5 Best Mini Chainsaws That Make Yard Work Easy, Tested by Experts
These compact power tools are clear-cut winners for lawn and yard work.
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A full-size chainsaw might make sense if you live at the edge of a forest (or you're a lumberjack). But for the rest of us, that’s too much power tool. A mini chainsaw, on the other hand, is just the right size for all kinds of more suburban lawn and yard tasks, like pruning hedges (in fact, they’re often referred to as "pruning saws") and trimming tree branches.
After testing a bunch of mini chainsaws for this report — in the Home Improvement and Outdoor Lab at the Good Housekeeping Institute and in my own backyard — it’s become one of my favorite power tools, and most of the expert testers who we enlisted for this project agree. As one of them put it, “I always thought that a chainsaw would be a great tool to own, but was intimidated by most models on the market. Not anymore. This little cutter is the perfect addition to my tool collection."
Most of the saws in this round-up have cutting bars that are 10 inches or less, the threshold for a chainsaw to be considered a mini. We did add one 12-inch model for consumers whose cutting needs might be a tad greater. Every pick is a cordless electric, because today’s batteries provide plenty of power and runtime for a mini chainsaw's average to-do list.
Pros
- Superb cutting performance
- Impressive battery runtime
- Durable motor
Cons
- Fairly heavy
Milwaukee makes a lot of the best power tools from our tests, from circular saws to impact wrenches, and it did it again with this 8-inch pruning saw. Testers gave it perfect marks for cutting performance and control. “It’s powerful enough to easily cut through 6-inch thick branches,” said one of our expert testers, who used it to trim trees around his property.
Weighing close to 8 pounds with the 18-volt battery pack, the Milwaukee is heavier than some mini chainsaws we tested, which could lead to arm fatigue over time, especially if you’re doing a lot of overhead cutting. The ergonomic grip helps maintain control, though two hands are required.
Our engineers like the brushless motor design which should ensure years of service, provided the tool is properly maintained, including keeping an eye on the chainsaw oil level. It also has an impressive runtime.
- Bar size: 8 in.
- Battery power: 18-volt
- Operation: Two-handed
- Weight (battery included): 7.9 lbs
Pros
- Very good price
- Relatively lightweight
Cons
- Not as durable
You can spend $150 less on this mini chainsaw from Worx without giving up too much in the way of performance. The chain bar is 2 inches longer than the Milwaukee, so it can tackle slightly more heavy-duty tasks. That added size definitely calls for two-handed operation, though its 6.2-pound weight makes it fairly easy to handle, even during overhead cuts.
Our testing partners at Popular Mechanics noted that the brushed motor on the Worx isn’t as durable as models with a brushless motor design, like the Milwaukee. So you won’t want to push this mini chainsaw too hard. But for moderate cutting power at an excellent price, the Worx is worth a look.
- Bar size: 10 in.
- Battery power: 20-volt
- Operation: Two-handed
- Weight (battery included): 6.2 lbs (including battery)
Pros
- Lightweight, one-handed design
- Chain oil included
Cons
- Can only handle branches up to 3 inches or so in diameter
If your mini chainsaw needs are mainly limited to pruning thick branches and tough weeds, Stihl’s battery-powered pruner is an excellent choice. Our testers put the 4-inch saw to work across a slew of tough yard tasks, including cutting through 2-inch-thick tree branches and pruning a thorny rose bush with hard-to-reach stems.
“The lightweight, one-handed pruner is very easy to handle, with a comfortable grip and very little vibration,” one tester observed. The runtime on the 10.8-volt battery is only around 20 minutes, but since the tool isn’t in continuous use, that allowed for hundreds of cuts per charge in our tests. Safety features, including the retractable chain guard and trigger switch lockout, reduce the risk of injury. We also like that the kit includes a carrying case and a container of oil for keeping the chain lubricated.
- Bar size: 4 in.
- Battery power: 10.8-volt
- Operation: One-handed
- Weight (battery included): 3.5 lbs
Pros
- Cuts capably up to 10-inch diameters
- On-board wrench storage and hanging hook
Cons
- Oil not included
Going up to a 12-inch bar technically takes you out of the “mini” chainsaw category, but based on our tests, this Craftsman is so much more approachable than a full-size saw.
The 20-volt chainsaw made short work of small- to medium-size logs in our tests, all the way up to 10 inches in diameter. “Easy to operate and delivers a smooth cut,” our tester reported, adding that "it's not too intimidating to operate," though at 12.25 pounds it's on the hefty side.
