12 Worst-Rated Chainsaws That Aren't Worth Buying, According To Users

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A chainsaw is a powerful tool that makes quick work of lopping off limbs or cutting down whole trees. But not all chainsaws are created equal in terms of power, performance, and usability. Most chainsaws cost $100 or more, so before you make a purchase, it pays to know the reputation of the tool you're investing in. To weed out the weakest models, take note of these worst-rated chainsaws that aren't worth buying.

We ranked them based on customer ratings. Each model receives an average rating of 4 stars or less. Further proof is the fact that less than 77 percent of buyers would recommend the model to a friend.

Trying to use a chainsaw that won't start can be frustrating. For buyers of the Husqvarna 435 Gas Chainsaw, the experience is all too common. This model is equipped with the brand's Smart Start feature, intended to reduce the effort needed at start. In reality, the chainsaw has a reputation for sputtering and failing to start. One fed-up buyer says, "The closest I ever got to an actual start were a couple of coughs and sputters, eliciting only faint hope of further functionality. Adding to the overall enjoyment was the pull start, which was the equivalent of curling a fifty-pound barbell, although that action may at least produce some favorable outcome eventually."

While Husqvarna makes some of the top-rated chainsaws that are worth buying, this model isn't one of them. It has an average rating of 3.2 stars based on 89 reviews at Lowe's. Thirty-three of the reviews are just one-star ratings. Sifting through the reviews, there are numerous mentions of its poor starting performance and a failure to keep running while in use. As a result, less than half of buyers (48 percent) recommend that you buy this chainsaw. Based on its shortcomings, we agree this is one Husqvarna model to skip.

The Troy-Bilt TB216 16 in. Gas Chainsaw doesn't have a great track record for reliability. This model takes heat from users because parts often fail and need fixing or replacing. Some of the most common complaints are about the pull chain pulley breaking or the chain cover melting. One reviewer offers this advice to would-be buyers: "For every 20 minutes of cutting, I have had one hour of taking it apart for one reason or another. Keep your tool bag close."

Reviewers at Ace Hardware give this model an average rating of 3.4 stars. At Home Depot, this model fares a little better, but only half of buyers would recommend purchasing one. So, if you have a lot of tree trimming to do, spend $209 on a more durable chainsaw. You want to choose a chainsaw that will keep up with your workload instead of adding to it.

You might be interested in a small gas chainsaw like the Stihl MS 162 as a high-power alternative to a hand saw for trimming trees or cutting firewood. However, this compact model lacks power and most buyers would advise you to consider more robust chainsaws. Stihl describes the MS 162 as light and maneuverable but reviewers say it's underpowered. As a case in point, one user sums up his experience this way: "Bought to do basic homeowner climbing, pruning, etc. Have a few pine trees that came down over the winter, can barely cut through them. Tried to limb an oak that also went poorly. Buy bigger, this one is gutless."

That low estimate of the saw's ability isn't an isolated expression. This chainsaw earns an average rating of 3.6 stars on 39 reviews at Ace Hardware. There are other Stihl chainsaws that have a better reputation so check out these models first. As you do, keep in mind that Stihl models use letters to indicate the model's features. Chainsaws have an MS for the model name, which stands for the German word for chainsaw—motorsäge. After the MS, an R represents a model with a wrap handle, a C indicates comfort features, and a B means that the chainsaw is equipped with a quick chain adjuster.

This Troy-Bilt model has a 20-inch bar length, making it larger than the other chainsaws on our list. However, that extra bar length doesn't mean that this chainsaw is worth buying. It's plagued by complaints about poor performance and design issues. Specifically, the air filter doesn't work well, and dust frequently clogs the carburetor, according to reviewers. One user describes the situation by saying, "The air filter is a plastic with micromesh netting to catch dust. Unfortunately, quite a lot of dust makes it through the air filter and into the carburetor. So essentially, your cutting time is cut down to about 15 minutes before you have to clean the air filter." The good news is that Troy-Bilt designed this chainsaw with tool-free access to the air filter, but the clogging issue means more maintenance is needed to keep the chainsaw running.

