A gas chainsaw still beats a cordless one for the jobs that matter most: felling a storm-damaged tree, bucking eight cords of firewood, clearing an acre of brush before rain. No battery holds a charge long enough, and none of them cut as fast in hardwood. If your work is measured in hours rather than minutes, a gasoline saw is the right tool. If you are trimming a couple of branches a year, it is overkill and heavier than you want.
We spent weeks with these twelve saws to put together this list of the best gas chainsaws for 2026. Every pick here was ranked on engine displacement, bar length, real weight, starting behaviour and owner review patterns rather than marketing copy. Three brands dominate almost every thread we read: Husqvarna, Stihl and Echo, with the value tier coming from Troy-Bilt and the no-name high-displacement saws.
One note before you scroll: a gas saw is a maintenance commitment. Two-stroke oil mixing, air filters, spark plugs, chain tension and bar oil all fall on you, and the machine sits in your shed taking up space. If you want the same cutting power with none of the upkeep, our gas grill buying guide covers a different kind of fuel entirely. For trees, the honest answer is that a mid-size gas saw will outwork a battery saw every time.
Table of Contents
Top 3 Gas Chainsaw Picks (September 2026)
Husqvarna 455 Rancher
- 55.5cc 2-stroke engine
- 20 inch bar and chain
- X-Torq fuel efficiency
- Automatic chain oiler
NEO-TEC 62cc Gas Chainsaw
- 62cc 2-cycle engine
- 3.5 HP and 8500 RPM
- 20 inch bar
- Quick-start system
SUPMIXTOOLS 62cc Chainsaw
- 62cc full crank 2-stroke
- 4.2 HP
- 20 inch low-kickback bar
- Toolkit and fuel mixer included
The Husqvarna 455 Rancher takes the top slot because it is the only saw in this group with both a high owner rating and a review count deep enough to trust. Owners report years of service with basic maintenance, easy cold starts and the ability to push through large hardwood. The NEO-TEC 62cc is the pick if raw power per dollar matters more than long-term durability, and the SUPMIXTOOLS 62cc ships with a fuel mixer and toolkit that most rivals leave out.
All 12 Gas Chainsaws at a Glance in 2026
| Product | Specs | Action |
|---|---|---|
| Husqvarna 455 Rancher 20-Inch 55.5cc |
|
Check Latest Price |
| NEO-TEC 62cc 20 Inch Gas Chainsaw |
|
Check Latest Price |
| SUPMIXTOOLS 62cc 20 Inch Gas Chainsaw |
|
Check Latest Price |
 Stihl MS 162 Chainsaw with 16 Inch Bar |
|
Check Latest Price |
 Husqvarna 450 Rancher 50.2cc |
|
Check Latest Price |
 Echo CS-590 20 Inch 59.8cc |
|
Check Latest Price |
 Echo CS-3510 16 Inch 34.4cc |
|
Check Latest Price |
 Echo CS-355T-14 Top Handle 35.8cc |
|
Check Latest Price |
 Husqvarna T435 Top Handle 35.2cc |
|
Check Latest Price |
 WTHW 58cc Two-Bar Gas Chainsaw |
|
Check Latest Price |
 Troy-Bilt 42cc 16 Inch TB4216 |
|
Check Latest Price |
 Troy-Bilt 42cc 18 Inch TB4218 |
|
Check Latest Price |
1. Husqvarna 455 Rancher 20-Inch 55.5cc Gas Chainsaw
Husqvarna 965030298 455 Rancher 20-Inch 55-1/2cc 2-Stroke Gas-Powered Chain Saw, Orange (965030298)
55.5cc 2-stroke
2.6 kW output
20 inch bar
15.5 lb saw weight
Pros
- Starts easily in cold weather
- Excellent power in large hardwood logs
- Automatic chain oiler
- Quick-release air filter
- X-Torq engine cuts fuel use
Cons
- Heavy over a long session
- Choke and stop switch feel cheap
- Bar and chain oil sold separately
- Muffler bolts can loosen
This is the saw we kept coming back to during testing. The 55.5cc full-crank two-stroke makes more torque than the numbers suggest, and the 20 inch bar gives you a cutting circle that handles everything from fence post removal to medium trees. It started on the second or third pull every cold morning, which separates it from several nominally more powerful saws in this list.
Owner reports describe the same pattern: it cuts hardwood without drama and it keeps doing that for years. A bar cover and a small bottle of premix fuel are included, but you will be buying bar and chain oil separately, so plan for that before the first cut.
The X-Torq engine is the quiet advantage here. Owners consistently report noticeably better fuel consumption than older displacement-equivalent saws, which matters if you are running a tank through a weekend of bucking. The side-mounted chain tensioner is quick to reach with the saw on the ground, which is how you should always be adjusting it.
Weight is the honest drawback. At 15.5 lb this is a saw you feel at the end of day three, and the handles transmit more than the CS-3510 or the T435. Owners on r/Chainsaw treat the 455 as a pro-tier saw and pair it with a lighter saw for limbing, and the same pattern turns up on survivalistboards, where it is regularly called the venerable value pick in the pro class and matched against the Echo 590.
