What is the Best Mini Chainsaw to Buy

The Best Mini Chainsaw to buy is the one that meets your needs at the price point you are willing to pay.

The problem is that many people expect mini chainsaws to perform like their gas guzzling, 20+ inch bar big brothers!

That would be a mistake and result in inevitable disappointment.

These small, lightweight chainsaws are perfect for trimming trees, cutting branches, and other light cutting tasks.

If used in that context then they are a marvelous addition to any household’s stock of small tools for use in and around the home. .

But they certainly have their limitations.

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In this article we define a mini chainsaw as a chainsaw that is battery driven and is designed to be used with one hand only. This means they usually have bar lengths between 4 and 8 inches long. You may find the occasional 10″ bar one but although most 10″ bar chainsaws CAN be used with one hand, they are not designed for that. This latter group is not covered here.

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There are a few important features to consider when you start looking for your ideal mini saw.

These include:

– Will preferably be equipped with a brushless electric motor. These motors are far more powerful and efficient than normal electric motors meaning the chainsaw will cut better and last longer.

– Self oiling mechanism. Every chainsaw needs oil – even the electrically driven ones. In this instance, not for the motor to run, but to lubricate the chain and bar. This decreases the friction of the metal chain running around a metal bar. Having the oil applied via an onboard oiler is much easier than having to carry a little oil bottle around with you.

– Bar length. The difference between a 4 inch bar and an 8-inch bar doesn’t seem much. However, it is in fact a 100% increase. And in the world of chainsaws, that represents a material difference in terms of cutting capabilities.

– Chains. The smaller (shorter) the mini chainsaw bar, the more difficult it is likely to be to buy a replacement chain. Try ensure that back up chains are easy to find.

– Price. By and large you get what you pay for. Having said that, one-off time specific deals happen all the time in this market and are worth looking out for.

Our 5 Best Value Mini Chainsaws

Below you will find our selection of fit-for-purpose mini chainsaws. All but one are powered by a brushless motor. Most have a self oiler. Bar lengths range from 4 – 8 inches. Prices vary from below $100 to over $200.

Milwaukee Electric Tool M18 Fuel Hatchet 8″ Mini Chainsaw

The Milwaukee Electric Tool M18 Fuel Hatchet 8” Pruning mini chainsaw tops the price list and brand recognition stakes. It has a  powerful brushless motor, easy access chain tensioner, a compact design, AND a well known chainsaw brand name.

Pros

• The POWERSTATE Brushless Motor delivers the power to cut through most things.
• The easy access chain tensioner allows for quick adjustments to chain tension.
• Durability.It is part of a well known chainsaw brand that has a reputation to uphold and so is perhaps more “solid” than the vast majority of mini chainsaws.

Cons

• The battery and charger are not included in the package so you have to order those separately.
• It is more expensive than other mini chainsaws on the market even before having to add on a charger and battery

Not Just For Homeowners

This tool is good enough for professional arborists, landscape maintenance professionals, and power utility linemen. And that makes it a great tool for homeowners and DIY enthusiasts.

The brushless motor delivers the power to do most jobs better than most other mini chainsaws. The easy access chain tensioner is great for quick adjustments to the chain tension while on the move or between cuts. Then the  design provides great control and maneuverability in tight access areas.

This mini chainsaw is not without its drawbacks. However these are not directly related to the performance of the tool. Mostly it’s about cost and what you get in the package. For example the battery and charger are not included in the advertised cost of the tool.That translates to additional expenses – unless you already own at least one other tool in the range and already have a battery and charger.

Finally, the bare tool itself is already more expensive than other mini chainsaws on the market.

However, it is a general truism that you get what you pay for, and if you pay for this you are getting a top notch, durable mini chainsaw that will give you good service for a long time.

BEI & HONG Mini Chainsaw

So lets now go down to the bottom end of the price range and look at the upgraded 6 inch bar BEI & HONG mini chainsaw.

Pros

• The brushless motor is part of the upgrade .
• An automatic chain lubrication system keeps the bar and chain lubricated.
• Spare chains, a second battery and a carry case are part of the deal

Cons

• The bar length is only 6 inches which
• Some weak links in the construction and materials used to put this mini saw together
• Although there are 2 batteries, some people have complained about the battery life

This BEI & HONG Mini Chainsaw has been upgraded and now features a brushless motor that offers several advantages over brushed DC electric motors.You can read more about the advantages of brushless electric motors here.

The chain speed is quoted at 19.2FT/s (5.85m/s), which is hardly record breaking. But then, at this price point, you can’t expect that. However, it will still more than adequate for small jobs around the house.

Another improvement is the upgraded automatic chain lubrication system. This allows you to lubricate the chain at any without having to fiddle with a separate small bottle of oil.

The package includes some safety eye wear and gloves which some purchasers appreciated. In addition, it’s light weight and slim ergonomic handle has attracted quite a few woman buyers who are not happy to take on anything bigger or heavier.

Overall, the BEI & HONG Mini Chainsaw is a great option for anyone looking for an inexpensive, lightweight and easy-to-use mini chainsaw.

