Chainsaws are one of those tools that you can’t just buy on a whim. You need to have a clear idea of the how and the why before you make any decision. You need to know what there is on offer and how to pick the best one, and also why you want to buy one. What are your needs? What will you use it for? Answering these questions is vital to making a sound decision.
The thing is; each chainsaw has its own features that make it more suited for one task than the other. Clearing dead wood and branches require a different chainsaw than harvesting firewood.
Having said all that, there’s another major question that you should ask yourself: how much are you willing to pay for a new chainsaw? Are there any budget-friendly options that you can get?
Short answer?
Yes, there, and we’re here to help you choose the best chainsaw under 200 dollars.
Now, without further ado, here is our long answer to, “which is the best chainsaw under 200 bucks?”
In a hurry? Here’s our TOP PICK
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The Best Chainsaw Under 200 Dollars – Our Picks
#1 – Remington RM4216 Gas Chainsaw
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Although Remington is not as well-known as big names like DeWalt and Milwaukee (which we compared in our DeWalt vs Milwaukee smackdown), it’s still a pretty good power tool brand that you can get today. The Remington Rm4216 Gas Chainsaw is truly exceptional in that it offers incredible performance for a surprisingly low price. It stands as a testament that not all great chainsaws have to be expensive.
This beast of a machine is equipped with a powerful 42cc engine as well as a sprocket tipped 61” bar and chainsaw chain which pairs incredibly with the powerful engine. As a result, the cutting capabilities of this chainsaws are among the best on this list.
Additionally, the manufacturers of this chainsaw have implemented the ever so useful QuickStart technology that virtually eliminates the startup time, allowing you to get to work instantly.
Not only that, but when you buy this chainsaw, you’ll also be getting a carrying case with it, so you don’t have to leave it out in the open.
Add an ergonomic design that ensures comfort even with prolonged use, and you’ve got yourself one of the best chainsaws for an amazingly low price.
The only niggle with this power tool is the kill switch that does not hold up to the rest of the components in terms of quality.
What we like about this chainsaw
There are many things to like in the Remington RM4216 Gas Chainsaw, especially the 42cc engine that’s coupled with the 16” bar and chain, which makes cutting a breeze. The QuickStart technology and the fact that is features an adjustable automatic oiler is also quite convenient. Finally, the design is ergonomic and extremely easy to use. Knowing all of that, it’s easy to see how this product tops our list as the overall best chainsaw under 200 bucks.
#2 – Oregon CS1500 Chainsaw
- Powerful performance: 15A electric chainsaw with integrated PowerSharp self-sharpening system. The perfect chainsaw for homeowners and DIY, with a long-lasting 18-inch guide bar
- Built-in PowerSharp self-sharpening system minimizes downtime by sharpening your chain in 3 to 5 seconds. Ergonomic design features Chain Brake for safety. Lightweight design.
- Tensioning without tools: Allows you to adjust your chain quickly and easily so that you can maintain the perfect tension for the ideal cut with next to no maintenance
- Automatic lubrication: Automatic oiling system provides continuous lubrication to the bar & chain from the oil tank. It keeps the chain lubricated for less friction to extend the life of your chain
- Instant startup: Corded electric chainsaw gets to work immediately. Low noise: makes less noise than a gasoline chainsaw. No assembly required, chainsaw comes pre-assembled. UL Certified. Comes with 2-year Oregon warranty
Even though the Remington chainsaw we mentioned earlier excels in pretty much everything, there are other attractive models on the market that can hold their own for the title of the best chainsaw under 200 dollars. The first thing that comes to mind would be the Oregon 570995 CS2500 Chain Saw which is pretty much as close as you can get to the Remington Rm4216 Gas Chainsaw.
In fact, the only thing that stopped us from crowning it as the best chain saw on this list is the fact that it’s a bit heavy compared to other electric chainsaws, something that puts it at a slight disadvantage. However, it is still lighter models that run on gasoline.
One feature that we found especially great is self-sharpening. Additionally, the Oregon 570995 CS1500 Chain Saw has a tool-free chain tensioning system. Add on top of all of that the fact that it has a 15-amp motor and an 18” bar. What this means is that when you own this chain saw, it should pretty much handle any backyard job that you might have for it with no issue at all.
