Finding the best chainsaw for ripping logs can be hard.
To help you make a better decision we have created a list of 7 different chainsaw models that come with different features.
The chainsaws that we listed down below, come in different price ranges, and different performances. Depending on your work, you can choose one or the other.
If you don’t know which one to choose, then read our buying guide down below, where we listed all the important things you should check before buying a chainsaw for ripping logs.
Let’s jump into the details.
Table of Contents
Comparison Chart
If you are in a hurry and don’t have so much time in reading detailed reviews of these products, you can check the quick comparison chart showing the top chainsaws for ripping logs.
Images | Product Name | Details | Price |
Greenworks G-MAX | ● Battery Powered ● 16 Inch Blade ● 4 Year Warranty | ||
BLACK+DECKER 40V Max | ● Battery-powered ● 12 Inch Blade ● 2 Year Warranty | ||
WORX WG303.1 | ● Corded-electric ● 16 Inch Blade | ||
Husqvarna 450 Rancher II | ● Gas Powered ● 20 Inch Blade | ||
DEWALT MAX XR | ● Battery Powered ● 12 Inch Blade | ||
Poulan Pro PR5020 | ● Gas Powered ● 20 Inch Blade | ||
Remington RM1645 | ● Corded Electric ● 16 Inch Blade |
7 Best Chainsaw For Milling In 2022
1. Greenworks G-MAX 40V 16-Inch Cordless Chainsaw
Greenworks is one of the most popular brands of power tools out there. It can be a great pick if you are looking for the best chainsaw for ripping logs.
Greenworks G-MAX is present in the 1st position in this article as it offers a great cutting performance. You get a 16-inch cutting blade in this cordless chainsaw that works perfectly for cutting & trimming trees & logs. It comes with a lightweight & ergonomic design that gives maximum control & convenient use.
The blade of this chainsaw is powered by a 40-volt battery, you get a great cutting performance from this cordless chainsaw. The battery life of this chainsaw is good since it has a 4 Ah battery in it.
The best thing about this chainsaw is that it comes with a brushless motor design that delivers up to 30% more torque for the greatest cutting performance and up to 70% less vibration for user comfort while working.
You also get a 4-year warranty with this cordless chainsaw along with decent build quality. As a result, you can use it for a long time without any issues. It gives you to easily and quick adjust the chain tension using its tool-less chain tensioning system.
Specifications
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Power Source | Battery Powered |
Item Weight | 10.4 Pounds |
Blade Lenth | 16 Inch |
Warranty | 4 Year |
Dimensions | 31 x 9 x 8.5 Inches |
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- Quick start
- Brushless motor
- Lightweight design
- Automatic Oiler
- Auto Chain Tensioning
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- Some people claimed chain adjustment issues
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2. BLACK+DECKER 40V Max 12-Inch Cordless Chainsaw
BLACK+DECKER is quite a popular brand of power tools that offers various kinds of options. You can even find a great chainsaw option from the present in this article.
BLACK+DECKER LCS1240 cordless electric chainsaw is present in the 2nd position in this article as it is a highly reliable option. You get a 12-inch cutting blade in this chainsaw that can be quite handy for cutting logs and branches.
This chainsaw comes with a 40-volt battery system that uses 2.0 Ah lithium-ion batteries. As a result, you get a decent battery life from this chainsaw. And even if you run out of battery, you can easily replace it.
You get a great build quality along with a 2-year warranty in this cordless chainsaw. As a result, you can use it for ripping logs for a long time without any issues. It also offers a full wrap-around handle that is quite comfortable and ergonomic for easily handling the chainsaw.
It comes with a lightweight design at just over 10.4 pounds. This allows you to easily use it as well as carry it around without any issues easily. It even comes with features like an automatic oiling system, chain lubrication, low-kickback, and much more.
Specifications
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Power Source | Battery-powered |
Item Weight | 10.4 Pounds |
Blade Lenth | 12 Inch |
Warranty | 2 Year |
Dimensions | 28.56 x 8.81 x 9.63 Inches |
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- Easy to start
- Automatic oiling system
- Lightweight design
- Tool-free chain tensioning
- Full wrap around handles
- Low-kickback bar and chain
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- Little more plastic body
- Some people claimed oil leak problem
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3. WORX WG303.1 16-inch Corded Electric Chainsaw
WORX can be a great option if you are looking for a corded electric chainsaw for ripping logs. And the chainsaw mentioned here is one of the best corded electric options made by WORX.
WORX WG303.1 electric chainsaw is present in the 3rd position in this article. It can be a great option if you are looking for premium electric chainsaws. Even though it has a relatively very affordable price tag.
