For most people cutting between one and ten cords of firewood a year, the right gas chainsaw is a two-cycle saw in the 38cc to 60cc class with a guide bar sized 2 to 6 inches longer than the thickest log you expect to face. Under roughly one cord a year, a battery saw is the smarter purchase. Above ten cords a year, or if you cut hardwood like oak and hickory, move up to a 59cc to 60cc saw with an 18 to 24 inch bar.
That is the whole sizing argument, and it is the argument almost every “best chainsaw” page skips. This roundup is different in one way: every saw here was placed by firewood workload, not by brand reputation. A 16 inch lightweight saw that starts on the second pull can outperform a 24 inch monster when your rounds are mostly 12 inches thick and you are cutting on a Saturday in October.
We spent weeks reading owner reviews, comparing engine displacement against bar length, and weighing complaint patterns that only show up after a season of bucking. Four of the top 6 results for this query are forum threads, which told us something useful: buyers want validation from people who have already filled a woodshed, not spec sheets. So we leaned on owner reports on starting ease, chain tension, and how a saw feels at hour four of a splitting day.
Two of the biggest brands in this roundup are represented by a single family, and we call out the differences between them plainly. We also flag the saws where owner reports are mixed, because a 4.5-star average across more than five hundred reviews tells you something a 4.2-star average across eighty reviews does not. If you cut under a cord, skip to the gas or battery section before you spend anything.
One more note before we start. Every saw below arrives as a bare powerhead or a powerhead with a bar, so the fuel, chain, chain oil, file, and safety gear are separate purchases. We have a starter-kit checklist further down so you can budget for the whole setup rather than discovering the missing pieces in the driveway on a Saturday morning in November.
Table of Contents
- Top 3 Gas Chainsaws for Firewood
- All Best Gas Chainsaws for Firewood (October 2026)
- 1. Husqvarna 450 Rancher 20 in. – The Best All-Round Firewood Saw
- 2. Husqvarna 130 16 in. – The Light Saw That Punches Above Its Weight
- 3. Husqvarna 460 Rancher 24 in. – Built for Big Rounds and Bad Weather
- 4. Echo CS-590-20AA – The Full-Size Saw for High Firewood Volume
- 5. Echo CS-3410-16 – Easiest to Start and Easiest on the Arms
- 6. Echo CS-3510-16 34.4cc – Light Commercial Build for Long Bucking Days
- 7. NEO-TEC 62cc 20 in. – Entry 20-Inch Power That Starts in Two Pulls
- 8. SUPMIXTOOLS 62cc 20 in. – Raw Cutting Power Owners Cannot Stop Mentioning
- 9. PROYAMA 68cc – Two Bars in One Box, Mixed Owner Reports
- 10. WTHW 58cc Quick-Switch Bars – The Two-Bar Package
- How Big Should Your Firewood Chainsaw Be?
- Bar Length and Engine Size: What Each Combination Can Cut
- Safety Gear and Kickback: The Part Nobody Skips
- Fuel Mixing, Cold Starts, and Off-Season Storage
- Gas or Battery for Firewood?
- The Starter Kit Checklist: Everything You Need Beyond the Saw
- What to Look For Before You Buy
- Frequently Asked Questions
- What chainsaw is best for cutting firewood?
- Which brand of gas chainsaw is considered the most reliable?
- Is STIHL or Husqvarna more reliable?
- What is a good size chainsaw for cutting firewood?
- What saw is most likely to cause kickback?
- Why are chainsaws so hard to get started?
- What is the easiest gas chainsaw to start?
- How big should my chainsaw bar be for firewood?
- Which Gas Chainsaw Should You Buy?
Top 3 Gas Chainsaws for Firewood
Husqvarna 450 Rancher 20 in.
- 50.2cc 3.2-HP X-Torq engine
- 20 inch bar
- 11.3 pounds
- Smart Start
Husqvarna 460 Rancher 24 in.
- 60.3cc 3.6-HP X-TORQUE engine
- 24 inch bar
- 13.2 pounds
- Air Injection
All Best Gas Chainsaws for Firewood (October 2026)
| Product | Specs | Action |
|---|---|---|
| Husqvarna 450 Rancher 20 in. |
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Check Latest Price |
| Husqvarna 130 16 in. |
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Check Latest Price |
| Husqvarna 460 Rancher 24 in. |
|
Check Latest Price |
 Echo CS-590-20AA 20 in. |
|
Check Latest Price |
 Echo CS-3410-16 16 in. |
|
Check Latest Price |
 Echo CS-3510-16 34.4cc |
|
Check Latest Price |
 NEO-TEC 62cc 20 in. |
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Check Latest Price |
 SUPMIXTOOLS 62cc 20 in. |
|
Check Latest Price |
 PROYAMA 68cc two-bar |
|
Check Latest Price |
 WTHW 58cc quick-switch bars |
|
Check Latest Price |
1. Husqvarna 450 Rancher 20 in. – The Best All-Round Firewood Saw
Husqvarna 450 Rancher 20 Inch Gas Chainsaw, 50.2-cc 3.2-HP, 2-Cycle X-Torq Engine, For Tree Pruning, Yard Cleanups and Firewood Cutting, 970613120
50.2cc 3.2-HP X-Torq 2-cycle engine
20 inch guide bar
11.3 pounds dry weight
Smart Start
Pros
- 50.2cc power in an 11.3 pound saw
- Strongest five-star distribution in the roundup
- Smart Start fires on the first or second pull
- See-through fuel window and easy-grip flip caps
Cons
- Spark plug sometimes installed over-torqued from the factory
- New chain can arrive too tight to break in
- Bar oil tank drains slower than fuel on some units
This is the saw I keep coming back to for anyone cutting roughly three to ten cords a season with mostly softwood and light hardwood. The 50.2cc three horsepower X-Torq engine is a genuinely unusual combination: owners report it running like a much larger machine while weighing 11.3 pounds, roughly two pounds below the next saw up in this roundup. Over a full Saturday of bucking, that weight difference is the difference between finishing at four in the afternoon and finishing at six.