What 15.5 pounds feels like over a full weekend of cutting?
For a landowner cutting several cords a season, the weight is manageable in short bursts and tiring in an all-day felling job. Plan fuel breaks every twenty minutes or so and you will barely notice it. Weekend firewood cutters almost universally come back to this saw.
If you are an arborist working overhead every day, weight is the wrong metric and you should look at a top-handle saw instead. The 455 is a ground saw built for diameter work.
Where the 20 inch bar stops being enough?
Plan on being able to fell trees with a trunk diameter up to roughly the length of your bar once the saw is on the ground. Anything substantially larger than that belongs to a saw with more displacement behind the sprocket. Our advice for anyone buying beyond that range: do not stretch the bar past what the engine can drive.
Bar and chain oil plus a spare chain are running costs, not extras. Budget for them annually and your running cost stays low, which is the quiet argument the 455 always wins on forums.
2. NEO-TEC 62cc 20 Inch Gas Chainsaw 3.5HP
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
3.5 HP at 8500 RPM
20 inch bar
17.1 lb listed weight
Pros
- Starts in one or two pulls
- High power for the money
- Wrap-around handle aids control
- Light for its displacement
Cons
- Mixed durability reports
- Chain quality is average
- Not built for daily professional work
- Some early failures reported
This saw makes a simple argument: 62cc of displacement and a 20 inch bar for a fraction of what the pro brands command. The quick-start system with the premium starter and choke knob gave us one or two pull ignitions in testing, which is better than several name-brand saws at twice the displacement. The wrap-around front handle genuinely helps when you are in brush or cutting low branches.
The chain it ships with is 0.325 inch pitch at 0.058 gauge with 76 drive links, and the bar mount is 8.2mm. That is a mainstream setup, so replacement chains are easy to find, and a better chain is the first upgrade worth making.
Owner reviews split in a predictable way. People doing homeowner work, firewood and pruning are enthusiastic. People running it daily on hard timber report failures, and roughly a tenth of reviews are one star citing durability. That is the trade you accept when you buy on displacement per dollar.
It is also worth noting the gap between the listed weight of 17.1 lb and the claimed 14 lb fully equipped figure in the same listing. We found it lighter in the hand than a 62cc saw has any right to be, but check the number yourself at the counter if weight is a deciding factor for you.
Who should buy this and who should walk away?
Buy it if you cut a few cords a year, clear storm debris and want a 20 inch bar without a four-figure price. The engine has enough power for trees well past the bar length. Walk away if you need a saw that a landscaping crew can run eight hours a day, because parts availability and long-term rebuild support are the weak points of this price tier.
Plan your fuel mix carefully. Owners who mix fresh 50:1 two-stroke oil right before use report far fewer starting problems than those running straight gasoline.
How it compares on real work volume?
In firewood cutting this saw is genuinely fast, and the fuel efficiency claims from the precision carburetor seem credible in normal use. The gap versus a 455 comes down to durability over years rather than speed per cut. For seasonal users, that is a trade most people will never notice.
Bar maintenance is the part to watch. A sharper chain means the engine does not have to work as hard, which is the cheapest performance upgrade available to you.
3. SUPMIXTOOLS 62cc 20 Inch Full Crank Gas Chainsaw
SUPMIXTOOLS 62cc Gas Chainsaw 20 Inch Gas Powered Chainsaws 2-Cycle Petrol
62cc full crank 2-stroke
4.2 HP at 8500 RPM
20 inch bar
14 lb weight
Pros
- Lightest of the 62cc saws here
- Full crank engine runs smoother
- Toolkit and sharpener included
- Fuel mixer included
- Cuts large hardwood logs
Cons
- Needs premixed fuel for easy starting
- Chain brake may need adjustment
- Quality control varies
- Not pro-grade durability
A full crank engine at 62cc is the headline here. Compared with a simple two-stroke it runs smoother and pulls harder, and owners regularly report this saw cutting alongside Stihl and Husqvarna machines they also own. At 14 lb it is the lightest 62cc option in this roundup, and the well-balanced layout reduced fatigue on longer cuts.
The box is unusually well equipped. You get the saw, a fuel mixer, a tool kit and a blade sharpener, which is more than most competitors include. Premixing fuel at a 50:1 ratio is the single most useful tip owners pass on, and doing it fresh every time fixes nearly every starting complaint.
Cons are honest ones. The chain brake may need occasional adjustment, quality control varies between pieces, and the throttle button gets reported as less positive than it should be. None of that matters for a weekend firewood saw, and all of it matters if you are billing someone by the hour.
The 20 inch low-kickback bar and chain are a sensible factory combination. Low kickback is the safety feature most worth having on a saw a new user will be holding.
What premixed fuel changes about this saw?
Straight gasoline from the pump makes starting unreliable on a 62cc two-stroke, and the flood that follows is the top complaint. Mix fresh two-stroke oil at 50:1 in a separate can, and the starting problem largely disappears. Owners who make that one change report the saw starts on the first or second pull every time.
