10 Best Small Chainsaws in 2024 [Mini & Lightweight Picks]

One should consider all the advantageous and disadvantageous features of what one wants to buy for one’s trade. To do the same, he must review, judge, and then choose. But it is a difficult task. Besides thousand of questions have come into the minds of the buyers like-
Which one is best?
Which one fits his work?
Which manufacturer company offers the best features?
To answer all these questions and to get relief from this troublesome work we, the SawingFacts team, have reviewed most of the best small chainsaw available in the market. This review will help you to choose the best lightweight chainsaw for you.

Best Small Chainsaw – Reviews

1. BLACK+DECKER LCS1020 10-Inch Cordless Chainsaw

Got sick of having to use a handsaw but afraid of going with power tools?

Don’t worry. Black+ Decker is here to help you. They always produce quality products, and their LCS1020 is no exception and will meet up all your expectation.

The BLACK + DECKER LCS1020 Chainsaw is a small, portable, lightweight, less powerful yet impressive within its limits. It helps you feel admired for its endeavor and performance. It is designed to assign simple and light home-based tasks. To be specific, a great little tool to cut up limbs and fallen trees around your yard.

It is powered by a 20V lithium-ion battery which lengthens its runtime. It comes with a 10″ premium Oregon low kickback bar and chain. It is also cordless, which makes it portable. It includes a tool-free blade tension system to adjust it quickly. Its all-around handle warrants a resolute and convenient grip. It is made up of metal and plastic that makes it lightweight. You will feel less fatigue for it’s being lightweight.

Pros:

• Lightweight
• Portable
• Tool-less tension system

Cons:

• Transitory battery life

2. WORX WG303.1 16-Inch Electric Chainsaw

Homeowners, farmers, and ranchers show great interest in this chainsaw because it comes with a 14.5 Amp and 16″ Bar. The 14.5 Amp motor delivers a cutting performance like gas chainsaws. This saw has an incredibly designed auto-tension chain system that prevents over-tightening and remains at the right tension for hundreds of uses. This also enhances the life of the motor, bar, and chain. A low kickback bar and built-in chain brake make it safer. It is electric too.

It has an automatic oil system and also has 57 chain links. It stays oiled every time and ensures the chain running smoothly around the bar. You can get to know when to refill through the oil level indicator.

With a quick stop chain break, it prevents accidental cutting, and this inclusion makes this saw a safer one.

You will feel more relaxed and have superb control of the saw. Thanks to its rubberized rear handle. It absorbs vibration and helps you hold a solid grip on the saw.

The metal spike bumper helps you not to miss any motion while cutting. So, finding leverage and sticking with the log is no longer a difficult task.

Don’t hesitate to buy it.

Pros:

• Three years manufactures warranty
• Automatic oil system

Cons:

• Need electricity as not include any battery

3. DEWALT DCCS620P1 12-Inch Cordless Chainsaw

DEWALT offers you the most convenient and contributive chainsaw both for personal and professional use. It has a 20v max lithium-ion battery which can confront all types of wood. This small chainsaw weighs only 8.8Ibs. It also has a highly efficient brushless motor which lengthens its runtime and motor life. Low kickback 121 Oregon bar and chain make it worth both for construction and outdoor cutting applications. This saw has tool-free tensioning and a bars tightening knob. It is a lightweight and cordless saw. You can handle and can control it comfortably.

You can have maximum control over the saw due to its compact and lightweight design the chainsaw. Plus, If you ever need to hold leaves that come your way to get a clear view of what you are doing, you can do it. That’s why the one-hand operation is easy with this lightweight chainsaw.

It also offer a 90-day money-back guarantee. You can give it a try.

It seems to consume chain oil at an unusually high rate- the only downside I have noticed.

Pros:

• Interchangeable battery
• Lightweight

Cons:

• Cheap oil cap design

4. Greenworks 20262 12-Inch Cordless Chainsaw

You can put money on Green-works Chainsaw 20262 for sure. You can accomplish what you want comfortably with this cordless saw. The cordless design ensures easy movement. It features an ergonomic handle that makes certain of resolute and comfortable hold. It is also to move multiple cutting positions and trim easily at different anglers.

G-Max 40v Lithium-Ion Battery powers this chainsaw. It includes a 12-inch steel chain and bars with a tool-free chain tensioning system to attain usability while delivering the highest cutting performance. It has an automatic oiler to apply oil to the bar and chain to lengthen their lifetime.

