The small chainsaw is a very practical and versatile power tool. It is compact with a low profile, allowing you to easily store with minimum space consumption. They look similar to a regular chainsaw but much lighter, smaller, and more portable. Mini chainsaws also fit a regular work bag in case you need to carry your chainsaw to the job. Therefore, they are perfect jobsite cutting tools. Additionally, they are perfect for any general purpose cutting tasks, ranging from branch trimmings to raw lumber cutting. But, despite being small, they are still performing and powerful chainsaws that can be used for heavy-duty cutting jobs.

Whether you are a homeowner or professional, the small chainsaw is an important power tool to have in your arsenal. If you are fresh on the market for a mini chainsaw, we have you covered! We will showcase some of the best small chainsaws for the money, along with giving you our opinions and suggestions of each product. As we will see, there are several types of small chainsaws, from gas-powered to corded electric, there is a model for every need and budget out there. Hopefully, this will help you find the best small chainsaw for the money. Without any further ado, let us get started with this small chainsaw review.

#. GreenWorks 20222 Corded Chainsaw

Editor's Rating:  (4.1 / 5)

Under the hood of this chainsaw lies a decent 9-Amp motor that can cut through both softwood and hardwood with great ease. The bar is equally decent measuring a full 14 inches. This allows you to work with a maximum of 28 inches of lumber which is more than reasonable for any homeowner, and even professional use.

But what we like the most about this mini chainsaw is definitely its price. It is extremely affordable and comes at a price that will not break the bank. Furthermore, this unit still includes a tool-less tensioning system that allows you to quickly and easily adjust the chain on the guide bar.

Who Should Buy?

If you are looking for an entry level mini chainsaw that comes at an attractive price, this model from Greenberg’s is one of the best and smallest electric chainsaw money can currently buy. It is a fantastic beginner mini chainsaw that will definitely not disappoint.

#2. Black & Decker LCS1240 Lithium Ion Chainsaw

Editor's Rating:  (4.5 / 5)

The beauty of this mini chainsaw is that it can quickly be recharged in less than 30 minutes and the user has the option to purchase two variants of this model. You can either go with a model without the battery for some great savings, or one with the battery for a little extra.

The handlebar is coated with a soft rubberized finish that makes this model very comfortable to hold in the hand. Furthermore, it is lightweight and allows you to work in awkward positions without causing hand fatigue. The front hand guard is also a great security feature that protects you from kickback.

Further, the blade tensioning system located at the right side of this unit allows you to quickly and easily adjust the chain on the guide bar in a matter of seconds. To top it off, this model even has an automatic oiling system for even greater ease of use.

Who Should Buy?

If you are looking for a general purpose small chainsaw for branch trimmings or to fell a small tree, this model from Black & Decker is definitely one of the best small chainsaw available on the market. It is a little bit on the expensive side, but it is money well spent, especially in the long-term since this is a high-quality model that is built to last.

#3. Tanaka TCS33EDTP/12 Top Handle Chain Saw with Pure Fire Engine

Editor's Rating:  (4.5 / 5)

The engine in this small chainsaw is a commercial grade 32.2 cc motor that has been optimized for efficiency. Indeed, despite being gas powered, this model uses less fuel than other models in its category.

The bar is equally a decent 12 inches making this model suitable for work with 24 inches stock. It is not the biggest, but more than adequate for almost anyone looking for a small chainsaw. In addition, the front sprocket bar has an excellent handling which will allow you to maneuver this small chainsaw for long hours without hand fatigue. It is coated with a soft and anti-slip rubber material that is also very comfortable in the hand.

Lastly, adjustments can quickly and easily be made due to the automatic oiler system that lubricates the chain based on the speed you are running. All in all, this is a very performing and powerful model. It is also one of the smallest gas chainsaws that we can recommend to you.

Who Should Buy?

If you are looking for a mini chainsaw that packs a punch, few models can compete with the performance of the Tanaka TCS33EDTP/12. This is a very powerful mini chainsaw that is used by both professionals and homeowners with great satisfaction.

#4. Black & Decker LCS1020 Lithium Ion Chainsaw

Editor's Rating:  (4.3 / 5)

Other than this, it is a carbon copy of the LCS1240 with the exact same features. One advantage of this model is that it is smaller than its bigger brother and also more compact and lightweight weighing only 7.2 lbs. This means that this model is highly maneuverable and will not cause hand fatigue even when used for an extended period of time.

If you are working mostly on small projects and tight areas, this model is one of the smallest electric chainsaw that we can recommend.

Who Should Buy?

If you are looking for a compact small chainsaw, this model from Black & Decker is a great purchase. It is not the most powerful, but it is definitely one of the smallest electric chainsaw that we know of. It is also very lightweight and handles itself extremely well in the hand, even at awkward positions.

#5. Remington RM1425 Limb N Trim Electric Chainsaw

Editor's Rating:  (4.1 / 5)

This model is a corded electric small chainsaw that is mostly intended for general purpose and homeowner use. Obviously, we do not recommend this model for professional use as it is simply not performing enough for any type of heavy-duty usage. To sweeten the deal, this unit has a push-button oiler than lubricates the chain in a matter of seconds and is fully assembled right out of the box. It also has a very easy to use chain tensioning system that is very beginner-friendly.