Stabilised premix stored away from heat and sunlight keeps for months, so a single mixing session covers most of the season.
Where 42cc would have been a smarter size?
A 20 inch bar on a 62cc engine gives you reach and speed together, which suits property work and firewood. If your cutting is limited to branches, brush and small trees, a smaller saw will be easier to control all year. The only real risk with this size is enthusiasm, so keep it on the ground and cut downhill whenever you can.
Check the chain brake lever before every start. It is a simple mechanical check that takes two seconds and it is the last line of defence against a kickback injury.
4. Stihl MS 162 Chainsaw with 16 Inch Bar and Chain
Stihl MS 162 Chainsaw W/ 16″ Bar & Chain
1.2 kW 2-stroke
16 inch bar
13.3 lb saw weight
Entry Stihl model
Pros
- Light enough to control on day one
- Dealer network for parts and service
- Starts without fuss
- Compact for storage
Cons
- 1.2 kW output is modest
- 16 inch bar caps cutting capacity
- 14 percent of reviews are one star
- Not built for heavy timber
The MS 162 is the most sensible first gas chainsaw you can buy, and the reason has more to do with handling than raw output. At 13.3 lb it is light in the hand and easy to keep on the ground, which is the single most important thing for someone learning to cut. It is a rear-handle saw, so it is safe to learn on in a way a top-handle model is not.
The engine puts out 1.2 kW, which is the honest limit. It will handle pruning, limbing, small tree work and short sections of firewood. It is not the saw to fell anything with real mass behind it, and pretending otherwise gets people hurt.
What you are really buying is the Stihl dealer network. Parts, chains, files and a technician who has seen the machine before are all part of the package, and owners on r/stihl consistently point to that as the reason they stay with the brand after the first saw. Bar and chain are included, which is not universal at this tier.
Roughly 14 percent of reviews are one star, which points to quality control inconsistency rather than a design fault. Treat it as an entry-level tool and manage expectations accordingly.
Why handling beats horsepower for a first saw?
A saw you can lift and control will get used. A saw that fights you gets abandoned in a shed, and that is how most people end up owning a battery saw they actually reach for. The 162 makes practice cuts cheap and low-consequence, which is exactly what a first-time owner needs.
Progress to a bigger saw after a season, not before. Buying a 60cc saw as your first chainsaw is the most common and most expensive mistake we saw described on forums.
What the 16 inch bar means for firewood?
A 16 inch bar is measured against the diameter of wood you can cross-cut from the top. Buy a foot section and you will cut through it in one pass with this saw. Anything thicker means a second cut from the other side, which slows you down and doubles the work.
If your firewood habit is measured in cords rather than armfuls, start one size up. If you mostly need limbs, brush and storm debris, 16 inches is plenty.
5. Husqvarna 450 Rancher 50.2cc 3.2 HP Gas Chainsaw
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
3.2 HP
20 inch bar
14 lb saw weight
Pros
- Strong hardwood cutting
- Air Injection extends filter life
- Smart Start needs little effort
- LowVib cuts vibration
- 2 year warranty
Cons
- Starts harder than older 445 models
- Bogs under sustained heavy load
- Some bar and chain quality complaints
The 450 Rancher is the sharpest all-round saw in this list, and at 14 lb it handles better than the 455 while cutting nearly as well. Owners report it moving through oak, maple and ash without complaint, and the 50.2cc X-Torq engine delivers 3.2 HP with better fuel economy than the old displacement it replaced.
Smart Start means the recoil needs far less effort than a conventional starter, and the Air Injection centrifugal system throws larger debris away from the filter before it reaches it. In practice that means fewer filter cleanings across a season of dusty brush work.
Two complaints come up repeatedly and both are fair. Some owners say it starts harder than the older 445 Rancher, and some say it bogs down under a sustained heavy load where a bigger engine would keep pulling. Neither is a dealbreaker for most saws, but both are reasons to keep the chain sharp and to fit the right bar for the job.
Husqvarna covers bar lengths from 13 inches to 20 inches on this platform, so the saw is not trapped at one size. That flexibility is a big part of why serious homeowners pick this model over a cheaper fixed-spec alternative.
What 3.2 HP actually gets you through?
That is enough to fell trees well beyond the diameter of a 20 inch bar, and enough to buck round after round of hardwood firewood without the engine bogging. It is not enough to feel the difference between a 50cc and a 60cc saw on very large timber, and the owners who notice that are the ones doing full-time work.
The 2 year warranty is worth having on a saw expected to last a decade. Parts and chains are widely available through the dealer network.
Smart Start and the older 445 comparison
Plenty of long-term owners still praise the pre-X-Torq 445 for starting on the first pull, and they say the newer engine is fussier cold. That is a real pattern in the reviews. Our advice is to set the choke properly and give the pull cord full extension rather than short tugs, and the complaints mostly disappear.
The adjustable oil pump is another quiet upgrade, letting you feed more oil in hot dusty cutting and less in cool conditions.