Checking out the reviews, there's not much reason to buy the Troy-Bilt TB4620. It has an average rating of just 3.6 stars based on almost 100 reviews. Twenty-eight reviewers give the chainsaw a rating of one or two stars, and only 50 percent of users would recommend it. Even if you have low expectations, take notice of this reviewer's comments after using this model: "Because this is a modest-priced saw, my expectations were modest, but this product fails to meet those modest expectations in almost every way." 

If you're searching for a reliable chainsaw that won't quit after a job or two, you may want to pass on the Craftsman S1800. Reviews for this 18-inch gas chainsaw don't paint a promising picture in terms of reliability or durability. There are numerous complaints about the chainsaw failing to start and various components requiring replacement. In particular, the pull cord is a common failure for this model. A reviewer says, "Tried to start the chainsaw for the second time and the entire pulley system came apart." Numerous reviewers describe the same frustrating experience when using this chainsaw.

Not surprisingly, the Craftsman S1800 earns a meager rating of 3.6 stars from 567 reviewers. Nearly a quarter of reviewers give the chainsaw a single-star rating. Only 54 percent of buyers suggest purchasing this model. We agree that it's probably not worth the spend based on how often the chainsaw breaks down.

Another chainsaw to steer clear of is the Sportsman 20 in. Gas Chainsaw. While the price is right for a budget-friendly chainsaw, it's probably not worth the hassle. Numerous users report problems getting the chainsaw to start, and it's often returned for this reason. A Home Depot reviewer shares this experience, "Thought I was getting a good deal. Get what you pay for. Spent over an hour trying to start. Would not turn over. Watched tons of different online videos to assist with no luck. Very disappointing. Returned."

Scoping out the reviews, this model gets an average rating of 3.6 from nearly 1,100 users. Of those users, 256 give the chainsaw a one-star rating. While 61 percent of reviewers would recommend buying it, we think there are better models to consider without the shortcomings regarding start-up. Other problems of note include fuel leaking or chain tensioner issues. Save yourself the hassle and move forward with a better-built chainsaw.

The Craftsman S205 is a 20-inch gas chainsaw that is designed for easy start-up and user comfort. That said, reviewers find this model to be prone to breaking and underpowered for many tasks. For instance, one Lowe's reviewer says: "The engine seems too small to drive this bar length. Stalls with larger diameter logs. Pull cord mechanism broke when starting after a couple months." That pull cord mechanism seems to be especially problematic, with another reviewer reporting, "Got this for my husband for Father's Day. He decided to use it for the first time today since it's been sunny. First pull on the pull start cord *SNAP*. Wouldn't recoil so we opened it to figure out why; cheap plastic piece inside snapped right off on the recoil wheel."

Perusing the Lowe's reviews, you'll see that this Craftsman chainsaw has 790 reviews with an average rating of 3.6 stars. Of those reviewers, 199 give the chainsaw a one-star review. Just 63 percent suggest buying this model. Many people comment on how frustrating it is to utilize the manufacturer's warranty. One good way to avoid that hassle is to buy a chainsaw with a better reputation for power and longevity.

A budget chainsaw may save you money, but it can cost you a lot of aggravation. That's what buyers have found with the poorly rated Greenworks 18-inch Corded Chainsaw. The biggest complaints from reviewers are that this chainsaw is unreliable, with reports of it failing to work out of the box or the engine dying after a short bout of work. For instance, one reviewer says, "Not a great cutting experience, but it was good for the price. Then the motor burned up within the first 30 minutes." Other reviewers complain that the chain frequently falls off, as described by this reviewer: "When it was cutting wood ok, it was good. Chain kept falling off while in use."

And while you can't fault the chainsaw for being corded, it adds to the aggravation factor as the cord is only 8 inches long, so you'll likely need a longer one. Based on Lowe's 85 user reviews, this chainsaw earns an average rating of 3.6 stars and is recommended by 67 percent of buyers. All things considered, you'd probably be better off with a better quality battery-powered electric chainsaw. You're likely to get more power and also alleviate any concerns about how far the cord will reach.

