Best Chainsaws Under $100: Top Picks for Budget-Friendly Buyers

A hundred dollars doesn’t buy you a professional-grade saw. I want to be upfront about that. But it does buy you a perfectly capable tool for trimming branches, cutting up a fallen tree in the backyard, or processing a small stack of firewood — if you choose the right one.

I’ve used budget electric chainsaws on my Montana property for cleanup work I don’t want to drag out my heavier gas saw for. The right $100 saw handles that work just fine. The wrong one is a frustrating waste of money and a potential safety hazard.

This guide covers what to look for before you buy, four honest picks across different use cases, and straight answers to the questions I hear most from first-time buyers. Let’s get into it.

What to Look for in a Chainsaw Under $100

Buying a budget chainsaw isn’t complicated, but there are a few things that separate a saw worth owning from one that’ll be sitting in your trash bin by spring. Here’s what actually matters at this price point.

Corded Electric vs. Battery-Powered

At under $100, you’re choosing between corded electric and battery-powered. Gas is off the table — you won’t find a reliable gas saw at this price, and I wouldn’t trust one if you did.

Corded electric saws give you unlimited runtime and consistent power. The tradeoff is the cord — you need an outlet within extension cord range, and the cord gets in the way on bigger jobs. Battery saws give you freedom to move around, but at this price point the batteries tend to be smaller capacity, so runtime is limited. Figure 20–40 minutes of actual cutting per charge depending on the wood.

If you’re working near your house or garage, corded is hard to beat for the money. If you need to walk out into the yard or woods, battery wins on convenience. For a deeper breakdown of how electric and gas stack up across the board, check out our comparison of electric vs. gas chainsaws.

Bar Length: What You Actually Need

Budget chainsaws run from 10 to 18 inches of bar length. Most homeowners doing yard cleanup or light firewood work are fine with a 14- or 16-inch bar. That covers logs up to about 12–14 inches in diameter, which handles the vast majority of residential cutting tasks.

A 10-inch bar is really only suited for pruning and limbing — small stuff. An 18-inch bar like the Oregon CS1500 gives you more reach and handles bigger logs, but the saw is heavier and harder to maneuver in tight spots. Match the bar to what you’re actually cutting, not what sounds more impressive. If you want the full breakdown, our guide on how to choose the right bar length covers every scenario.

Weight and Ergonomics

Occasional users feel fatigue faster than experienced operators. A saw that weighs 12 pounds doesn’t sound like much until you’ve been holding it overhead trimming branches for 20 minutes. Lighter saws in the 6–9 pound range are easier to handle for infrequent use, even if they sacrifice a little cutting power. If you’re mostly doing ground-level cuts, weight matters less. If you’re working overhead or on ladders, go lighter.

Safety Features to Insist On

No matter what you spend, don’t skip these. A chain brake is non-negotiable — it stops the chain instantly if the saw kicks back toward you. Kickback is the number one cause of chainsaw injuries, and a chain brake is your last line of defense. Also look for a chain catcher (a small guard below the bar that catches a broken chain) and an auto-oiler so the bar and chain stay lubricated without you having to think about it. Most saws at this price include all three, but double-check before you buy.

The Best Chainsaws Under $100

These are the four saws I’d actually recommend to a homeowner working within a $100 budget. Each one has a clear use case — pick the one that matches your situation.

Oregon CS1500 18-Inch Electric Chainsaw — Best Overall

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The Oregon CS1500 is the best overall chainsaw under $100, and it’s not particularly close. A 15-amp motor on an 18-inch bar is legitimately powerful for a corded electric — this thing cuts through oak and pine without bogging down the way cheaper saws do. I’ve used it for bucking up fallen cottonwood on my property and it performed well beyond what I expected from a saw in this price range.

The real standout feature is the integrated PowerSharp self-sharpening system. You press a button, engage the sharpener for a few seconds while the chain is running, and you’re back to cutting sharp. No removing the chain, no filing by hand, no taking it to a shop. For a homeowner who doesn’t want to deal with chain maintenance, this alone makes the CS1500 worth choosing over the competition. Most budget saws have dull chains within a season of moderate use and owners never bother to sharpen them — the CS1500 solves that problem.

The downsides are real though. At 12.6 pounds it’s the heaviest saw on this list. The cord limits your range. And if you need to cut away from a power source, this won’t work. But for controlled yard work near your home, it’s the most capable saw under $100 I’ve found.

WEN 40417 16-Inch 40V Cordless Chainsaw — Best Battery Option

The WEN 40417 is the battery-powered saw I’d recommend if cord-free operation matters to you. A 40-volt system at this price is solid — most budget battery saws use smaller 20V platforms that run out of steam quickly. The 16-inch bar gives you real cutting capability, not just glorified pruning. WEN includes the battery and charger in the box, which is a big deal at this price point since some competitors sell the saw bare-tool and the battery costs almost as much as the saw itself.

Runtime is the honest limitation. Expect 20–30 minutes of active cutting per charge on a full battery. That’s enough for most single-session yard tasks — clearing brush, cutting up a downed limb, processing a small batch of firewood. It’s not enough for a full day of work. If you buy a second battery, you can swap and keep going, but now you’re spending more than $100 total.

The saw is well-balanced at around 10 pounds and handles comfortably. Chain tension is tool-less. Auto-oiler is included. For occasional cordless use, this is the pick.

Greenworks 40V 10-Inch Cordless Chainsaw — Best for Light Trimming

This is the right saw if your main jobs are pruning, limbing, and cutting small branches — not firewood or big logs. The 10-inch bar is short by design, and Greenworks built this saw to be light and maneuverable rather than powerful. At under 6 pounds it’s the easiest saw on this list to handle, especially overhead or in awkward positions in a tree canopy.

