Collection: Chainsaws

What will you actually cut with a chainsaw?

The job decides the saw, so be honest about what you're cutting. Light pruning, small branches and cutting up kindling suit a small, light chainsaw that's easy to handle. Firewood and medium branches want a mid-size saw with a 14 to 16 inch bar. Felling trees or cutting thick trunks needs a powerful petrol saw with a longer 18 to 20 inch bar. Over-buying a heavy pro saw for occasional pruning makes the job harder, not easier — a big saw is tiring and awkward for light work. Size the saw to your regular task.

Petrol, battery or electric chainsaw?

Each suits a different user. A petrol chainsaw gives the most power and cordless range for felling, firewood and heavy work, but it's heavy, loud and needs fuel mixing and servicing. A battery or cordless chainsaw starts instantly, runs quietly with no fumes, and handles pruning and light firewood cleanly — well suited to most homeowners, especially on a shared battery platform. A corded electric chainsaw is the cheapest and lightest for close-to-the-house pruning, but the cord limits reach and rules out anywhere without power. Heavy work leans petrol; regular home use leans battery; budget pruning near power leans electric.

How do bar length and chain matter?

The bar length sets the maximum cut and the saw's weight. As a rough guide, the bar should be about 5 cm longer than the diameter of what you cut, so a 14 inch bar handles branches up to around 30 cm, while a 20 inch bar tackles thicker trunks. A longer bar cuts more but is heavier and needs more power to drive it. Keep the chain sharp — a blunt chain forces the cut, produces dust instead of chips, and is dangerous. Correct chain tension matters too, checked before each use.

How do you use a chainsaw safely?

A chainsaw is the most dangerous garden tool, so safety is not optional. Wear cut-resistant chaps or trousers, a helmet with a face shield, ear protection, gloves and sturdy boots. Learn about kickback — the sudden upward throw when the bar tip catches — and keep the tip clear, using a saw with a chain brake. Never cut above shoulder height, keep both hands on the saw, and never work alone on big jobs. Read the manual fully before first use. If a job feels beyond you, like a large tree near the house, call an arborist.

Common questions

Petrol or battery chainsaw — which should I get?
Petrol gives the most power for felling and firewood but is heavy and needs servicing. A battery chainsaw is quiet, fume-free and handles pruning and light firewood, suiting most homeowners.

What bar length do I need?
The bar should be about 5 cm longer than what you cut. A 14 inch bar suits branches to around 30 cm; 18 to 20 inch bars tackle thick trunks and felling. Longer bars are heavier.

Is a battery chainsaw powerful enough for firewood?
For light to medium firewood and pruning, yes. Heavy, sustained firewood cutting or felling large trees still favours a petrol saw for continuous power.

How do I use a chainsaw safely?
Wear cut-resistant chaps, a face shield, ear protection and boots. Learn about kickback, use a chain brake, keep both hands on the saw, and never cut above shoulder height.

Can I pay for a chainsaw with Afterpay or PayPal?
Yes. Split it into four payments with Afterpay, or use Zip, Klarna or PayPal Pay in 4. A $199 chainsaw is around four fortnightly payments of $49.75.

Build the kit

A chainsaw pairs with other cutting tools. Add hedge trimmers for shrubs, a whipper snipper for long grass, and a leaf blower to clear up after.

A $199 chainsaw splits into four fortnightly payments of $49.75 with Afterpay, and Zip, Klarna and PayPal Pay in 4 work the same way. Everything ships from our Australian warehouse within 1–2 business days, with a 12-month warranty and 30 days to change your mind. We're family-run and Australian, going since 2016, rated 4.66 out of 5 across 5,363 reviews.