Best Chainsaw Under $200 in 2025: Affordable Power for Every Homeowner

When the word “chainsaw” comes up, most people imagine a roaring, armoured beast that only pro loggers fire up a hundred miles from the nearest Starbucks. Let me dispel that myth: not every homeowner needs the lumberjack equivalent of a Hummer. What you need is a nimble, dependable saw that handles overhanging limbs, quartering downed storm branches, and the over-abundance of maple rounds you swear the “storm” sent your way. The best part is that the Chainsaw under $200 mark today feels like the personal “2099” prototypes we only dreamed of. They’re lighter, smarter, and way less clunky than the budget options we used to roll our eyes at.

This guide is your personal treasure map to the best budget chainsaws of 2025. We’ll help you pick the one that suits your cutting mood, match the right blend of saws to what your wallet can tolerate, and mark the must-scan features that’ll save you pain, hopefully both kinds, before you hit “check out.”

Why Under $200 Makes Sense

Let’s keep it real: pro saws are like owning the Batmobile, cool, but you only need it to drive down city streets. For yard duty that leans more toward “trimming hedge” than “logging competition,” a sub-$200 chainsaw cuts cost, not capability. For the price of the fancy coffee that one-third of my neighbours drink every day, you still get:

• Barking power for 3–5-inch branches that misread the “don’t overhang” rule.

• Safety features that your backyard appreciates (chain brakes that don’t judge your jump scare, plus kickback shields that leave you that one extra trip to the ER).

• Thoughtfully designed for less fatigue: lighter heft, easy no-tools tweaks.

• Grab-and-go flexibility: choose from cordless for no cords in the way or compact corded for constant power on the job

The game-changer is inside the saw: manufacturers have tinkered to include high-end tech in economy models. Brushless motors spin longer and cooler, advanced lithium packs hold a full charge longer, and padded grips dial down vibes. You get day-in persistence, no up-market sticker shock.

Essential Specs to Check

Before hunting for that perfect budget saw, scan for these essentials:

• Bar Length: 12 to 16 inches, just right for trimming, limb-lopping, and pile-freezing.

• Power Source: Cordless for mobility, corded for continuous runtime, or small gas-powered for extra punch.

• Safety First: chain brake, low-kickback teeth, and a padded, grip-friendly frame.

• Low-Downtime Features: toolless chain tensioning and a flick of the switch or drum for auto-oiling keep minutes from adding up.

Stick to these, and the perfect saw stays within reach.

Best of the Best Under $200 of 2025 Edition

1. Black+Decker LCS1240 Cordless Chainsaw

If convenience is your top priority, this 40V cordless option is a backyard hero. Lightweight and portable, it handles branch trimming with ease.

• Bar Length: 12 inches

• Weight: Just over 8 pounds

• Best For: Quick yard cleanups, pruning, and small firewood tasks

• Why It Stands Out: Minimal noise, no fumes, and battery compatibility with other Black+Decker tools.

2. Greenworks 20262 Cordless Chainsaw

Perfect for eco-conscious homeowners, Greenworks balances affordability with impressive battery life.

• Bar Length: 12 inches

• Weight: 7.6 pounds

• Best For: Regular yard maintenance, eco-friendly households

• Why It Stands Out: Tool-free chain tensioning and a reliable automatic oiling system.

3. Worx WG322 20V Cordless Chainsaw

This saw proves that compact design doesn’t mean weak performance. Ideal for those who don’t want to wrestle with a heavy machine.

• Bar Length: 10 inches

• Weight: 6.2 pounds

• Best For: Light pruning and storm cleanup

• Why It Stands Out: Quick, tool-free chain tensioning and optional extension pole for overhead branches.

4. Sun Joe SWJ599E Electric Chainsaw

Don’t want to worry about batteries or fuel? Plug in this budget-friendly powerhouse and cut away.

• Bar Length: 14 inches

• Weight: 7.7 pounds

• Best For: Steady yard projects near outlets

• Why It Stands Out: Extremely affordable yet surprisingly powerful for light to medium tasks.

5. Poulan PL3314 Gas Chainsaw

For those who prefer traditional gas power without breaking the bank, Poulan delivers.

• Bar Length: 14 inches

• Weight: Around 12 pounds

• Best For: Firewood, storm cleanup, and heavier branches

• Why It Stands Out: Gas-powered torque at a price point well below pro saws.

Options Side by Side

Here’s a handy chart to pair the right saw with the job you face:

1. Pinnacle of Cordless Ease: Black+Decker LCS1240

2. Planet-Friendly Pick: Greenworks 20262

3. Compact & Feather-Lite: Worx WG322

4. Plug-In Bargain: Sun Joe SWJ599E

5. Gas without the Premium: Poulan PL3314

Pick any, and you’ll see budget and quality in the same sentence.

Who Should Grab a $200 Chainsaw?

These saws won't slog through massive hardwoods all weekend, but the following kinsfolk will beat a path to the aisle:

• Yard keepers with small to mid-size lots

• Weekend woodworkers with the occasional cut

• Citizens wanting a storm rescue aid at the ready

• Wallet-watchers aiming for high yield with low outlay

Picture them as the no-frills, jelly-smeared, steadfast pickup of the toolkit, a bit rough at the edges, but drives home the point.

Price and long-run Value

• Up front, a penny for any of the cheap saws under $200.

• But the savings keep adding up:

• Cordless versions skip the fuel cost and barely need servicing.

• Electric plug-ins guzzle only pennies to keep the motor humming.

• Gas models give you the grunt you want, though they need a little extra love.

Warranty protection doesn’t skimp here, either; most come with a solid 2-year deal, with some stretching to a generous 4, so you’re safe if something doesn’t feel right. For weekend warriors, the bang for your buck is hard to out-smart.

Expert Insight

Expertise counts, but everyday use matters more. Chainsawtips remind us that reliability isn’t just for the pro brands. The secret is simple:

• Nip the tooth cutter and stay sharp.

• Park it indoors, dry and out of harm's reach.

• Blow out the gunk when you're done.

• Treat your bar right, one splash of proper oil and it glides.

Pamper your gear this way, and that sub-$200 tool never feels light, more like a kept promise you fill with pine, and apple, and oak.

Conclusion: A Smarter Way to Cut

Today’s starter models are an entirely different story from the scratched, gas-dripping anvil you grabbed a decade ago.

Today’s compact tools pack progressively more power, boost operator safety, and stretch runtime between charges, erasing much of the reason to pay for pro-grade gear.

Indeed, these Plug and Play units won’t take the place of heavy-duty pro saws, but that’s the whole advantage. The five units we reviewed zip through shrub pruning, freshen up ravaged walkways, and drama a laser-cut edge on the weekend fence without over-straining your spine or your wallet.

Choosing the right match still comes down to three quick bits of evidence.

• Cordless thrill? Black+Decker and Greenworks are your go-to.

• Weights and versatility? Meet the all-around glue-slinger, Worx.

• Cheaps? Don’t even hesitate, that’s Sun Joe’s turf.

• Still love pulling a cord? Poulan’s capable 25-cc takes fuel power to the budget varsity.

Core takeaway? Dependable performance shouldn't sting your budget. Not one of these tacky power-edgers to your trailer and profess to want a helper that won’t uproot the money chore.