Top 5 Gas Chainsaws of 2024

Long gone are the days of using an ax or a two-man crosscut saw to fell trees. Now when you need some good firewood for your fireplace, wood stove, or wood-burning furnace, you simply whip out your chainsaw and get to cutting.

Not all chainsaws are created equally, though. With dozens and dozens of models available from a wide range of manufacturers, it can be tough to know exactly which chainsaw you should buy.

But we want to help.

At HY-C, we manufacture a line of outdoor power equipment upgrades for lawn tractors, weed eaters, zero-turn mowers, chainsaws, and more. For this reason, we know quite a bit about some of the best makes and models on the market today — and we want to help you find the best chainsaw for you.

So, in this guide, we’re going to cover five of the top chainsaws of the year. We’ll look at technical specifications from bar length to noise level, some proprietary technology that helps each model stand out from the rest, the price of each model, and much more.

By the time you’re finished here, you’ll be well on your way to choosing the chainsaw that best suits your needs.

Table of contents (click to jump to a chainsaw model):

• ECHO CS-590 Timber Wolf
• STIHL MS 170
• Husqvarna 450 Rancher
• PRORUN PCS560C
• Poulan Pro PR5020

Model Comparison:

Chainsaw List Criteria

Before we get started, we should be clear about the criteria each chainsaw needed to meet in order to make this list.

For one thing, we’re covering gas-powered chainsaws only here. You won’t find any electric chainsaws or battery-powered chainsaws on this list.

We’re also not including any mini chainsaws or pole chainsaws here — just classic, normal-sized, pull-start chainsaws.

We also made sure only to include one chainsaw per brand on the list.

Aside from that, each model needed:

• An average rating of 4.0 or higher (according to an aggregate of review sources)
• At least 100 user reviews (according to the same aggregate)

With all of that out of the way — and in no particular order — let’s get started.

ECHO CS-590 Timber Wolf

The CS-590 Timber Wolf from ECHO is a powerhouse of a chainsaw. Featuring the highest average rating on this list, the most powerful engine, and the largest fuel capacity, it’s a beast of a saw that will help you fell tree after tree. The word “timber” is even in its name.

From a technical specifications and usability standpoint, it excels in a number of other ways, too. Its large fuel tank is translucent, allowing for quick fuel-level checks. It comes with a decompression valve and a digital ignition system to make starting it up a breeze.

Its air filtration system comes standard with quick and easy tool-less access, and its dual-post chain brake helps to ensure user safety in cases of accidental kickback.

In terms of proprietary tech, the Timber Wolf utilizes ECHO’s G-Force Engine Air Pre-Cleaner™, a pre-filtration system above the main air filter that protects the engine from dirt and debris, resulting in better, longer-lasting performance.

Even with all of these incredible bells and whistles, the CS-590 Timber Wolf is still not even the priciest chainsaw on this list. For $449.99, you’ll end up with a fantastic, state-of-the-art saw that will last season after season.

Discover the ECHO CS-590 Timber Wolf

STIHL MS 170

While the Timber Wolf is a heavy-duty workhorse of a chainsaw, the STIHL MS 170 is designed for lighter workloads. It can still fell small to medium-sized trees, But its 2-horsepower engine and 8.6-pound frame definitely put it in the lightweight category (especially relative to other entries on this list).

That doesn’t mean there’s not plenty to love, though. Its anti-vibration system makes for a comfortable, consistent user experience. Its small size also means lightweight portability that won’t wear on you as you work.

The MS 170 features high-tech polymer housings that help maintain its featherweight frame while resisting corrosion and still withstanding impacts. Also, like many STIHL products, it’s made right here in the USA.

In terms of proprietary features, this chainsaw utilizes STIHL’s IntelliCarb™ Compensating Carburetor that keeps air and fuel flow balanced while still maintaining proper RPMs as the air filter gets dirty.

It also makes use of STIHL’s Ematic™ Lubrication System to provide proper chain lubrication while using less oil, reducing bar oil consumption up to 50%.

Best of all, its asking price hovers around $219.99 — the lowest on the list. If you’re looking for a light-use, gas-powered chainsaw that won’t break the bank, The MS 170 is hard to beat.

Discover the STIHL MS 170

Husqvarna 450 Rancher

Moving from a USA-made design to a Swedish-made design, Husqvarna’s 450 Rancher chainsaw is loaded with proprietary technology designed to make woodcutting easier.

