2023 test8 productsOutdoor Power Equipment
Which Gas Chainsaw Brand Wins?
We compared 8 gas chainsaw options head to head. Stihl MS 250 came out on top. See the measured results, the runner-up, the budget pick, and a link to the full test video.
Winner
Stihl MS 250
Price shown in test: $400, most expensive brand tested
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Runner-up
Salem Master Pro
Price shown in test: $140, least expensive brand tested
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Budget pick
Salem Master Pro
Price shown in test: $140, least expensive brand tested
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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 | Made_in | Engine_cc | Weight_lb | Starter_pulls_room_temp | Noise_db | No_load_rpm | Torque_dyno_lb | Softwood_cut_9_4x 4s_best_sec | Weighted_cut_5lb_added_sec | Hardwood_cut_best_sec | Cold_start_15 F | Starting_force_peak |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1Stihl MS 250$400, most expensive brand tested | Germany | 45.6cc | 12.5 | 7 | 112.3, the loudest of the lineup | 14,800, by far the highest revving saw | 37, a total beast, best of the lineup | 9.73 (individual passes described as under 10 seconds, just over 10 seconds, and just under 11 seconds), fastest of the lineup | 12.67, fastest of the lineup | 16.9 (passes: 18, 16.9, 17.1), by far the fastest of the lineup | up and going on the fifth pull, though the reviewer notes it 'almost came to life on the second pull' and could probably have started on the third if the choke had been positioned correctly | 21 kg or about 47 lb, the most force required to start of any saw tested |
| 2Salem Master Pro$140, least expensive brand tested | China | 58cc, the largest displacement in the lineup | 14.53 (without fuel or oil) | 7 | 108 | approximately 10,800 | 25, third place behind the Stihl and Echo | 12.82 (passes: 14.14, 13.68, 12.82), second fastest overall behind the Stihl | 16.38, second fastest, described as 'a distant second' behind the Stihl | 30.12 (passes: 32.1, 30.12, just over 34) | fired up on the third attempt, described as 'not bad for a budget saw' | 14 kg or almost 31 lb |
| 3Husqvarna 440$360 | reviewer was unable to locate any information on where this saw was manufactured | 40.9cc | 11.92, almost as light as the Ryobi | 6 (reviewer pulled 5 times per the instructions but the engine started on the sixth pull) | 110.1, the loudest yet at the time it was tested | just over 13,000, the fastest at the time it was tested | 24, tied with the Poulan Pro and Craftsman | 13.63 (passes: 16.8, 13.95, 13.63), third fastest overall behind the Stihl and battery-powered Echo comparison | 17.2, third fastest, almost as fast as the Salem Master | 24.25 (passes: 27.03, 24.25, 24.7), about 7.5 seconds slower than the Stihl, second fastest | up and going on the fifth attempt, not seeming too bothered by the cold | 16.5 kg or 36.3 lb, about the same as the Ryobi |
| 4Echo CS-400 (gas)$369 | assembled in USA | 40.2cc | 12.04 | 4 | 105.7, the quietest of the lineup | close to 11,500 | 27, second place behind only the Stihl, outperforming the larger 58cc Salem Master | 15.92 (passes: 15.92, 17.28, 16.48) | 19.47, third fastest cut in this round per the transcript's ordering | 27.3 (passes: 28.9, 28.7, 27.3), performed about the same as its battery-powered counterpart at just over 27 seconds | ready for action quickly, started in 3 pulls, same as the Salem Master | 15 kg or about 33 lb, very similar to the Salem Master and Craftsman |
| 5Craftsman$209, about $9 more than the Poulan Pro | Mexico | 42cc | 12.93 | 4, the same as the Poulan Pro | 106.7, about the same as the Poulan Pro | very close to 12,000, the fastest at the time it was tested | 24, matched the Poulan Pro | 20.79 (passes: 23.48, 21.09, 20.79), moved into second place behind the Salem Master at the time it was tested, before the Husqvarna, Echo, and Stihl were run | 25.5, performed better than the Poulan Pro but still struggled to maintain chain speed | 38.5 (passes: 41, 38.5, 38.8) | up and running on the fifth attempt, almost started on the third pull | just over 14 kg or around 31 lb, about the same as the Salem Master |
| 6Ryobi$259 | Vietnam | 38cc, the smallest displacement in the lineup | 11.78, the lightest saw tested | 6 | 106.8, almost the same as the Craftsman | almost 13,000, the most at the time it was tested | 19, gave up sooner than the rest of the lineup, the weakest torque result | 21.65 (passes: 26.58, 22.67, 21.65), described as underpowered and quick to bog down with a small amount of force | 22.82, its lighter weight helped it post the second fastest cut in this round per the transcript's ordering | 35.15 (passes: 38.45, 35.15, 36.73) | 5 pulls, described as pretty easy to start in cold temperature | 17 kg or about 37.5 lb, a little more stubborn to start than the others despite its smaller engine |
| 7Poulan Pro$200 | not stated in the transcript | 42cc | 14.32 | 4, the same as the Craftsman | 106, a little quieter than the Salem Master | almost 11,300 | 24, almost as well as the Salem Master | 21.91 (passes: 29.5, 23.08, 21.91), described as really struggling and underpowered for a 10-in board, consistently 9 to 10 seconds slower than the Salem Master | 28.3, struggled to maintain chain speed without stalling | 39.5 (passes: 50.1, 42.6, 39.5), described as really slow and underpowered from the start | 16 pulls, described as not as motivated as the Salem Master to get going | 7.5 kg or about 16.5 lb, by far the least starting force required of any saw tested |
| 8Echo battery-powered (bonus cross-comparison, prior video's winner) | not tested | not tested | not tested | not tested | not tested | not tested | not tested | 13.99 (passes: 13.99, 14.85, 14.14) | not tested | 27.6 (passes: 28.9, 27.6, 29.8), performed about the same as the gas-powered Echo at just over 27 seconds | not tested | not tested |
How it was tested
- engine torque via a dyno-style tester measuring downward force in lb needed to stop the chain
- no-load sprocket speed (RPM)
- noise level at 24 in from the saw (decibels)
- cutting speed through nine 4x4s (3 timed passes per saw)
- cutting speed making one cut with 5 lb of added weight on the bar
- cutting speed through a cured hedge apple hardwood log (3 timed passes per saw)
- cold-temperature starting performance at 15 degrees Fahrenheit (number of pulls/attempts)
- peak pull force required to start the engine (measured over three back-to-back pulls with a push-pull meter)
- weight of each saw
“when it comes to chainsaws, my philosophy is buy once and cry once, and for that reason, I really like the Stihl”