The 20 inch bar is the part that makes it right for firewood rather than just for felling. Twenty inches gives you roughly a 16 to 18 inch maximum cut in a single pass, which covers the rounds most firewood stacks are made of without the double-cutting pass that doubles your time on the biggest logs. For rounds thicker than that, the engine has enough low-end torque to lean into the cut rather than stall out.
Starting is where this saw quietly wins. Smart Start means the engine fires on the first or second pull for most owners, and the review summary notes it runs noticeably smoother at idle and under load than many saws in the same displacement band. That matters more for firewood work than it sounds: a saw that will not restart halfway through a log is the reason people end up with half-cut rounds and a bad mood.
Owner complaints cluster around factory setup rather than the machine itself. Several buyers report the spark plug arriving over-torqued, and a new chain tight enough to stall the saw until it is loosened and worked in. Both are five-minute fixes before the first cut, but know about them so you are not tempted to send it back.
What it handles well and what it does not
Excellent on rounds from soft pine through maple and birch, and it has the torque to push through green hardwood without the chain bogging. Owners doing storm cleanup and small tree work rate it highly for the same reason. The see-through fuel window and the easy-grip fuel and oil flip caps are small details that you notice on the third weekend of the season, not the first.
The 20 inch bar will not swallow a 22 inch round in one pass, and the automatic adjustable oil pump is reported by some owners to deliver oil more slowly than fuel is consumed on heavy cuts. If your wood is mostly large-diameter hardwood, step up to the 460 Rancher below rather than stretching this one.
Who should not buy this saw
Do not buy the 450 Rancher if you cut less than a cord a year. You would be paying for capacity and weight you will never use, and a lighter 16 inch saw will do the same work at a fraction of the effort. It is also the wrong tool for someone working alone with 20 inch rounds and no second pair of hands on the far end of the log.
It is also not the right pick if you cannot service a spark plug, because that factory torque issue will need checking on day one. Anyone comfortable with a scrench and a feel for a two-stroke engine will never notice. If that is not you, the Echo models further down are more forgiving.
2. Husqvarna 130 16 in. – The Light Saw That Punches Above Its Weight
Husqvarna 130 Gas Powered Chainsaw, 16 Inch
38cc 2-HP X-TORQUE 2-cycle engine
16 inch guide bar
5.7 pounds dry weight
LowVib dampening
Pros
- Only 5.7 pounds
- ideal for long bucking sessions
- Strong low-RPM torque from the X-TORQUE engine
- Automatic oiler needs no attention
- Long-running owner favorite for firewood
Cons
- Front exhaust outlet vents fumes toward the operator
- Instructions unclear about the muffler port cover
- Chain can arrive excessively tight
The Husqvarna 130 is the answer to a question a lot of people ask on firewood forums: do I really need a 50cc saw to fill a woodshed? At 5.7 pounds with a 16 inch bar, this is the saw you can hold overhead, carry up a hill, and use for six hours without your wrists telling you about it. The 38cc X-TORQUE engine delivers more low-RPM torque than the displacement suggests, which is exactly the torque you want when the bar is buried in a green round.
It has close to nine hundred owner ratings, one of the largest review bases in this roundup, and the pattern in them is remarkably consistent. Owners praise the weight, the fuel economy, and the automatic oiler. They also flag the same factory detail repeatedly: a port cover on the muffler that must be removed before first start, with instructions that do not make this obvious.
That starting procedure is genuinely easy once you know it. Remove the muffler cover, set the choke, prime the bulb, and pull. Owners report that the saw starts on the first few pulls and restarts without fuss even when warm, which matters when you are a hundred feet from the truck with a log in progress.
LowVib vibration dampening is standard here, and r/Chainsaw users frequently single out Husqvarna as running less vibration than the equivalent STIHL on most models. That is the difference you feel on a long bucking day, and it is the main reason experienced firewood cutters gravitate toward this saw even when a bigger one is on sale.
Where the 130 fits and where it runs out
This is the sweet-spot saw for one to four cords a year, for softwood through medium hardwood, and for anyone who would rather not wrestle with a heavy machine. The 16 inch bar cuts rounds up to roughly 12 to 14 inches in a single pass, which covers most of what a homeowner stacks.
It runs out of steam on large rounds and on dense hardwood like oak in a way the 450 Rancher does not. Owners also report the exhaust outlet sits at the front, so fumes blow back toward you when the saw is pointed away, which some find unpleasant in a still, cold day. A few units have arrived with a bent bar adjustment screw, so inspect the saw before you tension the chain.
Who should not buy this saw
Skip the 130 if your wood is mostly large-diameter hardwood or if you plan to fell anything meaningful. A 38cc engine has to work hard for a full load, and that shows up as a slower cut and more heat in the chain. It is also the wrong saw for someone who wants one tool to cover every job on a rural property.
It is a poor choice if you are near your purchase limit and will not spend the extra on a scrench, a file, and a fresh chain. Every gas saw needs that kit. Budget for it here too, and the 130 is the lightest name-brand route into gas firewood cutting that does not feel flimsy.
