Gas chainsaws

Gas saws are still the benchmark for real work: refuel in thirty seconds, cut all day, and get more power per pound than any battery can deliver once you pass the 45cc class. The tradeoffs are honest ones — two-stroke maintenance, pull-starting, noise that demands ear protection, and fuel that goes stale if the saw sits. From 30cc storm-cleanup saws to 90cc+ felling iron, this is the category where the Stihl-versus-Husqvarna argument lives.

67 gas chainsaws from 6 brands, about $199 to $2,680. The highest retailer-rated is the Echo CS-590 Timber Wolf at 4.6/5 on Home Depot; the least expensive is the Craftsman S1600 at about $199. The lightest is the Echo CS-2511T at 5.2 lb (powerhead only (dry)).

Echo / Gas

~$480

Echo CS-590 Timber Wolf

50cc class

59.8cc
engine: 20 in
bar: 13.2 lb
bare

Firewood cutters and rural landowners who want maximum 60cc capability per dollar and don't mind the weight.

Farm & Ranch4.6/5 Home Depot

Husqvarna / Gas

~$589

Husqvarna 455 Rancher

50cc class

55.5cc
engine: 20 in
bar: 13.2 lb
bare

Property owners who want the proven, widely-serviced default for firewood and don't mind carrying extra weight.

Farm & Ranch4.6/5 Lowe's

Echo / Gas

~$260

Echo CS-352

30cc class

34cc
engine: 16 in
bar: 8.8 lb
bare

Occasional cutters who want the most proven cheap Echo rather than the newest one.

Homeowner4.6/5 Home Depot

Echo / Gas

~$499

Echo CS-355T

30cc class

35.8cc
engine: 14 in
bar: 8 lb
bare

Tree crews and serious property owners who want near-MS 201 T capability at two-thirds the price.

Arborist4.6/5 Home Depot

Stihl / Gas

~$220

Stihl MS 170

30cc class

30.1cc
engine: 16 in
bar: 8.6 lb
bare

Homeowners who want a real dealer-supported gas saw for pruning, storm cleanup, and occasional small logs at the lowest possible price.

Homeowner · no longer sold new4.5/5 Ace Hardware

Stihl / Gas

~$540

Stihl MS 271 Farm Boss

50cc class

50.2cc
engine: 20 in
bar: 12.3 lb
bare

Rural landowners and firewood cutters who want a dependable 50cc/20-inch workhorse without paying pro-saw money.

Farm & Ranch4.5/5 Ace Hardware

Stihl / Gas

~$320

Stihl MS 180 C-BE

30cc class

31.8cc
engine: 16 in
bar: 9.3 lb
bare

Homeowners — especially anyone with shoulder or grip issues — who want the easiest-starting small gas saw for yard work and light firewood.

Homeowner · no longer sold new4.5/5 Ace Hardware

Echo / Gas

~$739

Echo CS-620P

50cc class

59.8cc
engine: 20 in
bar: 13.7 lb
bare

Pros and serious firewood cutters who want 60cc professional build quality without paying Stihl/Husqvarna prices.

Professional4.2/5 Home Depot

Echo / Gas

~$429

Echo CS-4920

50cc class

50.1cc
engine: 20 in
bar: 11.1 lb
bare

Rural homeowners and small-acreage owners cutting regular firewood who want 50cc power without pro-saw pricing.

Farm & Ranch4.2/5 Walmart

Echo / Gas

~$349

Echo CS-4010

40cc class

41.6cc
engine: 18 in
bar: 9.4 lb
bare

Homeowners cutting seasonal firewood and storm damage who want an 18-inch-bar gas saw with a long warranty.

Homeowner4.1/5 Home Depot

Stihl / Gas

~$430

Stihl MS 250

40cc class

45.4cc
engine: 18 in
bar: 10.1 lb
bare

Budget-minded firewood cutters who want the most cutting power per pound and per dollar in Stihl's homeowner line and will tolerate old-school starting ritual.

Homeowner4/5 Ace Hardware

Stihl / Gas

~$620

Stihl MS 291

50cc class

55.5cc
engine: 20 in
bar: 12.3 lb
bare

Firewood cutters and landowners who want the most power available in Stihl's farm-and-ranch line while staying under pro-saw pricing.

Farm & Ranch4/5 Ace Hardware

Echo / Gas

~$300

Echo CS-3510

30cc class

34.4cc
engine: 16 in
bar: 8.2 lb
bare

Homeowners cutting a cord or two a year who want more saw than a CS-310 without crossing $350.

Homeowner3.9/5 Home Depot

Echo / Gas

~$260

Echo CS-3410

30cc class

34.4cc
engine: 16 in
bar: 8.2 lb
bare

Homeowners who want the CS-3510's chassis and weight for less money, or specifically want the 14-inch bar.

