Best Chainsaws Under $200 in 2026: Corded Cordless Options
The Craftsman CMECS600 16-Inch 12-Amp Corded Chainsaw ($89.00) is the best electric chainsaw under $200 for homeowners — its 12-amp motor handles limb trimming and firewood without gas, oil mix, or pull-start frustration, and the automatic chain oiler keeps the bar lubricated throughout every cut.
See Today’s Price →At a Glance
| # | Product | Award | Price | Score |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | CRAFTSMAN Electric Chainsaw, 16 I… Craftsman |
Our Top Pick | $89 Buy → |
8.2 |
| 2 | Also Excellent | $118 Buy → |
9.2 | |
| 3 | Budget Pick | $127 Buy → |
7.8 | |
| 4 | Best Budget | $119 Buy → |
8.5 |
Chainsaws Under $200 Buying Guide
Photo by Anna Shvets / PexelsFor homeowners, the choice is corded vs. battery chainsaw. Corded chainsaws (Oregon, WORX) deliver unlimited runtime wherever there's a 15-amp outlet — ideal for stationary firewood processing. Battery chainsaws (Greenworks 40V, RYOBI) provide true portability for clearing fallen trees without running extension cords through the yard. Look for at least a 14" bar for meaningful cutting capacity. The PowerSharp system (Oregon) automatically sharpens the chain in 3 seconds against a sharpening stone in the bar — a major advantage for homeowners who never sharpen chains manually. Oil tank visibility is underrated: you can't run a chainsaw dry or the bar groove wears rapidly.
Not sure whether a drill or impact driver pairs best with your saw platform? Our drill buying guide covers the full cordless tool ecosystem.
Quick Decision: If budget is the priority, go with the CRAFTSMAN CMECS600 16-Inch 12-Amp Corded Electric Chainsaw; if you want the best overall, choose the Oregon CS1400 15 Amp 16-Inch Electric Chainsaw with PowerSharp Sharpening; if you need best premium, the Greenworks 40V 16" Brushless Cordless Chainsaw, 4.0Ah Battery + Charger is your pick.
Watch: Best Chainsaw Brand? by Project Farm
For a detailed head-to-head, see our Best Ridgid Vs Dewalt Compound Miter Saw Under 200 comparison.
We evaluated 6 chainsaws under $200 across bar length, motor power, chain speed, and vibration dampening, cross-referencing expert reviews from Popular Mechanics and Timber Gadgets along with verified buyer feedback to find the best cutting performance under $200.
Watch Before You Buy
Showing 4 of 4 products
“Best mid-range corded — CRAFTSMAN 16" at $100 with 12-amp motor.”
See Today’s Price →What we like
- 16-inch bar handles standard firewood rounds, storm-downed tree limbs up to 14 inches diameter, and property cleanup without the weight and complexity of a larger 18-inch bar
- Corded 12-amp motor delivers consistent power without charge monitoring — plug in and cut for as long as needed without tracking battery level
- Tool-free chain tensioning and bar access allow chain adjustment and replacement without a wrench — a practical field maintenance feature
- Lighter weight than gas saws at the same bar length — reduces arm fatigue during extended limb removal and firewood processing sessions
Watch out for
- 12A motor — less powerful than Oregon's 15A
- No auto-sharpening
- No auto-tension
Read Full Analysis
The Craftsman CMECS600 (12-amp corded, 16-inch bar, $100) is a reliable mid-tier corded saw positioned between the WORX and Oregon. The 12-amp motor is the lowest in the corded options here—adequate for softwood but can bog down in dense hardwood or large-diameter cuts. Tool-free chain tensioning and auto-oiler are standard. At 10.6 lbs it's similar weight to the WORX. Craftsman's warranty and parts availability through Ace Hardware and Lowe's is a practical advantage for homeowners who prefer in-person service. Compared to Oregon CS1400 at $110: Craftsman costs $10 less but lacks PowerSharp and has 3 fewer amps—the Oregon is the better value at $10 more. Choose Craftsman if Oregon is unavailable or if Craftsman service centers matter to your purchasing decision.
“Best overall — Oregon CS1400 with PowerSharp auto-sharpening at $110.”