Greenworks has a solid reputation for their 40V battery platform, and if you already own other Greenworks 40V tools, this is an especially easy purchase — the batteries are interchangeable. That’s a real advantage when you’re trying to keep your tool budget in check.

Don’t buy this saw expecting to cut through a 12-inch log. It’ll work, but it’ll work slowly and you’ll stress the motor. Treat it as a pruning and limbing tool and it holds up well. Use it outside its range and you’ll be disappointed.

Sun Joe SWJ701E 14-Inch Electric Chainsaw — Best Corded Budget Pick

The Sun Joe SWJ701E is the most affordable corded saw on this list and a solid choice if you want something lighter than the Oregon CS1500 without giving up the reliability of a cord. At under 9 pounds with a 14-inch bar and a 14-amp motor, it’s a good middle-ground saw for homeowners who are cutting small logs and branches and want something easy to pick up and use.

Sun Joe saws are entry-level by design. The build quality isn’t as robust as the Oregon, and there’s no self-sharpening system — you’ll need to sharpen the chain manually or take it somewhere to get it done. The auto-oiler is present but less consistent in my experience than on the Oregon. That said, at its price point, the SWJ701E gets the job done for light cutting work and is a legitimate choice for someone who just needs an occasional-use saw and doesn’t want to spend close to $100.

Chain brake is included. The saw is simple to operate. For a first-time chainsaw buyer who wants something straightforward and affordable, this delivers.

Frequently Asked Questions

Are chainsaws under $100 any good?

For light homeowner use, yes. If you need to trim branches, cut up a fallen tree, or process a small amount of firewood, a $100 electric chainsaw handles that work reliably. What they won’t do well is fell large trees, handle extended heavy-use sessions, or compete with the durability of a $300+ professional saw. Set realistic expectations and match the saw to the job, and you’ll be satisfied.

What’s the difference between a corded and battery chainsaw at this price?

Corded saws give you consistent, unlimited power as long as you have an outlet nearby. Battery saws give you freedom to move but are limited by charge capacity — typically 20–40 minutes of cutting per battery at this price point. Corded saws tend to have more powerful motors for the dollar. Battery saws win on convenience and portability. If you have an outlet nearby, corded is the better value under $100.

What bar length do I need for cutting firewood?

For most homeowner firewood cutting, 14 to 16 inches covers you well. A 14-inch bar handles logs up to about 12 inches in diameter — more than enough for typical firewood rounds. A 16-inch bar gives you a little more room. You don’t need 18 inches unless you’re cutting particularly large-diameter wood. Bigger bar means heavier saw and more motor strain, so don’t go longer than your actual cutting needs require.

Can I use a $100 chainsaw to cut down a tree?

Small trees — say, less than 6 inches in diameter — yes. Anything significant, I’d say no. Felling trees requires power, control, and a saw that can handle the sustained load. Budget electric saws can bog down, overheat, or simply lack the bar length to make safe felling cuts on anything medium-sized or larger. Beyond the saw’s limitations, felling requires proper technique. If you’re cutting down a real tree, rent a bigger saw or hire someone.

How do I maintain a budget chainsaw so it lasts?

Three things matter most: keep the chain sharp, keep the chain tensioned correctly, and keep the bar oiled. A loose chain wears out fast and is dangerous. A dull chain strains the motor. Low bar oil accelerates wear on both the chain and bar. Check oil before every use, adjust chain tension regularly, and sharpen the chain when you notice it stops pulling itself through cuts. These habits will double the life of a budget saw.

Is an electric chainsaw safe for beginners?

Yes — electric saws are generally a better starting point than gas. They’re simpler to start, lighter to handle, and don’t require fuel mixing. That said, a chainsaw is a chainsaw. Chain brake and kickback guard are still essential, and proper technique still matters. Wear chainsaw chaps, eye protection, gloves, and a helmet. Never cut above shoulder height or with the tip of the bar. The saw being electric doesn’t eliminate the risks of kickback.

Do I need a chain sharpener if I buy a budget chainsaw?

If you buy the Oregon CS1500, the integrated PowerSharp system handles sharpening for you — that’s one of the main reasons it’s my top pick. For every other saw on this list, yes, you’ll want a way to sharpen the chain. A basic round file and depth gauge is the cheapest option and works well once you learn the technique. A handheld electric sharpener is faster and easier for beginners. A dull chain is dangerous and hard on the motor — don’t skip this.

What’s the best chainsaw under $100 for occasional yard work?

The Oregon CS1500 is my top pick for most people doing occasional yard work. The self-sharpening system means less maintenance hassle, the 15-amp motor handles a wide range of tasks, and the 18-inch bar gives you real cutting capacity. If you need cordless, the WEN 40417 is the battery pick. If you’re only pruning and trimming, the Greenworks 40V 10-inch is lighter and easier to handle. But for all-around occasional yard work, the CS1500 is the best value on this list.

My Final Take

If you’re a homeowner who needs a saw for occasional cleanup, light firewood, or managing fallen limbs, a $100 chainsaw is a legitimate tool — not a compromise. The Oregon CS1500 is the one I’d buy first. The self-sharpening system alone sets it apart from everything else at this price, and the 15-amp motor gives you real cutting power. It’s corded, which limits mobility, but for most homeowner tasks that’s not a meaningful constraint.

If you need to go cordless, the WEN 40417 is the battery pick. If you’re mostly pruning, the Greenworks 40V 10-inch keeps things light and simple.

Where should you spend more? If you’re felling trees, processing serious firewood quantities, or running the saw regularly through a season, step up to the $150–$250 range. A better saw will last longer and work safer under that kind of load. But for occasional homeowner use, these picks hold up — and they won’t hurt your wallet while you figure out what you actually need.

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