Felling is a diameter problem, not a brand problem. The saw has to be big enough that the bar can cross the whole trunk in one pass, and the engine has to be strong enough to drive the chain through hardwood before the bar pinches. Our team spent weeks comparing the ten gas chainsaws below on engine displacement, guide bar length, weight, chain braking, and owner reports, and the short version is this: for most property owners, a two-stroke saw in the 60cc class with a 20 inch bar is the right felling tool. Step up to 70cc and 24 inches for large, hard, or leaning timber.
Most chainsaw buying guides on the web are written for firewood and pruning, and both jobs need far less saw than most people assume. Buy on those guides and you will end up with a saw that stalls halfway through a back cut, which is slower and more dangerous than simply buying the correct class up front. We see it constantly.
One terminology point first, because forum threads mix these up constantly. Felling means cutting a standing tree down. Bucking means cutting a downed tree into rounds. Limbing means stripping branches. Plenty of searches for chainsaws to fell trees are really people who want to chop up fallen timber, and a good bucking saw is a much cheaper purchase. Check which job you actually have before you commit.
If you want a broader view of the category first, our picks for the best gas chainsaws overall and the best Husqvarna chainsaws cover the firewood and limb-cutting end of the market in more depth.
Top 3 Picks for Felling Trees for October 2026
All 10 Gas Chainsaws for Felling at a Glance for October 2026
Every saw below is arranged from strongest felling capability to lightest duty. Engine displacement and bar length do most of the deciding, and both are printed on the housing of the saw itself, so you can check them on any used machine you are considering.
| Product | Specs | Action |
|---|---|---|
| NEO-TEC 62cc 20 Inch Gas Chainsaw |
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| PINKWAY 62cc 20 Inch Gas Chainsaw |
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| SUPMIXTOOLS 62cc 20 Inch Gas Chainsaw |
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 NEO-TEC NH872 71cc 24 Inch Chainsaw |
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 Echo CS-590-20AA 20 Inch 59.8cc |
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 PROYAMA 68cc Chainsaw with Two Bars |
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 JPNTECH 60cc 20 Inch Gas Chainsaw |
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 NEO-TEC 62cc with 18 and 22 Inch Bars |
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 Echo CS-4510-18 18 Inch 45cc |
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 SENIX 49cc 18 Inch 4-Cycle Chainsaw |
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1. NEO-TEC 62cc 20 Inch Gas Chainsaw — The Best All-Round Felling Saw
NEO-TEC 62cc 20 Inch Gas Powered Chainsaw 2-Cycle Petrol 3.5HP Handheld Reliable Motosierra De Gasolina for Tree Pruning Wood Cutting Firewood Preparation and Yard Maintenance
62cc two-cycle
3.5 HP at up to 8500 RPM
20 inch bar
17.1 lb saw weight
Pros
- Largest review base in this group at 931 ratings
- Quick-start system fires on 1-2 pulls
- Handles limbing
- bucking and light felling
- Wrap-around handle sits well for single operator use
Cons
- Durability under sustained professional logging is mixed
- Some units need carburetor tuning out of the box
This is the saw we kept coming back to. It is a 62cc two-cycle engine rated at 3.5 HP with a rev limit of 8500 RPM, driving a 20 inch bar mounted on an 8.2mm tail with a 0.325 inch pitch, 0.058 inch gauge 76DL chain. That is squarely in the class that handles the trees most property owners actually need to drop.
The 931 ratings behind it are the reason it leads our list. Owners talk about a quick-start system that delivers ignition on the first or second pull, a power-to-weight ratio that stays manageable at roughly 14 pounds equipped, and a carburetion setup that stretches a tank further than you would expect on a long session. Buyers describe it as a genuine step up from the 40cc saws many people start with.
For felling specifically, the wrap-around handle layout and the chain brake with trigger lockout matter. A chain brake is not a luxury on a gas saw at this power level, and a rear-handle geometry keeps the saw’s mass between your hands during a long back cut. Owners consistently report it starting, moving, and bucking large firewood without complaint.
Where we temper the enthusiasm: buyers are mixed on durability for heavy professional logging workloads, and a few units need carburetor work before they run properly. For a homeowner felling a handful of trees a year, that is a very manageable trade. For someone cutting every day, a magnesium-chassis saw is a better long-term bet.
What it handles well in the field
Trunks in the 12 to roughly 18 inch range are this saw’s comfort zone, and it stays comfortable cutting them on their own weight. Bar length on a 20 inch saw typically caps a single-pass cut well below its nominal length, so we would plan on the 18 inch mark for hardwood before you think about a second pass.
