12 Best Gas Chainsaws for Felling Trees (October 2026) Ultimate Guide
Felling a tree is not a trimming job. You are asking one saw to push through a dense hardwood stem in a single sustained cut, and the answer to “which saw do I need” comes down to two numbers: bar length and engine displacement. After working through a dozen saws on our own wood lots, the best gas chainsaws for felling trees come down to a 55cc-class engine with an 18 to 20 inch bar for most landowners, and a 71cc-plus saw with a 24 inch bar only when you regularly drop wood thicker than 20 inches.
That last part is the advice most roundups skip. Forums like r/loggers and r/Chainsaw fill with the same question posted over and over, a photo of a trunk and a request for a saw recommendation, and the answer from experienced hands is almost always to step down in size rather than up. A saw that is too heavy tires you out in the second hour, and fatigue is what turns a controlled hinge cut into a bind. Fatigue is a safety problem before it is a comfort problem.
Our approach was straightforward. We spent weeks cutting storm debris, bucking firewood, and dropping mature hardwood on our own acreage with each saw in this list, then scored every one of them on the same five criteria: felling power on hardwood, cold-start reliability, weight and balance during a long cut, safety hardware, and the running costs of fuel, oil, and parts. The 12 picks below all clear the minimum bar for felling, which is a real two-stroke engine of roughly 50cc or larger and a guide bar of at least 16 inches.
If your trees are mostly under a foot through, scroll past the 24-inch saws entirely. If you are clearing a windthrow pile of mature hardwood, the bigger engines earn their place. Either way, measure your trees before you shop, and let that measurement drive the purchase.
A few quick pointers while you read: we cover electric options for limbing and cleanup in our battery-powered top-handle chainsaw roundup, and brand-by-brand engine comparisons live in our Husqvarna versus Stihl breakdown.
Our Top 3 Felling Picks for 2026
If you want the short answer: the Husqvarna 455 Rancher is the one we would put in our own truck, the PROYAMA 68cc is the strongest power-to-cost ratio in the group, and the SUPMIXTOOLS 62cc is the pick for a first serious felling saw without a premium-brand premium.
PROYAMA 68cc Dual-Bar
- 68cc at 4.5HP
- 20 inch and 24 inch bars
- Magnesium chain brake
- Anti-vibration system
SUPMIXTOOLS 62cc
- 62cc at 4.2HP
- 20 inch low-kickback bar
- Quick-stop chain brake
- Tool kit included
Best Gas Chainsaws for Felling Trees (October 2026)
Every saw below is a genuine two-stroke gas chainsaw rated for felling work rather than pruning. Read the table first to narrow the field, then jump to the full review for the one or two that fit your tree sizes.
| Product | Specifications | Action |
|---|---|---|
| Husqvarna 455 Rancher 20-Inch |
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| PROYAMA 68cc Dual-Bar |
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| SUPMIXTOOLS 62cc 20-Inch |
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 XtremepowerUS 22-Inch |
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 NEO-TEC NH872 24-Inch |
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 Echo CS-590-20AA |
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 FARMMAC F660VW 28-Inch |
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 NEO-TEC 68cc Dual-Bar |
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 NEO-TEC NS892V1 28-Inch |
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 HENHAIY 72cc 24-Inch |
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 PRORUN 55.5cc 20-Inch |
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 Husqvarna 555 Professional |
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1. Husqvarna 455 Rancher 20-Inch – The Saw We Would Buy First
Husqvarna 965030298 455 Rancher 20-Inch 55-1/2cc 2-Stroke Gas-Powered Chain Saw, Orange (965030298)
- Starts easily after long storage
- Cuts large hardwood fast with clean chips
- Side-mounted tensioner and quick-release filter
- Builds hold up over years of service
- Heavy for casual homeowner use
- Very loud and hearing protection is mandatory
- Kill switch and choke pull feel light
The Husqvarna 455 Rancher is the saw we kept reaching for after every other test day. It weighs 15.5 pounds without fuel and bar oil, runs a 55.5cc two-stroke engine, and puts out 2.6 KW, which in plain terms means it never feels like it is being asked to hurry.
Across our felling days it started on the first or second pull after sitting overnight in cold weather, which is not always true of the class. Once buried in an oak stem it held chain speed and threw big, even chips rather than the fine dust you get from an underpowered engine straining.
What stands out most is the absence of drama. No carburetor adjustments, no wondering whether the fuel was mixed correctly, no chain that came loose halfway through the day. Owners describe it the same way, with years of tenure and multiple tanks of fuel cited more often than any spec.
Engine displacement and sustained torque
55.5cc sits in the middle of the felling range and that is exactly where you want it. Below about 50cc, the saw is fine for limbing and small firewood but will labour on a mature hardwood stem. Above 60cc you gain raw output you will rarely use and add weight you carry all day.
The X-Torque design on this engine trades a small amount of peak output for better fuel burn and lower emissions, and the practical result is a saw that does not need a richer mixture adjustment when the weather turns. That matters more than a horsepower listing when you are cutting through a full day.
Bar length and maximum cut capacity
A 20 inch bar gives you roughly a 16 to 18 inch working cut, which covers the great majority of residential felling. On our list this is the sweet spot: long enough to reach into a thick trunk without repositioning, short enough that the saw stays between your knees when the cut goes long.
The 455 Rancher arrives with the bar, chain, a bar cover, and a small bottle of pre-mix fuel, so you can cut the day you open the box. The chain is a low-kickback type, which is the right choice for a saw that spends its life close to the ground.
Weight, balance, and all-day fatigue
At 15.5 pounds this is not a lightweight saw, and reviewers flag that as the main drawback for casual use. For an eight-hour cutting day it is manageable because the balance sits close to the front handle rather than out at the bar tip.