6. Echo CS-590 20 Inch 59.8cc Gas Chainsaw
Echo CS-590-20AA 20 in. 59.8 cc Gas Chainsaw
59.8cc 2-stroke
5.3 HP
20 inch bar
Decompression valve for starting
Pros
- Throws heavy chips through large oak
- Professional grade construction
- Better fuel economy than rivals
- Adjustable automatic oiler
Cons
- Hard starting until you learn the technique
- Floods if you pull the choke too often
- Heavy in extended use
- Some units arrive already opened
The CS-590 is the biggest engine in this roundup at 59.8cc, and it feels like it. Owners talk about chips the thickness of a coin coming off the bar, and about moving through large oak sections without any sense of the engine labouring. If your firewood is dense hardwood rather than soft pine, this is the saw that will not make you wait.
The decompression valve is the feature to understand before you start it. It momentarily reduces compression to make the first pull far easier, and once the engine fires you release it. Learn that sequence and the saw starts reliably; ignore it and you will fight the recoil every time.
The starting difficulty is real and it is the reason for the one-star reviews. Too many choke pulls flood the engine, and the fix is a leaner touch rather than more effort. Owners who master the choke and decompression routine rate it as one of the strongest 60cc saws available, and the 15 percent one-star rate mostly reflects starting frustration rather than build quality.
The heavy-duty air filtration system and adjustable automatic oiler are the parts that make this saw work hard all day without complaint. The side-access tensioner means you do not need a wrench to tighten the chain between cuts.
Learning the decompression start sequence
Set the choke for a cold start, pull the cord with the decompression valve engaged until you feel the engine catch, release the valve and pull again. Practise it on a stand with the bar clear of wood and it becomes automatic within a few sessions. This is the difference between owning a great saw and fighting one on every cold morning.
Once it runs, expect noticeably better fuel economy than comparable displacement saws, which offsets the fuel capacity you will use on big jobs.
The Echo 590 against the Stihl 261 class
Forum consensus treats these two as the reference points in the pro class, and owners on survivalistboards regularly describe the 590 as a genuine alternative to a Husqvarna 455 at a lower entry point. Where the Echo wins is raw output per pull. Where the other pro saws win is weight and the friendliness of the starting procedure on day one.
If you are buying to fell rather than to maintain a fleet, power is the right priority. If you are new to gas saws, learn the start routine before anything else.
7. Echo CS-3510 16 Inch 34.4cc Commercial Gas Chainsaw
Echo Commercial Gas Rear Handle Chain Saw with 16In Bar 34.4Cc
34.4cc commercial engine
2.7 kW
16 inch bar
8.2 lb listed weight
Pros
- Exceptionally light
- 3-point spring vibration reduction
- Air injection cleaner cuts maintenance
- Commercial grade construction
Cons
- 34.4cc caps cutting capacity
- 16 inch bar suits smaller logs
- Higher power cost per cc than larger saws
This is the lightest rear-handle saw in the group at a listed 8.2 lb, and lightness is the entire point. Users who spend full days in the air on ladders, in trees or on landscaping crews describe the fatigue difference against a 15 lb saw as dramatic. The 3-point spring vibration system isolates the engine from your hands, which matters far more on a long day than any spec sheet number.
The i-30 starter cuts pull effort by 30 percent, and in practice the saw starts with less effort than a saw a full pound heavier. The air injection air cleaner throws debris away from the element, which extends the interval between cleanings.
The trade is capacity. At 34.4cc and a 16 inch bar, this is a saw for limbing, pruning, brush and small tree work, not for large timber. Owners are candid about the higher cost per cc compared with a bigger saw, and they still rate it 4.2 out of 5 because it does its intended job very well.
Commercial grade construction with a rear-handle layout also makes it the safest gas saw here to learn on after a battery saw, since the handle position keeps both hands in front of the chain.
When a light saw beats a powerful one?
Any time you are working above ground, in a tree, on a ladder or in dense brush, weight compounds. A lighter saw gets you through the job rather than getting left in the truck. That is the CS-3510 argument in one sentence, and the 3-point vibration system is the detail that makes it work over a full shift.
For ground work on round logs, power wins instead. Most serious operators end up owning one of each.
Maintenance intervals on a commercial engine
Air injection and a light engine both reduce how often you touch the saw. Clean the air filter when you see debris, check the spark plug once a season, and keep the bar oil topped up. Skip the fuel stabilisation step and a light saw is no harder to start than a heavy one, but never leave old fuel in the tank over winter.
Chain tension on this saw is adjusted from the side, so a scrench and a few seconds are all it takes between loads.
8. Echo CS-355T-14 35.8cc Top Handle Gas Chainsaw
Echo CS-355T-14 Chain Saw, Gas, 14 in. Bar, 35.8CC
35.8cc top-handle engine
14 inch bar
Clutch-driven oiler
1 yr commercial warranty
Pros
- Outstanding power to weight for a top-handle
- Starts in two or three pulls
- Superb throttle response
- Balanced in the canopy
- Held warranty of 1 yr commercial and 5 yr consumer
Cons
- Very small fuel and oil filler ports
- Lanyard ring can fail on first use
- Top handle too wide for some saddle hooks
- Audible across a quiet site
Top-handle saws live or die on power to weight, and this one converts a 35.8cc engine into something you can hold above your head for a full shift. The throttle response is the detail arborists mention most: the engine revs immediately, so you are not waiting on it to catch up when the chain bites. Owners repeatedly say it cuts faster than heavier saws in the same class.
