How Much Are Chainsaws? Prices by Type, Power Source & Use Case

Quick Answer: How Much Does a Chainsaw Cost?

Chainsaws range from approximately $150 to $2,000+ depending on power source, engine size or battery voltage, bar length, and intended use. Corded electric models start the lowest at $100–$250. Battery-powered saws run $150–$600+ depending on voltage and whether a battery kit is included. Gas chainsaws span the widest range: $200 for a light-duty consumer model up to $2,000+ for a professional-grade saw from STIHL or Husqvarna. The single biggest price driver is use case — occasional yard cleanup and professional timber falling are completely different tiers.

Chainsaw Price Ranges at a Glance

Use this table to identify your tier immediately, then read the relevant section below for detail.

What Drives Chainsaw Prices: Key Cost Factors

Understanding these variables lets you evaluate any model — not just the ones listed here.

Power Source

The power source is the primary price fork. Corded electric saws carry no battery or engine to engineer, keeping costs low. Battery platforms add significant cost — especially at higher voltages where cells are expensive. Gas saws carry the most mechanical complexity: carburetor, ignition system, clutch, and a purpose-built two-stroke or four-stroke engine. More complexity means higher manufacturing cost and a wider price ceiling.

Engine Displacement or Battery Voltage

For gas saws, engine displacement (measured in cubic centimeters, cc) directly correlates with price. A 32cc homeowner engine costs substantially less to produce than a 70cc+ professional powerhead. For battery saws, voltage and amp-hour (Ah) capacity of the included battery drive cost — a 40V 2.0Ah battery is far cheaper to produce than an 80V 4.0Ah battery.

Bar Length

Longer guide bars cost more to manufacture and typically signal a more powerful (pricier) powerhead is underneath. A 12-inch bar pairs with entry-level saws; 16–18-inch bars are common at mid-range; 20-inch and longer bars are standard on professional models. Bar length alone is not a reliable price predictor, but it correlates strongly with tier.

Brand Tier and Build Quality

Brands like STIHL and Husqvarna command premiums because of component quality, dealer service networks, parts availability, and longer service lives — relevant if a saw runs daily. Brands like Echo occupy a respected mid-tier. Big-box store private labels and import brands sit at entry level. For occasional homeowner use, the premium brand delta matters less; for professional daily use, it matters considerably.

Gas Chainsaw Prices: Entry, Mid-Range and Professional

Gas chainsaws cover the broadest price band of any power source and remain the dominant choice for professional and high-demand homeowner use because of runtime independence and raw power.

Entry-Level Gas Chainsaws ($200–$350)

These typically run 32–38cc engines with 16-inch bars. They handle occasional firewood cutting, moderate-diameter tree felling, and storm cleanup. Build quality is adequate for intermittent use. Brands commonly found at this tier include Poulan Pro and entry Echo models. Expect plastic-heavy construction and shorter service intervals.

Mid-Range Gas Chainsaws ($350–$600)

The 38–50cc range with 16–20-inch bars. This tier covers most serious homeowners who cut firewood seasonally or maintain several acres of land. Echo CS-400 and Echo CS-590 are frequently cited here. Entry-level Husqvarna 400-series and STIHL MS 170/180 consumer models overlap the upper end of this range. Build quality steps up noticeably: better anti-vibration, more durable chain tensioning, and longer tune-up intervals.

Professional Gas Chainsaws ($600–$2,000+)

Displacement of 50cc and above, often 60–120cc for logging-grade saws. STIHL MS 261, MS 362, MS 461 and Husqvarna 550 XP, 572 XP, 592 XP populate this range. These saws are engineered for all-day commercial use — arborists, loggers, land-clearing crews. The premium pays for durability under sustained load, faster chain speed, and a dealer-backed service infrastructure. A top-spec professional Husqvarna or STIHL can exceed $2,000 before bar and chain.

Battery Chainsaw Prices: What to Expect by Voltage

Battery chainsaws have closed the performance gap with gas significantly over the past five years. Price scales with voltage platform and whether you’re buying a kit (tool + battery + charger) or a bare tool.

