With hundreds of models available, the best small gas powered chainsaws have come a long way over the years. All of these are engineered to be safe and portable enough for household usage. I have compiled the top 5 picks for the best small gas-powered chainsaw.
In this review, we talk about small gas-powered chainsaws, anything south of 16 inches in bar length. The most common length is 14 inches.
Out of these, my best pick is Echo CS-2511T. It is the best in value and has the power and the toughness with great portability. With this, there are 6 more best small gas-powered chainsaws that you can read about in detail in my review. Post the reviews, there is also a thorough buying guide to get a detailed understanding of the terms. These terms will help you pick the best small gas-powered chainsaw for your use.
| Product | Main Features | Our Score | Check Latest Price |
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MOst Value  Echo CS-2511T |
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Budget  Remington RM4214 |
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Simple to use  Husqvarna 120 Mark II |
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Best performance  Poulan PL3314 |
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Best for Pro’s  Husqvarna 135 Mark II |
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#1 Most Value Small Gas Powered Chainsaw: Echo CS-2511 T
Echo is a subsidiary of Yamakibo. It is a Japanese manufacturing corporation with a substantial presence in North America, Mexico, and Puerto Rico. With the Echo CS-2511 T, you will find this amazing blend of Japanese design concepts with a solid American base.
The CS-2511T is a compact gas chain saw with professional power. You can count on this tough, portable best small gas powered chainsaw for values to take on whatever task you throw at it.
Features of Echo X Series 14 In. Bar Chainsaw
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What I liked about Echo CS-2511T?
Echo’s G-Force Engine Air Pre-Cleaner is located within the engine. The engine is built to filter out larger particles of dirt from the air before they reach the air filter. As a result, there is less downtime for filter changes. Also, you can maintain the right fuel mixture ratio.
Despite its professional level, the CS-2311T employs a rapid choke system with a fine grid cover for effortless pull starts. I liked the textured grip that lets you handle and operate the CS-2511T with ease. It reduces a lot of interruption with its side-access chain tensioning lever and clutch-driven oiler. So, you can easily get the work done quickly.
The Echo CS-2311T chainsaw is powered by a powerful 25cc 2-stroke engine. Thus, you get quick acceleration and consistent RPM. It can be extended from a 12-inch to a 14-inch bar, making it easier to maneuver than normal 16-inch guide bars. With the bar and chain attached, this chainsaw weighs about 5 kg/ 11 lbs.
It also has a tool-free fuel tank mechanism that makes refueling a breeze.
What I didn’t like about Echo CS-2511T?
Indeed Echo CS-2511T is undoubtedly one of the best small gas powered chainsaws. However, it does not include any tool to adjust the chain, no kickback guard or a manual. Also, the moving chain is closer to the body. So, you have to be careful.
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Who can use Echo X Series 14 In. Bar Chainsaw?
The Echo CS-2511T is the chainsaw for you if you’re a professional woodcutter. So, if you are searching for something compact without sacrificing power, this is the best one. It’s lighter than other professional chainsaws. But, it can compete with some of the most powerful compact chainsaws on the market. If you are somebody who needs a well-balanced chainsaw, get this one.
#2 Best Budget Remington RM 4214
You don’t have to break the bank to have a reliable saw at your side. Remington has been manufacturing chainsaws for more than a century, beginning with both gas and electric power tools. The Remington RM 4214 is the result of years of experience. I would say it is one of the best small gas powered chainsaws on the market.
Features of Remington RM4214 Rebel 42cc 2-Cycle 14-Inch Gas Powered Chainsaw
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What did I like about it?
The Remington RM 4214 has a powerful 2-cycle engine with a big capacity 42 cc gasoline engine. This allows you to run your chainsaw for longer periods. With a range of 14 inches, the bar and chain are small. But, their power rivals electric and gas chainsaws up to a length of 20 inches.
The Remington Quickstart technology rapid crank keeps the RM 4214 functioning light and simple. Also, the RM 4214 includes a great anti-vibration three-point system. It helps the chainsaw run smoothly by reducing the motor’s vibration and the chain’s movement across it.
The best thing I like is the RM 4214 tool-free access to the air filter and spark plug. It makes servicing a breeze. Moreover, it has an automated oiler that helps in maintaining the lubrication in the chain. A side-chain adjuster allows you to retain the necessary tension in the chain. You can do this without disassembling the entire chainsaw. This is especially important if you spend a lot of time in the yard.
What I did not like about it?