Now, as much as we love this power tool, we still need to site its disadvantages, which aren’t major, fortunately. First, this machine bit more cumbersome than an average electric chainsaw. Second, it’s not designed for heavy-duty applications. Having said that, if you’re looking for a tool that will help you tackle small projects, this can be the best chainsaw under 200 dollars for you.
What we like about this chainsaw
Honestly? Everything. Not only is the 45-cm chain easy to handle, but it also boasts a self-sharpening feature, allowing it to be super convenient. Additionally, this chainsaw allows for tool-free chain tensioning and sports a feature-rich chain brake, make it both practical and safe to use. As we mentioned above, this is not intended for heavy-duty use, so we’re recommending it as the best chainsaw under 200 for homeowners and DIYers.
#3 – WORX WG3041 18-Inch Chainsaw
- 15.0 Amp motor output delivers a more powerful cutting performance to the extended, 18-inch bar
- Patented auto-tension chain system prevents over-tightening; stays at the right tension for hundreds of uses
- Low kickback bar and built-in chain brake for added safety
- Automatic oil lubrication and built-in oil reservoir with window level indicator
- Comes fully assembled right out of the box, and includes 3-year manufacturer’s warranty
When it comes to the best value, the WORX WG3041 18-Inch Chain Saw reigns supreme. For starters, you won’t need to do any assembly as it already comes assembled. The only thing that is required from you is to add the chain oil and push the power trigger, and you’re good to go.
One of the main reasons behind our choice is mainly due to the built-in oiler it has. This beauty will keep the bar and chain lubricated with little to no effort required.
With that said, one caveat we have with this product is the fact that it chews through oil quite fast. Additionally, the fact that this is also a corded electric chainsaw doesn’t count favorably for this chainsaw as it limits the user’s mobility while using this chainsaw. Finally, the chain is susceptible to running off the blade, which can be dangerous, so make sure to wear your chainsaw chaps before starting your project.
What we like about this chainsaw
The WORX WG3041 is the best chainsaw under 200 bucks when it comes to getting the bang for your buck. Despite its reasonable price, it’s still lightweight and user-friendly, making it yet another great option for DIYers, especially that it comes assembled out of the box.
#4 – Ryobi P546 18-Volt Cordless Chainsaw
- BATTERY AND CHARGER NOT INCLUDED
- Push-button oiler for easy chain lubrication and longer chain life
- 10 in. bar and chain
- Side access chain tensioning for easy adjustments
Ryobi is the DIYer’s power tool brand with excellence. If you need a chainsaw for light, simple jobs, then Ryobi’s P546 model should be enough for most of your cutting needs. It’s designed to be compact, lightweight, and is geared towards light cutting tasks. It is equipped with a 10” blade which is smaller than the other chainsaws mentioned so far.
Having said that, unless you’re an amateur, we recommend you don’t use this chain saw since it has a couple of considerable problems that keep it from ranking higher on the list. For one, you’ll find yourself having to manually oil the bar and chain which is annoying. But the problems don’t stop there. You’ll also notice that you will have to drain the oil after every use.
What we like about this chainsaw
The main selling point of this chainsaw is the price tag. For an amateur, this is all you’ll need to tackle small, light projects, especially that it’s incredibly lightweight and ergonomic and that it features a durable battery capable of keeping the machine running for extended periods of time. Granted, it’s not the best chainsaw under 200 dollars if you’re an experienced user, but for amateurs, this model from Ryobi is pretty decent.
#5 – Arksen 45CC Gasoline-Powered Chainsaw
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The Arksen Gasoline powered chainsaw ranks at the bottom of our list, and for good reason. When compared to any other chainsaw on this list, this can’t even hold a candle to them. However, the problem is even if we compare it to regular chainsaws, it still is lackluster.
For instance, the Arksen is supposedly equipped with an electric ignition feature which is supposed to accelerate the startup process, then again, it barely does anything, and even when it works, the chainsaw itself barely works.
On the bright side, it boasts a powerful 52 cc engine, if you manage to start this thing up in the first place. With that said, it still isn’t enough to save this product.
