How Much Does a Chainsaw Cost?

Updated on July 22, 2026 | Written by Alec Pow
This article was researched using 7 sources. See our methodology and corrections policy.

A chainsaw usually costs about $80 to $250 for a small corded or compact battery model, $200 to $500 for a capable homeowner battery or gas chainsaw, and $500 to $1,500 or more for farm, ranch, arborist, or professional forestry equipment. A battery and charger can add $100 to $400+ when they are not included.

The saw’s sticker price is only part of the budget. A first-time buyer may also need chainsaw chaps, head and hearing protection, gloves, boots, bar oil, fuel supplies, files, wedges, and spare chains. A $220 chainsaw can become a $450 to $700 initial setup once safe operating equipment and supplies are included.

Choose the tool according to the job, not simply the longest guide bar or strongest advertised motor. Small pruning, storm cleanup, firewood cutting, farm maintenance, elevated branches, and professional tree work require different machines. Hazardous trees near homes, roads, utility lines, or neighboring property should be handled by a qualified tree professional.

Article Highlights

• Small corded and compact battery saws generally cost $80 to $250 (at $30 per hour, earning that amount would take about 0.3 to 1 full-time workdays, before taxes).
• Capable homeowner battery and gas chainsaws usually cost $200 to $500.
• Farm, ranch, arborist, and professional saws often cost $500 to $1,500+.
• A tool-only battery chainsaw may need another $100 to $400+ for a battery and charger.
• Basic protective equipment and supplies can add $200 to $450+.
• Replacement chains commonly cost $18 to $60+, depending on size and specification.
• Renting can cost about $40 to $100+ per day for a one-time project.

How Much Does a Chainsaw Cost?

Chainsaw type	Typical price	Best suited to
Mini pruning saw	$60 to $180 (about 2 to 6 hours of work at $30 per hour)	Small limbs, shrubs, and light pruning
Corded electric chainsaw	$70 to $180	Light yard work close to an outlet
Compact cordless kit	$150 to $350	Pruning, cleanup, and occasional small logs
Full-size cordless kit	$250 to $600	Firewood, storm cleanup, and regular property maintenance
Homeowner gas chainsaw	$180 to $350	Firewood and occasional tree work
Farm and ranch gas chainsaw	$400 to $750	Frequent firewood and land maintenance
Professional gas chainsaw	$700 to $1,500+	Logging, forestry, and daily commercial work
Top-handle arborist saw	$400 to $1,000+	Professional in-tree work by trained arborists
Pole saw or pole pruner	$150 to $700+	Elevated branches cut from the ground

STIHL’s current chainsaw catalog separates products for homeowners, firewood cutting, farm and ranch use, arborists, and professional forestry. Its current chainsaw lineup includes homeowner gas models around the mid-$200 range and professional products far above that level.

Retail pricing also shows why battery kits must be separated from tool-only saws. Home Depot currently lists a 12-inch RIDGID tool-only chainsaw at $189 and a kit with battery and charger at $269. Its 12-inch cordless chainsaw listings also include professional top-handle models costing substantially more.

Corded Chainsaw Costs

Corded electric chainsaws are usually the least expensive full-size option. Many cost between $70 and $180 (about 2.3 to 6 hours of work at $30 per hour), with guide bars commonly ranging from 10 to 18 inches.

They are relatively quiet, need little engine maintenance, and start without fuel mixing or battery charging. Their main limitation is the power cord. The user must remain near an outlet, use a properly rated outdoor extension cord, and avoid cutting the cord.

A corded model can be economical for pruning, cutting small logs, and occasional firewood work on a compact property. It is less practical for storm cleanup across a large yard, orchard maintenance, or remote woodland work.

Battery Chainsaw Costs

Battery chainsaws now range from compact pruning tools to professional machines. A small homeowner kit may cost $150 to $350, while a powerful full-size kit commonly costs $250 to $600. Professional battery systems can exceed $1,000 after the saw, high-capacity battery, and charger are combined.

Home Depot currently lists a Milwaukee 16-inch battery chainsaw kit at $449. Its current product listing includes a large-capacity battery and rapid charger, which explains much of the price.

Tool-only prices can be misleading. Consider this example:

• Tool-only chainsaw: $180
• Suitable battery: $180
• Charger: $70

The complete working cost is $430. A kit advertised at $329 would be cheaper even though its headline price appears higher.

Battery chainsaws make the most financial sense when the buyer already owns compatible batteries from the same platform. Battery voltage alone does not reveal cutting performance or runtime. Capacity, motor design, chain speed, wood type, temperature, and cutting technique also matter.

Gas Chainsaw Costs

Entry homeowner gas chainsaws typically cost $180 to $350. Farm and ranch models commonly cost $400 to $750, while professional forestry saws range from roughly $700 to $1,500+.