This chainsaw comes with a 16-Inch cutting blade that provides a balance between size and cutting performance. This blade is powered by a 14.5 amp motor that is enough powerful for its given price.
The best thing about this chainsaw is that It has an automatic tension system that prevents over-tightening and increases the life of the motor, bar, and chain. You also get a 2-year warranty with this electric chainsaw from Worx.
It offers a rubberized rear handle that is quite comfortable and ergonomic for easily handling the chainsaw while ripping logs. You can also find useful features like an auto oiling system, preventing kick-back, quick-stop chain break, and many more.
Specifications
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Power Source | Corded-Electric |
Item Weight | 11 Pounds |
Blade Lenth | 16 Inch |
Warranty | 2 Year |
Dimensions | 14.57 x 19.69 x 8.07 Inches |
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- Starts pretty easily
- Auto-Tension
- Full-Wrap Handle
- Prevents kick-back
- Quick-stop chain break
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- Some user claimed chain oil leak issue
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4. Husqvarna 20 Inch 450 Rancher II Gas Chainsaw
Husqvarna is one of the oldest brands in the chainsaw market chainsaw and has been around since 1689. And this one is a great option if you are looking for a gas-powered chainsaw for ripping logs. that offers value for money.
Husqvarna 450 Rancher II comes with a 20-inch blade or chain length that offers a great balance between size and performance. And since it is powered by a 55.5 CC gas engine, it can easily rip logs without any issues.
A great thing about this chainsaw is that it has a quick start function that is always great to have in a gas-powered chainsaw. You also get a quick-release air filter system in this chainsaw that ensures that the engine stays clean and keeps performing optimally over time.
It offers a 2-year warranty with this gas-powered chainsaw that is common in such chainsaws. . You also get an anti-vibration handle in this chainsaw that is quite comfortable and ergonomic for easily handling the chainsaw while ripping logs.
You get an automatic chain oiler in this chainsaw that ensures that delivers a steady supply of bar and chain oil for safe use. You can also find features and options like 2 cycle engine, side-mounted chain tensioning system, air cleaning system, and many more.
Specifications
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Power Source | Gas Powered |
Item Weight | 11.3 Pounds |
Blade Lenth | 20 Inch |
Warranty | 2 Year |
Dimensions | 38 x 9 x 12.5 Inches |
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- Quick start
- Air cleaning system
- X-Torq engine
- Auto return stop switch
- Snap lock cylinder cover
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- Some people claimed won’t start
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5. DEWALT 20V MAX XR 12-Inch Battery Powered Chainsaw
Dewalt is the most popular brand of power tools that has a high user rating. And it also offers a wide range of chainsaw options like the one mentioned here in this article.
Dewalt DCCS620B comes with a small 12-inch blade that makes it a great option if you are looking for compact and portable battery-powered chainsaws. And this Dewalt chainsaw is also quite lightweight that allows you to easily use it as well as carry it around without any issues easily.
It comes with a 20-volt maximum battery system, which uses a 5 Ah battery. This chainsaw has a 12-inch blade, so you can expect decent battery life. The chain speeds at 25.2 feet per second are good for the size and battery power.
The best part of this chainsaw is that it has a high-efficiency brushless motor, it is quite silent when compared with other options. You also get a 3-year warranty with this motor. As a result, It can last you a long time even if you are using it for heavy-duty applications.
Specifications
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Power Source | Battery Powered |
Item Weight | 8.8 Pounds |
Blade Lenth | 12 Inch |
Warranty | 3 Year |
Dimensions | 25 x 9 x 9 Inches |
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- Low kick back
- High efficiency brushless motor
- Tool free chain tensioning
- Compact and lightweight design
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- Less powerful
- Battery sold separately
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6. Poulan Pro PR5020 20 Inch 2-Cycle Gas Chainsaw
Poulan Pro is one of the best brands of power tools out there. It makes value for money power tools, including this gas chainsaw.
This chainsaw comes with a decently large 20-inch blade size that is powered by a 50 CC engine. Due to this, it can offer a pretty good cutting performance. It has an OxyPower engine that provides extra power for virtually any task.
This gas chainsaw offers a 2-year warranty that makes it the most reliable and durable choice in this article. You also get an effortless pull starting system in this chainsaw that reduces pull force by 30% for easier starting.
It has a 5-point anti-vibration system and cushioned full wrap handle that will provide a balanced, comfortable, and maneuverable to operate. You get a comfortable experience with this gas chainsaw since it offers a rear handle. You also get features like 2-stroke engines, auto oiling, and an air filter system in this chainsaw.