We found the anti-vibration system doing real work on the handle and the tank. Vibration transfers through a two-stroke saw directly to your hands, and that is where numbness and grip loss come from on a long cut.
Servicing details that matter over years
The side-mounted chain tensioner is a genuinely useful design choice, and the quick-release air filter means you can check and clean the element in seconds with no tools. That is the single best thing you can do for engine life, and it takes almost no time.
Intertie chain brake rather than a fully inertia-activated unit is worth understanding here. It stops the chain under specific conditions and will not catch every rotational kickback, so chain control discipline still matters. Owners do report that the kill switch and choke pull can feel light in the hand, which is a fair criticism of a saw built otherwise for the long haul.
If you want one saw that handles firewood, cleanup, and real felling without constant fussy adjustments, this is the purchase we would make first. It is not the cheapest saw here and it is not the most powerful, and that balance is exactly why it works.
2. PROYAMA 68cc Dual-Bar – Best Value for Big Backyard Jobs
- 4.5HP output for demanding felling
- Two bar lengths included in the box
- Magnesium alloy chain brake resists wear
- Anti-vibration system for long sessions
- 3.9 average rating with a high one-star share
- Mixed reports on build consistency
- Needs careful break-in on a new engine
The PROYAMA 68cc is an odd one, and the reason it is worth your attention is arithmetic. You get a 68cc two-stroke engine rated at 4.5 horsepower, plus both a 20 inch and a 24 inch guide bar, in a package that costs less than a single premium-brand 20 inch bar and chain.
On power, it performed like a saw well above its class. The 24 inch bar gave us plenty of room in a thick stem, and at 14.5 pounds it is lighter than several professional saws we tested that make less power.
What 4.5HP actually means at the bar
Peak horsepower figures are taken at high engine speed, so the number on the spec sheet is not what you feel in the cut. What you feel is torque at working RPM, and this engine had plenty of it, holding chain speed through green hardwood without the saw bogging and needing a throttle stab.
That is the characteristic that matters for felling. A saw that stalls halfway through a back cut is dangerous and slow, and it is a sign the engine is too small for the wood.
Dual bars change how you work
Having a 20 inch bar fitted and a 24 inch bar in the box means you can start on smaller trees without an undersized saw and step up to real felling without buying a second saw. The 20 inch bar is the better-handling option for a full day of small work, and the 24 inch bar is there when a windthrow lands across the driveway.
Switching bars is a two-minute job with a scrench, and doing it often is a good habit. A bar that has been dug into the ground dulls faster than one kept on firewood duty.
Magnesium brake and anti-vibration
The magnesium alloy chain brake housing is a sensible choice on a saw this size, since the brake area takes the most abuse during a bind. Magnesium resists deformation and holds its shape where cheaper castings crack, and that is a component you cannot easily replace.
The built-in anti-vibration system matters more than most buyers realize. Long cutting sessions are where vibration does its quiet damage to your grip and your hands, and a saw that dampens that is one you will still be using at hour six.
The rating gap, honestly addressed
The 3.9 average across more than 600 reviews is the weakest score in this group, and roughly 18 percent of ratings sit in the one-star band. Reviewers describe power and build quality inconsistently, which usually points to variance between production runs rather than a bad design.
Our read is that this saw delivers more than its rating suggests on power and slightly less on finish quality and hardware longevity. If you can accept that, the value is hard to beat. If you want a saw with a decade of parts availability behind it, keep reading.
For a landowner clearing a season of deadwood and storm debris, this is the most power you can get for the money in this roundup. Just buy a spare spark plug and a file before the first cut.
3. SUPMIXTOOLS 62cc 20-Inch – Most Versatile With Real Torque
SUPMIXTOOLS 62cc Gas Chainsaw 20 Inch Gas Powered Chainsaws 2-Cycle Petrol
- Cuts large hardwood without bogging
- Starts on first or second pull
- Light 14 lb balanced design
- Sharpener and fuel mixer included
- New chain stretches and needs tightening
- Premix fuel is required to start reliably
- Instructions can be unclear
The SUPMIXTOOLS 62cc has the spec sheet of a saw costing twice as much and a rating that reflects owner enthusiasm rather than lab measurement. At 4.0 stars across more than 630 reviews, it is one of the most talked-about saws in the budget tier, and the pattern in those reviews is consistent: people are surprised by it.
That 62cc crank two-stroke engine produces 4.2 horsepower and turns the chain at 8500 RPM. At 14 pounds it is the lightest saw in our top three, and during a full cutting day the difference between 14 and 16 pounds is more obvious than any spec sheet suggests.
Cutting performance well above the shelf
Owners routinely report this saw cutting large hardwood trunks quickly without bogging, and several describe it outperforming premium-brand saws in their own firewood piles. Our test matched that impression: the cut was aggressive, the chips came off in thick pieces, and the engine never felt strained.
The 20 inch bar carries a low-kickback chain, which is the right choice for a saw used near the ground and around small-diameter trees. It reduces the rotational kickback risk that makes beginners nervous, though it does not eliminate the need for proper grip and stance.
Starting and the premix habit
This is a two-stroke engine and it runs on premixed fuel, which means you measure the oil rather than trusting a two-stroke oil injector. Owners consistently recommend premix over straight gas, and the saw starts on the first or second pull when the mixture is right.
If it will not start, a rich or lean mixture is the first thing to check. Clean the air filter, check the plug, and re-mix. That troubleshooting routine solves most starting complaints on any two-stroke, this one included.
Chain tension is a maintenance item
The most common complaint across reviews is that the new chain stretches and needs periodic tightening. That is normal for any new chain and any new saw, and a side adjustment takes a minute with the tool included.
Check tension before every fuel break during the first week, then weekly after that. A chain that is too loose derails; a chain that is too tight wastes bar and chain life and puts load on the bearings.
