8 Best Chainsaws in Australia for Cutting, Pruning and Firewood in 2026
Choosing the right chainsaw depends on far more than maximum power. Bar length, chain speed, weight, power source and the type of timber you regularly cut all affect how practical a saw will be.
With so many models available, comparing the best chainsaws in Australia can help narrow down which options are better suited to pruning, firewood preparation and demanding property work.
The models covered here range from compact 115mm cordless pruning saws to 500mm commercial battery machines and 70.6cc professional petrol chainsaws.
The eight options cover light garden pruning, regular firewood preparation, property maintenance and demanding professional cutting.
Essential Features That Matter in a Chainsaw
Cutting Power
Power should match the timber and workload. The models here range from an 18V pruning platform to 70.6cc petrol power producing 4.3kW.
Higher output is valuable for large hardwood, but unnecessary power can add weight and operating cost.
Bar and Chain Size
A 115–150mm bar suits controlled branch pruning, while 400–500mm bars are better matched to larger logs and firewood.
Bar length alone does not determine performance; chain speed and available torque also matter.
Weight and Balance
The featured saws range from roughly 2kg pruning tools to petrol machines exceeding 6kg before cutting equipment.
Lower weight generally reduces handling effort during repeated work.
Safety and Control
Look for effective chain brakes, secure two-hand control and manageable balance.
WorkSafe Victoria also recommends appropriate PPE and checking that the chain, bar, lubrication and chain brake are in serviceable condition before use.
Overall Value
Value should include batteries, chargers, fuel, maintenance and accessories—not simply the purchase price.
Comparison of 8 Best Chainsaws in Australia
Makita 1800W Chainsaw 400mm UC4041A
The Makita UC4041A is the lowest-priced full-size chainsaw in this comparison at $279. Its 1,800W motor, 400mm guide bar and 870m/min chain speed put it well above the compact pruning models in cutting capacity while avoiding petrol-engine servicing.
Makita lists the equivalent chain speed as approximately 14.5m/s.
At 4.7kg, the UC4041A is substantially heavier than the small Makita DUC122 and DUC150 pruning saws but remains lighter than the 5.8kg Husqvarna 460 and 6.6kg 572 XP before cutting equipment.
Its 200mL oil reservoir also provides considerably more capacity than the 55mL tank of the DUC150.
Tool-less chain adjustment makes routine tension changes simpler, while automatic lubrication and a Safety-matic chain brake address two important maintenance and control requirements.
A metal spike bumper provides a firmer pivot point when cutting timber.
The major limitation is obvious: it needs mains electricity. That makes it less suitable for remote acreage or bush blocks, but it can be highly practical around a home, shed or workshop where an appropriate power supply is readily available.
For buyers who mainly cut stored firewood, fallen branches or garden timber near power, its combination of a 400mm bar, 1,800W input and $279 listed price gives it one of the strongest price-to-capability positions in this group.
DeWalt 54V Brushless Chainsaw 400mm 9.0Ah Kit DCM575N-XE
The DeWalt DCM575N-XE brings a 400mm bar into a cordless package. At the listed $799 price, the kit includes a 9.0Ah XR FLEXVOLT lithium-ion battery and fast charger, so buyers are receiving a complete operating package rather than a skin-only saw.
Its 15m/s chain speed is marginally higher than the 14.5m/s equivalent speed of the corded Makita UC4041A.
DeWalt states that the DCM575 platform can make up to 65 cuts per charge when paired with a 9.0Ah FLEXVOLT battery, although real results will vary with timber diameter, species, chain condition and cutting technique.
The tool is listed at approximately 4.4kg, with dimensions of 880 × 240 × 230mm.
Automatic oiling, a visible oil level, non-slip grip and tool-free bar installation and chain tensioning help reduce interruptions during ordinary property work. Oil capacity is approximately 110–120mL.
Battery chainsaw weight figures are not always published on the same basis. A bare-tool or skin-only figure excludes the battery, while an operating-weight figure includes the battery required to run the saw.
Compared with the petrol Husqvarna 460, the DeWalt avoids fuel mixing, pull starting and exhaust emissions at the tool. However, sustained work requires battery management rather than refuelling.
This makes the DCM575 especially attractive for users already invested in DeWalt XR/FLEXVOLT batteries or anyone who wants a true 400mm cordless chainsaw for property clean-ups, medium-to-large firewood and landscaping without stepping into a petrol platform.