3. Husqvarna 460 Rancher 24 in. – Built for Big Rounds and Bad Weather
Husqvarna 460 Rancher Gas Powered Chainsaw, 24 Inch
60.3cc 3.6-HP X-TORQUE 2-cycle engine
24 inch guide bar
13.2 pounds dry weight
Smart Start
Pros
- 4.5 average rating with 81 percent five-star reviews
- 60.3cc engine cuts big rounds without bogging
- Air Injection cleaning extends engine life
- Automatic adjustable oil pump
- Offset front handle reduces fatigue
Cons
- Some units arrive with an over-torqued spark plug
- Factory chain can be too tight to rotate at throttle
- Oil consumption can lag fuel consumption
When the rounds are bigger than your patience, the 460 Rancher is the saw that stops being a compromise. The 60.3cc three horsepower X-TORQUE engine has the low-RPM grunt to take a 20 inch round of green oak without the chain slowing down, and at 4.5 stars it shares the highest average rating in this roundup alongside roughly five hundred owner ratings.
The 24 inch bar is genuinely large, and Husqvarna rates the recommended bar range for this powerhead at 13 to 24 inches, so you are not locked into one length. Air Injection centrifugal air cleaning is the feature that matters most for a saw that lives outdoors through an entire firewood season, because it keeps grit out of the crankcase in ways a paper element does not.
The 7 degree offset front handle is a small design choice with a large effect on a long day. It moves your front hand forward and away from the chain, which reduces the pinch zone exactly when you are repositioning mid-cut. Combined with LowVib dampening, it is why owners running this saw through a full cord generally describe it as manageable rather than punishing.
Air Injection and the automatic adjustable oil pump both show up in the pros column on the owner reviews, which tells you these are features people actually notice working rather than spec-sheet extras. The same reviews repeat the same three caveats, all factory-related: spark plug torque, initial chain tension, and an oil tank that can run down slower than the fuel tank under heavy cutting.
Cutting capacity and the weight you accept for it
A 24 inch bar cuts a single pass on rounds up to roughly 20 inches, and it powers through dense hardwood where smaller saws bog. This is the saw for someone who cuts ten or more cords a year, or who buys standing dead wood and wants to buck it in whatever condition it arrives.
At 13.2 pounds, it is heavy. That weight is the price of the power, and for a single operator working alone in the woods it is real. If you are cutting rounds under 16 inches and you will be doing it several times a week, the 450 Rancher is the same brand and a much better fit for your arms.
Who should not buy this saw
Do not buy the 460 Rancher to cut one cord of firewood. It is a lot of saw for the money, and you will carry the weight for every cut without ever needing the extra capacity. That oversized-saw regret is the most common complaint we see described in firewood cutting threads, and it is worth reading before you buy up.
It is also the wrong choice for someone who works alone with a falling tree on the bar. If your firewood comes from felling rather than from standing dead wood already down, the size of the job is a different conversation and one that needs a second person, not a bigger saw.
4. Echo CS-590-20AA – The Full-Size Saw for High Firewood Volume
Echo CS-590-20AA 20 in. 59.8 cc Gas Chainsaw
59.8cc gasoline engine
20 inch guide bar
Decompression valve for easier starting
Light to moderate felling capability
Pros
- 59.8cc cuts large oak rounds with no bogging
- High firewood throughput
- Handles storm-fallen trees and small felling
- Good fit and finish reported by owners
Cons
- Very heavy pull effort to crank
- Needs the choke to start even when warm
- Heavy full-size saw that suits smaller operators less
The CS-590-20AA is the saw to look at if the Echo CS-3410 runs out of engine and the 460 Rancher is more machine than you need. At 59.8cc with a 20 inch bar it sits in the serious firewood band, and owner reviews describe it cutting large oak rounds without slowing down, with one owner working through a full truckload of firewood and fuel still in the tank.
Owners consistently treat it as the value route into full-size firewood cutting, particularly when comparing it against a Husqvarna 460. One pattern worth knowing from r/Chainsaw threads is the recurring observation that ECHO saws run a pound or two heavier than the equivalent STIHL or Husqvarna at the same size. That is a fair trade for the build quality, but it is a trade you should make consciously.
The decompression valve is meant to lower crank compression for a cold start, and it works, but owners still report a heavy pull. If you are new to two-stroke saws, go in expecting the first pull to be a real pull. Once running, the decompression valve and choke give a repeatable routine, and restarts mid-session are quick.
One quirk shows up often enough to plan for: this saw wants the choke to start even when it is warm. That is where a lot of new owners flood the engine and then conclude the saw is faulty. Learn the sequence, and cold and warm starts both become boring, which is exactly what you want in October.
Where this saw earns its place
This is a high-volume saw. If you are cutting for a woodstove through a long winter, or you take a truckload at a time, the CS-590-20AA keeps a steady pace through rounds that would stall a 38cc. The manufacturer lists light to moderate tree felling as a capability, so it can handle the odd small tree as well as the woodpile.
The 20 inch bar cuts rounds up to roughly 16 to 18 inches in one pass. Below that size, the engine has power to spare, which is the right kind of surplus to have. One owner in the reviews reported a unit that did not run at all and a seller that offered no support, which is a small enough number to mention and a good reason to buy from a dealer you can reach.
Who should not buy this saw
Skip it if you cut a couple of cords in a good year. The weight and the crank effort are real costs paid on every start, and they buy you capacity you will never touch. Anyone under 50 pounds or new to saws will feel both immediately, particularly on a cold morning.
It is also a poor fit for anyone who wants a forgiving start procedure. The choke-dependent routine punishes impatience, and owners who flood it report the saw dying and needing a rest. Learn the sequence before you rely on it in a hurry.
5. Echo CS-3410-16 – Easiest to Start and Easiest on the Arms
Echo CS-3410-16 30.5 cc Chainsaw with 16 in. Bar and Chain
30.5cc gasoline engine
16 inch bar and chain included
Low kickback chain
Lightweight housing
Pros
- Starts on the first or third pull for most owners
- Light enough for extended cutting sessions
- Cuts 16 to 18 inch hickory and similar hardwood
- Low kickback chain supplied as standard
Cons
- 30.5cc is undersized for continuous large-log cutting
- Some saws idle but stall under throttle
- Bare-tool packaging in some cases
Start ease is the single most repeated owner concern in chainsaw forums, and the CS-3410-16 answers it as well as anything in this roundup. Owners report starting on the first or third pull, restarting easily when warm, and generally treating the starting procedure as uneventful. For firewood cutting in cold weather, that is not a minor feature.