V-MODEST 4″ & 6″ Bar Mini Chainsaw

So here is an interesting option. One mini chainsaw with two bar lengths. So you can change the length of the bar depending on the job – or space – you have.

Pros

• It is powered by a brushless motor. That is a great start!
• Comes with 2 batteries and 2 chains for each bar length
• Complete hand guard.

Cons

• No self oiling capacity so you need to manually oil the chain yourself from time to time
• The position of the safety button, together with the immovable presence of the hand guard makes it difficult for left handers to use
• Instructions are a bit vague, especially for someone with no previous chainsaw experience.

This mini chainsaw is a good choice for those who can’t decide whether they need a 4 inch or 6 inch bar.  The rechargeable The choice of bar length does allow the saw to operate in spaces which might be too big for a 6-inch bar.

It also makes it one of the few 4-inch bar mini chainsaws that is powered by a brushless motor.

The chain speed is a moderately impressive 23.4 ft/sec (7.1m/s).

With two bars of different lengths, this package gives you several different options of how and where you can use this saw.

IMOUMLIVE Mini Chainsaw

The Imoumlive 6″ mini chainsaw is included here because it has the option of adding an extension pole to the mini saw. Although this is an additional cost, the extension pole option greatly increases your reach. This opens up a whole new world of possibilities when you are pruning.

Pros

• Equipped with a brushless motor
• Chain speed up to 26.2 ft/sec or just shy of 8m/s
• On board self oiling mechanism
• The User Manual is available online in PDF format here

Cons

• Does not come with oil supplied so you will need to buy the oil separately
• Chain needs tightening fairly frequently
• If you store it with some oil in the oil tank, it will leak oil. Simple as that…..and common to the vast majority of chainsaws.

Now to this options unique selling point. This Imoumlive mini saw is compatible with the IMOUMLIVE  extended telescopic pole. That gives this tool a huge reach making it easy for pruning branches that would normally be out of reach.It’s a multi-functional tool that’s perfect for pruning, gardening, and more. T

Overall, the IMOUMLIVE Mini Chainsaw is a great option for those looking for a lightweight, cordless mini chainsaw for pruning branches. With its advanced brushless motor, safety features, and easy-to-use design, it’s a great investment for any homeowner or gardener.

It is also available in an 8-inch bar format.

Saker Mini Chainsaw

This Saker Mini Chainsaw is the only option on this list that is not equipped with a brushless motor. It is also not the cheapest mini chainsaw listed here.

So what’s going on here? Not the cheapest, no brushless motor and no automatic oiler.  But in the running as one of the best mini chainsaws you can buy and flying off the shelf in big numbers

There does not seem to be any straight forward answer to this except to say that these saws are seen as good value for money and do a decent job – most of the time.

An interesting observation is that it cuts through 2 – 4 inch diameter branches very well but struggles with smaller diameter branches which it tends to chew through rather than cut through.

This might well be caused by a relatively low chain speed (no brushless motor) that can’t swiftly deal with a flimsy but easily moved target.

It also tends to overheat quite quickly and then the motor will shut down until it has cooled down. This takes about 3 minutes. It is a tool saving feature but can be a bit irritating when it happens regularly.

On the plus side, it comes with 2 chains and 2 batteries and a carry case which is always useful.

Another (big) positive is the fact that additional spare chains and batteries are readily available. That is something of a rarity in the mini chainsaw world.

So all in all, this is a mini chainsaw that doesn’t necessarily use the latest technology, but nevertheless does a sufficiently good job across the board to attract many (mostly) first time buyers.

PS This Saker also comes in PINK and in a 4-inch bar option

People Also Ask

1. Why buy a mini chainsaw?

Mini chainsaws have opened up the chainsaw world to many people who normally wouldn’t have contemplated using a chainsaw around their home. They are small chainsaws with a bar length under 10 inches that are designed to be used with one hand. They are light, portable and easy to work with in small spaces. A mini chainsaw is an ideal tool for pruning branches, trimming back foliage, cutting up kindling for fires and even some light DIY woodwork.

2. What can a mini chainsaw cut through?

A mini chainsaw is designed for light work that doesn’t take too long to do. They are small power tools that can handle pruning and trimming of small diameter branches. As a rule of thumb they should not be used to cut through anything other than wood. In addition, apply the 2 inch rule. e.g. a 6-inch bar mini chainsaw should not be used on anything bigger than a 4 inch diameter branch. That will ensure the chainsaw is not overworked.

3. How long does a mini chainsaw battery last?

On average between 20 to 40 minutes depending on the battery size (measured in Amp Hours or Ah) and the type of work being undertaken.

4. How long does it take to recharge a mini chainsaw?

This varies considerably but a very rough rule of thumb is that a mini chainsaw battery takes twice as long to charge as it does to run it flat.

5. How much does a mini chainsaw cost?

Price varies anywhere from $39.99 to over $200 for a battery driven mini chainsaw with a bar length between 4 and 8 inches.Big discounts of 50% and more are often offered on these small chainsaws, so it’s worth keeping an eye out for these opportunities.

And Finally

If you are still undecided, think of what you want the mini chainsaw for, what features you need/want, the price you are prepared to pay and then go look at what is available.
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