Throughout history, chainsaws have remained indispensable in many male-centered activities around a homestead. These include tasks such as logging, chopping firewood, and pruning.
Nowadays, there are more and more women who are taking up these duties that were initially considered to be strictly for males. This is not surprising as women are just as capable of handling power equipment like chainsaws as men are.
So in the following guide, we’ll be reviewing the best chainsaws for women that come highly recommended. Whether you prefer gas-operated, corded, or cordless chainsaws, you're sure to find one that meets your needs.
Reviews of the 6 Best Chainsaws for Women
1. Makita EA4300FRDB 42cc Chain Saw
The Makita EA4300FRDB is ranked the best gas-powered chainsaw for a woman, and rightly so.
The chainsaw is powered using a 42cc 2-cycle engine, providing a massive 3 horsepower. Factor in the 16-inch bar, and you should be able to tackle any heavy-duty cutting job.
Gas saws have a bad rep of being more difficult to start compared to corded and cordless chainsaws.
Thankfully, this particular saw has been designed with user-friendliness in mind. It includes a spring-assisted starter that makes the whole starting process a lot easier.
Another aspect that you might be worried about is the weight of a gas-powered model such as this one. The good news is that the Makita EA4300FRDB is designed to be as light as electric chainsaws. The manufacturer achieves this by using a magnesium housing.
Magnesium is the kind of material that provides excellent durability without adding a ton of weight to the piece of equipment. This is evident here as the saw weighs just 10.8 lbs.
Maintaining this chainsaw is another task that’s been refined in this chainsaw. Makita has designed the filter access section to be completely tool-less.
Pros
Cons
Husqvarna has built a reputation for itself as a manufacturer of high-quality gas-powered saws and the 440E II is no different.
Equipped with a 40.9 cc engine, this saw offers nearly the same amount of power as the Makita EA4300FRDB. It comes with a 16-inch bar and chain that provide a speed of about 2,900 RPM.
But what truly sets this gas-powered chainsaw apart is the use of X-Torq technology. Incorporated in its range of 2-stroke engines, this mechanism helps to minimize fuel consumption and gas emissions by up to 60%.
Another feature that impressed us is the saw’s automatic oiler. This delivers a constant supply of oil to the bar and chain. This, in turn, keeps these parts working optimally. The only bummer is that you’ll have to purchase the chain oil separately.
Want to adjust the chain’s tension? Well, you’ll find this incredibly easy to do as this tensioning system is mounted on the side for quick access.
One other element that makes the 440E II the best chainsaw for women is its ease of maintenance. The air filter detaches from its spot easily, enabling you to access it for cleaning or replacements.
Pros
Cons
If you’ve been searching for the best battery-operated chainsaw, you’ll be hard-pressed to find a better model than the Ego Power CS1400.
There’s a lot to love about cordless models such as this one. Weighing just slightly over 8 pounds, it’s the best lightweight chainsaw in our review. This makes it not only easy to transport but also to use for overhead cutting.
Despite its compact and lightweight design, the CS1400 provides a decent amount of power. Its power source is a high-efficiency brushless motor, an element that offers numerous advantages.
This motor runs cooler, more quietly, and offers better durability than its brushed counterpart. Better yet, it achieves a speed of up to 6,300 RPM.
When it comes to the power source, this cordless chainsaw uses a 56-volt rechargeable, lithium-ion battery. This is what drives the 14-inch bar, allowing you to make smooth cuts with minimal effort. We also like that this bar and chain are designed for low kickbacks.
The biggest drawback is that neither the battery nor charger is included in the package. This means you’ll have to spend extra to purchase them. The silver lining is that once you buy the recommended battery, you’ll be able to use it in other battery-powered models as well.
Pros
Cons
If the Ego Power CS1400 doesn’t meet your expectations, consider the Black & Decker LCS1240. This is yet another battery-operated chainsaw that’s worth checking out.
On that note, it comes equipped with a 40V Max battery that provides a pretty decent runtime. Even though it has a smaller voltage than the CS1400, its battery life lets you perform up to 60 cuts on 4 by 4 lumber.
Important to note though is that this is a small chainsaw. It relies on a 12-inch bar, which has a lower cutting capacity. However, this also makes it the right chainsaw for overhead cutting.
On the brighter side, the cordless chainsaw has multiple user-friendly features. For instance, it contains a built-in automatic oiling system eliminating the need to lubricate the bar and chain manually.
Another feature that makes this among the best chainsaws for women is the tool-less chain tensioning mechanism. As implied, this system doesn’t require you to use any sophisticated tools when adjusting the tension.
You also won’t have to worry too much about your safety. This is because the LCS140 includes a front hand guard, which works jointly with the chain brake to bring the saw to an immediate stop. There’s also a lock-off button that prevents you from engaging the chainsaw accidentally.