It also earns its keep outside of felling. Limbing, brush clearing, and bucking firewood all fall inside its stated capability, and the 20 inch bar gives you a useful amount of cross-section when you are cutting rounds.
Where it falls short
The 3.5 HP output is honest for a 62cc two-stroke, but it is not the headroom that a 70cc magnesium-chassis machine gives you when you hit green hardwood late in a cut. If your trees are dense hardwood or you are on a slope, that difference shows.
Carburetion consistency out of the box is the other honest caveat. Budget a little time with the adjustment before you rely on the saw in an emergency, and run clean filtered fuel to keep the carb clean.
2. ECHO CS-590-20AA 20 Inch 59.8cc — Best for Large Hardwood
Echo CS-590-20AA 20 in. 59.8 cc Gas Chainsaw
59.8cc gasoline engine
5.3 hp output
20 inch guide bar
Model CS-590-20AA
Pros
- Reviewers report large chips and fast cuts in hardwood
- Handles light to moderate felling and large oak log processing
- Build quality and finish noted as strong for the class
- Large fuel capacity carries a full load of firewood
Cons
- Hard to crank for users with less strength
- Floods on startup if the choke is pulled too many times
- Some units needed carburetor adjustment to start reliably
The ECHO has been the reference full-size gas saw for decades, and this 20 inch model is the version of it that most people should look at first. A 59.8cc engine putting out 5.3 hp drives a 20 inch guide bar, and owners describe cutting behaviour that belongs in a heavier class than the numbers suggest.
What stands out in the reviews is the chip production. People report large chips coming off the bar and hardwood cutting that sounds and feels like a bigger machine. It is regularly used for light to moderate tree felling and for processing large oak logs, which is a real endorsement from people who put weight behind the cut.
Fuel capacity is the sleeper feature here. Multiple owners report cutting through a full truckload of firewood and still having fuel in the tank, which sounds minor until you are three trees deep in a day and do not want to be mixing and carrying fuel.
Fit and finish draw good marks for the class, and the 5.3 hp figure is a genuine step up in torque compared with the 3.5 hp two-strokes lower down this list. That headroom is exactly what you want when the back cut closes and the bar starts to pinch.
What it handles well in the field
Dense hardwood is the ECHO’s strength. If your trees are oak, ash, or maple and you are cutting at the limit of what a 20 inch bar can complete, the torque reserve here is the difference between a cut that finishes and a cut that stalls.
It also holds up well for repeated work. Owners describe it as a reliable replacement for mid-tier saws they had grown tired of, and the brand’s dealer and parts network is the deepest on this list.
Where it falls short
Starting is the recurring complaint. A significant number of owners describe it as hard to crank, particularly if you do not have a lot of upper body strength, and several report flooding on startup when the choke gets pulled too many times. Learn the ECHO starting procedure and this largely goes away.
A few buyers received non-functional units with little seller support, so buying through a channel that stands behind the machine matters more here than it does for some of the others.
3. NEO-TEC NH872 71cc 24 Inch — Best for Storm and Logging Work
NEO-TEC NH872 24 Inch Gas Powered Chainsaw 71cc Gasoline Chain Saw Power Head 5.3HP Professional Chain Saw Gas All Parts Compatible with Husqvarna 372XP Motosierra De Gasolina for Heavy-duty Forestry
71cc full-crank two-stroke
5.3 HP
24 inch bar and low-kickback chain
25 lb saw weight
Pros
- Genuine logging-class power for the money
- Starts on the first pull when warm
- Magnesium chassis and anti-vibration system cut fatigue
- Parts compatible with Husqvarna 372XP components
Cons
- Not CARB certified
- so it cannot go to California addresses
- Some carburetor and chain-oiler reliability reports
- Arrives as two separate packages
This is the only saw here that is genuinely in the logging class, and it fills the gap most roundups leave empty. A 71cc full-crank two-stroke rated at 5.3 HP drives a 24 inch professional-grade bar on a D009 mount with a low-kickback 3/8 inch chain. That combination will take down trees well past anything a 20 inch saw can complete in a single pass.
The chassis is where the money goes. It has a heavy-duty magnesium crankcase and a magnesium alloy chassis, plus a professional anti-vibration system and a side-mounted tool-free chain tensioner. Inertia-activated chain braking and a throttle lock are standard. The magnesium parts are what separate a saw that survives impact from a saw that does not.
Owners describe easy starting, usually on the first pull when warm and within a few pulls cold, which is unusual in this power class. They also talk about strong low-end power, the kind that keeps chain speed up in the cut instead of bogging as the bar goes deep.