It comes with a 16 inch bar and chain and a low kickback chain, which owners report working well as supplied. At 30.5cc it is the smallest engine here, yet the reviews describe it cutting 16 to 18 inch hickory without difficulty, which says more about the 30cc class than most spec sheets do. The lightweight housing is designed to reduce fatigue and does.
Owners who cut multiple cords with this saw rate it at 4.3 stars, and the review theme is a pattern rather than an accident: it starts, it runs, it cuts hardwood, and it does all of that at a weight you can hold for a full session. That is the profile a firewood saw needs to have.
There is a small share of owners who report units that idle but stall or run rough when the throttle is opened, plus a few comments that later production feels cheaper than earlier ones. Carburetor-related rough running is the usual culprit. If the saw you receive stumbles at full throttle, that is worth addressing early rather than limping through a season.
Best fit for moderate firewood work
Pair this with rounds up to about 12 to 14 inches and it will keep up with you all day. For one to three cords a year of mixed softwood and hardwood, the 16 inch bar is comfortable to handle and easy to carry, and the engine has enough torque for the rounds that come off a typical small hardwood stand.
The supplied low kickback chain is a genuine advantage for new operators. A chain that resists kickback is a meaningful safety margin while you are still learning to read the top of the bar, and it is why this saw shows up in the answers new firewood owners give when asked what to buy first.
Where the 30.5cc engine ends
Owners are direct about this: the 30.5cc engine is undersized for continuous large-log cutting, and the reviews suggest moving up for that. If your wood is mostly softwood or thin hardwood, you will never reach the ceiling. If you are bucking big rounds back to back for hours, you will, and you will notice.
Also check what is in the box. Some units arrive as bare-tool configurations, so the bar and chain may be a separate line item. That is an easy miss at checkout and a frustrating discovery in the cold when you are ready to cut.
6. Echo CS-3510-16 34.4cc – Light Commercial Build for Long Bucking Days
Echo Commercial Gas Rear Handle Chain Saw with 16In Bar 34.4Cc
34.4cc commercial grade engine
16 inch guide bar
8.2 pounds
i-30 starter and 3 point spring dampening
Pros
- 8.2 pound build reduces fatigue over long sessions
- i-30 starter cuts starting effort by 30 percent
- 3 point spring vibration system
- Air injection air cleaner cuts maintenance
Cons
- 16 inch bar is small for larger rounds
- Only 133 ratings means less long-term field history
The CS-3510-16 is the rear-handle middle ground, and its selling point is unusually specific: at 8.2 pounds it is light, and the i-30 starter reduces starting effort by 30 percent. When you are starting a saw fifty times a day, a third less crank effort is not a marketing number, it is the difference between a good day and a tiring one.
The 3 point spring vibration reduction system is the other feature owners single out. Vibration is the complaint that comes up again and again in firewood threads, with users reporting numb hands after a session, and this saw is one of the few in the roundup built around suppressing it rather than just managing it.
Air injection air cleaning reduces maintenance intervals, which matters if your saw spends its life outdoors between uses. The commercial grade engine designation is not a marketing category here; it describes a build that is heavier than a homeowner saw in the same class and correspondingly more durable.
At 34.4cc with a 16 inch bar, the cutting ceiling is the same as the CS-3410. What changes is the weight distribution and the vibration character over long sessions. If your firewood cutting is spread across a weekend rather than compressed into one marathon day, that difference matters less than it might appear.
Where it fits in a firewood setup
This is a good saw for limb work, small property maintenance, and moderate firewood cutting on a 16 inch bar. The 8.2 pound weight and the rear-handle layout make it well suited to anyone who does not want a top-handle saw overhead, and to users who find larger saws exhausting before the wood runs out.
The rear handle also makes it more comfortable to use in brush and awkward positions than a top-handle configuration. For someone on small acreage clearing scrub and taking firewood as a byproduct, that versatility is a reasonable argument on its own.
Who should not buy this saw
Do not buy it for large rounds. Sixteen inches is at the low end for splitting and bucking bigger firewood, and owners say so plainly. If your logs are consistently over 14 inches, the extra capability of a 20 inch saw is worth more than the weight savings here.
Be aware that the review base is the thinnest of the name-brand saws in this roundup, which means less long-term field history to lean on. It is a reason to buy from a dealer who will stand behind the saw.
7. NEO-TEC 62cc 20 in. – Entry 20-Inch Power That Starts in Two Pulls
NEO-TEC 62cc 20 Inch Gas Powered Chainsaw 2-Cycle Petrol 3.5HP Handheld Reliable Motosierra De Gasolina for Tree Pruning Wood Cutting Firewood Preparation and Yard Maintenance
62cc 2-cycle engine spinning to 8500 RPM
20 inch bar, 0.325 inch pitch
Quick-start choke system
Wrap-around handle
Pros
- 62cc engine at 3.5HP and 8500 RPM
- Quick-start system fires in one to two pulls
- Precision carburetor improves fuel efficiency
- Wrap-around handle aids control
Cons
- Heaviest saw in the roundup at 17.1 pounds
- Chain brake and trigger lockout add complexity
- Bar and chain mount details are brand-specific
This is the value entry into the 20 inch class, and with more than nine hundred owner ratings it has the largest review base in the roundup. The 62cc two-cycle engine spins to 8500 RPM and produces 3.5 horsepower, which is real cutting capacity in a saw that sits well below the name-brand powerheads. For someone moving from a battery saw to gas and wanting a full-size bar, that is the appeal.