Who Should Buy?

This is a very affordable model that makes trimming branches easy. It is not the most powerful, or versatile, but it is definitely the most affordable. If you are on a tight budget and only looking for a small chainsaw for branch trimmings, the Remington RM1425 is a good model to consider.

Things to Consider When Buying a Small Chainsaw

As with anything, there are a few things to consider when purchasing a small chainsaw online. Here are a few of the most important ones.

#1. Type

There are several types of mini chainsaws. Some come as gas-powered models for performance, while others as corded or cordless electric small chainsaws. A corded or cordless electric model provides more efficiency but less performance than a gas-powered.

A cordless model is more portable and maneuverable than a corded one. On the other hand, a gas-powered offers the same maneuverability and more power than a cordless model but comes with the caveat of being less efficient and producing a lot of noise. You need to choose a chainsaw type based on your need.

#2. Budget

There are all sorts of prices when it comes to mini chainsaws. If you will need a model for professional or frequent use, it is a good idea to invest in a more performing and expensive model. It will be more durable and last longer. For those only looking for general purpose and casual use, you can choose any model, cheap or expensive, it does not matter.

#3. Size

Since you may use the small chainsaw in tight areas, size matter. Try to get the chainsaw in the smallest form factor with the best power specs. Additionally, models with a low-profile are better as they tend to be more maneuverable and handles better. This is especially true if you plan to use your small chainsaw in awkward positions.

#4. Weight

The weight is another very important factor to take into account. Generally speaking - the lighter the small chainsaw the better. A light chainsaw is easier in the hand and limits hand fatigue. Additionally, any men and women of any build can use a light chainsaw. It definitely makes it more versatile, and this is especially important if other people often use your power tools.

#5. Power

Despite being small, those mini chainsaws should still have the necessary power to accomplish any task. You will first need to know the cutting task they will be used for, and on what type of wood. If you plan to use it mostly on dry hardwood or knotted nodes, then a model with a little more power is preferred. On the other hand, if you plan to trim mostly branches, then you can choose a model with a little less power for additional savings as well.

#6. Guide Bar Length

Small chainsaws do not generally come with long guide bars and have a maximum of 14 inches. However, they can different from model to model and come with guide bars that have a few inches difference. You will need to choose if you need a model that has a long or small bar. Remember, the smaller the guide bar, the faster the chain FPM speed. This is because the small the bar, the less surface area the motor has to “power” hence can send more torque to the chain. Reversely, the smaller the bar, the smaller sized material you can cut. You will need to choose the right balance between power and guide bar length.

#7. Brand

If you want a durable and long-lasting small chainsaw, it is important to go with a branded model rather than a generic one. This way, you are guaranteed to get a power tool made from the highest quality material and one that is built to last.

#8. Warranty

As with all power tools, the mini chainsaw goes through a lot of physical and mechanical stress. This makes them prone to breakdown from time to time. For peace of mind, we recommend that you get a model that comes with at least 1-year warranty.

Tips on Using a Chainsaw

Here are some practical and down to earth tips on helping you use a chainsaw in the most efficient manner possible.

#1. Maintenance

Since the small chainsaw is mostly a mechanical power tool, with moving parts, you need to perform regular maintenance to ensure that it works at its optimal performance. You may need to refer to your user manual for more information on doing maintenance.

#2. Protective Gloves

It is important to wear protective gloves at all times. The chain in this power tool turns at a high FPM and can cause serious injuries without protection. Additionally, you should wear a head gear which protects against kickbacks and noise cancancelingrpieces for the noise.

#3. Right-Handed Usage

Chainsaws are mostly made for right handed users. If you are left-handed, you will require some practice before using a chainsaw in the most efficient manner possible. Even if you are left-handed, with adequate practice, you can still use a chainsaw like a right-handed professional.

#4. Chain Tensioning

The chain will come loose on the bar after a few minutes of usage. This is a perfectly normal behavior and you will need to tension the chain frequently. Most model makes this process quick and easy by featuring a chain tensioning mechanism. If your model does the tensioning automatically for you, all the better!

#5. Blade Sharpening

To cut with optimal efficiency, you need to ensure that your blades are sharp and not dull. Even if you have a chain that is fairly old, using a blade sharpening tool will give fresh life to your chain and make it perform like new.

#6. Cut Motion

When cutting through material, always apply a perpendicular and downward motion. Never steer the chainsaw sideways during a cut, as this may break the guide bar or cause a stall. Furthermore, to aid the cutting process, gently perform a forward and backward motion. This technique is known to make cutting dry and knotted nodes much easier.

Conclusion

We finally come to an end of this small chainsaw review. As we have seen, small chainsaws are affordable and yet powerful chainsaws. They are easy to maneuver and can be used in awkward positions without causing hand fatigue. We have listed a few of the web’s best small chainsaws for the money. If you have still not found a mini chainsaw for you need, we recommend that you go through this list one more time. Remember, you do not have to spend a fortune to get a performing mini chainsaw. And once you do, they will pay for themselves for years to come as they are quite durable and long-lasting power tools.