A current 16-inch Troy-Bilt gas saw is listed around $210, while the broader 20-inch gas category at Home Depot ranges from approximately $100 to $700. See the retailer’s current 20-inch gas chainsaw listings.

Gas models offer strong sustained output and fast refueling, which suits firewood, farm, and forestry work. Ownership also involves gasoline, two-cycle oil, air filters, spark plugs, fuel filters, carburetor service, and seasonal storage preparation.

A lightly used homeowner saw may consume only $25 to $45 per year in mixed fuel and bar oil. Heavy firewood use can cost several times more. Neglected fuel can lead to carburetor or fuel-system service costing approximately $75 to $200+.

Bar Length and Price

Bar length affects cutting capacity, but it does not determine the chainsaw’s price by itself. A professional 12-inch top-handle arborist saw can cost much more than a basic 18-inch homeowner model.

General planning categories include:

• 6 to 10 inches: pruning saws and compact cleanup tools
• 10 to 14 inches: small branches, light yard work, and small logs
• 14 to 18 inches: common homeowner firewood and property maintenance
• 18 to 20 inches: larger logs and frequent farm or firewood work
• 20 inches and above: larger timber and specialized professional use

A 16-inch bar does not automatically make a saw suitable for safely felling a large tree. Engine or motor output, tree diameter, lean, decay, wind, nearby structures, utility lines, escape routes, and operator training all matter.

Prices by Brand

Popular gas chainsaw brands include STIHL, Husqvarna, Echo, Shindaiwa, and selected consumer brands such as Poulan Pro. Battery and corded options are sold by EGO, Greenworks, DEWALT, Milwaukee, Ryobi, Makita, STIHL, Husqvarna, Toro, Kobalt, and Black+Decker.

DEWALT and Black+Decker should not be described as major gasoline chainsaw brands. Their chainsaw products are primarily battery or corded.

Brand affects dealer support, parts availability, warranty service, battery compatibility, durability, and resale value. A cheaper saw can become more expensive if replacement chains, bars, batteries, or service are difficult to obtain locally.

Safety Equipment Costs

The chainsaw should not be priced without protective equipment. OSHA says proper protection includes hand, foot, leg, eye, face, hearing, and head protection. Its chainsaw safety guidance also emphasizes correct handling, chain-brake use, stable footing, and avoiding contact with the guide-bar tip.

Safety or operating item	Typical cost
Chainsaw chaps or protective pants	$70 to $180
Helmet with face and hearing protection	$40 to $150
Safety glasses	$10 to $30
Work or cut-resistant gloves	$15 to $50
Protective boots	$80 to $250+
Bar and chain oil	$8 to $20
Fuel can and two-cycle supplies	$20 to $60
Manual sharpening kit	$15 to $45
Wedges and felling tools	$15 to $60+

A first-time buyer purchasing a $299 gas saw, approximately $225 in PPE and supplies, and $35 in fuel equipment spends about $559 before the first cut.

Replacement Chain Costs

Replacement chains commonly cost:

• Compact 6- to 10-inch chain: $10 to $25
• Common 12- to 18-inch chain: $18 to $40
• 20- to 24-inch or specialty chain: $25 to $60+
• Carbide or professional specialty chain: potentially more

The chain must match the guide bar’s pitch, gauge, and drive-link count. Bar length alone is not enough to select the correct replacement.

Sharpening Costs

A simple round file costs approximately $5 to $15. Manual filing kits generally cost $15 to $40, guide-mounted systems cost $25 to $70, and electric bench grinders can cost $50 to $250+.

A shop may charge about $8 to $20 per chain for sharpening. Frequent users can save by learning correct filing technique, but uneven angles or excessive material removal can reduce cutting quality and chain life.

Other Ownership Costs

Common chainsaw ownership expenses include:

• Guide bar: $30 to $120+
• Drive sprocket: $20 to $80+
• Air filter: $10 to $35
• Spark plug: $5 to $15
• Battery replacement: $100 to $400+
• Professional tuneup: $75 to $200+
• Carburetor or fuel repair: $75 to $250+

Battery models avoid carburetor and fuel-system repairs but may require an expensive replacement battery after years of use. Gas models usually cost less to refuel immediately but require more ongoing maintenance.

True First-Year Cost

Compact battery setup bought separately:

• Tool-only chainsaw: $179
• Battery: $159
• Charger: $69
• PPE and supplies: $225

First-year total: $632

Battery kit:

• Saw, battery, and charger kit: $269
• PPE and supplies: $225

First-year total: $494

Homeowner gas setup:

• Gas chainsaw: $299
• PPE and supplies: $225
• Fuel can, mix oil, and initial fuel: $35

First-year total: $559

The tool with the lowest shelf price is not necessarily the cheapest complete setup.

