Chainsaws for storm cleanup (2026)
After a storm, most of the work is cutting fallen limbs and small trees off driveways, fences and lawns. This page compares chainsaws for that job, from an 8-inch pruning saw to a 20-inch gas saw, on power source, bar length, weight and whether the battery and charger are in the box. Every spec is from the maker's page, read on the date in each card's notes; we haven't used these ourselves. A chainsaw is the most dangerous tool most homeowners own: read the safety box before you buy.
By Tom Calder · Updated November 9, 2026 · 9 products, all price-tracked
Our picks
Photo: AmazonHusqvarna Power Axe 350i
Storm cleanup with a stated brake
as of Nov 9, 2026, 11:40 AM ET · Details
Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon.com at the time of purchase will apply to the purchase of this product.
Photo: AmazonMilwaukee HATCHET 8-inch
Limbs and small trees up to 7.5 in
as of Nov 9, 2026, 11:40 AM ET · Details
Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon.com at the time of purchase will apply to the purchase of this product.
Photo: AmazonHusqvarna 450 Rancher
Long jobs and big trunks without a battery
as of Nov 9, 2026, 11:40 AM ET · Details
Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon.com at the time of purchase will apply to the purchase of this product.All 9 compared
| Chainsaw | Power | Bar | Weight (maker) | In the box | Price |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
1. Husqvarna Power Axe 350i 18-inch Battery Chainsaw Kit with Battery and Charger Best battery chainsaw for storm cleanup 40V battery · 18 in · 7.72 lb without battery, bar and chain · Battery + charger included Storm cleanup with a stated brake | 40V battery | 18 in | 7.72 lb without battery, bar and chain | Battery + charger included | $479.99 at Amazon as of Nov 9, 2026, 11:40 AM ET · DetailsProduct prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon.com at the time of purchase will apply to the purchase of this product.In stockCheck price → |
Our verdictOur verdictResearched An 18-inch battery saw whose maker page states a chain brake with indicator, an automatic oil pump and tool-free chain adjustment. Husqvarna lists 7.72 lb before the battery, bar and chain. Best for Storm cleanup with a stated brake Good
Worth knowing
Who shouldn't buy it: Don't buy it if you want a saw that takes batteries from a tool system you already own. | |||||
 56V battery · 18 in · Battery + charger included Larger limbs and storm-felled trees | 56V battery | 18 in | — | Battery + charger included | $449 at Amazon as of Nov 9, 2026, 11:40 AM ET · DetailsProduct prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon.com at the time of purchase will apply to the purchase of this product.In stockCheck price → |
Our verdictOur verdictResearched An 18-inch 56V saw sold as a kit with battery and charger. EGO states tool-free chain tensioning on its 18-inch family page; its page does not state a chain brake or weight, so check the label before buying. Best for Larger limbs and storm-felled trees Good
Worth knowing
Who shouldn't buy it: Don't buy it if you want to confirm the kit battery size on the maker page before ordering. | |||||
 56V battery · 16 in · 4.0Ah battery + charger included Storm limbs and small trees | 56V battery | 16 in | — | 4.0Ah battery + charger included | $329 at Amazon as of Nov 9, 2026, 11:40 AM ET · DetailsProduct prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon.com at the time of purchase will apply to the purchase of this product.In stockCheck price → |
Our verdictOur verdictResearched A 16-inch 56V saw with a kickback brake, automatic oiling and tool-free tensioning, all stated on EGO's page. The CS1613 kit adds a 4.0Ah battery and charger. Best for Storm limbs and small trees Good
Worth knowing
Who shouldn't buy it: Don't buy it if you need a bar longer than 16 inches for trunks. | |||||
 M18 battery (18V) · 16 in · Tool only M18 owners who already have batteries | M18 battery (18V) | 16 in | — | Tool only | $299 at Amazon as of Nov 9, 2026, 11:40 AM ET · DetailsProduct prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon.com at the time of purchase will apply to the purchase of this product.In stockCheck price → |
Our verdictOur verdictResearched A tool-only 16-inch saw for people already on Milwaukee's M18 battery system. Milwaukee states an automatic oiler; the page does not state a brake or weight. Best for M18 owners who already have batteries Good
Worth knowing
Who shouldn't buy it: Don't buy it if you do not already own M18 batteries and a charger. | |||||
 40V battery · 16 in · 9.28 lb (maker) · 4.0Ah battery + charger included Yard storm cleanup on a budget | 40V battery | 16 in | 9.28 lb (maker) | 4.0Ah battery + charger included | $249.99 at Amazon as of Nov 9, 2026, 11:40 AM ET · DetailsProduct prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon.com at the time of purchase will apply to the purchase of this product.In stockCheck price → |
Our verdictOur verdictResearched A 16-inch 40V brushless saw with a 4.0Ah battery, charger and scabbard. Greenworks lists an electronic chain brake, an auto oiler and tool-free tensioning. Best for Yard storm cleanup on a budget Good
Worth knowing
Who shouldn't buy it: Don't buy it if you expect to cut a lot of large trunks in one session. | |||||
 80V battery · 18 in · 9.5 lb (maker) · 4.0Ah battery + charger included Bigger limbs and trunks with a stated brake | 80V battery | 18 in | 9.5 lb (maker) | 4.0Ah battery + charger included | $408.49 at Amazon as of Nov 9, 2026, 11:40 AM ET · DetailsProduct prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon.com at the time of purchase will apply to the purchase of this product.In stockCheck price → |
Our verdictOur verdictResearched An 18-inch 80V brushless saw that Greenworks lists with a mechanical chain brake, an auto oiler and tool-less tensioning. The kit adds a 4.0Ah battery and charger. Best for Bigger limbs and trunks with a stated brake Good
