The best mini chainsaws in 2024

If you're pruning smaller branches, take a look at our reviews of the best secateurs, best electric secateurs and the best loppers and for help clearing up, see our test of the best wheelbarrows.

Best mini chainsaws to buy at a glance

• Best mini chainsaw: Stihl GTA 26
• Best mini chainsaw for versatility: Husqvarna Aspire P5-P4A
• Best budget mini chainsaw: Webb Eco WEV20PSB2

Jump to:

• Best mini chainsaws
• Best of the rest mini chainsaws
• How to choose a mini chainsaw
• How to use a mini chainsaw
• How we tested mini chainsaws

In every review we award the outstanding products our coveted Best Buy award. To see these and the others we recommend, browse our pick of the best pruning chainsaws below:

Best mini chainsaws in 2024

Stihl GTA 26 cordless garden pruner

RRP: £149

Our rating: 4.9/5

Pros

• Lightweight, comfortable to use, and well balanced
• Comes in a handy carry case
• Battery charge level indicator on handle
• Eco-friendly chain oil included

Cons

• Smaller bar length than the competition
• White plastic body is easily marked
• Only 25 mins runtime

The durable and reliable GTA 26 is a fantastic mini chainsaw that offers cordless convenience and enough power to cut through medium sized branches and logs. It boasts a 10 cm bar, a comfortable rubberised grip, tool-free chain tensioning, battery charge level indicator on the side, and razor-sharp Swiss-made micro chain. Powered by the tiny 10.8 Volt, 2.5 Ah AS 2 battery, which is compatible with a range of Stihl AS tools, including a strimmer, powered pruners and a hedge trimmer, it’s a surprisingly capable saw for such a small unit. There’s also the option of buying an extension pole for hard-to-reach pruning. The only drawback is a short 25-minute runtime. We awarded the Stihl GTA 26 a BBC Gardeners’ World Magazine Best Buy for best mini chainsaw. It comes with a two-year warranty.

Husqvarna Aspire P5-P4A pruner

RRP: £154.99

Our rating: 4.8/5

Available from Husqvarna (£154.99)

Pros

• Shares batteries with other 18V tools
• Handy 12 cm bar length
• Holster and extension pole accessories available
• Battery charge visible
• Eco-friendly chain oil included

Cons

• Bulky hand guard can get in the way
• No carry case included
• 30-minute run time

The Aspire P5-P4A has a very comfortable handle and a power button that also shows the charge left in the battery. Making use of the brilliantly versatile 18 Volt Power for All Alliance battery platform, you can use the same battery in a range of different tool brands, including Bosch, Gardena and Flymo. This also means you can install higher capacity batteries than the 2.5 Ah one included, to increase your working time. Although it doesn’t come with a carry case, Husqvarna has included a handy hanging hook that you can easily screw into your shed wall to keep it off the floor. You can extend the reach with a pole extension accessory as well. The P5-P4A has been awarded a BBC Gardeners’ World Magazine Best Buy for a versatile mini chainsaw. It comes with a two-year warranty and container of bio chain oil.

Webb Eco WEV20PSB2 cordless pruning saw trimmer

RRP: £99.99

Our rating: 4.6/5

Pros

• Generous 15 cm bar length
• Up to 40 mins runtime
• Affordable pruning chainsaw
• Extension pole available

Cons

• Slow charging time at around 80 mins
• Brushed motor isn’t as efficient
• No carry case or chain oil included

The WEV20PSB2 cordless pruning saw is a welcome addition to the new Webb cordless range. An affordable and capable saw for pruning tree limbs or processing firewood, it features a generous 15 cm long bar and an inbuilt chain break to avoid dangerous overrun. The 20 Volt tool comes with a 2.0 Ah battery and slimline charger that promises up to 40 minutes of cutting per charge. What we like the best is that you get a very capable saw for less than £100, so we’ve awarded it a BBC Gardeners’ World Magazine Best Buy for a budget mini chainsaw. The only thing you need to buy straight away is your own chain oil to keep the blade in good condition. It comes with a three-year warranty.

Best of the rest

Although some models didn't quite achieve a BBC Gardeners’ World Magazine Best Buy award, they still have great features that make them worth recommending. Browse our pick of the best of the rest on test:

Bosch EasyChain 18V-15-7 cordless chainsaw

RRP: £129.85

Our rating: 4.8/5

Pros

• Long 15 cm bar made by Oregon
• Powerful brushless motor
• Chain stops when trigger is released
• Battery charge indicator on the saw
• Shares batteries with other 18V tools including Flymo, Gardena and Husqvarna
• Eco-friendly chain oil included

Cons

• No extension pole accessory available
• Chain tensioning is a bit fiddly

Weighing just 1.3 kg, the Bosch EasyChain is light enough, and its brushless motor stops when you let go of the trigger, avoiding any dangerous overrun. Featuring a generous 15 cm bar and chain made by famed chainsaw brand Oregon, it makes short work of branches and big firewood logs. The battery charge level indicator is a nice feature too, as is the impressive run time that promises 160 cuts per charge. The only issue we had was that the tool-free tensioning system worked itself loose too easily. It comes with a two-year warranty and a bottle of eco-friendly chain oil.