Renting vs Buying

Renting can be economical for a one-time storm cleanup or firewood project. A homeowner chainsaw may cost about $40 to $70 per day to rent, while a larger gas saw can cost $60 to $100+ per day.

Fuel, chain wear, sharpening, PPE, damage deposits, and late-return charges may be separate. A novice should not rent a larger or more powerful saw simply because it is available.

Buying generally makes more sense when the saw will be used several times per year and the owner can maintain it correctly. Renting may be better when storage is limited, the need is temporary, or the buyer is unsure which model fits the work.

Pole Saw or Standard Chainsaw?

A conventional chainsaw should not be raised overhead or operated from an unstable ladder. A pole saw is designed to cut elevated branches while the operator remains on the ground.

STIHL currently lists pole pruners from battery homeowner models to gas professional equipment. Its pole-pruner lineup includes models around the mid-$300 range and a gas HT 56 C-E at $489.99.

Branches near power lines, over buildings, or under severe tension should be handled by a qualified arborist rather than treated as an ordinary pole-saw project.

When to Hire a Professional

Tree work should be outsourced when the tree is leaning toward a structure, damaged by a storm, hollow or decayed, close to power lines, too large for the available drop zone, or positioned where an error could injure another person.

Buying a chainsaw to avoid a professional bill can create a much larger loss if the tree hits a roof, fence, vehicle, utility line, or neighboring property.

Ground-level vegetation may be better handled as a brush-removal project. A valuable or healthy tree may be preserved, although the cost of transplanting a tree can exceed the price of removal.

California Gas Equipment Rules

California buyers may encounter fewer newly manufactured gas-powered outdoor tools. STIHL states that most gas outdoor equipment manufactured after January 1, 2026 cannot be sold in California, while older equipment can still be used and certain products may be exempt. See the company’s California equipment guidance.

Availability depends on the exact product and dealer. Battery saws may therefore be more prominent in that market.

How to Choose the Right Saw

Choose a corded model if: the work is light, close to an outlet, and infrequent.

Choose a battery model if: low noise, easy starting, minimal maintenance, and use within an existing battery platform matter.

Choose a gas model if: the work is frequent, remote, demanding, and requires fast refueling or sustained output.

Choose a pole saw if: branches are elevated but safely reachable from the ground.

Hire a professional if: the tree threatens a building, road, utility line, neighbor, or safe escape route.

Buying Too Much Saw

A larger saw is heavier, more tiring, and more difficult to control. It may also use more fuel, require more expensive chains and bars, and create greater kickback forces.

A heavy professional forestry saw can be a poor choice for occasional pruning. A compact battery saw can be ideal for small property cleanup but inefficient for full-day firewood work.

The correct purchase minimizes total cost while matching the work safely. More power and a longer bar are not automatically better value.

What We Verified

• Checked: Current homeowner gas chainsaws can start in the mid-$200 range.
• Confirmed: Current 12-inch cordless saws show a clear price difference between tool-only and full kits.
• Cross-referenced: A current Milwaukee 16-inch battery kit is listed at $449.
• Verified: OSHA guidance calls for protection for the head, hearing, eyes, face, hands, legs, and feet.
• Checked: Current pole-pruner prices include battery sets around $350 and gas models around $490.
• Confirmed: Most gas outdoor equipment manufactured after January 1, 2026 cannot be sold in California, subject to stated exceptions.

Answers to Common Questions

How much does a good chainsaw cost?

A capable homeowner chainsaw usually costs about $200 to $500. Professional farm, arborist, and forestry models commonly cost $500 to $1,500+.

Are battery chainsaws cheaper than gas chainsaws?

Sometimes. A tool-only battery saw may look inexpensive but require a costly battery and charger. Buyers who already own compatible batteries often receive the best value.

How much does chainsaw safety gear cost?

A basic set of chaps, head and hearing protection, glasses, gloves, and suitable boots can cost approximately $200 to $450+.

How much does a replacement chainsaw chain cost?

Most common chains cost about $18 to $40. Long, professional, carbide, and specialty chains can cost $60 or more.

What size chainsaw should a homeowner buy?

Many homeowners use a 12- to 18-inch model, but the correct size depends on branch and log diameter, power, weight, experience, and the specific job.

Is a 16-inch chainsaw large enough to cut down a tree?

It may cut some small trees, but bar length does not determine whether felling is safe. Tree lean, decay, wind, nearby structures, utility lines, and operator training are more important.

Should I rent or buy a chainsaw?

Renting can cost about $40 to $100+ per day and may suit one project. Buying is generally more economical for repeated use.

Can I use a chainsaw to cut high branches?

Do not raise a conventional chainsaw overhead or use it from an unstable ladder. Use an appropriate pole saw from the ground or hire an arborist.