There is no way around it. Slicing up logs with a chainsaw is hard work. But why make it any harder than it needs to be. A heavy saw leads to fatigue which means you get less work done. So, it’s only natural to search for a chainsaw that weighs less without sacrificing power.
When I was shopping for a chainsaw, weight was an important factor and I am sure it is important to you too. Looking for the quick answer? Well, here it is.
In general, chainsaws with 16-18 inch bars average 8 to 12 pounds. Gas powered saws tend to be heavier than electric or battery saws and weigh around 12 pounds. Corded electric saws are the lightest option, weighing as little as 6 pounds. Battery powered chainsaws tip the scales at an average of 10 pounds, including the battery.
Looking for a little more substance to help narrow down your choices and compare chainsaws by weight? I’ve got you covered. I’ve researched and compiled a thorough list of 32 of the most popular chainsaws including gas, electric and battery powered saws. Take a look to see how all the top chainsaws measure up by weight.
Factors that affect the weight of a chainsaw
Building a light weight chainsaw is a daunting task that most manufacturers have tackled quite admirably. Yet, there is a limit to how much weight can be cut. All the different parts of the saw add to the overall weight. Things like the type of powerhead, length of the bar and chain, fuel and even bar oil all need to be factored in. Let’s see how each affects the weight of chainsaws.
Power source
By far, the biggest influence on a chainsaw’s weight is the power source. There are gas, electric and battery powered chainsaws. Each require different materials and designs to function. Gas chainsaws incorporate a large amount of metal in the motor and surrounding components, which makes them much heavier than either electric or battery saws.
Electric saws use a compact electric motor which still has heavy magnets and copper wiring but the majority of the saw is constructed of plastic. These are super light saws. Although, it’s easy to forget that the extension cord you plug into the saw does add some weight during use.
Battery saws are not often as light as you would expect. The powerhead is relatively light but the battery accounts for the bulk of the extra weight. Even though lithium batteries pack a lot of power in a small package, they still weigh several pounds. Especially, batteries large enough to power a chainsaw.
Fuel and bar oil
It’s no surprise that gas chainsaws need fuel to operate but manufacturers seldom list chainsaw weights that include a full tank of gas and bar oil. In fact, the weights listed on manufacturer websites are almost always the dry weight. Sometimes they only list the weight of the powerhead.
Gas chainsaws hold anywhere from 8 to 44 ounces of fuel. So, you can factor in another 0.5 to 2.5 pounds of fuel to the overall weight.
All chainsaws use bar oil. Reservoir capacities vary but often hold at least 8 ounces. Larger saws hold up to 24 ounces which means you need to tack on another 0.5 to 1.5 pounds.
Bar length
Many chainsaws offer various bar lengths with the same powerhead. In that case, the only thing affecting weight is the additional material of a longer bar and chain. These are metal components, so a 24 inch bar and accompanying chain has a fairly significant weight difference compared to an 18 inch bar. You can expect large bars and chains to add at least 1-3 pounds of additional weight.
How much do gas powered chainsaws weigh
You can’t make a gas chainsaw entirely out of plastic so it’s no surprise they tend to be heavy. After all, a 2-stroke motor requires strong metal components to handle the power of internal combustion.
Just about every gas chainsaw you pick up is going to weigh over 10 pounds. Smaller saws with 14-16 inch bars might weigh a little less than 10 pounds but saws with 18-24 inch bars are going to push 12-14 pounds. And that’s without gas or bar oil. You’ll need to factor in another 2-3 pounds for fuel and oil.
If you’re concerned about the weight of gas powered chainsaws, then take a look at the list below to see how some of the most popular gas saws measure up by weight. All weights are listed as dry weight, without fuel or oil. Some are also listed with powerhead weight only and exclude the weight of the bar and chain. In those cases, add an additional 2-3 pounds to get the full weight.
| Gas Chainsaw Brand | Gas Chainsaw Weight (Pounds) |
|---|---|
| Husqvarna 3120XP (Up to 46-inch bar) | 22.9 (Powerhead only) |
| Husqvarna 450 Rancher (20-inch bar) | 13.4 |
| Husqvarna 440 (18-inch bar) | 9.7 |
| Husqvarna 435 (16-inch bar) | 9.7 |
| Stihl MS 881 (Up to 41-inch bar) | 22.3 (Powerhead only) |
| Stihl Farm Boss (20-inch bar) | 12.3 (Powerhead only) |
| Stihl MS 250 (18-inch bar) | 10.1 (Powerhead only) |
| Stihl MS 170 (18-inch bar) | 8.6 (Powerhead only) |
| Echo CS-590 Timber Wolf (20-inch bar) | 13.2 |
| Echo CS-400 (18-inch bar) | 10.1 |
| Echo CS-352 (16-inch bar) | 8.8 |
| Ryobi 38cc (18-inch bar) | 10.0 |
| Poulan Pro 42cc (18-inch bar) | 13.2 |
| Craftsman S-180 (18-inch bar) | 12.3 |
How much do electric chainsaws weigh
From an engineering standpoint, electric chainsaws are much less complex in design than gas chainsaws. Therefore, there are fewer components which saves big on weight.