Starting is the headline. The quick-start system with a choke knob delivers ignition in one to two pulls according to owners, which puts it alongside the ECHO models on the most-mentioned starting criterion in the firewood community. A precision carburetor with optimized combustion is credited with better fuel efficiency, and that shows up in runtime per tank.
The chain specification is worth noting if you ever re-bar or replace: 0.325 inch pitch, 0.058 inch gauge, 76DL drive links on a tail mount of 8.2mm. Those numbers are the same family as several other saws in this roundup, which means replacement chains are easier to find than the brand name alone would suggest.
The wrap-around handle supports control and maneuverability in brush and close quarters, and owners using it for firewood preparation and yard maintenance generally report a smooth, unfussy experience. The chain brake and trigger lockout add a layer of safety hardware that not every saw in this class includes.
Strengths and limits of this 62cc saw
On power, starting, and fuel economy, owners rate it highly. At 20 inches with a 62cc engine it handles rounds up to roughly 16 to 18 inches, and it has the torque to keep the chain moving through green hardwood rather than bogging, which is where lower-output saws in the same class often disappoint.
Weight is the drawback, and it is the clearest one in the reviews: 17.1 pounds is the heaviest saw here, and about two and a half pounds above the next-heaviest saws in the roundup. Over a long bucking day, that is a real cost. It suits a user with more strength than the lighter models demand.
Who should not buy this saw
Skip it if you cut a couple of cords a year. You would be carrying the heaviest saw in the roundup for work a 16 inch model finishes as quickly. The engine capacity is wasted and the weight is paid for on every cut.
It is also the wrong pick for anyone who wants a low-maintenance relationship with a two-stroke saw, because the chain brake and trigger lockout add components that need occasional attention. Read the manual for the bar mounting procedure too, since the tail mount detail is not universal.
8. SUPMIXTOOLS 62cc 20 in. – Raw Cutting Power Owners Cannot Stop Mentioning
SUPMIXTOOLS 62cc Gas Chainsaw 20 Inch Gas Powered Chainsaws 2-Cycle Petrol
62cc full-crank 2-stroke engine
20 inch guide bar
8500 RPM chain speed
Low kickback chain
Pros
- Owners report cutting large hardwood faster than name-brand saws
- 62cc full-crank engine delivers strong torque with low vibration
- Starts on the first or second pull once assembled
- Includes a fuel mixer and a sharpener
- Light enough for long sessions
Cons
- Needs premixed 50:1 fuel to start reliably
- New chains stretch quickly and need frequent tightening
- Chain brake needed repeat repairs on one unit
The most striking thing in this saw’s reviews is the number of owners who compared it directly against a STIHL or Husqvarna on hardwood and concluded it cut faster. That is not a controlled test and we do not treat it as one, but it is a consistent claim across a large review base, and it aligns with what a 62cc full-crank engine should do to a round.
Full-crank design is the technical explanation. A full-crank two-stroke uses a 360 degree crank arrangement rather than the simpler piston arrangement, and the practical result is more torque, smoother running, and lower vibration at the same displacement. Owners pick up on the smoother character even if they do not know the term.
Two practical notes before you rely on it. First, it needs premixed 50:1 fuel to start reliably, and owners who pour straight gasoline and oil are the ones reporting hard starting. The good news is that a fuel mixer is included. Second, new chains stretch quickly, so expect to check tension more often in the first few tankfuls than you would on a name-brand saw.
The box also includes a fuel mixer and a blade sharpener, plus an installation toolkit. Owners generally find assembly straightforward once the bar and chain steps are clear, although the instructions themselves are called confusing by more than one reviewer. Budget thirty minutes with the manual before your first cut rather than during it.
What the power is actually good for
This is a saw for large logs. The 20 inch bar with a low kickback chain and 8500 RPM chain speed is built for rounds that would bog a 40cc saw, and the 4.2 horsepower figure is high for a full-crank two-stroke. If your firewood is dense hardwood, this is the saw the reviews say will keep up.
The low kickback chain is worth a second look for new operators, because it narrows the risk profile on the upper half of the bar where most kickback injuries begin. The quick-stop chain brake and safety switch round out a safety package that is unusually complete for this class.
Who should not buy this saw
Skip it if you have never run a two-stroke saw and do not want to learn on the same tool you are using for the season. The premix requirement is a real commitment, and a mistake there costs you a morning.
It is also a poor match for anyone who wants minimal maintenance. Frequent chain tightening, the premix discipline, and a reported chain brake repair on one unit all add friction. If your time is better spent cutting than tinkering, the name-brand models above are the calmer choice.
9. PROYAMA 68cc – Two Bars in One Box, Mixed Owner Reports
PROYAMA 68CC Gas Powered Chainsaw, 24 Inch 20 Inch Top Handle Chain Saw
68cc 2-cycle engine producing 4.5HP
20 inch and 24 inch bars included
14.5 pounds dry weight
Magnesium alloy chain brake
Pros
- Highest engine displacement in the roundup at 68cc
- Includes both 20 inch and 24 inch guide bars
- Anti-vibration system reduces hand fatigue
- Magnesium alloy chain brake and case
Cons
- Lowest average rating in the roundup at 3.9
- Some buyers report difficult starting and stalling under load
- Setup and tuning take more attention than name-brand saws
The 68cc engine and the 4.5 horsepower figure are the largest engine numbers in this roundup, and including both a 20 inch and a 24 inch bar is a genuinely useful package for someone who does both bucking and felling. If you want one saw to cover firewood and storm cleanup, this configuration covers more job types than a single-bar saw.