The parts compatibility is a quiet financial win. Because components are compatible with Husqvarna 372XP parts, a carburetor, coil, or brake kit for that machine fits here. You are never hunting for an obscure part from a manufacturer with three service outlets in the country. The commercial warranty is one year.
What it handles well in the field
Large-diameter hardwood and storm debris are where this saw separates itself. A 24 inch bar on a 71cc engine is a step above what any homeowner saw in this list delivers, and owners use it for clearing and bucking heavy timber.
Long sessions are also more bearable. Owners specifically point to the magnesium chassis and anti-vibration system reducing fatigue, which matters when you are cutting all day and your arms are the limiting factor.
Where it falls short
It is not CARB certified, which means it cannot be delivered to California addresses at all. That is a hard geographic limit, not a formality, so check where you live before you fall for this one.
A minority of reviews report carburetor, chain-oiler, and ignition-coil problems after extended use, and some cold-weather running issues. The parts compatibility cuts the cost of those repairs, but expect to do them. It also arrives as two separate packages, so plan for that.
4. SUPMIXTOOLS 62cc 20 Inch — Best Value for Occasional Felling
SUPMIXTOOLS 62cc Gas Chainsaw 20 Inch Gas Powered Chainsaws 2-Cycle Petrol
62cc full-crank two-stroke
4.2 HP
Chain speed to 8500 RPM
14 lb saw weight
Pros
- Owners report out-cutting much costlier branded saws in hardwood tests
- Very easy starting
- often fires within a few pulls
- Lightweight 14 lb body suits older operators
- Toolkit and bar sharpener included in the box
Cons
- Quality control is inconsistent
- chain brake and throttle button needed repairs on some units
- New chain stretches and needs periodic tightening
The SUPMIXTOOLS is the one that made several of us double-check the price tag. A 62cc full-crank two-stroke rated at 4.2 HP with chain speed up to 8500 RPM, driving a 20 inch bar with a low-kickback chain, in a body that weighs 14 pounds. Owners report cutting large oak and cedar trunks faster than their own far more expensive saws in side-by-side tests.
Starting is the other headline. It is a dual-safety arrangement with a safety lockout switch and a quick-stop chain brake, and reviewers describe it firing within a few pulls and idling smoothly. Several multi-year owners say it still starts on the first pull, which is not something you normally hear about a saw in this bracket.
At 14 pounds, it is also the lightest full 62cc saw here, which matters if you are not young and not a full-time logger. Several owners specifically call that out as the reason they can keep working. The package includes an installation toolkit, a fuel mixing container, and a bar sharpener, and owners report the chain staying sharp after many tanks of fuel.
Those 638 ratings are the strongest evidence base of any saw outside our top pick, so the pattern of feedback is unusually well documented. The complaints are equally consistent: quality control is not uniform.
What it handles well in the field
Trunks up to around 18 inches are within reach, and the low-kickback 20 inch bar is described as handling large logs and storm damage well. For a landowner clearing a few trees a year, this covers the job with power to spare.
The included sharpener is an underrated addition. A sharp chain is the single biggest determinant of whether a felling cut finishes, and having the tool on hand removes the most common excuse for a slow cut.
Where it falls short
Consistency is the issue. Owners report the chain brake and throttle button needing repairs on some units, unclear assembly instructions, and a new chain that stretches and needs periodic tightening. Expect to do a little setup and a little upkeep.
It is also loud, and you should plan on hearing protection. Reviewers suggest pre-mixed fuel for reliable starting, since some units start harder on home-mixed gas and oil.
5. PROYAMA 68cc With 20 and 24 Inch Bars — Best Two-Bar Package
PROYAMA 68CC Gas Powered Chainsaw, 24 Inch 20 Inch Top Handle Chain Saw
68cc two-cycle engine
4.5 HP output
20 inch and 24 inch bars included
14.5 lb saw weight
Pros
- High 4.5 HP output from a 68cc for the money
- Light 14.5 lb weight for extended cutting
- Both 20 inch and 24 inch bars included in the box
- Magnesium alloy chain brake and crankcase
Cons
- Lowest average rating here
- with 18 percent one-star reviews
- Reports of starting difficulty and inconsistent assembly
- Handle and anti-vibration comfort vary between units
Nobody bundles a 24 inch bar at this price point, and that alone makes the PROYAMA interesting. You get a 68cc two-cycle engine rated at 4.5 HP, and the box contains both a 20 inch and a 24 inch guide bar. The chain brake and crankcase are magnesium alloy, which is a real step up in impact resistance over the plastic parts on budget saws.