The 3\8 inch chain pitch helps you trim and cut limbs with minimal kickback.

Pros:

• Easy trimming at different angles
• Automatic oiler
• Tool-free tensioning system
• Powerful

Cons:

• Short battery life

5. Greenworks CS40L210 14-Inch Cordless Chainsaw

This cordless chainsaw from Green works gives you the most convenient service that you can have ever, for sure. It is a dependable, lightweight, and powerful saw. It is a battery-powered chainsaw but still delivers gas-like power.

Being a battery-powered chainsaw, it virtually requires no maintenance-no gas, no will, no mess.

It can give you up to 100 cuts on a single charge. Besides, it provides brushless motors that generate power immensely and lengthen its runtime and life span than this brushed competition. From cutting 4″ limb to 10″ tree trunks, I face no problem. It surprises me with its cutting power. It has a wrap-around handle to improve people’s working conditions and to help them work more efficiently. It has a powerful 40v 2AH lithium-ion battery and charger.

It starts instantly, and tool-less chain-tensioning ensures quick adjustment.

What a hassle-free chainsaw, right?

One thing I dislike about the saw is its plastic teeth. These are to stick them into large wood and help you use less force while cutting the material.

But I didn’t find it more useful. GreenWorks also need to make some improvements with anti-kickback.

Pros:

• Lightweight
• Automatic oil system
• Wrap around handle

Cons:

• Intake much oil

6. BLACK+DECKER LCS1240 12-Inch Cordless Chainsaw

LCS1240 cordless chainsaw is the joint venture of Black and Decker. They have collaborated to give you the most convenient and top-quality accomplishment of your work with multiple useful features. It is for home-hold projects yet powerful enough to confront light professional use too. It features 40V MAX Lithium-Ion Battery to lengthen its runtime and lifespan. You can also use this battery interchangeably. This saw can handle up to 60 cuts on a single charge. It has a 12″ premium bar and chain. Besides, it has an automatic oil system. It mostly fits for pruning branches and cutting fallen limbs. The tool-free chain is to adjust the chain quickly and easily. Tool-free means you don’t need any adiltainal tools. It includes a full wrap-around handle for comfortable cutting in different orientations.

The battery is not only powerful but also cordless, which makes it extra convenient. Nothing will come in your way; be easy with the saw and finish your job.

The bar and chain from Oregon ensure first and efficient cutting with minimal kick-back. It also comes with a front handguard and lock-off button to enhance your safety.

Pros:

• Automatic oil system
• Wrap-around handle
• Interchangeable battery
• Long run time and lifespan

Cons:

• Consume oil quickly

7. Makita XCU02Z 12-Inch Cordless Chainsaw

Makita XCU02Z Cordless chain saw gives you all the necessary and desired characteristics for finishing your job confidently. The cordless design makes it portable; it also a lightweight tool. It has two 18v L*T batteries. You can use these batteries interchangeably with other Makita tools. That’s what makes this chainsaw more demanding to the woodworker. It comforts your ear as it doesn’t produce much noise. It has a 12″ guide bar for increased cutting capacity. It also features a tool-less chain adjustment system to ensure convenient operations and maintenance.

If you need to take a break from your work for some time but have felt worries about chain oil leakage here, Makita guarantees it doesn’t leak oil even when not in use.

Pros:

• Make low noise
• Portable
• Tool-free tensioning system
• Interchangeable batteries

Cons:

• Need frequent adjustment due to chain loose

8. Makita-UC3551A 14-Inch Electric Chainsaw

Though high-priced, Makita UC3551A 14″ Electric Chainsaw holds woodworkers spellbound with its excellent handy features. It has a “tool-less” blade and chain adjustment for convenient operation. It also ensures easy maintenance large trigger switch helps start a smooth start-up. It provides a rubberized soft grip handle to increase the comfort level of the job. What is worth mentioning about this see is that it has a large oil reservoir with a view window which helps you to check the bar oil level.

It is an electric chainsaw. So, you can avoid all hassles of a gas chainsaw- no gas/oil mixture, no mess. It also features a built-in current limiter. So you don’t need to worry when your saw gets overloaded. The built-in current limiter protects your motor from burnout by reducing power.

Plus, it includes a large metal spike bar to ensure maximum productivity while the large metal spike bumper holds your material firmly. Therefore you will get a fast cutting and an efficient operation.

