Electric VS Gas Chainsaw – Which is Best ?

There are two primary types of chainsaws in the market — Gas chainsaws and Electric chainsaws. The most basic difference between an electric and a gas chainsaw is the source of power. Electric chainsaws are powered by electricity, whereas gas chainsaws are powered by oil and gasoline. Having said that, they do have certain other differences.I’ll run you through the basics of both of these chainsaws along with a summary of their pros and cons.

Electric  vs. Gas Chainsaw

Power Gas Chainsaws

As the name suggests, gas chainsaws run on fuel and gasoline. These chainsaws can run for a long period of time. Not limited by either the length of a power cord or by battery.

However, you have to know that these chainsaws also produce a lot of emissions that are harmful for the environment, and they use a lot of fuel. As such, these are definitely not eco-friendly in nature as they run on fossil fuels. Furthermore, they are also a lot heavier than electric chainsaws, and they produce very strong vibrations that only people with rugged physical strength can handle.

There are various different types of gas chainsaws as well depending on how powerful they are. Light-duty gas chainsaws with small bars are best for yard maintenance work, they cost less than $200. Rancher chainsaws are larger in size and they can be used to cut firewood and even saw through small trees, and they are usually priced between $300 and $500. Finally, the Professional Gas Chainsaws are meant for large scale forestry work such as felling large amounts of trees, and they cost over $500.

Electric Chainsaws

Electric Chainsaws run on electricity, as the name suggests. These are available in one of two types — corded chainsaws, and cordless/ battery-powered chainsaws. We’ll get to the specific qualities of both of these chainsaws later.

Electric chainsaws aren’t as powerful as gas chainsaws and they’re usually used for light-weight to medium-duty work around the house and yard. However, they are a lot easier to start as you can simply plug them in (or charge the battery) and then squeeze the trigger. They are also a lot more light weight and as such can be used by even beginners and novices. Furthermore, they don’t require any fuel and they don’t generate harmful emissions, making them eco-friendly as well. If you’re surrounded by neighbors, or living in a noise-sensitive surrounding, then these are your only option as they’re the least noisy amongst all chainsaws.

Electric Chainsaw Review

Electric chainsaws are far lighter than gas chainsaws because they don’t contain a gas tank. They are also a lot quieter, and due to the lack of gasoline, they don’t leave behind a residue or a scent. Furthermore, electric chainsaws are far easier to start, and you don’t risk spills with. They’re ideal for cutting firewood, pruning, and other small tasks.

Having said that, they’re not suitable for heavy duty tasks such as felling trees on a large scale. Furthermore, if you get a corded electric chainsaw (as opposed to a battery-powered one), then you won’t have a lot of mobility either. And if you get a battery-powered chainsaw, you’ll only have 1 hour to work with it before needing to juice it up again.


PROS:QuietLight weightEasy to startPerfect for yard workNo gas & oil mixing requiredCONS:Not meant for heavy duty projectsCorded electric chainsaws have mobility issuesCordless electric chainsaws last only 1 hour after recharge

 Gas Chainsaw Review

The biggest advantage of a gas chainsaw is that it’s far more powerful than all other chainsaws. It’s used by professionals for heavy duty tasks such as felling trees and clearing forests. Furthermore, with gas chainsaws you can easily change the bar length to meet different tasks. They also allow you complete mobility as they’re portable.

However, you need to mix oil and gas in the right proportion to make them work. They often have trouble with starting, unless you buy a really good and expensive brand, and they’re a lot louder than electric chainsaws. They also give off the distinct scent of gasoline. Furthermore, they’re a lot heavier to handle, and they’re more expensive.


PROS:MobilityVery powerfulAdjustable bar lengthsMeant for professionalsGreat for heavy duty workCONS:LoudExpensiveLeaves a distinct scentMixing of oil and gas is required

Now that you’re all caught up on the basics of  chainsaws, read on to learn how to choose the right type chainsaw.

Budget

Now that you know which type of chainsaw you need, you need to shortlist the prospective chainsaw based on your budget range.

Bar Length

The length of the guide bar determines how quickly and effectively you can cut through a piece of wood. The larger the bar length, the thicker wood pieces you can cut in one motion. A small bar can also cut bigger wood pieces, but it requires more effort and multiple passes. If not done right, this also poses a safety risk. As such, your bar length should be ideal for the type of work you’re doing, be it light sculpting, pruning, cutting firewood, or felling trees.

Engine Power

Simply put, the higher the amps of the engine, the stronger it is. This also depends on your purpose with the chainsaw. It stands to reason that cutting branches and firewood will require more energy than light woodworking.

Safety Features

It’s always a good idea to buy a chainsaw that comes with safe features such as anti-vibration handles to minimize the vibrations felt by the body, and anti-kickback features to stop the chainsaw in case of kickbacks. These features are extremely important for safety.

Weight and Power

Chainsaws require physical strength to use effectively. As such, you should always aim to get a chainsaw that your body is equipped to deal with. If you get a very heavy chainsaw, you might not be able to use it, or you might hurt yourself in the process. Basically, know your physical limitations, and purchase accordingly.

Noise

If you have neighbors, or if you live in a noise-sensitive household, you should get a chainsaw that makes little noise. Corded electric chainsaws generally make least noise. However, if noise constraint isn’t a problem, then you can ignore this.

Additional Features

If you’ve taken into account all the previous factors, now you can look into all the additional features. These are features that aren’t necessary in chainsaws, but can be useful. These are features like Heated Handles, to make it easy to use on winter days; Chain Brake, to stop the chain in case of sudden movements; Muffler, a feature that can help muffle the voice. These are just some additional features, however there are many more. You should look for one that takes all your needs into account.

In Conclusion…

So now you know all there is to know about electric chainsaws. You know what they are and how they differ from gas chainsaws, and you know their respective pros and cons. You also know what are the different types of electric chainsaws in the market — corded and cordless — and you probably have a good idea about what their particular advantages and disadvantages are. Finally, you know of all the various factors to consider when purchasing an electric chainsaw.

Now you’re equipped with all the information you need to start exploring the market for electric chainsaws and buy one that suits your specific needs. However, remember to follow our guidelines on maintenance to ensure they last you a long time.

I hope you found this article useful, and please feel free to leave any comments down below to share your thoughts with me!

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