Remington RM 4214 is a powerful small saw and has very few things one can critique. The on/off switch is something that is a concern here. You can accidentally turn it off while in use. Also, it is a little heavy.
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Who can use Remington RM4214 Rebel 42cc 2-Cycle 14-Inch Gas Powered Chainsaw?
4214CS is a powerful and relatively inexpensive small gas powered chainsaw. It can be used for personal use as well as professional work. If you work a lot in the woods, this is really something to try.
#3 Best Simple-To-Use Husqvarna 120 Mk II
If you’ve been using a chainsaw for a long time, you should be familiar with Husqvarna. The Husqvarna 120 Mk II is a chainsaw from Husqvarna’s homeowner range.
You will find lots of battery-powered and electric chainsaw alternatives. But, the 120 Mk II’s gas-powered operation provides classic performance.
Features of Husqvarna 120 Mark II 16 in. Gas Chainsaws
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What did I like about it?
The Husqvarna 120 Mk II has a one-of-a-kind centrifugal air system that serves as a secondary pre-filter. Before contacting the chainsaw’s primary air filter, it uses a high spinning force. It removes any bigger debris in the air. The new X-Torq engine from Husqvarna delivers a strong performance. While doing this, it also lowers fuel consumption and pollution.
Although being gas-powered, it attempts to lower its carbon footprint through enhanced technologies. I liked the one-handle operation mechanism of the 120 MK II model with the choke and stop mechanism.
It includes a 14-inch guide bar that can be extended to 18 inches if necessary. As a result, you can allow this tiny chainsaw to cut longer if necessary.
Despite having more power than other chainsaw models, it is very light. So, it can be carried easily at around 5.5 kg, despite having a huge 38 cc engine.
What I did not like about it?
Husqvarna 120 Mk II is a powerful saw but try not to use it for extreme heavy-duty tasks. It is a little underpowered. Also, starting the tool is not easy when it is freezing outside. Once it is warm after use, starting it is easy.
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Who can use Husqvarna 120 Mark II 16 in. Gas Chainsaws?
It’s easy enough for anyone to use. This is especially considering the several features that make setup and operation much faster. The Husqvarna 120 Mk II is a good chainsaw choice for you if you need a solid, dependable chainsaw. You can easily handle 8-12 inch diameter logs with this one.
#4 Best Performance – Poulan PL3314
Poulan is a brand that may be more recognized by people who have worked with wood and logging in general. Despite its compact size, the Poulan PL3314 is one of the best small gas-powered chainsaws from the brand. With a Poulan by your side, you can handle most heavy-duty activities, and the PL3314 is no exception.
Features of 33cc 2 Stroke Poulan Gas Powered Chainsaw
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What did I like about it?
Poulan is an easy-to-use chainsaw. The modest design and domestic guide bar size are two of its most notable qualities.
Its handle contains choke and simple stop features near the handle. As a result, you have more control over starting and stopping this power tool. It also has an LED light that monitors your gas chainsaw’s state as you use it. So, you can tell when it’s overheated in case of heat-flooding.
Despite its simplicity, the Poulan PL3314 uses premium components. For instance, you get heat-treated and hard-chromed chains, as well as their unique 2-cycle engine fuel combination. A powerful gas chainsaw with a 2-cycle engine and a large 33 cc fuel tank. PL3314 weighs around 8.5kg
What I did not like about it?
Poulan PL3314 lacks certain features found in other modern chainsaws. It also weighs heavier than most of the saws in our list. It does not have a self-lubricating system. Also, it does not have an anti-vibration system.
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Who can use Partner 967061601 33cc 2 Stroke Poulan Gas Powered Chainsaw?
Poulan PL3314 was designed by keeping homeowners in mind. So, it is ideal for cutting and trimming branches. PL3314 is not the best small gas powered chainsaw for heavy industrial work. Hence, if you are cutting a great amount of logs every day, choose something else from the list.
#5 Best For Pro’s: Husqvarna 135 Mk II Chainsaw
Husqvarna 135 Mk II is built to give you the best results. When it comes to cleaning and handling your homestead, this is the one to go for.
Features of Husqvarna 135 Mark II Gas Chainsaw
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What did I like about it?
The Husqvarna 135 Mk II, like the 120 Mk II, has an X-Torq engine. So, you get higher fuel efficiency and lower emissions for a smoother operation. Also, it has an Air Injection system that uses rotational force. It removes bigger trash particles from the gas chainsaw air intake. Before it clogs your primary air filtration system, this serves as a secondary filter.
