2020 test7 productsOutdoor Power Equipment
Which Chainsaw Brand Wins?
We compared 7 chainsaw options head to head. Echo came out on top. See the measured results, the runner-up, the budget pick, and a link to the full test video.
Winner
Echo
Price shown in test: $339
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Runner-up
Ego
Price shown in test: $229
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The measured results
Every number below is read straight from the test. Scroll sideways to see all measurements. Products are listed in the order they finished.
| Product | 4x4 cut times (3 passes) | Weighted cut (2.5 lb on bar) | Hardwood (honey locust) cut | Continuous runtime | Productivity (passes per charge on hardwood log) | Recharge time | Noise | Weight with battery | No-load RPM | Usable bar length | Battery | Warranty | Chain speed |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1Echo$339 | 9.05 sec, 9.3 sec, 9.7 sec | 6.8 sec, fastest of all brands tested | 14.3 sec, fastest of all brands tested | 7 minutes 36 seconds | approximately 32 passes, best of all brands | approximately 70 minutes | 99.5 decibels | 14.6 lb, heaviest of all brands tested | 10,800 RPM | 13 and 3/4 in of a 16-in bar | 58V 4-amp hour lithium ion | 5-year consumer, 2-year commercial | not tested |
| 2DeWalt | 9.4 sec, 9 sec, 11.1 sec (finished first at 9 seconds, barely ahead of Echo) | 8.2 sec | 15 sec | 5 minutes 45 seconds | 23 passes, second best | 139 minutes (tested in the round 1 video) | not tested | not tested | not tested | not tested | not tested | not tested | not tested |
| 3Stihl MSA 220C$815 (saw, AP 300S battery, and charger) | 18.4 sec, 15.2 sec, 14.7 sec | 10.3 sec | 18 sec | 6 minutes 49 seconds | 22.8 passes | 66 minutes 45 seconds | 100.5 decibels, loudest of all brands tested | 11.6 lb (stated at first mention); later recap list states 11.4 lb tied with Ego, a discrepancy between the two transcript mentions, flagged rather than resolved | 13,628 RPM, highest of all brands tested | 12 and 1/4 in of a 14-in bar (16-in bar also available) | 36V 7.2-amp hour, AP 300S, largest battery available for this saw, made in USA | not tested | not tested |
| 4Oregon$415 | 19.5 sec, 21.5 sec, 16.8 sec | 9.3 sec | 25.1 sec | 8 minutes 14 seconds, longest runtime of all brands tested | 19.6 passes | 93 minutes | 100 decibels | 13.8 lb (stated at first mention); later recap list states 13.4 lb, a discrepancy between the two transcript mentions, flagged rather than resolved | 7,300 RPM | 14 and 7/16 in of a 16-in bar | 40V 6-amp hour lithium ion | not tested | not tested |
| 5Husqvarna 120i$259 | 23.8 sec, 24.7 sec, 21.7 sec | 14.3 sec | 40.3 sec, slowest of all brands tested | 6 minutes 21 seconds | 9.4 passes | 92 minutes | 92.5 decibels | 10.8 lb, lightest of all brands tested | 9,552 RPM | 13 and 1/4 in of a 14-in bar | 40V 4-amp hour lithium ion | not tested | not tested |
| 6Ego$229 | 17.3 sec, 12.1 sec, 12.4 sec | 10.7 sec | 16.5 sec | 2 minutes 46 seconds, shortest runtime of all brands tested | 10 passes | 39 minutes, fastest of all brands tested | 92 decibels, quietest of all brands tested | 11.4 lb | 6,840 RPM | 13 and 7/16 in of a 14-in bar | 56V 2.5-amp hour lithium ion | not tested | not tested |
| 7Wen$159 | 20.8 sec, 22.3 sec, 21.2 sec | 14.1 sec | 30.5 sec | 4 minutes 46 seconds | 9.3 passes, lowest of all brands tested | 89 minutes 15 seconds | 99 decibels | 12 lb | 7,070 RPM | 14 and 3/4 in of a 16-in bar | 40V max, 4-amp hour lithium ion | not tested | 2,950 ft per minute |
How it was tested
- cutting speed through nine 4x4 lumber boards, three timed passes each
- cutting speed through 4x4 lumber with 2.5 lb of weight applied to the front of the saw, no downward force
- cutting speed through an 11-in honey locust hardwood log
- continuous run time cutting through the honey locust log until battery depleted
- productivity calculation: number of passes through the honey locust log possible on a single charge
- battery recharge time
- noise level measured 30 in above the chainsaw handle
- weight with battery installed
- no-load chain/sprocket RPM measured with a laser tachometer
- usable bar length measurement
- bar and chain installation and tensioning ease
- trigger safety switch location and trigger delay
“in my opinion, the Echo was by far the best chainsaw”