Makita 18V Chainsaw Kit 115mm 1 × 3.0Ah DUC122SF
The Makita DUC122SF serves a completely different purpose from a 400–500mm firewood saw. Its 115mm guide bar and 5m/s chain speed are designed around controlled pruning, trimming shrubs and cutting smaller garden waste rather than processing large hardwood logs.
The kit costs $459 and includes one 18V 3.0Ah lithium-ion battery and charger.
With the battery fitted, published Australian retailer specifications put the saw at approximately 2.6kg, making it around 2.1kg lighter than the 4.7kg Makita UC4041A.
The approximately 2.6kg figure should be treated as an operating weight with a compatible battery fitted, rather than a skin-only comparison.
Its 115mm bar is less than one-third the length of a 400mm guide bar. That is a disadvantage on large material but valuable when manoeuvrability is more important than outright capacity.
The saw also includes automatic chain oiling, tool-less chain tension adjustment, an electric brake and a tip guard.
Oil capacity is about 80mL, while no-load speed is listed at 2,620rpm.
The DUC122SF therefore makes most sense as a specialised garden tool rather than a single chainsaw for every task. It is easier to manage in confined garden areas and is better matched to frequent branch work than the 5.8–6.6kg petrol saws in this guide.
For homeowners who mostly prune rather than fell or process firewood, buying this smaller format may be considerably more practical than paying for unnecessary bar length and engine capacity.
Husqvarna Chainsaw 60.3cc 20in X-Torq 460
The Husqvarna 460 moves into heavy landowner territory with a 60.3cc X-Torq petrol engine producing 2.7kW. Its standard 20-inch bar gives it substantially greater physical cutting reach than the 115mm and 150mm pruning models.
Husqvarna specifies a chain speed of 20m/s at maximum power.
Weight is about 5.8kg excluding cutting equipment, while the oil tank holds approximately 0.32 litres.
The 5.8kg figure refers to the power head and excludes cutting equipment. Once the guide bar, chain, fluids and other required operating components are fitted, actual ready-to-cut weight will be higher.
Its X-Torq system is designed to provide high torque across a broad operating range.
Smart Start assists starting, Air Injection separates larger dust particles before they reach the filter, and LowVib isolates vibration from the handles. A side-mounted tensioner and adjustable oil pump further support frequent use.
For context, its 2.7kW divided by a 5.8kg power-head weight gives roughly 0.47kW per kilogram before bar and chain are installed.
The professional 572 XP rises to about 0.65kW/kg using the same simple calculation, so the 460 sits below Husqvarna’s professional model in power density while also costing substantially less.
That balance makes the 460 well suited to acreage owners who regularly process firewood, clear storm damage or cut larger timber but may not require the output and purchase cost of a 70cc-class professional forestry saw.
Makita 18V Brushless Pruning Saw Kit 150mm 1 × 3.0Ah DUC150SF
The Makita DUC150SF is a more modern pruning-focused alternative to the DUC122SF. It uses an 18V brushless motor, a 150mm guide bar and an 8m/s maximum chain speed.
That is 60% faster than the DUC122’s 5m/s figure.
Makita’s specifications list 320W output, a 55mL oil tank and a 1.4kg skin weight.
With a 6.0Ah LXT battery, Makita lists the saw at approximately 2kg, demonstrating how compact the platform remains even with a relatively large battery.
This is an important example of why battery-tool weight needs context. The approximately 1.4kg figure is the skin-only tool weight, while Makita lists approximately 2.0kg when equipped with a 6.0Ah battery.
A different compatible battery can alter the total working weight.
Its narrow 1.1mm chain is intended to support runtime and efficient pruning, while automatic lubrication reduces the chance of the chain running dry.
A retractable chain guard opens progressively as the bar passes through a branch, and an electric brake rapidly stops chain rotation after the trigger is released.
Compared with the DUC122, buyers gain another 35mm of bar length and an extra 3m/s of chain speed. Compared with a full-size chainsaw, they give up substantial log capacity but gain a much lighter machine.
For orchard maintenance, landscaping, fruit-tree pruning and repetitive branch cutting, that trade-off is sensible.
Husqvarna Professional Chainsaw 70.6cc 20in 572 XP
The Husqvarna 572 XP is the most powerful petrol chainsaw in this comparison. Its 70.6cc engine develops 4.3kW, a 59% increase in rated output over the 2.7kW Husqvarna 460.
Despite that increase, power-head weight rises from 5.8kg for the 460 to 6.6kg for the 572 XP.