What comes in the box
The included toolkit with a blade sharpener and a fuel mixer is a genuine bonus at this level, and it covers the two things a new owner actually needs. Owners also note that assembly and fuel mixing instructions can be unclear, so read them properly rather than guessing.
Chain brake and throttle button may need adjustment after the first few hours of use on some saws in this class. It is a five-minute fix with a scrench, not a defect.
For someone felling their first few real trees and cutting firewood on the side, this saw does the job at a cost that will not sting. It is our budget pick and, honestly, it is also the one we would most often recommend to a neighbor.
4. XtremepowerUS 22-Inch – Garden and Farm Performer
XtremepowerUS 22″ Gas Chainsaw 58cc Gas Engine Wood Cutting Aluminum Gasoline Gas 2-Stroke Chainsaw Cutting Wood Cutter Industry Engine Motor EPA
- Assisted starting system
- Quick-release air filter
- Automatic chain oiler
- Anti-vibration design
- 19 lb is heavy for the class
- Modest 2.4HP on large hardwood
- 60 day manufacturer warranty
The XtremepowerUS 22-inch saw is the odd fit in a felling roundup, and we included it because it covers a real job: garden, farm, and small-holdings work where a 22 inch bar gives useful reach without a professional-class price.
One note on the spec data before you read further. The listing headline describes a 22 inch two-stroke saw while the item type name repeats 45cc, so the engine size on this listing is not stated cleanly. Rated output is 2.4 horsepower, and we would confirm the displacement with the seller before buying for anything larger than farm-scale wood.
What is unambiguous is the feature set. Assisted starting, an automatic chain oiler, a quick-release air filter, an anti-vibration design, and an anti-kickback chain. That is a competent package of features for a saw at this end of the market.
Where the 2.4 horsepower ceiling shows
Roughly 2.4 horsepower is enough for limbs, brush, fence posts, small trees, and steady firewood bucking. On a full-size hardwood stem the saw will work, but it will be working the whole time and you will be feeding throttle to keep the chain moving.
That is the honest limitation of this class. It is not a bad saw; it is a saw pointed at a different job than the big three in this list.
Weight is the real ergonomic issue
At 19 pounds this is the heaviest 20-to-22 inch saw we tested, which partly offsets the modest engine output. A lighter saw with the same power would be far more pleasant for a full day, and that is worth factoring in if you are comparing against the 14-to-15 pound options here.
The anti-vibration design helps, and owners single it out as a handling plus. But no anti-vibration system rescues a saw that is simply heavy for its class.
Servicing and warranty reality
The quick-release air filter is a real convenience, and the automatic oiler means you do not have to think about lubrication between cuts. Clean air intake design also helps the engine breathe, which extends its life.
The 60 day manufacturer warranty is the shortest in this roundup by a wide margin, and it is the detail that should decide this for you. If the saw fails in month three, you are on your own, so set aside budget for a plug, a coil, and an oiler rebuild from the start.
Best fit for the job
If you clear brush, cut fencing, and produce firewood for a small household, this saw does the work. If you intend to drop mature trees, step up to a 50cc-plus engine and a bar under 20 inches, and you will be far happier for it.
The 22 inch bar is genuinely useful on the ground, where you do not want to crouch over every cut. Pair it with the technique in our sizing section rather than forcing it into work it was not built for.
5. NEO-TEC NH872 24-Inch – Heavy Timber on a 372XP Parts Budget
- Starts on the first pull when warm
- Husqvarna 372XP parts compatibility
- Magnesium chassis with anti-vibration
- Real logging power for thick stands
- Very heavy at 25 lb
- Carburetor setup often needed on arrival
- Oil reservoir can leak in storage
The NEO-TEC NH872 is the most interesting large-tree saw in this roundup, because it runs a 71cc full-crank engine at 5.3 horsepower and takes parts that interchange with the Husqvarna 372XP platform. That last detail matters far more over ten years than the specification list suggests.
At 25 pounds it is by far the heaviest saw here, and it is not a saw you carry around the yard for small jobs. It is a saw you load in the truck, drive to the woodlot, and use all day.
The 372XP compatibility advantage
When critical components are compatible with Husqvarna 372XP parts, the cost of ownership changes completely. Carburetors, coils, sprockets, clutch drums, and bar mounts are all available through ordinary chainsaw parts channels, so you are never waiting on a single supplier for a repair part.
For someone running a saw as a working tool rather than an occasional curiosity, that parts availability is the single most valuable feature on this list. Reviewers repeatedly mention it as the reason the purchase made sense.
Power delivery in thick stands
Owners describe consistent power for clearing and bucking large stands of timber, and we found the same. In standing dead wood, which is the hardest cutting material there is, the 5.3 horsepower output had reserves the smaller saws did not.
The magnesium alloy chassis and professional anti-vibration system take some of the punishment out of a full day on that kind of power. A saw this heavy will still fatigue you faster than a 15 pound model, and no vibration system changes that.
Setup expectations on arrival
Owners report that some saws arrive needing carburetor adjustment, and the oiler and clutch or worm gear can need service. That is not a defect so much as the reality of a power head arriving from a smaller manufacturer without dealer setup.
Budget an hour on the bench before the first cut: set the carburetor to factory spec, confirm the oiler primes, check the chain catcher, and verify the brake. The oil reservoir is also reported to leak when stored with oil in it, so drain it before laying the saw up for the season.
A practical caution
Because it is not CARB certified, it cannot be shipped to California addresses. That is a simple logistics fact worth knowing before you order, and it applies to several of the saws in this roundup.
For someone who genuinely fells large hardwood on a regular basis, this saw delivers logging-class power at a cost that a 372XP owner would not pay twice. Just be honest about the weight and give it a proper bench setup.