Pros
Cons
If you prefer corded electric chainsaws to the battery-powered models, you’ll be pleased to learn about the Sun Joe SWJ701E.
The chainsaw relies on a 14-amp motor to power its 18-inch bar and chain. While it’s not as powerful as gas saws, it's a great chainsaw for women with its fair share of benefits.
For one, it’s among the lightest saws, weighing just under 10 pounds. It’s very easy to start as all it requires is to be plugged into a power outlet. And, it has zero emissions, which cannot be said of gas chainsaws.
Besides, the motor provides a decent amount of cutting power. Even though it can’t be used to fell trees, it can easily slice through tree limbs.
You also won’t have to worry a ton about your safety. This is because it has a guard, which comes with a kickback brake function. Plus, the chain has a self-lubricating capability, providing maximum convenience.
Pros
Cons
Yet another corded electric chainsaw that’s worth checking out is the Oregon CS1500.
Equipped with a 15-amp motor, this is a slightly more powerful chainsaw than the Sun Joe SWJ701E. This translates to a lot more cutting power, which means you can easily tackle medium-to-heavy duty tasks.
Another feature that makes this a great chainsaw for women is its PowerSharp technology. This simply means that it has an integrated lever that allows you to sharpen the chain within seconds. All you have to do is pull the lever a couple of times and your chain will be sharpened.
Are you hesitant to use electric chainsaws because of the risks that they come with? Well, the Oregon CS1500 includes a couple of safety features.
For one, it has an electronic chain brake that causes the chain to stop in case of a malfunction. Secondly, the chainsaw is designed for low kickbacks, minimizing the risk of injury.
The fact that it’s an electric chainsaw also means that it produces very few vibrations. This not only prevents you from getting fatigued too quickly but also reduces the risk of hand-arm vibration.
Pros
Cons
How to Choose the Best Chainsaws for Women
Here are a few points you should consider when picking a chainsaw for women:
Intended Use
The first thing you’ll want to think about is the kind of application you’ll be using the chainsaw for. You don’t want to buy a chainsaw that offers too much or too little power for the tasks you have in mind.
While you’re at it, you’ll also want to consider the level of experience you have using such power tools. If you’re a professional arborist who uses a chainsaw on a day-to-day basis, then you should opt for something more powerful like a gas saw.
But if you don’t have a ton of experience or only plan to use it for light-duty tasks, then smaller chainsaws will suffice. For instance, a battery-powered saw would be ideal for this.
Weight
When buying the best chainsaws for women, one other aspect that’s crucial to consider is weight.
The easiest way to approach this is to think about the specific location where you’ll be using your chainsaw. Do you plan to carry it to the field or haul it for very long distances? If you do, then you’ll want to go for lightweight chainsaws like a battery-powered model.
On the other hand, if the chainsaw will remain at a stationary location - perhaps in your workshop or garage - then you’re free to buy a heavier, larger chainsaw.
Size
The size of this power equipment is usually described based on the length of its bar.
Popularly referred to as the guide bar, this is the steel plate where the chain spins around. It’s typically described in inches.
Based on the bar length, chainsaws fall into one of three categories:
Light-duty chainsaws
In this case, the bar length ranges from 12 to 14 inches, resulting in a fairly small chainsaw. Such a chainsaw is ideal for light cutting like chopping firewood and trimming limbs.
General-purpose chainsaws
With a bar length of between 16 and 20 inches, this chainsaw is suited for nearly any task. Whether you want to fell some medium-sized trees or prune, this tool is up to the task.
Professional chainsaws
As implied in the title, these saws are designed for professionals. Much bigger in size than most chainsaws, they have a bar length that starts from 22 inches and above. In fact, some large gas-powered models have a bar length of 48 inches or more.
Engine Power
If you’ve decided to go for a gas-powered model, one of the things you should account for is the engine power.
These chainsaws typically have one of two types of engines: two-stroke or four-stroke. Here’s a quick breakdown of each type:
Two-stroke models
Such gas chainsaws are lighter and have less complicated mechanisms. One advantage they offer is that they operate at a higher RPM (revolutions per minute). As a result, they produce a decent amount of cutting power for their size.
Unfortunately, this is somewhat of a bitter-sweet situation as it also has some negative implications. These chainsaws are noisier, consume more fuel, and emit more emissions.
Four-stroke models
Right off the bat, you’ll notice that these gas-powered chainsaws are bulkier, more sophisticated, and generate less power.
The silver lining to this is that they consume less fuel and operate more cleanly, resulting in fewer emissions. They offer better durability as well.
Other than type, you’ll also want to consider the size of the engine. Small chainsaws tend to have engines whose size ranges between 30 and 40 cubic centimeters (cc). This is justifiable engine power for a 10 to 12-inch cutting bar.