That gives the 572 XP an approximate power-to-weight figure of 0.65kW/kg compared with around 0.47kW/kg for the 460, based on the published power and dry power-head weights.
Husqvarna specifically defines the 6.6kg measurement as weight excluding cutting equipment. It should therefore be read as a power-head figure rather than the complete ready-to-cut weight with bar and chain installed.
Husqvarna lists 22m/s chain speed at maximum power and supports recommended bars from 38 to 70cm, although the model featured here carries a 20-inch bar.
The oil tank holds approximately 0.35L.
AutoTune automatically adjusts engine settings for changing operating conditions, while Air Injection reduces the amount of dust reaching the filter.
Husqvarna also highlights improved cooling, heavy-duty filtration and low-vibration design for prolonged professional operation.
The performance comes with greater noise and physical demands. Husqvarna lists sound pressure at the operator’s ear at 107dB(A), reinforcing the importance of appropriate hearing and chainsaw PPE.
For occasional suburban pruning, the 572 XP is excessive. For professional forestry, repeated large hardwood cutting and high-volume firewood production, its 4.3kW output makes far more sense.
View all Professional Chainsaws
EGO 56V Brushless Chainsaw 500mm 30m/s Skin Only CSX5000
The EGO CSX5000 is the fastest-chain model in this comparison on published figures, reaching up to 30m/s. EGO describes its output as comparable with a 60cc petrol saw.
It combines that performance with a full-size 500mm bar and full-chisel chain.
Maximum 30m/s performance requires a 7.5Ah battery or larger.
With a 56V 7.5Ah ARC Lithium battery, EGO states up to 110 cuts through 100 × 100mm timber under its test conditions.
The battery is not included with the $799 skin-only listing, so total operating cost needs to include a suitable battery and charger if the buyer does not already own them.
Three selectable speed settings allow output to be matched to the job.
Other commercial-oriented details include metal bucking spikes, a 250mL oil tank, LED work light, digital battery and speed display, an omnidirectional automatic chain brake and IPX5-rated weather-resistant construction.
EGO Australia’s current product specification lists the CSX5000 at 6.2kg. This should not be combined with or treated as equivalent to retailer figures such as 4.3kg unless the measurement conditions are identical.
The CSX5000 is sold here as a skin-only product, meaning the purchase does not include the battery required for operation.
The complete in-use mass is therefore the saw’s applicable tool weight plus the fitted ARC Lithium battery, subject to how EGO defines its published 6.2kg figure.
For this reason, avoid describing 6.2kg as a definitive total working weight with battery unless the manufacturer explicitly states that measurement condition.
View all Rear Handle Chainsaws
Makita 36V Brushless Top Handle Chainsaw 300mm DUC306Z
The Makita DUC306Z combines two 18V LXT batteries to create a 36V system while maintaining compatibility with Makita’s established 18V battery platform.
Its brushless direct-drive motor delivers chain speeds up to 1,200m/min, equivalent to 20m/s.
A 300mm guide bar makes it considerably more capable than the 115mm and 150mm pruning saws without becoming as long as the 400–500mm rear-handle machines.
Skin weight is approximately 3.5kg and published weight with batteries is about 4.7kg. Oil capacity is 200mL.
The distinction between the two weight figures matters. The approximately 3.5kg figure represents the tool without its two operating batteries, while approximately 4.7kg represents a configured operating weight, depending on the batteries fitted.
Makita also publishes a runtime test of approximately 21 cuts through 200mm hardwood using two 6.0Ah batteries.
That figure is useful for comparison but should not be treated as a guaranteed field runtime because timber species, chain sharpness, battery temperature and cutting technique change results.
Torque Boost temporarily increases torque for difficult cuts.
A kickback brake, metal bumper, automatic lubrication, captive bar nuts and XPT dust-and-moisture resistance further support professional use.
The DUC306Z is a top-handle chainsaw designed around professional arborist applications rather than ordinary general-purpose ground cutting.
Its compact configuration should not be treated as a shortcut for inexperienced users working at height.
Chainsaw Performance and Specs at a Glance
Battery and petrol chainsaw weights require careful comparison.
A skin-only weight excludes the battery, a power-head weight normally excludes the bar and chain on petrol machines, and an operating weight includes specified batteries or other components according to the manufacturer’s measurement method.
For that reason, the weight-condition column below should be read alongside the kilogram figure rather than comparing kilograms alone.
Cutting Capacity
The 115mm Makita DUC122SF and 150mm DUC150SF are primarily pruning tools, while the 300mm DUC306Z provides greater cutting reach for specialist arborist applications.