Specifications
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Power Source | Gas Powered |
Item Weight | 17 Pounds |
Blade Lenth | 20 Inch |
Warranty | 2 Year |
Dimensions | 12 x 16 x 11.8 Inches |
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- Spark plug
- 2-stroke engines
- OxyPower engine technology
- Effortless pull starting system
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- Bit heavy
- Some user claimed very hard to start
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7. Remington RM1645 16-Inch Electric Chainsaw
Remington is another highly popular brand of power tools that makes a lot of power tools models. if you are looking for an electric chainsaw for ripping logs. And the chainsaw mentioned here is one of the best electric options made by Remington.
This electric chainsaw has a 16-inch blade size that is quite decent and allows you to cut logs and branches quite easily. And since this blade is powered by a 12 amp motor, you can easily cut through most logs and tree branches.
You get a great build quality along with only a 2-year warranty which is less than other electric options in its class. It also comes with an automatic chain oiling system that is always handy to keep that keeps it lubricated at all times.
Since it weighs only 9.2 pounds, it is one of the most lightweight and portable chainsaws present in this article. You also get other features like a low-kickback bar and chain, chain tension, and many more. But the best part about this electric chainsaw is that it can offer a wraparound handguard.
Based on their power source, chainsaws are classified into three main types – gas-powered, electric, and battery-operated chainsaws. Choosing the right one depends on your requirements. We have provided a detailed description of these three types below. Read them thoroughly to understand which one suits you better.
Specifications
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Power Source | Corded Electric |
Item Weight | 9.2 Pounds |
Blade Lenth | 16 Inch |
Warranty | 2 Year |
Dimensions | 32.8 x 9.8 x 8.8 Inches |
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- Powerful electric motor
- Lightweight with ergo handle
- Auto chain oiler
- Quick adjust chain tension
- Low-kickback bar and chain
- Wraparound hand guard
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- Hefty-priced
- Troublesome for instant starting
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Types of Chainsaw
There are 3 primary types of Chainsaw with their own benefits and drawbacks as follows:
Gas Powered
Gas-powered chainsaws are the best choice if you need a strong saw that can rip logs. The most popular choice among professional and occasional users is the gas-powered model. These saws have enough power for multiple tasks in a short time. As the name suggests,a gas-powered chainsaw uses gas.
This type of chainsaw comes with 2 cycles or a 2-stroke engine that uses oil and gas. It is powerful enough to handle heavy-duty tasks such as cutting wood logs and felling large trees. The oil acts as an engine lubricant, preventing wear and causing damage. Gas is used to ignite the engine. This chain saw needs to be maintained in order to function properly.
Gas-powered engines have two main drawbacks: they emit toxic toxins and make a loud sound. Protective gear is recommended for gas-powered chainsaws to prevent injuries or health complications.
Power: Gas-powered chainsaws are more powerful and efficient because the engine gives them more power. This chainsaw cuts wood faster than any other. Gas-powered chainsaws are heavy-duty, which means they produce vibration and noise. They require regular servicing and fueling, which is not the case for other models.
Cost: These chainsaws can be twice as expensive as other options and are more costly.
check out – best cheap chainsaw
Corded Electric
Corded electric chainsaws are powered by electricity and come with a plug-in power cable. They don’t have an engine because they don’t run on fuel. Corded electric chainsaws can be considered immobile as they must be plugged in every time they are used. You can make the most out of your chainsaw with the help a portable generator. You can plug in the chainsaw and start using it with a long extension cable.
A limited length of the cord is the main drawback to an electric chainsaw. You can’t reach areas that are too long if you add extra cord.
Power: As compared to gas-powered chainsaws, corded electric saws are less powerful and can perform limited tasks (those that don’t require as much power). These are still more powerful than battery-powered chainsaws and can be used to cut and saw small trees and limbs.
Cost: Corded electric chains saws are less expensive than gasoline-powered ones, but they’re more expensive than pole or manual saws.
Battery Powered
Also known as a cordless or battery-powered chainsaw, a battery-powered chainsaw uses batteries to power its motor instead of fuel or electricity. The batteries must be charged before use. This does not mean that you don’t need to fuel your chainsaw or service it as often as you would with a gas-powered one. However, the battery will still need to be changed regularly so that the chainsaw can continue to work.
The battery can limit the amount of work you can do in a single session. The user can prolong each session if he or she has multiple batteries.
A battery-powered chainsaw has one drawback. They are more expensive because they come with high-quality batteries. You will need to purchase an extra pair of batteries if you wish to use the chainsaw with two.
Power: For smaller tasks such as limbing, trimming, and cutting small trees, battery-powered chainsaws can be used. They are not as powerful as corded electric chainsaws. Because they don’t take too much time, this chainsaw is ideal for simple tasks.
Cost: Although they don’t have as much power as corded electric or gas-powered chainsaws, the battery-powered type is the most expensive.