What we like about this chainsaw
The only perk that the Arksen model can brag about is the powerful 52 cc engine. Other than that, we can’t really recommend it as the best chainsaw under 200 bucks since it lacks in terms of features compared to the rest of the products in the reviewed batch. The quality is average at best, and it’s pretty tough to handle. For the inconveniences it packs, we really believe that the price is steep compared to what you get in this chainsaw.
Choosing the Best Chainsaw Under 200 Dollars – Buying Guide
When it comes to the chainsaw market, there’s an overabundance of misleading brands and products. This means that you have to be on your toes all the time when buying the best chainsaw under 200 bucks. As you’ve seen earlier, a bad chainsaw can be a real pain in the neck.
Don’t worry though, we’ll be walking you the different types of chainsaws and the factors that you need to consider before making your choice. Couple that with the list of the best chainsaws we featured earlier; and you’ve got yourself a comprehensive buying guide that you can use when hunting for the best chainsaw under 200 dollars.
Types of Chainsaws
The first thing you need to know is that depending on the power source, there are three different kinds of chainsaws, each with their own pros and cons. Here what you need to know about each type:
Gas-Powered Chainsaws
If you’re looking for something powerful, then gas powered chainsaws are the type to go with.
Gas powered chainsaws are geared toward heavy-duty work, which is why they’re among the most recommended type if you’re a professional. What they have over battery powered chainsaws is that they can work for more extended periods of time. They also tend to be more reliable and versatile, so a gas-powered chainsaw is more likely to stick with you than a battery-powered chainsaw. If you’re looking for reliability, get a gas model.
With that said, their versatility, power, and reliability come at the price of a heavier weight. In fact, their increased weight tends to make them much harder to handle than the other two types we’re about to discuss.
Additionally, gas-powered chainsaws tend to be loud and needier in terms of maintenance. If you’re going to buy a gas-powered model when looking for the best chainsaw under 200 bucks, we highly recommend investing in ear protection while you’re at it.
Battery-Powered Chainsaws
These chainsaws aim to make up for the shortcoming of gas-powered chainsaws by being lighter, and quieter. The fact that they’re cordless also makes them a quite sought-after option on the market due to the mobility it offers to the user.
Among the three chainsaw types, battery-powered models are the easiest to use and are usually the most convenient for those who want something for light tasks. With that said, these chainsaws are by no means adequate for heavy duty jobs as they don’t have the necessary power. For those kinds of projects, we recommend getting a gas-powered chainsaw or the next type that we’re about to discuss.
Corded Electric Chainsaws
These chainsaws are very similar to the aforementioned battery-powered chainsaws, but they are corded. Even though they can be limiting to the user in terms of mobility, they offer a lot of other advantages that make them an excellent option to consider for your workplace, right alongside your Sliding Compound Miter Saw, Tile Saw, Table Saw, Random Orbital Sander, and Circular Saw Blade set.
For instance, these chainsaws tend to fall on the middle ground between the two other types in terms of power. They also offer many of the advantages that come with other battery-powered chainsaws. If you want something that provides the middle ground between the gas-powered and battery-powered chainsaws, then this type is probably the one to look for when shopping for the best chainsaw under 200 dollars
However, keep in mind that this is, after all, a corded saw, meaning that you’ll need to watch out for the cords being tangled. If you’re not careful, they can actually pose a threat to you, so you need always to be wary of where and how you move. Another disadvantage that comes with these chainsaws is limited mobility.
Factors to Consider Before Buying a Chainsaw
There are some essential factors to consider when looking for the best chainsaw under 200 bucks, including:
Guide Bar length
The bar length represents the distance between the tip of the chain and where it gets into the housing. In other words, it’s the active cutting area of the chainsaw, and the largest size length of wood that the machine can cut in a single pass.
As a general of thumb, the guide bar length of your chainsaw should be two inches longer than the piece of wood that you want to cut. For example, you need to cut a 14-inch tree in a single pass, then you ought to get a 16-inch guide bar for the safest cutting.
Here are our recommended guide bar lengths for different purposes:
- Light cutting: less than 14 inches
- Medium duty cutting: 16 to 20 inches
- Heavy duty and industrial cutting: 22 to 36 inches
There’s no need to look for a chainsaw with plenty of guide bar length if you’re a simple homeowner or DIYer, as even a small chainsaw would be enough to cut large pieces of lumber, but you’ll have to do it in two passes rather than one.
