest chain saw ratings

Chain saws range from small, light-duty electrics to large gas-powered models intended for forestry work. The kinds of jobs you plan to do should dictate the type of chain saw you buy. Expect to pay more if you need more power. If you're looking for information about chain saws, Consumer Reports is your best resource. Consumer Reports’ chain saw reviews will give you honest buying advice that you can trust. Use our chain saw buying guide to discover which features are most important to consider. We also provide unbiased Ratings and chain saw reviews to help you choose the best chain saw for your needs.

Ratings & recommended chain saws

Chain saws (10)

The Ratings rank chain saws by overall performance.

Chain saw buying guide

Chain saws range from small, light-duty electrics to large gas-powered models intended for forestry work. Prices are often tied to cubic centimeters of engine displacement for gas saws and amperage for electric saws.

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