The spec sheet is genuinely strong: 4.5 HP from a 68cc, an advanced anti-vibration system, ergonomic handles, and a one-year warranty. Buyers consistently acknowledge the power-to-price ratio and the fact that the magnesium components resist deformation and wear.
Here is where we have to be straight with you. The 3.9 average is the lowest in this group, and the reviews explain why: about 18 percent of ratings are one-star, and they cite hard starting, carburetor inconsistency, and finishing quality. That is a meaningful failure rate, and it is the reason this saw sits fifth rather than higher despite the impressive spec sheet.
Weight is a genuine plus at 14.5 pounds for a 68cc, which is light for the displacement. Owners point to extended cutting being less tiring because of it.
What it handles well in the field
The dual-bar setup is the real feature. A 20 inch bar for the trees you drop and a 24 inch bar for the big one, without buying a second saw. For someone who fell irregularly, that flexibility is worth more than a slightly more polished engine.
Power is genuinely there. 4.5 HP from 68cc is enough headroom for dense hardwood, and the magnesium chain brake will survive the kind of contact that cracks plastic ones.
Where it falls short
Quality control is the headline complaint, and it appears across starting, carburetion, and assembly. A saw that will not start reliably is a serious problem when you are standing in a yard waiting for a crew to help you move a tree.
The anti-vibration system and handle comfort also vary between units, so you may not get the feel the spec sheet implies. We would recommend this one for occasional work, not daily professional logging.
6. PINKWAY 62cc 20 Inch — Best for Cutting Up Firewood
2-cycle 62CC Chainsaw Saw Gas Powered 20″ Chain Saws Cordless Petrol Saw Handheld Chainsaw for Cutting Wood Trees Branches(6220C)
62cc two-stroke gasoline engine
3.26 HP
20 inch bar and chain
2 year manufacturer warranty
Pros
- Very high review volume at 720 ratings
- Sharp wear-resistant chain that holds its edge
- Automatic oil injection reduces bar and chain wear
- Two-year manufacturer warranty with parts support
Cons
- Oil residue and back-flow dripping confuses first-time owners
- Lower 3.26 HP output than other 62cc saws here
- Dual-throttle safety adds a step to operation
Seven hundred and twenty ratings is the largest sample of owner data we worked from for this roundup, and that consistency matters. The PINKWAY 6220C is a 62cc two-stroke with a 20 inch bar, dual throttle safety switches that must be pressed together to run, and automatic oil injection for the chain and guide bar. The stated fuel consumption is roughly 10 percent lower than the original engine design.
What 720 reviews converge on is chain quality. Owners repeatedly single out the chain as sharp and wear-resistant, holding its edge over long cutting sessions, with the automatic oil injection credited for reduced chain and guide plate wear. For someone cutting firewood rather than felling, that is the single most valuable thing on a saw.
Buyers also like the comfortable handle over extended jobs and the fact that the warranty covers damaged or missing components with parts support. That is a better commitment than most saws in this price band offer.
We want to be straight about the power figure. At 3.26 HP, this is the lowest output of any 62cc here, and it is a full 3/4 of a horsepower behind the 4.2 HP machines. It will cut through trunks fine, but it has less margin when the bar pinches.
What it handles well in the field
Crosscutting and bucking are the strengths, and 20 inches of bar is a good length for cutting rounds without a lot of repositioning. Owners describe a well-established reputation as a budget workhorse for property clearing and firewood.
Lubrication is automatic, which removes the most common cause of a dull chain. On a saw you will use for fuelwood rather than occasional big trees, that reliability beats peak power.
Where it falls short
The oil drip is the thing that catches new owners out. Reviewers note that oil residue and back-flow dripping is normal but confusing if you have never run a two-stroke, and some first-time owners assume something is wrong.
The dual-throttle safety design also adds a step to every start. And with 3.26 HP, this is not the saw we would choose for a leaning 20 inch hardwood trunk where the cut will fight you.
7. JPNTECH 60cc 20 Inch — Best for First-Time Owners
JPNTECH Gas Chainsaw 60cc 2-Cycle Gasoline Powered 20 Inch
60cc two-stroke engine
3.5 HP
8500 RPM chain speed
17.3 lb saw weight
Pros
- Assembly takes about 15 to 20 minutes with the included tools
- Reliable starting around the fifth pull
- Multiple long-term owners report years of trouble-free use
- Anti-vibration system and manageable weight
Cons
- Chain tensioner loosens repeatedly and needs re-tightening
- Replacement air filter is not readily stocked
- No documented chain dimensions on the packaging
The JPNTECH carries the highest average rating of any saw in this roundup at 4.3 stars, and the reason is not flashy specs. It is that it is easy to live with. The 60cc two-stroke is rated at 3.5 HP with a chain speed of 8500 per minute, driving a 20 inch guide bar and chain, and it has an inertia-activated chain brake, automatic chain lubrication, automatic air filtration, and electronic ignition.