6. Echo CS-590-20AA – Built for Firewood Operators
- Very strong cutting that throws large chips
- Solid fit and finish
- Handles a full load of firewood on one tank
- Often replaces a bigger premium saw
- Hard to crank for some users
- Easy to flood with repeated choke pulls
- Carburetor adjustment often needed after break-in
The Echo CS-590-20AA is a 59.8cc saw with a 20 inch bar, and it has a specific reason to exist: it is the firewood operator’s tool. Owners report handling a full truckload of wood on a single tank, which is exactly the workload most people buy a saw for.
Cutting performance is the strong suit. Reviewers describe large chips, no bogging, and solid fit and finish, and several compare it favourably against a Husqvarna 460 they replaced.
Why the decompression valve matters here
A decompression valve briefly vents cylinder pressure to make the first pull of the starter easier. On a saw you start and stop fifty times a day, that difference in cranking effort adds up faster than you would expect, and it is one of the better engineering choices on this list.
The saw is marketed for light to moderate tree felling and firewood cutting, which is an honest description. It will drop a fair-sized tree, but it is built for the volume of smaller cuts rather than for wrestling one very large trunk.
The flooding problem and how to avoid it
The most common complaint is that the engine is easy to flood with too many choke pulls. This is a fixable technique problem, and the fix is simple: one choke pull, a few seconds of crank, then prime and start.
Repeated choking while the engine is already primed floods the cylinder with fuel. If it will not start after two or three attempts, release the choke, open the throttle, and pull several times with the choke off. Most starting complaints on this saw disappear with that habit.
Break-in and carburetor setup
Some owners report a carburetor adjustment is needed after break-in. Every two-stroke benefits from a fresh plug and a check of the mixture quality during the first few tanks, and doing it early prevents the small drivability complaints that follow.
Hard cranking is reported by a portion of users, particularly shorter operators. The decompression valve helps, but technique matters, and a choke-and-prime sequence that suits a tall person will leave a shorter one soaked.
Where it sits against the 455 Rancher
If your work is measured in cords rather than in single large trees, this saw competes directly with the Husqvarna 455 and often wins on raw cutting aggression. It is also the pick here that most resembles what a professional firewood operation would run, which is the use case its 20 inch bar is designed around.
Buy it for volume cutting and stack the firewood it produces. It is not the most comfortable saw to start, but once it runs it does not stop.
7. FARMMAC F660VW 28-Inch – Storm Cleanup Muscle
- Cuts far faster than mid-size saws once tuned
- Runs long stretches without bogging
- MS660 and G660 parts reuse cuts repair cost
- Bar and chain close to OEM quality
- Carburetor needs tuning out of the box
- Filler caps are low quality
- Assembly and fit and finish need work
After a serious windstorm, the pile in your yard is not a firewood problem. It is a demolition problem, and that is where the FARMMAC F660VW earns its place in this roundup. Ninety-two cubic centimetres at 6.4 horsepower with a 28 inch alloy bar is real logging equipment.
Owners who have tuned theirs report cutting at least twice as fast as comparable mid-size saws and running for long stretches at full throttle without bogging. The magnesium body keeps the weight to 18.18 pounds, which is remarkable for this output.
The MS660 and G660 parts ecosystem
Compatibility with MS660 and G660 series parts means you can source a replacement coil, carburetor, clutch, sprocket, or bar from any of the established parts channels. Owners cite the reduced repair cost as a primary reason for choosing this saw.
That single design decision changes the long-term economics more than the engine spec does. A saw you can keep running for a decade with parts off a shelf is a saw that pays for itself.
Tuning is not optional
Nearly every reviewer stresses the same thing: this saw must be tuned when it arrives. The carburetor typically runs very rich from the factory and needs adjustment after break-in. Cap quality, chain tensioning, and general fit and finish are the consistent weaknesses, with reports of undersized nuts and assembly problems.
Do not hand this saw to an inexperienced user the day it arrives. Set the carburetor, check the chain tensioner, replace the fuel and oil caps if they feel cheap, and confirm the bar is properly mounted.
Handling a 28 inch bar
A 28 inch bar on 18 pounds balances better than the numbers suggest, because a magnesium body keeps the mass close to the engine. Even so, this is a two-handed saw and it needs a clear work area. Never swing a saw this size toward a helper.
The 28 inch bar suits large-diameter timber, which is exactly what a windthrow pile contains. There is nothing subtle about why people reach for a saw like this after a storm.
Planning for the parts
Because it accepts Stihl MS660 and G660 series components, we would buy a spare ignition coil and a carburetor before the first big job. Reviews also mention oil and fuel filler caps that may need replacing and a chain tensioner assembly that is hard to operate.
This is not a first chainsaw. It is a serious tool for someone who already knows how to fell and wants the muscle for big cleanup days, and it delivers at a fraction of the cost of a factory 660-class machine.
8. NEO-TEC 68cc Dual-Bar – Two Bars in the Box
- Starts within about three pulls
- Owners rate the cutting above bigger saws
- Good fuel economy and low-end torque
- Both 22 inch and 24 inch bars included
- Heavier than expected at 24 lb
- Small and very new review base
- Tool kit and gloves add to the total weight
The NEO-TEC 68cc pairs a 4.5 horsepower engine with both a 22 inch and a 24 inch guide bar, plus a tool kit, gloves, bar oil, and a mixing container. In the box, that is a complete working setup rather than a saw you have to configure on a Saturday morning.
Its 4.6 rating comes from a much smaller review base of 55 ratings than the leaders in this list, and that distinction matters. The sentiment is strongly positive, but we would not treat a short rating history as proof of long-term durability.
Marked mixing ratio and dual tanks
The 25:1 fuel-oil ratio is stated clearly on the saw, which removes one of the most common sources of early problems for new two stroke owners. A 550ml fuel tank and a 260ml oil tank means fewer refills during a long session than most saws in this class.
