A chainsaw is an indispensable tool in a suburban or summer cottage. It is difficult to do without it if there is a need to cut down an old tree or trim thick, dried branches, saw logs, or prepare firewood for the winter for a fireplace or stove.
Manufacturers regularly offer customers new, more improved tools and expand their range. For people who are encountering the purchase of such technical products for the first time, it is doubly difficult. After all, each model is unique in its own way, differing from others in price, power, engine size and other technical characteristics. Our review presents a rating of chainsaws for quality and reliability 2022 in an optimal ratio to price.
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Which chainsaw to choose for your home
For home use, manufacturers recommend household-grade chainsaws of low and medium power. But every household is different. The scope of work and tasks are different in each case.
There are houses, bathhouses and greenhouses with wood heating, where the owner cuts the wood himself. There are homesteads and farms, which have their own specifics. There are farms where construction is underway or planned. All this must be taken into account. Sample selection options are:
- household, where the chainsaw will work for 30-120 minutes a day, and not every day - a household chainsaw of low and medium power, up to 2.0 - 2.7 hp, is suitable. (about 1.5 - 2.0 kW);
- a farm where there is a lot of work involved in preparing firewood, including from logs with a cross-section of up to 70 cm - a semi-professional chainsaw with a power of up to 4 hp is better suited. (about 3 kW).
The same option is recommended for farms where there is a fairly large amount of work with wood - felling old trees, collecting firewood, building wooden sheds and pens, cutting old log houses for firewood, etc. Therefore, semi-professional chainsaws of this power are often called farm chainsaws.
For carpentry and construction work in the household, low- and medium-power chainsaws are recommended. They are lighter and more convenient to use, especially when building a roof at height. Almost all construction wood is of thin and medium section, so the power of small and medium-sized chainsaws (up to 2 hp, about 1.5 kW) is quite enough.
The optimal tire length for domestic use is 30-40 cm.
A tire length of 40 cm is enough to cut a log with a diameter of 70 cm into tree stumps, entering from both sides. Larger diameter logs are rare.
For garden pruning and construction work, a shorter tire, 30-35 cm long, is convenient.
The length of the bar that comes with the chainsaw upon purchase is not decisive when choosing. Chain pitch and bar seating are largely standardized and interchangeable across models from different manufacturers. Therefore, you can always buy a bar and chain of the required length. Moreover, the saw set is a consumable spare part, and the bar and chain will have to be changed over time.
No one forbids the owner to buy a more powerful professional-class chainsaw for his home. But they have a number of qualities that are not entirely suitable for home use:
- are much more expensive;
- heavier in weight;
- make more noise during operation;
- consume more gasoline and oil;
- Consumables and basic spare parts are more expensive.
As a result, professional chainsaws are more expensive not only in terms of purchase cost, but also in operation. And their power in homestead farming, with rare exceptions, is simply excessive.
Partner P350S
The tool is equipped with a pobedite chainsaw chain and a professional bar, which guarantees confident processing of medium-thick materials. Decent build quality and a powerful motor guarantee uninterrupted operation for 20-30 minutes. Light weight makes it easy to use at height.
Pros - the saw is oriented towards economic activities, it is compact, weighs little, and can be started without any problems in any weather. Cons: plastic of dubious quality, poor equipment.
How to choose the right chainsaw for your garden
The concept of a dacha, unlike a house, does not imply permanent residence, but a visit from time to time. At the dacha, a chainsaw most often requires the following work:
- sawing firewood for barbecue and sauna;
- pruning the garden, cutting out wild bushes and small trees;
- construction.
A household-class chainsaw of low and medium power, up to 1.8 -2.2 hp (about 1.3-1.7 kW), is also quite suitable for these purposes.
Both at home and in the country, in some cases it may be necessary to fell huge trees. For example, old poplar trees are as tall as a five-story building, which can collapse during a hurricane and pose a danger.
But in this case, it is better not to buy a powerful chainsaw specifically for felling such trees, but to invite a team of professional forest fellers with their own tool. Carrying out such work on your own without experience and training is dangerous.
