The Paul Bunyan in you wants a new chainsaw

Okay, fine -- we know Paul Bunyan probably laughs at chainsaws, but for those of you who aren't giant mythical lumberjacks with giant mythical blue oxen sidekicks, a good chainsaw might come in handy if you've got a tree on the ground that needs to be cut up into firewood.

In our latest report, reviewers give top rankings to the Husqvarna 240 e-series gas chainsaw and the Husqvarna 316E electric chainsaw. For quality budget buys, experts recommend the Poulan Pro PP3516AVX gas and the Craftsman 34418 electric chainsaws, and if you want to go cordless, the Black & Decker CCS818 is top-rated, though it's best reserved for light-duty jobs.

Before buying a chainsaw, make sure you know what to look for. There are many important features to consider, and your needs may be such that one type of saw makes a lot more sense than another. Don't forget to invest in safety equipment, too -- even small saws can inflict very nasty injuries if you don't take the necessary precautions. Read more about the different saw varities and what the experts think of them in our just-completed update on chainsaws.