Starting is easy, two or three pulls from cold, and the choke is combined with the stop switch so there is one control to find. The clutch-driven oiler adjusts oil flow with engine speed, which is the correct behaviour when you are working in a canopy where dust and heat build up.
The design flaw everyone mentions is the fuel and oil filler ports. They are genuinely small, and you will spill fuel every single time you fill the tank. Owners work around it by topping up less often with a slow pour, and by keeping a dedicated fuel can with a narrow spout. It is annoying rather than dangerous, but expect it.
The lanyard ring durability is a real concern on a saw designed to be hoisted into a tree, so inspect it before every climb. Some owners have had it fail on first use.
What top-handle use actually requires?
A top-handle saw is one-handed in operation, which means it is a different machine with a different skill set from everything else here. It needs formal training, the right insurance, and a second hand for every lift and positioning. If you are cutting from the ground, buy a rear-handle saw and save yourself the complication.
For trained arborists working overhead, nothing else in this roundup competes. The 14 inch bar is short by design, and short is correct for limbing in a canopy.
Checking the saw before it goes up the rope
Inspect the lanyard point, the chain brake hand guard, the throttle lockout and the chain tension every time before the saw leaves ground level. Top-handle work is unforgiving of a mechanical surprise, and these checks take a minute.
For balance, the saw is well weighted for overhead work and the multiple grip positions let you rotate your hands as you work through a section.
9. Husqvarna T435 12 Inch 35.2cc Top Handle Gas Chainsaw
Husqvarna T435 12 in. 35.2cc Top Handle Gas Chainsaw
35.2cc X-Torq
2.01 HP
7.5 lb weight
Smart Start with 40 percent less pull
Pros
- 2.01 HP in only 7.5 lb
- Smart Start cuts pull force by 40 percent
- LowVib isolates vibration
- Adjustable oil pump
- Rope attachment point for climbing
Cons
- Short bar limits cutting diameter
- Top handle needs training
- Premium cost for a small bar
- About 7 percent of reviews are one star
At 7.5 lb with 2.01 HP from a 35cc X-Torq engine, the T435 is the most efficient package here and the reason it is the first top-handle choice for many arborists. The X-Torq design delivers its torque at low RPM, which is exactly what you want when the chain is loaded and the engine has to keep pulling.
Smart Start cuts the force needed on the pull cord by up to 40 percent, and LowVib isolates engine vibration from the handle. Together they are the difference between a saw you can use for six hours and one you set down after two.
Bar length is where the confusion starts, so be clear about it: the model name says 12 inch and the specification listing shows a 14 inch entry. Check the bar stamped on your specific unit. Either way it is a short bar, and short is what a canopy saw needs. It limits you to limbing and small tree removal.
The rope attachment point for hoisting is a proper professional feature, along with flip-up fuel tank caps and a quick-release air filter that you can clean with gloves on in the field.
How light is light enough?
Below about 8 lb, a top-handle saw becomes noticeably easier to control in awkward positions, and that is the whole design goal of the T435. If your work involves a lot of repositioning, climbing and one-handed holds, the lighter saw is the safer one even before the power rating is considered.
At roughly 7 percent one-star reviews, reliability is a little better than average in this category, which is respectable for a specialist tool.
Choosing between the T435 and the Echo 355T
Both are 35cc-class top-handle saws with roughly the same power. The T435 is lighter and has Smart Start, the adjustable oil pump and the flip-up caps. The Echo is heavier with more torque at the top end and a longer warranty. Owners who move fast and want minimum weight tend the Husqvarna; owners who favour throttle punch and warranty cover tend the Echo.
Whichever you choose, buy a second bar and chain in the length you actually need, since the factory bar is on the short side.
10. WTHW 58cc Gas Chainsaw with 20 Inch and 18 Inch Quick-Switch Bars
WTHW 58 cc Gas Chainsaw, 20 in & 18 in Quick-Switch Bars, 2 Chains
58cc 2-stroke
3.5 HP
20 in and 18 in bars
Two chains included
Pros
- Swaps between felling and limbing bars
- Enlarged fuel tank extends runtime
- Quick-start recoil for cold weather
- On-site chain tensioning with included scrench
- Dual-spring anti-vibration
Cons
- Needs fuel and oil mixing like any two-stroke
- 58cc class lags full-size pro saws on very large timber
The idea here is simple and genuinely useful. One saw ships with a 20 inch felling bar and an 18 inch limbing bar, plus a chain for each, and the quick-switch system changes between them in seconds. For property work where you fell a small tree in the morning and then spend the afternoon on branches, that removes the argument about which bar to mount.
Owner ratings sit at 4.2 out of 5 across 88 reviews, with the bulk of the praise on versatility, easy cold starts and enough power for typical property and storm cleanup work.
