How to Choose the Right Chainsaw for Your Needs

You will have to look into lots of things for the best chainsaw you want for your tasks. You might want to use it in your lawn or in a forest, and there are different sizes for each use. That means you will need to read a guide to choose the right chainsaw for your needs. Here it is, and you will get every answer in it.

What to Know Before Buying a Chainsaw?

You should know about chainsaw’s application, wood type, power limit, and bar length. Also, its usage frequency, size of project, certifications, and safety features are part of the inquiry. Besides, you will have to ensure that the parts replacement and maintenance are user-friendly. Chainsaws are of two main types: professional ones and homeowner ones.

Why Choosing a Chainsaw Correctly Matters?

If you make a mistake in it, the results will be inaccurate. The bar size, chain length, and engine/motor power differences change the results. Choosing the wrong size will also cause overheating or excess wear and tear in the machine. It could be vice versa, where the machine might take lots of energy for a simple task.

Types of Chainsaws and Material Types 

There are three types of chainsaws, but one is the most common in the world. Their performances are different because of their operating conditions, upfront costs, and maintenance costs. 

  • Gasoline Chainsaw
  • Electric Corded Chainsaw
  • Battery-Powered Chainsaw

Besides, they are ideal for wood cutting in residential and commercial operations. Homeowners, forestry professionals, carpenters, and rescue professionals use them often. Chainsaws can work efficiently on all types of wood, whether it is softwood, hardwood, dry, wet, or even frozen wood. You can cut hardwoods like maple, walnut, oak, teak, and hickory types easily. Also, you can cut softwood like redwood, pine, spruce, and cedar with a chainsaw. 

Besides, some people use them for plastic, aluminum, and even ice cutting. However, it is better and safer to use them only on wood. 

What is the Difference Between a Residential and a Professional Chainsaw?

A residential chainsaw is for pruning in the lawn and backyard, and also for cutting firewood. On the other hand, a professional chainsaw is for heavy cutting of logs in forestry work. Residential ones are slightly lighter because of less powerful components in them.

  • You can use a 40cc to 50cc chainsaw for residential use.
  • For professional use, choose a chainsaw with a power of more than 50cc.

How Many CC Should a Good Chainsaw Have?

It is just not about good chainsaw teeth; it is about the compatible power of the engine/motor. If you choose a chainsaw with incompatible cc for your task, the results will be unsatisfactory. Even if the chainsaw is of a top brand, the incompatibility will ruin all the efforts and investment. Here is what you should do.

  • Choose between 40cc and 50cc for light and medium wood cutting. 
  • The 50cc to 60cc power range is suitable for regular professional work.
  • Any chainsaw above 60 or 70cc is best for heavy-duty applications.

For heavy-duty work, the construction material matters as much as the CCs, see our complete guide to professional gasoline chainsaws for the difference between magnesium pro saws and plastic consumer models.

How Do I Determine What Chainsaw Chain I Need?

  • Keep three elements in mind: pitch, gauge, and number of drive links in its chain. Gauge is the thickness of drive links, where 1.1mm, 1.3mm, 1.5mm, and 1.6mm are standard sizes.
  • Pitch is the distance between three consecutive rivets, which we need to divide by 2. Common pitch sizes are 0.25, 0.325, 0.375, and 0.404 inches. You can find pitch and gauge details on the chain bar.
  • A full chisel is for soft wood; a semi-chisel is for hardwood. Also, a semi-chisel is more suitable for home users. However, a half chisel is more durable because of its slow-speed cutting. A full chisel provides fast cutting, but it may wear earlier than a semi chisel.
  • Low pitch is for home users; high pitch is for professionals.

Bar Length Selection

The bar length makes the difference in application, and this is what you should select carefully. If you are looking for residential use, there will be a shorter length. For commercial use, there will be a larger length.

12-14 Inch for Pruning and Small Trees

If you want to do pruning in the garden, lawn, and backyard, choose between a 12 and 14-inch bar length. It will be ideal for light tasks like pruning and firewood cutting.

16-18 Inch for Medium Trees

To deal with medium trees in your lawn or park, choose between a 16 and 18-inch bar length. This length will be compatible with such works.

20-24 Inch for Large Trees and Logging

If you are a professional who has to deal with large trees, choose over 18-inch bar length. Any size above it will be ideal for logging and mega cutting. 

Can You Put an 18 Inch Bar on a 14 Inch Chainsaw?

There will be incompatibility and a lack of power because the motor will not support it. Even if you install it, there will be issues like excess pressure on the motor/engine.

How big a Tree will a 20-inch Chainsaw Cut?

A 20-inch chainsaw can cut between 18 inches and 32 inches of a tree’s diameter. 

Should I Buy a 16 or 18 Inch Chainsaw?

Choose an 18-inch chainsaw for more penetration and medium-level work. If you prune or cut firewood, a 16-inch chainsaw is better.

What is the Ideal Size of a Chainsaw for Home Use?

An ideal size ranges between a 12-inch and an 18-inch chainsaw for home use.

Secondary Factors to Know When Buying a Chainsaw

Then you need to consider secondary factors also. It is not just about the cutting power, but more than that. You will have to consider the comfort, safety, and durability level of the chainsaw. Besides, there are some other factors to know.

