What is the Best Chainsaw Under $300?
Believe it or not, but 300 dollars can get you a pretty good chainsaw nowadays. However, knowing which chainsaw is the best can be quite tricky. So to help you with your decision, we have reviewed the sub $300 dollar chainsaw market and chosen a favourite.
At this sort of price, chainsaws come packed with a good amount of power and are highly versatile, and frankly that is what you expect. When spending this amount of money, you want a serious power tool that is able to do the heavy work, and not just a bit of tree trimming here and there.
The Best Chainsaw for Under $300
Table of Contents
1. Husqvarna 440E
This gas powered chainsaw is designed with both hobbyist DIYers and professional tradesmen in mind. It is both easy to start and, mostly importantly, is easy to use.
The chainsaws 40.9 cc powered engine means it is able to cut through most trees without any serious trouble.
Its 16 inch blade is good enough for most jobs within the garden. This is perfect given the size of the engine. However, there will always be some jobs where an 18 inch blade would be more useful.
The chain that sits on the blade can quickly and easily be tightened without the need for any tools. This a particularly useful feature when the chain requires tensioning and you are up in a tree.
With the 440E, Husqvarna have tackled some of the more minor issues with chainsaws that can make using them quite tedious. One example of this is the chainsaws fuel injector which is transparent. This may seem like a small thing but it does make a significant difference.
With a single look you instantly know what the chainsaws fuel level is rather than having to remove the cap and peering into the darkness.
With a full tank the 440E provides you with approximately 2 hours of full powered cutting time. Compared to other models within this price range that is quite impressive.
Check out the price of the Husqvarna 440E
It combines the stop and start switch into one straight forward mechanism called Smart Start. The 440E’s fuel pump is combined with its smart start function which means it is quick and easy to start the chainsaw with minimum effort. This can be a tiresome task when continually having to start a chainsaw.
The body is designed in a way that significantly reduces vibration. The less vibration a chainsaw produced the longer it takes to fatigue the user. Not only this, it also makes for more comfortable handling when cutting.
This chainsaw boasts a very nifty air cleaning system powered by centrifugal force called Air Injection. The system stops debris and dust before it has the chance to actually reach the chainsaws air filter.
This means the air filters remain cleaner for longer and so there is not the need to change them as regularly as other chainsaws. However, when they do need replacing, there is a quick release mechanism to facility this process. It also helps to extend the life of its engine.
It is able to prevent kickbacks via an inertia-activated chain system on the chain that automatically brakes the chain. This takes the worry out of hitting a knot in the wood and the blade coming back at you.
The 440E’s comes with Husqvarna’s standard 2 year warranty which can be extended at the time of purchase to 3 or 4 years.
Pros
- Has good fuel efficiency
- Is strong and durable
- Is good value for money
- Has a tool less chain tensioner
- Is easy to use
- Is easy to start
Cons
- A short blade length
- Is pretty heavy
- The engine does not stay warm between use
Specifications
- A total weight of just under 10 lbs
- An X-Torq engine
- A Smart Start engine
- An Air Injection cleaning system
- A 40.9 cm³ displacement cylinder
- Up to 9,000 RPM
- A 16 inch blade length
- 2 year warranty
What other say about the Husqvarna 440E
This chainsaw is highly popular amongst both those occasional DIYers, who use chainsaws to keep their garden in check, and those professional tree surgeons, who are felling large trees. Users comment on its robustness, its high power and the fact that it can is easily transported from job to job.
Smaller users (unlike the usual large framed lumberjacks) state they are able to use the 440E without experiencing the same level of fatigue they have got when using other chainsaws.
As for the negatives, any that are made are usually in regards to the service received from the retailers when purchasing it rather than about the chainsaw it self.
Check out the price of the Husqvarna 440E
Close Contenders
Other notable contenders within this price range include:
2. Tanka TCS 33EDP Petrol Chainsaw
A 12 inch chainsaw that is easy to hold and comfortable to use. Its total weight is slightly under 12 pounds which means it is easy to transport and less fatigue inducing. It is powered by a 32.2 cc two stroke engine and is surprisingly fuel efficient.
Initially setting up this chainsaw can be quite difficult and its air filter is prone to coming loose. This is our recommendation for the best two stroke chainsaw under $300.
3. Remington RM5118R Rodeo
A robust 18 inch chainsaw that has handles to minimise vibration meaning it is very easy to handle. Armed with an impressive 51 cc engine, it makes light work of the thickest of tree branches and logs. With it being a Remington, parts can be quite difficult to source.
This is our recommendation for best 18 inch chainsaw under $300.
4. Zombi ZCS5817 Cordless Electric Chainsaw
Utilises a 58V 4AH battery to create a high level of power. On a full charge this chainsaw runs long enough to get even the biggest of jobs done. It is not the lightest chainsaw currently available on the market and weighs in at a heavy 16 pounds.
This is our recommendation for the best cordless chainsaw under $300.
5. DeWalt DCCS620B Max XR Compact Cordless Chainsaw
A compact 12 inch chainsaw that is perfect for use in both the garden and on work sites. It weighs in at just under 9 pounds, making it one of the lightest currently available on the market. Its 20 volt battery is compatible with all other DeWalt power tools.
This is our recommendation for the best 20 volt chainsaw under $300.
Buying Guide
Two of the main things that need to be considered before making a purchase are the chainsaws power and what brand it is.
Power
This is what is what sorts the men from the boys. Power is the thing that is going to get the chainsaw through those tough branches and tree trunks. A chainsaw that is powerful enough to cut through a whole tree is an indispensable tool for any home DIYer or professional tradesman – such as those which you can hire from https://www.thelocaltreeexperts.com/ia/des-moines/.
This is particularly important for those individuals who live in areas that are prone to storms to aid with the task of cleaning up afterwards, or those who need to cut fire wood to keep them warm in the winter.
Brand
This is an important consideration given that it is inevitable that the chainsaw will one day break down, or will require the chain to be replaced.
Therefore, having a well known brand means that the replacement parts will generally be easier to source. This is something we believe to be highly important.
It is often the case with the larger power tool manufacturers that there partner up with local distributors, so that if repairs need to happen through the warranty, you do not have to take the saw back to their headquarters.
Conclusion
As is clear from our review of the Husqvarna 440E, it is more than possible to find a good quality chainsaw that will stand the test of time for less than $300.
Yes, the Husqvarna 440E is at the higher end of this price bracket, but for us it ticks all of the boxes and is definitely worth the money. It is equipped with that absolute raw power that you just sometimes need and has a bunch of useful features that make using it a complete treat.
Most of all Husqvarna is the most reputable brand currently out there in the chainsaw market, and as we mentioned earlier this is something that is very important with any power tool.
The brand has a very strong reputation and have been manufacturing quality chainsaws for years. We have no hesitation in saying that this is the chainsaw you should purchase if you are looking to spend around the $300 mark.
Of course you can purchase much more expensive, high end chainsaws, as well as ones for less than $200, but at this price point what you will get for your money is a good all rounder with a number of useful features.
As with any power tool, their prices are prone to fluctuating and are different with different retailers, so make sure you do some research to find the best price.
Check out the price of the Husqvarna 440E
Related Pages
- A Review of The Best Electric Chainsaws in 2019
- Jonsered vs Husqvarna – Which Chainsaws are the Best?
- What is The Best Chainsaw Under $200?