Best gas chainsaws 2026: top 9 for home, farm and forest

The best gas chainsaws of 2026 for home and yard use are the STIHL MS 182 at UAH 9,969 on sale and the budget Husqvarna 120 Mark II at UAH 5,999. For cutting firewood regularly, look at the new Husqvarna 450S, the ECHO CS-4510ES and the STIHL MS 271; for forestry work, the professional STIHL MS 261 C-M and Husqvarna 572 XP.

Below are 9 current gas chainsaws from five manufacturers, from 35.8–38 cc garden saws to a 70.6 cc forestry saw. For each: engine size and power, approved bars, weight (noting whether the bar is included), anti-vibration and easy-start features, and the official price as of September 25, 2026. Then come a comparison table, how to choose engine size, bar, weight and chain, and the safety basics.

How we picked

• Only saws still in production. All 9 are listed on the makers’ official websites in September 2026. Makita stopped producing gas-powered equipment on March 31, 2022, so the Makita EA3203S from older rankings didn’t make the list.
• Different jobs. Garden saws for branches and firewood, 43–50 cc models for farms and winter firewood, and professional saws for forestry.
• Manufacturer data. Engine size, power, approved bars, weight, anti-vibration and starting systems come from the STIHL, Husqvarna, ECHO, Oleo-Mac and Dnipro-M websites.
• Official prices as of September 25, 2026. For STIHL and Husqvarna, the recommended prices on their Ukrainian websites; for Dnipro-M, the brand’s own store. We couldn’t find Ukrainian Oleo-Mac or ECHO websites with prices, so for these two we list the prices at Oleo-Mac’s official store in Italy and at ECHO’s official distributor in Ireland.

These aren’t the results of our own tests: we didn’t test the saws but compared the manufacturers’ data. Sale prices are valid for a limited time, and dealer prices may differ.

1. STIHL MS 182

Best for homeChainsaw for home and garden

STIHL MS 182

Engine

35.8 cc, 1.6 kW

Bar

40 cm in Ukraine, 30–40 cm in Europe

Chain

3/8″ P, 1.1 mm gauge (PS3 Pro)

Weight

4.5 kg without bar and chain, 5.16 kg with bar and chain

Anti-vibration

STIHL spring system

Starting

easy restart; the C-BE version has easy start

PriceUAH 9,969 on sale, regular price UAH 10,499checked 25 September 2026

For the yard, garden and firewood a few times a season: a light saw from STIHL’s new series with enough power for small trees.

Pros

• 4.5 kg without bar, the lightest on the list
• Narrow PS3 Pro chain with a 1.1 mm gauge
• Side chain tensioning

Cons

• Designed for occasional use
• Easy start only on the C-BE at UAH 11,999

MS 182 on the STIHL website

The MS 182 belongs to STIHL’s new series and has a 35.8 cc engine rated at 1.6 kW. STIHL designed it for cutting firewood, yard maintenance and felling small trees on an occasional basis. Starting, running and stopping all use one master control lever, and after you stop the engine the lever returns to the run position on its own, which makes restarting easier.

In Ukraine, the MS 182 comes with a 40 cm bar; elsewhere in Europe STIHL also offers 30 and 35 cm bars. The MS 182 C-BE costs UAH 11,999 and weighs 0.3 kg more; in STIHL model names, E stands for easy start. If you want an even lighter and cheaper saw, the same series includes the MS 172: 31.8 cc, 1.5 kW, UAH 7,199 on sale.

2. Husqvarna 120 Mark II

Budget HusqvarnaBudget garden chainsaw

Husqvarna 120 Mark II

Engine

38 cc, 1.4 kW, X-Torq

Bar

35 cm included, 35–45 cm approved

Chain

3/8″ mini (H37)

Weight

5 kg without bar and chain

Anti-vibration

LowVib dampers

Vibration

4.4 / 5.9 m/s² (front / rear handle)

Starting

primer with Air Purge

PriceUAH 5,999 on sale, regular price UAH 6,499checked 25 September 2026

For occasional garden work, from firewood and branches to small trees, and for anyone who wants a big-brand saw for under UAH 6,000.

Pros

• Low price for a Husqvarna
• Air Injection keeps the filter cleaner longer
• Inertia chain brake

Cons

• 5.9 m/s² vibration at the rear handle
• No Smart Start

120 Mark II on the Husqvarna website

Husqvarna designed the 120 Mark II for garden jobs: cutting firewood, felling small trees and removing branches. The 38 cc X-Torq engine puts out 1.4 kW, and Air Injection uses centrifugal force to throw sawdust and dirt out of the intake air, so the air filter stays clean longer. It ships with a 35 cm bar and takes bars up to 45 cm.