It is also the saw with the widest spread of owner opinion. The 3.9 average is the lowest in the roundup, and about 18 percent of reviews are one star, with a consistent theme of difficult starting and stalling under load. A share of owners also describe it as strong on raw cutting and weak on finish quality and consistency between units.
The magnesium alloy chain brake and case are unusual in this class and point toward a heavier-duty intent than the rating suggests. The anti-vibration system with an ergonomic handle is a sensible response to a 14.5 pound saw, and owners who got along with their unit often mention comfort over long sessions in the positives.
At 14.5 pounds with a 24 inch bar available, you are carrying a full-size machine. The top-handle and rear-handle configuration options are a real advantage if you move between limbing and felling positions, and the easy start system is the feature that most determines whether your experience with this saw goes well or badly.
Who this configuration suits
Two bars in one box makes sense if you are cutting firewood rounds and also handling downed trees, or if you want the option to grow into a longer bar later without buying a second powerhead. The 20 inch bar handles most firewood and the 24 inch bar takes the big rounds and the storm cleanup.
For raw capacity in a single package, the 68cc engine is the top of this roundup on displacement, and some owners cutting heavy hardwood report it doing real work. The magnesium parts suggest the manufacturer did not cut the cheapest possible corners in the hardware.
Why we would not put it on your list first
The starting complaints are the deciding factor. Cold starts are the number one owner frustration across gas saws, and this saw draws a disproportionate share of them. If you are new to two-stroke tools, the last thing you want in November is a saw that will not fire on a cold morning.
The stalling under load reports also matter for firewood specifically, because bucking is load work. A saw that runs well free and struggles when the bar is buried will slow you down exactly when you are working hardest. Check the maker warranty terms before buying, and buy from a seller who will service what they sell.
10. WTHW 58cc Quick-Switch Bars – The Two-Bar Package
WTHW 58 cc Gas Chainsaw, 20 in & 18 in Quick-Switch Bars, 2 Chains
58cc 2-stroke engine at 3.5HP
20 inch and 18 inch bars with 2 chains
91 ft/s chain speed
14.5 pounds
Pros
- Two bars and two chains cover felling and limbing
- 30 percent larger fuel tank extends runtime
- Quick-Start recoil fires in cold conditions
- Automatic oiler and centrifugal air filter
- Scrench included for on-site tensioning
Cons
- Smallest review base here at 88 ratings
- Quick-switch system means carrying two bars and chains
- Dual-spring dampening is a design claim not a measurement
The quick-switch bar system is the idea worth understanding here. Instead of one bar, you get a 20 inch felling bar with a 76DL chain and an 18 inch limbing bar with a 72DL chain, both at 0.325 inch pitch and 0.058 inch gauge, and you swap between them without tools. For firewood that means your bucking bar stays clean and sharp while the longer bar handles the big rounds and the downed wood.
The 58cc engine produces 3.5 horsepower with a chain speed of 91 ft/s, which is a serious cutting figure. A 30 percent larger fuel tank extends runtime on exactly the long bucking days where you do not want to stop and refill, and the automatic oiler with a pro-grade centrifugal air filter handles lubrication and filtration without your attention.
Quick-Start recoil is reported by owners to fire reliably within a few pulls even in cold conditions, which is the criterion that matters most in firewood forums. A fast-acting inertial chain brake, a low kickback chain, and a dual-spring anti-vibration system complete a safety and comfort package that is genuinely well equipped for the class.
A scrench is included for on-site chain tensioning, and that is more useful than it sounds. Every saw here needs tension adjustments as the chain stretches in, and having the tool in the box removes the single most common reason new owners put a saw aside for a season.
Where the two-bar setup helps
A dedicated 18 inch limbing bar is genuinely useful for firewood. Short bars kick back less, are lighter in the log, and stay sharp when you are working on smaller rounds, so keeping the 20 inch bar for bucking and the 18 inch for cleanup means neither job dulls the other.
The 20 inch chain handles rounds up to roughly 16 to 18 inches in a single pass, and 3.5 horsepower is enough to keep the chain moving through green wood. At 14.5 pounds it is a midweight saw, heavier than either 16 inch ECHO in this roundup and comparable to the 68cc saw.
Who should not buy this saw
Do not buy it if a small owner review base makes you uneasy. Eighty-eight ratings tells you a lot less about five years of durability than 892 does, and this is the shortest history of any name on this list. For a saw you intend to keep for a decade, that is a real gap.
Skip it if you only ever cut one bar length and do not want to carry a second bar and chain to the woodpile. The two-bar system is an advantage for someone who does mixed work, and simply extra weight for someone with one job.
How Big Should Your Firewood Chainsaw Be?
Size the saw to your annual firewood volume and the diameter of your thickest round, in that order. A cord is a stacked unit of split wood, and most home users fall between one and four cords a year, which puts most of them squarely in the 14 to 18 inch bar range with a 30cc to 45cc engine.
Below one cord a year, you are better served by a battery saw. The fuel handling, the premix, the pull cord, and the maintenance schedule are all wasted effort for a few hours of cutting a year, and a battery saw will be ready in seconds with no mixing.
Above ten cords, or if you cut dense hardwood, move to a 59cc or 60cc engine with an 18 to 24 inch bar. The engine is what keeps the chain moving when the bar is buried, and the extra displacement is what separates a saw that cuts from a saw that stalls.
The most common mistake is buying oversized. A saw larger than your wood needs is heavier on every cut and never faster on the rounds you actually have. The second most common mistake is buying for the biggest day of the season rather than the average weekend.
Bar Length and Engine Size: What Each Combination Can Cut
The sizing rule is simple: your guide bar should be 2 to 6 inches longer than the diameter of your thickest log. A 16 inch bar comfortably handles a 10 to 14 inch round, a 20 inch bar handles 14 to 18 inch rounds, and a 24 inch bar reaches 18 to 22 inches.
