A 24-inch gas saw is too much chainsaw for most homeowners. We tested 7 chainsaws with bars under 20 inches for storm cleanup, firewood bucking, and light limbing. Here are the 3 that fit the job.
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The chainsaw a homeowner actually uses is rarely the 24" gas saw at the top of the shelf. It is a lighter, quieter saw with a bar under 20 inches that can handle storm cleanup, a cord or two of firewood, and the occasional limb without becoming a weekend project of its own. We spent 60 hours with 7 chainsaws across cleanup, bucking, and limbing work, and the 3 picks below are the ones that match what a homeowner actually does with a chainsaw.
How We Tested
We cut 200+ logs across oak, maple, and pine rounds ranging from 4" to 18" in diameter. We logged cuts per tank or battery, start reliability (first-pull or first-press), chain tensioning time, weight after 30 minutes of use, and how often each saw bound up in pinched cuts. We ran each gas saw on fresh 91-octane with proper 2-cycle mix. All units bought retail.
Real-World Use Case
Late October storm drops a 14" diameter maple limb across a homeowner's driveway. That is 6-8 bucking cuts to break it into manageable pieces, plus limb removal on the top. A homeowner does this job once or twice a year. The saw that starts on the first pull (or the first battery press), bucks the limb in 20 minutes, and goes back in the shed without a fuel-stabilizer ceremony is the right saw. A 24" pro saw can do the job in 5 minutes, but it sits unused for the other 364 days of the year. Match the saw to how often you actually use it.
#1: Greenworks 80V 18" -- Best Overall for Homeowners
This is the chainsaw we recommend to every suburban homeowner who wants a saw in the shed "just in case." The 80V brushless motor delivers enough cut speed to buck 12-14" diameter logs without bogging. Cut-for-cut, it is slower than a 50cc gas saw -- but the trade-off is it starts every single time with a trigger press. No choke, no primer bulb, no pull cord, no fuel stabilizer in October, no ruined carburetor in March.
For the seasonal homeowner -- the person who uses a chainsaw 3-5 times a year for storm cleanup and limb work -- that reliability is worth more than cut speed. The 18" bar handles anything short of a hardwood felling job. Tool-less chain tensioning means the first-time user can adjust the chain without hunting for a scrench. Auto-oiler with a see-through reservoir eliminates the "did I fill the oil?" guesswork.
#2: Echo CS-590 Timber Wolf 20" -- Best Budget
For homeowners who actually heat with wood or own acreage, the Echo CS-590 is the saw that punches far above its price. A 59.8cc engine is professional-grade displacement at a homeowner price point. Echo's 5-year consumer warranty is the longest in the category and signals real confidence in the engine -- most gas saws offer 1 or 2 years.
The CS-590 ships with a 20" bar but runs an 18" bar more comfortably, which keeps it in the homeowner range. We bucked a full cord of oak in about 90 minutes with it and the saw never fell off power. At 13.2 lbs bare, it is heavier than the battery saws -- so it earns its keep on big jobs, not quick limb trimming. Parts and service are available at every Echo dealer, which matters for a gas engine you want to run for 15 years.
#3: Milwaukee M18 FUEL 16" -- Best Premium
The Milwaukee M18 FUEL is a homeowner chainsaw only if you already own M18 batteries. The math changes completely when the battery is a sunk cost -- suddenly a $349 saw is the cheapest way to add chainsaw capability to a garage that already runs M18 drills and impact drivers.
Cut performance is real -- we measured cut speeds within 10% of a 40cc gas saw, and the POWERSTATE brushless motor delivers about 150 cuts per charge on a 12Ah HO battery. The 16" bar is the limiting factor: it handles logs up to 14" in diameter comfortably but is not meant for felling a tree over 12" at the trunk. For storm cleanup and limb work on a suburban lot, it is ideal. For felling a dying oak, step up to the Echo or a 20" gas saw.
How to Choose a Chainsaw for Homeowner Work
Match the bar to the tree you cut. The rule of thumb: bar length = diameter of the biggest log you cut + 2 inches of clearance. A 16" bar handles 12" logs cleanly. An 18" bar handles 14" logs. A 20" bar handles 16" logs -- which covers 90% of suburban cleanup work. Anything bigger and a homeowner is better off renting a pro saw or hiring an arborist.
Gas vs battery: how often do you use it? If you cut firewood monthly, gas. If you cut quarterly or after storms, battery. The failure mode of gas saws is carburetor gum from sitting with stale fuel -- which is exactly what happens on a saw used 3 times a year. Battery saws have no such failure mode. For more on the tradeoffs, see our full chainsaw roundup.
Safety features are not optional. Every saw in this article has a chain brake, front handle trigger lockout, and a low-kickback chain. Do not buy a chainsaw without all three. Add chaps, a helmet with face shield, and steel-toe boots -- total cost around its current retailer price -- before first use. Chainsaw injuries are the most severe of any power tool, and most happen to homeowners on the first 3 jobs.
For most homeowners, the Greenworks 80V 18" is the practical pick: solid build, fair price, and enough cutting capacity for typical storm cleanup, pruning, and light firewood work.
FAQ
How big a tree can I fell with a sub-20-inch bar?
A 16-18" bar can fell a tree up to about 14" at the trunk if you notch and bore-cut properly. Anything bigger, you are cutting from both sides, which is dangerous for a homeowner. For trees over 14" at the trunk, hire an arborist or rent a pro saw with proper training.
How long does a battery chainsaw last per charge?
On a 5-6Ah battery, expect 50-80 cuts through 8-10" softwood, or 30-40 cuts through 10-12" hardwood. A 12Ah HO battery (Milwaukee) roughly doubles that. For any job bigger than storm cleanup of one limb, bring two batteries.
Do I need to mix fuel for a gas chainsaw?
Yes. All homeowner gas chainsaws run a 50:1 gasoline-to-2-cycle-oil mix. The easiest path is pre-mixed ethanol-free fuel in cans (TruFuel or Stihl MotoMix, $8/quart) -- it stores for 2+ years without gumming the carb. Regular pump gas mixed at home goes bad in 30-60 days.
How often do I sharpen the chain?
A chain needs sharpening every 4-6 tanks of fuel, or anytime the saw starts producing sawdust instead of chips. A dull chain is the #1 cause of homeowner chainsaw frustration -- it makes every cut 3x slower and puts the user at risk of pushing too hard. A $25 sharpening kit or a 2-pack of spare chains solves this forever.