A primer that purges air from the carburetor and fuel system helps with starting, but there’s no Smart Start: for that, you need the Husqvarna 135 Mark II at UAH 9,999. LowVib dampers absorb vibration, yet Husqvarna rates it at 5.9 m/s² at the rear handle, the highest figure among the saws on this list whose makers publish one. If you’ll be cutting for hours, look one class up.

3. Dnipro-M NSG-45H

Most affordableBudget chainsaw

Dnipro-M NSG-45H

Engine

45 cc, 2 kW

Bar

40 cm

Chain

.325″, 1.5 mm drive links

Weight

5.7 kg without bar and chain

Anti-vibration

7 dampers

Starting

easy-start system and primer

Warranty

3 years

PriceUAH 5,298 on sale, regular price UAH 5,997checked 25 September 2026

For a 500–1,000 m² property, as the maker puts it: a season’s firewood and pruning garden trees. A 45 cc engine for the price of a garden saw.

Pros

• Lowest price on the list
• 45 cc and 2 kW
• 3-year warranty

Cons

• 5.7 kg without bar, heavier than big-brand saws
• Needs a break-in before use

NSG-45H on the Dnipro-M website

The NSG-45H is the cheapest saw here, yet it has a 45 cc, 2 kW engine like the saws one class up. Dnipro-M designed it for a 500–1,000 m² property: a season’s firewood, pruning trees and general woodworking. It has an easy-start system and a primer, seven dampers soak up vibration, and the chain tensioning screw is on the side.

The trade-off is weight: 5.7 kg without bar and chain, and only the Husqvarna 572 XP is heavier on this list. It comes with a 40 cm bar and a .325″ chain. The maker requires a break-in run following the manual before regular use. Dnipro-M lists a 3-year warranty, and the saw costs UAH 5,298 on sale instead of UAH 5,997.

4. Oleo-Mac GS 451

Light for firewoodChainsaw for firewood and garden

Oleo-Mac GS 451

Engine

42.9 cc, 2.1 kW

Bar

41–46 cm

Chain

.325″, 1.3 mm gauge

Weight

4.8 kg without bar and chain

Vibration

4.3 / 4.8 m/s² (left / right handle)

Starting

EasyOn

Pricefrom €419 on sale, list price from €505checked 25 September 2026

For firewood and yard work: a 43 cc saw with EasyOn easy starting that’s lighter than every 45–50 cc model on the list.

Pros

• EasyOn easy start
• Tool-free access to the tanks
• Side chain tensioning

Cons

• A 2018 model
• Price from the official store in Italy

GS 451 on the Oleo-Mac website

The GS 451 comes from Italy’s Oleo-Mac, part of the Emak group. Its 42.9 cc engine produces 2.1 kW, approved bars are 41–46 cm, and it runs a .325″ chain with a 1.3 mm gauge. It weighs 4.8 kg without bar and chain. EasyOn makes starting easier, the chain tensioner is on the side, and the folding EasyLift handle gives tool-free access to the tank caps.

It isn’t new: Oleo-Mac’s website labels the GS 451 a “2018 technical innovation,” but the saw is still in the current lineup. We couldn’t find a Ukrainian Oleo-Mac website with prices; the official Oleo-Mac store in Italy sells the GS 451 from €419 on sale, with a list price from €505.

5. ECHO CS-4510ES

Low vibrationChainsaw for firewood and farm work

ECHO CS-4510ES

Engine

45 cc, 2.3 kW

Bar

33, 38, 45 or 50 cm

Chain

.325″

Weight

5 kg (dry weight)

Vibration

3.3 / 3.2 m/s² (front / rear handle)

Starting

ES-start and primer

Price€559 with a 38 cm bar, €569 with a 45 cm barchecked 25 September 2026

For people who cut a lot and for long stretches: the lowest vibration among the saws on the list with published figures, plus a patented easy-start system.

Pros

• 3.3 / 3.2 m/s² vibration
• Carburetor anti-icing
• Four bar lengths

Cons

• Price from the official distributor in Ireland
• Not every bar is sold in every country

CS-4510ES on the ECHO website

The CS-4510ES from Japan’s ECHO (Yamabiko) is a 45 cc, 2.3 kW saw for firewood, pruning and property work; ECHO aims it at homeowners and light professional use. Its main strength is comfort: ECHO’s patented ES-start easy-start system, a primer, and vibration of 3.3 m/s² at the front handle and 3.2 m/s² at the rear, lower than any other saw on this list whose maker publishes these figures.