Homeowner3.8/5 Home Depot

Craftsman / Gas

~$229

Craftsman S1800

40cc class

42cc
engine: 18 in
bar: 12.9 lb
as sold

Homeowners who need the extra reach of an 18-inch bar for storm cleanup and accept 42cc of engine behind it.

Homeowner3.7/5 Lowe's

Craftsman / Gas

~$199

Craftsman S1600

40cc class

42cc
engine: 16 in
bar: 12.2 lb
as sold

Occasional-use homeowners who want a full-crank gas engine at the lowest price a national brand offers.

Homeowner3.7/5 Lowe's

Husqvarna / Gas

~$219

Husqvarna 120 Mark III

30cc class

38.2cc
engine: 14 in
bar: 10.7 lb
bare

Budget-minded homeowners doing storm cleanup and light firewood who want dealer support over big-box anonymity.

Homeowner

Echo / Gas

~$219

Echo CS-310

30cc class

30.5cc
engine: 14 in
bar: 8.8 lb
bare

Homeowners who need a light, cheap gas saw for limbing, pruning, and storm cleanup a few times a year.

Homeowner

Stihl / Gas

~$250

Stihl MS 172 C-E

30cc class

31.8cc
engine: 16 in
bar: 10.4 lb
bare

Suburban owners who need an occasional saw for storm limbs and 8-inch firewood and want a dealer-serviced Stihl at the lowest price Stihl sells one.

Homeowner

Husqvarna / Gas

~$259

Husqvarna 130

30cc class

38.2cc
engine: 16 in
bar: 10.4 lb
bare

Homeowners who want one small gas saw with a bit more pull than entry-level, without crossing $300.

Homeowner

Stihl / Gas

~$270

Stihl MS 182

30cc class

35.8cc
engine: 16 in
bar: 10 lb
bare

Homeowners cutting a cord or two a year who want the smallest saw that still pulls a 16-inch bar without complaint.

Homeowner

Echo / Gas

~$390

Echo CS-361P

30cc class

35.8cc
engine: 14 in
bar: 8.4 lb
bare

Arborists and landscapers who want a compact pro rear-handle for ground clean-up and limbing rather than a homeowner saw.

Professional

Stihl / Gas

~$410

Stihl MS 212 C-BE

30cc class

38.6cc
engine: 18 in
bar: 10.8 lb
bare

Property owners who want one saw for firewood and storm work and would rather carry an 18-inch Stihl homeowner saw than a 16-inch one.

Homeowner

Husqvarna / Gas

~$470

Husqvarna T435

30cc class

35.2cc
engine: 12 in
bar: 7.5 lb
bare

Orchardists, part-time climbers, and homeowners with ladders who want a pro-brand top-handle without T540 XP money.

Arborist

Echo / Gas

~$500

Echo CS-271T

30cc class

26.9cc
engine: 12 in
bar: 6.6 lb
bare

Climbers and tree crews who want a dependable pro top-handle for pruning and tip work at the lowest price Echo sells one.

Arborist

Shindaiwa / Gas

~$500

Shindaiwa 358TS

30cc class

35.8cc
engine: 14 in
bar: 8 lb
bare

Climbers who prefer Shindaiwa's handle ergonomics to the mechanically identical Echo CS-355T and have a dealer nearby.

Arborist

Stihl / Gas

~$509

Stihl MS 194 T

30cc class

31.8cc
engine: 16 in
bar: 7.3 lb
bare

Climbers and orchard/ornamental pruners who want Stihl dealer support in a light saw and don't need 201-class torque.

Arborist

Echo / Gas

~$549

Echo CS-303T

30cc class

30.1cc
engine: 12 in
bar: 7.7 lb
bare

Working climbers who want Echo durability in a light pruning saw without the 2511T's premium.

Arborist

Echo / Gas

~$599

Echo CS-2511T

30cc class

25cc
engine: 12 in
bar: 5.2 lb
bare

Working climbers and arborists who prioritize minimum weight aloft for pruning and small takedowns.

Arborist

Echo / Gas

~$600

Echo CS-2511P

30cc class

25cc
engine: 12 in
bar: 5.7 lb
bare

Ground crews, landscapers and older cutters who want top-handle lightness without the safety compromise of a top-handle.

Professional

Husqvarna / Gas

~$630

Husqvarna T525

30cc class

27cc
engine: 12 in
bar: 5.95 lb
bare

Certified climbing arborists doing pruning and trimming on rope who want the lightest, best-balanced top-handle available.

Arborist

Husqvarna / Gas

~$730

Husqvarna 540 XP Mark III

30cc class

39.1cc
engine: 14 in
bar: 9 lb
bare

Crews doing all-day limbing, brushing and small-diameter cutting who need the lightest pro rear-handle Husqvarna builds.