Things to consider before buying the best chainsaw for ripping logs.
1. Blade Length
The size of your chainsaw’s blade is an important factor to consider when buying one. There are many sizes and types of chainsaws, each designed for different users. As you might expect, a medium-sized blade is more efficient and practical for ripping logs.
The cutting task and the user’s experience will determine the ideal length of a bar. These are some guidelines to help you get started:
14 inches or below –Suitable for light jobs and residential use.
16 to 20 inches – For medium-duty jobs
22 to 36 inches – For professional use and heavy-duty jobs
2. Motor Power
It doesn’t matter if you purchase an electric or gas-powered chainsaw, the motor power offered by it is very important. This will ensure that you get a powerful chainsaw capable of cutting branches and trees. Different chainsaws will have different motor powers depending on the needs of the user. You can find the motor power of an electric chainsaw is either amps or volts.
There are options for 20 volt or 40-volt chainsaws and 12 amp or 15 amp chainsaws. The 40 volt and 15-amp options have a higher motor power, which is useful for cutting large trees. The motor power of gas-powered chainsaws is also listed as 35 CC or 42 CC and 2.5 HP or 3.5HP. Whereas the 42 CC option offers more power, the 3.5 HP options provide more power to the user.
3. Size
When buying a chainsaw, the customer should be cautious about what size he can handle and how long it takes to cut through thick bark. With accurate dimensions, the user can ensure his safety and be able to cut the wood more efficiently by knowing the exact dimensions.
4. Handles
There are two types of handles available with a chainsaw
Rear Handle – They are suitable for ground tasks.
Top Handle – Top-handle types are mainly designed for tasks where the person has to climb up a tree or an elevated platform for pruning or cutting.
5. Popularity and Ratings
To find out how the chainsaw performs, you can read the reviews. Many people fall for the marketing tricks and choose the wrong chainsaw. You can see the real value of the product by looking at reviews and ratings for each product.
6. Price
Let’s say I don’t have a single penny saved up for my pocket money but I urgently need a chainsaw for rip logs. What chance do I have of being able to purchase the Chainsaw cutter? The answer is clearly no. If I don’t have the money, I can’t buy a chainsaw. I will have to borrow money in such conditions. The same applies to chainsaws. Prices cannot exceed a person’s budget.
If you have a low budget, you will have non-professional and good-quality chainsaws. Before you buy, read customer reviews and ratings.
7. Durability and Reliability
Chainsaws are used to cut logs so they must be strong and durable enough that it can last for a long time without any problem. As with any power tool, it is important to verify the warranty.
Chainsaws mainly come with a 2-year or a 3-year warranty. Some chainsaws even come with a 4-year warranty. As you might expect, a chainsaw with a longer warranty of 3-4 years can last a long time without any problems. Chainsaws with carbide-tipped cutting blades are also available. These blades are durable and provide a clean cut when cutting branches and trees.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
What can I do with a chainsaw for Ripping logs?
The list is truly endless when it comes to what you can do with a chainsaw. They are not just used in logging but are great tools that homeowners use to clear trees and bushes, prune trees, etc… You can also cut firewood into smaller pieces for the summer heat or even take them apart if they have been previously cut. It all depends on what you need to be done whether it be big or small tasks.
Can I buy any kind of chainsaw for Ripping logs?
The type of chainsaw you invest in won’t be based on price but more so on what tasks are being done. A homeowner would have very different needs than a professional logger.
Depending on your plans, if you are looking to cut down trees and clear land then you want to buy a large saw with horsepower capabilities. If you’re only cutting up firewood this size is not necessary.
What kind of chain do I need?
The chainsaw chain comes in different pitch sizes which refer to the distance between the drive links. For example, 3/8 pitch means there is 3/8″ space between each link giving it its name. The larger the pitch number will determine how fast the chain can travel through wood or other objects while ripping.
What is double-sided?
Double-sided chainsaws are better for ripping through trees and larger logs. This type of saw has the teeth located on both sides of the chain instead of just one. Why this is important you might ask? Well, double-sided chains allow the user to cut faster and provide more force behind each cut because they can be used in all four positions (aggressive 4-point).
The teeth will only engage when it hits wood giving you much less impact/kickback which makes it easier to control. Here is a great video that defines double-sided vs standard.
Final Verdict
This information is everything you need to rip logs. As you can see in our best chainsaw for ripping logs list, there are a lot of different units available in the chainsaw market. Depending on your work, you can choose one or the other.
If you don’t know which one to buy, then read our buying guide where we listed all the important things you should check before buying one.
If you’re looking for the best chainsaw for cutting logs, the Greenworks G-MAX could be a good choice. The WORX G-MAX is a good alternative.