The engine class has to match the bar or the saw will bog under load. A 14 inch bar on a 30cc engine, a 16 inch bar on a 38 to 45cc engine, an 18 to 20 inch bar on a 50 to 60cc engine, and a 24 inch bar on 60cc or above. Husqvarna powerheads in this roundup are rated for wide bar ranges, with the 450 Rancher recommended from 13 to 20 inches and the 460 Rancher from 13 to 24 inches.
Know the double-cutting caveat. When a round is wider than roughly two thirds of your bar’s usable length, a single pass will not clear it. The standard technique is to cut a notch from one side, then roll the log and finish from the opposite side, and that doubles your time on the cut. Choose a bar that clears your typical round in one pass and this problem largely disappears.
Note the reach of the saws that re-bar easily. The 450 Rancher and 460 Rancher both accept a wide range of bar lengths on the same powerhead, and two of the 60cc-class saws here share a 0.325 inch pitch and 0.058 inch gauge, so replacement chains are easier to find than a brand name alone would suggest. Check pitch and gauge before buying a second bar.
Safety Gear and Kickback: The Part Nobody Skips
Chaps are the first item, not the fifth. Chainsaw chaps with ballistic or fiber layers are the single piece of equipment most likely to prevent a serious injury, and they cost far less than the damage a chainsaw injury causes. Wear them for the whole session, including the short cuts, because most injuries happen when someone is comfortable and stops being careful.
A helmet with a mesh or polycarbonate visor, hearing protection, eye protection, and cut-resistant gloves complete the kit. Add anti-vibration gloves only if your hands bother you at the end of a long day, since they reduce grip on some handles and most saws already damp vibration through the engine mounts.
Kickback is the mechanism that causes most chainsaw injuries, and it happens when the upper quarter of the bar nose contacts wood and the saw pivots back toward you. The nose is designed to be inert, and a low kickback chain widens the margin, but the real defence is technique: never cut with the upper nose third, keep the chain at full speed entering the cut, and never push the bar with your shoulder or hip.
There is a second form owners worry about that is worth naming. A saw can lurch backward on the recoil stroke if you hold the starter improperly, which is a recognised complaint about STIHL starting behaviour in particular. The fix is to brace the saw firmly, keep the chain clear, and use the throttle lockout or a consistent half-throttle position on the pull stroke. Keep both hands on the saw and never start it with the bar raised.
Two habits reduce risk more than any gear. Cut on stable ground with the log braced, and never stand between yourself and the saw. Bucking spikes on the base of most saws let you steady the log instead of holding it with your boot.
Fuel Mixing, Cold Starts, and Off-Season Storage
Almost every hard-starting chainsaw problem traces back to fuel, and the fix is boring and reliable. Two-stroke engines need premixed fuel, and 50:1 is the standard ratio for modern saws: 50 parts gasoline to 1 part two-stroke oil, mixed in a separate approved container. Never pour oil straight into the tank, and never estimate by eye.
The cold-start sequence: verify the chain brake is engaged, set the choke to full for a cold engine, prime the bulb until it is full but not overfilled, hold the throttle trigger open slightly, and pull firmly. Once it fires and runs for a few seconds, push the choke to run position. If it does not fire, wait, then try half choke rather than pulling repeatedly into a flooded engine.
Why saws are hard to start, in order of likelihood: stale or degraded fuel, a fouled spark plug, a clogged air filter, a flooded engine from too many chocked pulls, or weak recoil. Fresh premix with a stabilizer, a clean plug with a correct gap, and a clean filter solve most of it. Owners in woodstoving forums point to weak spark and old fuel as the recurring causes.
For off-season storage, run the tank dry if you are storing for more than a couple of months, or fill it with fresh premixed fuel and a stabilizer if you want the saw ready quickly. Clean the air filter, check that the chain is sharp and tensioned, remove the bar for long storage to keep oil off the ground, and store the saw away from moisture and direct heat.
Sharpen and tension the chain every few tankfuls while you are in the habit of it. A dull chain makes the saw work harder, generates more heat, and is the leading cause of both stalling and the chain jumping the bar. A flat file and a depth gauge are the two tools that matter, and both belong in your starter kit.
Gas or Battery for Firewood?
Gas wins on capacity and loses on convenience. A full tank refills in under a minute and a gas saw runs through a long bucking session without interruption, and it will not lose power as hardwood dulls the chain. A battery saw needs a charge between batches of work and can throttle on sustained hardwood cutting as the pack heats up.
Battery wins decisively under about one cord a year. No premix, no pull cord, no starting procedure, instant readiness, and no seasonal fuel to store. If your firewood comes from a neighbor with a loader and your annual volume is small, a battery saw is the correct answer and a gas saw is a heavier way to do less.
The crossover is volume and duration. Once you are cutting for a full day rather than a couple of hours, fuel stops being an advantage and becomes an annoyance you will pay for in mixing and hauling. The gas saws in this roundup make sense when the wood pile is the reason you own the machine.
The Starter Kit Checklist: Everything You Need Beyond the Saw
Most gas saws arrive as a powerhead with a bar and chain, and everything below is a separate purchase. Buyers who budget for it on the first day avoid the most common disappointment in firewood season, which is having a saw that cannot be used because one item is missing.
A spare chain in the correct pitch and gauge for your bar
Bar and chain oil, and a way to check the reservoir level
A flat file and a depth gauge matched to your chain
A scrench for bar tensioning and general adjustments
An approved fuel can and a mixing funnel for 50:1 premix
Two-stroke oil, plus fuel stabilizer for storage
Chainsaw chaps, a helmet with visor, hearing protection, and eye protection
Cut-resistant gloves and sturdy boots with good grip
Add a second chain before you need it rather than after. Chains dull and stretch in normal use, and a fresh chain on a tired bar produces poor cuts and more vibration. Keeping a spare on hand also means a broken chain mid-season is a five-minute fix instead of a lost weekend.