It uses the company’s Smart Start® technology that reduces the level of compression required for engine startup, making it easy to activate the motor, even in cold weather. This combined with an air purge button that removes excess air from the carburetor makes pull-starting simple.

The 450 Rancher also uses Husqvarna’s X-TORQ® engine. The engine’s unique combustion process results in a more complete burn of the fuel-air mixture, leading to higher efficiency and lower emissions while maintaining plenty of power.

The saw also utilizes Air Injection™ Technology to keep the engine clean. This system makes use of the centrifugal motion of air to expel dust and debris before it reaches the air filter to help improve the overall life and health of the engine.

To keep vibrations low, the 450 Rancher’s LowVib® technology consists of anti-vibration dampers throughout the structure of the chainsaw. These combined with the saw’s handle design cuts down on vibration significantly, making for a smoother, more user-friendly experience.

Finally, the saw features an X-CUT® Chain to further decrease vibration. This chain has a narrow kerf and optimized cutting geometry that reduces kickback and cuts through a wide spectrum of wood types.

All of this great proprietary technology rolled into one amazing chainsaw does result in a $479.99 price tag — the highest of any saw on this list.

But the adage is true: you get what you pay for. And in this case, you’re paying for one purely excellent chainsaw.

Discover the Husqvarna 450 Rancher

PRORUN PCS560C

Despite having a slightly less powerful motor than the ECHO CS-590 Timber Wolf, PRORUN’s PCS560C still manages to tie the Timber Wolf for highest RPMs on this list at 13,000 per minute. Its 12.68-pound frame is reasonable to handle, and its 20-inch bar offers plenty of cutting surface to work with.

The PCS560C makes use of great materials, too. With a magnesium crankcase and a chrome-plated piston, this saw is certainly not lacking in terms of durability.

To simplify its rope start, it makes use of a spring-assisted pull handle and a decompression valve that helps take the strain out of the process. This decompression valve also helps heighten the efficiency of the spark plugs, ensuring a consistent startup every time.

In the context of this list, the PRORUN PCS560C does everything well without explicitly standing out in any category. But its $329 price point reflects its specs: a fair price for a decent, no-frills chainsaw that simply gets the job done.

Discover the PRORUN PCS560C

Poulan Pro PR5020

We started this list by making a “one model per manufacturer” rule. And while the PR5020 is technically manufactured by Husqvarna, it’s sold under their Poulan Pro brand name, so we’re going to let it slide.

Relative to other saws on this list, the Poulan Pro PR5020 is the quietest available. With a measured noise level of just 102 dB, it’s a little less likely to disturb your neighbors than, say, the ultra-loud PRORUN PCS560C (at 113.2 dB).

Noise level aside, this saw comes equipped with an OxyPower engine that’s designed to provide more power per square inch than similarly-sized engines in its class.

The engine also optimizes the combustion process, helping you to get more work out of a single tank of gas. It does this by improving the air-fuel mixture, resulting in higher combustion efficiency and reduced emissions.

Like many other saws on the list, the PR5020 makes use of technology (called “Soft Start”, in this case) to make starting the chainsaw effortless, even in cold-weather conditions.

Its MSRP of $239.99 is the second lowest on this list. With a 3.4-horsepower motor and a 20-inch cutting bar, you get plenty of chainsaw for your money.

Discover the Poulan Pro PR5020

Which Gas-Powered Chainsaw Should You Get?

This has been an in-depth look at five of the top-rated chainsaws on the market today. And while there are plenty of good options here, you may still be wondering: “Which one should I get?”

Now that you know the specs, the best thing to do is consider which features are most important to you in a chainsaw and buy the model that matches.

If you’re buying on price, you’ll be hard-pressed to beat the STIHL MS 170 or the Poulan Pro PR5020.

If you’re looking for power, the ECHO CS-590 Timber Wolf is your best bet.

If you want a chainsaw that can do a little bit of everything for a fair price, give the PRORUN PCS560C a try.

Compare these makes and models and more, and choose the one best suited to your needs based on the specifications that are most important to you.

And, while you’re at it, take a look at our lineup of outdoor power equipment upgrades by Good Vibrations. They’ll help you take your chainsaw, lawn mower, and other outdoor power equipment to the next level.