The 6 Best Chainsaws Under $100

Let me save you some time right up front: you’re not going to find a gas-powered chainsaw worth buying for under $100. Gas saws have real engines, carburetors, and enough moving parts that even the cheapest ones start around $150 — and those are saws I’d skip anyway.

What you can find in this price range are corded electric and entry-level cordless chainsaws that are genuinely useful for the kind of work most homeowners actually do — trimming branches, cutting up a downed limb, clearing brush, maybe splitting some smaller firewood rounds.

I’ve used a lot of these saws on my Montana property. Not every one of them is a keeper, but a handful stand out as honest tools that do exactly what they’re supposed to do. Below are the six best I’d actually recommend.

If you’re planning heavier work — felling trees, cutting firewood all season — check out our guide to the best chainsaws for homeowners for options with more muscle.

Product	Best For	Bar Length	Power Type
Worx WG322 20V	Best Overall Cordless	10 in.	Cordless 20V
Oregon CS1500 15-Amp	Best Corded for Power	18 in.	Corded Electric
Greenworks 24V 10-Inch	Best for Small Jobs	10 in.	Cordless 24V
Remington RM1425	Best Budget Corded Pick	14 in.	Corded Electric
BLACK+DECKER 18-Inch	Best for Occasional Use	18 in.	Corded Electric
Greenworks 40V	Best Step-Up Option	12 in.	Cordless 40V

What to Look For in a Chainsaw Under $100

Most of the confusion I see with first-time buyers in this category comes from not knowing what $100 actually buys. Here’s what matters and what doesn’t at this price point.

Corded Electric vs. Cordless at This Price Point

This is the trade-off most beginners miss. Corded electric saws are almost always more powerful dollar-for-dollar. Plug it in and it runs at full power until you unplug it — no battery drain, no fade mid-cut. The downside is obvious: you need an outlet within extension cord range.

Cordless saws at this price run on 20V or 24V batteries, which is enough for light pruning and trimming. You won’t get the same cutting torque as a corded model, and runtime is limited — usually 20 to 40 minutes of actual cutting on a charge. But if you’re working away from an outlet or just value the freedom, entry-level cordless gets the job done for smaller tasks.

My honest take: if you have an outlet nearby, go corded. If you’re trimming out back or up in a tree, cordless is worth the trade-off. For more options on the plug-in side, take a look at our roundup of the best electric chainsaws — it covers models at several price points.

Bar Length for Light Yard Work

Every saw on this list falls between 10 and 18 inches of bar length, and that’s actually the right range for most homeowners. A 10-inch bar handles branches up to about 8 inches in diameter. A 14- to 16-inch bar covers most limb cleanup and small log cutting. An 18-inch bar pushes it for light-duty saws — the motor has to work harder — but it’s manageable for soft or green wood.

Don’t get hung up on wanting the longest bar at this price. A shorter bar on a capable motor cuts better than a long bar on an underpowered one. If you want the full breakdown on sizing, our guide on how to choose chainsaw bar length covers it thoroughly.

Safety Features That Matter Even on Budget Saws

Don’t let “budget” make you compromise on safety. Every saw on this list has a chain brake — that’s the hand guard that stops the chain instantly if kickback occurs. That feature alone has prevented a lot of serious injuries, and I won’t recommend a saw without it.

Also look for a low-kickback chain (standard on most of these), a chain catcher below the bar, and a two-step trigger that requires you to squeeze a safety interlock before the chain spins. These aren’t premium features — they’re minimum requirements.

The 6 Best Chainsaws Under $100

1. Worx WG322 20V Cordless Chainsaw — Best Overall Cordless

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The Worx WG322 is the cordless saw I’d hand to a first-time buyer without hesitation. It runs on a 20V PowerShare battery — the same platform Worx uses across their whole tool lineup — so if you already own Worx tools, you may already have a compatible battery sitting in a drawer.

The 10-inch bar is short enough to keep handling easy and long enough for branches up to 8 or 9 inches across. What I appreciate most is the auto-tension system. Keeping chain tension right is one of those maintenance habits beginners often skip, and Worx built in a tool-free tensioner that makes it genuinely easy to check and adjust. That’s a smart feature on a beginner-targeted saw.

It’s not a powerhouse. Thick hardwood logs will bog it down. But for spring cleanup, trimming ornamental trees, or cutting up a small downed limb, it does exactly what you need.

2. Oregon CS1500 18-Inch 15-Amp — Best Corded for Power

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Oregon makes professional chainsaw chains and bars for a living — so when they built a consumer electric saw, they actually understood what makes a chain perform. The CS1500 comes with their PowerSharp self-sharpening system built right into the bar cover. You sharpen the chain in about three seconds without removing it. That alone is worth the price of admission for someone who’s never sharpened a chain before.

At 15 amps with an 18-inch bar, this is one of the most capable corded saws you’ll find under $100. It cuts through logs that would stall lesser saws, and the rubberized grip and side handle make it comfortable even on longer sessions.

You do need an extension cord and an outlet. That’s the only real limitation. For backyard cleanup and cutting firewood rounds from already-felled trees, this is probably the best pure cutting tool on this list.

3. Greenworks 24V 10-Inch — Best for Small Jobs and Portability

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If your main jobs are pruning fruit trees, cleaning up brush, or cutting branches under 6 inches across, the Greenworks 24V is hard to beat for the price. It’s light, starts instantly, and fits the Greenworks 24V battery platform if you’re already in that ecosystem.

The 10-inch bar keeps it compact and easy to control — especially overhead. I’ve used similar saws for limbing and they’re much easier to handle at that bar length than anything bigger. The auto-oiling system keeps the chain lubricated without having to think about it, which is a plus for new users.