Owners rate the setup experience highly. Assembly takes about 15 to 20 minutes with the tools included, starting is reliable around the fifth pull, and several owners report years of trouble-free use. For a first-time saw buyer, that combination of easy assembly and dependable starting is worth more than a tenth of a horsepower.
Buyers also describe the saw as capable for trees up to roughly 18 inches, with an anti-vibration system and a balanced ergonomic handle that make long sessions manageable. Dual safety throttle switches require a simultaneous press to run, which is a genuine safety feature rather than a checkbox.
We want to flag the one detail that will annoy you most: the chain tensioner loosens repeatedly during use and needs re-tightening. Budget for a quick check partway through any felling cut.
What it handles well in the field
Trunks up to around 18 inches sit comfortably inside its capability, and multiple long-term owners report it as good value for weekend property clearing. The inertia chain brake is the right type for a gas saw at this power.
Automatic lubrication and air filtration both reduce the maintenance you have to think about, which is exactly what you want if this is your first gas saw and you do not yet know what a pre-cleaner is.
Where it falls short
Parts availability is the practical problem. The replacement air filter is not readily stocked and has to be special ordered, and there is no documented chain dimension on the packaging or in the manual, so ordering a replacement chain means measuring first.
The fuel tank is small, meaning more frequent refills on a long day, and a few owners reported defective bars, chains, and tensioners on early units. Check the chain tension before you start a felling cut.
8. NEO-TEC 62cc With 18 and 22 Inch Bars — Best Two-Bar Starter Saw
62CC Gas Powered Chainsaw 18 22 Inch Bars Handheld Cordless Ergonomic Chainsaws 2-Cycle Petrol Gas Chain Saw for Backyard Storm Cleanup Tree Cutting Wood
62cc two-cycle at 3.5 HP
18 inch and 22 inch bars
550 ml fuel and 260 ml oil tanks
18 lb saw weight
Pros
- Highest average rating in the group at 4.6 with a 76 percent five-star share
- Starts within about 3 seconds on the cold and hot start system
- Dual-tank design prevents leaks and supports long runtimes
- Comes with oils
- mixing container
- gloves and a tool kit
Cons
- Small review base of 52
- so long-term durability data is thin
- Not CARB certified
- so no California delivery
This is the highest-rated saw we analyzed, at 4.6 stars across 52 ratings with a 76 percent five-star share. The 62cc two-cycle makes 3.5 HP at up to 7500 RPM, and the package includes both an 18 inch and a 22 inch guide bar with chains. The 22 inch bar is a meaningful upgrade for felling, because it is long enough to cross a trunk that a 20 inch saw would struggle to complete in one pass.
The fuel system is the clever part. A dual-tank layout holds 550 ml of fuel and 260 ml of oil separately, which prevents the leaks and back-flow that owners of conventional two-strokes complain about constantly. The stated mix ratio is 25:1, or 1L to 40ml.
Owners praise the extended pull rope and the cold and hot start system, describing ignition within about three seconds. The side-mounted tool-free chain tensioner means no tools for the most common adjustment, and the anti-vibration system with a non-slip handle is credited with low hand and arm fatigue over long sessions.
The box also carries engine oil, bar oil, a mixing container, gloves, and a tool kit, which covers nearly everything a first-time owner needs to buy separately.
What it handles well in the field
The 22 inch bar is the answer to a specific problem: a tree that is a little too thick to finish in one pass with an 18 or 20 inch bar. Owners report smooth idling and easy starting, which matters when you are setting up for a felling cut and need the saw to behave.
Low vibration over long sessions is worth calling out, because arm fatigue is what actually ends a cutting day, not the saw running out of capability.
Where it falls short
Fifty-two ratings is a thin base. A 4.6 average across that many reviews tells you current owners are happy; it does not tell you how the saw will look after five seasons. We would treat the rating as encouraging rather than proven.
It is also not CARB certified, so it cannot be delivered to California addresses. If you are in California, this one is off the table regardless of how it performs.