Patriot PT 5220 Imperial
The reliability and strength of the tool is ensured through the maximum possible use of metal parts and assemblies. The size of the tire makes it possible to fell trees of large diameter. The design includes a device for lateral chain tension and pumping of the fuel mixture. The semi-automatic carburetor is responsible for long-term continuous operation.
Advantages: powerful motor, long chainsaw bar, decent equipment. Cons: decent weight, low quality of the standard chain.
Reliable chainsaw for the garden
All reliable chainsaws for the garden are in the medium and high price range. The cheapest chainsaws, by definition, cannot be of high quality. A cheap price means radical savings on the cost of materials, components and build quality. Often the cheapest materials are used, which due to their properties are not suitable for these purposes.
You can buy the cheapest chainsaw with the expectation that it will only have to work a few hours a year, so it will serve you well. But that's not true. Such low-quality chainsaws can break down over time, even if they just lie there and don’t work at all. What exactly happens to them:
- The membrane inside the carburetor, made of unsuitable plastic, dries out and loses its plasticity. The chainsaw breaks down.
- Fuel line hoses become brittle and brittle and can crumble due to vibration when starting the engine.
- Gasoline remaining in the chainsaw (in the tank, hoses and carburetor) can dissolve cheap plastic. Even if the seal is maintained, the chainsaw will fail when started on fuel containing plastic.
Even the plastic housing on such low-quality chainsaws can change properties over time and become brittle from UV radiation (sunlight).
In addition to breakdowns in passive mode without operation, such chainsaws are sure to present the owner with many unpleasant surprises during operation. Any node can break at any time.
Most often, such obviously defective chainsaws are counterfeits, imitations of well-known brands Husqvarna, Stihl, and others, as well as chainsaws of unknown origin with unfamiliar brands.
An example of a real fake (counterfeit) is the Husqvarna 5200 chainsaw. You can read more detailed information about it in our review article by following the link.
A reliable chainsaw for a summer residence should be sold in stores, certified brand centers and cost from 5 thousand rubles. and higher.
For the dacha, we can confidently recommend the Husqvarna 135 chainsaw.
With an output of 2.0 hp (1.47 kW), the Husqvarna 135 weighs only about 4.4 kg due to the inclusion of a certain amount of ultra-light magnesium in the engine's aluminum alloys. Therefore, it is more convenient to work with it at height when trimming branches or when building roofs.
It is about 20% more economical than many analogues in terms of power, which over time results in savings on gasoline and oil.
The manufacturer recommends using fresh fuel and not leaving gasoline in the tank for a long time if there is a long break in work.
However, in practice, the Husqvarna 135 chainsaw can be left in the fall in the barn at the dacha with gasoline in the tank, and in the spring it will easily start and work properly, as if it was used just yesterday.
This is a reliable chainsaw. With small amounts of work, it can last for decades. But like any even the best chainsaw, the Husqvarna 135 has its drawbacks. The carburetor does not provide idle speed control. The factory setting is set to extremely low speeds. From this:
- The Husqvarna 135 may stall at idle, which interferes with operation.
- Any chainsaw starts at idle speed, and since the Husqvarna 135 has extremely low speed, it can start not with 2-3 starter pulls, like others, but with 3-4.
The position of the rod and throttle lever can be easily adjusted on your own and the minimum idle speed can be increased, but this is a separate topic. And this should be a problem for the manufacturer, not the user.
However, the Husqvarna 135 is a proven, reliable and durable chainsaw with the best technical characteristics for the garden, proven in practice by many users. However, this is not the only option.
Carver Promo PSG
This model is optimally suited for garden work. The motor power is quite enough for processing small logs, bars and boards. The engine is two-stroke and has an automatic lubrication system for the cutting part.
The tool starts well at any time of the year, there is an emergency brake in case of violation of the normal operating mode. Pros: simplicity and convenience of design, decent power, reasonable price. Disadvantages: the abundance of plastic in the equipment, which leads to rapid wear of parts, and a lot of weight for working at heights.