Just be realistic about limitations. This isn’t a saw for anything thicker than your wrist. It’s a yard trimming tool, not a log-cutting machine. Use it for what it’s designed for and it’ll hold up fine.

4. Remington RM1425 — Best Budget Corded Pick

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The Remington RM1425 is an older design, but it earns its place on this list because it’s reliable, affordable, and handles a wider range of work than most saws at this price. The 8-amp motor paired with a 14-inch bar is a solid balance — enough bar to cut medium-diameter limbs without overtaxing the motor like you’d see with an underpowered 18-inch model.

Setup is easy, the chain tensioning is tool-free, and it has all the safety features you’d expect: chain brake, trigger safety, and hand guard. This is the saw I’d recommend to someone who wants a simple, no-fuss corded option for occasional cleanup without spending extra on bells and whistles.

It won’t impress you with raw power, but it won’t disappoint you on the jobs it’s built for either.

5. BLACK+DECKER 18-Inch — Best for Occasional Use

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BLACK+DECKER makes reliable entry-level tools, and their 18-inch corded chainsaw fits the same mold. It’s not trying to be anything it isn’t — a low-cost corded saw for homeowners who need to cut once or twice a season and don’t want to spend more than they have to.

The 18-inch bar gives you reach on bigger logs, but keep in mind the motor is modest. This saw works best on softer wood, green wood, or limbs rather than dense dry hardwood. Chain oiling is automatic, which reduces one variable for new users.

For someone who needs a reliable saw to clear storm debris or trim back an overgrown property line a few times a year, this checks every box. If you plan to use a chainsaw weekly, step up to something with more motor.

6. Greenworks 40V — Best Step-Up Option

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The Greenworks 40V sits at the top of this list’s price range and earns it. Forty volts of battery power gets you noticeably closer to the feel of a corded saw than the 20V or 24V options — more torque, less bogging down in thicker cuts, and better sustained performance over a full charge.

If you’re already in the Greenworks 40V ecosystem — mower, trimmer, blower — the battery compatibility alone makes this a strong pick. The 12-inch bar keeps it manageable, and the automatic oiler and tool-free tensioning make maintenance painless.

This is the one I’d recommend if you’re right at the $100 ceiling and want the most capable cordless option available. It bridges the gap between entry-level and serious homeowner tools. If you find yourself wanting even more performance after a season, take a look at our roundup of the best chainsaws under $200 for the next step up.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can a chainsaw under $100 actually handle real yard work?

Yes — with the right expectations. These saws handle branches, small logs, limb cleanup, and storm debris without any issues. Where they fall short is felling trees, cutting seasoned hardwood all day, or any sustained heavy-duty work. For occasional homeowner tasks, they’re completely capable tools.

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

Corded electric saws give you consistent, full power as long as they’re plugged in — no battery drain, no fade. Cordless saws give you freedom to move anywhere but run on limited battery life and deliver less torque than a comparable corded model. At this price, corded edges out cordless on raw cutting ability. Cordless wins on convenience and portability.

Are battery-powered chainsaws as powerful as corded electric models?

Not quite, especially at this price point. A 15-amp corded saw pushes significantly more power than a 20V cordless model. Higher-voltage cordless saws — like the 40V Greenworks — close the gap considerably, but corded still wins head-to-head for sustained cutting power. If you need maximum performance from a plug-in saw, corded is the right call.

What size bar do I need for cutting firewood or trimming branches?

For branch trimming and general cleanup, a 10- to 14-inch bar covers the majority of jobs. For cutting firewood rounds from already-felled trees, a 14- to 18-inch bar gives you more reach. The key is matching the bar to your motor — a short bar on a capable motor will outperform a long bar on an underpowered one every time.

Is it safe to buy a cheap chainsaw?

Yes, as long as it has the right safety features: a chain brake, a low-kickback chain, and a two-step safety trigger. Every saw on this list has those. Budget price doesn’t mean unsafe — it means fewer premium features and less power. Handle any chainsaw with full respect and proper technique regardless of what it cost.

Do any chainsaws under $100 come with a battery included?

Some do, some don’t — you have to check the specific listing. The Worx WG322 is frequently sold as a kit with battery and charger included, but it also comes in tool-only configurations. The Greenworks models vary by bundle. Always read the product title and bullet points carefully before buying to confirm what’s in the box.

How long do cheap chainsaw chains last before they need sharpening?

That depends almost entirely on what you’re cutting and how often you hit dirt or rocks. Under normal use — clean wood, no ground contact — a chain can stay sharp through several hours of cutting. Hitting the ground once can dull a chain immediately. Budget saws use standard chains that you can sharpen with a basic round file or replace cheaply. The Oregon CS1500’s self-sharpening system solves this problem automatically.

Should I spend more and get a better chainsaw instead?

If you’re planning to use a chainsaw more than a few times a year, honestly — yes. A $150 to $200 saw gives you meaningfully more power, better build quality, and longer service life. The saws on this list are solid for occasional use, but they’re not built for regular heavy work. If you’re on the fence, our guide to the best chainsaws under $200 shows you what a little more budget unlocks.

My Pick for Most Homeowners

If you’re buying one saw from this list, get the Worx WG322. It’s cordless so you’re not tethered to an outlet, the auto-tension feature makes it genuinely beginner-friendly, and the 20V PowerShare platform means your battery works across Worx’s entire tool lineup. For light yard work — trimming, cleanup, small limbs — it’s the most practical all-around pick at this price.

If you need more raw cutting power and you have an outlet handy, the Oregon CS1500 is the better saw. That self-sharpening chain system alone makes it worth considering.

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