EmailBest Reviewed
Chainsaws
- Best budget gas chainsaw Poulan Pro PP3516AVX *Est. $140
- Budget electric chainsaw Craftsman 34118 *Est. $100
- Top-quality gas chainsaw Husqvarna 240 e-series *Est. $250
- Best electric chainsaw overall Husqvarna 316E *Est. $270
- Best battery-powered chainsaw Black & Decker CCS818 *Est. $100
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Best electric chainsaw overall
- Great safety features
- Auto oiling, translucent oil reservoir
- Quiet operation
- Balanced feel
- Zero emissions
- Corded -- must be within 100 feet of an outlet
- Fairly expensive
Reviewers consistently name the Husqvarna 316E the best electric chainsaw for frequent use. It's not only quieter than gas chainsaws, but it's also quieter than most electric models. Its anti-vibration handle makes the Husqvarna 316 a good choice for long or frequent cutting sessions, and its array of safety features exceeds those of most electric chainsaws. If you want a less expensive electric chainsaw for lighter use, you may want to consider the Craftsman 34118 (*est. $100), which also boasts excellent safety features.
We found the best review of the Husqvarna 316E electric chainsaw at ConsumerReports.org, where it's compared against 24 other chainsaws based on thorough objective tests and very specific ratings. Tools of the Trade also tests the Husqvarna 316; the review there compares it with fewer models, but provides more overall detail. The Noise Pollution Clearinghouse reviews and compares 19 chainsaws, based on tests that measure noise levels and assess performance and ease of use. Mother Earth News also recommends the Husqvarna 316, but without doing any formal testing.
Our Sources
1. ConsumerReports.org
This review ranks the Husqvarna 316E in comparison with 24 other chain saws from 10 major brands, based on objective tests for cutting speed plus ratings for safety, ease of use and ease of maintenance. We wish editors had rated sound level, however.
Review: Chain Saws, Editors of ConsumerReports.org, Oct. 2006
This review compares the Husqvarna 316E with eight other electric chain saws based on objective tests that include cutting two sizes of square timbers, and judges say it's a "nimble powerhouse." The Husqvarna 316 also earns praise for excellent balance and low grip torque, and it's especially easy on the wrist.
Review: Electric Chain Saws, Michael Springer, March 2007
3. Noise Pollution Clearinghouse (NPC)
Chainsaws are tested and rated in "real life" for this review. The Husqvarna 316 earns praise for the quality of its cutting, as judged by experts. It is also the quietest of all 19 chainsaws tested.
Review: Is a Quiet Chainsaw an Oxymoron?, Editors of Noise Pollution Clearinghouse, Summer 2005
Neil Soderstrom, the author of a book on chainsaw use and maintenance, tests three electric chainsaws at different price points, but doesn't compare them with directly competing models. He recommends the midrange Husqvarna 316 for its good safety features, and says it has "good heft and a solid feel."
Review: Electric Chain Saws, Neil Soderstrom, Oct.-Nov. 2005
Chainsaws Runners Up:
4 picks including: ReviewCentre.com, The Washington Post…
2 picks including: Amazon.com, HomeDepot.com…
2 picks including: The Wall Street Journal…
Husqvarna 455 Rancher 20-Inch 55-1/2-CC 2-Stroke Gas Powered Chain Saw
 from Amazon.com New: $368.00 In Stock.
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