Worth knowing
Who shouldn't buy it: Don't buy it if you already own 40V Greenworks batteries and want to reuse them. | |||||
50.2 cc gas · 20 in · 11.2 lb without bar and chain · Gas saw, no battery Long jobs and big trunks without a battery | 50.2 cc gas | 20 in | 11.2 lb without bar and chain | Gas saw, no battery | $399.99 at Amazon as of Nov 9, 2026, 11:40 AM ET · DetailsProduct prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon.com at the time of purchase will apply to the purchase of this product.In stockCheck price → |
Our verdictOur verdictResearched A 50.2 cc gas saw that takes bars up to 20 inches, with no battery to run down. Husqvarna lists 11.2 lb before bar and chain. Best for Long jobs and big trunks without a battery Good
Worth knowing
Who shouldn't buy it: Don't buy it if you only trim light limbs or do not want to handle fuel. | |||||
8. Milwaukee M18 FUEL HATCHET 8-inch Pruning Saw Kit with 6Ah Battery (3004-21P) Best compact chainsaw for limbs M18 battery (18V) · 8 in · Under 5 lb without battery (maker) · 6Ah battery + charger included Limbs and small trees up to 7.5 in | M18 battery (18V) | 8 in | Under 5 lb without battery (maker) | 6Ah battery + charger included | $399 at Amazon as of Nov 9, 2026, 11:40 AM ET · DetailsProduct prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon.com at the time of purchase will apply to the purchase of this product.In stockCheck price → |
Our verdictOur verdictResearched A one-hand-size 8-inch pruning saw for limbs; Milwaukee states a 7.5-inch cut capacity and an automatic oiler. It is a pruning saw, not a felling saw. Best for Limbs and small trees up to 7.5 in Good
Worth knowing
Who shouldn't buy it: Don't buy it if you need to cut trunks thicker than 7 inches. | |||||
 40V battery · 12 in · 6 lb (maker) · 2.0Ah battery + charger included Small limbs and light yard cleanup | 40V battery | 12 in | 6 lb (maker) | 2.0Ah battery + charger included | $179.99 at Amazon as of Nov 9, 2026, 11:40 AM ET · DetailsProduct prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon.com at the time of purchase will apply to the purchase of this product.In stockCheck price → |
Our verdictOur verdictResearched A light 12-inch saw with a 2.0Ah battery and charger. Greenworks lists an auto oiler and tool-less tensioning; its cut count is modest. Best for Small limbs and light yard cleanup Good
Worth knowing
Who shouldn't buy it: Don't buy it if you have trunks thicker than about 10 inches to cut. | |||||
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Before you buy
Battery or gas
Battery saws start at the push of a trigger, are quieter and need no fuel mixing, and suit most yard cleanup. Gas saws like the Husqvarna 450 Rancher run as long as you have fuel and take longer bars, which suits big trunks and rural lots. Ready.gov says to use gas-powered machinery only outdoors.
Bar length: 8 to 12 inches handles limbs and small trees (Milwaukee says its 8-inch HATCHET cuts up to 7.5 inches); 16 to 18 inches covers most storm debris; 20 inches is for big trunks. A longer bar is heavier and harder to control.
Tool only or kit: Milwaukee's 2727-20 comes without a battery or charger.
If you're not already on that battery system, choose a kit that includes both.
Safety features: look for a chain brake, a low-kickback chain and a tip guard where offered.
OSHA says to use saws that reduce kickback through chain brakes and low-kickback chains, and not to cut with the tip.
Protective gear
OSHA lists chaps, hearing protection and eye protection for chainsaw work, a hard hat for overhead hazards and protective boots. Add sturdy gloves.
Before each cut
OSHA says to check controls, chain tension, bolts and handles, start the saw on the ground with the brake on, look for nails and metal, keep both hands on the handles and keep secure footing.
Bar and chain oil: EGO says to fill the oil tank before first use.
Keep a spare bottle with the saw.
We verify every product's specifications against at least two independent sources, re-check its US price and stock on a schedule where we can track it automatically, and cross-check safety-relevant claims against official guidance. Every review is labeled Researched or Used and reviewed by us: where we've bought a product, or been sent it free, and used it ourselves, its review says which; where we haven't, our verdict is a considered spec-and-evidence comparison, not a hands-on test. When two products are close, commission can decide which one we pick. A clearly better product always wins. Read our full methodology →
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Common questions
Is a battery chainsaw strong enough for storm cleanup?
For limbs and small trees, yes: the 16 to 18 inch battery saws here are sold for that. For lots of big trunks or a full day of cutting, a gas saw or extra batteries make more sense.
What safety gear do I need for a chainsaw?
OSHA lists chaps, hearing protection and eye protection for chainsaw work, plus a hard hat for overhead hazards and protective footwear. Gloves help with grip and splinters.
Can I cut a tree that's on a power line?
No. OSHA says clearing trees from electrical lines is for qualified line-clearance tree trimmers, to stay at least 10 feet from overhead lines unless they're de-energized and grounded, and to treat downed lines as live. Call your utility.
What causes chainsaw kickback?
Kickback is when contact at the tip of the bar makes the saw rear back toward you. CPSC described it as a cause of serious injury or death. OSHA says to use saws with chain brakes and low-kickback chains and not to cut with the tip.
Should I cut a tree that fell on my house?
Leave it to a tree service. Cutting on a roof, from a ladder or overhead is dangerous, and OSHA says not to cut directly overhead. Call your insurer first, too: our guide on storm damage explains who pays.