The 400mm Makita UC4041A and DeWalt DCM575N-XE move into general firewood territory.
At the upper end, the Husqvarna 460, Husqvarna 572 XP and 500mm EGO CSX5000 are better matched to substantially larger timber.
Power Source and Output
The UC4041A provides 1,800W corded power where mains electricity is available.
Battery models remove the extension lead and range from compact 18V pruning tools through 36V and 54V systems to EGO’s 56V commercial platform.
Petrol remains represented by the 2.7kW Husqvarna 460 and substantially more powerful 4.3kW 572 XP.
Weight and Handling
Weight figures need to be compared on the same basis.
Skin-only battery weights exclude the battery required to operate the saw. Petrol power-head figures can exclude the bar and chain.
A battery-equipped operating weight provides a more realistic indication of what the user actually has to handle during cutting.
This distinction is particularly important when comparing compact cordless models with full-size petrol saws.
Runtime and Fuel Efficiency
Battery runtime varies with battery capacity, timber diameter, timber density, chain sharpness and cutting load.
EGO states up to 110 cuts under its specified testing with a 7.5Ah battery, while published Makita testing for the DUC306Z provides another useful workload reference.
These controlled figures should be treated as comparison data rather than guaranteed real-world runtime.
Petrol models instead allow relatively quick refuelling, which can be advantageous during extended property, forestry and high-volume firewood work.
Match the Chainsaw to Your Cutting Needs
Light Pruning and Garden Jobs
For branches, shrubs and fruit-tree maintenance, the Makita DUC122SF and DUC150SF are the most appropriately sized choices.
Their 115mm and 150mm bars reduce bulk, while the DUC150’s 8m/s chain speed provides a noticeable performance increase over the DUC122’s 5m/s.
Firewood and Medium-Duty Cutting
The 400mm Makita UC4041A and DeWalt DCM575 are better balanced for ordinary firewood.
Both offer roughly 15m/s chain speeds, with the Makita favouring inexpensive corded operation and the DeWalt adding cordless freedom.
The Husqvarna 460 moves beyond them where larger timber and longer working sessions make petrol refuelling more practical.
Large Logs and Heavy-Duty Work
For the most demanding cutting, the Husqvarna 572 XP combines 70.6cc with 4.3kW, while the EGO CSX5000 offers a 500mm bar and up to 30m/s from a commercial battery platform.
The DUC306Z occupies a specialised middle ground for trained arborist users needing a compact 300mm top-handle design.
Simple Ways to Extend Chainsaw Life
Keep the Chain Sharp
A sharp chain cuts efficiently with less pressure on the motor or engine.
Husqvarna notes that chains can normally be sharpened multiple times before replacement, provided the cutters remain above their wear limits and the chain is undamaged.
Check Chain Tension
Inspect tension before starting and during longer jobs.
A chain that is excessively loose can perform poorly, while incorrect tension accelerates wear.
Follow the specific adjustment procedure in the saw’s manual.
Maintain Bar and Chain Oil
Confirm that lubrication is flowing and keep the correct chain oil available.
WorkSafe Victoria specifically recommends checking bar-oil flow before operation.
Clean and Store Properly
Remove sawdust from the bar, chain-brake area, cooling surfaces and oil passages after use.
Husqvarna recommends keeping the air filter and chain brake clear and cleaning the guide bar, while STIHL also recommends cleaning the sprocket nose, bar groove and oil channels during routine maintenance.
Regular cleaning, sharpening and lubrication cost far less than replacing damaged cutting equipment or repairing an overheated saw.
Conclusion
There is no single chainsaw that is ideal for every Australian cutting job.
A small 18V pruning saw can be a better purchase than a 70cc petrol machine when most work involves shrubs and branches, while a compact garden saw quickly becomes inefficient when processing large volumes of hardwood.
For inexpensive full-size home cutting, the Makita UC4041A combines a 400mm bar with a $279 listed price.
The DeWalt DCM575 offers similar bar length without a power cable, while the Husqvarna 460 provides a stronger petrol option for regular property and firewood work.
The Makita DUC122SF and DUC150SF stand out for pruning.
At the heavy-duty end, the 4.3kW Husqvarna 572 XP and 30m/s EGO CSX5000 offer substantially greater capability for demanding work.
The best choice is therefore the model whose bar length, output, weight and power source most closely match the work you actually perform.
Originally Published : https://www.toolsforsale.com.au/best-chainsaws-australia/
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