5 Best Petrol Chainsaws of 2024

Hyundai is a brand that so many know and love, therefore I was excited to give their 62cc 20” Petrol Chainsaw a try – I had several fallen trees that were waiting to be sliced up, so was hopeful that this machine would be up to the task.

Before I could get started, I had to assemble the chainsaw. Fortunately, this didn’t take long – I had it all put together in less than ten minutes. All you need to do is insert the bar and chain, which was made easier by the fact that this chain didn’t need to be unravelled. All the tools that you’ll need for assembly are also supplied with the chainsaw.

This chainsaw is very similar (almost identical) in design to the P1PE chainsaw that I also tested. It has a large trigger, an on/off button, a choke button, and a primer bubble. However, the Hyundai does also come with a decompression button. I loved that this chainsaw had a 50 cm (20”) bar, along with a chain that felt much sturdier than some of the others that I’ve used. This isn’t a chain that’s going to stretch easily.

I did have some trouble when it came to starting this chainsaw – it definitely didn’t start first time like some of the others that I tested. However, once it finally kicked into action, I really couldn’t fault its performance at all. It ran for about three hours straight without any issues, neatly and quickly slicing its way through thick, mature tree trunks.

You can tell that this is a powerful chainsaw as soon as you start to use it. This is all thanks to its 62cc 2-stroke petrol engine, which has been designed to be eco-friendly and fuel-efficient. It gives the machine a rapid cutting speed, pushing it into the professional realm.

I found this chainsaw to be comfortable and easy to use. At 7kg, it is noticeably heavier than some of the others that I reviewed, but this is down to its large engine and long bar. If you’d prefer something lighter and easier on the arms, you’d need to sacrifice one of these.

Safety is always important when it comes to garden tools, but even more so for something like a chainsaw, which has the potential to cause some serious damage. Fortunately, Hyundai has taken this into account and has included a number of safety features focused on protecting the user from kickbacks and chain breakages – something that I always appreciate!

Compare this chainsaw to the others that I tested and you’ll see that it’s one of the most expensive. However, for what you’re paying, you’re getting a fantastic machine that’s not only suitable for light garden work, but can also be used for heavy-duty tasks. That said, as I mentioned earlier, this chainsaw is very similar to the P1PE that I tested. If you’re on a tight budget, then the P1PE, or even the ParkerBrand, is the one I’d recommend. However, if you’re willing to spend just a little bit more on a reliable and trustworthy brand, then the Hyundai is more than worth it.

All in all, I was absolutely delighted with this tool and recommend it as the best petrol chainsaw overall. It would be a great buy for anyone who needs a versatile tool – one that they can turn to for small tasks as well as bulk work.

I use a chainsaw professionally and now that I’ve tried the Hyundai, I foresee my trusted Stihl being relegated to the back of my shed!

I have to say, this ParkerBrand chainsaw slices through thick logs with ease. While not as well-known as some of the other garden tool brands out there, a little digging will tell you that ParkerBrand has a loyal following who appreciate their combination of quality and affordability. It’s not a brand that I’ve personally heard of before, let alone used, so I was curious to see how their 62CC 20” Petrol Chainsaw would compare to some of its big-name competitors.

The minimal assembly required for this chainsaw left me impressed right from the start. It only took about ten minutes in total to fit the bar and chain on, and then another few minutes to pour in fuel and oil. The fact that ParkerBrand has included a comprehensive tool kit with this machine makes the assembly process much faster.

In terms of design, this chainsaw boasts everything that you’d expect from a high-end chainsaw. It has a 50 cm (20”) bar, making it suitable for professional use too, and its trigger, on/off button, primer bubble, and choke button are all positioned for convenient access. It even comes with its own carry bag – granted, this isn’t a huge deal, but for someone like myself who often carries chainsaws around, having a carry bag is definitely convenient.

There weren’t any issues when it came to turning the chainsaw on either. I did have my doubts at first, since the primer bubble didn’t seem to properly prime the machine, but it still started first time. It performed very well too – it handled everything that I asked of it, even slicing through trunks that were close to 102 cm (40”) in diameter. 