Dry weight is 5 kg. Bars come in 33, 38, 45 or 50 cm, though ECHO notes that not every length is available in every country. It has carburetor anti-icing, a tool-free air filter cover and a side chain tensioner. ECHO’s official distributor in Ireland sells it for €559 with a 38 cm bar and €569 with a 45 cm bar.

6. Husqvarna 450S

New 400 series modelChainsaw for firewood and farm work

Husqvarna 450S

Engine

50.2 cc, 2.4 kW, X-Torq

Bar

38 cm included, 33–50 cm approved

Chain

.325″ (SP33G)

Weight

5 kg without bar and chain

Anti-vibration

LowVib dampers

Vibration

3.9 / 4.1 m/s² (front / rear handle)

Starting

Smart Start, primer, auto-return stop switch

PriceUAH 17,499 on sale, regular price UAH 19,499checked 25 September 2026

For regular firewood cutting, felling and limbing on a large property: an updated 400 series saw with a 2.4 kW engine.

Pros

• New 400 series model
• Felling marks
• Captured bar nuts

Cons

• UAH 2,500 more than the 445S on sale
• More powerful saws exist for daily forestry work

450S on the Husqvarna website

The 450S is an updated 400 series model: on September 8, 2026, Husqvarna announced the new 445S and 450S Rancher in the US with an optimized X-Torq engine and a reinforced crankcase; in Ukraine, the second model is sold as the 450S. The previous 450 is already marked as discontinued on Husqvarna’s Ukrainian website. Husqvarna designed the 450S for felling, bucking, limbing and cutting firewood.

It ships with a 38 cm bar, takes 33–50 cm bars and runs a .325″ chain. Smart Start and a primer ease starting, and the stop switch resets itself for the next start. LowVib dampers keep vibration to 3.9 m/s² at the front handle and 4.1 m/s² at the rear. For less money, the 445S from the same generation delivers 2.2 kW for UAH 14,999 on sale.

7. STIHL MS 271

For farmsChainsaw for farm and construction work

STIHL MS 271

Engine

50.2 cc, 2.6 kW, 2-MIX

Bar

40 cm in Ukraine, 45 or 50 cm in the US

Weight

5.6 kg without bar and chain, 6.64 kg with bar and chain

Anti-vibration

STIHL system

Air filter

with pre-separation

Winter

carburetor heating

PriceUAH 21,599checked 25 September 2026

For farms, wood-heated homes and timber construction: 2.6 kW, a pre-separation air filter and a winter carburetor mode.

Pros

• Pre-separation means less filter cleaning
• Carburetor heating for winter
• Tool-free tank caps

Cons

• 0.6 kg heavier than the Husqvarna 450S
• No easy-start system listed

MS 271 on the STIHL website

The MS 271 is STIHL’s all-round saw for farmers, gardeners and municipal crews: according to STIHL, it suits cutting firewood and building with timber. The 50.2 cc 2-MIX engine delivers 2.6 kW. The pre-separation air filter needs cleaning less often, and in winter you can switch on carburetor heating to keep it from icing up.

It’s heavier than the Husqvarna 450S of the same displacement: 5.6 kg versus 5 kg without bar and chain, or 6.64 kg with a 40 cm bar. It comes with a 40 cm bar in Ukraine and 45 or 50 cm bars in the US. No easy-start system is listed, but one lever handles starting, running and stopping.

If your firewood feeds a stove or a fireplace with a water circuit, we covered the advantages of such a fireplace separately.

8. STIHL MS 261 C-M

For forestryProfessional chainsaw

STIHL MS 261 C-M

Engine

50.2 cc, 3 kW, 2-MIX

Engine management

M-Tronic

Bar

35 or 40 cm

Chain

.325″ RS Pro

Weight

4.9 kg without bar and chain, 5.94 kg with bar and chain

Starting

decompression valve

PriceUAH 34,999checked 25 September 2026

For daily forestry work on thin and medium trees: a professional saw with electronic engine management.

Pros

• 3 kW at 4.9 kg
• M-Tronic: no carburetor adjustments
• Decompression valve eases starting

Cons

• 3.5 times the price of the MS 182
• Overkill for a yard

MS 261 C-M on the STIHL website

The MS 261 C-M is a professional saw for forestry work in thin to medium stands and for limbing. Rated at 3 kW, it weighs 4.9 kg without bar and chain, less than any 45–50 cc saw on the list. M-Tronic automatically controls ignition timing and fuel metering, so you never adjust the carburetor by hand, and a decompression valve reduces the force needed on the starter rope.