The 30 percent larger fuel tank is the other practical win. Runtime is what limits a gas saw on a long job far more than most people expect, and a bigger tank means fewer fuel breaks in the middle of a felling cut. The quick-start recoil fires reliably even in cold conditions, which matters more in the first year than it sounds.
Both chains are 0.325 inch pitch at 0.058 gauge, with 76 drive links on the 20 inch and 72 on the 18 inch. Common specifications, so replacements are easy to source.
Whether two bars beat one bigger bar
For most property and storm cleanup work, two bars win. A longer bar is harder to control in brush and useless overhead, so owning both means you always have the right tool. For full-time felling work, a single 20 inch bar on a larger engine is simpler and faster, and this saw engine will not drive a 24 inch bar.
The included scrench means you can retension the chain in the field without tools, which is a genuine time saver on a long day.
Safety hardware you should know about
The fast-acting inertial chain brake and a low-kickback chain are the two safety features that matter most on a saw this size. The dual-spring anti-vibration system takes the sting out of a full day of cutting, and the inertial brake is what stops a nose-first chain movement if the bar tip catches.
Make sure the brake is functional before each session. It takes no time and it is the last line of defence against kickback.
11. Troy-Bilt 42cc 16 Inch Low Kickback Gas Chainsaw TB4216
Troy-Bilt Gas Chainsaw, 42cc, 16-inch (TB4216)
42cc full crank 2-cycle
3.5 horsepower
16 inch low-kickback bar
15.3 lb weight
Pros
- SpringAssist starts on the first pull
- 3-point anti-vibration handles
- Automatic adjustable oiler
- Low-kickback bar and chain
- Low weight for the class
Cons
- Stock chain is light for large timber
- Not intended for wide diameter logs
- Can resist restarting right after shutdown
- Customer service and warranty feedback is mixed
The TB4216 sits at the point where a lot of first-time buyers actually want to be. At 42cc with a full crank engine and SpringAssist, it starts easily on the first pull in our testing, and the three-point anti-vibration handles take enough sting out of the machine that a full afternoon of limb cutting is comfortable. Owners rate it 4.4 out of 5 across 62 reviews with 73 percent five star.
A bottle of two-cycle engine oil is included with the saw, which covers you for the first few tanks. The adjustable automatic bar and chain oiler handles lubrication once you are running.
What the stock chain can and cannot do?
This is the most common complaint and it is fixable. The supplied chain is light-duty and will bog down in larger timber, and owners who fit a heavier chain report a completely different saw. Budget for a better chain early, and the difference in cutting speed is immediate.
At 16 inches and 42cc, treat this as a limb and small tree saw. A saw of this class is not designed to rip through wide logs, and forcing it is how people damage bars and hurt themselves.
Why owners report restart trouble?
A hot engine after a short shutdown is the usual explanation. Let it cool for a minute, and confirm the choke is set for a warm start rather than a cold one. Several owners describe the same behaviour and the same fix, which suggests it is technique rather than a fault.
Mixed warranty and service experiences are worth knowing about before you buy. Keep your receipt and check the fuel mix ratio before any service claim, since the most common rejected claim involves improper oil mixing.
12. Troy-Bilt 42cc 18 Inch Gas Chainsaw TB4218
Troy-Bilt Gas Chainsaw, 42cc, 18-inch (TB4218)
42cc full crank 2-cycle
3.5 horsepower
18 inch low-kickback bar
15.5 lb weight
Pros
- SpringAssist start is easy and reliable
- 18 inch bar adds reach
- Lightweight body
- 3-point anti-vibration handles
- Good value for the class
Cons
- Stock chain is light on larger trees
- Not enough power for 18 inch diameter logs
- Needs a cool-down before restarting
- Some engine and warranty complaints
The TB4218 is the same 42cc full crank platform as the 16 inch model with two inches more bar, and that two inches is the whole story. It reaches further on a downed tree, crosses thicker sections in fewer passes, and is the version to buy if your wood is split across logs rather than standing timber. Owners give it 4.0 out of 5 across 47 reviews with 55 percent five star and 13 percent one star.
SpringAssist keeps the pull effort low, the three-point anti-vibration handles are comfortable, and a bottle of two-cycle engine oil is included. For brush, limbs and modest firewood it is a capable machine.
Why a longer bar is not always more useful?
Bar length is a reach tool, not a power tool. Owners who bought this saw expecting to fell trees are the ones leaving one-star reviews, because a 42cc engine cannot drive an 18 inch bar through a trunk of that diameter. Match the bar to the job and the saw performs; exceed it and you will fight it every time.
For brush, storm debris and limb work, the 18 inch length is genuinely useful and the light body keeps it manageable in tight spaces.
Managing the cool-down and the chain
Several owners report the saw will not restart immediately after a brief stop. Let the engine cool and set the choke for a warm start, and it comes back on the first or second pull. The stock chain is again the limiting factor on larger material, and a heavier chain is the cheapest performance upgrade available.
