There are a number of factors that go into selecting a quality chainsaw for general use.

For most, the price is the key factor, In fact, you wouldn’t be reading about the best chainsaw under $400 unless you fell into this category.

The truth is though that you also need to be thinking about how exactly you plan to use the chainsaw. Some other considerations include:

• The length of the bar – what diameter timber will you be cutting?
• Electric or gasoline powered – How noisy do you want it to be?
• How powerful is it? – Need to make sure you will have enough power to get through what you need to
• Top handle or rear handle – will you be up a tree using this – needing a hand free?
• Reputation of the brand – will you have to take it back to the shop for repair often?

The Best Chainsaw under $400: Husqvarna 970515528 445 18″ Gas Chainsaw

The versatility of this chainsaw is one of its main features. The 18-inch length ensures that you can do all that and more if you want to use it for tree pruning, cleaning up your yard, or cutting the firewood. Besides that, the side-mounted tensioning system ensures that if you want to adjust it, there is no need to pause your work for a long time.

An easy-to-access adjustment mechanism ensures that you can resume your work quickly after adjusting it.

Apart from this, the chainsaw offers quite a few features which set it apart.

Features:

• The effortless starting mechanism ensures that you can start cutting wood in an instant. You need not worry about pulling the cord or waiting for it to start for a long time.

• Of course, the chainsaw is highly durable. Along with durability, you can maneuver it quite easily as well. It allows you to cut the wood precisely. The ergonomic design coupled with 28 HP engine ensures that even if you want to use this chainsaw for long hours, there will be no problem.

• The chainsaw is designed to provide you with excellent cutting power with minimum fuel consumption.

• The chainsaw consists of an automatic oiling mechanism. The advantage of this mechanism is that, the chain will always remain lubricated, and therefore the efficiency of this chainsaw will not reduce.

• The chainsaw also offers you an anti-vibration mechanism. That way, you won’t have to worry about losing grip on the chainsaw because of excessive vibration. The low vibration mechanism will also make it easy to cut any wood.

• It incorporates an air injection mechanism. The job of this centrifugal mechanism is to remove the debris and dust with natural gear. That way, the filter won’t get clogged, and the engine also won’t suffer from extensive wear and tear. This increases the engine life significantly.

What sets this chainsaw apart from its competitors?

The various features that make this chainsaw easy to use, like its ergonomic design, anti-vibration mechanism, and quick tension adjustment, certainly make it better than many other chainsaws.

Pros:

• Extremely durable
• Highly versatile
• Easy tension adjustment
• Anti-vibration design
• Automatic oiling mechanism
• Ergonomic grip
• Sturdy engine

Cons:

• The plastic casing outside can be thicker.

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Makita XCU04PT LXT Chain Saw

This chainsaw’s brushless motor design is why it is on our list. While to the ordinary consumer, the fact that it is brushless might not matter much, but that certainly increases its reliability and the need for maintenance. That is why; you can use this chainsaw for a long time.

Features:

• The chainsaw offers you a variable speed trigger. Thus, you can choose fom three different speed levels according to your requirement. Switching the speed levels is easy as well.r

• In case you want to adjust the chain, you can do so without using any tools. The chain comes with an inbuilt lock-off design which prevents chain from self-engaging. That is why this chainsaw is so convenient to use.

• With various safety features like an automatic shutdown mechanism after a specific time, an on/off switch, and a built-in LED indicator, it is exceptionally safe to know the status of the chainsaw and to use it accordingly.

• The extremely high efficiency of this chainsaw due to variable speed trigger ensures that the battery can last for a comparatively long time. Because of the same, you need not worry about charging it again and again. That will help you save a lot of time.

What sets this product apart from its competitors?

This chainsaw’s low maintenance and highly reliable design are one of the reasons it is on our list.

Pros:

Extremely efficient design

Offers various safety mechanisms

Easy to vary the speed

Tool-less chain adjustment

Cons:

The chain needs tensioning more frequently.

3 Husqvarna 440 18 Inch Chainsaw

If you’re looking for a gas-powered chainsaw, this one is an excellent option. The reason is because of the air cleaning system which it has. Due to the same, it can remove the particulate pollutants before they reach the filter.

This certainly reduces the blocking of the air filter, and therefore you will not have to clean the air filter frequently. It certainly reduces a lot of the maintenance work. It offers numerous other features as well.

Features:

• The design of this chainsaw is such that despite being gas operated, it lowers fuel consumption. It does so with the help of an efficient X-Torq system. That reduces not only fuel consumption but also emissions. Because of the same, it becomes easier to do your bit for the environment.

• The power of 2.4 hp delivers at a speed of 9000 RPM. Because of the same, you can deal with any type of wood quite easily. Add to that the side-mounted chain tensioning mechanism, and it is easy to understand why you can easily control this chainsaw without getitng fatigued.

• Even though the amount of maintenance that this chainsaw need is pretty limited, you will still have to pull out the air filter to clean it. The advantage here is that the air filter has a quick release mechanism. That is why the procedure is not cumbersome when you want to access the air filter. With the help of an ergonomic handle, you can do that easily.