Its high performance capabilities are likely down to its exceptional power. It has a 62cc, 3.5HP 2-stroke petrol engine. Again, this puts it right up there with many of the higher-end and pricier models, such as the Hyundai that I also tested. 

That said, it does feel a little lighter than the Hyundai, which makes it that much easier to use. If you’re only using it for short periods of time, this won’t matter so much. However, for those of you who’ll be using the chainsaw for extended periods, you’ll appreciate its lightweight nature, along with its anti-vibration system. 

There are a number of safety features included in this chainsaw, to the point where it would even be safe for use by someone who had never handled a chainsaw before. From its anti-kickback mechanism to its fast-acting chain brake, ParkerBrand has definitely made a solid attempt to keep users of this chainsaw as safe as possible. However, don’t get too complacent – protective gear should still be worn when using this machine. No chainsaw is 100% safe!

This ParkerBrand chainsaw was the least expensive of the five that I tested, yet its power and performance matched, if not exceeded, that of costlier models. This makes it fantastic value for money. It genuinely surprises me that it’s possible to even get a chainsaw this good for such a low price. I was expecting to find several flaws during the testing process, but there were near to none. Even better, ParkerBrand has added extra value to this product by including a spare chain, a full maintenance tool kit, a measuring bottle, a protective cover, a carry bag, and a one-year warranty. You’d struggle to find all of this at such a reasonable price from any other company!

I would highly recommend this chainsaw to just about everyone. The only exception would be if you’re looking for something physically smaller. In this case, you may be better off with something like the Husqvarna HUSQ120-14 (also featured on this page). However, for everyone else, this chainsaw really can’t be beaten. It’s simple and convenient enough for occasional garden use, while also being large and high-performance enough for professional use – it really is a win-win!

Not familiar with the P1PE brand? Neither was I, until I tried their impressive 62cc Petrol Chainsaw. Turns out, P1PE, which is short for Position One Power Equipment, is well-acquainted with producing power tools and garden machinery, with all of them being powered by Hyundai engines. So, having recently tested out Hyundai’s 62cc petrol chainsaw, I was curious to see how this lower-priced alternative would compare. It’s aimed at people who need to carry out both small clearance jobs as well as heavy-duty tree felling, making it seem like the ideal machine to help me tidy up all of the damage that Storm Arwen had caused around my farm.

Assembling this chainsaw was very simple. The process only took about 10 minutes and was made easier by the fact that the gripper bar was already attached and all of the tools needed for assembly were provided in a little canvas bag. I did have a few issues with the pin that holds the handle together falling out, but a little persuasion with a hammer was enough to knock it into place.

In terms of design, this P1PE chainsaw was very similar to the Hyundai that I reviewed. Both had 50 cm (20”) cutting bars, a primer bubble, a choke button, and a canvas carrying bag. However, there were a couple of features that set them apart. Firstly, visual aesthetics – the P1PE is a vivid shade of orange, which definitely helps it to stand out if you set it down in the middle of branches and other debris. Its handles also have grips, which I was happy to see, and the chain tensioner is located on the side of the machine, which makes it much easier to adjust the chain. The only thing it lacked was a decompression button. That said, while the Hyundai did have one, none of the other chainsaws that I tested did.

Again, in terms of both performance and power, there wasn’t really a significant difference between the P1PE and the Hyundai. The P1PE was able to neatly slice through trunks that were roughly 102 cm (40”) in diameter, yet it handled smaller branches just as well too. 

It’s easy to feel this machine’s power, which is understandable considering that it has a large 62cc 2-stroke petrol engine. Even when I attempted to use it on trunks that were slightly too thick for it, it didn’t stutter or struggle. It was able to handle 3-4 hours of solid work, which definitely impressed me. 

Even better, I found this chainsaw to be very comfortable to use. Its soft-grip handles make a big difference, even when you have thick gloves on. Some may find this chainsaw to be a little too heavy (it weighs around 5.4kg), but I’m used to handling large petrol chainsaws so this wasn’t an issue for me. If the weight is going to be a problem for you, then keep in mind that a lighter machine would probably have either a shorter cutting bar or a smaller engine.