Weight, Ergonomics, and Portability

Gasoline and battery-powered chainsaws are portable, but a gasoline chainsaw is more reliable for long tasks. Battery-powered chainsaws require frequent charging when it comes to long operations. Corded chainsaws are always dependent on a power supply, which makes them less reliable. Chainsaws for home use are slightly lower in weight, but all types are ergonomic.

Balance and Safety Features

There must be a rear hand guard, chain break, safety throttle, stop switch, and chain catcher. Also, there must be a throttle trigger lockout and an easily accessible on/off switch near the main hand. The rubber on the handles must be thick enough to make a strong grip.

Anti-Vibration Features

If the chainsaw causes excessive vibration, there will be lots of problems for the operator. So, the chainsaw you are choosing must have an anti-vibration system for stable use.

Handle Design and Comfort

Besides grip, the design must be aligned with the hand position. There must not be pain or fatigue after some minutes of holding the chainsaw. It includes the type of plastic and rubber, which must be skin-friendly. 

Budget Considerations

The price may vary depending on the brand and features. Jiangsu Tailin Power Machine Co., Ltd. is one of the suppliers that can offer a very affordable price range. What you need to do is explore the market on different platforms for a suitable price and features. 

Operating Costs (Maintenance, Fuel, and Parts Replacement)

The operating cost can make lots of difference. If it is frequent and high, this issue will be problematic. So, what you need to do is choose a chainsaw that requires less maintenance and gives higher performance. 

  • Gasoline chainsaws need more maintenance, but it gives great power, portability, and efficiency. However, it requires maintenance for oil, engine, filters, and other parts. 
  • An electric chainsaw hardly requires replacement except for a few parts, but it can not offer portability.
  • The battery-powered chainsaw requires battery and parts replacement, but offers less power and continuation than gasoline. 

Durability and Lifespan

The durability and lifespan is the return of your investment. So, a chainsaw with high performance, along with durability, is the best investment. You can find such chainsaws on Jiangsu Tailin Power Machine Co., Ltd. Besides, you can try online B2B/B2C platforms for more options.

Warranty Coverage and Brand Reliability 

These two elements are mandatory, especially in machines. Chainsaws from Jiangsu Tailin Power Machine Co., Ltd. can offer success in both. There are many brands available in the market, and you can explore them. However, the features must be high if there is warranty coverage and brand reliability.

Certifications and Standards

Before you finalize the decision, make sure the chainsaws are safety-compliant. For instance, Jiangsu Tailin Power Machine Co., Ltd. offers reliable and safety-compliant chainsaws. Even if you are choosing a different brand, make sure the manufacturer complies with safety standards. ANSI B175.1-2021, CSA Z62.1-15 (R2024), EN ISO 11393, and ISO 11681 are common for forestry machines like chainsaws.

Conclusion

You need to explore the primary and secondary features of a chainsaw when you want to buy one or in bulk. There are lots of factors like power limit, cutting bar’s length, teeth’s size, and material compatibility. Their weight, ergonomics, certifications, designs, and comfort factors are also included. So, you can find all these features in a compatible and affordable form at Jiangsu Tailin Power Machine Co., Ltd. You can inquire with us for more details.

FAQs

What is the Best Size Chainsaw for Home Use?

Choose between 12-inch and 18-inch chainsaws for garden, lawn, etc.

Is a Gasoline Chainsaw Better Than an Electric?

Yes, especially for heavy-duty performance, long-hours operation, and portability.

What Size of Chainsaw Do I Need to Cut a Tree?

12-inch to 14-inch chainsaws are suitable for small trees. You can do pruning and firewood cutting with it. 16-inch to 18-inch chainsaws are good for medium trees. While any chainsaw with an over 20-inch cutting size is the best for large trees.

What Not to Cut with a Chainsaw?

Do not try a chainsaw on metal, concrete, rubber, sand, stones, mud, or glass. Also, avoid cutting anything that is above your shoulder height, as there may be possible accidents. Do not cut trees near electric wiring.

How to Maintain a Chainsaw?

Keep the blade clean after every use. Clean the spark plug if there are power issues or backfires in the gasoline chainsaws. Check the oil in the tank to prevent low levels. Inspect the air filter if the engine is not having much power. Replace the chain if you find excess wear and tear on it or poor cutting results. You can apply rust preventive spray on the chain and bar.

What are the Signs of a Faulty Chainsaw?

Loss of power, hard starting, excessive noise, smoke, and excessive vibration are some signs of faulty chainsaw. 

When Should I Replace My Chainsaw Cutting Chain?

When you notice damaged teeth, uneven teeth, poor cutting, and excessive wear on the cutting chain, replace it. If there is a worn wear marker, you can inspect the line on it to analyze the condition.

Featured Articles

13-Apr-2026 How to Choose the Right Chainsaw for Your Needs

You will have to look into lots of things for the best chainsaw you ...

READ FULL
13-Apr-2026 Complete Guide to Professional Gasoline Chainsaws

Battery technology might have improved over the years in chainsaws, ...

READ FULL

Leave Your Comments