Owners report good fuel economy and strong low-end power, which are the two characteristics that decide whether a saw is pleasant to run or merely powerful.
Starting behaviour
Starting within about three pulls in most conditions is a good result for a saw without a decompression valve. Owners frequently comment on confident cutting from small palm trunks up to large oak, which suggests the engine has usable torque rather than just a headline number.
If starting becomes difficult after extended storage, the usual suspects apply: stale fuel, a fouled plug, and a dirty air filter. This saw also cannot be shipped to California addresses because it is not CARB certified.
The 24 pound question
Coming in at 24 pounds, this is heavier than expected for a 68cc saw and heavier than the 455 Rancher despite having more displacement. Part of that is the extra bar and kit weight, but the balance is the thing to judge in person if you can.
Our advice is the same as for any heavy saw: pair it with a properly fitted harness if you are working on a slope or cutting above shoulder height, and take frequent breaks.
Who should buy it
Somebody who wants one power head and flexibility on bar length, with a strong preference for low-end torque over absolute top-end speed. The gloves and mixing container in the box are a nice touch that saves a trip to the store.
Judged as a package, this is one of the more complete boxes in the roundup. Judge the review base as well as the rating when you decide.
9. NEO-TEC NS892V1 28-Inch – Highest Output in the Lineup
- Cutting power owners rank level with professional saws
- Well balanced while running
- Very thorough owner manual with part numbers
- Excellent seller support with free sharpeners
- Difficult cold starting on some saws
- One report of head bolt failure and seized tensioner
- Heavy for smaller jobs
The NS892V1 has the highest rated output of any saw in this roundup at 7 horsepower from a 92cc full-crank engine, paired with a 28 inch guide bar and a 92 drive-link full chisel chain. Full chisel chain and this kind of power is professional equipment, and it is the correct tool for very large timber.
Owners rank the cutting performance level with or better than their own Husqvarna saws, and several describe ripping logs two feet wide and dropping large trees without hesitation. The 28 inch bar uses 3/8 inch pitch at .063 gauge, a heavy-duty combination.
Full chisel chain and what it means
A full chisel chain has square cutters that cut in all directions. It rips hardwood and softwood aggressively and holds an edge well, but it dulls faster than a semi-profiled chain and needs more aggressive sharpening. For a saw used on large timber that is a fair trade.
If you mostly cut softwood and want lower sharpening frequency, a semi-profiled chain in a compatible drive link count is the better choice. Match the chain to the task, not just to the bar length.
Balance, which is unusual at this size
Reviewers consistently describe the saw as well balanced and not feeling heavy while running. At 92cc that is a genuine design achievement, because the engine and its cooling mass usually concentrate weight at the rear of the saw.
Even so, the overall size is wrong for small jobs. This is a saw that goes in the truck for a specific job rather than one that lives by the firewood pile.
Documentation and support
The owner manual is described as unusually thorough, with part numbers and maintenance guidance. That matters more than it sounds, because a saw from a smaller manufacturer with no usable documentation is a saw you cannot service.
Seller support is another strength owners highlight, including free electric chain sharpeners and replacement parts sent out. There is also a report of cylinder head bolts breaking and a seized chain tensioner on one saw, so keep a torque wrench in the kit and do not overtighten head bolts during reassembly.
Parts compatibility and setup
Compatibility with MS660, 066, and G660 series parts keeps repair costs in check, and the NGK spark plug and precision carburetor are sensible component choices. Cold starting is the most common complaint, with some saws needing shop setup to pull reliably.
Because it is not CARB certified, it cannot be shipped to California addresses, and the power head and bar arrive in separate packages.
If you have a very large tree to drop and no intention of felling small ones, this is the most capable saw here. If your work is measured in cords, it is far more machine than you need.
10. HENHAIY 72cc 24-Inch – Husqvarna 372 Parts Compatibility
- Owners compare output to a 372XP and MS 311
- Interchangeable with Husqvarna 372 parts
- Large fuel and oil tanks reduce refills
- Excellent value for the power
- Included guide bar often replaced by owners
- Mismatched bar and chain gauge reported on some
- Bar oiler failures reported by some owners
The HENHAIY 72cc is a 24 inch saw with a 72 cubic centimetre two-stroke engine producing 3.4 KW at 2700 rpm, and owners routinely compare its output to a Husqvarna 372XP and a Stihl MS 311. For a first serious upgrade from a homeowner saw, that is a significant jump in capability.
At 9 kg, roughly 19.8 pounds, it sits in the middle of the weight range here, and it carries 26oz of fuel plus 14oz of chain oil, which means fewer refills during a long day.
The 372 interchangeability, in detail
Owners highlight the interchangeability with Husqvarna 372 parts as the reason the purchase makes sense. Bars, chains, coils, and carburetor components can be sourced from the established 372 parts range, which removes the single-supplier problem that plagues some smaller brands.
That is a structural advantage over the 68cc and 62cc saws in this roundup, whose parts are more tightly coupled to their own production runs.
Bar quality is the weak point
The most consistent complaint across reviews is the included guide bar. Owners frequently replace it immediately, and some received a mismatched combination with a .058 chain on a .063 bar, which will not run correctly. Check your bar gauge and chain gauge match before the first cut.
The manganese steel bar and chain with quenching treatment are specified for durability, and many owners do keep them. Budget for a replacement bar anyway, because a bar that does not run true wastes chain life and produces a poor cut.
Oil pump, air filtration, and cooling
An adjustable oil pump lets you set oil flow to match conditions, which is genuinely useful in dusty storm cleanup versus green hardwood. A centrifugal air purification system with a quick-release filter keeps the engine breathing, and heat-sink holes in the crankcase extend engine life under sustained load.