There are several safety features incorporated into this chainsaw. You’ll find a chain catcher for shortening the chain if it derails (and therefore preventing it from whipping back onto you), an anti-kickback safety brake, and anti-vibration technology. Fortunately, neither the chain catcher or the safety brake needed to be activated while I was using the machine, so while I can’t judge how well they function, I would say that the anti-vibration technology works well!

It surprised me to see how similar this chainsaw was to the Hyundai machine that I also reviewed, especially when you take the big price difference into account. This one costs quite a bit less, with the only real difference being that it doesn’t have a decompression button, which the Hyundai does. Is a decompression button worth paying the extra money for? In my opinion, no, which is why this machine really does offer amazing value for money. The fact that it comes with two chains, a carry bag, maintenance tools, and a two year manufacturer’s warranty adds to its value even more.

I was dubious about this chainsaw to begin with, simply because I hadn’t heard of the brand before. However, once I got it going, it didn’t stop impressing me. It’s extremely powerful and performed well at whatever task I set it to, whether this was slicing up huge tree trunks or chopping up smaller branches.

This versatility is what really sets it apart from the rest – if you’re looking to purchase a petrol chainsaw for both light work around your garden and occasional heavy-duty tasks, I would highly recommend going with P1PE.

The Husqvarna brand is top of the line when it comes to chainsaws. Buy a Husqy and you know that you’ve got yourself a high-quality and reliable machine. That said, all of the Husqvarna chainsaws that I’ve used in the past have been pro models. This one, the HUSQ120-14, is designed more for the average homeowner, so I was curious to see how it would tackle the large mature conifer trees that had been uprooted around my farm thanks to Storm Arwen. 

Most of the chainsaws that I tested took about ten minutes to assemble, and this one was no exception. You do waste a bit of time unravelling the chain, but, when it comes to removing and replacing the side panel (so that you can fit the bar and chain), Husqvarna made things more convenient by positioning the screw for this at the front, rather than the side, of the unit. 

The first thing that stands out about the design of this chainsaw is the length of its bar. At 36 cm (14”), it’s significantly smaller than some of the others that I tested, but this could very well be all you need for the tasks that you have lined up for your chainsaw. Husqvarna also incorporated a number of clever design features into this chainsaw, such as the combined choke/stop control that enables you to easily start the machine from either cold or hot.

Many other chainsaws boast easy-start features, but this one actually works – the Husqy started up first time, every time, from both cold or hot. It’s definitely a timesaver having a machine that does this! It also cut beautifully, but I did have to stick to small to medium sized trunks and branches. Anything larger than around 65 cm (25”) in diameter and the chainsaw really struggles. 

This is partly down to its small engine size. At 38.2cc, it’s almost half that of some of the other chainsaws that I reviewed. This shouldn’t be an issue for light, occasional work, but it isn’t quite powerful enough for heavy-duty tasks.

What this chainsaw lacks in power and size is made up for by how easy it is to handle and use this machine. It weighs just 4.8kg, making it lighter than all of the other chainsaws that I tested. This makes it ideal for those who plan on using their chainsaw for extended periods of time. It’s also a great machine for tree pruning – you’ll be able to carry it up a tall ladder without feeling weighed down, which is why this was the chainsaw that I chose when I had to do just that.

Safety features are pretty standard when it comes to petrol chainsaws, and the Husqvarna has them all. From its low kickback design to its inertia chain brake designed to protect the user from a broken/derailed chain, Husqvarna has clearly tried to keep its customers as safe as possible. That said, protective gear is still a must! 

Now onto the part that could potentially be a dealbreaker for many – the price. This was the most expensive of the five chainsaws that I tested, even though it was the smallest both in terms of bar size and engine power. It doesn’t come with any spare parts either, although a maintenance toolkit has been included. Instead, the higher cost is attributed to the quality of the parts used to produce this chainsaw, as well as the Husqvarna name. 