Professional

Stihl / Gas

~$850

Stihl MS 151 T C-E

30cc class

23.6cc
engine: 10 in
bar: 6.1 lb
bare

Working climbers who need the lightest possible gas saw on a harness for pruning and small in-tree removals.

Arborist

StihlMS 201 T C-M

Stihl / Gas

~$970

Stihl MS 201 T C-M

30cc class

35.2cc
engine: 16 in
bar: 8.2 lb
bare

Production climbers who want the most capable gas top-handle Stihl builds and will run 14- or 16-inch bars in the canopy.

Arborist

Craftsman / Gas

~$249

Craftsman S205

40cc class

46cc
engine: 20 in
bar: 16.4 lb
as sold

Storm-prep and occasional-use homeowners who want real gas capability at the lowest defensible price.

Homeowner · superseded

Husqvarna / Gas

~$379

Husqvarna 435 II

40cc class

40.9cc
engine: 16 in
bar: 9.8 lb
bare

Homeowners with regular yard duty who value low weight above all and cut too often for entry-tier saws.

Homeowner

Echo / Gas

~$390

Echo CS-4510

40cc class

45cc
engine: 16 in
bar: 11.1 lb
bare

Property owners who want a 16-inch mid-duty saw and have a specific reason not to step up to the CS-4920.

Farm & Ranch

Husqvarna / Gas

~$400

Husqvarna 440

40cc class

40.9cc
engine: 18 in
bar: 9.78 lb
bare

Homeowners limbing and cleaning up storm damage on a small property who want the lightest pull-start saw Husqvarna offers.

Homeowner

Stihl / Gas

~$430

Stihl MS 251 Wood Boss

40cc class

45.6cc
engine: 18 in
bar: 10.6 lb
bare

Landowners cutting two to four cords a year who want real .325" firewood capability without stepping up to pro-saw prices.

Farm & Ranch

Poulan Pro / Gas

~$199

Poulan Pro PR5020

50cc class

50cc
engine: 20 in
bar: 17 lb
as sold

Deal hunters who cut a few weekends a year and would rather replace a saw than maintain one.

Homeowner

Shindaiwa / Gas

~$410

Shindaiwa 493

50cc class

50.2cc
engine: 16 in
bar: 11.1 lb
bare

Shindaiwa dealer customers who want a 50cc farm saw and value the dealer relationship over a public review record.

Farm & Ranch

Husqvarna / Gas

~$450

Husqvarna 445S

50cc class

50.2cc
engine: 18 in
bar: 11 lb
bare

Property owners who want 50cc displacement and tool-less tensioning for the least money in Husqvarna's lineup.

Farm & Ranch

Shindaiwa / Gas

~$470

Shindaiwa 591

50cc class

59.8cc
engine: 20 in
bar: 13.2 lb
bare

Firewood cutters with a Shindaiwa dealer nearby who want the CS-590's engine with a decomp valve and a better body.

Farm & Ranch

Husqvarna / Gas

~$499

Husqvarna 450S Rancher

50cc class

50.2cc
engine: 20 in
bar: 11 lb
bare

Firewood cutters who want 50cc capability but prioritize the lightest swing in the Rancher line.

Farm & Ranch

Husqvarna / Gas

~$550

Husqvarna 450X Rancher

50cc class

50.2cc
engine: 20 in
bar: 11.2 lb
bare

Landowners cutting firewood and clearing fencelines who want the strongest 50cc Rancher without stepping up to the 455.

Farm & Ranch

Husqvarna / Gas

~$640

Husqvarna 545 Mark II

50cc class

50.1cc
engine: 16 in
bar: 11.7 lb
bare

Firewood cutters and part-time pros who want the 550 XP Mark II's chassis and AutoTune without paying for the last 0.3 kW.

Professional

Echo / Gas

~$670

Echo CS-501P

50cc class

50.2cc
engine: 18 in
bar: 10.6 lb
bare

Pros and heavy firewood cutters who want 50cc power in the lightest possible powerhead and will use the aluminium-handle build.

Professional

Husqvarna / Gas

~$749

Husqvarna 550 XP Mark II

50cc class

50.1cc
engine: 18 in
bar: 11.7 lb
bare

Serious firewood cutters and pros who run a saw hard enough to feel the difference refinement makes.

Professional

Husqvarna / Gas

~$760

Husqvarna 555

50cc class

59.8cc
engine: 18 in
bar: 13.01 lb
bare

Landowners who want 60cc power on a 20-inch bar for firewood and do not need AutoTune or a 28-inch bar.

Professional

Stihl / Gas

~$760

Stihl MS 261 C-M

50cc class

50.2cc
engine: 16 in
bar: 10.9 lb
bare

Firewood cutters past four cords a year, arborists and crews who want one 50cc saw that can be rebuilt instead of replaced.

