A $400 chainsaw budget can buy far more than a weak garden saw. The better machines in this price class can cut firewood, clear storm debris, remove small trees, and handle logs that would quickly tire a compact pruning saw. The trick is buying enough engine or battery power without paying for a long bar that the motor cannot pull well.
The ECHO CS-4010 is the best chainsaw for under $400. Its 41.6cc petrol engine, low 9.3-pound dry weight, 16-inch or 18-inch bar choices, side-access chain adjustment, and long private-use warranty make it a fine home and property saw. Battery buyers should pick the Greenworks 80V 18-inch kit or the RYOBI 40V HP 18-inch kit.
High-End Chainsaws Under $400
| Chainsaw | Best Job | Power Type | Bar Length | Price Checked |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| ECHO CS-4010 | Best overall | 41.6cc petrol | 16 or 18 inches | $339.99 to $399.99 |
| Greenworks 80V GCS80420 | Best complete battery kit | 80V brushless motor | 18 inches | $379.99 |
| Husqvarna 435 | Best petrol rival | 40.9cc petrol, 2.2 hp | 16 inches | $379.99 |
| RYOBI 40V HP RY40HPCW01K | Best long-running battery package | 40V brushless motor | 18 inches | $379 |
| STIHL MS 182 | Best lower-price dealer-backed saw | Petrol, 2.2 hp | 16 inches | $269.99 |
| ECHO CS-3510 | Best lightweight petrol saw | 34.4cc petrol | 14 or 16 inches | $299.99 |
| STIHL MSA 70 C-B Set | Best quiet STIHL package | Battery | Common homeowner setup | $399.99 |
| Greenworks 60V CS60L252 | Best lighter cordless kit | 2.0kW brushless motor | 16 inches | $329.99 |
Prices were checked on July 23, 2026. Retail sales, dealer charges, delivery fees, and local stock can change.
1. ECHO CS-4010: Best Chainsaw Under $400 Overall
The ECHO CS-4010 gives homeowners a strong 41.6cc petrol engine without crossing the $400 line. ECHO prices the saw from $339.99 to $399.99. The final amount depends on the fitted bar and seller.
This engine size places the CS-4010 above many entry-level petrol saws. It has enough pull for normal firewood, storm-fallen branches, small tree felling, and property cleanup. It can cut hardwood as long as the chain stays sharp and the operator does not bury an oversized bar in the log.
The powerhead weighs 9.3 pounds without the bar and chain. That figure is one of the main reasons it takes first place. It is light enough for branch work but has more engine capacity than the ECHO CS-3510.
An 18-inch bar comes with many CS-4010 packages. ECHO also allows a 16-inch setup. The shorter bar is the better match for most buyers. It makes the saw quicker through branches and places less weight ahead of the front handle.
The 18-inch option helps with wider firewood rounds and small trees. It also places more chain against the wood. Dense oak or hickory may slow the saw when the whole bar enters the cut.
The side-access tensioner keeps the adjustment screw easy to reach. An automatic oiler feeds lubricant while the chain moves. The chain brake, chain catcher, throttle lock, and front hand guard cover the normal safety needs of a modern rear-handle saw.
The CS-4010 uses 3/8-inch low-profile chain. This lighter chain asks less from the engine than full-size forestry cutting gear. Replacement loops are widely sold and easy to sharpen with the right round file.
ECHO gives private buyers a five-year limited warranty. Commercial cover is shorter. Read the use category when the saw will earn income on a farm, rental property, or wood business.
Choose the ECHO CS-4010 when one sub-$400 saw must handle yard trees, firewood, fallen limbs, and regular property work. It gives the best mix of engine size, weight, bar choice, and purchase cost.
Check ECHO CS-4010 listings on Amazon
2. Greenworks 80V GCS80420: Best Battery Chainsaw Kit Under $400
The Greenworks GCS80420 gives battery buyers a complete 18-inch package for $379.99. The box includes the saw, a 2.0Ah 80V battery, charger, bar cover, and combination wrench.
Greenworks compares the motor with a 42cc petrol engine. That places it close to the ECHO CS-4010 and Husqvarna 435 on paper. The power delivery feels different because the electric motor reaches strong turning force as soon as the trigger is pressed.