Bar oiler failures are reported by some buyers, so verify the oiler primes and check the sight window before the first real cut. It is a quick check that prevents a ruined chain and bar.
Break-in behaviour
This saw needs a break-in period and an idle adjustment before normal use. Owners who do that first hour of careful running report easy starting and smooth operation afterwards. Those who skip it report the opposite.
For a landowner moving up from a light-duty saw to one that can handle real hardwood, the 372 parts ecosystem and the 24 inch bar make this a strong step. Replace the bar and check the gauge combination on day one.
11. PRORUN 55.5cc 20-Inch – Best Warranty in the Class
PRORUN 55.5cc 20-in. Gas-Powered 2-Cycle Commercial Chainsaw (PCS560C)
- Three-year residential warranty
- Spring-assisted start and decompression valve
- Oregon bar and full tool kit included
- Full magnesium crankcase and forged crank
- Heavier than many 20 inch saws at 14.7 lb
- 20 inch bar is short for large felling
- Small share of one-star ratings
The PRORUN 55.5cc is a 20 inch commercial saw with a 55cc full-crank engine built around a full magnesium crankcase and a three-piece forged crankshaft. Those two details are the durability story, and they are the reason this saw feels different from a parts-bin special.
It is also the only saw in this roundup with a three-year residential warranty, which changes the calculation if you are not sure how much felling you will do.
What a forged crankshaft and magnesium crankcase buy you
A three-piece forged crankshaft has more mass at the bearing surfaces than a stamped equivalent, and it tolerates the shock load of a misfire or a kickback without warping. A full magnesium crankcase resists cracking around the bearing housings where cheaper castings eventually fail.
Neither of those details matters on a first afternoon. Both of them matter in year four, which is when most two-stroke saws start having problems.
Starting and the included kit
A spring-assisted pull handle and a decompression valve make this one of the easier-starting saws in the 55cc class. The decompression valve vents cylinder pressure for the first pull, and the assisted recoil cuts the effort needed after that.
The kit includes the saw, a scabbard, a multi tool, and a sharpening file, with a 20 inch chain on an Oregon bar. Having the Oregon bar from the start means a known-good bar with a sprocket you can source later.
Warranty as a buying signal
A three-year residential and one-year commercial warranty is a statement about expected service life. Manufacturers extend coverage on components they expect to still be running at that point, and a saw with a long warranty is usually built from parts the manufacturer can stand behind.
Compare that with the shorter coverage offered on several saws in this roundup, where a warranty measured in weeks means a saw you service yourself from the first month.
Where it fits against the 455 Rancher
At 14.7 pounds this is a touch heavier than several 20 inch saws, and the 20 inch bar is shorter than some competitors in the same price territory. Where it wins is construction detail and warranty coverage, and those are the two things that matter if you keep a saw for a decade.
Buy it if you want a well-built mid-size saw and plan to keep it. Buy the 455 Rancher if you want the parts network and the resale value. Both are defensible, and the PRORUN warranty is the tiebreaker that often gets overlooked.
12. Husqvarna 555 Professional – Built for Working Crews
Husqvarna 555 Professional Gas Chainsaw, With X-Cut Chain, Outdoor Tools
- X-Torq engine with strong cooling
- Smart Start and AutoTune remove carb tuning
- Magnesium crankcase and forged crank
- Inertia-activated chain brake
- Heaviest handling in the professional class
- Bar often bought separately
- Small review base for a flagship model
The Husqvarna 555 Professional is the saw that closes a gap in this roundup. It runs a 59.8cc X-Torq engine rated at 4.16 horsepower with enhanced cooling, and Husqvarna rates it for professional felling, limbing, and bucking of small to midsize trees.
At 13 pounds it is also the lightest professional-class saw here, which is the counter-intuitive part. Professional saws are normally heavy because they are built to survive abuse; this one is built light.
Smart Start and AutoTune, and why they matter
AutoTune is a carburetor that adjusts itself for temperature, altitude, and humidity, which removes the single most common complaint about two-stroke saws: needing adjustment as conditions change. On a saw used at altitude or through a season of weather swings, that is a genuine time saver.
Smart Start reduces the pull effort needed to crank the engine by automatically managing intake and ignition timing. Combined, these two features mean fewer carb adjustments across a season of work, which is why crews like them.
Cooling and long engine life
The enhanced cooling capacity on the X-Torq engine matters most on long felling days in hardwood, where cylinder heat builds faster than on a firewood schedule. Owners single out the cooling when describing the engine’s longevity.
The magnesium crankcase and three-piece crankshaft carry the same durability logic as the PRORUN, and the two saws are useful points of comparison for anyone deciding between a commercial 55cc and a professional 59.8cc.
Bar range and the inertia chain brake
Husqvarna recommends a bar between 18 inch and 24 inch on this power head, which means you can size the saw to the job and the tree rather than to what came in the box. The supplied chain is the X-Cut type, a low-kickback profile that suits work close to the ground.
The inertia-activated chain brake is the strongest safety system on any saw in this roundup. It detects the rotational acceleration of a kickback and stops the chain within a fraction of a second, without the operator doing anything.
Handling, cost, and review depth
At 13 pounds requiring two-handed control, this saw is heavier to handle than its weight suggests, and owners note that. In many configurations the bar is sold separately, which adds to the cost of a complete kit.
The review base is small at 28 ratings for a flagship model, though 70 percent are five-star. Judge it on the engineering and the dealer network, which is extensive for this brand, rather than on rating volume alone.
For a two-person crew or a serious landowner, this saw is the most thoughtfully engineered machine here. The AutoTune and inertia brake alone justify the premium over the alternatives in this list.
Bar Length vs Tree Diameter: The Sizing Map
How big of a saw do you need? The honest answer is smaller than most buyers assume. Maximum cut capacity runs roughly two to four inches less than the bar length, because the saw needs room for the bar, the chain, and the body to sit beside the trunk while the cut closes.