Top best chainsaws for the garden
If you don’t take price into account, but focus on quality and reliability, the leadership is shared by the German Stihl and Swedish Husqvarna brands. Drawing an analogy with cars, we can say that these are BMW and Volvo. Less known in Russia, but also high-quality Japanese ECHO chainsaws.
The following models are ideal for giving.
Husqvarna 140
The Husqvarna 140 chainsaw is equipped with a 2.2 hp engine. (1.6 kW). Tire length 16 inches. Weight 4.4 kg. Assembly - USA, unlike many Husqvarna models assembled in China at Husqvarna factories. The price at the beginning of 2022 is 11-12,000 rubles.
Husqvarna 137
- power 2.18 hp (about 1.6 kW);
- tire length 16 inches;
- assembly - Sweden;
- price about 10 thousand rubles.
Husqvarna 137 and Husqvarna chainsaw models of similar power (236, 240,142), assembled in China, cost about half as much. They are quite popular, but there is a wary attitude towards their quality due to their geographical origin (China). Although these are factory-assembled chainsaws, and not counterfeit junk of unknown origin.
Stihl offers at least 5 models of chainsaws with a power of 1.8 - 2.2 hp for the garden. As an example, one of them.
Stihl MS 180
Stihl MS 180 is the most popular chainsaw in Russia, but the price is really high, almost 3 times more expensive than high-quality Chinese chainsaws such as Carver, Partner, Champion.
- power 2 hp (1.5 kW);
- tire length 14 inches (can be installed 16);
- weight 3.9 kg;
- price from 12,500-13,500 rub.
ECHO CS-353ES
Another expensive brand known for its quality is the Japanese ECHO. The ECHO CS-353ES chainsaw is perfect for working in the country. It is also assembled in China, but the manufacturer provides a 5-year warranty, while most other brands provide 1 year. In this case, to justify the assembly geography with a low reputation, it can be recalled that the Japanese have long established the production of their high-quality products, including cars, outside Japan.
Specifications:
- power 2.1 hp (1.6 kW);
- tire length 16 inches;
- weight 4 kg;
- the price at the beginning of 2022 is about 16,000 rubles.
Budget chainsaws for the garden are much more widely available. Among them, it is worth paying attention to the following manufacturers:
- German Huter;
- factory Chinese PIT;
- Carver;
- Patriot;
- Partner;
- Champion.
Prices for household models of these brands are very affordable and range from 4 to 6 thousand rubles.
Conclusion
We looked at the ratings of chainsaws by quality and price, and paid attention to popular chainsaws that are not in the top in terms of quality, but are quite suitable for normal work. All ratings presented in the article are not official information from any source, but compiled by us, based on user reviews, market analysis and the opinions of repair specialists, since they are the ones who constantly encounter problems with chainsaws and can evaluate their quality. We hope our article will help you make the right choice.
What to look for when choosing
A good chainsaw can only be bought in a store. It’s better to go to branded shopping and service centers, if the brand has one. They offer low-quality chainsaws without guarantees or receipts, bought in batches on sites like Ali Baba for $30-40, with any brand names of any brands pasted on to order.
The same products may leak into stores, but there are also real high-quality chainsaws there.
Before purchasing a chainsaw, you should inspect it.
- There should be no burrs in the air intake grilles under the starter handle and in the necks of the tanks.
- If you pull out and release the starter handle slightly, it should return completely.
- The instructions must be written in clear language and printed in an easily readable font.
- If the text looks like a machine translation from Swedish to Chinese, and from Chinese to Russian, then this is a sign of counterfeit.
- The manufacturer's contacts must be on the box and in the instructions.
- Large and serious manufacturers number each of their chainsaws, some seal the box. The seal must be broken in front of the buyer.
- Every serious manufacturer today has its own official website. Before going to the store, you can find out on the website which models are offered for sale and at what recommended price. If the store contains a model that is not listed on the website, or at a sharply different price, this should alert you.
Stihl MS 880
The unit is intended for significant construction work. The side chain tension configuration prevents contact with sharp parts, providing additional safety. The design provides a quick start option with a gradual increase in power, which extends the working life and protects against vibration. This figure is 8.7 horsepower or 6.4 kW.