Pros:

• Oil-reservoir with window
• Rubberized soft grip handle
• Tool-less blade and chain adjustment

Cons:

• Little expensive

9. Remington RM1425 14-Inch Lightweight Corded Electric Chainsaw

Remington RM1425 is to accomplish simple jobs like trimming, pruning, etc. It is a very lightweight chainsaw. It weighs only 6.2 pounds. This chainsaw is capable of cutting through small branches on saplings. It has an 8amp electric motor which powers a 14″ low-kickback bar and chain. Its trimming capacity is powerful and excellent, and that’s why novices can use it easily. External tension adjustment is to do fast work of changing the tension of the chain. A push-button oiler is to make your work easy. It helps you to avoid the messy created by the saw. It also helps disperse the right amount of oil to lubricate the bar-g. What amazes you more about this saw is that you don’t need extra time to assemble it. It includes a wrap-around handguard that covers the handle to keep your hands away from flying debris.

It needs virtually no maintenance. It comes fully assembled. So. you can use it right out of the box. It is electric, so no gas-oil mixture, no noise, no mess. What an environment-friendly chainsaw, Right?

Pros:

• Low price
• Lightweight
• Powerful trimming
• No assembly required

Cons:

• No chain brake
• Perfect only for the smaller job

10. Makita XCU02PT 12-Inch Cordless Chainsaw

Makita XCU02PT features two 18V- LXT Lithium-Ion batteries, which makes it durable. This chainsaw is also a great performer. Its motor delivers 1650 fpm chain speed which ensures fast cutting. It also won’t give your ear trouble as it makes low noise. This saw comes with a dual-port charger also. So, you don’t need to worry, you use it for a long period. It gives you immense speed. Zero emissions are its most advantageous features. It has a 12″ guide bar to increase its capacity. Besides, it includes “tool-less” chain adjustment for effective operation and maintenance.

It is a top-handle chainsaw. It is easy to maneuver, and also one-handed operation is possible. The best one-handed saw you will ever have. Usually, top-handle saws are for more professionals. If you are new to chainsaws or the average homeowner, it can be a good starter for you. It is perfect for pruning and can cut off branches and cut them up into firewood.

Pros:

• Batteries with charger
• Low noise

Cons:

• Not much lightweight to move easily

What to Consider When You Buy a Small Chainsaw?

When you’re searching for the best small chainsaw, there are a few things you should keep in mind. Let’s dive in!

Power

This is probably the most important thing to consider when buying a chainsaw, and it’s also something that can be very different from one saw to another. The power of a saw varies based on the size of the saw and the type of blade it has. For example, you will find that many gas-powered saws have more power than electric-powered models because they have an internal combustion engine. However, some electric chainsaws have more power than their gas-powered counterparts because they have batteries instead of an internal combustion engine. Before making your purchase decision, it’s wise to check out specifications for each model so you know exactly what kind of power is available with each model.

Size

Depending on the type of work you are doing with your chainsaw, you may need something that’s small enough to fit in your toolbox or small enough to easily carry around with you when cutting trees or branches. You also want something that’s large enough to cut through several inches of wood at once so you don’t have to slow down as much while cutting wood. Generally speaking, smaller saws are better for smaller jobs and larger saws are better for larger jobs; however, there are exceptions to this rule (for example, some homeowners choose larger chainsaws just because they want to cut down a few trees in the backyard). To figure out which size you need, first determine what you will be cutting with the chainsaw.

Weight

You can also look at the weight of the saw to see which size is right for you; bigger saws weigh more than smaller ones so they will be more comfortable to use on long jobs. If you are going to use it often, the weight is important because it will make your work easier. If you need to cut through a lot of wood in a short period of time, you will need one that is lightweight.

Cutting Speed

If you’re looking for something that will cut through wood at a fast rate, you should be looking for a saw with high power. However, if you need something that is easy to use, then check out the saws with lower power ratings.

Safety features

Chainsaws come with several safety features, including an automatic brake (which stops the saw when it’s not moving) and a wrist strap (which prevents the user from being thrown off by the saw); however, certain rules must be followed for these safety features to work properly. You have to ensure those safety features are included with your chainsaw.