The 18-inch bar suits firewood, medium branches, fallen trees, and storm cleanup. Metal bumper spikes help brace the saw against a log. A metal wraparound front handle gives the machine a firm feel during horizontal and vertical cuts.
Greenworks rates the included battery for up to 110 cuts through four-by-four lumber. Thick hardwood draws far more energy than a small square post. Treat that number as a way to compare batteries rather than a promise for every woodpile.
The complete saw weighs about 14.2 pounds with the battery. It is much heavier than the bare ECHO CS-4010. The added mass feels less troublesome during bucking because the saw can rest against the log.
The battery reaches a full charge in about 30 minutes with the included charger. A second battery can keep work going, though buying one may push the total far above $400.
The same 80V battery fits many Greenworks outdoor machines. This can lower the cost of adding a blower, mower, trimmer, or snow machine later.
Choose the Greenworks when petrol storage, pull starting, exhaust, and carburettor care are unwelcome. It works best near a home, garage, barn, or charging point.
Check Greenworks 80V 18-inch chainsaw kits on Amazon
3. Husqvarna 435: Best Petrol Alternative Under $400
The Husqvarna 435 costs $379.99 and comes with a 16-inch bar. Its 40.9cc petrol engine produces 2.2 horsepower. This makes it a close rival to the ECHO CS-4010.
The 435 is made for firewood, home maintenance, branch removal, and small tree felling. Its 16-inch bar keeps the saw balanced and helps the engine hold chain speed through medium logs.
Smart Start lowers resistance at the starter rope. Air Purge moves trapped air from the fuel line and carburettor before starting. These parts help after the saw has sat for several weeks.
LowVib mounts reduce much of the engine buzz that reaches the hands. This matters when a firewood pile calls for many short cuts. Less handle vibration can make the saw feel calmer across a long afternoon.
The X-TORQ engine is made to use fuel cleanly while meeting current exhaust rules. The chain runs at up to 56.76 feet per second at maximum engine output.
The 435 weighs more than the ECHO CS-4010 but remains reasonable for a 40cc petrol machine. The narrow body feels easy to turn between branches.
Husqvarna parts and service are common in many rural areas. A good local dealer can be a strong reason to buy the 435 instead of the ECHO.
Choose the Husqvarna when you want a 16-inch petrol saw with easy starting, familiar controls, and nearby dealer care. Buy the ECHO when lower weight and an 18-inch option carry more weight.
Check Husqvarna 435 listings on Amazon
4. RYOBI 40V HP 18-Inch: Best Battery Package for Longer Work
The RYOBI RY40HPCW01K costs $379 and comes with an 18-inch saw, 6.0Ah battery, and rapid charger. That large battery makes this one of the strongest complete cordless deals below $400.
RYOBI rates the brushless motor above the output of a 40cc petrol chainsaw. The maker also states that the saw can make more than 90 cuts per charge under its test method.
The 18-inch bar gives enough reach for medium trees, storm falls, and broad firewood rounds. Metal bumper spikes grip bark and help the user guide the bar through a cut.
The large 6.0Ah battery gives this RYOBI more stored energy than many low-price cordless kits. It also adds weight. The saw feels better during bucking than during long branch work above waist height.
Trigger starting makes the RYOBI easy to grab for one fallen limb or a quick load of firewood. The saw stops making noise as soon as the trigger is released.
More than 85 RYOBI 40V machines can share the battery. Owners of a matching mower, trimmer, blower, or snow machine gain more from this package than buyers who have no other RYOBI equipment.
Choose the RYOBI when you want an 18-inch battery saw and a large battery without passing $400. The Greenworks has a higher-voltage pack and quicker listed charging. The RYOBI gives more battery capacity inside the box.
Check RYOBI 40V HP chainsaw listings on Amazon
5. STIHL MS 182: Best Lower-Price Dealer-Backed Petrol Saw
The STIHL MS 182 costs $269.99 with a 16-inch bar. Its petrol engine produces 2.2 horsepower, while the bare powerhead weighs 10 pounds.