The advantages of the Shtil MS-880 chainsaw are automatic adjustment of the oil supply, quick response of the chain brake, and ergonomic handles. Disadvantages: heavy weight, requiring significant physical effort to maintain in working position.
Which manufacturer should you choose and why?
The best chainsaws, including those for the dacha, are produced by large manufacturers with a long history. They have controlled all technological processes for decades. There are no crude models or unsuitable untested materials.
A powerful production base allows us to solve any problem at a high level of quality. Well-functioning conveyor production allows us to reduce costs and keep prices at an affordable level. Such companies value their reputation and work on quality. All technical innovations and improvements are implemented primarily by large companies, such as:
- Stihl;
- Husqvarna;
- Echo;
- Hitachi.
The first two manufacturers still remain the world leaders in this list. They have been actively fighting for the market, among themselves, over the past decades.
How to choose a chainsaw for your home and garden is explained in the video. It compares popular household models from manufacturers Stihl, Husqvarna and Partner. They also talk about Chinese fakes:
Makita EA3203S40B
The chainsaw of this brand is characterized by high build quality, low weight, and a reliable engine. The tool is ideal for private carpentry and carpentry workshops. With the help of the unit, rough sawing and partially artistic manipulations are carried out when creating sculptures and crafts from wood.
Fast and stable chain tension does not require additional equipment. Pros: high-performance motor, light weight, easy start. Disadvantages: lack of power for certain jobs, difficult to obtain and expensive spare parts.
Summing up
Any household or semi-professional class chainsaw is suitable for home and garden use. They are best designed and adapted to such working conditions. In addition, they have an affordable price. When choosing, they are primarily guided by the budget. Therefore, if funds allow, it is better to purchase something like Stihl MS 170, 180 or Husqvarna 135, 140. If you have a limited budget, you should pay attention to Carver, Partner, Champion, Patriot chainsaws.
Absolutely any chainsaw with a tire length of 35-40 cm and an engine power of 1.5 to 2 hp is suitable for a summer residence. The choice of a specific model depends on personal preference, who likes what more.
Patriot PT-4518
One of the most powerful saws for household use, an excellent assistant in the household. The length of the bar makes it possible to make deep cuts in thick logs. Comfort and ease of operation are ensured by excellent balancing of the device. The equipment includes an emergency brake and an ergonomic arched handle.
Advantages: reliable operation for 30 minutes, versatility, quick start, independent of weather conditions. Disadvantages - it is necessary to adjust the oil supply before each work process; fuel leaks may occur.
Application area
A wide range of small chainsaws are suitable for a variety of tasks. Affordable price allows the mini chainsaw to be in demand in our market for a long time. Manufacturers guarantee full functionality of the tool, and they also assure that the device is universal and practical. Saws for one-handed operation are distinguished from others by their low weight, compactness, and small size. This makes them practically indispensable in the process of mobile work. In the field of tourism (for example, for setting up a portable camp), for fishing, for constructing rafters, scaffolding, when loppers are needed - these models are considered the best.
The tourist saw compiles a mandatory list of technical equipment for each scientific expedition and tourist group.
Briefly about the tool
To choose the right tool, you should take into account a large number of factors, such as load level. The main one is purpose. A small-sized version of a chainsaw will help you harvest wood species, cope with small amounts of work, clear your garden plot of thickets and branches, and build wooden fences. The smallest saw is practically no different from a regular saw in size. The main difference is the length of the tire. The short one helps to successfully produce high-quality cuts of branches of small trees, as well as trees with a thin trunk and small garden trees.
Other brands
Consumer selection has determined a stable demand for mini saws of the Huter and Makita brands, as well as Husqvarna T435, Shtil MS 150. It is these brands that have established themselves as small, lightweight professional saws. Most owners of powerful tools buy the simplest and most economical saws to expand the capabilities of the equipment they already have.
The money spent on small cc chainsaw equipment pays off at an astonishing rate. Low fuel consumption is considered especially advantageous. Increased device security is appreciated.