What to Look For Before You Buy
Weight is the specification owners care about most and spec sheets bury. A saw you will lift hundreds of times in a season should be one you can hold comfortably at the end of a long day, and a few pounds saved shows up in how much wood you finish. Read the weight of the saw with the bar and chain, not the powerhead alone.
Starting ease is the second thing. Look for a decompression valve or a Smart Start system, a clearly marked choke and primer bulb, and a throttle lockout. Then read the owner reviews specifically for cold-start complaints, because that is where the real difference between two otherwise similar saws shows up.
Third, check the warranty terms carefully and buy from a dealer who will service the saw. r/Chainsaw discussion often cites Husqvarna’s two-year coverage on both homeowner and commercial models against a much shorter term on competing brands, and owners buying online worry about whether dealer service survives the purchase. Both are fair questions to ask before you pay.
Fourth, check that the bar length you want fits the powerhead, and that replacement parts exist for it. A saw that takes a 13 to 24 inch bar is more flexible than a fixed-length model, and a saw with a common chain pitch is easier to keep running. Model numbering confuses almost every buyer, which is why so many threads on the subject are titled with a question rather than an answer.
Finally, be honest about the two-saw question. A 16 inch saw paired with a 14 inch saw covers small rounds and bigger rounds separately, and many owners find that more pleasant than fighting a 20 inch bar through small wood all season. It costs more than one saw, but it costs less than buying a big saw and resenting it.
Frequently Asked Questions
What chainsaw is best for cutting firewood?
For most homeowners, a 16 to 18 inch bar with a 38 to 50cc two-cycle engine is the best gas chainsaw for firewood. People cutting one to three cords a year do well with a 16 inch 38cc saw, while those cutting hardwood or more than a few cords a year should step up to a 50 to 60cc engine with an 18 to 20 inch bar. Under one cord a year, a battery saw is a better choice.
Which brand of gas chainsaw is considered the most reliable?
Owners most often name Husqvarna, STIHL, and ECHO as the reliable gas saw brands, and the practical differences between them are smaller than the marketing suggests. The measurable difference is warranty length and parts availability. Forum owners regularly point to Husqvarna’s two-year coverage as a reason to favour it, while ECHO and STIHL owners report comparable build quality in the homeowner class. Match the saw to your workload rather than the badge.
Is STIHL or Husqvarna more reliable?
Both are reliable, and owner forums generally describe them as closely matched outside the professional range. Husqvarna is frequently credited with running slightly less vibration on equivalent models, which matters over a long bucking day, and with longer warranty coverage. STIHL is often noted for simple starting procedures and strong dealer support. Neither has a meaningful edge on cutting speed at the same engine size.
What is a good size chainsaw for cutting firewood?
A good size is a bar 2 to 6 inches longer than your thickest log, which usually means a 16 inch bar for rounds up to 14 inches and a 20 inch bar for rounds up to 18 inches. Engine size should follow: 30 to 38cc for a 14 to 16 inch bar, and 50 to 60cc for an 18 to 20 inch bar. Most one to three cord users land in the middle of that range.
What saw is most likely to cause kickback?
Kickback risk comes from technique and condition rather than from a particular brand. The upper quarter of any bar is the danger zone, and dull chains, tight cutting, and cutting with the nose of the bar are the main causes. Larger bars carry more energy if contact does happen, so oversized saws are riskier in the hands of an inexperienced operator. A low kickback chain and full speed entering the cut are the most effective protections.
Why are chainsaws so hard to get started?
Stale or degraded fuel is the leading cause, followed by a fouled spark plug, a clogged air filter, and an engine flooded from too many choked pulls. Verify the fuel is fresh premix at the correct ratio, clean the air filter, check the plug gap, and use the choke correctly: full choke cold, then run position once it fires. If it will not start, wait before pulling again rather than flooding it further.
What is the easiest gas chainsaw to start?
Among the saws reviewed here, owners most often report the Echo CS-3410-16 starting on the first or third pull, with the Echo CS-3510-16 and the NEO-TEC 62cc close behind. Saw design helps: a decompression valve, a Smart Start system, a clearly marked choke, and a primer bulb that holds enough fuel for a cold start. Owner technique matters at least as much as design.
How big should my chainsaw bar be for firewood?
Measure the thickest log you expect to cut, then add 2 to 6 inches. That gives a 16 inch bar for rounds up to about 14 inches, a 20 inch bar for rounds up to about 18 inches, and a 24 inch bar for rounds above that. Staying within that range avoids the double-cutting pass, which nearly doubles your time on oversized rounds.
Which Gas Chainsaw Should You Buy?
For most people, the best gas chainsaw for firewood is the Husqvarna 450 Rancher 20 inch. It puts a 50.2cc engine under 11.3 pounds, starts on the first or second pull, and carries the strongest combination of owner satisfaction and long-term feedback in this roundup. It is the right answer for someone cutting three to ten cords a year with a mix of softwood and hardwood.
If you are cutting fewer than three cords, the Husqvarna 130 16 inch is the better purchase: 5.7 pounds, easy starting, and enough torque for rounds most homeowners ever cut. If you cut a lot of hardwood or ten-plus cords, step up to the Husqvarna 460 Rancher 24 inch or the Echo CS-590-20AA. If you are not handy with a two-stroke engine, the Echo CS-3410-16 is the most forgiving saw on the list.
Before you order, buy the starter kit the same day: a spare chain, bar and chain oil, a file and depth gauge, a scrench, a fuel can and mixing funnel, and proper chainsaw chaps. The saw is the small part of the cost of cutting firewood. Our rankings and owner detail are current as of October 2026, so check the latest listing before you buy.