WORX 12cm cordless compact chainsaw

WG324E

RRP: £129.99

Our rating: 3.8/5

Available from Amazon UK (£119.99) and B&Q (£129.99)

Pros

• Plenty of torque
• 40 minute run time
• Affordable pruning chainsaw
• Long reach handle available

Cons

• Chunky handle isn’t too comfortable
• Large hand guard can get in the way
• Chain oil bottle supplied, but without oil

A great addition if you already have other WORX tools this runs on their 20 Volt battery system. It’s compact and lightweight, while still feeling powerful enough to chew through branches quickly. It’s supplied with a 2.0 Ah battery that features a charge level indicator and the 12 cm bar length is fine for small to medium size branches, but the chunky handle stops it from being the most comfortable saw to handle. It includes a 40-minute run time and two-year warranty.

Greenworks 24V Mini Chainsaw Pruner

RRP: £154.99

Our rating: 3.7/5

Available from Amazon UK (£89.99) and B&Q (£89.99)

Pros

• Smart carry case and chain oil included
• Comfortable pistol grip
• Tool-free tensioning
• Long 50-minute run time

Cons

• Short bar at just 10 cm
• Brushed motor lacks a bit of power
• No extension pole available

This mini chainsaw pruner is ideal for pruning smaller branches and runs on a 24 Volt battery system, which should, in theory at least, get more working time from each charge. It comes with a 2.0 Ah battery, which has a charge level indicator on the end, but you can also buy bigger capacity ones from Greenworks. It’s comfortable to use, thanks to an ergonomic pistol grip and a good weight balance. The bar feels a little bit undersized on this saw, however. You only get 10 cm to play with even though it has a chunky body and full-size battery. The tool-free chain tensioning system works well, once you get the hang of it, and it comes complete with a case and bottle of chain oil. It features a 50-minute run time and three-year warranty.

How to Choose a Mini Chainsaw

If you’re thinking of buying a mini chainsaw, consider the following points first:

Are they safe? Used properly, and with the right safety equipment, yes. Improper use, even with the extra safety features on the best mini chainsaws, can lead to devastating injuries. Some saws like the Bosch EasyChain and Webb Eco feature brushless motors that stop the chain immediately after releasing the trigger, which is effectively a chain brake that you would find on professional-level chainsaws. Other safety features include ergonomic non-slip handles for a firm grip, pivoting bar guards that cover the top of the blade and away from the hands, and handle guards to keep your hands safe.
Are they easy to use? Operating an electric pruning chainsaw is as simple as pushing a button and compared to a traditional petrol-powered chainsaw, you don’t need to learn the ins and outs of a two-stroke engine or mix fuel and oil together. However, learning proper cutting techniques is important to get the most out of your saw so it's worth looking for a chainsaw training and maintenance guide for help. Learning how to use your saw and resharpen the blade will pay you back in the long run. Keeping the chain sharp will help you cut through wood easily and also puts less stress on the motor and battery. You can buy inexpensive manual chain sharpening kits that uses round files and guides to sharpen each tooth on the chain or splash out on an electric chain grinder to save some effort. Getting the tension right on your chainsaw blade is also important. You should check the tension before using a saw and after making several cuts. A loose chain is prone to jumping off the bar, which is both annoying and dangerous. A properly tensioned blade will cut efficiently and safely. Check the manual for your chainsaw for the correct tension, but it should fit snugly without any sagging.
How long can they cut for? It’s not always straightforward, but essentially the larger your battery, the longer you can cut for. If you value a lightweight and easy to handle tool, you’ll have to put up with shorter working times although you could always invest in more batteries to ensure one’s ready to work while the other is on charge. The length of the blade (given as bar length) will also affect battery power. The bigger the bar, the larger the branches you can tackle but it can be unwieldy to use and will use up more battery power than a shorter bar.

How to use a mini chainsaw

Without trying to put anyone off, chainsaws of any size need to be treated with respect.

• Before you even think about pruning you need to get the right personal protective equipment. Protective goggles stop chippings getting into your eyes, but a full helmet and face guard will offer the ultimate protection. Ear defenders are also a must. Even though electric chainsaws are much quieter compared with their petrol-powered counterparts, they can still run at around 90dB, which is enough to cause hearing damage. Avoid wearing loose-fitting clothing and make sure that all long hair is tied back. Sturdy shoes or boots will help you keep a solid footing. Finally make sure to use a sharp chain and to oil it regularly.
• Make sure your work area is clear of any trip hazards before you start.
• Although you can use a mini chainsaw one-handed, it’s much safer to use both hands. Holding down the safety switch, you can start the saw with the trigger.
• Position the chain on the branch you want to cut and apply firm and even pressure until you have cut all the way through. Take care when cutting above your head and try to anticipate where the cut branch will fall.
• Practice on small diameter branches to get a feel for the saw before trying to tackle the big stuff. If you feel you’re overreaching to get at branches, consider buying a long reach handle that will allow you to stand at a safe distance.
• When cutting firewood, use a sawhorse to keep the logs secure and your hands free to hold the chainsaw.

How we tested mini chainsaws

The BBC Gardeners' World Magazine reviews team tested a variety of mini chainsaws in the garden to prune trees and shrubs and cut firewood. The following criteria were used to calculate the scores, with equal weight given to each:

• Ease of use: Observed how easy the controls were to use, if it was difficult to correctly tension the chain, and if the batteries were easy to install.
• Comfort: Evaluated the weight and shape of the tool, the balance, and the amount of noise and vibration it created.
• Performance: Tested how well it cut into different types of wood, if there was enough torque, and how well the chain stayed tensioned after use.
• Value for money: Considered all of above, plus if it came with a case, batteries, and the variety of accessories included and available.

This article was last updated in November 2024. We apologise if anything has changed in price or availability.