This saw suits household firewood, branches, storm cleanup, and small tree removal. It costs far less than the $400 ceiling, which leaves money for a case, spare chains, oil, fuel, and protective clothing.
The 16-inch bar is a sensible pairing for the engine. It gives enough reach for logs near 12 to 14 inches across while keeping chain weight low.
STIHL’s anti-vibration mounts reduce handle buzz. The side chain adjuster makes tension changes easier. The Master Control Lever places the main engine settings in one control area.
The MS 182 does not have the engine capacity of the ECHO CS-4010 or Husqvarna 435. It will take longer in thick hardwood and broad trunks. It feels at home around suburban yards, small farms, and light firewood piles.
The dealer network is the main attraction. A nearby STIHL shop can supply the correct chain, files, spark plug, filter, oil, and repair care.
Buy the MS 182 when your cutting jobs stay moderate and a local STIHL dealer has a good reputation. Spend the remaining money on three chain loops and clothing made for chainsaw work.
Check STIHL MS 182 chains, bars, and cases on Amazon
6. ECHO CS-3510: Best Lightweight Petrol Chainsaw
The ECHO CS-3510 costs $299.99 and weighs only 8.2 pounds without cutting gear. Its 34.4cc petrol engine can run a 14-inch or 16-inch bar.
This low weight makes the CS-3510 easy to carry around a large property. It feels quick during branch removal, trail clearing, and work around fallen tree tops.
The 16-inch version is the better all-round package. The 14-inch bar makes the saw even quicker for pruning and small firewood.
ECHO’s i-30 starter reduces the pulling effort needed to turn the engine. A purge bulb helps move fuel through the carburettor after storage.
The automatic oiler feeds a common 3/8-inch low-profile chain. Replacement loops are inexpensive and widely sold. The side tensioner keeps normal adjustments simple.
The CS-3510 gives up engine size to reach its low weight. It can cut hardwood, but broad dry rounds take patience. The CS-4010 is the better one-saw purchase when firewood forms a large share of the work.
Choose the CS-3510 for branches, small trees, camp work, trail clearing, and owners who find a 12-pound saw tiring.
Check ECHO CS-3510 listings on Amazon
7. STIHL MSA 70 C-B Set: Best Quiet STIHL Package
The STIHL MSA 70 C-B Set costs $399.99 with an AK 30 battery and AL 101 charger. It is made for garden maintenance, firewood, branch cutting, and occasional small-tree work.
The saw can run for up to 45 minutes with the AK 30 under STIHL’s stated conditions. Thick hardwood, cold weather, dull cutters, and heavy pressure can shorten that working time.
A variable-speed trigger lets the operator match chain speed to the cut. Light branch work does not need full power, while a thick log can receive the full trigger setting.
The Quick Chain Adjuster allows tension changes without a wrench. This is useful after a new chain becomes warm and settles into the bar.
The MSA 70 C-B stays quiet between cuts and creates no petrol exhaust near the operator. It works well around homes, small barns, camps, and neighbourhood woodpiles.
The set sits at the top of the budget. It gives less bar length and raw force than the Greenworks 80V or RYOBI 40V packages. Its attraction comes from low weight, STIHL dealer care, and easy daily use.
Choose this saw when you want a calm, light battery machine from a servicing dealer and your logs remain moderate in size.
Check STIHL MSA 70 battery saw accessories on Amazon
8. Greenworks 60V CS60L252: Best Lighter Cordless Kit
The Greenworks CS60L252 costs $329.99 with a 2.5Ah battery and charger. Its 2.0kW brushless motor drives a 16-inch chain at up to 66 feet per second.
The complete saw weighs about 9.5 pounds. This makes it much lighter than the 18-inch Greenworks 80V package. It is easier to carry through a yard and easier to turn between branches.
Greenworks rates the battery for up to 100 cuts under its test method. Charging takes about 50 minutes with the supplied charger.
The 16-inch bar suits medium branches, small trees, and household firewood. The shorter chain places less load on the battery than an 18-inch setup.
The 60V battery fits more than 75 matching Greenworks machines. That shared battery family can make this kit a better long-term purchase.
Choose the 60V model when low weight matters more than the deeper cutting reach of the 80V saw.