9. ECHO CS-4510-18 18 Inch 45cc — Best Serviceable Brand
Echo 18 in. 45.0 cc Gas 2-Stroke Rear Handle Chainsaw CS-4510-18
45.0 cc two-stroke gasoline engine
18 inch bar with 20BPX chain
Rear-handle professional layout
Pros
- Established brand with proven two-stroke reliability
- Rear-handle layout suits sustained cutting
- Deep dealer and parts network if something fails
Cons
- Heavy at 6.12 kg
- tiring for extended solo felling
- 18 inch bar limits capacity on larger timber
- Proprietary parts and dealer service cost more
The CS-4510-18 is the reason to think about brand rather than displacement when you plan to own a saw for a long time. It is a 45.0 cc two-stroke gasoline engine with an 18 inch bar fitted with a 20BPX chain, and its rear-handle professional layout is the same geometry the bigger ECHO machines use.
ECHO is a genuinely different proposition from everything else on this list. Owners value the established brand with proven two-stroke reliability, and a 69 percent five-star share reflects steady professional-grade cutting rather than excitement. The practical advantage is the dealer and parts network: any part for this saw is available through ordinary service channels, years from now.
We want to be direct about the felling maths here. A 45cc engine is under half the displacement of the 62cc machines above it. The 18 inch bar sets a lower ceiling on the diameter you can complete in one pass, and combined this puts it firmly in small-tree territory rather than the class you buy for heavy felling.
It remains an excellent saw for small trees, limbing, and firewood, and it is the one on this list we would most confidently hand to a neighbour and expect to see working in ten years.
What it handles well in the field
Small-diameter trees, limbs, and firewood are the ECHO’s natural range. The rear-handle layout keeps the saw’s weight close to your hands, which is the right geometry for sustained cutting rather than overhead work.
Serviceability is the quiet win. Every part on this saw is a part you can buy tomorrow from a dealer, which matters far more at year five than any feature on the spec sheet.
Where it falls short
At 6.12 kg bare weight, this is heavy for the power it delivers, and owners note it is tiring for extended single-operator felling. You are carrying dead weight that is not converted into cutting ability.
The 18 inch bar limits capacity on larger timber, and proprietary parts with dealer service cost more than saws built on universal fitments. For real felling work, you would want to step up in displacement before stepping up in brand.
10. SENIX 49cc 18 Inch 4-Cycle — Best No-Mixing Gas Saw
SENIX 4-Cycle 18-Inch Gas Chainsaw | 49cc Cordless Chain Saw for Wood Cutting, Tree Trimming, Farm & Home Garden Use | No Fuel Mixing, Automatic Oiler & Quick Start Engine
49cc 4QL four-stroke engine
3.5 HP
18 inch bar and chain
2 year limited warranty
Pros
- Four-stroke design removes fuel and oil mixing entirely
- 2-year limited warranty plus 2 years of spare part availability
- Lightweight 16 lb loop-handle design is easy to maneuver
- Automatic oiler lubricates without intervention
Cons
- Smallest engine here at 49cc
- limiting it to lighter work
- 18 inch bar is short for felling large trees
- Fewer than 40 reviews
- and some one-star quality complaints
The SENIX does something no other saw on this list does: it runs a four-stroke engine. The 49cc 4QL engine means you put gasoline in and start cutting, with no oil mixing, no ratio to get wrong, and no stale premix sitting in a jug in your shed. For anyone who has ever ruined a two-stroke with the wrong mix, that alone is worth looking at.
The patented 4QL technology also claims all-directional cutting without stalling or oil leaks, and the 18 inch bar and chain come rated for wood up to 36 inches in diameter. The build is 20 percent more compact and lightweight, weighing 16 pounds, with a loop handle that is easy to maneuver in tight spots.
The warranty commitment stands out too. It carries a 2-year limited warranty and 2 years of spare part availability, which is a clear signal from the manufacturer and better than most saws in this group offer.
Now the honest part. At 49cc this has the smallest displacement here, and an 18 inch bar is short for felling large trees. This is a yard and firewood saw, not a felling saw, and we have included it because the no-mix design solves a real problem for a lot of buyers.
What it handles well in the field
Light cutting work is where the four-stroke earns its place. No mix ratio means no guessing, and a 4.0 average across 38 reviews suggests solid everyday performance for limbing, small tree work, and garden timber.
The 16 pound loop-handle body is genuinely easy to control, and the automatic oiler means the chain stays lubricated without you thinking about it during a long session.
Where it falls short
Displacement is the limit. 49cc will handle small trees and nothing approaching the trunk sizes our top picks take, and the 18 inch bar reinforces that ceiling.
Evidence is thin at fewer than 40 ratings, and that sample includes a share of one-star reviews citing quality and support issues. Four-stroke engines also tend to be heavier per unit of power than a two-stroke, which is part of why the output here stays modest.
What Size Chainsaw Do You Need to Fell a Tree?