I liked the low-vibration technology and combination choke/stop control. With this, you get a seamless operation and improved chainsaw control. Strong kickbacks or chain snapping are also protected by the inertia chain brake mechanism. You have a quick tension recalibration and fuel regulation at start-up. So, a chain tensioning socket and a fuel pump can keep your chainsaw working at its best.
What I did not like about it?
The 135 MK is not as compact as most other best small gas-powered chainsaws in the list. Thus, if you have a small shed, you might want to look for an alternative like the Echo or Remington.
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Who can use Husqvarna 135 Mark II Gas Chainsaw?
Husqvarna 135 Mk II is one of the best small gas powered chainsaws for experienced users. I would not suggest using 135 Mk II for amateurs. But you have to research a little about this tool. That’s because the manual is not so great.
Best Small Gas-Powered Chainsaw Buying Guide
We all can agree that not every tree-felling and trimming job is a heavy duty one. Therefore, professional chainsaws (the larger, more durable ones) are not needed in every household. Smaller chainsaws, not considered professional, are equally handy for simple yard-maintenance jobs. For instance, you can use them for trimming and felling unwanted branches, cutting firewood, clearing the land after a storm, etc.
But how do you identify a small chainsaw? 16 inches or less bar length with quite light model but not as powerful as the professional ones.
Even small chainsaws are mainly divided into 3 types, depending on the source of power they use. These are gas-powered, battery-powered, and corded models (electric chainsaws). A gas chainsaw uses a mix of gasoline and oil as fuel to power it. They can be loud but are known to get the job done if maintained properly. There is a slight downside to them in that they sometimes emit smoke and cause pollution. Today, we will be focusing on gas powered small chainsaws.
Let’s discuss some points to guide you in buying the best small gas chainsaw for your garden or yard.
Kickback:
This is an important factor when picking out the chainsaw for your yard. Sometimes, the end point of the guide bar snags or gets stuck in a piece of wood when running. This leads to a sudden, unexpected upward motion of the guide bar of your gas chainsaw. This upward motion can cause a serious injury and is hence quite dangerous. So it is imperative that your chain is low-kickback.
The speed of such chains is usually lesser, but they are safer than other small gas chainsaws. It is advisable to look for a chainsaw that is built in a way that minimizes kickback.
For a chain to be a low kickback, it must meet the ANSI standard B175. A chain brake and a low kickback chain act like safety features that help in reducing this phenomenon.
Motor or Engine Size:
The engine size in any gas-powered chainsaw has a bearing on its power and performance. Ideally, the engine size should correspond and match relatively with the size of the bar for small gas chainsaws to have plenty of power and torque. For gas models, having bars between 10 and 12 to 16 inches, the ideal engine size should be 30 to 40 cc (cubic centimeters).
For electric saws, amperages matter. As long as your product has a rating of 14 amp or greater.
Gasoline chainsaws have a mixture of gas and oil as their power source. They use spark plugs to ignite this mixture. Their engines’ power is indicated in cc and sometimes in Hp (horsepower). The best small gas chainsaws have engines of around 25 cc. All the ones from our list belong to this category or higher. In Hp, it is usually 4 horsepower.
Bar Length:
The next most important feature in a powerful chainsaw is the bar length. The chainsaw bar (or the blade) serves as a guide for the chain. Most chainsaw brands have chain bars that come in a range of sizes, from 8 inches minimum to a maximum of 30 inches. Chainsaws with a shorter bar length are easier to handle, but their power is lower too. It is desirable that the bar is at least an inch or two longer than the piece of wood you are working on in order to prevent kickback.
In the small-size range, a bar length of approximately 14 inches is quite sufficient. For mini chainsaws, this figure can be lesser too.
Weight:
This is another important factor in user comfort and power generated by the chainsaw. The weight of your gasoline power tool should be optimal – neither too less nor too much. If your saw is too heavy, you might not be able to handle it well. Then, factors like a powerful motor, fuel source, or bar length just won’t matter.
On the other hand, it can’t be too light either as then it might face kickbacks or snag frequently and get stuck in the wood it is supposed to cut. The lightest saws in the market are the corded electric and the battery-operated ones.
The X Series ECHO chainsaw is a lightweight chainsaw among the gas-powered chainsaws and comes in a really small size.
Noise Pollution:
Gas-powered chainsaws, whether small or big, usually create a racket when functioning. Their noise can go up to 100 dB. This might actually be illegal in some areas – it is way over the limit of normal sound.