By way of conclusion I would say this: if you’re looking for a lightweight, easy-to-use chainsaw but are on a tight budget, there are other options out there that would suit you better (such as the Einhell, which is only slightly larger and heavier). However, if you don’t mind spending a little more on a quality chainsaw that’s extremely well designed and made, then this Husqvarna won’t let you down. It’s the best petrol chainsaw if you need something with a slightly smaller bar and it’s perfect for light DIY work around the home and garden.

I see this as a machine that you’ll end up turning to time and time again for a variety of different tasks.

Einhell is a brand that I know and love – I’ve used several of their power and garden tools before, including their electric scarifier, cordless leaf blower, and cordless chainsaw. However, no matter how good their cordless chainsaw was, I needed something a little more powerful to cope with the large trees that Storm Arwen had toppled around my farm, which is where the Einhell GC-PC 2040 came in. According to the brand, this chainsaw was made for hobby gardeners. The work that I had set out for it was a little more than “hobby” – it was a job that I would usually turn to one of my professional chainsaws for, but I had high hopes that this Einhell would be up to the task.

Assembling this chainsaw was very simple. Einhell provides all of the tools that you’ll need for assembly, meaning that the process only took about ten minutes, plus an extra few minutes to fill the machine with oil and petrol.

Once assembled, I could clearly see that this was an Einhell product, simply because there aren’t many other brands that use such a distinctive red colour for their products. The design of this chainsaw is well thought-out – from the Oregon bar and chain, which is a sign of top quality, to the size of the bar, which is 41 cm (16”) long but slightly narrower than the other chainsaws that I reviewed. The only potential flaw that I could see was the old-fashioned metal on/off switch – all of the other chainsaws that I tested had an on/off button instead.

In terms of performance, this Einhell chainsaw shines. It starts easily and was able to slice through everything that I asked it to. Due to the length of the bar, the maximum trunk diameter that I used this chainsaw on was around 80 cm (32”), and it cut through those without any problems. If you have larger trees that need to be cut, then you’ll need a larger chainsaw, but, for the average home user, this one should be able to handle everything that you need it to. 

Petrol chainsaw engines vary quite significantly, with this one sitting somewhere in the middle of the scale. Again, this is pretty much ideal for the average user – 50cc gives it all of the power it needs to work for several hours straight without any issues. 

Thanks to its size, as well as its narrower bar, I found this chainsaw to be much easier to manoeuvre than many of the others. If I needed to prune a tall tree and had to take a chainsaw up a ladder with me, then this (or the Husqvarna that I also tested) is probably the one that I would choose. The only downside, compared to the Husqvarna, was the weight of this machine. At 6.5kg, it’s pretty heavy, but this is compensated by the fact that it has a larger engine and longer bar (and lower price tag…!).

For me, the main negative aspect to this chainsaw was the metal on/off switch that I mentioned earlier. I ended up knocking it several times while the chainsaw was in use, which meant that the machine would keep turning off mid-cut. Not only was this a little frustrating, but it could also be considered a safety hazard, making it a disappointing oversight on Einhell’s part. 

That said, the brand has incorporated a number of other safety features into this chainsaw. It offers kickback protection, as well as an instant chain brake, but it’s still important for anyone using this chainsaw to wear all of the right protective gear. 

This chainsaw comes in at a pretty low price, especially when you compare it to some of the other options out there. However, Einhell is known for producing quality tools at affordable prices, so a budget-friendly cost is expected from the brand. The fact that this chainsaw is more than capable of carrying out the majority of tasks needed by the average home user, coupled with its high-quality Oregon bar and chain, makes it great value for money.

If you’re looking for a chainsaw that you’ll be able to use for both home and professional use, this isn’t it (look into some of the 50 cm (20”) chainsaws that I tested, such as the Hyundai or ParkerBrand instead). However, if you’d like a budget-friendly machine that’s easy to handle and is versatile enough to carry out a variety of tasks around your home and garden, from cutting firewood to felling small trees, then this Einhell chainsaw will more than meet your requirements.