Convenience features include the on-board wrench storage and integrated hook to hang the tool up when you’re done cutting. One minor quibble from our testers was that the required chainsaw oil is not included, so you’ll need to pick that up from the home center or hardware store before taking the saw out for the first time.
- Bar size: 12 in.
- Battery power: 20-volt
- Operation: Two-handed
- Weight (battery included): 12.25 lbs
Pros
- Brand reliability
- No chain oil required
Cons
- No safety lock on trigger, though there is a chain guard and protected handle
All battery-powered chainsaws require less maintenance than their gas counterparts, but you usually do have to keep cordless saws properly lubricated. This 8-inch Ryobi is one of the few models from our review with an oil-free design.
Ryobi is another brand with a solid track record across many of our power tools tests, so the same 18-volt battery used for the saw can also power a top-performing cordless drill, shop vac or circular saw. The mini chainsaw features a brushless motor, which should further reduce the need for maintenance and also keep it running smoothly for many years of service. Safety features include a chain guard and protected handle, though there's no safety lock on the trigger.
- Bar size: 8 in.
- Battery power: 18-volt
- Operation: Two-handed
- Weight (battery included): 5.85 lbs
How we test mini chainsaws
Our team in the Home Improvement and Outdoor Lab keep tabs on the power tool market, including mini chainsaws, to identify the makes and models that you’re most likely to find on store shelves and online. We also hit trade shows and industry events, like the National Hardware Show and International Builders Show, to keep up with the latest innovations.
From there, we zero in on power tool brands that have performed the best and proven the most reliable through years of testing at the Good Housekeeping Institute. Our team spent hours analyzing dozens of technical and performance data points, including manufacturer claims around battery power output, charge and run times, tool weight and more.
Hands-on testing took place primarily in the gardens and yards of our expert testers. Testers first evaluated how easy it was to get set up with each chainsaw, including securing the chain and adding chain oil. To measure performance, our experts used the chainsaws to cut through tree branches of varying thickness, as well as larger logs. They also assessed ease of use, taking into account such factors as handle comfort, weight, noise and feature set.
What to look for when for shopping for the best mini chainsaw
Not all mini chainsaws are created equal. Here are the key factors to consider to ensure you get the right tool for your needs.
Cutting power: Bar size is the most important spec when it comes to a chainsaw's cutting performance. While full-sized models (the kind used to fell trees) will have a 20-inch bar or greater, mini chainsaws usually have a bar that's 10 inches long are less. The diameter of objects that a mini saw can cut is usually an inch of two less than the bar size — for example, an 8-inch saw should be able to cut through branches that are up to 6 inches in diameter.
Battery performance: How much power a battery can generate is measured in volts. Many mini chainsaws run on 18-volt batteries. If you need a bit more oomph, look for one that runs on 24 volts. Runtime is also important and it's a factory of capacity, measured in amp-hours (Ah). A 5.0Ah might provide enough run ime for 100 cuts, while a 2.0AH battery might start to conk out after 75 cuts.
Handling: Some mini chainsaws can be handled with one hand, while others call for two hands. Weight and bar size are the main drivers. Chainsaws that weigh more than 8 pounds, with a bar size above 6 inches, are going to require two hands.
Safety: Look for an adjustable blade guard positioned above the cutting bar. This adds a layer of protection between you and the blade and also prevents wood chips from flying up into your face. Many minis also include a safety lock which you have to press as you pull the trigger for the chain to engage.
Why trust Good Housekeeping?
I've covered the power tool market for more than two decades for brands like This Old House and Consumer Reports before joining the Good Housekeeping Institute in 2022. In my role as director of the Home Improvement and Outdoor Lab, I oversee the testing of all power equipment, working closely with our team of engineers and product analysts.
Before I started writing about home improvement and testing products, I worked on various roofing and remodeling crews, where I spent all day, every day wielding saws, along with cordless drills, pneumatic nailers and other heavy-duty equipment. I've also managed several remodeling projects, most recently the gut renovation of a 19th-century Brooklyn brownstone. I'm a regular at trade shows, such as the National Hardware Show and the International Builders' Show, where I keep up with the latest innovations around cordless drills and other power tools.
Having written thousands of product reviews and how-to articles on all aspects of home ownership, from routine maintenance to major renovations, Dan (he/him) brings more than 20 years of industry experience to his role as the director of the Home Improvement & Outdoor Lab at the Good Housekeeping Institute. A one-time roofer and a serial remodeler, Dan can often be found keeping house at his restored Brooklyn brownstone, where he lives with his wife and kids.
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