It uses a .325″ RS Pro chain, with 35 or 40 cm bars in Europe. It also has an HD2 air filter with pre-separation, carburetor heating and an adjustable oil pump. The recommended price in Ukraine is UAH 34,999. Its direct rival is the Husqvarna 550 XP Mark II at UAH 34,449: 50.1 cc, 3 kW, 5.3 kg and AutoTune engine management.

9. Husqvarna 572 XP

For large treesProfessional chainsaw

Husqvarna 572 XP

Engine

70.6 cc, 4.3 kW, X-Torq

Bar

45 cm included, 38–70 cm approved

Chain

3/8″ (C85)

Weight

6.6 kg without bar and chain

Anti-vibration

handles separated from the engine

Vibration

5 / 4.1 m/s² (front / rear handle)

Starting

Smart Start, AutoTune

PriceUAH 48,899checked 25 September 2026

For felling large trees and heavy forestry work with long bars: the most powerful saw on the list.

Pros

• 4.3 kW and bars up to 70 cm
• AutoTune adjusts the carburetor for you
• Smart Start eases starting

Cons

• Most expensive on the list
• Overkill for home and yard use

572 XP on the Husqvarna website

The 572 XP is a professional 70.6 cc saw for heavy-duty forestry work. According to Husqvarna, at 6.6 kg and 4.3 kW it has a better power-to-weight ratio than any other Husqvarna saw of similar displacement, and 12% higher cutting capacity than previous equivalent models. It takes bars from 38 to 70 cm, ships with a 45 cm bar and runs a 3/8″ chain.

Smart Start eases starting, and AutoTune adjusts the mixture for fuel quality, temperature, altitude and humidity. The handles are separated from the engine; vibration is 5 m/s² at the front handle and 4.1 m/s² at the rear. For almost the same money, UAH 48,999, there’s the STIHL MS 462 C-M: 72.2 cc, 4.4 kW and 6 kg, which STIHL calls the lightest professional saw in its displacement class.

Best gas chainsaws: comparison

Model	Best for	Engine size and power	Weight without bar and chain	Bar, cm	Price on Sep 25, 2026
STIHL MS 182	Home and yard	35.8 cc, 1.6 kW	4.5 kg	30–40	UAH 9,969 (sale)
Husqvarna 120 Mark II	Garden, occasional use	38 cc, 1.4 kW	5 kg	35–45	UAH 5,999 (sale)
Dnipro-M NSG-45H	500–1,000 m² property	45 cc, 2 kW	5.7 kg	40	UAH 5,298 (sale)
Oleo-Mac GS 451	Firewood and garden	42.9 cc, 2.1 kW	4.8 kg	41–46	from €419 (sale, Italy)
ECHO CS-4510ES	Firewood, long sessions	45 cc, 2.3 kW	5 kg (dry weight)	33–50	from €559 (Ireland)
Husqvarna 450S	Firewood, large property	50.2 cc, 2.4 kW	5 kg	33–50	UAH 17,499 (sale)
STIHL MS 271	Farm and construction	50.2 cc, 2.6 kW	5.6 kg	40–50	UAH 21,599
STIHL MS 261 C-M	Daily forestry work	50.2 cc, 3 kW	4.9 kg	35–40	UAH 34,999
Husqvarna 572 XP	Large trees	70.6 cc, 4.3 kW	6.6 kg	38–70	UAH 48,899

How to choose a chainsaw

Engine size for the job

Husqvarna suggests starting with a few questions: how often you’ll cut, what size trees and how hard the wood is. A saw that’s too heavy tires your arms, while one that’s too small works under heavy load on big trees and wears out early. Based on how the makers position the saws on this list, the classes look like this:

• 35–40 cc (STIHL MS 182, Husqvarna 120 Mark II): branches, firewood a few times a season, small trees. STIHL explicitly describes the MS 182 as a saw for occasional use on private property.
• 43–50 cc (Oleo-Mac GS 451, ECHO CS-4510ES, Dnipro-M NSG-45H, Husqvarna 450S, STIHL MS 271): regular winter firewood, felling small trees, farm work.
• Professional 50 cc (STIHL MS 261 C-M, Husqvarna 550 XP Mark II): daily forestry work, thin and medium trees, electronic engine management.
• 70 cc and up (Husqvarna 572 XP, STIHL MS 462 C-M): felling large trees and working with long bars.

For a private house, a common use is a season’s worth of firewood. If you’re still deciding how to heat your home, read about the differences between conventional fireplaces and fireplaces with a water circuit: it affects how much firewood you’ll need.

