6 Best Compact Chainsaws For Firewood Cutting On A Budget Old-Timers Trust
Discover 6 budget-friendly compact chainsaws for firewood. These reliable models are trusted by seasoned users for their proven power and durability.
There’s a pile of downed oak by the back fence that isn’t going to split itself. You need a chainsaw that starts when you need it, cuts clean, and doesn’t leave your arms buzzing for an hour afterward. Choosing the right compact saw means less time fighting with equipment and more time stacking wood for winter.
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What to Look For in a Small Firewood Chainsaw
The first thing to balance is power and weight. A big, heavy saw is exhausting for limbing branches or bucking smaller logs, but a saw that’s too small will bog down and struggle, making the work frustrating and slow. For most firewood duty on a small farm, an engine between 30cc and 45cc is the sweet spot.
Bar length is another key consideration. It’s tempting to get the longest bar you can, but for firewood, a 14-inch or 16-inch bar is far more practical and safer to handle. It’s perfectly capable of cutting through logs up to a foot or more in diameter, which covers most of what you’ll be dealing with. A shorter bar is lighter, easier to control, and less likely to cause dangerous kickback.
Don’t overlook the "comfort" features, because they are really safety features in disguise. An effective anti-vibration system means you can work longer without fatigue, and fatigue leads to mistakes. Likewise, an easy-start system reduces the number of times you’re yanking a cord in an awkward position, which is when accidents happen.
Stihl MS 170: The Go-To Saw for Small Properties
You’ll find a Stihl MS 170 in more farm sheds and truck beds than just about any other saw for a reason. It’s a simple, no-frills machine built on a legacy of reliability. It does one job—cutting wood—and it does it exceptionally well without complicated features you don’t need.
This saw’s strength is its straightforward design. It’s lightweight, making it perfect for clearing fallen limbs after a storm or cutting up smaller trees for the wood stove. Parts are easy to find at any local dealer, and just about anyone who knows saws can work on it. For processing wood up to 12 inches in diameter, it’s the benchmark.
The MS 170 is not a felling saw for big timber. If you try to push it through a 20-inch hardwood log, you’ll be disappointed and risk burning up the motor. But for its intended purpose—light firewood, storm cleanup, and general property maintenance—it’s an investment that will pay you back for years.
Husqvarna 120 Mark II: A Reliable All-Rounder
The Husqvarna 120 Mark III chainsaw delivers efficient power for homeowners. Its 38-cc X-Torq engine provides reliable performance, while LowVib technology ensures comfortable operation.
The Husqvarna 120 Mark II is the other side of the same coin, often compared directly to the Stihl. It’s a fantastic all-around saw for the hobby farmer who wants proven reliability with a few more modern touches. It feels solid in your hands and inspires confidence right out of the box.
Where the Husqvarna shines is with its user-focused technology. The X-Torq engine is designed for better fuel efficiency and lower emissions, which you’ll notice after a long day of cutting. Its LowVib anti-vibration dampeners are also excellent, making it a very comfortable saw to run for extended periods.
This saw has plenty of power for bucking logs into firewood lengths and clearing overgrown fence lines. It’s a dependable workhorse that starts easily and runs smooth. If you want a saw that balances classic durability with modern engineering, the 120 Mark II is a hard choice to argue with.
Echo CS-310: Impressive Power in a Light Package
Echo has a reputation for building saws that punch well above their weight, and the CS-310 is a prime example. It’s incredibly lightweight but has a surprising amount of cutting power. When you pick it up, you don’t expect it to perform the way it does.
The build quality is immediately noticeable. It feels like a professional-grade tool, with features like a great air filtration system that keeps the engine running clean in dusty conditions. The i-30 starting system makes it one of the easiest saws to fire up, requiring very little pulling effort.
This is the perfect saw for someone who needs to do a lot of limbing or wants a nimble tool for quick jobs around the property. It’s not designed for burying in huge logs all day, but for fast, efficient cutting of small-to-medium-sized wood, its power-to-weight ratio is tough to beat.
Poulan Pro PR4016: A Solid Choice for Light Use
Let’s be clear: a Poulan Pro is not a Stihl, and it isn’t trying to be. This is a budget-friendly saw you can pick up at a big-box store, and for the right person, it’s a perfectly sensible choice. It’s a tool for the farmer who needs a chainsaw a few times a year, not a few times a week.
For its price, the PR4016 delivers decent power with its 40cc engine and 16-inch bar. It can handle most common firewood tasks without much fuss. The key is to keep your expectations realistic; the fit and finish won’t match the premium brands, and it may require a bit more tinkering to keep it running just right.
If you’re only cutting a couple of cords of wood a year or need something to clear trails in the spring, this saw gets the job done without a big upfront cost. Just be diligent about maintenance, use good quality fuel mix, and keep the chain sharp.
Remington RM4216: The Top Value for Budget Cuts
The Remington RM4216 is another strong contender for the title of best value saw. It’s engineered to provide a lot of capability for a very reasonable price, making it accessible to almost anyone. It’s the kind of saw you can keep in the barn for when a storm brings down a big branch over the driveway.
It comes equipped with a 42cc engine and a 16-inch bar, a solid combination for general-purpose work. Features like its QuickStart technology and cushioned handle are designed to make it less intimidating for someone who doesn’t use a chainsaw every day. It’s surprisingly capable for its cost.
This saw is ideal for seasonal cleanup and light firewood duty. It’s not built for the rigors of daily, professional use, but it’s more than tough enough for the demands of a small farm. For the money, it’s hard to find a saw that offers a better balance of power, features, and price.
Essential Chainsaw Safety Gear for Every Farmer
A chainsaw doesn’t know the difference between a log and your leg. The price of a good saw is just the start; budgeting for proper safety gear is non-negotiable. Thinking you’re "careful enough" is the most dangerous mindset you can have.
Your absolute minimum kit should include four things. No excuses.
- Chainsaw chaps or pants: They are made with layers of material designed to clog the sprocket and stop the chain on contact.
- A proper helmet: This should include an integrated face shield and hearing protection. It protects your head from falling branches, your eyes from wood chips, and your ears from permanent damage.
- Steel-toed boots: They provide a stable footing and protect your feet from the saw and from heavy logs.
- Good gloves: They improve your grip and offer some protection from cuts and abrasions.
Every single one of these items is cheaper than a trip to the emergency room. A falling branch, often called a "widowmaker," is just as dangerous as the saw itself. Protect yourself from head to toe, every single time you start the saw.
Proper Saw Maintenance for a Long, Useful Life
A well-maintained chainsaw is a safe, effective tool. A neglected one is an unreliable, dangerous piece of junk. The difference between the two is about ten minutes of your time before and after each use.
Before you start cutting, do a quick check. Is the chain tension correct? It should be snug against the bar but still pull around freely by hand. Is the bar and chain oil reservoir full? Running a saw without bar oil will destroy the bar and chain in minutes.
The single most important maintenance task is keeping the chain sharp. A sharp chain pulls itself into the wood and produces large chips. A dull chain has to be forced, creates fine sawdust, and dramatically increases the risk of dangerous kickback. Learning to sharpen your own chain with a simple file is a skill every saw owner must learn. A few minutes with a file will save you a world of effort and make your work much safer.
Ultimately, the best compact chainsaw is the one that fits the scale of your work and your budget. Whether you choose a legacy brand or a value-focused model, remember that your safety gear and a sharp chain are what truly make the work successful. A reliable saw is a great partner on the farm, ready to turn fallen trees into winter warmth.
