60cc vs 70cc Chainsaw: Which One Should You Buy?

Somewhere between the second cord and the third, a small saw starts telling on itself: the bar buried in a big round, the engine note sagging, the cut taking far more pushes than it should. That is when the 60cc vs 70cc chainsaw question stops being theoretical. The short version: a 60cc-class saw covers most firewood cutting, and a 70cc-class saw is for the big stuff, felling trees and long days of professional work.

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The quick answer

For firewood, a 60cc-class saw is the practical pick: the three saws in that class here pair 60cc to 63cc engines with 20 inch bars and power figures of 3.4 to 3.5 hp. A 70cc-class saw, like the 72cc FARMMAC with its 28 inch bar and 4.8HP, is the tool for felling trees and professional logging work, where the extra displacement holds chain speed in big wood.

60cc vs 70cc chainsaw: how the two classes differ

Engine size and power

Three of the saws here sit in the 60cc class: 60cc, 62cc and 63cc, rated 3.4 to 3.5 hp. The fourth, the FARMMAC, is a 72cc saw rated 3.6KW, 4.8HP. More displacement means more torque in the cut, which matters when the bar is fully buried. One wrinkle: the PINKWAY bullets claim 3.5hp while its own spec table lists Horsepower as 3.26, so that listing disagrees with itself on power.

Bar length

The three 60cc-class saws all pair with 20 inch bars, the standard length for bucking firewood rounds. The 72cc FARMMAC carries a 28 inch bar, which the listing pairs with felling trees and clearing land. Note a second conflict: the TECHMOO title says 20 inch, but its own bullets describe an 18-inch bar and chain, so read that listing carefully before you buy.

Chain, brake and safety hardware

The listings name low-kickback chains on the PINKWAY, the FARMMAC and the TECHMOO. For brakes, the JPNTECH lists an integrated chain brake plus an inertia-activated chain brake, and the TECHMOO lists a fast stop chain brake. The JPNTECH also uses dual throttle switches that must be pressed together to start, and the PINKWAY lists a safety device against accidental starting. Engine speed figures appear on three listings: 8500 rpm in the PINKWAY and TECHMOO bullets, a garbled 8500 pm/min chain speed entry in the JPNTECH spec table, and a 13,300 max engine rpm on the FARMMAC.

The four saws in this comparison

PINKWAY 63cc, 20 inch

The PINKWAY is a 63cc 2-cycle saw with a 20 inch chain, a low-kickback chain, an anti-vibration handle and an automatic chain oiler. The listing names a 2 Year Manufacturer warranty. Watch the listing’s own numbers: the bullets claim 3.5hp while the spec table lists 3.26 horsepower, and the title’s “Cordless Petrol” wording sits oddly on a gas-powered saw.

JPNTECH 60cc, 20 inch

The JPNTECH is a 60cc 2-cycle saw with a 20 inch bar and chain, rated 3.5 hp, with an integrated chain brake and an inertia-activated chain brake plus dual throttle switches. It lists an automatic lubricating system, anti-vibration design and an item weight of 17.3 pounds. The listing states no warranty term.

FARMMAC 72cc, 28 inch

The FARMMAC F380W is the 70cc-class entry: a 72cc 2-cycle engine rated 3.6KW, 4.8HP with a 28 inch bar, 3/8 inch chain pitch and 0.063 inch gauge, described as a low kickback setup. The listing aims it at professional logging work. Two cautions straight from the listing: it warns the saw is not CARB certified and cannot be sold or shipped to California addresses, and its weight figures conflict, with the bullets giving a 19.8 lb powerhead and the spec table listing 33 pounds.

TECHMOO 62cc, 20 inch

The TECHMOO is a 62cc 2-cycle saw rated 3.4HP with a low-kickback chain, a fast stop chain brake, a safety switch and an automatic oil system, plus a 1-Year Warranty. The listing’s bar length disagrees with itself: the title says 20 inch while the bullets describe an 18-inch bar and chain.

Which class for which firewood job

Match the saw to the wood, not the other way around. Bucking rounds to stove length and cutting wood and trees is 60cc-class work: the three saws in that class here list 20 inch bars in their titles and 3.4 to 3.5 hp, which the listings aim at cutting wood, trees and garden work. The TECHMOO bullets say 18-inch bar, as noted above. If you are felling trees or doing professional logging work, the 72cc class earns its keep: the FARMMAC pairs its 4.8HP with a 28 inch bar and names professional logging among its uses. Runners-up worth a look are the best chainsaw for firewood and the best heavy-duty gas chainsaw roundups for more options in each class.

Safety gear before you cut

A bigger saw does not forgive more. The listings that name safety hardware, chain brakes, dual throttle switches and low-kickback chains, still assume the operator gears up: chaps, a helmet with face screen and hearing protection, gloves and boots, and an eye on kickback on every cut. Never cut alone. If a saw is new to you, read the how to start a gas chainsaw guide first, and keep the chain sharp with a chainsaw sharpener, because a dull chain invites the pushing and forcing that gets people hurt.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is a 60cc chainsaw enough for cutting firewood?

For most firewood work, yes. The three 60cc-class saws here pair 60cc to 63cc engines with 20 inch bars and 3.4 to 3.5 hp, and their listings name cutting wood and trees among the uses.

When does a 70cc saw make sense?

When the wood gets big. The 72cc FARMMAC pairs its 4.8HP with a 28 inch bar and names felling trees and professional logging among its uses, which is the work the extra displacement is for.

Can I buy the FARMMAC saw in California?

No. The listing warns the saw is not CARB certified and cannot be sold or shipped to California addresses.

Do these saws have chain brakes?

Two of them name one: the JPNTECH lists an integrated chain brake plus an inertia-activated chain brake, and the TECHMOO lists a fast stop chain brake. The PINKWAY lists a safety device against accidental starting instead.

What bar length comes with each saw?

The PINKWAY and JPNTECH list 20 inch bars, the FARMMAC lists a 28 inch bar, and the TECHMOO listing conflicts with itself: its title says 20 inch while its bullets describe an 18-inch bar and chain.

Related guides

Stepping up from a smaller saw? Read the 40cc vs 60cc chainsaw comparison. For the wider field, see the best chainsaw for firewood, the best heavy-duty gas chainsaw and the gas vs battery chainsaw guide. Keep the chain keen with the best chainsaw sharpener and the best chainsaw chain for hickory firewood.