Professional

Stihl / Gas

~$760

Stihl MS 311

50cc class

59cc
engine: 18 in
bar: 13.8 lb
bare

Farm and acreage owners who find an MS 311 discounted below the MS 391 and will keep a 16- or 18-inch bar on it.

Farm & Ranch

Echo / Gas

~$770

Echo CS-620PW

50cc class

59.8cc
engine: 20 in
bar: 14.1 lb
bare

Fallers and tree crews who need wrap-handle grip positions and will use the X Series build hard enough to justify it.

Professional

Husqvarna / Gas

~$950

Husqvarna 562 XP Mark II

50cc class

59.8cc
engine: 18 in
bar: 13 lb
bare

One-saw professionals and serious firewood cutters who need felling power and limbing manners in the same machine.

Professional

Stihl / Gas

~$1,120

Stihl MS 362 C-M

50cc class

59cc
engine: 20 in
bar: 12.3 lb
bare

Serious firewood cutters and part-time pros who want a rebuildable, self-tuning 60cc-class saw that balances power and all-day carry weight.

Professional

Husqvarna / Gas

~$649

Husqvarna 460 Rancher

60cc class

60.3cc
engine: 24 in
bar: 13.2 lb
bare

Large-property owners who regularly face wood beyond a 20-inch bar but don't want pro-saw prices.

Farm & Ranch

Echo / Gas

~$780

Echo CS-680

60cc class

66.8cc
engine: 20 in
bar: 14.6 lb
bare

Cutters who regularly hang a 24- or 27-inch bar and want displacement rather than revs doing the work.

Professional

Stihl / Gas

~$840

Stihl MS 391

60cc class

64.1cc
engine: 18 in
bar: 13.8 lb
bare

Landowners who occasionally need to fell genuinely big trees and will not be running the saw day after day for pay.

Farm & Ranch

Husqvarna / Gas

~$1,230

Husqvarna 564 XP Fuel Injected

60cc class

62.4cc
engine: 18 in
bar: 12.8 lb
bare

Professionals who want 70cc-class power in a 50cc-sized saw and will trade first-generation risk for no carburetor at all.

Professional

Stihl / Gas

~$1,250

Stihl MS 400 C-M

60cc class

66.8cc
engine: 18 in
bar: 12.7 lb
bare

Fallers and firewood producers who want 70cc-class cutting speed at 60cc-class weight and will keep it on a 20- to 25-inch bar.

Professional

Echo / Gas

~$1,190

Echo CS-7310P

70cc+ class

73.5cc
engine: 20 in
bar: 14.8 lb
bare

Loggers and fallers who need 70cc-class power and long bars every day and want a 5-year warranty behind it.

Professional

Husqvarna / Gas

~$1,349

Husqvarna 572 XP

70cc+ class

70.6cc
engine: 24 in
bar: 14.5 lb
bare

Professional fellers and serious landowners bucking large timber who need all-day 70cc capability.

Professional

Husqvarna / Gas

~$1,540

Husqvarna 585

70cc+ class

86cc
engine: 28 in
bar: 16.5 lb
bare

Landowners and part-time fallers who need a big-bore saw and a 28-inch bar without stepping up to the 592 XP.

Professional

Stihl / Gas

~$1,670

Stihl MS 462 C-M

70cc+ class

72.2cc
engine: 25 in
bar: 13.2 lb
bare

Professional fallers and serious cutters handling big timber who want 70cc-class power at a 60cc-class carry weight.

Professional

Husqvarna / Gas

~$1,680

Husqvarna 592 XP

70cc+ class

92.7cc
engine: 32 in
bar: 16.3 lb
bare

Fallers and sawmill operators working consistently in 24-inch-plus hardwood who need flagship power and a 36-inch bar rating.

Professional

Stihl / Gas

~$1,780

Stihl MS 500i

70cc+ class

79.2cc
engine: 25 in
bar: 13.9 lb
bare

Professional fallers and buy-once enthusiasts who want the fastest, hardest-pulling saw in Stihl's line and can stomach flagship pricing.

Professional

Stihl / Gas

~$1,850

Stihl MS 661 C-M Magnum

70cc+ class

91.1cc
engine: 20 in
bar: 16.4 lb
bare

Professional fallers, firewood cutters in 30-inch-plus timber, and chainsaw-mill operators who need sustained torque.

Professional

Stihl / Gas

~$2,680

Stihl MS 881 Magnum

70cc+ class

121.6cc
engine: 36 in
bar: 21.4 lb
bare

Chainsaw-mill operators slabbing 36-inch-plus logs and pro crews that regularly face trunks too big for a 90cc saw.

Professional