• To easily control the chainsaw, you get the option to stop it and control the choke. There are easier controls for the same. Consequently, controlling the chainsaw isn’t going to be a problem. The ergonomic handle further makes it easy to use this chainsaw.

What sets this product apart from its competitors?

The combination of high power and low fuel consumption, and lower emissions certainly makes this chainsaw an excellent choice.

Pros:

• Extremely efficient chainsaw
• Provides a high amount of power
• Low maintenance
• Easy to use

Cons:

• Some customers have mentioned that the packaging isn’t great.

4 Husqvarna 14 Inch 120i Cordless Battery Powered Chainsaw:

Many times, it makes sense to buy a compact chainsaw. If your requirement is the same, this one with 14 inches is certainly a good choice. The battery-operated cordless design is also why it is so convenient. The compact design also makes it lightweight. Because of the same, using this chainsaw is certainly pretty easy.

Features:

• There is a unique keypad on offer in this chainsaw. In this, you will be able to choose whether you want maximum power on offer or whether you want maximum runtime. This is possible because of the save mode on offer. That way, you can decide the type of operation on which this chainsaw runs.

• To ensure that the chainsaw is completely safe to operate, it also has a chain brake. You can easily activate that chain break if you sense something is not going right. Apart from that, there is automatic chain oil. That way, the chain will remain lubricated, and therefore the chainsaw will operate at proper efficiency always.

• The low noise design ensures that you will not disturb anyone, even working in a residential neighborhood. That way, you can work anytime without having to plan the cutting sessions because of neighbors’ disturbances.

• A brushless motor has a significant advantage when going with the chainsaw. This one offers a brushless motor as well. Because of the same, it becomes easy for you to reduce the maintenance and use the chainsaw consistently without any breakdowns.

What sets this product apart from its competitors?

The excellent control mechanism, along with the low-maintenance design, makes this chainsaw a great choice.

Pros:

Extremely reliable

Compact design

Easy to operate

Offers various safety mechanisms

Cons:

Limited instructions

5 Sun Joe ION16CS 16-Inch Cordless Chain Saw

The next chainsaw on our list is once again a compact chainsaw. It is suitable for cutting logs up to 14.6 inches. The 600 W brushless motor ensures that you get enough power while cutting these logs.

Features:

• The quick charging mechanism of the rechargeable lithium-ion battery in this chainsaw ensures that you won’t have to wait a long time to charge it. Also, since it is an electric-operated chainsaw, you won’t have to worry about carbon emissions.

• The toolless chain adjustment mechanism ensures that you can do that easily if you want to modify its performance.

• The brushless motor once again reduces the need for any maintenance. That is why, even if you’re using this chainsaw daily, you will not have to worry about any breakdowns.

• The ergonomic handle design ensures you get an excellent grip and control over the chainsaw no matter what type of wood you are dealing with.

What sets this product apart from its competitors?

The compact size, the ergonomic handle on offer, and the brushless motor make it one of the best chainsaw under 400.

Pros:

Compact but ergonomic design

Low maintenance design

Tool-less chain adjustment

Quick charging mechanism on offer

Cons:

Battery capacity can be higher.

#5 Sun Joe ION16CS 16-Inch Cordless Chain Saw

The next chainsaw on our list is once again a compact chainsaw. It is suitable for cutting logs up to 14.6 inches. The 600 W brushless motor ensures that you get enough power while cutting these logs.

Features:

• The quick charging mechanism of the rechargeable lithium-ion battery in this chainsaw ensures that you won’t have to wait a long time to charge it. Also, since it is an electric-operated chainsaw, you won’t have to worry about carbon emissions.

• The toolless chain adjustment mechanism ensures that you can do that easily if you want to modify its performance.

• The brushless motor once again reduces the need for any maintenance. That is why, even if you’re using this chainsaw daily, you will not have to worry about any breakdowns.

• The ergonomic handle design ensures you get an excellent grip and control over the chainsaw no matter what type of wood you are dealing with.

What sets this product apart from its competitors?

The compact size, the ergonomic handle on offer, and the brushless motor make it one of the best chainsaw under 400.

Pros:

Compact but ergonomic design

Low maintenance design

Tool-less chain adjustment

Quick charging mechanism on offer

Cons:

Battery capacity can be higher.

#6 Echo Chain Saw

The powerful engine of this chainsaw is the reason why it is on our list. It offers you a 40.2 CC engine. Because of the same, the chainsaw can handle logs up to 18 inches. That is because of the 18” bar which it comes with.

Features:

• You get the chainsaw completely assembled. That is why there is no assembling needed.

• The gasoline-powered engine can offer you 5.3 hp. That is why it is suitable for cutting logs.

• The easy start mechanism ensures you do not have to worry about using the pull cord. With a button press, you can store the chainsaw.

• If you want to remove the air filter, it is certainly easy to remove. Because of the same, you can remove it easily, clean it, and put it back again. In terms of maintenance, the chain is equally easy to adjust. The point we are trying to make is that the maintenance doesn’t require much of your time.

What sets this product apart from its competitors?

The powerful gasoline engine and easy maintenance certainly make this chainsaw a good choice.

Pros:

• Easy to maintain
• Powerful gasoline engine
• Quick start mechanism
• Comes assembled

Cons:

• The grip can be better designed.