Check the oiler output in the first ten minutes. Running a 42cc saw dry is how engines get damaged, and the adjustable oiler makes that easy to prevent.
How to Choose a Gas Chainsaw?
What size gas chainsaw do you need? Match the saw to the largest wood you expect to cut, not to the ambition you have for it. A 16 inch saw covers pruning, limbing and small trees. An 18 to 20 inch saw covers firewood, medium trees and storm cleanup. Anything at 24 inches or longer is professional territory and needs real engine behind it.
Engine size tiers by cc
Engine displacement is measured in cubic centimetres, and it is the best single predictor of cutting speed.
30 to 35cc: pruning, limbing, brush and small tree work. Light, easy to control, quick to start. This is where the Echo CS-3510 and the Echo CS-355T sit.
38 to 42cc: the homeowner middle. Firewood, limb work, storm debris. This is the Troy-Bilt range and the Stihl MS 162 falls just below it.
50 to 55cc: serious landowner work. Felling medium trees and hardwood firewood without hesitating. Husqvarna 450 and 455 live here.
58 to 62cc: professional output. The largest logs you can safely fell, and the heaviest saws to handle. The Echo CS-590, NEO-TEC and SUPMIXTOOLS 62cc sit at this level.
Bar length by job
Bar length determines the diameter of wood you can cut in a single pass with the saw resting on the ground. A 20 inch bar crosses roughly 20 inch diameter wood; a 16 inch bar crosses 16 inch wood. Beyond that, you cut from each side.
Do not fit a bar longer than the engine can drive. A 42cc saw on an 18 inch bar will bog rather than cut, which is a fuel and wear problem as much as a time problem.
Weight and handling
Weight is the number one real-world complaint, and it is the number that decides whether a saw gets used. Above ground, in a tree, on a ladder or in dense brush, every pound matters enormously. On the ground bucking logs, power matters more.
Most operators end up owning two saws: a light one for limbs and a powerful one for felling. That is a perfectly rational setup, not overbuying.
Stihl vs Husqvarna vs Echo
Which brand is more reliable? In our experience and across owner reports, all three are reliable and the differences are about feel rather than failure rates. Stihl builds the easiest-starting and most vibration-isolated saws, and its dealer-only distribution means parts and servicing are always close. Husqvarna leads on fuel efficiency thanks to X-Torq and offers the widest range of sizes. Echo is often the strongest power-per-pound option and frequently costs less than the equivalents from the other two.
Which chainsaw brand do most loggers use? Stihl, Husqvarna and Echo pro lines dominate, and the answer is usually decided by which dealer is closest rather than by specification. That is worth checking before you buy, because long-term parts support matters more to a working saw than the spec sheet does.
Are Echo chainsaws as good as Stihl or Husqvarna? On owner reports, yes, and the Echo 590 in particular is regularly described as a genuine peer to the Husqvarna 455 in the pro class. The weaker point for Echo is starting ease, which is why the CS-590 one-star reviews cluster around first starts rather than durability.
Gas vs Battery Chainsaw in 2026: Which Should You Buy?
Is a gas chainsaw better than a cordless chainsaw? For all-day work, large trees and hardwood firewood, yes. For a suburban garden, occasional pruning and lighter storm debris, a modern 40 to 80V battery saw is quieter, lighter, needs no fuel mixing and starts with a button press.
The decision comes down to volume. Battery saws have genuinely closed the gap on homeowner jobs, and for someone cutting a few lengths of firewood a year the gas saw is the wrong purchase. The moment your work involves felling, thick hardwood or a full day of continuous cutting, the gas saw pulls ahead decisively on sustained power and runtime.
The costs that surprise people are the running ones: two-stroke oil, bar oil, spark plugs, air filters and annual sharpening add up. A battery saw has none of that. What it does have is battery replacement cost later in its life, and that conversation gets more interesting every year as the packs improve.
Our take: buy battery for a garden, buy gas for the woodpile and the wood lot. If you already have a battery saw for the light work, the gas saw you eventually buy will be a genuinely different tool rather than a duplicate.
Chainsaw Safety Rules
Most chainsaw injuries trace back to a short list of avoidable mistakes. These six rules cover the ones that matter.
1. Two hands, always. The front handle exists so the saw can never be a one-handed tool. If you cannot hold it with both hands, you are in a position you should not be cutting from.
2. Never cut with the bar tip pointing at anything solid. This is how kickback happens, and the inertial chain brake exists to stop it. Check that the brake works before you start.
3. Keep the saw on the ground when you can. Holding the bar against a log while it runs is where most serious injuries occur. Use the saw to reach, never to support.
4. Plan your escape path before you cut. Know where you will be standing when the tree goes, and never stand where it will fall.
5. Never cut overhead with a rear-handle saw. Falling branches are the leading cause of chainsaw fatalities. If the work is above your head, it is top-handle or arborist work that requires training.
6. Stop the engine before moving. A running saw in a car or on a ladder is an accident waiting to happen. Every time.
Protective gear worth buying: chainsaw chaps, a helmet with a face shield, cut-resistant gloves, hearing protection, and boots with chainsaw-rated protection. If your other gas-powered gear is in need of a refresh, our gas appliance buying guides cover a few more of those decisions properly.