Check Greenworks 60V chainsaw kits on Amazon
Gas or Battery Chainsaw Under $400?
Petrol Works Better for Remote Cutting
A petrol chainsaw can return to work after a quick fuel refill. This makes it a better choice for woodland, storm cleanup, farms, camps, and firewood piles far from electricity.
Petrol engines need fresh mixed fuel, air-filter care, spark plugs, starter rope, and proper storage. Old fuel can leave deposits inside the carburettor.
Battery Works Better for Frequent Short Jobs
A battery saw starts at the press of a trigger. There is no choke, fuel mixture, or warm-up period. It stays silent between cuts and does not release exhaust beside the user.
The weak point is working time. A second large battery can cost $150 to $300. That extra purchase may double the real cost of a lower-price saw.
Battery models give the best deal when matching packs already run a mower, blower, or trimmer.
What Bar Length Should You Buy?
A 14-inch bar suits pruning, small branches, and light firewood. It keeps the saw easy to carry and takes little time to file.
A 16-inch bar is the best size for most buyers. It handles common firewood rounds, storm debris, and small trees without placing too much chain in front of the motor.
An 18-inch bar gives added reach. It works best on a 40cc petrol saw or a high-output battery machine.
A long bar does not create more engine power. An 18-inch chain on a weak motor can cut more slowly than a 16-inch chain on the same saw.
Complete Package Costs
Do not spend the whole $400 on the powerhead. Leave money for bar oil, spare chains, files, wedges, and a carrying case.
Petrol saws need two-stroke oil and an approved fuel container. Battery machines need charging space and may need a second pack for long work periods.
Wear a forestry helmet, face screen, hearing protection, chainsaw trousers or chaps, gloves, and cut-resistant boots. Protective clothing can cost as much as a budget saw, but it belongs in every cutting package.
Premium Two-Saw Package Over $2,000
A high-end property package can pass $2,000 once two saws and the supporting equipment are bought. Pair an ECHO CS-4010 with a 60cc or 70cc professional saw. Use the light ECHO for branches and ordinary firewood. Keep the larger machine ready for broad trunks and storm falls.
Add 16-inch, 20-inch, and 24-inch bars, three chain loops for each main bar, spare rim sprockets, a bench grinder, hand files, wedges, a cant hook, fuel cans, oil, and hard cases.
Add a forestry helmet, saw-resistant trousers, gloves, cut-resistant boots, bright work lamps, and a large bleeding-control pack.
See high-end chainsaw and firewood equipment on Amazon
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Chainsaw Safety
Keep both hands on a rear-handle chainsaw. Stand on firm ground and keep the upper bar nose away from branches, logs, fencing, and nearby objects.
Stop a petrol engine or remove the battery before touching the chain. Apply the chain brake while walking between nearby cuts.
Do not cut from a ladder, roof, loader bucket, or unstable log pile. Keep the saw below shoulder level.
Large standing trees near houses, roads, electrical lines, or neighbouring property call for a trained tree worker. Dead crowns, split trunks, storm pressure, and heavy lean also need trained help.
Which Chainsaw Under $400 Should You Buy?
The ECHO CS-4010 is the best overall chainsaw under $400. Its 41.6cc engine gives it enough force for firewood and small trees, while the 9.3-pound dry weight keeps it easy to carry.
Choose the Greenworks 80V 18-inch kit when you want the strongest complete battery package. Pick the RYOBI 40V HP 18-inch kit when a large 6.0Ah battery and shared RYOBI packs suit your equipment.
The Husqvarna 435 is the best petrol rival. It is a good purchase when a dependable Husqvarna dealer sits nearby. The STIHL MS 182 costs less and leaves room for clothing and spare chains.
Buy the ECHO CS-3510 when low weight matters most. Pick the STIHL MSA 70 C-B Set for quiet work and STIHL dealer care. Choose the Greenworks 60V kit when a light 16-inch battery saw fits the job.
For one machine that must cut firewood, branches, and small trees, the ECHO CS-4010 with a 16-inch bar is the strongest buy. It has enough engine to work without feeling oversized, and its price leaves a little room for the gear that should travel beside every chainsaw.