For Perfectly Cut Trees and Bushes, These Are The Best Mini Chainsaws (2024)

Stihl has been producing some of the most reliable chainsaws and landscaping equipment for almost 100 years. The GTA 26 pruner follows suit, giving you a powerful wood-cutter in a compact, easy-to-use package that you can wield with one hand when you need to.

In its testing, the Popular Mechanics test team found that the GTA 26 could easily mow through tree branches thicker than 4 inches, which is fairly rare. For tall branches, attach a pole extension (sold separately) and you have one of the most powerful and effective pole saws we’ve tried.

While it doesn’t have the bar length to serve as a one-size-fits-all chainsaw, the GTA 26 is emblematic of everything we want in a mini chainsaw. High-performance in a form factor that makes small cutting chores easier, and enables you to tackle tricky tasks you normally wouldn’t dare attempt with a chainsaw.

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Despite its low price, the Worx WG322 is a strong two-handed mini chainsaw that provides a lot of bang for your buck. Though it has a brushed motor, which isn’t as durable or efficient as more expensive brushless models, its 10-inch bar and 20-volt motor can handle serious pruning and trimming tasks with larger tree branches.

The saw is light at just 6.2 pounds, making it easy to handle and comfortable to elevate for overhead cuts. It isn’t the most practical choice for frequent, heavy-duty projects, but it’s a solid choice for homeowners who have just enough landscaping chores to warrant keeping a chainsaw handy.

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Lightweight and powerful, this versatile Greenworks saw chews through light-duty pruning tasks with ease. Its 24-Volt battery has more cutting power and torque than most 6-inch pruners, which often feature 20V motors. That extra oomph translates to faster, more efficient cutting.

Meanwhile, the saw weighs in at just 3.4 pounds, so you can comfortably carry it around and maneuver for a better angle when you need to reach and cut an awkwardly positioned branch. If you’re primarily manicuring small branches on trees and hedges, it’s a solid, affordable choice.

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Calling a 12-inch chainsaw “mini” is a bit of a stretch, but the DeWalt DCCS620B is an effective compact chainsaw that can handle tougher cutting projects like removing the branches of a downed tree, or even demolition-related tasks at home.

It’s compatible with DeWalt’s 20V FlexVolt battery series, up to a huge 12 Ah option (sold separately) that would allow you to tackle longer, more strenuous jobs that would require multiple charges with the 2 Ah cell you’ll find on most mini chainsaws. Its brushless motor also increases efficiency, which maximizes power output and battery runtime for heavy use.

The saw offers helpful safety features: A large chain brake immediately halts the saw in the event of a kickback, and the convenient wraparound handle keeps you safe, while making it comfortable as you reposition your grip for angled cuts.

One issue for new chainsaw (or DeWalt tool) owners: This model is primarily sold as a bare tool without a battery, which means you’ll need to purchase a 20V DeWalt battery and charger separately. If you’re already locked in to using DeWalt tools, you may already have a compatible battery. If not, some third-party retailers on Amazon have packaged the tool and battery together.

Frankly, the DeWalt DCCS620B is overkill for many of the tasks we associate with mini chainsaws, like pruning trees and hedges, but if your to-do list extends beyond landscaping to more serious cutting–like breaking down firewood or cutting down a small tree, to name a couple examples–it’s worth going big to make sure you can get the job done right.

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Raw power is certainly useful in a chainsaw, but when you have a large yard with lots of trees and hedges, lots of run time should be one of your top priorities. As part of Milwaukee’s M18 Fuel collection, the 8-Inch Hatchet supports up to a massive 12 Ah battery, which will give you plenty of juice to cover a lot of ground.

While its 18V motor isn’t quite as powerful as some of our other picks, it has some very helpful features, like metal bucking spikes to keep your log or branch stable and secure while cutting. (That’s a rarity among mini chainsaws.)

One thing to keep in mind: This specific model doesn’t come with a battery. If you’re already bought into the Milwaukee M18 Fuel system, you can use the batteries you already have. Otherwise, you will need to buy a battery, which can get quite expensive–case in point, a 12Ah Milwaukee battery and charger costs over $200. (Pro tip: Batteries frequently go on sale during events like Black Friday and Amazon Prime Day. Playing the sales can take a bit of the sting out of buying them.)

Milwaukee tools are known for their high quality and high price tags: The M18 Fuel Hatchet is an expensive pruning saw, but delivers features and performance that few other options can.

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If wielding an exposed chainsaw bar feels too intimidating, the Black + Decker Alligator Lopper and its jaw-like design offer a safer alternative. The scissor-style design features a 6-inch cutting bar on the top and a spiked clamping lower jaw to hold a branch in place. Bring them together and cut away.