40V Battery Chainsaws ($150–$300)

Entry cordless. Adequate for pruning, limb removal up to 6–8 inches in diameter, and light firewood cutting. Greenworks 40V models are frequently found at this tier. Runtime on a single charge is limited — typically 30–45 minutes of active cutting on a mid-capacity battery. Kit pricing is usually $200–$280 including a 2.0–4.0Ah battery.

60V Battery Chainsaws ($300–$500)

The mid-range cordless sweet spot for homeowners. Greenworks 60V and DeWalt FLEXVOLT 60V platforms are common examples. Runtime extends meaningfully; cutting performance handles 10–14-inch logs comfortably. Kit pricing with a 4.0–6.0Ah battery runs $350–$500. Tool-only (bare tool) pricing drops $100–$150 for buyers already in a compatible platform ecosystem.

80V and Higher Battery Chainsaws ($400–$700+)

Greenworks Pro 80V and Oregon 80V platforms occupy this tier. Performance approaches light-duty gas territory. Larger batteries and more sophisticated motor controllers push kit prices toward $500–$700. These are appropriate for users who want gas-free operation without sacrificing meaningful cutting capacity.

Kit vs. Bare Tool Pricing

This distinction significantly affects sticker price. A DeWalt FLEXVOLT 60V bare-tool chainsaw may retail at $229, while the same saw in a kit with a 6.0Ah battery and charger retails at $429. If you already own batteries in a platform (DeWalt 20V/60V FLEXVOLT, Greenworks 60V, etc.), buying bare tool saves $150–$200 immediately.

Corded Electric Chainsaw Prices: The Budget Entry Point

Corded electric chainsaws are the lowest-cost category, typically running $100–$250. They draw 8–15 amps from a standard 120V outlet and require no battery or fuel. The trade-off is a hard range limit — you’re tethered to an extension cord and limited to around 100 feet from a power source.

These saws handle light yard work well: pruning branches, cutting up small fallen limbs, and processing logs under 10 inches in diameter close to a structure. They are not suitable for work far from the house, felling medium or large trees, or sustained heavy cutting where heat buildup becomes a limitation.

For a buyer whose entire use case is seasonal light cleanup within cord range of an outlet, a corded electric saw at $120–$180 is the rational purchase. For anything beyond that ceiling, moving up to a 40V battery saw adds $50–$100 and removes the range constraint entirely.

Total Cost of Ownership: Beyond the Sticker Price

Sticker price is only the starting point. These ongoing costs affect the true cost of ownership — particularly for gas saws.

Replacement Chains

Chains dull with use and eventually wear beyond resharpening. Replacement chains for standard consumer bars typically run $15–$40 depending on bar length, chain pitch, and gauge. Professional-grade chains for longer bars can reach $50–$80. Budget for at least one replacement chain annually with regular use.

Chain Sharpening

A professional chain sharpening service typically runs $10–$20 per chain. A manual file guide costs $10–$20 and allows self-sharpening. An electric chainsaw sharpener runs $30–$60 as a one-time purchase and pays back quickly for users who sharpen frequently.

Bar and Chain Oil

All chainsaws (regardless of power source) require bar and chain oil to lubricate the guide bar and chain during operation. A 1-gallon jug of bar oil typically costs $8–$15. Consumption is roughly 1 quart per tank of fuel on a gas saw. Annual bar oil cost for a moderate-use homeowner is $20–$50.

Fuel and Fuel Mix (Gas Saws)

Two-stroke gas chainsaws require a precise fuel-to-oil mix (typically 50:1). Pre-mixed canned fuel (brands like TruFuel or STIHL MotoMix) runs $7–$10 per quart and eliminates mixing errors and ethanol-related carburetor damage. Mixing your own from pump gasoline and two-stroke oil costs significantly less per quart but requires discipline to do correctly. Annual fuel cost for a homeowner using a gas saw seasonally: $30–$80.

Annual Maintenance (Gas Saws)

A standard annual tune-up on a gas chainsaw covers air filter replacement ($5–$15), spark plug replacement ($3–$8), fuel filter replacement ($5–$10), and carburetor adjustment if needed. DIY cost: $15–$35 in parts. Professional service center tune-up: $60–$120 depending on labor rates and what’s needed. Factor $50–$120 per year for a gas saw in regular service.

