Which 6 Inch Mini Chainsaw is Best?
The Milwaukee M12 FUEL HATCHET 6 Inch mini chainsaw is a Major Contender
So is there an a single best 6 inch mini chainsaw on the market?
Probably not! The title of “best” is so subjective and open to interpretation. So ‘best” for one person may not be “best” for the next person.
It all depends on preferences and what you want the mini saw to accomplish for you.
And, of course, at what cost? Price will feature in many people’s understanding of the best option for them.
However, having said all that, there are several 6 inch bar mini chainsaws that stand out as leaders of the pack.
They tend to be on the higher end of the price scale and have a solid, long history of satisfying performance.
A well known chainsaw brand has produced a 6″ mini chainsaw!
So here are three suggestions that fit this description and are pictured on this page for comparison.
They are arranged in order of price – highest to lowest – at the time of writing.
– The Milwaukee
– The Greenworks 6″ mini chainsaw (click picture on left)
– The upgraded Imoum
All three of these mini chainsaws incorporate the characteristics that currently go towards making them “best in class”.
We discuss these features below and why they push these 6-inch mini chainsaws to the top of the pile!
Characteristics of the Best Rated 6-inch Mini Chainsaws
The features highlighted here enhance the performance and longevity of any chainsaw. However, they are not always common in rechargeable mini chainsaws due to their small size.
The Most Important Characteristic (Brushless Motor)
The Imoumlive comes with lots of extras
Top mini chainsaws will probably be equipped with a BRUSHLESS ELECTRIC MOTOR. These are technically more advanced than the more traditional brushed motor.
They are quieter, more powerful and are generally more efficient motors.
So while a brushless motor isn’t the only factor in determining how good a 6-inch mini saw is, it should be a major factor.
It is probably fair to say that you would need a VERY good reason to buy a mini chainsaw that is NOT powered by a brushless motor. Unfortunately, cost might be one of those reasons.
6-inch mini saws equipped with a brushless motor tend to be more expensive than their brushed motor counterparts.
(You can see a variety of Cheap 6-inch bar mini chainsaws here.
Chain Speed
Chain speed is measured in a number of different ways: Feet per minute/feet per second/meters per second.
The higher the chain speed, the faster and cleaner the cut. It stands to reason then that, all things being equal, a higher chain speed is better than a low chain speed.
And generally, a brushless electric motor will deliver a higher chain speed than a brushed motor.
Just another reason why the best cordless mini chainsaws are powered by a brushless electric motor.
Not all manufacturers publish chain speed stats so finding them is not always possible. However, anything over 6m/sec (give or take 20ft/sec) in this size mini chainsaw is not to be sniffed at.
Self Oiling Mechanism
Unfortunately for us all, oil is a necessary part of operating a chainsaw. This is also true of mini chainsaws.
The function of oil in these small cordless mini chainsaws is to decrease friction and thus enhance both their cutting ability and longevity of the bar and chain.
Unfortunately, many mini chainsaw manufacturers and sellers will claim that their mini saw does not need oil to operate. This is because their tool does not have an inbuilt self-oiling mechanism
Yes it is partly true that you can use the saw without oiling the bar and chain. It just isn’t very good for the tool!
So the best 6 inch mini chainsaws are likely to have some sort of inbuilt mechanism that will allow you to oil the bar and chain at regular intervals while you work.
The alternative is to carry a small bottle of oil with you when you use your mini chainsaw and apply oil to the bar and chain regularly. This is the case with the Greenworks 6″ chainsaw.
Seeing there is an alternative to the inbuilt oiler, this factor is not as important as the brushless motor.
Selected Safety Features
It is ironic that some safety features incorporated into the design of many mini chainsaws potentially detract from the overall functionality of the tool.
This is again down to the size of these small chainsaws.
Here are 2 examples.
– The protective baffle that runs above the bar and chain to limit the spray of saw dust into your eyes. The area for attaching this to a small tool is inevitably small and not very sturdy.
Unfortunately, experience has shown that this point of attachment is a weak point and often breaks. Depending on where exactly it breaks will determine how much damage it does to the functionality of the tool.
– Finger or hand trigger guard. One of the functions of the guard is to prevent the trigger from being accidentally activated. However, one of the advantages of a mini chainsaw is that it can be used in tight or small spaces.
A finger or hand trigger guard negates this to some degree by increasing the overall size of the tool.
On the other hand, a safety switch is an essential feature of the best mini chainsaws. This is usually a button somewhere on the tool that needs to be depressed at the same time as the trigger is pulled.
This prevents the saw being accidentally started and potentially injuring someone.
The only drawback of this feature is that it is often placed in a position which makes it awkward for left handers
In Conclusion
The three mini saws featured here are definitely in a class of their own.
However, that does not mean that none of the other 6-inch mini chainsaws are worth looking at. Here are a few further options in the 6-inch bar category.
6 Inch Mini Chainsaws with Oilers
These have inbuilt oil reservoirs. Some work automatically, some you have to operate manually.
6 Inch Mini Chainsaws with a Brushless Motor
A brushless motor is always a good option. They provide more power and better longevity!
Six Hard Working 6 inch Mini Chainsaws
Here you can find a selection of proven value for money 6 inch bar chainsaw options.
Or you could go outside the 6-inch category….
4-Inch vs 6-Inch Mini Chainsaw
Perhaps a 4 inch bar would actually be sufficient for your requirements? Check out the pros and cons here.
Brand Name Mini Chainsaws
More and more recognised chainsaw brands are entering the mini chainsaw market segment. A well known chainsaw brand name does tend to add comfort when making a buying decision.
Top 10 Best Rated Cordless Mini Chainsaws
A round up of top rated mini chainsaws with bars from 4 – 8 inches long.
Sidebar!
A quick word on how we define a mini chainsaw. In other words, what differentiates a mini chainsaw from a chainsaw?
Many will go on bar length and say something along the lines of 12 inches or under.
However, for the purposes of this list, and in fact, this website, mini chainsaws are defined as follows:
They are battery powered chainsaws designed to be operated with one hand.
That’s not to say you can’t use 2 hands with some of them, but they are not primarily designed with that in mind.
So the more traditionally designed small electrically powered chainsaws do not feature here.
This is not a mini chainsaw
Take a look at the picture on the left and you will see the different design concept immediately when compared to the pictures of the Milwaukee, Greenworks and Imoumlive mini chainsaws featured in this article.
[no_toc]