Bar length

The UK’s Health and Safety Executive (HSE) advises choosing a chainsaw with the shortest bar that suits the work. Husqvarna adds that bar length depends on tree diameter and your experience, and if your logs vary in size, it’s handy to have two bars with chains. For garden work and firewood, 35–40 cm is usually enough. Only fit bars from the approved list in your saw’s manual.

Weight: compare like with like

Makers state weight differently. STIHL gives two figures: the MS 182 weighs 4.5 kg without bar and chain and 5.16 kg with them, the MS 271 5.6 and 6.64 kg. Husqvarna lists weight without cutting equipment, and ECHO gives dry weight. Compare saws on the same basis, and remember that the bar and chain add 0.7–1 kg, with fuel and oil adding a bit more.

Chain: pitch and gauge

The chain pitch must match the bar and the drive sprocket. On this list, the light saws use 3/8″ P and 3/8″ mini chains, the 43–50 cc models use .325″, and the 572 XP uses 3/8″.

A narrow groove cuts faster: according to STIHL, a 3/8″ PS3 Pro chain on a Light 04 bar with a 1.1 mm groove delivers up to 20% more cutting performance on saws up to 2 kW than a standard 3/8″ PS chain with 1.3 mm drive links. Low-kickback chains, HSE says, reduce the effect of kickback but can’t prevent it entirely.

Starting and vibration

Each brand names easy starting differently: STIHL uses the letter E, Husqvarna has Smart Start, ECHO ES-start and Oleo-Mac EasyOn. Professional saws with M-Tronic or AutoTune need no manual carburetor adjustment. If you’ll cut for hours, compare vibration in m/s² at the handles: HSE warns that chainsaw noise and vibration can cause hearing loss and hand-arm vibration conditions, and recommends low-noise, low-vibration saws with anti-vibration mounts.

Safety: what HSE and the makers advise

HSE warns that chainsaws can cause serious injury in untrained hands, and Husqvarna recommends taking a chainsaw course. The basics from HSE and STIHL guidance:

• Protective gear. A helmet, eye protection (a mesh visor or safety glasses), hearing protection, gloves, and chainsaw-protective trousers and boots. HSE stresses that no protective equipment can guarantee 100% protection from the chain.
• Refueling. Only with the engine off and cool. STIHL advises refueling at least 3 m from where you’ll start the saw, and HSE recommends keeping the fuel can at least 4 m from the running saw.
• Starting. Start a cold saw on the ground, with a foot on the rear handle base and a hand on the front handle. Engage the chain brake before walking with a running saw.
• Kickback. The saw jerks up and back when the chain at the bar tip hits a branch or log. Keep the bar tip clear of obstacles, don’t overreach, keep the saw below chest height and wrap your thumb around the front handle.
• Not alone. HSE advises against working with a chainsaw alone and recommends carrying a first-aid kit with a large wound dressing.

Sources and methodology

Analysis of public sourcesChecked 25 September 2026

1. STIHL Ukraine — gas chainsaws and recommended prices stihl.ua
2. Husqvarna Ukraine — gas chainsaws husqvarna.com
3. HSE — Chainsaws at work (INDG317) hse.gov.uk
4. STIHL — mixing fuel and refueling stihl.ua
5. Makita — Notice of Production Discontinuation of Engine Products makita.biz

FAQ

Which chainsaw is best for home and yard use?

For branches and firewood a few times a season, a 35–40 cc saw with a 35–40 cm bar is enough, such as the STIHL MS 182 or Husqvarna 120 Mark II. If you need a lot of firewood, get a 43–50 cc model.

What engine size do I need for cutting firewood?

For cutting firewood regularly, this list has 43–50 cc saws with bars around 40 cm: the Oleo-Mac GS 451, ECHO CS-4510ES, Dnipro-M NSG-45H, Husqvarna 450S and STIHL MS 271.

What bar length should I choose?

The shortest one that handles your logs and trees, as the UK’s HSE recommends. For garden work and firewood, 35–40 cm is usually enough, and the length must be on the approved list in your saw’s manual.

What fuel-to-oil ratio should I use?

Whatever your saw’s manual specifies. For its saws, STIHL recommends 50:1, meaning 100 ml of TC-rated two-stroke oil per 5 liters of gasoline with an octane rating of at least 90 RON, and STIHL says a homemade mix loses its properties after 30 days of storage.

Does Makita still make gas chainsaws?

No. Makita stopped producing gas-powered equipment, including chainsaws, on March 31, 2022, and focused on cordless tools. Any Makita gas chainsaws still on sale were made before that date.