The noise in a chainsaw is mainly due to the motor’s whine as it works and the hum of the blade as it cuts through the wood. If your chainsaw comes with an anti-vibration handle, its noise could be reduced somewhat. You will find such a handle in Remington RM 4214. Hence, do look for this feature of vibration negation or reduction before buying a chainsaw.
When we talk of noise pollution, we also need to mention protective headgear to prevent damage to the ears. Using earmuffs or earplugs helps.
If you are looking for a quiet gas-powered model, the Husqvarna 18-inch 455 Rancher gas chainsaw is the best choice for you.
Safety Features:
The feature of safety has already been discussed to some extent in the kickback section. Most gas-powered chainsaws in the market possess at least some safety feature. The most common amongst these is an inertia chain brake. Modeled like a clutch, these brakes can make out a change in the movement of the blade due to kickback. They then lock the chain and prevent it from running.
Another feature is the low-kickback chain which is mounted on most small chainsaws nowadays.
There are also bucking spikes available that help leverage or balance out the saw against buckling or giving way.
Specific brands like the Poulan Pro PR5020 offer more intricate safety. It is in the form of a combined choke/stop control to reduce the risk of engine flooding.
Air filters provided on chainsaws help clear debris of sawdust and wood chips so that they don’t enter the engine to pollute gasoline or other fuel in it.
Auto Oiling:
The activity of oiling your chainsaw blade is quite necessary for it to be long-lasting and work without glitches. Failure to do this will result in the blade becoming dull and the nose of the chainsaw warping due to friction.
Automatic oiling is a facility provided in most chainsaws today. And it will save you time and effort in oiling it himself. These automatic oilers could be fixed or adjustable oilers. A fixed oiler will consistently oil the chain using a definite amount of oil that remains constant. The adjustable oiling system senses when more oiling is required. For instance, when dealing with harder woods or when there is more friction and grating of the blade on the chainsaw’s guide bar.
As an example, the Poulan Pro PR4016 has this automatic oiling feature.
When looking for this facility in the chainsaw you wish to buy, look for the size of the oil reservoir. Paying close attention to the level of oil in your chainsaw also helps. Most chainsaw models come with a small window that lets you do the above.
Chain Tensioning:
The temperature of a chainsaw rises with repeated, sustained usage. Due to heat, the chain expands. Sometimes, it may become loose and fall off the guide bar. In order to avoid this, chain tensioning is required. Chain tensioning refers to the process of tightening the chain on its bar in order for it to work smoothly. There are models nowadays that have automatic (tool-less) chain tensioning. Earlier, this could be done using tools like a screwdriver.
When picking out your best choice in chainsaws, look for this feature of chain tensioning. If a tool-less function is available, that would be much better.
We all want a great-value gas-powered chainsaw that gives us clean cuts, has lower fuel consumption, and comes at an attractive price. Ensuring your model has all the above points discussed will make your journey relatively easier in choosing this power tool.
FAQ
- What is the smallest chainsaw size?
Your best gas chainsaw’s shortest length option is 12 inches. The shorter 6′′ to 10′′ lengths are only available on electric and battery chainsaws.
- Do you put the brake on or off while starting a chainsaw?
The chain brake should always be engaged when starting a chainsaw to prevent the chain from moving.
- What does a chainsaw’s choke do?
The carburetor sprays a richer air and fuel combination into the cylinder when the choke is in the open position. The flow of fuel into the engine rises and the flow of air reduces while the master control lever is in the choke position.
- How should I pick the chainsaw size?
The chainsaw should, as a general rule, be at least two inches longer than the limb or tree being chopped. For instance, the ideal chainsaw should have a guide bar (or blade) that is at least 10 inches long if the branch is 8 inches thick.
- Can I use a chainsaw to chop a big tree?
Large hardwood trees like hemlock, beech, birch, spruce and oak, are quite big. They may be as large as 30 to 36 inches in diameter. So, it is best to use a gas-powered chainsaw with at least 20 inches as a bar length.
Conclusion
If you have a few small trees or shrubs on your property, you will probably need to use a saw at some point. Having a chainsaw on hand may be useful, whether it’s because a windstorm has brought down some branches or you simply want more sunshine in your yard. Although a professional model isn’t normally required, that does not mean any saw will suffice.
My choice would be Echo CS-2511 T because of the features it provides for the given price. However, each one stands important with its respective features.