Safety
Safety should be your top priority when using any kind of power tool, but it’s especially critical in case of a chainsaw as it can literally cut through your legs like butter. Don’t let that discourage you, though, as the risk of injury can be avoided if you follow some basic rules and get the necessary protective gear.
Safety
Safety should be your top priority when using any kind of power tool, but it’s especially critical in case of a chainsaw as it can literally cut through your legs like butter. Don’t let that discourage you, though, as the risk of injury can be avoided if you follow some basic rules and get the necessary protective gear, which includes:
- Safety glasses
- Protective gloves
- Head protection
- Hearing protection
- Chainsaw Chaps
- Cut-resistant boots
Personal Strength
The personal strength is a factor that’s often ignored by people when looking for the best chainsaw under 200, which is a huge mistake, as your level of fitness/strength will determine how well you’re going to handle, hold, manipulate, and control the chainsaw.
As soon as you start using a chainsaw, it becomes an extension of you, and you should be able to control it for two reasons: first, to get the job done effectively, and second, to avoid any accidents that may occur. Although a 12-pound chainsaw may not seem like much, it can actually be pretty hard to manipulate as you start to get tired, especially if you’re not physically fit. If you’re not a professional, avoid any chainsaw that’s too heavy, big, or unbalanced for your size and strength.
Picking the Best Chainsaw Under 200 Dollars – Frequently Asked Questions
What Is a Chainsaw and What Does It Do?
The concept of a chainsaw is simpler than what most people believe. Basically, you just put your saw on a chain and let a small engine, which can run on gasoline, electricity, or batteries, take care of the heavy lifting for you. The chain is pretty similar to that of a bicycle, as it runs around sprockets, but it comes with around 30 or so sharp teeth that do the actual cutting as they spin around the chain at intervals.
How Does a Chainsaw Work?
The chainsaw relies on a small engine to spin the chain and do the cutting. Inside the motor, the piston gets in and out of the cylinder, pushing a connecting rod that turns a crankshaft, which in turn rotates gears that are connected to one of the sprockets that we mentioned earlier through a centrifugal clutch, and that’s how the chain spins around and cuts trees and lumber pieces!
Keep in mind that chainsaws produce a helluva lot of noise, so make sure to wear proper hearing protection while using one.
Who Uses a Chainsaw?
Chainsaws are mainly used to cut down trees, but they can also be used to cut concrete, bricks, and stones in construction jobs. You can find workers using chainsaws in a multitude of activities, such as tree felling, limbing, pruning, bucking, and harvesting of firewood.
In other words, chainsaws can be used by a wide range of people, including homeowners, DIYers, arborists, gardeners, loggers, carpenters, firefighters, lumberjacks, and artists. The very versatility of chainsaws is why many people have such a power tool in their arsenal, and why you’re currently looking for the best chainsaw under 200 dollars.
What Is Chainsaw Bar Oil?
A chainsaw at full throttle can reach around 45 miles per hour in speed, and although that may make the machine capable of cutting through wood like butter, all the generated friction can damage the bar and chain of the chainsaw. The chainsaw bar oil is the one we use to maintain the bar and chain and keep them working perfectly, just like you’d use motor oil for your car’s engine.
What Can I Use for Chainsaw Bar Oil?
Every manufacturer recommends a certain bar oil brand for their chainsaws. If your manufacturer’s oil is not available, you can substitute it with either motor oil or vegetable oil. Before checking such alternatives, make sure to take a look at the terms of your warranty to make sure that the bar oil that you’re going to use won’t void your warranty.
How to Store Chainsaw the Right Way?
There are different ways to go about storing your chainsaw, but we highly recommend following the steps shown in this video:
Which Way Does the Chain Go on a Chainsaw?
When replacing the chain of your chainsaw, it’s critical that you place the new one the right. Here’s a video that you can follow to do that:
Verdict on the Best Chainsaws Under 200 Dollars
Being on a budget can be a real struggle when trying to perk up your workplace with new power tools. Nevertheless, affordable machines can be found, even the best chainsaw under 200 bucks. Just make sure to set your expectations right, go over our buying guide, and the next addition to your arsenal will be obvious.
Happy hunting for the best chainsaw under 200 bucks, fellow woodworker!
Last update on 2024-09-05 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