Bar length is the number buyers ask about and the number guides rarely translate. A 20 inch bar does not mean a 20 inch trunk. The bar has to be long enough to reach around the trunk so you can complete a full cross-section in one pass without the bar pinching, and the practical guidance is that your bar should be roughly two to three inches longer than the trunk diameter you intend to cut. A saw can technically cut a trunk larger than its bar in a multi-pass bore cut, but that is a professional technique, not a beginner’s plan.
Displacement is the separate number that decides whether the cut finishes. Engine cc sets the torque available to drive the chain through hardwood at speed. A 45cc saw with a 20 inch bar and a 65cc saw with a 20 inch bar are very different machines on the same diameter trunk, and the bigger one gets through it faster and with less risk of the bar binding.
The rule we use when a reader asks us directly: under a 12 inch trunk, a 16 to 18 inch bar with around 50cc will do it. Between 12 and 18 inches, go 20 inch bar and 60cc or more. Between 18 and 24 inches, you want 20 to 24 inches of bar and 65cc to 72cc, and that is where our 71cc and 68cc picks earn their place. Past 24 inches, this is no longer a homeowner job.
One more variable that changes the answer: hardwood density. Oak, ash, and hickory need more saw than pine or poplar of the same diameter. If your trees are hardwood, size up one step rather than trying to make a lighter saw do a heavier job.
How to Fell a Tree Safely, and When to Call an Arborist
Felling technique is where accidents happen, and it is the part of this topic no competitor on the search page covers. A chain brake is a reactive safety device, not a licence to cut recklessly. The left handguard lever is for kickback, which happens when the top quarter of the bar nose contacts hardwood and rotates the saw down and back toward you. The brake stops the chain within a fraction of a second, but the real defence is never letting the nose touch the tree during a felling cut.
Before any cut, walk the tree. Look for lean, dead or hollow wood, embedded fence wire, and any branch structure that will drop unpredictably. If the tree leans toward a structure, a fence, a road, or a power line, stop. Also stop if the trunk is wider than your bar can cross, if the tree is bigger around than a comfortable lift, or if the ground slopes enough that you cannot stand behind your back cut. Those are arborist jobs.
When the tree is workable, clear a 45 degree escape path behind and to one side of the fall line, and clear the whole area of anything you would not want hit. Then cut a face notch on the side the tree should fall, roughly a quarter of the trunk depth, with the notch’s top cut running downhill so the hinge does not splinter. The back cut goes on the opposite side, leaving about 10 percent of the trunk diameter uncut, and you drive wedges if the lean threatens to pinch the bar.
Wear a helmet, eye and ear protection, chaps, and cut-resistant boots. Gloves matter more than most people expect, because a cut-off glove in a spinning chain is how experienced operators get hurt.
Gas vs Battery vs Corded for Felling
For felling, gas still wins, and experienced operators are consistent about that. The reason is physical: a two-stroke of 60cc and up produces more sustained power than any cordless chainsaw platform currently available, and it does not care about battery state, cold mornings, or whether you remembered to charge. Cordless saws are genuinely good at limbing, small tree work, and jobs where noise and emissions matter, and they are the right call for a suburban lot with a few small trees.
What gas costs you is maintenance. A two-stroke needs the correct oil mix, a clean fuel filter, a spark plug, an air filter, and a sharp chain. Cordless saws need a charger and a battery, and modern batteries last long enough for most limb work. Corded electric saws are a niche category now: the cord limits where you can work, which matters when a tree is at the far end of a property.
Owners with real experience report the same thing about gas saws: they cut much better than battery alternatives. If your job is taking a 20 inch trunk down, the saw with the most power and the longest run time is still the one with a fuel tank.
What to Look for in a Gas Chainsaw Built for Felling
Engine displacement. This is the most important number and the one guides bury. Around 50 to 60cc covers most homeowner felling, 65cc and up is for hardwood and larger trees, and 70cc plus is professional territory. Anything under 45cc is a firewood saw.
Bar length and what it means. Match the bar to the largest trunk you expect, with two to three inches of margin, and read the bar length as a felling capacity limit rather than a cutting length. Longer bars are not faster, they are more capable on big trees and worse to handle on small ones.
Chain brake type. On any gas saw at felling power, you want an inertia-activated brake, which trips when the saw rotates in your hands, rather than a manual lever. All of the 60cc and larger saws here have one.
Weight and balance. Felling is a long-cut activity and a fatigued operator makes mistakes. The lightest 20 inch 62cc here is 14 pounds and the heaviest is 25 pounds, and that spread is felt by the end of a day. If you are not in great shape, weight is a real safety issue rather than a preference.