The gator jaws can clamp around branches up to 4 inches in diameter. If you stick to 1.5-inch diameter branches, Black & Decker claims the battery can last for up to 150 cuts per charge.

Long rubber-coated grips on the handles help maintain an extra-sturdy grip, and safety switches on both handles to ensure you keep your hands away from danger. Although the bulky handles limit its maneuverability, the Alligator Lopper makes small cutting tasks a little safer and more comfortable for novices who may not be comfortable with a standard chainsaw.

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With a lightweight design and a reasonable price tag, the Ryobi PSBCW01K grabbed our attention, earning a slot in our . With the included 2 Ah battery pack, this 8-inch pruning chainsaw weighs just 6.3 pounds–that’s significantly lighter than our other 8-inch pick. Even with a larger 4 Ah battery, you’re still carrying less than 8 pounds in hand.

That light weight comes, in part, from its lack of onboard oil reservoir. That said, the PM test team said it didn’t impact its performance. If you’re trimming high branches, or just want to keep your toolkit light, the Ryobi PSBCW01K is a fantastic choice.

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Greenworks frequently makes affordable, user-friendly power tools, and its 10-inch chainsaw is a perfect option for first-time chainsaw-owners and homeowners who frequently need a chainsaw for light work. It’s easy to handle, and provides an impressive amount of cutting power for a low price.

The thick, rubberized rear handle and wide top handle provide a comfortable grip, and a large handle guard keeps your hand safe. There’s also a safety lock to prevent accidental starts. This lock must be pressed at the same time as the trigger in order to activate the chain, a feature I’ve found to be especially useful when transporting in a tool bag.

Weighing 6.58 pounds (including the battery) this saw is slightly heavier than our other 10-inch option, but I consider the added power and chain speed to be worth the extra couple of ounces.

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How do I know if I need a one- or two-handed mini chainsaw?

As with picking any chainsaw, the first and easiest way to narrow down your options is to think about what kind(s) of wood you normally need to cut. Most one-handed pruning chainsaws have 6- or 8-inch cutting bars, which means they’re made to cut thin branches–think 3- to 6 inches in diameter. Two-handed chainsaws, even the small ones, can handle thicker cuts: A 10-inch chainsaw should be able to cut through a 7- to 8-inch branch.

You should also think about the types of plants you’re cutting and how you’re going to reach them. If you’re primarily working with waist-high hedges, a little extra weight may not matter, but using a one-handed chainsaw makes it easier to cut branches that aren’t easy to reach. Weight is also important if you’re landscaping across a large property–the more you have to walk, the more your heavy tools will weigh you down.

Going the other way, keep in mind that buying a larger two-handed chainsaw keeps the door open for a wider range of chores, such chopping down small trees and breaking down firewood.

How do I maintain my mini chainsaw?

Most mini chainsaws are cordless electric models, which do not require much work to keep them ready to go. We recommend cleaning the saw after every use: Wipe off any tree sap on the body, and use a brush to remove sawdust and wood chips from the chain and the bar, (We’ve also seen compressed air work really well.)

It’s also important to keep the chain tight and properly lubricated. Buying a self-lubricating chainsaw covers half of that problem, but if you don’t, make sure to oil the chain according to the provided instructions. Don’t just use any oil lying around either,— it’s important to use specialized bar and chain oil.

Check the chain tension before each use – most saws feature some kind of manual tightening knob – it should feel snug to the bar, but loose enough to move freely. Check your saw’s manual for specific tightening instructions.

If you use your chainsaw often, you should also invest in a sharpening kit, which ensures that your saw is always operating as efficiently and safely as possible.

What’s the difference between a mini chainsaw, a pole saw, and a hedge trimmer?

All three of these lawn machines are made for precision landscaping work, but each one is useful in its own way, and are essential pieces in a comprehensive yard maintenance toolkit.

Mini chainsaws are ideal for pruning and cutting branches and small logs, but they’re made for ground-level use. (We do not recommend using a chainsaw on a ladder.)

For cutting tasks above your head, you should reach for a pole saw, which is effectively a pruning chainsaw attached to a long pole. With a good pole saw, you can cut a high tree limb–up to 15 feet, depending on the pole–from a safe, stable position on the ground.

Hedge trimmers take a different approach: They have two rows of teeth–one stationary and one that rapidly oscillates back and forth–that capture and snip smaller (up to approx. 0.75 inches) branches. Hedge trimmers are typically longer than a chainsaw cutting bar, with a flat shape that naturally lends itself to cutting and carving large swathes at a time, which lends itself to shaping hedges, rather than cutting through individual tree branches.