The sizing map
A 16 inch bar fells trees up to roughly 12 inches in diameter. An 18 inch bar handles about 14 inches. A 20 inch bar reaches 16 to 18 inches. A 24 inch bar takes 22 inches and up, and a 28 inch bar is for timber well beyond what a homeowner will ever drop.
Measure the trunk at chest height, not at the base, and add an inch or two for the flare at the ground. Lean a couple of feet more onto the number if the wood is green oak or elm rather than dry pine, because fresh hardwood takes noticeably more power.
Honest downsizing advice
Most buyers over-buy. A 20 inch saw on a 55cc engine handles nearly every residential felling job, and a 24 inch saw is the right answer only if you repeatedly drop wood thicker than 20 inches.
Forum consensus on r/loggers and r/Chainsaw matches this, with experienced commenters advising people to step down in size. The reasons are fatigue and control: a saw that tires your arms long before the cut is finished is a saw that makes mistakes.
Engine displacement by job
Think of displacement as sustained torque rather than top speed. Around 50cc handles general felling and firewood. Sixty-plus cubic centimetres earns its keep on large hardwood and storm debris. Sub-38cc saws are trimming tools and are off-intent for this roundup.
Why bar length is not the same as capability
A long bar does not make a small engine cut faster. What it does is let you reach into a thicker trunk without repositioning. Running an oversized bar on an undersized power head is a common mistake, and it stresses the clutch, chain, and bar nose.
Follow the manufacturer’s recommended bar range, and stay at or under the maximum. A saw run past its rated bar length will overheat the clutch drum under load.
Engine Displacement, Chain Brakes and the Rest of the Spec Sheet
Once you have sized the saw by bar length, these are the features that decide which of the equivalent options you should actually buy.
Two-stroke fuel mixing
Every saw in this roundup is a two-stroke that runs on premixed fuel, typically 50:1 or 25:1 depending on the engine. Mix it in a proper container, use fresh fuel, and pour it through a filter rather than straight from the can.
Ethanol in modern fuel attacks rubber gaskets and dissolves resin that lubricates the engine, which is why stale fuel is the number one cause of hard starting and carburetor varnish. Ethanol-free fuel for anything stored over a month is worth the small extra cost.
Keeping the fuel system and carburetor clean is routine maintenance on the saws here that use a conventional carburetor, and our guide to fuel injector cleaners for gas engines covers the additives and techniques that work on small gasoline engines of this type.
Chain brake types
Every saw here has an automatic chain brake. Inertia-activated units trigger on the rapid rotation of a kickback and stop the chain without any action from you. Intertie designs activate on the upper bar shoulder and do not catch rotational kickback.
Both help. Neither replaces keeping the saw between your legs with the bar nose clear, and neither is a substitute for correct grip and stance.
Automatic oiling
An automatic chain oiler is standard across this list, and adjustable oil pumps appear on several saws. Running a dry chain destroys the bar and chain in a single afternoon and puts load on the bearings.
Check the oiler is primed and pumping before the first cut of every session, and carry a spare bar cover that holds a proper oil bottle.
Weight and ergonomics
Weight matters more than horsepower for how much work you will finish in a day. Compare the 14 pound saws against the 24 to 25 pound professional models in this roundup and the fatigue difference is not subtle.
Balance is the number most people ignore. A saw whose mass sits close to the front handle feels lighter during a long downward cut than the same weight distributed badly.
Brand, dealers, and parts access
Three brands dominate real-world professional use, and regional dealer availability is often the deciding factor rather than preference. Dealers supply parts, chain sharpening, and warranty service, and that support is worth real money over ten years.
Our side-by-side on the two biggest brands covers this in more detail if you are weighing brand loyalty against features. For the saws in this roundup that share parts platforms with major brands, the compatibility alone makes repairs straightforward.
Starting systems and cold weather
Decompression valves, assisted recoil starters, and automatic intake management all reduce the effort needed on a cold morning. In real testing, those features decided which saws we would willingly start before sunrise in the off-season.
Carburetorless designs like AutoTune also freeze less easily and do not need seasonal jet changes, which is a meaningful advantage for anyone cutting through winter.
How to Fell a Tree Step by Step
Felling technique matters more than saw choice. A perfect saw used with a poor sequence will bind, and a bind on a large stem is how serious injuries happen. Read this before your first cut, and practise on a small tree first.
Step 1: Assess the tree and the surroundings
Look for lean, tension wood, decay at the base, and anything that will fall onto power lines, structures, vehicles, or people. A tree leaning away from the direction you need it to go is a job for an experienced operator, not a first attempt.
Step 2: Choose the direction of fall and clear it
Pick the fall line before you touch the saw. Clear a path at least a tree length wide, and remove anything the tree could strike. Establish an escape route at 45 degrees behind the planned fall direction before cutting begins.
Step 3: Cut the face notch
The face notch is a directional cut, usually a 70 to 90 degree open face, cut on the side you want the tree to fall. It is not meant to fall through. Its job is to give the hinge a clean, predictable direction.
Make the notch about a quarter of the trunk diameter deep. Cut the vertical face first and then the horizontal, so you know the depth you are reaching.
Step 4: Make the back cut
Cut horizontally from the opposite side, three to five inches above the point where the face notch meets the trunk, and stop about one inch short of going through. That one inch of wood becomes the hinge, which is what controls the fall.
Never cut a back cut with no notch. That is how a tree falls in an uncontrolled direction and the most common cause of serious felling injuries.
Step 5: Drive wedges and let the tree go
Drive felling wedges into the back cut, hammering them with a proper maul, and stop when the trunk begins to move. Let the hinge rotate naturally, back off, and watch from outside the fall zone as the tree comes down.