For moderate applications, such as cutting firewood, you may want to upgrade to a 55cc engine that corresponds to about a 16-inch bar. But for very heavy-duty tasks like felling trees, consider anything between 65 and 110 cc alongside a bar length of 18 inches and above.
Motor Power
If you prefer an electric chainsaw instead, then be sure to consider the motor power.
In a corded electric model, this power is estimated in amperage. More specifically, the amp-rating measures the exact amount of power that the tool is capable of drawing before its internal elements begin breaking down.
For small-scale projects, an 8-amp chainsaw is more than enough. For medium-duty applications, consider a 12-amp and a 15-amp for the heaviest-duty tasks.
While you're at it, also think about the type of motor the chainsaw uses. Usually, a brushless motor is more efficient than its brushed counterpart.
When it comes to a cordless chainsaw, its power is rated based on the voltage of the lithium-ion batteries. The higher the voltage, the more the cutting power and the longer the chainsaw lasts.
Generally speaking, a battery-powered chainsaw lasts anywhere between 30 and 40 minutes before it has to be recharged. The good thing is that if you have an arsenal of other cordless tools, they can use the same battery if they’re of the same brand.
Maintenance
One maintenance task that you should never skip is lubricating the chain and bar. The good news is that some chainsaws come fitted with an automatic chain oiler.
This system keeps the chain lubricated without requiring a lot of intervention on your part. This, in turn, saves you time and lets you focus on the task at hand.
Handles
The best chainsaw for women usually has two handles instead of one. The first one is positioned in the rear, and it’s where the power trigger is located.
The bigger wrap-around handle is positioned at the front for your guiding hand. Considering the dangers associated with chainsaws, having this second handle that provides a firm grip is important. This also lets you hold the chainsaw in different positions to perform the desired angled cuts.
Another thing you should be mindful of is the material used for these handles. Ideally, they should be encased in rubber, offering you a secure grip. Rubberized grips also play an ergonomic role in that they minimize the intensity of vibrations.
Safety Features
Like any other power tool, a chainsaw has its fair share of risks. To minimize the risk of injury, check whether your chainsaw has one or more of the following safety features:
Chain brake
Interestingly, this component was invented back in the 1970s, and for good reason. It’s one of the most effective safety elements in a chainsaw.
Usually positioned in front of the upper handle, it brings the chain to an abrupt stop. It achieves this by obstructing the internal clutch, which in turn, keeps it from spinning the chain. To engage the chain brake, all you need to do is push the front hand guard in the direction of the guide bar.
Inertia brake
In modern chainsaws, the inertia brake is a part of the chain brake system. It’s designed to kick into action whenever the chainsaw is subjected to an excessive amount of force.
The inertia brake really helps to minimize injury in case a kickback happens. With kickbacks, the chainsaw encounters a quick acceleration towards the operator. This can happen so fast that it gives the operator very little time to react accordingly.
Thankfully, the inertia brake mechanism protects you in situations of kickbacks.
Throttle trigger lockout
Another handy safety element is the throttle trigger. This prevents the chainsaw from being engaged accidentally, especially in instances where you’ve not gotten a firm grip on its rear handle.
Chain catcher
Positioned on the underside of a chainsaw, this component lives up to its name of catching the chain. It traps the chain in case it “jumps” from the cutting bar grooves or breaks due to unforeseen stress or failure.
Low kickback chain and bar
This is yet another safety mechanism that’s usually integrated into the best chainsaw for women.
They're described as low kickback chains because they have several protective links found in between the chain teeth. Furthermore, the cutting bar on such saws also has a smaller nose radius than what you usually find in other models.
These features make the chainsaw less prone to kickback. On the downside, this also reduces the cutting depth by a small margin.
Extra Features
There are a few other features that make chainsaws more user-friendly. They include:
- Self-sharpening chain - with this feature, you won’t spend a lot of effort or time sharpening the chain.
- Spring-assist - this is meant to ease the starting process, so it’s particularly important in gas-powered models.
- Variable speed - this allows you to adjust the chain’s speed as you see fit.
- Tool-less chain tensioning - this allows you to adjust the chain's tension without any tools.
- Bar-tightening knob - this makes it easy to adjust the position of the chain bar.
Conclusion
There are a couple of points you should take into account when choosing the best chainsaws for women. First, consider the type of saw you'd like depending on the power source available. Do you prefer a gas-powered to a corded or cordless chainsaw? Next, consider other aspects like the safety mechanism, size, weight, and intended application.
Based on these, one chainsaw that’s highly recommended for women is the Makita EA4300FRDB. A 42cc gas chainsaw, this tool provides ample cutting power to handle any job.
It’s fitted with a magnesium housing that keeps its weight to a minimum despite being a gas chainsaw. And it has a spring-assisted starter to make the starting process seamless.