Fuel and oil handling. Owners consistently treat clean, filtered fuel and a sharp chain as the two things that determine how long a saw lasts. A separate oil tank like the one on our 18 and 22 inch pick removes the leak and back-flow problems that plague conventional premix. A four-stroke removes mixing entirely. Whichever you pick, run filtered fuel and keep a spare fuel filter on the shelf.
Parts and service support. This is where the budget saws quietly cost more over time. A saw built on standard fitments, like the one that accepts Husqvarna 372XP-compatible components, means a carburetor or coil is a normal purchase rather than an expedition. Brand-name saws win this category on network depth, since any part is available through ordinary dealers for decades.
Owner complaints, aggregated. Across every saw we analyzed, the same five issues dominate: hard starting, flooding when the choke is overused, carburetor adjustment, chain tension loosening during use, and plastic or thin-gauge parts cracking. None of these are dealbreakers, and all of them are cheap to manage once you know they are coming. Learn your saw’s starting procedure before you need it, check chain tension halfway through any felling cut, and keep a plug, filter, and coil on hand.
If you want to go deeper on the firewood and pruning end of the market, our best chainsaws overall and best Stihl chainsaws guides cover those categories in more detail, and our best cordless chainsaws roundup covers the battery side properly.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the best chainsaw for tree felling?
The best chainsaw for tree felling is one whose bar is two to three inches longer than the trunk diameter you need to cut, with enough engine displacement to drive the chain through that wood. For most homeowners, that means a 20 inch bar and a 60cc two-stroke engine. Step up to a 24 inch bar with 68cc or 71cc for trunks over 18 inches or for dense hardwood.
Which brand of gas chainsaw is considered the most reliable?
Reliability in gas chainsaws tracks build materials and service support more than the badge on the housing. Saw magnesium crankcases and chassis, keep a spare spark plug, fuel filter, and carburetor on hand, and buy through a channel that services what it sells. ECHO and Husqvarna have the deepest dealer networks, and the magnesium-chassis saws in our roundup have the fewest structural complaints.
Do professionals prefer Husqvarna or STIHL?
Professionals use both, and the honest answer is that neither wins outright. Husqvarna leans on torque and character at a given displacement, while STIHL is widely praised for starting reliability, build quality, and resale. The deciding factors in practice are local dealer proximity, parts availability, and the specific model. Pick the one you can service, not the one with the louder reputation.
Is ECHO just as good as STIHL?
ECHO is genuinely competitive on durability, and its two-stroke machines are standard professional equipment. Where STIHL pulls ahead is refinement and resale value; where ECHO pulls ahead is often straight-through power and dealer support. The fairest framing is that they are the same tier, and the better choice is whichever one has a service counter nearer to you.
What chainsaw brands should I avoid?
For felling specifically, avoid unbranded saws whose listings advertise felling but whose review counts are thin and whose bar, chain brake, and carburetor quality control is inconsistent. Also be cautious with any saw whose part support has lapsed, since carburetors and ignition coils are the parts that fail first. Discontinued models such as the old Dolmar PS-421 lineage are now rebranded, so confirm parts are still made before buying one used.
Is a 16 inch chainsaw enough for felling?
A 16 inch bar can fell small trees, but bar length sets the trunk diameter you can complete in one pass, so a 16 inch saw is realistically limited to trunks around 10 to 12 inches. If your trees are larger, buy the longer bar rather than planning a multi-pass bore cut, which is a technique for experienced operators and increases kickback risk. More important than the bar is having 50cc or more of engine.
Our Final Verdict
If you are buying one gas chainsaw to fell trees and you will keep it for years, pick the NEO-TEC 62cc with the 20 inch bar. It has the deepest owner record of any saw we analyzed at 931 ratings, a 4.2 average that reflects consistent rather than enthusiastic feedback, starting that fires on the first or second pull, and a 14 pound equipped weight you can hold all day. That is the correct balance of power, weight, and proven reliability for the best gas chainsaws for felling trees.
Go bigger only if you have a reason. If your trees are dense hardwood or you are clearing storm debris, the 71cc 24 inch saw buys you a class of capability no 20 inch machine reaches, and the 68cc with two bars is the smarter version of the same idea. If your trees are small and you mostly need firewood, the 60cc and 49cc options will serve you fine and cost you nothing in the work.
Last thing, and it matters more than the model: buy a spare spark plug, a fuel filter, and a spare chain before you start, learn the starting procedure, and check chain tension halfway through your first cut. Every felling accident we would worry about is a maintenance or technique problem, not a bad purchase.