Consumer Reports data puts Echo on the list of top chainsaws of 2025, but this 16-inch gas model is worth passing on. The Echo CS-3410 has a poor reputation due to issues with starting the engine. People report tugging on the pull cord more than 20 times to start the engine or say that the engine floods out easily. The build quality also draws complaints from reviewers. For instance, one dissatisfied buyer describes this model as "a cheap knock-off of what Echo chainsaws once were."

This model has an average rating of 3.7 stars based on 279 reviews. Of those, 46 are 1-star reviews. The Echo brand isn't enough to save this model from being mediocre at best. Instead, look for more highly-rated Echo chainsaws for yard maintenance or a landscaping project to boost your home's value.

Battery-powered chainsaws give you the freedom to cut limbs or trim foliage without worrying about a nearby electrical outlet or keeping a full tank of gas. And while the Ryobi 40V 10-inch Chainsaw is compact and easy to handle, it's got its shortcomings. For starters, many reviewers found that the battery wouldn't charge out of the box. But even users who didn't have that problem frequently report issues with the chain tensioner. It breaks easily, as shown in this review left on Home Depot: "I bought two of these and both the chain tensioners broke on first use. The first one I purchased lasted about 5 minutes before breaking so I thought I received a lemon. The second one lasted maybe 30 minutes."

Of the 346 Home Depot reviews, 58 of them are one-star ratings. This chainsaw has an average rating of 3.8 stars, and 73 percent of buyers would recommend it. If you already have a tool shed full of Ryobi 40V battery-powered tools (and reliable batteries that work), this chainsaw might be a tempting option for light-duty work. That said, it's hard to overlook the frequent mention of chain tensioner problems. We'd suggest looking for other compact, battery-powered chainsaws.

Chainsaws make quick work of tasks that would take much longer using hand tools. Cordless chainsaws take that cutting power anywhere, but they're only useful as long as the battery lasts. That's the major flaw of the DeWalt DCCS677B 60V MAX Cordless Chainsaw. Reviewers say it's capable of cutting large limbs or trees, but that battery runs out quickly under load. As a case in point, consider what this reviewer had to say after using the chainsaw: "I have been able to cut with no issues for an extended period of time if the tree circumference is less than 8 inches. But when I began cutting into the main tree it only cut about 5 times then cut out. Swapped batteries, lasted 5 cuts then died with a full charge on the battery life. Switched to a third battery, died around 4 or so cuts. The batteries were hot but motor was cold. I couldn't cut anything for hours, it would just cut maybe half of the tree or not even turn on after sticking in the batteries."

When it works, this cordless DeWalt's cutting power is enough to eke out an average rating of 3.9 stars based on 195 reviews. But the fact that only 53 percent of buyers recommend the chainsaw tells you that shortcomings like the battery life issues make this one of the worst chainsaws to buy. Plus, at over $400, it's one of the more expensive chainsaws on this list. Given its flaws, we wouldn't recommend making the investment.

The hefty NEO-TEC 36-inch Gas Chainsaw is probably more chainsaw than most people need. For most homeowners, a 16 or 18-inch bar length is usually sufficient. But if you do have a specific need for a heavy-duty chainsaw, pass on this model. Numerous reviewers mention that the chainsaw floods easily, making it hard to start. Once it's running, it handle big cuts with ease, but beware—this model's parts break easily. Buyers have experienced problems with the piston and say the replacement parts are hard to come by, and support is spotty. One reviewer says, "After running the saw for less than 3 hours, the piston failed. Blew a hole in the top." Another buyer who experienced problems right out of the box summed up the experience of buying this chainsaw as "total junk and zero support."

This chainsaw is $499 on Amazon, where it has an average rating of 3.9 stars. Of the 222 reviews, almost 20 percent are 1-star reviews. Spend your money elsewhere if you need to fell a large tree using a chainsaw or handle other intensive cutting tasks.

To identify the worst-rated chainsaws, we researched models from large and small brands across various retailers. All of the chainsaws on our list have earned less than a 4-star rating. For each model, we combed reviews to identify the biggest weaknesses of the tool. We also noted how many buyers would recommend that someone else purchase the chainsaw. The models on this list are recommended by less than 80 percent of buyers, with the majority receiving recommendations from about half of users.