Battery Replacement (Cordless Saws)

Lithium-ion battery packs degrade over charge cycles. Most manufacturers rate their batteries at 500–1,000 full cycles before significant capacity loss. Replacement battery packs for major platforms — DeWalt FLEXVOLT 6.0Ah, Greenworks 60V 4.0Ah — retail between $80–$200 depending on capacity and platform. For light-use homeowners who charge infrequently, a battery pack may last 5–8 years. For heavy users, factor a battery replacement every 3–5 years into the TCO.

New vs. Used Chainsaws: How Much Can You Save?

Used gas chainsaws — particularly professional-grade STIHL and Husqvarna models — sell on Facebook Marketplace, Craigslist, and eBay at 40–60% below new retail when the seller is motivated or the saw shows cosmetic wear but is mechanically sound. A STIHL MS 261 retailing new at $700–$750 may appear used at $300–$400 with normal wear.

The savings are real, but the risks are specific:

• Hidden mechanical wear: A saw that ran through a logging operation is different from one used three times a year. There’s no odometer.
• Improper past maintenance: Saws run with incorrect fuel mix, no bar oil, or without regular filter changes carry internal damage that isn’t visible externally.
• No warranty: New saws from STIHL and Husqvarna carry 1–2 year consumer warranties. Used purchases carry none.
• Parts availability: Older discontinued models may face parts sourcing challenges for certain components.

Before buying used, check: compression (a tech with a compression gauge can test this for $20–$30), whether the chain brake engages and releases correctly, bar condition (look for grooves worn into the rail), and whether the saw starts and idles without choke after warming up. A saw that won’t idle cleanly has carburetor issues — add $60–$120 in service cost to your offer price.

Used battery chainsaws are a less compelling value. Battery pack health is opaque, and a degraded battery pack can cost $100–$200 to replace — eliminating much of the used-price discount on a tool that may have retailed for $250–$350 new.

Which Price Tier Is Right for Your Use Case?

Match your actual use case to the appropriate tier. Buying below your needs produces an inadequate tool; buying above produces wasted spend on capability that never gets used.

• Occasional limb cleanup and light pruning (a few times per year): Corded electric ($100–$200) or 40V battery saw ($150–$280). No need to go higher.
• Seasonal firewood cutting (1–3 cords per year) and storm cleanup: Mid-range gas (38–45cc, $300–$500) or 60V battery kit ($350–$500). Either handles this load well; choose based on your preference for gas vs. battery maintenance.
• Regular homeowner use on 2+ acres, larger tree felling, ongoing firewood supply: Upper mid-range gas (45–55cc, $450–$650) or 80V battery ($450–$650). Echo CS-590, Husqvarna 450 Rancher, or equivalent.
• Land clearing, large tree felling, multi-day cutting projects: Professional gas entry (50–60cc, $600–$900). This is where STIHL and Husqvarna pro lines begin to justify their cost through durability and sustained performance.
• Arborist, logging, or commercial use: Professional gas (60cc+, $900–$2,000+). The daily-use economics demand a saw that can be serviced, parts-sourced, and run hard without failure.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the average cost of a chainsaw?

The average purchase price for a consumer chainsaw — covering the most common homeowner gas and 40V–60V battery models — falls between $250 and $450. This range covers the majority of units sold to non-professional buyers and represents saws capable of handling most residential tasks.

Are battery chainsaws more expensive than gas chainsaws?

At equivalent performance tiers, battery chainsaws are often comparably priced or slightly higher than gas equivalents when bought as full kits (tool + battery + charger). However, battery saws cost less to operate annually — no fuel, no carburetor servicing, no spark plugs — which closes the total cost gap over 3–5 years of ownership.

How much does it cost to maintain a gas chainsaw per year?

Expect $50–$120 per year for a gas chainsaw in regular homeowner use. This covers air filter, spark plug, fuel filter, bar oil, fuel mix, and one chain sharpening or replacement. A neglected saw requiring professional carburetor service adds $60–$120 to that figure in the year service is needed.

Is it worth buying a used chainsaw to save money?

For gas chainsaws — particularly professional-grade models — used buying makes strong financial sense if you inspect correctly. Test compression, verify the chain brake works, check bar rail wear, and confirm the saw starts and idles cleanly. For battery chainsaws, the used value proposition is weaker because battery pack degradation is invisible and replacement packs are expensive relative to the tool’s discounted price.