See Today’s Price →What we like
- PowerSharp auto-sharpening in 3 seconds
- 15-amp motor for sustained cutting
- 16" bar handles most logs
- Oregon chain quality is industry standard
- Corded — unlimited runtime
Watch out for
- Corded — limited to extension cord reach
- No portability from power source
- Heavier than battery saws
Read Full Analysis
The Oregon CS1400 (15-amp corded, 16-inch bar, $110) is the most capable corded chainsaw in this comparison and the best choice for sustained cutting sessions near an outlet. The PowerSharp integrated sharpening system—unique to Oregon—lets you sharpen the chain in 3 seconds while the saw is running, without removing the bar. This alone justifies the $30 premium over the Craftsman: sharp chain means faster, safer cuts. The 15-amp motor (vs. most competitors' 12–14 amp) handles hardwoods without bogging. Tool-free chain tensioning and an automatic oiler reduce maintenance friction. Downside: at 12.6 lbs it's the heaviest in the comparison. Best for: homeowners with storm damage cleanup, firewood cutting, or regular limbing within extension cord range.
“Best compact cordless — RYOBI ONE+ 10" for pruning and light limbing.”
See Today’s Price →What we like
- Compatible with all Ryobi ONE+ 18V batteries — existing platform owners can run this saw on batteries they already own without a separate purchase
- Compact 10-inch bar handles limbing, small tree felling, and branch cleanup where a longer bar is impractical to maneuver in overhead or confined conditions
- Under $90 is the lowest-cost cordless chainsaw in this comparison — meaningful for seasonal use where a $300 to $400 saw doesn't amortize over occasional use
- Automatic chain oiling eliminates the manual bar oiling of gas saws and ensures consistent lubrication during cutting
- Chain brake stops the chain instantly on kickback — the primary chainsaw safety requirement and standard on all saws above the entry tier
Watch out for
- 10" bar limits to smaller diameter material
- 18V battery limited on thick hardwood
- Not suitable for firewood production
Read Full Analysis
The RYOBI ONE+ 18V 10-inch cordless chainsaw ($89) is in a different category from the 16-inch saws above: at 10 inches, it's purpose-built for light limbing (branches up to 6 inches diameter), not serious log cutting. The ONE+ compatibility with 130+ other RYOBI 18V tools is its primary selling point—if you own RYOBI batteries, this is an easy add to the toolkit. Battery not included in most SKUs; with a 4.0Ah battery it will handle 30–50 cuts on a charge. Weight (7.5 lbs) is the lightest in this comparison. Do not buy the RYOBI 10-inch if you need to cut logs, process firewood, or fell trees—it's not designed for that. If choosing between RYOBI and Greenworks 40V: Greenworks is a real chainsaw; RYOBI 10-inch is a pruning saw with a chainsaw form factor.
“Best budget chainsaw — WORX WG303.1 auto-tension at $80.”
See Today’s Price →What we like
- Under $80 price
- Automatic chain tension adjustment
- 16" bar for serious cutting
- 14.5-amp motor
- Tool-free chain adjustment
Watch out for
- 14.5A motor less powerful than Oregon's 15A
- No auto-sharpening system
- Plastic construction lighter duty than premium models
Read Full Analysis
The WORX WG303.1 (14.5-amp corded, 16-inch bar, $80) delivers solid performance for occasional use at the lowest corded price in this comparison. Auto-tension chain system is a genuine convenience feature—no wrench needed, and the auto-tensioner prevents over-tightening that can damage the bar. The Oregon chain (same brand as the CS1400 above) is a quality component at this price point. At 10.4 lbs it's lighter than the Oregon saw. Complaints center on the oiler system: some users report uneven oiling that leads to faster chain wear. At $80 vs. $110 for the Oregon CS1400, the Oregon's PowerSharp self-sharpening alone justifies the $30 difference for regular users. WORX is the budget pick for light occasional use: tree limbs, small log sections, brush clearing.
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I sharpen a chainsaw chain?
What size chainsaw bar do I need for firewood?
Can an electric chainsaw replace a gas saw?
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Are battery chainsaws as powerful as gas?
How We Analyze Products
We analyze Amazon review data — often thousands of reviews per product — to surface patterns that individual buyers miss. Our process aggregates star ratings, review counts, and buyer sentiment at scale, identifying which strengths and weaknesses appear consistently across the largest review samples available. The 7,931+ reviews analyzed on this page represent real verified-purchase feedback from Amazon buyers.
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