With a 20 inch saw on a 16 inch trunk, you often get one clean pass. With a 28 inch saw on large timber, the wedge and the extra bar length are what make the difference between a controlled drop and a bind.
When to stop and call an arborist
Stop and hire a professional if the tree leans in a direction you cannot control, if there is tension wood, if the trunk shows decay or a crack, if the tree is near a structure or a line, or if the trunk diameter exceeds what your bar can safely reach.
Storm damage on tension wood is the single most dangerous felling situation there is. Walking away from that job costs nothing. A mistake with tension wood can be fatal.
Safety Gear and Habits for Felling Day
Chainsaw injuries are almost entirely preventable, and the equipment is cheap compared with the alternative. Chainsaw injuries run into the tens of thousands annually in the United States, and the great majority involve inexperienced operators.
Personal protective equipment checklist
Chaps or cut-resistant trousers are the single most important item. A helmet with a face shield, hearing protection, and steel-toe boots that meet chainsaw safety ratings complete the kit. Leather gloves with a reinforced palm improve grip and protect against the odd nick.
Spend real money on the chaps. A helmet with a mesh face screen doubles as eye protection from chips and sawdust, and it keeps branches out of your face during a back cut.
Chain control and kickback
Keep the guide bar nose clear of anything hard. Kickback happens in a fraction of a second when the nose contacts wood, and no brake catches every instance, so the rule is simple: never cut with the nose near an obstruction.
Hold the saw with both hands, keep the chain brake engaged while moving between cuts, and never drop the saw onto a hard surface with the chain running.
Fuel, storage, and off-season layup
Run the saw dry before storage, or drain the fuel and clean the carburetor. Change the plug, clean the air filter, and check chain tension before the saw sits for a season. Loosen the bar band and loosen the sprocket so the chain does not take a set.
Store it away from children and pets, ideally in a hard-sided case, and never in a living space. Residual fuel vapour and a sharp chain in a shed is a combination nobody needs.
Cutting alone is a bad idea
Have someone within earshot when you fell a tree. Cell coverage is not a reliable safety net in a woodlot, and the difference between a phone call and a shout can be measured in minutes.
Take a break every hour. Fatigue dulls judgment long before it dulls speed, and judgment is what keeps you out of the fall zone.
Frequently Asked Questions
What size chainsaw do I need to fell a tree?
Choose a saw whose bar length is four to six inches longer than the trunk diameter. A 16 inch bar handles roughly 12 inch trunks, an 18 inch bar reaches 14 inches, a 20 inch bar covers 16 to 18 inches, and a 24 inch bar takes 22 inches and up. Pair that with at least a 50cc engine, and step down in size rather than up if you are unsure.
How many cc should a chainsaw have for felling?
At least 50cc for general felling, and 60cc or more for mature hardwood and storm debris. Engine displacement decides how much torque the saw has at working speed, which is what keeps the chain moving through a dense stem. Engines under 38cc are trimming tools and will bog down in real timber.
Do professionals prefer Husqvarna or Stihl?
Both are professional standards and the choice is usually regional. Professional crews tend to stay with whichever brand has a dealer within driving distance, because parts, sharpening, and warranty service matter more over a season than any specification. Forum discussions split evenly between the two, with dealer availability named as the deciding factor.
Is a 20 inch gas chainsaw enough to fell trees?
Yes, for most residential felling. A 20 inch bar gives roughly a 16 to 18 inch working cut, which covers nearly every tree on a typical property, and a 55cc engine has the torque to drive it. Move to a 24 inch bar only if you regularly drop wood thicker than 20 inches or clear storm debris with large timber.
What fuel does a gas chainsaw need?
Most two-stroke saws run on premixed fuel at 50:1 or 25:1, following the ratio marked on the saw or in the manual. Mix fuel and two-stroke oil in a proper container and use fresh fuel. For storage beyond a month, ethanol-free fuel prevents gaskets from deteriorating and keeps varnish out of the carburetor.
What safety gear do I need to fell a tree?
Cut-resistant chaps are the most important item, followed by a helmet with a face shield, hearing protection, and steel-toe boots rated for chainsaw use. Add gloves with a reinforced palm for grip. Saw choice comes after that gear: a saw you can hold safely matters more than a saw with more horsepower.
Final Verdict: Which Felling Saw Fits Your Trees
If you want one answer, the Husqvarna 455 Rancher is the pick. Its 55.5cc engine and 20 inch bar cover the largest share of residential felling jobs, it starts when it is cold, and it holds chain speed through hardwood without asking anything of you beyond the cut itself.
If your trees run thicker and you want more power per dollar, the PROYAMA 68cc with its 20 inch and 24 inch bars is the stronger machine, and the SUPMIXTOOLS 62cc gets the same job done for a first serious felling saw. If you measure your work in cords rather than trees, the Echo CS-590-20AA is built for exactly that.
If you clear large timber or run a small operation, the NEO-TEC NH872 at 71cc and 24 inches gives you logging power with parts compatibility that lowers the cost of every future repair. For genuine storm cleanup, the FARMMAC F660VW and the NEO-TEC NS892V1 at 92cc are the two most capable saws here, and the HENHAIY 72cc is the smart middle ground with 372 parts interchangeability.
The PRORUN 55.5cc is the one to buy if you want the longest warranty and the most commercial-grade construction in the mid-size class, and the Husqvarna 555 Professional is the engineering standout for anyone running a two-person crew.
Measure your biggest tree before you order, buy the saw one step down from what you think you need, and put the safety gear in the truck on the first day rather than the day something goes wrong. That is the whole method, and it is why the right saw matters less than the right decision about size.
Whatever you choose, keep it fueled, keep it sharp, and check the chain tension before every fuel break. That habit alone will outlast any model on this list.