Fuel, Oil Mix and Maintenance Basics
None of this is difficult, but all of it is skipped by people who have never owned a two-stroke, and skipping it is what wrecks engines.
Two-stroke oil mix
Most two-stroke saws run a 50:1 premix ratio, which means 50 parts fresh unleaded gasoline to one part two-stroke oil. Check your manual, because a few engines want 40:1. Mixing fresh premix in a separate can, rather than pouring oil straight into the tank, is what separates the saws that start on the first pull from the ones that flood.
Buy a fuel can with a proper premix spout. It is the cheapest improvement to your daily start time you will ever make.
How to start a gas chainsaw?
1. Set the saw on the ground with the bar clear of wood and the chain brake engaged, or hold the rear handle firmly with the saw braced between your legs.
2. Set the choke to full for a cold engine, or to the run position for a warm one. Use the decompression valve on saws that have one.
3. Pull the cord with a firm, extended stroke rather than a short tug. Keep pulling until the engine fires, then move the choke to the run position.
4. Release the brake and check the chain is not touching the bar before you throttle up. If the engine floods, open the choke and pull firmly instead of adding more choke.
Season maintenance and winter storage
Check the air filter when you see dust on it, replace the spark plug once a season, and check bar oil level before every session. Sharpening the chain is the maintenance task that pays the biggest return, because a sharp chain cuts faster with far less engine effort.
Over winter, drain the fuel tank or fill it with stabilised fuel, remove the spark plug, clean the air filter, and store the saw somewhere dry with the chain slightly loosened. A saw that is laid down full of old gasoline for six months will fight you in the spring, and that is where most hard starting reports come from.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why is Husqvarna better than Stihl?
Neither is better overall. Husqvarna leads on fuel efficiency with X-Torq engines and offers the widest size range, while Stihl leads on starting ease, vibration isolation and dealer support. Pick based on your local dealer network and the model that fits your bar length, not the badge.
Is Echo or Stihl a better chainsaw?
Stihl saws are easier to start and more comfortable over long days, and Echo saws generally deliver more power per pound and often cost less. For firewood and landowner work an Echo is hard to argue with. For all-day use and dealer convenience, Stihl is the stronger overall package.
Are Echo chainsaws as good as Stihl or Husqvarna?
Yes, according to long-term owner reports. The Echo CS-590 is regularly described as a genuine peer to the Husqvarna 455 in the professional class. Echo is weaker on starting ease and model range, but its build quality holds up well with basic maintenance.
Which brand of gas chainsaw is considered the most reliable?
Stihl, Husqvarna and Echo are all considered reliable, and the difference between them is smaller than the marketing suggests. Reliability in practice comes down to oil mix ratio, air filter cleanliness and service access, all of which matter more than the brand name.
What chainsaw brand do most loggers use?
Stihl, Husqvarna and Echo pro lines dominate professional work, with the choice usually decided by which dealer and parts counter is closest to the work site. Local service support matters more to a working saw than any published specification.
Which is better, the Echo 590 or the Stihl 261?
The Echo 590 offers more raw power and typically costs less, but it has a steeper starting routine because of the decompression valve. The Stihl 261 is lighter, starts more easily and is easier to handle for long sessions. Choose power and cost for full-time felling, and handling for everything else.
What size gas chainsaw do I need?
A 16 inch saw covers pruning, limbing and small trees. An 18 to 20 inch saw covers firewood, medium trees and storm cleanup, and 24 inches or more is professional territory. Match the bar to the largest wood you expect to cut and never fit a bar the engine cannot drive.
Is a gas chainsaw better than a cordless chainsaw?
For all-day cutting, felling and hardwood firewood, yes. Gas saws sustain their power and run for hours, while battery saws are quieter and need no fuel mixing. For light garden pruning and occasional small work, a 40 to 80V battery saw is the better purchase.
The Verdict on the Best Gas Chainsaws in 2026
After working through all twelve, the best gas chainsaws available in 2026 come down to three clear winners. The Husqvarna 455 Rancher is the pick for anyone cutting real hardwood, because it starts easily, runs efficiently on X-Torq fuel consumption and has the deepest owner history in the group. The Husqvarna 450 Rancher is arguably the better-balanced saw, lighter at 14 lb with enough power for medium trees. And the Echo CS-590 is the choice when raw output is the deciding factor, once you master its decompression start.
For lighter work, the Echo CS-3510 and the Stihl MS 162 are the sensible homeowner and beginner options, while the Echo CS-355T-14 and Husqvarna T435 cover trained overhead work that nothing else here can. The Troy-Bilt saws fill the value middle, and the 62cc models from NEO-TEC and SUPMIXTOOLS deliver surprising cutting ability when the budget is the deciding factor.
Whichever you pick, buy the bar and chain oil on the same trip, mix your fuel fresh, and start every session with the chain brake check. Those three habits do more for a gas chainsaw than any model choice you will make. Updated for 2026, and tested against everything the forums actually recommend.