Chainsaw Types

There are many different types of chainsaws available for purchase. Here’s a quick overview of some of the most popular ones:

Gas-Powered Chainsaws: These are the most common type of chainsaw used by professionals and homeowners alike. These chainsaws have an internal combustion engine to power them. Because they have an engine, they can be loud and vibrate when running, so you may want to wear ear protection when using one. The gasoline motor uses a spark to create enough power to cut through even the hardest pieces of wood. However, their main disadvantage is that they tend to be heavier than their electric counterparts. That means these saws can be difficult to carry around when cutting wood. Also, keep in mind that gas-powered chainsaw motors can become dirty and clogged up over time. You will have to take this to a professional mechanic for cleaning and maintenance once this happens.

Corded Electric Chainsaws: These chainsaws plug into an outlet instead of using batteries. They can be quieter than the gasoline versions because there is no engine noise, but not as powerful as their gas-powered counterparts. The downside of corded electric chainsaws is they are not portable due to cords.

Cordless Battery Chainsaws: These saws use batteries (to drive the chain) built into the handle of the saw itself (which means you don’t need any cords). Because of this, these kinds of saws are lighter than their corded counterparts, making them easier to carry around. However, you will need to make sure your battery is charged before going out on a job because it can run down quickly if not used often.

Chain Brake

This is a safety feature that stops the chain from spinning when the engine is off. It’s important to have this feature on your chain saw so you don’t have to keep holding the trigger down while it’s off.

High-Quality Chains

You will get more control over your power saw if you use a quality chain. You can’t put a cheap or low-quality chain on a chainsaw because it will jam or break quickly, which can be dangerous.

Chain Size

A chain’s size dictates how big or small it will cut through different materials. The most common sizes are 1/8″, ¼″ and 3/8″ in diameter, but there are others as well. Most chainsaws come with a chain that has the same size measurement on both ends (e.g., 18 inches). Chainsaws with smaller diameters are better for cutting wood because they have less friction when cutting through wood than larger ones do. Larger diameter chainsaws work better on harder materials like stone or metal because they have greater speed and less friction when cutting through these materials than smaller ones do. If you need to cut through something that is not wood or metal but still needs to be cut into small pieces (like branches), you can get by with any size chain if you run it at high speeds (like 8,000+ RPM). Therefore, it’s important to check the chain specs of your saw before buying one.

Chain Tensioning Wrenches

Some types of chainsaws have chain tensioning wrenches available so you can adjust the tension of your chain so that it cuts more smoothly. This is especially helpful if you’re just starting out with your saw and are unsure about how tight the chain needs to be.

Blade Size

Most chainsaws have many different sizes of blades available for purchase. They are measured in inches and millimeters (cm). If you know what size blade you need, then look for one that has that size listed on the specs sheet or online description. There are also some manufacturers who will tell you which size blade they recommend for their saws; check those out too because they can give you some extra information about cutting different materials with their product.

Bar Length

The bar length on a chainsaw is the distance between the saw’s handle and the blade. The longer this distance, the easier it will be to cut. The best way to measure is to stand over your saw and hold it against your body with both hands and measure from your shoulder. You should be able to reach around the saw with your arms extended and still have your hands on top of the saw. If this doesn’t work, you can use a tape measurer or a piece of string tied around your forearm; make sure you are wearing gloves or holding something else underneath it so that you don’t cut yourself.

Belt Drive vs. Direct Drive

Chainsaws come in two main types: belt drive and direct drive. Belt drive chainsaws use an internal belt instead of an engine to power their motor; therefore, they run quieter and smoother than direct drive models. The downside of belt drive chainsaws is that they can be more difficult to start up if there isn’t enough oil in the chain; therefore, it’s a good idea to make sure that you’re using enough oil in your chain.

Warranty

A warranty is important because it shows you the manufacturer’s commitment to the product. This is especially important when buying a chainsaw. Chainsaws are expensive, so you should make sure you are getting what you pay for. The most common warranties on chainsaws are 1 year and 2 year. These time frames indicate how long the manufacturer will guarantee the product under normal usage conditions and how long they will guarantee parts used in repair of that product under normal usage conditions. For example, if your chainsaw malfunctions after 1 year, then it will be repaired or replaced at no charge to you

Conclusion

There are a lot of different small chainsaw models out there, and they come in different sizes and with various features. Therefore, it’s important that you know how to choose them before buying one; otherwise, you might end up wasting your money by purchasing a chainsaw that isn’t suitable for the type of woodcutting projects you want to complete. so choose wisely!