Motors in electric chainsaws are made with magnets and coils of copper wire but that’s pretty much the only heavy part other than the bar and chain. Everything else on an electric saw is made of light weight material. That means most electric chainsaws weigh around 8 pounds. Plus, there is no added weight from fuel. However, there is still bar oil to account for.
Despite being so light, electric chainsaws are very powerful. Check out the comparison below to see how much top selling electric chainsaws weigh.
| Electric Chainsaw Brand | Electric Chainsaw Weight (Pounds) |
|---|---|
| Stihl MSE 25 (16-inch bar) | 9.4 (Powerhead only) |
| Craftsman 12 Amp (16-inch bar) | 9.0 |
| Ryobi 13 Amp (16-inch bar) | 5.8 |
| Makita 14.5 Amp (14-inch bar) | 12.1 |
| Worx 15 Amp (18-inch bar) | 11.3 |
| Greenworks 10.5 Amp (14-inch bar) | 8.0 |
| Homelite 12 Amp (16-inch bar) | 9.5 |
| Oregon CS1500 (18-inch bar) | 13.2 |
| Wen 12 Amp (16-inch bar) | 10.0 |
How much do battery powered chainsaws weigh
Battery powered chainsaws are exceedingly popular among do-it-yourself homeowners. They are powerful, compact and ultra portable. Like electric chainsaws, battery powered saws use a fairly simple electric motor but there is added weight from the battery.
Even though lithium batteries are lightweight for their size, they are still quite dense. Battery saws weigh around 8 pounds without the battery. Once you add a lithium battery capable of cutting through a small stack of wood, you’re looking at an additional 2 to 3 pounds. Overall, battery chainsaws weigh an average of 10-12 pounds.
The convenience might be worth the addition of a few pounds versus a corded electric chainsaw. If you agree, then peruse this list of the 9 best battery powered chainsaws and how their weights compare.
| Battery Chainsaw Brand | Battery Chainsaw Weight (Pounds) |
|---|---|
| Ego 56 volt 5 Ah battery (18-inch bar) | 14.5 |
| Worx 40 volt 2 Ah Battery (14-inch bar) | 10.4 |
| Wen 40 volt 4 Ah Battery (16-inch bar) | 12.0 |
| Milwaukee M18 18 volt 12 Ah Battery (16-inch bar) | 13.9 |
| Husqvarna 120i 40 volt 4 Ah Battery (14-inch bar) | 12.3 |
| Oregon CS300 4 Ah Battery (16-inch bar) | 12.0 |
| Stihl MSA 120 (12-inch bar) | 8.2 |
| Ryobi 40 volt 4 Ah Battery (14-inch bar) | 11.5 |
| Dewalt 60 volt 2 Ah Battery (16-inch bar) | 12.5 |
What is the heaviest chainsaw
Some chainsaws are true behemoths. While there are lots of big chainsaws out there, only a few get to claim the heavy weight title. I’ve seen homemade chainsaws with a powerhead made from a car motor. It took two big guys to lift it and weighed over 250 pounds.
But let’s assume we are asking about the heaviest production model chainsaws. In that case, Husqvarna and Stihl battle for the top spot.
The Stihl MS 880 Magnum is a beast and is touted as the world’s most powerful production chainsaw ever. With a maximum bar length of 56 inches and an 8.6 hp motor, it tips the scales at 22.3 pounds. That’s without fuel or bar oil.
Compare that to the Husqvarna 3120XP which fights for the top spot with Stihl in this power struggle. With a 46 inch bar and a little less horsepower, this saw still weighs in at 22.9 pounds.
Both these gas chainsaws are exceptionally heavy and are in no way designed for the average homeowner. Big saws like these are meant to be in the hands of highly skilled loggers that can handle the weight and power of saws needed for cutting big timber.
Are lighter weight chainsaws actually better
While chasing down the lightest weight saw seems like the best thing to do, it might not always be in your best interest. Sure, a light weight saw is easier to handle and probably less tiring to use. But that actually depends on the type of cutting you are doing.
So is a light weight chainsaw better than heavier saws? Well, here’s the thing. It all comes down to the power versus weight ratio. In other words, opting for the lightest chainsaw might mean you sacrifice power. That ends up slowing down your cuts and increasing the amount of work needed to get the job done.
It’s important to choose a saw that has an ideal power to weight ratio for your particular situation.
For those cutting lots of firewood, a heavier gas chainsaw is better than a lightweight electric saw where the weight of the saw actually helps you push the chain down through a log. Whereas, a light electric saw is ideal for above-the-head tree limbing where power is less critical than weight.
In the end, your choice of saws shouldn’t rely entirely on weight. Certainly cutting down on weight is important but it’s not always the only factor to consider.
